cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The renal effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in older people: findings from the Established Populations for Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether older people who use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs) have increased levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine, and BUN:serum creatinine ratio. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, secondary data analysis. SETTING: Older people living in the communities of East Boston, MA, New Haven, CT, and Washington and Iowa Counties, Iowa. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 4099 people aged 70 years or older who were participants in the National Institute on Aging's Established Populations for Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly project, had survived to the 6-year follow-up interview and had consented to the blood drawing. MEASUREMENTS: We assessed use of the NSAIDs at the 3-and 6-year interviews through a drug inventory and visual review of medication containers. Markers of renal function assessed through analysis of blood samples drawn at the time of the interview included BUN and creatinine. RESULTS: Fifteen percent of the cohort reported use of NSAIDs during the 2 weeks preceding the 6-year interview. Controlling for age, sex, and a range of potential confounding variables, NSAID users had significant prevalence odds ratios of 1.9 (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.5-2.3) for being in the highest quartile of BUN (>23), 1.3 (CI 1.1-1.7) for the highest quartile of serum creatinine (≥1.4), and 1.7 (CI 1.4-2.1) for the highest quartile of the BUN:creatinine ratio (≥19.4). Chronic NSAID users (those who reported NSAID use at both the 3-year and 6-year interviews) accounted for the increased risk of high serum creatinine levels. CONCLUSION: Community-dwelling older people who use NSAIDs tend to have higher levels of common laboratory markers of renal dysfunction. This hypothesis requires further testing in prospective cohort studies designed a priori to evaluate these issues. J Am Geriatr Soc 47:507–511, 1999.
Limited loss of tolerance to islet autoantigens in ICA+ first degree relatives of patients with type I diabetes expressing the HLA dqb1*0602 allele.

The DQB1*0602 allele confers dominant protection from Type I diabetes even among islet cell antibody positive (ICA+) first degree relatives of affected individuals. Lack of progression to diabetes in these subjects, despite ICA positivity, could be explained by a loss of tolerance limited to fewer islet autoantigens than in ICA+ relatives progressing to the disease. To test this hypothesis we have determined autoantibodies by radioassay to three islet autoantigens, glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), insulin and the novel neuroendocrine antigen ICA512/IA-2 in 84 HLA-typed ICA+ first degree relatives of patients with Type I diabetes. Among the eleven relatives expressing the 0602 allele (0602+) only two were positive for more than one antibody as determined by radioassay. In contrast, 55/73 ICA+ relatives lacking this allele (non-0602) expressed more than one autoantibody (P<0.01). The prevalence of antibodies to GAD (GAA) was not significantly different in ICA+ relatives with and without the 0602 allele (7/11 in 0602+ versus 60/73 in non-0602). In contrast, anti-insulin antibodies (IAA) were present in only 2/11 0602+ ICA+ relatives versus 47/70 in non-0602 ICA+ relatives (P<0.01). Similarly, only one individual carrying the 0602 allele was positive for ICA512 autoantibodies versus 33/70 in the non-0602 group (P<0.01). These data indicate that even among ICA+ relatives the 0602 allele is associated with a limited immune response to islet antigens and amongst 0602+ relatives this response is mostly directed against GAD.
High-dose IL-2 for metastatic renal cell carcinoma: can the first antitumor immunotherapy be reinvented?

Immunotherapy for the treatment of cancer holds the unique promise of durable, systemic antitumor responses capable of targeting malignant disease throughout the body. Just 8 years after the discovery of IL-2 [1], this promise was first fulfilled in a small clinical trial utilizing systemic high-dose IL-2 (HD IL-2) demonstrating a complete response in a metastatic melanoma patient who was cured of all malignant disease and has remained disease free for more than 29 years [2,3]. In this same trial, three out of three metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) patients showed partial regression of disease. The most encouraging benefit of HD IL-2 therapy then and now is the potential for complete elimination of malignant disease in a small subset of patients (∼5–10%) [3–5]. While immunotherapeutic treatments for cancer continue to evolve, HD IL-2 protocols (600,000 U/kg/dose intravenously every 8 h) have remained relatively unchanged since inception as the first US FDA approved immunotherapeutic agent for cancer in 1992. At that time, approval was based on seven Phase II clinical trials that demonstrated that HD IL-2 treatment alone induced complete responses in 5% and partial responses in 9% of mRCC patients [6]. In the two decades since this trial, the percentage of complete responders and partial responders has increased modestly [4,5]. Since the median overall survival of mRCC is only 14 months [7], HD IL-2 is still a viable option with the vast majority of complete responders remaining disease free 20 years after treatment [3]. The biological activity of IL-2 has been largely determined by in vitro and preclinical studies that, to this point, have not been translated into improvements in IL-2 clinical protocols. Under homeostatic conditions, activated CD4 T cells in secondary lymph nodes are the main producers of IL-2. IL-2 is also produced to a lesser extent by CD8 T cells, natural killer (NK) cells, NK T cells and dendritic cells [3,8,9]. T cells, NK cells and monocytes have IL-2 receptor components while tumor cells do not express IL-2 receptors [3,10]. This highlights the fact that the mechanism of action for HD IL-2 is not based on direct anticancer effects, but depends on immunemediated pathways. Signaling through IL-2 receptor subunits induces activation of JAK and phosphorylation of STAT, MAPK and PI3K [9]. IL-2 stimulation improves CD8 and CD4 T cell proliferation and survival but can also influence immunosuppressive CD4, FoxP3 T regulatory cells (T reg ) that express CD25, which enhances IL-2 receptor affinity for IL-2 [9,11]. The overall effect of systemic delivery of IL-2 is complicated by IL-2 receptor expresHigh-dose IL-2 for metastatic renal cell carcinoma: can the first antitumor immunotherapy be reinvented?
A Lay Theory of Relational Satisfaction with Best Friends

Three research questions were addressed to examine people's lay beliefs regarding the causes of relational satisfaction among best friends. The first question dealt with the specific beliefs that people hold about satisfaction with a best friend. Forty-three sources of relational satisfaction were identified. The second question focused on the dimensions underlying people's beliefs about satisfaction. Multidimensional scaling suggested that three general dimensions underlie people's beliefs about satisfaction with a best friend. The third question examined the perceived causal structure underlying people's beliefs about relational satisfaction. A network analysis revealed that people have a detailed and elaborate set of assumptions regarding the causal relations between the sources of satisfaction. Taken together, our results suggest that people have many, well-integrated beliefs about satisfaction in best friendships. Specifically, these beliefs are organized dimensionally and they are causally intertwin...
Functional Evidence for Retinoid X Receptor (RXR) as a Nonsilent Partner in the Thyroid Hormone Receptor/RXR Heterodimer

Many members of the thyroid hormone/retinoid receptor subfamily (type II nuclear receptors) function as heterodimers with the retinoid X receptor (RXR). In heterodimers which are referred to as permissive, such as peroxisome proliferator activated receptor/RXR, both partners can bind cognate ligands and elicit ligand-dependent transactivation. In contrast, the thyroid hormone receptor (TR)/RXR heterodimer is believed to be nonpermissive, where RXR is thought to be incapable of ligand binding and is often referred to as a silent partner. In this report, we used a sensitive derepression assay system that we developed previously to reexamine the TR/RXR interrelationship. We provide functional evidence suggesting that in a TR/RXR heterodimer, the RXR component can bind its ligand in vivo. Ligand binding by RXR does not appear to directly activate the TR/RXR heterodimer; instead, it leads to a (at least transient or dynamic) dissociation of a cellular inhibitor(s)/corepressor(s) from its TR partner and thus may serve to modulate unliganded TR-mediated repression and/or liganded TR-mediated activation. Our results argue against the current silent-partner model for RXR in the TR/RXR heterodimer and reveal an unexpected aspect of cross regulation between TR and RXR.
The prediction philosophy in statistics

Estimation and hypothesis testing have been popular in applied statistical analysis. More recently, emphasis has been placed on prediction. Traditional questions of estimation and hypothesis testing are being reframed as problems of prediction, and as such, the methods and approaches have shifted. The reporting of P values is de-emphasized from the prediction philosophy perspective, and incremental predictive accuracy has become the metric of choice. Ties to individual patient decision making and outcomes research are presented.
Nonlinear oscillations of inviscid drops and bubbles

Moderate-amplitude axisymmetric oscillations of incompressible inviscid drops and bubbles are studied using a Poincare–Lindstedt expansion technique. The corrections to the drop shape and velocity potential caused by mode coupling at second order in amplitude are predicted for two-, three- and four-lobed motions. The frequency of oscillation is found to decrease with the square of the amplitude; this result compares well with experiments and numerical calculations for drops undergoing two-lobed oscillations.
Preparation and maintenance of organotypic cultures for multi-electrode array recordings.

Preparation and Maintenance of Organotypic Cultures for Multi-Electrode Array Recordings (Veronica C. Karpiak and Dietmar Plenz, National Institutes of Mental Health, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland). Recording from neuronal cultures with multi-electrode arrays (MEAs) provides a powerful tool for studying neuronal activity with many neurons simultaneously in vitro. This unit describes the detailed steps necessary for growing organotypic cultures on MEAs and the typical neuronal activity that is obtained with this methodology.
Abnormal patterns of regional cerebral blood flow in schizophrenia with primary negative symptoms during an effortful auditory recognition task

OBJECTIVE: Using functional brain imaging, the authors sought to replicate their earlier finding of low metabolism in the middle frontal and inferior parietal cortices of schizophrenic patients with primary negative symptoms. METHOD: According to the presence or absence of enduring negative symptoms, patients with schizophrenia were classified as having deficit or nondeficit schizophrenia, respectively. Twelve normal volunteers and 18 drug-free schizophrenic volunteers (deficit, N=8; nondeficit, N=10) were trained in a tone discrimination task. They were trained to perform with 70%–80% accuracy and were then scanned with positron emission tomography with [15O]H2O during three conditions: rest, sensory-motor control task, and decision task. RESULTS: Levels of performance of the auditory recognition task were similar in the three groups. An initial hypothesis-driven analysis revealed that across tasks the deficit group failed to show significant activation in the middle frontal cortex. This was in contrast ...
Interpersonal maladjustment as predictor of mothers’ response to a relational parenting intervention

Abstract In previous work, Luthar and Suchman (2000, Development & Psychopathology, 12, 235) reported results of a randomized clinical trial testing the efficacy of the Relational Psychotherapy Mothers' Group (RPMG) for methadone-maintained mothers. In this extension, we examined maternal interpersonal maladjustment as a predictor of differential response to RPMG versus standard drug counseling (DC). We predicted that RPMG mothers with high levels of interpersonal maladjustment would improve on parent-child relationship indices, whereas DC mothers with high levels of interpersonal maladjustment would show no improvement. Fifty-two mothers enrolled in the study completed baseline, post-treatment and 6-month followup assessments and a subset of 24 "target" children between the ages of 7 and 16 completed measures on mothers' parenting. As predicted, results of hierarchical regression analyses indicated moderate interpersonal maladjustment × treatment interaction effects for all parenting outcomes at post-treatment and for a subset of outcomes at followup. Plotted interactions confirmed predictions that, as maternal interpersonal maladjustment increased, parenting problems improved for RPMG mothers and remained the same or worsened for DC mothers. Results indicate the potential value of interpersonally oriented interventions for substance-abusing mothers and their children.
Sequence Stratigraphy and Depositional Dynamics of Carbonate Buildups and Associated Facies from the Lower Mississippian Fort Payne Formation of Southern Kentucky, U.S.A.

Abstract Carbonate buildups are a common feature in Mississippian sections worldwide. Yet despite intense study, questions remain about depositional processes that form such structures and their interrelations, if any, to each other. Carbonate buildups located in siliciclastic basins are particularly understudied and poorly understood. This study focuses on a new exposure of buildups in the siliciclastic-dominated Fort Payne basin (Osagean) of south central Kentucky. It represents a first attempt to combine field and petrographic descriptions of facies in the buildup interval of the Fort Payne with the concepts of sequence stratigraphy to gain better insight into their depositional histories. The buildup interval is composed of five distinct facies. Two of these, the fossiliferous green shale and the tabular crinoidal packstone-grainstone, represent the background sedimentation during buildup nucleation and growth. The remaining three facies make up the buildups themselves. The shaly packstone marks the inception of buildup growth, the massive wackestone represents the core of the buildups, and the crinoidal grainstone is a buildup-flank facies deposited near the end of buildup growth. The buildups of the Fort Payne Formation grew during the transgressive phase of one third-order sequence in the early Osagean. The time at which buildup growth ceased cannot be determined precisely with available data but likely occurred either at the maximum flooding surface or during the early highstand. Three commonly used depositional models, abbreviated as the lithoherm model, the baffling model, and the microbial model, are evaluated with respect to the Fort Payne buildups. None of the models is deemed adequate to explain all of the features of the buildups. Rather, a combination of all three seems to be required to account fully for all of the characteristics noted in this study. This multi-faceted depositional model compares favorably with other Carboniferous buildups worldwide, suggesting commonalities that transcend the properties of the basins in which they grew.
Transcription factor GATA-1 in megakaryocyte development

The transcription factor GATA-1 is specifically expressed in hematopoietic lineages. Prior gene knockout experiments established an essential role for GATA-1 in red blood cell production, but could not provide direct evidence with respect to a requirement in megakaryopoiesis. We summarize here recent lineage-selective gene targeting in mice that establishes critical functions for GATA-1 in controlling megakaryocyte growth and maturation, and platelet production. GATA-1 megakaryocytes are delayed in their cellular maturation, exhibit marked hyperproliferation and generate fewer than normal, yet enlarged, platelets in vivo. Thus GATA-1 is a central regulator in both the erythroid and megakaryocytic lineages.
Reduction in ventricular arrhythmias and mortality in the primaries: a real-life win-win for CRT-Ds?

This editorial refers to ‘Time-dependent risk reduction of ventricular tachyarrhythmias in cardiac resynchronization therapy patients: a MADIT-RIT sub-study’ by M. Stockburger et al. , doi:10.1093/europace/euv008. Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) has emerged as a standard treatment for systolic heart failure patients with a wide QRS, particularly for those with left bundle branch block. Cardiac resynchronization therapy improves heart failure clinical status, reverses left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction, and LV dyssynchrony, and reduces morbidity and mortality. Likewise, implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) have become a standard of care in systolic heart failure for the primary prevention of sudden cardiac death and the reduction of all-cause mortality.1 The landmark MADIT II (Multicenter Automatic Defibrillator Implantation Trial) trial showed that the life-saving benefit with an ICD substantially increased with longer follow-up. At the end of 20 months, the study reported 0.17 life years saved (LYS), which increased to 0.52 LYS at the 8th year of follow-up.2 Trials such as COMPANION (COmparison of Medical therapy, PAcing, aNd defibrillation) and REVERSE (REsynchronization reVErses Remodeling in Systolic left vEntricular dysfunction) suggest that combining CRT with ICD (CRT-D) may represent an optimal solution for reducing mortality and improving quality-of-life in heart failure patients.3 The MADIT-Reduction in Inappropriate Therapy (MADIT-RIT) was a large randomized control trial to evaluate the effectiveness of high rate cut-off and prolonged delay in therapy delivery vs. conventional programming in patients who received CRT-D or ICD for primary prevention. The trial included patients with ischaemic and non-ischaemic …
Prader Willi/Angelman and DiGeorge/velocardiofacial syndrome deletions: diagnosis by primed in situ labeling (PRINS).

A recently developed methodology-primed in situ labeling (PRINS)-can be used in place of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to diagnose microdeletions. To demonstrate the efficiency, sensitivity, and specificity of PRINS in the diagnosis of microdeletions, we studied groups of patients with Prader Willi/Angelman (PWS/AS) syndrome and DiGeorge/velocardiofacial syndrome (DGS/VCFS). Results obtained by PRINS were then confirmed with the results obtained with FISH. Oligonucleotide primers specific for SNRPN and GABRB3 were used for PWS/AS syndromes. For DGS/VCFS, the primers used were DGCR2/TUPLE1 loci. Labeling patterns obtained by PRINS and FISH were analyzed and scored under a fluorescence microscope. Five normal subjects served as controls and were used for standardization of the PRINS protocol. In all, 20 study patients were involved: 10 PWS/AS and 10 DGS/VCFS. Five of the 10 patients referred with the clinical diagnosis of PWS/AS showed absence of labeling for SNRPN and GABRB3 on one chromosome 15, confirming deletion of the two loci. Similarly, 6 of the 10 patients referred for DGS/VCFS showed deletion for the DGCR2/TUPLE1 loci on one chromosome 22. The remaining patients and controls had normal patterns for all the loci as indicated by FISH and PRINS. Concordant FISH and PRINS results were obtained in all patients and controls studied.
Blue-light-absorbing photoreceptors in plants

Evidence is presented that more than one blue-light photoreceptor plays a role in morphogenesis, and that there are at least three, distinguishable on the basis both of action spectra and other criteria, which may be found both in green plants and fungi. One of these has been tentatively identified as a flavoprotein-cytochrome complex, most probably located in the plasma membrane. Studies with oat seedlings suggest that it may be involved in photoreception for phototropism, at least for the first positive curvature response. Both photoreduction of the cytochrome, via excitation of the flavin, and phototropic sensitivity in the first positive curvature range are similarly affected by diphenylether herbicides. The second class of photoreceptors can be distinguished from the first in Neurospora by both genetic and physiological evidence, as well as by the action spectrum. It could be either flavin or carotenoid, although a different moiety is not excluded. The third class, distinguished only by action spectroscopy, shows a single sharp action peak near 475 nm, and seems unlikely to be either a flavin or a carotenoid, though they are not rigorously excluded. The first positive phototropic curvature response in maize shows a redistribution of growth consonant with the Cholodny-Went hypothesis for tropic responses, with an increase in the growth rate of the shaded side over dark controls, a concomitant decrease on the illuminated side, and no net change in overall growth rate.
Single molecule quantitation and sequencing of rare translocations using microfluidic nested digital PCR

Cancers are heterogeneous and genetically unstable. New methods are needed that provide the sensitivity and specificity to query single cells at the genetic loci that drive cancer progression, thereby enabling researchers to study the progression of individual tumors. Here, we report the development and application of a bead-based hemi-nested microfluidic droplet digital PCR (dPCR) technology to achieve 'quantitative' measurement and single-molecule sequencing of somatically acquired carcinogenic translocations at extremely low levels (<10(-6)) in healthy subjects. We use this technique in our healthy study population to determine the overall concentration of the t(14;18) translocation, which is strongly associated with follicular lymphoma. The nested dPCR approach improves the detection limit to 1×10(-7) or lower while maintaining the analysis efficiency and specificity. Further, the bead-based dPCR enabled us to isolate and quantify the relative amounts of the various clonal forms of t(14;18) translocation in these subjects, and the single-molecule sensitivity and resolution of dPCR led to the discovery of new clonal forms of t(14;18) that were otherwise masked by the conventional quantitative PCR measurements. In this manner, we created a quantitative map for this carcinogenic mutation in this healthy population and identified the positions on chromosomes 14 and 18 where the vast majority of these t(14;18) events occur.
On the feasibility of online malware detection with performance counters

The proliferation of computers in any domain is followed by the proliferation of malware in that domain. Systems, including the latest mobile platforms, are laden with viruses, rootkits, spyware, adware and other classes of malware. Despite the existence of anti-virus software, malware threats persist and are growing as there exist a myriad of ways to subvert anti-virus (AV) software. In fact, attackers today exploit bugs in the AV software to break into systems.In this paper, we examine the feasibility of building a malware detector in hardware using existing performance counters. We find that data from performance counters can be used to identify malware and that our detection techniques are robust to minor variations in malware programs. As a result, after examining a small set of variations within a family of malware on Android ARM and Intel Linux platforms, we can detect many variations within that family. Further, our proposed hardware modifications allow the malware detector to run securely beneath the system software, thus setting the stage for AV implementations that are simpler and less buggy than software AV. Combined, the robustness and security of hardware AV techniques have the potential to advance state-of-the-art online malware detection.
Experimental measurements and Monte Carlo simulations of dose perturbation around a nonradioactive brachytherapy seed due to 6- and 18-MV photons

Abstract Purpose Radioactive seeds used in permanent prostate brachytherapy are composed of high-Z metals and may exceed 100 in a patient. If supplemental external beam treatment is administered afterward, the seeds may cause substantial dose perturbation, which is being investigated in this article. Methods and Materials Film measurements using 6-MV beam were primarily carried out using Kodak XV2 film layered above and below a nonradioactive iodine-125 ( 125 I) seed. Monte Carlo simulations were carried out using DOSXYZnrc. Other experimental comparisons looked at changing beam energy, depth, and field size, including two opposing fields’ pair. Effect of multiple seeds spatially spaced 0.5 cm vertically was also studied. Results For a single 125 I seed, on XV film, there is a localized dose enhancement of 6.3% upstream and −10.9% downstream. With two opposing fields, a cold spot around the seed of ∼3% was noticed. Increasing beam energy and field size decreased the magnitude of this effect, whereas the effect was found to increase with the increasing Z of material. DOSXYZnrc and EBT-2 film verified maximum dose enhancement of +15% upstream and −20% downstream of the 125 I seed surface. Conclusions In general, the dose perturbation because of the seeds was spatially limited to ∼2 mm upstream and ∼5 mm downstream to the incident beam. Similar to other heterogeneities, the seeds perturbation depends on incident beam energy, field size, and its Z. With multiple seeds spatially apart and multiple radiation fields routinely used in external beam radiotherapy, the cumulative effect may not result in clinically significant dose perturbation.
CAREX BREVICULMIS (CYPERACEAE), NEW TO THE FLORA OF NORTH AMERICA

Carex breviculmis, a species native to Asia, Australia, and the Indian Subcontinent, was collected early in 2007 in Lauderdale County, Mississippi, U.S.A., at two areas in the city of Meridian. Further work in the area in the spring of 2008 revealed two more locations for this species. It was not known from North America prior to this discovery. Repeated trips to these sites revealed that this species appears to be established, maintaining viable populations from year to year, and could become weedy. We provide a detailed description and illustration of the species as well as a discussion of possible means and the implications of this introduction.
REC8 is a novel tumor suppressor gene epigenetically robustly targeted by the PI3K pathway in thyroid cancer

The role of the PI3K pathway in human cancer has been well established, but much of its molecular mechanism, particularly the epigenetic aspect, remains to be defined. We hypothesized that aberrant methylation and hence altered expression of certain unknown important genes induced by the genetically activated PI3K pathway signaling is a major epigenetic mechanism in human tumorigenesis. Through a genome-wide search for such genes that were epigenetically controlled by the PI3K pathway in thyroid cancer cells, we found a wide range of genes with broad functions epigenetically targeted by the PI3K pathway. The most prominent among these genes was REC8, classically known as a meiotic-specific gene, which we found to be robustly down-regulated by the PI3K pathway through hypermethylation. REC8 hypermethylation was strongly associated with genetic alterations and activities of the PI3K pathway in thyroid cancer cell lines, thyroid cancer tumors, and some other human cancers; it was also associated with poor clinicopathological outcomes of thyroid cancer, including advanced disease stages and patient mortality. Demethylating the hypermethylated REC8 gene restored its expression in thyroid cancer cells in which the PI3K pathway was genetically over-activated and induced expression of REC8 protein inhibited the proliferation and colony formation of these cells. These findings are consistent with REC8 being a novel major bona fide tumor suppressor gene and a robust epigenetic target of the PI3K pathway. Aberrant inactivation of REC8 through hypermethylation by the PI3K pathway may represent an important mechanism mediating the oncogenic functions of the PI3K pathway.
Multi-Objective Multiagent Credit Assignment in NSGA-II Using Difference Evaluations

Determining the contribution of an agent to a system-level objective function (credit assignment) is a key area of research in cooperative multiagent systems. Multi-objective optimization is a growing area of research, though mostly focused on single agent settings. Many real-world problems are multiagent and multi-objective, (e.g., air traffic management, scheduling observations across multiple exploration robots) yet there is little work on their intersection.In this work, we leverage recent advances in single-objective multiagent learning to address multi-objective domains. We focus on the impact of difference evaluation functions (which extracts an agent's contribution to the team objective) on the Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm-II (NSGA-II), a state-of-the-art multi-objective evolutionary algorithm. We derive multiple methods for incorporating difference evaluations into the NSGA-II framework, and test each in a multiagent rover exploration domain, which is a good surrogate for a wide variety of distributed scheduling and resource gathering problems. We show that how and where difference evaluations are incorporated in the NSGA-II algorithm is critical, and can either provide significant benefits or destroy system performance, depending on how it is used. Median performance of the correctly used difference evaluations dominates best-case performance of NSGA-II in a multiagent multi-objective problem.
Activity of NaOH buffered by silicate solids in molten sodium acetate-water at 317/sup 0/C

Silica and sodium acetate are present in the steam generator tube sheet crevices of many nuclear power plants. Trace solutes in the condensate are tremendously concentrated in the crevices by boiling. Sparingly soluble sodium silicates and other solids precipitate from the crevice liquid leaving an extremely concentrated molten mixture of water, sodium acetate and other salts. The precipitates buffer the activity of sodium hydroxide in the superheated liquid that remains. The activity of NaOH corresponding to the buffers quartz/sodium disilicate and sodium disilicate/sodium metasilicate at 317°C has been determined experimentally. The sodium hydroxide content of a sodium acetate-water melt buffered by these reactions was determined bychemical analysis, and the corresponding activity of NaOH at temperature was calculated using the recently published Pitzer-Simonson Model of molten salt-water mixtures. The molten mixture of sodium acetate and water plays the role of solvent in these experiments and calculations. The free energies of formation of solid sodium silicates at 317°C were also determined. The activity of NaOH corresponding to other silicate and phosphate buffers was calculated using published thermodynamic data and estimated from phase diagrams.
Hispanic Adults Attending English as a Second Language (ESL) Classes at an Adult School Are Food Insecure

Food insecurity in the United States is associated with poverty and ethnicity. Rates of food insecurity among groups who may not qualify for government assistance programs such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are lacking. Hispanic adults taking English as a second language (ESL) day and evening classes in an affluent area of Northern California were surveyed in Spanish to determine the prevalence of food insecurity and respondents’ knowledge and use of food assistance programs. Of 107 respondents (57% male), 58.9% had a steady job. Yet, 68% were food insecure. Many (79%) respondents purchased inexpensive staple foods when money was limited. Gender, household size, time of day attending classes, and employment status had no effect on food security status. Eighteen percent (n = 13) of food insecure respondents accessed food assistance programs but the reminder (82%, n = 60) reported lack of access, primarily due to lack of program awareness. This study suggests that food insecurity is wi...
Using combinatorial testing to build navigation graphs for dynamic web applications

Modelling a software system is often a challenging prerequisite to automatic test case generation. Modelling the navigation structure of a dynamic web application is particularly challenging because of the presence of a large number of pages that are created dynamically and the difficulty of reaching a dynamic page unless a set of appropriate input values are provided for the parameters. To address the first challenge, some form of abstraction is required to enable scalable modelling. For the second challenge, techniques are required to select appropriate input values for parameters and systematically combine them to reach new pages. This paper presents a combinatorial approach in building a navigation graph for dynamic web applications. The navigation graph can then be used to automatically generate test sequences for testing web applications. The novelty of our approach is twofold. First, we use an abstraction scheme to control the page explosion problem, where pages that are likely to have the same navigation behaviour are grouped together and are represented as a single node in the navigation graph. Second, assuming that values of individual parameters are supplied manually or generated from other techniques, we combine parameter values such that well-defined combinatorial coverage of input parameter values is achieved. Using combinatorial coverage can significantly reduce the number of requests that have to be submitted while still achieving effective coverage of the navigation structure. We implement our combinatorial approach in a tool, Tansuo, and apply the tool on seven open-source web applications. We evaluate the effectiveness of Tansuo's exploration process guided by t-way coverage, for t = 1,2,3, with respect to code coverage, and find that the navigation structure exploration by Tansuo, in general, results in high code coverage more than 80% statement coverage for most of our subject applications when dead code is removed. We compare Tansuo's effectiveness with two other navigation graph tools and find that Tansuoi¾?is more effective. Our empirical results indicate that using pairwise coverage in Tansuoi¾?results in the efficient generation of navigation graphs and effective exploration of dynamic web applications. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantifying Intraoperative Workloads Across the Surgical Team Roles: Room for Better Balance?

Surgical performance, provider health, and patient safety can be compromised when workload demands exceed individual capability on the surgical team. The purpose of this study is to quantify and compare intraoperative workload among surgical team members. Observations were conducted for an entire surgical day for 33 participating surgeons and their surgical team at one medical institution. Workload (mental, physical, case complexity, distractions, and case difficulty) was measured for each surgical team member using questions from validated questionnaires. Statistical analyses were performed with a mixed effects model. A total of 192 surgical team members participated in 78 operative cases, and 344 questionnaires were collected. Procedures with high surgeon mental and physical workload included endovascular and gastric surgeries, respectively. Ratings did not differ significantly among surgeons and residents, but scrub nurses physical demand ratings were 14–22 (out of 100) points lower than the surgeons, residents, and surgical assistants. Residents reported the highest mental workload, averaging 19–24 points higher than surgical assistants, scrub nurses, and circulating nurses. Mental and physical demands exceeded 50 points 28–45 % of the time for surgeons and residents. Workload did not differ between minimally invasive and open techniques. The workload questionnaires are an effective tool for quantifying intraoperative workload across the surgical team to ensure mental and physical demands do not exceed thresholds where performance may decrease and injury risk increase. This tool has the potential to measure the safety of current procedures and drive design of workload interventions.
Financial conflicts of interest in economic analyses in oncology.

BACKGROUND Financial conflicts of interest can influence biomedical research. Using data from the American Society of Hematology and the American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meetings, we evaluated the frequency and influence of financial conflicts of interest on economic analyses in oncology. METHODS We systematically searched for economic analyses among American Society of Hematology (2006 to 2008) and American Society of Clinical Oncology (2004 to 2008) annual meeting abstracts. Information was collected on the presence and type of conflict of interest, type of economic analysis, health technology assessed, and author affiliations. To evaluate the influence of conflicts of interest on study results, the abstracts were categorized into 3 groups based on whether the study conclusions directly supported, indirectly supported, or did not support the sponsor's product. RESULTS Some financial conflicts of interest were present in 236 of 356 (66%) abstracts of economic analyses, which were submitted for presentation at these meetings. Among economic analyses with a conflict of interest, the conclusions of 138 (59%) studies directly supported the sponsor's product. Another 74 (31%) studies with a conflict of interest indirectly supported the sponsor's product. CONCLUSIONS Financial conflicts of interest are prevalent in economic analyses presented at major oncology meetings. The majority of studies with any financial conflict of interest directly or indirectly support the sponsor's product.
Laboratory and Field Evaluation of Zyrox Fly Granular Bait Against Asian and German Cockroaches (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae).

The Asian cockroach (Blattella asahinai Mizukubo) was introduced to Florida in 1986 and has since spread throughout the Southeastern United States. Blattella asahinai is a peridomestic pest and high population densities in residential areas can become a nuisance, especially when adults fly into homes. Few studies to date have been conducted on Asian cockroach control, and we evaluated the efficacy of Zyrox Fly Granular Bait and Maxforce Complete Granular Insect Bait against this species in the laboratory compared with the closely related German cockroach (Blattella germanica (L.)). In no-choice and two-choice assays with both species, Zyrox bait and Maxforce bait achieved nearly 100% mortality within two and five days, respectively. We also tested Zyrox bait against B. asahinai in an invasive field population in North Carolina at the label rate (2 g/m(2)) and at approximately three times the label rate (6.9 g/m(2)), and found that broadcast applications at both rates reduced populations by an average of 64 and 92%, respectively, for 35 d after the initial application. Zyrox Fly Bait appears to be effective against the Asian and German cockroaches, and could be another tool in an integrated pest management program, if its label could be extended or the active ingredient (cyantraniliprole) formulated into a cockroach bait.
Examining the Case for Functional Behavior Assessment as an Evidence-Based Practice for Students with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders in General Education Classrooms.

ABSTRACTThis article is a review of functional behavior assessment studies in general education setting for students with emotional and behavioral disorders. The studies were assessed in accordance with published standards for evidence-based practices. Overall, few studies met criteria for inclusion in this review and even fewer studies included all three parts of a complete FBA. Results indicate that there are few studies of FBA that specifically address students with behavior problems in general education. Although FBA may have future promise for the described setting and population, there currently is too little information available and lack of consistency in practice to yet claim it is an evidence-based practice.
The Effect of High Power Financial Incentives on Excessive Risk-Taking Behavior: An Experimental Examination

ABSTRACT Recent attempts by policy makers to rein in high power financial incentives are predicated on the belief that such incentives cause managers to engage in excessive risk taking that is not in the best interest of the firm. This potential agency cost, however, has received little attention in the management accounting literature. We examine the effect of incentive power on excessive risk-taking behavior in a controlled experimental setting where managers make incentivized risk choices that affect the pay of the manager and another participant representing the firm. Our main results are, first, that the high power incentive generates more excessive risk taking than the low power incentive, despite both incentives being equivalent in expected value at the optimal level of risk for the firm. Second, changing from the low power to the high power incentive significantly increases excessive risk taking, but changing from the high power to the low power incentive does not significantly decrease excessive ...
Modulation of response to adenosine in vascular smooth muscle cells cultured in defined medium

Cultured pig aortic smooth muscle cells maintain a viable, quiescent state in a chemically defined medium that contains 10−6 M insulin, 5µg/ml transferrin, and 0.2 mM ascorbate. DNA synthesis and DNA content were determined by measuring tritiated thymidine incorporation and DNA-binding to the fluorescent probe 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole, respectively. The majority of the population of cells in defined medium cultures were diploid. Tritiated thymidine uptake in cells in defined medium was one-tenth that observed in cells in fetal bovine serum-containing medium. The study of cellular cyclic AMP level in response to extracellular adenosine stimulation in dividing cells and quiescent cells showed that cells in defined medium had a lower extent of response to adenosine compared to cells cultured in serum-containing medium. Both the cell growth index and the response to adenosine of cells cultured in defined medium were reversible after replacing the medium with 10% fetal bovine serum-containing medium, which suggests that the cells in defined medium were healthy and were capable of modulating cellular metabolism depending on culture conditions.
Dimerization of Colloidal Particles through Controlled Aggregation for Enhanced Properties and Applications.

Devising syntheses capable of precisely manipulating matter on the nanoscale is central to many areas of research. The underlying motivation is fueled by the fact that at the nanometer scale, the property has a strong correlation with the structure. One such nanostructure that has accrued much attention is the dimer—a structure composed of two colloidal particles separated by a small gap. This Focus Review discusses how colloidal stability can be strategically manipulated to induce dimerization, together with effective purification steps to further improve yields. We conclude the article by providing representative examples for how dimers composed of plasmonic nanoparticles leads to structures with tunable optical properties and strong electric near-fields, ideal for application in surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy.
Carbon Sequestration and Land Degradation

Storing carbon (C) in soil as organic matter is not only a viable strategy to sequester CO2 from the atmosphere, but is vital for improving the quality of soil. This presentation describes (1) C sequestration concepts and rationale, (2) relevant management approaches to avoid land degradation and foster C sequestration, and (3) a summary of research quantifying soil C sequestration. The three primary greenhouse gases (CO2, CH4, and N2O) derived from agriculture have increased dramatically during the past century. Conservation management practices can be employed to sequester C in soil, counter land degradation, and contribute to economic livelihoods on farms. Trees can accumulate C in perennial biomass of above-ground and below-ground growth, as well as in the deposition of soil organic matter. Minimal disturbance of the soil surface with conservation tillage is critical in avoiding soil organic C loss from erosion and microbial decomposition. Animal manures contain 40–60% C, and therefore, application to land promotes soil organic C sequestration and provides readily-available, recycled nutrients to crops. Green manures can be used to build soil fertility, often with leguminous plant species having symbiotic root associations with nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Grasslands have great potential to sequester soil organic C when managed properly, but can also be degraded due to overgrazing, careless management, and drought leading to accelerated soil erosion and undesirable species composition. Opportunities exist to capture and retain greater quantity of C from crop and grazing systems when the two systems are integrated. Fertilization is needed to achieve production goals, but when applied excessively it can lead to environmental pollution, especially when considering the energy and C cost of manufacture and transport. Agricultural conservation management strategies to sequester CO2 from the atmosphere into soil organic matter will also likely restore degraded land and/or avoid further land degradation.
The Responder’s Servant Listener

This chapter discusses the successful emergency services leader as one that strives to become a servant listener. According to Dr. Larry Spears, the servant leader is one who is a great listener. Servant leadership begins with listening, hearing what is being said and what’s not being said. Listening is so much more than simply hearing. It involves being open to knowledge, it’s about not being afraid of the truth. The servant listener as a willing listener that desires an organizational structure built upon open dialogue. It is being a leader that listens empathetically to followers. Listening is a skill that takes practice, one that defines a leader’s credibility.
Near-infrared reflectance determination of fat, protein, and moisture in fresh meat

Near-infrared spectral absorption properties were determined for emulsified and ground meat samples. Six corrected log numbers associated with the optical responses of 6 filters in the InfraAlyzer were used as multiple independent variables in regression equations. Dependent variables for the equations were moisture, determined by oven-drying; fat, determined by Goldfisch extraction; and protein, determined by the Kjeldahl method. InfraAlyzer log values, replicated 4 times on each emulsified beef sample and 3 times on each ground lamb sample, increased as the samples were warmed from the heat generated in the sample drawer. Variation in temperature of the meat samples were partially responsible for differences in constant terms and in regression coefficients for equations developed on data from different replications of a sample. Multiple correlation coefficients for fat ranged from 0.91 to 0.94 in emulsified meat and from 0.83 to 0.85 in ground meat; for moisture, 0.90-0.94 and 0.83-0.85, respectively; and for protein, 0.80-0.85 and 0.72-0.77, respectively. Overall, near-infrared reflectance shows promise as a rapid method for determining composition of meat. Nevertheless, some aspects of near-infrared reflectance require further attention.
Distributed path planning for building evacuation guidance

This paper proposes a distributed path planning strategy to provide guidance information for efficient building evacuation in emergency situations by utilizing a cyber-physical system (CPS) with ne...
Note on Behavior Modification using Extinction and Counterconditioning Procedures

For systematic reasons it is thought that reinforcing stimuli presented in a particular temporal relationship to the cessation of an operant may actually tend to strengthen or maintain the operant. The implications of this assumption for behavior modification efforts are discussed.