cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 2400: Complex gut microbiota modulate rat colon adenoma susceptibility, metabolites, and host gene expression

We used a multi-omics approach to identify signatures of differential susceptibility in the F344/NTac-Apc+/Pirc (Pirc) rat model of familial adenomatous polyposis. We assessed how different gut microbiomes (GMs) effect the metabolome and host transcriptome to reveal mechanisms of susceptibility. We previously found that differences in the GM are causative determinants of cancer susceptibility using complex microbiota targeted rederivation (CMTR), in which isogenic Pirc rat embryos are transferred into surrogate dams each harboring distinct specific pathogen free gut microbiota: GM-1 and GM-2. Fecal samples collected from CMTR Pirc rats at 1 month of age were analyzed using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (UHPLC/MS) to assess the impact of bacterial metabolites on disease susceptibility. At 6 months of age animals were sacrificed, tumor burden assessed, and normal colonic epithelium (NE) and tumor (T) tissues were collected for RNASeq analysis. Metabolomic analysis identified several features that were unique to either GM-1 or GM-2, and principal component analysis revealed a significant separation of the groups. Based on mass-charge ratios, 117 features were significantly different between the groups, of which 28 were putatively identifiable metabolites through the HMDB (Human Metabolite Database) and METLIN databases. Hierarchical cluster analysis of the 1 month metabolome data based on Euclidean distance measurements (Ward9s algorithm) showed separation of samples based on tumor burden at sacrifice. Metabolites present prior to observable disease onset at 1 month were correlated with adenoma burden 5 months later. RNAseq between GM-1 and GM-2 tissues identified 2173 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the normal epithelium, and 3406 DEGs between tumor groups (FDR Citation Format: Susheel Bhanu Busi, Zhentian Lei, Lloyd Sumner, James Amos-Landgraf. Complex gut microbiota modulate rat colon adenoma susceptibility, metabolites, and host gene expression [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 2400.
Cooperative rendezvous protocols for improved performance and overlap

With the emergence of larger multi-/many-core clusters and new areas of HPC applications, performance of large message communication is becoming more important. MPI libraries use different rendezvous protocols to perform large message communication. However, existing rendezvous protocols do not take the overall communication pattern into account or make optimal use of the Sender and the Receiver CPUs. In this work, we propose a cooperative rendezvous protocol that can provide up to 2x improvement in intra-node bandwidth and latency for large messages. We also propose designs to dynamically choose the best rendezvous protocol for each message based on the overall communication pattern. Finally, we show how these improvements can increase the overlap of intra-node communication and computation with inter-node communication and lead to application level benefits at scale. We evaluate the proposed designs on three different architectures - Intel Xeon, Knights Landing, and OpenPOWER against state-of-the-art MPI libraries including MVAPICH2 and Open MPI. Compared to existing designs, the proposed designs show benefits of up to 19% with Graph500, 16% with CoMD, and 10% with MiniGhost.
The role of intraperitoneal ropivacaine in laparoscopic appendicectomy: a prospective, double-blinded randomized control Australian study

Background Currently, intraoperative use of local anaesthetic is not routinely given in all laparoscopic appendicectomies. Although its use has been widely studied in laparoscopic hernia repairs, gynaecological laparoscopy and laparoscopic cholecystectomies, there are no published trials of the use of intraperitoneal local anaesthetic during laparoscopic appendicectomy in the Australasian setting. The aim of this study was to determine whether the use of intraperitoneal ropivacaine during laparoscopic appendicectomy will reduce the amount of post-operative opiate analgesia used, abdominal pain, post-operative nausea or vomiting, shoulder tip pain and length of hospital stay. Methods A randomized double-blinded placebo versus control trial was conducted with patients with clinically diagnosed appendicitis undergoing laparoscopic appendicectomy. Primary outcomes measured were the number of times the patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) button was pressed post-operatively and the average and total amount of fentanyl from PCA consumed during the post-operative period from 0 to 6 h and from 6 to 16 h. Results A total of 86 patients with 43 patients in the placebo normal saline group and 43 patients in the treatment ropivacaine group were included in the study. During the immediate post-operative period (0-6 h), there was a statistically significant reduction in the number of times the PCA button was pressed in the ropivacaine group compared to the normal saline group (16 versus 24 times, P = 0.02). Conclusion Intraperitoneal ropivacaine has an analgesic effect for patients up to 6 h following emergency laparoscopic appendicectomy.
Predictors of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea: identification of sex differences

Home sleep apnea tests are recommended only for patients at high risk of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA, apnea-hypopnea index [AHI] ≥ 15/h). We evaluated 14 factors known to be associated with OSA and identified sex differences in predictors of moderate to severe OSA. Retrospective analysis was done on 545 subjects who completed sleep questionnaires and underwent diagnostic polysomnogram at a tertiary sleep center. Univariate and multivariate analysis was conducted separately in males and females to determine which variables were independent predictors of moderate to severe OSA. Overall, physical traits were stronger predictors in both males and females. For each sex, only 3 variables were found to be independently predictive of moderate to severe OSA. In order of predictive strength, this included body mass index (BMI) ≥ 38 kg/m2 (aOR 5.80, p < 0.001), neck circumference (NC) ≥ 17 in. (aOR 2.52, p = 0.002), and Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) ≥ 13 (aOR 2.22, p = 0.015) for males and age ≥ 50 years (aOR 4.19, p < 0.001), NC ≥ 14.5 in. (aOR 3.13, p = 0.003), and report of morning headaches (aOR 2.00, p = 0.039) for females. Applying the Bonferroni correction, BMI and NC remained significant for males, and age and NC remained significant for females. In a subject population referred for sleep evaluation at a tertiary care center only a few variables are independently predictive of moderate to severe OSA, and these variables differed between males and females. Only BMI, NC, and a high ESS were independently predictive of moderate to severe OSA in males, whereas age, NC, and morning headaches were independently predictive in females.
Potential Therapeutic Impacts of Curcumin for Improving Memory Impairment

Abstract Curcumin is a natural polyphenol isolated from turmeric, the rhizome of the Curcuma longa. Curcumin has been consumed for medicinal purposes for thousands of years. Lately, interest in curcumin research has increased significantly due to substantial studies, indicating a plethora of biological and pharmacological properties, including antioxidant, antiinflammatory, immunomodulatory, and neuroprotective activities. Curcumin decreases oxidative stress and neuroinflammatory responses and improves cognitive dysfunction caused by exposure to β-amyloid plaques. Its neuroprotective role is exerted via brain-derived neurotrophic factor upregulation and tropomyocin receptor kinase B receptor signaling. Oral administration of curcumin has been reported to improve memory in aged rodents. The interconnection between oxidative stress and inflammation is considered as a key determinant of brain aging and cognitive decline. Curcumin is extremely safe. It is likely that in near future, curcumin may be proposed as a potential therapeutic drug against neurodegenerative diseases, because memory impairment is one of the most common complaints in these patients.
Acceptability of a mindfulness intervention for depressive symptoms among African-American women in a community health center: A qualitative study.

Abstract Introduction In this study we examined the acceptability and feasibility of a mindfulness based group intervention for socio-economically disadvantaged women in an urban community health center (M-Body). Method Women ages 18–65 with depressive symptoms who participated in an 8-week mindfulness based group intervention were invited to attend follow up focus groups about their experience. Inductive content analysis was used to identify themes from transcripts. Results All participants were African-American (N = 27). Participants had limited past experience with mindfulness. They reported benefits included anger management, increased control of thoughts, emotions and behaviors, enhanced awareness/focus and feeling calm and relaxed. Barriers to session attendance included transportation, employment, family responsibilities and child care. Participants suggested modifications such as providing the audio in multiple formats, increasing time spent doing yoga, modifying yoga postures and providing an orientation session. They stated that the content and delivery format of the group was acceptable. Discussion The mindfulness based intervention for depression was acceptable, reduced stress and improved coping and functioning among women in a community health center.
What is Killing Moore's Law? Challenges in Advanced FinFET Technology Integration

First microprocessor released to the market in 1971 was consisting of 2300 transistors. Following Moore's law less than five decades later consumer electronic chips consist of billions of transistor reaching densities as much as 100 million transistors in square millimeter Several times in the past it was predicted that technological barriers would slow or even stop CMOS technology scaling trend. Despite these predictions, the monetary benefit of growth has been driving massive research and pathways have been Lays found around those barriers. In 2011 a 3-D tri-gate transistor structure, FinFET, has been introduced into CMOS mainstream manufacturing which was a pathway replacing running out of steam planar technology. However, similarly to the planar technology now FinFET scaling is running out of steam due to difficult technological barriers and integration challenges. In 2021 year last CMOS technology node based on FinFET might be released for production. Difficulties and technology integration challenges outlined in this paper may end 10-year era of FinFET technology.
De aviación, aves cantoras y nostalgia: La tórtola del Ajusco, de Julio Sesto, como figura del recuerdo

Aqui se analizara una novela hasta ahora ignorada: La tortola del Ajusco, escrita por Julio Sesto y publicada en 1915. Contando con las teorias de memoria cultural propuestas por el arqueologo aleman Jan Assman, argumentare que el texto de Sesto constituye una ‘figura del recuerdo’. Tambien recurrire a las teorias del filosofo aleman Walter Benjamin y las del critico literario Raymond Williams para evaluar La tortola del Ajusco como un ejemplo de historicismo evolucionista vulgar-- una intervencion literaria que privilegia la cultura residual si no ‘caduca’ del Porfiriato. Here, I shall examine a yet unstudied novel: Julio Sesto’s La tortola del Ajusco , published in 1915. By activating theories of collective memory as elaborated by German archeologist Jan Assman, I claim that Sesto’s novel constitutes a ‘figure of memory’. I shall also invoke the theories of German philosopher Walter Benjamin as well as those of literary critic Raymond Williams, and thus evaluate La tortola del Ajusco as a type of vulgar evolutionist historicism—literary intervention that privileges a ‘residual’ or even expired culture.
Trithiol compounds—tricky but valuable: the design and synthesis of ligands for stabilizing radioarsenic for radiopharmaceutical development

Abstract This chapter describes the development of novel trithiols for use as bifunctional chelators for no-carrier-added arsenic radioisotopes. A model trithiol (2-ethyl-2-(mercaptomethyl)propane) was synthesized with thiocyanate protecting groups, and the radioarsenic chemistry was developed. Conversion of the model trithiol into a bifunctional trithiol chelator that was amenable to peptide or antibody conjugation proved to be challenging. The first analogue involved using Cu(II)-mediated click chemistry to add a carboxylic acid moiety for peptide conjugation resulted in a very lipophilic radioarsenic bioconjugate. Synthesis of a hydrophilic trithiol conjugate involved redesign of the synthetic scheme, including changing the starting material (isophthalic acid rather than 1,1,1-tris(hydroxymethyl)propane), the thiol protecting groups (trityl rather than thiocyanate), and the leaving groups (bromide rather than tosyl) utilized.
Peptidoglycan Hydrolases RipA and Ami1 Are Critical for Replication and Persistence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the Host

ABSTRACT Synthesis and cleavage of the cell wall polymer peptidoglycan (PG) are carefully orchestrated processes and are essential for the growth and survival of bacteria. Yet, the function and importance of many enzymes that act on PG in Mycobacterium tuberculosis remain to be elucidated. We demonstrate that the activity of the N-acetylmuramyl-l-alanine amidase Ami1 is dispensable for cell division in M. tuberculosisin vitro yet contributes to the bacterium’s ability to persist during chronic infection in mice. Furthermore, the d,l-endopeptidase RipA, a predicted essential enzyme, is dispensable for the viability of M. tuberculosis but required for efficient cell division in vitro and in vivo. Depletion of RipA sensitizes M. tuberculosis to rifampin and to cell envelope-targeting antibiotics. Ami1 helps sustain residual cell division in cells lacking RipA, but the partial redundancy provided by Ami1 is not sufficient during infection, as depletion of RipA prevents M. tuberculosis from replicating in macrophages and leads to dramatic killing of the bacteria in mice. Notably, RipA is essential for persistence of M. tuberculosis in mice, suggesting that cell division is required during chronic mouse infection. Despite the multiplicity of enzymes acting on PG with redundant functions, we have identified two PG hydrolases that are important for M. tuberculosis to replicate and persist in the host. IMPORTANCE Tuberculosis (TB) is a major global heath burden, with 1.6 million people succumbing to the disease every year. The search for new drugs to improve the current chemotherapeutic regimen is crucial to reducing this global health burden. The cell wall polymer peptidoglycan (PG) has emerged as a very successful drug target in bacterial pathogens, as many currently used antibiotics target the synthesis of this macromolecule. However, the multitude of genes encoding PG-synthesizing and PG-modifying enzymes with apparent redundant functions has hindered the identification of novel drug targets in PG synthesis in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Here, we demonstrate that two PG-cleaving enzymes are important for virulence of M. tuberculosis. In particular, the d,l-endopeptidase RipA represents a potentially attractive drug target, as its depletion results in the clearance of M. tuberculosis from the host and renders the bacteria hypersusceptible to rifampin, a frontline TB drug, and to several cell wall-targeting antibiotics.
Posttraumatic stress in breast cancer survivors diagnosed at a young age

OBJECTIVE Young breast cancer patients experience greater psychosocial distress compared with older patients, which raises concern for their risk of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We sought to characterize the prevalence of clinically significant symptoms of PTSD and associated factors among breast cancer survivors diagnosed at a young age. METHODS The Young Women's Breast Cancer Study, an ongoing prospective cohort study, enrolled 1302 women diagnosed with breast cancer at age ≤ 40 between 2006 and 2016. Participants complete serial surveys, and we obtained additional information from medical record review. Socio-demographics, anxiety and depression, social support, and psychiatric co-morbidities and medications were assessed at study baseline (median, 5 months post-diagnosis). We defined a participant as having clinically significant posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) by scoring ≥50 on the PTSD Checklist-Specific Version, administered on the 30-month survey. RESULTS Among 700 women with stage 1-3 disease, the prevalence of PTSS was 6.3% (95%CI = 4.5-8.1). In multivariable analyses, PTSS was significantly associated with anxiety (OR 12.43, 95%CI = 5.81-26.59, P < .0001) and stage 2 vs 1 disease (OR 2.26, 95%CI = 1.04-4.93, P = .04). PTSS was inversely associated with having a college degree (OR 0.29, 95%CI = 0.13-0.62, P = .002) and greater social support (OR 0.44, 95%CI = 0.21-0.94, P = .03). CONCLUSIONS We found similar rates of cancer-related PTSS in breast cancer survivors diagnosed at a young age compared with the general breast cancer population despite their well-documented increased risk of overall distress. Nevertheless, factors associated with posttraumatic stress should be considered at diagnosis and in survivorship to identify young patients who may benefit from psychosocial resources.
A single-arm clinical trial investigating the effectiveness of a non-hormonal, hyaluronic acid-based vaginal moisturizer in endometrial cancer survivors.

Abstract Objective To assess the efficacy of non-hormonal, hyaluronic acid (HLA)-based vaginal gel in improving vulvovaginal estrogen-deprivation symptoms in women with a history of endometrial cancer. Methods For this single-arm, prospective, longitudinal trial, we enrolled disease-free women with a history of endometrial cancer who underwent surgery (total hysterectomy) and postoperative radiation. Participants used HLA daily for the first 2 weeks, and then 3×/week until weeks 12–14; dosage was then increased to 5×/week for non-responders. Vulvovaginal symptoms and pH were assessed at 4 time points (baseline [T1]; 4–6 weeks [T2]; 12–14 weeks [T3]; 22–24 weeks [T4]) with clinical evaluation, the Vaginal Assessment Scale (VAS), Vulvar Assessment Scale (VuAS), Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), and Menopausal Symptom Checklist (MSCL). Results Of 43 patients, mean age was 59 years (range, 38–78); 54% (23/43) were partnered; and 49% (21/43) were sexually active. VAS, VuAS, MSCL, and SAQ (Sexual Activity Questionnaire) scores significantly improved from baseline to each assessment point (all p 6.5) decreased from 30% (13/43) at T1 to 19% (5/26) at T4 (p = .41). Conclusion The HLA-based gel improved vulvovaginal health and sexual function of endometrial cancer survivors in perceived symptoms and clinical exam outcomes. HLA administration 1–2×/week is recommended for women in natural menopause; a 3–5×/week schedule appears more effective for symptom relief in cancer survivors.
Isolated progression of metastatic lung cancer: Clinical outcomes associated with definitive radiotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Progressive, metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) often requires the initiation of new systemic therapy. However, in patients with NSCLC that is oligoprogressive (≤3 lesions), local radiotherapy (RT) may allow for the eradication of resistant microclones and, therefore, the continuation of otherwise effective systemic therapy. METHODS: Patients treated from 2008 to 2019 with definitive doses of RT to all sites of intracranial or extracranial oligoprogression without a change in systemic therapy were identified. Radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS) and time to new therapy (TNT) were measured. Associations between baseline clinical and treatment-related variables were correlated with progression-free survival via Cox proportional hazards modeling. RESULTS: Among 198 unique patients, 253 oligoprogressive events were identified. Intracranial progression occurred in 51% of the patients, and extracranial progression occurred in 49%. In the entire cohort, the median rPFS was 7.9 months (95% CI, 6.5-10.0 months), and the median TNT was 8.8 months (95% CI, 7.2-10.9 months). On adjusted modeling, patients with the following disease characteristics were associated with better rPFS: better performance status (P = .003), fewer metastases (P = .03), longer time to oligoprogression (P = .009), and fewer previous systemic therapies (P = .02). Having multiple sites of oligoprogression was associated with worse rPFS (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: In select patients with oligoprogression, definitive RT is a feasible treatment option to delay the initiation of next-line systemic therapies, which have more limited response rates and efficacy. Further randomized prospective data may help to validate these findings and identify which patients are most likely to benefit.
Conducted Emissions Suppression of Active Front End (AFE) Drive Based on Random Switching Frequency PWM

One of the major issues with pulsewidth modulation (PWM) is that considerable conducted emissions will be generated from power electronics converters. Random modulations are considered one of the viable solutions to reduce conducted electromagnetic interference (EMI) without adding bulky passive filtering components. Literature that investigates the application of such techniques in active front end (AFE) drives is limited. In this article, a novel random switching frequency PWM (RSF-PWM) is proposed for a grid-tied AFE drive to suppress conducted emissions. The statistical behavior of switching frequency is based on uniform distribution. Simulation and experiments are carried out on a 10-hp AFE drive. Results demonstrate that the proposed RSF-PWM can effectively reduce conducted EMI by approximately 20 dB within low-frequency range, compared with conventional constant switching frequency PWM.
Mechanical Thrombectomy for Large Vessel Occlusions in Cocaine Associated Acute Ischemic Stroke: Small Case Series and Review of the Literature.

Abstract Introduction Cocaine through multifactorial pathogenetic mechanisms causes small and large vessel occlusions (LVO) leading to acute ischemic stroke. The optimal treatment for cocaine related LVO remains unknown. Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) poses a unique challenge, and successful MT are not widely reported. Material and Methods We report three patients with no other risk factors and a common history of cocaine metabolites found on presentation drug screen who underwent MT for MCA occlusions with subsequent failed recanalization or vessel re-occlusion due to persistent thrombosis and severe vasospasm.Two patients initially had good revascularization but then developed severe vasospasm and reoccluded, and the remaining patient had persistent severe distal vasospasm. Rescue therapy either with balloon angioplasty with stent placement or intraarterial vasodilator was used in all patients and was ineffective. All patient had large hemispheric strokes and developed malignant cerebral edema requiring hemicraniectomy in two of them. We also did literature review and summarized previously reported cases of cocaine associated vasospasm in MT and other endovascular procedures. Conclusion In this case series, cocaine induced vasospasm contributed to unsuccessful recanalization and reocclusion in patients undergoing MT with poor outcomes. Further studies are needed to ascertain strategies for improved outcomes in patients with LVO related to cocaine use.
FMEA occurrence values for four failure modes occurring using look-up tables for dose calculations.

PURPOSE For a number of different treatment types [such as Total Body Irradiation (TBI), etc.] most institutions utilize tables from commissioned databooks to perform the dose calculations. Each time one manually looks up data from a large table and then copies the numbers for a manual calculation, there is potential for errors. While a second check effectively mitigates the potential error from such calculations, information regarding the frequency and nature of such mistakes is important to develop protocols and workflows that avoid related errors. METHODS Five years' worth of TBI calculations were reviewed. Each calculation was re-performed and evaluated against the original calculation and original second check. Any discrepancies were noted and those discrepancies were checked to see if the number was the result of misreading from the look-up table, a typo, copying/skipping partially redundant steps, or rounding/avoiding interpolation. The number of calculations that contained these various types of discrepancies was tallied and percentages representing the frequency of said discrepancies were derived. RESULTS All of the discrepancies only resulted in a monitor unit (MU) calculation difference of <1.7%. Typos, looking up wrong values from tables, rounding/avoiding interpolation, and skipping steps occurred in 10.4% ( ± 3.1%), 6.3% ( ± 2.5%), 53.1% ( ± 5.1%), and 4.2% ( ± 2.0%) of MU calculations, respectively. CONCLUSIONS While all of the discrepancies only resulted in a monitor unit (MU) calculation difference of <1.7%, this review shows how frequently various discrepancies can occur. Typos and rounding/avoiding interpolation are the steps most likely to potentially cause a miscalculation of MU. To avoid direct human interaction on such a large repetitive scale, creating forms that calculate MU automatically from initial measurement data would reduce the incidences that numbers are written/transcribed and eliminate the need to look up data in a table, thus reducing the chance for error.
Leukemia vaccine overcomes limitations of checkpoint blockade by evoking clonal T cell responses in a murine acute myeloid leukemia model

We have developed a personalized vaccine whereby patient derived leukemia cells are fused to autologous dendritic cells, evoking a polyclonal T cell response against shared and neo-antigens. We postulated that the dendritic cell (DC)/AML fusion vaccine would demonstrate synergy with checkpoint blockade by expanding tumor antigen specific lymphocytes that would provide a critical substrate for checkpoint blockade mediated activation. Using an immunocompetent murine leukemia model, we examined the immunologic response and therapeutic efficacy of vaccination in conjunction with checkpoint blockade with respect to leukemia engraftment, disease burden, survival and the induction of tumor specific immunity. Mice treated with checkpoint blockade alone had rapid leukemia progression and demonstrated only a modest extension of survival. Vaccination with DC/AML fusions resulted in the expansion of tumor specific lymphocytes and disease eradication in a subset of animals, while the combination of vaccination and checkpoint blockade induced a fully protective tumor specific immune response in all treated animals. Vaccination followed by checkpoint blockade resulted in upregulation of genes regulating activation and proliferation in memory and effector T cells. Long term survivors exhibited increased T cell clonal diversity and were resistant to subsequent tumor challenge. The combined DC/AML fusion vaccine and checkpoint blockade treatment offers unique synergy inducing the durable activation of leukemia specific immunity, protection from lethal tumor challenge and the selective expansion of tumor reactive clones.
Reproductive traits of the egg parasitoid Aprostocetus fukutai, a promising biological control agent for invasive citrus longhorned beetle Anoplophora chinensis

Aprostocetus fukutai (Miwa & Sonan) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) is the only known egg parasitoid of the citrus longhorned beetle Anoplophora chinensis Forster (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), a high-risk invasive pest of hardwood trees. Native to East Asia, A. fukutai has been accidentally introduced in northern Italy, where it has 1–2 generations per year, overwinters as diapausing mature larvae within host eggs, and adults emerge in early summer in synchrony with the egg deposition of its host. As part of the efforts to develop a biological control program using this specialist parasitoid, this study investigated some of its key reproductive traits, including egg maturation dynamics, host egg age preference, clutch size, and lifetime fecundity under quarantine laboratory conditions. Newly emerged adult females after winter diapause had a substantial proportion (43.7%) of their lifetime complement of mature eggs and matured additional eggs rapidly, reaching a peak 4–8 days post-emergence. The parasitoid preferred to attack 1–3 day old over 4–7 or 7–10 day old host eggs. Adults of the first (overwintering) generation were more fecund than those of the second (summer) generation. Females of the first and second generations parasitized 3.6 and 2.8 hosts, produced 11.2 and 9.6 offspring per parasitized host for a total of 37.5 and 24.7 offspring with sex ratio of 85.3 and 82.8% females over their lifetime, respectively. These results provide novel information that may help improve protocols for future rearing, study, or field-release of this parasitoid against A. chinensis.
Aging and male sexuality: The social context

Sexuality evolves throughout our lives, and is shaped by social conventions that give meaning and significance to life events and influence individual responses in keeping with the values and expectations prevailing at that time. According to lifespan developmental theory (Baltes, 1987), people move through identifiable phases or periods requiring adaptation to personal or environmental changes that alter social roles, personal identity, and expectations. Individual adaptation to life events is not just a passive phenomenon, but a dynamic process that is influenced by the social context in which adult transitions take place. Socialization processes, with their implied expectations, norms, and values, help shape the sexual thoughts, interest, and activities of older individuals. The aged may incorporate these normative sanctions and perceive them not only as external constraints but also as a reflection of their personal values and preferences. Social attitudes toward aging and sexuality Cultural stereotypes about the sexuality of aging people are embedded in general negative attitudes towards the aged. Several authors have written about negative beliefs that prevail in Western societies concerning the aged (Hendricks and Hendricks, 1977; Rogers, 1979; Hultsch and Deutsch, 1981). Butler (1969) coined the term ‘ageism’ to indicate prejudicial attitudes toward older people, as well as discriminatory practices against this social group. Sexuality is popularly viewed as a youth-oriented activity. Prevailing social stigmas are that sexual interest and activity among the aged is inappropriate, that elderly people are either uninterested or unable to engage in sex and that they are physically unattractive and therefore sexually undesirable (Riportella-Muller, 1989).
A nonalgebraic attractor in P^2

We construct a nonalgebraic attractor for a holomorphic mapping on p2. The construction uses ideas from one-dimensional complex dynamics.
Online Privacy and Price Discrimination

When a firm is able to recognize its previous customers, it may use information about their purchase histories to price discriminate. We analyze a model with a monopolist and a continuum of heterogeneous consumers, where consumers are able to maintain their anonymity and avoid being identified as past customers, possibly at an (exogenous) cost. When consumers can costlessly maintain their anonymity, they all individually choose to do so, which paradoxically results in the highest profit for the firm. Increasing the cost of anonymity can benefit consumers, but only up to a point, after which the effect is reversed.
Two-step polymerase chain reactions and restriction endonuclease analyses detect and differentiate ompA DNA of Chlamydia spp

Specific and sensitive amplification of major outer membrane protein (MOMP) gene (ompA) DNA sequences of Chlamydia species with various MOMP genotypes was achieved by a two-step polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Degenerate, inosine-containing oligonucleotide primers homologous to the 5' and 3' ends of the translated regions of all chlamydial MOMP genes were used in a PCR to amplify a DNA fragment of approximately 1,120 bp. A portion of this DNA fragment was amplified in a second genus-specific reaction that yielded a DNA fragment of approximately 930 bp. A pair of degenerate oligonucleotide primers homologous to internal sequences of the primary DNA fragment was used in this PCR. This method detected three cognate chlamydial genomes in a background of 1 microgram of unrelated DNA. MOMP genes of 13 representative chlamydial MOMP genotypes of the species C. trachomatis, C. pneumoniae, and C. psittaci were amplified. In a secondary PCR, group-specific detection was achieved by the simultaneous use of one genus-specific primer and three primers derived from different fingerprint regions of three major groups of chlamydiae. This multiplex PCR differentiated the groups by the length of the amplified DNA fragments and detected the simultaneous presence of DNA sequences of the Chlamydia spp. with different MOMP genotypes. Further differentiation as ompA restriction fragment length polymorphism types among all chlamydial strains with the various MOMP genotypes analyzed here was achieved by restriction endonuclease analysis of the secondary PCR products. DNA sequences corresponding to the ompA restriction fragment length polymorphism type B577 of C. psittaci were detected in two of seven milk samples from cases of bovine mastitis.
The versatile GBT astronomical spectrometer (VEGAS): Current status and future plans

The VEGAS multi-beam spectrometer (VEGAS) was built for the Green Bank Telescope (GBT) through a partnership between the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) and the University of California at Berkeley. VEGAS is based on a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) frontend and a heterogeneous computing backend comprised of Graphical Processing Units (GPUs) and CPUs. This system provides processing power to analyze up to 8 dual-polarization or 16 single-polarization inputs at bandwidths of up to 1.25 GHz per input. VEGAS was released for “shared-risk” observing in March 2014 and it became the default GBT spectral line backend in August 2014. Some of the early VEGAS observations include the Radio Ammonia Mid-Plane Survey, mapping of HCN/HCO+ in nearby galaxies, and a variety of radio-recombination line and pulsar projects. We will present some of the latest VEGAS science highlights.
The Emergence of Industrial Control Networks for Manufacturing Control, Diagnostics, and Safety Data

The most notable trend in manufacturing over the past five years is probably the move towards networks at all levels. At lower levels in the factory infrastructure, networks provide higher reliability, visibility, and diagnosability, and enable capabilities such as distributed control, diagnostics, safety, and device interoperability. At higher levels, networks can leverage internet services to enable factory-wide automated scheduling, control, and diagnostics; improve data storage and visibility; and open the door to e-manufacturing. This paper explores current trends in the use of networks for distributed, multilevel control, diagnostics, and safety. Network performance characteristics such as delay, delay variability, and determinism are evaluated in the context of networked control applications. This paper also discusses future networking trends in each of these categories and describes the actual application of all three categories of networks on a reconfigurable factory testbed (RFT) at the University of Michigan. Control, diagnostics, and safety systems are all enabled in the RFT utilizing multitier networked technology including DeviceNet, PROFIBUS, OPC, wired and wireless Ethernet, and SafetyBUS p. This paper concludes with a discussion of trends in industrial networking, including the move to wireless for all categories, and the issues that must be addressed to realize these trends
Multiwavelength modelocked laser arrays for WDM applications

Multi-wavelength arrays of colliding pulse mode-locked (CPM) lasers have been demonstrated for wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) applications. The need for increased bandwidth is driving the development of both increased speed in time division multiplexing (TDM) and more channels in WDM for fiber optic communication systems.
Prospective evaluation of a new biointact parathyroid hormone assay

Abstract The rapid intraoperative parathyroid hormone (PTH) assay (Standard) has revolutionized the surgical management of hyperparathyroidism (HPTH). A new Biointact assay has been introduced which selectively measures the intact PTH molecule. We performed a prospective real-time intraoperative evaluation of these two techniques. Methods. Fifty-two patients (mean age 53 years; 85% female) with HPTH underwent parathyroid exploration employing both assays. A positive intraoperative PTH result was defined as a postresection PTH drop of at least 50% (PTH 50 ). Mean PTH levels, time-to-PTH 50 correlations, and informative results were compared between each assay. Results. Baseline PTH levels determined by each assay were similar (125.8 ± 143.1 versus 124.3 ± 142.9 pg/mL). Pearson’s correlations ranged from 0.98 at baseline to 0.74 at 15 min following curative resection. The mean time-to-PTH 50 was similar for the Biointact and Standard assays: 5.3 and 4.6 min, respectively. However, in 7 patients (13.5%) the Biointact assay saved 5.0 ± 0.0 minutes, whereas in 12 patients (23.1%) the Standard assay saved 6.0 ± 1.9 minutes. There were no cases of cure--prediction discordance. Conclusions. The intraoperative performances of both rapid PTH assays are similar and excellent; both were correct for 100% of cases. Although the new Biointact assay confirmed an adequate resection in an equal or more rapid fashion than the Standard assay in 40 of 52 patients (77%), this benefit was limited. The Biointact assay is nearly completely automated and this, as well as its advantages in testing patients with impaired renal clearance, is likely to result in it becoming the assay of choice during parathyroid surgery.
Multi-commodity warehouse location and distribution planning with inventory consideration

We consider the problem of designing a distribution network for a logistics provider that acquires products from multiple facilities and then delivers those products to many retail outlets. Potential locations for consolidation facilities that combine shipments for cost reduction and service improvements are considered. The problem is formulated with direct shipment and consolidation opportunities. A novel mathematical model is derived to solve a complex facility location problem determining: (i) the location and capacity level of warehouses to open; (ii) the distribution route from each production facility to each retailer outlet; and (iii) the quantity of products stocked at each warehouse and retailer. A genetic algorithm and a specific problem heuristic are designed, tested and compared on several realistic scenarios.
The Effect of Bereavement upon Death-Related Attitudes and Fears

This article reviews and critiques existing theory and research on the issue of how attitudes and fears of death are influenced by recent bereavement. While the identification and validation of distinct stages of grief has demonstrated the powerful impact of death upon survivors, other research suggests that exposure to death does not alter one's attitudes or fears. However, an examination of this literature reveals a number of critical conceptual and methodological flaws. This article attempts to discuss and evaluate these problems, and to suggest possible means of resolution and avenues for future research.
Transaction Management Using Causal Snapshot Isolation in Partially Replicated Databases

We present here a transaction management protocol using causal snapshot isolation in partially replicated multi-version databases. We consider here replicated databases consisting of multiple disjoint data partitions. A partition is not required to be replicated at all database sites, and a site may contain replicas for any number of partitions. Transactions can execute at any site and read or write data from any subset of the partitions, and its updates are propagated asynchronously to other sites. The protocol ensures that the snapshot observed by a transaction contains data versions that are causally consistent. The protocol requires propagating updates only to the sites replicating the updated items. In developing this protocol, we address the issues that are unique in supporting transactions with causal consistency together with the snapshot isolation model in partially replicated databases. Through experimental evaluations, we demonstrate the scalability of this model and its performance benefits over full replication models.
Diphenylhydantoin and the cations and phosphates of electrically stimulated brain slices

SUMMARYSlices prepared from guinea pig cerebral cortex were incubated in bicarbonate-buffered media. Slices which were electrically stimulated at 1,000 cps lost K + and gained Na + . Contents of ATP and creatine phosphate fell during stimulation. These effects were all diminished by 1 to 5 . 10 −4 molar diphenylhydantoin. Diphenylhydantoin appears to diminish energy consumption by decreasing the downhill movements of monovalent cations that occur upon repeated membrane depolarization.
U-Wear: Software-Defined Ultrasonic Networking for Wearable Devices

Wearable medical sensing devices with wireless capabilities have become the cornerstone of many revolutionary digital health applications that promise to predict and treat major diseases by acquiring and processing health information. Existing wireless wearable devices are connected through radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic wave carriers based on standards such as Bluetooth or WiFi. However, these solutions tend to almost-blindly scale down traditional wireless technologies to the body environment, with little or no attention to the peculiar characteristics of the human body and the severe privacy and security requirements of patients. We contend that this is not the only possible approach, and we present U-Wear, the first networking framework for wearable medical devices based on ultrasonic communications. U-Wear encloses a set of physical, data link and network layer functionalities that can flexibly adapt to application and system requirements to efficiently distribute information between ultrasonic wearable devices. U-Wear also offers reconfiguration functionalities at the application layer to provide a flexible platform to develop medical applications. We design two prototypes that implement U-Wear and operate in the near-ultrasonic frequency range using commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) speakers and microphones. Despite the limited bandwidth, i.e., about 2 kHz, and COTS audio hardware components not optimized for operating at high frequency, our prototypes (i) achieve data rates up to 2.76 kbit/s with bit-error-rate lower than 10-5 using a transmission power of 20 mW; (ii) enable multiple nodes to share the medium; and (iii) implement reconfigurable data processing to extract medical parameters from sensors with high accuracy.
Evaluating and Improving the Perioperative Process: Benchmarking and Redesign of Preoperative Patient Evaluations

This study examines industrial and operations management practices of continuous process improvement, process benchmarking, and process reengineering to evaluate and improve the perioperative process within a hospital environment. This paper identifies how dynamic technological activities of analysis, evaluation, and synthesis applied to internal and external organizational data can highlight complex relationships within integrated processes to yield improved capabilities. The identification of existing process limitations, potential process capabilities, and subsequent contextual understanding are contributing factors that yield a redesign of preoperative patient evaluations within a hospital's perioperative process. Based on an 84-month longitudinal study of a large teaching hospital, this case study investigates the impact of integrated information systems to identify, qualify, and quantify process redesign practices that improve perioperative efficiency and effectiveness. Theoretical and practical implications and/or limitations are also discussed for practitioners and researchers alike.
Sedimentation characteristics and molecular weights of three poxvirus DNAs.

Abstract DNA from vaccinia, fowlpox, and juncopox viruses was released from virions by gentle treatment with detergents and 2-mercaptoethanol or pronase and sedimented through neutral and alkaline sucrose gradients. Using T4 DNA with a S 0,w 0 value of 61.4 as a standard, vaccinia DNA in neutral sucrose gradients had a S 0,w 0 value of 62.1, whereas the sedimentation coefficients of fowlpox and juncopox DNAs were 72.0 and 69.3, respectively. In alkaline sucrose gradients, all three poxvirus DNAs showed an increased sedimentation rate compatible with a single-stranded circular molecule or a linear molecule twice the length of the native double-stranded molecule. This increased sedimentation rate in alkaline sucrose indicates that, like vaccinia, the DNA from the two avian poxviruses does not separate into complementary strands upon denaturation, but appears to contain covalent links between the complementary strands, located at or near the ends of the native DNA molecule. The sedimentation data of the native poxvirus DNA molecules was converted into molecular weights using a variety of expressions for relating the two parameters. Vaccinia DNA was seen to have a molecular weight of 125 ± 2 × 10 6 , whereas the fowlpox genome was 185 ± 5 x 10 6 . DNA from juncopox appeared to be slightly smaller than the fowlpox genome. The two avian poxviruses contain almost 50% more DNA than vaccinia, and are among the largest viral genomes known.
The effect of foot type on in-shoe plantar pressure during walking and running

The purpose of this study was to determine if low arch feet have altered plantar loading patterns when compared to normal feet during both walking and running. Fifty healthy subjects (34 normal feet, 16 flat feet) walked and ran five trials each at standard speeds. In-shoe pressure data were collected at 50 Hz. Contact area, peak pressure, maximum force, and force-time integral were analyzed in eight different regions of the foot. Foot type was determined by examining navicular height, arch angle, rearfoot angle, and a clinical score. A series of 2 x 2 repeated measures ANOVAs were used to determine statistical differences (alpha<0.05). A significant interaction existed between foot type and movement type for the maximum force in the medial midfoot. Total foot contact area, maximum force and peak pressure were significantly increased during running. Contact area in each insole area, except for the rearfoot, was significantly increased during running. Peak pressure and maximum force were significantly increased during running in each of the foot regions. However, the force-time integral was significantly decreased during running in the rearfoot, lateral midfoot, middle forefoot, and lateral forefoot. Significant differences between foot types existed for contact area in the medial midfoot and maximum force and peak pressure in the lateral forefoot. The maximum force and peak pressures were significantly decreased for the flat foot type. Therefore, individuals with a flat foot could be at a lower risk for lateral column metatarsal stress fractures, indicating that foot type should be assessed when determining an individual's risk for metatarsal stress fractures.