cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Communication Skills Training for General Surgery Residents.

Background Although good communication skills are essential for surgeons, there is no formal communication training during general surgery residency. Objectives To implement a communication skills training program based on evidence-based teaching methods in general surgery residency. Design We developed a 2-hour communication skills training program for general surgery residents, consisting of a small group skill practice session using role play with simulated patients along with real-time feedback from facilitators and observing peer residents. A board-certified palliative care physician and a board-certified surgeon facilitated each session. Outcome measures were self-assessment of preparedness with the session immediately before and after the session and 2 months after the session, resident satisfaction, and self-report frequency of skill practice. Results were compared between junior residents (postgraduate year 1-3) and senior residents (postgraduate year 4-5). Setting Columbia University Medical Center in New York City, a tertiary care, urban academic center with a 5-year General Surgery Residency program. Participants Thirty-one out of 39 (79.4%) general surgery residents (20 junior and 11 senior) were trained over a 9-month period. All participants completed the immediate pre- and post-session surveys, and twenty residents (64.5%) completed the 2-month postsession follow-up survey. Results Overall, self-assessment of preparedness for specific communication challenges improved significantly for 7 of 11 tasks. At baseline, senior residents felt significantly more prepared than junior residents in all 11 tasks. Junior residents’ self-assessment of preparedness improved significantly in 10 of 11 tasks. Overall satisfaction with the session was very high (mean 4.74 on a 5-point scale). Residents reported high frequency of self-directed skill practice in the 2-month follow-up survey. Conclusions This 2-hour communication skills practice session for general surgery residents was feasible, and it improved resident self-assessment of preparedness in communication and augmented self-directed skill practice.
Monosaccharide-Based Deep Eutectic Solvents for DevelopingCircularly Polarized LuminescentMaterials

Deep eutectic solvents (DES) with chiral components can function as solvents in circularly polarized light-emitting materials. Deep eutectic solvents were developed with chiral hydrogen bond donors...
Gene Transfer into Cardiac Myocytes

Traditional methods for DNA transfection are often inefficient and toxic for terminally differentiated cells, such as cardiac myocytes. Vector-based gene transfer is an efficient approach for introducing exogenous cDNA into these types of primary cell cultures. In this chapter, separate protocols for adult rat cardiac myocyte isolation and gene transfer with recombinant adenovirus are provided and are routinely utilized for studying the effects of sarcomeric proteins on myofilament function.
Redistributive Litigation - Judicial Innovation, PrivateExpectations and the Shadow of International Law

In this paper, forthcoming in the Virginia Law Review, I explore the role of litigation as a policy-making and rule-generating process in the context of a democratic republic. In democracies, legislatures redistribute wealth, rights, and privileges; debate rages over the direction of this redistribution and its desirability, but not about its existence. Given the openness of the legislature to redistribution, should a society also dedicate its judicial system to revising existing legal arrangements? Do particular kinds of redistributive litigation raise distinct concerns that justify doctrinal innovation and extension? The emergence of large, government-sponsored lawsuits as a means of imposing sanctions on controversial, but heretofore authorized practices, such as the manufacture and sale of cigarettes and firearms, indicates the significance of these issues, as do recent developments in international arbitration. I argue that the creation of some obstacles to such litigation is justified, but only to the extent that the institutional features of such litigation expose outsiders to exceptional risks.
It’s on the tip of my tongue! Prolonged paresthesia of the tongue after dental procedure (P1.9-061)

Objective: To describe a case of a 47 year old woman who had tongue numbness that persisted for more than one year after a routine dental procedure that used lingual nerve injections for anesthesia. Background: Taste innervation of the tongue comes from the lingual nerve branch of Cranial Nerve V3. During dental procedures it is common to inject 2% lidocaine or other anesthetics into the lingual nerve for tongue and gum numbness and inferior alveolar nerve for teeth numbness for comfort measures. it is not uncommon to have temporary paresthesias after routine dental work. Design/Methods: Patient had a deep cleaning procedure in 2017 with bilateral lingual nerve injections. Post procedural, she felt tingling and numbness in the anterior two-thirds of her tongue. She denied having numbness in her teeth, or cheeks. She was seen in clinic one month after and tried on gabapentin to reduce her parethesias but was unsuccessful. A MRI brain and MRA were performed to rule out potential intrahematomal nerve damage but was unremarkable. She saw an oral maxillary surgeon five months after her procedure with Von Frey testing which showed evidence of tongue numbness. There were no interventional options recommended. Results: N/A Conclusions: We present an interesting case of a patient who had tongue numbness in the anterior two-thirds consistent with lingual nerve injury with apparent sparing of the inferior alveolar nerves as there is no complaints of numbness anywhere else in the oral cavity. Etiology can be difficult to precisely localize, but the lingual nerve could be damaged by injection needles, anesthetic toxicity to the nerve, or through procedural manipulation. Quality of life can be severely affected in such patients. While some patients spontaneously recover, others may be refractory to medical therapy or have poor prognosis of recovery given the extended length of time without improvement. Disclosure: Dr. Salim Khan has nothing to disclose. Dr. Zaman has nothing to disclose.
An ethnographic study illuminating the effect of endogenous and exogenous uncertainty on tumor board decision making.

e19156Background: Hospital tumor boards (TBs) exist to help multidisciplinary specialists determine the best treatment plan for patients through multidisciplinary input and evidence-based treatment...
Pain management in hidradenitis suppurativa and a proposed treatment algorithm.

Pain contributes substantially to reduced quality of life in individuals living with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). Although improved understanding of HS pathogenesis and treatment has resulted in improved evidence-based HS management guidelines, comprehensive pain management guidelines have yet to be developed. Few HS-specific data exist to guide pharmacologic analgesia; however, recognizing HS pain as either acute or chronic and predominantly nociceptive (aching and gnawing pain due to tissue damage) versus neuropathic (burning-type pain due to somatosensory nervous system dysfunction) provides a conceptual framework for applying outside pain management practices to HS management. This article incorporates the best available evidence from the HS and pain literature to propose an HS pain algorithm that integrates psychological, pharmacologic, and complementary and alternative treatment modalities.
Communication: Effect of density on the physical aging of pressure-densified polymethylmethacrylate

The rate of physical aging of glassy polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), followed from the change in the secondary relaxation with aging, is found to be independent of the density, the latter controlled by the pressure during glass formation. Thus, the aging behavior of the secondary relaxation is the same whether the glass is more compacted or less dense than the corresponding equilibrium liquid. This equivalence in aging of glasses formed under different pressures indicates that local packing is the dominant variable governing the glassy dynamics. The fact that pressure densification yields different glass structures is at odds with a model for non-associated materials having dynamic properties exhibited by PMMA, such as density scaling of the relaxation time and isochronal superposition of the relaxation dispersion.
Efficacy of a Culturally and Linguistically Competent Community Health Coach Intervention for Chinese with Hypertension.

Purpose: To develop and pilot test the efficacy of a culturally and linguistically sensitive, community health coach (CHC)-based intervention in Chinese immigrants in improving blood pressure control and medication adherence. Design: This study was conducted in 2017 with a cross-sectional design (n = 23). A CHC intervention was implemented using one 25-minute group educational presentation plus one 10-minute question and answer session at baseline, followed by four, 10-minute bi-weekly group question-and-answer sessions. Findings: There was a significant reduction in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure from baseline to week 8: Systolic BP -17.33 (±11.32) (p < 0.005) and diastolic BP -9.58 (±6.57) (p < 0.005). The mean score for medication adherence was 10.56 (±3.24) (possible range 3-15) at baseline and there was no significant change at week 8 (mean 10.89 ± 3.95) (p = 0.86). Conclusion: The CHC-based hypertension management program showed significant reductions in both systolic and diastolic blood pressures in Chinese immigrants. Since the proposed CHC-based hypertension management program is low cost and easy to establish, further investigation is recommended to generate more results for comparison. Practice Implications: There is potential for the CHC intervention to be implemented in clinical settings to help Chinese immigrants at large achieve optimal blood pressure control.
Herbert Tabor, 1918-2020: Polyamines, NIH, and the JBC .

On August 20, 2020, at the age of 101, Herbert Tabor died peacefully at his home on the National Institutes of Health campus in Bethesda, Maryland. Herb was best known for his elucidation of the biochemical pathways for polyamines, including characterization of the biosynthetic enzymes, their genes and regulation, and the functions of the polyamines, chiefly using Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae . He was Editor-in-Chief of The Journal of Biological Chemistry ( JBC ) for nearly 40 years, overseeing its dramatic expansion and modernization, leading conversion from the traditional means of distribution of scientific information to the present web-based system. Herbert Tabor in his laboratory in 1974. Image credit: Tabor family photo collection. Herbert Tabor was born November 28, 1918, in New York City, and was graduated from Townsend Harris High School in 1933 at the age of 14. At Harvard College he entered the Biochemical Sciences program headed by John Edsall. Graduating in 1937, Herb attended Harvard Medical School, where his work with A. Baird Hastings on the ionization constant of MgHPO4 was the subject of his first paper, fittingly in the JBC (1). As an intern at Yale-New Haven Hospital in 1942, Herb gave a patient with streptococcal septicemia an injection of penicillin, the first dose in the first major clinical trial of the drug in the United States (it worked!). Unbeknownst to Herb at the time (until 25 years later), that dose was prepared at Merck by Gilbert Ashwell, later to be a distinguished colleague and close friend of Herb at the NIH. In … [↵][1]1Email: wickner{at}helix.nih.gov. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
Biomarkers of Toxicant Exposure and Inflammation Among Women of Reproductive Age Who Use Electronic or Conventional Cigarettes

Background: Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) generally have a more favorable toxicant profile than conventional cigarettes; however, limited information exists for women of reproductive age (WRA). Our aim was to compare biomarkers of toxicant exposure, inflammation, and oxidative stress among WRA who self-report exclusive e-cigarette use, exclusive cigarette smoking, or never tobacco use (controls). Methods: Multivariable linear regression models were used to compare the geometric means of urinary biomarkers of toxicant exposure and their metabolites, serum markers of inflammation [highly sensitive C-reactive protein, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule (sICAM), interleukin 6, fibrinogen], and a measurement of oxidative stress [prostaglandin F2a-8-isoprostane (F2PG2a)] among WRA from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health survey. Results: E-cigarette users had higher levels of lead, tobacco-specific nitrosamines, nicotine metabolites, and some volatile organic compounds (VOCs) than controls. Except for cadmium and lead, e-cigarette users had lower levels of the analyzed urinary toxicant biomarkers compared with cigarette smokers. Cigarette smokers had higher levels of all the biomarkers of toxicant exposure than controls. There were no significant differences in the levels of markers of inflammation and oxidative stress between e-cigarette users and controls. E-cigarette users and controls had lower levels of sICAM and F2PG2a than cigarette smokers. Conclusion: WRA who use e-cigarettes had lower levels of some of the evaluated urinary biomarkers of toxicant exposure and serum biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress than those who smoke cigarettes, but higher lead, nicotine metabolites, and some VOCs than controls, which can increase health risks.
Novel Miniaturized Wearable Frequency Selective Surface Design for Stable Nearfield Band-stop Characterization

This work aims to introduce a novel aspect of Frequency Selective Surface (FSS), which is essential for designing wearable shields in the X-band spectrum. Based on the provided discussion, a flexible band-stop scheme is proposed resulting in stabilized shielding effectiveness (SE) both in the nearfield (NF) and farfield (FF). To analyze the NF filtering capability of FSS, some discrete localized electric field probes are placed at different points of the NF zone. The frequency spectrum of the NF signal is extracted for two in-band and out-band harmonics. The final design shows one stabilized transmission zero. The transmission zero attenuation does not significantly change as a function of spatial distance from the FSS. Similarly, the shield does not experience a resonant frequency shift in the NF zone.
Dopaminergic regulation of vestibulo-cerebellar circuits through unipolar brush cells

SUMMARY While multiple monoamines modulate cerebellar output, the mechanistic details of dopaminergic signaling in the cerebellum remain poorly understood. Here we show that Drd1 dopamine receptors are expressed in unipolar brush cells (UBCs) of the cerebellar vermis. Drd1 activation increases UBC firing rate and postsynaptic NMDA receptor-mediated currents. Purkinje neurons directly inhibit Drd1-positive UBCs, forming a recurrent vestibulo-cerebellar circuit. Using anatomical tracing and in situ hybridization, we tested three hypotheses about the source of cerebellar dopamine. We exclude the midbrain dopaminergic nuclei and tyrosine hydroxylase-positive Purkinje cells as potential sources, supporting the possibility of dopaminergic co-release from locus coeruleus (LC) axons. Using an optical dopamine sensor GRABDA, electrical stimulation, and optogenetic activation of LC fibers in the acute slice, we find evidence for monoamine release onto Drd1-expressing UBCs. Altogether, we propose that the LC regulates cerebellar cortex activity by co-releasing dopamine onto UBCs to modulate their response to cerebellar inputs.
Approaches to Enhance Natural Killer Cell-Based Immunotherapy for Pediatric Solid Tumors.

Treatment of metastatic pediatric solid tumors remain a significant challenge, particularly in relapsed and refractory settings. Standard treatment has included surgical resection, radiation, chemotherapy, and, in the case of neuroblastoma, immunotherapy. Despite such intensive therapy, cancer recurrence is common, and most tumors become refractory to prior therapy, leaving patients with few conventional treatment options. Natural killer (NK) cells are non-major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-restricted lymphocytes that boast several complex killing mechanisms but at an added advantage of not causing graft-versus-host disease, making use of allogeneic NK cells a potential therapeutic option. On top of their killing capacity, NK cells also produce several cytokines and growth factors that act as key regulators of the adaptive immune system, positioning themselves as ideal effector cells for stimulating heavily pretreated immune systems. Despite this promise, clinical efficacy of adoptive NK cell therapy to date has been inconsistent, prompting a detailed understanding of the biological pathways within NK cells that can be leveraged to develop “next generation” NK cell therapies. Here, we review advances in current approaches to optimizing the NK cell antitumor response including combination with other immunotherapies, cytokines, checkpoint inhibition, and engineering NK cells with chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) for the treatment of pediatric solid tumors.
Neural Network Model for Use in Performing Pitch Correction in a Voice-Driven Musical Instrument

A neural network model is presented for use in musical note recognition and pitch correction using only recently sung notes captured in real time. The goal is to improve, by correcting inaccuracies in singing execution, the performance of a voice driven musical instrument that translates sung pitch into notes played by a separate virtual instrument. This is accomplished without knowledge of musical key and, in order to enable real-time response, with a minimal number of recently sung notes. Model development, training, and testing in the voice-driven instrument are described. Overall, the study provides a unique and potentially useful investigation of a human/computer interaction with application in live musical performance.
Pericardial Adipose Tissue Volume and Left Ventricular Assist Device-Associated Outcomes.

BACKGROUND Pericardial adipose tissue (PAT) is associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes in those with and without established heart failure (HF). However, it is not known whether PAT is associated with adverse outcomes in patients with end-stage HF undergoing left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. This study aimed to evaluate the associations between PAT and LVAD-associated outcomes. METHODS AND RESULTS We retrospectively measured computed tomography-derived PAT volumes in 77 consecutive adults who had available chest CT imaging prior to HeartMate 3 LVAD surgery between October 2015 and March 2019 at Duke University Hospital. Study groups were divided into above-median (≥219 cm3) and below-median (<219 cm3) PAT volume. Those with above-median PAT had a higher proportion of atrial fibrillation, chronic kidney disease and ischemic cardiomyopathy. Groups with above-median vs below-median PAT had similar Kaplan-Meier incidence rates over 2 years for (1) composite all-cause mortality, redo-LVAD surgery and cardiac transplantation (35.9 vs 32.2%; log-rank P = 0.65) and (2) composite incident hospitalizations for HF, gastrointestinal bleeding, LVAD-related infection, and stroke (61.5 vs 60.5%; log-rank P = 0.67). CONCLUSIONS In patients with end-stage HF undergoing LVAD therapy, PAT is not associated with worse 2-year LVAD-related outcomes. The significance of regional adiposity vs obesity in LVAD patients warrants further investigation.
Changing the Narrative: Socially Just Leadership Education

Though U.S. higher education has long sought to prepare students as leaders, a significant gap exists in leadership education literature and published research regarding ways to teach leadership through a social justice lens. Kathy L. Guthrie and Vivechkanand S. Chunoo’s Changing the Narrative: Socially Just Leadership Education explores the evolving role of leadership education and development within U.S. higher education. The book includes voices and perspectives of experts from various backgrounds, professional experiences, and institution types. Contributing authors discuss the importance of linking leadership education and social justice work and provide curricular and cocurricular examples to implement at different types of higher education institutions. Changing the Narrative challenges readers to deconstruct oppressive systems that still exist on college campuses and reimagine what it means to teach and engage in leadership education.
Derivation of Aquatic Toxicity Values in Support of Groundwater Criteria Development for Trichlorofluoromethane and Dichlorodifluoromethane

This work presents an approach for the derivation of aquatic toxicity values (e.g., EC50, LC50) for chemical contaminants based on literature data and application of structure activity relationship (SAR) equations. Information on chemical and physical properties, environmental fate, and supporting information for water quality guideline/criteria for trichlorofluoromethane and dichlorodifluoromethane was obtained following a comprehensive literature review. A discussion of the applicability of the US EPA ECOSAR software program, uncertainties, and the impact of derived aquatic toxicity values on the development of groundwater generic criteria for the chemicals of interest is provided.
Regulation of T Cell Activation and Tolerance by Phospholipase Cγ-1-Dependent Integrin Avidity Modulation

Ag receptor engagement without costimulation induces a tolerant state in CD4 + T cells termed anergy. Anergic CD4 + T cells are primarily characterized by the inability to produce IL-2, but the biochemical basis for this functional defect is not completely understood. We demonstrate that primary CD4 + T cells anergized by costimulatory blockade exhibit impaired TCR-coupled phospholipase C (PLC)γ-1 activation. This defect is associated with the marked reduction of multiple downstream signaling events required for IL-2 transcription, including mobilization of intracellular Ca 2+ and activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade. We also found that primary anergic CD4 + T cells fail entirely to modulate their integrin binding avidity in response to TCR stimulation. Integrin avidity modulation is required for full T cell activation and effector function, and as we show in this study, is completely dependent upon PLCγ-1 activity. Finally, analogs that mimic the actions of diacylglycerol and inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate, the immediate products of PLCγ-1 activity, restored integrin avidity modulation and IL-2 production by anergic T cells. Thus, deficient coupling of PLCγ-1 to the TCR appears to be a central biochemical defect that could potentially account for the failure of multiple functional responses in primary anergic CD4 + T cells.
Privacy and the Price of Data

Several important application areas in data science involve assigning numbers to (possibly randomized) algorithms. In the case of statistical privacy, it is important to quantify the amount of information leaked by a data processing algorithm. In the case of data marketplaces, it is important to properly set the prices for data queries (which, in general, can be specified by arbitrary algorithms). In both cases, it is also important to quantify application-specific utility of the outputs of an algorithm or query. For example, if a user has a choice of purchasing some combination of query answers, the user's decision should be guided by the consideration of a utility/price trade-off. These numbers cannot be assigned to algorithms in an arbitrary manner -- there are common-sense restrictions that must be enforced. For example, the answer to an expensive query should not be derivable from a much cheaper query. Each application has its own set of restrictions but when they are formulated mathematically, common patterns emerge. Thus technical results from one area can often be ported to the others.
The Body of Faith: A Biological History of Religion in America. By Robert C. Fuller. (Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press, 2013. Pp. xiv, 231. $35.00.)

This is the tenth book in the Chicago History of American Religion series, which was established by Martin Marty and is now edited by John Corrigan. As such, Robert Fuller's commission was to trace...
Effect of Preloading on Fatigue Strength in Dynamic Fatigue Testing of Ceramic Materials at Elevated Temperatures

Previously derived solutions of fatigue strength as a function of preloading were verified by applying preloads to elevated temperature dynamic fatigue tests of 96 wt% alumina at 1000 C and NC 132 silicon nitride at 1100 C. The technique was found very useful in identification and control of the governing failure mechanism when multiple failure mechanisms, such as slow crack growth, creep and oxidation occurred simultaneously at elevated temperatures.
False Data Injection Attacks in Smart Grid

Electric power systems have evolved over the past century to the largest and most complex cyber-physical systems. With the development of smart grid, tighter integration of communication and information technologies makes this vital critical infrastructure more vulnerable to cyber-security attacks. As a key technology in smart grid, state estimation plays an important role in maintaining reliable system operation and control. False data injection attack, one type of cyber-attacks against state estimation through a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system, has recently attracted intensive research interests. This article reviews the impact of false data injection attacks on both the physical power system operation and the power market operation. This article also reviews three popular protection strategies against false data injection attacks. Keywords: cyber-attacks; false data injection attacks; load redistribution attacks; protection strategies; state estimation
Small Colonies of Clostridium sticklandii Resulting from Nitrosoguanidine Treatment and Exhibiting Defects in Catabolic Enzymes

Several strains of Clostridium sticklandii, isolated from small colonies arising after treatment with 1-methyl-3-nitro-1-nitrosoguanidine, exhibited markedly depressed activities of certain catabolic enzyme systems known to provide energy to the organism in the form of adenosine triphosphate. In some of these strains the levels of glycine reductase, the ability to ferment lysine to fatty acids and ammonia, and formate-dependent 2,3-5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride reduction were only 0 to 10% of that of the wild type. Another subgroup of mutants exhibited activities of some of these enzymes from 1.3 to 3 times higher than those of the wild type. Small-colony mutants of an obligate anaerobe, like those of oxygen-utilizing organisms, can therefore be due to defects in one or more of their energy-providing systems. The merits of small-colony formation as an auxiliary marker for the isolation of catabolic mutants are discussed.
Solution-Focused Therapy: Is It Useful for Nurses in the Workplace?

Solution‐focused therapy is a fairly new idea in nursing. It began in the mid‐70s with a group of family therapists working in Milwaukee, S WI. The therapists adapted this brief therapy model, which originated at the Mental Research Institute in Palto Alto, CA. The solution‐focused therapy centers more on solutions rather than on problems and on the "then and there." It is goal‐driven, individual based, and focuses on strengths (what is good that is happening) rather than on weaknesses, such as problems. This premise and philosophy are now being applied in employee assistance programs, parenting techniques, pediatric applications, and schools.
Elastin-Like Peptide Amphiphiles Form Nanofibers with Tunable Length

Peptide amphiphiles (PAs) self-assemble nanostructures with potential applications in drug delivery and tissue engineering. Some PAs share environmentally responsive behavior with their peptide components. Here we report a new type of PAs biologically inspired from human tropoelastin. Above a lower critical solution temperature (LCST), elastin-like polypeptides (ELPs) undergo a reversible inverse phase transition. Similar to other PAs, elastin-like PAs (ELPAs) assemble micelles with fiber-like nanostructures. Similar to ELPs, ELPAs have inverse phase transition behavior. Here we demonstrate control over the ELPAs fiber length and cellular uptake. In addition, we observed that both peptide assembly and nanofiber phase separation are accompanied by a distinctive secondary structure attributed primarily to a type-1 β turn. We also demonstrate increased solubility of hydrophobic paclitaxel (PAX) in the presence of ELPAs. Due to their biodegradability, biocompatibility, and environmental responsiveness, elastin-inspired biopolymers are an emerging platform for drug and cell delivery; furthermore, the discovery of ELPAs may provide a new and useful approach to engineer these materials into stimuli-responsive gels and drug carriers.
Analog VLSI implementation of a morphological associative memory

The theory and application of morphological associative memories and morphological neural networks in general are emerging areas of research in computer science. The concept of a morphological associative memory differs from a more conventional associative memory by the nonlinear functionality of the synaptic connection. By taking the maximum of sums instead of the sum of products, morphological network computation is inherently nonlinear. Hence, the morphological associative memory does not require any ad hoc methodology to interject a nonlinear state. In this paper, we introduce a very large scale integration analog circuit design that describes the nonlinear functionality of the synaptic connection. We specifically describe the fundamental circuit needed to implement a basic additive maximum associative memory, and describe noise conditions under which this memory will perform flawlessly. As a potential application, we propose the use of the analog circuit to real-time operation on or near a focal plane array sensor.
Evaluation of School-based HIV Prevention Education Programs in New Jersey.

This paper presents results from a process evaluation conducted by the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE). Representative samples of middle and high school superintendents, principals, lead health teachers, and HIV teachers provided information assessing whether local district policy content was consistent with the state's policy code, the dynamics of local policy development, and school district staff perceptions and practices regarding HIV education policies. NJDOE also was interested in determining: if inservice training was accessible to teachers assigned to provide HIV education; the scope and impact of HIV inservice programs; and the training needs of staff assigned to teach the HIV curriculum. Finally, NJDOE was interested in determining: local curricula scope, sequence, and approach; the extent to which local curricula were skills-based; and local expectations for instructional outcomes. As a result of the evaluation, program staff identified areas needing remediation and planned for program improvement in new areas.
Final algebra semantics and data type extensions

Abstract We consider the problem of data type extensions. Guttag, Horowitz, and Musser have pointed out that in this situation the naive initial algebra approach requires the data type to save too much information. We formulate a category of implementations of such an extension, and we show that such a category has a final object. The resulting semantics is closer to that of Hoare, since it can be argued that an abstract data type in the sense of Hoare is a final object in the category of representations of that type. We consider as an example the specification of integer arrays, and we show that our specification yields arrays as its abstract data type. The connection with initial algebra semantics is discussed.
Behavioral evidence for competing motivational drives of nociception and hunger

Homeostasis, an organisms' tendency to maintain a healthy balance of the physiological state of the body, is necessary for survival. Hunger induces a motivational state to consume food. Recently, pain has been referred to as a homeostatic emotion similar to hunger or thirst in that animals are motivated to respond in a certain way that may increase their chance of survival. Therefore, the purpose of the present experiment was to examine behavior in rodents during two competing homeostatic/motivational drives (i.e., hunger and formalin pain). During the first phase of the formalin test, animals displayed typical responsiveness to the inflammatory condition and completed fewer chains for food reinforcement as compared to the baseline session. However, during the second phase of the formalin test, animals showed decreased nociceptive behavior compared to formalin-injected animals that were not trained in the operant conditioning paradigm. During this phase, the trained animals exhibited maximal responsiveness for food reinforcement. These results demonstrate that the engagement of behaviors reflecting motivational drives to restore homeostasis depends on the intensity or degree of imbalance of the competing drives. More specifically, animals are motivated to attend to one state of imbalance at a time.
Spontaneous regression of metastatic renal cell carcinoma

Abstract A case is reported of spontaneous regression of histologically documented metastatic renal carcinoma after nephrectomy, with excellent follow-up over six years. Review of all the available data suggests that the incidence of such regression is less than 1 per cent.
Active suppression of an 'apparent shock induced instability'

A control law was designed, using constrained optimization techniques, to suppress an apparent shock induced instability of a sweptback, aeroelastic wing with supercritical airfoil sections. The controller design was based on an approximate linear plant representation obtained using forced response data from a previous entry in the Langley Transonic Dynamics tunnel. During a second tunnel entry, it was found that there was not an instability in the uncontrolled case but there was a region of very low damping (high dynamic response) near a Mach number of 0.92. Controller performance was obtained during the test in near real-time and revealed that the controller attenuated the open-loop response and provided a small but significant amount of damping over a Mach number range from M = 0.70 to M = 0.92.
Depth-discrimination thresholds for stationary and oscillating targets at various levels of retinal illuminance.

Equidistance settings were obtained for stationary and oscillating targets presented in “real depth” at scotopic and photopic levels of retinal illuminance. The data have been analyzed in terms of the effects of retinal illuminance and target velocity on both the constant and variable errors of the settings. The results show that both stimulus variables have a systematic effect on the stereoscopic threshold: The variability of the settings progressively increases as either the retinal illuminance is decreased or the target velocity is increased. Their effects on the constant errors are less systematic: The localization error is smallest for stationary and slowly oscillating targets, particularly at high levels of retinal illuminance. The curves relating stereoscopic threshold angle and level of retinal illuminance for both stationary and oscillating targets exhibit the typical discontinuity predicted by the duplicity theory of vision. The discontinuities occur at progressively higher values of retinal-illuminance level as target velocity is increased, in quantitative agreement with expectations based on the Bunsen–Roscoe–Bloch law. The curves are progressively displaced upward as target velocity is increased. The results are discussed in relation to data obtained in earlier experiments on stereoscopic acuity and on the Pulfrich stereophenomenon.
Multilayer Structure Membranes with Sulfonated Hydrocarbon Methanol Barrier for Direct Methanol Fuel Cells

Sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) membranes were synthesized and investigated in direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). Single-layer SPEEK membrane with a sulfonation degree in the range from 40 to 60% showed good properties for DMFC applications. DMFC performance of pure SPEEK membranes with higher sulfonation degree (60%) decreased as temperature was increased from 60 to 80°C due to significantly increased methanol crossover, which was induced by severe membrane swelling in the methanol solution. Multilayer structure membranes, composed of a central methanol barrier layer and two more proton conductive surface layers, were developed through a solution-casting procedure to suppress methanol crossover in DMFCs. A thin layer of SPEEK with a lower sulfonation degree (41%) and lower methanol permeability was used as the central methanol barrier layer; higher sulfonation degree (60%) SPEEK or recast Nafion membranes, with higher proton conductivity, were applied on the two outer surfaces as the conductive layers. The methanol barrier layer effectively slowed down methanol crossover, while the proton-rich conductive layers on the membrane surfaces facilitated proton transfer at the membrane/electrode interface. The DMFC performance was greatly improved by using the multilayer structure membrane. Especially at 80°C DMFC, significant cell voltage gain was obtained by applying a 10 μm thick 41% sulfonation degree SPEEK methanol barrier between two pieces of 60% sulfonation degree SPEEK layers, compared with that of the same thickness single-layer SPEEK membrane with 60% sulfonation degree.
Behavior of Reinforced Concrete Beams with Recycled Concrete Coarse Aggregates

AbstractThis paper investigates the flexural and shear behavior of reinforced concrete beams that use recycled concrete aggregates (RCA) as replacement for coarse natural aggregates (e.g., crushed ...
Kinetics of protein secretion and fractionation in Baker's yeast fermentations†

It has previously been observed that two-fold differences in total protein concentration can occur between the top and bottom of a baker's yeast fermentation in a laboratory-scale fermenter.1 This paper considers whether that separation effect may be due to imperfect liquid bulk mixing as characterized by gradients in, say, pH and glucose, or is due to some other effect such as bubble fractionation, resulting from the adsorption of these proteins on the rising bubbles. The results indicate that the latter mechanism may predominate.
Measurements of the Differential Cross Sections for the Elastic n − H 3 and n − H 2 Scattering at 14.1 MeV by Using an Inertial Confinement Fusion Facility

For the first time the differential cross section for the elastic neutron-triton (n-{sup 3}H) and neutron-deuteron (n-{sup 2}H) scattering at 14.1 MeV has been measured by using an inertial confinement fusion facility. In these experiments, which were carried out by simultaneously measuring elastically scattered {sup 3}H and {sup 2}H ions from a deuterium-tritium gas-filled inertial confinement fusion capsule implosion, the differential cross section for the elastic n-{sup 3}H scattering was obtained with significantly higher accuracy than achieved in previous accelerator experiments. The results compare well with calculations that combine the resonating-group method with an ab initio no-core shell model, which demonstrate that recent advances in ab initio theory can provide an accurate description of light-ion reactions.
Interleukin genes and associations with colon and rectal cancer risk and overall survival

Interleukins are a group of cytokines that contribute to growth and differentiation, cell migration, and inflammatory and anti-inflammatory responses by the immune system. In our study, we examined genetic variation in genes from various anti-inflammatory and proinflammatory interleukins to determine association with colon and rectal cancer risk and overall survival. Data from two population-based incident studies of colon cancer (1,555 cases and 1,956 controls) and rectal cancer (754 cases and 954 controls) were used. After controlling for multiple comparisons, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from four genes, IL3, IL6R, IL8, IL15, were associated with increased colon cancer risk, and CXCR1 and CXCR2 were significantly associated with increased rectal cancer risk. Only SNPs from genes within the IL-8 pathway (IL8, CXCR1 and CXCR2) showed a significant association with both colon and rectal cancer risk. Several SNPs interacted significantly with IL8 and IFNG SNPs and with aspirin/non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), cigarette smoking, estrogen use and BMI. For both colon and rectal cancer, increasing numbers of risk alleles were associated with increased hazard of death from cancer; the estimated hazard of death for colon cancer for the highest category of risk alleles was 1.74 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.18–2.56) and 1.96 (95% CI 1.28–2.99) for rectal cancer. These data suggest that interleukin genes play a role in risk and overall survival for colon and rectal cancer.
Hyperglycemia-induced changes in hepatic membrane fatty acid composition correlate with increased caspase-3 activities and reduced chick embryo viability

Abstract Fertile chicken eggs were injected with various concentrations of either d -glucose or l -glucose during the first three days of embryonic development. The exogenous glucose concentrations ranged from 0 to 18.58 μmol/kg egg. At 18 days of development (theoretical stage 44), brains, livers, and blood from chorio-allantoic vessels were isolated from living embryos. Exogenous d -glucose and l -glucose caused increased plasma d -glucose levels, increased plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities, and decreased embryo viability. Embryo viability was monitored by a reduction in the percentage of living embryos at theoretical stage 44, reduced embryo masses, reduced brain masses, and reduced liver masses. When compared to controls, embryonic exposure to either exogenous d -glucose or l -glucose caused increased caspase-3 activities and increased lipid hydroperoxide (LPO) levels in both brain and liver tissues. Because lipid hydroperoxides are lipid peroxidation intermediates that result in the attack of any unsaturated neutral lipid or unsaturated phospholipid, the effect of exogenous glucose on hepatic membrane fatty acid composition was studied. Exogenous glucose (either d -glucose or l -glucose) promoted reduced levels of several unsaturated, long-chain fatty acids and increased levels of saturated, short-chain fatty acids within hepatic membranes. Exogenous-glucose induced decreases in the ratios of unsaturated/saturated fatty acids and long-chain/short-chain fatty acids within hepatic membranes which strongly correlated with glucose-induced increases in plasma ALT activities and moderately correlated to hepatic LPO levels. These observations are consistent with the hypothesis that embryonic hyperglycemia promotes hepatic membrane lipid peroxidation and hepatic cell death.
Control method for grid-connected converters in systems with non-ideal supply voltage

When employed in systems with higher frequency variability and potentially non-ideal supply voltage such as micro-grids, the synchronization method used in converter control systems must be considered. A method is presented here that achieves synchronization implicitly through the use of a Discrete Fourier Transform in combination with the computation of an effective admittance. Thus, the method provides near immunity to high frequency variability. Furthermore, the method is suitable for systems with non-ideal supply voltage including heavy voltage asymmetry.
Considerations in teaching a two quarter computer graphics sequence

With the increasing emphasis on the use of Computer Graphics in Computer Science and other application areas, more schools are beginning to offer advanced courses in Computer Graphics, either at the undergraduate or the graduate level. Whereas there are many good textbooks for an introductory course the same is not true for an advanced course, The course content and external references for such a second course are in a state of rapid flux. The content of the second course also directly affects the content of the first course. Another issue is how many tools, in the sense of a graphics software support package, to provide for the students. This paper discusses the author's experiences in teaching both an introductory and a second Computer Graphics course for several years, how his courses have changed, and his recommendations both for course content and reference material.
Continuing education at the University of Kentucky:report of a seven-year experience

Average annual attendance of the state’s dentists at these continuing education courses now equals the national average of 12% after reaching a high of 15%. Attendance is expected to rise again with use of more outside speakers and expanded facilities.
Thermal nanoimprint process for high-temperature fabrication of mesoscale epitaxial exchange-biased metallic wire arrays

A thermal nanoimprint process for the high-temperature (400 °C) fabrication of submicron, epitaxial, metallic wire arrays over areas > 1 × 1 cm2 is reported. Based on a method using an imprinted polymeric bilayer resist template that is transferred to a metallic (molybdenum) mask, this process is enabled by an appropriate undercut profile of the Mo mask. The undercut profile is obtained from a distinctive wedge-shaped profile of the polymeric resist layers by carefully controlling the etch parameters. Using flexible ethylene tetrafluoroethylene imprint molds, we demonstrate defect-free imprinting on MgO substrates. Epitaxial patterning is demonstrated with Fe/MnPd bilayer wire arrays subsequently grown along well-defined crystallographic orientations. X-ray diffraction of the patterned arrays reveals that the MnPd can be grown in two different crystallographic orientations (c-axis and a-axis normals). The epitaxial nature of the patterned arrays is further confirmed by magnetic measurements that demonstrate the competing effects of intrinsic (magnetocrystalline and exchange) and lithography-induced shape anisotropies on the magnetization reversal characteristics along different directions with respect to the axis of the wire arrays.
Time-dependent effects in surface forces

Recent studies employ the surface forces apparatus to measure shear and normal forces in molecularly thin films. Coming from these studies are several key results. Friction is related to adhesion hysteresis rather than adhesional force. The confinement-induced freezing of liquid films produces solids much softer than bulk glass. In systems of strongly adsorbed layers, friction depends on the degree of interpenetration. End-adsorbed polymer layers in good solvent reduce the effective viscosity of the solvent by orders of magnitude.
Chinese Historians and the Marxist Concept of Capitalism: A Critical Examination

The recent revival of historical studies in China has been accompanied by the resurrection of certain long-standing problems in Chinese Marxist historiography. Once again, scholars have turned to discussion of problems such as the dating of the transition from slavery to feudalism, the origins or "sprouts" of capitalism in Chinese history, and even the problem of China as an Asiatic Society, dormant since the mid-1930s. This article discusses one of these problems in Chinese historiography: the problem of the "sprouts" of capitalism or, in its broader context, the problem of the transition from feudalism to capitalism in Chinese history.' The problem is one of crucial significance for understanding the historical dynamics of Chinese society, as well as China's interaction with the West over the past few centuries. It is also important because of its general theoreti-