cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Speech-In-Noise test: a new approach to the assessment of communication capability of elderly persons.

The present investigation measured how well elderly persons hear in everyday auditory communication situations. It was felt that traditional clinical measures of auditory performance have not been shown to be valid predictors of communication function for an elderly population. Participants ranged in age from fifty-five to seventy-two years. In addition to several standard audiometric tests, a new speech test incorporating sentence material was administered in both quiet and noise. As a measure of general communication performance, a hearing questionnaire was developed. The findings indicated that the results of the new Speech-In-Noise (SIN) test were better predictors of hearing communication performance than any of the traditional audiometric measures by a wide margin (.73 versus .62). Statistical analysis further indicated that the SIN test could replace all of the standard audiometric tests in the evaluation of hearing of elderly listeners. Because the SIN test is so brief, given in five to seven minutes, and so easily administered, this test is ideal for mass screening of hearing among the elderly.
Estimating rates of chronic fatigue syndrome from a community-based sample: A pilot study

Most of the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) epidemiological studies have relied on physicians who refer patients having at least 6 months of chronic fatigue and other symptoms. However, there are a number of potential problems when using this method to derive prevalence statistics. For example, some individuals with CFS might not have the economic resources to access medical care. Other individuals with CFS might be reluctant to use medical personnel, particularly if they have encountered physicians skeptical of the authenticity of their illness. In addition, physicians that are skeptical of the existence of CFS might not identify cases. In the present pilot study, a random community sample (N=1,031) was interviewed by telephone in order to identify and comprehensively evaluate individuals with symptoms of CFS and those who self-report having CFS. Different definitions of CFS were employed, and higher rates (0.2%) of CFS were found than in previous studies. Methodological benefits in using more rigorous epidemiological methods when estimating CFS prevalence rates are discussed.
Age-related changes in hormonesin impotent men

A total of 818 impotent men were evaluated in a multidisciplinary Sexual Function Center for reproductive hormone levels. Data are presented demonstrating an overall rate of endocrinopathy at 19.3 percent. Various age-dependent trends in the incidence of abnormal levels are noted. Hypogonadism as well as hyperpituitarism appear to increase in incidence with increasing age. Hyperprolactinemia, however, seems to be relatively constant in occurrence. Because of the likelihood of detecting endocrine abnormalities, a recommendation is made for routine hormonal screening of all patients complaining of impotence.
Numerical analysis of the propagation and amplification of tsunami waves on the northwest shelf of the Black Sea

We perform the numerical analysis of the process of propagation of long waves in the northwest part of the Black Sea and consider ten possible zones of the seismic generation of tsunamis. The numerical analysis is performed on a grid with steps of 500 m. It is shown that the location of the tsunami source significantly affects the distribution of the heights of waves along the coast. As a rule, the most intense waves are formed in the closest part of the coast. The earthquakes in the South-Coast seismic zone do not lead to the formation of tsunamis in the west part of the sea. Only strong earthquakes in the northwest part of the sea can be responsible for noticeable oscillations of the Black-Sea level. The period of tsunamis near Odessa is close to 1 h and depends on the magnitude of the earthquake. In the region of Sevastopol, this period is 2--3 times smaller. In the major part of the coastal points, the extreme elevations and lowerings of the sea level do not exceed (in modulus) the initial displacements of the sea surface at the source of tsunamis. An intensification of waves emitted from the zones of generation located in the deeper part of the investigated region was observed for some parts of the Romanian coast and the west coast of Crimea. As the magnitude of the earthquake increases, the intensification of waves near the coast becomes more pronounced.
A Saudi Family Making End-of-Life Decisions in the PICU

In this “Ethics Rounds,” physicians must decide how far to go in respecting the wishes of a Saudi Arabian man whose infant is dying in the PICU. The man requests an approach to end-of-life decisions that is deeply rooted in both Saudi culture and the tenets of Islamic bioethics but at odds with prevailing US law and bioethics. We asked 3 physicians with expertise in cross-cultural issues to comment on the issues raised by this case. Dr Aasim Padela is an emergency medicine physician and a fellow in the Program on Medicine & Religion at The University of Chicago. Dr Sadath Sayeed is a neonatologist at Boston Children’s Hospital and on faculty in the Division of Medical Ethics at Harvard Medical School. Dr Maryam Naim is a pediatric intensivist at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. ### Case Representation A 2-month-old boy was found unresponsive in his crib after his mother heard him choke shortly after feeding. His parents drove him to the emergency department, where he was apneic and pulseless. He had return of spontaneous circulation after 30 minutes of cardiopulmonary resuscitation and was transferred to the PICU. On physical examination, the infant has intermittent respiratory effort over the ventilator, no withdrawal from painful stimuli, and no pupillary response to light. Over the next few days, his neurologic examination remained limited to intermittent seizures and irregular respiratory effort. There are no other signs of brainstem function on serial examination. The parents are young and had recently emigrated from Saudi Arabia. The mother is wearing a full black burqa exposing only her face. She speaks no English. The father is wearing a tee shirt and jeans and speaks fluent English. A meeting is scheduled with both parents, the neurologists, social workers, PICU team, and an Arabic interpreter to discuss the prognosis and plans. Before … Address correspondence to John D. Lantos, MD, Children’s Mercy Hospital, 2401 Gillham Rd, Kansas City, MO 64105. E-mail: jlantos{at}cmh.edu
Pepitome: evaluating improved spectral library search for identification complementarity and quality assessment

Spectral libraries have emerged as a viable alternative to protein sequence databases for peptide identification. These libraries contain previously detected peptide sequences and their corresponding tandem mass spectra (MS/MS). Search engines can then identify peptides by comparing experimental MS/MS scans to those in the library. Many of these algorithms employ the dot product score for measuring the quality of a spectrum-spectrum match (SSM). This scoring system does not offer a clear statistical interpretation and ignores fragment ion m/z discrepancies in the scoring. We developed a new spectral library search engine, Pepitome, which employs statistical systems for scoring SSMs. Pepitome outperformed the leading library search tool, SpectraST, when analyzing data sets acquired on three different mass spectrometry platforms. We characterized the reliability of spectral library searches by confirming shotgun proteomics identifications through RNA-Seq data. Applying spectral library and database searches on the same sample revealed their complementary nature. Pepitome identifications enabled the automation of quality analysis and quality control (QA/QC) for shotgun proteomics data acquisition pipelines.
Biofilm formation by fluconazole-resistant Candida albicans strains is inhibited by fluconazole.

Objectives The fungal pathogen Candida albicans forms biofilms on implanted medical devices, resulting in infections with high mortality. Fully developed biofilms, which are adherent communities of microorganisms, characteristically exhibit high resistance to antimicrobial drugs, making treatment of device-associated infection problematic. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the addition of the azole antifungal fluconazole on the initiation of biofilm formation by both drug-susceptible and drug-resistant C. albicans strains. Results Our data reported here show that biofilm formation by both fluconazole-susceptible and fluconazole-resistant C. albicans strains was inhibited when fluconazole was present. For the fluconazole-susceptible strains, inhibition of growth due to the presence of the antifungal drug probably prevented the acquisition of high-level fluconazole resistance. However, for fluconazole-resistant strains, the inhibition of biofilm development was unexpected. Conclusions Unexpectedly, fluconazole inhibited biofilm formation by a variety of laboratory isolated and clinically isolated fluconazole-resistant strains.
Automated serial sectioning for 3-D analysis of microstructures

Abstract Automated serial sectioning is a flexible, low-cost technique for rapidly obtaining three-dimensional (3-D) microstructural data in a wide variety of materials. Advantages over previous manual methods are highlighted, and case studies are used to demonstrate the power of the technique for 3-D characterization and the generation of microstructural data for modeling.
The New Field Theory

IN a recent series of articles1 Born has developed, with Infeld, a new theory of the electromagnetic field that solves the difficulties connected with the self-energy of the electron. In II an elegant form is given for the Lagrangian of the electromagnetic field, but the Lagrangian alone does not completely specify the electromagnetic field since one must add the assumption2 that fkl is the curl of a potential vector k. The method suggested3 for including the Einstein gravitational equations within the theory would further mar the elegance of the Lagrangian.
Local and Systemic Release of Cytokines, Nerve Growth Factor, Prostaglandin E2, and Substance P in Incisional Wounds and Serum Following Cesarean Delivery

The objectives of this study were to test the feasibility of measuring inflammatory and nociceptive biochemical mediators at the surgical site and to evaluate the relationship between wound and serum levels as well as determine any associations between mediator release, pain, and analgesic consumption after cesarean delivery. Twenty healthy women undergoing elective cesarean delivery with spinal anesthesia were enrolled. Wound exudate and serum mediators, pain scores, and analgesic consumption were measured at 1, 6, 24, and 48 hours after cesarean. In wound exudate, 19 of 20 mediators were reliably detected including interleukin (IL)-1, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13, IL-17, tumor necrosis factor-, interferon-, granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) and macrophage inflammatory protein 1 (MIP-1), nerve growth factor (NGF), prostaglandin E2 (PG-E2), and substance P. Wound PG-E2 and various cytokines peaked early, whereas NGF showed a more delayed release. There were no correlations between the concentration versus time profile of wound and serum cytokines. Analgesic consumption during the first 24 hours after surgery was negatively correlated with IL-1, IL-6, and G-CSF in the wound exudate. This study demonstrates the feasibility of collecting and measuring nociceptive and inflammatory mediators in surgical wounds at specific time points. The lack of significant correlations between wound and serum levels emphasizes the importance of determining site-specific release if localized pathologies are to be studied. Perspective: This study demonstrates the feasibility of measuring real-time nociceptive and inflam- matory mediators in surgical wounds. Our findings confirm the lack of correlation between wound and serum levels of many pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines and nerve growth factor.
Embryogenesis: coordinating cell division with gastrulation.

Cytoskeletal arrangements suitable for cell division are incompatible with those needed for morphogenesis. Recent studies have identified inhibitory phosphorylation of Cdk1 as a key mechanism for postponing mitosis to allow gastrulation.
Even-order subgroups of finite-dimensional division rings

Let K be a field. A finite group G is called K-adequate if there exists a K-division ring D (a finite-dimensional division algebra central over K) such that G is contained in D*, the multiplicative group of nonzero elements of D. Fein and Schacher have investigated the problem of determining for which fields K there exists a noncyclic group of odd order which is K-adequate. In [5, 61 they solved this problem when K is an algebraic number field or p-local field. In this paper we do the same for noncyclic groups of even order. Our main result is that if K is an algebraic number field then there exists a noncyclic group of even order which is K-adequate. We show this is false for p-local fields and determine necessary and sufficient conditions on K for there to exist an even-order noncyclic group which is K-adequate. We adopt the notation and terminology of [6]. Recall that for any natural number TZ, cIZ denotes a primitive nth root of unity. If u and ZI are integers j3(u, V) is the highest power of u dividing v and [u, v] is the order of u modulo v. If K is an algebraic number field and y is a prime of K we denote the completion of K at y by K,, . For a finite extension L of K and a prime 7 of L dividing y we denote the relative degree of q over y by f(~/r). If E and L are local fields we denote the ramification degree from L to E by e(E/L). We assume all algebras are finite-dimensional over their centers and all fields are of characteristic zero. We use freely the classification of division algebras over global and local fields by means of Hasse invariants. The reader is referred to [3, Chap. 71 for a discussion of this material.
Adiabatic invariants in stellar dynamics, 3: Application to globular cluster evolution

The previous two companion papers demonstrate that slowly varying perturbations may not result in adiabatic cutoffs and provide a formalism for computing the long-term effects of time-dependent perturbations on stellar systems. Here, the theory is implemented in a Fokker-Planck code and a suite of runs illustrating the effects of shock heating on globular cluster evolution are described. Shock heating alone results in considerable mass loss for clusters with R(sub g) less than or approximately 8 kpc: a concentration c = 1.5 cluster with R(sub g) kpc loses up to 95% of its initial mass in 15 Gyr. Only those with concentration c greater than or approximately 1.3 survive disk shocks inside of this radius. Other effects, such as mass loss by stellar evolution, will decrease this survival bound. Loss of the initial halo together with mass segregation leads to mass spectral indices, x, which may be considerably larger than their initial values.
Wetting and reactions in the lead borosilicate glass-precious metal systems

Sessile drop experiments of lead borosilicate glass (liquid) on silver, gold and platinum were performed in air, vacuum and helium at 700° C. Wetting occurred in all cases. Strong adherence or bonding with the glass occurred for all three metals in air due to reactions with a thin oxide film present on the metal surfaces, and for silver in vacuum due to a redox reaction. Experiments in helium lead to poor adherence with all three metals.
Third-order nonlinear optical characterization of organic chromophores using liquid-core optical fibers

We present our technique to characterize the third-order nonlinear optical properties of organic dyes in our previously introduced integrated liquid-core optical fiber (i-LCOF) platform. i-LCOF is filled with the solution of the organic dyes, and the change in the laser pulse spectral width due to self-phase modulation is investigated. The measurements are done at 1550 nm using a mode-locked femtosecond fiber laser. The solution/laser interaction length is long (∼50 cm), which removes the need for high-power pump pulses. This method is fast, simple, and can be extended to the characterization of other nanoscale particles such as quantum dots and plasmonic metal nanoparticles in solutions.
HACC: extreme scaling and performance across diverse architectures

Supercomputing is evolving towards hybrid and accelerator-based architectures with millions of cores. The HACC (Hardware/Hybrid Accelerated Cosmology Code) framework exploits this diverse landscape at the largest scales of problem size, obtaining high scalability and sustained performance. Developed to satisfy the science requirements of cosmological surveys, HACC melds particle and grid methods using a novel algorithmic structure that flexibly maps across architectures, including CPU/GPU, multi/many-core, and Blue Gene systems. We demonstrate the success of HACC on two very different machines, the CPU/GPU system Titan and the BG/Q systems Sequoia and Mira, attaining unprecedented levels of scalable performance. We demonstrate strong and weak scaling on Titan, obtaining up to 99.2% parallel efficiency, evolving 1.1 trillion particles. On Sequoia, we reach 13.94 PFlops (69.2% of peak) and 90% parallel efficiency on 1,572,864 cores, with 3.6 trillion particles, the largest cosmological benchmark yet performed. HACC design concepts are applicable to several other supercomputer applications.
The carbon abatement potential of high penetration intermittent renewables

The carbon abatement potentials of wind turbines, photovoltaics, and concentrating solar power plants were investigated using dispatch simulations over California with 2005–06 meteorological and load data. A parameterization of the simulation results is presented that provides approximations of both low-penetration carbon abatement rates and maximum carbon abatement potentials based on the temporal characteristics of the resource and the load. The results suggest that shallow carbon emissions reductions (up to 20% of the base case) can be achieved most efficiently with geothermal power and demand reductions via energy efficiency or conservation. Deep emissions reductions (up to 89% for this closed system), however, may require the build-out of very large fleets of intermittent renewables and improved power system flexibility, communications, and controls. At very high penetrations, combining wind and solar power improved renewable portfolio performance over individual build-out scenarios by reducing curtailment, suggesting that further reductions may be met by importing uncorrelated out-of-state renewable power. The results also suggest that 90–100% carbon emission reductions will rely on the development of demand response and energy storage facilities with power capacities of at least 65% of peak demand and energy capacities large enough to accommodate seasonal energy storage.
Cell Cycle-Dependent Role of MRN at Dysfunctional Telomeres: ATM Signaling-Dependent Induction of Nonhomologous End Joining (NHEJ) in G1 and Resection-Mediated Inhibition of NHEJ in G2

Here, we address the role of the MRN (Mre11/Rad50/Nbs1) complex in the response to telomeres rendered dysfunctional by deletion of the shelterin component TRF2. Using conditional NBS1/TRF2 double-knockout MEFs, we show that MRN is required for ATM signaling in response to telomere dysfunction. This establishes that MRN is the only sensor for the ATM kinase and suggests that TRF2 might block ATM signaling by interfering with MRN binding to the telomere terminus, possibly by sequestering the telomere end in the t-loop structure. We also examined the role of the MRN/ATM pathway in nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ) of damaged telomeres. NBS1 deficiency abrogated the telomere fusions that occur in G(1), consistent with the requirement for ATM and its target 53BP1 in this setting. Interestingly, NBS1 and ATM, but not H2AX, repressed NHEJ at dysfunctional telomeres in G(2), specifically at telomeres generated by leading-strand DNA synthesis. Leading-strand telomere ends were not prone to fuse in the absence of either TRF2 or MRN/ATM, indicating redundancy in their protection. We propose that MRN represses NHEJ by promoting the generation of a 3' overhang after completion of leading-strand DNA synthesis. TRF2 may ensure overhang formation by recruiting MRN (and other nucleases) to newly generated telomere ends. The activation of the MRN/ATM pathway by the dysfunctional telomeres is proposed to induce resection that protects the leading-strand ends from NHEJ when TRF2 is absent. Thus, the role of MRN at dysfunctional telomeres is multifaceted, involving both repression of NHEJ in G(2) through end resection and induction of NHEJ in G(1) through ATM-dependent signaling.
Learning activities, educational games, and tangibles: Arabic language learning in the ALADDIN project

The paper presents ongoing work on the ALADDIN project, a 3-year endeavor that involves the re-conceptualization of the standard Arabic language learning curriculum for kindergarten students in Qatar, supported by a comprehensive technology-enhanced learning framework. The curriculum, scheduled for September '13, follows an adapted version of the traditional folk Aladdin story, divided into 22 episodes, presented over a 45-lesson series (9 weeks). During the second half of each lesson, instruction is based on educational technology. The learning goals of letter recognition and production are served through storyboarding, learning activities, and educational games, specifically designed for tabletop computers and situated in the contextual theme created by the story. The unique affordances of the underlying technology provide a highly collaborative and interactive environment, while the ability of tabletops to recognize tangibles via tags creates a more vivid experience for the students. The paper discusses: (a) the specific context of this work and the instructional goals, (b) the theoretical foundations of the new curriculum, (c) the unique characteristics of the technology used and the design issues raised, (d) preliminary data gathered by observing young children using the technology, and (e) examples of learning activities and games designed for the project.
A fault tolerant and energy efficient routing protocol for urban sensor networks

Wireless sensor network technology provides an opportunity for innovation. Their applications in urban environment have attracted many attentions recently. Due to the dynamic operational environment, the reliability and energy efficiency are two important criteria for the routing protocol designs of wireless sensor networks. This paper presents a heuristic study on fault tolerant and energy efficient routing algorithm for wireless sensor networks in street-based urban environment. The leveling algorithm, combined with the energy extension scheme, is presented as an effective routing protocol in the presence of malfunctioned nodes. A local optimization scheme is further proposed for energy efficiency, which is implemented only based on the neighboring nodes information. The simulation results show that the proposed technique achieves optimal fault tolerant performance provided a limited transmission range. The average energy consumption and the packet latency is also simulated and compared with the theoretical optimum solution generated based on the global routing information.
Four puzzles about life

To surmount the notorious difficulties of defining life, we should evaluate theories of life not by whether they provide necessary and sufficient conditions for our current preconceptions about life but by how well they explain living phenomena and how satisfactorily they resolve puzzles about life. On these grounds, the theory of life as supple adaptation gets support from the natural and compelling way it resolves the following four puzzles: (a) How are different forms of life at different levels of the vital hierarchy related? (b) Is there a continuum between life and nonlife? (c) Does life essentially concern a living entity's material composition or its form? (d) Are life and mind intrinsically connected?
Ankylosing Spondylitis: A Contemporary Perspective on Diagnosis and Treatment

Objectives In recent years, great progress has been made in the development of diagnostic tools, therapeutic approaches, and validated outcome measures in the understanding of the pathogenesis of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). The purpose of this review was to summarize these developments. Methods We performed a PubMed search for the period 1978 to 2005, using the keyword, "ankylosing spondylitis," resulting in a total of 4878 publications, including 778 reviews. Articles were then selected based on their discussion of recent diagnostic tools and new treatment approaches in the pathogenesis of AS, leading to a final total of 104 articles. Results In recent years, there have been 2 major developments in the management of AS that make earlier diagnosis possible and offer the hope of alleviating pain and preventing structural changes that result in loss of function. These developments include the use of magnetic resonance imaging to visualize the inflammatory changes in the sacroiliac joint and the axial spine, and the demonstration that tumor necrosis factor blocking agents are highly efficacious in reducing spinal inflammation and possibly in slowing radiographic progression. Conclusions There have been major advances in both the diagnostic tools and the therapeutic regimens available for patients with AS.
Strategic Retirements: The Influence of Public Preferences On Voluntary Departures from Congress

Are members of Congress responsive to public preferences in their decisions to seek reelection or retire, or do members simply rely on the advantages of incumbency to secure reelection? I argue that members of Congress consider their electoral vulnerability when deciding whether or not to seek reelection, informing their reelection odds with the same short-term electoral forces that influence election outcomes: partisan preferences, economic evaluations, and congressional approval. Considering aggregate rates of voluntary departures from the House and Senate from 1954 to 2004, I show that rates of retirement reflect, not only institutional environments within Congress, but also the mood of the electorate.
The acquisition of ser , estar (and be ) by a Spanish–English bilingual child: The early stages

This article studies the acquisition of copulas by a Spanish–English bilingual between the ages of 1;6 and 3;0, examines the possibility of interlanguage influence, and considers the distributional frequencies of copular constructions in the speech of the child and in the language input from adults. The study is of interest because the bilingual child needs to acquire semantic and syntactic contrasts in Spanish that are not explicitly marked in English. This difference raises questions about the timing of acquisition of the Spanish copulas under pressure from a stronger language, in addition to the language-internal questions concerning the acquisition of the semantics and syntax of these verbs. The results show that copular constructions develop autonomously, but with a slight delay in the acquisition of estar interpreted as a possible type of influence from English. The distributional analysis reveals parallels between the child's and the adults' uses of copulas, thus supporting a process of acquisition guided by the nature of the interactions that the child enters into with the adults who surround him.
Decentralized control of cooperating mobile manipulators

This paper addresses the design and control of autonomous mobile platforms manipulating and transporting a grasped object. Each platform is equipped with a manipulator arm. In order to hold an object in a stable grasp, the arms have to apply and maintain appropriate contact forces to ensure force closure. We describe an architecture and a real time control system that allow the coordinated control of multiple, heterogeneous, mobile manipulators. In this architecture, a lead robot plans, based on available sensory information, and follows a suitable trajectory. The other robots follow a desired formation with respect to the leader while maintaining a stable grasp. There are three main contributions in this paper. We present the real time control system and our approach to rapidly prototype the control code. We describe a novel, forklift-like arm and a control scheme that allows us to easily control the Cartesian stiffness or impedance. Finally, we describe the details of an experimental testbed and results that demonstrate the robustness of the control scheme.
Middleware infrastructure for parallel and distributed programming models in heterogeneous systems

We introduce a middleware infrastructure that provides software services for developing and deploying high-performance parallel programming models and distributed applications on clusters and networked heterogeneous systems. This middleware infrastructure utilizes distributed agents residing on the participating machines and communicating with one another to perform the required functions. An intensive study of the parallel programming models in Java has helped identify the common requirements for a runtime support environment, which we used to define the middleware functionality. A Java-based prototype, based on this architecture, has been developed along with a Java object-passing interface (JOPI) class library. Since this system is written completely in Java, it is portable and allows executing programs in parallel across multiple heterogeneous platforms. With the middleware infrastructure, users need not deal with the mechanisms of deploying and loading user classes on the heterogeneous system. Moreover, details of scheduling, controlling, monitoring, and executing user jobs are hidden, while the management of system resources is made transparent to the user. Such uniform services are essential for facilitating the development and deployment of scalable high-performance Java applications on clusters and heterogeneous systems. An initial deployment of a parallel Java programming model over a heterogeneous, distributed system shows good performance results. In addition, a framework for the agents' startup mechanism and organization is introduced to provide scalable deployment and communication among the agents.
Detection of silent myocardial ischemia in asymptomatic diabetic subjects: response to Wackers et al.

We read the results of the DIAD study (1) with great interest and congratulate all of the investigators. However, the study leaves some questions unanswered and raises others. 1 ) Since there is no nondiabetic control group with similar baseline characteristics, we don’t know whether the reported prevalence of silent ischemia (22%) is higher than in nondiabetic patients. Such a comparison is necessary to determine how many scans are needed to diagnose one addional silent ischemia in asymptomatic diabetic patients. Therefore, the clinician is not assisted in determining whether performing …
Lymphoma and tracheoesophageal fistula: Indication for a removable esophageal stent

SUMMARY. Mediastinal lymphoma is a rare cause of tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF). While most reports described in the literature have been related to prior or concurrent chemoradiation therapy, TEF has rarely been reported as the initial presentation of lymphoma. We report on a young woman found to have Hodgkin's disease complicated by TEF that required emergent placement of an esophageal stent. The lymphoma was successfully treated and, due to stent-related symptoms, removal was desired but not technically possible. We discuss options that may prevent this predicament in the future.
Transmission of Attitudes Toward Abortion and Gay Rights: Effects of Genes, Social Learning and Mate Selection

The biological and social transmission of attitudes toward abortion and gay rights are analyzed in a large sample of adult twins, siblings, and their parents. We present a linear model for family resemblance allowing for both genetic and cultural transmission of attitudes from parents to offspring, as well as phenotypic assortative mating (the tendency to marry like) and other environmental sources of twin and sibling resemblance that do not depend on the attitudes of their parents. The model gives a close fit to the patterns of similarity between relatives for the two items. Results are consistent with a substantial role of genetic liability in the transmission of both attitudes. Contrary to the dominant paradigm of the social and political sciences, the kinship data are consistent with a relatively minor non-genetic impact of parental attitudes on the development of adult attitudes in their children. By contrast, the choice of mate is a social action that has a marked impact on the polarization of social attitudes and on the long-term influence that parents exert upon the next generation.
High Intensity Sounds in the Recreational Environment Hazard to Young Ears

Rock music played for a guinea pig destroyed numerous cells in the animal's cochlea. Excess exposure to loud music may account for the increasing incidence of high frequency hearing loss among teenagers and college freshmen.
Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite solar diffuser calibration and its challenges using a solar diffuser stability monitor.

The reflective solar bands (RSB) of the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) on board the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (SNPP) satellite is calibrated by a solar diffuser (SD) whose performance is itself monitored by a solar diffuser stability monitor (SDSM). In this study, we describe the calibration algorithm of the SDSM, analyze the current two and a half years of calibration data, and derive the performance result for the SD, commonly called SD degradation or H-factors. The application of the newly derived vignetting functions for both the SD screen and the SDSM sun-view screen effectively removes the seasonal oscillations in the derived SD degradation and significantly improves the quality of the H-factors. The full illumination region, the so-called “sweet spot,” for both SD view and SDSM sun view is carefully examined and selected to ensure a consistent and an optimal number of valid data samples to reduce the sample noise owing to inconsistent or lack of samples. The result shows that SD degrades much faster at short wavelength as expected, about 28.5% at 412 nm but only 1.2% at 935 nm up to date. The performance of the SD degrades exponentially with time until 7 November 2013 but has since become flat. This sudden flattening of the SD degradation is a new phenomenon never previously observed for the degradations of the SD on VIIRS or other satellite sensors. The overall result shows that SDSM is essentially functioning without flaws in catching the on-orbit degradation of the SD. The most significant and direct impact of this work would be on the quality of the ocean color products that depend sensitively on moderate RSB (RSB) (M1–M8, M10, and M11). Two very important and key questions on the performance of the SD are also raised. One pertains to the directional dependence of the SD degradation result, and it is shown that the SD does not degrade uniformly in all directions as has been assumed by all SD calibration analyses. This has a definitive impact on the RSB calibration. Another is on the degradation of the SD at the shortwave infrared (SWIR) wavelengths, and it is shown that the zero degradation input for the RSB calibration would be erroneous. Last, the impact of the stray light on the SD since “first light” is cleanly exhibited in the improved SD degradation result.
Cellular and Molecular Aspects of Decidualization and Implantation

A comprehensive analysis of the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying decidualization and implantation is not possible today. This is because the three concurrent lines of research, i.e., molecular endocrinology, cell cycle kinetics and biochemistry, which have contributed the recent advances to these studies, have progressed with almost no interaction in parallel fashion. An initial attempt at integrating these data as they apply to the mechanisms of decidualization and implantation will be the task of this contribution.
The effects of reference capacitors on signal transmission through single-ended traces in multi-layer PCBs

In a high-speed multi-layer PCB (printed circuit board) design with multiple logic voltage levels, signal trace placement can be an important issue. Single-ended high-speed signals that use the power layers as reference (return) may suffer increased losses in some frequency ranges due to the displacement current path from the power layer to ground. "Reference" capacitors are recommended as a solution to mitigate this effect. The frequency ranges where the increased losses occur are demonstrated to be ranges containing board distributed resonance frequencies. The effects of the number and locations of reference capacitors on signal transmission are also studied, and reported in this paper.
A methodology for automated verification of rosetta specification transformations

The Rosetta system-level design language is a specification language created to support design and analysis of heterogeneous models at varying levels of abstraction. These abstraction levels are represented in Rosetta as domains, specifying a particular semantic vocabulary and modeling style. The following dissertation proposes a framework, semantics and methodology for automated verification of safety preservation over specification transformations between domains. Utilizing the ideas of lattice theory, abstract interpretation and category theory we define the semantics of a Rosetta domain as well as safety of specification transformations between domains using Galois connections and functors. With the help of Isabelle, a higher order logic theorem prover, we verify the existence of Galois connections between Rosetta domains as well as safety of transforming specifications between these domains. The following work overviews the semantic infrastructure required to construct the Rosetta domain lattice and provides a methodology for verification of transformations within the lattice.
CD105 protein depletion enhances human adipose-derived stromal cell osteogenesis through reduction of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) signaling.

Clinically available sources of bone for repair and reconstruction are limited by the accessibility of autologous grafts, infectious risks of cadaveric materials, and durability of synthetic substitutes. Cell-based approaches for skeletal regeneration can potentially fill this need, and adipose tissue represents a promising source for development of such therapies. Here, we enriched for an osteogenic subpopulation of cells derived from human subcutaneous adipose tissue utilizing microfluidic-based single cell transcriptional analysis and fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). Statistical analysis of single cell transcriptional profiles demonstrated that low expression of endoglin (CD105) correlated with a subgroup of adipose-derived cells with increased osteogenic gene expression. FACS-sorted CD105low cells demonstrated significantly enhanced in vitro osteogenic differentiation and in vivo bone regeneration when compared with either CD105high or unsorted cells. Evaluation of the endoglin pathway suggested that enhanced osteogenesis among CD105low adipose-derived cells is likely due to identification of a subpopulation with lower TGF-β1/Smad2 signaling. These findings thus highlight a potential avenue to promote osteogenesis in adipose-derived mesenchymal cells for skeletal regeneration.
Crystal Structure of a Designed Tetratricopeptide Repeat Module in Complex with its Peptide Ligand

Tetratricopeptide repeats (TPRs) are protein domains that mediate key protein-protein interactions in cells. Several TPR domains bind the C-termini of the chaperones heat shock protein (Hsp)90 and/or Hsp70, and exchange of such binding partners is key for the heat shock response. We have previously described the design of a TPR protein that binds tightly and specifically to the C-terminus of Hsp90, and in doing so, is able to inhibit chaperone function in vivo. Here we present the X-ray crystal structure of the designed TPR domain (CTPR390) in complex with its peptide ligand--the C-terminal residues of Hsp90 (peptide MEEVD). This structure reveals two interesting aspects of the TPR modules. First, a new packing arrangement of 3-TPR modules is observed. The TPR units stack against each other in an unusual fashion to form infinite superhelices in the crystal. Second, the structure provides insights into the molecular basis of TPR-ligand recognition.
Glycoconjugates prevent B. anthracis toxin-induced cell death through binding while activating macrophages

Bacillus anthracis toxins may be attenuated if macrophages could neutralize toxins upon contact or exposure. Glycoconjugate-bearing polymers, which have been shown to bind to Bacillus spores, were tested for recognition and binding of protective antigen (PA), lethal factor (LF), and edema factor (EF) toxins. We have demonstrated modulation of macrophage activity following exposure to these toxins. Without glycoconjugate (GC) activation, murine macrophages were killed by Bacillus toxins. GCs were shown to have a protective influence, sparing macrophages from toxin-induced cell death, as shown by increased macrophage cell viability based on trypan blue assay. Increased levels of inducible nitric oxide (NO) production by macrophages in presence of GCs suggest that GCs provide an activation signal for macrophages and stimulate their function. Results hint to GCs that promote neutralization of Bacillus toxins, block toxin-induced macrophage death, while increasing macrophage activation. Polymeric GCs may suggest novel approaches to improve existing or develop new vaccines as well as immunotherapeutics.
The Berlin Tradition in Chicago: Franz Alexander and the Chicago Institute for Psychoanalysis

Freud considered Franz Alexander, the first graduate of the Berlin Psychoanalytic Institute and an assistant in the Berlin Polyclinic, to be "one of our strongest hopes for the future." Alexander went on to become the first director of the Chicago Institute for Psychoanalysis in 1932 and modeled some of the Chicago Institute's mission on his Berlin experiences. He was also a researcher in psychosomatic medicine, a prolific writer about psychoanalysis and prominent in psychoanalytic organizations. As he proposed modifications in psychoanalytic technique, he became a controversial figure, especially in the elaboration of his ideas about brief therapy and the corrective emotional experience. This paper puts Alexander's achievements in historical context, draws connections between the Berlin and Chicago Institutes and suggests that, despite his quarrels with traditional psychoanalysis, Alexander's legacy may be in his attitude towards psychoanalysis, characterized by a commitment to scientific study, a willingness to experiment, and a conviction about the role of psychoanalysis within the larger culture.
The Relationship Between the Level of Personal Empowerment and Quality of Life Among Psychosocial Clubhouse Members and Consumer-Operated Drop-In Center Participants

This cross-sectional, correlational study examined the relationship between personal empowerment and quality of life among 151 mental health consumers (77 psychosocial clubhouse members and 74 consumer-operated drop-in center participants). This study also evaluated the group differences between empowerment and quality of life. Data collected from face-to-face interviews indicate a positive relationship between personal empowerment and quality of life, with drop-in center participants reporting slightly higher levels of personal empowerment than clubhouse members. Mixed results were found between the two groups with respect to subjective and objective quality of life measures. The results of this study suggest an important association between the ability to make life choices and a mental health consumer's quality of life, especially when high levels of social contact are a part of everyday life.
The Verification of Probability Forecasts

Abstract Brier's scoring procedure for the evaluation of probability statements is analyzed to show two important aspects of the forecasting process. The first is a sorting process in which the forecaster assigns each prediction to one of a set of ordered classes of likelihood of occurrence of the meteorological event. The second is a labeling process in which he assigns a numerical value to each class. This value is intended to be the relative frequency (or probability) of occurrence of the event for the predictions in that class. When forecasts are evaluated relative to the use of simple statements such as climatological probability, the Brier score is shown to consists of a sorting gain and a bias (or mislabeling) penalty. Evidence is presented to show that meteorological forecasts made by humans have appreciable sorting skill and suffer little bias penalty. The relevance of the bias penalty is attacked and defended.
Laser interstitial thermal therapy for medically intractable mesial temporal lobe epilepsy

SummaryObjective To describe mesial temporal lobe ablated volumes, verbal memory, and surgical outcomes in patients with medically intractable mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (mTLE) treated with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)–guided stereotactic laser interstitial thermal therapy (LiTT). Methods We prospectively tracked seizure outcome in 20 patients at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital with drug-resistant mTLE who underwent MRI-guided LiTT from December 2011 to December 2014. Surgical outcome was assessed at 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, and at the most recent visit. Volume-based analysis of ablated mesial temporal structures was conducted in 17 patients with mesial temporal sclerosis (MTS) and results were compared between the seizure-free and not seizure-free groups. Results Following LiTT, proportions of patients who were free of seizures impairing consciousness (including those with auras only) are as follows: 8 of 15 patients (53%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 30.1–75.2%) after 6 months, 4 of 11 patients (36.4%, 95% CI 14.9–64.8%) after 1 year, 3 of 5 patients (60%, 95% CI 22.9–88.4%) at 2-year follow-up. Median follow-up was 13.4 months after LiTT (range 1.3 months to 3.2 years). Seizure outcome after LiTT suggests an all or none response. Four patients had anterior temporal lobectomy (ATL) after LiTT; three are seizure-free. There were no differences in total ablated volume of the amygdalohippocampus complex or individual volumes of hippocampus, amygdala, entorhinal cortex, parahippocampal gyrus, and fusiform gyrus between seizure-free and non–seizure-free patients. Contextual verbal memory performance was preserved after LiTT, although decline in noncontextual memory task scores were noted. Significance We conclude that MRI-guided stereotactic LiTT is a safe alternative to ATL in patients with medically intractable mTLE. Individualized assessment is warranted to determine whether the reduced odds of seizure freedom are worth the reduction in risk, discomfort, and recovery time. Larger prospective studies are needed to confirm our preliminary findings, and to define optimal ablation volume and ideal structures for ablation.