cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Medical Imaging Modalities

Medical imaging is now utilized extensively in clinical trials for eligibility, efficacy, and safety evaluations. The uses of imaging span from a qualitative assessment of disease findings to quantitative assessments, each resting on diagnosis of the condition or change in the severity of the condition. This introductory chapter is designed for the novice with a limited or no background in radiological techniques and aims to briefly review the different imaging techniques, technology, terminology, and optimal imaging uses.
Influence of pre-schooler and parent nutrition education on carotenoid levels of Mexican-heritage children.

OBJECTIVE To determine the mediating effect of direct preschool and parent nutrition education on changes in skin carotenoids scores over 2 years in children of Mexican heritage. DESIGN In a quasi-experimental, community-based study, two school districts were randomly assigned to either a comparison group (parent workshops unrelated to nutrition) or a childhood obesity prevention intervention group which included nutrition education at family nights for parents and at school for children. Changes in skin carotenoid intensity scores (diffCAROT, year 2015 minus 2013) were measured in children as a proxy for fruit and vegetable consumption using Resonance Raman Spectroscopy. SETTING Two rural, low-income, school districts from a county in California's Central Valley. PARTICIPANTS 316 Mexican heritage families with children aged 3-8 years. RESULTS Intervention group children improved over 2 years in skin carotenoid scores relative to comparison group children (diffCAROT mean +1419 (sd 9540) v. -3473 (sd 9272), P = 0·0001). Parent attendance at nutrition education classes partially mediated the intervention effect on diffCAROT (P = 0·02). Controlling for child's age and other covariates, participation in preschool during the study had a significant positive effect on diffCAROT among intervention children compared with controls (P < 0·03), whereas no significant difference by group was observed among those not enrolled in preschool or already enrolled in elementary school. CONCLUSIONS Programmes that combine direct parent and preschool nutrition education may be effective in low-income Mexican heritage families to improve children's intake of fruit and vegetables.
Fasting reduces the incidence of vincristine‐associated adverse events in dogs

Fasting has been shown to decrease chemotherapy-associated adverse events (AEs), in part through insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) reduction, and may induce a protective effect on normal cells during chemotherapy treatment in mice and people. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of fasting on constitutional, bone marrow and gastrointestinal (GI) AEs, and serum glucose, IGF-1 and insulin levels in dogs receiving vincristine. The study was a prospective, crossover clinical trial in tumour-bearing dogs. Dogs were randomized to be fasted for 24 to 28 hours prior to and 6 hours following their first or second vincristine treatment, and fed normally for the alternate dose. A significant reduction in nausea, anorexia, lethargy and serum insulin was observed when dogs were fasted; however, no significant differences were found in other GI symptoms, neutrophil count, serum glucose or IGF-1. Fasting prior to vincristine therapy is a safe and effective treatment modality that helped mitigate constitutional and GI AEs in tumour-bearing dogs.
Electron Blocking Layer Free AlGaN Deep-Ultraviolet Light Emitting Diodes

Performance of the deep-ultraviolet LEDs is improved by replacing conventional p-doped electron blocking layer with an intrinsic 2 nm thin AlGaN strip in the last quantum barrier due to enhancement of the hole transportation.
Atypical presentation of invasive myoepithelioma in a pediatric patient

A 15-year-old girl presented with a mobile lesion with yellowish hue on the posterior lamella of the right lower eyelid adjacent to the punctum. Four years prior, a lesion thought to be a chalazion was excised from the same location. There was subsequent progressive painless enlargement. The patient ultimately underwent an internal excision of the mass. Histopathology demonstrated infiltrative nests and cords of epithelioid and plasmacytoid cells with abundant eosinophilic myxoid-collagenous stroma along with focal infiltration of skeletal muscle with immunohistochemical staining consistent with an invasive myoepithelioma of mixed-cell type. Given concern for invasive disease, the patient underwent subsequent Mohs resection resulting in a 25% full thickness eyelid defect, which was repaired with direct closure of the wedge defect. There has been no recurrence of the disease for 7 months since the Mohs resection. This case illustrates the atypical presentation of an invasive myoepithelioma of the eyelid in a pediatric patient.
A case study in the longevity of a regional estuarine fishing tradition: the central Georgia Bight (USA)

Archaeofaunal remains from the central Georgia Bight (USA) are used in a case study for assessing coastal fisheries between 2760 BCE and 1500 CE, particularly from the perspective of sustainability. The longevity of this fishery is evaluated in terms of taxonomic attributions, richness, ubiquity, diversity, and mean trophic level (TL) of fish individuals (MNI) in assemblages from 22 coastal archaeological sites. The average pre-1500 TL (TL = 3.1) is below that of fish populations in a mid-twentieth-century ecological study (TL = 3.3). Although broad features of the regional fishery were sustained for millennia, practices at specific locations were influenced by environmental and cultural phenomena.
Mission-Driven Education and Research in Action: Center for Environmental and Sustainability Education

The Center for Environmental and Sustainability Education was conceived in 2003 in response to pressing conditions. Internally, the University’s rapid growth was frequently at odds with its mission to practice and promote sustainability. It was agreed that a Center could help the University realize its mission, identify strategic opportunities, and provide academic leadership. Externally, the University needed to establish a sustainability research agenda in order to provide support for scholarly work by faculty and students and to establish an identity in the community. The Center became recognized as a global leader in the field of educational research with a distinguished Board of Advisors. It was also recognized across campus as a place of opportunity for education, research, and service related to sustainability. This chapter chronicles the evolution of the Center over time and provides a vision for its future while critically analyzing its successes and shortcomings.
The problem of perceptual invariance

It is a familiar experience to perceive a material object as maintaining a stable shape even though it projects differently shaped images on our retina as we move with respect to it, or as maintaining a stable color throughout changes in the way the object is illuminated. We also perceive sounds as maintaining constant timbre and loudness when the context and the spatial relations between us and the sound source change over time. But where does this perceptual invariance ‘come from’? What is it about our perceptual systems that makes them able to ‘transform’ incoming unstable and fluctuating sensory inputs into generally stable and coherent conscious experiences? And what exactly do we experience as invariant in cases like those described above? There are two main approaches to the Problem of Perceptual Invariance: the Local-Inferential approach and the Global-Structural approach. Although both approaches include an account of the sub-personal perceptual mechanisms ‘stabilizing’ variant and invariant components in incoming sensory stimulation and a proposal regarding the phenomenology of perceptual invariance, in this paper I argue that the latter provides a better solution to the problem overall.
Free Lunch? Vendor Offers during COVID-19

Academic libraries received numerous free offers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Existing business literature suggests that there are benefits and costs associated with free offers for both the businesses that provide them and their customers. This study analyzes the free offers received during a three-month period at the beginning of the pandemic in 2020. The author monitored direct offers from vendors, LIBLICENSE-L@LISTSERV.CRL.EDU, information obtained from peers, and publicly available data from the International Coalition of Library Consortia (ICOLC). The offers that would normally require paid institutional subscriptions were included in the study. Databases were the largest offer category (41%), followed-by e-books (20%). Most (76%) required registration by library representatives, allowing vendors to track usage data. Only a small portion (8%) of these free offers was already held at the study site, Penn State University Libraries (PSUL). The implication might be that most of the offers were either new, not high-priority or not affordable for PSUL. The findings of this study suggest free offers provide intangible value for both libraries and vendors that cannot be measured through cost-per-use data analysis. For example, libraries gained opportunities to trial new products without any risk, temporarily expand their collections, and help users during the crisis when access to the library buildings was disrupted. Vendors increased product visibility, gained customer information and usage data, identified potential customers, and created goodwill with the library community. This study is relevant to business librarianship not only because these free offers included business and related disciplines but also because some business librarians engage with vendor relations and need to understand different business models including free offers.
Long Thoracic and Thoracodorsal Nerves

The long thoracic nerve arises from the posterior aspect of C5, C6, and often C7 ventral rami. It travels within the scalenus medius muscle. It then runs over the lateral surface of the serratus anterior supplying it with multiple branches. The thoracodorsal nerve (C6, C7, and C8) arises from the posterior cord. It courses anterior to the latissimus dorsi muscle along with the corresponding vessels and supplies the muscle.
Rethinking the roles of CRP, cAMP, and sugar-mediated global regulation in the Vibrionaceae

Many proteobacteria modulate a suite of catabolic genes using the second messenger cyclic 3', 5'-AMP (cAMP) and the cAMP receptor protein (CRP). Together, the cAMP-CRP complex regulates target promoters, usually by activating transcription. In the canonical model, the phosphotransferase system (PTS), and in particular the EIIA(Glc) component for glucose uptake, provides a mechanistic link that modulates cAMP levels depending on glucose availability, resulting in more cAMP and activation of alternative catabolic pathways when glucose is unavailable. Within the Vibrionaceae, cAMP-CRP appears to play the classical role in modulating metabolic pathways; however, it also controls functions involved in natural competence, bioluminescence, pheromone signaling, and colonization of animal hosts. For this group of marine bacteria, chitin is an ecologically relevant resource, and chitin's monomeric sugar N-acetylglucosamine (NAG) supports robust growth while also triggering regulatory responses. Recent studies with Vibrio fischeri indicate that NAG and glucose uptake share EIIA(Glc), yet the responses of cAMP-CRP to these two carbon sources are starkly different. Moreover, control of cAMP levels appears to be more dominantly controlled by export and degradation. Perhaps more surprisingly, although CRP may require cAMP, its activity can be controlled in response to glucose by a mechanism independent of cAMP levels. Future studies in this area promise to shed new light on the role of cAMP and CRP.
Child maltreatment, youth violence, and intimate partner violence: developmental relationships.

Background Understanding the cycle of violence, from victimization to perpetration across the life span, is critical for designing successful prevention interventions. This study uses a nationally representative sample to examine the developmental relationships among three forms of child maltreatment, youth violence perpetration or victimization, and young adult intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration or victimization. Methods Data describing self-reported youth violence perpetration (or victimization) from Wave I of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (1994–1995) were matched with self-reported IPV perpetration (or victimization) in young adult sexual relationships and retrospective reports of child maltreatment collected during Wave III (2001–2002). Bivariate probit regression models were used to analyze the developmental relationships between child maltreatment, youth violence, and IPV. Analyses were completed in September 2006. Results Compared to nonvictims of child maltreatment, victims of child maltreatment are more likely to perpetrate youth violence (a likelihood increase ranging from −1.2% to 6.6% for females and 3.7% to 11.9% for males) and young adult IPV (an increase from 8.7% to 10.4% for females and from 1.3% to 17.2% for males), although the direct and indirect effects vary by type of child maltreatment experienced. Gender differences exist in the links between child maltreatment, youth violence and IPV, and in the effects of socioeconomic factors on youth violence and IPV. Conclusions Results suggest that it may be important to account for gender differences when designing violence prevention programs, and an integrative approach is critical for stopping the developmental trajectory of violence.
Studies of 17-hydroxycorticosteroids. IX. The influence of therapy on adrenal cortical function in patients with rheumatic fever.

Summary 1. Data are presented concerning plasma 17-OHCS concentrations and the responses of these concentrations to ACTH in patients with rheumatic fever during the periods before and after hormone or salicylate therapy. 2. In all therapy groups, except the one treated with ACTH gel, the mean plasma 17-OHCS level was significantly lower during the post-therapy period than during the pre-therapy period, but not significantly lower than in untreated patients with active rheumatic fever of the same duration. 3. In all therapy groups, the 17-OHCS responses to intramuscular ACTH were normal during the pre-therapy period. During the post-therapy period the magnitude of this response was reduced significantly in the cortisone- and the salicylate-treated groups but not in the ACTH-treated groups. 4. The data presented are interpreted as indicating that a relative and temporary suppression of adrenal cortical responsiveness occurs following therapy with cortisone; this suppressive effect apparently persists for not more than one week. Within the range of size of dose and duration of therapy employed neither of these variables appeared to influence directly the adrenal hypofunction in the post-therapy period. 5. In the patients treated with salicylates, there appeared to be a decreased adrenal cortical responsiveness in the post-therapy period.
A tail-recursive semantics for stack inspections

Security folklore holds that a security mechanism based on stack inspection is incompatible with a global tail call optimization policy. An implementation of such a language may have to allocate memory for a source-code tail call, and a program that uses only tail calls (and no other memory-allocating construct) may nevertheless exhaust the available memory. In this paper, we prove this widely held belief wrong. We exhibit an abstract machine for a language with security stack inspection whose space consumption function is equivalent to that of the canonical tail call optimizing abstract machine. Our machine is surprisingly simple and suggests that tail-calls are as easy to implement in a security setting as they are in a conventional one.
Signaling Pathways in Antigen-Presenting Cells Involved in the Induction of Antigen-Specific T-Cell Tolerance

There is now an undisputed understanding that tolerance to tumor antigens imposes a significant barrier to cancer immunotherapy. Bone marrow (BM)-derived antigen-presenting cells (APCs) play a central role in the induction of tolerance in a wide variety of malignancies. Here, we discuss receptor–ligands, intracellular signaling pathways and epigenetic mechanisms that, given their role in regulating the inflammatory properties of APCs, influence the functional outcome (i.e., priming versus tolerance) of antigen-specific T cells. The identification of these mechanisms and pathways has provided novel molecular targets to potentially revert mechanisms of T-cell unresponsiveness in cancer.
Reliability modeling and analysis of a micro-grid with significant clean energy penetration

This paper reviews three main methods in reliability analysis for power systems and applies them to a micro-grid with significant clean energy penetration. The approaches used are Reliability Block Diagrams (RBD), Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) and Markov Reliability Modeling (MRM). Each method is introduced and applied to a simple system to illustrate its application procedure. Reliability parameters such as the system's mean time to failure (MTTF), component structure importance, and reliability function are evaluated using simulation models. All three methods are then used to find the reliability measures of a real micro-grid which is characterized by significant clean energy penetration using solar photovoltaic panels and a fuel cell.
Value-added locking: concurrently supporting transactions and queries in DBMS

This paper presents an approach value-added locking (VAL), that allows effective transaction processing and the execution of complex, read-only, and long-lived queries simultaneously on the same database. VAL integrates the concepts of altruistic locking and quasi-copies to provide a mechanism that allows users, application designers to database administrators to fine-tune the system performance in terms of transaction throughput and queries' average response times. By deploying VAL, a significant gain in system performance may be expected. It also shows that a conventional concurrency control mechanisms such as 2-phase locking becomes a special case of the approach. >
Alternating current electrical stimulation enhanced chemotherapy: a novel strategy to bypass multidrug resistance in tumor cells

Background Tumor burden can be pharmacologically controlled by inhibiting cell division and by direct, specific toxicity to the cancerous tissue. Unfortunately, tumors often develop intrinsic pharmacoresistance mediated by specialized drug extrusion mechanisms such as P-glycoprotein. As a consequence, malignant cells may become insensitive to various anti-cancer drugs. Recent studies have shown that low intensity very low frequency electrical stimulation by alternating current (AC) reduces the proliferation of different tumor cell lines by a mechanism affecting potassium channels while at intermediate frequencies interfere with cytoskeletal mechanisms of cell division. The aim of the present study is to test the hypothesis that permeability of several MDR1 over-expressing tumor cell lines to the chemotherapic agent doxorubicin is enhanced by low frequency, low intensity AC stimulation.
A sparsity preserving stochastic gradient methods for sparse regression

We propose a new stochastic first-order algorithm for solving sparse regression problems. In each iteration, our algorithm utilizes a stochastic oracle of the subgradient of the objective function. Our algorithm is based on a stochastic version of the estimate sequence technique introduced by Nesterov (Introductory lectures on convex optimization: a basic course, Kluwer, Amsterdam, 2003). The convergence rate of our algorithm depends continuously on the noise level of the gradient. In particular, in the limiting case of noiseless gradient, the convergence rate of our algorithm is the same as that of optimal deterministic gradient algorithms. We also establish some large deviation properties of our algorithm. Unlike existing stochastic gradient methods with optimal convergence rates, our algorithm has the advantage of readily enforcing sparsity at all iterations, which is a critical property for applications of sparse regressions.
Fine tuning of linear accelerator accessories for stereotactic radiotherapy.

Abstract Purpose : Experience with the University of Wisconsin's stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) accessory system was applied to build a new system, facilitate alignment of linac photon beams with a Brown-Roberts-Wells (BRW) stereotaxy, and increase the versatility and stability of the stereotaxy. Methods and Materials : High tensile strength stainless steel was used in the floor stand to increase the range of gantry rotation relative to ranges allowed by truss-mounted stands. The collimator assembly and floor stand were each fitted with two-axis gimbal and translation adjustments in addition to the floor stand's three-axis adjustments. The head ring positioning assembly was fitted with two braces to prevent the head ring from deforming with patient motion. Six MV linac photon beam characteristics were measured with a computer-controlled scanning system and a diode in water, at source to surface distances (SSD) of 80 and 100 cm, and for 13 divergent collimators ranging in diameter from 1–4 cm at 100 cm SSD. Quality assurance software was applied to screen data for questionable consistency or symmetry. Integrity of the stereotaxy was evaluated with target simulation films and repeated measurements which were part of the quality assurance of clinical treatments. A method was developed using a glass etched contact reticle to obtain average simulated target to beam center distances (δav) from target simulation films. Results and Conclusion : New aspects of the current system have improved the ability to fine tune and analyze stereotactic alignment. Beam characteristics met stringent output criteria and penumbral widths were the same or narrower than penumbral widths reported elsewhere. The precision of measuring δav was 0.1 mm, and δav averaged over 50 target simulation films was 0.7 ± 0.1 mm. Results suggest that it may be useful to determine δav from target simulation films with the method described here.
Is opacity a basic feature? It's not transparent

OPAQUE You spotted the oddballs above right away, didn't you? At left is a target whose ORIENTATION markedly contrasts with that of its neighbors. At right, SHADING, reveals the presence of a bump among holes. Both are on a short list of BASIC FEATURES that, among other things, support efficient visual search. Do either transparency or opacity, surface properties like shading, yield efficient visual search and thereby warrant consideration as a basic feature?
Multiscale osteointegration as a new paradigm for the design of calcium phosphate scaffolds for bone regeneration

The role of macropore size (>100 microm) and geometry in synthetic scaffolds for bone regeneration has been studied extensively, but successful translation to the clinic has been slow. Significantly less attention has been given to porosity at the microscale (0.5-10 microm). While some have shown that microporosity in calcium phosphate (CaP)-based scaffolds can improve rate and extent of bone formation in macropores, none has explored microporosity as an additional and important space for bone ingrowth. Here we show osteointegration of biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) scaffolds at both the macro and micro length scales. Bone, osteoid, and osteogenic cells fill micropores in scaffold rods and osteocytes are embedded in mineralized matrix in micropores, without the addition of growth factors. This work further highlights the importance of considering design parameters at the microscale and demonstrates the possibility for a bone-scaffold composite with no "dead space." Embedded osteocytes distributed throughout microporous rods may form a mechanosensory network, which would not be possible in scaffolds without microporosity. Multiscale osteointegration has the potential to greatly improve overall performance of these scaffolds through an improvement of mechanical properties, load transfer, and stability in the long and short term, and represents a new paradigm for scaffold design.
Effects of debrisoquin on the excretion of catecholamine and octopamine metabolites in the rat and guinea pig.

Abstract The effects of debrisoquin, administered daily for 4 days to rats (40 mg kg , i.p.) and guinea pigs (4 mg kg , i.p.), were determined for urinary excretion of several acidic and neutral amine metabolites, including the norepinephrine metabolites, 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenethylene glycol (MHPG) and vanillylmandelic acid (VMA), the dopamine metabolites, 3,4-dihydroxyphenethanol (DHPE), 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenethanol (MHPE), and homovanillic acid (HVA), and the octopamine metabolite, p-hydroxyphenylglycol (pHPG). The excretion of MHPG was reduced to 32% of control in rats and to 46% in guinea pigs, HVA was reduced to 64 and 80% in these two species, respectively, and MHPE was lowered to 59% of control in the rat but was not affected in the guinea pig. DHPE and pHPG were not altered significantly in either species. VMA was a minor metabolite in both species, being less than 6% of MHPG, and its formation was blocked only partially (rat) or not at all (guinea pig) by debrisoquin. The data refute the idea based on previous in vitro studies that VMA is a major metabolite of norepinephrine in the periphery of the guinea pig as it is in man.
Complete immunosuppressive withdrawal as a uniform approach to post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease in pediatric liver transplantation.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) in pediatric liver transplant recipients is associated with a high mortality (up to 60%) and the younger age groups, who are predominantly EBV-naive, are at highest risk for development of this disease. The aim of this study is to assess, in this high-risk group, patient outcome and graft loss to rejection when complete withdrawal of immunosuppressive agents (IMS) is instituted as the mainstay of treatment in addition to the use of standard therapy. A retrospective analysis of 335 pediatric patients whose liver transplants were performed by our team between September 1988 and September 2002, was carried out through review of computer records, database and patient charts. Fifty patients developed either EBV or PTLD; 80% were < or =2 yr of age. Of these 50 patients, 19 had a positive tissue diagnosis for PTLD and 31 were diagnosed with EBV infection, 14 of whom had positive tissue for EBV. Fifty-eight percent of patients who developed PTLD and 51.6% of patients with EBV received antibody for induction or treatment of rejection prior to onset of disease. Forty-six patients (92%) received post-transplant antiviral prophylaxis with ganciclovir or acyclovir. Antiviral treatment included ganciclovir in 76%, acyclovir in 20% and Cytogam (in addition to one of the former agents) in 44%. In those with PTLD, treatment included chemotherapy (n = 1), Rituximab (n = 2), and ocular radiation (n = 1). IMS was stopped in all patients with PTLD and in 19 with EBV infection and was held as long as there was no allograft rejection. Eight patients have remained off IMS for a mean of 1535.5 +/- 623 days. Of the 21 patients who were restarted on IMS for acute rejection, 18 responded to steroids and/or reinstitution of low-dose calcineurin inhibitors. The mean time to rejection while off IMS in this group was 107.43 +/- 140 days (range: 7-476). Two patients were re-transplanted for chronic rejection; one had chronic rejection that existed prior to discontinuing IMS. The mortality rate in our series was 31.6% in those with PTLD and 6% in those with EBV disease. The cause of death was related to PTLD or sepsis in all cases; no deaths were due to graft loss from acute or chronic rejection. PTLD is associated with high mortality in the pediatric population. Based on this report, we advocate aggressive management of PTLD that is composed of early cessation of IMS, the use of antiviral therapy, and chemotherapy when indicated. Episodes of rejection that occur after stopping IMS can be successfully treated with standard therapy without graft loss to acute rejection.
Creation of rice breeding material with blast disease resistance gene Pi-b with the use of molecular genetic methods

Introgression of the blast disease resistance gene Pi-b into domestic rice germplasm is accomplished with the use of molecular DNA marking methods. Near-isogenic lines are created on the basis of variety Yantar’ released in Krasnodar krai. New breeding material with the resistance gene is obtained. A series of lines is being prepared for competitive variety trial.
Trends in cesarean section use in California, 1983 to 1990

Objective: Our aim was to assess recent trends in cesarean section use in California. Study Design: California discharge abstract data on hospital deliveries in 1983 through 1990 (379,759 to 587,508 annual deliveries) were used to analyze time trends by indication, age, race, and payment source. Results: California cesarean section rates increased annually from 21.8% in 1983 to 25.0% in 1987 and then decreased to 22.7% by 1990. Similar patterns were noted for all age and race or ethnicity groups. Primary cesarean section rates increased from 15.2% in 1983 to 17.9% in 1987, then decreased to 16.2% by 1990. Declines in repeat cesarean section rates continued throughout 1983 through 1990, accelerating after 1987. For both primary and repeat cesarean section rates, time trends after mid-1987 were significantly different than those for 1983 to 1987. Conclusion: After increasing from 1983 to 1987, California cesarean section rates declined from 1988 to 1990. Existing payment source differences in cesarean section use increased in magnitude from 1983 to 1990, with privately insured women consistently having the highest cesarean section rates.
A Wireless Pharmaceutical Compliance Monitoring System Based on Magneto-Inductive Sensors

We have developed a magnetic sensor-based wireless pharmaceutical compliance monitoring (PCM) system using an array of magneto-inductive sensors mounted around the patient's neck in the form of a tight necklace. This system detects the passage of a pill or capsule embedded with a small permanent magnet as a tracer through the esophagus upon ingestion. As a result, a signal representing a ldquodose ingestion eventrdquo is generated and wirelessly transmitted to a data delivery device (PDA), which is carried on the patient's body. A software application running on the PDA time/date stamps the event and stores it for later retrieval by a physician. This technology provides a safe, convenient, low-cost, and accurate detection mechanism that helps patients adhere with their prescribed medication regimens. It also helps researchers and pharmaceutical companies conduct more accurate clinical trials on new drugs. A proof-of-concept prototype system using off-the-shelf components and custom PCB has been developed and successfully tested. Preliminary results using an artificial neck showed 94.4% correct detections when the magnetic tracer passed through the detection zone and about 6% false positives for outside areas.
Mechanisms linking socioeconomic disadvantage and BMI in smokers.

Smoking and overweight/obesity are the leading causes of mortality in the United States.1 Moreover, the combination of smoking and obesity substantially increases mortality risk above and beyond either risk factor alone2 and may confer synergistic health risk.3 Researchers have hypothesized that racial/ethnic differences in the prevalence of modifiable risk factors among individuals who smoke, including obesity, may influence the likelihood of tobacco-related diseases and contribute to tobacco-related health disparities.4 Socioeconomic status (SES) and race/ethnicity have each been shown to be associated with obesity2,5–7; however, little is known about these relationships among individuals who smoke. More research is needed to characterize the factors that influence body mass index (BMI) among smokers, so that both smoking and weight management may be effectively addressed within treatment programs for socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals and racial/ethnic minority groups.
An Initial Conceptualization of Virtual Scenario Planning

The ProblemRecent disruptive events introduced high volatility and uncertainty into the contemporary organizational environment whereby well-established organizations found scenario planning (SP) u...
Exploring the causal machinery behind sex ratios at birth: does hepatitis B play a role?

Abstract The causal machinery underlying sex determination is directly relevant to many questions relating gender and family composition to social and economic outcomes. In recent work, Oster highlighted a correlation between parental hepatitis B carrier status and sex of the child. One of her analyses went further, speaking directly to causality. That analysis appeared to have answered an important question that had remained unresolved in medical and biological literatures—namely, does chronic infection with hepatitis B cause male‐skewed sex ratios at birth? Oster’s creative empirical analysis appeared to suggest that it does; however, in this article I reassess the result and present evidence that, at the very least, the question remains open. Further investigation into questions around the causal machinery of sex determination is warranted in the social science literature, as well as in that of biology and medicine. However, my results suggest that it is extremely unlikely that chronic hepatitis B infe...
Potent and selective photo-inactivation of proteins with peptoid-ruthenium conjugates.

Advances in high-throughput screening now enable the rapid discovery of bioactive small molecules, but these primary hits almost always exhibit modest potency. We report a strategy for the transformation of these hits into much more potent inhibitors without compound optimization. Appending a derivative of Ru(II)(tris-bipyridyl)2+, an efficient photosensitizer of singlet oxygen production, to synthetic protein-binding compounds results in highly potent and specific target protein inactivation upon irradiation with visible light.
Broadband Mid-IR Standoff Spectroscopy of Explosives with a Femtosecond Optical Parametric Oscillator

We describe a 2.6 – 4.0 µm broadband tunable MIR source based on optical parametric oscillation (OPO). Utilizing this source, we investigate the signatures of solid trace explosives at a standoff distance of 3 m.
Germline BAP1 inactivation is preferentially associated with metastatic ocular melanoma and cutaneous-ocular melanoma families.

Background BAP1 has been shown to be a target of both somatic alteration in high-risk ocular melanomas (OM) and germline inactivation in a few individuals from cancer-prone families. These findings suggest that constitutional BAP1 changes may predispose individuals to metastatic OM and that familial permeation of deleterious alleles could delineate a new cancer syndrome. Design To characterize BAP1's contribution to melanoma risk, we sequenced BAP1 in a set of 100 patients with OM, including 50 metastatic OM cases and 50 matched non-metastatic OM controls, and 200 individuals with cutaneous melanoma (CM) including 7 CM patients from CM-OM families and 193 CM patients from CM-non-OM kindreds. Results Germline BAP1 mutations were detected in 4/50 patients with metastatic OM and 0/50 cases of non-metastatic OM (8% vs. 0%, p = 0.059). Since 2/4 of the BAP1 carriers reported a family history of CM, we analyzed 200 additional hereditary CM patients and found mutations in 2/7 CM probands from CM-OM families and 1/193 probands from CM-non-OM kindreds (29% vs. 0.52%, p = .003). Germline mutations co-segregated with both CM and OM phenotypes and were associated with the presence of unique nevoid melanomas and highly atypical nevoid melanoma-like melanocytic proliferations (NEMMPs). Interestingly, 7/14 germline variants identified to date reside in C-terminus suggesting that the BRCA1 binding domain is important in cancer predisposition. Conclusion Germline BAP1 mutations are associated with a more aggressive OM phenotype and a recurrent phenotypic complex of cutaneous/ocular melanoma, atypical melanocytic proliferations and other internal neoplasms (ie. COMMON syndrome), which could be a useful clinical marker for constitutive BAP1 inactivation.
PROBLEMS OF CONDITIONING XENOPUS LAEVIS TADPOLES WITH STANDARD AVOIDANCE-RESPONSE LEARNING PARADIGMS

The amphibian Xenopus laevis embryo (tadpole) provides a satisfactory alternative to mammalian screening for structural teratogens. Testing was undertaken to extend the usefulness of this species for behavioral teratogenicity testing. One simple and eight operant conditioning paradigms were examined: none elicited learning in Xenopus embryos. Adaptation to the conditioning stimulus (light) and freezing in response to the unconditioned stimulus (shock) were responses incompatible with conditioned learning.
Enzymic formation of l-xylulose from β-keto-l-gulonic acid

Abstract The enzymic formation of l -xylulose resulting from the action of a specific decarboxylase acting upon β-keto- l -gulonate has been demonstrated. The enzyme, β-keto- l -gulonate decarboxylase, has been isolated and purified approx. 20-fold from an acetone powder of guinea pig liver. A study of the properties of the enzyme as well as further data on the stability of β-keto- l -gulonic acid are presented.
Reducing the dilution of breath samples for breath hydrogen testing

Breath hydrogen testing has a diagnostic potential as a gastrointestinal function test that could be performed in general practice. The purpose of this study was to improve techniques for collection of breath samples and transfer of samples to transport vessels. Breath samples from 10 dogs were collected using both a snug-fitting and a loose-fitting standard anesthetic mask attached to a reservoir bag, and a modified snug-fitting system. CO2 was used as internal standard and mean CO2 concentrations were 1.19 ± 0.76, 2.17 ± 0.66 and 2.68 ± 0.92, respectively. Additional samples were saved in transport tubes for 19 days, during which the hydrogen and carbon dioxide concentrations remained stable. A reliable method for transferring the breath samples from the reservoir bag to vacuum transport tubes was also identified. Our results demonstrate less contamination of breath samples with air than previously reported, and a reproducible method to transfer breath samples to transport vessels.
Shear wave propagation after stepwise increase of shear rate

Abstract Spatially resolved flow birefringence is used to investigate shear wave propagation in polymeric liquids following a step increase in boundary velocities. Under the same flow conditions and with suitable parameters, numerical calculations using the Giesekus constitutive equation are presented. Comparisons indicate good qualitative agreement in wave speeds and wave reflection phenomena for various combinations of initial and final boundary velocities. The results are also compared with recent data by Takahashi and co-workers on the effect of shear-rate changes on entanglement density in concentrated solutions.
Resonantly scattered wave packets

Abstract The effect of a resonant scattering on the shape of a (spherical) wave packet is investigated for the illustrative case of an incident packet Lorentzian in momentum. In the elastic case, packets both broader and narrower than the resonance are considered, and the relation of their time-delays to the Wigner-Eisenbud estimate elucidated. The effects on the elastically-scattered packet of (a) a double-pole resonance and (b) inelasticity are obtained as well.
Sensory Overresponsivity and Anxiety in Children With ADHD

OBJECTIVE. Approximately 25% of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have a comorbid anxiety disorder. The purpose of this study was to determine whether sensory overresponsivity (SOR) is related to elevated levels of anxiety in children with ADHD. METHOD. Twenty-four children ages 6 to 10 with ADHD and 24 children without ADHD participated in this study. All parents completed a Revised Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale (RCMAS) with their child. Children in the ADHD group were subdivided into ADHD + SOR and ADHD-only groups using the Sensory Over-Responsivity Inventory. RESULTS. Children in the ADHD + SOR group were significantly more anxious than both the ADHD-only and non-ADHD (control) groups. Children with ADHD + SOR were also more likely to have clinically significant anxiety (determined by total scores on the RCMAS). CONCLUSIONS. Occupational therapists treating children with ADHD and SOR should be aware that these children may also have anxiety and discuss options with families for prevention or treatment.
Akt Phosphorylates HK-II at Thr-473 and Increases Mitochondrial HK-II Association to Protect Cardiomyocytes

Hexokinase II (HK-II) is an enzyme that catalyzes the first step in glycolysis and localizes not only in the cytosol but also at mitochondria. Akt, activated by insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) treatment in neonatal rat ventricular myocytes, translocates to mitochondria and increases mitochondrial HK-II binding. Expression of an HK-II-dissociating peptide diminished IGF-1-induced increases in mitochondrial HK-II as well as protection against hydrogen peroxide treatment, suggesting an important role of mitochondrial HK-II in IGF-1/Akt-mediated protection. We hypothesized, on the basis of an Akt phosphorylation consensus sequence present in HK-II, that Thr-473 is the target of Akt kinase activity. Indeed, recombinant kinase-active Akt robustly phosphorylates WT HK-II, but not Thr-473 mutants. Phosphomimetic (T473D)HK-II, but not non-phosphorylatable (T473A)HK-II, constitutively increased mitochondrial binding compared with WT HK-II and concomitantly confers greater protection against hydrogen peroxide. Glucose 6-phosphate (G-6P), a product of the catalytic activity of HK-II, is well known to dissociate HK-II from mitochondria. Addition of G-6P to isolated mitochondria dose-dependently dissociates WT HK-II, and this response is inhibited significantly in mitochondria isolated from cardiomyocytes expressing T473D HK-II. Pretreatment with IGF-1 also inhibits G-6P-induced overexpressed or endogenous HK-II dissociation, and this response was blocked by Akt inhibition. These results show that Akt phosphorylation of HK-II at Thr-473 is responsible for the Akt-mediated increase in HK-II binding to mitochondria. This increase is, at least in part, due to the decreased sensitivity to G-6P-induced dissociation. Thus, phosphorylation-mediated regulation of mitochondrial HK-II would be a critical component of the protective effect of Akt.
Sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value of oral opportunistic infections in adults with HIV/AIDS as markers of immune suppression and viral burden.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the use of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related oral opportunistic infections as markers of immune suppression and viral burden in adults with HIV/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Methods: The population consisted of a single institution observational cohort involving 606 patients with HIV/AIDS with CD4 count data and 277 with plasma viral load measurements examined between 1995 and 1999 for the presence of oral manifestations of HIV. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value is reported for the association of specific oral lesions and lesion sets with CD4 counts <200 cells/mm3 and with plasma HIV RNA ≥20,000 copies/mL. Results: Lesions with moderate-to-high PPVs for CD4 <200 cells/mm3 were as follows: Kaposi’s sarcoma (100%; P =.035), pseudomembranous candidiasis (82.2%; P <.001), linear gingival erythema (70.0%; P =.015), hairy leukoplakia (66.3%; P <.001), angular cheilitis (60.0%; P =.128), and erythematous candidiasis (58.3%; P =.061). Necrotizing ulcerative periodontal diseases, HIV salivary gland disease, oral ulcers, and oral warts had PPVs below 50%. Concurrent infection with candidiasis and hairy leukoplakia had the highest PPV of 89.3%; P <.001. PPVs for HIV RNA ≥20,000 copies/mL ranged from 27.3% to 100%, with significant association only for pseudomembranous candidiasis. Conclusions: Specific common oral lesions are strongly associated with immune suppression, as measured by CD4 cell counts, and are modestly associated with high viral burden, thus serving as potential clinical markers of HIV viremia and the consequent destruction of the immune system with progressive HIV disease.
Thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm presenting as a solitary pulmonary nodule

Bronchogenic carcinoma was suspected in an elderly male smoker who had lost weight and presented with a large solitary pulmonary nodule on the radiograph. On thoracotomy a thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm was found. The diographic findings in this case and the characteristics of thoracoabdominal aneurysms in general are briefly discussed.
Hydrophobic interactions of inhibitors with yeast alcohol dehydrogenase

Summary Eleven N1-alkylnicotinamide chlorides have been prepared and studied as inhibitors in the yeast alcohol dehydrogenase (alcohol :NAD+ oxidoreductase, EC 1.1.1.1) catalyzed oxidation of ethanol. The effectiveness of these inhibitors increased with increasing chain length of the alkyl substituent. The changes in free energy calculated from the dissociation constants for the various inhibitors are consistent with an enhanced binding of the alkyl derivatives through dispersion forces. The inhibition by the smaller N1-alkylnicotinamide chlorides in these reactions is competitive with respect to nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide while the inhibition by the larger N1-alkylnicotiriamide chlorides is of a mixed type.
Contract design for frequency regulation by aggregations of commercial buildings

We investigate the contract design problem that an energy aggregator who participates in the wholesale market for Ancillary Services faces. Specifically, we consider a situation in which commercial buildings agree to adjust their heating, ventilation and air conditioning power consumption with respect to a nominal schedule, according to a signal sent by the aggregator. This signal may vary arbitrarily within a certain band, whose (time-varying) width is part of the agreed-upon contract between aggregator and building. In return, the aggregator offers monetary rewards to incentivize the individual buildings. This allows the aggregator to bundle the resulting capacities from different buildings and sell the total capacity in the spot market for frequency regulation. The aggregator's problem is to jointly determine nominal schedules, regulation capacities and monetary rewards to maximize its profit, while ensuring that the individual buildings have an incentive to participate. Assuming that there is no private information, we cast the contract design problem as a bilevel optimization problem, which we in turn reformulate as a mixed-integer program. We further show that if the building does not impose negative externalities on the aggregator, the problem reduces to a Linear Program.