cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract CN02-04: Phase II study of genistein in men with prostate cancer

Progression of cells to a metastatic phenotype begins in the primary organ and represents an important chemoprevention target. In preclinical studies, genistein induces reversion of human prostate cancer (PCa) cells to a less metastatic phenotype. In a phase II study, men with localized PCa were randomized between genistein treatment versus not prior to radical prostatectomy. Analysis of prostate epithelial cells within harvested organs revealed that genistein had the following effects: 1) it decreased matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) expression; 2) it induced nuclear spreading; a surrogate marker of inhibition of cell detachment; and 3) gene expression profiling demonstrated selective modulation of genes associated with regulation of cell motility in other cell types. By engineering the expression of these genes in cell lines, we demonstrated that they were important regulators of human PCa cell invasion. Genistein increased the expression of genes that suppress invasion and decreased the expression of genes that enhance invasion. Together, this study demonstrates that genistein induces reversion of human prostate cells in man to a less metastatic phenotype. Importantly, this study demonstrates the proof-of-principal concept that the conduct of molecular screens in human chemoprevention trials has the ability to identify the mechanism of action of investigational agents. Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2010;3(12 Suppl):CN02-04.
Estimating Entropy Rates with Bayesian Confidence Intervals

The entropy rate quantifies the amount of uncertainty or disorder produced by any dynamical system. In a spiking neuron, this uncertainty translates into the amount of information potentially encoded and thus the subject of intense theoretical and experimental investigation. Estimating this quantity in observed, experimental data is difficult and requires a judicious selection of probabilistic models, balancing between two opposing biases. We use a model weighting principle originally developed for lossless data compression, following the minimum description length principle. This weighting yields a direct estimator of the entropy rate, which, compared to existing methods, exhibits significantly less bias and converges faster in simulation. With Monte Carlo techinques, we estimate a Bayesian confidence interval for the entropy rate. In related work, we apply these ideas to estimate the information rates between sensory stimuli and neural responses in experimental data (Shlens, Kennel, Abarbanel, & Chichilnisky, in preparation).
The Prototoxin lynx1 Acts on Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors to Balance Neuronal Activity and Survival In Vivo

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) affect a wide array of biological processes, including learning and memory, attention, and addiction. lynx1, the founding member of a family of mammalian prototoxins, modulates nAChR function in vitro by altering agonist sensitivity and desensitization kinetics. Here we demonstrate, through the generation of lynx1 null mutant mice, that lynx1 modulates nAChR signaling in vivo. Its loss decreases the EC(50) for nicotine by approximately 10-fold, decreases receptor desensitization, elevates intracellular calcium levels in response to nicotine, and enhances synaptic efficacy. lynx1 null mutant mice exhibit enhanced performance in specific tests of learning and memory. Consistent with reports that mutations resulting in hyperactivation of nAChRs can lead to neurodegeneration, aging lynx1 null mutant mice exhibit a vacuolating degeneration that is exacerbated by nicotine and ameliorated by null mutations in nAChRs. We conclude that lynx1 functions as an allosteric modulator of nAChR function in vivo, balancing neuronal activity and survival in the CNS.
Mass transfer to a rotating fluid: Part I. Transport from a stationary disk to a fluid in bödewadt flow

Solutions are developed for mass transfer between a fluid undergoing solid body rotation and a coaxial disk which is located on a stationary infinite surface. The fluid mechanics corresponds to a laminar Bodewadt boundary layer. The overall mass transfer is dominated by the outer portion of the disk, a result of the high transfer rate associated with a leading edge. The concentration field near the axis of rotation extends to great axial distances as a long narrow plume. Approximate analytical solutions are given for each of these regions, and a numerical solution is provided for the entire concentration field.
A mechanism for knowledge-based reminding and advice-giving in the supervisory control of a complex dynamic system

A methodology is described for the generation of reminders and advice in the context of real-time supervisory control of a complex dynamic system. GT-MOCA (the Georgia Tech Mission Operations Cooperative Assistant) is a system designed to aid the flight operations team analyst in the monitoring and control of a simulated satellite ground control system. A key component of GT-MOCA cooperative behavior is its dynamic, context-sensitive generation of advice and reminders to the human operator. This work focuses on the knowledge structures and strategies that GT-MOCA uses to perform advice generation. The system incorporates a conceptual model of operator intentions. >
Correlated Averages vs. Averaged Correlations: Demonstrating the Warm Glow Heuristic Beyond Aggregation.

Abstract Three studies demonstrate the warm glow heuristic (Monin, 2003) without relying on aggregated ratings, and illustrate the important distinction between correlating average ratings versus averaging individual correlations. In Study 1, we re-analyze previous data correlating individual ratings with aggregates from another small sample of raters. In Study 2, we correlate individual familiarity ratings with normed attractiveness from a large sample of raters (n > 2,500). Study 3 bypasses the issue of aggregates altogether by having participants provide both attractiveness and familiarity ratings and computing correlations within participants. Despite this more conservative approach, the results of all three studies support the existence of the beautiful–is–familiar phenomenon.
Vertical-Mode Decompositions of 2-Day Waves and the Madden–Julian Oscillation

Abstract Vertical structures of 2-day waves and the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) are projected onto vertical normal modes for a quiescent tropical troposphere. Three modes capture the gross tropospheric structure of 2-day waves, while only two modes are needed to represent most of the baroclinic structure of the MJO. Deep circulations that project onto the first baroclinic mode are associated with deep cumulonimbus and stratiform rainfall. Shallow circulations that project onto higher wavenumber modes are associated with precipitating shallow cumulus and congestus and stratiform rainfall. For both disturbances the horizontal divergence contributed by shallow modes is an important factor in the column-integrated moist enthalpy budget. These modes converge moist static energy for a time prior to when deep circulations export moist static energy. These results highlight the importance of properly representing the effects of shallow cumulus, congestus, and stratiform precipitation in theories of convective...
Tillage, Crop Rotation, and Hybrid Effects on Residue and Corn Anthracnose Occurrence in Wisconsin

Corn anthracnose (Colletotrichum graminicola) is an important disease of field corn (Zea mays). Two phases, leaf blight and stalk rot, can reduce yield through either premature leaf senescence or reduced grain harvest due to stalk lodging. Corn residue is an important source of primary inoculum and is increased through cultural practices such as no-tillage and continuous corn cropping, which are common practices in Wisconsin. Field studies conducted at the Arlington Agricultural Research Station (ARS) and the West Madison ARS showed that the incidence and severity of anthracnose leaf blight were higher in continuous-corn crop rotations than in soybean-corn rotations (91% higher incidence, 24 to 78% higher severity). Anthracnose stalk rot was marginally affected by tillage in 2008 (P = 0.09), with higher incidence in chisel-plowed treatments. There was a positive association between spring residue cover and anthracnose leaf blight but no association was found between residue and stalk rot. No association was found between anthracnose leaf blight and stalk rot. There was a negative association between anthracnose leaf blight and yield but not between anthracnose stalk rot and yield. Managing residue levels through crop rotation would help to reduce anthracnose leaf blight but further work is needed to elucidate factors that lead to stalk lodging prior to harvest.
Multiscale Statistical Models

We present an overview of recent efforts developing a framework for a new class of statistical models based on the concept of multiscale likelihood factorizations. This framework blends elements of wavelets, recursive partitioning, and graphical models to derive a probabilistic analogue of an orthogonal wavelet decomposition. The casting of these results within a likelihood-based context allows for the extension of certain key properties of classical wavelet based estimators to a setting that includes, within a single unified perspective, models for continuous, count, and categorical datatypes.
Glucose intake induces an increase in activator protein 1 and early growth response 1 binding activities, in the expression of tissue factor and matrix metalloproteinase in mononuclear cells, and in plasma tissue factor and matrix metalloproteinase concentrations

Background: Glucose intake has been shown to cause an increase in intranuclear nuclear factor-B and a decrease in inhibitor B that are consistent with a proinflammatory effect. We investigated the effect of glucose intake on 2 other proinflammatory transcription factors, activator protein 1 (AP-1) and early growth response 1 (Egr-1), and on the genes regulated by them, ie, the genes for matrix metalloproteinases 2 (MMP-2 )a nd 9( MMP-9) and tissue factor (TF), respectively. Objective: The objective of the study was to ascertain whether the intake of 75 g glucose induces an increase in AP-1, Egr-1, and the genes regulated by them. Design: Eight healthy subjects were given 75 g glucose dissolved in 300 mL water to drink. Blood samples were collected before and 1, 2, and 3 h after glucose intake. Four weeks later, the same subjects were given 300 mL water sweetened with saccharine, and blood samples were collected at the same time points. Mononuclear cells (MNCs) were separated, and nuclear fractions were isolated. Results: AP-1 and Egr-1 binding activities were significantly higher 1 and 2 h after glucose intake and then decreased toward the baseline by 3 h. The expression of MMP-2 and TF in MNC homogenates also was significantly higher at 2 and 3 h. Plasma concentrations of MMP-2 were significantly higher at 3 h, whereas those of MMP-9 were significantly higher at 1, 2, and 3 h. In addition, TF was significantly higher at 2 and 3 h. Intake of saccharine-sweetened water had no significant effect on the inflammatory mediators measured in this study. Conclusion: Glucose induces proinflammatory changes, including increases in AP-1, Egr-1, MMPs, and TF, the factors that regulate processes that are potentially relevant to atherosclerotic plaque rupture and thrombosis. Am J Clin Nutr 2004;80:51–7.
Gold nanorings as substrates for surface-enhanced Raman scattering

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering using gold nanoring substrates is studied. The measured enhancement factors of arrays of single nanorings and nanoring dimers are compared with that of an array of nanodisk dimers. The measured average enhancement factor for the single nanorings is 4.2 x 10(6). The experimental enhancement factors are compared with the electromagnetic enhancement factors predicted by simulations.
On the evaluation of intervention outcome risks for patients with ischemic heart disease.

Risk is defined in the Oxford Pocket American Dictionary of Current English as “a chance or possibility of danger, loss, injury, etc.”1 The evaluation of clinical risk and benefit is a mainstay of all clinical investigation in medicine. More recently, it is slowly becoming a component of everyday clinical care. In this issue of Circulation , Singh et al2 potentially advance the evaluation of risk in the domain of ischemic heart disease. Article p 356 Because procedural mortality has been such an important outcome in the surgical revascularization of coronary artery disease, the assessment of preoperative risk has been an important focus of attention for many years. Large US regional and national databases, such as the Northern New England Cardiovascular Disease Study Group,3 the New York State cardiac surgery database,4 and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons’ National Cardiac Database (STS NCD),5 have developed relatively sophisticated multivariable models to predict mortality risk across the entire spectrum of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) patients. Similar risk models have been developed outside the United States, most notably from the European Cardiac Surgery database.6 Model performance has been tested and continually refined within these databases. Over the years, it has become clear that a core group of preoperative risk factors and conditions contribute a majority of the inherent mortality risk in these models. This has led to the concept that specific risk models can be applied to other CABG data sets. Nashef et al7 tested the performance of the EuroSCORE model against a cohort of STS CABG patients. In general, these risk-prediction models achieve the best fit when applied to the database systems from which they were derived. In the United States, the STS NCD has documented a substantial increase in the predicted risk of mortality over …
The Effects of Apparel Product Presentation on Consumer Responses in U.S. Online Retailing

본 논문은 의류 상품 전시와 상품에 대한 관여도가 소비자의 인지, 감성적 반응, 구매 의도에 미치는 영향에 대하여 살펴보았다. 의류 상품 전시의 세 가지 종류(모델 없이 펼쳐놓은 의류상품 전시 vs. 모델, 얼굴이 없는 의류 상품 전시 vs. 모델, 얼굴을 포함한 의류 상품 전시)의 집단간 실험 설계를 하였으며 상품에 대한 관여도(관여도 높음 vs. 낮음)를 조절변수로 하였다. 429명의 학생을 대상으로 온라인 실험 연구를 실시하였다. 분석 결과, 모델을 이용한 상품 전시의 효율성이 검증되었으며, 의류 상품에 대한 관여도가 높은 소비자들은 관여도가 낮은 소비자들에 비하여 모든 상품전시에 더 긍정적인 반응을 보이는 것으로 나타났다. 본 연구 결과는 실험적인 증거를 통하여 이론적인 통찰력을 제시하였으며, 의류 소매 업체에 유용한 지식을 제시하였다.
HIV-Infected Haitian Refugees: An Argument Against Exclusion

The author discusses the plight of 222 Haitian refugees detained by the United States Immigration Service at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in 1993, and argues against the exclusion of these refugees, infected with HIV, for three reasons. First, the policy of exclusion exacerbates an already critical world health problem by perpetuating misconceptions about where the virus originated and how it is transmitted. Moreover, the author argues that such exclusionary policies ignore a fundamental premise of United States refugee law by failing to consider the compelling circumstances which prompt certain immigrants to leave their homes and seek refuge in the United States. Finally, the discussion reveals that the exclusion policy furthers no legitimate economic or public health interest on the part of the United States.
Acclimation of Respiratory O2 Uptake in Green Tissues of Field-Grown Native Species after Long-Term Exposure to Elevated Atmospheric CO2

C3 and C4 plants were grown in open-top chambers in the field at two CO2 concentrations, normal ambient (ambient) and normal ambient + 340 [mu]LL-1 (elevated). Dark oxygen uptake was measured in leaves and stems using a liquid-phase Clark-type oxygen electrode. High CO2 treatment decreased dark oxygen uptake in stems of Scirpus olneyi (C3) and leaves of Lindera benzoin (C3) expressed on either a dry weight or area basis. Respiration of Spartina patens (C4) leaves was unaffected by CO2 treatment. Leaf dry weight per unit area was unchanged by CO2, but respiration per unit of carbon or per unit of nitrogen was decreased in the C3 species grown at high CO2. The component of respiration in stems of S. olneyi and leaves of L. benzoin primarily affected by long-term exposure to the elevated CO2 treatment was the activity of the cytochrome pathway. Elevated CO2 had no effect on activity and capacity of the alternative pathway in S. olneyi. The cytochrome c oxidase activity, assayed in a cell-free extract, was strongly decreased by growth at high CO2 in stems of S. olneyi but it was unaffected in S. patens leaves. The activity of cytochrome c oxidase and complex III extracted from mature leaves of L. benzoin was also decreased after one growing season of plant exposure to elevated CO2 concentration. These results show that in some C3 species respiration will be reduced when plants are grown in elevated atmospheric CO2. The possible physiological causes and implications of these effects are discussed.
Study of adherence comes to the treatment of chronic hepatitis B.

The primary goal of antiviral treatment of chronic hepatitis B is to achieve sustained suppression of hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication to an undetectable level, thus preventing or reducing the complications of cirrhosis, hepatic decompensation, hepatocellular carcinoma, and death [1]. It logically follows that a concomitant and equally important goal of therapy is to achieve a high rate of patient adherence to antiviral treatment when using a nucleos(t)ide (NUC) analogue, which requires long-term and potentially lifelong administration. It is reasonable to assume that non-adherence can result in poor virologic suppression, breakthrough resistance, and progression of disease, although the contribution of non-adherence to these outcomes is uncertain [2]. However, in order to study the association between adherence and the outcomes of antiviral therapy of chronic hepatitis B, it is important to determine first the medication adherence rate that occurs in practice. In this issue, Chotiyaputta et al. [3] have published the first, large-scale evaluation of patient adherence with HBV oral antiviral therapy, as well as some of the factors associated with adherence, from a retrospective populationbased study of 11,100 patients with chronic hepatitis B. Adherence (synonymous with compliance, or concordance) with medication usage is defined as the proportion of prescribed doses of medication actually taken by a patient over a specified period of time [4], and has been extensively studied in various chronic medical conditions, including hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Although the preferred terminology remains a matter of debate, theWorld Health Organization (WHO) and a number of other agencies have selected adherence as the preferred term [5]. Compliance, which was commonly used in the past, implies a passive role and simply following the demands of a prescriber, and non-compliance has been regarded as associated with deviant or irrational behavior. Adherence, on the other hand, implies an active role in collaboration with a prescriber, and non-adherence encompasses the diverse reasons for patients not following a treatment recommendation, including the characteristics of the disease, social and economic factors, the health care team and system, and cost of medications as well as a number of patient-related factors.
A Simple Method of Supplementation of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Use of Fortified Yogurt in Healthy Volunteers

Background: A relative dietary ω-3 fatty acid deficiency exists in Western diets, and this deficiency may be associated with some chronic diseases. The aim of the present study was to supplement yogurt with docosahexaenoic acid and assess whether this fatty acid could be incorporated into plasma lipids. Methods: We developed a stable emulsion of docosahexaenoic acid that was incorporated into yogurt. Twelve healthy volunteers agreed to consume 1 serving daily that contained 600 mg of docosahexaenoic acid. Results: After 3 weeks of supplementation, plasma phospholipid docosahexaenoic acid content increased significantly, by 32%, in parallel with a 16% rise in total ω-3 fatty acids. This result was associated with a significant 7% decline in phospholipid arachidonic acid. Conclusions: Fortification of ordinary foods with docosahexaenoic acid is a potentially attractive method of increasing ω-3 fatty acid content of plasma lipids, and might even lower arachidonic acid concentrations.
Retina-derived POU-domain factor-1: a complex POU-domain gene implicated in the development of retinal ganglion and amacrine cells

A novel POU-domain protein, retina-derived POU-domain factor-1 (RPF-1), has been identified through the isolation of cDNA and genomic DNA clones. In the adult, RPF-1 is expressed only within the CNS, where its expression is restricted to the medical habenulla, to a dispersed population of neurons in the dorsal hypothalamus, and to subsets of ganglion and amacrine cells in the retina. The human RPF-1 gene spans > 125 kb and gives rise to multiple differentially spliced transcripts. In the human retina, the most abundant mRNA isoforms are derived from an alternate splicing event that inserts an evolutionarily conserved peptide of 36 amino acids into the DNA recognition helix of the POU- specific domain. In vitro, the RPF-1 POU domain lacking the insert binds to a consensus Oct-1 binding site, whereas the alternately spliced POU domain does not. RPF-1 protein first appears in the developing mouse retina at e11, where it localizes to neuroblasts that have recently migrated from the mitotic zone to the future ganglion cell layer. These data suggest that RPF-1 is likely to be involved in early steps in the differentiation of amacrine and ganglion cells.
Morphology of the dayside ionosphere of Mars: Implications for ion outflows

[1] Significant fluxes of tailward streaming ions have been detected in the Martian wake by instruments on spacecraft. Imposing outward fluxes at the top of a model will produce dayside ion density profiles that are characterized by smaller scale heights than those of diffusive equilibrium. We determine the maximum outward fluxes of ions, and those implied by radio occultation data, by constructing ∼180 models, with upward velocity boundary conditions in the range from 0 to (7–8) × 105 cm s−1 in small increments. As the upward velocity is increased, the topside ion or electron densities decrease until eventually the computed ion fluxes cease to increase, implying that this is the maximum outward flux that the ionosphere can sustain. By comparison to data, we derive a low solar activity upward flux of O2+ of ∼5 × 107 cm−2 s−1, and a maximum of ∼8 × 107 cm−2 s−1. For O+, the analogous fluxes are ∼4 × 106 cm−2 s−1 and ∼1.1 × 107 cm−2 s−1. We derive high solar activity upward fluxes of O2+ in the range ∼(1.2–1.6) × 108 cm−2 s−1, and a maximum of 2.4 × 108 cm−2 s−1. The O+ derived and maximum fluxes at high solar activity are ∼(1.5–2) × 107 and 5 × 107 cm−2 s−1, respectively. If these fluxes are averages over the dayside, we estimate total loss rates of O+ and O2+ of (2.8–11) × 1024 and (3.6–8.7) × 1025 s−1, respectively. Our computed escape rates of O+ are in substantial agreement with the models and data, but our O2+ escape rates are an order of magnitude larger. We discuss various mechanisms that would bring our O2+ escape rates or the O+/O2+ ratio into agreement with the measurements and models.
Leukocyte depletion enhances cultured endothelial retention on vascular prostheses.

Abstract Approximately 90% of endothelial cells that are seeded or cultured onto vascular prostheses are lost from the flow surface within 24 hours of implantation. To determine the contribution of leukocytes to endothelial cell loss, 111 In-labeled, cultured canine jugular venous endothelial cells were grown to confluence on fibronectin-coated polyester elastomer tubes measuring 4 mm inner diameter and 30 mm in length. Autogenous cell-lined tubes were implanted as bilateral carotid replacement grafts in six dogs made leukopenic by cyclophosphamide. Similar unilateral grafts were placed in 12 control dogs. Grafts were removed and perfusion-fixed from six control animals after 2 hours of in vivo arterial perfusion and from the other six animals after 6 hours of perfusion. One graft was removed and perfusion-fixed from each leukopenic animal after 2 hours of implantation and the other after 6 hours. Attachment of endothelial cells to the grafts was measured by indium-labeling technique. Retention of endothelium on grafts removed after 2 hours was measured by planimetric counting with scanning electron microscopy and on those removed after 6 hours by radioisotope quantification. Endothelial cell retention after 2 hours was 37.6% ± 27.0% in control dogs and 97.0% ± 3.4% in leukopenic animals (p
Encoding of target direction and speed during visual instruction and arm tracking in dorsal premotor and primary motor cortical neurons.

The encoding of direction and speed in the discharge of dorsal premotor (PMd) and primary motor (MI) neurons was studied during two-dimensional visually-instructed pursuit arm movements in which eight directions and four constant speeds were independently manipulated. Each trial consisted of equal durations of visual observation of target movement without hand movement (cue) and visual pursuit-tracking of the target with the hand (track). A total of 240 neurons was recorded from PMd and MI in two Macaca mulatta monkeys. Two classes of regression analyses were used to relate neuronal firing during the cue and track periods to direction and speed. First, the average firing from each period was fitted to target direction or speed. Period-averaged firing significantly correlated with direction more frequently in the track than in the cue period. Conversely, correlations with speed (with or without direction) were more common in the cue than in the track period. Secondly, a binwise regression evaluated the temporal evolution of firing correlations with direction and speed. Supporting the period-based results, significant binwise correlations of the discharge with speed occurred preferentially during the cue period when there was no hand movement. Prior to movement, correlations of the firing with direction became significant and continued through the movement. Both analyses demonstrated a distinct tendency for neurons to be modulated by speed information early and by direction information later. This temporal parcellation reflects both the sequential demands of the task and constraints placed on the neural computations. The early representation of target speed is hypothesized to reflect the need to calculate a ‘go signal’ for the initiation of movement.
Differential effects of wave reflections and peripheral resistance on aortic blood pressure: a model-based study

It has been generally accepted that arterial system wave reflections act to increase aortic blood pressure and the load placed on the left ventricle. Using a mathematical model of the coupled left ventricle-arterial system, we predict that this is not the case. With the model, two aspects of wave reflection, the global reflection coefficient [TG(omega)] and the pulse wave velocity (cph), were adjusted independently. In addition, TG(omega) and cph could be altered independently of the direct-current properties of the arterial system model. Reduction of TG(omega) yielded increases in stroke volume (SV) as well as in peak systolic (Ps), diastolic (Pd), and mean aortic (Pao) pressures and, hence, increased the load on the left ventricle. SV and Pao increased only in the range where strong reflection occurs. Reduced cph also yielded higher pressures, whereas increased cph resulted in reduced Pao and Pd but increased Ps. The changes in pressures and SV in response to altered TG(omega) and cph were relatively small compared with absolute levels. Simulated vasoconstriction and vasodilation further demonstrated the much greater importance of peripheral resistance on pressure and SV levels and lead to the prediction that pressure reduction in vasodilation occurs not because of, but in spite of, reduced wave reflections. We conclude that these results have not yet been observed experimentally, because reflection cannot yet be separated from the direct-current properties of the arterial system; therefore wave reflections themselves have not yet been adequately studied in the intact animal.
Closed-Cell Mesostructured Porous Silica Films Templated by PS-b-PEO Without Additional Microporosity

Mesostructured silica/diblock films with a 3D arrangement of spherical domains (bcc) were prepared through evaporation-induced self-assembly (EISA) using polystyrene-block-poly( ethylene oxide) diblock copolymers as structure-directing agents and TEOS (Si(OCH2CH3)4) and/or MTES (Si(OCH2CH3)3CH3) as silica precursors. A detailed small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) analysis of the calcined mesoporous films showed that, in contrast to recently reported studies, no additional microporosity due to the PEO was observed, indicating that the PEO block formed a layer at the interface between the PS domain and the silica matrix and thus contributed to the mesopore volume. These mesostructured porous silica films are believed to be the first in respect of isolated spheres with a 3D array distributed in a silica matrix without additional microporosity and with MTES as silica precursor. Such closed-cell mesostructured porous materials with high porosity and controllable hydrophobicity can be excellent candidates for low dielectric (K) insulator materials.
Emotional, physical and financial burdens of stigma against people living with HIV/AIDS in China

Numerous researches have shown pernicious effects of stigma against people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). However, no available studies have reported these negative effects including emotional, physical to financial burdens to PLWHA. In the current study, we aim to explore different types of stigma (e.g., perceived, internalized and enacted) and the relevant consequences among PLWHA in China. A cross-sectional study was conducted from 2012 to 2013 in the Guangxi Autonomous Region in China. The validated Berger HIV Stigma Scale was used to measure various types of stigma. We employed a series of linear, logistic and polytomous regression models to assess the association between stigma and different consequences while accounting for potential confounders for each specific model. Of the total sample, 2987 PLWHA provided valid responses with 63% being male and having an average age of 42.9 years. Perceived, internalized and enacted HIV stigma were prevalent among participants, and resulted in various burdens with different magnitudes in their life contexts. Specially, PLWHA who reported higher perceived and internalized stigma were more likely to be imposed on emotional and physical burdens (p < .05). People who reported higher enacted stigma had heavier financial burden compared to their peers (p < .05). Our findings revealed that devastating consequences of HIV-related stigma in China. The prevalent stigmatizing attitudes have pushed PLWHA to the fringes of society and affected them at multiple aspects in their life context. We call for tailored efforts to overcome stigma and discrimination against PLWHA.
Minimizing Non-Response in a Survey of New Businesses (Presentation)

Research surveys of establishments such as new businesses face significant challenges. Cooperation rates are generally lower than household surveys because of lack of interest, lack of time, or confidentiality concerns. The Kauffman Firm Survey (KFS), sponsored by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, used various techniques to achieve a response rate of 43 percent. The KFS used a multi-mode approach to encourage Web response and reduce telephone interviewing costs. In training telephone interviewers, refusal avoidance was emphasized, including quick response to initial reluctance to participate, and identifying and quickly responding to common reasons for refusal. We also emphasized completing the survey screener quickly to identify eligible businesses, which were about 35 percent of the sample. This paper describes these training methods, outlines other steps to improve response rates, and compares survey results of cases with an initial refusal with results from cases that completed without an initial refusal.
Cationic Gold(I) π-Complexes of Terminal Alkynes and Their Conversion to Dinuclear σ,π-Acetylide Complexes

Treatment of a suspension of (IPr)AuCl [IPr = 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene] and AgSbF6 with terminal arylacetylenes led to the formation of thermally unstable gold π-alkyne complexes of the form [(IPr)Au(η2-HC≡CAr)]+SbF6– in ≥86 ± 5% yield, which were characterized by spectroscopy without isolation. Warming these complexes to 0 °C led to C(sp)–H bond cleavage and formation of dinuclear gold(I) σ,π-acetylide complexes of the form {[(IPr)Au]2(η1,η2-C≡CAr)}+SbF6–, three of which were isolated in 99% yield and one of which was characterized by X-ray crystallography. 1H NMR analysis of the conversion of gold π-arylacetylene complexes to σ,π-acetylide complexes established protonation of free arylacetylene, indicating the generation of a strong Bronsted acid under reaction conditions.
Learning to resist mild or intense shock punishment and subsequent resistance to airblast punishment

Rats were trained to approach and consume food in the presence of either mild, intense, or no shock punishment and were subsequently tested with airblast punishment. The results showed that Ss learning to resist the intense shock punishment subsequently were significantly (p <.05) more resistant to airblast punishment than the mild punishment or the no punishment training groups. The difference between the mild and no punishment groups was not reliable.
Blood Pool Segmentation Results in Superior Virtual Cardiac Models than Myocardial Segmentation for 3D Printing

The method of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) three-dimensional (3D) image acquisition and post-processing which should be used to create optimal virtual models for 3D printing has not been studied systematically. Patients (n = 19) who had undergone CMR including both 3D balanced steady-state free precession (bSSFP) imaging and contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) were retrospectively identified. Post-processing for the creation of virtual 3D models involved using both myocardial (MS) and blood pool (BP) segmentation, resulting in four groups: Group 1-bSSFP/MS, Group 2-bSSFP/BP, Group 3-MRA/MS and Group 4-MRA/BP. The models created were assessed by two raters for overall quality (1-poor; 2-good; 3-excellent) and ability to identify predefined vessels (1-5: superior vena cava, inferior vena cava, main pulmonary artery, ascending aorta and at least one pulmonary vein). A total of 76 virtual models were created from 19 patient CMR datasets. The mean overall quality scores for Raters 1/2 were 1.63 ± 0.50/1.26 ± 0.45 for Group 1, 2.12 ± 0.50/2.26 ± 0.73 for Group 2, 1.74 ± 0.56/1.53 ± 0.61 for Group 3 and 2.26 ± 0.65/2.68 ± 0.48 for Group 4. The numbers of identified vessels for Raters 1/2 were 4.11 ± 1.32/4.05 ± 1.31 for Group 1, 4.90 ± 0.46/4.95 ± 0.23 for Group 2, 4.32 ± 1.00/4.47 ± 0.84 for Group 3 and 4.74 ± 0.56/4.63 ± 0.49 for Group 4. Models created using BP segmentation (Groups 2 and 4) received significantly higher ratings than those created using MS for both overall quality and number of vessels visualized (p < 0.05), regardless of the acquisition technique. There were no significant differences between Groups 1 and 3. The ratings for Raters 1 and 2 had good correlation for overall quality (ICC = 0.63) and excellent correlation for the total number of vessels visualized (ICC = 0.77). The intra-rater reliability was good for Rater A (ICC = 0.65). Three models were successfully printed on desktop 3D printers with good quality and accurate representation of the virtual 3D models. We recommend using BP segmentation with either MRA or bSSFP source datasets to create virtual 3D models for 3D printing. Desktop 3D printers can offer good quality printed models with accurate representation of anatomic detail.
Topical androgenic hormones in vulvar kraurosis-leukoplakia syndrome; preliminary report.

Abstract A preliminary report is made on 25 patients with kraurosis and/or leukoplakia of the vulva treated primarily with topical testosterone propionate in a petrolatum base. Satisfactory symptomatic relief was obtained in all cases and has been maintained with continuous therapy. Exacerbation following omission of therapy has been the rule. A discussion of the possible mode of action of topical testosterone is included.
Evaluation of coverage, retention patterns, and selectivity of seven liquid chromatographic methods for metabolomics

Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-based metabolomics studies require highly selective and efficient chromatographic techniques. Typically employed reversed-phase (RP) methods fail to target polar metabolites, but the introduction of hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) is slow due to perceived issues of reproducibility and ruggedness and a limited understanding of the complex retention mechanisms. In this study, we present a comparison of the chromatographic performance of a traditional RP-C18 column with zwitterionic, amide-, alkyl diol-, and aminoalkyl-based HILIC and mixed-mode columns. Our metabolite library represents one of the largest analyte sets available and consists of 764 authentic metabolite standards, including amino acids, nucleotides, sugars, and other metabolites, representing all major biological pathways and commonly observed exogenous metabolites (drugs). The coverage, retention patterns, and selectivity of the individual methods are highly diverse even between conceptually related HILIC methods. Furthermore, we show that HILIC sorbents having highly orthogonal selectivity and specificity enhance the coverage of major metabolite groups in (semi-) targeted applications compared to RP. Finally, we discuss issues encountered in the analysis of biological samples based on the results obtained with human plasma extracts. Our results demonstrate that fast and highly reproducible separations on zwitterionic columns are feasible, but knowledge of analyte properties is essential to avoid chromatographic bias and exclusion of key analytes in metabolomics studies. Graphical Abstract The chromatographic parameters of 764 authentic metabolite standards provide the basis for a comparison of coverage, selectivity and orthogonality of 7 reversed-phase (RP), mixed-mode (MM) and hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) methods.
Preliminary Evaluation of a Laparoscopic Common Bile Duct Simulator for Pediatric Surgical Education.

Abstract Purpose: Laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) decreases overall costs and length of stay in patients with choledocolithiasis. However, utilization of LCBDE remains low. We sought to evaluate a previously developed general surgery LCBDE simulator among a cohort of pediatric surgical trainees. The study purpose was to evaluate the content validity of an LCBDE simulator to support or refute its use in pediatric surgery education. Materials and Methods: After IRB exempt determination, 30 participants performed a transcystic LCBDE using a previously developed simulator and evaluated the simulator using a self-reported 28-item instrument. The instrument consisted of two primary domains (Quality and Ability to Perform) that were rated using twenty-five 4-point rating scales and one 4-point global rating scale. Validity evidence relevant to test content was evaluated using a many-facet Rasch model. Interitem consistency was estimated using Cronbach's alpha. P < .05 was considered statistical...
Partner expressed emotion and diabetes management among spouses living with Type 2 diabetes.

INTRODUCTION Expressed emotion has been consistently shown to be a significant predictor of relapse and poor disease management across numerous physical and mental health conditions, however very little research has been conducted on its relationship to the management practices of individuals living with Type 2 diabetes. This study examines the relationship between expressed emotion (EE) and diabetes management among couples where 1 spouse has Type 2 diabetes. METHODS The authors surveyed 106 couples where 1 partner was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. Partners without diabetes completed questionnaires about their level of criticism, emotional involvement, and warmth toward their partners. Partners with diabetes completed questionnaires on diabetes control, diabetes management practices and attitude toward their diabetes. RESULTS The authors found that, individuals living with diabetes who had partners with high EE reported significantly poorer diabetes management in all areas (diet, physical activity, and attitude toward diabetes). Diabetes management was found to mediate the relationship between EE and diabetes control. Results suggest that partners with high EE may have a significant influence on diabetes management practices in their partner. DISCUSSION These findings highlight the important role couple interactions may play in diabetes management. Findings also emphasize the potential benefit of conceptualizing diabetes management from a systems/relational perspective. In addition, greater consideration should be given to using family-based approaches for diabetes management and treatment among coupled individuals living with Type 2 diabetes. (PsycINFO Database Record
Review: Pythagoras and Renaissance Europe: Finding Heaven by Christiane L. Joost-Gaugier

Christiane L. Joost-Gaugier . Pythagoras and Renaissance Europe: Finding Heaven . Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2009, 319 pp., 72 b/w illus. $90 (cloth), ISBN 9780521517959 This is the second of the author's two volumes on the critical fortune of Pythagoras and the ideas attributed to him from antiquity to the early seventeenth century. Volume one, Measuring Heaven: Pythagoras and His Influence on Thought and Art in Antiquity and the Middle Ages, which appeared in 2006,1 covered the period beginning with Pythagoras's lifetime, in the sixth century BC, and ending in the fourteenth century. The volume reviewed here centers on fifteenth- and earlier sixteenth-century Italy and includes some material from northern Europe and up to the seventeenth century. This chronological and geographical emphasis is not surprising, since the project began with the author's investigation of the iconography of Raphael's School of Athens , ( Raphael's Stanza della Segnatura: Meaning and Invention ,2 where Pythagoras is prominently represented. While some of this Pythagorean material has been available in classic studies like S. K. Heninger's Touches of Sweet Harmony: Pythagorean Cosmology and Renaissance Poetics ,3 George Hersey's Pythagorean Palaces: Magic and Architecture in the Italian Renaissance ,4 and Paul Rose, The Italian Renaissance of Mathematics ,5 this is the first attempt to consider Pythagoras himself as the main subject of a book and to present, systematically arranged, a corpus of primary source materials. Pythagoras himself wrote nothing, and the corpus of Pythagorean material is small, consisting of works erroneously attributed to him, traditions about him recorded especially in antique and late antique authors, and most particularly by Plato's incorporation …
Preventability of Hospital Readmissions From Skilled Nursing Facilities: A Consumer Perspective.

Purpose of the study A structured interview was conducted with Medicare patients readmitted to a private, tertiary teaching hospital from skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) to assess their perspectives of readmission preventability and their role in the readmission. Design and methods Data were collected at Vanderbilt University Medical Center using a 6-item interview administered at the bedside to Medicare beneficiaries with unplanned hospital readmissions from 23 SNFs within 60 days of a previous hospital discharge. Mixed analytical methods were applied, including a content analysis that evaluated factors contributing to hospital readmission as perceived by consumers. Results Among 208 attempted interviews, 156 were completed, of which 53 (34%) respondents rated their readmission as preventable. 28.3% of the 53 consumers attributed the readmission to hospital factors, 52.8% attributed it to the SNF, and 18.9% believed both sites could have prevented the readmission. The primary driver of the readmission was a family member/caregiver in 31 cases and the patient in 24 of the 156 cases, amounting to 55 (35.3%) consumer-driven readmissions. Contributing factors included: premature hospital discharge (16.3%); poor discharge planning (16.3%); a clinical issue not resolved in the hospital (14.3%); inadequate treatment at the SNF (69.4%); improper medication management at the SNF (20.4%); and poor decision-making regarding the transfer (14.3%). Conclusions and implications Interviewing readmitted patients provides information relevant to reducing readmissions that may otherwise be omitted from hospital and SNF records. Consumers identified quality issues at both the hospital and SNF and perceived themselves as initiating a significant number of readmissions.
A Methodological Framework for Prioritising Infrastructure Investment

Policy makers are often confronted with a myriad of factors in the investment decision-making process. This issue is particularly acute in infrastructure decisions since these often involve large sums and lock-in technologies. In regions and countries where the infrastructure access gap is large and public budgets severely constrained, the importance of considering the different facets of the decision-making process becomes even more relevant. This is the case for South Asia. This article presents the infrastructure access gap in South Asia and discusses the impacts that this gap has in South Asian economies. It examines the links between the infrastructure and economic growth and infrastructure and welfare/poverty. The article reviews different methodologies to measure these impacts and hence serve as mechanisms to establish priorities. Finally, the article presents a methodology to holistically equate trade-offs among different policy objectives per key infrastructure sectors.
Socioeconomic Segregation of Activity Spaces in Urban Neighborhoods: Does Shared Residence Mean Shared Routines?

Residential segregation by income and education is increasing alongside slowly declining black-white segregation. Segregation in urban neighborhood residents’ nonhome activity spaces has not been explored. How integrated are the daily routines of people who live in the same neighborhood? Are people with different socioeconomic backgrounds that live near one another less likely to share routine activity locations than those of similar education or income? Do these patterns vary across the socioeconomic continuum or by neighborhood structure? The analyses draw on unique data from the Los Angeles Family and Neighborhood Survey that identify the location where residents engage in routine activities. Using multilevel p2 (network) models, we analyze pairs of households in the same neighborhood and examine whether the dyad combinations across three levels of SES conduct routine activities in the same location, and whether neighbor socioeconomic similarity in the co-location of routine activities is dependent on ...
Streaming apps: What consumers value

Abstract Streaming apps are increasingly mainstream but little research exists about how users value them. This study fills that research gap by examining effects of perceived consumption values and self-identity related to streaming apps on likelihood of recommending and using streaming apps. All consumption values as well as identity salience were found to have effects on recommendation likelihood. The findings suggest that managers of streaming apps should provide consumers with a clear message about how their streaming apps provide differing consumption values to customers and find ways to ensure their streaming apps are salient to the self-identity of their customers.