cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Detection of F1 antibody against Yersinia pestis in flushing fluid of heart blood of Rhombomys opimus with ELISA: a feasibility study

Objective To analyse the feasibility of detecting F1 antibody to Yersinia pestis in flushing fluid of heart blood of Rhombomys opimus with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) method and its application value in surveillance of the disease. Methods Serum, flushing fluid of heart blood and infusion fluid of liver and spleen of Rhombomys opimus, which were caught by capture in the plague focus of Zunger basin in 2007, were taken to carry out detection for F1 antibodies to Yersinia pestis with ELISA method. The data were processed with SPSS 17.0. Results Positive rate and average titer of serum were 12.35%(11/162) and 25.35, of flushing fluid of heart blood were 10.49%(17/162) and 23.75 and of the infusion fluid of liver and spleen 6.79%(17/162) and 2240,respectively. No statistical difference was found in positive detection rate when it was compared between serum and flushing fluid of heart blood(χ2 = 1.333, P ＞ 0.05), but it was obviously different between serum and infusion fluid of liver and spleen(χ2 = 7.111, P ＜ 0.01 ) and between flushing fluid of heart blood and infusion fluid of liver and spleen(x2 = 6.250, P ＜ 0.05). There was a significant difference in average titer between serum, flushing fluid of heart blood and infusion fluid of liver and spleen(t = 2.290, 3.612, P ＜ 0.05 or ＜ 0.01 ). The plague F1 antibody positive coincidence rate of serum and flushing fluid of heart blood was 85.0%(17/20), of serum and infusion fluid of liver and spleen was 55.0% (11/20), and of flushing fluid of heart blood and infusion fluid of liver and spleen was 64.7%(11/17). Conclusions The ELISA method can detect Fl antibody in flushing fluid of heart blood,and the method is feasible in plague surveillance. Key words: Rhombmys opimus; Plague; F1 antibody; Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay
Ring-Opening of σ-Thienyl and σ-Furyl Ligands at Ditungsten (M⋮M) Centers

A series of compounds of formula 1,2-M2(σ-Th)2(NMe2)4, 1, has been prepared, where M = Mo and/or W and Th = 2-thienyl[2-Th], 3-thienyl[3-Th], 5-methyl-2-thienyl[2,5-MeTh], and 2-benzothienyl[2-BTh]...
Neural coding of time-varying interaural time differences and time-varying amplitude in the inferior colliculus.

Humans use time-varying binaural cues to parse auditory scenes comprising multiple sound sources and reverberation. However, the neural mechanisms for doing so are poorly understood. Our results de...
Creativity, Self-Generated Thought, and the Brain's Default Network

In this chapter, we explore emerging research from psychology and neuroscience on the contributions of self-generated thought and the brain’s default network in creative cognition. Self-generated thought encompasses a wide range of human cognition, from mind-wandering to memory retrieval. In general, self-generated thought is characterized by internally focused mental activity that occurs when the mind is not engaged with the external world. Neuroimaging research has identified the brain’s default network as the primary source of self-generated cognition. Increasing evidence suggests that the default network plays a critical role in creative thought, with several neuroimaging studies reporting activation of default regions during both domain-general creative problem solving (e.g., divergent thinking) and domain-specific artistic performance (e.g., musical improvisation). In the chapter, we describe the various cognitive functions associated with the default network, with a focus on understanding how this network may contribute to the production of creative ideas.
A large neighborhood search heuristic to establish an optimal ad-hoc hubbing strategy in the wake of a large-scale airport outage

Abstract Abrupt airport outages can cause diversions and fuel-critical situations for flights, leading to costly passenger misconnections. We develop a large neighborhood search heuristic to optimize the rerouting of flights bound for a disrupted airport to a hub airport that is not disrupted, with the goal of accommodating passengers on existing flights departing the non-disrupted hub. The objective of the heuristic is to identify and reroute flights to the ad-hoc hub(s) – non-disrupted hub airport(s) – that minimize the sum of passenger travel time and wait time. We minimize the passenger cost as the sum of passenger travel time to the diversion airport and wait time for a connecting flight at the ad-hoc hub airport, subject to on-board fuel and diversion airport capacity constraints. We use the heuristic to determine how a coordinated traffic management strategy could have diverted flights immediately following a real-world airport outage.
Simulation of multi-wavelength SDM systems with OAM using ZEMAX and MATLAB

Experimental analysis of spatial multiplexed systems has shown independence of both wavelength division and orbital angular momentum multiplexing. In order to validate this a simulated analysis is performed on the system and presented.
The Case for Explicit Ethical Agents

Morality is a fundamentally human trait which permeates all levels of human society, from basic etiquette and normative expectations of social groups, to formalized legal principles upheld by societies. Hence, future interactive AI systems, in particular, cognitive systems on robots deployed in human settings, will have to meet human normative expectations, for otherwise these system risk causing harm. While the interest in “machine ethics” has increased rapidly in recent years, there are only very few current efforts in the cognitive systems community to investigate moral and ethical reasoning. And there is currently no cognitive architecture that has even rudimentary moral or ethical competence, i.e., the ability to judge situations based on moral principles such as norms and values and make morally and ethically sound decisions. We hence argue for the urgent need to instill moral and ethical competence in all cognitive system intended to be employed in human social contexts.
A 56 Gb/s PAM4 receiver with low-overhead threshold and edge-based DFE FIR and IIR-tap adaptation in 65nm CMOS

A PAM4 quarter-rate receiver employs a singlestage CTLE and a DFE with 1 FIR and 1 IIR-taps to efficiently compensate for channel loss. In addition to the per-slice main 3 data samplers, an error sampler is utilized for background threshold control and an edge-based sampler performs both PLL-based CDR phase detection and generates information for background DFE tap adaptation. Fabricated in GP 65nm CMOS, the 56Gb/s receiver achieves 4.63mW/Gb/s and compensates for up to 20.8dB loss when operated with a 2-tap FFE transmitter.
Using Video Technology to Increase Treatment Completion for Patients With Latent Tuberculosis Infection on 3-Month Isoniazid and Rifapentine: An Implementation Study.

Background: Since January 2013, the New York City (NYC) Health Department Tuberculosis (TB) Program has offered persons diagnosed with latent TB infection (LTBI) the 3-month, once-weekly isoniazid and rifapentine (3HP) treatment regimen. Patients on this treatment are monitored in-person under directly observed therapy (DOT). To address patient and provider barriers to in-person DOT, we piloted the use of a videoconferencing software app to remotely conduct synchronous DOT (video directly observed therapy; VDOT) for patients on 3HP. Objective: The objective of our study was to evaluate the implementation of VDOT for patients on 3HP and to assess whether treatment completion for these patients increased when they were monitored using VDOT compared with that using the standard in-person DOT. Methods: Between February and October 2015, patients diagnosed with LTBI at any of the four NYC Health Department TB clinics who met eligibility criteria for treatment with 3HP under VDOT (V3HP) were followed until 16 weeks after treatment initiation, with treatment completion defined as ingestion of 11 doses within 16 weeks. Treatment completion of patients on V3HP was compared with that of patients on 3HP under clinic-based, in-person DOT who were part of a prior study in 2013. Furthermore, outcomes of video sessions with V3HP patients were collected and analyzed. Results: During the study period, 70% (50/71) of eligible patients were placed on V3HP. Treatment completion among V3HP patients was 88% (44/50) compared with 64.9% (196/302) among 3HP patients on clinic DOT (P15 minutes late) during video sessions occurred 104 times. No major side effects were reported by V3HP patients. Conclusions: The NYC TB program observed higher treatment completion with VDOT than that previously seen with clinic DOT among patients on 3HP. Expanding the use of VDOT may improve treatment completion and corresponding outcomes for patients with LTBI.
Influence of Critical Bioretention Design Factors and Projected Increases in Precipitation due to Climate Change on Roadside Bioretention Performance

AbstractThis research assessed how design factors (i.e., soil media and vegetative composition) influenced flow rates and pollutant mass removal in eight roadside bioretention systems under simulat...
Effect of Organic SAMs on the Evolution of Strength of Silicon Nanostructures

The ability to accurately predict the strength of nanoscale, single crystal structures is of interest in micro- and nanoelectromechanical systems (MEMS and NEMS) design. Because of the small length scales involved failure does not always follow the same trends as at larger sizes. Due to low defect density and high surface to volume ratio, failure is primarily dependent on surface features. Previous work has shown that oxidation of the surface of silicon nanostructures correlates to decreased strength and that methyl surface monolayers can be used to slow oxidation and maintain initial strength. We extend these results to use longer chain self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) prepared in a variety of ways. Although only initial results are included here, aging will be carried out over a much longer time period than in previous studies. Fracture tests were performed using an atomic force microscope (AFM) following a method previously demonstrated by Alan et al.
Identification by Refinement

We have seen that many identification procedures work by choosing a hypothesis and then generalizing or specializing it in response to counterexamples. We shall now formalize this idea. The key concept is that of a refinement operator — this term was used by Shapiro, but the concept is ubiquitous.
Genetic influence on cancer risk.

Cancer is a genetic disease. It is characterized by the accumulation of changes in the structure of the DNA of the cell such that there are significant changes in the functioning of the cell. Genes are the basic unit of heredity with each gene having its own location in a particular chromosome. It is important to note that a cancer may have more than one cause. Genetic factors likely play a role in many if not all cancers. Even when an exposure is clearly required for a particular kind of cancer, genetic factors often play a role in determining who, among exposed individuals, develops that cancer. Also for dietary risk factors, evidence is now accumulating that, genetic factors may interact with diet in the etiology of the disease. Penetrance of a genetic factor refers to the likelihood that those with a particular gene will exhibit a particular phenotype under particular environmental circumstances. A gene with high penetrance would be one where virtually everybody with the gene has the expressed trait while a gene with low penetrance would have low likelihood of expression of the gene. This review makes it clear that this field is a very new one, and that most of the available evidence is very preliminary.
Cervical Kyphotic Deformity Worsening After Extensor Cervical Muscle Paralysis from Botulinum Toxin Injection.

Background Botulinum toxin (Botox) has long been used therapeutically to treat a variety of diseases, including migraine headaches, cervical spine dystonia, and chronic cervical spine pain, among many others. Although quite useful, Botox has been reported to cause adverse events, some of which may lead to devastating morbidity. Case Description An elderly woman presented with severe neck pain after a motor vehicle collision. She underwent Botox administration to the neck extensor muscles, after which she developed severe cervical kyphotic deformity, a complication previously reported only in patients with a history of cervical fusion. In addition, the patient had a pre-existing cervical spine degenerative disc disease with listhesis resulting in cervical kyphotic deformity and loss of cervical lordosis. Conclusions This case illustrates a potential danger of using Botox in the neck of an elderly patient who may have pre-existing cervical spine instability, underlying cervical musculature weakness, and pre-existing cervical kyphosis. It demonstrates the need to evaluate patients who are predisposed to developing cervical kyphotic deformities before offering them Botox treatment.
Teaching vocabulary to young second- or foreign-language learners: What can we learn from the research?

Abstract While vocabulary knowledge is considered a foundational element for young learners of a second or foreign language (L2/FL), pedagogically useful information on this topic is not easily accessible for practitioners. This is in part due to the fact that the relevant information is scattered across multiple fields, including first-language acquisition, child development, and education. The aim of this paper is to synthesize recent knowledge from the related fields and to provide theoretically sound and evidence-based information that is useful for teaching vocabulary to young learners of L2/FL. I identify four major recommendations for vocabulary instruction: (a) ensure frequent and repeated exposure to the target words (as well as nontarget words); (b) provide explicit word definitions and meanings in context; (c) create opportunities for discussions and interactions around the words in question; and (d) use multimodal approaches to teach vocabulary. I also suggest future research directions, with the goal of finding effective approaches that teachers can use to improve their vocabulary instruction while meeting the specific needs of their young L2/FL students.
Identification of Dietary Patterns Associated with Incidence of Hyperglycemia in Middle-Aged and Older Korean Adults.

Little is known about the association between dietary patterns and hyperglycemia incidence among Korean adults. Hence, we aimed to prospectively investigate the major dietary patterns associated with hyperglycemia among middle-aged and older Korean adults. In total, 55,457 adults (18,292 men and 37,165 women) aged 40 to 79 years, who were previously enrolled in the Health Examinee Study of the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study and had no history of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) or cancer at baseline, were included. Dietary patterns were identified by a factor analysis based on dietary data, which were assessed at baseline using a validated food-frequency questionnaire. Participants were classified as having hyperglycemia if fasting blood glucose levels were ≥126 mg/dL or physician diagnosed T2DM during follow-up. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were used to examine the associations between each dietary pattern and future hyperglycemia risk after adjusting for potential confounders. After a mean follow-up of 4.9 years, 2574 new cases of hyperglycemia were identified. Using a factor analysis, four distinct dietary patterns were identified: “prudent;” “fatty fish, meat, and flour-based food;” “coffee and sweets;” and “whole grain (men)” or “white rice (women).” The “prudent” pattern was inversely associated with hyperglycemia risk only in women (hazard ratio [HR], 0.75; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.63–0.89; p for trend = 0.0003). Conversely, women in the highest quintile of the “fatty fish, meat, and flour-based food” pattern showed an increased risk of hyperglycemia (HR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.03–1.44; p for trend = 0.0210) compared with those in the lowest quintile. The “coffee and sweets” and “white rice” patterns were not associated with hyperglycemia risk in women. The dietary patterns observed in men had no associations with hyperglycemia incidence. Our findings suggest that a diet rich in vegetables, mushrooms, seaweeds, fruits, and soy products and low in fatty fish and high-fat meat may potentially play a protective role in T2DM development with sex differences in middle-aged and older Korean adults.
A System for Standard Cell Routability Checking and Placement Routability Improvements

As semiconductor process technologies continue to advance, routability and pin accessibility of standard cells have become major concerns while physical layouts of standard cells are being designed. Although analytical-based methodologies have been proposed in the literature for rapid computations of cell routability and/or pin accessibility scores, physical synthesis tools are still needed in the verification of cell routability and/or pin accessibility since different physical synthesis tools can have very dissimilar P&R (placement and routing) behaviors and capabilities. In this paper, therefore, we propose techniques adopted in a software system, which uses a physical synthesis tool, for measuring the routability of individual and abutted standard cells, so that cells which have routability and/or pin accessibility issues for the tool can be detected. Moreover, the system is capable of generating cell spacing constraints for cell-edge pairs in order to improve routability of placed standard cell instances. Our system has been used in the detection of routability issues for many industrial standard cell libraries and for improving routability of placed designs. Experimental results show that DRC (design rule checking) violations in routed designs can be reduced after generated cell spacing constraints are applied.
Understanding Data Similarity in Large-Scale Scientific Datasets

Today, scientific experiments and simulations produce massive amounts of heterogeneous data that need to be stored and analyzed. Given that these large datasets are stored in many files, formats and locations, how can scientists find relevant data, duplicates or similarities? In this context, we concentrate on developing algorithms to compare similarity of time series for the purpose of search, classification and clustering. For example, generating accurate patterns from climate related time series is important not only for building models for weather forecasting and climate prediction, but also for modeling and predicting the cycle of carbon, water, and energy. We developed the methodology and ran an exploratory analysis of climatic and ecosystem variables from the FLUXNET2015 dataset. The proposed combination of similarity metrics, nonlinear dimension reduction, clustering methods and validity measures for time series data has never been applied to unlabeled datasets before, and provides a process that can be easily extended to other scientific time series data. The dimensionality reduction step provides a good way to identify the optimum number of clusters, detect outliers and assign initial labels to the time series data. We evaluated multiple similarity metrics, in terms of the internal cluster validity for driver as well as response variables. While the best metric often depends on a number of factor, the Euclidean distance seems to perform well for most variables and also in terms of computational expense.
Mediators of a 12-month change in physical activity in ethnically diverse sample of postpartum women

Purpose Understanding theoretically derived social and behavioral mediators of long-term increases in physical activity (PA) in a vulnerable population at risk for being underactive is needed to inform future research, clinical applications, and public health efforts. This is an analysis of potential mediators of an intervention that increased long-term (12-month) moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in postpartum (2-12months) women in a randomized trial, using a longitudinal analysis. Methods Healthy, underactive (i.e., not meeting national guidelines for MVPA) women (n = 311; mean age = 32 ± 5.6 years, 85% minorities) with infants (mean age: 5.7 ± 2.8 months) were randomly assigned to either a tailored eHealth condition consisting of personalized telephone counseling plus access to a website tailored to new mothers' MVPA issues or to a standard MVPA materials-only website. MVPA was assessed via surveys completed at baseline, then 6 and 12 months later. Theoretically derived mediators included social support for MVPA, self-efficacy to increase MVPA, barriers to increasing MVPA, and benefits of increasing MVPA. Results All mediators, except benefits, improved over the 12 months in the tailored eHealth condition. The tailored condition's effect on increasing MVPA from 6 months to 12 months was mediated by an increase in social support from baseline to six months. No other hypothesized mediators were significant. Conclusion Our results demonstrated that learning strategies to increase social support for MVPA was instrumental in new mothers' increase in MVPA over a 12 month intervention. During this brief but impactful life-stage, where the focus can understandably be on her baby, being able to elicit support from friends and family may facilitate women's efforts to focus on their own needs with respect to MVPA. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov number.
Recent advances in multi-material additive manufacturing: methods and applications

Multi-material additive manufacturing (MMAM) enables rapid design and direct fabrication of three-dimensional (3D) objects consisting of multiple materials without the need for complex manufacturing process and expensive tooling. Through concurrent integration of multiple materials having their own unique properties, MMAM allows for facile production of multi-functional devices and systems. Various MMAM techniques have recently been developed and a wide range of new applications have been demonstrated using MMAM. This paper reviews recent advances in MMAM methods and key applications enabled by MMAM in three areas; biomedical engineering, soft robotics, and electronics.
Trends in first‐trimester nausea and vomiting of pregnancy and use of select treatments: Findings from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study

BACKGROUND Although nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP) is common, the secular and demographic trends of NVP and its treatments are not well-studied. OBJECTIVES To describe the prevalence and patterns of first-trimester NVP and selected treatments among controls in the National Birth Defects Prevention Study (NBDPS). METHODS National Birth Defects Prevention Study is a population-based case-control study of birth defects in the United States (1997-2011). We collected self-reported data about NVP and use of commonly reported pharmacological and herbal/natural treatments (ondansetron, promethazine, pyridoxine, metoclopramide, doxylamine succinate, ginger, phosphorated carbohydrate solution, and prochlorperazine) from mothers of non-malformed control infants. We estimated the prevalence of NVP and selected treatments and examined secular and demographic trends (education, race/ethnicity, and maternal age) for such use, adjusting for study centre. RESULTS Among 10 540 mothers of controls, 7393 women (70.1%) reported first-trimester NVP, and 12.2% of those used one or more of the commonly reported treatments. Specific treatment use varied after adjustment for study centre (ondansetron: 3.4%; promethazine: 4.2%; pyridoxine: 3.2%; metoclopramide: 0.7%; doxylamine succinate: 1.7%; ginger: 1.0%; phosphorated carbohydrate solution: 0.4%; and prochlorperazine: 0.3%). Treatment use increased for each agent over the study period. Women with more years of education reported more NVP and treatment use. White (72%), Hispanic (71%), and other race (73%) women reported more NVP than Black women (67%); White women used selected NVP treatments most frequently, and Black women used them more than Hispanic women. Though women aged 25-34 years reported more NVP (72%) than younger (69%) or older (67%) women, the frequency of medication use was similar among women aged 25-34 and ≥35, and lower among women aged <25 years. CONCLUSIONS National Birth Defects Prevention Study controls reported NVP at frequencies similar to those previously reported. Of note, we observed an increase in use of selected treatments over time, and variations in NVP and treatments by study site and demographic factors.
Impact of Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy on Medical Therapy of LVAD Patients

Introduction Morbid obesity of class II or higher (BMI ≥ 35) is common in the heart failure population and is associated with poor outcomes after advanced heart failure therapies. Only 15% of obese left ventricular assist device (LVAD) patients are able to achieve adequate weight loss which permits heart transplantation. It has been reported that laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is promising in this population given efficacy and minimally invasive nature. We sought to describe how a decrease in BMI post LSG impacts medical therapy with the hypothesis it may improve response to heart failure medical therapy. Methods We retrospectively reviewed LVAD patients who underwent LSG 2013 and 2019 at the University of Florida. Inclusion criteria included age > 18 and continued LVAD support for ≥ 6 months post LSG. Clinical data at 6 months follow-up was analyzed. Results We found 14 patients meeting the inclusion criteria. Mean age was 41 years and 61% were men. No major acute complications were noted post operatively from LSG. Mean BMI decreased from 44 to 34 (P Conclusions In this single center experience, in addition to providing succesful reduction in BMI conducive to heart transplantation, LSG was feasible and associated with significant reduction in antihypertensive and anticoagulation requirements.
Comprehensive Molecular Characterization and Response to Therapy in Fumarate Hydratase-Deficient Renal Cell Carcinoma

Purpose: Fumarate hydratase–deficient renal cell carcinoma (FH-RCC) is a rare, aggressive form of RCC associated with hereditary leiomyomatosis and RCC syndrome. Evidence for systemic therapy efficacy is lacking. Experimental Design: We studied clinical and genomic characteristics of FH-RCC, including response [objective response rate (ORR)] to systemic therapies and next-generation sequencing (NGS). Patients with metastatic FH-RCC, defined by presence of pathogenic germline or somatic FH mutation plus IHC evidence of FH loss, were included. Results: A total of 28 of 32 included patients (median age 46; range, 20–74; M:F, 20:12) underwent germline testing; 23 (82%) harbored a pathogenic FH germline variant. Five (16%) were negative for germline FH mutations; all had biallelic somatic FH loss. Somatic NGS (31/32 patients) revealed co-occurring NF2 mutation most frequently (n = 5). Compared with clear-cell RCC, FH-RCC had a lower mutation count (median 2 vs. 4; P Conclusions: Although most FH-RCC tumors are due to germline FH alterations, a significant portion result from biallelic somatic FH loss. Both somatic and germline FH-RCC have similar molecular characteristics, with NF2 mutations, low tumor mutational burden, and high fraction of genome altered. Although immunotherapy alone produced no objective responses, combination mTOR/VEGF therapy showed encouraging results.
Identifying degenerative effects of repetitive head trauma with neuroimaging: a clinically-oriented review.

Varying severities and frequencies of head trauma may result in dynamic acute and chronic pathophysiologic responses in the brain. Heightened attention to long-term effects of head trauma, particularly repetitive head trauma, has sparked recent efforts to identify neuroimaging biomarkers of underlying disease processes. Imaging modalities like structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) are the most clinically applicable given their use in neurodegenerative disease diagnosis and differentiation. In recent years, researchers have targeted repetitive head trauma cohorts in hopes of identifying in vivo biomarkers for underlying biologic changes that might ultimately improve diagnosis of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in living persons. These populations most often include collision sport athletes (e.g., American football, boxing) and military veterans with repetitive low-level blast exposure. We provide a clinically-oriented review of neuroimaging data from repetitive head trauma cohorts based on structural MRI, FDG-PET, Aβ-PET, and tau-PET. We supplement the review with two patient reports of neuropathology-confirmed, clinically impaired adults with prior repetitive head trauma who underwent structural MRI, FDG-PET, Aβ-PET, and tau-PET in addition to comprehensive clinical examinations before death. Group-level comparisons to controls without known head trauma have revealed inconsistent regional volume differences, with possible propensity for medial temporal, limbic, and subcortical (thalamus, corpus callosum) structures. Greater frequency and severity (i.e., length) of cavum septum pellucidum (CSP) is observed in repetitive head trauma cohorts compared to unexposed controls. It remains unclear whether CSP predicts a particular neurodegenerative process, but CSP presence should increase suspicion that clinical impairment is at least partly attributable to the individual’s head trauma exposure (regardless of underlying disease). PET imaging similarly has not revealed a prototypical metabolic or molecular pattern associated with repetitive head trauma or predictive of CTE based on the most widely studied radiotracers. Given the range of clinical syndromes and neurodegenerative pathologies observed in a subset of adults with prior repetitive head trauma, structural MRI and PET imaging may still be useful for differential diagnosis (e.g., assessing suspected Alzheimer’s disease).
Radiation therapy for vaginal and perirectal lesions in recurrent ovarian cancer.

Abstract The role for localized radiation to treat ovarian cancer (OC) patients with locally recurrent vaginal/perirectal lesions remains unclear, though we hypothesize these patients may be salvaged locally and gain long-term survival benefit. We describe our institutional outcomes using intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) +/- high-dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy to treat this population. Our primary objectives were to evaluate complete response rates of targeted lesions after radiation and calculate our 5-year in-field control (IFC) rate. Secondary objectives were to assess radiation-related toxicities, chemotherapy free-interval (CFI), as well as post-radiation progression-free (PFS) and overall survival (OS). PFS and OS were defined from radiation start to either progression or death/last follow-up, respectively. This was a heavily pre-treated cohort of 17 recurrent OC patients with a median follow-up of 28.4 months (range 4.5–166.4) after radiation completion. 52.9% had high-grade serous histology and 4 (23.5%) had isolated vaginal/perirectal disease. Four (23.5%) patients had in-field failures at 3.7, 11.2, 24.5, and 27.5 months after start of radiation, all treated with definitive dosing of radiation therapy. Patients who were platinum-sensitive prior to radiation had similar median PFS (6.5 vs. 13.4 months, log-rank p = 0.75), but longer OS (71.1 vs 18.8 months, log-rank p = 0.05) than their platinum-resistant counterparts. Excluding patients with low-grade histology or who were treated with palliative radiation, median CFI was 14.2 months (range 4.7 – 33.0). Radiation was well tolerated with 2 (12.0%) experiencing grade 3/4 gastrointestinal/genitourinary toxicities. In conclusion, radiation to treat locally recurrent vaginal/perirectal lesions in heavily pre-treated OC patients is safe and may effectively provide IFC.
Multirow Complementary-FET (CFET) Standard Cell Synthesis Framework Using Satisfiability Modulo Theories (SMTs)

With the relentless scaling of technology nodes, the track number reduction of conventional (Conv.) cell is starting to reach its limitations due to limited routing resources, lateral p-n separations, and performance requirements. As a result, to exploit the benefits of 3-D architectures, complementary-FET (CFET) technology, which stacks P-FET on N-FET or vice versa, is proposed to release the restriction of p-n separation and reduce in-cell routing congestion by enabling p-n direct connections. However, CFET standard cell (SDC) synthesis demands a holistic reconsideration of multirow (MR) structure to maximize the cell and block-level area benefits due to limited in-cell routing tracks and routability that comes from the stacked structure and reduced cell height. In this article, we propose a satisfiability modulo theory (SMT)-based MR CFET SDC synthesis framework that simultaneously solves place-and-route to minimize the cell area by considering single-row and MR placement together. We enable explorations on upper/lower M0A/PC routing to leverage the shared-and-split structure across cell rows with the proposed MR dynamic complementary pin allocation scheme. We demonstrate that MR 2.5T CFET without and with upper/lower M0A/PC routing achieves 16.44% and 20.61% on the average reduced cell areas, respectively, compared to 3.5T CFET. Moreover, MR 2.5T CFET SDCs achieve 13.43% and 14.40% less block-level area and total wirelength on average compared to 3.5T CFET SDCs.
Further Experience with the Practice Integration Profile: A Measure of Behavioral Health and Primary Care Integration

Valid measures of behavioral health integration have the potential to enable comparisons of various models of integration, contribute to the overall development of high-quality care, and evaluate outcomes that are strategically aligned with standard improvement efforts. The Practice Integration Profile has proven to discriminate among clinic types and integration efforts. We continued the validation of the measure’s internal consistency, intra-rater consistency, and inter-rater consistency with a separate and larger sample from a broader array of practices. We found that the Practice Integration Profile demonstrated a high level of internal consistency, suggesting empirically sound measurement of independent attributes of integration, and high reliability over time. The Practice Integration Profile provides internally consistent and interpretable results and can serve as both a quality improvement and health services research tool.
Ritonavir inhibits breast cancer cell proliferation, in part, by inhibiting Hsp90 function and Akt phosphorylation

2288 The mechanisms by which the HIV protease inhibitor ritonavir inhibits cancer cell growth are poorly understood. We have previously demonstrated that ritonavir inhibits calpain and not the proteasome in the MDA-MB-231 line and that ritonavir inhibits the growth of the MDA-MB-231 line in vitro and in a mammary fat pad xenograft model. Ritonavir up-regulates the calpain target p27, and induces nuclear localization, associated with inhibition of cell cycle progression at the G1/S checkpoint. Apoptosis is induced 3-fold by ritonavir compared to the vehicle control at 24 h, from 5 to 18%, as measured by propidium iodide/Annexin-FITC staining. Akt levels are not affected at 24 of ritonavir exposure, while Akt phosphorylation is down-regulated by 80%. These results indicate that ritonavir inhibits two targets in the MDA-MB-231 line. Calpain inhibition by m-calpain siRNA or PD150606 does not inhibit Akt phosphorylation or induce apoptosis, but up-regulates p27, suggesting that ritonavir-induced apoptosis may involve a non-protease target. One candidate ritonavir target is Hsp90, which promotes Akt folding and phosphorylation. Surface plasmon resonance biosensor analysis revealed that ritonavir binds to human Hsp90, exhibiting a KD of 7.8 microM. Ritonavir inhibits Hsp90 /Akt and Hsp90/mutant p53 complex formation in the MDA-MB-231 line, suggesting that ritonavir blocks Hsp90 interaction with client proteins. These results indicate that ritonavir inhibits breast cancer growth, in part, by inhibiting Hsp90 function and associated Akt phosphorylation, resulting in apoptosis, and in part, by intracellular calpain inhibition and upregulation of p27, resulting in G1 cell cycle arrest.
A unified framework for topology management multi-rate ad hoc networks

Finite battery energy and limited bandwidth resources are the two major constraints in ad hoc networks. Therefore, researchers have persistently sought for optimization algorithms to reduce the control overhead and to increase bandwidth utilization efficiency, using mechanisms such as topology control and management, multi-rate adaptation etc. to cut down the energy expenditure in ad hoc networks. However, the energy conservation and network throughput improvement are handled separately in many cases. In this paper, we propose a unified framework that combines the multi-rate adaptation and clustering mechanisms so as to provide the optimal network throughput under very low control overhead. The framework incorporates two control mechanisms into the networking stack. The first mechanism is based on a novel clustering algorithm, called PATM (priority-based adaptive topology management), that constructs the backbone of the network topology for routing protocols. The second mechanism is a medium access control protocol, called RMAC (relay-based MAC), that provides high data transmission rates between adjacent backbone nodes. The efficiency of the unified framework is evaluated using theoretical analysis and extensive simulations with DSR (dynamic source routing) as the underlying routing protocol. We demonstrate that our solution not only significantly reduces the routing control overhead, but also substantially improves the network throughput.
PREDICTION OF HYSTERESIS OF REINFORCED CONCRETE MEMBERS

The endochronic theory for inelasticity and failure, previously established, is used to predict the response of reinforced concrete beams in cyclic bending at large strains. Cross sections are assumed to remain plain and are subdivided in slices. Existing bending theories must be enhanced by inclusion of transverse normal strain as a third variable, in addition to curvature and transverse shear angle. The forces in stirrups bring concrete under confining hydrostatic pressure, and, according to endochronic theory, this greatly increases ductility and strength and suppresses strain-softening. The theory is applicable to any history of bending moment, shear force, and axial force, and allows the necessary cross-sectional area of stirrups to be calculated. It is most remarkable that a number of test data have been correctly predicted without having to adjust any of the material parameters determined previously from tests of plain concrete. The endochronic theory represents not merely a descriptive model, but a prediction method.
Growth‐promoting relationships with children and youth

At the heart of afterschool programs are the relationships that form between the children and youth who participate in these programs and the adults who lead them. To be effective, adults working in afterschool settings must be able to engage youth in growth-promoting relationships. This article identifies and describes four foundational ways of interacting with youth that foster the development of such relationships-engaging in warm and emotionally supportive connections, providing developmentally appropriate structure and support, cultivating and responding to youth initiative, and scaffolding and propelling youth learning and skill development.
Finding a Happy and Ethical Medium between a Prosecutor Who Believes the Defendant Didn't Do it and the Boss that Says that He Did

In June of 2008, The New York Times reported on a New York prosecutor’s conflict with his supervisors. The disagreement rested on the prosecutor’s belief that the District Attorney’s Office had wrongly convicted two men of a 1990 shooting. After thoroughly re-investigating the case, the prosecutor made a powerful pitch to his bosses that the men’s convictions “be dropped.” The supervisors disagreed and instructed the prosecutor to proceed with a hearing to oppose setting aside the convictions. The prosecutor complied with the directive but then “deliberately helped the other side win.” This short thought piece proposes an ethical course of action for front-line prosecutors who disagree with their bosses about the “just” way to handle an issue or case.
Real-time predictive analytics to estimate air traffic flow rates

A Big data Analytics Infrastructure Testbed (BAIT) has been developed with the concept of providing analytics-as-a-service for algorithm developers to use when creating and testing new capabilities for air traffic management decision support. These capabilities typically require considerable processing power and must be tested and compared with a variety of algorithm modifications and parameter adjustments before they are incorporated into an existing real-time infrastructure. The BAIT infrastructure that has been developed and demonstrated has many applications, including: • Easily-configurable testing of multiple versions of the same algorithm simultaneously with automatic load balancing • Real-time and faster-than-real-time metrics generation providing the ability to alert air traffic flow managers of upcoming issues such as predicted flow rate limitations due to approaching weather • Rapid web-based display generation for the demonstration of real-time analytics and metrics This paper provides a description of the BAIT architecture, an initial use case and computational timing comparison, and a description of BAIT's web browser-based demonstration display.
The Relation Between Mood and Sexuality in Heterosexual Men.

This paper reports on a study of individual variability in the relationship between negative mood and sexuality in men. Part 1 involves a questionnaire survey of 919 white heterosexual men, asking what typically happens to sexual interest and response when (a) depressed and (b) anxious/stressed, using the Mood and Sexuality Questionnaire (MSQ). Trait measures of sexual inhibition and excitation, depression, anxiety, and sensation seeking were also used. Relationships between trait measures and MSQ scores were tested using multiple linear and ordinal logistic regression. Of those reporting the experience of depression, 9.4% indicated increased and 42% decreased sexual interest when depressed; for anxiety/stress, the percentages were 20.6 and 28.3%, respectively. Increase in sexual interest during negative mood states was negatively related to age and trait measures of sexual inhibition and positively related to depression proneness and sexual excitation. In Part 2, the relationship between mood and sexuality was explored qualitatively, using in-depth interviews with 43 participants from Part 1. This supported the findings in Part 1, while finding more complex relations with depression than anxiety. Sex when depressed can serve needs for intimacy and self-validation as well as sexual pleasure. Sex when anxious appears to be more simply related to the calming effect of sexual release, plus a possible “excitation transfer” effect of anxious arousal. Further research is needed to explore these relationships in clinical mood disorders. Paradoxical increases of sexual interest with negative mood may help explain high risk as well as “out of control” patterns of sexual behavior.
US Ethanol Trade Policy: Pollution Reduction or Domestic Protection

To mitigate dependence on fossil fuel and reduce pollution, the US government has undertaken several policies—an import tariff, tax credit, and mandate—to augment domestic ethanol production and increase ethanol in the fuel supply. This study uses a general equilibrium model to analyze the effects of the US ethanol import tariff on welfare by internalizing the externality and incorporating US fuel and ethanol policies and to determine the optimal tariff. The results show that because of the environmental benefits of imported ethanol, the adverse effects of domestic ethanol on the environment, the need for the imported ethanol to boost the blended gasoline production, and the economy-wide interactions of various markets, the optimal trade policy may call for subsidizing rather than taxing ethanol imports.
SHADEMOL: An algorithm for presentation of three-dimensional structures on a laser printer using depth-shading

Abstract The program SHADEMOL rapidly generates high quality three-dimensional depthcued plots of molecules with crossed-bonds broken. Additionally it plots up to four superimposed molecules, each drawn in a different vector pattern. The algorithm utilizes the powerful graphic capabilities of PostScript and laser printers. The PC executable SHADEMOL program (SHADEMOL.EXE) plus the FORTRAN-77 source code (SHADEMOL.FOR) and molecule files (MOLA.MOL and COMB.MOL) are included on disk.
Mild restraint reduces the time hormonally primed rats spend with sexually active males

Abstract The effect of 5 min of restraint on the time sexually-receptive females spend in the compartment of a sexually active male was examined. Ovariectomized females, hormonally primed with 10 μg estradiol benzoate and 500 μg progesterone (EP) or primed only with estradiol benzoate (EO) were used. After the restraint or home-cage experience, females were tested for 30 min in a chamber that allowed the female to escape to a small “burrow”. Females, subjected to restraint, left the male's compartment faster and spent significantly less time in the male's compartment than did non-restrained females. This was true for both EP and EO females. When females were injected with the 5-HT2B/2C-receptor antagonist, SB 206553, 15 min before restraint, time spent in the male's compartment was even further reduced. However, additional studies indicated that it was the stress of the injection rather than the action of the drug that was responsible for the female's behavior. These findings are discussed in terms of their significance to the understanding of the female's reproductive response to stress and are compared to prior findings, where lordosis behavior was significantly reduced by restraint.
RECONSTITUTION OF SYNAPTIC VESICLE BIOGENESIS FROM PC12 CELL MEMBRANES

Neuroendocrine PC12 cells contain small microvesicles that closely resemble synaptic vesicles in their physical and chemical properties. Two defining characteristics of synaptic vesicles are their homogeneous size and their unique protein composition. Since synaptic vesicles arise by endocytosis from the plasma membrane, nerve terminals and PC12 cells must contain the molecular machinery to sort synaptic vesicles from other membrane proteins and pinch off vesicles of the correct diameter from a precursor compartment. A cell-free reconstitution system was developed that generates vesicles from PC12 membrane precursors in the presence of ATP and brain cytosol and is temperature dependent. At 15 degrees C, surface-labeled synaptic vesicle proteins accumulate in a donor compartment, while labeled synaptic vesicles cannot be detected. The block of synaptic vesicle formation at 15 degrees C enables the use of the monoclonal antibody, KT3, a specific marker for the epitope-tagged synaptic vesicle protein, VAMP-TAg, to label precursors in the synaptic vesicle biogenesis pathway. From membranes labeled in vivo at 15 degrees C, vesicles generated in vitro at 37 degreesC had the sedimentation characteristics of neuroendocrine synaptic vesicles on glycerol velocity gradients, and excluded the transferrin receptor. Therefore, vesiculation and sorting can be studied in this cell-free system.