cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Association of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio with outcomes after elective abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

Data are lacking regarding real-time prediction of postoperative complications after elective aneurysm repair. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been evaluated as a predictor of outcomes after cardiac and infrapopliteal interventions and is associated with poor outcomes for critical limb ischemia. We examined NLR and outcomes after abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair. Inpatients undergoing elective AAA repair (2008 to 2015) were selected from the Cerner Health Facts database using International Classification of Disease (9th edition) procedure codes. Postoperative outcomes were identified using data from patient records within 1 week after surgery. NLR was calculated by dividing the absolute neutrophil count by the absolute lymphocyte count. The receiver operating characteristic curve was analyzed to define low and high postoperative NLR groups. Chi-square analysis and multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify characteristics (demographics, diagnoses, postoperative NLR) associated with postoperative complications. Elective AAA repair occurred in 5,655 patients. Of these, we could calculate postoperative NLR for 1,908 (34%), with 1,529 undergoing endovascular repair and 379 undergoing an open repair. Compared with patients with low postoperative NLR, patients with high postoperative NLR experienced longer hospital stays (5.7 vs 2.6 days, P
Hydrogel-Textile Composites: Actuators for Shape-Changing Interfaces

The current work examines interactions that are enabled when depositing a human-safe hydrogel onto textile substrates. These hydrogel-textile composites are water-responsive, supporting reversible actuation. To enable these interactions, we describe a fabrication process using a consumer-grade 3D printer. We show how different combinations of printed hydrogel patterns and textiles create a rich actuator design space. Finally, we show an application of this approach and discuss opportunities for future work.
Response to Chris Crandall and John Symons

This article responds to Chris Crandall's and John Symons's critical discussions of Philosophy Within Its Proper Bounds. I examine the significance of experimental-philosophy research for philosoph...
Multi-Level Factors Affecting Immediate and Delayed Concept Recall in Concept Mapping with Adult Learners.

Multi-level factors affecting immediate and delayed concept recall in concept mapping were examined across 716 concepts nested within 57 concept maps from adult learners. At the concept level, we e...
Does obesity exacerbate brain lesion volume and atrophy in patients with multiple sclerosis

Abstract Background Obesity is common among patients with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) and has been shown to exacerbate central inflammation, a key factor in disease progression. The purpose of this cross-sectional study is to examine the possible relationships between obesity, as measured by body mass index (BMI), and MS-related brain changes in atrophy and lesion volume, as measured from MRI, in a large, representative sample of pwMS. Methods BMI and MRI data, along with demographic and disease variables, were acquired from the Multiple Sclerosis Partners Advancing Technology and Health Solutions (MS PATHS) registry. Unadjusted and adjusted partial correlations, controlling for gender, race, age, education level, MS phenotype, disability and disease duration, examined the associations between BMI and MRI outcomes, which included brain parenchymal fraction, white matter fraction, gray matter fraction, thalamic volume, and T2 lesion volume. Results The sample consisted of 3,046 pwMS. Unadjusted and adjusted BMI-MRI correlations accounted for between 0.4% and 2.0% of shared variance (R2). When considering the relationship between MRI outcomes and BMI category (normal weight, overweight, obese), multiple regression analyses continued to show minimal association, with BMI category accounting for no more than 1.5% of shared variance. Conclusions No clinically meaningful associations were found between BMI and MRI outcomes in this large, representative sample of MS patients, regardless of demographics and disease variables. These unexpected negative results will require replication with a longitudinal design using more precise measures of obesity.
Is a new structurally dispossessed class developing in the United States

This study inquires whether a new structurally dispossessed class is developing in the United States. The new class proposition is derived from social theory and operationalized by two empirical characteristics: not in the labor force (NILF) and family income below poverty. The primary data source is the Current Population Survey over the years from 1968 to 2018, and threshold demographic criteria for class development is specified as increasing size and diversity. Because evidence is found to support the latter criterion but not the former, the proposition that a new class is developing is partially rejected. The analysis finds that new social components are joining the NILF/impoverished including men, Hispanics, college graduates, and young adults. Second, that the NILF/impoverished are politically active in terms of electoral participation, and no more likely than the total electorate to have voted for a populist Presidential candidate in 2016. NILF/impoverished recipiency of state transfers varies over time, increasing through the Great Recession, then receding. The implications of the investigation are discussed in terms of the likelihood that the NILF/impoverished will generate new forms of political opposition to the rule of capital.
Intermodal maritime security: where do we go from here?

Abstract It cannot be reiterated too frequently that maritime transportation is a complex undertaking requiring the efforts of a multiplicity of participants. Moreover, each of its flows--physical, information, and financial need to be managed in a comprehenisve and interdependent fashion because each carries its own risks and vulnerabilities. The global supply chain network is preently undergoing significant shifts meaning that new relationships will need to be developed and different security arrangements considered and then implemented. Using a fictional case as a template for the ensuing discussion, the chapter also adds some checklists whereby the reader can apply many of the thoughts presented throughout the book.
An Atlas of Phanerozoic Paleogeographic Maps: The Seas Come In and the Seas Go Out

Paleogeography is the study of the changing surface of Earth through time. Driven by plate tectonics, the configuration of the continents and ocean basins has been in constant flux. Plate tectonics...
Harvard: Meta-optics Achieves RGB-achromatic Focusing for Virtual Reality

Virtual and augmented reality are rapidly developing technologies, but their large-scale penetration will require breakthroughs in the optical architecture. Unlike electronics that has rapidly evolved and shrunk in size following Moore’s law, the appearance and the underlying physics of lenses have not changed much. In this talk, we would like to show a path to a future VR/AR platform based on the meta-optics. We show millimeter-scale-diameter, high-NA, sub-micron thin, metasurface-based lenses that achieve diffraction-limited achromatic focusing of the primary colors by exploiting constructive interference of light from multiple zones and dispersion engineering meta-atoms. We further demonstrate a VR system based on a home-built fiber scanning near-eye display..
Left ventricular assist device implantation by bi-thoracotomy technique: A single-center perspective.

Background Left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) are standardly implanted via full sternotomy. Nonsternotomy approaches are gaining popularity, but potential benefits of this approach have not been well-studied. We hypothesized that LVAD implantation by bi-thoracotomy (BT) would demonstrate smaller and more consistent inflow cannula angles leading to improved postoperative outcomes compared to sternotomy. Methods Charts of patients who underwent LVAD implantation between June 2018 and June 2020 at a single academic institution were retrospectively reviewed. Patient demographics, surgical approach (sternotomy vs. BT), laboratory values, and postoperative course were compared. The inflow cannula angle was measured on the first chest radiograph available postoperatively. Results Of 40 patients studied, BT approach was used in 17 (42.5%). Mean inflow cannula angles were smaller in BT patients (23.0 vs. 37.1 degrees, p = .018) and had a smaller standard deviation (13.8 vs. 20.3). Excluding patients who went on to receive a heart transplant or died in the same hospitalization, there was no difference in median length of hospital stay after surgery (16.0 vs. 17.5 days, p = .768). However, BT patients required fewer days of postoperative inotrope support (4.0 vs. 7.0 days, p = .012). Conclusions Our data suggest inflow cannula angles are smaller and more consistent with the BT approach, which leads to a shorter duration of postoperative inotropic support. This finding may suggest improved right heart function following LVAD implant via BT approach. Further study is warranted to determine additional benefits of the BT approach.
How Packaging of Information in Conversation Is Impacted by Communication Medium and Restrictions.

In team-based tasks, successful communication and mutual understanding are essential to facilitate team coordination and performance. It is well established that an important component of human conversation (whether in speech, text, or any medium) is the maintenance of common ground. Maintaining common ground has a number of associated processes in which conversational participants engage. Many of these processes are lacking in current synthetic teammates, and it is unknown to what extent this lack of capabilities affects their ability to contribute during team-based tasks. We focused our research on how teams package information within a conversation, by which we mean specifically 1) whether information is explicitly mentioned or implied, and 2) how multiple pieces of information are ordered both within single communications and across multiple communications. We re-analyzed data collected from a simulated remotely-piloted aerial system (RPAS) task in which team members had to specify speed, altitude, and radius restrictions. The data came from three experiments: the "speech'' experiment, the "text'' experiment, and the "evaluation'' experiment (which had a condition that included a synthetic teammate). We asked first whether teams settled on a specific routine for communicating the speed, altitude, and radius restrictions, and whether this process was different if the teams communicated in speech compared to text. We then asked how receiving special communication instructions in the evaluation experiment impacted the way the human teammates package information. We found that teams communicating in either speech or text tended to use a particular order for mentioning the speed, altitude, and radius. Different teams also chose different orders from one another. The teams in the evaluation experiment, however, showed unnaturally little variability in their information ordering and were also more likely to explicitly mention all restrictions even when they did not apply. Teams in the speech and text experiments were more likely to leave unnecessary restrictions unmentioned, and were also more likely to convey the restrictions across multiple communications. The option to converge on different packaging routines may have contributed to improved performance in the text experiment compared some of the conditions in the evaluation experiment.
Diagnostic reasoning: relationships among expertise, accuracy, and ways that nurse practitioner students self-explain.

Objectives To improve diagnostic ability, educators should employ multifocal strategies. One promising strategy is self-explanation, the purposeful technique of generating self-directed explanations during problem-solving. Students self-explain information in ways that range from simple restatements to multidimensional thoughts. Successful problem-solvers frequently use specific, high-quality self-explanation types. In a previous phase of research, unique ways that family nurse practitioner (NP) students self-explain during diagnostic reasoning were identified and described. This study aims to (a) explore relationships between ways of self-explaining and diagnostic accuracy levels and (b) compare differences between students of varying expertise in terms of ways of self-explaining and diagnostic accuracy levels. Identifying high-quality diagnostic reasoning self-explanation types may facilitate development of more refined self-explanation educational strategies. Methods Thirty-seven family NP students enrolled in the Doctor of Nursing Practice program at a large, Midwestern university diagnosed three written case studies while self-explaining. During the quantitative phase of a content analysis, associational and comparative data analysis techniques were applied. Results Expert students voiced significantly more clinical and biological inference self-explanations than did novice students. Diagnostic accuracy scores were significantly associated with biological inference scores. Clinical and biological inference scores accounted for 27% of the variance in diagnostic accuracy scores, with biological inference scores significantly influencing diagnostic accuracy scores. Conclusions Not only were biologically focused self-explanations associated with diagnostic accuracy, but also their spoken frequency influenced levels of diagnostic accuracy. Educational curricula should support students to view patient presentations in terms of underlying biology from the onset of their education.
Incentivized Self-Rebalancing Fleet in Electric Vehicle Sharing

With the rising need for efficient and flexible short-distance urban transportation, more vehicle sharing companies are offering one-way car-sharing services. Electrified vehicle sharing systems ar...
KDD 2020 Highlights

KDD made history in 2020. It was planned to be held in the San Diego Convention Center in an environment that would attract a large number of participants, companies to an attractive location. The program planners also made a concerted effort to broaden the intellectual scope of the forum as well as participation by diverse communities. In particular, the conference planned for offering complimentary full-time daycare to enable participation by women and parents with young children. The emergence of COVID-19 disease in March, however, caused considerable uncertainty leading to a final determination for a first-ever entirely virtual conference. This shift was dramatic at multiple levels since KDD is more than a meeting of presenters and their audience. It is also a place for demonstrations, chance encounters and a very engaging floor exhibition with its own ongoing events. Without exhibitors, their sponsors, and missing attendees, KDD won't be KDD. And it will also have a significant financial liability to the conference for the event contracts already in place. With significant cooperation from ACM and support from SIGKDD Executive Committee the team not only avoided financial impact but emerged with a net positive financial outcome even after reducing the registration fees by over 80%.
Investigating the Effects of Pesticides on Ramshorn Snails (Planorbella [Helisoma] trivolvis) Infected with Echinostoma spp.

Globally, parasite-induced diseases in humans and wildlife are on the rise, and pesticide pollution may be a contributing factor. Echinostoma spp. trematode parasites are prominent in North America, and they use ramshorn snails (Planorbella [Helisoma] trivolvis) as intermediate hosts. We investigated the impact of chronic exposure to 1 of 5 pesticide treatments (control, or 50 μg/L of atrazine, glyphosate, carbaryl, or malathion) on uninfected and Echinostoma-infected snails for 41 d in the laboratory. We recorded snail mortality, the number of egg masses laid, change in mass, and behavior. Chronic exposure to atrazine, carbaryl, and malathion significantly decreased snail survival, whereas parasite infection status or exposure to glyphosate did not. Pesticide and parasite treatments did not influence growth or behavior, but parasite infection caused complete reproductive failure in snail hosts. Our results indicated that the direct effects of pesticides could threaten snail populations in natural environments and disrupt host-parasite dynamics. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:2755-2763. © 2021 SETAC.
Trace metals accumulation in a coal-fired post combustion CO 2 capture process with amine-based solvents

Abstract Trace elements contained in coal-derived flue gas can accumulate in solvents used in post-combustion CO2 capture with potential process and environmental impacts. The accumulation of six metals, arsenic, mercury, selenium, iron, nickel, and copper in three amine-based solvents was investigated in a 0.1 MWth post-combustion CO2 capture pilot unit from the combustion of coal for testing periods of 200–400 h. Generally, the concentration of the metals increased over time at varying rates, with the coal used being the principal source for the build-up of most of them. The relatively lower concentrations of iron, nickel, and copper in one of the solvents showed that the type of solvent influenced its interaction with the metals and the rate of metals accumulation.
A radial diffusion assay for pepsinogen and pepsin.

A radial diffusion assay for the determination of gastric pepsin and uropepsin is developed. Urine, gastric juice, or solutions of hog pepsinogen are allowed to diffuse radially from circular wells in agar gel which contains acid-hemoglobin. After a period of incubation, the undigested hemoglobin is fixed with acid-alcohol, and after drying, the agar is stained for protein. In the presence of peptic activity, a circular unstained zone is seen whose diameter is linearly related to the logarithm of the concentration of enzyme.
Management of Arthropodborne Diseases by Vector Control

The discovery in the late 1800s that arthropods transmit a variety of pathogenic microorganisms to vertebrate animals, including humans, soon led to the development of means to reduce disease transmission by controlling arthropod vectors. Some of these methods already had been developed for the management of plant pests, and were modified to control vectors of animal diseases. By the early 1900s, several of the approaches to vector management had been developed. Such approaches included the reduction of contact between arthropod vectors and vertebrate hosts (e.g., window and door screens, arthropod repellents, bednets), the application of chemical pesticides, management of the environment to reduce or eliminate arthropod vectors and the use of biological control agents. Some programs combined several approaches.
Distances and Radii of Classical Cepheids

We have used new BVRI photometry and radial velocities of a selection of bright classical Cepheids to determine their distances and radii through the surface brightness method. The improved photometry permitted, through the visual surface brightness relation, high-quality angular-diameter values for each Cepheid throughout its pulsation. The simultaneous radial velocities permitted the linear displacement curve to be phase-locked to the angular diameter variation. The results are individual distances and radii with considerably smaller uncertainty than could be obtained previously.
To err (meiotically) is human: the genesis of human aneuploidy

Aneuploidy (trisomy or monosomy) is the most commonly identified chromosome abnormality in humans, occurring in at least 5% of all clinically recognized pregnancies. Most aneuploid conceptuses perish in utero, which makes this the leading genetic cause of pregnancy loss. However, some aneuploid fetuses survive to term and, as a class, aneuploidy is the most common known cause of mental retardation. Despite the devastating clinical consequences of aneuploidy, relatively little is known of how trisomy and monosomy originate in humans. However, recent molecular and cytogenetic approaches are now beginning to shed light on the non-disjunctional processes that lead to aneuploidy.
Musculoskeletal pain among Midwest farmers and associations with agricultural activities

Background Although agricultural workers experience a high prevalence of musculoskeletal pain, associations between specific agricultural activities and musculoskeletal pain are not well characterized. Methods Among 518 regional farmers, responses to a mailed questionnaire were used to estimate (i) the 2-week prevalence of low back, neck/shoulder, and elbow/wrist/hand pain, and (ii) associations between the average hours per week performing common agricultural activities and musculoskeletal pain. Results The low back was the most common location of musculoskeletal pain (33.2%), followed by the neck/shoulder (30.8%) and elbow/wrist/hand (21.6%). Statistically significant adjusted associations were observed between performing equipment repair and maintenance and low back pain; milking animals and neck/shoulder pain; and manual material handling and elbow/wrist/hand pain, among others. Conclusions The observed prevalence estimates are consistent with previous literature, and the associations between agricultural activities and musculoskeletal pain provide an initial basis for targeted intervention research. Am. J. Ind. Med. 58:319–330, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
La comunidad humana (polis) como condición de la libertad en la ética aristotélica

El articulo corresponde a un trabajo de sintesis en torno a las condiciones de la libertad en la etica aristotelica. En este caso, se hace un enfasis particular en lo que he llamado “la condicion politica de la libertad humana”. La tesis que se defiende es que para hablar de seres humanos libres —en sentido estricto— la comunidad humana desempena un papel esencial. Esto en contraposicion a las vertientes filosoficas que abogan por una libertad individualista y que ven a la sociedad como un obstaculo para la libertad del ser humano o en contra de quienes privilegian la libertad negativa como el papel fundamental del Estado. Para ello, se hara uso de la filosofia aristotelica con el fin de establecer un dialogo que permita abordar el tema de la libertad desde las inquietudes que ocupan hoy dia este estudio.
Antibodies to the primary immunodominant domain of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) glycoprotein gp41 enhance HIV-1 infection in vitro

Previous experiments had shown that two human monoclonal antibodies (huMAbs) directed against human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) enhanced HIV-1 infection in vitro (Robinson et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 87:3185-3189, 1990). This complement-mediated, antibody-dependent enhancement (C'-ADE) of HIV-1 infection caused 12-fold increases in reverse transcriptase released from MT-2 cells. In the study reported here, it was demonstrated that both of these huMAbs, 86 and V10-9, bound to an immunodominant peptide in gp41 (amino acids 586 to 620). This peptide blocked C'-ADE of HIV-1 infection in vitro regardless of whether huMAb 86 or human polyclonal anti-HIV was used as the source of anti-HIV antibody. Blockade of enhanced infections was characterized by decreases in antigen synthesis, cytopathic effect, and reverse transcriptase release. The ability of the huMAbs to enhance infection was determined to be dependent upon specific peptide reactivity and not dependent upon immunoglobulin subclass, complement fixation, or gross antigen reactivity. Since the peptide to which enhancing antibodies bind is immunodominant and does not bind neutralizing antibodies, it may be worthwhile to investigate deletion of this 35-amino-acid peptide from candidate anti-HIV vaccines.
Bibliography of publications of Belver C. Griffith

1958 Griffith, B. C., Spitz, H. H. (1958). Some relationships between abstraction and work meaning in retarded adolescents. American Journal of Mental Deficiency, 63, 247251. Siegmann, S. J., Griffith, B. C. (1958, February). Preliminary study of the relationship between measures of perceptual prominences, their training effects and performance in a concept task. Memorandum for Record, Bell Telephone Laboratories. Siegmann, S. J., Griffith, B. C., Hovland, C. I. (1958, February). Effect of stimulus similarity on interference effects in pattern recognition. Technical Memorandum, Bell Telephone Laboratories.
A multidisciplinary quality improvement educational initiative to improve the rate of deep-vein thrombosis prophylaxis.

Purpose To describe a quality improvement initiative to improve deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) prophylaxis rates among hospitalized medicine patients. Methods A standardized admission order-set with an embedded risk-assessment tool and DVT prophylaxis orders was developed. Results An audit 2 months after the intervention showed the use of optimal DVT prophylaxis was 91%, an increase from 75%. Chart review 1 year after the implementation of the order-set revealed that the increase in DVT prophylaxis was sustained at 95%. Conclusion The use of formalized quality improvement methods to implement an intervention is effective in changing physician behaviour.
BEYOND NONSEXIST RESEARCH The Perils of Feminist Methods in Psychology

It is the thesis of this article that efforts to identify a distinctive set of “feminist methods” for psychological research are not only futile but unwise. We begin by discussing the defining features of feminist research in psychology. We then evaluate several proposals for distinctively feminist methods in psychology. Suggestions that feminists should avoid experimentation and quantitative research as inherently less feminist than other approaches are considered and rejected, as are criteria based on the sex of the research participants or the researcher. We further argue that the proposed distinction between “agentic” and “communal” approaches to research is misleading. We conclude that any research method can be misused in sexist ways, and that no method comes with a feminist guarantee. Feminist researchers should be skeptical of the limitations of all research methods.
Phosphate and Silicate Kinetics for the Lake Michigan Diatom Diatoma Elongatum

Growth rates and uptake rates by a clone of Diatoma elongatum isolated from Lake Michigan were measured under silicate and phosphate limitation using batch and semicontinuous methods. Under phosphate limited batch growth conditions, the half saturation constant for growth (K) was 0.02 μM PO4-P and the maximum growth rate (μm) was 0.7 doublings day-1; under silicate limited conditions, K was 1.51 μM SiO2-Si, and μm was 1.2 doublings day-1. The results from these direct measurements of growth under nutrient limitation agreed well with the steady state kinetic information obtained for a two-step (uptake and utilization) growth model Batch uptake experiments and steady state growth experiments provided kinetic information used to estimate K, the calculated half saturation constant for growth. K was 0.03 μM PO4-P under phosphate limitation, and 1.18 μM SiO2-Si under silicate limitation. We observed a dependence of the coefficient of luxury consumption on the steady state growth rate. D. elongatum can have up to 28 times more phosphate stores than needed, and up to 4.4 times more silicate.
Electron Correlation in Narrow Energy Bands. I. The Two-Pole Approximation in a Narrow S Band

An improved version of Hubbard's treatment of correlation in a nondegenerate narrow band is obtained by the use of a new Green's-function decoupling scheme. The resulting one-electron Green's function has two poles on the real axis corresponding to a splitting of the electron bands due to the strong correlations between electrons on the same site. This is the same result that Hubbard obtained, but in our case the poles are shifted and their positions agree with the results of Harris and Lange, who used a moment technique. The theory is applied to a simple cubic lattice with nearest-neighbor interaction, and the lattice is found to be ferromagnetic in the strongly correlated limit for a sufficiently large number of electrons per atom. An examination of the low-density limit shows that the two-pole approximation does not reduce to Kanamori's $T$-matrix result, a failing which it shares with Hubbard's theory. A method is outlined for improving the theory so as to give the correct low-density result. In addition, the possibility of obtaining a minimum principle for the theory is explored.
Abstract 4903: Oxidative DNA damage and its relationship with GSTP1 methylation in prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in men and is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States. The risk factor for prostate cancer includes both genetic and epigenetic modifications. Growing evidence suggests that epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation affect gene expression in tissue-specific manner. The most frequent epigenetic alteration observed in human prostate cancer is hypermethylation of gluthathione-S-transferase-pi class (GSTP1) in the promoter region which causes loss or its decrease expression. Inactivation of GSTP1 renders prostate epithelial cells vulnerable to oxidative DNA damage from both oxidants and electrophile carcinogens to acquire relevant genetic alteration and neoplastic transformation. Extensive observations suggest that reactive oxygen species may cause accumulated DNA damage which might contribute to increased incidence of prostate cancer. However, the role of GSTP1 and its correlation with DNA damage has not been studied. Based on the assumption that DNA damage is prevalent in cancer cells compared to nontumorous tissue, we took a panel of 24 human prostate specimens obtained after surgery which comprised of matched primary tumor and adjacent nontumorous (benign) prostate tissues. Oxidative DNA damage was measured by 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) levels through highly sensitive and quantitative ELISA assay. GSTP1 methylation was determined by methyl-specific PCR and 5-methylcytosine estimation was performed by HPLC analysis. The 8-OHdG levels were higher in cancer specimen compared to their benign counterparts. The 8-OHdG levels in DNA of prostate cancer tissues ranged from 0.151 to 0.616ng/μg DNA, whereas the levels in benign tissue range from 0.149 to 0.318ng/μg DNA, respectively. The increase in 8-OHdG levels correlate with GSTP1 methylation which was higher in cancer specimens compared to the benign counterparts. Furthermore, levels of 5-methylcytosine were higher in tumor specimens compared to benign tissue. Taken together, our studies suggest that there is a link between GSTP1 methylation and DNA damage which correlates to epigenetic modification in prostate cancer. Our results are in agreement with the prediction that positive relationship occur between GSTP1 inactivation and DNA damage in prostate cancer. Note: This abstract was not presented at the AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010 because the presenter was unable to attend. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4903.
A three-dimensional numerical investigation of fracture initiation by ductile failure mechanisms in a 4340 steel

Fracture initiation in ductile metal plates occurs due to substantial tunneling of the crack in the interior of the specimen followed by final failure of side ligaments by shear lip formation. The tunneled region is characterized by a flat, fibrous fracture surface. This phenomenon is clearly exhibited in a recent experimental investigation [8] performed on pre-notched plates of a ductile heat treatment of 4340 carbon steel. Experimental evidence obtained in [8] suggests that tunneling begins at an average value of J which is significantly lower than the J value at which gross initiation is observed on the free surface. In the present work, fracture initiation in the 4340 steel specimens used in [8] is analyzed by performing a 3-dimensional numerical simulation. A damage accumulation model that accounts for the ductile failure mechanisms of void nucleation, growth, and void coalescence is employed. Results indicate that incipient Cmaterial failure at the center-plane of the 3-dimensional specimen is predicted quite accurately by this computation. Also, good agreement between results obtained at the center-plane of the 3-dimensional specimen and a plane strain analysis, suggests that a local definition of J can be used to characterize fracture initiation in the center-plane of the specimen. Finally, radial and thickness variations of the stress and porosity fields are examined with view of understanding the subsequent propagation of the failure zone.
Minimization of ratios

Optimization problems are considered where ratios of functionals of several different types (convex/concave, concave/convex, convex/convex, and concave/concave) are to be minimized over a convex set. All these problems are related to the minimization of a quasi-convex functional or a quasi-concave functional.
Novel Sites of N-Glycosylation in ROMK1 Reveal the Putative Pore-forming Segment H5 as Extracellular

Inwardly rectifying K+ channels (IRKs) maintain resting membrane potential, excitability, and K+ exchange. The proposed topological model of IRKs consists of intracellular amino and carboxyl termini and two transmembrane segments (M1 and M2) linked by a pore-forming segment (H5). Structure-function studies have identified critical pore determinants in M2 and the carboxyl terminus but not as expected by analogy with voltage-dependent K+ channels, in H5. We investigated the topology of the IRK ROMK1 by substituting novel N-glycosylation sites which act as markers for extracellular segments. N-Glycosylation, before and after an N-glycosylation inhibitor, tunicamycin, was measured directly by gel shift assays and changes in membrane currents. Tunicamycin produced gel shifts and changes in membrane currents that correlated exactly. N-Glycosylation sites substituted into the amino and carboxyl termini and the M1 segment gave results consistent with the proposed model. N-Glycosylation sites were distributed throughout H5 and its flanking regions indicating that H5 is mainly extracellular. Thus, the linker between M1 and M2 has little or no intramembranous component.
Release of TNF-α and IL-1β from porcine brain endothelium corresponds to the pyrogenic potential of three marketed formulations of amphotericin

Background: Formulations of amphotericin include a deoxycholate suspension (d-Amph), an amphotericin-B lipid complex (Ablc), and a liposomal product (L-Amph). Fever is most frequent with d-Amph, intermediate with Ablc, and lowest with L-Amph.
Occurrence of Scarred Paddlefish in the Missouri River, South Dakota-Nebraska

Abstract Of 458 paddlefish (Polyodon spathula) collected from the Missouri River (South Dakota-Nebraska) from June 1975 to August 1976, 165 (36%) bore scars and 46 (10%) had severed rostrums. Small fish and young fish were as likely to be scarred as large fish and old fish. Scarred fish had lower condition factors than unscarred fish. Scars originated primarily from injuries sustained as a result of collisions with powerboats, and from wounds associated with snag-fishing.
Spatial Dynamics of Mesocyclops edax (S. A. FORBES), Tropocyclops prasinus mexicanus KIEFER, Diaptomus pallidus HERRICK, Ceriodaphnia lacustris (BIRGE), Bosmina longirostris (O. F. MÜLLER), Daphnia parvula (FORDYCE) and Nauplii in a Northeastern Ohio Pond

A hypothesis on spatial dynamics of pelagic crustacean plankters was tested with the copepods and cladocerans of Squire Pond, Ohio. There was an agreement between the expected and the observed pattern of overall horizontal distribution in most instances for Mesocyclops edax, Tropocyclops prasinus mexicanus, Ceriodaphnia lacustris, Bosmina longirostris and nauplii, but only in a few instances for Diaptomus pallidus and Daphnia parvula. Windward accumulation was common for the first 4 species and near uniform distribution was frequent for the nauplii. Vertical-distribution trend along transect for all species rarely corresponded with the expectation. Alternation of modal depth along transect was one of the most frequently observed trends. Ways to test the hypothesis in the future are discussed.
Oxidation of phenolic pollutants by a lignin degrading enzyme from the white-rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium

Abstract The wood rotting fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium produces lignin degrading enzymes that have been implicated in pollutant degradation by the organism. One of these enzymes, ligninase, was studied to evaluate its application potential in industrial wastewater treatment. The enzyme was observed to catalyze the oxidation of several phenolic pollutants by hydrogen peroxide, although only partial removal of target compounds was observed in preliminary tests. A number of subsequent tests were conducted to improve target compound removal, using o-cresol as model substrate. Removal of o-cresol was enhanced by increasing enzyme concentration, by adding the co-catalyst veratryl alcohol (3,4-dimethoxybenzyl alcohol), or by controlling the rate of addition of hydrogen peroxide to batch reaction systems. Controlled addition of peroxide is proposed to minimize enzyme inactivation during reaction, thereby extending the useful life of the enzyme.
Not like me: Self vs. other distinctions in first‐person perception

The third‐person perception hypothesis posits that people believe others are more influenced by media messages than they are. The existing literature consistently documents that individuals make self vs. other distinctions when assessing media effects, but not how such distinctions are made. The current study sought to document the self/ other distinction in third‐person perception and to assess differences in how individuals separate their own personal risk from that of others. Findings of a survey of 180 urban minority youth confirm the presence of third‐person perception and significant self/other distinctions in media effects. A clear split between cognitive and social predictors emerged when assessing differences in self/other distinctions. Participants relied on cognitive factors when assessing their own risk, while relying more heavily on self‐esteem when assessing the relative risk of others. Liking and trust of the media was the only shared correlate of self/other distinctions in third‐person per...
Neoplastic and nonneoplastic lesions in aging F344 rats.

Abstract Neoplastic and nonneoplastic lesions in untreated F344 rats used as controls in carcinogenesis tests were tabulated and evaluated. The most common neoplasms in 1794 male rats were testicular interstitial cell tumors, leukemias, pituitary adenomas, and adrenal pheochromocytomas. In 1754 female rats, common tumors were pituitary adenomas, mammamary fibroadenomas, uterine endometrial stromal polyps, and leukemias. A variety of less common and rare tumors were seen in almost every tissue. A few malignant neoplasms were metastatic. Nonneoplastic lesions included nephropathy, cardiomypathy, focal hyperplasias in a variety of tissues, and inflammatory lesions of the uterus. The focal hyperplasias were suggestive of the early stages of neoplasia in lung, liver, pituitary, adrenal, thyroid, and testis.
Tris (phenanthroline) Metal Complexes: Probes for DNA Helicity

The intercalative binding of chiral tris(phenanthroline) metal complexes to DNA is stereo-selective. The enantiomeric selectivity is based upon the differential steric interactions between the two non-intercalating phenanthroline ligands of each isomer with the DNA phosphate backbone. Gel electrophoretic assays of helical unwinding, optical enrichment studies by equilibrium dialysis and luminescence titrations with separated enantiomers of (phen)_3Ru^(2+) all indicate that the delta isomer binds preferentially to the right-handed duplex. The chiral discrimination is governed by the DNA helical asymmetry. Complete stereospecifity is seen with isomers of the bulkier RuDIP (tris-4,7-diphenylphenanthrolineruthenium(II)). While both isomers bind to Z-DNA, a poor template for discrimination, binding of Λ-RuDIP to B-DNA is precluded. These chiral complexes therefore serve as a chemical probe to distinguish left and right-handed DNA helices in solution.
Transitions of cardiovascular risk from adolescence to young adulthood—The Bogalusa heart study: I. Effects of alterations in lifestyle☆

Abstract Adolescence and young adulthood represents a transition period for biologic and lifestyle characteristics. In a preliminary investigation of young adults (ages 18–20 years), the Bogalusa Heart Study documented patterns of alcohol, tobacco, and oral contraceptive use, as well as changes in education, occupational, marital and parenting status. Such behaviors accelerate the cardiovascular disease process and may differentially influence risk factor patterns of race and sex groups. Adverse levels of systolic blood pressure and α-lipoprotein cholesterol were more frequent in married vs single men; elevated triglyceride levels were more frequent in married vs single whites. However adverse levels of β- and α-lipoprotein cholesterol were more frequent in nonparents than in parents. Cigarette smoking and oral contraceptive use were independently related to elevated β-lipoprotein cholesterol and decreased α-lipoprotein cholesterol levels of young white women. Alcohol consumption was highest among white males, with 32% reporting daily consumption of the equivalent of two or more beers or one mixed drink. Alcohol consumption was negatively correlated with blood pressure in white males and positively correlated with α-lipoprotein cholesterol in black males. Since such lifestyle factors are related to physiologic risk factors that result in heart disease and adult cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in the older ages, early targeting during adolescence and young adulthood is important.
Electronic Passivation of 3C-SiC(001) Via Hydrogen Treatment

Electronic passivation of single-crystal, atomically flat (001) surfaces of cubic silicon carbide (3C-SiC) was attempted via hydrogen annealing and HF exposure and investigated by monitoring the surface potentials of the treated samples. It was found that HF treatment causes a negative charging of the surface and that only hydrogen annealing is effective in producing well-passivated 3C-SiC. The degree and stability of the surface electronic passivation was dependent on the final hydrogen cooling temperature of the annealing process. Surface charge densities of the hydrogen-treated surfaces were calculated from the measured surface potentials and were found to be in the 1010 cm -2 range.
Characterizing heterogeneous particles with SEM/SDD-EDS mapping and NIST Lispix

Compositional measurements of microscopic particles by scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive x-ray spectrometry (SEM/EDS) typically assume particle homogeneity so that a representative EDS spectrum can be collected by continuously bracket scanning the particle (overscanning). Particles are often found to be complex structures comprised of smaller entities that are elementally different, knowledge of which is inevitably lost with particle overscanning. Heterogeneity can be directly visualized with x-ray spectrum image mapping performed in a high resolution thermal field emission gun SEM combined with the silicon drift detector (SDD)-EDS. SDD-EDS is capable of x-ray collection with output count rates in excess of 1 MHz, enabling spectrum image mapping with useful pixel density (128x128 or more), intensity range (8 - 16 bits), and compositional sensitivity (detection to approximately 1 weight percent) with a total time of 3 - 30 s when a high beam current (e.g., 50 nA) is utilized. Spectrum image datacubes can range from 100 Mbyte to several gigabytes. NIST Lispix contains extensive image processing tools to extract spectral and image information from such large datacubes. In addition to particle chemical heterogeneity, spectrum image mapping can directly reveal the effects of geometric factors (size, shape, curvature) that modify x-ray generation and emission from particles and which must be considered in particle quantification calculations.
Cathodic Electrical Stimulation Combined With Vancomycin Enhances Treatment of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus Implant-associated Infections

Background Effective treatments for implant-associated infections are often lacking. Cathodic voltage-controlled electrical stimulation has shown potential as a treatment of implant-associated infections of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
Development of the NASA Long Duration Balloon Vehicle

Abstract The development of the NASA Ultra Long Duration Balloon (ULDB) Vehicle is being approached in three parallel paths. The paths are the balloon design, materials development and specification, and balloon fabrication/production technology development. This paper addresses the balloon design with respect to the requirements, approach, design assumptions, and the trade studies performed. The relationships among the various trade variables are presented. A trade space that illustrates the dependencies among the variables is also presented. A candidate balloon design for the ULDB Balloon Vehicle is presented along with potential system enhancements.
Diffusion of e-commerce: an analysis of the adoption of four e-commerce activities

The Internet has the ability to function as a business medium. Over one-third of US residents use the Internet, and nearly 40% use it as a medium of business (electronic-commerce). As this percentage continues to grow, so does the need to understand why and how users choose to adopt. This information will afford researchers and e-commerce providers a better understanding of how to facilitate future adoption. Through the diffusion of innovations model, this study revisits traditional and current concepts of adoption by investigating the adoption of four e-commerce activities currently available to Internet users: (1) online shopping, (2) online banking, (3) online investing, and (4) electronic payment for an Internet service (i.e., access to exclusive sites). Results indicate that six attributes common to the diffusion model (i.e., perceived convenience and financial benefits, risk, previous use of the telephone for a similar purpose, self-efficacy, and Internet use) all play a significant role in the adoption processes. Results also indicate that when users decide to adopt one of these activities they tend to adopt another. Finally, a discussion explores how to extend the model identified in this study by assessing possible negative outcomes of diffusion.
Comments regarding the use of coal swelling to count hydrogen-bond cross-links in coals

Larsen et al. have proposed a plausible explanation for their results, which receives quantitative support from simple lattice theory. Verification of their hypothesis awaits further experimental work
No-carrier-added synthesis of meta-[131I]iodobenzylguanidine

Abstract No-carrier-added meta-[131I]iodobenzylguanidine ([131I]MIBG) was prepared starting with two different metallated precursors. Attempted preparation of 3-(tri-n-butylstannyl)benzylguanidine was not successful. An alternate two-step strategy using 3-(tri-n-butylstannyl)benzylamine could be used to prepare radioiodinated [131I]MIBG in an overall radiochemical yield of 30–33%. Synthesis of [131I]MIGB via the radioiododesilylation of 3-trimethylsilylbenzylguanidine was also investigated. Yields were dependent on temperature, precursor concentration, solvent and nature of the oxidant. Radiochemical yields of 90% were obtained in 5 min at room temperature using either N-chlorosuccinimide or hydrogen peroxide in trifluoroacetic acid as oxidants. The percentage of specific binding in vitro of no-carrier-added MIBG to SK-N-SH neuroblastoma cells remained constant over a 2 log activity range, while the binding of MIBG prepared by isotopic exchange dropped by a factor of seven. In normal mice, heart and adrenal uptake of no-carrier-added [131I]MIBG was found to be higher than that of [131I]MIBG prepared by isotopic exchange.