cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Rise and Fall of Innovative Education: An Australian University Case Study

From 1980 to 1995, the University of Western Sydney at Hawkesbury (formerly Hawkesbury Agricultural College) in Richmond, New South Wales, Australia, pioneered an innovative undergraduate degree in Systems Agriculture based on experiential education, systems thinking, and adult learning theory. Today this program is in trouble and has reverted back to a more traditional teacher-directed approach. This article discusses the rise of the innovative education paradigm at Hawkesbury, the unique Systems Agriculture program itself, and its eventual decline. Reasons for both the shift to innovative education and its eventual downfall are explored. Implications for institutions of higher education contemplating innovative educational approaches are suggested.
Competition and men’s face preferences

Several studies have examined potentially adaptive shifts and sources of individual differences in women’s face preferences, but relatively few studies have looked for similar findings in men. Evidence suggests that men of higher mate-value may be better placed to compete for relationships with higher-quality women, and that contest competition may influence men’s perceptions of dominance. Here, we looked at the effects of winning/losing in male–male competition on men’s face preferences. Participants were randomly and unknowingly assigned to either win or lose the first-person shooter video game Counter-Strike: Source against an unseen male confederate who could control the outcome through game cheats. We found that, compared to men assigned to the losing condition, men assigned to the winning condition had significantly (p = 0.012) higher preferences for women’s facial femininity. Results suggest that the outcomes of male–male competition may alter men’s mate preferences. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Tumor Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor and EGFR PY1068 Are Independent Prognostic Indicators for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Purpose: To assess the prognostic value of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) molecular characteristics of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Patients and Methods: HNSCC tumors from patients prospectively enrolled in either an Early Detection Research Network (EDRN) study and treated with surgery without an EGFR-targeted agent ( N = 154) or enrolled in a chemoradiation trial involving the EGFR-targeted antibody cetuximab ( N = 39) were evaluated for EGFR gene amplification by FISH and EGFR protein by immunohistochemical staining. Fresh-frozen tumors (EDRN) were also evaluated for EGFR protein and site-specific phosphorylation at Y992 and Y1068 using reverse-phase protein array ( n = 67). Tumor ( n = 50) EGFR and EGFRvIII mRNA levels were quantified using real-time PCR. Results: EGFR expression by immunohistochemistry (IHC) was significantly higher in the EDRN tumors with EGFR gene amplification ( P P = 0.019 and P = 0.06, respectively). Elevated expression of total EGFR and EGFR PY1068 were independently significantly associated with reduced progression-free survival in the EDRN cohort [HR = 2.75; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.26–6.00 and HR = 3.29; 95% CI = 1.34–8.14, respectively]. Conclusions: In two independent HNSCC cohorts treated with or without cetuximab, tumor EGFR levels were indicative of survival. Tumor EGFR PY1068 levels provided prognostic information independent of total EGFR. Clin Cancer Res; 18(8); 2278–89. ©2012 AACR .
The Putative Nucleic Acid Helicase Sen1p Is Required for Formation and Stability of Termini and for Maximal Rates of Synthesis and Levels of Accumulation of Small Nucleolar RNAs in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Volume 18, no. 12, p. 6885–6896, 1998. Page 6894, Table 3: Table 3 lists RNAs that have 3′ terminal sequences resembling those of snR13. The sequence labeled U14 is actually that of snR190, a distinct nuclear RNA that is genetically linked to U14. This error does not affect our data or conclusions, and we apologize for any confusion it may have caused.
Parallelizing a global atmospheric chemical tracer model

We describe the design of a parallel global atmospheric chemical tracer model. This is part of a larger Earth Systems Model (ESM) for atmospheric dynamics and physics, and ocean physics. The ESM will be used for global warming and ozone depletion studies, among others. The goal is to parallelize the chemistry model to run efficiently on current and future parallel architectures, including the Sequoia archival database. We describe the preliminary design, especially the detailed timing model, and some initial validations. We have found a timing modeling very valuable for designing for a large range of architectures. >
Decline of Whimbrels within a Mid-Atlantic Staging Area (1994–2009)

Abstract. Whimbrels (Numenius phaeopus) were monitored during spring migration across a network of ten aerial transects within the barrier island-lagoon system along the lower Delmarva Peninsula, Virginia, USA. Transects were surveyed weekly from the last week of April through the first week of June (1994–1996, 2008–2009). Whimbrel numbers increased to a peak during the first and second weeks of May then decreased sharply during the third and fourth weeks of May in all years. Between the 1990's and 2000's, peak numbers declined by 50%, corresponding to a 4.2% annual rate of decline. A similar decline was detected in accumulated, season-wide numbers. Though similar in pattern, migration phenology was significantly different between the decades. The phenology difference resulted from a greater reduction in numbers during the first half of the study period compared to the last. Habitats used by Whimbrels (N = 31,314) included mudflats (95%) and salt marshes (5%). Habitat-specific densities (birds/km2) were 4...
Loss and adaptation: Circumstances, contingencies, and consequences

Abstract Knowledge about the meaning of loss to human beings comes from both the sciences and the humanities. Information from both sources is used to examine the complex nature of human adaptations to loss and change. Four themes are considered: loss as normative to human experience; the multivariate nature of human adaptations to major losses; the lived experience of loss; and loss as initiator of creative personal expression.
Analyzing Disaster Risks and Plans: An Avian Flu Example

Narrative approaches to analyzing risks seek to identify the variables critical to creating and controlling a risk, then to instantiate them in terms of coherent themes (e.g., organizational failure, strategic surprise). Computational approaches to analyzing risks seek to identify the same critical variables, then to instantiate them in terms of their probability. Disaster risk analysis faces complex, novel processes that strain the capabilities of both approaches. We propose an approach that integrates elements of each, relying on what we call structured scenarios and computable models. It is illustrated by framing the analysis of plans for a possible avian flu pandemic.
Vaccination Recommendations for HIV-1-Infected Children

Recommendations for the vaccination of HIV-1-infected children have been made by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and the World Health Organization, and are reviewed in this article. The data on immunogenicity and safety of individual vaccines are also reviewed.
Urodynamic pattern changes in multiple sclerosis.

Abstract Objectives. Multiple sclerosis (MS) causes neurologic symptoms to change over time. Voiding dysfunction is common in patients with MS, and few studies have examined the changes in urodynamic patterns in these patients over time. The purpose of this study was to examine the frequency and nature of urodynamic pattern changes in patients with MS who underwent two or more urodynamic studies. Methods. Twenty-two patients (7 men and 15 women) with well-documented MS were referred to one urologist (T.B.B.) for evaluation of lower urinary tract symptoms. All patients had undergone two or more urodynamic evaluations during a 14-year period for persistent or new symptoms, and a retrospective comparison was made among the urodynamic test results. Results. Overall, 12 (55%) of 22 patients experienced a change in their urodynamic patterns and/or compliance during a mean follow-up interval of 42 ± 45 months between the urodynamic studies. Most patients initially had urodynamic patterns showing detrusor hyperreflexia, detrusor external sphincter dyssynergia, or detrusor hypocontractility. Fourteen (64%) of the 22 patients studied had the same or worsening of the same symptoms and 8 (36%) of 22 had new urologic symptoms. Six (43%) of 14 patients with no new symptoms and 6 (75%) of 8 with new symptoms had significant changes found with follow-up urodynamic testing. Conclusions. A significant proportion of patients with MS with and without new urinary symptoms will develop changes in their underlying urodynamic patterns and detrusor compliance. Therefore, urodynamic evaluations should be repeated at regular intervals in symptomatic patients to optimize clinical management, reduce complications, and better enable these patients to manage their neurogenic bladder dysfunction.
Assessment of the Risk of Introducing Foot-and-Mouth Disease into Panama via a Ferry Operating between Cartagena, Colombia and Colon, Panama

It should be emphasized that the proposed ferry hazard categorizations do not represent absolute risks for introducing FMD into Panama, but instead provide a systematic method for comparing and estimating risks in the absence of quantitative data. A hazard rating of high may not necessarily represent a high quantitative risk for the introduction of FMD, but is high when compared to other scenarios. A low hazard rating may estimate a low quantitative risk of importing FMD, but economic consequences of a potential outbreak should also be considered. When further data become available, a more complete assessment of the risks of the Crucero Express compared to airplanes, cargo boats, and small boats can be performed. At present, the risk of the Crucero Express is at least as low as the other transport modes described above. Since vehicles are not presently allowed transport from Colombia to Panama, they present no risk to Panama, but with proper cleaning and disinfection procedures, vehicles can be permitted with low risk. However, the Crucero Express can carry 125 vehicles, and thorough cleaning and disinfection of this many cars will require modern and efficient facilities not yet present at either port.
Handheld tools that ‘Informate’ assessment of student learning in Science: a requirements analysis

An important challenge faced by many teachers as they involve students in science investigations is measuring (‘assessing’) students' progress. Our detailed requirements analysis in a particular school district led to the idea that what teachers need most are ways to increase the quality of the information they have about what students know and can do, not automation of typical assessment practices. We see handheld computers as promising tools for addressing this need because they can give students and teachers frequent, integral access to new ways of expressing and communicating what they know and can do. Our requirements analysis has led us to emphasize a need for handheld-based tools that ‘informate’ science instruction by: • Being oriented to the needs of teachers in transition to inquiry-oriented pedagogy; • expanding the range of assessment tasks through a new representational medium and communication infrastructure; • creating new roles for students in expressing what they know and can do; and • focusing both students' and teachers' attention on scientific concepts.
Inclination and orbital-phase-dependent resonance line-profile calculations applied to cataclysmic variable winds

The implications of IUE resonance-line profiles of novalike variables and dwarf novae in outburst for theoretical models in which these objects are formed in constant-ionization stellar winds are investigated theoretically, with a focus on the 1549-A line of C IV. The model proposed by Drew (1986) is extended and refined to account for arbitrary inclinations of the large opaque continuum-emitting disk and the presence of a dark binary companion; the data and results are presented in extensive diagrams and graphs and characterized in detail. Findings reported include a wind C(3+) number density an order of magnitude or more greater than the density of Si(3+) and N(4+) and wind mass-loss rates greater than about 10 to the -10th solar mass/yr.
Social causes and consequences of rejection sensitivity.

Predictions from the Rejection Sensitivity (RS) model concerning the social causes and consequences of RS were examined in a longitudinal study of 150 middle school students. Peer nominations of rejection, self-report measures of anxious and angry rejection expectations, and social anxiety, social withdrawal, and loneliness were assessed at two time points. Results indicate that peer rejection at Time 1 predicted an increase in anxious and angry expectations of rejection at Time 2, but only for boys. Being liked by peers, irrespective of level of dislike, predicted a reduction in anxious rejection expectations in both boys and girls. Further, anxious expectations of rejection were uniquely predictive of increased social anxiety and withdrawal. Angry expectations of rejection, an established unique predictor of increased aggression, predicted decreased social anxiety. Both anxious and angry expectations predicted increased loneliness, but neither were unique predictors of loneliness. Implications of viewing anxious and angry expectations of rejection as distinct cognitive–affective vulnerabilities for adolescents are discussed.
“Meditation is Good for Nothing:” Leisure as a Democratic Practice

AbstractDoes meditation bring political benefits in the sense of strengthening citizenship or democracy? Taking the Zen phrase “meditation doesn’t work—it’s good for nothing” as my point of departure, and reading Aristotle’s discussion of leisure in relation to citizenship, I argue that meditation can foster significant dimensions of democratic citizenship. This argument focuses particularly on the avowedly anti-instrumental aspect of mindfulness meditation. The connection between meditation and leisure demands a shift in our understanding of leisure, away from relaxation available to the privileged few and toward practices that are open-ended, non-instrumental, and, like democracy and citizenship, due to all. Finally, meditation offers an example of how to appropriate and inhabit excess in ways that support egalitarian citizenship. Meditation needs to be of “no benefit” in order to foster citizenship in these ways.
An Instant Proof of eπ > πe

(1985). An Instant Proof of eπ > πe. The College Mathematics Journal: Vol. 16, No. 4, pp. 280-280.
Titaniun Silicide Formation on Heavily Doped Arsenic-Implanted Silicon

Every new generation of metal/oxide/semiconductor (MOS) technology has achieved higher densities and switching speeds. In order to match these characteristics of MOS circuits, a metallization which has a low resistivity, has electrical and chemical stability, can withstand high-temperature processing and can be manufactured relatively easily and reliably is needed. These requirements make the refractory metals a suitable if not ideal choice [1,2]. However, there has been some question as to the reliability of processing during silicide formation when using refractory metals. When the metallization is used to form self-aligned silicide structures over heavily doped source and drain regions, it is crucial to understand the subsequent behavior of the dopant during the processing period. Whereas others have studied different aspects of dopant redistribution [3–8], we report in this paper a systematic study of the electrical, structural, and elemental properties of titanium silicide formation on arsenic implanted silicon as a function of implanted dose and processing temperature.
Simultaneous determination of 8 kinds of synthetic colorants in maize flour and wheat flour by HPLC

Objective Synthetic colorants are non-nutrients, which are added to keep food with beautiful color and enhance people's appetite in food processing. It can cause the cell of human body with abnormal metabolism reactions after long-term consumption.Hence, it is necessary to implement the food risk monitoring work, and establish a method for determinating 8 colorants, including lemon yellow, amaranth red, carmine, sunset yellow, allura red, brilliant blue, erythrosine, and indigo blue in maize flour and wheat flour by High Performance Liquid Chromatography(HPLC). This work can also provide experimental reference of 8 Synthetic colorants for dietary exposure assessment. Methods Fat in samples were defatted, and the colorants were extracted with ethyl alcohol-ammonia-water(80+1+19, v/v). After the p H of the extraction solution was adjusted to 2, it was purified with WAX column.The purified solution was separated with C18 column(4.6×250mm, 5μm). The mobile phase consisted of 0.02mol/L and the flow rate of ammonium acetate and methanol were 1.0ml/min. The detection wavelength were 254 nm and 627 nm. Results This method can detected the 8 synthetic colorants in maize flour and wheat flour. The correlation coefficients of regression equations were all greater than 0.9996. The recovery rates ranged from 85.7% to 95.8% and detection limit ranged from 0.11mg/kg-0.28mg/kg.Conclusion The method is simple, rapid, precise and accurate. It is suitable for the determination of 8 colorants in maize flour and wheat flour.
Passive sodium and potassium movements in sickle erythrocytes.

Deoxygenation causes an increase in passive Na and K movements across the membrane of the sickle erythrocyte. Some investigators find that these ion movements are accompanied by cell dehydration, w...
Effect of2, 2'-(9,10-anthrylenedimethylene)bis(2-thiopseudourea) on nucleic acid synthesis in bacteria.

The mechanism of action of 2,29-(9,10-anthrylenedimethylene)bis(2-thiopseudourea) (ATPU or pseudourea) has been investigated in bacterial systems. Inhibition of the growth of Bacillus subtilis by ATPU was reversed by the addition of nucleic acids. The synthesis of DNA and RNA in vivo was markedly inhibited by the drug. RNA synthesis in vitro catalyzed by purified DNA-dependent RNA polymerase (nucleosidetriphosphate:RNA nucleotidyltransferase, EC 2.7.7.6) of Bacillus stearothermophilus was sensitive to ATPU in a concentration-dependent manner. This inhibition was reversed by increasing the concentration of DNA primer. Evidence for a drug-DNA interaction was obtained from viscosity and cesium chloride buoyant density studies, which suggested the possible formation of intercalation complexes between DNA and ATPU.
Effect of long-term somatotropin treatment on body composition and life span in aging obese Zucker rats.

The objective of this work was to test the hypothesis that a somatotropin (STH)-induced reduction in body fat would prolong the life span of the obese Zucker rat. Two experiments were conducted. In...
Oxycodone physical dependence and its oral self-administration in C57BL/6J mice

Abuse of prescription opioids, such as oxycodone, has markedly increased in recent decades. While oxycodone's antinociceptive effects have been detailed in several preclinical reports, surprisingly few preclinical reports have elaborated its abuse-related effects. This is particularly surprising given that oxycodone has been in clinical use since 1917. In a novel oral operant self-administration procedure, C57BL/6J mice were trained to self-administer water before introducing increasing concentrations of oxycodone (0.056-1.0mg/ml) under post-prandial conditions during daily, 3-h test sessions. As the concentration of oxycodone increased, the numbers of deliveries first increased, then decreased in an inverted U-shape fashion characteristic of the patterns of other drugs self-administered during limited access conditions. After post-prandial conditions were removed, self-administration at the highest concentration was maintained suggesting oral oxycodone served as a positive reinforcer. In other mice, using a novel regimen of physical dependence, mice were administered increasing doses of oxycodone (9.0-33.0mg/kg, s.c.) over 9 days, challenged with naloxone (0.1-10.0mg/kg, s.c.), and then observed for 30min. Naloxone dose-dependently increased the observed number of somatic signs of withdrawal, suggesting physical dependence of oxycodone was induced under this regimen. This is the first report demonstrating induction of oral operant self-administration of oxycodone and dose-dependent precipitations of oxycodone withdrawal in C57BL/6J mice. The use of oral operant self-administration as well as the novel physical dependence regimen provides useful approaches to further examine the abuse- and dependence-related effects of this highly abused prescription opioid.
Forecasting the Operating Income of Metlife

Abstract The research is directed toward the prediction of operating income within the MetLife Insurance Company. The operating income of the firm is the amount of profit realized from a firm’s own operation, as opposed to net income. The econometric model is based on 10 years of quarterly data (2004–2014). The explanatory variables used in this modeling effort are (1) stock price, (2) long-term borrowing, (3) capital surplus, (4) free cash flow, (5), S&P average, (6) GDP, and (7) CPI.
Virus–Antiviral Antibody Complexes*

Publisher Summary This chapter describes virus–antiviral antibody complexes. Virus antigen-antiviral antibody (V-Ab) complexes themselves are competent pathogenic agents. In manychronic viral infections of animals, infectious virus travels in the circulation complexed to host immunoglobulin (Ig), presumably antiviral antibody. These circulating complexes localize in several tissues and induce a phlogogenic response. V–Ab immune complex disease probably occurs frequently in chronic viral infections and may be the most common pathogenic mechanism of animal nephritides, exhibiting an immunopathologic picture very similar to chronic human nephritis. Prima facie evidence for V–Ab immune complex disease lies in demonstrating circulating V–Ab complexes and showing localization of virus and antibody at the sites of tissue injury. Chronic viral infections that satisfy both requirements are listed in the chapter. The presence of V–Ab complexes in the circulation is demonstrated when precipitation of Ig removes significant infectivity. Deposition of circulating V–Ab complexes in tissues can also lead to glomerulonephritis and vasculitis.
Calculating and Reporting Estimates of Effect Size in Counseling Outcome Research

The reporting effect sizes (ESs) and confidence intervals (CIs) of ESs has become recommended practice in the social sciences; however, these values are frequently omitted by authors in manuscripts...
The Continent of International Law: Explaining Agreement Design

Every year, states negotiate, conclude, sign, and give effect to hundreds of new international agreements. Koremenos argues that the detailed design provisions of such agreements matter for phenomena that scholars, policymakers, and the public care about: when and how international cooperation occurs and is maintained. Theoretically, Koremenos develops hypotheses regarding how cooperation problems like incentives to cheat can be confronted and moderated through law's detailed design provisions. Empirically, she exploits her data set composed of a random sample of international agreements in economics, the environment, human rights and security. Her theory and testing lead to a consequential discovery: considering the vagaries of international politics, international cooperation looks more law-like than anarchical, with the detailed provisions of international law chosen in ways that increase the prospects and robustness of cooperation. This nuanced and sophisticated 'continent of international law' can speak to scholars in any discipline where institutions, and thus institutional design, matter.
Multi-camera person tracking in crowded environments

Reliably tracking people throughout a camera network is an important capability in areas such as law enforcement, homeland protection, and healthcare. In this paper we will provide an overview of GE Global Research's tracking system and evaluate it against a subset of the PETS 2009 dataset. The tasks of counting, density estimation, multiperson tracking as well as the tracking of selected individuals will be addressed. Qualitative and quantitative performance results will be reported.
Kinetic Effects on Self‐Assembly and Function of Protein–Polymer Bioconjugates in Thin Films Prepared by Flow Coating

The self-assembly of nanostructured globular protein arrays in thin films is demonstrated using protein-polymer block copolymers based on a model protein mCherry and the polymer poly(oligoethylene glycol acrylate) (POEGA). Conjugates are flow coated into thin films on a poly(ethylene oxide) grafted Si surface, forming self-assembled cylindrical nanostructures with POEGA domains selectively segregating to the air-film interface. Long-range order and preferential arrangement of parallel cylinders templated by selective surfaces are demonstrated by controlling relative humidity. Long-range order increases with coating speed when the film thicknesses are kept constant, due to reduced nucleation per unit area of drying film. Fluorescence emission spectra of mCherry in films prepared at <25% relative humidity shows a small shift suggesting that proteins are more perturbed at low humidity than high humidity or the solution state.
Effects of Stimulus Programs on GDP, Net of Crowd Out Effects

This chapter uses two methods to calculate the effects of stimulus programs, net of crowd out, on the GDP. Both methods indicate GDP declines when stimulus programs are enacted, from $0.47–$0.89 per dollar of tax cut-induced deficit, to between $0.35–$0.57 per dollar of spending increase-induced deficit. The effect of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the Obama stimulus program) is calculated. It was estimated to have negatively affected both GDP (declining $0.73 per dollar of stimulus) and unemployment (rising 1.36 % for each of two years). No specific type of tax cut or spending increase had positive effects, contrary to the Gale and Orszag hypothesis. Results contradict several Krugman hypotheses as to why crowd out cannot be a problem affecting the success of stimulus programs.
Keeping the magic alive: social sharing of positive life experiences sustains happiness

Social sharing of positive life experiences has been linked to increased intensity of positive emotion. Less is known about the relations among sharing, the perceived response of the listener, and the duration of positive emotion. We hypothesised that sharing an experience would sustain positive emotion when listeners responded in a manner that highlighted the appraised importance and remarkability of the experience, thereby slowing hedonic adaptation. College students who received a desirable exam grade (N = 165) reported their emotional response, appraisals, and sharing on the day they received their grade and again the following evening. Sharing was associated with longer episodes of positive emotion and more time spent thinking about the positive event. The association between sharing and emotion duration was greatest when sharing partners were perceived as highlighting the importance and remarkability of the event. This type of sharing also mitigated the fading of emotion intensity over time. These findings suggest that sharing sustains positive emotion by promoting appraisals that "keep the magic alive."
Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction

Evidence continues to accumulate indicating that sphincter of Oddi dysfunction may give rise to cholestasis, pancreatitis, or upper abdominal pain syndromes. Diagnosis of such dysfunction may be inferred from noninvasive tests or more precisely defined by manometric studies. Both the biliary and pancreatic sphincters are commonly involved. If medical therapy is ineffective, sphincter ablation via endoscopy or laparotomy should be considered for highly symptomatic patients. Complication rates of invasive techniques remain relatively high and risk:benefit ratio should be carefully considered. Future research as to etiology, more defined pathophysiology, more accurate noninvasive evaluation, and optimal therapies are awaited.
Evaluation of Galerkin and Petrov–Galerkin model reduction for finite element approximations of the shallow water equations

Abstract The shallow water equations (SWE) are widely used to model depth-averaged free-surface flows. They are well-studied, and many successful numerical methods have been posited for their solution. Nevertheless, accurate resolution of shallow-water flows can still be very computationally demanding. In particular, computational expense is a significant hurdle for inclusion of well-resolved shallow water models in engineering applications involving risk assessment, optimal design, or parameter estimation. The SWE are then a natural candidate for model reduction. In previous work by Lozovskiy et al. (2016), we presented an approach based on Proper Orthogonal Decomposition (POD) and hyper-reduction for a class of semi-implicit, stabilized finite element approximations of the SWE. Here, we revisit this scheme to further evaluate its consistency and performance using different snapshot collection procedures. We also consider a closely related Petrov–Galerkin technique based on least-squares minimization as an alternative to standard Galerkin projection. We formulate both schemes in a stabilized finite element context and examine their consistency rigorously both with and without hyper-reduction. We then evaluate their accuracy and robustness for test problems in one and two space dimensions.
Disparities in Criteria for Initiating Chelation Therapy for Iron Overload in Patients with Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS).

Abstract In the majority of MDS cases, isolated anemia is the only clinical evidence of impaired hematopoiesis at the time of MDS diagnosis. It is estimated that >40% of MDS patients require regular red blood cell transfusions during some stage of their disease. Findings from The MDS Foundation's 2004–2005 Practices & Treatment Survey indicate that a substantial proportion of MDS patients in all International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS) risk groups are transfusion-dependent: Low, 30%; Intermediate-1, 50%; Intermediate-2, 70%; High, 90% (median values). Seventy (38 US and 22 international) of the MDS Foundation's102 Centers of Excellence responded to the survey as of July 1, 2005. Survey responses revealed that an average of 30% of transfusion-dependent patients receive parenteral iron chelation therapy (median, 20%; range: 3–100%) and that the criteria for initiating chelation therapy are not uniform. The number of transfusions was reported as a determining criterion by 46% of respondents, with a mean number of 35 transfusions (median, 30; range: 4–100). 15% of respondents indicated at the number of transfusions was the sole criterion used. Serum ferritin levels were reported as a determining criterion by 57% of respondents, with the following cutoff values: Ferritin concentrations for initiating chelation therapy >1000 ng/mL 41%* >1500 ng/mL 11% >2000 ng/mL 37% Other (>3000, unspecified) 9% *% respondents using this cutoff as criterion 32% of respondents indicated that serum ferritin was the sole criterion used. (Irrespective of chelation therapy, 92% indicated that they monitored ferritin levels in transfusion-dependent patients.) Other criteria used to determine start of chelation therapy included age/life expectancy, MDS subtype, clinical signs of hemochromatosis, quantitative CT liver iron estimation, liver function, transferrin saturation >50%, BMT, anticipated chronic transfusion need, and logistical issues and insurance coverage. A combination of criteria was reported to be used by 38% of respondents. The majority of respondents (90%) reported that they would increase the number of patients on chelation therapy if an oral agent were available. Although the decision for initiating chelation therapy in transfusion-dependent anemic MDS patients is individualized because of the heterogeneous patient population, this data analysis suggests a need for the standardization of select criteria (e.g., number of transfusions, serum ferritin).
Native American medicine in the treatment of chronic illness: developing an integrated program and evaluating its effectiveness

Traditional Native American healing practices are increasingly sought after by Native Americans as well as non-Natives. A series of meetings between traditional Native American healers and the author resulted in dialogues on the Native American worldview and biomedicine. Recommendations arose for how Native American treatment should proceed in the modern world and how to effectively introduce interested non-Natives to Native American healing practices. An approach for bridging cultures to facilitate the interaction of non-Natives with traditional healers was developed. A total of 116 patients were treated by the author in conjunction with traditional Native American healers. More than 80% of patients showed significant, persistent benefits from a time-intensive treatment program. A comparison group consisting of patients from the author's emergency room practice had significantly lower rates of improvement. An intensive program inspired by Native American practices lasting 7 to 10 days can achieve both health benefits and improved cost-effectiveness in the treatment of chronic physical illness. The treatment philosophy underlying this approach is best described as a dynamic energy system. Within this theoretical framework, physical illness, which is viewed as simultaneously spiritual, mental, and physical, can be treated by counseling and ceremony. Due to the interaction and hierarchical nature of these levels, intervention at any one level affects the others.
Cardiac screening to prevent sudden death in young athletes

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a sudden and unexpected death caused by loss of heart of function. SCD may occur in any population, but when it occurs on the playing field in a young individual, communities worldwide are affected. Although these events are rare, media coverage of sudden cardiac arrests in young athletes have created the impression that these events are far more common than they appear. With a heightened awareness of SCD in young athletes, screening methods have been developed to try and prevent these events from occurring. The American Heart Associations (AHA) currently employs history and physical examination alone during the preparticipation physical exam (PPE), which clears a young athlete for participation in sports. There has been recent discussion on whether to include screening electrocardiogram (ECG) in the PPE especially after one study in Italy by Corrado et al. found that using routine ECG reduced the annual incidence of SCD by 90%. In this article we will discuss how effective the current screening recommendations are, whether routine ECG use should be included in the PPE and if it is cost effective, and review other screening modalities that may be useful in the detection of young athletes at risk for SCD.
Predictors of Treatment Response and Survival Outcomes in Meningioma Recurrence with Atypical or Anaplastic Histology.

Background Recurrence rates for atypical and anaplastic meningiomas range between 9% and 50% after gross total resection and between 36% and 83% after subtotal resection. Optimal treatment of recurrent meningiomas exhibiting atypical/anaplastic histology is complicated because they are often refractory to both surgery and radiation. Objective To evaluate clinical determinants of recurrence and treatment-specific outcomes in patients with recurrent meningiomas exhibiting atypical/anaplastic histology at our institution. Methods A cohort study was conducted using clinical data of all patients treated for meningiomas with atypical/anaplastic histology at first recurrence between January 1985 and July 2014 at a tertiary cancer center. Predictors of second recurrence were analyzed using competing risks regression models. Results Nine hundred eighteen patients with meningioma were screened, of whom 60 (55% female) had recurrent disease with atypical/anaplastic histology at a median age of 58.1 yr at diagnosis. The median follow-up from the time of first recurrence was 36.7 mo, with 32 (53%) patients alive at last follow-up. There was no effect of extent of resection at first recurrence on time to a subsequent recurrence. Inclusion of radiation as primary or adjuvant therapy at first recurrence reduced the risk of progression or subsequent recurrence compared to surgery alone (P = .07). Conclusion Treatment of recurrent meningiomas with atypical/anaplastic histology remains challenging. Our data, from one of the largest cohorts, suggest better tumor control with the addition of radiation and challenges the importance of extent of resection at first recurrence. A multicenter effort is needed to confirm these findings and propose treatment guidelines.
Sodium valproate and cognitive function

In patients with epilepsy, cognitive functions can be affected by several factors individually or in combination. These complex interactions between various factors have been responsible for considerable methodological problems in the assessment of the effect of individual antiepileptic drugs on cognitive functions. A discussion on the effect of sodium valproate on cognitive functions should consider three aspects: whether valproate affects cognitive functions, how possible cognitive effects of valproate compare with those of other antiepileptic drugs, and finally whether valproate has a positive psychotropic effect. A suspected specific psychotropic effect of valproate could not be confirmed. The majorities of the studies in which the cognitive effects of valproate were assessed are comparative studies with other antiepileptic drugs in treated patients; however, some studies were based on the introduction or the discontinuation of valproate monotherapy or on a comparison between a high dose and a low dose. Like other antiepileptic drugs, sodium valproate can affect cognitive functions and behavior. When valproate has been compared with other antiepileptic drugs, the results have been either equal or in favor of valproate; however, overall these cognitive and behavioral effects are rather mild also for the other antiepileptic drugs and have been slightly overrated in the past.
People like me increasing likelihood of success for underrepresented minorities in STEM by providing realistic and relatable role models

Seeing themselves represented in the role models they aspire to, has been shown to be important to students' sense of belonging and success. Underrepresented college students in STEM fields are exposed to only a small set of role models. This set often consist of famous individuals with extraordinary stories (we call these outliers), and represent unfeasible paths to success for a large majority of these students. We aim to remedy this by identifying a set of role models who represent more feasible paths to success (we call these non-outliers) for many underrepresented students. We contend that, despite the less extraordinary success and stories of non-outliers, they share important qualities with outliers. We envision a “People Like Me” website based on profiles of this broader set of role models that can be used as a tool for recruitment and retention. Our current work is to (1) identify role model qualities from the perspective of students, (2) identify and create profiles of non-outlier role models based on these qualities, and (3) test if students are accepting of these non-outliers as potential role models. We have completed steps (1) and (2), and have found that non-outliers do exhibit the qualities our student sample pool seeks in role models.
Uncommon Nonneoplastic Lesions of the Pleura

There are several nonneoplastic lesions of the pleura that, although uncommon, should be differentiated from pleural neoplasms. Sclerosing mediastinitis presents as an extensive dense fibrous tissue in the mediastinum that compresses, entraps, and invades chest structures, including pleura, bronchi, and lungs, often grossly mimicking invasive neoplasm (Fig. 5.1). Patients may be of any age, with the greatest frequency in patients in their 40s to 60s. Patients may experience compression of the superior vena cava (superior vena cava syndrome), bronchi, pulmonary hilum, and/or esophagus. Presenting symptoms include cough, dyspnea, hemoptysis, and chest pain. There may be a clinical suspicion of cancer involving the pleura and other structures of the chest including diffuse malignant mesothelioma and lung cancer in the differential diagnosis. The diagnosis typically requires a surgical biopsy, often with frozen section, and the pathologist may feel pressure to diagnose malignancy at the time of frozen section because of the clinical presentation. However, the frozen section will typically show thick ropey collagen with or without a mixed inflammatory infiltrate of lymphocytes, plasma cells, and eosinophils. There is a frequent association with infections, particularly Histoplasma and tuberculosis, and so special stains should be obtained on the permanent sections.
Representations of sl 2 ℂ

This is the first of four lectures—§11-14—that comprise in some sense the heart of the book. In particular, the naive analysis of §11.1, together with the analogous parts of §12 and §13, form the paradigm for the study of finite-dimensional representations of all semisimple Lie algebras and groups. §11.2 is less central; in it we show how the analysis carried out in §11.1 can be used to explicitly describe the tensor products of irreducible representations. §11.3 is least important; it indicates how we can interpret geometrically some of the results of the preceding section. The discussions in §11.1 and §11.2 are completely elementary (we do use the notion of symmetric powers of a vector space, but in a non-threatening way). §11.3 involves a fair amount of classical projective geometry, and can be skimmed or skipped by those not already familiar with the relevant basic notions from algebraic geometry.
First Foray into Text Analysis with R

In this chapter readers learn how to load, tokenize, and search a text. Several methods for exploring word frequencies and lexical makeup are introduced. The exercise at the end introduces the plot function.
Comparative Exploratory Analysis of Intrinsically Disordered Protein Dynamics Using Machine Learning and Network Analytic Methods.

Simulations of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDP) pose numerous challenges to comparative analysis, prominently including highly dynamic conformational states and a lack of well-defined secondary structure. Machine learning (ML) algorithms are especially effective at discriminating among high-dimensional inputs whose differences are extremely subtle, making them well suited to the study of IDPs. In this work, we apply various ML techniques, including support vector machines (SVM) and clustering, as well as related methods such as principal component analysis (PCA) and protein structure network (PSN) analysis, to the problem of uncovering differences between configurational data from molecular dynamics simulations of two variants of the same IDP. We examine molecular dynamics (MD) trajectories of wild-type amyloid beta (Abeta 1-40) and its ``Arctic'' variant (E22G), systems that play a central role in the etiology of Alzheimer's disease. Our analyses demonstrate ways in which ML and related approaches can be used to elucidate subtle differences between these proteins, including transient structure that is poorly captured by conventional metrics.
The Development of the Human Microbiome: Why Moms Matter

The human body is cohabitated with trillions of commensal bacteria that are essential for our health. However, certain bacteria can also cause diseases in the human host. Before the microbiome can be attributed to disease risk and pathogenesis, normal acquisition and development of the microbiome must be understood. Here, we explore the evidence surrounding in utero microbial exposures and the significant of this exposure in the proper development of the fetal and neonatal microbiome. We further explore the development of the fetal and neonatal microbiome and its relationship to preterm birth, feeding practices, and mode of delivery, and maternal diet.
Morality and the imagination: Real-world moral beliefs interfere with imagining fictional content

The purpose of this paper was to test whether imaginative resistance – a term used in the philosophical literature to describe the reluctance to imagine counter-moral worlds – is experienced by peo...
Transgender women on oral HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis have significantly lower tenofovir and emtricitabine concentrations when also taking oestrogen when compared to cisgender men.

Introduction Oral HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) with tenofovir (TFV) disoproxil fumarate (TDF)/emtricitabine (FTC) is highly effective. Transgender women (TGW) have increased HIV risk, but have been underrepresented in trials. For TGW on oestrogens for gender-affirming hormone treatment (GAHT), TDF/FTC-oestrogen interactions may negatively affect HIV prevention or gender-affirming goals. Our aim was to evaluate any pharmacokinetic drug-drug interaction between GAHT and TDF/FTC. Methods We performed a pharmacokinetic study, in an urban outpatient setting in 2016 to 2018, of the effects of GAHT on TFV, FTC and the active forms TFV diphosphate (TFV-DP) and FTC triphosphate (FTC-TP) in eight TGW and eight cisgender men (CGM). At screening, participants were HIV negative. TGW were to maintain their GAHT regimens and have plasma oestradiol concentrations >100 pg/mL. Under direct observation, participants took oral TDF/FTC daily for seven days. At the last dose, blood was collected pre-dose, one, two, four, six, eight and twenty-four hours, and colon biopsies were collected at 24 hours to measure drug concentration. TGW versus CGM concentration comparisons used non-parametric tests. Blood and colon tissue were also obtained to assess kinase expression. Results Plasma TFV and FTC C24 (trough) concentrations in TGW were lower by 32% (p = 0.010) and 32% (p = 0.038) respectively, when compared to CGM. Plasma TFV and FTC 24-hr area under the concentration-time curve in TGW trended toward and was significantly lower by 27% (p = 0.065) and 24% (p = 0.028) respectively. Peak plasma TFV and FTC concentrations, as well as all other pharmacokinetic measures, were not statistically significant when comparing TGW to CGM. Oestradiol concentrations were not different comparing before and after TDF/FTC dosing. Plasma oestrogen concentration, renal function (estimated creatinine clearance and glomerular filtration rate), and TFV and FTC plasma concentrations (trough and area under the concentration-time curve) were all correlated. Conclusions GAHT modestly reduces both TFV and FTC plasma concentrations. In TGW taking GAHT, it is unknown if this reduction will impact the HIV protective efficacy of a daily PrEP regimen. However, the combination of an on demand (2 + 1 + 1) PrEP regimen and GAHT may result in concentrations too low for reliable prevention of HIV infection.
Pediatric Metatarsus Adductus

Many obstacles exist in properly managing metatarsus adductus at all ages. These include diagnosis, nosology, prognosis, treatment, and socioeconomic effect. Scientific controversy exists at each of these critical points. The reason for this controversy is the sparsity of reliable scientific data. Families are understandably reluctant to participate in research involving children in a non-life-threatening condition. Many of the pathologies attributed to metatarsus adductus often do not manifest until after skeletal maturity. The duration of a high-level scientific study to settle these questions would involve multiple decades of life of the research cohort.