cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Urban Special Education in the Context of Standards-Based Reform

With the passage of the No Child Left Behind Act, standards-based reform has taken center stage in the educational arena. Although standard setting and accountability issues affect every facet of education, the challenges of implementing such a movement are greater in contexts such as urban special education. This article highlights some of the special considerations of implementing standards-based reform in urban special education and discusses implications for urban special educators.
Alpha sources for low-thrust tasks in space

Abstract The recoil thrust exerted on a flat-plate α-source is calculated for α-particle escape from one side of the source. The thrust is low even for the high specific activity α-emitters polonium-210, plutonium-238, and curium-244 now receiving increased production emphasis. It is suggested that these three α-emitters may find some future applications in space exploration requiring low-thrust devices.
Regional Cerebral Blood Flow and Cognitive Function in Huntington's Disease and Schizophrenia: A Comparison of Patients Matched for Performance on a Prefrontal-Type Task

• Matching patients with etiologically distinct but clinically overlapping cognitive disorders on performance of a regionally specific neuropsychological task is a novel and potentially powerful approach to highlighting differences in the pathophysiological mechanisms of impaired cognition. We used this strategy to compare patients with Huntington's disease (HD) and schizophrenia (SC), disorders that share similarities in cognitive impairment. Patients were matched on the basis of performance on the Wisconsin Card Sorting test of "prefrontal" function, after which neuropsychological test data and regional cerebral blood flow data were determined while patients who performed the Wisconsin Card Sorting test were examined. Patients with HD performed worse on visuospatial tasks and recall memory than did patients with SC, although Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scales-Revised IQ and Wechsler Memory Scale memory quotients were equivalent. These differences could not be attributed to differences on the index task, the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test. Patients with HD and SC exhibited a double dissociation in regional cerebral blood flow. The patients with SC had relatively low frontal and high parietal flows, while patients with HD exhibited the reverse of this pattern. Thus, the regional cerebral blood flow and neuropsychological findings in this study appeared to demonstrate that the single final common cognitive impairment of executive function in HD and SC is associated with two markedly dissimilar pathophysiological states.
DIGITAL IMAGING CONCEPTS AND APPLICATIONS IN PAVEMENT MANAGEMENT

The potential application of image-processing methods to automate the manual data collection and visual rating of pavement surface conditions has not been widely recognized until relatively recently. A cost-effective automated system to capture and extract pavement-surface distress from video images would improve safety and efficiency, and could offer consistency and uniformity of data and data quality, both locally and nationally. The purpose of this paper is to provide an introduction for transportation engineers, especially pavement engineers, to digital image-processing concepts and applications in pavement management. This includes pavement-surface-distress data of concern, basic machine-vision and digital-image-processing concepts, video-system characteristics for automated distress-data collection, and existing systems for digital imaging in pavement management in the United States, Japan, and France. It is concluded that in a relatively short time substantial progress has been made in the development of automated systems for distress-data acquisition and interpretation, and enhanced capabilities can be expected in the near future. Digital imaging technology is playing a significant role in these efforts.
A Comment on Aortic Perfusion Cannulas

Abstract An improved aortic perfusion cannula is described. The portion that passes through the aortic pursestring suture is tapered. The cannula can thus adapt to any enlargement of the cannulation site and minimize annoying leakage of blood during cardiopulmonary bypass.
Metabolic assessment of internal mammary artery implantation in the dog.

The metabolic and physiologic contributions of an implanted internal mammary artery have been assessed in five dogs 24 to 34 months following internal mammary artery implantation and concomitant ameroid constrictor application to coronary arteries. All implants were patent angiographically prior to evaluation by right heart bypass and continual autoanalyzer assessment of myocardial oxygen, pyruvate, and lactate extraction. Control internal mammary artery flow averaged 17.5 ml/100 g LV/min. Occlusion of the internal mammary artery failed significantly to alter myocardial extraction of oxygen, pyruvate and lactate or ventricular function, nor did these patent implants prevent significant changes in oxygen, pyruvate, and lactate extraction and ventricular function during and following occlusion of a remaining patent left coronary artery. In only one animal did internal mammary artery flow increase with left coronary artery occlusion, and this only transiently. These results indicate that demonstration of angiographic patency of an internal mammary artery implant does not necessarily indicate significant metabolic or functional contribution of this extracardiac blood supply to the heart.
Effects of nitrogen source and timing of sulfur deficiency on seed yield and expression of 11S and 7S seed storage proteins of soybean

Abstract The nutritional value of soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) seed as a protein source for nonruminants is limited by the amount of the S-containing amino acids, methionine and cysteine, they contain. The nutritional quality of S soybean is known to be influenced by both S and N nutrition. The capacity of the plant for S assimilation during late seed filling is an additional factor that might limit protein quality even when S availability is more than adequate. This paper describes experiments conducted to examine the effects of S and reduced N availability on protein quality, and the capacity of the plant for assimilation of sulfate-S during seed filling. Availability of sulfate-S was varied in the hydroponic culture during various vegetative and reproductive stages and N was supplied as either urea (reduced form) or as nitrate (oxidized form). The ratio of 11S/7S seed storage proteins was used as an indicator of protein quality. The 11S protein is of greater nutritional value than is the 7S protein; therefore, the greater the 11S/7S ratio the better the nutritional quality of the seed protein. Provision of reduced N caused seed yield to increase across S treatments and the 11S/7S ratio to decline among plants that were S-sufficient but not among those that were S-deficient. Seed yield was very sensitive to S-deficiency occurring during vegetative growth, but not to S-deficiency occurring during reproductive growth. The 11S/7S ratio was strongly influenced by S-deficiency occurring during reproductive growth, but was relatively insensitive to S availability during vegetative growth. Provision of S near the middle of the seed filling period to previously S-deficient plants caused 11S/7S ratio to increase threefold over plants that were maintained S-deficient throughout seed filling. We conclude that the plant maintains a substantial capacity for S assimilation late into seed filling, and that mobilization of vegetative S is not a large source of S for developing seeds.
Assessing Student Achievement in Physical Education for Teacher Evaluation

While many teachers continue to ignore the practice of assessing student achievement in physical education, recent federal pressures to include student assessment data in teacher evaluation systems has shown that assessment of student outcomes is here to stay. Though there is a strong tradition of assessing teacher practice in physical education, standardized measures of student achievement and the requirement to show data on student learning in physical education are relatively new ideas. This article reviews issues about using student achievement data to evaluate physical education teachers. It also presents examples of assessments that could be used to document student achievement for the purpose of teacher evaluation.
An empirical and ethical analysis of factors motivating managers' merger decisions

This paper examines the role of managerial self-interest in the merger market. It looks at factors influencing managers' merger decisions by analyzing managerial expense preference factors on cross-sectional data employing non-parametric statistical methods. The same factors are examined for acquiring, acquired, and merging firms, and control groups used in each case. The results support the authors' contention that managerial discretion is a significant motivating factor for mergers. The changes in expense preference factors indicate management decisions which provide conditions allowing management to indulge in management preferred expenditures, while reducing risk to their career. The authors then provide a moral/philosophic framework of ethical analysis for examining manager's merger decisions, using teleological and deontological theories. They conclude that merger decisions motivated or influenced by self-interest are unethical and, in the process, provide managers facing a merger decision with a framework for making an ethical decision.
Stereoselective syntheses of substituted pterocarpans with anti-HIV activity, and 5-aza-/5-thia-pterocarpan and 2-aryl-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran analogues

Oxygenated pterocarpans and 5-azapterocarpans are prepared utilizing Lewis acid-promoted reactions of 2-alkoxy-1,4-benzoquinones with 2H-chromenes and N-tosyl-1,2-dihydroquinolines, respectively. Similarly, benzannulated analogues are prepared via reactions of 5-alkoxy-1,4-naphthoquinones with chromenes, and related 2-aryl-2,3-dihydrobenzofurans result from reactions of styrenes with the quinones. Syntheses of 5-thiapterocarpans are also described utilizing Pd(0)-coupling of o-chloromercuriophenols with 2H-chromenes.
Multitargeted Tyrosine Kinase Inhibition Produces Discordant Changes Between 99mTc-MDP Bone Scans and Other Disease Biomarkers: Analysis of a Phase II Study of Sunitinib for Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer

One of the central unanswered questions in prostate cancer research is the significance of tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI)–induced improvements in 99mTc-methylene diphosphonate (99mTc-MDP) bone scans. Multitargeted tyrosine kinase inhibition has recently shown promise in the management of castration-resistant prostate cancer. In some cases, TKI inhibition has produced unprecedented improvements in bone metastases as detected by 99mTc-MDP bone scans. The significance of these improvements is not known. In order to gain insight about the effects of TKIs on bone scans in prostate cancer, we systematically evaluated images from a phase II study of sunitinib, a multitargeted TKI. Methods: We analyzed images and data from a previously reported open-label phase II study that enrolled 34 men with advanced castration-resistant prostate cancer. Participants received sunitinib in 6-wk cycles (50 mg daily; 4 wk on, 2 wk off). We examined baseline and 12-wk bone scan images. Partial response was defined as an improvement of at least 50% in previous metastatic lesions subjectively or a change from prior diffuse skeletal metastases (superscan) to recognizable individual metastatic lesions. Our primary objective was to define the incidence of at least partial bone scan response. We also examined concomitant changes in CT and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) evidence of disease. Results: Analysis at 12 wk revealed 1 partial response by the response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (RECIST) and 2 confirmed PSA responses. There were 25 subjects who underwent bone scans at both time points (baseline and week 12) and who had bone metastases detectable at baseline. Within that group of 25, we found 5 bone scan partial responses and 1 complete response. None of those 6 subjects exhibited a PSA response (≥50% decline from baseline) or RECIST response. Conclusion: We found a relatively high rate of 99mTc-MDP bone scan response to sunitinib among men with metastatic prostate cancer. Further, we found that none of the subjects exhibiting bone scan responses experienced concordant improvements in PSA or CT evidence of disease by accepted criteria. This discordance argues that osteoblastic assessment provides an incomplete assessment of treatment-induced changes. Rational development of multitargeted TKIs for prostate cancer requires improved understanding of treatment-induced bone scan changes. Optimal imaging strategies may include evaluation of perfusion or direct tumor activity.
Valencia orange-seed oil

California Valencia orange seeds contain a fairly high percentage of oil, the recovery of which by conventional methods of pressing appears to present no unusual problems. When refined, bleached, and deodorized the oil would be quite acceptable as a food oil. It contains a very small proportion of linolenic acid but is otherwise similar to other seed oils of like iodine value.
A Randomized Trial of Employment-Based Reinforcement of Cocaine Abstinence in Injection Drug Users

High-magnitude and long-duration abstinence reinforcement can promote drug abstinence but can be difficult to finance. Employment may be a vehicle for arranging high-magnitude and long-duration abstinence reinforcement. This study determined if employment-based abstinence reinforcement could increase cocaine abstinence in adults who inject drugs and use cocaine during methadone treatment. Participants could work 4 hr every weekday in a workplace where they could earn about $10.00 per hour in vouchers; they were required to provide routine urine samples. Participants who attended the workplace and provided cocaine-positive urine samples during the initial 4 weeks were invited to work 26 weeks and were randomly assigned to an abstinence-and-work (n = 28) or work-only (n = 28) group. Abstinence-and-work participants had to provide urine samples showing cocaine abstinence to work and maintain maximum pay. Work-only participants could work independent of their urinalysis results. Abstinence-and-work participants provided more (p = .004; OR = 5.80, 95% CI = 2.03-16.56) cocaine-negative urine samples (29%) than did work-only participants (10%). Employment-based abstinence reinforcement can increase cocaine abstinence.
New Ways to Write the History of Western Europe and the United States: The Concept of Intercultural Transfer

The concept of intercultural transfer was originally developed in the 1980s for the study of exchange processes between France and Germany in the time of the Enlightenment and the French Revolution. More recently, various scholars have applied it to the exchange processes across the Atlantic (and between Germany and the United States in particular) and across the British Chanel (and between Germany and Great Britain in particular). Its focus is cultural transformation, since the transferred elements reflect the influence of the agents of intercultural transfer as well as both the giving and the receiving society. This paper seeks to provide an alternative to traditional accounts of German and American history by highlighting transfers that occurred in the realm of culture, education, and customs in the 19th century. Such transfer included concepts for the organization of the urban infrastructure of American cities (from museums and schools to city parks) as well as models for education (from kindergarten to university). Both cultures and societies were deeply connected by these cultural transfers even though they occurred outside the realm of state action and apart from the increasing control of both nation states over the movement of its citizens within civil society. Intercultural transfers were organized and carried out by agents of intercultural transfer. These agents were private citizens who acted on their own initiative as agents of civil society but not as agents of nation states. The development of German and American society and culture in the 19th century was, thus, intrinsically linked and resulted in a multitude of cross-cultural interconnections that contributed to the diversification of both societies. The Atlantic represented in this narrative a “connective lifeline” rather than a separating gulf.
Endogenous Myelin Basic Protein Inactivates the High Avidity T Cell Repertoire

To study the contribution of endogenous myelin basic protein (MBP) to the positive and/or negative selection of the MBP-specific T cell repertoire, we studied the T cell response to MBP in MBP-deficient shiverer and MBP-expressing congenic C3H mice. Immunization with MBP induced a vigorous T cell response in shiverer mice directed against a single I-Ak– restricted immunodominant determinant, the core of which is peptide MBP:79-87 (DENPVVHFF). Injection of this peptide induced a high avidity T cell repertoire in shiverer mice that primarily consisted of clones capable of recognizing the native MBP protein in addition to the peptide itself. These data show that endogenous MBP is not required for the positive selection of an MBP-specific T cell repertoire. C3H mice, in contrast, were selectively unresponsive to the MBP protein and injection of MBP:79-87 peptide induced a low avidity repertoire that could be stimulated only by the peptide, not by the protein. Therefore, endogenous MBP induced profound inactivation of high avidity clones specific for the immunodominant determinant making that determinant appear cryptic.
Genome-wide analysis of human global and transcription-coupled excision repair of UV damage at single-nucleotide resolution

We developed a method for genome-wide mapping of DNA excision repair named XR-seq (excision repair sequencing). Human nucleotide excision repair generates two incisions surrounding the site of damage, creating an ∼30-mer. In XR-seq, this fragment is isolated and subjected to high-throughput sequencing. We used XR-seq to produce stranded, nucleotide-resolution maps of repair of two UV-induced DNA damages in human cells: cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) and (6-4) pyrimidine-pyrimidone photoproducts [(6-4)PPs]. In wild-type cells, CPD repair was highly associated with transcription, specifically with the template strand. Experiments in cells defective in either transcription-coupled excision repair or general excision repair isolated the contribution of each pathway to the overall repair pattern and showed that transcription-coupled repair of both photoproducts occurs exclusively on the template strand. XR-seq maps capture transcription-coupled repair at sites of divergent gene promoters and bidirectional enhancer RNA (eRNA) production at enhancers. XR-seq data also uncovered the repair characteristics and novel sequence preferences of CPDs and (6-4)PPs. XR-seq and the resulting repair maps will facilitate studies of the effects of genomic location, chromatin context, transcription, and replication on DNA repair in human cells.
Direct visualization of initial SEI morphology and growth kinetics during lithium deposition by in situ electrochemical transmission electron microscopy

Deposition of Li is a major safety concern existing in Li-ion secondary batteries. Here we perform the first in situ high spatial resolution measurement coupled with real-time quantitative electrochemistry to characterize SEI formation on gold using a standard battery electrolyte. We demonstrate that a dendritic SEI forms prior to Li deposition and that it remains on the surface after Li electrodissolution.
An Integrated Exploration Approach to Visualizing Multivariate Particle Data

The authors describe a data exploration system that visualizes time-varying, multivariate, point-based data from gyrokinetic particle simulations. By using two interaction modes, their system lets researchers explore collections of densely packed particles and discover interesting aspects, such as the location and motion of particles trapped in turbulent plasma flow.
The bacterial species dilemma and the genomic-phylogenetic species concept.

The number of species of Bacteria and Archaea (ca 5000) is surprisingly small considering their early evolution, genetic diversity and residence in all ecosystems. The bacterial species definition accounts in part for the small number of named species. The primary procedures required to identify new species of Bacteria and Archaea are DNA‐DNA hybridization and phenotypic characterization. Recently, 16S rRNA gene sequencing and phylogenetic analysis have been applied to bacterial taxonomy. Although 16S phylogeny is arguably excellent for classification of Bacteria and Archaea from the Domain level down to the family or genus, it lacks resolution below that level. Newer approaches, including multilocus sequence analysis, and genome sequence and microarray analyses, promise to provide necessary information to better understand bacterial speciation. Indeed, recent data using these approaches, while meagre, support the view that speciation processes may occur at the subspecies level within ecological niches (ecovars) and owing to biogeography (geovars). A major dilemma for bacterial taxonomists is how to incorporate this new information into the present hierarchical system for classification of Bacteria and Archaea without causing undesirable confusion and contention. This author proposes the genomic‐phylogenetic species concept (GPSC) for the taxonomy of prokaryotes. The aim is twofold. First, the GPSC would provide a conceptual and testable framework for bacterial taxonomy. Second, the GPSC would replace the burdensome requirement for DNA hybridization presently needed to describe new species. Furthermore, the GPSC is consistent with the present treatment at higher taxonomic levels.
Immortalization of T Lymphocytes by Human T-Cell Leukemia Virus Type 1 Is Independent of the Tax-CBP/p300 Interaction

The human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) Tax oncoprotein is a 40-kDa nuclear phosphoprotein which functions in the viral replication cycle as a transcriptional trans-activator of the viral long terminal repeat. Tax interacts with a variety of different transcription factors, including the CREB binding protein (CBP)/p300 family of transcriptional accessory proteins. We demonstrate that a Tax mutant defective for the CBP/p300 interaction retains the capacity to immortalize primary human T lymphocytes when it is expressed from a functional molecular clone of HTLV-1. Thus, immortalization of HTLV-1-infected cells appears to be independent of Tax-induced alterations in CBP/p300 function.
GEISHA: an evolving gene expression resource for the chicken embryo

GEISHA (Gallus Expression In Situ Hybridization Analysis; http://geisha.arizona.edu) is an in situ hybridization gene expression and genomic resource for the chicken embryo. This update describes modifications that enhance its utility to users. During the past 5 years, GEISHA has undertaken a significant restructuring to more closely conform to the data organization and formatting of Model Organism Databases in other species. This has involved migrating from an entry-centric format to one that is gene-centered. Database restructuring has enabled the inclusion of data pertaining to chicken genes and proteins and their orthologs in other species. This new information is presented through an updated user interface. In situ hybridization data in mouse, frog, zebrafish and fruitfly are integrated with chicken genomic and expression information. A resource has also been developed that integrates the GEISHA interface information with the Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man human disease gene database. Finally, the Chicken Gene Nomenclature Committee database and the GEISHA database have been integrated so that they draw from the same data resources.
Next-Generation Sequencing: Targeting Targeted Therapies

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has given new perspective in oncology. With the ongoing development of targeted therapies, NGS is evolving molecular diagnostics by providing comprehensive interrogation of clinically-actionable genomic aberrations in tumors. Having this assay as the primary testing method produces clinically beneficial results.
III-V nitride electronics

The properties and performance of III-V nitride electronic devices are reviewed. These include AlGaN/GaN and AlN/GaN HEMTs, as well as, two-terminal Gunn devices. The high frequency, power, noise characteristics and performance limitations such as dispersion are addressed.
Mammography Techniques, Positioning, and Optimizing Image Quality

Optimal mammographic technique is one of the cornerstones of breast cancer detection and diagnosis. Both mammographic positioning and technique are essential in order to achieve the goal of early detection of breast cancer. In this chapter, we will discuss the various components to the imaging chain that must be carefully monitored in order to produce an optimal mammogram for the radiologist to read as well as common artifacts and some troubleshooting techniques. Requirements have been established for all personnel involved in any facet of mammography (such as production, processing, and interpretation of mammograms as well as the associated quality assurance (QA) activities. Each facility also has to establish and maintain a quality assurance program in order to ensure the safety, reliability, clarity, and accuracy of all of the mammography services performed. These quality standards will be discussed in more detail as part of this chapter.
Pressure To Be Thin and Insulin Sensitivity Among Adolescents.

Abstract Purpose Extant research indicates that some of the comorbidities associated with adult obesity may be adversely affected by the stress resulting from negative body image and weight-related stigma. This study examined the association between weight-related pressure and insulin sensitivity in adolescents, who are vulnerable to both weight-based teasing and the onset of metabolic dysregulation. Methods Participants were 215 adolescent healthy volunteers (55% female; 59% white; 35% overweight/obese; mean ± standard deviation age = 15.4 ± 1.4 year), who completed a self-report measure of pressure to be thin from parents, friends, and romantic partners. Fasting blood samples were obtained to assess serum insulin and glucose, which were used to calculate insulin sensitivity; fat mass (kg) and fat-free mass (%) were measured with air-displacement plethysmography. Pubertal stage was determined by physical examination. Results Pressure to be thin was positively associated with fasting insulin ( p = .01) and negatively associated with insulin sensitivity ( p = .02), after controlling for pubertal stage, sex, race, height, fat-free mass, and adiposity. Pressure to be thin was associated with a greater odds of having hyperinsulinemia (fasting insulin ≥ 15 μIU/mL; odds ratio (95% confidence interval): 1.65 [1.08–2.50], p = .02), adjusting for the same covariates. Conclusions Results indicate that adolescents perceiving more pressure to be thin have greater elevations of fasting insulin and poorer insulin sensitivity above and beyond the effect of fat mass. Future research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms responsible for this relationship.
Navigation in a challenging martian environment using data mining techniques

This paper discussed how data mining techniques could give advantage to the robot in navigation, in terms of speed. The input of our navigation system is the sensory information collected by the robot's equipped landmark sensor and infra-red sensor, the process of the system is the proposed data mining technique, and the output of the system is the execution of the moving direction in a 2D Martian environment. The results demonstrate efficient goal-oriented navigation using data mining techniques.
Eocene atmospheric CO2 from the nahcolite proxy

Estimates of the atmospheric concentration of CO 2 , [CO 2 ] atm , for the “hothouse” climate of the early Eocene climatic optimum (EECO) vary for different proxies. Extensive beds of the mineral nahcolite (NaHCO 3 ) in evaporite deposits of the Green River Formation, Piceance Creek Basin, Colorado, USA, previously established [CO 2 ] atm for the EECO to be >1125 ppm by volume (ppm). Here, we present experimental data that revise the sodium carbonate mineral equilibria as a function of [CO 2 ] and temperature. Co-precipitation of nahcolite and halite (NaCl) now establishes a well-constrained lower [CO 2 ] atm limit of 680 ppm for the EECO. Paleotemperature estimates from leaf fossils and fluid inclusions in halite suggest an upper limit for [CO 2 ] atm in the EECO from the nahcolite proxy of ∼1260 ppm. These data support a causal connection between elevated [CO 2 ] atm and early Eocene global warmth, but at significantly lower [CO 2 ] atm than previously thought, which suggests that ancient climates on Earth may have been more sensitive to a doubling of [CO 2 ] atm than is currently assumed.
Regulation of Ca(2+)-dependent ATPase activity in detergent-skinned vascular smooth muscle

We measured force, actin-activated myosin adenosinetriphosphatase (ATPase) activity, and myosin light-chain (MLC) phosphorylation levels in Triton X-100 detergent-skinned media of swine carotid arteries. Pseudo-ATPase activity composed of MLC kinase and phosphatase activities contributed maximally 12% to steady-state tissue ATPase activity. An increase in the Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]) induced an increase in force, MLC phosphorylation, and actin-activated myosin ATPase activity; this protocol was defined as the force development phase of contraction. Force maintenance was defined as the state induced by decreasing the [Ca2+] after a maximal contraction. Lowering the [Ca2+] decreased MLC phosphorylation to levels similar to those measured during force development at each [Ca2+]. In contrast, force remained at elevated levels while actin-activated myosin ATPase activity fell to significantly lower levels than those measured during the development phase for each [Ca2+]. We suggest that the significantly lower actin-activated myosin ATPase activity observed during a state of elevated force, compared with the development phase of a contraction, is evidence of slowly cycling latch bridges.
Influence of urban information availability on household energy consumption

This paper investigates the impact of information in change individuals' behaviours and in particular their energy behaviour. The growth of population and moving towards overconsumption and over pollution are significant threats to the environment and therefore necessitate moving towards sustainability approaches. This paper discusses the influence of behaviour change in achieving sustainable development. Relying on social learning and social cognitive theories, it presents a comparative approach to motivate individuals to change their energy behaviour. A mathematical model is presented to quantify the impact of providing individuals with comparative information in their path through energy conservation. This paper offers an integrated conceptual mathematical framework to increase the effective capacity of energy systems under complex and unclear conditions, facilitate energy consumption problem solving, and improve individual psychological capabilities such as self-efficacy, and the ability to imagine and aspire to a better energy consumptions in the future.
How Secure Is Your Radiology Department? Mapping Digital Radiology Adoption and Security Worldwide.

OBJECTIVE. Despite the long history of digital radiology, one of its most critical aspects—information security—still remains extremely underdeveloped and poorly standardized. To study the current state of radiology security, we explored the worldwide security of medical image archives. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Using the DICOM data-transmitting standard, we implemented a highly parallel application to scan the entire World Wide Web of networked computers and devices, locating open and unprotected radiology servers. We used only legal and radiology-compliant tools. Our security-probing application initiated a standard DICOM handshake to remote computer or device addresses, and then assessed their security posture on the basis of handshake replies. RESULTS. The scan discovered a total of 2774 unprotected radiology or DICOM servers worldwide. Of those, 719 were fully open to patient data communications. Geolocation was used to analyze and rank our findings according to country utilization. As a result, we buil...
Minocycline for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Minocycline may prove to be a valuable agent in adjunctive treatment of RA. The use of minocycline is attractive because of its relatively benign adverse effect profile in common dosages, although vestibular toxicity has occurred frequently when doses of 400 mg/d have been used. Adverse effects that do occur usually subside after discontinuation of the drug. Currently, the studies available offer no definitive conclusion concerning the use of tetracyclines for this purpose. These trials do show promise, however, and suggest that larger, controlled, double-blind studies with prolonged use of minocycline in patients are needed for confirmation of its efficacy in RA.
Immunotoxicological effects of JP-8 jet fuel exposure

Chronic exposure to jet fuel has been shown to have adverse effects on human liver function, to cause emotional dysfunction, to cause abnormal electroencephalograms, to cause shortened attention spans, and to decrease sensorimotor speed (3-5). Due to the decision by the United States Air Force to implement the widespread use of JP-8 jet fuel in its operations, a thorough understanding of its potential effects upon exposed personnel is both critical and necessary. Exposure to potential environmental toxicants such as JP-8 may have significant effects on host systems beyond those readily visible (e.g., physiology, cardiology, respiratory, etc.); e.g., the immune system. Significant changes in immune consequences, even if short-lived, may have serious consequences for the exposed host that may impinge affect susceptibility to infectious agents. Major alterations in immune function that are long-lasting may result in an increased likelihood of development and/or progression of cancer, as well as autoimmune diseases. In the current study mice were exposed for 1h/day for 7 days to varying concentrations of aerosolized JP-8 jet fuel to simulate occupational exposures. Twenty-four hours after the last exposure the mice were analyzed for effects on their immune systems. It was observed that even at exposure concentrations as low as 100 mg/m3 detrimental effects on the immune system occurred. Decreases in viable immune cell numbers and immune organ weights were found. Jet fuel exposure resulted in losses of different immune cell subpopulations depending upon the immune organ being examined. Further, JP-8 exposure resulted in significantly decreased immune function, as analyzed by mitogenesis assays. Suppressed immune function could not be overcome by the addition of exogenous growth factors known to stimulate immune function. Thus, short-term, low concentration exposure of mice to JP-8 jet fuel caused significant toxicological effects on the immune system. It appears that the immune system may be the most sensitive indicator of toxicological damage due to JP-8 exposure, as effects were seen at concentrations of jet fuel that did not evidence change in other biological systems. Such changes may have significant effects on the health of the exposed individual.
SU‐F‐R‐20: Image Texture Features Correlate with Time to Local Failure in Lung SBRT Patients

Purpose: To explore possible correlation between CT image-based texture and histogram features and time-to-local-failure in early stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated with stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT).Methods and Materials: From an IRB-approved lung SBRT registry for patients treated between 2009–2013 we selected 48 (20 male, 28 female) patients with local failure. Median patient age was 72.3±10.3 years. Mean time to local failure was 15 ± 7.1 months. Physician-contoured gross tumor volumes (GTV) on the planning CT images were processed and 3D gray-level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM) based texture and histogram features were calculated in Matlab. Data were exported to R and a multiple linear regression model was used to examine the relationship between texture features and time-to-local-failure. Results: Multiple linear regression revealed that entropy (p=0.0233, multiple R2=0.60) from GLCM-based texture analysis and the standard deviation (p=0.0194, multiple R2=0.60) from the histogram-based features were statistically significantly correlated with the time-to-local-failure. Conclusion: Image-based texture analysis can be used to predict certain aspects of treatment outcomes of NSCLC patients treated with SBRT. We found entropy and standard deviation calculated for the GTV on the CT images displayed a statistically significant correlation with and time-to-local-failure in lung SBRT patients.
Self-Mutilation Among Runaway and Homeless Youth

In this chapter, self-mutilation, also known as deliberate self-harm (DSH), and suicidal behavior among runaway and homeless young people are analyzed. These street youth may intentionally burn themselves, cut themselves on their extremities, hit themselves, bang their head against a wall, insert objects under their nails, scrape skin to draw blood, pull their hair out, or use other forms of self-mutilation (Jorgensen et al., 2009; Favazza, The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 186, 259–268, 1998; Saewyc and Edinburgh, The Journal of Adolescent Health, 46(2), 180–188, 2010; Women and self-harm: Understanding, coping, and healing from self-mutilation, London, 1998; Tyler et al., Journal of Research on Adolescence, 13(4), 457–474, 2003; Williams et al., Journal of Youth Studies, 4(2), 233–253, 2001). This chapter analyzes factors such as gender, sexual orientation, child sexual and physical abuse, neglect, trauma, human trafficking victimization, social isolation, and stress that may increase the probability that street youth will engage in DSH to cope with overwhelming emotions while on the streets (Jorgensen et al., 2009; Tyler et al., Journal of Research on Adolescence, 13(4), 457–474, 2003).
Homegrown Cuisines or Naturalized Cuisines? The History of Food in Hawaii and Hawaii’s Place in Food History

AbstractWhen the author arrived in Hawaii in the mid-1980s, the homegrown model of culinary evolution was widely, if tacitly, accepted. It assumes that cuisines develop in place, evolving from simple peasant cooking of local ingredients to refined high cuisine in cities. Hawaii, where successive waves of migrants had introduced and naturalized cuisines from distant places, was a striking exception to the model. The alternative naturalized model provided the key to writing a global food history, which, in turn, shed new light on Hawaii’s place in food history.
Rate of FeO Reduction from a CaO-SiO 2 -Al 2 O 3 Slag by Carbon-Saturated Iron

Reaction rates have been measured for the reduction of FeO from a lime-silica-alumina slag over carbon-saturated iron in graphite crucibles. The initial FeO concentrations were under 5 pet in a base slag composition of 46 to 47 pet CaO, 38 to 39 pet SiO2, 15 to 16 pet A12O8.
Does Text Complexity Matter in the Elementary Grades? A Research Synthesis of Text Difficulty and Elementary Students' Reading Fluency and Comprehension.

Prompted by the advent of new standards for increased text complexity in elementary classrooms in the USA, the current integrative review investigates the relationships between the level of text difficulty and elementary students’ reading fluency and reading comprehension. After application of content and methodological criteria, a total of 26 research studies were reviewed. Characteristics of the reviewed studies are reported including the different conceptualizations of text, reader, and task interactions. Regarding the relationships between text difficulty and reading fluency and comprehension, for students’ reading fluency, on average, increased text difficulty level was related to decreased reading fluency, with a small number of exceptions. For comprehension, on average, text difficulty level was negatively related to reading comprehension, although a few studies found no relationship. Text difficulty was widely conceptualized across studies and included characteristics particular to texts as well as relationships between readers and texts. Implications for theory, policy, curriculum, and instruction are discussed.
Abstract 367: Insulin Resistance is Associated with Increased Sympathetic Activity and Decreased Baroreflex Function in Obese African American Women

Obesity has a greater detrimental impact on the health of African American (AA) women than any other racial or gender group. Nearly 80% of AA women are overweight or obese and have higher incidence of insulin resistance compared to Caucasian women. The sympathetic nervous system (SNS) is increased in obesity and previous studies have reported that it may contribute to insulin resistance. However, most of these studies were performed in Caucasians. Thus, the contribution of the SNS to insulin resistance in African Americans remains unknown.The aim of this study was to determine if sympathetic activity is increased in obese AA women with insulin resistance. A total of 35 obese AA women with metabolic syndrome were studied (age 43±9 years, body mass index 38.7±5.5 Kg/m 2 , percentage body fat 48±4). Insulin sensitivity (SI) was evaluated by frequently sampled intravenous tolerance test and analyzed with Bergman9s minimal model (MINMOD). Measurement of sympathetic regulation of vasomotor tone and baroreflex gain were determined with baroreflex-cross spectral analysis. Our results showed that SI was directly associated with baroreflex sensitivity, Figure. Subjects with insulin resistance (SI SBP ; 5.9±3.4 vs 3.7±2.0 mm Hg 2 , P=0.057). In conclusion, insulin resistance is associated with decreased baroreflex gain and increased sympathetic activity in obese AA women.
Stability analysis and measurement of RC and RL digital non-Foster circuits with latency

Stability analysis and measurements are presented for negative capacitance and negative inductance designs of digital non-Foster circuits that include a series resistance and model the effects of latency. Such digital non-Foster circuits provide a new important alternative to analog non-Foster circuits, with potential to address stability and performance issues in important non-Foster application areas such as metamaterials, acoustic cloaking, and electrically-small antennas. The proposed approach includes a resistive component in the signal processing of digital non-Foster RC and RL circuits to help control stability and to mitigate parasitic resistance, and also includes latency effects associated with computation and conversion time. Analysis, simulation, and measured results confirm the desired non-Foster impedances, and show useful regions of stability as a function of resistance and latency.
Personal Technology Use and Thwarted Belongingness Among Suicidal Active‐Duty Military Personnel

This study (a) provides descriptive information about the personal technology use of a suicide sample of active-duty military personnel and (b) uses a traditional and a technology-based measure of social connectedness to examine their relation to suicide ideation and behaviors. Higher thwarted belongingness, and therefore lower perceived social connectedness, was associated with higher current and worst suicide ideation and a greater lifetime self-directed violence regardless of intent to die. Higher social connectedness based on personal technology usage was associated with higher current suicide ideation and a higher number of lifetime self-directed violence and suicide attempts.
Approaching horizontal equity in liver transplant from a racial and ethnic perspective.

I recently read the article, “ Selection of patients with hepatocellular cancer: a difficult balancing between equity, utility, and benefit ” by Alessandro Vitale and Quirino Lai, published in Translational Gastroenterology and Hepatology (2017;2:75) (1). I think that the authors succeeded in their goal of identifying a fair window for determining transplant benefit for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and nonmalignant liver diseases; they balance utility and urgency in a way that I feel is fitting for end-stage liver disease. However, I would like to expand on their assessment of equity within transplant. In this work, the authors consider equity within transplant as it relates to vertical equity between patients with different levels of disease progression, as well as horizontal equity between patients with and without liver cancer. While these authors established a good theoretical framework for horizontal equity, I think that when applying it to reality, this principle needs to be broken down to better represent certain populations dealing with disparate access to liver transplant.
Role of stereotactic body radiation therapy in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma extensively pretreated with transarterial chemoembolization or yttrium-90.

233Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an aggressive disease with dismal outcomes. Patients who are not surgical candidates are routinely treated with local therapies such as TACE, Y90, o...
The ENCOURAGE healthy families study: A comparative effectiveness trial to reduce risk for type 2 diabetes in mothers and children.

INTRODUCTION Trials in adults have demonstrated that interventions targeting lifestyle are effective in preventing or delaying type 2 diabetes (T2D). To address this need in youth, we developed ENCOURAGE Healthy Families (ENCOURAGE), based on the US Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP). STUDY DESIGN Here, we present results of the ENCOURAGE randomized, comparative effectiveness trial in which we evaluated ENCOURAGE delivered to (1) mothers only, and (2) mothers with added content delivered to their children. PARTICIPANTS The study was performed in Indianapolis, IN, at an academic medical center and the YMCA; December 2012 to April 2016. Women with a history of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) or prediabetes with children aged 8 to 15 years enrolled (n = 128). OUTCOME MEASURES Outcomes were collected at baseline, postintervention (3 months), 6 and 12 months. The primary outcome was weight change at 3 months in adults; secondary outcomes included glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), lipids, and blood pressure. RESULTS In neither program did mothers' weight change. HbA1c decreased at 3 months in both groups (mothers only=-0.09%, P = .019; mothers and children=-0.11%, P = .003). Participating children had a reduction in body mass index (BMI) percentile at 3 (-1.77, P = .014), 6 (-3.0, P = .002), and 12 months (-2.91, P = .004). HbA1c decreased in children in both groups (mothers only = -0.12% at 3 months [P < .0001], -0.13% at 6 months [P < .001], and -0.07% at 12 months [P = .001]; mothers and children = -0.08% at 3 months (P < .0001), -0.07% at 6 months (P = .0004), and -0.04% at 12 months (P = .03). CONCLUSION ENCOURAGE was beneficial for reducing BMI percentile in participating children.