cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract B13: Widening socioeconomic disparities in cervical cancer mortality among women in 26 states: 1993–2007

Background: Despite declines in cervical cancer mortality in the U.S. due to widespread Pap testing, mortality disparities persist. Previous studies were limited to area-level determinants of socioeconomic status (SES). We examined recent temporal trends in cervical cancer mortality by individual levels of educational attainment as a proxy for SES. Methods: Data from the National Vital Statistics System were used to calculate age-standardized cervical cancer mortality rates for women aged 25–64 years (1993–2007) by individual levels of education: Results: A total 6,613 cervical cancer deaths occurred during 1993–2007. Mortality rates declined from 4.18 during 1993–1995 to 3.01 during 2005–2007 (−2.9% per year, P Conclusions: Overall cervical cancer mortality declined among women aged 25–64 during 1993–2007; however, the rate of decline was much slower for women with lower levels of educational attainment, leading to widening of SES disparities in cervical cancer mortality rates. We note that many cervical cancer deaths could be avoided by addressing SES disparities, and that additional research is needed to assess individual determinants of these disparities in cervical cancer mortality as well as interventions to reduce them. Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2011;4(10 Suppl):B13.
A principle of equivalent states for liquid transport properties

A principle of equivalent states for liquid transport properties is developed for binary liquid systems. Under the assumption that the activity and viscosity corrected mutual diffusion coefficient is a function of the solution molar volume, working equations are developed for the concentration dependence of the binary mutual diffusion coefficients. The results apply to binary liquid systems for which the coefficient of thermal expansion is independent of composition and for which the difference in activation free energies for viscous flow and diffusion is also independent of composition. The results are tested with available data to show that the binary mutual diffusion coefficient can be predicted from the infinitely dilute values and the solution viscosity and thermodynamics for a large number of liquid systems. On a mis au point un principe de regimes equivalents, dans le cas de systemes binaires liquides, lequel s'applique aux proprietes de transport des liquides. En supposant que le coefficient de diffusion mutuelle, corrige pour l'activite et la viscosite, est fonction du volume molaire de la solution, on a mis au point des equations satisfaisantes pour evaluer la dependance de la concentration des coefficients de diffusion mutuelle dans un systeme binaire. Les resultats s'appliquent a des systemes binaires liquides pour lesquels le coefficient d'expansion thermique et la difference dans les energies libres d'activation, dans le cas d'un ecoulement visqueux et de la diffusion, ne dependent pas de la composition. On a compare les resultats avec les donnees disponibles et ils indiquent qu'on peut predire le coefficient de diffusion mutuelle binaire dans un grand nombre de systemes liquides, a partir de valeurs infiniment attenuees ainsi que de la viscosite et des proprietes thermodynamiques des solutions.
The Center for Nontraditional Learning: Problems and Prospects in Contemporary Higher Education.

This paper discusses the rationale and procedure for establishing and maintaining aCenter for Nontraditional Learning. The author delineates the structure and budget for the “Center.” The Center includes an Unsponsored Learning Division and a Sponsored Learning Division. The author recommends that the Sponsored Learning Division be implemented before the Unsponsored Learning Division is considered. When the Sponsored Learning Division is well established, then the faculty may wish to consider a program for crediting unsponsored learning. The Center will assist the student in determining life goals, learning goals, and learning styles. This paper also delineates the process for developing a credentialing procedure for unsponsored learning. The importance of faculty support is stressed.
EFFECT OF FORMULATION VARIABLES ON SENSORY QUALITY OF SPICED LUNCHEON LOAVES

The effects of three levels of fat (25, 30 and 35%), nonfat dry milk (NFDM) (0, 5 and 10%) and added water (yields of 115, 130 and 125% of the original meat block) on the sensory qualities of spiced luncheon loaves were evaluated. A 20-member trained taste panel evaluated each loaf for color, flavor, firmness and general acceptability characteristics and a Universal Instron Testing Instrument was employed for objective texture measurements. Fat level and added water (yield) had highly significant (P > 0.01) effects on color while fat level influenced the flavor characteristics of the product. All variables tested significantly (P > 0.01) affected firmness, while fat content influenced (P > 0.01) the general acceptability of the loaves. For all responses measured, a significant (P > 0.05) interaction between levels of fat and NFDM existed. Taste panel members indicated a preference for loaves containing 30% fat and 5.0% NFDM. Color scores and firmness decreased as the amount of added water increased. Product shrinkage increased as added water (yield) was increased but decreased as the amount of NFDM was added to the formula.
WOMEN CANDIDATES IN THE NEWS: AN EXAMINATION OF GENDER DIFFERENCES IN U.S. SENATE CAMPAIGN COVERAGE

By covering male and female candidates differently, the news media may influence the success of female candidates for public office. A content analysis was conducted to assess potentially important differences in the newspaper coverage of a sample of male and female U.S. Senate candidates in the elections of 1982-86. The results of the study show that female candidates for the U.S. Senate are treated differently by the press. Female candidates receive less news coverage and the coverage they do receive concentrates more on their viability and less on their issue positions. Furthermore, female candidates' viability coverage is more negative than that of their male counterparts. Given these gender differences in press treatment, we would expect voters' recognition of male candidates to exceed that of female candidates and we would also expect evaluations of female candidates to be tied more closely to their perceived viability. Because female candidates are often considered noncompetitive by the press, this attention to the horserace may lead voters to develop more negative evaluations of female candidates. These results suggest that current patterns of press coverage may serve as a critical obstacle for women running for the U.S. Senate. Women have always been underrepresented in the U.S. Senate. A total of sixteen women have served in the Senate and only six of these women have served full terms. The representation of women has not improved in recent years: two women serve in the U.S. Senate today, KIM FRIDKIN KAHN iS Assistant Professor at Arizona State University and EDIE N. GOLDENBERG is Dean of the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts and Professor of Political Science and Public Policy at the University of Michigan. The authors would like to thank the Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies at the University of Michigan for support through the Research Partnership Program. The authors would also like to thank Amy Cuzzola, William Wehrle, and Susan Grantham for their help in
50 tesla superconducting solenoid for fast muon cooling ring

A conceptual design is presented for the 50 Tesla superconducting solenoids that are required for an optimized fast cooling ring in current designs for multi-TeV muon colliders. The solenoid utilizes high-performance multifilament Bi-2212/Ag round strand. The conductor is a cable-in-conduit consisting of six such strands cabled around a thin-wall spring tube then drawn within an outer sheath. The spring tube and the sheath are made from high-strength superalloy Inconel. The solenoid coil comprises 5 concentric shells supported independently in the conventional manner. Each shell consists of a winding of the structured cable, impregnated in the voids between cables but empty inside so that the spring tubes decouple stress so that it cannot strain- degrade the fragile strands, and a high-E stress shell. An expansion bladder is located between the winding and the stress shell. It is pressurized and then frozen to provide hydraulic compressive preload to each shell. These provisions makes it possible to accommodate ~10 T field contribution from each shell without degradation, and to distribute refrigeration so that heat is removed throughout the volume of the windings.
Effect of capping silicon nitride layer and nitrided gate oxide on hump of transistors

In this letter, we investigate the effect of capping silicon nitride and nitrided gate oxide on the hump in the sub-threshold slope of various transistors. Silicon wafers having both high- and low-voltage transistors are fabricated. The thin gate oxide is grown by nitric oxidation, while two step process of dry oxidation and low-pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD) is used for the thick gate oxide. Note that the thickness of thin gate oxide is 4.5 nm, and 29 nm for thick gate oxide. It appears that both low-voltage nMOS and pMOS do not show any hump, nor does high-voltage pMOS. The subthreshold hump of high-voltage nMOS depends on process conditions. It shows severe hump without capping silicon nitride layer due to moisture diffusion during thermal anneal after interlayer oxide deposition by LPCVD. It also appears that nitrided oxide is effective to prevent hump by stopping moisture diffusion.
Evidence of Developmental Differences in Implicit Sequence Learning: An fMRI Study of Children and Adults

Prevailing theories of implicit or unaware learning propose a developmental invariance model, with implicit function maturing early in infancy or childhood despite prolonged improvements in explicit or intentional learning and memory systems across childhood. Neuroimaging studies of adult visuomotor sequence learning have associated fronto-striatal brain regions with implicit learning of spatial sequences. Given evidence of continued development in these brain regions during childhood, we compare implicit sequence learning in adults and 7- to 11-year-old children to examine potential developmental differences in the recruitment of fronto-striatal circuitry during implicit learning. Participants performed a standard serial reaction time task. Stimuli alternately followed a fixed 10-step sequence of locations or were presented in a pseudorandom order of locations. Adults outperformed children, achieving a significantly larger sequence learning effect and showing learning more quickly than children. Age-related differences in activity were observed in the premotor cortex, putamen, hippocampus, inferotemporal cortex, and parietal cortex. We observed differential recruitment of cortical and subcortical motor systems between groups, presumably reflecting age differences in motor response execution. Adults showed greater hippocampal activity for sequence trials, whereas children demonstrated greater signal during random trials. Activity in the right caudate correlated significantly with behavioral measures of implicit learning for both age groups, although adults showed greater signal change than children overall, as would be expected given developmental differences in sequence learning magnitude. These results challenge the idea of developmental invariance in implicit learning and instead support a view of parallel developments in implicit and explicit learning systems.
Weight Space Probability Densities in Stochastic Learning: I. Dynamics and Equilibria

The ensemble dynamics of stochastic learning algorithms can be studied using theoretical techniques from statistical physics. We develop the equations of motion for the weight space probability densities for stochastic learning algorithms. We discuss equilibria in the diffusion approximation and provide expressions for special cases of the LMS algorithm. The equilibrium densities are not in general thermal (Gibbs) distributions in the objective function being minimized, but rather depend upon an effective potential that includes diffusion effects. Finally we present an exact analytical expression for the time evolution of the density for a learning algorithm with weight updates proportional to the sign of the gradient.
Performance of ZDOCK in CAPRI rounds 20-26

We report the performance of our approaches for protein-protein docking and interface analysis in CAPRI rounds 20-26. At the core of our pipeline was the ZDOCK program for rigid-body protein-protein docking. We then reranked the ZDOCK predictions using the ZRANK or IRAD scoring functions, pruned and analyzed energy landscapes using clustering, and analyzed the docking results using our interface prediction approach RCF. When possible, we used biological information from the literature to apply constraints to the search space during or after the ZDOCK runs. For approximately half of the standard docking challenges we made at least one prediction that was acceptable or better. For the scoring challenges we made acceptable or better predictions for all but one target. This indicates that our scoring functions are generally able to select the correct binding mode.
Bactericidal Efficacy of Sch 20569 and Amikacin Against Gentamicin-Sensitive and -Resistant Organisms

Sch 20569 is a semisynthetic derivative of gentamicin with activity against many gentamicin-resistant gram-negative bacilli. We compared its bactericidal action with that of gentamicin and amikacin against 171 clinical isolates of Enterobacteriaceae, Staphylococcus aureus , and Pseudomonas aeruginosa . Sch 20569 and amikacin showed markedly greater activity than gentamicin against Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Citrobacter , and indole-positive Proteus , primarily by virtue of their lethal effect on gentamicin-resistant strains (minimal bactericidal concentration ≥ 12.5 μg/ml). Indole-negative Proteus isolates were uniformly sensitive to Sch 20569, whereas several were resistant to both gentamicin and amikacin. Amikacin was most active against Providencia , as was gentamicin against Serratia . All three agents exhibited similar activity against Pseudomonas. Staphylococcus aureus was more sensitive to gentamicin and Sch 20569 than to amikacin.
Modeling Year 1 Outcomes with Treatment Process and Post-treatment Social Influences

Follow-up studies of drug user treatment generally find significant improvements in client functioning, but information about the therapeutic components associated with client behavioral changes over time is limited. An integrative model developed previously to predict treatment retention was expanded and applied to post- treatment outcomes. This study is based on 321 daily opioid users treated in three methadone treatment clinics. Effects of pretreatment motivation, treatment process measures representing therapeutic relationship, counseling session attendance, and length of treatment are examined in relation to measures of family relations, peer deviancy, return to treatment, drug use, and criminality in the year after treatment. Models were tested in two stages. The first was built on a during-trealment process model for predicting time in treatment to include post-treatment outcomes. The second model was expanded further to include the effects of intervening social support variables as predictors of p...
Laser-induced fragmentation fluorescence detection of the vinyl radical and acetylene

Abstract When excited at λ=230 nm , the vinyl radical and acetylene may be detected via fluorescence from C 2 ( d 3 Π g → a 3 Π u ) using laser-induced fragmentation fluorescence (LIFF). Vinyl photodissociation creates C 2 ( d 3 Π g ) more efficiently than acetylene photodissociation by a factor of 1300–200 depending on the internal excitation of the vinyl radical. The key difference in LIFF efficiency between the two molecules depends on the mechanism for loss of the first H atom. This LIFF process may provide a method for probing the elusive vinyl radical in methane flames.
Keep it off: A phone-based intervention for long-term weight-loss maintenance

Long-term weight-loss maintenance is notoriously difficult to achieve and promote. As the novelty of weight loss treatment fades, enthusiasm for diet and exercise tends to wane in the maintenance phase. Given the recognition of obesity as a chronic disorder requiring continued engagement in weight-control behaviors, there is a need to identify cost-effective and supportive therapies that can sustain motivation. In this paper, we describe the study design and baseline characteristics of participants enrolled in a trial to evaluate a program (Keep It Off) developed specifically for weight-loss maintenance using therapeutic phone contact with recent weight losers throughout the period in which they are at highest risk for weight regain. In the Keep It Off randomized clinical trial we are evaluating this phone-based intervention that focuses on key weight-loss maintenance behaviors followed by continued self-monitoring, reporting of weight, feedback, and outreach in members of a Minnesota managed-care organization. The goal of the intervention is to flatten the typical relapse curve. Moreover, data from this trial will inform our understanding of weight-loss maintenance, including predictors and behaviors that increase the likelihood of success over the long term.
Acute effects of aspartame on concentrations of brain amines and their metabolites in selected brain regions of Fischer 344 and Sprague-Dawley rats.

ABSTRACTThis study is the first in a series to define a rodent model to document the effects of amino acid-modulating compounds on central neurotransmitter function. A time-response curve for a single dose of orally intubated aspartame was determined in male Fischer 344 and Sprague-Dawley rats. Regional brain concentrations of norepinephrine (NE), dopamine (DA), serotonin (5-HT) and their metabolites were analyzed in the hypothalamus, cerebellum, pons/medulla, hippocampus, striatum, cortex, and midbrain/thalamus at 30, 60, 120, or 240 min after oral aspartame (1000 mg/kg) administration. Without consideration for time and group variables, levels of most compounds were higher in the brain regions of Fischer than Sprague-Dawley rats. Aspartame in Fischer 344 or Sprague-Dawley rats had no significant effect on levels of the catecholamines or indoleamines at any of the time points monitored following its acute administration. From the results of this study, large oral loads of aspartame do not appear to lead ...
Screening and intervention for alcohol problems

OBJECTIVE: To describe adult primary care physicians’ and psychiatrists’ approach to alcohol screening and treatment, and to identify correlates of more optimal practices.
Age-related differences in soman toxicity and in blood and brain regional cholinesterase activity☆

Abstract The toxicity (lethality, acute toxic signs and body weight loss) of the irreversible ChE inhibitor soman was assessed in four groups of male rats differing in age: 30, 60, 120 and 240 days old. Plasma and brain regional ChE activity profiles were also studied in these groups. All measures of the toxicity of soman were found to increase with age. The calculated 24-hr LD 50 s were 110, 87, 66 and 59 μg/kg, IM, for 30-, 60-, 120- and 240-day-old rats, respectively. A significant and positive age-related effect on toxic sign rating scores was observed at one hr following soman injection. Furthermore, during a 14-day postsoman observation period, it was observed that young rats had less initial weight loss and more rapid, sustained recovery of growth than older animals. Survivors from the two oldest age groups did not recover to baseline body weights by the end of the 14-day observation period. Basal level of plasma ChE activity did not change significantly with age, while brain regional ChE showed two distinct age-dependent patterns: a linear decrease in the brainstem, midbrain and cerebellum and an inverted U-shaped change in the cortex, hippocampus and striatum. Our data suggest a relationship between soman toxicity and the aging process, but fails to demonstrate a definite relationship between soman toxicity and basal ChE activity in blood and brain of rats.
Biocontrol of Aphids Using Verticillium Lecanii in Greenhouse: Factor Reducing the Effectiveness of the Entomopathogenic Fungus

Greenhouse trials against Myzus persicae in chinese cabbage plants were carried out by spraying the plants frequently with V. lecanii blastospore suspension either pure or with additives (soyflour, rape oil). The results were not specially encouraging. Fluorescent microscopy investigations were carried out in order to study spore adhesion to aphid cuticle. These indicated that two days post-inoculation, a very high amount of the fungus blastospores is lost from the aphid cuticle. Study on larval development indicated that spore loss is mainly due to the moulting of aphids larvae. Unreliable control of aphids using V. lecanii is discussed in conjunction with the rapid aphid moulting which can induce almost 100% spore loss from the cuticle of the larvae, before their infection.
Science Inquiry into Local Animals: Structure and Function Explored through Model Making.

ABSTRACTThis article describes an arts- and spatial thinking skill–integrated inquiry project applied to life science concepts from the Next Generation Science Standards for fourth grade students that focuses on two unifying or crosscutting themes: (1) structure (or “form”) and function and (2) use of models. Students made observations and photographs of common wild mammals that lived near their homes, such as squirrels, rabbits, deer, groundhogs, and opossums. They then created a three-dimensional diorama to showcase models of the various structures and functions that help the animals survive. These models included a papier-mâche model of the animal's home with explanations of its form and functions, acrylic polymer clay models of the animal, a student-drawn computer generated fold-up model of the animal in a natural history scene, models of the animal's dentition, and models of its skull made from recycled plastic bottles. Student comments, photographs of example finished products, a chart of spatial th...
Promiscuous Politicians and the Problem of Party Building: Local Politicians as Party Brokers

High levels of party switching by former candidates undermine the building of strong party organizations. These politicians retain means of attracting voters, and may function as political brokers to help other politicians get elected. However, they do not automatically support their own party, but may rather defect. I argue that all else equal, parties will compete, and former candidates will sell their bloc of votes to the highest bidder. I test this hypothesis in Brazil, where endemic switching has been a long-noted weakness of its parties. In 2007 the Supreme Court decided that winning candidates may not retain their offices if they change parties. Comparing regression discontinuities before and after the ruling, I identify an increase in the loyalty rate of winning mayoral candidates, and, further, I show that loyal brokerage pays off for the success of federal deputies running for elections.
A Survey of Microbial Contamination on Restaurant Nonfood-Contact Surfaces

Foodborne illnesses are a significant public health concern as they cause approximately 48 million illnesses per year in the U.S.A. It is important to identify and control potential sources of microbial contamination in restaurants to reduce the number of foodborne illnesses. In this study, we aimed to measure microbial contamination on nonfood-contact surfaces in restaurants. These surfaces include tables, chairs, highchairs and booster seats. We found the highest levels of total microbial contamination and staphylococci on booth seats and table chairs with total microbial counts of 151 and 184 CFU/100 cm2, respectively. Other surfaces found to have over 100 CFU/100 cm2 were booster seats and cleaning dishcloths. The cleaning dishcloth also contained 59 CFU/100 cm2 of enteric bacteria. These results suggest the need for more studies aimed to determine the levels of microbial contamination on nonfood-contact surfaces in restaurants with the goal of providing better recommendations for cleaning practices and procedures. Practical Applications The cleaning procedures for restaurant furniture and other nonfood-contact surfaces in restaurants are not highly regulated. The information from this study suggests the need for improved cleaning practices and procedures of nonfood-contact surfaces in restaurants. Development and implementation of better guidelines for cleaning has the potential to reduce microbial burden on these surfaces and therefore reduce the risk of foodborne illness.
Magnate society and the estate economy (81 BCE to 485 CE)

The early Han state largely preserved the imperial order erected by the Qin Empire. The imperial government supported a smallholder agrarian economy through land grants, public investments in agricultural technology and infrastructure, and regulation of the marketplace to protect producers and consumers alike. Emperor Wu enlarged the regulatory role of the state and reorganized its fiscal structure for the purposes of military expansion and administrative control of a far-flung empire stretching into Central Asia, Korea, and Vietnam. But in the post-Emperor Wu era, in the face of swelling costs and the philosophical rejection of its mercantilist principles by a thoroughly Confucianized officialdom, this apparatus of imperial control no longer could be sustained. As the state retreated from Wu's fiscal policies, economic inequality sharpened. In the early years of the first century CE, the statesman Wang Mang's brazen attempt to reestablish an aggressively interventionist imperial state went so far as to usurp the throne in the name of returning to the golden age of ancient Zhou. But the political and economic chaos that ensued, followed by Wang's overthrow and the swift restoration of the Han dynasty, further discredited state activism. The decision in 30 CE by the first Eastern Han (25–220 CE) emperor to end military conscription marked a key watershed in the abdication of the Qin-Han imperial order. The principle of service to the state as the foundation of social order had been abrogated, and instead increasing numbers of people became subject to the rising class of magnate landowners. Nonetheless, domestic peace nourished economic growth. The intensification of agriculture through new technologies and the great expansion of arable land supported a growing population that numbered 60 million people on the eve of Wang Mang's coup-d’etat. Trade and money remained vital to the manorial economy that reached full flower during the Eastern Han period. But over the course of the second century CE the imperial state, wracked by partisan conflict, weakened and collapsed. The final dismemberment of the Han Empire by competing warlord regimes in 220 CE ushered in a Period of Disunion that would last for nearly four centuries. The centuries of disunion were characterized by the privatization of power – military, political, and economic.
Pulsed Magnetic Field Testing of Multifilamentary Nb3Sn Superconducting Wire

Critical current density as a function of applied field, Jc(H), is the key design criterion for many applications of superconducting wire. Some correlations between microstructure and good properties have been made on the basis of both theory and experimentµ however, these relationships are not yet well enough defined to obviate the need to test actual samples frequently during the research and design process. The availability of accurate and reliable testing facilities is therefore critical to the development of practical superconductors.
FinSAL: A novel FinFET based Secure Adiabatic Logic for energy-efficient and DPA resistant IoT devices

With the emergence of Internet of Things (IoT), there is an urgent need to design energy-efficient and secure IoT devices. For example, IoT devices such as Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags and Wireless Sensor Nodes (WSN) employ AES cryptographic modules that are susceptible to Differential Power Analysis (DPA) attacks. With the scaling of technology, leakage power in the cryptographic devices increases, which increases the vulnerability to DPA attacks. This paper presents a novel FinFET based Secure Adiabatic Logic (FinSAL), that is energy-efficient and DPA-immune. The proposed adiabatic FinSAL is used to design logic gates such as buffers, XOR, and NAND. Further, the logic gates based on adiabatic FinSAL are used to implement a Positive Polarity Reed Midler (PPRM) architecture based S-box circuit. SPICE simulations at 12.5 MHz show that adiabatic FinSAL S-box circuit saves up to 84% of energy per cycle as compared to the conventional S-box circuit implemented using FinFET. Further, the security of adiabatic FinSAL S-box circuit has been evaluated by performing the DPA attack through SPICE simulations. We proved that the FinSAL S-box circuit is resistant to a DPA attack through a developed DPA attack flow applicable to SPICE simulations.
Mindfulness and the aging brain

S Center Rounds® are multidisciplinary meetings where caregivers reflect on important psychosocial issues faced by patients, their families, and their caregivers, and gain insight and support from fellow staff members, with the goal of advancing compassionate health care, supporting caregivers, and fostering the connection between clinician and patient. Rounds were initiated at the MGH Cancer Center in 1997 and have since grown to include in more than 320 healthcare facilities in 39 states, and most cancer centers nationwide. In a formal evaluation of the impact of rounds participants reported increased insight into psychosocial aspects of care; enhanced compassion; increased ability to respond to patients’ social and emotional issues; enhanced communication amongst caregivers; greater appreciation of colleagues’ roles and contributions. Attendees reported decreased feelings of stress and isolation and a greater sense of teamwork. Participants reported that Rounds discussions led to changes in institutional practices or policies. Patient centered care requires that we balance modern medicine with humanism, through the different phases of patients’ experience of life threatening illness. Schwartz Center Rounds provide a forum for discussion of challenging psychosocial, spiritual and emotional issues and promotes resilience.
Combinatorial Checkpoint Blockade Immunotherapy and Radiation

Radiation therapy plays a critical role in the treatment of a wide variety of cancers. Recent studies have shown that radiation therapy (RT) can modify the adaptive immune response and can work synergistically with checkpoint blockade immunotherapy (CBI) to induce potent endogenous antitumor responses. Preclinical models have demonstrated a potential ability of RT to prime the immune system and augment the efficacy of CBI. Retrospective clinical data has reported a dramatic improvement in overall survival and response rates when radiation is combined with immunotherapy in patients with metastatic melanoma. Case reports have also documented evidence of enhanced responses outside of the radiation field, also termed “abscopal effects.” The immunologic mechanism of the abscopal effect, however, has not been fully characterized. Prospective clinical trials are currently ongoing to uncover the details of the abscopal effect and demonstrate the clinical efficacy of combined RT and CBI in treating cancer in both the definitive and metastatic setting. Here we review select preclinical and clinical data on radiation checkpoint blockade combinations.
“Even the Sex and the City girls eat them!”1: A textual analysis of DC Cupcakes and Cupcake Girls

ABSTRACTAlthough food and media scholars have studied gendered performances on cooking shows, limited scholarship exists on shows that combine food preparation with business ownership. My study, a textual analysis of DC Cupcakes and Cupcake Girls, seeks to fill that gap, pointing to issues of gender representation that are complicated by taking on the dual roles of chef or baker and business owner. I argue that these two shows reinforce heteronormative stereotypes and gender polarization by reproducing negative relationships between women and food and by constructing women as incompetent business people. Additionally, I suggest that because these women are shown as business owners instead of just home cooks, such portrayals could potentially disrupt the dominant, often essentialist ideas about men and women on food television. Instead, however, these shows, as part of the wider cultural cupcake phenomenon, resort to stereotypical portrayals of women and help cultivate their at times oppressive relationshi...
Comparing diffusion tensor and spherical harmonic tractography for in utero studies of fetal brain connectivity

Techniques for iterative reconstruction of magnetic resonance diffusion images from motion corrected multi-planar acquisitions are beginning to allow the use of more complex diffusion models and tractography techniques to study early brain connectivity. Many techniques have been developed for adult and neonatal brain tractography from diffusion images. However, fundamental differences in the underlying tissues, signal levels and relative spatial resolution that are available in fetal studies mean these techniques may need to be significantly adapted to deal with the different challenges. Here we evaluate and compare the use of diffusion tensor and spherical harmonic models in extracting known fetal white matter connective anatomy from multi-planar, motion corrected, variable data density studies of normally developing human fetal brains. Visual evaluation of known tracts indicates that, although there are significant differences in the diffusion properties of fetal brain tracts and also image signal strength in fetal brain studies, when compared to adult brain imaging and tractography, high order models such as spherical harmonic techniques still offer advantages in appropriately delineating known anatomy from in utero data.
Matrix Structures of Vandermonde and Cauchy Types and Polynomial and Rational Computations

In this chapter, we complement our subjects of the previous chapter by studying fundamental polynomial and rational computations (this includes the Nevanlinna-Pick and Nehari problems of rational interpolation and approximation as well as sparse multivariate polynomial interpolation) together with the related computations with matrices of Vandermonde and Cauchy types. We also show applications to loss-resilient encoding/decoding and to diagonalization of matrix algebras, which leads us to the discrete sine and cosine transforms. Figures 3.3– 3.6 summarize correlation among computational problems in these areas.
Nonpublic Education and the Public Good: Basic Beliefs

When a child is born, one cycle in the miracle of human love and human need ends. Another begins. The new cycle involves questioning and answering. Because the infant is totally dependent, it becomes the task of others to answer by word and deed the two most profound questions any society faces:
Basic Components of Flexible Endoscopes

Modern flexible endoscopic systems represent a technologic convergence of endoscopic instrumentation and image processing techniques. Optimal utilization of modern flexible endoscopes requires a basic understanding of these technologies to provide effective diagnosis and therapeutics. Overall, the design of the endoscopic system has not changed for over 50 years. The target tissue is illuminated by light transmitted to the tip of the endoscope via a fiberoptic bundle. The image is then transmitted back to a video processor on the endoscopic tower. Conversion to standard analog or digital output occurs by the image processor for viewing on a video monitor. Advances in technology have supplemented this basic setup with light-emitting diode illumination and charge-coupled device-acquired images electronically transmitted back to the video processor. The image can now be transmitted to a flat panel monitor in high-definition (HD) format. In addition to light and video transmission, flexible endoscopes have a working channel through which instrumentation is passed, and channels for irrigation and insufflation. A thorough understanding of the particular endoscope and system available to the endoscopist will facilitate timely performance of the procedure and a working basis for troubleshooting problems.
Effects of grazing intensity on growth, reproduction, and abundance of three palatable forbs in Kansas tallgrass prairie

The effects of different intensities of cattle grazing on theaboveground growth, reproduction, and abundances of three palatable forbs werestudied in native tallgrass prairie. Populations of Asterericoides, Ruellia humilis, andAmorpha canescens were sampled at peak flowering duringthe1993–1995 growing seasons in four annually-burned sites varying incattle stocking density [ungrazed, low, moderate, high]. The threeforbs exhibited reduced shoot growth and/or reproduction under moderate toheavy grazing, and in no case did grazing increase any measure of plantperformance. Ruellia showed reduced shoot height andbiomass, percentage of stems flowering, and reproductive biomass in response tograzing. Aster showed decreases in shoot biomass andheightwith grazing. Amorpha showed no change in shoot orreproductive biomass, but a decrease in percent of flowering stems and inreproductive allocation with grazing. Patterns in the percentage of stemsgrazedindicated generally high but variable palatability among these species. Bycontrast, the three species showed inconsistent population response to grazing.Abundance (frequency) of all three species indicated no short-term changebetween years in response to grazing intensity. Responses of these speciesdiffer considerably from those of most other perennial tallgrass prairie forbsthat are unpalatable, unconsumed, and increase in performance (e.g. size,abundance) due to release from competition from the dominant grasses underungulate grazing. The results demonstrate that immediate aboveground growth andreproductive responses of established adults to grazing are not good predictorsof grazer effects on population abundances in tallgrass prairie.
Leskien, August (1840–1916)

August Leskien, born in 1840, first studied classical philology and later entered the field of comparative philology with special emphasis on Slavic languages. Leskien's contribution to the Neogrammarian movement was the formulation of a new philological methodology. His scholarly activities paid tribute also to the cultural aspects of language. In his time he was undisputed leader in his field of specialization, the Baltic–Slavic languages, and remained so for several generations, especially in the field of phonology.
Physical activity and risk of colon cancer: the Physicians‘ Health Study (United States)

Previous studies indicate that physical activity is related inversely to colon cancer risk. However, details regarding that association--whether a dose-response relation exists, whether the relation differs between non-obese and obese persons, the effect of long-term physical activity--are unclear. We examined these issues in the Physicians' Health Study (United States). Physical activity was assessed at baseline among 21,807 men, aged 40 to 84 years, and again 36 months later. Men were followed for an average of 10.9 years (from baseline) during which 217 developed colon cancer. After adjusting for potential confounders (including age, obesity, and alcohol intake), the relative risks for colon cancer associated with vigorous exercise in times per week (< 1, 1, 2-4, 5+, at baseline) were 1.0 (referent); 1.1 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.7-1.7); 1.2 (CI = 0.8-1.6); and 1.1 (CI = 0.7-1.6), respectively; P trend = 0.6. Physical activity was not associated significantly with colon cancer risk either among non-obese or obese men. When we used physical activity assessments at baseline as well as at 36 months, physical activity again was unrelated to colon cancer risk. These data do not support the hypothesis that physical activity reduces the risk of colon cancer. Plausible alternate explanations for the null finding include misclassification of physical activity and the potential for increased surveillance for colon cancer ('screening effect') among those physically active.
Analytical modelling of dump truck tire dynamic response to haul road surface excitations

ABSTRACTTrucks experience excitations during haulage due to road roughness, generating dynamic loads. Current mine haul road design techniques assume static tire loads, ignoring dynamic forces. Thi...
On the origin of permanent performance loss of anion exchange membrane fuel cells: Electrochemical oxidation of phenyl group

Abstract The durability of alkaline anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs) is a critical requirement for implementing this technology in cost-effective energy conversion. However, the lifetime of current AEMFCs is short, ca.
Leveraging Transverse Reads to Correct Alignment Faults in Domain Wall Memories

Spintronic domain wall memories (DWMs) are prone to alignment faults, which cannot be protected by traditional error correction techniques. To solve this problem, we propose a new technique called derived error correction coding (DECC). We construct metadata from the data and shift state of the DWM, on demand, using a novel transverse read (TR). TR reads in an orthogonal direction to the DWM access point and can determine the number of ones in a DWM. Errors in the metadata correspond to shift-faults in the DWM. Rather than storing the metadata, it is created on-demand and protected by storing parity bits. Repairing the metadata with ECC allows restoration of DWM alignment and ensures correct operation. Through these techniques, our shift-aware error correction approaches provide a lifetime of over 15 years with a similar performance, while reducing area and energy by 370% and 52%, versus the state-of-the-art, for a 32-bit nanowire.
Intergenerational monitoring in clinical trials of germline gene editing

Design of clinical trials for germline gene editing stretches current accepted standards for human subjects research. Among the challenges involved is a set of issues concerning intergenerational monitoring-long-term follow-up study of subjects and their descendants. Because changes made at the germline would be heritable, germline gene editing could have adverse effects on individuals' health that can be passed on to future generations. Determining whether germline gene editing is safe and effective for clinical use thus may require intergenerational monitoring. The aim of this paper is to identify and argue for the significance of a set of ethical issues raised by intergenerational monitoring in future clinical trials of germline gene editing. Though long-term, multigenerational follow-up study of this kind is not without precedent, intergenerational monitoring in this context raises unique ethical challenges, challenges that go beyond existing protocols and standards for human subjects research. These challenges will need to be addressed if clinical trials of germline gene editing are ever pursued.
RTD-1 therapeutically normalizes synovial gene signatures in rat autoimmune arthritis and suppresses proinflammatory mediators in RA synovial fibroblasts.

Rhesus theta defensin-1 (RTD-1), a macrocyclic immunomodulatory host defense peptide from Old World monkeys, is therapeutic in pristane-induced arthritis (PIA) in rats, a model of rheumatoid arthri...
Mesenteric panniculitis in a patient with new onset dermatomyositis

Mesenteric panniculitis (MP), part of the spectrum of sclerosing mesenteritis, is an often asymptomatic disorder that is characterised by chronic inflammation of abdominal mesentery. We present a case of an 83-year-old woman who presented with proximal muscle weakness and erythematous, photosensitive rash of the face and upper torso and was subsequently diagnosed with dermatomyositis based on skin biopsy, electromyography and muscle biopsy. She had radiographic evidence of panniculitis on CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis for malignancy surveillance, which improved on serial CT scan 3 months after beginning treatment for her underlying dermatomyositis with prednisone and mycophenolate mofetil. Our case highlights that MP can be associated with underlying autoimmune disease. Connective tissue disease could be considered in the differential of MP when other etiologies such as surgery, trauma and malignancy are ruled out.
Dopaminergic Transmission Rapidly and Persistently Enhances Excitability of D1 Receptor-Expressing Striatal Projection Neurons

Summary Substantia nigra dopamine neurons have been implicated in the initiation and invigoration of movement, presumably through their modulation of striatal projection neuron (SPN) activity. However, the impact of native dopaminergic transmission on SPN excitability has not been directly demonstrated. Using perforated patch-clamp recording, we found that optogenetic stimulation of nigrostriatal dopamine axons rapidly and persistently elevated the excitability of D1 receptor-expressing SPNs (D1-SPNs). The evoked firing of D1-SPNs increased within hundreds of milliseconds of stimulation and remained elevated for ≥ 10 min. Consistent with the negative modulation of depolarization- and Ca2+-activated K+ currents, dopaminergic transmission accelerated subthreshold depolarization in response to current injection, reduced the latency to fire, and transiently diminished action potential afterhyperpolarization. Persistent modulation was protein kinase A dependent and associated with a reduction in action potential threshold. Together, these data demonstrate that dopaminergic transmission potently increases D1-SPN excitability with a time course that could support subsecond and sustained behavioral control.
Utilizing Physics-Based Input Features within a Machine Learning Model to Predict Wind Speed Forecasting Error

Abstract. Machine learning is quickly becoming a commonly used technique for wind speed and power forecasting. Many of these methods utilize exogenous variables as input features, but there remains the question of which atmospheric variables provide the most predictive power, especially in handling non-linearities that lead to forecasting error. This investigation addresses this question via creation of a hybrid model that utilizes an autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model to make an initial wind speed forecast followed by a random forest model that attempts to predict the ARIMA forecasting error using knowledge of exogenous atmospheric variables. Variables conveying information about atmospheric stability and turbulence as well as inertial forcing are found to be useful in dealing with non-linear error prediction. Wind direction (θ) and temperature (T) are found to be the most beneficial individual input features. Streamwise wind speed (U), time of day (t), turbulence intensity (TI), turbulent heat flux (w'T'), θ, and T are found to be particularly useful when used in conjunction.The prediction accuracy of the ARIMA-RF hybrid is compared to that of the persistence and bias-corrected ARIMA models. The ARIMA-RF model is shown to improve upon these commonly employed modeling methods, reducing hourly forecasting error by approximately 30 % below that of the bias-corrected ARIMA model.
Abstract 178: Cholesterol Limits Macrophage Activation in Response to Intracerebral Hemorrhage-Relevant Signals

Introduction: In response to intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), monocytes are recruited to the brain parenchyma, where they differentiate into macrophages and contribute to a pathological inflammatory...