cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Predictability and controllability: Differential effects upon contextual fear

Abstract The independence of action of controllability and predictability has recently been questioned by research demonstrating that the effects of control over shock termination can be mimicked by feedback stimuli when a contextual fear measure is used. This suggests that the varied effects of controllability, particularly controllability of shock termination, may result not from controllability per se but from predictability of shock absence. The present experiments address this issue by examining whether controllability and predictability similarly affect contextual fear under several parametric conditions. In Experiment 1, control over shock termination was found to reduce contextual fear at an earlier point in training than prediction of shock absence. Experiment 2 demonstrated an effect of controllability under conditions in which the feedback effect is precluded. Experiment 3 examined the possibility that the group differences observed in the above experiments could be due to a potential difference in the conditionability of the response-produced stimulation and the external feedback stimulus. The outcome of this study makes it unlikely that this is the case, since no evidence of overshadowing of the feedback stimulus was observed on a test of its associative strength. These experiments suggest that the effects of controllability may not be reducible to those of predictability. Furthermore, they have important implications for theoretical proposals concerning the effect of feedback on contextual fear.
Assessing bias in professional licensing examinations by checking internal consistency

There are serious difficulties in using standard psychometric techniques for validating professional licensing examinations such as medical and bar examinations against external criteria of job performance. Measures of internal consistency can be used to detect one or a few components of an examination that may be culturally biased if the entire test is not systematically biased. The statistical technique of profile analysis provides a procedure for identifying test components which exaggerate differences between demographically defined groups and which therefore are suspects for being biased. As an illustration, the technique is applied to data from a state bar examination. Results showed that a few components of the objective, multiple choice examination exaggerated differences but that no topic on the subjectively graded essay portion consistently exaggerated differences across the seven administrations examined. The objective portion, as a whole, exaggerated differences relative to the essay portion. Hence, there is reason to believe that either the objective portion is biased against minorities or that the essay is biased in favor of minorities or both.
The Community College as a Baccalaureate-Granting Institution

The introduction of baccalaureate degree programming and credentialing expands the mission and may lead to the alteration of the institutional identity of the community college. This study examines baccalaureate-degree granting community colleges through the lenses of both globalization theory and institutional theory, in a multisite, two-nation investigation. In addressing potential outcomes of baccalaureate-degree-granting status for community colleges, this study questions whether the institution can maintain its traditional role.
Superresolution SAR image formation via parametric spectral estimation methods

This paper considers super resolution synthetic aperture radar (SAR) image formation via sophisticated parametric spectral estimation algorithms. Parametric spectral estimation methods are devised based on parametric data models and are used to estimate the model parameters. Since SAR images rather than model parameters are often more appreciated in SAR applications, we use the parameter estimates obtained with the parametric methods to simulate data matrices of large dimensions and then use the fast Fourier transform (FFT) methods on them to generate SAR images with super resolution. Experimental examples using the MSTAR and ERIM data illustrate that robust spectral estimation algorithms can generate SAR images of higher resolution that the conventional FFT methods and enhance the dominant target features.
Developments in Spray Modeling in Diesel and Direct-Injection Gasoline Engines

Developments in Spray Modeling in Diesel and Direct-Injection Gasoline Engines — In direct- injection engines the fuel spray characteristics influence the combustion efficiency and exhaust emissions. The performance of available spray models for predicting liquid and vapor fuel distributions, and their influence on combustion is reviewed for both diesel and gasoline direct injection engines. A phenomenological nozzle flow model is described for simulating the effects of diesel injector nozzle internal geometry on the fuel injection and spray processes. The flow model provides initial conditions for the liquid jet breakup model that considers wave instabilities due to Kelvin-Helmholtz (KH) and Rayleigh-Taylor (RT) mechanisms. A linearized instability analysis has also been extended to consider the breakup of liquid sheets for modeling pressure-swirl gasoline injectors. Diesel engine predictions have been compared with extensive data from in-cylinder laser diagnostics carried out in optically accessible heavy-duty, DI Diesel engines over a wide range of operating conditions. The results show that the nozzle flow model used in combination with the KH and RT models gives realistic spray predictions. In particular, the limited liquid fuel penetration length observed experimentally and the flame shape details are captured accurately. The liquid sheet breakup model has also been compared favorably with experimental spray penetration and drop size data for gasoline hollow-cone sprays. This model is currently being applied to study stratified charge combustion in GDI engines.
Quantification of OPC performance of 150-nm gates using top-down CD-SEM

Optical proximity correction using both model-based and selective size adjust techniques was used as means to correct the distortion of patterns in silicon from drawn data. The performance of these corrections on silicon was evaluated using top-down SEM for both active area and gate wafers post-pattern and post-etch steps. Figure of merit such as corner rounding radius and line-edge roughness were measured. By overlapping the drawn data to the processed image, metric such as overlapping area and critical shape difference were extracted. This resulted in a range of metrics that quantified the performance of the proximity correction that was applied on the mask with reference to drawn data.
Detection of cytokine transcriptional profiles from bovine peripheral blood mononuclear cells and CD4+ lymphocytes by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction.

Abstract Cytokine transcriptional profiles constitute important information about T cell mediated immunity against pathogens. We have developed a reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay to monitor gene expression of bovine T lymphocyte cytokines. Bovine cDNA was reverse transcribed from total RNA and subsequently amplified using primers designed from bovine or murine and human consensus sequences. Cytokine transcription of β-actin, interleukins (IL) IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α, TNFβ and interferon-γ was detected from concanavalin A activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells and CD4+ purified T lymphocytes. The assay allows detection of many cytokine mRNAs in a species where research has been hindered by lack of commercially available reagents and sequence information. RT-PCR analysis of lymphocyte cytokines will be invaluable for understanding the progression or resolution of disease as a consequence of lymphocyte response to specific antigens.
Ultralow power SRAM design in near threshold region using 45nm CMOS technology

Subthreshold leakage, dynamic power consumption and delay are major issues for circuits design, especially for SRAM design. Subthreshold leakage and dynamic power consumption can be decreased while supply voltage is scaled down. However, this may dramatically increase the circuit delay. In this paper, we proposed a novel 6t SRAM design which operates in near threshold region to optimize leakage power and speed. In this paper, negative word line is introduced to reduce the leakage current. A novel Latch-type voltage sense amplifier is proposed to improve the read speed of the proposed SRAM cell. The proposed SRAM design is implemented in 45nm technology and achieves more than 50% for power reduction, 68% for leakage reduction, 90% for write delay reduction and 78% for read delay reduction compared to traditional 6T SRAM in near threshold region.
The long-term effects of active training strategies on improving older drivers' scanning in intersections: a two-year follow-up to Romoser and Fisher (2009)

OBJECTIVE: To determine the long-term effects of active training on older drivers' scanning in intersections, the present article reports the results of a 2-year followup with drivers who had previously participated the older driver training study reported in Romoser and Fisher. BACKGROUND: Customized feedback coupled with active learning in a simulator has been shown to be an effective means of significantly improving the intersection scanning behavior of older drivers. However, the long-term effect of such training has not been established. METHOD: Older drivers from the active learning and control groups from Romoser and Fisher were invited to participate in a 2-year follow-up field drive in their own vehicle starting at their home. Secondary looks, defined as looking away from the path of the vehicle while entering the intersections toward regions to the side from which other vehicles could appear, were recorded. RESULTS: Two years after their training, older drivers in the active learning group still took secondary looks more than one and a half times as often as 2009 pretraining levels. Control group drivers saw no significant change in performance over the 2-year period. CONCLUSION: Customized feedback and active learning in a simulator is an effective strategy for improving the safe driving habits of older drivers over the long term. It provides drivers a means by which to reincorporate previously extinguished behaviors into their driving habits. APPLICATION: These results can guide the development of older driver retraining programs that could have the potential to reduce intersection crashes. Language: en
Localization of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase in human placenta

Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase is an inducible marker of cell differentiation and activation expressed by specialized cells of macrophage lineage and some activated lymphocytes. Clinically, this phosphatase is a diagnostic marker for hairy cell leukaemia and osteoclast activity. The cDNA for this enzyme has been cloned from a placental expression library, yet the cell(s) expressing the enzyme protein has not been determined with certainty. Our laboratories have developed a monoclonal antibody, 9C5, suitable for immunohistochemical localization of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase in paraffin sections. The purpose of this study was to use antibody 9C5 to identify cells expressing tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase in sections of paraffin-embedded, normal, full-term placenta and to determine if those cells expressed other macrophage markers including CD68(PG-M1 antibody), LN5, lysozyme α1-antitrypsin and α1-antichymotrypsin. Histochemical localization of activity in frozen sections was compared with immunohistochemical localization in paraffin sections of the same tissue specimens. The activity and antigenicity of this enzyme were detected in decidual cells, syncytiotrophoblast, and some macrophages distributed throughout maternal and embryonic tissues, but not in neutrophils. Unlike other tissues previously examined, placenta contains significant numbers of the phosphate-positive cells that are not of macrophage origin.
RECALL OF AGGRESSIVE AND WITHDRAWN STATEMENTS AMONG YOUNG CHILDREN : SOCIAL SCHEMA OR MEANINGFULNESS

Two studies assessed the effects of type of sentence (aggressive vs. withdrawn) and meaningfulness level on the sentence recall of young children. In Study 1, normative data showed that the meaningfulness value of aggressive sentences was greater than that of withdrawn sentences and that meaningfulness and recall were positively related. In Study 2, subjects were tested for sentence recall in a 2 (aggressive vs. withdrawn sentences) x 2 (high vs. low meaningfulness)within subjects design. The sole significant effect was meaningfulness, with the superior recall of high relative to low meaningful sentences. Results are interpreted through a knowledge base model.
Radioprotective effects produced by the condensation of plasmid DNA with avidin and biotinylated gold nanoparticles

The treatment of aqueous solutions of plasmid DNA with the protein avidin results in significant changes in physical, chemical, and biochemical properties. These effects include increased light scattering, formation of micron-sized particles containing both DNA and protein, and plasmid protection against thermal denaturation, radical attack, and nuclease digestion. All of these changes are consistent with condensation of the plasmid by avidin. Avidin can be displaced from the plasmid at higher ionic strengths. Avidin is not displaced from the plasmid by an excess of a tetra-arginine ligand, nor by the presence of biotin. Therefore, this system offers the opportunity to reversibly bind biotin-labeled species to a condensed DNA-protein complex. An example application is the use of biotinylated gold nanoparticles. This system offers the ability to examine in better detail the chemical mechanisms involved in important radiobiological effects. Examples include protein modulation of radiation damage to DNA, and radiosensitization by gold nanoparticles.
Minidefensins and other antimicrobial peptides: candidate anti-HIV microbicides

Antimicrobial peptides have long been presumed to act as effector molecules of innate immunity. However, direct evidence that antimicrobial peptides have central roles in host defence has only recently become available. An overview of the types and characteristics of endogenous human antimicrobial peptides and proteins is presented, with particular emphasis on peptides that are active against HIV. These antiviral peptides are discussed in the context of utilising natural peptides for the design of effective topical microbicides for the treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Several antimicrobial peptides, termed minidefensins, are potently active against HIV, and bear structural similarity to their larger defensin cousins. Strategies to develop potent peptide antibiotics based on defensin and minidefensin templates are promising in the development of antiviral therapeutics and preventatives.
Promotion of β-Cell Differentiation in Pancreatic Precursor Cells by Adult Islet Cells

It is thought that differentiation of beta-cell precursors into mature cells is largely autonomous, but under certain conditions differentiation can be modified by external factors. The factors that modify beta-cell differentiation have not been identified. In this study, we tested whether adult islet cells can affect the differentiation process in mouse and human pancreatic anlage cells. We assessed beta-cell proliferation and differentiation in mouse and human pancreatic anlage cells cocultured with adult islet cells or betaTC3 cells using cellular, molecular, and immunohistochemical methods. Differentiation of murine anlage cells into beta-cells was induced by mature islet cells. It was specific for beta-cells and not a general feature of endodermal derived cells. beta-Cell differentiation required cell-cell contact. The induced cells acquired features of mature beta-cells including increased expression of beta-cell transcription factors and surface expression of receptor for stromal cell-derived factor 1 and glucose transporter-2 (GLUT-2). They secreted insulin in response to glucose and could correct hyperglycemia in vivo when cotransplanted with vascular cells. Human pancreatic anlage cells responded in a similar manner and showed increased expression of pancreatic duodenal homeobox 1 and v-maf musculoaponeurotic fibrosarcoma oncogene homolog A and increased production of proinsulin when cocultured with adult islets. We conclude that mature beta-cells can modify the differentiation of precursor cells and suggest a mechanism whereby changes in differentiation of beta-cells can be affected by other beta-cells.
Emerging flux in active regions

The rates at which flux emerges in active and quiet solar regions within the sunspot belts are compared. The emerging flux regions (EFRs) were identified by the appearance of arch filament structures in H-alpha. All EFRs in high resolution films of active regions made at Big Bear in 1978 were counted. The comparable rate of flux emergence in quiet regions was obtained from SGD data and independently from EFRs detected outside the active region perimeter on the same films. The rate of flux emergence is 10 times higher in active regions than in quiet regions. A sample of all active regions in 31 days of 1983 gave a ratio of 7.5. Possible mechanisms which might funnel new magnetic flux to regions of strong magnetic field are discussed.
An infrastructure for context-awareness based on first order logic

Context simplifies and enriches human-human interaction. However, enhancing human-computer interaction through the use of context remains a difficult task. Applications in pervasive and mobile environments need to be context-aware so that they can adapt themselves to rapidly changing situations. One of the problems is that there is no common, reusable model for context used by these environments. In this paper, we propose a model of context that is based on first order predicate calculus. The first order model allows complex rules involving contexts to be written. It also enables automated inductive and deductive reasoning to be done on contextual information. The first order model allows an expressive description of context using Boolean operators and existential and universal quantifiers. Based on this model, an infrastructure to enable context-awareness in ubiquitous computing environments has been developed. The infrastructure allows the easy development and deployment of various sensors and context-aware applications. It also allows distributed reasoning to take place. This context infrastructure is part of our smart spaces framework for ubiquitous computing, Gaia.
Persistent postoperative pain, health-related quality of life, and functioning 1 month after hospital discharge

Summary Postoperative pain and functioning after hospital discharge has been incompletely described. The purpose of this pilot prospective cohort study was to describe postoperative pain, health-related quality of life, and functioning 1 month after participants left the hospital. Participants underwent radical prostatectomy (RP), total hip replacement (THR), or total knee replacement (TKR), and completed the SF-36 and questions from the Treatment Outcomes of Pain Survey (TOPS) 4 weeks after leaving the hospital to go home. Participants’ SF-36 scale scores were compared to US norms. Thirty persons participated in this study, 15 following RP, 8 after TKR, and 7 after THR. Participants’ mean SF-36 scale scores in each surgical group were lower than US norms for physical functioning, physical roles, bodily pain, vitality and social functioning, and also on the emotional roles and mental health scales for the RP and TKR groups. Postoperative pain interfered with participants’ ability to participate in desired activities (42.9% RP, 28.6% THR, 100% TKR), ability to sleep (21.4% RP, 71.4% THR, 75% TKR), and with normal sexual functioning (50% RP, 28.6% THR, 25% TKR). During the first month after surgery, postoperative pain contributed to diminished health-related quality of life and interfered with activities considered important to patients.
Building the public sphere : Bases and biases

The paper continues the rhetorical line of research of the public sphere, approaching it from a general theoretical perspective. The goal of the present paper is twofold: it strives to understand the nature of the rhetorical personification of the public sphere, that is, the rhetorical slide from the many to the one, and it strives to identify the rhetorical roots of the public sphere, that is, reveal its general bases and biases. The paper traces four shifts in the discussion of the public sphere: From autonomy to inclusion, from ethnocentric to global, from transparency to mediation, and from logocentric to nonlinear. The role of time in the process of building the public sphere is underscored, presenting its dynamic as a complex topological process. It is also noted why and how this dynamic should be viewed as a tropological process.
Hypoxia-induced mitochondrial and nuclear DNA damage in the rat brain.

In humans, cerebral hypoxia is a common component of severe brain insults, including trauma, stroke, and perinatal asphyxia. Oxidative stress and free radicals incidental to cerebral hypoxia are implicated in damaging macromolecules, leading to collapse of cellular homeostasis and cell death. Neuronal DNA damage, as a direct measurable event, has not been addressed in cerebral hypoxia. Here, we measured hypoxia-induced damage and repair in nuclear and mitochondrial DNA in rat hippocampus and cortex. Two highly sensitive quantitative polymerase chain reaction (QPCR) assays were used to measure DNA damage. One assay measures the integrity of the entire mitochondrial genome and the other the integrity of nuclear DNA. The latter is a novel assay, developed in our laboratory, which utilizes the high copy number of short interspersed DNA elements (SINEs) residing in introns and untranslated regions of mammalian genes. A unique feature of the SINE-mediated QPCR is its ability to amplify simultaneously long random segments of DNA. Consequently, the SINE assay offers sufficient sensitivity for detecting DNA damage at levels that are compatible with the cellular capacity for DNA repair, and are likely to be consistent with cellular survival and therefore adequate for studying the DNA damage response in the brain. In rats, we found that exposure to an atmosphere of 4% oxygen for 30 min resulted in induction of DNA damage in nuclear and to a greater extent, in mitochondrial DNA. Following a 3-hr recovery period in ambient air, dissimilar repair kinetics for nuclear and mitochondrial DNA were measured. J. Neurosci. Res. 58:262–269, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Correlation of Soil and Sediment Organic Matter Polarity to Aqueous Sorption of Nonionic Compounds

Polarities of the soil/sediment organic matter (SOM) in 19 soil and 9 freshwater sediment samples were determined from solid-state 13C-CP/MAS NMR spectra and compared with published partition coefficients (Koc) of carbon tetrachloride (CT) from aqueous solution. Nondestructive analysis of whole samples by solid-state NMR permits a direct assessment of the polarity of SOM that is not possible by elemental analysis. The percent of organic carbon associated with polar functional groups was estimated from the combined fraction of carbohydrate and carboxyl−amide−ester carbons. A plot of the measured partition coefficients (Koc) of carbon tetrachloride (CT) vs. percent polar organic carbon (POC) shows distinctly different populations of soils and sediments as well as a roughly inverse trend among the soil/sediment populations. Plots of Koc values for CT against other structural group carbon fractions did not yield distinct populations. The results indicate that the polarity of SOM is a significant factor in acc...
Delivery route following elective induction of labor at term: analysis of 807 patients

Background: The purpose of this study is to compare mode of delivery for both nulliparous and multiparous women at term that underwent elective induction of labor to those who arrived in spontaneous labor. Methods: Medical records of 807 deliveries were reviewed. There were 566 labor patients and 241 elective induction patients. Results: Women who underwent elective induction of labor were more likely to undergo cesarean delivery compared to those women who arrived in spontaneous labor (41.1% versus 9.9%, P = 0.001). This was true for both nulliparous women (49% versus 31%, P < 0.0001), and multiparous women (22.7% versus 1.6%, P < 0.0001). The rate of operative vaginal delivery was also increased in the elective induction of labor group (8.4% versus 3.6%, P < 0.0001). Operative vaginal delivery was statistically significant in multiparous women (21% versus 4.1%, P < 0.0001), but not in nulliparous women (10.1% versus 9.8%, P = NS). Conclusion: Elective induction of labor at term is associated with an increased risk of cesarean section in both nulliparous and multiparous women. There is also an increased risk of an operative vaginal delivery in multiparous women who underwent elective induction of labor. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4021/jocmr1476w
Measuring gravitational redshifts in galaxy clusters

Wojtak {\it et al} have stacked 7,800 clusters from the SDSS survey in redshift space. They find a small net blue-shift for the cluster galaxies relative to the brightest cluster galaxies, which agrees quite well with the gravitational redshift from GR. Zhao {\it et al.} have pointed out that, in addition to the gravitational redshift, one would expect to see transverse Doppler (TD) redshifts, and that these two effects are generally of the same order. Here we show that there are other corrections that are also of the same order of magnitude. The fact that we observe galaxies on our past light cone results in a bias such that more of the galaxies observed are moving away from us in the frame of the cluster than are moving towards us. This causes the observed average redshift to be $\langle \delta z \rangle = -\langle \Phi \rangle + \langle \beta^2 \rangle / 2 + \langle \beta_x^2 \rangle$, with $\beta_x$ is the line of sight velocity. That is if we average over galaxies with equal weight. If the galaxies in each cluster are weighted by their fluence, or equivalently if we do not resolve the moving sources, and make an average of the mean redshift giving equal weight per photon, the observed redshift is then opposite to the usual transverse Doppler effect. In the WHH experiment, the weighting is a step-function because of the flux-limit for inclusion in the spectroscopic sample and the result is different again, and depends on the details of the luminosity function and the SEDs of the galaxies. Including these effects substantially modifies the blue-shift profile. We show that in-fall and out-flow have very small effect over the relevant range of impact parameters but become important on larger scales.
Recurrence-free and 5-year survival following robotic-assisted surgical staging for endometrial carcinoma.

Abstract Objective The aim of this study is to report recurrence-free and overall survival for women with endometrial adenocarcinoma who were surgically staged using robotic-assisted laparoscopy. Methods A retrospective chart review was performed for all consecutive endometrial adenocarcinoma patients surgically staged with robotic-assisted laparoscopy at the University of North Carolina Hospital from 2005 to 2010. Demographic data, 5-year survival, and recurrence-free intervals were analyzed. Statistical analysis using Chi-square, t -test, and Kaplan–Meier curves were performed with SAS software. Study results were compared to endometrial cancer statistics from the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results database from the National Cancer Institute. Results A total of 499 patients were identified and included in the study. Recurrence-free intervals after robotic-assisted surgical staging were 85.2% for stage IA, 80.2% for stage IB, 69.8% for stage II, and 69% for stage III. Projected 5-year survival was 88.7% for all patients included in the study. Nearly 82% of cases were endometrioid adenocarcinoma, with papillary serous, clear cell or mixed histology comprising 17.4% of cases. Median follow up time was 23months, with a range of 0 to 80months. Among stage IA, IB, II, and III patients, projected overall survival was 94.2%, 85.9%, 77.4%, and 68.6%, respectively. Conclusions The results from this study demonstrate that robotic-assisted surgical staging for endometrial cancer does not adversely affect rates of recurrence or survival. These findings provide further evidence that robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgical staging is not associated with inferior results when compared to laparotomy or traditional laparoscopy.
Recent advances in surface-enhanced Raman spectrometry for chemical analysis

Abstract Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) is a relatively new approach in chemical analysis whereby the Raman scattering efficiency can be enhanced by factors of 10 3 to 10 7 when a compound is adsorbed on or near roughened metal surfaces, submicron structures, or particles. This paper presents an overview of recent developments of this new spectrochemical method for analytical applications. Various techniques to produce SERS-active solid substrates are presented. Some of the SERS-active surfaces evaluated include microsphere-coated surfaces or quartz post substrates. This study also reports the development of new substrates using materials, such as titanium oxide or fumed silica, which can be used as coating substances in the development of SERS-active substrates. The analytical figures of merit and limitations of each technique for analytical applications are discussed. Several examples of SERS measurements of individual compounds and mixtures of environmental and biological importance are presented to illustrate the usefulness of this potentially powerful new analytical tool.
Measuring species richness based on microbial community fingerprints: the emperor has no clothes.

Danovaro and colleagues ([3][1]) recently compared microbial community diversity and richness estimates obtained using automated ribosomal intergenic spacer analysis (ARISA) with those obtained using analysis of terminal restriction fragment length polymorphisms (T-RFLP) of 16S rRNA genes. While
Predictors and outcomes of cardiac complications following elective coronary bypass grafting.

Our objective was to determine the predictors of cardiac complications among a cohort of elective coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery patients and to determine the relationship of such complications to subsequent quality of life and symptoms. A total of 248 patients were enrolled and 237 completed 6 month follow-up. The combined rate of both major and minor cardiac complications was 9.7% (n = 24). Patients in this study were evaluated preoperatively, monitored intraoperatively, followed immediately postoperatively and at 6 months. Major cardiac complications accounted for 3.6% (n = 9) and minor complications for 6% (n = 15). Using multivariable logistic regression analysis, the predictors of major cardiac complications were receiving diuretics preoperatively (p = .01) and increased time during cross-clamping (p = .006). At 6 months after surgery, 19% of the patients with postoperative cardiac complications experienced worsening of symptoms, in contrast to only 8% of those without cardiac complications (p = .03). We concluded that patients who were on preoperative diuretics and those who had longer cross-clamp times were at higher risk of cardiac complications. The majority of patients who had acute cardiac complications had improved function and symptoms at 6 months postoperatively.
Path sensitive static analysis of web applications for remote code execution vulnerability detection

Remote code execution (RCE) attacks are one of the most prominent security threats for web applications. It is a special kind of cross-site-scripting (XSS) attack that allows client inputs to be stored and executed as server side scripts. RCE attacks often require coordination of multiple requests and manipulation of string and non-string inputs from the client side to nullify the access control protocol and induce unusual execution paths on the server side. We propose a path- and context-sensitive interprocedural analysis to detect RCE vulnerabilities. The analysis features a novel way of analyzing both the string and non-string behavior of a web application in a path sensitive fashion. It thoroughly handles the practical challenges entailed by modeling RCE attacks. We develop a prototype system and evaluate it on ten real-world PHP applications. We have identified 21 true RCE vulnerabilities, with 8 unreported before.
Estimation of the temporal probability of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) dementia after risk stratification for HIV‐infected persons

We developed a scheme using routinely available data to estimate the risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) dementia in HIV-infected persons over time. We performed a longitudinal review of medical records from more than 100 medical facilities in 11 U.S. cities. A total of 19,462 HIV-infected persons without history of dementia enrolled in a multi-institution survey. The main outcome measure was the development of HIV dementia (1987 case definition) during the median follow-up period of 17 months (range, 1 to 72 months). Of 19,462 HIV-infected persons, HIV dementia developed in 880 persons (4.5%; 2.6% per person-year). The strongest predictors of HIV dementia were CD4+ T-lymphocyte count, anemia, and AIDS-defining infections or cancer. The 2-year probability of HIV dementia was highest for persons who had a CD4+ T-lymphocyte count of fewer than 100 cells/microL and an AIDS-defining illness or anemia or both (18.6 to 24.9%). Intermediate risk was observed in persons with CD4+ T-lymphocyte count of 100 to 199 cells/microL and an AIDS-defining illness or anemia or both or in persons with a CD4+ T-lymphocyte count of fewer than 100 cells/microL but without another risk factor (2-year probability, 10.4 to 15.2%). The 2-year probability that HIV dementia would develop was lowest (1.0%) for persons with CD4+ T-lymphocyte count of more than 200 cells/microL and no other risk factors. Risk stratification using routine clinical information provides information that may prove useful in patient care decisions.
Heavy metal ternary halides for room-temperature x-ray and gamma-ray detection

We report our recent progress on wide bandgap ternary halide compounds CsPbBr3 and CsPbCl3 for room temperature x-ray and gamma-ray detectors. Their bandgaps are measured to be 2.24 eV and 2.86 eV, respectively. The measured mobility-lifetime products of CsPbBr3 are 1.7×10-3, 1.3×10-3 cm2/V, for electron and hole carriers, respectively, comparable to those of CdTe. We measured the room temperature spectral response of CsPbBr3 sample to Ag x-ray radiation. It has a well-resolved spectral response to the 22.4 keV Kα radiation peak and detector efficiency comparable to that of CdZnTe detector at 295 K.
Chemical‐Mechanical Polishing for Fabricating Patterned W Metal Features as Chip Interconnects

Interconnect features of W metal, recessed in an dielectric, can be formed using a novel chemical‐mechanical polish process. Mechanical action, to continually disrupt a surface passivating film on W, and chemical action, to remove W, appear to be requirements for workability of the process. A trial process chemistry using a ferricyanide etchant is described. Removal of the W is discussed in terms of competition between an etching reaction which dissolves W and a passivation reaction to reform on the surface of the W. This novel processing technology is compared with earlier methods of fabricating metal interconnect structures.
Fragile Site Instability in Saccharomyces cerevisiae Causes Loss of Heterozygosity by Mitotic Crossovers and Break-Induced Replication

Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at tumor suppressor loci is a major contributor to cancer initiation and progression. Both deletions and mitotic recombination can lead to LOH. Certain chromosomal loci known as common fragile sites are susceptible to DNA lesions under replication stress, and replication stress is prevalent in early stage tumor cells. There is extensive evidence for deletions stimulated by common fragile sites in tumors, but the role of fragile sites in stimulating mitotic recombination that causes LOH is unknown. Here, we have used the yeast model system to study the relationship between fragile site instability and mitotic recombination that results in LOH. A naturally occurring fragile site, FS2, exists on the right arm of yeast chromosome III, and we have analyzed LOH on this chromosome. We report that the frequency of spontaneous mitotic BIR events resulting in LOH on the right arm of yeast chromosome III is higher than expected, and that replication stress by low levels of polymerase alpha increases mitotic recombination 12-fold. Using single-nucleotide polymorphisms between the two chromosome III homologs, we mapped the locations of recombination events and determined that FS2 is a strong hotspot for both mitotic reciprocal crossovers and break-induced replication events under conditions of replication stress.
Abstract LB-261: Atopic allergic conditions and colorectal cancer risk in the Multiethnic Cohort

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA Previous studies have provided suggestive evidence of an inverse association between atopic allergic conditions (AAC) and colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence and mortality in predominantly White populations. Here we examined the association between AAC and CRC among White, African American, Native Hawaiian, Japanese American, and Latino men and women in the Multiethnic Cohort (MEC). AAC exposure status was ascertained via self-reported physician diagnosis using a baseline 26-page validated questionnaire. The analysis included 4259 incident CRC cases and 1221 CRC-related deaths ascertained between 1993 and 2010. We also examined associations by ethnic group, location, and stage of cancer as well as potential effect modification by CRC risk factors. AAC was associated with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer incidence among both men and women (RR = 0.85, 95% CI 0.79, 0.91, p < 0.0001). The reduction in risk was noted in each population and was significant in Whites (RR = 0.84, 95% CI 0.71, 0.98, p = 0.03), African Americans (RR = 0.81, 95% CI 0.69, 0.95, p = 0.01), and Japanese Americans (RR = 0.85, 95% CI 0.75, 0.97, p = 0.01). Suggestive evidence of effect modification was noted by smoking (p = 0.07) and aspirin use (p = 0.08), with a greater protective effect observed among current smokers (RR = 0.72, 95% CI 0.58, 0.89, p = 0.002) and never users of aspirin (RR = 0.81, 95% CI 0.73, 0.89, p < 0.0001). Individuals with AAC also had a 19% reduction in CRC-related mortality (P = 0.004). Colonoscopy screening is unlikely to explain these inverse associations, as individuals with AAC were more likely to be screened than those without AAC (p < 0.003 for all ethnic groups). These findings provide support for an association between immune pathology and colorectal cancer, potentially through modulation of the immune system's IgE-mediated pathways systemically and within the gut. Citation Format: Neal A. Tambe, Dan O. Stram, Lynne R. Wilkens, Peggy Wan, Frank D. Gilliland, Brian E. Henderson, Loic Le Marchand, Christopher A. Haiman. Atopic allergic conditions and colorectal cancer risk in the Multiethnic Cohort. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-261. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-LB-261
Clearance of human antibody/DNA immune complexes and free DNA from the circulation of the nonhuman primate.

Abstract The present study evaluated the participation of the primate erythrocyte immune complex (IC) clearing mechanism in the clearance and organ uptake of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) and of soluble ICs formed with human anti-DNA antibodies and dsDNA (dsDNA-ICs). Five baboons received 51Cr-labeled autologous erythrocytes and after a period of equilibration received separate intraarterial injections of [125I]free dsDNA and [125I]dsDNA-IC. Four of these five baboons were studied on a second occasion. To assess clearance from the arterial circulation and organ uptake, multiple blood samples were obtained from aorta, hepatic vein, and renal vein after injection of each probe. Two minutes after injection, a mean of 85% of dsDNA-ICs were bound to erythrocytes. By contrast, free dsDNA did not bind significantly to blood cells. The clearance rate of dsDNA-ICs from the arterial circulation was significantly faster than that of free dsDNA in all animals but one. Erythrocyte-bound dsDNA-ICs were cleared at a rate similar to that of total dsDNA-ICs. The liver was the major site of uptake of free dsDNA and of dsDNA-ICs. The hepatic uptakes of free dsDNA ( 17 ± 8% 5 min ) and dsDNA-ICs ( 27 ± 8% 5 min ) were not significantly different. 51Cr-labeled erythrocytes were not sequestered in the liver. There was not detectable uptake of free dsDNA or dsDNA-ICs by the kidney but with one exception. Thus, the primate erythrocyte IC clearing mechanism is involved in the clearance of dsDNA-ICs from the circulation but not in the clearance of free dsDNA.
METABOLISM: Lysosmal bone disease

For normal bone growth, matrix must be laid down and resorbed. The process of remodeling could be altered if the activity of a single lysosomal hyrolase was deficient since compounds catabolized by the enzyme might then accumulate within bone cells and matrix with resultant abnormalities in bone architecture and growth retardation. We have studied a 9 year old dwarfed white male with normal intelligence whose disease appears limited to bone. He shows no corneal infiltration, visceromegaly or mucopolysacchariduria. His radiological diagnosis is spondyloepiphysealmetaphyseal dysplasia. Chemical studies of cultured skin fibroblasts from the patient showed decreased enzyme activity of α-L-fucosidase (controls 2.67 ± .75 vs patient 0.25 ± .05 n-moles/min/mg protein) with accumulation of fucose in his cells (controls 5.42 ± 1.52 vs patient 27 γ/mg protein). Fibrobalst enzyme activities for α-L-mannosidase, acid phosphatase, β-D-galactosidase and n-acetyl glucosaminidase were comparable to normal controls. A bone specimen from the patient was compared to 7 control specimens for hydrolase activity. Fucosidase activity was decreased in the patient (controls 3.2 ± .38 vs patient 0.36 n-moles/hr/mg wet wt.) as were several other acid hydrolyses. Compositional analyses of bone are in progress to define the character of the stored material. Thus far, the data in this patient is consistent with the hypothesis that his bone disease is due to a deficiency of lysosomal hydrolase, α-L-fucosidase. Since lysosomes in bone cells contain a variety of acid hydrolyses, the chemical bases for other chondrodystrophies may be related to the altered activity of one or more of these enzymes.
Assessing competence to make treatment decisions.

The legal doctrine of informed consent dictates that all patients must be informed of the procedures, risks and benefits of any recommended treatment and available alternatives, and that patients' decisions must be informed, voluntary and competent. Assessing whether or not one's patient is competent to make treatment decisions, however, is a complex task even for highly trained clinicians. Although all patients are presumed to be competent unless demonstrated otherwise, the rate of incompetence is increased in a number of patient populations such as the elderly, psychotic patients, the mentally retarded and individuals with severe medical disorders (e.g., cancer, AIDS). This paper offers guidelines for assessing the decision-making capacity among medical and psychiatric patients, as well as discussing disposition issues when decision-making abilities are indeed impaired.
Fibromyxoma of bone

We report two cases of fibromyxoma, one affecting the iliac crest and the second involving the proximal shaft of the tibia. Fibromyxoma is a rare neoplasm related to benign fibrous tumors and is characterized by exuberant, extracellular, ground substance production. Its histologic appearance is benign and distinctive and can be readily distinguished from that of myxoid chondrosarcoma or chondromyxoid fibroma. The radiographic picture is, however, difficult to interpret, and the entity can be easily mistaken for other tumors.
Role of Myocardial Catecholamines in Cardiac Contractility

In cats bilateral sympathectomy or administration of reserpine results in a marked reduction in concentration of myocardial catecholamines. The contractility of papillary muscles from such animals is significantly less than that of muscles from untreated animals. These findings demonstrate the importance of normal levels of myocardial catecholamines in the maintenance of normal cardiac contractility.
In vitro and in vivo models for the study of oral delivery of nanoparticles

Oral delivery is an attractive route to deliver therapeutics via nanoparticles due to its ease of administration and patient compliance. This review discusses laboratory techniques for studying oral delivery of nanoparticles, which offer protection of cargo through the gastrointestinal tract. Some of the difficulties in modeling oral delivery include the harsh acidic environment, variable pH, and the tight monolayer of endothelial cells present throughout the gastrointestinal tract. The use of in vitro techniques including the Transwell ® system, simulated gastric/intestinal fluid, and diffusion chambers addresses these challenges. When studying effects after oral delivery in vivo, bioimaging of nanoparticle biodistribution using radioactive markers has been popular. Functional assays such as immune response and systemic protein concentration analysis can further define the merits of the oral delivery systems. As biologics become increasingly more important in chronic therapies, nanoparticle-mediated oral delivery will assume greater prominence, and more sophisticated in vitro and in vivo models will be required.
Oral tradition, aboral coordination: building rapport with embodied conversational agents

Oral tradition, aboral coordination: building rapport with embodied conversational agents Harmony or rapport between people is essential for relationships as diverse as seller-buyer and teacher-learner. In this talk I describe the kinds of verbal behaviors -- such as common interactional structures and narrative resonance -- and non-verbal behaviors -- such as attention, positivity, and coordination -- that function together to establish a sense of rapport between two people in conversation. These studies are used as the basis for the implementation of virtual peers -- adults, but also more recently embodied conversational virtual children who are capable of acting as friends and learning partners with real children from different ethnic traditions, collaborating to tell stories from the child's own cultural context, and aiding children in making the transition between home and school language.