cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Investigating multiple candidate genes and nutrients in the folate metabolism pathway to detect genetic and nutritional risk factors for lung cancer.

PURPOSE Folate metabolism, with its importance to DNA repair, provides a promising region for genetic investigation of lung cancer risk. This project investigates genes (MTHFR, MTR, MTRR, CBS, SHMT1, TYMS), folate metabolism related nutrients (B vitamins, methionine, choline, and betaine) and their gene-nutrient interactions. METHODS We analyzed 115 tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 15 nutrients from 1239 and 1692 non-Hispanic white, histologically-confirmed lung cancer cases and controls, respectively, using stochastic search variable selection (a Bayesian model averaging approach). Analyses were stratified by current, former, and never smoking status. RESULTS Rs6893114 in MTRR (odds ratio [OR] = 2.10; 95% credible interval [CI]: 1.20-3.48) and alcohol (drinkers vs. non-drinkers, OR = 0.48; 95% CI: 0.26-0.84) were associated with lung cancer risk in current smokers. Rs13170530 in MTRR (OR = 1.70; 95% CI: 1.10-2.87) and two SNP*nutrient interactions [betaine*rs2658161 (OR = 0.42; 95% CI: 0.19-0.88) and betaine*rs16948305 (OR = 0.54; 95% CI: 0.30-0.91)] were associated with lung cancer risk in former smokers. SNPs in MTRR (rs13162612; OR = 0.25; 95% CI: 0.11-0.58; rs10512948; OR = 0.61; 95% CI: 0.41-0.90; rs2924471; OR = 3.31; 95% CI: 1.66-6.59), and MTHFR (rs9651118; OR = 0.63; 95% CI: 0.43-0.95) and three SNP*nutrient interactions (choline*rs10475407; OR = 1.62; 95% CI: 1.11-2.42; choline*rs11134290; OR = 0.51; 95% CI: 0.27-0.92; and riboflavin*rs8767412; OR = 0.40; 95% CI: 0.15-0.95) were associated with lung cancer risk in never smokers. CONCLUSIONS This study identified possible nutrient and genetic factors related to folate metabolism associated with lung cancer risk, which could potentially lead to nutritional interventions tailored by smoking status to reduce lung cancer risk.
Short-term anoxic conditioning hormesis boosts antioxidant defenses, lowers oxidative damage following irradiation and enhances male sexual performance in the Caribbean fruit fly, Anastrepha suspensa

Most organisms are repeatedly exposed to oxidative stress from multiple sources throughout their lifetimes, potentially affecting all aspects of organismal performance. Here we test whether exposure to a conditioning bout of anoxia early in adulthood induces a hormetic response that confers resistance to oxidative stress and enhances male sexual performance later in life in the Caribbean fruit fly, Anastrepha suspensa . Anoxic conditioning of adults prior to emergence led to an increase in antioxidant capacity driven by mitochondrial superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase. When exposed to gamma irradiation, a strong oxidative stressor, males that received anoxic conditioning had lower lipid and protein oxidative damage at sexual maturity. Anoxia conditioning led to greater male sexual competitiveness compared with unconditioned males when both were irradiated, although there was no effect of anoxia conditioning on mating competitiveness in unirradiated males. Anoxia also led to higher adult emergence rates and greater flight ability in irradiation-stressed flies while preserving sterility. Thus, hormetic treatments that increased antioxidant enzyme activity also improved male performance after irradiation, suggesting that antioxidant enzymes play an important role in mediating the relationship between oxidative stress and sexual selection. Furthermore, our work has important applied implications for the sterile insect technique (SIT), an environmentally friendly method of insect pest control where males are sterilized by irradiation and deployed in the field to disrupt pest populations via mating. We suggest that hormetic treatments specifically designed to enhance antioxidant activity may produce more sexually competitive sterile males, thus improving the efficacy and economy of SIT programs.
Total Power Minimization in Glitch-Free CMOS Circuits Considering Process Variation

Compared to subthreshold leakage, dynamic power is normally much less sensitive to the process variation due to its approximately linear relation to the process parameters. However, the average dynamic power of a circuit optimized by deterministic glitch elimination (using hazard filtering and path balancing) increases because glitches randomly start reappearing under the influence of process variation. Combining existing techniques, we propose a new statistical mixed integer linear programming (MILP) formulation, which combines glitch elimination and dual-threshold design to statistically minimize the total power in a glitch-free circuit under process variation.
Pilomatrix carcinoma of the back treated by mohs micrographic surgery.

Background. Pilomatrix carcinoma (synonyms, matrical carcinoma or malignant pilomatrixoma) is a rare malignant neoplasm derived from the hair matrix first described in 1980. This neoplasm can exhibit local aggressive behavior and distant metastasis. Most pilomatrix carcinomas occur on the head and neck of elderly individuals with a predilection for males (M:F 5:1). Pilomatrix carcinoma is often clinically misdiagnosed as a sebaceous cyst and histologic difficulty can occur in differentiating this entity from the benign entity pilomatrixoma. Objective. The objective was to describe a case of pilomatrix carcinoma encountered in a Mohs micrographic surgery practice. We present the first case of this lesion treated by Mohs surgery. Methods. A case report and literature review are presented. Conclusion. Pilomatrix carcinoma is a rare malignant variant of pilomatrixoma. Given the rarity of this lesion there are no well-defined standards for surgical management. Wide local excision has been recommended given the high rate of reoccurrence. Mohs micrographic surgery may provide optimal treatment of this neoplasm given the ability to have 100% margin control.
Randomized Prospective Evaluation of Extended Versus Limited Lymph Node Dissection in Patients With Clinically Localized Prostate Cancer

ABSTRACTPurpose: The low rate of pelvic node metastasis in most contemporary series of patients undergoing radical prostatectomy for carcinoma of the prostate has been attributed to earlier and better patient selection than historical series. Alternatively, it has been suggested that the limited dissection commonly performed misses nodal metastasis in a substantial number of patients. To assess the value of an extended node dissection in detecting nodal metastasis, we performed a randomized prospective study.Materials and Methods: A total of 123 patients undergoing radical prostatectomy were randomized to an extended node dissection on the right versus the left side of the pelvis with the other side being a limited dissection. The extended dissection included removal of all external iliac nodes to a point above the bifurcation of the common iliac artery, the obturator nodes and the presacral nodes. The limited dissection included only the nodes along the external iliac vein and obturator nerve.Results: Me...
Transcription factor Nrf2: examination of nuclear protein levels by immunoblotting and promoter response element binding by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP).

Nuclear factor erythroid 2 (NF-E2) related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a transcription factor that governs the expression of over a hundred so-called phase II detoxification and antioxidant genes that are regulated through the antioxidant response element (ARE). Loss of Nrf2 activity has been implicated in cardiovascular disease, inflammation, aging, and cancer. Nrf2 is induced to accumulate in the nucleus when the cell encounters an oxidative stress, a fact that has been exploited experimentally to test the conditions under which ARE-containing genes are expressed. The nuclear levels of Nrf2 give an indication of whether an experimental treatment results in Nrf2 localization and induction. mRNA levels of phase II genes may be measured as a follow-up, but in order to show a direct link between nuclear Nrf2 accumulation and increases in gene expression, it is useful to show that Nrf2 binds to AREs in the promoters of target genes. The simplest way to do this is to employ a chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay along with an examination of cellular Nrf2 levels by immunoblotting. Curr. Protoc. Toxicol. 45:17.13.1-17.13.13. © 2010 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Keywords: Nrf2; immunoblot; chromatin immunoprecipitation
The Great Flood of summer 1993: Mississippi River discharge studied

In the summer of 1993, the Mississippi River basin in the midwestern United States experienced anomalously high rainfall. Record flooding resulted from an abnormally persistent atmospheric weather pattern consisting of a quasi-stationary jet stream positioned over the central part of the nation, where moist, unstable air flowing north from the Gulf of Mexico converged with unseasonably cool, dry air moving south from Canada. In concert with the persistent weather pattern over the United States, highly anomalous circulation patterns were observed over much of the Northern Hemisphere [Richards, 1994]. The rainfall anomalies over the central United States produced abnormally high river discharges along the Louisiana coastline from the Mississippi and Atchafalaya Rivers during July and August, traditionally months of low river discharge. Some of the river water discharged into the northern Gulf of Mexico reached the Straits of Florida by September 1993 [Lee et al., 1994].
Etherlay: An Overlay Enhancement for Metro Ethernet Networks

The ubiquitous Ethernet technology has propelled itself into a wide-scale adoption for Metro Ethernet Networks (MEN). Despite recent advancements in Ethernet and commercialization of the first generation of MEN, the fundamental technology does not meet the expectations that carriers have traditionally held in terms of network resiliency and load management. This paper addresses these two issues. We propose a new concept of overlay network in the Ethernet layer, called Etherlay, that increases the resiliency of the MEN while provisioning the support for load balancing. As a result, the capacity in terms of network throughput is greatly enhanced while almost avoiding performance hits for any re-convergence in case of failures. Compared to the standard protocols, Etherlay's total throughput gain ranges from 5.93% to 20.7% in the face of failure; while load balancing capability increases an additional 16% to 60% of the total throughput.
Axial heat conduction effects in the entrance region of parallel plate ducts

Exact series solutions for the computation of temperature in parallel plate channels and circular passages are well known. The inclusion of the contribution of axial conduction leads to a set of modified Graetz type problems for these fluid passages. The emphasis of this paper is the study of the asymptotic variations of wall heat flux values adjacent to the thermal entrance location for parallel plate ducts. The acquired results show interesting variations for different values of the Peclet number near the thermal entrance location. This study reports the unique variations of the wall heat flux values near the location where the wall temperature changes as the Peclet number changes.
TMPRSS2-ERG gene fusion in small cell carcinoma of the prostate ☆

Recent studies have shown that most prostate cancers carry the TMPRSS2-ERG gene fusion. Here we evaluated the TMPRSS2-ERG gene fusion in small cell carcinoma of the prostate (n = 12) in comparison with small cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder (n = 12) and lung (n = 11). Fluorescence in situ hybridization demonstrated rearrangement of the ERG gene in 8 cases of prostatic small cell carcinoma (67%), and the rearrangement was associated with deletion of the 5' ERG gene in 7 cases, but rearrangement of the ERG gene was not present in any small cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder or lung. Next we evaluated the TMPRSS2-ERG gene fusion in nude mouse xenografts that were derived from 2 prostatic small cell carcinomas carrying the TMPRSS2-ERG gene fusion. Two transcripts encoded by the TMPRSS2-ERG gene fusion were detected by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, and DNA sequencing demonstrated that the 2 transcripts were composed of fusions of exon 1 of the TMPRSS2 gene to exon 4 or 5 of the ERG gene. Our study demonstrates the specific presence of TMPRSS2-ERG gene fusion in prostatic small cell carcinoma, which may be helpful in distinguishing small cell carcinoma of prostatic origin from nonprostatic origins. The high prevalence of the TMPRSS2-ERG gene fusion in prostatic small cell carcinoma as well as adenocarcinoma implies that small cell carcinoma may share a common pathogenic pathway with adenocarcinoma in the prostate.
Geometrical characterization of canted coil springs

AbstractThis article presents a geometrical description of canted coil springs as a particular type of space curve. The influence of the canted angle on the geometrical curvature and torsion is investigated in order to characterize the three-dimensional geometry of the springs. Geometrical descriptions of helical spring rings generated by joining together the two ends of a rectilinear-axis spring as well as several types of spring rings, obtained from rectilinear-axis canted coil springs, are proposed. To create such ring geometries, conservation of length of wire is assumed and approximate relations are derived in order to simplify computations. These geometrical descriptions are then applied to generate appropriate three-dimensional models. Such models can be further imported to computer-aided design and finite-element analysis programmes in order to estimate the mechanical response of such springs.
Using video self-modelling to increase active learning responses during small-group reading instruction for primary school pupils with social emotional and mental health difficulties

Effectiveness of a video self-modelling (VSM) intervention was examined with primary schoolchildren who attended a full-time special education programme for pupils with social emotional and behavioural difficulties and who exhibited inappropriate behaviour during small-group reading instruction. A randomised multiple-probe baseline design was used in this study in four subjects with a follow-up phase 6 weeks after intervention. Four children aged 10 were videotaped during reading instruction to determine levels of active learning and behavioural difficulties. Intervention took place at the teacher’s desk or table 3–5 minutes immediately before the child’s designated time for reading group instruction. During intervention, the children were shown carefully selected brief segments of their own video that had been recorded during the previous session. Results indicated VSM was an effective intervention for increasing active learning responses and for reducing behavioural difficulties during reading instructi...
Sugars, signalling, and plant development

Like all organisms, plants require energy for growth. They achieve this by absorbing light and fixing it into a usable, chemical form via photosynthesis. The resulting carbohydrate (sugar) energy is then utilized as substrates for growth, or stored as reserves. It is therefore not surprising that modulation of carbohydrate metabolism can have profound effects on plant growth, particularly cell division and expansion. However, recent studies on mutants such as stimpy or ramosa3 have also suggested that sugars can act as signalling molecules that control distinct aspects of plant development. This review will focus on these more specific roles of sugars in development, and will concentrate on two major areas: (i) cross-talk between sugar and hormonal signalling; and (ii) potential direct developmental effects of sugars. In the latter, developmental mutant phenotypes that are modulated by sugars as well as a putative role for trehalose-6-phosphate in inflorescence development are discussed. Because plant growth and development are plastic, and are greatly affected by environmental and nutritional conditions, the distinction between purely metabolic and specific developmental effects is somewhat blurred, but the focus will be on clear examples where sugar-related processes or molecules have been linked to known developmental mechanisms.
Designed Experiments in Nanotechnology: Reviewing the Statistical Analyses of Five Studies

Lu et al. (8) list several papers that utilize design of experiments techniques in the improvement of nanotechnology processes. In this paper we look at five publications in detail, supplement the data analyses that are reported in these studies, and comment on the appropriateness of the published analyses.
GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING IMPLICATIONS OF EXAMINATION ANXIETY AS A PREDICTOR OF STUDENTS' ATTITUDE TOWARDS EXAMINATION MALPRACTICES

The study investigated the relationship between examination anxiety and students’ attitude towards examination malpractices in tertiary institutions in Delta State. The population of the study consisted of 12,000 first year regular students in eight tertiary invitations in Delta State. The proportional stratified sampling technique was used to select a sample size of 1,200 subjects who responded to the Examination Anxiety and Attitude Questionnaire. Data collected was analyzed with correlation and multiple regression statistics and it was found that there is a positive relationship between examination anxiety and attitude towards cheating in examinations. Students who possessed high examination anxiety were more predisposed towards cheating in examinations. Therefore it was recommended that measures of examination anxiety could be used by Counsellors to identify students who were likely to engage in examination malpractices so that proactive therapies could be administered on them prior to their sitting for the actual examinations.
Term Limits and Women's Representation: A Democratic Opportunity and a Republican Dead-End

The impact of legislative term limits on women's representation has developed through several stages. After term limits reforms passed but before they took affect, research suggested that women's representation would increase due to the forced retirement of - mostly-male incumbents. After term limits took effect, later research found limited impact or impact mostly on upper legislative chambers. These studies, however, mostly assumed that the impact of term limits should be the same for Democrats and Republicans by primarily using the overall level of women's representation as the dependent variable. An emerging line of research in gender politics argues that gender politics is different for Democratic women than it is for Republican women (Cooperman and Oppenheimer 2001; Stambough and O'Regan 2007; Sanbonmatsu and Dolan 2009). In this study we explore the partisan difference of term limits and women's representation. Because of party differences in women candidate recruitment, gendered party culture, and strength of women's groups within party coalitions we expect to find that term limits opened up opportunities that women Democrats were able to use while women Republicans were not able to use. The result is that we expect a positive relationship between term limits and women's representation among Democrats and a negative relationship between term limits and women's representation among Republicans.
Structure and chemistry of silica, metal oxides, and phosphates

This chapter addresses the structures and chemical properties of the rockforming oxides and phosphates. In one sense these materials are less complex than the chain and sheet silicates discussed previously. In general their unit cells are smaller and formulas shorter. Moreover, the baroque chemical variation that makes amphiboles a joy for mineralogists and a nightmare for health scientists is virtually absent within some oxides. Instead, the oxides express their individuality through structural permutation, illustrating the important concept of polymorphism. 230 refs., 25 figs.
Flux Creep and the Crossover to Flux Flow in the Resistivity of High-Tc Superconductors

A model for the resistive behavior of high temperature superconductors in a field is presented, including both flux flow and the possibility of long jumps or cascades of flux lines in flux creep. These mechanisms help to understand characteristic features of the resistivity, reported earlier in YBaCuO crystals and films, especially the large resistive prefactors in the activated regime. The importance of including the temperature dependence of the activation energy in the data analysis is emphasized. The crossover between flux creep and flux flow may explain the knee in the resistivity-vs.-temperature curves observed in much earlier work and particularly clearly in new work on YBaCuO crystals reported here.
Determination of Ammonium Nitrogen in Medical Organization Sewage by On-line Dialysis with Ion Chromatography

[Objective] To establish an ion chromatography method for the simple and rapid analysis of ammonium nitrogen in medical organization sewage.[Methods] After a certain amount of samples diluted to volume with ultrapure water,on-line dialysis was developed for the solution pretreatment.[Results] The linear range of this method was 0.20-20 mg/L with the correlation coefficient r 0.999 9.The detection limit of NH4+-N was 0.018 mg/L,the relative standard deviation(RSD) was less than 3.0%,and the recovery was between 96.2% and 100.1%.[Conclusion] The on-line dialysis pretreatment can effectively eliminate organic and other interfering substances to purify the samples.It is a quick and simple method to determine the ammonium nitrogen in medical organization sewage.
An In Vitro Transcription System for Studying Vaccinia Virus Early Genes

Transcription of the vaccinia virus early genes occurs within the confines of the virion core structure. Therefore, isolated virions are a particularly rich source of proteins that function in early mRNA biosynthesis. Methods are described here for the extraction of purified vaccinia virions to yield protein mixtures with high transcriptional activity on viral early gene templates, responding specifically to both transcriptional initiation and termination signals in the DNA.
Dynamic visualization of computations on the internet

We present the design of a visualization tool which can be incorporated in parallel/distributed code to track computational parameters with respect to convergence and the distribution of the work remaining for the parallel processes. We describe its functionality, algorithms and implementation in Java, as it is applied to a package for multivariate integration. Implementation aspects include message passing and control flow in its interaction with the application code. The approach is mainly asynchronous and based on multi-threading.
Greek and Roman Knossos: the pioneering investigations of Minos Kalokairinos

Minos Kalokairinos is renowned for his discovery of the Minoan palace of Knossos. However, his pioneering investigations of the topography and monuments of Greek and Roman Knossos, as laid out especially in his Cretan Archaeological Journal, have largely been overlooked. In the Journal, Kalokairinos offers invaluable information on the changing archaeological landscape of Knossos in the second half of the nineteenth century. This enables the identification of several unknown or lost monuments, including major structures, inscriptions and sculptures, and allows the location of the context of discovery to be assigned to specific parts of the ancient city. Additionally, the Journal offers glimpses into the collection of Knossian antiquities and their export beyond the island. Antiquities from the site ended up in Athens, and as far afield as Egypt and western Europe, and have hitherto been considered as unprovenanced. They are here identified as Knossian and are traced to their specific context of discovery, with considerable implications for our understanding of the topography, the monuments and the epigraphic record of the ancient city.
Stanley John Weyman and A Gentleman of France (1893)

No novelist of the decades with which we are concerned was more closely identified with the historical romance than Stanley J. Weyman (1855–1928). Like several of his colleagues (Doyle, Hope, Haggard), Weyman delayed his decision to turn professional author, and did not become one until he had tried — and failed — to succeed in another field. Like his contemporary rivals, too, he so respected the intelligence of his readers that he went to great lengths to authenticate the details of the historical periods he was writing about. His novels were astonishingly popular, and he is worth considering if only because their merits and failings were very similar to those of the best historical romances written at the same time.
Direct oral anticoagulants in patients with atrial fibrillation and renal impairment, extremes in weight, or advanced age

A growing number of patients with an indication for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation have kidney-, age-, or weight-related alterations in pharmacokinetics that affect dosing of direct oral anticoagulants. Because these patients were excluded from or comprised a small number of patients in clinical trials, there is a lack of evidence to guide clinicians. As a consequence, many patients do not receive oral anticoagulation despite a high risk for atrial fibrillation-related stroke. Here, we present a review of direct oral anticoagulant pharmacokinetics and a review of the available clinical evidence in patients with weight-, kidney-, and age-related disease.
Trends in the use of cytoreductive nephrectomy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma in the VEGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor era.

4623 Background: Two large randomized trials (SWOG, EORTC) published in 2001 established the role of cytoreductive nephrectomy (CyNx) for the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) in ...
Combined model predictive control and scheduling with dominant time constant compensation

Abstract Linear model predictive control is extended to both control and optimize a product grade schedule. The proposed methods are time-scaling of the linear dynamics based on throughput rates and grade-based objectives for product scheduling based on a mathematical program with complementarity constraints. The linear model is adjusted with a residence time approximation to time-scale the dynamics based on throughput. Although nonlinear models directly account for changing dynamics, the model form is restricted to linear differential equations to enable fast online cycle times for large-scale and real-time systems. This method of extending a linear time-invariant model for scheduling is designed for many advanced control applications that currently use linear models. Simultaneous product switching and grade target management is demonstrated on a reactor benchmark application. The objective is a continuous form of discrete ranges for product targets and economic terms that maximize overall profitability.
Cross-sectional correlation between hepatic R2* and proton density fat fraction (PDFF) in children with hepatic steatosis.

Author(s): Mamidipalli, Adrija; Hamilton, Gavin; Manning, Paul; Hong, Cheng William; Park, Charlie C; Wolfson, Tanya; Hooker, Jonathan; Heba, Elhamy; Schlein, Alexandra; Gamst, Anthony; Durelle, Janis; Paiz, Melissa; Middleton, Michael S; Schwimmer, Jeffrey B; Sirlin, Claude B | Abstract: PURPOSE:To determine the relationship between hepatic proton density fat fraction (PDFF) and R2* in vivo. MATERIALS AND METHODS:In this Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)-compliant, Institutional Review Board (IRB)-approved, cross-sectional study, we conducted a secondary analysis of 3T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exams performed as part of prospective research studies in children in whom conditions associated with iron overload were excluded clinically. Each exam included low-flip-angle, multiecho magnitude (-M) and complex (-C) based chemical-shift-encoded MRI techniques with spectral modeling of fat to generate hepatic PDFF and R2* parametric maps. For each technique and each patient, regions of interest were placed on the maps in each of the nine Couinaud segments, and composite whole-liver PDFF and R2* values were calculated. Pearson's correlation coefficients between PDFF and R2* were computed for each MRI technique. Correlations were compared using Steiger's test. RESULTS:In all, 184 children (123 boys, 61 girls) were included in this analysis. PDFF estimated by MRI-M and MRI-C ranged from 1.1-35.4% (9.44 ± 8.76) and 2.1-38.1% (10.1 ± 8.7), respectively. R2* estimated by MRI-M and MRI-C ranged from 32.6-78.7 s-1 (48.4 ± 9.8) and 27.2-71.5 s-1 (42.2 ± 8.6), respectively. There were strong and significant correlations between hepatic PDFF and R2* values estimated by MRI-M (r = 0.874; P l 0.0001) and MRI-C (r = 0.853; P l 0.0001). The correlation coefficients (0.874 vs. 0.853) were not significantly different (P = 0.15). CONCLUSION:Hepatic PDFF and R2* are strongly correlated with each other in vivo. This relationship was observed using two different MRI techniques. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:2 Technical Efficacy: Stage 1 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;47:418-424.
Do Incidental Hyperechoic Renal Lesions Measuring Up to 1 cm Warrant Further Imaging? Outcomes of 161 Lesions

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to determine the outcomes of hyperechoic renal lesions measuring 1 cm or less at ultrasound examination. MATERIALS AND METHODS. This retrospective study included 161 hyperechoic renal lesions measuring 1 cm or less at ultrasound that were evaluated with follow-up ultrasound, CT, or MRI. Follow-up imaging examinations were reviewed to assess for definitive lesion characterization or size stability. RESULTS. Follow-up included 11 unenhanced CT, 39 contrast-enhanced CT, 52 unenhanced and contrast-enhanced CT, two unenhanced MRI, 50 unenhanced and contrast-enhanced MRI, and 87 ultrasound examinations. At CT or MRI 58.4% of lesions were confirmed to be angiomyolipomas. At CT, one lesion represented a stone, and one a hyperdense cyst. At CT or MRI 11.8% of the lesions had no correlate; 3.1% were not visualized at follow-up ultrasound. An additional 23.6% were stable at 2-year follow-up imaging or beyond. Two lesions were evaluated with only contrast-enhanced CT less than...
General Intelligence in Friendship Selection: A Study of Preadolescent Best Friend Dyads

Abstract Research on the topics of general intelligence and friendship formation separately has elicited a tremendous amount of attention across decades of psychological scholarship. To date, however, less effort has been aimed at uniting these lines of inquiry. In particular, do friendship bonds emerge, based in part, on shared levels of cognitive ability? Several disparate lines of evidence suggest this might be the case, however, a need remains to replicate this work using large national samples coupled with psychometrically sound measurement. The current study helps to fill this void in the literature using a national sample of American children. Our results reveal that preadolescent friendship dyads are robustly correlated on measures of general intelligence, and the effects withstand correction for potentially confounding variables.
Crossing Borders from France to Japan – and America

Historical cross-cultural contact, between Japan and the West, and, in return, between the West and Japan, is a richly-textured and remarkably modern story. In this issue, we expand our understanding of material exchanges, and consider the introduction of French modernism to a reluctant space, far from the shores of France, or the US. And to put this issue into the current context, we can also consider the effects of building new walls, new restrictions, and new barriers to exchanges of all sorts, while also contemplating the “sanctuary” that can be offered in order to maintain our obligations, and to promote dignity rather than criminalization.
Atrial Fibrillation in the ICU

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia encountered in the ICU. Preexisting AF is highly prevalent among older patients with chronic conditions who are at risk for critical illness, whereas new-onset AF can be triggered by accelerated atrial remodeling and arrhythmogenic triggers encountered during critical illness. The acute loss of atrial systole and onset of rapid ventricular rates that characterize new-onset AF often lead to decreased cardiac output and hemodynamic compromise. Thus, new-onset AF is both a marker of disease severity as well as a likely contributor to poor outcomes, similar to other manifestations of organ dysfunction during critical illness. Evaluating immediate hemodynamic effects of new-onset AF during critical illness is an important component of rapid clinical assessment aimed at identifying patients in need of urgent direct current cardioversion, treatment of reversible inciting factors, and identification of patients who may benefit from pharmacologic rate or rhythm control. In addition to acute hemodynamic effects, new-onset AF during critical illness is associated with both short- and long-term increases in the risk of stroke, heart failure, and death, with AF recurrence rates of approximately 50% within 1 year following hospital discharge. In the absence of a strong evidence base, there is substantial practice variation in the choice of strategies for management of new-onset AF during critical illness. We describe acute and long-term evaluation and management strategies based on current evidence and propose future avenues of investigation to fill large knowledge gaps in the management of patients with AF during critical illness.
Rumen anaerobic fungi

Of the main types of microorganisms that inhabit the rumen fungi remain the least characterized group They have been found to be critical as primary colonizers and digesters of plant matter in the rumen While they share common fungal characteristics such as a chitin containing cell wall a multi stage life cycle and arrays of potent carbohydrate digesting enzymes they have evolved to an anaerobic lifestyle through other adaptations such as the hydrogenosome an organelle which may have developed from mitochondria Evidence based on comparative genomics is indicating that a number of these adaptations may have involved horizontal gene transfer with other groups of rumen microorganisms
Decision-Theoretic Planning in Multiagent Settings with Application to Behavioral Modeling

Optimal planning in environments shared with other interacting agents often involves recognizing the intent of others and their plans. This is because others’ actions may impact the state of the environment and, consequently, the efficacy of the agent’s plan. Planning becomes further complicated in the presence of uncertainty, which may manifest due to the state being partially observable, nondeterminism in how the dynamic state changes, and imperfect sensors. A framework for decision–theoretic planning in this space is the interactive partially observable Markov decision process (I-POMDP), which generalizes the well-known POMDP to multiagent settings. This chapter describes the general I-POMDP framework and a particular approximation that facilitates its usage. Because I-POMDPs elegantly integrate beliefs and the modeling of others in the subject agent’s decision process, they apply to modeling human behavioral data obtained from strategic games. We explore the effectiveness of models based on simplified I-POMDPs in fitting experimental data onto theory-of-mind–based recursive reasoning.
An interspecific cross in Cucurbita: C. lundelliana bailey ×C. maxima duchesne

F1, F2, and backcross progenies derived from an interspecific cross between Cucurbita lundelliana and C. maxima were analyzed by using the hybrid index method of Anderson. The results suggest that C. lundelliana is dominant for most characters. There is a good deal of sterility, particularly in the backcross to C. maxima. It appears feasible, however, to transfer such characters as powdery mildew resistance, perennial habit, solid placenta, etc. from C. lundelliana to C. maxima by conventional plant-breeding techniques. The mean pollen fertility for the F1, F2 and backcross to C. lundelliana was respectively 17.6%, 28.4% and 5.2%: for the backcross to C. maxima. 65.9%.
Change in Mechanical State

Quantities that describe the differences between two states of a system include displacements, strains, and stress changes.
MULTIMODAL IMAGING OF MACULAR CHOROIDAL MACROVESSEL: A REPORT OF TWO CASES.

Purpose To report two cases of macular choroidal macrovessel with description of multimodal imaging and review of published cases. Methods Medical and imaging records were retrospectively reviewed. A literature review was performed to identify other cases of macular choroidal macrovessel published between 1990 and 2018. Results There were 2 patients referred for evaluation of a potential choroidal tumor, including a 55-year-old white woman with no visual symptoms and a 68-year-old white woman with blurred vision. Funduscopic examination in each case revealed a focal area of choroidal elevation in the temporal foveal area with a single, dilated, slightly tortuous choroidal vessel, estimated to measure 250 μm and 300 μm, respectively, at widest girth, and extending temporally toward the equator with a tapering width. Optical coherence tomography showed an optically hollow choroidal lesion elevating the retinal pigment epithelium with overlying ellipsoid zone mottling. Both cases demonstrate shallow subretinal fluid, sparing the foveola. Fluorescein angiography showed faint staining along the course of the vessel in both cases. Indocyanine green angiography demonstrated clear visualization of the ectatic vessel with early filling and late staining without leakage. Both patients retained visual acuity of 20/25 in the affected eye and did not require treatment. Conclusion Macular choroidal macrovessel is a rare vascular anomaly presenting as a single, dilated, tortuous choroidal vessel, originating in the temporal foveal region and extending temporally to the equator. This finding can simulate a choroidal neoplasm or parasitic track. Optical coherence tomography and indocyanine green angiography have diagnostic value demonstrating the vascular nature of this lesion and delineating the vascular course.
Influence of prefabricated vertical drains on the seismic performance of similar neighbouring structures founded on liquefiable deposits

Increasing the resilience of structures to seismically induced soil liquefaction is a major objective for the earthquake engineering community. Increasingly, soil drains are being used to mitigate ...
The Relative Importance of Issue-Specific and Broad Regulatory Protections Against Expropriation Risk: International Evidence from SEOs

We find that SEO underpricing is negatively (positively) related with the strength of ex post (ex ante) anti-self-dealing laws. Independent of ex post anti-self-dealing laws, however, SEO underpricing is affected neither by disclosure requirements imposed on equity issuers nor by equity issue-specific liability rights conferred on investors. Interactions between ex post anti-self-dealing laws and liability rules show that the presence of strong litigation rights decreases underpricing in countries with strong ex post anti-self-dealing laws. We also find that the combination of strong ex post anti-self-dealing laws and weak disclosure requirements results in less underpricing than for strong disclosure requirements. Overall, our findings indicate that the price benefits of regulatory protections that mitigate issue-specific expropriation risk depend on the presence of broad non-issue specific regulatory protections against expropriation risk.
Latinx and white adolescents’ reasons behind organized activity participation: The connections with cultural orientations, psychological engagement, and activity experiences

abstractThis cross-sectional study examined why Latinx adolescents participated in organized activities in comparison to White adolescents. This study, utilizing phone interviews for surveying, inc...
Structured DVD Education: Impact on Teaching Satisfaction and Anxiety Among Patients With Leukemia and Lymphoma and Their Family Members.

BACKGROUND Many factors can interfere with a patient's ability to cope with a new cancer diagnosis. The method of education delivery may improve satisfaction with teaching and reduce anxiety. Structured DVD education combined with other teaching methods has shown positive results. However, few such studies have included family members. OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of structured DVD education versus standard one-on-one education on satisfaction with teaching and on anxiety among patients newly diagnosed with leukemia and lymphoma and their families. METHODS A post-test randomized controlled trial study design evaluated the effects of structured DVD education compared to standard one-on-one education. FINDINGS Family members in the intervention group had higher satisfaction with teaching than those in the control group; this difference was found to be statistically significant.
Validation of Climate Models: An Essential Practice

This chapter describes a structure for climate model verification and validation. The construction of models from components and subcomponents is discussed, and the construction is related to verification and validation. In addition to quantitative measures of mean, bias, and variability, it is argued that physical consistency must be informed by correlative behavior that is related to underlying physical theory. The more qualitative attributes of validation are discussed. The consideration of these issues leads to the need for deliberative, expert evaluation as a part of the validation process. The narrative maintains a need for a written validation plan that describes the validation criteria and metrics and establishes the protocols for the essential deliberations. The validation plan, also, sets the foundations for independence, transparency, and objectivity. These values support both scientific methodology and integrity in the public forum.
Exploring Measurement Error with Cookies: A Real and Virtual Approach via Interactive Excel.

Scott A. Sinex is professor and chair of the physical sciences and engineering department of Prince George's Community College in Largo, MD. He received a PhD in geochemistry from the University of Maryland at College Park. He is involved with using technology to develop dynamic and interactive visualization of science and mathematical concepts for guided-inquiry instruction. E-mail: ssinex@pgcc.edu
Preparing Students for Science in the Face of Social Controversy

Science educators often teach topics that are largely resolved in the scientific community yet remain controversial in broader society. In such cases, students may perceive the teacher as biased. We present two exercises that foster more objective learning about the scientific underpinnings of socially controversial topics. The first exercise clarifies why the scientific resolution of an issue does not necessarily align with social perception. The second applies this concept by having students discriminate science-based claims from other claims.
Frequency of Faith and Spirituality Discussion in Health Care.

Faith and spirituality are important in the lives of many individuals, and therefore, many patients. This study was performed to determine whether faith and spirituality are active part of the healthcare field and patients’ receipt of these sometimes delicate topics. The nuances of the concepts of faith, spirituality, and religion and their implications in the healthcare setting are discussed. Benefits and detriments of faith and spirituality are reviewed in terms of how they relate to the health of the patient and to the healthcare field. With the focus of healthcare shifting to holistic care, this conversation may be more necessary than ever in practice, yet it seems many providers are not discussing these matters with patients. The study analyzes whether healthcare providers are discussing these topics with patients and how the discussion is received or would be received by patients. Findings demonstrate the infrequency of the discussion regardless of the fact that the majority of patients consider themselves faithful or spiritual. This study was approved by the Clarkson University Institutional Review Board on June 18, 2104.
Laser-Ultrasonic Monitoring of LC Steel Absorption During Anneling

The laser-ultrasonic reverberation technique is used to monitor the ultrasonic absorption during annealing of low carbon steel. Results show a monotonic increase of the absorption during the isothermal annealing as well as a strong variation with temperature. The main mechanism responsible for ultrasound absorption is identified as a magnetoelastic effect. This effect is sensitive to both recovery and recrystallization, suggesting that an absorption based sensor could be built to monitor annealing. Correlations of ultrasonic absorption with metallographically evaluated recrystallized fraction as well as with hardness are also reported.
Neocentromeres lack epigenetic memory and hallmarks of native centromeres in Cryptococcus deuterogattii

Abstract Deletion of native centromeres in the human fungal pathogen Cryptococcus deuterogattii leads to neocentromere formation. Native centromeres span truncated transposable elements, while neocentromeres span actively expressed genes. Neocentromeres in cen10Δ mutants are unstable and chromosome-chromosome fusions occur. After chromosome fusion, the neocentromere is silenced and the native centromere of the chromosome fusion partner remains as the sole active centromere. In the present study, the active centromere of a fused chromosome was deleted to investigate if epigenetic memory promoted re-activation of a silenced neocentromere. Our results show that the silenced neocentromere is not re-activated and instead a novel neocentromere forms directly adjacent to the deleted centromere of the fused chromosome. To explore the epigenetic organization of neocentromeres, we characterized the distribution of the heterochromatic histone modification H3K9me2 and 5mC DNA methylation. Native centromeres were enriched for both H3K9me2 and 5mC DNA methylation marks, while neocentromeres lacked these specific histone and DNA modifications. To study centromere dynamics, the actively expressed URA5 gene was introduced into a native centromere. Introduction of the URA5 gene led to loss of CENP-A from the native centromere, and a neocentromere formed directly adjacent to the native centromere location. Remarkably, the silenced native centromere remained enriched for heterochromatin, yet the integrated gene was expressed and devoid of H3K9me2. Analysis of multiple CENP-A distribution profiles revealed centromere drift in C. deuterogattii, a previously unknown phenomenon in fungi. The CENP-A-enriched region shifted within the pericentric regions, and a truncated transposable element in centromere 5 acted as a barrier between the CENP-A-associated regions of chromatin. Interestingly, this truncated transposable element was devoid of CENP-A binding or H3K9me2 modification and was instead marked by 5mC DNA methylation. Taken together, our findings reveal novel aspects about the epigenetic mechanisms that distinguish native centromeres and neocentromeres.