cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Max-min chaining of weighted causal assertions is loop free

If a system uses assertions of the general form x causes y, (e.g. MYCIN rules) then loop situations in which X1 causes X2, X2 causes X3, ...., Xn causes X1, are, intuitively, best avoided. If an assertion has an attached confidence weight, as in x (0.8)-causes y, then one can choose to say that the confidence in a chain of such assertions is as strong as the weakest link in the chain. If there are several chains of assertions from X to Z, then one can choose to say that X causes Z with a confidence equal to that of the strongest chain. From these choices, it follows that the confidence that X causes Z corresponds to a loop-free chain of assertions. This is true even if there are chains from X to Z with common subchains and loops within loops. An algorithm for computing the confidence is described.
Risk aware net load balancing in micro grids with high DER penetration

The rapid transformation of micro grids due to the accelerated integration of renewables, storage systems and IoT enabled monitoring and control has opened up new opportunities as well as challenges. Future micro grids will be characterized by high DER penetration and will require sophisticated net load balancing frameworks which explicitly consider the errors in prediction of load and generation due to uncertainty in weather conditions while making decisions. Traditional techniques for grid net load management which rely on isolated shaping of load and supply curves are inadequate and inefficient. For micro grids with high PV penetration, the intermittent and unpredictable nature of PV based energy generation can lead to dramatic and sudden supply demand imbalances thus requiring a holistic framework for balancing net load over the entire horizon. In this paper, we develop a sequential decision making framework for net load management that optimally balances the usage of storage and energy market transactions as a mechanism for mitigating supply demand imbalances (net load imbalances) over the horizon. Our framework specifically accounts for prediction uncertainty of future net load imbalances and minimizes the tail end risk of storage shortfall at the end of the horizon. Using qualitative analysis, we show that our framework achieves its objective of minimum cost net load balancing while accounting for the tail end risk.
Nanomaterial Based Photo-Triggered Drug Delivery Strategies for Cancer Theranostics

Abstract Spatial and temporal control over drug release has rendered stimuli-responsive nanoparticles to be one of the most popular cancer drug delivery systems. Nanomaterial-based photo-triggered drug delivery (PDD) encompasses the advantages of stimuli-responsive drug delivery by utilizing light in conjunction with a photosensitizer, drug, or imaging agent to trigger and enhance a diagnosis and increase therapeutic efficacy. Thus, by localizing these nanomaterials specifically at the tumor site, researchers have successfully achieved cancer cell-specific drug delivery, therapy, and diagnosis. This chapter explores these state-of-the-art nanomaterial based-PDD technologies for cancer theranostics. We will revisit several applications and mechanisms of PDD and review various factors to be considered while developing a PDD system. Finally, the limitations and the future of PDD will also be briefly discussed.
Eye Tracking as a Biomarker for Concussion in Children.

OBJECTIVE Concussion is the most common type of brain injury in both pediatric and adult populations and can potentially result in persistent postconcussion symptoms. Objective assessment of physiologic "mild" traumatic brain injury in concussion patients remains challenging. This study evaluates an automated eye-tracking algorithm as a biomarker for concussion as defined by its symptoms and the clinical signs of convergence insufficiency and accommodation dysfunction in a pediatric population. DESIGN Cross-sectional case-control study. SETTING Primary care. PATIENTS Concussed children (N = 56; mean age = 13 years), evaluated at a mean of 22-week post-injury, compared with 83 uninjured controls. INDEPENDENT VARIABLES Metrics comparing velocity and conjugacy of eye movements over time were obtained and were compared with the correlation between Acute Concussion Evaluation (ACE) scores, convergence, and accommodation dysfunction. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Subjects' eye movements recorded with an automated eye tracker while they watched a 220-second cartoon film clip played continuously while moving within an aperture. RESULTS Twelve eye-tracking metrics were significantly different between concussed and nonconcussed children. A model to classify concussion as diagnosed by its symptoms assessed using the ACE achieved an area under the curve (AUC) = 0.854 (71.9% sensitivity, 84.4% specificity, a cross-validated AUC = 0.789). An eye-tracking model built to identify near point of convergence (NPC) disability achieved 95.8% specificity and 57.1% sensitivity for an AUC = 0.810. Reduced binocular amplitude of accommodation had a Spearman correlation of 0.752(P value <0.001) with NPC. CONCLUSION Eye tracking correlated with concussion symptoms and detected convergence and accommodative abnormalities associated with concussion in the pediatric population. It demonstrates utility as a rapid, objective, noninvasive aid in the diagnosis of concussion.
Management of fecal/anal incontinence during pregnancy and postpartum

This chapter discusses the potential pathophysiology of anal and/or fecal incontinence during pregnancy and the postpartum period and prevalence of such incontinence, appropriate assessment, and various treatment options. This chapter explains risk factors associated with fecal incontinence in first and subsequent pregnancies and the postpartum, including risks associated with obstetrical anal sphincter injuries, pudendal nerve injury, and chronic fourth-degree lacerations. Quality of life and impact on psychosocial factors, including sexual function, are also discussed. Case studies are provided to emphasize the role of the advanced practice nurse in assessment and treatment of fecal incontinence within this special population.
Using the Facebook Advertisement Platform to Recruit Chinese, Korean, and Latinx Cancer Survivors for Psychosocial Research: Web-Based Survey Study.

Background: Ethnic minority cancer survivors remain an understudied and underrepresented population in cancer research, in part, due to the challenge of low participant recruitment rates. Therefore, identifying effective recruitment strategies is imperative for reducing cancer health disparities among this population. With the widespread use of social media, health researchers have turned to Facebook as a potential source of recruitment. Objective: We aimed to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of purchasing ads on Facebook to recruit Chinese, Korean, and Latinx cancer survivors residing in the United States. We assessed their experience with participating in a Web-based survey and their interest for future research. Methods: We showed 5 purchased ads in English, simplified Chinese, traditional Chinese, Korean, and Spanish on Facebook. Participants who clicked on the Facebook ad were directed to the study website and asked to submit their emails to receive the link to the 30-minute Web-based survey. Inclusion criteria included being of Asian or Latinx heritage, age ≥18 years, having a cancer diagnosis, and being within 5 years of cancer treatment. Participants who completed the survey were sent a US $10 Walmart eGiftcard. Results: The Facebook ads were shown for 48 consecutive days for a total spending of US $1200.46 (US $25/day budget). Overall, 11 East Asian and 15 Latinx cancer survivors completed the study, resulting in an average cost per participant of US $46.17. The East Asian and Latinx cancer survivors did not significantly differ in age, years lived in the United States, education level, generation status, and time since diagnosis. However, Latinx cancer survivors were marginally more likely to have limited English proficiency and lower annual income than East Asian cancer survivors. Both Latinx and East Asian cancer survivors reported that they enjoyed participating in this study and indicated an interest in participating in future psychosocial research studies. Conclusions: The use of Facebook ads successfully resulted in the recruitment of East Asian and Latinx cancer survivors with different cancer diagnoses who reside in various geographic regions of the United States. We found that East Asian and Latinx cancer survivors recruited through Facebook were interested in participating in future psychosocial research, thereby providing support for the feasibility and effectiveness of using Facebook as a source of recruitment for ethnic minority cancer survivors.
218) Resilience Factors may Buffer Cellular Aging in Individuals with and without Knee Pain

Telomere length, a measure of cellular aging, is negatively associated with chronic pain severity and serves as an indicator of overall system functioning. While psychological resilience factors such as optimism, acceptance, positive affect and active coping have been associated with lower levels of clinical pain and greater physical functioning, it is unknown whether resilience may buffer against telomere shortening in individuals with chronic pain. Additionally, a broader conceptualization of resilience that includes biobehavioral and social factors may improve our understanding of the relationship between resilience, chronic pain, and health outcomes. We hypothesized that: 1) psychological resilience factors would be associated with longer telomere length, and 2) a combined biobehavioral/psychosocial composite would strengthen the association. A total of 79 individuals (34% Male, 66% Female) with/without knee pain completed psychological/psychosocial resilience (optimism, affect, active coping, perceived stress and social support) and biobehavioral measures (smoking status, and waist/hip ratio). Clinical cut points for each measure were established based on previously published normative data or means where applicable and used to create summative psychological (optimism, affect, coping, perceived stress) and biobehavioral/psychosocial (psychological resilience + social support, smoking, waist/hip ratio), resilience composites. Blood samples were collected and telomere length determined. Regression analyses were completed with sex, race, age, and GCPS characteristic pain intensity as additional predictors. A positive relationship emerged such that greater psychological resilience and biobehavioral/psychosocial resilience were associated with longer telomeres (p = .0295 and p = .0116, respectively). When compared with psychological resilience alone, the biobehavioral/psychosocial composite was significantly more predictive of telomere length than the psychological resilience composite (p
Abstracts of papers submitted for presentation at the 1995 annual SCO meeting, Trinidad and Tobago

Abstracts of papers submitted for presentation at the 1995 annual SCO meeting, Trinidad and Tobago
Imaging complications of liver transplantation: a multimodality pictorial review

Liver transplantation is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures for the treatment of end-stage liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma. Post-transplantation complications include vascular, nonvascular, and biliary. Common imaging techniques used to evaluate the hepatic graft are ultrasonography (US), CT, MR imaging, cholangiography, angiography, and scintigraphy. The purposes of this pictorial review are to review imaging findings of complications of liver transplantation and provide a framework for early detection of post-surgical complications.
Frequency of radiation-induced malignancies post-adjuvant radiotherapy for breast cancer in patients with Li-Fraumeni syndrome

Women with Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS), a cancer predisposition syndrome caused by germline mutations in TP53, have an over 50% risk of developing breast cancer by age 70. Patients with LFS are at risk for radiation-induced malignancies; however, only small case series have prior investigated radiation risks in the treatment of breast cancer. We therefore aimed to investigate the risk of malignancy in breast cancer patients with LFS following adjuvant radiotherapy. A single-institution retrospective chart review was conducted for female breast cancer patients with confirmed germline TP53 mutation. The frequency of radiation-induced malignancies in LFS patients was compared to non-LFS breast cancer cases reported in the Penn Medicine Cancer Registry via statistical analyses. We identified 51 female LFS breast cancer patients with 74 primary diagnoses. Fifty-seven% had a history of breast cancer only, and 25% had breast cancer as their presenting diagnosis of LFS. LFS-associated breast cancers were predominantly invasive ductal carcinoma (48%) and HER2+ (58%). Twenty patients underwent adjuvant radiotherapy with a median follow-up of 12.5 (2–20) years. Of 18 patients who received radiation in a curative setting, one (6%) patient developed thyroid cancer, and one (6%) patient developed sarcoma in the radiation field. This risk for radiation-induced malignancy associated with LFS was higher for both sarcoma and thyroid cancer in comparison with the control cohort. We found a lower risk of radiation-induced secondary malignancies in LFS breast cancer patients than previously reported in the literature (33% risk of radiation-induced sarcoma). These findings suggest that LFS may not be an absolute contraindication for radiotherapy in breast cancer. The potential risk for locoregional recurrence without radiotherapy must be weighed against the long-term risk for radiation-induced malignancies in consideration of adjuvant radiotherapy for LFS breast cancer patients.
Commissioning of a 1.5T Elekta Unity MR-linac: A single institution experience

MR image-guided radiotherapy has the potential to improve patient care, but integration of an MRI scanner with a linear accelerator adds complexity to the commissioning process. This work describes a single institution experience of commissioning an Elekta Unity MR-linac, including mechanical testing, MRI scanner commissioning, and dosimetric validation. Mechanical testing included multileaf collimator (MLC) positional accuracy, measurement of radiation isocenter diameter, and MR-to-MV coincidence. Key MRI tests included magnetic field homogeneity, geometric accuracy, image quality, and the accuracy of navigator-triggered imaging for motion management. Dosimetric validation consisted of comparison between measured and calculated PDDs and profiles, IMRT measurements, and end-to-end testing. Multileaf collimator positional accuracy was within 1.0 mm, the measured radiation isocenter walkout was 0.20 mm, and the coincidence between MR and MV isocenter was 1.06 mm, which is accounted for in the treatment planning system (TPS). For a 350-mm-diameter spherical volume, the peak-to-peak deviation of the magnetic field homogeneity was 4.44 ppm and the geometric distortion was 0.8 mm. All image quality metrics were within ACR recommendations. Navigator-triggered images showed a maximum deviation of 0.42, 0.75, and 3.0 mm in the target centroid location compared to the stationary target for a 20 mm motion at 10, 15, and 20 breaths per minute, respectively. TPS-calculated PDDs and profiles showed excellent agreement with measurement. The gamma passing rate for IMRT plans was 98.4 ± 1.1% (3%/ 2 mm) and end-to-end testing of adapted plans showed agreement within 0.4% between ion-chamber measurement and TPS calculation. All credentialing criteria were satisfied in an independent end-to-end test using an IROC MRgRT phantom.
Relativistic Pair Beams from TeV Blazars: A Source of Reprocessed GeV Emission rather than Intergalactic Heating

The interaction of TeV photons from blazars with the extragalactic background light produces a relativistic beam of electron-positron pairs streaming through the intergalactic medium (IGM). The fate of the beam energy is uncertain. By means of two- and three-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations, we study the nonlinear evolution of dilute ultra-relativistic pair beams propagating through the IGM. We explore a wide range of beam Lorentz factors γ b 1 and beam-to-plasma density ratios α 1, so that our results can be extrapolated to the extreme parameters of blazar-induced beams (γ b ~ 106 and α ~ 10–15, for powerful blazars). For cold beams, we show that the oblique instability governs the early stages of evolution, but its exponential growth terminates—due to self-heating of the beam in the transverse direction—when only a negligible fraction ~(α/γ b )1/3 ~ 10–7 of the beam energy has been transferred to the IGM plasma. Further relaxation of the beam proceeds through quasi-longitudinal modes, until the momentum dispersion in the direction of propagation saturates at Δp b, ∥/γ b mec ~ 0.2. This corresponds to a fraction ~10% of the beam energy—irrespective of γ b or α—being ultimately transferred to the IGM plasma (as compared to the heating efficiency of ~50% predicted by one-dimensional models, which cannot properly account for the transverse broadening of the beam). For the warm beams generated by TeV blazars, the development of the longitudinal relaxation is suppressed, since the initial dispersion in beam momentum is already Δp b0, ∥/γ b mec 1. Here, the fraction of beam energy ultimately deposited into the IGM is only ~α γ b ~ 10–9. It follows that most of the beam energy is still available to power the GeV emission produced by inverse Compton up-scattering of the cosmic microwave background by the beam pairs.
How much is needed? Patient exposure and curricular education on medical students’ LGBT cultural competency

For medical students, providing exposure to and education about the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) patient population are effective methods to increase comfort, knowledge, and confidence in caring for LGBT people. However, specific recommendations on the number of patient exposures and educational hours that relate to high LGBT cultural competency are lacking. Medical students (N = 940) at three universities across the United States completed a survey consisting of demographics, experiential variables (i.e., number of LGBT patients and LGBT hours), and the 7-point Likert LGBT-Development of Clinical Skills Scale (LGBT-DOCSS). LGBT-DOCSS scores were stratified by 1-point increments, and experiential variable means were computed per each stratification to characterize the mean LGBT patients and hours of medical students with higher scores and those with lower scores. Medical students reported caring for some LGBT patients annually (M = 6.02, SD = 20.33) and receiving a low number of annual LGBT curricular hours (M = 2.22, SD = 2.85) and moderate number of annual LGBT extracurricular hours (M = 6.93, SD = 24.97). They also reported very high attitudinal awareness (M = 6.54, SD = 0.86), moderate knowledge (M = 5.73, SD = 1.01), and low clinical preparedness (M = 3.82, SD = 1.25). Medical students who cared for 35 or more LGBT patients and received 35 or more LGBT total hours reported significantly higher preparedness and knowledge. Medical students have shortcomings in LGBT cultural competency and limited LGBT patient exposure and education. To improve LGBT cultural competency, medical schools and accrediting bodies should consider providing medical students with at least a total of 35 LGBT patient contacts and 35 LGBT education hours (10 h of required curricular education and 25 h of supplemental education).
Penile allotransplantation: early outcomes from reported cases and survivorship considerations.

Vascular composite allografts are at the forefront of medical and surgical innovation. With this new technique and the ability to transplant a face, hands, an abdominal wall, a uterus, or even a penis, patients can undergo operations that may drastically improve their quality of life. Although this process presents significant opportunities it is not always an easy road and requires significant upfront counseling and life-long immunosuppression. Often the recovery course is long, with functionality taking months to years to gain. Immunosuppression must be used to prevent rejection of the allograft although it has serious long-term side-effects. Only five patients have undergone penile allotransplantation, but reported outcomes from these small numbers have nonetheless offered significant lessons with each patient. While the operation is still in its infancy, it is certain that shared experiences by surgical teams will yield improved outcomes in the future.
Dynamic functional connectivity underlying temporal summation of pain in fibromyalgia

Compared to healthy controls (HC), fibromyalgia (FM) patients exhibit enhanced temporal summation of pain (TSP) – i.e. perception of increasingly greater pain in response to repetitive or sustained noxious stimuli. Previous neuroimaging studies have linked static functional connectivity (sFC) and stimulus-evoked brain fMRI response to enhanced TSP in FM patients. However, dynamics of brain organization in FM underlying ongoing changes in pain perception, such as that during TSP, is not known. The purpose of this study was to investigate the dynamic changes in functional brain connectivity (dFC) occurring during TSP in FM. We collected high temporal resolution (TR=1.25s) 6-minute resting-state (REST) and tonic leg cuff pressure pain (PAIN) accelerated fMRI brain scan from 84 FM patients and 38 HCs. Pain ratings were collected retrospectively for each 2-minute block of the PAIN scan, and TSP was calculated as last minus first pain rating. We used an instantaneous phase synchrony analysis approach to estimate dFC, followed by the application of a multi-slice community detection algorithm to reveal the dynamic community organization of the brain over time. We found that FM patients exhibit greater TSP than HCs (meanFM = 17.93, meanHC = 9.47, p = 7.58 × 10-4). In FM (and not HC), during PAIN versus REST, fMRI signal from the contralateral leg area of primary somatosensory cortex (S1leg) spent more time in the same community as salience network regions. However, both FM and HC groups showed decreased S1leg community enmeshment with other somatotopic areas of S1 during PAIN compared to during REST. Furthermore, longer and more consistent enmeshment of the sensorimotor and salience communities throughout the PAIN scan was associated with greater TSP in FM patients. Overall, this study corroborates our prior tonic cuff pain static connectivity results and reveals that dynamics in brain organization track changes in pain perception reflecting TSP in FM. NCCIH, NIH R61/R33-AT009306 (VN) and NIAMS, NIH R01-AR064367 (VN, RRE).
Superior Properties through Feedstock Development for Vat Photopolymerization Additive Manufacturing of High-Performance Biobased Feedstocks

Vat photopolymerization additive manufacturing (Vat AM) technologies have found niche industrial use being able to produce personalized parts in moderate quantity. However, Vat AM lacks in its ability to produce parts of satisfactory thermal and mechanical properties for structural applications. The purpose of this investigation was to develop high-performance resins with glass transition temperatures (Tg) above 200 °C for Vat AM, evaluate the properties of the produced thermosets and establish a structure-property relationship of the thermosets produced. Herein, we have developed SLA-type resins that feature bio-derived monomer hesperetin trimethacrylate (HTM) synthesized from the flavonone hesperetin. Diluents 4-acryloyl morpholine, styrene, 4-methyl styrene and 4-tert butylstyrene (tbutylsty) were photocured with HTM as the monomer and all produced thermosets with Tg values above 200 °C. Investigations of suitable crosslinkers urethane dimethacrylate, the vinyl ester CN 151 and Ebecryl 4859 (Eb4859) showed that each crosslinker displayed different benefits when formulated with HTM as the monomer and tbutylSty as the diluent (HTM:crosslinker:tbutylSty with mass ratio 2:1:2). The crosslinker CN 151 produced the thermoset of greatest onset of thermal decomposition temperature (T0) of 352 °C. Eb4859 produced the thermoset of highest tensile strength, 19 ± 7 MPa, amongst the set of varied crosslinkers. The formulation featuring UDM (HTM:UDM:tbutysty) offered ease of processing and was seemingly the easiest to print. Investigations of reactive diluent showed that styrene produced the thermoset of the highest extent of cure and the overall highest tensile strength, 25 ± 5 MPa, while tbutylSty produced the thermoset with the greatest Tan-δ Tg, 231 °C. HTM was synthesized, formulated with diluents, crosslinkers and initiators. The HTM resins were then 3D printed to produce thermosets of Tg values greater than 200 °C. The polymer properties were evaluated and a structure-reactivity relationship was discussed.
Burned-Out Testicular Tumors in Adolescents: Clinical Aspects and Outcome

Purpose: Testicular germ cell tumors are the fourth most common neoplasm in adolescents, accounting for 8% of all tumors in the age group 15-19 years. On rare instances, the primary testicular lesion is not clinically or radiologically evident while nodal or visceral metastases represent the clinical manifestations of the disease. This phenomenon is described as "burned-out testicular tumor." In this paper, the authors report a single-institution experience with burned-out testicular tumors in adolescents and discuss their clinical implications. Patients and Methods: All the patients diagnosed with metastatic testicular germ cell tumors at Bambino Gesu Children Hospital between January 1, 2010, and June 30, 2020, were included in the study. Patients were categorized into two groups: "primary testicular" and "burned out." All the patients were staged and treated according to the AIEOP-TCGM 2004 protocol. Results: Eleven patients were classified as "primary testicular," and five patients were classified as "burned out." "Burned-out" tumors were associated with the presence of systemic symptoms compared to "primary testicular" tumors (80 vs. 0%; p = 0.0027) and higher aFP, hCG, and LDH levels (p < 0.00001). The "burned-out" population had a statistically significant higher incidence of relevant toxicity than the "primary testicular" population (80 vs. 18%; p = 0.0357) and a worse outcome in terms of both mean overall survival (15 vs. 43 months; p = 0.0299) and mean event-free survival (12 vs. 38 months; p = 0.0164). Conclusion: "Burned-out" testicular tumors seem to be a well-distinct clinical entity with a high treatment-related toxicity and poor prognosis. Further studies are needed to clarify the "burned-out phenomenon" and to identify more effective therapeutic strategies for these patients.
Parental support and monitoring as associated with adolescent alcohol and tobacco use by gender and age

Parental support (PS) and parental monitoring (PM) are known protective factors against adolescent substance use (SU). However, little is known about whether PS and PM may affect SU outcomes differently by gender and age. This study examined the relationship between PS and PM and adolescent SU, specifically alcohol and tobacco use, stratified by gender and age group. Middle and high school students (n = 2351, 48.5% Female) completed surveys of self-reported SU, perceived PS and PM, and socioeconomic background. Age group was defined dichotomously as grade 7–8 Middle school and grade 9–10 High school students. PS and PM were each measured using previously validated tools. SU was measured by lifetime and past 30 days cigarette/alcohol use. One-way ANOVA and binary logistic regression models were completed. Odds ratios and means were reported. PS and PM were significantly and negatively related to all outcome variables regardless of gender and age group. Mean differences in PS and PM were insignificant between age groups. Between genders, PM scores were significantly higher for girls (14.05) compared to boys (13.48) (p < 0.01). Odds Ratios of all four SU types (for alcohol and tobacco use) increased with higher age group, with ORs ranging from 1.45–2.61 (p < .05). PS and PM were protective against SU for all participants, consistent with previous literature. Girls reported greater parental monitoring than boys, irrespective of age-group. While girls experienced higher levels of monitoring, they did not report lower SU than boys. This suggests that monitoring girls more closely than boys appears unnecessary in preventing adolescent SU. Finally, PS was a more significant factor in preventing SU for older adolescents (high school aged group) than for younger adolescents, irrespective of gender suggesting that PS may be more impactful and important as adolescents age. As children mature, particularly from middle school to high school, PS may play a larger role in preventing SU for older adolescents compared to younger ones.
Application of Generating Functions and Partial Differential Equations in Coding Theory

In this work we have considered formal power series and partial differential equations, and their relationship with Coding Theory. We have obtained the nature of solutions for the partial differential equations for Cycle Poisson Case. The coefficients for this case have been simulated, and the high tendency of growth is shown. In the light of Complex Analysis, the Hadamard Multiplication's Theorem is presented as a new approach to divide the power sums relating to the error probability, each part of which can be analyzed later.
Improving the Social Security Statement

Uses data from the Health and Retirement Study to gauge near-retirees' ability to predict their Social Security retirement benefits both before and after the Social Security Statement began universal distribution to all near-retirees in 1995.
A Potent Adjuvant Monophosphoryl Lipid A Triggers Various Immune Responses, but Not Secretion of IL-1β or Activation of Caspase-1

Lipid A, the membrane anchor portion of LPS, is responsible for the endotoxin activity of LPS and induces many inflammatory responses in macrophages. Monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL), a lipid A derivative lacking a phosphate residue, induces potent immune responses with low toxicity. To elucidate the mechanism underlying the low toxicity of MPL, we examined the effects of MPL on the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines by mouse peritoneal macrophages, a murine macrophage-like cell line (RAW 264.7), and a human macrophage-like cell line (THP-1). MPL enhanced the secretion of TNF-alpha, but not that of IL-1beta, whereas Escherichia coli-type lipid A (natural source-derived and chemically synthesized lipid A) enhanced the secretion of both cytokines. Although MPL enhanced the levels of IL-1beta mRNA and IL-1beta precursor protein to levels similar to those induced by lipid A, IL-1beta precursor processing in MPL-treated cells was much lower than that in E. coli-type lipid A-treated ones. Moreover, MPL, unlike E. coli-type lipid A, failed to induce activation of caspase-1, which catalyzes IL-1beta precursor processing. These results suggest that an immune response without activation of caspase-1 or secretion of IL-1beta results in the low toxicity of this adjuvant.
The effectiveness of repeat lumbar transforaminal epidural steroid injections.

Objective The aim of this study was to determine 1) if repeat lumbar transforaminal epidural steroid injections (TFESIs) resulted in recovery of pain relief, which has waned since an index injection, and 2) if cumulative benefit could be achieved by repeat injections within 3 months of the index injection. Design Retrospective observational study with statistical modeling of the response to repeat TFESI. Setting Academic radiology practice. Patients Two thousand eighty-seven single-level TFESIs were performed for radicular pain on 933 subjects. Subjects received repeat TFESIs >2 weeks and <1 year from the index injection. Methods Hierarchical linear modeling was performed to evaluate changes in continuous and categorical pain relief outcomes after repeat TFESI. Subgroup analyses were performed on patients with <3 months duration of pain (acute pain), patients receiving repeat injections within 3 months (clustered injections), and in patients with both acute pain and clustered injections. Results Repeat TFESIs achieved pain relief in both continuous and categorical outcomes. Relative to the index injection, there was a minimal but statistically significant decrease in pain relief in modeled continuous outcome measures with subsequent injections. Acute pain patients recovered all prior benefit with a statistically significant cumulative benefit. Patients receiving clustered injections achieved statistically significant cumulative benefit, of greater magnitude in acute pain patients. Conclusion Repeat TFESI may be performed for recurrence of radicular pain with the expectation of recovery of most or all previously achieved benefit; acute pain patients will likely recover all prior benefit. Repeat TFESIs within 3 months of the index injection can provide cumulative benefit.
A reaction-diffusion system of a predator-prey-mutualist model

Abstract Mutualism is part of many significant processes in nature. Mutualistic benefits arising from modification of predator-prey interactions involve interactions of at least three species. In this paper we investigate the Homogeneous Neumann problem and Dirichlet problem for a reaction-diffusion system of three species—a predator, a mutualist-prey, and a mutualist. The existence, uniqueness, and boundedness of the solution are established by means of the comparison principle and the monotonicity method. For the Neumann problem, we analyze the constant equilibrium solutions and their stability. For the Dirichlet problem, we prove the global asymptotic stability of the trivial equilibrium solution. Specifically, we study the existence and the asymptotic behavior of two nonconstant equilibrium solutions. The main method used in studying of the stability is the spectral analysis to the linearized operators. The O.D.E. problem for the same model was proposed and studied in [13]. Through our results, we can see the influences of the diffusion mechanism and the different boundary value conditions upon the asymptotic behavior of the populations.
2‐Bromo‐2‐propyl mesityl sulfone

Crystalline 2-bromo-2-propyl mesityl sulfone (α-bromo­iso­propyl mesityl sulfone), C12H17BrO2S, exhibits significant rotational disorder of its α-bromo­iso­propyl group, although it is freely rotating in solution, as demonstrated by NMR.
Electromagnetically excited acoustic standing-wave resonances in metals in high magnetic fluids

Abstract Electromagnetically excited acoustic standing-wave resonances, observed in the surface impedance of metal plates in high magnetic fields, were studied as a function of frequency, temperature, and magnetic field. The observed dependences are in quantitative agreement with theoretical descriptions of acoustic propagation in the bulk of a metal in the presence of a magnetic field.
A behavioral-cognitive therapy program for adults who stutter: Computers and counseling

This paper evaluates the efficacy of a behavioral-cognitive treatment program for adults who stutter. The program combines a commercially available computer-assisted biofeedback program for the reduction of stuttering and a relapse management program for counseling and attitude change. Four adults who stutter, between the ages of 20 and 25 years, participated in a study with multiple baseline across individuals. The initial treatment was conducted in an intensive time block, followed by extended treatment sessions. Results show that subjects reduced their disfluencies to below 3% stuttered syllables and maintained those changes at the 6 and 12 month follow-up. Measures of attitude changes were also assessed and showed that increases in positive feelings and attitudes were maintained at follow-up.
Partial-overlap biocular image misalignment tolerance

Partial-overlap biocular helmet-mounted display (HMD) design flexibility and cost are directly related to image misalignment standards. Currently suggested standards are based on highly variable data from a number of studies, most using subjective discomfort or diplopia measures. This study tested the suggested standard for divergent horizontal image misalignment in a partial-overlap biocular optical system by exercising vigilance performance during image misalignment. Also, pre- and post-image misalignment divergence, convergence and heterophoria measurements were taken. The results revealed that clinical visual diagnoses, associated with accommodation and vergence, were clearly related to vigilance task performance, showing a greater number of vigilance errors for subjects viewing misaligned displays. In-device post-image misalignment divergence recovery and convergence break-recovery were significantly decreased. This was not found for the no-offset controls.
Anti-Stokes Raman scattering of photoluminescence phonon replica in gan heterostructures: An effective technique for Probing Hot Phonons

We have observed anti-Stokes Raman scattering of photoluminescence phonon replica in GaN heterostructures by non-equilibrium longitudinal-optical phonons. We demonstrate that such a process can be used to monitor the distribution of hot longitudinal-optical phonons.
A prior probability method for smoothing discriminant analysis classification maps

A statistical method is presented for smoothing discriminant analysis classification maps by including pixel-specific prior probability estimates that have been determined from the frequency of tentative class assignments in a window moving across an initial per-point classification map. The class at the center of the window is reevaluated using the data for that location and the prior probability estimates obtained from the window area. An example using Landsat spectral data demonstrates the effectiveness of the method and shows an increase in classification accuracy after smoothing.
Letter by Rosenstein and Parra Regarding Article, “Greater Clinical Benefit of More Intensive Oral Antiplatelet Therapy With Prasugrel in Patients With Diabetes Mellitus in the Trial to Assess Improvement in Therapeutic Outcomes by Optimizing Platelet Inhibition With Prasugrel: Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction 38”

To the Editor: In the article by Wiviott et al,1 we read about the use of prasugrel compared with clopidogrel in a subgroup of the original Trial to Assess Improvement in Therapeutic Outcomes by Optimizing Platelet Inhibition With Prasugrel: Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TRITON–TIMI) 38. We have several concerns about this article. First, when interpreting a subgroup analysis from within a larger trial, regardless of whether it is post hoc or prespecified, it is …
Neural injury after interventions for chronic pain

Interventions for chronic pain are important in the diagnosis and treatment of many disorders causing chronic pain and suffering. Injury to the peripheral or central nervous system is a rare but important cause of morbidity and mortality following chronic pain interventions. Mechanisms of neural injury include neural ischemia, compression from hematoma, abscess, granuloma, and neurotoxicity. This review will highlight the pathophysiology of neural injuries, review the literature regarding specific injuries and mechanisms, and suggest practical guidelines for injury prevention.
Utilization and Costs of Medications Associated With CKD Mineral and Bone Disorder in Dialysis Patients Enrolled in Medicare Part D

Background Information is limited regarding utilization patterns and costs for chronic kidney disease–mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD) medications in Medicare Part D–enrolled dialysis patients. Study Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting & Participants Annual cohorts of dialysis patients, 2007-2010. Predictors Cohort year, low-income subsidy status, and dialysis provider. Outcomes Utilization and costs of prescription phosphate binders, oral and intravenous vitamin D analogues, and cinacalcet. Measurements Using logistic regression, we calculated adjusted odds of medication use for low-income subsidy versus non–low-income subsidy patients and for patients from various dialysis organizations, and we report per-member-per-month and average out-of-pocket costs. Results Phosphate binders (∼83%) and intravenous vitamin D (77.5%-79.3%) were the most commonly used CKD-MBD medications in 2007 through 2010. The adjusted odds of prescription phosphate-binder, intravenous vitamin D, and cinacalcet use were significantly higher for low-income subsidy than for non–low-income subsidy patients. Total Part D versus CKD-MBD Part D medication costs increased 22% versus 36% from 2007 to 2010. For Part D–enrolled dialysis patients, CKD-MBD medications represented ∼50% of overall net Part D costs in 2010. Limitations Inability to describe utilization and costs of calcium carbonate, an over-the-counter agent not covered under Medicare Part D; inability to reliably identify prescriptions filled through a non–Part D reimbursement or payment mechanism; findings may not apply to dialysis patients without Medicare Part D benefits or with Medicare Advantage plans, or to pediatric dialysis patients; could identify only prescription drugs dispensed in the outpatient setting; inability to adjust for MBD laboratory values. Conclusions Part D net costs for CKD-MBD medications increased at a faster rate than costs for all Part D medications in dialysis patients despite relatively stable use within medication classes. In a bundled environment, there may be incentives to shift to generic phosphate binders and reduce cinacalcet use.
Ellobiophrya conviva n. sp., a Commensal of Marine Ectoprocts, and a Revision of the Family Ellobiophryidae (Ciliophora, Peritricha)1

The sessiline peritrich Ellobiophrya conviva n. sp. is described from marine ectoprocts of the genus Bugula, the first report of an ellobiophryid on bryozoan hosts. The new species is distinguished from others of its genus by its different body proportions, size, host, and structure of the clasping holdfast (for which the new name cinctum is chosen). Ellobiophrya conviva has been found only on B. neritina and B. turrita and shows a marked seasonal cycle of abundance. The family Ellobiophryidae Chatton & Lwoff is revised on the basis of new information provided by E. conviva, with the single species of the genus Clausophrya removed to Ellobiophrya as E. oblida Naidenova & Zaika n. comb. The genus Caliperia Laird remains unchanged. The two genera of the revised family are distinguished from one another by differences in the structure of the cinctum. Hypotheses are advanced to explain the morphogenesis of the cinctum and the evolution of ellobiophryids from other peritrichs.
Portfolio Selection in Stochastic Environments

In this article, I explicitly solve dynamic portfolio choice problems, up to the solution of an ordinary differential equation (ODE), when the asset returns are quadratic and the agent has a constant relative risk aversion (CRRA) coefficient. My solution includes as special cases many existing explicit solutions of dynamic portfolio choice problems. I also present three applications that are not in the literature. Application 1 is the bond portfolio selection problem when bond returns are described by ‘‘quadratic term structure models.’’ Application 2 is the stock portfolio selection problem when stock return volatility is stochastic as in Heston model. Application 3 is a bond and stock portfolio selection problem when the interest rate is stochastic and stock returns display stochastic volatility. (JEL G11) There is substantial evidence of time variation in interest rates, expected returns, and asset return volatilities. Interest rates change over time, and although expected stock returns are not directly observed, future stock returns seem to be predictable using term structure variables and scaled prices such as dividend yields. 1 Similarly, there is well-documented evidence of stochastic volatility, 2 whose existence is also supported by the ‘‘smile curve’’ of volatilities implied by option prices. Therefore, any serious study of dynamic portfolio choice must take account of stochastic variation in investment opportunities. The seminal work of Merton (1971) establishes the framework for dynamic portfolio choice with stochastic variation in investment opportunities. The portfolio weights in Merton’s framework are expressed in terms of the solution to a nonlinear partial differential equation (PDE), and because there is no closed-form solution of a nonlinear PDE in general, explicit portfolio weights are not available in general. There are approximate solutions to
Kinetin-Induced Chloroplast Maturation in Cultures of Tobacco Tissue

Cultured tobacco tissue possesses proplastids capable of differentiating into mature chloroplasts. Kinetin (6-furfurylaminopurine) is a specific requirement for this differentiation; the absence of this compound results in a blockage of the formation of grana. The possibility that kinetin exerts a direct effect upon chloroplast differentiation is considered.
Mediterranean fruit fly: interference of opposition by radiation-sterilized females in field cages

The behavior of nonirradiated and radiation-sterilized laboratory-adapted Mediterranean fruit flies, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) {Diptera: Tephritidae), was observed on apples hung on guava trees in outdoor cages in Hawaii. Oviposition and resting behavior, and physical encounters between flies were recorded. The numbers of nonirradiated females observed resting on fruit were reduced several fold by the presence of irradiated females, either alone or with irradiated males, but not by irradiated males alone. Similarly, the number and duration of nonirradiated females observed ovipositing was reduced by the presence of irradiated females. In control cages (all nonirradiated flies), females averaged 255.9 ± 15.0 (SE) seconds on fruit, while nonirradiated and irradiated females in the mixed (treatment) cage averaged 157 ± 19.8 seconds and 77.5 ± 7.5 seconds on fruit, respectively. Irradiated females behaved skittishly on fruit and frequently engaged in physical encounters with other flies. By reducing oviposition of normal females, irradiated females may help suppress wild populations in sterile-insect release programs. Resume Influence de la presence de femelles irradiees sur la ponte de Ceratitis capitata Les comportements de ponte et de repos et le nombre de rencontres de mouches irradiees ou non, d'une souche de laboratoire de C. capitata ont ete examines sur des pommes suspendues sur des goyaviers dans des cages, hors du laboratoire, a Hawai. Le nombre de femelles non-irradiees stationnant sur les fruits etait reduit de plusieurs fois par la presence de femelles irradiees, soit seules, soit avec des mâles irradies, mais non par la presence exclusive de mâles irradies. De meme, le nombre de femelles non-irradiees en train de pondre, ainsi que la duree des pontes etaient reduits par la presence de femelles irradiees. Dans les cages temoins (sans mouche irradiee), les femelles restent en moyenne 255,9 ± 15,0 sec (SE) sur Les fruits, tandis que les femelles non-irradiees et irradiees melangees dans les cages traitees, sejournent respectivement 157 ± 19,8 et 77,5 ± 7,5 sec sur les fruits. Les femelles irradiees se sont comportees capricieusement sur les fruits et ont souvent eu des contacts physiques avec les autres mouches. En reduisant la ponte des femelles normales, les femelles irradiees peuvent contribuer a supprimer les populations sauvages dans les programmes de lâchers d'insectes steriles.
Protein-Lipid Relationships in Normal Dog Plasma

Although Cohn's microfractionation method number 10 was specifically devised to meet the conditions of protein concentration and distribution in human plasma, it is shown in this contribution that it may be applied to studies of canine plasma. Essentially all of the lipids of plasma are recovered in Fractions IV + V + VI and I + III. Only negligible amounts appear in Fraction II. Electrophoretic studies proved that the lipoproteins of Fraction IV + V + VI have the mobility of alpha globulins and those in Fraction I + III have the mobility of beta globulins.