cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Complications of Contralateral Prophylactic Mastectomy: Do They Delay Adjuvant Therapy?

BACKGROUND There is ongoing debate regarding the optimal timing of contralateral prophylactic mastectomy fueled by concern that performing it at the time of the mastectomy for the index breast cancer may delay adjuvant therapy. The study objective was to examine the effect of simultaneous contralateral prophylactic mastectomy with immediate breast reconstruction on the complication rate and adjuvant therapy timing. METHODS A retrospective study was conducted of consecutive patients who underwent contralateral prophylactic mastectomy with immediate breast reconstruction and received adjuvant therapy over a 6-year period. Demographic, treatment, and outcomes data were collected, and relationships between multiple variables and outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS Of 241 patients (482 breasts) included, 186 (372 breasts) underwent simultaneous index breast mastectomy and contralateral prophylactic mastectomy with immediate breast reconstruction followed by adjuvant therapy (immediate group), and 55 (110 breasts) underwent index mastectomy, then adjuvant therapy, followed by delayed contralateral prophylactic mastectomy with immediate breast reconstruction (delayed group). Demographics were similar, although breast cancer stage (p < 0.001), tumor category (p = 0.0072), and nodal category (p < 0.001) were significantly higher in the delayed group. In the immediate group, complications before adjuvant therapy occurred in 31 patients (16.7 percent), and in six patients (3.2 percent) complications occurred only in the contralateral prophylactic mastectomy breast; delay to adjuvant therapy occurred in 11 patients (5.9 percent), in four (2.2 percent) of whom the contralateral prophylactic mastectomy breast was responsible for the delay. CONCLUSIONS Contralateral prophylactic mastectomy with immediate breast reconstruction can be performed safely at the time of the index mastectomy in carefully selected patients. These findings will engage patients seeking contralateral prophylactic mastectomy in shared decision-making regarding optimal timing with respect to the risks and benefits. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic, III.
CSR Disclosure Items Used as Fairness Heuristics in the Investment Decision

The growth in demand for corporate social responsibility (CSR) information raises the question of how various CSR disclosure items are used by investors, an important stakeholder group driven by instrumental, moral, and relational motives. Prior research examines the instrumental motive to maximize individual shareholder wealth and the moral motive to actualize personal stewardship interests. We contribute to the literature by examining investors’ relational motive to realize positive stakeholder relationships within and between organizations and communities. The relational motive arises when investors look at a company’s treatment of other stakeholder groups as a heuristic to form a perception of how fairly they will also be treated by that company in the future, and thus invest in the company they perceive as fair. Fair treatment in the future matters to the investor who purchases stock from the company or via the capital markets in exchange for becoming a shareholder and thus a residual claimant of the company. As such, the investor expects future cash flows from holding and/or reselling the stock and expects to be treated fairly by the company in the future. We propose that investors, use as a fairness heuristic, CSR disclosure items—CSR investment level or CSR assurance—that represent the company’s commitment to its stakeholders, and that the resulting fairness perception affects the extent to which the CSR disclosure items influence their investment decision. Using responses from 113 investors in an online experiment, we find that fairness perceptions are higher when CSR investment is above (versus below) the industry average, and that fairness perceptions partially mediate the impact of the CSR investment level on investment amount allocations. We do not find that the presence (versus absence) of CSR assurance is used by investors as a fairness heuristic. Our results are robust to controlling for preferences for financial performance and hence investors’ instrumental motive, and to controlling for individual environmental attitudes, and hence investors’ moral motive. Implications for future research and public policy are discussed.
'Pharmacy Deserts' Not Helped by Chicago City Regulations, Lack of Social Responsibility from Chains

According to a recent article in the Chicago Tribune, public health experts have coined the phrase “pharmacy deserts.” A researcher at the University of Illinois has identified locations in Chicago where there was no pharmacy within one mile. Tragically, most of these pharmacy deserts are located in the poorest neighborhoods of Chicago with primarily minority and low income residents. Similar to a “food desert” where citizens lack access to healthy and affordable food, residents in pharmacy deserts experience negative health consequences due to the additional distance burden to obtain prescriptions and other pharmaceutical services. In the December 2017 edition of Pharmacy Times, we cautioned that the Chicago City Council’s plan to regulate pharmacies could have a disparate impact on Chicago’s most vulnerable residents. Pharmacy deserts are an additional impact on consumers due to closures of retail pharmacies and ultimately, corporate decisions as to where to locate new stores.
Time course and heterogeneity of treatment effect of the collaborative chronic care model on psychiatric hospitalization rates: A survival analysis using routinely collected electronic medical records.

Background Health systems are undergoing widespread adoption of the collaborative chronic care model (CCM). Care structured around the CCM may reduce costly psychiatric hospitalizations. Little is known, however, about the time course or heterogeneity of treatment effects (HTE) for CCM on psychiatric hospitalization. Rationale Assessment of CCM implementation support on psychiatric hospitalization might be more efficient if the timing were informed by an expected time course. Further, understanding HTE could help determine who should be referred for intervention. Objectives (i) Estimate the trajectory of CCM effect on psychiatric hospitalization rates. (ii) Explore HTE for CCM across demographic and clinical characteristics. Methods Data from a stepped wedge CCM implementation trial were reanalyzed using 5 570 patients in CCM treatment and 46 443 patients receiving usual care. Time-to-event data was constructed from routine medical records. Effect trajectory of CCM on psychiatric hospitalization was simulated from an extended Cox model over one year of implementation support. Covariate risk contributions were estimated from subset stratified Cox models without using simulation. Ratios of hazard ratios (RHR) allowed comparison by trial arm for HTE analysis, also without simulation. No standard Cox proportional hazards models were used for either estimating the time-course or heterogeneity of treatment effect. Results The effect of CCM implementation support increased most rapidly immediately after implementation start and grew more gradually throughout the rest of the study. On the final study day, psychiatric hospitalization rates in the treatment arm were 17% to 49% times lower than controls, with adjustment for all model covariates (HR 0.66; 95% CI 0.51-0.83). Our analysis of HTE favored usual care for those with a history of prior psychiatric hospitalization (RHR 4.92; 95% CI 3.15-7.7) but favored CCM for those with depression (RHR 0.61; 95% CI: 0.41-0.91). Having a single medical diagnosis, compared to having none, favored CCM (RHR 0.52; 95% CI 0.31-0.86). Conclusion Reduction of psychiatric hospitalization is evident immediately after start of CCM implementation support, but assessments may be better timed once the effect size begins to stabilize, which may be as early as six months. HTE findings for CCM can guide future research on utility of CCM in specific populations.
Does Medicaid coverage of Medicare cost sharing affect physician care for dual-eligible Medicare beneficiaries?

OBJECTIVE To assess changes in physicians' provision of care to duals (low-income individuals with Medicare and Medicaid) in response to a policy that required Medicaid to fully pay Medicare's cost sharing for office visits with these patients. This policy-a provision of the Affordable Care Act-effectively increased payments for office visits with duals by 0%-20%, depending on the state, in 2013 and 2014. DATA SOURCES Fee-for-service claims for a 5% random sample of Medicare beneficiaries in 2010-2016. STUDY DESIGN We conducted a difference-in-differences analysis to compare changes in office visits among Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries (QMBs)-the largest subpopulation of duals for whom payment rates were affected by this policy-to changes among other low-income Medicare beneficiaries for whom payment rates were unaffected (pooled across all states). Next, we conducted a triple-differences analysis that compared changes between QMBs and other low-income beneficiaries in 33 states with payment rate increases of approximately 20% to analogous changes in 14 states without payment increases. DATA COLLECTION The study included administrative Medicare enrollment and claims data for QMBs and a comparison group of other low-income Medicare beneficiaries (1 914 073 beneficiary-years from 2010 to 2016). PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Nationally, we did not find a differential increase in office visits among QMBs versus other low-income beneficiaries that coincided with this payment change. In the triple-differences analysis, we did not observe a greater increase in visits among QMBs vs other low-income beneficiaries in states where the policy resulted in large (approximately 20%) increases in payment rates vs states where payment rates were unaffected (triple-differences estimate: -0.12 annual visits, 95% CI: -0.28, 0.04; P = 0.15). CONCLUSIONS Physicians' provision of care to low-income Medicare beneficiaries may not be responsive to short-run payment changes.
Pain Associated with Head and Neck Cancers

Cancerous lesions in the head and neck are destructive and have significant morbidity and mortality rates. Pain, as the foremost morbidity of these types of cancers, is multifactorial and not necessarily related to tumor burden or metastatic spread. The treatments of such lesions are often aggressive and disfiguring as well as lead to extended convalescence and alteration in function. Paramount to helping survivors is a better understanding of the etiology, progression, and treatment of pain. In this chapter, we concisely review the current understanding of neuropathic pain, mechanisms, and drug treatment of pain associated with head and neck cancer.
The Influence of Epigenetic Modifications on Metabolic Changes in White Adipose Tissue and Liver and Their Potential Impact in Exercise

Background: Epigenetic marks are responsive to a wide variety of environmental stimuli and serve as important mediators for gene transcription. A number of chromatin modifying enzymes orchestrate epigenetic responses to environmental stimuli, with a growing body of research examining how changes in metabolic substrates or co-factors alter epigenetic modifications. Scope of Review: Here, we provide a systematic review of existing evidence of metabolism-related epigenetic changes in white adipose tissue (WAT) and the liver and generate secondary hypotheses on how exercise may impact metabolism-related epigenetic marks in these tissues. Major Conclusions: Epigenetic changes contribute to the complex transcriptional responses associated with WAT lipolysis, hepatic de novo lipogenesis, and hepatic gluconeogenesis. While these metabolic responses may hypothetically be altered with acute and chronic exercise, direct testing is needed.
Conservation in the Iron Responsive Element Family.

Iron responsive elements (IREs) are mRNA stem-loop targets for translational control by the two iron regulatory proteins IRP1 and IRP2. They are found in the untranslated regions (UTRs) of genes that code for proteins involved in iron metabolism. There are ten “classic” IRE types that define the conserved secondary and tertiary structure elements necessary for proper IRP binding, and there are 83 published “IRE-like” sequences, most of which depart from the established IRE model. Here are structurally-guided discussions regarding the essential features of an IRE and what is important for IRE family membership.
Planning to Preserve Community Character in Oak Park, Illinois

This chapter describes my own personal experiences working on a project funded by the Village of Oak Park, Illinois. The project itself was a year-long collaboration between the Village of Oak Park, Illinois and the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) in which a fairly sizable group of faculty, graduate students, village staff, citizen activists and volunteers came together to develop neighborhood character plans for two commercial business districts in the village. One of the unique contributions I made to this project was to explore how computer-mediated visualization and communication tools could be used to complement and facilitate conventional community organizing and traditional participatory planning.
The Computability Concept

This chapter concerns computability theory, also known as recursion theory, the area of mathematics dealing with the concept of an effective procedure—a procedure that can be carried out by specific rules. Effective procedures show how limiting the concept of decidability is. One can utilize the concepts of countable and uncountable sets. Computability theory arose before the development of digital computers. It is relevant to certain considerations in mathematical logic. This chapter describes several equivalent ways of formulating the concept in precise terms. The mathematical concept of a computable partial function is the correct formalization of the informal concept of an effectively calculable partial function. It provides a general overview of a number of different ways of formalizing the concept of effective calculability. The idea behind the concept of effective calculable functions is that one should be able to give explicit instructions—a program—for calculating such a function. The precise concept of a computable partial function is an accurate formalization of the informal concept of an effectively calculable function.
Transport of sugars and amino acids in bacteria. I. Purification and specificity of the galactose- and leucine-binding proteins.

Abstract Two proteins, a galactose-binding protein and a leucine-binding protein, have been isolated from shock fluid of a mutant of Escherichia coli K12 that lacks galactokinase. They were purified by conventional methods to a homogeneous state as judged by electrophoresis on acrylamide columns and other physicochemical criteria. The leucine-binding protein was crystallized by treatment with ammonium sulfate. Binding activity was measured by means of equilibrium dialysis. The osmotic shock procedure was an essential part of the scheme of purification. The purified galactose-binding protein was substantially free of galactokinase, acid hexose phosphatase, and uridine diphosphoglucose pyrophosphatase activities. Of a number of carbohydrates tested, only galactose and glucose were bound. A number of related sugars, including mannose, fucose, lactose, galactosamine, and galactose 1- and 6-phosphate did not interfere with the binding of galactose. The leucine-binding protein showed specificity for leucine, isoleucine, and valine but not for other amino acids tested. Dissociation constants were measured for the galactose-binding protein with galactose and glucose. The values were in the range of 10-6 m. The binding proteins carried out a reversible binding of galactose or leucine in the absence of any chemical alteration of the substrates.
Topical tetrodotoxin attenuates photophobia induced by corneal injury in the rat

Abstract Corneal injury can produce photophobia, an aversive sensitivity to light. Using topical application of lidocaine, a local anesthetic, and tetrodotoxin (TTX), a selective voltage-sensitive sodium channel blocker, we assessed whether enhanced aversiveness to light induced by corneal injury in rats was caused by enhanced activity in corneal afferents. Eye closure induced by 30 seconds of exposure to bright light (460–485 nm) was increased 24 hours after corneal injury induced by de-epithelialization. Although the topical application of lidocaine did not affect the baseline eye closure response to bright light in control rats, it eliminated the enhancement of the response to the light stimulus after corneal injury (photophobia). Similarly, topical application of TTX had no effect on the eye closure response to bright light in rats with intact corneas, but it markedly attenuated photophobia in rats with corneal injury. Given the well-established corneal toxicity of local anesthetics, we suggest TTX as a therapeutic option to treat photophobia and possibly other symptoms that occur in clinical diseases that involve corneal nociceptor sensitization. Perspective We show that lidocaine and TTX attenuate photophobia induced by corneal injury. Although corneal toxicity limits use of local anesthetics, TTX may be a safer therapeutic option to reduce the symptom of photophobia associated with corneal injury.
N-1 Experiments Suffice to Determine the Causal Relations Among N Variables

By combining experimental interventions with search procedures for graphical causal models we show that under familiar assumptions, with perfect data, N - 1 experiments suffice to determine the causal relations among N>2 variables when each experiment randomizes at most one variable. We show the same bound holds for adaptive learners, but does not hold for N > 4 when each experiment can simultaneously randomize more than one variable. This bound provides a type of ideal for the measure of success of heuristic approaches in active learning methods of causal discovery, which currently use less informative measures.
EFFECT OF POLYENE ANTIBIOTICS ON PROTOPLASTS OF NEUROSPORA CRASSA

Kinsky, Stephen C. (Washington University, St. Louis, Mo.). Effect of polyene antibiotics on protoplasts of Neurospora crassa. J. Bacteriol. 83:351–358. 1962.—The polyene antibiotics nystatin, amphotericin B, and filipin induced shrinkage of Neurospora crassa protoplasts stabilized in sucrose. At low concentrations of filipin (5 μg per ml), or higher concentrations of nystatin and amphotericin B (20 μg per ml), shrinkage was followed by swelling and lysis (bursting) of protoplasts. The effect of various parameters, such as metabolic inhibitors, protoplast concentration, and polyene concentration, was determined. The available evidence is consistent with the hypothesis that polyene antibiotics act by altering cellular permeability, possibly by reaction with the cell membrane, of sensitive organisms.
Reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-sulfite reductase of enterobacteria. V. Studies with the Escherichia coli hemoflavoprotein depleted of flavin mononucleotide: distinct roles for the flavin adenine dinucleotide and flavin mononucleotide prosthetic groups in catalysis.

Abstract Escherichia coli NADPH-sulfite reductase (EC 1.8.1.2), molecular weight 670,000, contains 4 FAD, 4 FMN, approximately 16 atoms of non-heme iron-acid-labile sulfide, and 3 to 4 molecules of siroheme per enzyme molecule. NADPH interacts with the flavins, while sulfite interacts with the siroheme component. The sulfite reductase-FMN complex exhibits a dissociation constant (Kdiss) of 10 nm at 25°. All four FMN groups appear to be equivalent. The FAD prosthetic group is bound much more tightly than the FMN. The fluorescence of free FMN is largely quenched when the flavin is enzyme-bound. Sulfite reductase freed of g95% of its FMN while retaining g85% of its FAD was prepared by irradiation of enzyme solutions, in phosphate buffer 30% saturated in ammonium sulfate, with a strong fluorescent light. Such FMN-depleted enzyme preparations can bind FMN with a Kdiss identical with that of the native enzyme. By comparing properties of FMN-depleted enzyme, with and without added FMN, with those of native enzyme, the following conclusions were reached: 1. The FAD prosthetic group of sulfite reductase serves as the sole "entry port" for electrons of NADPH. Thus, the ability of the enzyme to bind pyridine nucleotide (4.0 [14C]-NADP+ per enzyme molecule; Kdiss = 0.1 mm) and to catalyze electron exchange between pyridine nucleotides (NADPH and 3-acetylpyridine adenine dinucleotide phosphate) is unaffected by the presence or absence of the FMN prosthetic group. The FAD moiety of FMN-depleted enzyme is reducible by NADPH. The FAD is reduced as rapidly by NADPH (k = 190 s-1) as is the most rapidly reducible flavin component of the native (FMN-containing) enzyme. 2. The FMN prosthetic group is required for transfer of electrons from NADPH, via the FAD, either to enzyme-bound siroheme, and thence to sulfite, or to the exogenous electron acceptor cytochrome c. The majority of electrons which are transferred from NADPH to the "diaphorase"-type acceptors 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol, ferricyanide, or menadione by sulfite reductase, pass through an FMN-dependent pathway. The Michaelis constant for FMN-dependent reactivation of the NADPH-cytochrome c reductase activity of enzyme from which FMN has been removed either by irradiation or dilution of the enzyme is 8 to 11 nm, a value in good agreement with the Kdiss of the enzyme-FMN complex. Other flavins, including FAD, can substitute for FMN, although FMN exhibited the smallest Km of all flavins tested. The 5'-phosphate group of FMN appears to be quite important for interaction of the flavin with the enzyme as measured by reactivation of enzymatic activity.
The Seven Pillars of Life

Current interest in discovering life in other galaxies and in recreating life in artificial systems creates a desire to define the foundations of life. Naming and elucidating these fundamental principles, their operation, and why they are essential to life allows us to think differently about the goals and therapeutic approaches of current research. In this essay, Koshland defines the seven pillars of life as program, improvisation, compartmentalization, energy, regeneration, adaptability, and seclusion.
On the Duflo formula for $L_\infty$-algebras and Q-manifolds

We prove a direct analogue of the classical Duflo formula in the case of $L_\infty$-algebras. We conjecture an analogous formula in the case of an arbitrary Q-manifold. When $G$ is a compact connected Lie group, the Duflo theorem for the Q-manifold $(\Pi TG,d_{DR})$ is exactly the Duflo theorem for the Lie algebra $g = Lie G$. The corresponding theorem for the Q-manifold $(\Pi TM,d_{DR})$, where $M$ is an arbitrary smooth manifold, is a generalization of the Duflo theorem for the case of smooth manifolds. On the other hand, the Duflo theorem for the Q-manifold $(\Pi \bar T_{hol} M, \bar\partial)$, where $M$ is a complex manifold, is a generalization of the M. Kontsevich's ``theorem on complex manifold'' [K1], Sect. 8.4.
And Now They Are Gone: documenting the last sailing lighter of Nevis, West Indies

The island of Nevis in the eastern Caribbean was until recently home to a unique traditional-built sailing lighter. The last two working vessels were hauled out for the last time only in 2001. The lighters of Nevis have a rich history and were built without plans, conforming to traditional proportions and practices. One of these vessels was carefully documented by the author in the grounds of the Horatio Nelson Museum in Charlestown before it completely succumbed to the elements. The vessels have since deteriorated and are gone. The maritime legacy of Nevis and the lighters are described. © 2012 The Author
Inequality indices for Baltic Farm Size distribution, 1929–1940

(1972). Inequality indices for Baltic Farm Size distribution, 1929–1940. Journal of Baltic Studies: Vol. 3, No. 1, pp. 26-34.
Application of pulsed-field gel electrophoresis to identify the source of bacterial contamination of peripheral blood progenitor cell products.

BACKGROUND: Positive microbial cultures of peripheral blood progenitor cell (PBPC) products, although estimated to be low, are serious events in the manufacture of hematopoietic progenitor cell (HPC) products that warrant a thorough investigation to determine the contamination source. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Two patients underwent autologous PBPC collection. The first patient was admitted before the collection and was febrile intermittently throughout hospitalization. The second patient spiked a low-grade fever by the end of the procedure. The HPC products from each patient were cultured during processing and before infusion. Blood cultures were drawn during febrile episodes and before transplant. Bacterial identification and antimicrobial susceptibilities were performed on all positive cultures. All strains were typed using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) to determine their relatedness. RESULTS: The blood cultures from both patients and their corresponding HPC products grew Staphylococcus epidermidis. The PFGE pattern of the S. epidermidis recovered from each patient blood was indistinguishable from the one recovered from the corresponding HPC product. The gel pattern of the strains recovered from the first patient differed by four bands from the one recovered from the second. For each patient, the antibiotic susceptibility patterns of the blood cultures and the HPC products were identical. Infusion of the contaminated HPC had no adverse event, and the patients engrafted successfully. CONCLUSION: By use of PFGE technology, the contamination source of PBPC products was identified. It is concluded that the contamination resulted from intermittent bacteremia in the donors and was not introduced during laboratory manufacturing.
New Statistical Multiparticle Approach to the Acceleration of Electrons by the Ion Field in Plasmas

The phenomenon of the acceleration of the (perturbing) electrons by the ion field (AEIF) significantly reduces Stark widths and shifts in plasmas of relatively high densities and/or relatively low temperature. Our previous analytical calculations of the AEIF were based on the dynamical treatment: the starting point was the ion-microfield-caused changes of the trajectories and velocities of individual perturbing electrons. In the current paper, we employ a statistical approach: the starting point is the electron velocity distribution function modified by the ion microfield. The latter had been calculated by Romanovsky and Ebeling in the multiparticle description of the ion microfield. The result shows again the reduction of the electron Stark broadening. Thus two totally different analytical approaches (dynamical and statistical) agree with each other and therefore disprove the corresponding recent fully-numerical simulations by Stambulchik et al. that claimed an increase of the electron Stark broadening.
3H-thymidine-radiographic studies of neurogenesis in the rat olfactory bulb.

Neurogenesis in the rat olfactory bulb was examined with 3H-thymidine-radiography. For the animals in the prenatal groups, the initial 3H-thy-midine exposures were separated by 24 h; they were the offspring of pregnant females given two injections on consecutive embryonic (E) days (E12–E13, E13–E14, ... E21–E22). For the animals in the postnatal (P) groups, the initial 3H-thymidine injections were separated by 48 h, each group receiving either four (P0–P3, P2–P4, ... P6–P9) or two (P8–P9, P10–P11, ... P20–P21) consecutive daily injections. On P60, the percentage of labeled cells and the proportion of cells added during either 24 h or 48 h periods were quantified at several anatomical levels for each neuronal population in the main olfactory bulb (mitral cells, tufted cells, granule cells, interneurons in the external plexiform layer, periglomerular granule cells) and accessory olfactory bulb (output neurons, granule cells, periglomerular granule cells). The total time span of neurogenesis extends from E12 to beyond P20. Output neurons are prenatally generated over 5–9 day periods (with most neurogenesis occurring over 2–4 days) in a strict sequential order beginning with the accessory bulb output neurons (E13–E14) and ending with the interstitial tufted cells lying between the glomeruli in the main bulb (E20–E22): These data are correlated with the main and accessory bulb projection fields in the amygdala and with the chronology of amygdala neurogenesis. With the exception of the granule cells in the accessory bulb (88% generated between E15–E22), the rest of the interneuronal populations are generated postnatally and nearly simultaneously. While most neurons (75–80%) originate during the first three weeks of life, all interneuronal populations, including accessory bulb granule cells, show some neurogenesis beyond P20. Injections of 3H-thymidine in juvenile and adult rats indicates neurogenesis up to P60 in the accessory bulb and up to P180 in the main bulb, especially in the main bulb granule cell population. There is circumstantial evidence for turnover of main bulb granule cells during adult life.
Structural and behavioral equivalences of tessellation automata

The concepts of structural and behavioral isomorphism on tessellation automata are investigated. Certain equivalence relations preserving one or both forms of isomorphism lead to standardizations of neighborhood structure. The concepts of blocking and the blocked structure play a central role. A weaker form of behavioral isomorphism is also introduced leading to further simplifications of standard neighborhood structure. Finally, a concept of simulation is investigated.
Cu(In,Ga)Se 2 solar cells measured under low flux optical concentration

The behavior of Cu(In,Ga)Se 2 (CIGS) solar cells under low flux concentration is being investigated for two complementary reasons. First, pairing photovoltaic devices with inexpensive low flux optical concentration elements can be a rational pathway towards systems that yield a low levelized cost of electricity (LCE). Second, characterization of photovoltaic films under elevated flux levels can be an effective tool for helping to understand the nature of recombination and other parasitic loss mechanisms in these device structures. In this paper we report on a CIGS device that achieved a record efficiency of 23.3% at 14.7 Suns optical concentration and outline a strategy for future work intended to use characterization of devices under elevated flux to explore the physical mechanisms currently limiting the performance of CI(G)S solar cells.
Perceptions of HIV-Related Websites Among Persons Recently Diagnosed with HIV

Abstract Many HIV-positive persons use the Internet to address at least some of their needs for HIV-specific information and support. The aim of this multimethod study was to understand how a diverse sample of persons who were recently diagnosed with HIV (PRDH) used the Internet after an HIV diagnosis and their perceptions of online HIV-related information and resources. HIV-positive persons (N = 63) who had been diagnosed since the year 2000 were recruited primarily through HIV-related websites and HIV medical clinics. One third of participants (33%, n = 21) were gay or bisexual men, 25% (n = 16) were heterosexual men, 32% (n = 20) were heterosexual women, and 10% (n = 6) were transgender women (male to female). Semistructured interviews and brief postinterview surveys were used to collect qualitative and quantitative data. Qualitative findings suggested that the most appealing websites to PRDH included those that: (1) provided usable information on topics of immediate concern; (2) used accessible format...
Grafting of molecular layers to oxidized gallium nitride surfaces via phosphonic acid linkages

Abstract The grafting of organophosphonic acids to the oxidized GaN(0 0 0 1) surface was investigated using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The stability of the monolayers was characterized by immersion in buffer solutions at pH 5, pH 7, and pH 9 for one week. The results demonstrate excellent stability under acidic and neutral conditions, but decreased stability under basic conditions. While photochemical grafting of alkenes directly to the unoxidized GaN surface appears to provide slightly better stability under basic conditions, the versatility of phosphonic acids makes this approach a potentially attractive alternative method for integrating molecular and/or biomolecular layers with GaN and other wide-bandgap semiconductors.
The dominance of dispersion in the evolution of bed material waves in gravel‐bed rivers

Bed material waves are temporary zones of sediment accumulation created by large sediment inputs. Recent theoretical, experimental and field studies examine factors influencing dispersion and translation of bed material waves in quasi-uniform, gravel-bed channels. Exchanges of sediment between a channel and its floodplain are neglected. Within these constraints, two factors influence relative rates of dispersion and translation: (1) interactions between wave topography, flow and bed load transport; and (2) particle-size differences between wave material and original bed material. Our results indicate that dispersion dominates the evolution of bed material waves in gravel-bed channels. Significant translation requires a low Froude number, which is uncharacteristic of gravel-bed channels, and low wave amplitude which, for a large wave, can be achieved only after substantial dispersion. Wave material of small particle size can promote translation, but it primarily increases bed load transport rate and thereby accelerates wave evolution. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Correlation between die opening gauge and die swell for steel-rubber composite extrusion

Steel-belted tires are usually made by extruding rubber onto a bank of wires. The resulting steel-polymer composite must meet a gauge specification. However, the composite swells extensively after leaving the die throat, taking on a more or less corrugated appearance. This paper presents an experimental study to understand the influences different parameters have on die swell for this sort of extrusion. Basically, the experiment is conducted to correlate die opening gauge to die swell. Parameters that affect die swell extrudate expansion are identified and investigated. Die opening is varied throughout the experimental process, and the die opening and belt gauge are measured to calculate die swell. To achieve a more uniform gauge across the width of the belt, the die throat opening is divided into five zones. Each zone of each die throat is considered. Experimental parameters held constant include wire parameters, polymer parameters, and setup parameters. The experimental data result in an overall plot of die swell percent vs. die throat opening gauge. This plot can be used as a guideline for predicting required gauge opening in a steel belt gauge development. The study shows that die swell percents for extruded belts is more predictable than previously thought, and debunks the notion that die swell percent is constant. With regard to the time and effort for optimizing future die throat development, some concluding remarks and recommendations are made based on the analysis of the experimental results obtained in this study.
Role of NRF2 in protection against hyperoxic lung injury in mice

NRF2 is a transcription factor important in the protection against carcinogenesis and oxidative stress through antioxidant response element (ARE)-mediated transcriptional activation of several phase 2 detoxifying and antioxidant enzymes. This study was designed to determine the role of NRF2 in the pathogenesis of hyperoxic lung injury by comparing pulmonary responses to 95-98% oxygen between mice with site-directed mutation of the gene for NRF2 (Nrf2-/-) and wild-type mice (Nrf2+/+). Pulmonary hyperpermeability, macrophage inflammation, and epithelial injury in Nrf2-/- mice were 7.6-fold, 47%, and 43% greater, respectively, compared with Nrf2+/+ mice after 72 h hyperoxia exposure. Hyperoxia markedly elevated the expression of NRF2 mRNA and DNA-binding activity of NRF2 in the lungs of Nrf2+/+ mice. mRNA expression for ARE- responsive lung antioxidant and phase 2 enzymes was evaluated in both genotypes of mice to identify potential downstream molecular mechanisms of NRF2 in hyperoxic lung responses. Hyperoxia-induced mRNA levels of NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), glutathione-S-transferase (GST)-Ya and -Yc subunits, UDP glycosyl transferase (UGT), glutathione peroxidase-2 (GPx2), and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) were significantly lower in Nrf2-/- mice compared with Nrf2+/+ mice. Consistent with differential mRNA expression, NQO1 and total GST activities were significantly lower in Nrf2-/- mice compared with Nrf2+/+ mice after hyperoxia. Results demonstrated that NRF2 has a significant protective role against pulmonary hyperoxic injury in mice, possibly through transcriptional activation of lung antioxidant defense enzymes.
Modeling and validation of a cross flow turbine using free vortex models and an improved 2D lift model

A number of numerical methods have been developed to predict the performance and aerodynamic loads of the Darrieus turbine. Prior work by Reference [1] using blade element methods (BEM) and free vortex methods (FVM) [2] has produced reasonable models that predict the hydrodynamic performance of the Darrieus turbine. The validated models reasonably estimate the performance at low solidities (Nc/R≪1), but lose accuracy at higher solidity ratios. Dynamic stall and flow curvature has been recognized by [2] [3] and [4] to be significant modeling parameters which have limited the accuracy of prior models. The current numerical model extends the predictions of the FVM model to a higher solidity ratio range. An improved model is presented for the condition of high angles of attack and for dynamic stall,. Experimental data on a series of two (Nc/R≈.9) and four (Nc/R≈1.8) blade configurations are presented as validation of the modified analytical vortex model.
False-positive rate of positron emission tomography/computed tomography for presumed solitary metastatic adrenal disease in patients with known malignancy.

Purpose The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of positron emission tomography (PET) in cancer patients undergoing adrenalectomy for presumed metastatic disease, utilizing the gold standard of histopathology.
Murine toxicology and pharmacokinetics evaluation of retinoic acid metabolism blocking agent (RAMBA), VN/12-1

Purpose Novel retinoic acid metabolism blocking agent (RAMBA), VN/12-1, is a highly potent anti-cancer agent that induces autophagy. Its combination with autophagy inhibitor chloroquine (CHL) has been shown to synergistically enhance apoptosis in breast cancer cells. The purpose of this study was to determine the toxicity and pharmacokinetic profile of VN/12-1 and its combination with CHL.
The role of interpersonal relationships in the process of psychotherapy

Interpersonal patterns play an important role in the context of psychotherapy. The author reviews the research program that was established to explore the role of interpersonal patterns in the psychotherapeutic process. Five research areas related to interpersonal patterns are reviewed, including (a) the patient's perspective on exploring interpersonal patterns, (b) the measurement of self-understanding of interpersonal patterns, (c) transference of interpersonal patterns evident in psychotherapeutic narratives, (d) a molecular-level analysis of the use of interpersonal interventions in various psychotherapy models, and (e) the relation between use of transference interpretations and treatment outcome.
Disease state prediction from resting state functional connectivity

The application of multivoxel pattern analysis methods has attracted increasing attention, particularly for brain state prediction and real-time functional MRI applications. Support vector classification is the most popular of these techniques, owing to reports that it has better prediction accuracy and is less sensitive to noise. Support vector classification was applied to learn functional connectivity patterns that distinguish patients with depression from healthy volunteers. In addition, two feature selection algorithms were implemented (one filter method, one wrapper method) that incorporate reliability information into the feature selection process. These reliability feature selections methods were compared to two previously proposed feature selection methods. A support vector classifier was trained that reliably distinguishes healthy volunteers from clinically depressed patients. The reliability feature selection methods outperformed previously utilized methods. The proposed framework for applying support vector classification to functional connectivity data is applicable to other disease states beyond major depression.
Responsiveness and attention during picture‐book reading in 18‐month‐old to 24‐month‐old toddlers at risk

The purpose of this research was to examine the spontaneous responsiveness and attention during picture‐book reading in 18‐month‐old to 24‐month‐old children from at‐risk backgrounds. Twenty‐five, 18‐month‐old children in an early intervention program were randomly assigned to a read condition or play condition for six months. At each seventh session, all children, regardless of condition, were videotaped during reading. Videotapes were scored for children’s spontaneous responses such as pointing and labeling as well as mean duration of joint attention. Primary caregivers completed language measures for children at 18 and 24 months of age. Overall, there was large variability in the level of children’s spontaneous responses and attention during reading. Responsiveness increased from observation 3 to observation 4, whereas joint attention increased from observation 1 to observation 2. There were no differences in responsiveness and joint attention measures for the children in the read and play conditions. ...
Expression of FOS, EGR-1, and ARC in the amygdala and hippocampus of female rats during formation of the intromission mnemonic of pseudopregnancy.

Pseudopregnancy (PSP) in the female rat is a neuroendocrine condition that is induced by repeated and intermittent vaginocervical stimulation received during mating and involves the expression of bicircadian prolactin surges and cessation of normal estrous cyclicity for 10–12 days postmating. The temporal patterning and number of intromissions received by the female are critical for PSP initiation, and thus, short-term encoding of VCS occurs during transduction of intromissions into PSP. In this experiment, we characterized and compared the mating-induced neural activation patterns within amygdalar and hippocampal regions using expression of the immediate early genes FOS, EGR-1, and ARC. Cycling female rats mated on proestrus received 15 or 5 intromissions under paced or nonpaced mating conditions. High numbers of intromissions during nonpaced mating or low numbers received during paced mating are sufficient to induce PSP, while five nonpaced intromissions and mounts without intromission are insufficient. Here we demonstrate that the CA1 region of the hippocampus was selectively sensitive to PSP-sufficient but not PSP-insufficient mating stimulation by showing significant effects of paced mating for all three IEGs. Paced mating also stimulated the expression of ARC within the basolateral, cortical, and central nuclei of the amygdala. The posterodorsal medial amygdala also showed selective EGR-1 responses to PSP-sufficient mating stimulation. There was no effect of hemisphere on IEG expression. The postmating expression profiles of these IEGs provide evidence that limbic areas involved in encoding and consolidation of memory are involved in initiating the neuroendocrine memory of PSP. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol, 2007.
Learning Progression in the Use of Sialendoscopy for Sialolithiasis Effect on Gland Preservation

ObjectiveEvaluate how learning progression affects outcomes for the use of sialendoscopy for sialolithiasis.Study DesignCase series with chart review.SettingAcademic tertiary care center.Subjects and MethodsA retrospective chart review was conducted on 81 patients presenting with sialolithiasis between 2008 and 2012 who underwent surgical intervention on 85 salivary glands. Outcomes compared between the first 43 and subsequent 42 consecutive glands included successful removal, surgical method, and need for further intervention.ResultsFor the first 43 patients (group A), mean age was 47.3 years (range, 15-77), and 44.2% were male. For the second 38 patients (group B), mean age was 49.9 (range, 23-76), and 50% were male. Mean stone size was similar in both groups; 8.3 versus 7.6 mm, respectively. In cases of stone visualization and removal, complete removal without gland excision was accomplished in 78.4% of cases in group A versus 94.3% in group B (P = .04). Endoscopic removal occurred in 24.3% of patients...
The lattice of subfields of a radical extension

Abstract Let xm − a be irreducible over F with char F∤m and let α be a root of xm − a. The purpose of this paper is to study the lattice of subfields of F(α) F and to this end C( F(α) F , k) is defined to be the number of subfields of F(α) of degree k over F. C( F(α) F , p n ) is explicitly determined for p a prime and the following structure theorem for the lattice of subfields is proved. Let N be the maximal normal subfield of F(α) over F and set n = |N : F|, then C( F(α) F , k) = C( F(α) F , (k, n)) = C( N F , (k, n)) . The irreducible binomials xs − b, xs − c are said to be equivalent if there exist roots βs = b, γs = a such that F(β) = F(γ). All the mutually inequivalent binomials which have roots in F(α) are determined. Finally these results are applied to the study of normal binomials and those irreducible binomials x2e − a which are normal over F (char F ≠ 2) together with their Galois groups are characterized.
Facilitating transitions: Redefinition of the nursing mission

here have been numerous dia- logues in nursing about its mis- sion and definition, but a refinement of existing definitions has yet to be of- fered. This article is written with the goal of maintaining a vigorous dis- course. The phenomena of concern to the discipline of nursing that have been described by various theorists, and gen- erally accepted by members of the dis- cipline, are health, person, environ- ment, and nursing therapeutics. Yet the multiplicity of viewpoints regard- ing these concepts and the paucity in their systematic development has prompted many to question their util- ity in providing the discipline with a coherent definition. The extent to which the mere identification of these concepts as central has helped in fur- thering the development of nursing knowledge is also questionable. The challenge members of the discipline face is to define the mission of nursing. The mission, then, could give more substance to these central concepts. Recently, defining the mission has been advocated by many in nursing.