cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Virtual Surgery Oral Board Examinations in the Era of COVID-19 Pandemic. How I Do It!

INTRODUCTION Traditional in-person Mock Oral Examinations (IP-MOEs) are utilized by surgery residency programs to prepare trainees for the American Board of Surgery Certifying Exam (ABS-CE). However, the COVID-19 Pandemic has led to a profound disruption of on-campus and in-person educational activities, with subsequent instantaneous revolutionization of educational systems all over the world, including a massive switch to virtual platforms. Many in-person didactics and examinations were canceled or rescheduled, including the ABS-CE. The study aims to evaluate Virtual MOEs’ (V-MOEs) feasibility as a potential alternative to in-person MOEs in residency programs. METHODS Twenty-five participants–16 general surgery residents (7 females, 9 males) and 9 faculty – in the inaugural Department of Surgery Virtual Mock Oral Examination completed an anonymous, voluntary online survey via Microsoft Forms. Faculty was given 24 questions, and residents 28, with 9 questions common between both residents and faculty. Participants were asked about the accessibility to virtual examination rooms, V-MOE effectiveness, resident's preparation for the exam, resident's stress, diversity, and number of clinical scenarios, and possible future implementation of, and barriers to, V-MOEs. RESULTS All participants have participated in IP-MOEs in the past. All faculties were very satisfied or satisfied with IP-MOE, compared to 93.8% of residents. All participants were very satisfied or satisfied with the orientation and instructions before V-MOE. Only 66.6% of faculty, compared to all residents, was satisfied with time allocation for sessions. While 88.9% of faculty felt the V-MOE was less stressful on residents, only 68.8% of residents felt so. Additionally, 87.5% of residents said they prepared for the V-MOE similarly to the IP-MOE. As a future platform, only 22.2% of faculty compared to 43.8% of residents preferred V-MOE over the IP-MOE. Both faculty (88.9%), and residents (81.3%) preferred immediate feedback at the end of sessions. All faculty recommend collaboration with other programs to enhance the resident's preparation. Time constraints, lack of experience with the format, and availability were the top 3 barriers. CONCLUSION V-MOE is feasible, accessible, and a potential alternative for IP-MOEs at a program level for ABS-CE preparation. Given the time constraints and costs associated with IP-MOEs, it is an opportunity to collaborate with other residency programs.
Effect of prenatal lifestyle intervention on maternal postpartum weight retention and child body mass index z-score at 36 months

Background/objectives We previously reported results from a randomized trial showing that a behavioral intervention during pregnancy reduced excess gestational weight gain but did not impact maternal weight at 12 months. We now examine the longer-term effects of this prenatal intervention on maternal postpartum weight retention and toddler body-mass-index z scores (BMIz) over 36 months. Subjects/methods Pregnant women (N = 264; 13.7 weeks' gestation; 41.6% Hispanic) with overweight or obesity were randomized into usual care or prenatal intervention. Anthropometric assessments in mothers and toddlers occurred at baseline, 35 weeks' gestation and after delivery at 6, 12, 18, 24, and 36 months. Results At 36 months, prenatal intervention vs. usual care had no significant effect on the proportion of participants who returned to their early pregnancy weight or below (33.3% vs. 39.5%; p = 0.12) and had no effect on the magnitude of weight retained (2.8 [0.8, 4.8] vs 3.0 kg [1.0, 4.9], respectively; mean difference = 0.14 [-3.0, 2.7]). There was also no statistically significant intervention vs. usual care effect on infant BMIz or skinfold changes over time; toddler BMIz increased by 1.4 [-1.7, 1.0] units in the intervention group and 1.6 [-1.2, 1.8] units in the usual care group from delivery to 36 months (difference = 0.16 [-0.32. 0.63]). The proportion of toddlers at risk for obesity at 36 months was similar in intervention and usual care groups (28/77 [36.4%] vs 30/80 [37.5%]; p = 0.77). Conclusions Compared with usual care, lifestyle intervention during pregnancy resulted in similar maternal and toddler anthropometric outcomes at 36-months postpartum in a diverse US sample of women with overweight and obesity. To sustain improved maternal weight management initiated during pregnancy, continued intervention during the postpartum years may be needed.
Directors’ Remuneration and Performance: Evidence from the Textile Sector of Bangladesh

This study investigates the impact of board incentives as proxied by directors` remuneration on the financial performance of listed textile companies in Bangladesh. Using Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) and data pertaining to listed textile companies of Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) during the period from 2011 to 2017 (resulting in a total of 140 firm-year observations), we have estimated the firm performance equation involving directors’ remuneration and board independence as the independent variables and some other control variables like firm age, size, leverage, and operating efficiency. The results reveal that there is a negative association between board remuneration and firm performance. In addition, this study finds no significant relationship between board independence and firm performance of the sample firms. Our findings suggest that higher pay to the board does not stimulate higher firm performance and, in turn, results in shareholders getting nothing in return from this and, hence, is a matter of great concern for them. Moreover, our results indirectly indicate that currently directors` remuneration in Bangladesh is not aligned with the firm performance, which has been emphasized in extant corporate governance literature. Besides, this paper further raises questions about the effectiveness of independent directors in the boards of textile firms in Bangladesh.
The Geometry of Y-Stent Configurations Used for Wide-Necked Aneurysm Treatment: Analyzing Double-Barrel Stents In Vitro Using Flat-Panel Computed Tomography.

Background Stent-assisted coil embolization of wide-necked bifurcation aneurysms often employs a Y configuration stent. A similar stent configuration, termed kissing/double-barrel (KDB), is used often at the aortoiliac bifurcation. Studies of KDB stents in aortoiliac disease show that rates of thromboembolic complications vary with the cross-sectional geometry of the stent pair, a function of the radial crush resistive force of each stent. We assessed cross-sectional geometry of intracranial stent pairs in an in vitro model of the basilar artery using flat-panel computed tomography. Methods In a silicone model of a wide-necked basilar tip aneurysm, 6 simulated KDB stent deployment trials were performed using combinations of 5 stents (Enterprise 1, Enterprise 2, Neuroform Atlas, LVIS, LVIS Jr.). Flat-panel computed tomography reconstructions were used to assess cross-sectional stent geometry. Relative conformability, defined by ovalization and D-ratio, radial crush resistive force (predicted vs. actual), and radial mismatch fraction were compared by stent type (braided vs. laser-cut). Results Several distinct forms of cross-sectional stent geometry were observed. Braided stents had lower ovalization and D-ratio (P = 0.015) than laser-cut stents. The Neuroform Atlas/LVIS combination yielded the lowest radial mismatch fraction (19.7% vs. mean 44.3% ± 0.7%). Braided stents tended to have a deployed stent radius closer to the expected (nominal) diameter (i.e., higher relative crush resistive force) than laser-cut stents (measured vs. nominal diameter discrepancy +38.6% ± 21.1% vs. –10.7% ±16.1%, P = 0.14). Conclusions In constant anatomy, cross-sectional geometry of the KDB stent configuration will vary depending on the design and structure of the stents employed.
Cued by Culture: Political Imagery and Partisan Evaluations

There is a popular perception that politics is increasingly permeating the everyday lives of Americans. Ostensibly non-political objects and activities are becoming “partisan,” and there is accordingly talk of a cultural divide between Latte-drinking, Volvo-driving Liberals and NASCAR-watching, truck-driving Conservatives. This study examines the extent to which this perception is accurate. We first find that survey respondents have no trouble assigning partisan leaning to non-political activities and objects. We then explore whether voters use such non-political objects as heuristics in candidate evaluations. We show that exposure to images of candidates featuring such objects can affect perceptions of candidates’ partisanship, but that these cues only very rarely shift perceptions in the face of clear policy information. These findings have important implications for understanding the way that citizens evaluate politics in changing political and media environments.
The proposed promiscuity value of an HLA can vary significantly depending on the source data used

Immune checkpoint blockade, a form of immunotherapy, mobilizes a patients own immune system against cancer cells by releasing some of the natural brakes on T cells. Although our understanding of this process is evolving, it is thought that a patient response to immunotherapy requires tumor presentation of neoantigens to T cells and patients whose tumors present a wider array of neoantigens are more likely to derive benefit from immune checkpoint blockade1-4. Manczinger et al.5 recently reported findings that would appear contrarian to this notion in that they suggested patients with HLA alleles which bind more diverse peptides (higher promiscuity) are less likely to respond to immunotherapy. To estimate HLA promiscuity they looked at the HLA-peptide binding repertoires for class I alleles contained in the IEDB6, and obtained consistent results when performing robustness checks and subsequent analyses. Here we show that the proposed HLA promiscuity values can vary significantly across source data types and individual experiments.
Synergistic Effects of Genetic Variants of Glucose Homeostasis and Lifelong Exposures to Cigarette Smoking, Female Hormones, and Dietary Fat Intake on Primary Colorectal Cancer Development in African and Hispanic/Latino American Women.

Background Disparities in cancer genomic science exist among racial/ethnic minorities. Particularly, African American (AA) and Hispanic/Latino American (HA) women, the 2 largest minorities, are underrepresented in genetic/genome-wide studies for cancers and their risk factors. We conducted on AA and HA postmenopausal women a genomic study for insulin resistance (IR), the main biologic mechanism underlying colorectal cancer (CRC) carcinogenesis owing to obesity. Methods With 780 genome-wide IR-specific single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) among 4,692 AA and 1,986 HA women, we constructed a CRC-risk prediction model. Along with these SNPs, we incorporated CRC-associated lifestyles in the model of each group and detected the topmost influential genetic and lifestyle factors. Further, we estimated the attributable risk of the topmost risk factors shared by the groups to explore potential factors that differentiate CRC risk between these groups. Results In both groups, we detected IR-SNPs in PCSK1 (in AA) and IFT172, GCKR, and NRBP1 (in HA) and risk lifestyles, including long lifetime exposures to cigarette smoking and endogenous female hormones and daily intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PFA), as the topmost predictive variables for CRC risk. Combinations of those top genetic- and lifestyle-markers synergistically increased CRC risk. Of those risk factors, dietary PFA intake and long lifetime exposure to female hormones may play a key role in mediating racial disparity of CRC incidence between AA and HA women. Conclusions Our results may improve CRC risk prediction performance in those medically/scientifically underrepresented groups and lead to the development of genetically informed interventions for cancer prevention and therapeutic effort, thus contributing to reduced cancer disparities in those minority subpopulations.
Identification of foreign gene sequences by transcript filtering against the human genome

We have developed a computational subtraction approach to detect microbial causes for putative infectious diseases by filtering a set of human tissue-derived sequences against the human genome. We demonstrate the potential of this method by identifying sequences from known pathogens in established expressed-sequence tag libraries.
Comparison of reflection effects in the brice-type and sofica light scattering photometers

Abstract Values of the light scattering parameters for a polystyrene fraction and a dextran sample obtained with the Brice-Phoenix instrument are compared with values obtained with the Sofica photometer. The latter instrument is essentially free from reflection effects. Therefore, the agreement obtained in the values of these parameters by the two instruments provided experimental verification of the procedure used to correct for reflection effects in the Brice-Phoenix instrument. Least squares computer analysis of the angular scattering data served to eliminate the bias inherent in handdrawn Zimm plots.
Cascading LZW Algorithm with Huffman Coding: A Variable to Variable Length Compression Algorithm

Two common schemes in data compression are fixed to variable length coding and variable to fixed length coding. Higher compression is expected from the more flexible scheme of variable to variable length coding. In such a scheme a compression dictionary is used to transfer variable length strings over the text alphabet into variable length strings over the coding alphabet. The compression is achieved due to matching longer more frequent text strings with shorter coding strings.
A Review of “Conservation on the High Seas: Harmonizing International Regimes for the Sustainable Use of Living Resources”

The high seas present exciting opportunities for legal scholars interested in the management and conservation of living marine resources. From Hugo Grotius’ “Mare Liberum” in 1609 to the modern par...
Basic e+e− Collider Physics

The symmetry of Maxwell's equations with respect to time reversal guarantees that, in machines in which guide fields are purely magnetic, orbits and twiss parameters be identical for both beams. But the. basic e+e− collider has evolved to a multibunch machine with many more crossing points than collision points, and the optics must be specifically constrained to preserve common beam properties. The successful operation of ever more complicated configurations depends critically on an ability to diagnose machine errors and the flexibility to correct them. This is especially true in the regime of very small β* and totally distinct closed orbits.
Where Computer Science and Education Intersect: An Interview with Mehran Sahami, Ph.D.

Mehran Sahami is a Professor and Associate Chair for Education in the Computer Science department at Stanford University. He is also the Robert and Ruth Halperin University Fellow in Undergraduate Education. Professor Sahami completed his BS and PhD degrees in Computer Science at Stanford before working as a Senior Engineering Manager at Epiphany and a full-time Senior Research Scientist at Google. He taught as a Lecturer at Stanford from 2001 to 2006 and joined the CS faculty in 2007. His research interests include computer science education, artificial intelligence, and web search. In this interview, Professor Sahami discusses computer science education, his personal experiences teaching computer science, and the growing role that computer science plays in our society.
The Platform as a service model for networking

Decoupling infrastructure management from service management can lead to innovation, new business models, and a reduction in the complexity of running services. It is happening in the world of computing, and is poised to happen in networking. While many have considered this in the context of network virtualization, they all focus on one model - overlaying a virtual network of multiple virtual routers on top of a shared physical infrastructure, each completely isolated from the others through the use of virtualization. In this paper we argue for a different approach, where those running the service are presented with the abstraction of a single router in order to enable them to focus solely on their service rather than worrying about managing a virtual network as well. We discuss the abstraction of a single router, and the challenges of mapping the collection of abstract routers (from different parties) to the distributed and shared physical infrastructure.
Clinical pharmacology of neuromuscular blocking agents.

The clinical pharmacology of neuromuscular blocking agents is described. During neuromuscular blockade, succinylcholine attaches to receptors in the motor end plate and depolarizes the neuromuscular junction, making the end plate refractory to acetylcholine. The nondepolarizing relaxants have a structure similar to that of succinylcholine and bind to the same receptors. Instead of depolarizing the junction, they block acetylcholine from binding to the receptor and cause channel blockade. As the concentration of nondepolarizing relaxant increases relative to acetylcholine, neuromuscular transmission is compromised. This relationship is used clinically to facilitate recovery from nondepolarizing agents. Succinylcholine is popular because its onset is faster than that of the nondepolarizing relaxants and metabolism by pseudocholinesterase clears it quickly. It is commonly given as an i.v. bolus to facilitate tracheal intubation. The onset of these agents varies widely and is dose dependent. Large doses are usually given to hasten the onset of paralysis; subsequent doses are adjusted according to response. The nondepolarizing agents interact with inhaled anesthetics, magnesium, and many antimicrobials. Drugs like neostigmine, edrophonium, and pyridostigmine antagonize neuromuscular blockade; an anticholinergic drug is typically administered to counteract the cardiovascular effects. The most serious adverse effects of succinylcholine are malignant hyperthermia syndrome, masseter muscle rigidity, and bradycardia. Some nondepolarizing relaxants (atracurium, mivacurium, and pancuronium) are associated with histamine release, occasionally causing serious hypotension and tachycardia. Neuromuscular blocking agents are essential to anesthesia. Older compounds produce greater toxicity than newer compounds, and several of these older compounds therefore are no longer in clinical use.
The Critical Shortage of Speech-Language Pathologists in the Public School Setting: Features of the Work Environment That Affect Recruitment and Retention

Purpose The primary focus of this study was to elicit the perspectives of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) regarding features of the work environment that contribute to and/or hinder recruitment...
Antimicrobial activities of extracts from Indo-Pacific marine plants against marine pathogens and saprophytes

This study is the second of two surveys designed to systematically screen extracts from marine plants for antimicrobial effects against ecologically relevant marine microorganisms, and to compare results on a geographical basis. In the preceding survey, extracts from tropical Atlantic marine algae and seagrasses were screened in growth inhibition assays against the pathogenic fungus Lindra thalassiae, the saprophytic fungus Dendryphiella salina, the saprophytic stramenopiles, Halophytophthora spinosa and Schizochytrium aggregatum, and the pathogenic bacterium Pseudoaltermonas bacteriolytica. In this study, the same assay microorganisms were used to examine the antimicrobial effects of lipophilic and hydrophilic extracts from 54 species of marine algae and two species of seagrasses collected from Indo-Pacific reef habitats. Overall, 95% of all species surveyed in this study yielded extracts that were active against one or more, and 77% yielded extracts that were active against two or more assay microorganisms. Broad-spectrum activity against three or four assay microbes was observed in the extracts from 50 to 21% of all species, respectively. Extracts from the green alga Bryopsis pennata and the red alga Portieria hornemannii inhibited the growth of all assay microorganisms. Given that antimicrobial activity was prevalent among extracts of Indo-Pacific marine plants, it is interesting to note that the inhibitory effects of each extract varied considerably between the assay microorganisms. Overall, H. spinosa and D. salina were the most susceptible while L. thalassiae, S. aggregatum, and P. bacteriolytica were the most resistant to the extracts tested. These results provide good evidence that antimicrobial chemical defenses are widespread among Indo-Pacific marine plants. Further, the activity profiles of plant extracts suggest that antimicrobial secondary metabolites can have pathogen-selective or broad-spectrum effects. To confirm these results, chemical studies will be needed to isolate and characterize the compounds responsible for the observed antimicrobial activities.
Social design's implications for the IS field

Social design is the collective task of developing an artifact for the public good. These projects are managed by community member volunteers who all have a shared conception of the public interest. In this paper we address the lack of attention social design has received in the Information Systems design research community. The paper focuses on the social organization of the design collective and outlines the threat social dilemmas pose to these projects. Throughout this discussion we challenge traditional models of action which do not support the collective action of social design. The constitutive design model is presented as a way of addressing social dilemmas in social design projects. How these social dilemmas are handled can significantly affect the form of the artifact being developed. Finally, we propose an academic curriculum for teaching the principles of social design in Information schools geared towards producing more socially conscious technical practitioners.
Why they fight: Hypotheses on the causes of contemporary deadly conflict

(1998). Why they fight: Hypotheses on the causes of contemporary deadly conflict. Security Studies: Vol. 7, No. 3, pp. 1-50.
Participation of non-zinc finger residues in DNA binding by two nuclear orphan receptors

Steroid-thyroid hormone receptors typically bind as dimers to DNA sequences that contain repeated elements termed half-sites. NGFI-B, an early response protein and orphan member of this receptor superfamily, binds to a DNA sequence that contains only one half-site (5'-AAAGGTCA-3'). A domain separate from the NGFI-B zinc fingers, termed the A box, was identified and is required for recognition of the two adenine-thymidine (A-T) base pairs at the 5' end of the NGFI-B DNA binding element. In addition, a domain downstream of the zinc fingers of the orphan receptor H-2 region II binding protein, termed the T box, determined binding to tandem repeats of the estrogen receptor half-site (5'-AGGTCA-3').
Growth Response of Kenaf Cultivars in Root-Knot Nematode/Soil-Borne Fungi Infested Soil

The southern root-knot nematode (RKN) [Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid and White) Chitwood] is a severe pathogen of kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) capable of reducing growth, yield, and harvesting efficiency, as well as predisposing kenaf to pathogenic soil fungi. In 1991 and 1992, field studies were conducted to evaluate growth and yield response of six kenaf cultivars grown on a soil naturally infested with RKN and various pathogenic soil fungi. Cultivars included in the studies were Everglades 71 (E71), Tainung 1 (TA1), Cuba 108 (C108), Indian (IND), SF459, and 117. Early to midseason growth rate differed among cultivars. Across years, cultivars 117 and SF459 grew ≃ 73 and 55%, respectively, faster than E71 and IND. Total stalk yields differed among cultivars, with 117 and SF459 producing greater yields than the other four cultivars, including a > 250% yield increase compared with E71, a widely grown kenaf cultivar in the USA [...]
Osteogenesis imperfecta congenita: a connective tissue diathesis.

Summary A case of osteogenesis imperfectain a newborn infant has been reported. The failure of reticulum to differentiate into mature collagen has been demonstrated in the corium, sclera, and cornea. The presence of a material in the bones which stains intensely with the periodic acid-Schiff technique and which may be an immature form of bone matrix has been described.
Nonlinear Abbe theory

Nonlinear optics can overcome the diffraction limit through the presence and interaction of many photons. Abbe's diffraction theory is now generalized to include spatial nonlinearity, and wave mixing is treated as a self-induced structured illumination, thereby allowing a standard imaging system to be nonlinearly enhanced beyond its conventional limits.
Poly[(vinyloxy)cyclophosphazenes]

The vinyloxycyclophosphazene derivatives, N3P3Cl5OCHCH2 (1) and N4P4Cl7OCHCH2 (6), undergo radical polymerization to produce the highly functionalized homopolymers [CH(ON3P3Cl5)CH2]n (7) and [CH(ON4P4Cl7)CH2]n (8). These materials undergo a remarkable two-step thermal decomposition process. The first step is an exothermic cross-linking reaction involving the elimination of HCl at modest temperatures. The activation energy for the first step is lower for 7 than for 8. The second step is an endothermic elimination of the oxo-bridged cyclophosphazene dimer, (N3P3Cl5)2O. Copolymers have been obtained from mixtures of 1 and 6. The calculated reactivity ratios show a preference for incorporation of 1 over 6 into the copolymers. Attempted copolymerization of 1 with styrene leads to mixtures of the respective homopolymers. Attempts to polymerize N3P3X5OCHCH2 [(X = F(2), OCH3 (3), OCH2CF3 (4), N(CH3)2 (5)] lead to various outcomes including insoluble materials, oligomers, or recovery of unreacted monomer. The sens...
Rereading Freud on female development

(1991). Rereading Freud on female development. Psychoanalytic Inquiry: Vol. 11, Contemporary Issues in Female Psychology, pp. 427-440.
Dysmetabolic hyperferritinemia: all iron overload is not hemochromatosis

Disturbances in iron metabolism can be genetic or acquired and accordingly manifest as primary or secondary iron overload state. Organ damage may result from iron overload and manifest clinically as cirrhosis, diabetes mellitus, arthritis, endocrine abnormalities and cardiomyopathy. Hemochromatosis inherited as an autosomal recessive disorder is the most common genetic iron overload disorder. Expert societies recommend screening of asymptomatic and symptomatic individuals with hemochromatosis by obtaining transferrin saturation (calculated as serum iron/total iron binding capacity × 100). Further testing for the hemochromatosis gene is recommended if transferrin saturation is >45% with or without hyperferritinemia. However, management of individuals with low or normal transferrin saturation is not clear. In patients with features of iron overload and high serum ferritin levels, low or normal transferrin saturation should alert the physician to other - primary as well as secondary - causes of iron overload besides hemochromatosis. We present here a possible approach to patients with hyperferritinemia but normal transferrin saturation.
Computational modeling of methane hydrate dissociation in a sandstone core

Hydrate dissociation in a porous sandstone core was studied using a computer modeling approach. It was assumed that the hydrate was dispersed in the pores of the core. Using FLUENT TM code, an axisymmetric model of the core was developed and solved for multiphase flows during the hydrate dissociation. The core model contained three separate phases: methane hydrate, methane gas, and liquid water. At the start of simulation, the valve at one end of the core was opened exposing the core to low pressure; hydrate began to dissociate and methane gas and water began to flow. The depressurization was controlled by adjusting the pressure of the outlet valve. A comprehensive Users’ Defined Subroutine (UDS) for analysis of hydrate dissociation process into the FLUENT code was developed. The new UDS uses the kinetic model introduced by Kim et al. [Kim. H.C., Bishnoi, P.R., Heidemann, R.A., Rizvi, S.S.H., 1987. Kinetics of methane hydrate decomposition. Chemical Engineering Science 42, 1645–1653.] and can model multiple zones dissociation and multiphase flows. Variations of relative permeability of the core were included using Corey’s model. The new model allows for variation of the porosity with hydrate saturation. For different core temperatures and various outlet valve pressures, the spatial and temporal variations of temperature, pressure, and flow fields in the core were simulated. The time evolutions of methane gas and water flow rate at the outlet were also evaluated. It was shown that the rate of hydrate dissociation in a core was a sensitive function of surrounding environment temperature, outlet pressure condition, and permeability. 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
ENDOCRINE FACTORS INFLUENCING TUMOR DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION OF GONADOTROPINS AT THE EARLY CANCER AGE TO MARSH-BUFFALO MICE1

E ADMINISTRATION of the three gonadotropins (i, 2), prolan, pregnant mare II serum, and sheep pituitary, at regular intervals over a year's time either has J L produced no effect upon the incidence of breast tumors of mice of the Marsh-Buffalo strain or has markedly decreased the incidence. All three2 gonadotropins pro-duced an acinar development of the mammary glandular tissue in the young mice, when first administered, comparable to the development which is normally attained at the age of a year or later. However, the hormones acting through a period of a year did not produce glandular development to a degree greater than was found in the untreated litter mates. These experiments established that the early stimulation to glandular development of the breast and ovaries did not produce early development of cancer. The cancerous process was, therefore, not the result of a mutation con-nected with this early stimulation.
Spatio-temporal patterns in the mortality of bay scallop recruits in North Carolina: Investigation of a life history anomaly

By timing reproduction to occur when predatory mortality on progeny is minimal, organisms may maximize recruitment to adult populations. Accordingly, an hypothesis to explain the greater importance of fall than spring spawning to North Carolina populations of bay scallops (Argopecten irradians) is that predatory mortality of bay scallop recruits is lower in fall and winter than spring and summer. To test this hypothesis, we measured predatory mortality of scallop recruits monthly. To infer the identities of predators that are most important in determining patterns of mortality of bay scallop recruits in spring and in fall, predatory mortality of bay scallop recruits was compared between the edge and interior of sheltered and exposed seagrass patches during the day and at night in May and November. Consideration of predatory mortality throughout the year indicated that mortality of scallop recruits over late spring and summer approaches 100% but is negligible over late fall and winter. In May, predatory mortality of scallop recruits was similar during day and night but greater at exposed than sheltered sites. In November, predatory mortality was greater during night than day and slightly greater at sheltered than exposed sites. In neither month did position within patch influence mortality, and at all times and places, missing and crushed scallops contributed a higher proportion than drilled scallops to the total dead. These spatio-temporal patterns of mortality of scallop recruits suggest that mud crabs, Dyspanopeus sayi, which are more abundant in exposed than sheltered seagrass beds during spring and can feed by day and night, are a likely major contributor to spatio-temporal pattern in mortality of scallop recruits in North Carolina. Blue crabs, Callinectes sapidus, which are many times more abundant in summer than winter, may also contribute to observed seasonal patterns in mortality. The dramatically lower rates of predation on bay scallops over the winter months appear to provide fall settlers with a temporal window of opportunity to recruit to the adult population. Although spring spawning contributes little to adult populations in most years because of high rates of predatory mortality during summer, we hypothesize that spring spawning persists because infrequent devastating perturbations, such as hurricanes and red tides, can result in complete failure of fall recruitment.
Role of hydrophobicity in bacterial adherence to carbon nanostructures and biofilm formation

The role of cell and surface hydrophobicity in the adherence of the waterborne bacterium Mycobacterium smegmatis to nanostructures and biofilm formation was investigated. Carbon nanostructures (CNs) were synthesized using a flame reactor and deposited on stainless steel grids and foils, and on silicon wafers that had different initial surface hydrophobicities. Surface hydrophobicity was measured as the contact angle of water droplets. The surfaces were incubated in suspensions of isogenic hydrophobic and hydrophilic strains of M. smegmatis and temporal measurements of the numbers of adherent cells were made. The hydrophobic, rough mutant of M. smegmatis adhered more readily and formed denser biofilms on all surfaces compared to its hydrophilic, smooth parent. Biofilm formation led to alterations in the hydrophobicity of the substratum surfaces, demonstrating that bacterial cells attached to CNs are capable of modifying the surface characteristics.
Thermodynamics and kinetics of reactions at interfaces in composites

Abstract Composites are complex engineering systems in which the constituent materials are not in thermodynamic equilibrium during initial fabrication, during production of components or in use. Diffusion, phase transformations and roughening at interfaces can occur at any of these stages. By the use of thermodynamic and kinetic concepts, changes in the interface morphology in composite systems can be predicted and thus controlled. Two features which govern interfacial reactions, compositions, phases and structures are described: (1) surface energy effects at interfaces, including nucleation, and (2) stress effects accompanying diffusion at interfaces. Through both theory and experiment, small departures from equilibrium, even without the formation of new phases, are shown to cause large-scale changes in diffusion near the interface and interface morphology. These theoretical concepts are used to examine reactions in the AlSiC system and control of phase formation and interface structure in Al2O3Cr2O3Cr metal composites.
Utilizing a constant peak width transform for isothermal gas chromatography

A computational approach to partially address the general elution problem (GEP), and better visualize, isothermal gas chromatograms is reported. The theoretical computational approach is developed and applied experimentally. We report a high speed temporally increasing boxcar summation (TIBS) transform that, when applied to the raw isothermal GC data, converts the chromatographic data from the initial time domain (in which the peak widths in isothermal GC increase as a function of their retention factors, k), to a data point based domain in which all peaks have the same peak width in terms of number of points in the final data vector, which aides in preprocessing and data analysis, while minimizing data storage size. By applying the TIBS transform, the resulting GC chromatogram (initially collected isothermally), appears with an x-axis point scale as if it were instrumentally collected using a suitable temperature program. A high speed GC isothermal separation with a test mixture containing 10 compounds had a run time of ∼25 s. The peak at a retention factor k ∼ 0.7 had a peak width of ∼55 ms, while the last eluting peak at k ∼ 89 (i.e., retention time of ∼22 s) had a peak width of ∼2000 ms. Application of the TIBS transform increased the peak height of the last eluting peak 45-fold, and S/N ∼20-fold. All peaks in the transformed test mixture chromatogram had the width of an unretained peak, in terms of number of data points. A simulated chromatogram at unit resolution, studied using the TIBS transform, provided additional insight into the benefits of the algorithm.
Are there human rights

In conclusion, I have tried to show that if there are any rights at all, legal, moral and political, there are at least the sorts of human rights cited in the Universal Declaration, rights which extend beyond the slender base provided by Hart's right to be free and which include the right to an adequate human life for everyone, rights shared by all, rights that, as rights, imply correlative duties. Even though the duties thus implied are admittedly imperfect, as rights, they confer upon right-holders, the authority to obligate others. I have argued for the most part against regarding any rights, even some human, rights (interchangable here with manifesto rights, welfare rights, rights of recipience, social and economic rights, “programme rights,” Fawcett calls them, positive in rem rights) as claims to rights or proposals for adoption as rights. I have argued that to have a right of any kind, including especially a human right, one shared by and held equally by all human beings,while not “unconditional” or “unalterable,” is “fundamentally important, ” - to return once again to Feinberg's definition at the opening of this paper. A human right is fundamentally important, however, only if it, too, implies an obligation on the part of other people, one in which other people are obligated to use their power and resources “to make things happen.” To havea right is to be in a position to impose corresponding obligations on others. As Kant pointed out, a right of any kind gives a right holder “a title to compel.” From Kant's Philosophy of Law, in C. Morris, , University of Pennsylvania Press, 1959, pp.242–243. Kant points out that every right is conjoined with “an implied Title or warrant to bring compulsion to bear on anyone who may violate it in fact” p. 242. And, “with every right ... there is conjoined a Right to compel.”
Distribution of sterols in the fungi I. Fungal spores

Mass spectrometry was used to examine freely extractable sterols from spores of several species of fungi. Ergosterol was the most common sterol produced by any individual species, but it was completely absent from two species belonging to apparently distantly related groups of fungi: the aquatic Phycomycetes and the rust fungi. This fact could have taxonomic or phylogenetic implications. The use of glass capillary columns in the resolution of the sterols is shown to eliminate some of the difficulty inherent in this process.
An Exploration of U.S. Consumer Perceptions and Affect: Two Forms of a Soy-Based Food Product

ABSTRACT This article focuses on a consumer comparison of fresh tofu and frozen tofu, and the investigation of consumer perceptions of and responses to, both products. A literature review of consumer perceptions and attitudes toward soy products was carried out. Consumer perceptions and affect were then qualitatively investigated using separate focus groups composed of “soy-users” and “health conscious” consumers. Extensive taste tests of the product, using five different recipes, comparing and contrasting frozen versus fresh forms of tofu were conducted to obtain sensory evaluations. The results indicate that many consumers are unfamiliar with the product, yet tofu is perceived to be an acceptable food for those inclined to use soy-based products, as well as those who are otherwise healthy eating conscious. In taste tests, it was found that the recipes in which tofu was disguised were preferred. In addition, frozen tofu was generally found not to be perceived as markedly different from the fresh product....
What influences medical students' choice of surgical careers.

Abstract Background: Recent emphasis in medical education has been to encourage students to pursue primary care careers. This could have a negative impact on applications to surgical residencies. Methods: To determine what factors are most influential for a student to pursue a surgical career in spite of this environment, third- and fourth-year medical students were surveyed with a 40-item questionnaire. Results: The response rate was 37% (76/205). Those students considering a career in surgery were more likely than their counterparts to be motivated by role models (P
Epidemiology and Natural History of Human Papillomavirus Infections in the Female Genital Tract

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common newly diagnosed sexually transmitted infection in the United States. Although the majority of sexually active adults will be infected with HPV at least once in their lives, it is sexually active women less than 25 years of age who consistently have the highest rates of infection. Besides youth and gender, common risk factors for HPV infection and clinical sequelae of infection include high number of sexual partners and coinfection with Chlamydia trachomatis or herpes simplex virus. Most HPV infections are cleared by the immune system and do not result in clinical complications. Clinical sequelae in cases of low-risk HPV infection consist of genital warts, and clinical manifestations of high-risk HPV infection include abnormal Pap test results, low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL), high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL), and cervical cancer. LSIL, HSIL, and cervical cancer carry significant morbidity and/or mortality; genital warts and abnormal Pap test results are often significant sources of psychosocial distress. Currently, there are neither effective means of preventing HPV transmission nor cures for clinical manifestations: infection can only be prevented via complete sexual abstinence, while treatment for clinical sequelae such as genital warts and cytologic abnormalities consists of removing the problematic cells and watching for recurrence; this method consumes significant health care resources and is costly. New prophylactic HPV vaccines promise to dramatically reduce the incidence of HPV infection, genital warts, and cytologic abnormalities.
On singular arcs and surfaces in a class of quadratic minimization problems

Abstract A class of quadratic minimization problems is studied whose optimal control functions are partially singular. An explicit expression is obtained for the (n − 1)-dimensional singular surface and it is shown that the optimal value function is twice continuously differentiable across this surface; this allows the piecing together of known sufficiency conditions for totally singular and totally bang-bang arcs to obtain sufficient conditions for optimality for this class of partially singular problems. A neighboring optimal feedback control law is suggested by these results. The closing sections of the paper are concerned with sufficient conditions for nonexistence of optimal singular controls in quadratic minimization problems.
Mechanisms Underlying the Binding Diversity of Dynein Light Chain

Dynein light chain LC8 was first discovered as an essential component of the microtubule-based molecular motor dynein where it associates directly with dynein intermediate chain IC. A large fraction of LC8, however, is not associated with dynein, suggesting alternate functions for LC8 independent of its function in dynein. LC8 interacts with non-dynein proteins in diverse systems, including neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), the proapoptotic Bcl2 family protein Bim, Swallow (Swa), and Nup159 of the nuclear-pore complex. Based on the diversity of these interactions, and the fact that all known LC8 partners share a common binding groove on LC8 with dynein IC, we have proposed that the wide array of binding partners reflects the role of LC8 as an essential hub protein. In this capacity, LC8 functions not simply as a dynein cargo adaptor, as widely viewed, but as a promoter of dimerization of its monomeric, partially disordered binding partners. Here we address the mechanisms underlying LC8 binding diversity using crystallographic, solution NMR and thermodynamic characterization of several LC8/peptide complexes. Peptide binding is associated with a shift in quaternary structure that expands the hydrophobic binding surface available to the ligand, in addition to shifts in tertiary structure and ordering of LC8 around the binding groove. NMR peptide titrations show evidence of allosteric interaction between the two binding sites. Backbone 15N relaxation shows significant conformational heterogeneity in the LC8 dimer which is retained in LC8/IC but is lost in LC8/Swa, suggesting that the degree of ordering is ligand dependent. The reduced complexity of motion in LC8/Swa correlates with the less favorable entropy of binding of LC8 to Swa relative to IC. We propose that these properties observed for LC8 may be general to other dimeric hub proteins.
Cross-Platform OpenCL Code and Performance Portability Investigated with a Climate and Weather Physics Model

Current generation of multicore computing platforms are vastly different. Sustenance of many core applications across heterogenous platforms is a daunting task, more so when dynamic nature of the application is factored in. Open Computing Language (OpenCL) was created to address this issue. Designed to run on CPUs, GPUs, FPGAs and other platforms. OpenCL is becoming a standard for cross-platform parallel programming. While current implementations of OpenCL compiler provide the capability to compile and run on the platforms mentioned above, most of the current literatures investigate the OpenCL performance on GPUs. In a previous work, Fahad et al \cite{fahad01} reported how low level implicit auto vectorization capability of OpenCL allows remarkable performance optimization on CPUs. In this paper we present our investigation results on OpenCL portability across CPU and GPU platforms in terms of code and performance via a representative climate and weather physics model, NASA's GEOS-5 solar radiation model (SOLAR). A single OpenCL implementation portable between CPUs and GPUs has been obtained. Through algorithm refactoring, OpenCL's vector-oriented programming paradigm and implicit vectorization led to significant performance gains.
Effect of Estrogen Dosage upon Plasma, Liver and Bile Lipids in Cholesterol-Fed Cockerels

The effects of four dosages of conjugated equine estrogens (Premarin) on atherogenesis and on plasma, liver and bile lipids were studied in cockerels maintained on a high-fat, high-cholesterol diet. A lowering effect, not dose-dependent, occurred in plasma linoleic and linolenic acid. An augmentative effect, varying with dose, occurred in plasma phospholipids, plasma palmitic, stearic and oleic acids, liver total fat and thoracic atherosclerosis. A lowering, dose-dependent effect occurred in coronary atherosclerosis, plasma cholesterol-phospholipid ratio and plasma arachidic acid. A diphasic, dose-dependent, response occurred in: (1) plasma cholesterol (decrease at lowest dosage and increase at higher dosages); (2) bile cholesterol (increase at lower dosages and a decrease at higher dosages); (3) liver cholesterol (increase at lowest dose, and decrease at higher dosages); (4) plasma arachidonic acid (increase at lower and decrease at higher dosages). The mechanisms responsible for these changes are not cl...