cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
African women and AIDS: Negotiating behavioral change

Trends in the incidence of HIV/AIDS infection among women in Sub-Saharan Africa suggest this population is increasingly at risk. Many of the same factors that have predisposed rural African women to ill health in the past now increase their vulnerability to AIDS, including poverty and malnutrition, uncontrolled fertility, and complications of childbirth. As men travel out from rural communities to urban centers in search of employment, their sexual contacts multiply; many will acquire the HIV virus and carry it back to infect wives at home. Women, too, are leaving rural areas for the promise of a better life in cities and commercial centers along the way. Their struggle for economic survival and personal autonomy has led many to form relationships with new sexual partners, with a consequent increase in HIV seroprevalence among women once considered at low risk of infection. This paper argues that AIDS prevention campaigns have not yet taken into account the cultural, social, and economic constraints on most African women's ability to comply with advice to limit partners and use condoms. The author proposes a research agenda to explore the meaning of AIDS and AIDS prevention in the sociocultural context of women's lives. A better understanding of how women, themselves, perceive and respond to current attempts to prevent the transmission of AIDS is an increasingly critical factor in the intervention process. Most important, it is a necessary first step toward their effective participation with men in the development of culturally relevant strategies for protecting themselves and their families.
STUDIES ON COPPER METABOLISM. XIX THE KINETICS OF IRON METABOLISM AND ERYTHROCYTE LIFE-SPAN IN COPPER-DEFICIENT SWINE

Ferrokinetic studies were performed in three copper-deficient swine and the results have been compared with similar studies in 18 normal pigs. The mean value for the plasma iron turnover rate in the deficient swine was 1.76 mg./kg. day; for the red cell iron incorporation rate, 1.24 mg./kg. day; for the red cell iron turnover rate, 1.18 mg./kg. day; for the red cell life span, 13 days. Corresponding figures in the normal swine were 1.11 mg./kg. day, 1.01 mg./kg. day, 0.59 mg./kg. day and 63 days, respectively. The red cell life span was measured by the use of radioactive chromium in a total of 26 pigs. The mean erythrocyte half-life of normal cells transfused into normal pigs was 17 days. The mean half-life of erythrocytes from copperdeficient swine transfused into copper-deficient swine was 9 days. The mean half-life of red cells from control animals transfused into copper-deficient swine was 16 days while that of erythrocytes from copper-deficient swine transfused into normal pigs, was 13 days. The mean half-life of cells from iron-deficient pigs transfused into iron-deficient pigs was 19 days. It is concluded that copper deficiency anemia results from both a shortened erythrocyte survival time and limited capacity of the bone marrow to produce red cells. It is suggested that copper is an essential component of erythrocytes in swine.
Characterizing a cyanobacterial bloom in Western Lake Erie using satellite imagery and meteorological data

The distribution and intensity of a bloom of the toxic cyanobacterium, Microcystis aeruginosa, in western Lake Erie was characterized using a combination of satellite ocean-color imagery, field data, and meteorological observations. The bloom was first identified by satellite on 14 August 2008 and persisted for > 2 months. The distribution and intensity of the bloom was estimated using a satellite algorithm that is sensitive to near-surface concentrations of M. aeruginosa. Increases in both area and intensity were most pronounced for wind stress 0.1 Pa. The recovery in intensity at the surface after strong wind events indicated that high wind stress mixed the bloom through the water column and that it returned to the surface once mixing stopped. This interaction is consistent with the understanding of the buoyancy of these blooms. Cloud cover (reduced light) may have a weak influence on intensity during calm conditions. While water temperature remained > 15°C, the bloom intensified if there were calm conditions. For water temperature < 15°C, the bloom subsided under similar conditions. As a result, wind stress needs to be considered when interpreting satellite imagery of these blooms.
Distortion of Neural Signals by Spike Coding

Analog neural signals must be converted into spike trains for transmission over electrically leaky axons. This spike encoding and subsequent decoding leads to distortion. We quantify this distortion by deriving approximate expressions for the mean square error between the inputs and outputs of a spiking link. We use integrate-and-fire and Poisson encoders to convert naturalistic stimuli into spike trains and spike count and inter-spike interval decoders to generate reconstructions of the stimulus. The distortion expressions enable us to compare these spike coding schemes over a large parameter space. We verify that the integrate-and-fire encoder is more effective than the Poisson encoder. The disparity between the two encoders diminishes as the stimulus coefficient of variation (CV) increases, at which point, the variability attributed to the stimulus overwhelms the variability attributed to Poisson statistics. When the stimulus CV is small, the interspike interval decoder is superior, as the distortion resulting from spike count decoding is dominated by a term that is attributed to the discrete nature of the spike count. In this regime, additive noise has a greater impact on the interspike interval decoder than the spike count decoder. When the stimulus CV is large, the average signal excursion is much larger than the quantization step size, and spike count decoding is superior.
Essential role of ADF/cofilin for assembly of contractile actin networks in the C. elegans somatic gonad

The somatic gonad of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans contains a myoepithelial sheath, which surrounds oocytes and provides contractile forces during ovulation. Contractile apparatuses of the myoepithelial-sheath cells are non-striated and similar to those of smooth muscle. We report the identification of a specific isoform of actin depolymerizing factor (ADF)/cofilin as an essential factor for assembly of contractile actin networks in the gonadal myoepithelial sheath. Two ADF/cofilin isoforms, UNC-60A and UNC-60B, are expressed from the unc-60 gene by alternative splicing. RNA interference of UNC-60A caused disorganization of the actin networks in the myoepithelial sheath. UNC-60B, which is known to function in the body-wall muscle, was not necessary or sufficient for actin organization in the myoepithelial sheath. However, mutant forms of UNC-60B with reduced actin-filament-severing activity rescued the UNC-60A-depletion phenotype. UNC-60A has a much weaker filament-severing activity than UNC-60B, suggesting that an ADF/cofilin with weak severing activity is optimal for assembly of actin networks in the myoepithelial sheath. By contrast, strong actin-filament-severing activity of UNC-60B was required for assembly of striated myofibrils in the body-wall muscle. Our results suggest that an optimal level of actin-filament-severing activity of ADF/cofilin is required for assembly of actin networks in the somatic gonad.
Col1a1 Promoter-targeted Expression of p20 CCAAT Enhancer-binding Protein β (C/EBPβ), a Truncated C/EBPβ Isoform, Causes Osteopenia in Transgenic Mice

CCAAT enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP) transcription factors regulate adipocyte differentiation, and recent evidence suggests that osteoblasts and adipocytes share a common pluripotent progenitor in bone marrow. However, little is known about the role of C/EBP transcription factors in the control of osteoblast differentiation or function. In this study, the function of C/EBP transcription factors was disrupted in osteoblast lineage cells by overexpressing a naturally occurring dominant negative C/EBP isoform. Expression of FLp20C/EBPbeta was driven by a 3.6-kb Col1a1 promoter/first intron construct, and four transgenic (TG) mouse lines were established. Northern blotting and reverse transcription-PCR indicated that the transgene was targeted to bone, with lower levels of expression in lung, skin, and adipose tissue. TG mice from two lines showed reduced body weight compared with wild type littermates. All TG lines showed evidence of osteopenia, ranging from mild to severe, as evidenced by reduced trabecular bone volume. Severely affected lines also showed reduced cortical bone width. Dynamic histomorphometry demonstrated an associated decrease in mineral apposition and bone formation rates. Long bones and calvariae of TG mice showed reduced COL1A1 and osteocalcin mRNA levels and increased bone sialoprotein mRNA, consistent with an inhibition of terminal osteoblast differentiation. Ex vivo analysis of primary osteoblast differentiation showed similar effects on marker expression and reduced expression of the mature osteoblast marker Col2.3-green fluorescent protein, demonstrating a cell-autonomous effect of the transgene. These data suggested that C/EBP transcription factors may be important determinants of osteoblast function and bone mass.
Meteoric Diagenesis of Plio-pleistocene Limestones at Enewetak Atoll

ABSTRACT Petrographic, lithologic, mineralogic, and minor-elemental data from Plio-Pleistocene carbonates at Enewetak Atoll indicate that these sediments have been calcitized in the near-surface meteoric diagenetic environment. Shallow (< 100 m), mostly Pleistocene, sediments remain aragonite-rich with a few discrete meter-scale, calcite-rich intervals developed either at Pleistocene soil zones or in thin (< 5 m) paleophreatic lenses. Deeper ( 100 to 180 m), mostly Pliocene, sediments are characterized by pervasive calcitization of aragonite, extensive dissolution with well-developed moldic porosity, and the occurrence of isopachous bladed and pore-filling equant calcite cements. Pervasively-calcitized Pliocene limestones exhibit a narrow range in 18O value (±1 = 0.53), a wide range in 13C value (±1 = 1.63), and low mean Sr (0.02 wt %) and Mg (0.25 wt %) contents. These data are most consistent with diagenetic alteration of Plio-Pleistocene carbonates by meteoric phreatic calcitization, although in some intervals calcitization in the mixed meteoric-marine environment may have also occurred. Petrographic data document the superposition of subaerial exposure surfaces a d paleophreatic lenses in the subsurface of Enewetak. Sr-isotope data and stratigraphic forward modeling are consistent with the multiphase meteoric phreatic calcitization of Pliocene limestones in response to subaerial exposure shortly after sediment deposition and during Pleistocene sea-level lowstands. Quantitative water-rock interaction modeling of whole-rock chemical trends suggests that calcitization occurred in an "open" diagenetic system at water-rock (W/R) volume ratios of 103 to 105. Proxy indicators of climate (e.g., retention of aragonite at depth and the development of caliche at subaerial exposure surfaces) are consistent with an arid to semi-arid Plio-Pleistocene climate. Moreover, a limited supply of meteoric waters in the vadose environment, despite vertically and temporally extensive paleovadose environments, is consistent with limited calcitization of the Pleistocene sequence. Alternatively, previous estimates of the rates of vadose calcitization may be too high to be applicable at Enewetak. Stratigraphic shortening of the Plio-Pleistocene sequence in response to carbonate dissolution during atoll emergence is not consistent with available data.
SMALL MOVING OBJECT DETECTION FROM INFRA-RED SEQUENCES

In military and civil applications it is of utmost importance to detect and identify targets from Infra-Red (IR) sequences. Usually the targets of interest are of small size and moving with great velocity. In addition, IR sequences are extremely noisy due to rampant system noise incurred by the sensing instrument and the environment. In this paper, we develop a method which can effectively detect and identify targets of interest from noisy IR sequences through manipulations in the temporal, spectral, and spatial domains. With this method, first a bandstop filtering in the DCT transform domain is conducted in order to remove noises, especially system ones. Next candidate target locations are declared through a spectral bandpassing for temporal pixel processes, where by taking advantage of the fact that targets of interest are fast moving the background and random noises are largely removed. The estimated targets of interest for each IR frame are further refined after a post-processing step in the spatial domain. The final targets of interest are then declared after a consistency check-up along the temporal dimension by use of an adaptive Hough transform. Experimental results based on this proposed method suggested encouraging performances.
Secondary chemistry of hybrid and parental willows: Phenolic glycosides and condensed tannins in Salix sericea, S. eriocephala , and their hybrids

Salix sericea andS. eriocephala differ markedly in secondary chemistry.S. sericea produces phenolic glycosides, salicortin and 2′-cinnamoylsalicortin, and low concentrations of condensed tannin. In contrast,S. eriocephala produces no phenolic glycosides, but high concentrations of condensed tannins. Hybrid chemistry is intermediate for both types of chemicals, suggesting predominantly additive inheritance of these two defensive chemical systems from the parental species. However, there is extensive variation among hybrids. This variation may be due to genetic variation among parental genotypes, which genes were passed on, or to subsequent back-crossing. The differences in chemistry are likely to exert a strong effect on the relative susceptibility of hybrid and parental willows to herbivores.
On spatial filtering for angle-of-arrival estimation in a scattering environment by eigendecomposition-based methods

A method of spatial filtering is proposed as a preprocessor to restore the high resolution performance of eigendecomposition-based methods when used with a linear array for angle-of-arrival (AOA) estimation in the presence of spatially distributed coherent interference (SDCI). Applying the conventional bandpass filters used in the spatial frequency domain, the spatial filtering method effectively suppresses the unwanted coherence interference outside a specified frequency region. Therefore, the success of the method hinges on the assumption that direct arrival and its coherent interference are well separated in spatial frequency (in angle). Under this assumption, the eigendecomposition methods with a spatial filtering preprocessor can give accurate AOA estimates of direct arrivals in spite of the presence of SDCI. Simulation results are shown for the case of scattering from an infinite circular cylinder, using discrete prolate spheroidal sequences as the optimum band-pass preprocessing filters, and a uniformly spaced linear array in a conjunction with the MUSIC algorithm. >
Analysis of transmitral flow velocity contours to differentiate between alternative diastolic pressure-volume relations

Several mathematical expressions (linear, logarithmic, exponential, power law) have been proposed for the diastolic pressure-volume (P-V) relation. The P-V relation is a major component of the atrioventricular pressure gradient that determines transmitral flow. Which P-V relation applies in the in-vivo setting has not been determined by analysis of echocardiographic transmitral flow data. We sought to determine if alternative P-V relations are distinguishable via transmitral echocardiographic Doppler E-wave analysis. One-dimensional force-displacement analogues of the alternative P-V relations were used in a lumped parameter kinematic model for transmitral flow. E-waves of 17 subjects were analyzed using model-based image processing (MBIP). Root-mean-square-error determined fits of model predicted flow velocity to E-wave contours were similar regardless of the force-displacement relation used. We conclude that the simplest (linear) force-displacement relation is suitable for MBIP of transmitral Doppler flow and quantitative diastolic function assessment.
Labor saving new distinctions

ABSTRACT It has often been argued that ontologies ought to be determined pragmatically. We study this claim formally by considering a framework in which choosing new objects and relations is a computational task. Using this framework we examine two sets of examples, one involving new relations, the other new objects. For these examples, we consider the runtime space and time savings that can be achieved. We see that in some cases arbitrary new relations can be beneficial. The task of choosing new relations in this framework is shown to be NP-hard. For the class of new object examples we consider, new objects can reduce the runtime computation from O(√n2n) to O(n3).
Bone Biopsy Results in Pathological Conditions

It would be beyond the scope of this book to describe the changes in osteoid, bone formation and resorption, bone volume, and the other parameters measured in bone biopsies. However, it is appropriate to describe some results of biopsy procedures to illustrate the problems that arise in analyses of bone biopsies and in understanding the data reported in the literature.
The Fuzzy Front End of Open Innovation: Opportunity Identification and Transformation

While recent research discusses the management and outcomes of various open and collaborative forms of innovation, little is known about how firms identify opportunities for open innovation. This exploratory empirical study sheds some light on this fuzzy front end of open innovation. Iterating between multiple case study analysis and the dynamic capabilities and strategic entrepreneurship literature, new theoretical constructs and relationships are developed that help to explain how firms identify and continuously transform open innovation opportunities. First, this study identifies two key dimensions (external discovery and internal creation) that describe the opportunity identification process for open innovation. Second, based on these dimensions, four distinct modes of open innovation (complementary, entrepreneurial, exploratory and strategic) are derived that capture some of the variance that exists when firms create and discover open innovation opportunities. Third, this study introduces three dynam...
B23 and ARF: friends or foes?

B23 (nucleophosmin/NPM) is a multifunctional protein that recently has been directly implicated in the p53 network by its documented interaction with the p14ARF/p19Arf tumor suppressor, a major upstream activator of p53. Here we provide an overview of the functional interactions of B23 and ARF. We also integrate the current models into a unified picture, showing that B23 is essential for stabilizing and maintaining a basal level of ARF in the nucleolus, whereas increasing levels of ARF after oncogenic stress promotes B23 degradation and interferes with B23 nucleocytoplasmic shuttling. In this way, ARF can be regarded as a parasitic peptide on the B23 molecule, because ARF uses this chaperone for its own survival but also antagonizes normal activities of B23. Finally, the functional significance of the ARF-B23 interaction for tumor development and the prospects for novel cancer therapies are evaluated.
Appearance of C-14 in fumarate and lactate following the injection of DL-methionine 2-C-14.

SummaryQualitative data indicate that C-14 appears in furnarate and lactate following the intraperitoneal injection of DL-methionine-2-C-14.
The Impact of Mattirolella Crustosa (Termitariales, Deuteromycetes) on Species of Nasutitermes (Isoptera: Termitidae) in Panamá

The parasitic fungus Mattirolella crustosa is found frequently in colonies of Nasutitermes corniger and N. ephratae termites in Panama. Soldier termites are infected more commonly than either of the worker castes; infected reproductives were never found. The percentage of soldiers infected by the fungus at one time is low (usually less than 2%). Data on the detrimental effect of M. crustosa infection on termite survivorship are presented.
Analysis of Defects and Variations in Embedded Spin Transfer Torque (STT) MRAM Arrays

Spin transfer torque magnetic random access memory (STT-MRAM) is a competitive, future memory technology for last-level embedded caches. It exhibits ultra-high density (3–4X of SRAM), non-volatility, nano-second Read and Write speeds, and process and voltage compatibility with CMOS. As the design and fabrication process mature for the STT-MRAM, there is a need to study the various fault models that can affect this novel memory technology. This work presents a comprehensive analysis of fault models which represent both parametric variations as well as defects (opens and shorts) in STT MRAM. Sensitivity of Read, Write and Retention to process (material and lithographic) parameters, defects (both intra-cell and inter-cell) and data patterns are studied.
Development and validation of P-MODTRAN7 and P-MCScene, 1D and 3D polarimetric radiative transfer models

A validated, polarimetric 3-dimensional simulation capability, P-MCScene, is being developed by generalizing Spectral Sciences’ Monte Carlo-based synthetic scene simulation model, MCScene, to include calculation of all 4 Stokes components. P-MCScene polarimetric optical databases will be generated by a new version (MODTRAN7) of the government-standard MODTRAN radiative transfer algorithm. The conversion of MODTRAN6 to a polarimetric model is being accomplished by (1) introducing polarimetric data, by (2) vectorizing the MODTRAN radiation calculations and by (3) integrating the newly revised and validated vector discrete ordinate model VDISORT3. Early results, presented here, demonstrate a clear pathway to the long-term goal of fully validated polarimetric models.
Towards a more comprehensive understanding of cancer burden in North Carolina: priorities for intervention.

OBJECTIVE To apply 4 measures of population burden in examining cancer burden in North Carolina and to identify priorities for intervention. METHODS Four measures were used: incidence, mortality, prevalence, and years of potential life lost (YPLL). The North Carolina Central Cancer Registry provided summary data on incidence and mortality and record-level data that were examined using SEER*Stat software to calculate prevalence. North Carolina vital statistics (mortality) data and life expectancy estimates stratified by age, race, and sex were used to calculate YPLL. Each cancer site was ranked according to burden for each of the 4 individual burden measures and summarized into an overall rank. Burden was examined overall and by sex and race. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Four cancers--lung/bronchus, female breast, prostate, and colon/rectum--accounted for approximately 57% of the total cancer incidence, prevalence, mortality, and YPLL in North Carolina. Patterns of burden in gender and race subgroups were similar, although non-whites often had higher mortality rates than did whites despite similar incidence rates. An estimated 207,583 people were living with cancer in 2004 Breast and prostate cancer accounted for 42% of these survivors. Lung/bronchus cancer was the most severe cancer, accounting for more deaths and years of life lost than any other 5 cancers combined. CONCLUSIONS Each of the 4 measures provides unique insight and guidance for cancer coordination and control efforts. Lung/bronchus, female breast, prostate, and colon/rectum cancers accounted for the majority of North Carolina's cancer burden and should be priorities for intervention.
Control and optimization of a staged laser-wakefield accelerator

Abstract We report results of an experimental study of laser-wakefield acceleration of electrons, using a staged device based on a double-jet gas target that enables independent injection and acceleration stages. This novel scheme is shown to produce stable, quasi-monoenergetic, and tunable electron beams. We show that optimal accelerator performance is achieved by systematic variation of five critical parameters. For the injection stage, we show that the amount of trapped charge is controlled by the gas density, composition, and laser power. For the acceleration stage, the gas density and the length of the jet are found to determine the final electron energy. This independent control over both the injection and acceleration processes enabled independent control over the charge and energy of the accelerated electron beam while preserving the quasi-monoenergetic character of the beam. We show that the charge and energy can be varied in the ranges of 2–45 pC, and 50–450 MeV, respectively. This robust and versatile electron accelerator will find application in the generation of high-brightness and controllable x-rays, and as the injector stage for more conventional devices.
How the United States Might Justify a Preemptive Strike on a Rogue Nation's Nuclear Weapon Development Facilities Under the U.N. Charter

This essay addresses a legal question: "Under the United Nations Charter, how might the United States justify a preemptive strike on a rogue nation's nuclear weapon development facilities?" The essay answers this question by arguing that the United States would not have to rely on controversial theories like "self-defense in response to an imminent attack" or "anticipatory self-defense." On the contrary, as this essay demonstrates with numerous recent and widely-publicized examples, the nations that the United States most likely would strike, Iran and North Korea, constantly are engaging in conventional armed attacks and other aggression against allies of the United States. Provided that certain likely conditions are met, these hostile actions conceivably could justify the United States in using military force against these nations' nuclear weapon development facilities under historically-accepted interpretations of the United Nations Charter.
Introduction: A Short History of Waveform Diversity

The purpose of this chapter is to provide a contextual setting for the waveform diversity (WD) activities of the past several years (2002-2009), as well as to provide a summary of the history of WD and its evolution over this short period. Also, the authors wish to apologize in advance for the radar-centricity of the ensuing discussion, as radar is our source of inspiration and the sensor of choice in our research communities. This bias notwithstanding, we hope the reader will bear with us, because the discussion and underlying mathematics cuts across all scientific and engineering disciplines where information is conveyed by waves.
Developmental course of non-medical use of prescription drugs from adolescence to adulthood in the United States: national longitudinal data.

Aims To identify the developmental course of non-medical use of four separate prescription drug classes (opioids, sedatives, stimulants and tranquilizers) by examining the general functional growth and related covariates during the transition from adolescence to adulthood in the United States. Design Nationally representative probability samples of high school seniors were followed longitudinally across five waves (waves 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5: modal ages 18, 19/20, 21/22, 23/24 and 25/26 years, respectively). Setting Data were collected via self-administered questionnaires to high school seniors and young adults in the United States. Participants The sample consisted of nearly 72 000 individuals in 30 cohorts (high school senior years of 1977–2006) who participated in at least one wave. Measurements Self-reports of annual non-medical use of prescription opioids, sedatives, stimulants, and tranquilizers. Findings The annual non-medical use of prescription opioids, sedatives, stimulants and tranquilizers was highest at wave 1 over the five waves. There was a consistent descending path (linear and quadratic slopes, P < 0.001) in annual non-medical use from baseline across all four prescription drug classes (e.g. opioids linear slope = −0.043 and opioids quadratic slope = 0.034, P < 0.001). While the annual non-medical use of stimulants declined over time (linear slope = 0.063, P < 0.01; quadratic slope = −0.133, P < 0.001), the same decrease was not observed for the annual non-medical use of prescription opioids, sedatives or tranquilizers when controlling for socio-demographic and substance use behaviors at baseline. The covariates associated with the general functional growth differed across the four prescription drug classes. Conclusions The non-medical use of prescription opioids, sedatives, stimulants and tranquilizers appears to peak during late adolescence, suggesting preventive intervention efforts should be initiated in early adolescence. The developmental course of non-medical use is not the same among all four classes of prescription drugs, suggesting that each drug class warrants individual research.
Relationship between vancomycin dosage and serum trough vancomycin concentrations in pediatric patients with cystic fibrosis.

Purpose The association between vancomycin dosage and serum trough vancomycin concentrations in pediatric patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) was examined. Methods A retrospective chart review was conducted for pediatric patients with CF who received vancomycin between 2006 and 2012 at a children’s hospital. Admission-level data, including vancomycin dosage regimens and corresponding serum trough vancomycin concentrations, were collected. Student’s t tests, analysis of variance, and Pearson’s correlation coefficients were used to test for associations between vancomycin dosage and trough concentrations. Results Data from 40 hospital admissions (31 patients) were analyzed. Initial vancomycin dosages ranged from 45 to 100 mg/kg/day (mean ± S.D. 62.9 ± 14.5 mg/kg/day), and the mean ± S.D. serum trough vancomycin concentration was 9.7 ± 5.1 mg/L. Patients received a mean ± S.D. of 1.5 ± 1.1 dosage adjustments. Final dosage regimens ranged from 50 to 120 mg/kg/day (mean ± S.D., 78.8 ± 16.0 mg/kg/day), and the mean ± S.D. trough vancomycin concentration was 13.6 ± 4.4 mg/L. There was no significant correlation between the initial ( r = −0.272, p = 0.090) or final ( r = 0.024, p = 0.882) vancomycin dosage and corresponding trough vancomycin concentration. A significant correlation was found between dosage and trough vancomycin concentration in patients age 12 years or older for the initial ( r = 0.545, p = 0.003) and final ( r = 0.425, p = 0.024) dosages, with no significant correlations found in patients younger than 12 years. Conclusion A study of hospital admissions involving pediatric patients with CF revealed no significant correlation, when all admissions were considered, between the initial or final vancomycin dosage regimen and the corresponding serum trough vancomycin concentration. Both correlations were significant for the subgroup of admissions representing patients who were at least 12 years old.
Endoscopic restoration of the esophagus

We thank Mavrogenis et al. 1 for their interest in our publication 2, and their remarks on our published paper. We realize that there are novel techniques continuously being developed for the treatment of complete esophageal obstruction (CEO), including our dissection technique, Per-Oral Endoscopic Tunneling for Restoration of the Esophagus (POETRE) 3 referenced in our paper 2. We congratulate the authors on their recent description of a successful technique using endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for CEO. Unfortunately our manuscript 2 was submitted for publication around the same time that the report from Mavrogenis and colleagues was published online 1 and hence it was not included in our references. The omission was not intentional, and was due to the timing of submission of our manuscript.
Determination of Total Iron Content in Iron Ore and DRI: Titrimetric Method Versus ICP-OES Analysis

The determination of reduction degree in a DR process is sensitive to the total iron in the ore and DRI. An accurate and high throughput analysis method for total iron has been developed. Titration of the solution after tin(II) chloride reduction of ferric ion is a widely used method foriron analysis. However, it is a multistep method that requires many chemical reagents and much time. In this work, an ICP-OES analysis method with higher or equivalent accuracy compared with the titrimetric method was developed. This method has much higher throughput and demands fewer chemical reagents compared with the titrimetric method. In this paper, a comparison of the two methods is presented.
Intersectionality: Infusing I-O Psychology with Feminist Thought

Industrial and organizational psychology, or I-O, is concerned with the study of human behavior in the context of work. Since the growth of I-O psychology over the past century, research on diversity has proliferated, with much of this scholarship focusing on a single axis of diversity, such as gender or race/ethnicity. However, research that examines a single axis of identity (e.g., gender) tends to focus on the most prototypical subordinate members of that group (e.g., White women) at the expense of considering other group members who hold additional subordinate identities (e.g., women of color and/or transwomen). One consequence of the single-axis approach that pervades I-O diversity research is the erasure, invisibility, and marginalization of people with multiple subordinated identities. In contrast to this single-axis approach, intersectionality is a feminist framework that accounts for the mutual interdependency of multiple social identities: the meanings of one social identity group depend on its intersections with other identity groups. Intersectionality is concerned with the simultaneous interplay of various social group memberships and the location of these social groups within larger structures of power, privilege, and oppression. In this chapter, we aim to provide I-O psychologists with an introduction to intersectionality as an analytical lens for research. Intersectionality as an analytical lens serves as an approach to guide the formulation, testing, and interpretation of research questions. This chapter is structured as follows. We begin with a brief history of intersectionality scholarship, an important branch of feminist theory spearheaded by women of color. Next, we discuss the relevance and importance of intersectionality to I-O psychology. Finally, we provide guidelines and challenges for I-O psychologists interested in engaging with intersectionality in their research.
Hook formulas for skew shapes I. q-analogues and bijections

Abstract The celebrated hook-length formula gives a product formula for the number of standard Young tableaux of a straight shape. In 2014, Naruse announced a more general formula for the number of standard Young tableaux of skew shapes as a positive sum over excited diagrams of products of hook-lengths. We give an algebraic and a combinatorial proof of Naruse's formula, by using factorial Schur functions and a generalization of the Hillman–Grassl correspondence , respectively. The main new results are two different q -analogues of Naruse's formula: for the skew Schur functions, and for counting reverse plane partitions of skew shapes. We establish explicit bijections between these objects and families of integer arrays with certain nonzero entries, which also proves the second formula.
Monarquía y montaje en las loas de Sor Juana

In Sor Juana’s literary career, from her first published pre-convent poem up to a text mentioned (not yet found) in the Fama postuma, praise for the monarchy plays a significant role. The double presentation of her seven preludes in honor of the monarch –the staging in New Spain and the publication in Spain– is closely linked to the position of the viceroys within the politics of the royal court in Madrid.
Introduction to Bone Tumors

Focal lesions in bone are encountered frequently during everyday clinical practice. While some lesions are true neoplasms, many represent benign entities. Determining which lesions require evaluation and which should be left alone can be a daunting process. On occasions, the imaging appearance is pathognomonic or highly suggestive of a specific entity; thus, imaging can play a determinative role in clinical management. Although the ultimate goal is always to arrive at a definitive correct diagnosis, this is often not possible based on the available clinical and imaging data. In practice, it is important to provide a short, reasonable list of relevant diagnoses, making sure that malignant tumors are not inappropriately omitted and that benign lesions are not overtreated. In order to do this effectively, it is important to understand some basic principles regarding the evaluation of bone tumors and their characteristic imaging features.
Data-Enhanced Predictive Modeling for Sales Targeting.

We describe and analyze the idea of data-enhanced predictive modeling (DEM). The term “enhanced” here refers to the case that the data used for modeling is sampled not from the true target population, but from an alternative (closely related) population, from which much larger samples are available. This leads to a “bias-variance” tradeoff, which implies that in some cases, DEM can improve predictive performance on the true target population. We theoretically analyze this tradeoff for the case of linear regression. We illustrate DEM on a problem of sales targeting for a set of software products. The “correct” learning problem is to differentiate non-customers from newly acquired customers. The latter, however, are scarce. We illustrate how we can build better prediction models by using more flexible definitions of interesting targets, which give bigger learning samples.
Pentostatin and Cyclophosphamide with or without Rituximab Has Significant Activity in Patients with Previously Treated Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia and Other Low Grade Lymphoid Neoplasms.

Combination therapy with purine analogs, alkylators, and/or monoclonal antibodies represents a promising new approach in the treatment of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and other low grade B cell neoplasms. Most regimens have utilized fludarabine as the purine analog, but the severe myelosuppression and immunosuppression of these combinations requires careful attention to dosing and schedule to minimize these complications. Of the purine analogs in CLL, pentostatin appears to be least myelosuppressive. We have previously reported our experience with pentostatin and cyclophosphamide (PC regimen) in a cohort of heavily pretreated patients with CLL (JCO21:1278, 2003). We have since added rituximab to this active combination (PCR regimen) and have treated a second cohort of patients with CLL and other low grade B cell neoplasms. We now report on our cumulative experience of 69 patients (23 received PC and 46 received PCR) treated with pentostatin combination therapy. The PC regimen consisted of pentostatin 4mg/m 2 and cyclophosphamide 600mg/m 2 , given every 3 weeks for a total of 6 treatments. In the 2 nd cohort of CLL patients, rituximab 375mg/m 2 was added to this regimen starting with cycle 2. Supportive measures in both studies included hydration with each treatment (and monitoring of renal function) and prophylactic administration of filgrastim, sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim, acyclovir, and antiemetics. In the first cohort of patients treated with the PC regimen, the median number of prior treatments was 3 (range 1–5) with the median age being 64 (32–77). There were responses achieved in 74% of patients with 17% complete responses seen in this heavily pretreated group. Similar (or perhaps slightly better) results were obtained with patients treated with the PCR regimen. For this cohort the median age was 62 (30–80) and the median number of prior regimens was 2 (1–7). Of the 32 patients with CLL 28 are evaluable for response: 79% responded and this includes 29% who achieved a complete response. Ten of the 14 patients with other low grade B cell diseases (SLL 8 patients, Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia 2 patients, follicular lymphoma 4 patients) are evaluable for response. The overall response rate for these patients was 50% (all PRs). These regimens were generally well tolerated with grade 3/4 toxicity consisting primarily of myelosuppression and its complications. We conclude that PC and PCR are highly active, well tolerated regimens even in heavily pretreated patients. We plan to conduct a multicenter study of PCR as initial therapy in patients with CLL.
Mass Spectrometry Based Proteomics Study of Cisplatin-Induced DNA–Protein Cross-Linking in Human Fibrosarcoma (HT1080) Cells

Platinum-based antitumor drugs such as 1,1,2,2-cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (cisplatin), carboplatin, and oxaliplatin are currently used to treat nearly 50% of all cancer cases, and novel platinum based agents are under development. The antitumor effects of cisplatin and other platinum compounds are attributed to their ability to induce interstrand DNA–DNA cross-links, which are thought to inhibit tumor cell growth by blocking DNA replication and/or preventing transcription. However, platinum agents also induce significant numbers of unusually bulky and helix-distorting DNA–protein cross-links (DPCs), which are poorly characterized because of their unusual complexity. We and others have previously shown that DPCs block DNA replication and transcription and causes toxicity in human cells, potentially contributing to the biological effects of platinum agents. In the present work, we have undertaken a system-wide investigation of cisplatin-mediated DNA–protein cross-linking in human fibrosarcoma (HT1080)...
Unsatisfactory exfoliative anal cytology samples, 15-year experience with histologic, cytologic, and molecular follow-up.

BACKGROUND The incidence of anal carcinoma has risen in recent decades. Exfoliative cytology screening of selected high risk patients is performed in many centers. Unsatisfactory cytology results are frustrating to patients, clinicians, and laboratorians. The aim of this study is to ascertain outcomes of patients with non-diagnostic anal cytology. METHODS A retrospective review of anal cytology testing performed at the Cleveland Clinic between 01/01/2001 and 12/31/2015 was performed. All cases were received as liquid-based samples and processed as ThinPreps (Hologic, Marlborough, MA). Co-testing for HR-HPV DNA was performed using Hybrid Capture 2® (Qiagen, Germantown, MD) in the majority of patients. RESULTS Of 1,276 ThinPrep anal cytology samples, 130 (10%) were deemed unsatisfactory. 77% of patients were HIV positive. 85% were males. Of the unsatisfactory cases, 116 (89%) were co-tested for HR-HPV DNA. Of those, 40 patients (34%) had a simultaneous positive HR-HPV DNA. Adequate follow up cytology within a one year and a two year period revealed that 18/130 (14%) and 26/130 (20%) of patients had ASC or SIL respectively. Histologic follow-up within one and two years showed 3 patients (2%) and 8 patients (6%) with HSIL or worse. CONCLUSIONS High risk patients with unsatisfactory anal cytology are not "negative". At least one-third proved to be concomitantly HR-HPV DNA positive with one-fifth showing subsequent cytologic squamous abnormalities and with more than 5% being diagnosed with a high grade intraepithelial lesion within two years. Prompt repeat cytology and/or HR-HPV DNA is recommended for high risk patients with non-diagnostic cytology.
Being a Leader: Cultivating Surgical Education

Surgical education is essential to train the next generation of surgeons, scholars, and leaders. Surgical educators should create an education first culture, with cultivation of faculty development and recognition of education and teaching efforts. Mentorship programs are key to success of young surgeons and provide an opportunity to shape surgical careers. Education programs with advanced simulation curricula that emphasize innovation, paired with the goals of advancing the field of educational research, are necessary to promote forward progress. Teaching leadership in education is crucial to developing the key personnel to be the next champions for surgical education. Equipping surgical trainees and junior faculty with the tools necessary to nurture the future of surgical education needs to be a focus of every surgical training program.
Evolution of space open electric arc burning in the external axial magnetic field

The calculation was made for open DC electric arc burning in an external uniform axial magnetic field. It was performed within the framework of a nonstationary three-dimensional mathematical model in approximation of partial local thermodynamic equilibrium of plasma. A “schematic” analog of electron temperature fluctuations was proposed for numerical realization of the open electric arc column of a helical shape. According to calculations, it was established that the column of the open electric arc takes a helical space shape. Plasma rotates around a longitudinal axis of the arc, at that the directions of plasma rotation near the cathode and the anode are opposite. In the arc cross-sections, the velocity of plasma rotation is unequal and the deviation value of the same part of the arc from the central axis varies in time. A helical shape of the open arc is not stable and varies in time. Apparently, the open arc cannot remain stable and invariable in the time helical shape in the external axial magnetic field.
The kallikrein-kinin system in inflammation.

The kallikrein kinin system is shown diagrammatically in Figure 1 and indicates the various pathways by which kinin (bradykinin or lysyl bradykinin) can be formed. The intrinsic coagulation-kinin system is depicted on the left, and the tissue kallikrein-kinin pathway on the right. An up-to-date exposition of the various reactions of the intrinsic-coagulation pathway has been published in a recent review. In brief, it is initiated by Hageman factor autoactivation 2,3 conversion of prekalli-krein to kallikrein 4,5 a positive feedback in which Hageman factor is rapidly cleaved8by kallikrein 6,7 and cleavage of high molecular weight (HMW)-kininogen8. The prekallikrein is complexed to HMW-kininogen in plasma via the HMW kininogen light chain 9,10 The tissue pathway, by contrast, is dependent upon local secretion of tissue kallikrein by cells followed by digestion of low molecular weight (LMW)-kininogen to release lysyl-bradykinin; the latter peptide is rapidly converted to bradykinin by a plasma aminopeptidase 11 The source of kininogen available to the tissue system is dependent either upon local accumulation of plasma or kininogen that is present in interstitial fluid.
Effects of superconductor electron screening on fusion reaction rates

This research explores fusion cross section enhancements from electron screening within superconductors, and the feasibility of engineering a system to extract the energy from a superconductor fusi...
Spatial distribution of litter and microarthropods in a Chihuahuan desert ecosystem

Plant litter accumulated along the edges of small water courses where plants caused formation of eddy currents during heavy rains. Only small amounts of plant litter accumulated under shrubs on sloping erosional areas when compared to shrubs on flat areas. Microarthropod densities ranged from 146. m−2 in unvegetated areas to 3103. m−2 under shrubs in small water courses. Microarthropod density was directly correlated with amount of surface litter (r = 0·987). Prostigmatid mites of the family Nanorchestidae were found in all habitats and Prostigmatids were the most numerous Acarina in all but one area. Collembola were found only in unvegetated areas of a large wash.