cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cotton boll age influences feeding preference by brown stink bug (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae).

Cotton plants were infested with brown stink bug, Euschistus servus (Say), to define cotton boll age classes (based on heat unit accumulation beyond anthesis) that are most frequently injured during each of the initial 5 wk of flowering. Bolls from each week were grouped into discrete age classes and evaluated for the presence of stink bug injury. Brown stink bug injured significantly more bolls of age class B (≈165–336 heat units), age class C (≈330–504 heat units), and age class D (≈495–672 heat units) during the initial 3 wk in both years and in week 5 in 2002 compared with other boll ages. Generally, the frequency of injured bolls was lowest in age class A (≤168 heat units) during these periods. The preference by brown stink bug for boll age classes B, C, and D within a week was similar when ages were combined across all 5 wk. Based on these data, bolls that have accumulated 165.2 through 672 heat units beyond anthesis (≈7–27-d-old) are more frequently injured by brown stink bug when a range of boll ages are available. The boll ages in our studies corresponded to a boll diameter of 1.161–3.586 cm with a mid-range of 2.375 cm. A general protocol for initiating treatments against stink bugs is to sample bolls for evidence of injury as an indicator of presence of infestations in cotton. Sampling bolls within a defined range, which is most likely to be injured, should improve the precision of this method in detecting economic stink bug infestations in cotton.
Human cloning: analysis and evaluation.

The journal Nature Genetics recently reported a statement made by Dr. Brigitte Boisselier declaring the rights of parents to clone themselves. Dr. Boisselier is the scientific director of Clonaid—a Bahamas based company that plans to offer human cloning for $200,000. Does this offer have the same scientific credibility as Captain Kirk requesting “Beam me up, Scotty!”? How do we begin to respond to this offer and Dr. Boisselier's claim for its ethical justification?
Interactive visualization methods for four dimensions

Making accurate computer graphics representations of surfaces and volumes (2-manifolds and 3-manifolds) embedded in four-dimensional space typically involves complex and time-consuming computations. In order to make simulated worlds that help develop human intuition about the fourth dimensions, we need techniques that permit real-time, interactive manipulation of the most sophisticated depictions available. We propose the following new methods that bring us significantly closer to this goal: an approach to high-speed 4D illuminated surface rendering incorporating 4D shading and occlusion coding; a procedure for rapidly generating 2D screen images of tessellated 3-manifolds illuminated by 4D light. These methods are orders of magnitude faster than previous approaches, enabling the real-time manipulation of high-resolution 4D images on commercial graphics hardware. >
A fuzzy approach to content-based image retrieval

Describes an approach to content-based image retrieval that can handle exemplar-based, graphical-sketch-based, as well as linguistic queries involving region (object) labels, attribute values, and spatial relations. Images are internally represented by fuzzy attributed relational graphs, where each node in the graph represents an image region, and each edge represents a relation between two image regions. A novel fuzzy graph matching (FGM) algorithm along with an indexing scheme based on a leader clustering algorithm (LCA) is used to facilitate fast retrieval. Several examples that illustrate FGM and LCA are shown.
Astrophysics: How galaxies got their black holes

The massive compact objects in the centres of galaxies developed in at least two ways. One seems to be a natural result of galaxy formation in the Big Bang theory of the expanding Universe — the other is enigmatic. See Letters p.374 & p.377 It is thought that there is a supermassive black hole at the centre of most large galaxies. Two papers in this issue go some way to solving the mystery of what mechanisms are involved in feeding such black holes. The first combines a survey of pseudobulge classifications for a sample of nearby galaxies with recent measurements of velocity dispersions in the biggest bulgeless galaxies to confirm that black holes do not correlate with disks or with pseudobulges. And the second shows that there is almost no correlation between dark matter and parameters that measure black holes unless the galaxy also contains a bulge.
Raman Scattering Study of Interface Reactions of Co/SiGe

Raman scattering measurements are used to characterize Co/Si, Co/Ge and CO/Si 0.8 Ge 0.2 thin film reactions. For Co/Si samples, the phase transitions Co--CoSi--CoSi 2 are identified by Raman spectroscopy. For Co/Ge samples, Raman features associated with Co5Ge 7 and CoGe 2 phases were observed. For CO/Si 0.8 Ge 0.2 samples, only CoSi was identified along with Ge enriched SiGe alloy peaks. No features associated with CoGe or Co(SiGe) were found.
Revisiting the Golden Arches in China The Chinese Discourse on McDonald’s between 1978 and 2012

This article reports an analysis of the Chinese discourse on McDonald’s during three historical periods: 1978-1991, 1992-2000, and 2001-2012. It finds that the Chinese discourse had gradually diver...
Regulation of coat assembly—sorting things out at the ER

The small GTPase Sar1 resides at the core of a regulatory cycle that controls protein export from the ER in COPII vesicles. Recent advances in minimally reconstituted systems indicate continual flux of Sar1 through GTPase cycles facilitates cargo concentration into forming vesicles that ultimately bud from membranes. During export from ER membranes, this GTPase cycle is harnessed through the combinatorial power of multiple coat subunits and cargo adaptors to sort an expanding array of proteins into ER-derived vesicles. The COPII budding machinery is further organized into higher-order structures at transitional zones on the ER surface where the large multi-domain Sec16 protein appears to perform a central function.
Nosocomial Methemoglobinemia Resulting from Self-Administration of Benzocaine Spray

Methemoglobinemia is life-threatening and bears pathognomonic signs difficult to diagnose in real time. Local anesthetics are widely used and are known for eliciting this condition. We report a case of methemoglobinemia secondary to self-administered use of benzocaine spray. A 27-year-old woman was found to be in respiratory distress during postoperative recovery. After desaturation persisted, arterial blood gas yielded a methemoglobin level of 47%. The patient was successfully treated with intravenous methylene blue. Review of the events revealed self-administered doses of benzocaine spray to alleviate discomfort from a nasogastric tube. We review this case in detail in addition to discussing methemoglobinemia and its relevant biochemistry, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and medical management. Given the recognized risk of methemoglobinemia associated with benzocaine use, we recommend its removal from the market in favor of safer alternatives.
Surgery and Medicine Residents’ Perspectives of Morbidity and Mortality Conference: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Improve ACGME Core Competency Compliance

Abstract Objective Morbidity and mortality conferences (MMCs) are often used to fulfill the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education practice-based learning and improvement (PBLI) competency, but there is variation among institutions and disciplines in their approach to MMCs. The objective of this study is to examine the trainees’ perspective and experience with MMCs and adverse patient event (APE) reporting across disciplines to help guide the future implementation of an institution-wide, workflow-embedded, quality improvement (QI) program for PBLI. Design Between April 1, 2013, and May 8, 2013, surgical and medical residents were given a confidential survey about APE reporting practices and experience with and attitudes toward MMCs and other QI/patient safety initiatives. Descriptive statistics and univariate analyses using the chi-square test for independence were calculated for all variables. Logistic regression and ordered logistic regression were used for nominal and ordinal categorical dependent variables, respectively, to calculate odds of reporting APEs. Qualitative content analysis was used to code free-text responses. Setting A large, multihospital, tertiary academic training program in the Pacific Northwest. Participants Residents in all years of training from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education–accredited programs in surgery and internal medicine. Results Survey response rate was 46.2% (126/273). Although most respondents agreed or strongly agreed that knowledge of and involvement in QI/patient safety activities was important to their training (88.1%) and future career (91.3%), only 10.3% regularly or frequently reported APEs to the institution’s established electronic incident reporting system. Senior-level residents in both surgery and medicine were more likely to report APEs than more junior-level residents were (odds ratio = 4.8, 95% CI: 3.1-7.5). Surgery residents had a 4.9 (95% CI: 2.3-10.5) times higher odds than medicine residents had to have reported an APE to their MMC or service, and a 2.5 (95% CI: 1.0-6.2) times higher odds to have ever reported an APE through any mechanism. The most commonly cited reason for not reporting APEs was “finding the reporting process cumbersome.” Overall, 87% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that MMCs were valuable, educational, and contributed to improving patient outcomes, but many cited opportunities for improvement. Conclusions Although the perceived value of MMCs is high among both surgical and medicine trainees, there is significant variability across disciplines and level of training in APE reporting and experience with MMCs. This study presents a multidisciplinary resident perspective on optimizing APE reporting, MMCs, and PBLI compliance.
Overexpression of miR-199a-5p decreases esophageal cancer cell proliferation through repression of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase-11 (MAP3K11)

Studies examining the oncogenic or tumor suppressive functions of dysregulated microRNAs (miRs) in cancer cells may also identify novel miR targets, which can themselves serve as therapeutic targets. Using array analysis, we have previously determined that miR-199a-5p was the most downregulated miR in two esophageal cancer cell lines compared to esophageal epithelial cells. MiR-199a-5p is predicted to bind mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase 11 (MAP3K11) mRNA with high affinity. In this study, we observed that MAP3K11 is markedly overexpressed in esophageal cancer cell lines. Forced expression of miR-199a-5p in these cells leads to a decrease in the mRNA and protein levels of MAP3K11, due to decreased MAP3K11 mRNA stability. A direct binding interaction between miR-199a-5p and MAP3K11 mRNA is demonstrated using biotin pull-down assays and heterologous luciferase reporter constructs and confirmed by mutational analysis. Finally, forced expression of miR-199a-5p decreases proliferation of esophageal cancer cells by inducing G2/M arrest. This effect is mediated, in part, by decreased transcription of cyclin D1, due to reduced MAP3K11-mediated phosphorylation of c-Jun. These findings suggest that miR-199a-5p acts as a tumor suppressor in esophageal cancer cells and that its downregulation contributes to enhanced cellular proliferation by targeting MAP3K11.
Science of Enlightenment

A chemical engineer’s perspective on the science of enlightenment is presented. Rational but open-minded scientists have been relentlessly pursuing evidence which would support the wisdom of our enlightened ancestors. Western scientists have done an awful lot of wonderful work in recent decades that is chipping away at the mystery surrounding the phenomenon of enlightenment. The resulting ideas and concepts cut across all boundaries of religion, race, caste, cultures and nationality. The framework is made possible by ancient Eastern wisdom and the work of Western scientists. The concepts are not only for individual transformation but also for world transformation and as a subset, national transformation. While there appears to be a theoretical limit on national or world transformation and therefore the extent to which global peace can be achieved, the framework in this paper is capable of making a real difference for humanity.
Association of Cervical Microglandular Hyperplasia With Exogenous Progestin Exposure.

OBJECTIVES Although microglandular hyperplasia is a benign endocervical lesion, it may raise concern of malignancy in an inexperienced pathologist, because clinicians may not be familiar with it on a report. It has been reported to occur in association with progestational stimulation, but this has not been well studied. The aim of the study was to evaluate this potential association. MATERIALS AND METHODS This was an observational case control study of patients seen from January 01, 1991 to November 01, 2014 at the University Hospital, Newark, New Jersey. Cases of microglandular hyperplasia and controls were identified from the files of the Department of Pathology. Controls were cases of endocervical curettages for whom no microglandular hyperplasia was detected. Medical records were reviewed for evidence of exogenous progestin exposure within the previous 6 months. RESULTS Eighty-nine cases of microglandular hyperplasia and 97 controls were identified. Of the cases of microglandular hyperplasia, 26 (29.2%) of 89 cases had exposure to progestational medication, significantly greater than that of controls (10/97, 10.3%; p = .0014). CONCLUSIONS Our data show that a significantly higher percentage of women with microglandular hyperplasia had progestin exposure than women who do not exhibit this benign lesion. Clinicians and pathologists should be aware of this association, as well as the benign nature of the lesion.
Anisotropic Damage Production at ION Irradiated GaAs/AlAs Interfaces

Ion beam mixing and damage production at GaAs-AlAs interfaces was studied by Rutherford backscattering and channeling methods. It was observed that the general features of the intermixing of GaAs with AlAs at 100K are typical of that in other semiconductor and metallic systems but that the damage production is not. The GaAs layers amorphize at a very low ion dose whereas the AlAs layers are very resistant to amorphization. Damage in the AlAs begins at one interface of the GaAs and grows through the AlAs layer, but damage at the other interface never nucleates. The ratio of nuclear to electronic stopping influences the growth of the damage zone.
A Preliminary Study of Opening-up Meditation, College Adjustment, and Self-Actualization

The effects of opening-up meditation on college adjustment and self-actualization were examined with 45 subjects who were divided into groups for opening-up meditation, relaxation, and control using scores on the Anxiety Scale of the College Adjustment Scales. Subjects also completed the Personal Orientation Inventory. 1 hr. of training for the meditation and relaxation groups was given and 20 min./day practice requested. After 2 and 4 wk. anxiety and family problem scores significantly increased for the meditation group as did scores on the Feeling Reactivity Scale. Analysis was compromised by high dropout (leaving 3, 4, and 3 subjects, respectively, in the meditation, relaxation, and control groups).
Laodiceans and the Philippians Fragments Hypothesis

During the 1960s, a consensus slowly emerged in New Testament scholarship, especially in Germany, that the canonical letter of Paul to the Philippians is likely to be a compilation of fragments of originally separate letters. The case for this partition hypothesis was built almost exclusively on internal evidence, which centered around the abrupt shift in tone and topic at Phil 3:2: βλἐπeτe τοὺς κύνας, βλἐπeτe τοὺς κακοὺς ἐργάτας βλἐπeτe τὴν κατατομήν (“Look out for the dogs, look out for the workers of evil, look out for the incision!”). This section of the letter, which runs from Phil 3:2 to Phil 4:1, is marked by a tone of polemic and personal apologia absent from the rest of the epistle. Some of the most persuasive partitioned of the letter, whom we may call the “fragmentarians,” have identified this section as a letter fragment, sometimes called a Kampfbrief and sometimes a testament, which is now found in Philippians 3.
Accepting Rotation in the Method Prism

Methodological differences among group and team scholars are heightened when scholars submit manuscripts to interdisciplinary conferences and publications. Although multiple philosophical and theoretical frames for the study of group phenomena are often accepted, it seems that scholars are less accepting of methodological differences. This is problematic in that the study of groups and teams is prismatic—wonderfully rich and complex. This article describes some of these types of problems and describes how scholars can bridge methodological differences.
The Effect of Methionine or Cysteine on Cobalt Toxicity in the Chick

Three experiments were conducted to investigate the interaction of cobalt with sulfur-containing amino acids in the chick. Fortified corn-soybean meal diets were fed and tissue concentrations of cobalt were assessed. In Experiment 1, three levels of cobalt (0, 250, and 500 microgram/g) were fed in the presence and absence of .50% supplemental DL-methionine. Dietary additions of cobalt depressed growth rate and caused cobalt accumulation in the liver and kidney. Supplemental methionine in excess of the requirement for maximal chick weight gains partially alleviated the depression in performance and decreased cobalt accumulation in the liver and kidney. Two levels of cobalt (0 and 500 microgram/g) were fed in the presence and absence of .59% supplemental L-cysteine.HCl.H2O (isosulfurous to .50% DL-methionine) in Experiment 2. Again, cobalt depressed performance and accumulated in the liver and kidney. The surfeit of cysteine increased weight gain and decreased cobalt accumulation in the liver but not in the kidney. In Experiment 3, two levels of cobalt (0 and 250 microgram/g) were fed in the presence and absence of two levels of excess DL-methionine (.50 and 1.0%) or two levels of excess cysteine.HCl.H2O (.59 and 1.18%). Multiple linear regression analysis of gain on sulfur consumed from methionine or cysteine indicated that cysteine was almost 6 times more efficacious than methionine in alleviating cobalt toxicity. In fact, cysteine supplemented at a level of 1.18% completely alleviated the growth depression caused by 250 microgram/g cobalt. Both methionine and cysteine reduced cobalt accumulation in the liver and kidney, but the liver was affected to a greater extent than the kidney.
Characteristics of pickering emulsion gels formed by droplet bridging.

We experimentally characterize the microstructure and rheology of a carefully designed mixture of immiscible fluids and near-neutral-wetting colloidal particles. Particle bridging across two fluid interfaces provides a route to highly stable gel-like emulsions at volume fractions of the dispersed phase well below the random close-packing limit for spheres. We investigate the microstructural origins of this behavior by confocal microscopy and reveal a percolating network of colloidal particles that serves as a cohesive scaffold, bridging together droplets of the dispersed phase. Remarkably, the mixture’s salient rheological characteristics are governed predominantly by the solids loading and can be tailored irrespective of the droplet volume fraction. The identification of this rheological hallmark could provide a means toward the improved design of modern products that utilize solid-stabilized interfaces.
Antipsychotic Use and Foster Care Placement Stability Among Youth With Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity/ Disruptive Behavior Disorders

The objective of this study was to investigate the association between antipsychotic initiation and placement transitions among youth in foster care with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and other disruptive behavior disorders (ADHD/DBD). Data were obtained from child welfare administrative records and Medicaid claims in one Mid-Atlantic state from January 1, 2010, through March 31, 2014. Cox proportional hazard model was conducted to estimate the risk of time to first placement transition during the 180-day follow-up among new antipsychotic users and propensity score matched nonusers. Results showed youth initiating antipsychotics had no significant reduction in foster placement transitions within the 180-day follow up (Hazard Ratio = 1.1; 95% CI = 0.7–1.6). Although antipsychotics are widely used for aggressive behaviors, a better understanding of clinical management of youth in foster care is needed to promote stable foster placement.
Clinical Analysis of the Pregnancy Outcome of 40 Cases of the Severe Pre-eclampsia and Eclampsia

Objective To investigate the pregnancy outcome of the severe pre-eclampsia and eclampsia. Methods Fourty patients of severe pre-eclampsia and eclampsia maternal were detected,including maternal mortality,cesarean delivery, placental abruption,postpartum hemorrhage and perinatal death,low birth weight,neonatal asphyxia. And they were compared with 40 cases of normal cases. Results The eutocia rate of the eclampsia group is much lower than that of the control group. At the mine time,the nomal newbaby of the eclampsia group is singnificant lower than that of the control group(P0.05). Conclusion The severe pre-eclampsia and eclampsia serious harm to maternal and child health. It is necessary to carry out early detection,early prevention,and early treatment. And termination of pregnancy is an effective measures to reduce maternal and perinatal mortality in children.
Prevention Constipation after Anorectal Operation

This article discusses the prevention and control anorectocolonic diseases postoperative constipation prevention of postoperative complications,and promote wound healing,as well as relapse prevention and the importance of this.To explained the mechanism of constipation after the formation.The treatment of postoperative constipation prevention and control anorectocolonic diseases : prevention and treatment,mainly in prevention;treatment according to syndrome differentiation,to distinguish actual situation;in the appropriate scale purge to prevent harm to health;develop well habits of eating and defecation.
Visualizing Aldo Giorgini’s Ideal Flow

This paper offers a more detailed analysis of the mathematical methods that Aldo Giorgini used and aims to serve as a supplement to the biographical sketch of Giorgini’s life, Cybernethisms. Giorgini’s career as a civil engineer led him to become a pioneer of computer art, as he repurposed the frameworks for turbulence visualization into works of art. Specifically, we studied Giorgini’s original materials to gain insight into the mathematical methods that Giorgini used in his visualizations of fluid dynamics. Given today’s computer memory and specialized frameworks, the limitations that Giorgini worked with in his time now seem foreign. We wanted to further understand Giorgini’s use of technology and make it more accessible by creating an interactive web tool named Ideal Flow, that allows users to see fluid dynamics variations in real time. Using WebGL, we were able to implement Giorgini’s frameworks using a modern tool and thus fully enable new viewers to celebrate Giorgini’s contributions. Future generations now have the opportunity to familiarize themselves with Giorgini’s unique approach to art and science, as well as computer art history in general.
Standards Development and the Future of Research Data Sources, Interoperability, and Exchange

In this chapter, the case is made for the use of standards to support clinical research. In particular, the focus is on the standards development process, identification of relevant standards, and selection and implementation issues. Types of standards discussed include physical connectivity, data modeling, information modeling, terminology, organizational process, and documentation of technical specifications. The notion of “certification” in standards activities and the implications for research are introduced. Specifically, an argument for research standards (in the form of common data elements) that are complementary to healthcare standards is introduced. Finally, a review of key advocates for clinical research standards is presented.
Integrated Amorphous Silicon Photodiode Detector for Microfabricated Capillary Electrophoresis Devices

We have demonstrated that hydrogenated amorphous Si (a-Si:H) photodiodes are sufficiently sensitive to be used as detectors for chemical and biological assays performed on microfabricated capillary electrophoresis devices. A limit of detection of 56 pM for fluorescein flowing in a 50-μrn deep microchannel is observed utilizing confocal optics. Moreover, the fluorescence has been successfully detected with a newly designed integrated a-Si:H detector, in which the detector and laser are placed on the same side of the microchip. This optical design is ideal for monolithic integration of the a-Si:H detector technology with VCSEL excitation.
Fast incremental adaptation using maximum likelihood regression and stochastic gradient descent.

Adaptation to a new speaker or environment is becoming very important as speech recognition systems are deployed in unpredictable real world situations. Constrained or Feature space Maximum Likelihood Regression (fMLLR) [1] has proved to be especially effective for this purpose, particularly when used for incremental unsupervised adaptation [2]. Unfortunately the standard implementation described in [1] and used by most authors since, requires statistics that require O(n) operations to collect per frame. In addition the statistics require O(n) space for storage and the estimation of the feature transform matrix requires O(n) operations. This is an unacceptable cost for most embedded speech recognition systems. In this paper we show the fMLLR objective function can be optimized using stochastic gradient descent in a way that achieves almost the same results as the standard implementation. All this is accomplished with an algorithm that requires only O(n) operations per frame and O(n) storage requirements. This order of magnitude savings allows continuous adaptation to be implemented in most resource constrained embedded speech recognition applications.
Mapping Global Potential Risk of Establishment of Rhagoletis pomonella (Diptera: Tephritidae) Using MaxEnt and CLIMEX Niche Models

The apple maggot, Rhagoletis pomonella (Walsh) (Diptera: Tephritidae), is a major quarantine pest of apples (Malus domestica Borkhausen) in the United States. Apple maggot is found only in North America and negatively impacts the apple industry in the western United States by reducing grower access to export markets. To reduce the threat of apple maggot to export countries and to facilitate the movement of commercial apples, an assessment of potential risk of establishment of apple maggot is needed to predict which regions are suitable or unsuitable for the fly. We used a correlative niche model MaxEnt and a mechanistic model CLIMEX to model global potential risk of establishment of apple maggot. The MaxEnt model was developed by integrating apple maggot occurrences with global climatic variables. Apple (a major host of apple maggot) climatic suitability was used as an additional variable to include species interactions in the MaxEnt model. The CLIMEX model was developed using published apple maggot physiological tolerance thresholds. Both the MaxEnt and CLIMEX models correctly predicted the known distribution of apple maggot in North America, met biological expectations when projected to the world, and mostly agreed on climatic suitability worldwide for the fly. Degree-days at 6.7 °C, elevation, precipitation seasonality, and apple climatic suitability were the most important predictors associated with apple maggot distribution in North America. Our results can be used to make science-based international trade decisions by policy makers, and for monitoring apple maggot potential introductions in countries where it currently does not occur.
Maximal group actions on compact oriented surfaces

Abstract Suppose S is a compact oriented surface of genus σ ≥ 2 and C p is a group of orientation preserving automorphisms of S of prime order p ≥ 5 . We show that there is always a finite supergroup G > C p of orientation preserving automorphisms of S except when the genus of S / C p is minimal (or equivalently, when the number of fixed points of C p is maximal). Moreover, we exhibit an infinite sequence of genera within which any given action of C p on S implies C p is contained in some finite supergroup and demonstrate for genera outside of this sequence the existence of at least one C p -action for which C p is not contained in any such finite supergroup (for sufficiently large σ).
The Rationale for “Use the Best First”: Introduction to the Proceedings

(2006). The Rationale for “Use the Best First”: Introduction to the Proceedings. Journal of Chemotherapy: Vol. 18, Use the Best First: Antiinfectives Workshop, pp. 7-24.
Abstract OT2-03-03: A randomized trial of 15 fraction vs 25 fraction pencil beam scanning proton radiotherapy after mastectomy in patients requiring regional nodal irradiation

Background: Post-mastectomy radiotherapy improves survival in women with node-positive breast cancer. Pencil beam scanning proton therapy is attractive due to potential to reduce the dose to the heart and lungs compared with traditional photon techniques while improving conformality and limiting skin dose compared with passively scanned proton therapy. The optimal dose and fractionation for pencil-beam scanning proton therapy remains unknown. Trial Design: This is a multi-center open label phase II randomized controlled trial to determine the safety of 15 fraction vs 25 fraction pencil beam scanning proton radiotherapy after mastectomy in patients requiring regional nodal irradiation. Eligibility Criteria: Patients ≥ 18 years with primary, non-inflammatory invasive breast cancer who have undergone mastectomy with or without immediate reconstruction and chest wall and regional nodal irradiation planned. Aims: To determine whether the 24 month complication rate (defined as grade 3 or greater late adverse events, and unplanned surgical intervention in patients who undergo mastectomy with reconstruction) of 15 fraction chest wall and regional node pencil beam scanning proton radiotherapy is acceptable relative to 25 fraction chest wall and regional nodal pencil beam scanning proton radiotherapy and worthy of further investigation. Statistical methods: The study is designed as a non-inferiority/superiority “hybrid” design using the approach of Freidlin et al. It is Using a one-sided type I error rate of 0.05 (corresponding equivalently to constructing a 1-sided 95% confidence limit), 72 evaluable patients will have 80% power to reject the null hypothesis that the 24-month complication rate in the experimental arm is higher than that of the control arm by more than 10% (i.e. rule out inferiority) under the alternative hypothesis that the complication rate in the experimental arm is 5% less than that of the control arm (i.e. superiority). However, the design will have only 41% power when the two treatment arms are equivalent (i.e. the complication rate is 10% for both arms). Accrual: The study opened in June 2016. Five of a planned eighty-two patients have been accrued to date. Citation Format: Mutter RW, Park SS, Hieken TJ, Vargas CE, Mei-Yin PC, Kathryn RJ, Hector VR, Kimberly CS, Elizabeth YS, Daniel VW. A randomized trial of 15 fraction vs 25 fraction pencil beam scanning proton radiotherapy after mastectomy in patients requiring regional nodal irradiation [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2016 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(4 Suppl):Abstract nr OT2-03-03.
Role of the Microbiota During Development of the Arthropod Vector Immune System

Abstract Arthropod disease vectors and the bacterial microbes they carry exhibit varying levels of coevolutionary integration, and these associations reflect distinct host–microbe physiological codependences. The mosquito microbiota, which is largely transient and environmentally acquired during larval and adult stages, facilitates host maturation and modulates vector competency during adulthood. Unlike mosquitoes, tsetse flies are obligate blood feeders and thus house a steadfast population of vertically transmitted obligate, commensal, and parasitic bacterial symbionts. Tsetse that undergo development in the absence of their indigenous microbiota are severely immunocompromised during adulthood. Specifically, these “aposymbiotic” flies lack a functional cellular immune system and fail to produce a structurally robust peritrophic matrix midgut barrier. Thus, aposymbiotic tsetse adults are unusually susceptible to systemic infection with normally nonpathogenic Escherichia coli and midgut infection with parasitic trypanosomes. Further studies related to deciphering molecular mechanisms that underlie microbiota-modulated maturation of the arthropod disease vector immune system can lead to the development of novel pathogen transmission blocking control strategies.
Supporting Breastfeeding Moms at Work: How a Doctor's Note Can Make the Difference

Abstract One of the most critical junctures for community support of breastfeeding is the mother's return to work. When breastfeeding workers have access to both time and space for expressing breast milk, they are more likely to breastfeed for the recommended term, yet many mothers still struggle to access these simple accommodations in their workplace. Healthcare providers can and should aid nursing mothers in accessing these accommodations. One tangible way to offer support for continued breastfeeding upon return to work is to provide notes for lactation accommodation in the workplace.
THU0707 Race & rehabilitation destination after total hip replacement

Background There are marked racial/ethnic disparities in the utilization of hip joint replacement in the US. Differences in post-surgical rehabilitation care may influence this disparity. There is relatively little research on racial variations in post-hip joint replacement surgery care processes. Objectives The main objective of this analysis was to examine racial differences in where patients go for post-acute care rehabilitation after elective hip replacement surgery. We also assessed whether or not where patients go for post-surgery rehabilitation care impacts quality of care markers such as 90-day hospital readmission. Methods A retrospective, large regional dataset analysis using the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council database was performed. Patients who underwent elective hip replacement surgery and discharged from Pennsylvania hospitals between fiscal years 2008–2012 were selected. Post-surgery rehabilitation destinations options included: home with self-care, home with home health (HH) care; skilled nursing facility (SNF) and in-patient rehab facility (IRF). We used multinomial logistic regression models to estimate unadjusted and adjusted relative risk ratios (aRRRs) of being discharged home with HH care, to a SNF or to an IRF (vs. home with self-care) after surgery, comparing African-American (AA) to white patients. Multivariable models adjusted for patient-level and facility-level variables associated (p Results Among all patients analyzed, 4,391 self-identified as AA and 63,625 self-identified as white. Among those The Figure summarizes the unadjusted (UN) and adjusted (ADJ) RRRs of referral to an IRF, SNF and HH care (vs. home self-care) in AAs (vs. whites) by age group. Among patients Conclusions Compared to whites, AA patients who underwent hip replacement were more likely to be discharged to an IRF or SNF. Furthermore, discharge to either IRF or SNF was associated with higher risk of hospital readmission. Disclosure of Interest None declared
Psychological reactance as a function of thought versus behavioral control

Abstract How can people persuade and influence others? One option is to directly target others' behavior through rules and incentives. Another increasingly popular option, however, is to focus on modifying what others think rather than how they behave, and hoping behaviors will then change as a result. The assumption underlying this latter approach is that targeting thoughts and attitudes might be easier or more effective than targeting behaviors. Drawing from psychological reactance theory (Brehm, 1966), we investigate whether efforts targeted at controlling what people think, rather than how they behave, will indeed be met with differing levels of psychological reactance. Across four studies, we find that people experience greater psychological reactance towards efforts to control their thoughts compared to efforts to control their behaviors. Specifically, thought control, compared to behavioral control, led people to experience greater anger and negativity, and to report lowered motivation to engage in requested behaviors (Study 1). These effects occurred, at least in part, because people perceived that those who try to control their thoughts are likely to try to control their behaviors too, but not vice versa. As a result, thought control elicited greater reactance than behavioral control because the former was perceived as more restrictive than the latter (Studies 2 & 3). We also address other explanations for why thought control may elicit more reactance than behavioral control (Study 4).
A Raman-Based Imaging Method for Characterizing the Molecular Adsorption and Spatial Distribution of Silver Nanoparticles on Hydrated Mineral Surfaces

Although minerals are known to affect the environmental fate and transformation of heavy-metal ions, little is known about their interaction with the heavily exploited silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Proposed here is a combination of hitherto under-utilized micro-Raman-based mapping and chemometric methods for imaging the distribution of AgNPs on various mineral surfaces and their molecular interaction mechanisms. The feasibility of the Raman-based imaging method was tested on two macro- and microsized mineral models, muscovite [KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2] and corundum (α-Al2O3), under key environmental conditions (ionic strength and pH). Both AgNPs– and AgNPs+ were found to covalently attach to corundum (pHpzc = 9.1) through the formation of Ag–O–Al– bonds and thereby to potentially experience reduced environmental mobility. Because label-free Raman imaging showed no molecular interactions between AgNPs– and muscovite (pHpzc = 7.5), a label-enhanced Raman imaging approach was developed for mapping the scarce spat...
Addressing Network Anxieties with Alternative Design Metaphors

Optimism and positivity permeate discourses of smart interactive network technologies. Yet we do not have to look too far or too deep to find anxieties knotting up on the horizon and festering below the network's glistening surface. This paper contributes a set of concepts, tactics, and novel design forms for addressing network anxieties generated through a design-led inquiry, or research through design approach. We present three technically grounded metaphors illustrated with examples selected from our exploratory design process. Weaving together concepts from surveillance studies, cultural studies, and other areas of the humanities with our visual and physical design work, we help draw attention to under-addressed concerns within HCI while proposing alternative ways of framing and engaging design issues arising with network technologies.
Reconstructing 3D Human Poses from Keyword Based Image Database Query

The focus of this paper lies on the creation of 3D hu- man skeleton from a set of 2D images. Unlike available approaches, which utilize a single 2D image for 3D recon- struction, the prosecuted approach utilities a set of multi- ple images, which are obtained from a simple query to the google image database. We only assume, that a query key- word can be linked to a set of images, which contain a rep- resentative subset related to the query. We expect the data to also contain false (i.e. non human-pose related) images. Our approach uses a human-pose based 3D shape context model for matching human-poses in 3D space, and filter them using a hierarchical binary clustering approach. The performance of this approach is evaluated using different query keywords.
Sexual health prevention for incarcerated women: eroticising safe sex during re-entry to the community

Introduction In the USA, incarcerated women are disproportionately affected by sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV. Transitioning from incarceration into the community is accompanied by elevated risk behaviours related to acquisition of STIs, yet few efficacious interventions address sexual health prevention among incarcerated women. Methods We conducted an exploratory qualitative study with 21 incarcerated women at four women’s state prison facilities in two Northeastern states in the USA. Qualitative data were gathered from four focus groups to guide future intervention development. Focus group discussions were guided by a semi-structured protocol exploring perceptions of sexual health prevention methods, experience with implementing prevention technologies and protective behaviours, and strategies to overcome challenges in implementing sexual health prevention behaviours. Focus groups were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results Women described challenges in uptake of existing low-cost sexual health prevention strategies such as condoms. They identified strategies to facilitate use of prevention tools, and to increase protective behaviours relating to sexual health during the transition from incarceration to the community. For example, women described methods for eroticising male and female condoms, including selecting condoms with novel features, explaining to partners that condoms could increase sexual pleasure, and incorporating condom application into foreplay and/or oral sex. Conclusion Incorporating these insights, including how to eroticise safe sex, can inform the design of future preventive interventions tailored to meet the urgent sexual health needs of incarcerated women preparing for reintegration into the community. Clinical trial registration NCT01907126.
Interactions between mushroom powder, sodium chloride, and bovine proteins and their effects on lipid oxidation products and consumer acceptability

Abstract The antioxidant capacity of dried Agaricus bisporus mushrooms (DAB) in beef has previously been assessed. However, interactions between lipid oxidation products, mushroom polyphenols, and bovine proteins present in beef to explain the mushroom's antioxidative effect, has not been determined. Oven-dried or lyophilized DAB with and without 15 g NaCl/kg beef (1.5%) or 20 g NaCl/kg beef (2%) were added to sarcoplasmic protein homogenates from top round beef. Malondialdehyde and volatile aldehyde binding to sarcoplasmic protein (SP) were monitored. Oven dried had 64% higher total phenolic compared to lyophilized DAB, leading to ∼50% lower malondialdehyde content in beef with oven dried DAB compared to lyophilized DAB. The addition of 20 g NaCl/kg beef (2%) acted as a pro-oxidant, while addition of 15 g NaCl/kg beef (1.5%) increased binding of lipid oxidation (LOX) products to SP. The results suggest that addition of mushrooms to beef can enhance the binding of sarcoplasmic protein to lipid oxidation products, thereby decreasing lipid oxidation compounds.
Observer performance with varying radiation dose and reconstruction methods for detection of hepatic metastases

This experience with a single CT platform, and the range of lower doses with performance noninferior to routine dose levels, shows that substantial dose reduction in contrast-enhanced abdominal CT ...
Optimal Weighted Wilcoxon–Mann–Whitney Test for Prioritized Outcomes

We consider a two-group randomized clinical trial of prioritized endpoints, where mortality affects the assessment of a follow-up continuous outcome. With the continuous outcome as the principal outcome, we combine it with mortality via the worst-rank paradigm into a single composite endpoint. Then, we develop a weighted Wilcoxon–Mann–Whitney test statistic to analyze the data. We determine the optimal weights for the Wilcoxon–Mann–Whitney test statistic that maximize its power. We provide the rationale for the weights and their implications in the application of the method. In addition, we derive a formula for its power and demonstrate its accuracy in simulations. Finally, we apply the method to data from an acute ischemic stroke clinical trial of normobaric oxygen therapy.
Diffuse Interstellar Bands versus Known Atomic and Molecular Species in the Interstellar Medium of M82 toward SN 2014J

We discuss the absorption due to various constituents of the interstellar medium (ISM) of M82 seen in moderately high-resolution, high signal-to-noise ratio optical spectra of SN 2014J. Complex absorption from M82 is seen, at velocities 45 v LSR 260 km s–1, for Na I, K I, Ca I, Ca II, CH, CH+, and CN; many of the diffuse interstellar bands (DIBs) are also detected. Comparisons of the column densities of the atomic and molecular species and the equivalent widths of the DIBs reveal both similarities and differences in relative abundances, compared to trends seen in the ISM of our Galaxy and the Magellanic Clouds. Of the 10 relatively strong DIBs considered here, 6 (including λ5780.5) have strengths within ±20% of the mean values seen in the local Galactic ISM, for comparable N(K I); 2 are weaker by 20%-45% and 2 (including λ5797.1) are stronger by 25%-40%. Weaker than expected DIBs (relative to N(K I), N(Na I), and E(B – V)) in some Galactic sight lines and toward several other extragalactic supernovae appear to be associated with strong CN absorption and/or significant molecular fractions. While the N(CH)/N(K I) and N(CN)/N(CH) ratios seen toward SN 2014J are similar to those found in the local Galactic ISM, the combination of high N(CH+)/N(CH) and high W(5797.1)/W(5780.5) ratios has not been seen elsewhere. The centroids of many of the M82 DIBs are shifted relative to the envelope of the K I profile—likely due to component-to-component variations in W(DIB)/N(K I) that may reflect the molecular content of the individual components. We compare estimates for the host galaxy reddening E(B – V) and visual extinction A V derived from the various interstellar species with the values estimated from optical and near-IR photometry of SN 2014J.
Structural insight into transmissive mutant huntingtin species by correlative light and electron microscopy and cryo-electron tomography.

Abstract Aggregates of mutant huntingtin (mHTT) containing an expanded polyglutamine (polyQ) tract are hallmarks of Huntington's Disease (HD). Studies have shown that mHTT can spread between cells, leading to the propagation of misfolded protein pathology. However, the structure of transmissive mHTT species, and the molecular mechanisms underlying their transmission remain unknown. Using correlative light and electron microscopy (CLEM) and cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET), we identified two types of aggregation-prone granules in conditioned medium from PC12 cells expressing a mHTT N-terminal fragment: densities enclosed by extracellular vesicles (EVs), and uncoated, amorphous meshworks of heterogeneous oligomers that co-localize with clusters of EVs. In vitro assays confirmed that liposomes induce condensation of polyQ oligomers into higher-order assemblies, resembling the uncoated meshworks observed in PC12 conditioned medium. Our findings provide novel insights into formation and architecture of transmissive mHTT proteins, and highlight the potential role of EVs as both carriers and modulators of transmissive mHTT proteins.