cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hodgkin’s Disease: Mortality in the United States, 1921-1951; Race, Sex and Age Distribution; Comparison with Leukemia

HODGKIN'S DISEASE and leukemia have become firmly established as neoplastic entities only in recent years. In vital statistics, these diseases were not included under malignant neoplasms until the 1948 (sixth) revision of the International List of Causes of Death. Statistical analyses of cancer mortality in the United States as a result usually do not include Hodgkin's disease or leukemia. For leukemia, however, statistical analyses of mortality data were published by Sacks and Seeman, 1 and, in more restricted form by Shimkin et al., 2 and by Cooke. 3 For Hodgkin's disease no systematic study appears to be available; a limited use of mortality data was made by Shimkin et al. 4 This report, therefore, summarizes and analyzes data on mortality from Hodgkin's disease in the United States for the period 1921 through 1951. The main purposes are (1) to study the trends in rates, and in sex and age relationships for Hodgkin's disease during the thirty-year period, and (2) to compare such data with similar data for leukemia, in order to ascertain differences and similarities in the mortality data characteristics for the two disease categories. It is worth recapitulating some of the controllable and uncontrollable errors and limitations inherent in death certificate data. Among the former are that prior to 1933, the death registration area did not encompass the whole United States; adequate corrections can be made for this factor. Changes in classification of diseases and tabulation of causes of mortality affect the rates attributed to a specific entity; in most instances, comparability analyses are either available or can be made so that reasonable corrections can be instituted. Changes in the age, sex and race distribution of a population may produce apparent changes in rates; proper procedures of standardization will correct these impressions derived from crude rates. Of much more importance than the adjustable or correctable parameters of death certificate analysis are the imponderable effects of better certification of the cause of death, and the improvement in diagnostic procedures that makes more accurate certification possible. Related to these serious limitations are the changing concepts in medical teaching, and the other causes of death that can be confused with the specific entity under consideration.
Reply: Epithelial alkalinity and hyperproliferation in the Cftr KO intestine.

to the editor: We appreciate the interest that Dr. Kaunitz and colleagues ([1][1]) have expressed regarding our recent article. One aspect of the manuscript was our conjecture that sustained alkalinity in the crypt epithelium would support intestinal hyperproliferation, a statement based on numerous
Tortoises (Chelonii, Testudinidae)

Two species of tortoises are known from Pliocene sites on the Eyasi Plateau, including Laetoli. The most common species is a medium-sized tortoise, Stigmochelys brachygularis, which is well represented in the Laetolil Beds (∼3.6–4.4 Ma) and Upper Ndolanya Beds (∼2.66 Ma). The giant tortoise, “Geochelone” laetoliensis, is known only from the Laetolil Beds, and is much less common than S. brachygularis. Stigmochelys brachygularis is represented by a number of relatively complete and partial shells, as well as numerous isolated and associated shell fragments, some postcranial remains and eggs. It is generally similar in size and overall morphology to the extant leopard tortoise, S. pardalis, but a number of features serve to distinguish the two species. Stigmochelys brachygularis and S. pardalis are inferred to be closely related, and are most likely sister taxa that represent time-successive species of a single lineage. The age structure of the fossil sample, in conjunction with evidence of carnivore damage on the shells, indicates that S. brachygularis was subject to relatively high levels of predation in comparison with modern-day S. pardalis. If S. brachygularis is presumed to have been ecologically similar to modern S. pardalis, it would have been capable of living in a wide range of habitats from semi-desert and savanna to open woodland. The material attributed to “Geochelone” laetoliensis is more fragmentary, and as a consequence it is not possible to determine its precise phylogenetic or taxonomic relationships. However, it likely represents a distinct genus, possibly with affinities to Astrochelys from Madagascar. A more thorough assessment of the relationships of “G.” laetoliensis with Miocene and Pliocene giant tortoises from Africa and with extant genera will have to await the recovery of more complete material from Laetoli. Giant tortoises, such as “G.” laetoliensis, became extinct on mainland Africa during the late Pliocene, possibly associated with the appearance of early Homo and stone tool using behaviors at 2.6 Ma.
TU-FG-207A-05: Winners 1, 2, & 3 and Q/A

Peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings publish hundreds of papers that describe new medical imaging algorithms, including, for example, techniques for computer-aided diagnosis or characterization, segmentation, image registration, image reconstruction, and radiomics. It is difficult, if not impossible, to fairly compare the performance of these algorithms as investigators must either use different data sets, or if using the same data, use different implementations of competing algorithms. Grand Challenges facilitate the fair comparison of algorithms by providing a common data set to all participants and by having each participant be responsible for implementation of their own algorithm. The dissemination of findings from Grand Challenges provides important information to the scientific community and helps to determine which approaches have the greatest promise for successful translation to clinical practice. In this session we will review the outcomes and lessons learned from the 2015 SPIE-AAPM-NCI Lung Nodule Classification Challenge. We will then turn to the 2016 NIH-AAPM-Mayo Clinic Low Dose CT Grand Challenge, providing an overview of denoising and iterative reconstruction approaches and a description of the Challenge. The top 3 performing participants will be announced, and each will give a short presentation on their technique. Learning Objectives: 1.Understand the role of Grand Challenges in the field of medical imaging 2.Be able to summarize the outcomes of the 2015 lung nodule classification challenge 3.Be able to review the primary types of noise reduction techniques used in CT 4.Be familiar with a library of patient CT projection data available to researchers 5.Learn which techniques performed best in the Low Dose CT Grand Challenge Pelc: GE Healthcare, Philips Healthcare; McCollough: Research grant, Siemens Healthcare; Low Dose CT Grand Challenge supported by the AAPM Science Council and NIH (grant EB 017185), and hosted by the Mayo Clinic; Giger: stockholder R2 technology/Hologic, royalties from Hologic, GE Medical Systems, MEDIAN Technologies, Riverain Medical, Mitsubishi/Toshiba. Cofounder/stockholder Quantitative Insights.
Loss of REDD1 augments the rate of the overload-induced increase in muscle mass

The overload-induced increase in muscle mass is accompanied by protein accretion; however, the initiating events are poorly understood. Regulated in Development and DNA Damage 1 (REDD1), a repressor of the mechanistic target of rapamycin in complex 1 (mTORC1), blunts the elevation in protein synthesis induced by acute muscle contractions. Therefore, this study was designed to determine whether REDD1 alters the rate of the overload-induced increase in muscle mass. Wild-type (WT) and REDD1-null mice underwent unilateral functional overload (OV) of the plantaris, while the contralateral sham leg served as a control. After 3 and 5 days of OV, puromycin incorporation was used as a measurement of protein synthesis. The percent increase in plantaris wet weight and protein content was greater in REDD1-null mice after 3, 5, and 10 days OV. The overload-stimulated rate of protein synthesis in the plantaris was similar between genotypes after 3 days OV, but translational capacity was lower in REDD1-null mice, indicating elevated translational efficiency. This was likely due to elevated absolute mTORC1 signaling [phosphorylation of p70S6K1 (Thr-389) and 4E-BP1 (Ser-65)]. By 5 days of OV, the rate of protein synthesis in REDD1-null mice was lower than WT mice with no difference in absolute mTORC1 signaling. Additionally, markers of autophagy (LC3II/I ratio and p62 protein) were decreased to a greater absolute extent after 3 days OV in REDD1-null mice. These data suggest that loss of REDD1 augments the rate of the OV-induced increase in muscle mass by altering multiple protein balance pathways.
Respite Care and Stress Among Caregivers of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Integrative Review

Problem While parenting, in general, can be stressful, mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience chronic stress comparable to combat soldiers. Research suggests that respite care may potentially reduce stress among caregivers. However, greater understanding of this relationship is needed. The purpose of this integrative review is to examine the relationship between respite care and stress among caregivers of children with ASD. Sample and Eligibility A final sample of 11 primary research reports were located using several databases. Articles were included that were: related to the focus of the review, written in English, and published within the last 10 years. Results and Conclusion While most studies found that respite care was associated with lower stress, several found that respite care was associated with higher stress. One study found no association. A model is presented that contributes to a new understanding of this relationship. Overall, the results of this integrative review provide some evidence that respite care use may be associated with a decrease in stress among caregivers of children with ASD. However, due to the lack of consistency and quality across the studies, these findings must be interpreted with caution. Implications Healthcare providers must recognize the importance of tailoring respite care services to the unique family needs. Additionally, policy changes and innovative ideas are needed to help improve the quality of respite care and help expand access. Finally, additional research is necessary to better understand the relationship between respite care and stress among caregivers of children with ASD.
Post-transcriptional Regulation of BRCA2 through Interactions with miR-19a and miR-19b.

Breast cancer type 2, early onset susceptibility gene (BRCA2) is a major component of the homologous recombination DNA repair pathway. It acts as a tumor suppressor whose function is often lost in cancers. Patients with specific mutations in the BRCA2 gene often display discrete clinical, histopathological and molecular features. However, a subset of sporadic cancers has wild type BRCA2 and display defects in the Homology-Directed Repair (HDR) pathway, which is the hallmark of ‘BRCAness’. The mechanisms by which BRCAness arises are not fully understood but post-transcriptional regulation of BRCA2 gene expression by microRNAs (miRNAs) may contribute to this phenotype. Here, we examine the post-transcriptional effects that some members of the six-miRNA cluster known as the miR-17/92 cluster have on the abundance of BRCA2’s messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein. We discuss two interactions involving the miR-19a and miR-19b members of the cluster and the 3´UTR of BRCA2’s mRNA. We investigated these miRNA:mRNA interactions in fifteen cell lines derived from pancreatic, breast, colon, and kidney tissue. We show that over-expression of these two miRNAs results in a concomitant decrease of BRCA2’s mRNA and protein expression in a subset of the tested cell lines. Additionally, using luciferase reporter assays we identified direct interactions between miR-19a/miR-19b and a miRNA response element (MRE) in BRCA2’s 3´UTR. Our results suggest that BRCA2 is subject to a complex post-transcriptional regulatory program that has specific dependencies on the genetic and phenotypic background of cell types.
Response to comment on “The suburban bias of American society?”

We thank Thomas and Fulkerson for their comments and for the opportunity to explore further some of the issues we raised in our paper, “The suburban bias of American society?”. In our response, we ...
Anesthetic synergy between two n-alkanes.

Abstract Objective N-butane and n-pentane can both produce general anesthesia. Both compounds potentiate γ-aminobutyric acid type A (GABA A ) receptor function, but only butane inhibits N -methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA) receptors. It was hypothesized that butane and pentane would exhibit anesthetic synergy due to their different actions on ligand-gated ion channels. Study design Prospective experimental study. Animals A total of four Xenopus laevis frogs and 43 Sprague–Dawley rats. Methods Alkane concentrations for all studies were determined via gas chromatography. Using a Xenopus oocyte expression model, standard two-electrode voltage clamp techniques were used to measure NMDA and GABA A receptor responses in vitro as a function of butane and pentane concentrations relevant to anesthesia. The minimum alveolar concentrations (MAC) of butane and pentane were measured separately in rats, and then pentane MAC was measured during coadministration of 0.25, 0.50 or 0.75 times MAC of butane. An isobole with 95% confidence intervals was constructed using regression analysis. A sum of butane and pentane that was statistically less than the lower-end confidence bound isobole indicated a synergistic interaction. Results Both butane and pentane dose-dependently potentiated GABA A receptor currents over the study concentration range. Butane dose-dependently inhibited NMDA receptor currents, but pentane did not modulate NMDA receptors. Butane and pentane MAC in rats was 39.4 ± 0.7 and 13.7 ± 0.4 %, respectively. A small but significant ( p Conclusions Butane and pentane show synergistic anesthetic effects in vivo consistent with their different in vitro receptor effects. Clinical relevance Findings support the relevance of NMDA receptors in mediating anesthetic actions for some, but not all, inhaled agents.
A Machine Learning Approach for Tracking and Predicting Student Performance in Degree Programs

Accurately predicting students’ future performance based on their ongoing academic records is crucial for effectively carrying out necessary pedagogical interventions to ensure students’ on-time and satisfactory graduation. Although there is a rich literature on predicting student performance when solving problems or studying for courses using data-driven approaches, predicting student performance in completing degrees (e.g., college programs) is much less studied and faces new challenges: 1) Students differ tremendously in terms of backgrounds and selected courses; 2) courses are not equally informative for making accurate predictions; and 3) students’ evolving progress needs to be incorporated into the prediction. In this paper, we develop a novel machine learning method for predicting student performance in degree programs that is able to address these key challenges. The proposed method has two major features. First, a bilayered structure comprising multiple base predictors and a cascade of ensemble predictors is developed for making predictions based on students’ evolving performance states. Second, a data-driven approach based on latent factor models and probabilistic matrix factorization is proposed to discover course relevance, which is important for constructing efficient base predictors. Through extensive simulations on an undergraduate student dataset collected over three years at University of California, Los Angeles, we show that the proposed method achieves superior performance to benchmark approaches.
A Multivariable Robust Controller Design for a Single Machine Infinite-Bus System

Abstract This paper investigates the application of H ∞ optimal control theory to the design of a supplementary excitation and governor control system to improve the stability and performance robustness of an electric power system. This study is based on a single machine infinite bus system. The effectiveness of the proposed controller was investigated using simulation of the nonlinear model. The simulation results show that the controlled system is robust in face of different types of disturbances that a power system can be subjcct to such as changes in voltage or power reference level and three phase short circuit occurred at the infinite bus terminal.
Drug seeking behavior--a differential approach.

"Drug seeker" is a common term for patients who are perceived to be seeking drugs that might be abused or used in an illegal fashion. While there are patients who seek drugs for totally illegitimate reasons, most of these patients have some type of underlying medical issue. A differential model is proposed using four categories of seeker. The first is fraudulent behavior, second is addictive disease, third is under-treated symptomatology such as pain, and last is psychiatric disorders. Each area is discussed with useful examples of behavior in each category. With a good working knowledge of these areas described, physicians can more effectively manage this difficult group of patients.
The Right to Read for Blind or Disabled Persons

The World Intellectual Property Organization has been considering proposals for an international instrument to expand access to copyrighted information for blind or disabled persons. However, a diplomatic conference to negotiate the text of the treaty has not yet been convened. Author Krista Cox discusses U.S. copyright limitations and exceptions for persons who are visually impaired, the human right to access to information, and the current state of play at WIPO of this potential treaty.
Effects of a Meteoroid Impact on Steel and Aluminum in Space

In this paper the formation of craters by hypervelocity particles is calculated in detail using a hydrodynamic model. The range of velocity considered is from 5.5 to 72 km/sec, which encompasses the meteoric velocity regime.
The Qualities of Same-Sex and Different-Sex Couples in Young Adulthood

Objective Recognition of sexual minorities in social science research is growing and this study contributes to knowledge on this population by comparing the qualities of same-sex and different-sex relationships among young adults. Background The findings of studies on this topic cannot be generalized to young adults because they are limited to coresidential unions and based on convenience samples. This study extends prior research by examining multiple relationship qualities among a nationally-representative sample of males and females in "dating" and cohabiting relationships. Method The authors compare young adults in same-sex and different-sex relationships with respect to relationship quality (commitment, satisfaction, and emotional intimacy) and sexual behavior (sexual frequency and sexual exclusivity). Drawing on the fourth wave of data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (http://www.cpc.unc.edu/projects/addhealth), they use multiple regression to compare: male respondents with different-sex partners, male respondents with same-sex partners, female respondents with different-sex partners, and female respondents with same-sex partners. Results Consistent with previous research, the authors find that respondents in same-sex relationships experience similar levels of commitment, satisfaction, and emotional intimacy as their counterparts in different-sex relationships. They also corroborate the finding that male respondents in same-sex relationships are less likely than other groups of respondents to indicate their relationship is sexually exclusive. Conclusion This study provides an empirical basis for understanding the relationships of sexual minority young adults.
Neurophotonic strategies for observing and controlling neural circuits (Conference Presentation)

To enable the understanding and repair of complex biological systems such as the brain, we are creating novel optical tools that enable molecular-resolution maps of large scale systems, as well as technologies for observing and controlling high-speed physiological dynamics in such systems. First, we have developed a method for imaging large 3-D specimens with nanoscale precision, by embedding them in a swellable polymer, homogenizing their mechanical properties, and exposing them to water - which causes them to expand isotropically manyfold. This method, which we call expansion microscopy (ExM), enables scalable, inexpensive diffraction-limited microscopes to do large-volume nanoscopy, in a multiplexed fashion. Second, we have developed a set of genetically-encoded reagents, known as optogenetic tools, that when expressed in specific neurons, enable their electrical activities to be precisely driven or silenced in response to millisecond timescale pulses of light. Finally, we are developing novel reagents and systems to enable the imaging of fast physiological processes in 3-D with millisecond precision. In this way we aim to enable the systematic mapping, control, and dynamical observation of complex biological systems like the brain.
Inhibition of non-receptor tyrosine kinase Src induces phosphoserine 256-independent aquaporin-2 membrane accumulation.

Key points Aquaporin-2 (AQP2) is crucial for water homeostasis, and vasopressin (VP) induces AQP2 membrane trafficking by increasing intracellular cAMP, activating PKA and causing phosphorylation of AQP2 at serine 256, 264 and 269 residues and dephosphorylation of serine 261 residue on the AQP2 C-terminus. It is thought that serine 256 is the master regulator of AQP2 trafficking, and its phosphorylation has to precede the change of phosphorylation state of other serine residues. We found that Src inhibition causes serine 256-independent AQP2 membrane trafficking and induces phosphorylation of serine 269 independently of serine 256. This targeted phosphorylation of serine 269 is important for Src inhibition-induced AQP2 membrane accumulation; without serine 269, Src inhibition exerts no effect on AQP2 trafficking. This result helps us better understand the independent pathways that can target different AQP2 residues, and design new strategies to induce or sustain AQP2 membrane expression when VP signalling is defective. Abstract Aquaporin-2 (AQP2) is essential for water homeostasis. Upon stimulation by vasopressin, AQP2 is phosphorylated at serine 256 (S256), S264 and S269, and dephosphorylated at S261. It is thought that S256 is the master regulator of AQP2 trafficking and membrane accumulation, and that its phosphorylation has to precede phosphorylation of other serine residues. In this study, we found that VP reduces Src kinase phosphorylation: by suppressing Src using the inhibitor dasatinib and siRNA, we could increase AQP2 membrane accumulation in cultured AQP2-expressing cells and in kidney collecting duct principal cells. Src inhibition increased exocytosis and inhibited clathrin-mediated endocytosis of AQP2, but exerted its effect in a cAMP, PKA and S256 phosphorylation (pS256)-independent manner. Despite the lack of S256 phosphorylation, dasatinib increased phosphorylation of S269, even in S256A mutant cells in which S256 phosphorylation cannot occur. To confirm the importance of pS269 in AQP2 re-distribution, we expressed an AQP2 S269A mutant in LLC-PK1 cells, and found that dasatinib no longer induced AQP2 membrane accumulation. In conclusion, Src inhibition causes phosphorylation of S269 independently of pS256, and induces AQP2 membrane accumulation by inhibiting clathrin-mediated endocytosis and increasing exocytosis. We conclude that S269 can be phosphorylated without pS256, and pS269 alone is important for AQP2 apical membrane accumulation under some conditions. These data increase our understanding of the independent pathways that can phosphorylate different residues in the AQP2 C-terminus, and suggest new strategies to target distinct AQP2 serine residues to induce membrane expression of this water channel when VP signalling is defective.
Evaluation of Clinical and Histologic Effects of High-Dose Radiosurgery on Rat Dorsal Root Ganglion.

Background Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is an effective technique to create lesions of the trigeminal nerve to treat refractory trigeminal neuralgia. In the lumbar spine, the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) contains the body of the sensory neurons responsible for pain sensitivity. Neuromodulation of the DRG might therefore improve chronic peripheral pain. This study was performed to determine the feasibility, clinical, and histologic effects of delivering high-dose SRS targeted to the lumbar DRG in a rat model. Methods Four Sprague Dawley male rats underwent 80 Gy maximum-dose single-fraction SRS to the left L5 and L6 DRG using the Leksell Gamma Knife Icon (Elekta, Atlanta, Georgia, USA). The right L5 and L6 DRGs served as controls. The animals were evaluated for motor and sensory deficits every 2 weeks and were sacrificed at 3 and 6 months after SRS. Common histologic techniques were used to assess for fibrosis and demyelination at the target levels. Results No detectable motor or sensory deficits were seen in any animal. Histologic changes including fibrosis and loss of myelin were noted to the left L5 and L6 DRGs, but not the right side control DRGs. Fibrotic changes within the vertebral body were also evident on the treated sides of the vertebral bodies. Conclusions We were able to detect a demyelinating response from SRS delivered to the DRG in rats. Because such changes mimic those seen after trigeminal SRS in experimental animals, we hypothesize that radiosurgery may be a potential option in chronic spinal radicular pain amenable to neuromodulation.
In vitro and in vivo genotoxicity studies on monosodium L-glutamate monohydrate.

Abstract In response to the lack of authenticated mutagenicity/genotoxicity studies on MSG monohydrate, a series of genotoxicity studies conducted under GLP and according to globally accepted test guidelines (e.g., OECD) was performed. A bacterial reverse mutation test using Salmonella typhimurium (TA100, TA1535, TA98 and TA1537) and Escherichia coli (WP2 uvrA) at concentrations up to 5000 μg/plate, an in vitro chromosomal aberration test in CHL/IU cells at concentrations up to 10 mmol/L (1.9 mg/mL), a mouse lymphoma tk assay at concentrations up to 10 mmol/L (1.9 mg/mL), an in vitro micronucleus test in human peripheral blood lymphocytes at concentrations up to 10 mmol/L (1871 μg/mL), and an in vivo micronucleus test in bone marrow of rats that were gavaged with up to 2000 mg/kg bw were investigated. MSG monohydrate did not cause mutagenicity in any bacterial strain, did not induce chromosomal aberrations in CHL/IU cells or gene mutation in mouse lymphoma cells, was not clastogenic or aneugenic to human lymphocytes, and did not induce micronuclei in erythrocytes of rats when compared with vehicle controls. These results show that MSG is not mutagenic or genotoxic under the study conditions.
A biomechanical evaluation of potential ergonomic solutions for use by firefighter and EMS providers when lifting heavy patients in their homes

Firefighters and EMS providers continue to be challenged when lifting heavy patients in their homes. This study investigated the biomechanical efficacy of four devices that could be used by two-person teams when lifting patients from the floor, from a reclining chair, or from a Simulated Inflatable Seat at chair height. Fourteen firefighter-paramedics, working in two-person teams, were instrumented with motion capture and electromyographic sensors. The Binder Lift™, the Simple Strap, and the Slip Preventer were used to lift patient actors, and were compared to current lifting methods. Postural data and the peak dynamic spine shear forces at the L5/S1 level were reduced when using the Simple Strap, the Binder Lift, and the Simulated Inflatable Seat. The Slip Preventer reduced spine flexion when the Binder Lift was not used. In summary, the tested devices can potentially reduce the biomechanical loads experienced by EMS providers as they lift and move patients.
Systematic Matrix Multiplication Codes

The problem of computing distributed matrix multiplication reliably has been of immense interest for several decades. Recently, it was shown that Polynomial codes achieve the theoretically minimum recovery bandwidth. However, existing constructions for Polynomial codes are nonsystematic, which can impose substantial overhead in distributed computing. In this paper, we propose two different systematic code constructions that achieve the same recovery bandwidth as Polynomial codes. First uses a random coding argument, and the second is polynomial-based, but uses bivariate instead of originally used univariate polynomials. We show that the proposed constructions are communication optimal with high probability.
Myeloid Blastic Transformation of Myeloproliferative Neoplasms – A Review of 113 Cases.

Abstract Abstract 3113 Poster Board III-50 Blastic transformation of myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) is still poorly understood. Mutations of JAK2V617F were described in the majority of MPN patients but only about half of those undergoing blastic transformation continue to harbor that mutation. We describe a cohort of 23 patients from Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) and discuss 90 additional cases from the English literature for whom biologic features were described. We also screened our cases for JAK2V617F, JAK2T875N and MPL515L/K. We initially compared our 23 patients to the 90 cases from the literature. Our population had significantly less patients with prior history of polycythemia vera (22% vs. 53%; P Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Who Is at High Risk for Victimhood

Sexual violence (SV) victimization refers to situations in which someone attempts, threatens, or completes forced sexual advances without first receiving consent. Almost half of the women in the US report experiencing some form of sexual violence victimization in their lifetime; with black transgender individuals reporting the highest rates. This chapter explores the various characteristics that have been established as potential risk factors for increased victimization. We begin with an overview of SV victimization prevalence in the US, summarize the consequences of SV victimization, and consider the impact of revictimization. We then identify three major domains of risk for SV victimization covering multiple factors that may contribute to victimology: (1) demographic and individual risk factors, such as racial identity, gender identity, and sexual orientation, (2) cognitive and behavioral risk factors, such as alcohol use, risk perception, and cognitive processing, and (3) environmental risk factors, such as engagement in Greek life, participation in intercollegiate athletics, and religious affiliation. Finally, we discuss future research, which should examine the intersectionality of both person and situational factors. With a more intersectional and multifaceted understanding of risk factors, researchers may be better equipped to identify targets for prevention interventions designed to decrease the risk of sexual violence victimization.
Somatic Malignant Transformation of a Testicular Teratoma: A Case Report and an Unusual Presentation

Testicular cancer represents 1% of all malignant tumors in men. About 95% of testicular cancers are germ cell tumors (GCTs). These can be divided into nonseminomatous GCTs (NSGCTs) and seminomas. NSGCTs include teratomas, yolk sac tumors, embryonal carcinomas, choriocarcinomas, and mixed tumors. Only 2-6% of testicular teratomas are pure teratomas. Pure teratomas can be subdivided into prepubertal and postpubertal. The prognosis is significantly different between these two age groups. Different from teratomas in ovary, the immaturity in a teratoma is not an indication of their biologic behavior; the age of the patient is of greater importance. Malignant transformation of teratoma occurs in only 3-6% of testicular GCTs. The most frequent transformed histologic types consist of rhabdomyosarcoma, adenocarcinoma, and primitive neuroectodermal tumors. We report a rare case of pure postpubertal testicular teratoma with a secondary somatic malignancy that was an incidental finding in a patient presenting with lower back pain and testicular torsion.
Risk of vascular complications in prophylactic compared to emergent resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) in the management of placenta accreta spectrum.

To compare prophylactic and emergent resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) catheter placement in the management of placenta accreta spectrum (PAS). Retrospective chart r...
Sovereignty and the World Economy

Even before COVID19 struck, we were going through a remarkable moment of political, economic, and social instability. We see disruption of many international institutions, both formal and informal, and a sea change in national politics. The United States tries to renegotiate the terms of its engagement with the rest of the world; the European Union’s structural flaws become manifest, with Brexit only the first crack; the domestic politics of many great states turn towards populism and the obliteration of historically significant political parties; authoritarianism seems on the rise, and liberal democracy waning, in those parts of the world that had seemed transformed in or around the annus mirabilis of 1989; and the dark side of technological innovation manifests itself in the privatization of organized violence, unsustainable inequality, and the erasure of privacy. Then COVID-19 came, with its dire if still not fully realized consequences. The liberal democratic nation-state, supposedly the culmination of a Hegelian process that ended history, is listing, taking on water, and perhaps doomed. What does this have to do with sovereignty? The present moment invites yet another reconsideration of the liberal democratic nation-state as the nexus of sovereignty. Can we talk about sovereignty without committing to a political or historical theory about particular kinds of social organization? If the liberal democratic nation-state is on the way out, what becomes of sovereignty? This article argues that we cannot begin to make sense of the present series of crises in contemporary domestic and international politics without accepting the flexibility and elasticity of sovereignty. Localities, substates, nation-states, and the international order all may exercise some form of sovereignty. Sovereignty is a relationship, not a fundamental concept on which to build a general theory of political economy. My argument is fairly straightforward. First, I lay out the conceptual argument for divorcing the concept of sovereignty from the modern idea of a nation-state. Second, I posit, without spending a lot of time trying to prove, that the most significant force driving economic, political, and social change over the past fifty years is the rise of the knowledge economy. The immediate crisis associated with COVID-19 seems to have amplified this process, although we won’t know for sure for some time. Third, I sketch out the effects of that rise on different sites of sovereignty, local, substate, national, and international. These effects, I argue, create both synergies and antagonisms that play out differently at each level. Finally, I speculate about different scenarios that might result from the inherent tensions within and among these sites of sovereignty.
A universal dual mechanism immunotherapy for the treatment of influenza virus infections.

Seasonal influenza epidemics lead to 3–5 million severe infections and 290,000–650,000 annual global deaths. With deaths from the 1918 influenza pandemic estimated at >50,000,000 and future pandemics anticipated, the need for a potent influenza treatment is critical. In this study, we design and synthesize a bifunctional small molecule by conjugating the neuraminidase inhibitor, zanamivir, with the highly immunogenic hapten, dinitrophenyl (DNP), which specifically targets the surface of free virus and viral-infected cells. We show that this leads to simultaneous inhibition of virus release, and immune-mediated elimination of both free virus and virus-infected cells. Intranasal or intraperitoneal administration of a single dose of drug to mice infected with 100x MLD50 virus is shown to eradicate advanced infections from representative strains of both influenza A and B viruses. Since treatments of severe infections remain effective up to three days post lethal inoculation, our approach may successfully treat infections refractory to current therapies. In this study, the authors combine an anti-viral drug and immune system inducer to treat influenza A and B viral infections in vitro and in vivo. They show that the compound outperforms zanamivir alone as it is still able to clear infection three days post infection, and it can be administered via different routes without reduced efficacy.
A Bayesian approach to the detection of small low emission sources

This paper addresses the problem of detecting the presence and location of a small low emission source inside an object, when the background noise dominates. This problem arises, for instance, in some homeland security applications. The goal is to reach the signal-to-noise ratio levels in the order of 10−3. A Bayesian approach to this problem is implemented in 2D. The method allows inference not only about the existence of the source, but also about its location. We derive Bayes factors for model selection and estimation of location based on Markov chain Monte Carlo simulation. A simulation study shows that with sufficiently high total emission level, our method can effectively locate the source.
Characterization of fatal injuries in oil and gas industry-related helicopter accidents in the Gulf of Mexico, 2004–2014

Transportation events are the most common cause of offshore fatalities in the oil and gas industry, of which helicopter accidents comprise the majority. Little is known about injury distributions in civilian helicopter crashes, and knowledge of injury distributions could focus research and recommendations for enhanced injury prevention and post-crash survival. This study describes the distribution of injuries among fatalities in Gulf of Mexico oil and gas industry-related helicopter accidents, provides a detailed injury classification to identify potential areas of enhanced safety design, and describes relevant safety features for mitigation of common injuries. Decedents of accidents during 2004–2014 were identified, and autopsy reports were requested from responsible jurisdictions. Documented injuries were coded using the Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS), and frequency and proportion of injuries by AIS body region and severity were calculated. Injuries were categorized into detailed body regions to target areas for prevention. A total of 35 autopsies were coded, with 568 injuries documented. Of these, 23.4% were lower extremity, 22.0% were thorax, 13.6% were upper extremity, and 13.4% were face injuries. Minor injuries were most prevalent in the face, neck, upper and lower extremities, and abdomen. Serious or worse injuries were most prevalent in the thorax (53.6%), spine (50.0%), head (41.7%), and external/other regions (75.0%). The most frequent injuries by detailed body regions were thoracic organ (23.0%), thoracic skeletal (13.3%), abdominal organ (9.6%), and leg injuries (7.4%). Drowning occurred in 13 (37.1%) of victims, and drowning victims had a higher proportion of moderate brain injuries (7.8%) and lower number of documented injuries (3.8) compared with non-drowning victims (2.9 and 9.4%, respectively). Knowledge of injury distributions focuses and prioritizes the need for additional safety features not routinely used in helicopters. The most frequent injuries occurred in the thorax and lower extremity regions. Future research requires improved and expanded data, including collection of detailed data to allow characterization of both injury mechanism and distribution. Improved safety systems including airbags and helmets should be implemented and evaluated for their impact on injuries and fatalities.
Daily provision of instrumental and emotional support to friends is associated with diurnal cortisol during adolescence.

This study investigates how adolescents' daily prosocial behaviors to friends are related to diurnal cortisol using between- and within-subject analyses. Further, we examine whether role fulfillment (i.e., feeling like a good friend) moderates links between prosocial behaviors and cortisol. Ethnically diverse adolescents (N = 370; ages 11-18) reported whether they provided instrumental and emotional support to friends for 5 days, and provided four saliva samples/day for 4 days. On the daily level, providing emotional support predicted lower cortisol awakening response the next day, and providing instrumental assistance to friends was associated with a flatter cortisol slope the same day (a cardiovascular risk factor). Adolescents also provided more emotional support on days they had lower CAR and steeper cortisol slopes. On the average level, providing more instrumental support was associated with steeper cortisol slopes among adolescents who felt high levels of role fulfillment, but not among adolescents who felt low levels of role fulfillment. Providing instrumental support may be physiologically taxing from day to day but, across the long term, linked to lower cardiovascular risk for adolescents who experience helping as highly fulfilling.
Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS): Lack of Diagnostic Consistency and Predictive Value

Purpose: Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) is a commonly assigned diagnosis in the pediatric population that is used to describe numerous and varied symptom constellations. The most common diagnostic criteria are: an orthostatic increase in heart rate without a decrease in blood pressure or a positive tilt table test. However, these criteria are not used consistently. The purpose of this study was to describe the diagnostic consistency and predictive value of the diagnosis of POTS. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted using data from …
Tree tensor network classifiers for machine learning: from quantum-inspired to quantum-assisted

We describe a quantum-assisted machine learning method in which multivariate data are encoded into quantum states in a Hilbert space whose dimension is exponentially large in the length of the data vector. Learning in this space occurs through applying a low-depth quantum circuit with a tree-tensor-network (TTN) topology acting as an unsupervised feature extractor to identify the most relevant quantum states in a data-driven fashion and then applying a supervised linear classifier encoding the class decision in a small-dimensional quantum register. We present tools for making TTN classifiers amenable to implementation on gate-based quantum computing devices, including an embedding map with accuracy similar to the recently defined exponential machines (A. Novikov et al., arXiv:1605.03795) but which produces valid quantum state embeddings of classical data vectors, and the use of manifold-based gradient optimization schemes to produce isometric operations mapping quantum states to a register of qubits defining a class decision. We detail methods for efficiently obtaining one-point and two-point correlation functions of the vectors defining the decision boundary of the quantum model, which can be used for model interpretability, as well as methods for obtaining classification decisions from partial data vectors. Further, we show that the use of isometric tensors can significantly aid in the human interpretability of the correlation functions extracted from the decision weights and may produce models that are less susceptible to adversarial perturbations. Finally, we discuss in detail the problem of compiling classically optimized isometric TTN models into unitary operations to be run on quantum computers and how isometric models requiring postselection on quantum hardware can be used to precondition variational Ans\"atze for models without postselection. We demonstrate our methodologies in applications utilizing the MNIST database of handwritten digits and a multivariate time-series data set of human activity recognition.
Testicular Germ Cell Tumors: Paraneoplastic Syndromes and the Role of Beta-Human Chorionic Gonadotropin

Choriocarcinoma syndrome is a rare phenomenon that occurs in male patients with testicular choriocarcinoma. Male patients who have a testicular non-seminomatous germ cell tumor (TNSGCT) with at least partial choriocarcinoma histology, and metastases to the lungs and/or other extragonadal sites, as well as a markedly elevated beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), have been prone to pulmonary bleeding, hypoxia, and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The respiratory complications occur immediately after chemotherapy is administered or, in some cases, spontaneously. Paraneoplastic hyperthyroidism is another entity described in patients with testicular choriocarcinoma, whereby high levels of HCG (typically >50,000 mIU/ml) induce clinical and laboratory characteristics of hyperthyroidism. We present the case of a male patient diagnosed with TNSGCT and found to have both choriocarcinoma syndrome and paraneoplastic hyperthyroidism in the setting of only mildly elevated HCG levels. We compare our case with similar cases published previously while questioning the quantitative role of HCG.
Suction effects on transitional bubbles

The effects of suction on the structure of a transitional bubble forming on a low-Reynolds-number airfoil are examined using the Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes and k–kL–ω transition model. The suc...
A randomized controlled trial of simulation-based mastery learning to teach the extended focused assessment with sonography in trauma.

Background Mastery learning has gained popularity for training residents in procedural skills due to its demonstrated superiority over traditional methods. However, no studies have compared the efficacy of traditional versus mastery learning methods in residency point-of-care ultrasound education. We hypothesized that mastery learning would improve residents' skills in performing the extended focused assessment with sonography in trauma (eFAST). Methods All first-year emergency medicine (EM) resident physicians at a single university hospital underwent a crossover randomized controlled trial to receive mastery-learning eFAST training either at the beginning of the academic year or 6 months into intern year. Participants were taught using a checklist validated by a panel of experts using Mastery Angoff methods and were given feedback on missed tasks until each trainee completed the eFAST with a minimum passing standard (MPS). Our primary outcome was technical proficiency between the two groups for eFAST examinations performed in the emergency department during the academic year. Results Sixteen interns were enrolled; eight were randomized to each group. The group that received mastery training at the beginning of the year had mean clinical eFAST proficiency scores above the MPS in the first two quarters of the academic year, while the control group did not. Once the control group underwent eFAST mastery training at the midpoint of the year, both groups had mean proficiency scores above the MPS for the remainder of the year. Conclusion Simulation-based mastery learning is an effective method of teaching the eFAST examination. This training during intern orientation conferred early proficiency in clinical performance of eFAST among EM residents. This difference in proficiency was no longer present after the control group received mastery learning education halfway through the academic year.