cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
ADAPTIVE REPTILE COLOR VARIATION AND THE EVOLUTION OF THE MC1R GENE

The wealth of information on the genetics of pigmentation and the clear fitness consequences of many pigmentation phenotypes provide an opportunity to study the molecular basis of an ecologically important trait. The melanocortin-1 receptor (Mc1r) is responsible for intraspecific color variation in mammals and birds. Here, we study the molecular evolution of Mc1r and investigate its role in adaptive intraspecific color differences in reptiles. We sequenced the complete Mc1r locus in seven phylogenetically diverse squamate species with melanic or blanched forms associated with different colored substrates or thermal environments. We found that patterns of amino acid substitution across different regions of the receptor are similar to the patterns seen in mammals, suggesting comparable levels of constraint and probably a conserved function for Mc1r in mammals and reptiles. We also found high levels of silent-site heterozygosity in all species, consistent with a high mutation rate or large long-term effective population size. Mc1r polymorphisms were strongly associated with color differences in Holbrookia maculata and Aspidoscelis inornata. In A. inornata, several observations suggest that Mc1r mutations may contribute to differences in color: (1) a strong association is observed between one Mc1r amino acid substitution and dorsal color; (2) no significant population structure was detected among individuals from these populations at the mitochondrial ND4 gene; (3) the distribution of allele frequencies at Mc1r deviates from neutral expectations; and (4) patterns of linkage disequilibrium at Mc1r are consistent with recent selection. This study provides comparative data on a nuclear gene in reptiles and highlights the utility of a candidate-gene approach for understanding the evolution of genes involved in vertebrate adaptation.
Recurrent Subepidermal Blistering Dermatosis Heralding Disease Relapse in IgA Kappa Multiple Myeloma: Report of a Case and a Review of the Literature

Clinical Practice Points � IgA multiple myeloma can be associated with various skin changes including cutaneous plasmacytoma, amyloidosis, and cutaneous features of POEMS (polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal gammopathy, and skin changes) syndrome such as hemangiomas, hyperpigmentation, and hypertrichosis. Rarely, IgA multiple myeloma may be accompanied by skin blistering. � We report the case of a patient who experienced blistering on her nasal and perioral skin at the time of initial diagnosis and with each relapse of her IgA kappa multiple myeloma. � A skin biopsy sample from the blister demonstrated detachment of the skin between the epidermis and dermis (subepidermal bullous reaction). During each episode, the patient’s blisters resolved with treatment of her myeloma, as measured by improvement of her kappa free light chain levels. � We review the previous literature of skin blistering associated with IgA multiple myeloma. � This case also highlights that skin blistering may be a useful predictor of active disease in patients with IgA kappa multiple myeloma.
Paradigms for Practice: A Task for Architecture Schools

have, it is hoped, a role and attitude which cause us to pay attention to those phenomena in our sensory field which are likely to impinge on the safe and effective performance of our driving tasks. We are first aware of, let us say, some movement of a thing or a being in our path, we accommodate that awareness into a schema of understanding which helps us to know whether or not that movement is
Hans Urs Von Balthasar and Contemporary Feminist Theology

[The author initiates a dialogue between Hans Urs von Balthasar and contemporary feminist theology, focusing on three areas: theological anthropology, theological method, and Christology. Each sect...
Penultimate Proline in Neuropeptides

A recent ion mobility spectrometry-mass spectrometry (IMS-MS) study revealed that tryptic peptide ions containing a proline residue at the second position from the N-terminus (i.e., penultimate proline) frequently adopt multiple conformations, owing to the cis–trans isomerization of Xaa1–Pro2 peptide bonds [J. Am. Soc. Mass Spectrom. 2015, 26, 444]. Here, we present a statistical analysis of a neuropeptide database that illustrates penultimate proline residues are frequently found in neuropeptides. In order to probe the effect of penultimate proline on neuropeptide conformations, IMS-MS experiments were performed on two model peptides in which penultimate proline residues were known to be important for biological activity: the N-terminal region of human neuropeptide Y (NPY1–9, Tyr1-Pro2-Ser3-Lys4-Pro5-Asp6-Asn7-Pro8-Gly9-NH2) and a tachykinin-related peptide (CabTRP Ia, Ala1-Pro2-Ser3-Gly4-Phe5-Leu6-Gly7-Met8-Arg9-NH2). From these studies, it appears that penultimate prolines allow neuropeptides to popula...
Acute hepatic failure associated with the use of sodium valproate.

SODIUM valproate, a recently introduced anticonvulsant, is particularly useful in the management of absence seizures and has gained widespread popularity.1 Initial European studies reported infrequ...
Immune Dysfunction in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is diagnosed based on abnormalities in social, communicative, and stereotyped behaviors, but a preponderance of evidence indicates that immune dysfunction is a key feature of ASD. In this chapter, we review the several cellular and functional immune alterations observed in the brains, periphery, and gastrointestinal tracts of ASD individuals. In addition, we highlight pathways for neuroimmune interactions and novel roles for immune factors in neurodevelopment. We further discuss immune-related environmental and genetic risk factors for ASD, along with findings from animal models that support a role for early life immune dysregulation in the etiopathogenesis of ASD symptoms. Finally, we outline results from clinical trials of immune-based therapies for ASD and consider future directions for investigating potential immune contributions to ASD diagnosis and treatment.
Ridding Children of Common Worm Infections

Worm infections in children are still with us in spite of greatly improved sanitation in the United States. Indoor flush toilets, paved streets, high living standards, and the like have not eliminated these parasites.
Histones Are Rapidly Loaded onto Unintegrated Retroviral DNAs Soon after Nuclear Entry

Chromosomal structure of nuclear DNA is usually maintained by insertion of nucleosomes into preexisting chromatin, both on newly synthesized DNA at replication forks and at sites of DNA damage. But during retrovirus infection, a histone-free DNA copy of the viral genome is synthesized that must be loaded with nucleosomes de novo. Here, we show that core histones are rapidly loaded onto unintegrated Moloney murine leukemia virus DNAs. Loading of nucleosomes requires nuclear entry, but does not require viral DNA integration. The histones associated with unintegrated DNAs become marked by covalent modifications, with a delay relative to the time of core histone loading. Expression from unintegrated DNA can be enhanced by modulation of the histone-modifying machinery. The data show that histone loading onto unintegrated DNAs occurs very rapidly after nuclear entry and does not require prior establishment of an integrated provirus.
Automatic generation of object class descriptions using symbolic learning techniques

Object recognition requires complicated domain-specific rules. For many problem domains. it is impractical for a programmer to generate these rules. A method for automatically generating the required object class descriptions is needed - this paper presents a method to accomplish this goal. In our approach. the supervisor provides a series of example scene descriptions to the system. with accompanying object class assignments. Generalization rules then produce object class descriptions. These rules manipulate non-symbolic descriptors in a symbolic framework; the resulting class descriptions are useful both for object recognition and for providing clear explanations of the decision process. We present a simple method for maintaining an optimal description set as new examples (possibly of previously unseen classes) become available. providing needed updates to the description set. Finally. the system's performance is shown as it learns object class descriptions from realistic scenes - video images of electronic components.
Clinostomum album n. sp. and Clinostomum marginatum (Rudolphi, 1819), parasites of the great egret Ardea alba L.from Mississippi, USA

Members of the genus Clinostomum Leidy, 1856, colloquially known as yellow grubs, are cosmopolitan parasites of piscivorous birds, freshwater snails, fish and amphibians. In the southeastern United States, piscivorous birds present a continuous challenge for producers of farm-raised catfish. Ciconiiform birds are common hosts of Clinostomum spp. in North America and are endemic on most commercial catfish operations. The great egret Ardea alba L. is an avian predator often found foraging on commercial catfish operations, but to date the trematode fauna of great egrets preying on catfish ponds remains mostly understudied. Thirteen great egrets were captured from commercial catfish ponds in northeast Mississippi, and examined for trematode infections. Two morphologically distinct Clinostomum spp. were observed in the great egrets sampled, one morphologically consistent with Clinostomum marginatum (Rudolphi, 1819) and one morphologically unique species. These morphological descriptions were supplemented with molecular sequence data (c.4,800 bp of ribosomal DNA and c.600 bp of mitochondrial DNA). Gene sequences confirmed the identification of C. marginatum. However, the second species differed significantly from its congeners in both morphology and DNA sequence. Given these distinct morphological and molecular characters we propose this second species as Clinostomum album n. sp.
Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a rare and potentially life-threatening drug-induced neurologic emergency characterized by fever, muscle rigidity, altered mental status, and autonomic dysfunction (Velamoor Drug Saf 19(1):73–82, 1998). NMS is believed to be a result of dopamine deficiency from excessive dopaminergic blockade by antipsychotic medication and several anti-emetics, and less often by withdrawal of dopamine agonist therapy (Henderson and Wooten Neurology 31(2):132–7, 1981; Toru et al. J Nerv Ment Dis 169(5):324–7, 1981). Successful treatment requires prompt recognition, cessation of offending agents, aggressive supportive care, and administration of certain pharmacotherapies and interventions, such as dantrolene, bromocriptine and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). While NMS is easily recognized in its severe form, early identification can be challenging because it is heterogeneous in onset and progression and several medical conditions exhibit similar symptoms (Addonizio et al. Am J Psychiatry 143(12):1587–90, 1986; Caroff and Mann Med Clin North Am 77(1):185–202, 1993; Strawn et al. Am J Psychiatry 164(6):870–6, 2007; Rosebush and Stewart Am J Psychiatry 146(6):717–25, 1989; Caroff SN. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome. In: Mann SC, Lazarus A, editors. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome and related conditions. 2nd ed. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Pub; 2003. p. 1–44). The variability in NMS presentation makes controlled trials and collection of data difficult, and consequently, many aspects remain controversial, including pathophysiological mechanisms, risk factors, diagnostic criteria, prognosis and treatment (Margetic and Aukst-Margetic Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf 19(5):429–35, 2010).
Virus evolution: how does an enveloped virus make a regular structure?

The evolution of viruses has been an exciting area of study, albeit an area that is fraught with difficulties be- cause of the lack of a fossil record and because of the rapid sequence divergence exhibited by viruses. All viruses in collections available for study in the laboratory have been isolated within the last 70 years. Studies of the rate of sequence divergence in viruses over this period of time, all of which have focused on RNA viruses, have given estimates of 10^2 to 10^4 changes per nucleotide per year (Takeda et al., 1994; Weaver et al., 1997). Although these rates for the fixation of mutations of necessity assay changes in only the most variable positions in the viral genome, and there are clearly positions that change much more slowly, it is nonetheless clear that it is difficult to establish relationships between two viruses that last had a common ancestor, for example, a million years ago, based solely on sequence relation- ships. Furthermore, it has become increasingly clear in the last two decades that extensive recombination over the ages has complicated the evolutionary relationships among viruses belonging to different families (Strauss et al., 1996). To ascertain distant relationships among viruses, structural studies are of increasing importance, because the structure of a protein changes much less rapidly than does the amino acid sequence that forms the structure (Rossmann et al., 1974).
National Overview of Medication-Assisted Treatment for American Indians and Alaska Natives With Substance Use Disorders.

Objective:American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) experience higher rates of substance use disorders and less access to high-quality care compared with other racial-ethnic groups. The objective of this study was to better understand the use of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) of substance use disorders for AI/ANs and barriers to broader implementation.Methods:Representatives of 192 substance abuse treatment programs completed a survey about their use of MAT. On the basis of implementation science frameworks, the authors examined survey items about program structure, workforce, and other services provided in order to develop logistic regression models that explored significant associations between workforce and program characteristics and use of MAT.Results:Of the 192 programs, 28% reported implementing MAT. Multivariate logistic regression models indicated that programs with staff that perceived MAT to be consistent with their program’s treatment approach and philosophy and programs reporting that...
Effects of Emergent Literacy Interventions for Preschoolers with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Combining data from a series of three planned consecutive randomized controlled trials, the present study investigates two literacy interventions for preschool children with autism spectrum disorder. For the first cohort, children were randomized to interactive book reading (IBR; treatment) or business as usual (BAU; control); in Cohort 2, children were randomized to phonological awareness (PA; treatment) or BAU; in Cohort 3, children were randomized to IBR or PA. Both treatments were implemented weekly in the classroom from November to May. Combined across cohorts, data from 57 classrooms in 8 districts were available for analysis (n = 47, IBR; n = 42, PA; n = 44, BAU). Model results showed that IBR had significantly greater pretest-posttest gains than the sample mean on expressive vocabulary and listening comprehension (approximate effect sizes: d* = 0.29 and 0.30), whereas PA had significantly greater PA gains (d* = 0.39).
Innovations in Military and Veteran Suicide Prevention

Protecting the 1% of the population that protects the rest is a top priority for the United States (US) Department of Defense (DoD) and political leaders alike. With the country at war for almost two decades, the USA is now seeing the impact those wars have had on veterans. After this epidemic came to light, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and DoD implemented many suicide prevention programs and interventions. One of the changes is implementing mandatory training focused on identifying suicide risk factors for active duty veterans to better identify when their fellow veterans may need help. Additionally, in the past 5 years the DoD has attempted to decrease the stigma associated with receiving mental health treatment by emboldening leaders to be open about their own troubles while encouraging the people they lead to seek help. However, the stigma of receiving or seeking mental health is still a major issue in the military, especially in the Special Forces community where 49 operators have killed themselves in the last few years. Another point is increasing treatment availability and possible interventions offered through the VA. An increased focus on the VA within the past 5 years has been due to a lack of service provision and hardships associated with seeking mental health treatment. New social programs such as Rubicon, Wounded Warrior, and other veteran services and their effect on suicide and overall mental health of veterans should be considered. Lastly, studies have shown culture plays a large role in suicide risk. The military culture is one that uniquely traverses ethnicity, language, and country. Tailoring suicide prevention with military culture in mind and identifying risks could help decrease veteran suicide.
Identifying genome-wide immune gene variation underlying infectious disease in wildlife populations - a next generation sequencing approach in the gopher tortoise.

Infectious disease is the single greatest threat to taxa such as amphibians (chytrid fungus), bats (white nose syndrome), Tasmanian devils (devil facial tumor disease), and black-footed ferrets (canine distemper virus, plague). Although understanding the genetic basis to disease susceptibility is important for the long-term persistence of these groups, most research has been limited to major-histocompatibility and Toll-like receptor genes. To better understand the genetic basis of infectious disease susceptibility in a species of conservation concern, we sequenced all known/predicted immune response genes (i.e., the immunomes) in 16 Florida gopher tortoises, Gopherus polyphemus. All tortoises produced antibodies against Mycoplasma agassizii (an etiologic agent of infectious upper respiratory tract disease; URTD) and, at the time of sampling, either had (n = 10) or lacked (n = 6) clinical signs. We found several variants associated with URTD clinical status in complement and lectin genes, which may play a role in Mycoplasma immunity. Thirty-five genes deviated from neutrality according to Tajima’s D. These genes were enriched in functions relating to macromolecule and protein modifications, which are vital to immune system functioning. These results are suggestive of genetic differences that might contribute to disease severity, a finding that is consistent with other mycoplasmal diseases. This has implications for management because tortoises across their range may possess genetic variation associated with a more severe response to URTD. More generally: 1) this approach demonstrates that a broader consideration of immune genes is better able to identify important variants, and; 2) this data pipeline can be adopted to identify alleles associated with disease susceptibility or resistance in other taxa, and therefore provide information on a population’s risk of succumbing to disease, inform translocations to increase genetic variation for disease resistance, and help to identify potential treatments.
Endometrial cancer survivors' sleep patterns before and after a physical activity intervention: A retrospective cohort analysis

Abstract Objective To identify the baseline sleep patterns of endometrial cancer survivors and examine the impact of a physical activity intervention on their sleep quality via retrospective secondary analysis. Methods Early-stage endometrial cancer survivors participated in a 6-month single-arm exercise intervention using printed materials, telephone-based counseling, and pedometers to encourage adherence to exercise guidelines. Participants completed questionnaires evaluating their sleep (PSQI), physical activity (CHAMPS), quality of life (SF-36), and stress (PSS) at baseline and study completion. Results Ninety-five survivors had PSQI data at both time points. Mean age was 57.1 years (range, 25–76). Mean body mass index was 34.3 kg/m 2 . The majority were non-Hispanic white (75%) and had stage I disease (80%). At baseline, most survivors (61%) had poor sleep quality (PSQI > 5), with 24% reporting fairly or very bad sleep. The majority (63%) slept p = 0.029). No other clinicodemographic factors were associated with sleep. In unadjusted analyses, sleep quality significantly improved in women who increased weekly total or moderate/vigorous physical activity ( p = 0.004 and p p = 0.026). Conclusions Our data demonstrated that poor sleep is common and detrimental to endometrial cancer survivors. Increasing exercise may improve this dysfunction and should be investigated as part of a prospective study.
Moral Metacognition in Adolescence and Adulthood

Metacognition, or thinking about thinking, has been studied extensively in the domains of memory, reading comprehension, and knowledge acquisition (e.g., Baker & Brown, 1984; Brown, 1980; Flavell, 1978, Flavell, 1985; Markman, 1979). Yet little empirical research on metacognitive thinking exists in the social domain. How do we think about our thinking when problems arise between two people or between people and institutions? Between our social-moral obligations and relationships and our moral ideals?
Call for Papers. Special Issue of Rock Music Studies. The Beach Boys

“… The Beach Boys weren’t just a fun 1960s surf band …Once you’ve absorbed [Pet Sounds], you find yourself going back through songs like ‘Don’t Worry Baby,’ ‘The Warmth of the Sun,’ and ‘I Get Arou...
Access Site Hemostasis

The majority of arterial access procedures use the femoral route, with its attendant risks and lengthy periods of immobility. The traditional method for closure is manual compression, either with pressure through the operator’s hands or with an external compression device. Multiple vascular closure devices (VCDs) have been developed over the years with the idea of speeding the process of hemostasis and potentially reducing the incidence of vascular complications, which can include hematoma, pseudoaneurysm, AV fistula, retroperitoneal hematoma, need for surgical repair, and infection. VCDs have been successful on multiple fronts, most notably in shortening the time needed to achieve hemostasis and the time to ambulation, and thus can significantly impact patient comfort. The ability to close the access site at the end of a procedure means not only that the patient spends a shorter period of time laying supine, but also that fewer human resources need to be expended in caring for patients with arterial sheaths, in manually pulling those sheaths, and in subsequent recovery. The data on complications of these devices when compared with manual compression is mixed and is difficult to interpret. For the most part, VCDs seem to have a comparable safety profile to manual compression, with some notable exceptions (e.g., the Vasoseal device, which appeared in some studies to have an increased rate of complications and has since been removed from the market). This is based on registry data, small studies, and meta-analyses, all of which have significant flaws. At least one large registry, as well as data from the ACUITY trial, has suggested that VCDs actually lower the risk of bleeding. In the end, the decision to use or not use VCDs must be made by each operator based on their own experience and institutional resources, and on the needs and vascular anatomy of each particular patient.
Acid and Mercury Deposition Effects on Forest and Freshwater Aquatic Ecosystems

Acidic deposition is comprised of sulfuric and nitric acids and ammonium. Although released naturally to the atmosphere, humans greatly increase emissions of these compounds by the burning of fossil fuels and agricultural activities. Acidic deposition has impacted soils, forests, streams, and lakes in eastern North America, northern and central Europe, and southeastern China. Human activities have also increased atmospheric mercury deposition globally. Atmospheric deposition of ionic mercury can be converted to methyl mercury largely by bacteria that process sulfate. Methyl mercury bioaccumulates along aquatic and terrestrial food chains by a factor of a million to 10 million, resulting in exposure to humans and wildlife and potential health effects.
Spatial Attributes of Multi-primary Displays

In most Multi-Primary displays it becomes necessary to replace the three colors of light-emitting elements with four or more colors of light-emitting elements. Of course, changes in the spatial quality of the display occur as a result. As we will discuss, at times the use of multi-primary displays may require more light-emitting elements to be built into the display than would be necessary for an RGB display. However, conditions are discussed in which the number of light-emitting elements might actually be reduced in multi-primary displays as compared to RGB displays having equivalent image quality. In addition to discussing light emitting elements and rendering algorithms to form high quality multi-primary displays, we discuss methods to evaluate the image quality of multi-primary displays. The ability to predict the impact of incorporating various arrangements of light-emitting elements and associated image processing which is necessary to avoid unnecessary risk when designing multi-primary displays.
Growth inhibitory and apoptotic effects of linarin, linarin acetate and acacetin on human prostate carcinoma cells

739 This study was carried out to assess the anticancer efficacy of linarin (LN), linarin acetate (LA) and acacetin (AC), the flavonoid compounds with same flavone ring structure but different substitution, against human prostate cancer (PCA) cells. LN was isolated and purified from Chrysanthemum zawadaskii var, Latilobum (Compositae); LA was synthesized from LN; and acacetin was obtained commercially, which is abundant in Cirsium rhinoceros Nakai (Compositae). LNCaP and DU145 PCA cells were treated with LN, LA and AC in the range of 5-100 μM doses for 24-72 h, and cell growth and death was determined by cell counting. Cell cycle progression and apoptosis were analyzed by saponin/propidium iodide (PI) and annexin V/PI staining followed by flow cytometry analysis, respectively. Higher doses of LN were effective in inhibiting growth of DU145 cells whereas LA did not show any growth inhibition. Interestingly, LN showed a significant cell growth inhibition at 24 h of treatment in LNCaP cells, which decreased progressively with an increase in treatment time. Conversely, LA followed a reverse trend showing a time-dependent increase in LNCaP cell growth inhibition when compared with LN. Both these compounds were also effective in causing PCA cell death. LN caused up to 5-7-fold increase in cell death at 24 h of treatment in both cell lines that decreased with the time; however, LA enhanced cell death by 2-3-fold with the increase in treatment time. Further, we observed that LN-induced cell death was associated with apoptosis induction in both cell lines; however, LA caused a moderate increase in apoptotic cell death only in DU145 cells. The third compound, AC showed a strong and both time- as well as –dose-dependent cell growth inhibition, which was more prominent in LNCaP cells (43-77%) as compared to DU145 cells (39-49%). Similarly, AC also increased cell death, which was associated with a strong and significant increase in apoptosis (up to 5 fold in LNCaP cells and up to 3 fold in DU145 cells). In cell cycle analysis, LN and LA did not show any profound effect on cell cycle arrest in both the cell lines; only a moderate increase in G1 arrest by LA in LNCaP cells at 24-72 h of treatment, and a slight increase in S phase arrest by LA in DU145 cells at 72 h of treatment were observed. Conversely, AC showed a strong effect on cell cycle arrest in both the cell lines. In LNCaP cells, lower doses (5-50 μM) of AC showed G2-M arrest whereas 100 μM dose resulted in a strong G1 arrest following 24 h treatment. At higher treatment times (48 and 72 h), lower doses of AC showed G1 arrest whereas its higher doses (50-100 μM) caused G2-M arrest. In DU145 cells, however, AC showed an increase in G1 arrest at 5-50 μM doses, and G2-M arrest at 50-100 μM doses after 24 h of treatment; higher treatment times showed only G2-M arrest. The findings in the present study reveal the structural determinants in anticancer efficacy of these three novel flavonoids against PCA cells.
Delivery of Neoadjuvant Versus Adjuvant Therapy in Localized Pancreatic Cancer

Cancer of the exocrine pancreas is a highly lethal malignancy. Approximately 53,670 people develop exocrine pancreatic cancer each year in the United States, and almost all are expected to die from the disease [1]. Worldwide, pancreatic cancer is the eighth leading cause of cancer deaths in men (138,100 deaths annually) and the ninth in women (127,900 deaths annually) [2]. It is the third leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States after recently eclipsing breast cancer-related mortality and is expected to become the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality in the United States in the next decade, second only to lung cancer [1].
Nuclear family universals: fact and faith in the acceptance of an idea

Murdock’s (1949) assertions on the universal functions of the nuclear family have gained general acceptance in sociology, in spite of conceptual and empirical weaknesses in his formulation. The con...
Commissioning and beam characterization of the first gantry-mounted accelerator pencil beam scanning proton system

PURPOSE To present and discuss beam characteristics and commissioning process of the first gantry-mounted accelerator single room pencil beam scanning (PBS) proton system. METHODS The Mevion HYPERSCAN employs a design configuration with a synchrocyclotron mounted on the gantry to eliminate the traditional beamline and a nozzle that contains the dosimetry monitoring chambers, the energy modulator (Energy Selector (ES)), and an Adaptive Aperture (AA). To characterize the beam, we measured the integrated depth dose (IDDs) for 12 energies, from highest energy of 227 MeV down to 28 MeV with a range difference ~ 2 cm between the adjacent energies, using a large radius Bragg peak chamber; single-spot profiles in air at five locations along the beam central axis using radiochromic EBT3 film and cross compared with a scintillation detector; and determined the output using a densely packed spot map. To access the performance of AA, we measured interleaf leakage and the penumbra reduction effect. Monte Carlo simulation using TOPAS was performed to study spot size variation along the beam path, beam divergence, and energy spectrum. RESULTS This proton system is calibrated to deliver 1 Gy dose at 5 cm depth in water using the highest beam energy by delivering 1 MU/spot to a 10 × 10 cm2 map with a 2.5 mm spot spacing. The spot size in air varies from 4 mm to 26 mm from 227 MeV to 28 MeV at the isocenter plane with the nozzle retracted 23.6 cm from isocenter. The beam divergence of 28 MeV beam is ~ 52.7 mrad, which is nearly 22 times that of 227 MeV proton beam. The binary design of the ES has resulted in shifts of the effective SSD toward the isocenter as the energy is modulated lower. The peaks of IDD curves have a constant 80%-80% width of 8.4 mm at all energies. The interleaf leakage of the AA is less than 1.5% at the highest energy; and the AA can reduce the penumbra by 2 mm to 13 mm for the 227 and 28 MeV energies at isocenter plane in air. CONCLUSIONS The unique design of the HYPERSCAN proton system has yielded beam characteristics significantly different from that of other proton systems in terms of the Bragg peak shapes, spot sizes, and the penumbra sharpening effect of the AA. The combination of the ES and AA has made PBS implementation possible without using beam transport line and range shifter devices. Different considerations may be required in treatment planning optimization to account for different design and beam characteristics.
Investigating the Impact of Employing Multiple Interventions in a CS1 Course

Given the long-standing concern about students failing introductory programming courses, there is a need for interventions that may aid those students. In this work, we examine the potential benefit of three interventions based on prior computing education research (CER) or STEM education research literature: mindset interventions, the use of "Thinkathons" as an alternative to programming labs, and metacognitive interventions to encourage more productive study habits. We conducted an in-class study that controlled for both time-on-task and selection bias to investigate the potential benefits of integrating these interventions into the existing footprint of an introductory computing course. Despite the previously reported promise of the interventions we implemented, our findings were that in this context these techniques had only a mild positive effect for some students. We discuss possible reasons why these techniques are less successful than instructors might hope and argue for the need for more research on this topic.
The Outer Galactic Halo As Probed By RR Lyr Stars From the Palomar Transient Facility + Keck

We present initial results from our study of the outer halo of the Milky Way using a large sample of RR Lyr(ab) variables datamined from the archives of the Palomar Transient Facility. Of the 464 RR Lyr in our sample with distances exceeding 50 kpc, 62 have been observed spectroscopically at the Keck Observatory. v _r and σ(v_r) are given as a function of distance between 50 and 110 kpc, and a very preliminary rather low total mass for the Milky Way out to 110 kpc of ~7 ± 1.5 × 10^(11) M⊙ is derived from our data.
Transporting critically ill children

Abstract The centralization of paediatric critical care services in most developed countries has seen an increase in the need for critically unwell and traumatically injured children to be transported for definitive care. This, in combination with the rising demand for paediatric critical care beds, has driven the development of stand-alone paediatric critical care retrieval teams, often sharing the skills and knowledge of medical and nursing staff from multiple paediatric intensive care units. Anaesthetists may be required to assist with, or lead the resuscitation and stabilization and occasionally undertake the transfer of the critically unwell or injured child. Preparation for paediatric retrieval is performed by teams in referring hospitals and knowledge of retrieval processes, and local organization can ease the referral process. We consider the approach to the child who will require transfer to a paediatric critical care unit.
Public restrooms, periods, and people experiencing homelessness: An assessment of public toilets in high needs areas of Manhattan, New York.

Access to safe, clean water and sanitation is globally recognized as essential for public health. Public toilets should be accessible to all members of a society, without social or physical barriers preventing usage. A public toilet facility’s design and upkeep should offer privacy and safety, ensure cleanliness, provide required sanitation-related resources, and be gender equitable, including enabling comfortable and safe management of menstruation. Menstrual hygiene management (MHM) refers to the need to ensure that girls, women and all people who menstruate have access to clean menstrual products, privacy to change the materials as often as needed, soap and water for washing the body as required, and access to facilities to dispose of used materials. Challenges around menstruation faced by people experiencing homelessness, which tend to be greater than those facing the general population, include inadequate toilet and bathing facilities, affordability issues around menstrual products, and menstrual stigma. Public toilets are a vital resource for managing menstruation, particularly for vulnerable populations without reliable access to private, safe, and clean spaces and menstrual products. This mixed-methods study sought to: 1) understand the lived experiences of MHM among people experiencing homelessness in New York City with respect to public toilets; 2) describe general and MHM-related characteristics of public toilets in high need areas of Manhattan and analyze their interrelationships; and 3) examine the associations among neighborhood-level demographics and the public toilet characteristics in those areas. Qualitative methods included key informant interviews (n = 15) and in-depth interviews (n = 22) with people with experience living on the street or in shelters, which were analyzed using Malterud’s ‘systematic text condensation’ for thematic cross-case analysis. Quantitative methods included audits and analyses of public toilet facilities (n = 25) using traditional statistics (e.g., Spearman’s correlations) and spatial analyses (e.g., proximity buffers). Qualitative findings suggest cleanliness, access to restrooms, and availability of resources are critical issues for the participants or prospective users. Quantitative analyses revealed insufficiently provided, maintained, and resourced public toilets for managing menstruation in high-needs areas. Findings also suggest that toilets with more MHM-related resource availability, such as menstrual products and toilet stall disposal bins, were more difficult to access. Neighborhood-level characteristics showed a potential environmental injustice, as areas characterized by higher socioeconomic status are associated with more access to MHM-specific resources in public restrooms, as well as better overall quality.
Raman spectroscopy for physiological investigations of tissues and cells

Raman micro-spectroscopy provides a convenient non-destructive and location-specific means of probing cellular physiology and tissue physiology at sub-micron length scales. By probing the vibrational signature of molecules and molecular groups, the distribution and metabolic products of small molecules that cannot be labeled with fluorescent dyes can be analyzed. This method works well for molecular concentrations in the micro-molar range and has been demonstrated as a valuable tool for monitoring drug-cell interactions. If the small molecule of interest does not contain groups that would allow for a discrimination against cytoplasmic background signals, "labeling" of the molecule by isotope substitution or by incorporating other unique small groups, e.g. alkynes provides a stable signal even for time-lapse imaging such compounds in living cells. In this review we highlight recent progress in assessing the physiology of cells and tissue by Raman spectroscopy and imaging.
Analyzing Female Consumers’ Adaptive Shopping Behavior using Employment Status and Education Level Segmentation Variables

The objective of this research study is to assess the effectiveness of the employment status and education level of female heads of households for segmenting markets for non-durable goods. Results indicate that employment status and education levels correlate with adaptive shopping behaviors of female shoppers.
Language Modeling for Dialog System

Language modeling for speech recognizer in dialog systems can take two forms. Human input can be constrained through a directed dialog, allowing the decoder to use a state-specific language model to improve recognition accuracy. Mixedinitiative systems allow for human input that while domainspecific might not be state-specific. Nevertheless, for the most part human input to a mixed-initiative system is predictable, particularly when given information about the immediately preceding system prompt. The work reported in this paper addresses the problem of balancing state-specific and general language modeling in a mixed-initiative dialog system. By incorporating dialog state adaptation of the language model, we have reduced the recognition error rate by 11.5%.
X Window Survival Guide

Logging-in to a Unix system from a console typically initiates a graphical desktop environment that is similar to the Microsoft Windows and Apple Macintosh desktops. Logging-in remotely to a Unix system, however, typically limits the user to a small text-only window, which is unable to launch graphical applications. This appendix describes the two main options for overcoming this obstacle: a Virtual Network Computer (VNC) and the X Window System.
Satellite Detection of Orographic Gravity-wave Activity in the Winter Subtropical Stratosphere over Australia and Africa

Orographic gravity-wave (OGW) parameterizations in models produce waves over subtropical mountain ranges in Australia and Africa that propagate into the stratosphere during austral winter and deposit momentum, affecting weather and climate. Satellite sensors have measured stratospheric GWs for over a decade, yet find no evidence of these waves. So are parameterizations failing here? Here we argue that the short wavelengths of subtropical OGWs place them near or below the detection limits of satellite sensors. To test this hypothesis, we reanalyze nine years of stratospheric radiances from the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) on NASA's Aqua satellite during austral winter, applying new averaging techniques to maximize signal-to-noise and improve thresholds for OGW detection. Deep climatological enhancements in stratospheric OGW variance over specific mountain ranges in Australia and southern Africa are revealed for the first time, which exhibit temporal and vertical variations consistent with predicted OGW responses to varying background winds.
Composing a new ECE program: the first five years

The authors have developed a new Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) program at Rowan University, NJ, USA. The first class graduated in May 2000. Features include: a continuous engineering clinic sequence; a mixture of two-, three- and four-credit courses; and technology focus electives. Project-based instruction is employed as a tool for motivating students and to demonstrate the relevancy of material. Multidisciplinary courses provide the opportunity for students in different disciplines to work together. Some of the approaches-and lessons learned-of interest to other start-ups and programs considering transformation.
The growth-maintaining effect of the antibiotics in subinhibitory concentrations on cultures of Endameba histolytica.

In a previous publication from this laboratory, it was reported that 11 strains of Endameba lzistolytica were completely inhibited when subcultured serially every 48 hours in 10 Mg./ml. concentration of oxytetracycline. Three strains were inhibited in 0.25 to 1 Mg./ml. concentration in the fourteenth subculture, two strains were inhibited in 0.05 to 0.1 Mg./ml. concentration in the thirty­ fourth subculture, and nine strains survived for 28 to 51 subcultures.! E. lzistolytica was serially subcultured every 48 hours and at weekly intervals in 12.5 to 100 Mg./ml. concentrations of carbomycin for over 2 years.2 The present studies were undertaken to determine the effect of other anti­ biotics in subinhibitory concentrations on cultures of E. histolytica. The follow­ ing were studied: carbomycin (Magnamycin, Pfizer), erythromycin (Ilotycin, Lilly, and Erythrocin, Abbott), novobiocin (Albamycin, Upjohn), nystatin (Mycostatin, Squibb), polymyxin (Pfizer), bacitracin (Pfizer), neomycin (Pfizer), fumagillin (Upjohn), and tetracycline (Pfizer, Lederle, Bristol, Up­ john, and Squibb). METHOD The antibiotics were serially diluted in sub inhibitory concentrations in 5 ml. buffered saline overlay of Boaeck Drabohlav's egg medium. After the addition of sterile rich starch, the tubes were inoculated with cultures of E. lzistolytica. Subcultures were serially made in the corresponding concentration of the anti­ biotic at intervals of 48 hours, and once a week. The tubes were routinely examined under the low and high powers of the microscope. The minimum antiamebic or inhibitory concentration of the antibiotic was determined by serially diluting the antibiotic in 5 ml. buffered saline overlay of the medium. After the addition of sterile rice starch, about 25,000 tropho­ zoites of E. histolytica from a 48-hour-old culture was added to each tube. The tubes were then incubated for 48 hours at 37° C. and the sediment was exam­ ined under the low and high powers of the microscope for the presence of growth. RESULTS Carbomycin. The minimum inhibitory concentration of carbomycin against E. lzistolytica was 400 Mg./ml. Forty-eight hourly and weekly subcultures were
Abstract 82: Regulation Of Frataxin By HIF-1 In The Ischemic Diabetic Heart

Background: Diabetes is at epidemic proportions, with the major form of fatality due to congestive heart failure triggered by myocardial infarction (MI). The impaired insulin signalling in the diabetic heart leads to myocardial energy dysregulation that compromises the cardioprotective mechanism against ischemic injury. Therefore understanding how mitochondrial energetics is altered in the diabetic ischemic heart would greatly advance the knowledge base for improving outcomes from heart failure in diabetic patients. Methods/Findings: We observed that db/db mice (leptin deficient, type 2 diabetic mice) have increased infarction size (>30%) compared to wild type mice after ischemia/reperfusion (IR) injury by TTC stain. We also found that activity of Hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF1) is involved in the cardioprotective response to ischemia, is impaired in db/db hearts. HIF1 is known to transcriptionally regulate genes involved in myocardial energetics. We recently found that HIF1 transcriptionally regulates the mitochondrial protein frataxin (Fxn) in cardiomyocytes as determined by luciferase assays (>3 fold). In vitro studies indicate that hypoxic conditions increase Fxn protein expression in cardiomyocytes as determined by western analysis (2 fold). Fxn plays an important role in the Fe-S cluster biogenesis required for aconitase, succinate dehydrogenase and complexes in the mitochondria. Interestingly, we observed decreased expression of Fxn in the ischemic diabetic heart. Conclusion: we postulate that attenuated HIF1-Fxn signalling in ischemic diabetic heart leads to abnormally enlarged infarction size in response to IR. The decline in HIF-1 activity in response to hypoxia was further validated in cardiomyocytes cultured in high glucose media. The significance for Fxn against hypoxic injury was confirmed by utilizing overexpressed Fxn cardiomyocytes via MTT, ATP and aconitase activity assays. Current and future work: currently we are attempting to identify the HIF response element (HRE) in Fxn promoter to further validate the transcriptional activity of HIF1. In addition, we are completing the IR surgeries on HIF1 KO mice to address the cardioprotective nature of HIF1-Fxn signalling against MI.
Fast in situ measurements of ionospheric plasma with the miniature electrostatic analyzer (MESA): An experiment aboard FalconSat-2

A satellite mission to investigate ionospheric equatorial spread-F phenomena is presently under development by faculty and cadets at the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA). FalconSat-2 is a low altitude (350 km) medium inclination (52 degrees) microsatellite whose scientific mission is to measure in situ plasma density along the satellite's orbital track to detect plasma depletions with spatial sizes of 2-10 km and depletion depths up to three orders of magnitude. Plasma depletions of this size and depth are notorious for their deleterious effects on radio communications, and their presence is common in the night-time F region ionosphere. Since it is desired to detect plasma depletions with sharp boundaries (i.e., a reduction in plasma density by a factor of 1000 over 2 km in space), and to account for diurnal variations in the ambient ionosphere, it was necessary to target the capability of making plasma density measurements that covered a dynamic range of 5 orders of magnitude and a sampling rate of 10 measurements per second. To meet these demanding measurement requirements, a novel electrostatic analyzer has been designed by USAFA faculty. The Miniature Electrostatic Analyzer (MESA) is a patch sensor consisting of a stack of insulated, lithographically patterned steel plates that form an array of electrostatic lenses.