cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Response after surgical resection of metastatic pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma: can postoperative biochemical remission be predicted?

Background Aggressive surgical resection with intent to cure and surgical debulking procedures are commonly recommended in patients with metastatic pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma. To date there are no data on operative outcomes of patients after surgical resection of metastatic pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma to determine if such an approach is appropriate and what factors may be associated with a favorable outcome. Study Design We performed a retrospective analysis of 30 patients with metastatic pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma who underwent surgical treatment. Clinical characteristics and genetic factors were analyzed as predictors of biochemical response to surgery. Results Thirty patients underwent a total of 42 operations, with a median follow-up time of 24 months (range 1 to 114 months). Complete disease resection (R0/R1) was achieved in 18 (42.9%) cases; 24 cases (57.1%) were debulking (R2) procedures without intent to cure. Complete biochemical remission was achieved in 10 (23.8%) cases and partial biochemical response was achieved in 23 (54.8%) cases. Patients with disease confined to the abdomen were more likely to achieve and maintain a biochemical response postoperatively than those with extra-abdominal disease (p = 0.0003). Debulking operations were significantly less likely to achieve or maintain biochemical palliation, with only 1 patient maintaining a biochemical response 12 months postoperatively (p SDHB mutation status, systemic therapy, and preoperative biochemical profile. Conclusions Depending on the extent of disease, patients with metastatic pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma can benefit from aggressive operative intervention and resection with intent to cure. Debulking procedures are unlikely to achieve clinically significant biochemical response, with any biochemical response achieved being very short-lived.
Antagonist activities of mecamylamine and nicotine show reciprocal dependence on beta subunit sequence in the second transmembrane domain

We show that a portion of the TM2 domain regulates the sensitivity of beta subunit-containing rat neuronal nicotinic AChR to the ganglionic blocker mecamylamine, such that the substitution of 4 amino acids of the muscle beta subunit sequence into the neuronal beta4 sequence decreases the potency of mecamylamine by a factor of 200 and eliminates any long-term effects of this drug on receptor function. The same exchange of sequence that decreases inhibition by mecamylamine produces a comparable potentiation of long-term inhibition by nicotine. Inhibition by mecamylamine is voltage-dependent, suggesting a direct interaction of mecamylamine with sequence elements within the membrane field. We have previously shown that sensitivity to TMP (tetramethylpiperidine) inhibitors is controlled by the same sequence elements that determine mecamylamine sensitivity. However, inhibition by bis-TMP compounds is independent of voltage. Our experiments did not show any influence of voltage on the inhibition of chimeric receptors by nicotine, suggesting that the inhibitory effects of nicotine are mediated by binding to a site outside the membrane's electric field. An analysis of point mutations indicates that the residues at the 6' position within the beta subunit TM2 domain may be important for determining the effects of both mecamylamine and nicotine in a reciprocal manner. Single mutations at the 10' position are not sufficient to produce effects, but 6' 10' double mutants show more effect than do the 6' single mutants.
New technologies, new standards

Discusses strategic trends, including space missions and robotic exploration as well as some tactical trends such as reduced mission costs, mission safety, off-the-shelf components, technology transfer and education.
Histologic Comparison of Healing After Ridge Preservation Using Human Demineralized Bone Matrix Putty With One Versus Two Different-Sized Bone Particles

Background: Ridge preservation can minimize the loss of alveolar bone subsequent to tooth extraction in preparation for implant therapy. The purpose of this study is to histologically and clinically compare human demineralized bone matrix (DBM) putty with one size of bone particles (SPS) to human DBM putty with two different sizes of bone particles (multiple particle sizes [MPS]) in ridge preservation after molar extractions.Methods: Molar tooth extraction and ridge preservation were performed in 20 participants for each treatment group. Approximately 20 weeks after grafting, core biopsies were obtained during implant placement and analyzed under light microscopy. Specimens were analyzed for the percentage area of vital bone, residual graft particles, and non-mineralized structures (connective tissue/other non-mineralized tissue [CT]). Changes in alveolar ridge dimensions were also determined.Results: Sixteen participants in the SPS group and 14 in the MPS group completed the study. The SPS group had a me...
A generalized coupon collecting model as a parsimonious optimal stochastic assignment model

There is a given set of n boxes, numbered 1 thru n. Coupons are collected one at a time. Each coupon has a binary vector x1,…,xn attached to it, with the interpretation being that the coupon is eligible to be put in box i if xi=1,i=1…,n. After a coupon is collected, it is put in a box for which it is eligible. Assuming the successive coupon vectors are independent and identically distributed from a specified joint distribution, the initial problem of interest is to decide where to put successive coupons so as to stochastically minimize N, the number of coupons needed until all boxes have at least one coupon. When the coupon vector X1,…,Xn is a vector of independent random variables, we show, if P(Xi=1) is nondecreasing in i, that the policy π that always puts an arriving coupon in the smallest numbered empty box for which it is eligible is optimal. Efficient simulation procedures for estimating Pπ(N>r) and Eπ[N] are presented; and analytic bounds are determined in the independent case. We also consider the problem where rearrangements are allowed.
EXCITED STATE INTERACTIONS OF 7‐AZAINDOLE WITH ALCOHOL AND WATER

— The fluorescence spectrum of 7-azaindole in alcohol is composed of two fluorescence bands. Effects of pH, temperature and solvent deuteration on the fluorescence spectra and quantum yields of 7-azaindole and other model compounds in ethanol and in water are reported. The long wavelength band arises from a tautomeric species formed in an adiabatic photoreaction involving double proton transfer between one molecule of 7-azaindole and one molecule of alcohol. The fluorescence spectrum of 7-azaindole in water is composed of only one band, but the emission is weak and shows a large solvent isotope effect. The possibility of a double proton transfer reaction between 7-azaindole and water is discussed.
Temperature Dependence of Spatially Resolved Picosecond Laser Induced Transients in a Deep Submicron CMOS Inverter

Spatially-resolved picosecond laser induced transients have been measured in a 0.18 mum CMOS inverter test structure as a function of temperature. Sensitive n-drain and p-drain nodes have been scaled in size to accommodate characteristic differences between ion and laser tracks. Images based on pulse characteristics have been collected from 325 K to 400 K and transient currents extracted from laser strikes to both the OFF drain and its surroundings. With increasing temperature strikes to the OFF drain result in a pulse width which appears to broadens whilst the charge collected surprisingly decreases.
The Mental Health Professional's Role in Understanding, Preventing, and Responding to Student Sexual Harassment

ABSTRACT Sexual harassment is a common experience in today's schools. A majority of secondary students report experiencing sexual harassment at school, with many reporting that they experienced it in elementary school as well. This article provides mental health professionals working in schools with an understanding of sexual harassment so that they can be proactive in responding to harassment and developing effective interventions. The first section of the article provides a working definition, including examples of various situations that may be encountered, and distinctions between sexual and gender harassment. Subsequent sections address gender and ethnicity issues, developmental factors, special concerns related to gay and lesbian students, and pertinent legal issues (including a brief review of recent court cases). The article concludes with specific primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention strategies that can be used to address sexual harassment in schools.
Replication-based efficient data delivery scheme (red) for delay/fault-tolerant mobile sensor network (DFT-MSN)

The delay/fault-tolerant mobile sensor network (DFT-MSN) has been proposed recently for pervasive information gathering. DFT-MSN distinguishes itself from conventional sensor networks by several unique characteristics such as sensor mobility, loose connectivity, and delay/fault tolerability. The mainstream approaches for sensor networking/communication cannot be applied in DFT-MSN directly. In this paper we propose a replication-based efficient data delivery (RED) scheme based on erasure coding technology tailored for DFT-MSN. RED consists of two key components for data transmission and message management, respectively. The former makes decision on when and where to transmit data messages according to the delivery probability. The latter decides the optimal erasure coding parameters (including the number of data blocks and the needed redundancy) based on its current delivery probability, in order to achieve the desired data delivery ratio while minimizing overhead at the same time. Extensive simulation has been carried out for performance evaluation. Compared with other approaches, the proposed RED data delivery scheme achieves high message delivery ratio with low transmission overhead and data management complexity.
Ipratropium in Patients with COPD Receiving Cholinesterase Inhibitors

Three patients with chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) and myasthenia gravis whose pulmonary symptoms were worsened by therapy with cholinesterase inhibitors were improved by inhaled ipratropium bromide. Two had increases in FEV1 (19 percent, 35 percent) and specific conductance (106 percent, 81 percent) and reductions in dyspnea. The third had no change in airflow with ipratropium, but improved due to decreased bronchial secretions which had limited the use of cholinesterase inhibitors. In contrast, beta agonist bronchodilators had no effect in any of these patients. This experience suggests that ipratropium may be the bronchodilator drug of choice in patients with obstructive lung disease aggravated by cholinesterase inhibitors.
Radiation-induced glioma following CyberKnife® treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma: a case report

Introduction: Post-stereotactic radiation-induced neoplasms, although relatively rare, have raised the question of benefit regarding CyberKnife W treatments versus the risk of a secondary malignancy. The incidence of such neoplasms arising in the nervous system is thought to be low, given the paucity of case reports regarding such secondary lesions. Case presentation: Here we describe a case of a 43-year-old Middle Eastern woman with primary clear cell renal cell carcinoma and a metastatic focus to the left brain parenchyma who presented with focal neurologic deficits. Following post-surgical stereotactic radiation in the region of the brain metastasis, the patient developed a secondary high-grade astrocytoma nearly 5 years after the initial treatment. Conclusion: Although the benefit of CyberKnife W radiotherapy treatments continues to outweigh the relatively low risk of a radiation-induced secondary malignancy, knowledge of such risks and a review of the literature are warranted.
Exhibit Review Essays

Royal Tombs of Sipan. Walter Alva and Christopher Donnan, co-curators. Royal Tombs of Sipan. Walter Alva and Christopher Donnan.
Fluorescence of Supported Phospholipid Bilayers Recorded in a Conventional Horizontal-Beam Spectrofluorometer

Supported phospholipid bilayers are a convenient model of cellular membranes in studies of membrane biophysics and protein-lipid interactions. Traditionally, supported lipid bilayers are formed on a flat surface of a glass slide to be observed through fluorescence microscopes. This paper describes a method to enable fluorescence detection from the supported lipid bilayers using standard horizontal-beam spectrofluorometers instead of the microscopes. In the proposed approach, the supported lipid bilayers are formed on the inner optical surfaces of the standard fluorescence microcell. To enable observation of the bilayer absorbed on the cell wall, the microcell is placed in a standard fluorometer cell holder and specifically oriented to expose the inner cell walls to both excitation and emission channels with a help of the custom cell adaptor. The signal intensity from supported bilayers doped with 1 % (mol) of rhodamine-labeled lipid in the standard 3-mm optical microcell was equivalent to fluorescence of the 70-80 nM reference solution of rhodamine recorded in a commercial microcell adaptor. Because no modifications to the instruments are required in this method, a variety of steady-state and time-domain fluorescence measurements of the supported phospholipid bilayers may be performed with the spectral resolution using standard horizontal-beam spectrofluorometers.
Regulation of Histone Gene Expression during the Cell Cycle and Coupling of Histone Gene Expression with Readout of Other Genetic Sequences

In this chapter the regulation of histone gene expression during what has functionally been defined as the cell cycle will be addressed. In doing so three very different biological situations will be considered: continuously dividing cells, nondividing cells which are stimulated to proliferate, and early stages of development where the cell cycle is significantly abbreviated. Because it would be unrealistic to review extensively all the information currently available regarding histone genes and the regulation of histone gene expression, this chapter will be limited to a consideration of the following points: 1) level(s) at which regulation of histone gene expression resides; 2) the relationship between expression of histone genes and other genes expressed when DNA replication occurs; 3) approaches which have been taken to clone human histone sequences; and 4) although it would be presumptuous to propose a comprehensive model for control of histone gene expression, throughout the chapter an attempt will be made to consider the requirements for explaining the regulation of histone genes within the context of what is known about their structural, functional and biological properties.
Developing Groundwater Variability Probes and Wireless Sensor Networks for Characterizing the Subsurface Low Flow Field

Groundwater monitoring plays a key role in understanding solute transport processes, including pollutant fate and transport mechanisms, detection of leaks from groundwater storage containers, and development of early warning systems for flooding and bank stability. Furthermore, incorporating these monitoring fields into remote stations with wireless data transmittal has proven useful in real-time data analysis and field forecasting. A promising new technology called the groundwater variability probe (GVP) was developed, tested, and integrated into a wireless field station with inclusion of soil moisture probes and pressure transducers for monitoring hydraulic conditions within a pond bank. The GVP is capable of measuring real-time centimeter-scale velocity magnitude, flow direction, hydraulic conductivity, and dispersion coefficient measurements simultaneously. We found that the GVP can effectively measure seepage velocity in dispersion-dominated regimes from 26 to 460 cm ${\rm day}^{\mathrm {{-1}}}$ range and flow direction to within ±10°. The hydraulic conductivity was determined using Darcy's law. The GVP-derived velocity measurements were found to be within expected ranges of hydraulic conductivity. Dispersion coefficients of the plume were derived and found to be similar to values reported in the literature. A wireless sensor network was installed on a wet retention pond bank, allowing remote real-time access for monitoring changes in soil moisture, groundwater velocity, and stage fluctuations, providing insights into correlations with in-situ storm events.
Intramuscular vs Intravenous Benzodiazepines for Prehospital Treatment of Status Epilepticus

Researchers at the Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and other centers in the US, compared the efficacy of intramuscular (IM) midazolam with that of intravenous (IV) lorazepam for children and adults in status epilepticus treated by paramedics.
A Conceptual Model of Forgiveness and Health

In the present chapter, we review the adverse effects of unforgiveness on physical health and develop an integrative conceptual model involving precursors as well as mechanisms that may function as a foundation for future empirical investigations on forgiveness and its influence on health. This model suggests that a forgiving personality, positive religious coping experiences, and age all impact the likelihood of a person to forgive. From there, we suggest that this forgiveness leads to decreased negative experiences, decreased risky health behaviors and unhealthy coping mechanisms, increased positive experiences, increased relational well-being, and increased spiritual well-being. These serve as mechanisms between forgiveness and better mental health and well-being, as well as between forgiveness and decreased physiological risk factors. These two factors combine and contribute to better physical health outcomes. We conclude with an agenda for future research in light of this model.
Effect of Rotatory Inertia and Shear on Maximum Strain in Cantilever Impact Excitation

A solution of the Timoshenko beam equation is given for boundary and initial conditions similar to those obtaining in the drop test of a cantilevered beam. Curves are drawn for the amplification factor A and for A (w/pi) as a function of the relative impact duration co/pi. These show that for extremely short duration disturbances the effects of rotatory inertia and shear are of the same order of magnitude as those obtained from the Bernoulli-Euler theory with the addition of viscous internal damping on the constant Q hypothesis (Sezawa's equation).
Some remarks on tight hypersurfaces

We study the outer part of tight hypersurfaces. We explore in detail how the outer part of such hypersurfaces for n ≧ 3 is more complicated than in the case of tight surfaces in R 3 . We give a theorem describing tight hypersurfaces of arbitrary dimension.
Development of an Inspector Satellite Propulsion Module Using Photostructurable Glass/Ceramic Materials

A 1-kg class miniature satellite can provide close-in support assistance to a conventional host satellite. The Co-Orbital Satellite Assistant (COSA) is a satellite inspector with a weeklong mission. COSA maneuvering requirements for LEO and GEO applications have velocity increments of less than a meter per second. Perturbation forces such as air drag and solar pressure typically drive 'V requirements an order-of-magnitude higher. With the exception of deorbit or disposal, a cold gas thruster system is appropriate for a COSA in LEO or GEO. We are currently fabricating a second-generation laboratory-class propulsion module out of a photostructurable glass ceramic material that meets the propulsion requirements for a LEO COSA mission. It uses eight thrusters and is designed to demonstrate station-keeping and leader-follower operation on an air table.
Disturbance Ratings for Relevant and Irrelevant Noise during Performance of a Cognitive Task

This study supports previous conclusions that the perceived personal relevance of ambient noise is related to its stressful effects. Some subjects were told that a noise was unrelated to a cognitive task, while others were told that its effects on the cognitive performance were being studied. As predicted, relevant noise was rated as less disturbing.
Route Selection and Process Development of a Multikilogram Route to the Inhaled A2a Agonist UK-432,097

This article describes the selection, process development, and scale-up of a synthetic route to a complex nucleoside analogue, the A2a agonist UK-432,097 (1), that culminated in the manufacture of over 25 kg of the API. The key steps in the process were (1) a stereoselective glycosidation reaction; (2) a scalable bleach–TEMPO oxidation; and (3) an unusual elevated temperature crystallization process for the final API. The problems that were encountered with the scale-up of the route together with how they were overcome are also presented.
Abstract 3722: Quinacrine and sorafenib combination as potential therapy for anaplastic thyroid cancer

Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is uncommon and represents 2-5% of all thyroid cancers. It remains amongst the most lethal human cancers with a reported median survival of 6 months despite therapy. ATC represents over 50% of all thyroid cancer fatalities annually. We have previously shown the effectiveness of quinacrine in combination with standard therapies in hepatocellular and colon carcinoma. Quinacrine has been used in the past to treat lupus and malaria and in addition to being available and affordable (∼30 USD/month of therapy) it has a well-known and acceptable toxicity profile. Here, we evaluate the efficacy of quinacrine in combination with sorafenib on a panel of human anaplastic thyroid cancer tumor cells. We observed that quinacrine as a single agent effectively kills anaplastic thyroid cancer cells in vitro in a concentration-dependent manner as assessed by CellTiter-Glo and sub-G1 analysis. Quinacrine in combination with sorafenib provides an additive effect in vitro. On analyzing, we observe that the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family member Mcl-1, which is over-expressed in a number of solid tumors is down-regulated with this combination treatment. Unlike chloroquine that inhibits autophagy, our previous results have not shown that quinacrine9s anti-tumor efficacy involves alterations in autophagy. We are testing the quinacrine plus sorafenib combination in vivo by sub-cutaneous or orthotopic injection in immune-deficient mice of established cell lines as well as freshly isolated cells from patients with anaplastic thyroid cancer. Our findings suggest that quinacrine in combination with sorafenib may be an effective therapeutic strategy for anaplastic thyroid cancer. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3722. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-3722
La interpretación de los ensayos clínicos negativos

Randomized clinical trials without statistically significant differences between treatment groups may provide useful information for clinicians. However, negative trials must be interpreted cautiously, since the absence of evidence of treatment effect is not the same as evidence of absence of treatment effect. Before the reader of a negative article can conclude that one intervention was not better than the other, the potential causes of a negative study should be explored. The objective of this manuscript is to critically describe some of the most common methodological problems that can explain the lack of difference between studied groups in randomized clinical trials.
Immigration, Citizenship, and the Clash Between Partiality and Impartiality

Do aspiring immigrants have a right to enter a new country? Do countries have a moral duty to allow people seeking refuge to enter? Or do countries have a moral right to deny entry?
Advances in silicone rubber for electrical applications

General Electric Company has introduced a new type of silicone rubber coating compound SE 100 to the field of electrical insulation. This material and silicone rubber-glass cloth products made therefrom represent a significant advance in the industry. Through a study of the components parts of the coating formulation-polymer base, filler, and curing agent — and the rheological properties deemed necessary, the product was developed.
Especificidade das descargas do órgão elétrico em espécies de Gimnotóides simpátricos do rio Negro

Descargas do orgao eletrico (EODs) de seis especies simpatricas, habitantes de lama de gimnotoides do rio Negro ocupam areas nao sobrepostas de picos de frequencia e taxa de repeticao. Como os eletrorreceptores sao conhecidos como os mais sensiveis dentro do pico de frequencia da especie, a evolucao da EODs com espectros especificos para especie minimizaria a conversacao cruzada das especies na comunicacao social.
Practical Spiritualities in a Media Age

“In the United States,” notes Wolfe, “culture has transformed Christ, as well as all other religions found within these shores. In every aspect of the religious life, American faith has met America...
A FFT-based formulation for discrete dislocation dynamics in heterogeneous media

Abstract In this paper, an extension of the DDD-FFT approach presented in [1] is developed for heterogeneous elasticity. For such a purpose, an iterative spectral formulation in which convolutions are calculated in the Fourier space is developed to solve for the mechanical state associated with the discrete eigenstrain-based microstructural representation. With this, the heterogeneous DDD-FFT approach is capable of treating anisotropic and heterogeneous elasticity in a computationally efficient manner. In addition, a GPU implementation is presented to allow for further acceleration. As a first example, the approach is used to investigate the interaction between dislocations and second-phase particles, thereby demonstrating its ability to inherently incorporate image forces arising from elastic inhomogeneities.
In vivo mechanical anisotropy assessment in renal parenchyma using ARFI peak displacement

Renal parenchyma is strongly anisotropic; mechanical properties differ along versus across nephron alignment. In this work, the feasibility of interrogating such directional differences in mechanical property using ARFI is investigated. We hypothesize that: 1) the ratio of ARFI peak displacements (PDs) achieved with the long axis of an asymmetrical ARF PSF oriented along versus across nephron alignment reflects the mechanical degree of anisotropy (DoA); and 2) directional differences in parenchymal mechanical property are detected when using an asymmetrical ARF PSF but obviated when using a symmetrical ARF PSF.
Caring practices among U.S. National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I female and male assistant coaches

The focus of the current study was on the ways that U.S. National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I female and male assistant coaches defined and implemented care with their student–athletes. Twenty-three coaches (14 female, 9 male) from nine different sports (baseball, basketball, golf, rowing, softball, swimming, tennis, track and field/cross-country, and volleyball) agreed to participate in a semi-structured interview. The data were analyzed using Consensual Qualitative Research by a team of four researchers as well as an external auditor. Results indicated that care was encompassed within 12 total categories and four major domains: (a) development of care, (b) definitions of care, (c) manifestations of care, and (d) factors influencing care. Results are presented using direct quotes from assistant coaches in the form of core ideas to highlight the domains and categories. Throughout the discussion, the findings are linked to previous research on care and the broader U.S. National Collegiate At...
Exploring Graph Analytics with the PCJ Toolbox

Graph analysis is an intrinsic tool embedded in the big data domain. The demand in processing of bigger and bigger graphs requires highly efficient and parallel applications. In this work we explore the possibility of employing the new PCJ library for distributed calculations in Java. We apply the toolbox to sparse matrix matrix multiplications and the k-means clustering problem. We benchmark the strong scaling performance against an equivalent C++/MPI implementation. Our benchmarks found comparable good scaling results for algorithms using mainly local point-to-point communications, and exposed the potential for logarithmic collective operations directly available in the PCJ library. Further more, we also experienced an improvement of development time to solution, as a result of the high level abstractions provided by Java and PCJ.
Synchronous Leydig Cell Tumor and Seminoma in the Ipsilateral Testis

Leydig cell tumor is a rare sex cord tumor that accounts for 1-3% of all testicular neoplasms. Seminomas are more common and occur in 30-40% of testicular tumors. Leydig cell tumors are derived from undifferentiated gonadal mesenchyme and the concurrent development of the tumor and a seminoma which are derived from germinal epithelium in an ipsilateral testis is extremely rare. Here we report a case of ipsilateral Leydig cell tumor and seminoma occurring in a 38-year-old man with a left testicular mass. The key to diagnosis is dependent on histopathology and immunohistochemistry. To our knowledge, this is the first diagnosis of the two disease entities in a unilateral testis using immunohistochemistry. Increased awareness of the entity is important in order to distinguish Leydig cell tumor and seminomas from other malignancies due to difference in therapeutic management.
Fika—Mindfulness for the LRW Professor

Too often, LRW professors sacrifice their love of writing to their devotion to teaching. This can have an adverse impact on career advancement. This Article shares the story of two LRW faculty members who used a cultural tradition to achieve balance, strengthen a collegial bond, and increase their scholarly productivity.
Examining Approval and Social Norms as Proximal Predictors of the Impulsivity-Cannabis Use Relation

Cannabis is a commonly used substance among college students and is associated with a host of negative consequences. Psychosocial variables (e.g., social norms, attitudes, and impulsivity) may explain individual differences regarding the increased cannabis use in recent years. Attitudes, social norms, and broadband impulsivity have demonstrated consistent, independent relations with increased cannabis use; however, relations among approval and social norms, narrowband impulsivity, and cannabis use remain elusive. The current study (N = 718) examined approval (i.e., approval of peer cannabis use) and social norms as proximal predictors of impulsivity-cannabis use relations among college students across models of varying multivariate complexity. Results from simpler multivariate models indicated that indirect effects of impulsivity-like facets, as assessed by the UPPS-P Impulsive Behavior Scale, were statistically significant for all models via approval, descriptive norms, and injunctive norms. In general, individuals higher in impulsivity-like facets reported more positive attitudes or more perceived use or approval by friends, which, in turn, was associated with more cannabis use. Differential relations emerged for the complex multivariate mediation model, such that approval exhibited the most consistent unique mediation effect. Multi-group analyses by gender revealed an indirect effect of sensation seeking via descriptive norms stronger for males than females. Consistent with the alcohol literature, this research highlights the importance of examining approval and social norms as proximal predictors of cannabis use, particularly as it is relevant for developing efficacious clinical interventions to reduce cannabis use by employing personalized normative feedback. DOI: 10.26828/cannabis.2018.01.005
Gene set analysis methods: a systematic comparison

Gene set analysis is a valuable tool to summarize high-dimensional gene expression data in terms of biologically relevant sets. This is an active area of research and numerous gene set analysis methods have been developed. Despite this popularity, systematic comparative studies have been limited in scope. In this study we present a semi-synthetic simulation study using real datasets in order to test and compare commonly used methods. A software pipeline, Flexible Algorithm for Novel Gene set Simulation (FANGS) develops simulated data based on a prostate cancer dataset where the KRAS and TGF-β pathways were differentially expressed. The FANGS software is compatible with other datasets and pathways. Comparisons of gene set analysis methods are presented for Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA), Significance Analysis of Function and Expression (SAFE), sigPathway, and Correlation Adjusted Mean RAnk (CAMERA) methods. All gene set analysis methods are tested using gene sets from the MSigDB knowledge base. The false positive rate and power are estimated and presented for comparison. Recommendations are made for the utility of the default settings of methods and each method’s sensitivity towards various effect sizes. The results of this study provide empirical guidance to users of gene set analysis methods. The FANGS software is available for researchers for continued methods comparisons.
Do the Merits Matter More After Securities Litigation Reform? Evidence from Restatements, Earnings Forecasts, and Insider Trading

This paper examines the effect of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (PSLRA) on stockholder lawsuits. We explore the role of restatements, earnings forecasts, and insider trading in the filing and resolution of lawsuits for a sample of high technology firms. Consistent with expectations, there is a post-PSLRA shift away from litigation based on forward-looking earnings disclosures. Conversely, there is a significantly greater correlation between litigation and both earnings restatements and insider selling after the PSLRA. There is no evidence, however, of an association between litigation and abnormal insider selling either before or after the PSLRA, even though this measure conforms more closely with legal standards for assessing fraudulent intent. Finally, we find a post-PSLRA increase in the likelihood of settlement for cases involving earnings restatements and abnormal insider selling. Thus, unlike lawsuit filings, the outcome of litigation does conform with judicial doctrine regarding insider trading. Consistent with Skinner (1997), there is no association between the likelihood of settlement and firms' forward-looking earnings disclosures.
Therapeutic Endpoints in the Treatment of Congestive Heart Failure with Systolic Dysfunction

The definition and successful use of therapeutic endpoints in the treatment of congestive heart failure has been fraught with many difficulties, not the least of which are an adequate understanding of the etiology of the underlying process of myocardial failure, a dissociation of various endpoints from one another, such as symptomatology and mortality and an inability to define the factors which lead to progression of the primary disease.
Detecting Impersonation in Social Network Sites (SNS) Using Artificial Immune Systems (AIS)

The Internet is rapidly growing; more and more nodes are getting connected daily. Statistics from various research works shows that the number of U.S. online banking adult users rose by 34.4%, rising from 61% in 2013 to 82% in 2014. These figures raise serious concerns about the potential dangers that may exist in online platforms. This paper studied the increasing online identity fraud (impersonation attacks) that are on the rise in online platforms daily. Earlier work done by Wu et. al. (2014) showed some success of detecting identity fraud in Social Network Systems (SNS). A general approach is provided for classifying user activities as “malicious/fraudster” or “legitimate/user” using Artificial Immune Systems (AIS). The work will contribute to informing the users of how their accounts are being interacted with and protecting them from identity fraud.
Breathe Easy, Speak Easy: Pulmonary Function and Language Performance in Aging.

BACKGROUND This study explored the association between pulmonary function (PF) and older adults' language performance accuracy. Study rationale was anchored in aging research reporting PF as a reliable risk factor affecting cognition among the elderly. METHODS 180 adult English native speakers aged 55 to 84 years participated in the study. PF was measured through forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), and FEV1/FVC ratio (FFR). Language performance was assessed with an action naming test and an object naming test, and two tests of sentence comprehension, one manipulating syntactic complexity and the other, semantic negation. Greater PF was predicted to be positively associated with all tasks. RESULTS Unadjusted models revealed FVC and FEV1 effects on language performance among older adults. Participants with higher FVC showed better naming on both tasks and those with higher FEV1 had better object naming only. In covariate-adjusted models, only a positive FVC-object naming association remained. CONCLUSION Findings were discussed in terms of brain oxygenation mechanisms, whereby good PF may implicate efficient oxygenation, supporting neurotransmitter metabolism that protects against neural effects of cerebrovascular risk. Effects on object naming were linked to putative differential oxygenation demands across language tasks.
Understanding Undergraduate Teaching Assistants’ Perspectives on Inclusive Pedagogy in Introductory Computing Courses

Computing-related introductory courses have significant barriers for underserved identities, leading to drastically low participation. One role shown to mitigate barriers are peer mentors and teaching assistants (TAs). We specifically explore the role of undergraduate TAs in introductory courses, whose near-peer status could be more impactful than graduate TAs. Our informal pilot study explores undergraduate TAs’ concerns about incorporating diversity and inclusion principles into their pedagogical practice in an introductory information science course. Additionally, we describe how future work will be shaped by sociocultural learning sciences and individual differences approaches.
Scalable Data Association for Extended Object Tracking

Tracking extended objects based on measurements provided by light detection and ranging (LIDAR) and millimeter wave radio detection and ranging (RADAR) sensors is a key task to obtain situational awareness in important applications including autonomous driving and indoor robotics. In this paper, we propose probabilistic data association methods for localizing and tracking of extended objects that originate an unknown number of measurements. Our approach is based on factor graphs and the sum-product algorithm (SPA). In particular, we reduce computational complexity in a principled manner by means of “stretching” factors in the graph. After stretching, new variable and factor nodes have lower dimensions than the original nodes. This leads to a reduced computational complexity of the resulting SPA. One of the introduced methods is based on an overcomplete description of data association uncertainty and has a computational complexity that only scales quadratically in the number of objects and linearly in the number of measurements. Without relying on suboptimal preprocessing steps such as a clustering of measurements, it can localize and track multiple objects that potentially generate a large number of measurements. Simulation results confirm that despite their lower computational complexity, the proposed methods can outperform reference methods based on clustering.
Crowd-sourced data link land use and soil moisture to temperature and relative humidity in southwest Michigan (USA)

Land use practices have replaced much of the natural ecosystems of Michigan with cropland and urban settlements. These modifications can alter regional climates because changes in vegetation can alter albedo, surface roughness, surface energy balances, and evapotranspiration. Climate may also be affected by soil, elevation, latitude, and proximity to large water bodies. We collected temperature and relative humidity data in southwest Michigan each week during May, July, and September, 2017 from the Weather Underground Sensor Network, a crowd-sourced repository for climate data. We used multiple regression to model the effects of land use/land cover on the temperature and relative humidity of the region. Results revealed that (1) soil texture and land use/land cover explained temperatures during July, (2) soil moisture explained May and July relative humidity, and (3) proximity to Lake Michigan explained September temperatures. Despite inherent error associated with crowd-sourced data, our models revealed that changes in land use/land cover have the potential to alter regional climate through modification of vegetation and disturbances of soils. Model validation indicated that predicted temperature was more accurate than relative humidity; however, both were predicted relatively well. Because continued changes in land use/land cover are expected, it is important to understand how changes to vegetation could influence regional temperature and relative humidity.
ON THE FEASIBILITY OF A ONE‐SPEED OR MULTISPEED EUROPEAN MONETARY UNION

This paper addresses two questions: (1) Is a twelve-country monetary union in Europe feasible? (2) Can monetary union be achieved at multispeed, i.e., with a small group of countries going first, and later admitting the others? After examining several politico-economic arguments concerning problems of feasibility of the union, we conclude with a fair amount of skepticism concerning the multispeed idea. We show that the final result of the process of monetary integration is dependent upon the number of countries that initiate it. Our discussion of feasibility sheds some light on the political economy of the recent (Fall 1992) turmoil in the monetary system of Europe.
Exercise and Neuropathic Pain: A General Overview of Preclinical and Clinical Research.

Neuropathic pain is a disease of the somatosensory system that is characterized by tingling, burning, and/or shooting pain. Medication is often the primary treatment, but it can be costly, thus there is an interest in understanding alternative low-cost treatments such as exercise. The following review includes an overview of the preclinical and clinical literature examining the influence of exercise on neuropathic pain. Preclinical studies support the hypothesis that exercise reduces hyperalgesia and allodynia in animal models of neuropathic pain. In human research, observational studies suggest that those who are more physically active have lower risk of developing neuropathic pain compared to those who are less active. Exercise studies suggest aerobic exercise training (e.g., 16 weeks); a combination of aerobic and resistance exercise training (e.g., 10–12 weeks); or high-intensity interval training (e.g., 15 weeks) reduces aspects of neuropathic pain such as worst pain over the past month, pain over the past 24 h, pain scores, or pain interference. However, not all measures of pain improve following exercise training (e.g., current pain, heat pain threshold). Potential mechanisms and future directions are also discussed to aid in the goal of understanding the role of exercise in the management of neuropathic pain. Future research using standardized methods to further understanding of the dose of exercise needed to manage neuropathic pain is warranted.
Hydrolysis of lignocellulose by anaerobic fungi produces free sugars and organic acids for two-stage fine chemical production with Kluyveromyces marxianus

Development of the bioeconomy is driven by our ability to access the energy-rich carbon trapped in recalcitrant plant materials. Current strategies to release this carbon rely on expensive enzyme cocktails and physicochemical pretreatment, producing inhibitory compounds that hinder subsequent microbial bioproduction. Anaerobic fungi are an appealing solution as they hydrolyze crude, untreated biomass at ambient conditions into sugars that can be converted into value-added products by partner organisms. However, some carbon is lost to anaerobic fungal fermentation products. To improve efficiency and recapture this lost carbon, we built a two-stage bioprocessing system pairing the anaerobic fungus Piromyces indianae with the yeast Kluyveromyces marxianus, which grows on a wide range of sugars and fermentation products. In doing so we produce fine and commodity chemicals directly from untreated lignocellulose. P. indianae efficiently hydrolyzed substrates such as corn stover and poplar to generate sugars, fermentation acids, and ethanol, which K. marxianus consumed while producing 2.4 g/L ethyl acetate. An engineered strain of K. marxianus was also able to produce 550 mg/L 2-phenylethanol and 150 mg/L isoamyl alcohol from P. indianae hydrolyzed lignocellulosic biomass. Despite the use of crude untreated plant material, production yields were comparable to optimized rich yeast media due to the use of all available carbon including organic acids, which formed up to 97% of free carbon in the fungal hydrolysate. This work demonstrates that anaerobic fungal pretreatment of lignocellulose can sustain the production of fine chemicals at high efficiency by partnering organisms with broad substrate versatility.
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on breast cancer screening volumes and patient screening behaviors.

In order to facilitate targeted outreach, we sought to identify patient populations with a lower likelihood of returning for breast cancer screening after COVID-19-related imaging center closures. Weekly total screening mammograms performed throughout 2019 (baseline year) and 2020 (COVID-19-impacted year) were compared. Demographic and clinical characteristics, including age, race, ethnicity, breast density, breast cancer history, insurance status, imaging facility type used, and need for interpreter, were compared between patients imaged from March 16 to October 31 in 2019 (baseline cohort) and 2020 (COVID-19-impacted cohort). Census data and an online map service were used to impute socioeconomic variables and calculate travel times for each patient. Logistic regression was used to identify patient characteristics associated with a lower likelihood of returning for screening after COVID-19-related closures. The year-over-year cumulative difference in screening mammogram volumes peaked in week 21, with 2962 fewer exams in the COVID-19-impacted year. By week 47, this deficit had reduced by 49.4% to 1498. A lower likelihood of returning for screening after COVID-19-related closures was independently associated with younger age (odds ratio (OR) 0.78, p < 0.001), residence in a higher poverty area (OR 0.991, p = 0.014), lack of health insurance (OR 0.65, p = 0.007), need for an interpreter (OR 0.68, p = 0.029), longer travel time (OR 0.998, p < 0.001), and utilization of mobile mammography services (OR 0.27, p < 0.001). Several patient factors are associated with a lower likelihood of returning for screening mammography after COVID-19-related closures. Knowledge of these factors can guide targeted outreach to vulnerable patients to facilitate breast cancer screening.