cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Changes in Unknown Primary Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck at Initial Presentation in the Era of Human Papillomavirus.

Importance The presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) in unknown primary squamous cell carcinoma (UPSCC) of the head and neck at initial presentation focuses the investigation for the primary tumor on the oropharynx. The trends, frequency, and detection rate of UPSCCs have not been evaluated in the context of HPV tumor status. Objectives To determine the frequency of UPSCC over time and to evaluate the proportion of HPV-positive UPSCCs. Design, Setting, and Participants Retrospective, single-institutional case series of patients diagnosed with UPSCC and evaluated at the Johns Hopkins Hospital from January 1, 2005, to June 1, 2014. Human papillomavirus tumor status was determined by p16 immunohistochemical analysis and/or high-risk HPV DNA by in situ hybridization as clinically available. Main Outcomes and Measures Number and clinical characteristics of UPSCC cases over time. Results Eighty-four UPSCC cases were eligible for analysis. The mean age of the patients was 57.3 years (range 29-80 years), and 88.1% (n = 74) were male. The frequency of UPSCC increased significantly over time ( P for trend = .01) and was significantly higher during later calendar periods (14 cases during 2005-2008 vs 39 cases during 2012-2014, P = .03). A total of 69 cases (90.7%) with available HPV tumor status were HPV-positive. The patients with HPV-positive UPSCC were significantly more likely to be male (91% vs 42.9%, P = .005) and younger (56.1 vs 67.7 years, P = .002) than the HPV-negative patients with UPSCC. The overall primary tumor site detection rate was 59.3% (n = 48). There was a nonsignificant increase in the detection rate from calendar periods 2005-2008 to 2012-2014 (50.0% vs 64.9%, P = .38). Since transoral robotic surgery was adopted in the diagnostic evaluation of UPSCC in 2011, a nonsignificant increase in the detection of primary tumors was observed (53.8% vs 64.3%, P = .34). Conclusions and Relevance The frequency of UPSCC has increased significantly in recent calendar periods, and most cases are HPV-positive. As expected, patients with HPV-positive UPSCC tend to be male and younger.
Imaging human postmortem eyes with SLO and OCT.

Confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope (SLO) and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) provide a comprehensive diagnostic assessment in the clinic. Here, we describe the use of SLO and OCT as the initial assessment to both screen “normal” postmortem donor eyes for retinal lesions and characterize retinal lesions in eyes with suspected pathology prior to histological analysis. The six human donor eyes described here were imaged using bright-field macroscopy, SLO, and OCT. One normal appearing eye was found to have a macular hole, and another normal appearing pair was found to have bilateral retinal pigment epithelium detachment centered on the fovea. SLO and OCT further characterized known retinal lesions in age-related macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa donor eyes. This is the first time both SLO and OCT are applied in addition to bright-field macroscopy to screen and characterize a range of retinal pathology in human postmortem eyes. The use of combined imaging modalities identified and localized retinal lesions in postmortem donor eyes that would have been overlooked by using bright-field macroscopy alone.
Simulation of a Controlled Freeze-Drying Process

AbstractThis work contains the basic theory of the coupled mass and heat transfer occurring during the primary drying portion of a lyophilization process. A mathematical model for the entire freezedryer is derived, which accounts for all of the essential effects occurring during the primary drying of a batch freeze-drying process. The describing equations are solved numerically and a variety of simulations are done to investigate the behaviour of the system, such as the role of the pore radius and the influence of the initial temperature. The influence of the inert gas inside the drying chamber is examined. Future effects and difficulties are shown, such as the procedure of determining the temperature at the interface front by closing the valve between the drying chamber and the condenser.
Potential economic losses to the US corn industry from aflatoxin contamination

ABSTRACTMycotoxins, toxins produced by fungi that colonise food crops, can pose a heavy economic burden to the US corn industry. In terms of economic burden, aflatoxins are the most problematic mycotoxins in US agriculture. Estimates of their market impacts are important in determining the benefits of implementing mitigation strategies within the US corn industry, and the value of strategies to mitigate mycotoxin problems. Additionally, climate change may cause increases in aflatoxin contamination in corn, greatly affecting the economy of the US Midwest and all sectors in the United States and worldwide that rely upon its corn production. We propose two separate models for estimating the potential market loss to the corn industry from aflatoxin contamination, in the case of potential near-future climate scenarios (based on aflatoxin levels in Midwest corn in warm summers in the last decade). One model uses the probability of acceptance based on operating characteristic (OC) curves for aflatoxin sampling a...
Glucose oxidation in isoproterenol-stimulated salivary glands of the rat.

SummaryAdministration of isoproterenol (IPR) to rats induced a 2.5-fold increase in submaxillary glands in 10 days, with no changes in the liver and kidney. This hypertrophy was completely prevented when methotrexate was administered concurrently with IPR. Salivary gland slices from fed or fasted animals, unlike diaphragm muscle, produced the same amount of 14CO2 from labeled glucose when incubated in the presence, or absence, of insulin. This suggests that, in this tissue, glucose uptake is not dependent upon the presence of insulin. Salivary gland slices produced equal amounts of 14CO2 when incubated with glucose-1-14C or glucose-6-14C. In contrast, liver slices produced twice as much 14CO2 from glucose-l-14C than from glucose-6-14C. This suggests that, unlike liver tissue, glucose oxidation in salivary gland cells occurs via the Embden-Meyerhoff pathway plus TCA cycle with little or no pentose shunt activity. Although IPR had no demonstrable effect when added to in vitro, a single in vivo administratio...
"Evidence" Under a Magnifying Glass: Thoughts on Safety Argument Epistemology

Common definitions of "safety case" emphasize that evidence is the basis of a safety argument, yet few widely referenced works explicitly define "evidence". Their examples suggest that similar things can be regarded as evidence. But the category evidence seems to contain (1) processes for finding things out, (2) information resulting from such processes, and (3) relevant documents. Moreover, any item of evidence could be replaced by further argument. Normative models of informal argumentation do not offer clear guidance on when a safety argument should cite evidence rather than appeal to a more detailed argument. Disciplines such as the law address the problem with a practical, domain-specific epistemology. In this paper, we explore these problems associated with evidence citations in safety arguments, identify goals for a theory of safety argument evidence and a practical safety argument epistemology, propose a model of safety evidence citation that advances the identified goals, and present a related extension to the Goal Structuring Notation (GSN).
469 GENOTYPE-PHENOTYPE CORRELATIONS IN A MOUSE MODEL OF ULNAR-MAMMARY SYNDROME

In order to understand the molecular and cellular mechanisms whereby mutations in TBX3 cause the complex congenital malformations seen in humans with Ulnar-mammary syndrome, we generated a series of mutant alleles using gene targeting in mice. Since it has previously been shown that Tbx3 null mouse mutants die in mid-gestation, we generated both conditional and hypomorphic alleles to examine the effects of altered gene dosage globally, and in a tissue specific manner using Cre/loxP methodology. We used RT-PCR to determine relative levels of Tbx3 mRNA and were able to correlate gene expression with genotype and with multiple phenotypes, including cardiovascular dysfunction as assessed by in utero echocardiography, limb malformations, and embryonic lethality.
Research of determination methods of food aluminum content

Objective To evaluate the analytical methods for determination of total aluminum in foodstuff. Methods Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer(ICP-OES) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry(ICP-MS) were used to determine total aluminum in reference materials including different foodstuff samples. Digestion effects using different types of acid were compared. The background value of total aluminum was determined in flour and aquatic products. Results Only nitric acid can not digest sample completely. Using nitric acid and hydrofluoric acid together could completely digest foodstuff samples. Aluminum was frequently detected in food samples and the level in parts of shellfish and jellyfish had exceeded 100 mg/kg. Conclusion Aluminum concentration detected by the method of national standard was lower than the true value. Using nitric acid and hydrofluoric acid together in the digestion step can precisely determine the total aluminum in foodstuff samples.
Radical Departure: Thermally-Triggered Degradation of Azo-Containing Poly(β-thioester)s

The design and synthesis of a new class of thermally-labile poly(β-thioester)s is reported. Aliphatic azo linkages were incorporated into the main chain of the polymers to allow for degradation to lower molecular weights upon heating. These polymers displayed a temperature-dependent degradation profile with a significant increase in decomposition rate as the temperature was raised from 60 to 95 °C. This approach was further extended to prepare amphiphilic triblock copolymers containing poly(β-thioester)s and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG). The resulting block copolymers were capable of self-assembly into micelles in water. Moreover, the assembled nanoparticles underwent dissociation as a result of exposure to heat.
Overview of potential treatment medications for cocaine dependence.

The search for a pharmacotherapeutic agent for the treatment of cocaine dependence began in the early 1980s as clinicians and researchers realized that the cocaine epidemic was growing rapidly and that standard drug counseling and self-help groups made little impact on the addiction for many cocaine abusers. Cocaine was initially viewed as a recreational drug for the wealthy with limited negative consequences for the majority of users (Grinspoon and Bakalar 1980). The widespread availability of cocaine and increased prevalence of more addictive routes of administration (intravenous (IV) and smoked) have resulted in cocaine abuse and dependence becoming one of the most serious public health problems in the United States. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) estimates that at least 2 million persons are cocaine abusers and that 1 to 3 million persons are in need of treatment (Kozel and Adams 1985).
Fine Needle Antegrade Pyelography in the Renal Transplant

AbstractAntegrade pyelography by fine needle puncture provides superior anatomic detail of the transplant ureter. It is the most accurate and informative examination for ureteral stricture and perforation, providing information not usually obtainable by excretory urography, radionuclide scan, ultrasound or retrograde pyelography. We herein describe our technique of fine needle antegrade pyelography and its application in 11 patients. The method is remarkably safe, with no clinically significant complications in this series or in a literature survey of 734 other fine needle kidney punctures.
Prognostic Value of EEG in Asphyxiated Newborns Treated with Hypothermia

Researchers at Children’s Hospitals in Milan, Italy, determined the prognostic value of electroencephalographic patterns in 23 newborns with severe perinatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, treated with hypothermia.
Image science at JOSA A: editorial

Editor-in-Chief P. Scott Carney discusses the scope of image science in JOSA A and introduces new topical editor Amit Ashok.
Excretion of organic matter and nutrients from invasive quagga mussels and potential impact on carbon dynamics in Lake Michigan

Abstract The Laurentian Great Lakes have been infested with invasive quagga mussels resulting in unprecedented changes in foodweb structure and ecological function, especially over the past decade. Nevertheless, impacts of quagga mussels on the dynamics of carbon and nutrients in the Great Lakes remain poorly quantified. Here, we report yields, composition and size-spectra of dissolved organic matter (DOM) and nutrients excreted from quagga mussels and their potential impact on carbon dynamics in Lake Michigan. Clearance rates of different sized microparticles indicate that quagga mussel ctenidial fibers can efficiently retain particles as small as 0.5-μm. Smaller-sized mussels have higher DOM excretion rates (0.076 ± 0.004 μmol-C/mg-DW/d) compared to larger mussels (0.012 ± 0.0002 μmol-C/mg-DW/d). Nitrogen excretion rate was up to 0.24 ± 0.01 μmol-N/mg-DW/d, 3 times higher than dissolved organic carbon (DOC), while inorganic phosphorus excretion was only 0.0076 ± 0.0030 μmol-P/mg-DW/d. Excreted DOM was mostly chromophoric and high-molecular-weight in nature with a colloidal size spectrum centered at 1–5 kDa, had a low C/N but higher N/P ratio, and was comprised of up to 78% carbohydrates with high propotion of structural polysaccharides. Fluorescence EEMs and PARAFAC analysis identified two major fluorescent DOM components: a tryptophan-like and a UVC humic-like, suggesting that excreted DOM could be potentially labile. Compared with field measurements, only ~ 12% of organic matter consumed by quagga mussels is excreted/egested, and the vast majority is likely respired as CO 2 , potentially contributing to an increase in CO 2 concentration in the water column and changes in carbon dynamics in Lake Michigan after the colonization of invasive quagga mussel.
The role of prolactin in mammogenesis and lactogenesis.

Although a great deal of new information about the physiologic and pathologic regulation of prolactin secretion in man has become available in recent years, precise delineation of the role of prolactin in human mammogenesis and lactogenesis has been difficult. This should not be surprising in light of the fact that its role in these processes is imperfectly understood in sub-primate mammals. Though detailed information has been accumulated on hormonal requirements for the maintenance and function of mammary expiants in short-term tissue culture in vitro, the relevance of these observations to in vivo lactational physiology remains unclear. A substantial body of literature dealing with lactation and its vascular cytologic, biochemical, and physiologic aspects has been developed during the past 30 years, but many aspects of breast function remain poorly understood (Larson and Smith, 1974).
Immunologic Aspects of Infectious Diseases

Reptiles and amphibians have been reported to harbor and maintain susceptibility to a wide range of potentially pathogenic agents (Ahne, 1977; Anver et al., 1976; Brock et al., 1976; Cooper et al., 1978; Cosgrove and Jared, 1974; Dondaldson et al., 1975; Glorioso et al., 1974; Kwapinski et al., 1974; Marcus, 1971; McKenzie and Green, 1976; Mizeli, 1968; Page, 1966; Reichenbach-Klinke and Elkan, 1965; Scherr and Rippon, 1959; Telford, 1971; Vogel, 1958). Antigenic components from bacterial and viral agents have been shown to stimulate agglutinating and neutralizing antibody production in lower vertebrates, including all orders of reptiles and some amphibians (Good and Papermaster, 1964). Cell-mediated immune responses to such agents in these species have only recently been investigated.
Anticancer activities of emetine prodrugs that are proteolytically activated by the prostate specific antigen (PSA) and evaluation of in vivo toxicity of emetine derivatives

Abstract Emetine is a small molecule protein synthesis inhibitor that is toxic to all cell types and therefore suitable for complete killing of all types of heterogeneous cancer cells within a tumor. It becomes significantly inactive (non-toxic) when derivatized at its N-2′ secondary amine. This provides a strategy for targeting emetine to cancerous tumor without killing normal cells. In this report, PSA activatable peptide prodrugs of emetine were synthesized. To overcome steric hindrances and enhance protease specific cleavage, a 2-stage prodrug activation process was needed to release emetine in cancer cells. In this 2-stage process, emetine prodrug intermediates are coupled to PSA peptide substrate (Ac-His-Ser-Ser-Lys-Leu-Gln) to obtain the full prodrug. Both prodrug intermediates 10 (Ala-Pro-PABC-Emetine) and 14 (Ser-Leu-PABC-Emetine) were evaluated for kinetics of hydrolysis to emetine and potency [Where PABC = p-aminobenzyloxycarbonyl]. While both intermediates quantitatively liberate emetine when incubated under appropriate conditions, upon coupling of PSA substrate to give the full prodrugs, only prodrug 16, the prodrug obtained from 14 was hydrolyzable by PSA. Cytotoxicity studies in PSA producing LNCaP and CWR22Rv1 confirm the activation of the prodrug by PSA with an IC50 of 75 nM and 59 nM respectively. The cytotoxicity of 16 is significantly reduced in cell lines that do not produce PSA. Further, in vivo toxicity studies are done on these prodrugs and other derivatives of emetine. The results show the significance of conformational modulation in obtaining safe emetine prodrugs.
Isolated Character Forms from Dated Syriac Manuscripts

This paper describes a set of hand-isolated character samples selected from securely dated manuscripts written in Syriac between 300 and 1300 C.E., which are being made available for research purposes. The collection can be used for a number of applications, including ground truth for character segmentation and form analysis for paleographical dating. Several applications based upon convolutional neural networks demonstrate the possibilities of the data set.
High speed, low offset, low power differential comparator with constant common mode voltage

A high-speed comparator with improved input referred offset is presented and analyzed in this paper. The proposed comparator is designed in low power TSMC CMOS technology with 1.2 V as power supply. Proposed comparator features low power consumption and dual offset cancellation technique. Minimum detectable input voltage is 52 μV and the measured propagation delay in this worst case input is equal to 219 ps. The power consumption is 755 μW in 1 GHz input frequency. Monte Carlo simulation unveils the standard deviation of the input referred offset is 723 μV.
Probing a Single Isolated Electron: New Measurements of the Electron Magnetic Moment and the Fine Structure Constant

For these measurements one electron is suspended for months at a time within a cylindrical Penning trap [1], a device that was invented long ago just for this purpose. The cylindrical Penning trap provides an electrostatic quadrupole potential for trapping and detecting a single electron [2]. At the same time, it provides a right, circular microwave cavity that controls the radiation field and density of states for the electron’s cyclotron motion [3].
Highly Selective and Sensitive Biochemical Detector

We consider a novel biochemical sensor based on charge transfer between semiconductor nanostructures and analyte molecules. The sensor is based on an original concept that relies on tunneling between an analyte molecule and the discrete energy levels of the nanostructures. The energy levels in nanostructures, which depend on quantum confinement and external effects, are tailored to mimic the energy levels of the analyte to be detected. Charge tunneling between the detector’s nanostructures and the analyte will occur only if the analyte has the energy levels matching the energy levels of the detector’s nanostructures. This completely new concept for biochemical sensor, which leverages the unique properties of nanostructured materials and design and optimization of nanomaterials, may potentially lead to label free detection and identification of a wide range of analytes with single molecule sensitivities. It will allow for continuous, instantaneous real time, high selectivity, high sensitivity, miniature in situ characterization device that could be implemented in various applications. The sensor may be a standalone unit or it can serve as a part of an instrument, enhancing selectivity and sensitivity of that device. Discussed will be modeling of the optoelectronic properties of nanoscale materials and QDs for realistic QD detector ensembles, including the study of collective effects and external electrical field on the energy level spectra and charge transfer processes between nanostructures.
The effects of body position and stabilization on isokinetic torque ratios for the shoulder rotators

Body position and stabilization is a controversial issue for shoulder rotational testing in the scapular plane. The purposes were to determine the effects of body position on the external/internal rotation (ER/IR) ratios and how closely they approximated previously reported ratios. Twenty-two healthy, informed subjects participated in test-retest isokinetic sessions involving two body positions (seated, standing), two rotational joint motions (external,internal), three velocities (60,120,180°.s -1 ) and two contraction types (concentric, eccentric). Intraclass correlation coefficients ranged from 0.89-0.93. A three-way ANOVA with repeated measures, used to analyze the data for contraction type separately, showed significant effects (p < 0.000) for body position regardless of body position. Concentrically, significant effects were observed for gender (p < 0.018), velocity (p < 0.000) and body position × velocity × gender (p < 0.003). It was concluded that use of the standing position with adequate stabilization is viable and perhaps more applicable to activities of daily living. Secondly, the 'acceptable' ER/IR ratios (0.6-0.7) previously defined should be extended to 0.5-0.7 to allow for varying joint and body positioning.
Exchange in Anthropology

Anthropological research into exchange stretches back to the origins of the discipline. In surveying the history and findings of this research, it is shown that anthropology's qualitative method of studying exchange can be seen as complementary to, rather than in competition with, the quantitative study of exchange within the discipline of economics. In the late 1980s, the study of exchange within anthropology turned upon several important texts that have helped to set the agenda leading up to the current day.
Photoremovable Protecting Groups

Selective reaction in molecules which contain more than a single functional group is an essential element in nearly all organic synthesis. Achieving this selectivity can be a challenging problem in reactions of compounds which contain a number of functional groups, particularly if those functional groups are all of the same type (e.g., carbohydrates). Perhaps the most common method for obtaining selective reaction is through the use of protecting groups. One indication of the importance of these groups is the continuing rise in the number of new protecting groups described each year. At present this number appears to be doubling every decade.(1)
Punctuation: Making a Point in Unsupervised Dependency Parsing

We show how punctuation can be used to improve unsupervised dependency parsing. Our linguistic analysis confirms the strong connection between English punctuation and phrase boundaries in the Penn Treebank. However, approaches that naively include punctuation marks in the grammar (as if they were words) do not perform well with Klein and Manning's Dependency Model with Valence (DMV). Instead, we split a sentence at punctuation and impose parsing restrictions over its fragments. Our grammar inducer is trained on the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) and achieves 59.5% accuracy out-of-domain (Brown sentences with 100 or fewer words), more than 6% higher than the previous best results. Further evaluation, using the 2006/7 CoNLL sets, reveals that punctuation aids grammar induction in 17 of 18 languages, for an overall average net gain of 1.3%. Some of this improvement is from training, but more than half is from parsing with induced constraints, in inference. Punctuation-aware decoding works with existing (even already-trained) parsing models and always increased accuracy in our experiments.
Is Sexual Abuse a Unique Predictor of Sexual Risk Behaviors, Pregnancy, and Motherhood in Adolescence?

This study tested sexual abuse as a unique predictor of subsequent adolescent sexual behaviors, pregnancy, and motherhood when in company with other types of maltreatment (physical abuse, neglect) and alternative behavioral, family, and contextual risk factors in a prospective, longitudinal study of maltreated (n = 275) and comparison (n = 239) nulliparous females aged 14-19 years old assessed annually through 19 years old. Hierarchical regression was used to disentangle risk factors that account for the associations of maltreatment type on risky sexual behaviors at 19 years old, adolescent pregnancy, and adolescent motherhood. Findings indicate that sexual and physical abuse remain significant predictors of risky sexual behaviors, and that sexual abuse remains a significant predictor of adolescent motherhood when alternative explanatory variables are controlled.
Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation Facility: Musculoskeletal and Neuromuscular Rehabilitation

The purpose of this article is not to detail the care that can be provided within a comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facility (CORF), but to provide some background information about the entity itself and to look at the advantages and disadvantages of physiatric practices centered in existing CORFs. An attempt is made to look at the future as well and to provide an overview of the possible diversity of the practice.
From ED overcrowding to jail overcrowding: a cautionary tale of a Serial Inebriate Programme (SIP).

Introduction Community-based programmes have been implemented to curtail ED use by individuals with chronic public intoxication. Among these programmes is the Serial Inebriate Programme (SIP), which aims to reduce use of ED and emergency medical services. We present the results of an evaluation of the SIP in Santa Cruz, California, including data on the participants’ police and jail history, information not considered in prior analyses of SIPs. Methods In the present study, we used a retrospective cohort to evaluate the effectiveness of the SIP in Santa Cruz, California from 2013 to 2015. Specifically, we looked at the programme effects on participants’ arrests, nights in jail, use of the local ED and ambulance services after programme adjudication. Results The median number of visits to the ED for participants before and after adjudication was reduced from 4 to 1, and participants showed a significant decrease in their number of jail bookings following adjudication (−4.5 bookings; p=0.004). However, the average number of nights in jail served by participants after adjudication was 2.1 times the average number of nights spent in jail spent before programme adjudication (58.5 vs 27.6 nights in jail for postadjudication and preadjudication groups, respectively; p=0.009). Conclusions Our findings suggest that the Santa Cruz SIP had some impact in reducing participants’ use of emergency services, but at the cost of increased jail time. The burdens of placing chronically intoxicated individuals in jail for extended periods of time are not trivial and should not be overlooked when designing and implementing a SIP.
Impact of unfavorable factors on outcomes among inoperable stage II-IV Nonsmall cell lung cancer patients treated with proton therapy.

PURPOSE To investigate the impact of unfavorable risk factors among patients with locally advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer (LA-NSCLC) treated with proton therapy (PT). MATERIAL AND METHODS From May 2008 through July 2015, 90 consecutive patients with unresectable stage II-IV (oligometastatic) NSCLC were treated with PT. Unfavorable factors including age ≥80 years, stage IV, weight loss >10% in 3 months, performance status (PS) ≥2, FEV1 < 1.0 or O2 dependency, prior lung cancer, prior lung surgery, prior 2nd cancer in the past 3 years, and prior chest irradiation were evaluated. All patients received standard fractionation of 1.8-2 Gy(RBE) (median dose, 70 Gy[RBE]). Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were calculated with the Kaplan-Meier method. The impact of unfavorable factors was analyzed in Cox regression models. RESULTS Twenty-six percent were favorable-risk, while 42%, 22%, and 10% had 1-, 2-, or ≥3 unfavorable factors. The 2-year OS was 52% and 45% (p = .8522), and 2-year PFS was 21% and 44% (p = .0207), for favorable and unfavorable risk patients, respectively. Among patients with stage III-IV, only PS ≥2 adversely impacted OS (p = .0015). CONCLUSION Most patients treated with PT for LA-NSCLC have unfavorable risk factors. These patients had similar outcomes to favorable-risk patients. Enrollment in future clinical trials may improve if eligibility is less restrictive.
Racial Isolation Drives Racial Voting: Evidence from the New South Africa

How does local demographic context shape political behavior? We investigate how racial isolation, one of the natural consequences of structural segregation, is related to racial voting in South Africa. Using a variety of new datasets, which include for the first time high resolution census data from before the end of apartheid, we leverage plausibly exogenous variation in the extent to which local segregation persisted after the end of apartheid to study this relationship. Whites who are more isolated engage in more racial voting, measured as the probability of voting along racial lines, against black political parties. Using geo-referenced survey data for over 39,000 people we then present individual level evidence consistent with our findings, and discuss potential mechanisms.
Pathogen Reduction: The State of the Science in 2019

In the past 30 years, transfusion safety has increased substantially and blood transfusion is now a safer procedure than at any time in the past. Herein, we provide a comprehensive review of pathogen reduction, which is the new paradigm in transfusion safety. Specifically, we describe the various processes and technologies that are capable of diminishing or neutralizing infectious threats, including those that are not addressed or may not be detected by standard screening techniques. A special emphasis is placed on recent developments that are likely to impact patient care in 2019 and beyond.
Allograft inflammatory factor-1 supports macrophage survival and efferocytosis and limits necrosis in atherosclerotic plaques.

Abstract Background and aims Allograft inflammatory factor-1 (AIF1) has been characterized as a pro-inflammatory molecule expressed primarily in the monocyte/macrophage (MP) lineage and positively associated with various forms of vascular disease, including atherosclerosis. Studies of AIF1 in atherosclerosis have relied on mouse models in which AIF1 was overexpressed in either myeloid or smooth muscle cells, resulting in increased atherosclerotic plaque burden. How physiologic expression of AIF1 contributes to MP biology in atherogenesis is not known. Methods Effects of global AIF1 deficiency on atherosclerosis were assessed by crossing Aif1−/− and ApoE−/− mice, and provoking hyperlipidemia with high fat diet feeding. Atherosclerotic plaques were studied en face and in cross section. Bone marrow-derived MPs (BMDMs) were isolated from Aif1−/− mice for study in culture. Results Atherosclerotic plaques in Aif1−/−;ApoE−/− mice showed larger necrotic cores compared to those in ApoE−/− animals, without change in overall lesion burden. In vitro, lack of AIF1 reduced BMDM survival, phagocytosis, and efferocytosis. Mechanistically, AIF1 supported activation of the NF-κB pathway and expression of related target genes involved in stress response, inflammation, and apoptosis. Consistent with this in vitro BMDM phenotype, AIF1 deficiency reduced NF-κB pathway activity in vivo and increased apoptotic cell number in atherosclerotic lesions from Aif1−/−;ApoE−/− mice. Conclusions These findings characterize AIF1 as a positive regulator of the NF-κB pathway that supports MP functions such as survival and efferocytosis. In inflammatory settings such as atherosclerosis, these AIF1-dependent activities serve to clear cellular and other debris and limit necrotic core expansion, and may oppose lesion destabilization.
Contractual Guidelines for Construction Safety–Related Issues under Design–Build Standard Forms of Contract

AbstractA lack of clear-cut contractual safety responsibility is one of the main problems in construction safety. Therefore, it is in the interest of all project parties to assign proper contractua...
Are We Getting What We Really Want? A Systematic Review of Concordance Between Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) Documentation and Subsequent Care Delivered at End-of-Life.

Background:Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatments (POLST) is an advance care planning (ACP) tool that is designed to facilitate End-of-Life (EoL) care discussions between a medical provide...
Teacher, Why is This So Boring?: Rethinking Social Studies and History Education: Social Education Through Alternative Texts by C. White (2016), Charlotte, NC, Information Age Publishing, 1–205 $39.09 (pbk), ISBN 978-1-6812-3497-7

In a world of wonder where we hail inquisition and discovery, the fields of technology and science are everchanging with consistent advancements; why are we still transmitting bland information in ...
Incorporating Veterinary Care into the Sheep Production Cycle

According to recent national survey data, roughly half of sheep producers in the United States regularly utilize veterinary consultation as a diagnostic service. A large proportion of health problems in conventional flocks is the result of management errors and is potentially preventable. Veterinarians are well positioned to provide consultation services to improve management practices as well as diagnostic services to monitor health and disease in the animals. A logical starting point is the introduction of certain practices that have high potential to provide direct economic benefit to the producer, such as fertility testing of rams. By 0ffering such services at opportune times, veterinarians can efficiently integrate their expertise into the annual flock production cycle.
Advancing Adaptive Learning via Artificial Intelligence

The purpose of this research was to conduct a survey of potential alternative AI engines in order to determine the effective characteristics to implement with Adaptive Learning. This research compiles a list of possible alternatives that could be implemented for an Introduction to Computing course at a 4-year liberal arts college in the Southeast region of the U.S. Although the current adaptive learning software has been used with this course for several years and has yielded good results, the authors believe that there is always room for improvement. Therefore, this study set out to find other intelligent software engines that could better benefit the students at this institution with the help of AI.
Composite per-recruits: Alternative metrics for deriving biological reference points of fishery resources

Most exploited aquatic populations lack the fishery selectivity and life-history information, by age/size, needed to develop harvest control rules (HCRs). This study relies on stage-structured life-history and fishery characteristics inherent in delay-difference models to set out a typology of composite (age-aggregated) yield per-recruit (CYPR) models along with composite spawning stock per-recruit (CSSR) models and composite spawning per-recruits (CSPRs) and propose the related, conventional-like biological reference points, which may prove useful in devising HCRs, especially for data-poor stocks. CYPR, CSSR, and CSPR are equilibrium and interrelated metrics controlled by fishing mortality. Inputs to their development include growth and natural mortality parameters and, eventually, stage-specific selectivity, natural mortality, and maturity. In spite of numerous formulations of CYPRs denoted CYPR1 to CYPR15, CYPRs fall into three types of equations following from the Leslie–DeLury depletion model family for open populations (prototype: CYPR3), the Deriso–Schnute delay-difference model family (prototype: CYPR9), and some differential forms of the previous two model families (prototype: CYPR14). CYPR3, CYPR9, and CYPR14 exhibit, respectively, patterns increasing monotonically toward asymptotes and dome-shaped patterns which, beyond their maxima, trend toward the mean weight-at-recruitment and zero. Comparisons of fishing mortality-based biological reference points (FBRPs) from CYPRs and CSPRs with the fishing mortality producing the maximum sustainable yield (FMSY) or FMSY proxies from 53 data-rich stock assessments on the US East Coast indicate that some FBRPs are accurate estimators of FMSY or FMSY proxies. CYPR14 is the recommended CYPR for determining the plausible sustainability status of data-poor stocks because it accommodates more growth parameters, maximizes at a fishing mortality rate that qualifies for FMSY and has the greatest accuracy about FMSY for the majority of data-rich stocks. Composite per-recruit models should be used in stage-structured model assessments in the same way that conventional per-recruit models are used in age- and length-structured model assessments.
OS for Graphics and Multimedia

Multimedia and graphics data, which includes video, audio, and realistic animations, are entertaining, informative, and intuitive. The information is continuously updated, in which the timing of the data is part of their semantics, and it must be maintained both within a data stream and between related data streams. Operating system (OS) support for the soft real-time needs of multimedia applications is crucial and challenging. In this article, we discuss OS support for multimedia quality of service in a general-purpose and multiuser computing environment. We address the issues of (1) resource abstraction and accounting, (2) resource scheduling, and (3) solutions to priority inversion problems that develop from interactions between OS components. Keywords: quality of service (QOS); central processing unit (CPU); presentation device; graphics; multimedia; CPU scheduling; interrupt processing; synchronization; protection domain
Postneonatal Infant Mortality in Infants Admitted to a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

The postneonatal infant mortality (PNIM) of 2,205 infants admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit from January 1971 to December 1974 was 44 in 1,000 infants who survived to age 28 days. This rate is approximately ten times that of the general population. Congenital malformations (59%), infections (12%), sudden infant death syndrome (10%), and asphyxial brain damage (10%) were the most common causes of death. One third (26) of the infants remained in the hospital whereas two thirds (52) had been dismissed prior to death. All who remained in the hospital plus 36 who had been dismissed died of severe illnesses that were incompatible with prolonged survival. The remaining PNIM was 10 in 1,000 neonatal survivors. This rate is still twice that of the general population. These deaths occurred in infants who were apparently well at the time of dismissal and subsequent examinations. Sudden infant death syndrome and infections constituted the largest portion of this mortality. Factors contributing to mortality in this group were poor socioeconomic status and low birth weight. Maternal age, race, marital status, and neonatal illnesses including apnea were not significantly related. Factors that appear to be important in the birth of high-risk infants continued to be operative in the postneonatal period, and contribute to a high mortality in apparently normal infants dismissed from the neonatal intensive care unit.
Peasants against Globalization: Rural Social Movements in Costa Rica

Peasants against Globalization: Rural Social Movements in Costa Rica. Marc Edelman. Stanford: Stanford University Press, 1999. 308 pp.
Development of a novel polymer-metal nanocomposite obtained through the route of in situ reduction and its dielectric properties [capacitor applications]

Composites of metal particles within a dielectric medium have attracted a lot of attention because of the interesting properties exhibited by them. For integral capacitors, the polymer composite material has emerged as a potential candidate, since it meets the requirements of low processing temperature and reasonably high dielectric constant. Rao Yang and C.P. Wong (US Patent filed 4/29/2001) have demonstrated novel integral passive component materials with tremendously high dielectric constant (k>1,000) and high reliability performance. These materials have high dielectric constant, based on the interfacial polarization mechanism, but they need precision filler concentration control. The current study overcomes this drawback and achieves the composite through an in-situ reduction of silver in an epoxy matrix. Various parameters affecting the nanoparticle size are discussed and optimum conditions obtained. Material characterization was done through TEM, SEM, EDAX and X-ray analysis. Dielectric characterization is done through an LCR meter. Novel dielectric behavior has been observed and possible Coulombic blockade effects are discussed to explain the novel behavior.
Overexpression of Cox-2 in human osteosarcoma cells decreases proliferation and increases apoptosis

Overexpression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is generally considered to promote tumorigenesis. To investigate a potential role of COX-2 in osteosarcoma, we overexpressed COX-2 in human osteosarcoma cells. Saos-2 cells deficient in COX-2 expression were retrovirally transduced or stably transfected with murine COX-2 cDNA. Functional expression of COX-2 was confirmed by Northern and Western analyses and prostaglandin production. Overexpression of COX-2 reduced cell numbers by 50% to 70% compared with controls. Decreased proliferation in COX-2-overexpressing cells was associated with cell cycle prolongation in G(2)-M. Apoptosis, measured by both Annexin V binding assay and terminal deoxyribonucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling staining, was increased in cells overexpressing COX-2, and the increase was not reversed by treatment with NS-398, indicating that the effects were not mediated by prostaglandins. Retroviral COX-2 overexpression in two other human osteosarcoma cell lines, U2OS and TE85, also decreased cell viability. However, in the human colon carcinoma HCT-116 cell line, which is deficient in COX-2, retroviral overexpression of COX-2, at similar efficiency as in Saos-2 cells, increased resistance to apoptosis. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), measured by flow cytometry, were increased by COX-2 overexpression in Saos-2 cells but not in HCT-116 cells. Inhibition of peroxidase activity, but not of COX activity, blocked the ROS increase. Antioxidants blocked the increase in ROS and the increase in apoptosis due to COX-2 overexpression in Saos-2 cells. Our results suggest that (a) COX-2 overexpression in osteosarcoma cells may increase resistance to tumorigenesis by increasing ROS to levels that decrease cell viability and (b) the effects of COX-2 overexpression are cell type/tissue dependent.
Managing Green Water in Dryland Agriculture

Green water is the portion of precipitation that is stored in the soil, or temporarily stays on top of the soil or vegetation during the growing season. Eventually, part of it is used by plants as transpiration and the amount of water transpired is directly related to biomass production. For grain crops, a portion of the biomass is grain, and the ratio of grain to biomass is the harvest index. The portion of precipitation that becomes green water generally increases with increasing precipitation. In arid regions, green water is often <30% of the precipitation, and <50% of this may actually be used for transpiration resulting in evaporation losses of 85% or more. In more favorable areas, 65% or more of the precipitation may be green water, and as much as 70% or more used for transpiration. Also, the units of water as transpiration required to produce a unit of biomass increase as aridity increases while the harvest index generally decreases. As a result of these interactions, grain yield decreases at a faster rate than precipitation. By the use of generalized relationships based on past studies, it is estimated that the grain yield of corn (Zea mays L.) grown in an area with 500 mm average precipitation will be only about 25% of that from an area with 1000 mm precipitation. Therefore, while there is great potential for increasing the capture, storage, and use of green water, realizing this potential increases almost exponentially with increasing aridity.
Clinical utility of intraductal US for evaluation of choledocholithiasis

Abstract Background: Intraductal US can improve the diagnostic accuracy of cholangiography performed under C-arm fluoroscopy in patients with suspected choledocholithiasis. This study aimed to determine the clinical utility of intraductal US for patient management. Methods: Patients with suspected choledocholithiasis undergoing ERCP with a C-arm fluoroscope at two tertiary academic medical centers were enrolled. After initial cholangiography, findings and decisions concerning the need for further interventions were recorded. Intraductal US (20 MHz) was then selectively performed in patients with equivocal cholangiography or those without cholangiographic evidence of bile duct stones. Intraductal US was also performed after endoscopic sphincterotomy and stone extraction to confirm bile duct clearance. Results: Fifty-two patients (28 men, 24 women) were enrolled and intraductal US was selectively performed in 35 (64%). Of the 21 patients with normal cholangiography, 8 (38%) had stones or sludge by intraductal US. Endoscopic sphincterotomy was performed as a direct result of intraductal US in these 8 and the findings were confirmed in 7. In the 14 patients in whom cholangiography demonstrated small ( Conclusions: Selective use of intraductal US affects the clinical management of a large proportion of patients who undergo C-arm fluoroscopy-guided ERCP for suspected bile duct stones. (Gastrointest Endosc 2003;57:648-52)
Lag structure in resting-state fMRI

The discovery that spontaneous fluctuations in blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) signals contain information about the functional organization of the brain has caused a paradigm shift in neuroimaging. It is now well established that intrinsic brain activity is organized into spatially segregated resting-state networks (RSNs). Less is known regarding how spatially segregated networks are integrated by the propagation of intrinsic activity over time. To explore this question, we examined the latency structure of spontaneous fluctuations in the fMRI BOLD signal. Our data reveal that intrinsic activity propagates through and across networks on a timescale of ∼1 s. Variations in the latency structure of this activity resulting from sensory state manipulation (eyes open vs. closed), antecedent motor task (button press) performance, and time of day (morning vs. evening) suggest that BOLD signal lags reflect neuronal processes rather than hemodynamic delay. Our results emphasize the importance of the temporal structure of the brain's spontaneous activity.