cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Generalized enrichment analysis improves the detection of adverse drug events from the biomedical literature

Identification of associations between marketed drugs and adverse events from the biomedical literature assists drug safety monitoring efforts. Assessing the significance of such literature-derived associations and determining the granularity at which they should be captured remains a challenge. Here, we assess how defining a selection of adverse event terms from MeSH, based on information content, can improve the detection of adverse events for drugs and drug classes. We analyze a set of 105,354 candidate drug adverse event pairs extracted from article indexes in MEDLINE. First, we harmonize extracted adverse event terms by aggregating them into higher-level MeSH terms based on the terms’ information content. Then, we determine statistical enrichment of adverse events associated with drug and drug classes using a conditional hypergeometric test that adjusts for dependencies among associated terms. We compare our results with methods based on disproportionality analysis (proportional reporting ratio, PRR) and quantify the improvement in signal detection with our generalized enrichment analysis (GEA) approach using a gold standard of drug-adverse event associations spanning 174 drugs and four events. For single drugs, the best GEA method (Precision: .92/Recall: .71/F1-measure: .80) outperforms the best PRR based method (.69/.69/.69) on all four adverse event outcomes in our gold standard. For drug classes, our GEA performs similarly (.85/.69/.74) when increasing the level of abstraction for adverse event terms. Finally, on examining the 1609 individual drugs in our MEDLINE set, which map to chemical substances in ATC, we find signals for 1379 drugs (10,122 unique adverse event associations) on applying GEA with p < 0.005. We present an approach based on generalized enrichment analysis that can be used to detect associations between drugs, drug classes and adverse events at a given level of granularity, at the same time correcting for known dependencies among events. Our study demonstrates the use of GEA, and the importance of choosing appropriate abstraction levels to complement current drug safety methods. We provide an R package for exploration of alternative abstraction levels of adverse event terms based on information content.
Strabismus associated with craniofacial anomalies.

(1975). Strabismus Associated with Craniofacial Anomalies. American Orthoptic Journal: Vol. 25, No. 1, pp. 27-37.
Sensing and Remembering Cellular States Through Chromatin

Chromatin is the means by which the same genome encodes multiple cells: it enables orderly development, normal physiology and, when it goes haywire, malfunctioning chromatin is a hallmark of disease. In the cardiovascular system, the epigenomic features controlling gene expression have recently become the focus of intense research. This chapter examines the principles of chromatin structure, details their regulation and identifies areas of rapid development in our understanding of how the genome is packaged. Also explored are the recent observations indicating that deranged epigenomic features on a genome-wide scale may underpin various cardiovascular diseases.
Automated Measurement of Blood Vessels in Tissues from Microscopy Images

The quantification of tunica media thickness in histological cross sections is a ubiquitous exercise in cardiopulmonary research, yet the methods for quantifying medial wall thickness have never been rigorously examined with modern image analysis tools. As a result, inaccurate and cumbersome manual measurements of discrete wall regions along the vessel periphery have become common practice for wall thickness quantification. The aim of this study is to introduce, validate, and facilitate the use of an improved method for medial wall thickness quantification. We describe a novel method of wall thickness calculation based on image skeletonization and compare its results to those of common techniques. Using both theoretical and empirical approaches, we demonstrate the accuracy and superiority of the skeleton-based method for measuring wall thickness while discussing its interpretation and limitations. Finally, we present a new freely available software tool, the VMI Calculator, to facilitate wall thickness measurements using our novel method. © 2016 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
The "July effect" in total shoulder arthroplasty.

Background New medical doctors enter their residency fields in July, a time in the hospital in which patient morbidity and mortality rates are perceived to be higher. It remains controversial whether a “July effect” exists in different areas of medicine and surgery, including in orthopedic surgery. The purpose of this study is to test for the July effect in patients undergoing primary total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA). Methods Patients who underwent primary TSA from 2005-2012 were identified using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. Cases were categorized as involving residents or fellows and as occurring during the first academic quarter. Rates of composite and any adverse event outcomes were compared between patient groups using multivariate logistic regression. Results A total of 1591 patients met the inclusion criteria. Of these cases, 711 (44.7%) had resident or fellow involvement and 390 (24.5%) were performed in the first academic quarter. There were few demographic and comorbidity differences between cases with and without residents or fellows or between cases performed during the first quarter and during the rest of the year. Overall, the rate of serious adverse events was 1.6% and the rate of any adverse events was 6.5%. Discussion and conclusion Using one of the largest cohorts of primary TSA patients, this study could not provide evidence for a July effect. In the context of the recent growth in the volume of TSA procedures, these findings provide important reassurance to patients that it is safe to schedule their elective procedures at training institutions during the first part of the academic year.
A Curriculum Scholar for All Time: Herbert M. Kliebard

A Curriculum Scholar for All Time: As Herbert Kliebard’s own career evolved and grew to a preeminent status, he became and remained an admirer of John Dewey as an educational philosopher who was defined by his countless writings.
Native Prairie Graminoid Host Plants of Minnesota and Associated Lepidoptera: A Literature Review

Native grasses act as host plants, providing food and shelter, for numerous Lepidoptera species during their larval stage. As grassland habitat decreases because of conversion to agriculture and urban areas, prairie specialist butterflies and moths have also declined. Addition of native species to urban and agriculture landscapes has been shown to benefit Lepidoptera communities in various ways. Native grasses have grown in popularity as a landscaping plant due to their low nutrient requirements, drought tolerance, and soil stabilization properties. However, the benefits of native grasses to Lepidoptera are not well known to many entomologists or horticulturists, let alone the average consumer. We reviewed the literature that identified native prairie graminoids as host plants for native Lepidoptera in Minnesota, especially plants widely available in the horticultural trade that could be planted for restoration or landscaping purposes. The context of the Lepidoptera and host plant associations found in the literature are described. In total, we found 36 Lepidoptera species that used 17 prairie graminoids as host plants cited in the literature. Three native grasses, Schizachyrium scoparium (Michx.) Nash, Andropogon gerardii Vitman and Panicum virgatum L. and were found to be used by the most Lepidoptera species, 11, 9, and 8, respectively. Most likely there are additional moth species that use these grasses as host plants because butterfly species tend to be better documented than moth species. The specific larval habits and host plant species were unknown for many species of moths that feed or are suspected to feed on graminoids, showing the need for further research in this area. This information can assist horticulturalists, ecologists, landscape planners, land managers, and homeowners in their decisions to buy and plant native grass species. In general, this knowledge provides increased awareness about the larval life stage of butterflies and moths to concerned citizens and green industry and further supports the importance of conserving native prairie to support and maintain Lepidoptera species.
Donald Trump and right-wing populists in comparative perspective

We compare sources of Donald Trump’s appeal in the 2016 US presidential campaign to the appeal of right-populists from Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the UK. We compare the appeal of right-popu...
Active Microwave Thermography for Nondestructive Evaluation of Surface Cracks in Metal Structures

Detection of covered surface cracks in metal structures is an important issue in numerous industries. Various nondestructive testing (NDT) and evaluation techniques have been applied for this goal with varying levels of success. Recently, a technique based on the integration of microwave and thermographic NDT, herein referred to as active microwave thermography (AMT), has been considered for various applications. In AMT, electromagnetic energy is utilized for the thermal excitation, and the subsequent surface thermal profile of the structure/material under test is measured with a thermal camera. Utilizing electromagnetic energy allows the inspection to be tailored to the application through choice of frequency, polarization, and power level. It is shown that for metal with a dielectric-filled crack irradiated with an electric field (E-field) polarized perpendicular to the crack length, a propagating mode (TE10) is generated inside the crack, which causes dielectric heating to occur in the (filled) crack. In the particular case of study in this paper, based on the excitation power and the thermal camera sensitivity, the crack can be detected via an AMT inspection as long as the angle between the crack length and incident E-field is between 0° (perpendicular polarization) and ~65°. In addition, from the measured thermal contrast and signal-to-noise ratio, the optimum heating time is ~5–30 s for successful detection.
One-dimensional Wave Equation

In this chapter, we study the control problem of the one-dimensional wave equation $$\frac{\partial^2 u}{\partial t^{2}} = c^2 \frac{\partial^2 u}{\partial x^2}.$$ A typical physical problem modeled by the wave equation is the vibration of a string. In this problem, u = u(x, t) represents the vertical displacement of the string from its equilibrium and the positive constant c (m/s) is a wave speed. In what follows, for convenience, we will use the subscripts u t , u x or \(\frac{\partial u}{\partial t}, \frac{\partial u}{\partial x}\) interchangeably to denote the derivatives of u with respect to t,x, respectively.
Quantification of tc-99m sestamibi distribution in normal breast tissue using dedicated breast SPECT-CT

The use of Tc-99m-Sestamibi in molecular breast imaging is common due to its preferential uptake in malignant tissue. However, quantification of the baseline uptake in normal, healthy breast tissue is not possible using planar-imaging devices. Using our dedicated breast SPECT-CT system, an IRB approved pilot study is underway to quantify mean activity in normal breast tissue, and to differentiate uptake between adipose and glandular tissues. A cohort of patients at normal breast cancer risk undergoing another diagnostic Sestamibi study was imaged using the breast SPECT-CT system. SPECT images were corrected and quantitatively reconstructed using previously developed methods, and registered with the CT images. The CT images were segmented, and the average activity concentration was measured for glandular, adipose, and total breast tissue. Results indicate no preferential uptake between tissues and low average uptake, which may be used to determine a universal threshold for cancer detection.
Optical properties of Ge 1-y C y alloys

The Ge1-yCy semiconductor alloy system offers promise as a material for use in heterostructure devices based on Si as well as other materials. We have grown Ge1-y Cy alloys by solid source molecular beam epitaxy on Si substrates. Layer thicknesses ranged from 0.01 to 3 µm, and Auger electron spectroscopy and secondary ion mass spectrometry indicated C fractions up to 3 at. %. Optical absorption in the near-infrared region indicated a shift in the energy bandgap from that of Ge which was attributed to the effects of alloying. The dependence of the bandgap on composition was consistent with linear interpolations of the Ge and C conduction band minimums. We observed a fundamental absorption edge characteristic of an indirect bandgap material. Photoluminescence spectra at 11K of thick, relaxed layers indicated single broad peaks near the expected bandgap energy.
Positive reward prediction errors during decision-making strengthen memory encoding

Dopamine is thought to provide reward prediction error signals to temporal lobe memory systems, but the role of these signals in episodic memory has not been fully characterized. Here we developed an incidental memory paradigm to (i) estimate the influence of reward prediction errors on the formation of episodic memories, (ii) dissociate this influence from surprise and uncertainty, (iii) characterize the role of temporal correspondence between prediction error and memoranda presentation and (iv) determine the extent to which this influence is dependent on memory consolidation. We found that people encoded incidental memoranda more strongly when they gambled for potential rewards. Moreover, the degree to which gambling strengthened encoding scaled with the reward prediction error experienced when memoranda were presented (and not before or after). This encoding enhancement was detectable within minutes and did not differ substantially after 24 h, indicating that it is not dependent on memory consolidation. These results suggest a computationally and temporally specific role for reward prediction error signalling in memory formation. Jang and colleagues show that positive reward prediction errors elicited during incidental encoding enhance the formation of episodic memories.
Biological sex has No impact on postoperative complications following simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty.

Abstract Introduction Simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty (bTKA) is a viable option for treatment of bilateral knee osteoarthritis. The aim of this study is to identify the impact of biological sex on postoperative outcomes. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted utilizing the ACS-NSQIP database. bTKA patients were identified and stratified into groups based upon biological sex. Adverse events after surgery was evaluated with univariate and multivariate analysis. Results Biological sex is not an independent risk factor for development of postoperative complications. Conclusion When determining patient qualification of simultaneous or staged bTKA, biological sex should not be taken into consideration.
Successful Treatment of Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (APL) In a Patient with Severe Cardiac Disease

Abstract 4369 Background: The standard and often curative regimen for APL includes cardiotoxic daunorubicin and All- Trans Retinoic Acid (ATRA). Arsenic trioxide (ATO), like ATRA, induces leukemic blast differentiation and is active in APL. Case Report: A 58 year old African American man had a metallic aortic valve replacement 6 years prior to presentation, for which he was on warfarin, coronary artery disease, a left ventricular ejection fraction of 20%, and an implanted cardioverter-defibrillator. He presented with dyspnea, fever, scattered rales and ecchymoses and petichiae. His white blood count was 38,000/mcl, with 51% promyelocytes and 8% neutrophiles, Hb 9.7 g/dl, and platelets of 12,000/mcl. Fibrinogen was 172 mg/dl, aPTT 28 seconds, and international normalized ratio 2.3; lactate dehydrogenase was 1593 U/dl. The bone marrow (BM) was replaced by promyelocytes, karytotype revealed t (15;17) (q22;q12), and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) showed the promyelocytic leukemia – retinoic acid receptor fusion product (PML-RARA). The diagnosis was high risk APL. Warfarin was suspended, and treatment was initiated with ATRA 45 mg/M2. On day 7, he developed shortness of breath; cough and chest radiograph illustrated marked interstitial edema as well as bilateral pleural effusion. These features of the differentiation syndrome resolved rapidly after transfer to the Medical Intensive Care Unit and dexamethasone initiation. On day 10, daily ATO at 0.15 mg/kg IV was initiated. His QTC interval ranged from 430–600 ms, showed interactions with 5-HT inhibitors and antifungal drugs, and stabilized after discontinuation of these drugs. By day 23, his white blood cell counts had normalized, and BM aspiration showed normal morphology. ATO was discontinued, platelet count rose to 50,000/mcl by day 28, when warfarin was resumed. Post-induction the patient received 4 cycles of ATO 5 days per week for 4 weeks, each followed by 4 weeks off treatment and ATRA 45 mg/m2 daily for 2 weeks every 4 weeks for a total of 7 cycles. Cytogenic remission was confirmed by FISH analysis of BM on days 23 and 113, and subsequently by quantitative RT-polymerase chain reaction on peripheral blood specimens for one year. By these criteria he remains in complete remission one year after presentation. Conclusion: With careful cardiac monitoring, ATRA-ATO induced a durable complete remission of APL in a patient with several major cardiac contra-indications to anthracyclines. Despite the patient's metallic aortic valve, he tolerated suspension of anti-coagulant therapy well. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Developing A Soil Inversion Model Framework for Regional Permafrost Monitoring

Currently, the community lacks capabilities to assess and monitor landscape scale permafrost active layer dynamics over large extents. To address this need, we developed a concept of a remote sensing based Soil Inversion Model for regional Permafrost (SIM-P) monitoring. The current SIM-P framework includes a satellite-based soil process model and a soil dielectric model. We are also working on incorporating a radar scattering model for Arctic tundra into the SIM-P framework. A unified soil parameterization scheme was developed to harmonize key soil thermal, hydraulic and dielectric parameters in the soil process and radar models that can be used in the joint soil-radar inversion framework. The soil parameter retrievals of the SIM-P framework include soil organic content (SOC) and active layer thickness (ALT). Initial tests of SIM-P using in-situ soil permittivity observations showed reasonable accuracy in predicting site-level SOC and soil temperature profiles at an Alaska tundra site and ALT in Arctic Alaska. SIM-P will be further tested using airborne P- and L-band radar data collected during NASA’s Arctic Boreal Vulnerability Experiment (ABoVE) to evaluate the sensitivity of longwave radar to active layer properties.
Family-supportive supervisor behaviour positively affects work behaviour and nonwork well-being among men in long-term care.

Aims This study examined whether family-supportive supervisor behavior is associated with work behavior (safety compliance and organizational citizenship behavior) and nonwork well#x2010;being (family time adequacy, time in bed and sleep quality) among men working in long-term care. Men's nonwork care roles for children (double-duty-child caregivers), adult relatives (double-duty-adult caregivers), or children and adult relatives (triple-duty caregivers) were assessed as moderators. Background Family-supportive supervisor behaviour is a modifiable workplace practice that may help recruit and retain men in nursing amid their increasing nonwork demands. Method Multiple linear regression analysis was performed on cross-sectional, secondary survey data from 122 men working in U.S.-based nursing homes. Results Family-supportive supervisor behaviour was directly and positively related to safety compliance, organisational citizenship behaviour and family time adequacy. It was also positively associated with time in bed and sleep quality for double-duty caregivers. Conclusion Family-supportive supervisor behaviour plays an important role in the work behaviour and nonwork well-being of men with and without nonwork care roles in the long-term care workforce, a finding with favourable implications at the employee and organisational level. Implications for nursing management Managers need to recognize that family-supportive supervisor behavior can benefit men, as many have nonwork caregiving responsibilities. Training may facilitate nurse managers' engagement in family-supportive supervisor behaviour and, in turn, improve employees' work and nonwork outcomes (link to training resources provided).
Mental health stigma among college students: misperceptions of perceived and personal stigmas.

The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between college student perceived and personal mental health stigmas. Participants: A sample of 352 undergraduate college students from two ...
After repeal: rethinking abortion politics: KATH BROWN & SYDNEY CALKIN (eds), 2019 london, zed books 305 pp, £70.00, $91.20 hardcover, £16.99, $22.14 paperback ISBN 978-1-78699-717-3 hardback, 978-1-78699-718-0 paperback

After Repeal: rethinking abortion politics sheds light on the May 25, 2018 Irish referendum to ‘Repeal the 8th’, a constitutional amendment passed in 1983 that restricted legal abortion. After the ...
Accelerated Vesting of Employee Stock Options in Anticipation of FAS 123‐R

In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) mandated the use of a fair value–based measurement attribute to value employee stock options (ESOs) via Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) 123-R. In anticipation of FAS 123-R, between March 2004 and November 2005, several firms accelerate the vesting of ESOs to avoid recognizing existing unvested ESO grants at fair value in future financial statements. We find that the likelihood of accelerated vesting is higher if (1) acceleration has a greater effect on future ESO compensation expense, especially related to underwater options, and (2) firms suffer greater agency problems, proxied by fewer blockholders, lower pension fund ownership, and top five officers holding a greater share of ESOs. We also find a negative stock price reaction around the announcement of the acceleration decision. Furthermore, stock returns are significantly negative before the new vesting dates and positive afterward, suggesting that vesting dates could have been backdated.
“It’s Everyone’s iPad”: Tablet use in a play-based preschool classroom:

Although existing literature has established that technologies are utilized in play and can be supportive of learning, utilization of technologies in play-based classrooms is not commonplace. This ...
‘Shattering’ and ‘Violent’ Forces: Gender, Ecology, and Catastrophe in George Eliot's The Mill on the Floss

This article argues that George Eliot's The Mill on the Floss (1860) aligns natural catastrophe with the image of the disastrous female body in order to challenge contemporary geological readings o...
An examination of the cross-cultural construct equivalence of perceptual fit constructs: implications for the use of universal fit measures

As organisations become more involved in international business and management, there has been an increased attention to the issue of cross-cultural assessment and the utility of an assessment measure across cultures. Although advantages to using universal measures may exist, at issue is the cross-cultural construct equivalence of the constructs measured by such assessments. Cultural factors may impact the nature of constructs across cultures. This study examines the cross-cultural construct equivalence of perceptual fit constructs across two countries: the USA and the Netherlands. Results indicate differences in the structure of the perceptual fit constructs across these countries, suggesting that the use of a universal fit measure may not yield valid measurement of the fit constructs in each of these countries.
Sparse Array Capon Beamformer Design Availing Deep Learning

The paper considers sparse array design for receive beamforming achieving maximum signal-to-interference plus noise ratio (MaxSINR). We develop a design approach based on supervised neural network where class labels are generated using an efficient sparse beamformer spectral analysis (SBSA) approach. SBSA uses explicit information of the unknown narrowband interference environment for training the network and bears close performance to training using enumerations, i.e., exhaustive search which is computationally prohibitive for large arrays. The employed DNN effectively approximates the unknown mapping from the input received data spatial correlations to the output of sparse configuration with effective interference mitigation capability. The problem is posed as a multi-label classification problem where the selected antenna locations achieving MaxSINR are indicated by the output layer of DNN. In addition to evaluating the performance of the DNN in terms of the classification accuracy, we evaluate the performance in terms of the the ability of the classified sparse array to mitigate interference and maximize signal power. It is shown that even in the case of miss-classification, where at least one sensor location doesn't match the optimal locations, the DNN effectively learns the sub-optimal sparse configuration which has desirable SINR characteristics. This shows the ability of the DNN to learn the proposed optimization algorithms, hence paving the way for efficient real-time implementation.
The two-way mirror in my therapy room : AIDS and families

The mirror of self-reflection allows therapists to monitor our responses to clients' stories. This hallmark of supervision and clinician education is particularly necessary for work with families experiencing illness and loss, experiences that are universally shared by therapists and their clients. This paper exemplifies the integration of a therapist's experience of family illness with ongoing work with a family coping with AIDS.
Inhibitory effects of pentagalloyl glucose from winged sumac (Rhus copallinum) on albumin glycation and the formation of advanced glycation endproducts (975.4)

Glycation is a spontaneous process typically initiated with a condensation reaction between a reducing sugar and a protein, leading to the formation of Advanced Glycation Endproducts (AGEs). The in vivo accumulation of AGEs is associated with many of the chronic conditions associated with diabetes including atherosclerosis, renal failure, and cataract formation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the inhibitory effects of pentagalloyl glucose (PGG), a polyphenol isolated from a native North American medicinal plant, winged sumac (Rhus copallinum), on individual stages of protein glycation using a combination of analytical methods including fluorescence spectroscopy, HPLC, circular dichroism and MALDI-TOF. The inhibitory effects of PGG on both early and middle stages of glycation were evaluated using bovine serum albumin and D-fructose serving as model protein and glycating agent, respectively. PGG inhibited the formation of AGEs and was 50-fold more potent compared to the positive control, aminog...
Magnetic flux studies in horizontally cooled elliptical superconducting cavities

Previous studies on magnetic flux expulsion as a function of cooldown procedures for elliptical superconducting radio frequency (SRF) niobium cavities showed that when the cavity beam axis is placed parallel to the helium cooling flow and sufficiently large thermal gradients are achieved, all magnetic flux could be expelled and very low residual resistance could be achieved. In this paper, we investigate flux trapping for the case of resonators positioned perpendicularly to the helium cooling flow, which is more representative of how SRF cavities are cooled in accelerators and for different directions of the applied magnetic field surrounding the resonator. We show that different field components have a different impact on the surface resistance, and several parameters have to be considered to fully understand the flux dynamics. A newly discovered phenomenon of concentration of flux lines at the cavity top leading to temperature rise at the cavity equator is presented.
Why the Boys are Missing: Using Social Capital to Explain Gender Differences in College Enrollment for Public High School Students

In 1960, over 60 % of bachelor degrees were awarded to men. However, the rate of women’s college completion has steadily risen and, by 2004, women received nearly 60 % of bachelor degrees. Drawing on the theoretical contributions of James Coleman, this paper examines the ability of social capital to explain observed differences in college enrollment. We use data from the 2002 Educational Longitudinal Study to examine social capital and quantify the strength of its relationship to college enrollment. We establish that men are currently disadvantaged with respect to key social capital variables, consistent with other published studies. We use logistic regression modeling to show that, after controlling for relevant variables, social capital is indeed related to college enrollment, and we provide an estimate of the degree to which the gender difference in enrollment can be explained by differences in social capital. In particular, we show that social capital reduces the odds ratio of women enrolling in college compared to men from 1.63 to 1.41. We show also that when grade point average is added to social capital, the odds ratio reduces from 1.41 to 1.23, showing that a substantial amount, but not all, of the gender disparity in college enrollment can be explained by these factors. In our final model, we test whether gender significantly interacts with social capital on college enrollment, a finding that would be consistent with women receiving differential returns to social capital. We find that women do not receive differential returns to social capital in comparison with men.
Dynamics of appetite-mediated gene expression in daidzein-fed female rats in the meal-feeding method.

We previously found that daidzein decreased food intake in female rats. The present study aimed to elucidate the relationship between dynamics of appetite-mediated neuropeptides and the anorectic effect of daidzein. We examined appetite-mediated gene expression in the hypothalamus and small intestine during the 3 meals per day feeding method. Daidzein had an anorectic effect specifically at the second feeding. Neuropeptide-Y (NPY) and galanin mRNA levels in the hypothalamus were significantly higher after feeding in the control but not in the daidzein group, suggesting that daidzein attenuated the postprandial increase in NPY and galanin expression. The daidzein group had higher corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) mRNA levels in the hypothalamus after feeding, and increased cholelcystokinin (CCK) mRNA levels in the small intestine, suggesting that CCK is involved in the hypothalamic regulation of this anorectic effect. Therefore, daidzein may induce anorexia by suppressing expression of NPY and galanin...
Robust Authentication Using Physically Unclonable Functions

In this work we utilize a physically unclonable function (PUF) to improve resilience of authentication protocols to various types of compromise. As an example application, we consider users who authenticate at an ATM using their bank-issued PUF and a password. We present a scheme that is provably secure and achieves strong security properties. In particular, we ensure that (i) the user is unable to authenticate without her device; (ii) the device cannot be used by someone else to successfully authenticate as the user; (iii) the device cannot be duplicated (e.g., by a bank employee); (iv) an adversary with full access to the bank's personal and authentication records is unable to impersonate the user even if he obtains access to the device before and/or after the setup; (v) the device does not need to store any information. We also give an extension that endows the solution with emergency capabilities: if a user is coerced into opening her secrets and giving the coercer full access to the device, she gives the coercer alternative secrets whose use notifies the bank of the coercion in such a way that the coercer is unable to distinguish between emergency and normal operation of the protocol.
Recent Progress in Terrestrial Photovoltaic Collector Technology

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Photovoltaics Program has as a goal, the development of economic photovoltaic systems for terrestrial applications. A key element of a photovoltaic system is the collector, which converts the solar energy to electrical energy. The targeted cost for the collector is $0.70/Wp (1980$). Two collector concepts are being developed to meet this cost target: (1) flat-plate by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory Flat-Plate Solar Array Project, and (2) concentrator by the Sandia Laboratories. The achievement of the cost target is dependent upon the Technical Feasibility demonstration of a number of different RD however, the advances in both flat-plate and concentrator technology support the conclusions that collector R&D objectives are attainable.
Expression of the Candida albicans Gene ALS1 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae Induces Adherence to Endothelial and Epithelial Cells

ABSTRACT To identify genes encoding adhesins that mediate the binding ofCandida albicans to endothelial cells, a genomic library from this organism was constructed and used to transformSaccharomyces cerevisiae. These transformed organisms were screened for adherence to endothelial cells, and a highly adherent clone was identified. The adherence of this clone to endothelial cells was over 100-fold greater than that of control S. cerevisiae transformed with the empty plasmid. This clone also exhibited enhanced adherence to epithelial cells. The C. albicans gene contained within this clone was found to beALS1. These results indicate that ALS1 may encode a candidal adhesin.
The metabolic fate of 1,4-dihydroxyphthalazine-1-14C☆

Abstract Radioactive 1,4-dihydroxyphthalazine was synthesized and its metabolic fate studied. Isotope dilution studies showed that 30–34% was excreted unchanged and 50% was conjugated with glucuronic acid. N-Methylation accounted for 3.5% of the dose in rats but not in rabbits. The major metabolite, 1,4-dihydroxyphthalazine-O-glucuronide was isolated and characterized. 1,4-Dihydroxyphthalazine was found to be relatively nontoxic, the minimal lethal dose being greater than 320 mg/kg.
Acoustic emission waveform simulation in multilayered composites

In this paper, an efficient and accurate semi-analytical method is developed to calculate the elastodynamic field produced by localized dynamic loads in a relatively thick composite plate. Two types of loads are considered: a pencil lead break source located on the surface and a localized shear delamination within the interior of the plate. In the case of the pencil lead break source, the calculated results for the surface motion are compared with those obtained in laboratory experiments on a 4.4mm thick 32 layered cross-ply graphite/ epoxy using high-fidelity broadband transducers. The waveforms consist of both flexural and extensional modes; the amplitude variations of these modes are found to be strongly dependent on their propagation direction. For the delamination source, the results from the exact calculation are compared with those from an approximate laminate theory with a shear correction factor and 'moment tensor' representation of the source. The results obtained by the two methods are shown to have excellent agreement in the low-frequency ranges. Although the motion due to the delamination is dominated by flexural waves of lower frequency in both thin and thick plates, the presence of extensional waves are observed in thicker laminates.
Evaluation of a Serious and Violent Offender Reentry Initiative (SVORI) Program in a Midwest State

The Serious and Violent Offender Reentry Initiative (SVORI) paved the way for a new era of rehabilitation in corrections’ programming. However, published outcome evaluations of SVORI programs and t...
Strategies for automatic online treatment plan reoptimization using clinical treatment planning system: a planning parameters study.

Purpose: Adaptive radiation therapy for prostate cancer using online reoptimization provides an improved control of interfractional anatomy variations. However, the clinical implementation of online reoptimization is currently limited by the low efficiency of current strategies and the difficulties associated with integration into the current treatment planning system. This study investigates the strategies for performing fast (∼2 min) automatic online reoptimization with a clinical fluence-map-based treatment planning system; and explores the performance with different input parameters settings: dose-volume histogram (DVH) objective settings, starting stage, and iteration number (in the context of real time planning). Methods: Simulated treatments of 10 patients were reoptimized daily for the first week of treatment (5 fractions) using 12 different combinations of optimization strategies. Options for objective settings included guideline-based RTOG objectives, patient-specific objectives based on anatomy on the planning CT, and daily-CBCT anatomy-based objectives adapted from planning CT objectives. Options for starting stages involved starting reoptimization with and without the original plan's fluence map. Options for iteration numbers were 50 and 100. The adapted plans were then analyzed by statistical modeling, and compared both in terms of dosimetry and delivery efficiency. Results: All online reoptimized plans were finished within ∼2 min with excellent coverage and conformity to the daily target. The three input parameters, i.e., DVH objectives, starting stage, and iteration number, contributed to the outcome of optimization nearly independently. Patient-specific objectives generally provided better OAR sparing compared to guideline-based objectives. The benefit in high-dose sparing from incorporating daily anatomy into objective settings was positively correlated with the relative change in OAR volumes from planning CT to daily CBCT. The use of the original plan fluence map as the starting stage reduced OAR dose at the mid-dose region, but increased the monitor units by 17%. Differences of only 2cc or less in OAR V50%/V70Gy/V76Gy were observed between 100 and 50 iterations. Conclusions : It is feasible to perform automatic online reoptimization in ∼2 min using a clinical treatment planning system. Selecting optimal sets of input parameters is the key to achieving high quality reoptimized plans, and should be based on the individual patient's daily anatomy, delivery efficiency, and time allowed for plan adaptation.
Structure of an elastin-mimetic polypeptide by solid-state NMR chemical shift analysis.

The conformation of an elastin-mimetic recombinant protein, [(VPGVG)4(VPGKG)]39, is investigated using solid-state NMR spectroscopy. The protein is extensively labeled with 13C and 15N, and two-dimensional 13C-13C and 15N-13C correlation experiments were carried out to resolve and assign the isotropic chemical shifts of the various sites. The Pro 15N, 13Calpha, and 13Cbeta isotropic shifts, and the Gly-3 Calpha isotropic and anisotropic chemical shifts support the predominance of type-II beta-turn structure at the Pro-Gly pair but reject a type-I beta-turn. The Val-1 preceding Pro adopts mostly beta-sheet torsion angles, while the Val-4 chemical shifts are intermediate between those of helix and sheet. The protein exhibits a significant conformational distribution, shown by the broad line widths of the 15N and 13C spectra. The average chemical shifts of the solid protein are similar to the values in solution, suggesting that the low-hydration polypeptide maintains the same conformation as in solution. The ability to measure these conformational restraints by solid-state NMR opens the possibility of determining the detailed structure of this class of fibrous proteins through torsion angles and distances.
Job stress and poor sleep quality: Data from an American sample of full-time workers

Given the associations between poor quality sleep and health, it is important to consider whether job stressors are related to sleep-related outcomes. Studies from Europe and Japan suggest that these stressors negatively impact sleep, but there are few studies of job stressors and sleep quality that draw upon large representative samples of workers in the USA. Using data collected via telephone interviews from a nationally representative random sample of 1715 American full-time employees, this research considers three dependent variables of past-month poor sleep quality: number of days the respondent had difficulty initiating sleep, number of days of difficulty maintaining sleep, and number of days of non-restorative sleep. Negative binomial regression was used to estimate a count data model of the associations between the frequency of these three types of poor sleep quality and the job stressors of work overload, role conflict, autonomy, and repetitive tasks, while controlling for socio-demographic characteristics. The average American worker reported 5.3 days of difficulty falling asleep, 6.6 days of trouble staying asleep, and 5.0 days of trouble waking up for work in the past month. Across the three types of poor sleep quality, work overload was positively associated with the frequency of poor sleep quality. Role conflict was positively associated with difficulty initiating sleep and non-restorative sleep. Repetitive tasks were associated with more days of difficulty initiating sleep and maintaining sleep. Job autonomy was negatively associated with non-restorative sleep. Given that sleep quality is associated with other health outcomes, future research should continue to explore the associations between job-related stressors, sleep quality, and workers' health status.
Successful use of N-acetylcysteine to treat severe hepatic injury caused by a dietary fitness supplement

In the absence of adequate premarketing efficacy and safety evaluations, adverse events from over-the-counter supplements are emerging as a public health concern. Specifically, bodybuilding products are being identified as a frequent cause of drug-induced liver injury. We present a case of a 20-year-old Hispanic male who presented with acute nausea and vomiting accompanied by severe right upper quadrant abdominal pain, shivering, and shortness of breath. Laboratory data pointed to mixed cholestatic and hepatocellular damage, and after exclusion of known alternate etiologies, the patient was diagnosed with acute drug-induced liver injury secondary to the use of "Friction," a bodybuilding supplement. Treatment with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) 20% oral solution was initiated empirically at a dose of 4000 mg [DOSAGE ERROR CORRECTED] (70 mg/kg) every 4 hours and was continued once the diagnosis was made. Within 48 hours of admission to our hospital, the patient began to show clinical resolution of right abdominal pain and tolerance to oral diet associated with a significant decline toward normal in his liver function tests and coagulopathy. The WHO-UMC causality assessment system suggested a "certain causality" between exposure to the supplement and the acute liver injury. In the event of suspected drug-induced liver injury, treatment with NAC should be considered given its favorable risk-benefit profile.
Traceable pico-meter level step height metrology

Abstract The atomic force microscope (AFM) increasingly being used as a metrology tool in the semiconductor industry where the features measured are at the nanometer level and continue to decrease. Usually the height sensors of the AFM are calibrated using step height specimens ranging from 8 nm to a few μm, however there are no calibration standards at the sub-nanometer level. Recently we have explored the use of stepped silicon single atom specimens as sub-nanometer height calibration artifacts. We have also developed a calibrated atomic force microscope (C-AFM), an AFM with direct traceability to the definition of length to calibrate standards for other AFMs. Earlier, we evaluated the step height of silicon single atomic steps along the (1 1 1) direction (with native oxide) using the C-AFM and obtained a value 304 ± 8 pm ( k = 2). To validate the utility of these specimens and the applicability of our analysis technique, we conducted an industry comparison to determine the reproducibility of results obtained when using our procedure. The comparison included AFM vendors and semiconductor device manufacturers. The average standard deviation was 6 pm, and indicates that these specimens and our procedure could be used for sub-nanometer height calibrations. In this paper we will present our evaluation procedure, results of the comparison, and derivation of a value for Si(1 1 1) step height. We will also explore the trends in each participant's data, its effect on the calculation of the mean value, and implications on the reproducibility of our technique. Finally, we will outline the procedure for use of these specimens.
Stacking Efficiency of Diselenadiazolyl π-Dimers. Consequences for Electronic Structure and Transport Properties

The preparation and crystal structure of 5-cyanofuran-2-[1,2,3,5-diselenadiazolyl], [RCN2Se2] (R = 5-cyanofuran), is reported. Crystal data for C6H2ON3Se2: monoclinic, space group P21, a = 7.1121(7), b= 20.541(2), c =20.923(2) A, β = 99.785(1)°, Z = 16. The crystal structure consists of diselenadiazolyl π-dimer stacks running parallel to the x direction; the asymmetric unit consists of four π-dimer units. The dimers are aligned into snakelike ribbons along the y direction, with consecutive dimers linked by head-to-tail CNSe contacts. Each π-dimer stack is bordered by two out-of-register stacks, but most interstack SeSe contacts lie outside the van der Waals separation. Along the π-dimer stacks, the intradimer Se−Se distances range from 3.183(10) to 3.294(1) A, and the interdimer SeSe distances range from 3.826(1) to 3.945(1) A. Like other π-dimer stacked diselenadiazolyls, [C6H2ON3Se2]2 is diamagnetic over the temperature range 4−380K. Variable temperature single-crystal conductivity measurements reveal ...
Nest attendants in parakeet auklets

Breeding behaviors in a captive population of parakeet auklets (Cyclorrhynchus psittacula) were observed to determine whether a third bird present at the entrances to nest tunnels was a helper or competitor. Comparisons were made between focal pairs of nesting birds, two with and two without attendants. Pairs with attendants spent more time feeding and more time bathing and had less time with intruders (other than the third bird) at their tunnels. Nest attendants also helped in nest defense and incubation (taking some of the burden off the focal pair). Relatedness is unknown; therefore, kin selection cannot be assessed. Because all nest tunnels were occupied, however, limited breeding resources in the captive environment may make helping an adaptive alternative for mature birds. Zoo Biol 20:271–277, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Thoracoomphalopagous conjoined twins of burma

Abstract The first separation of thoracoomphalopagous conjoined twins in Burma resulted in survival of one twin; other died on the 45th postoperative day of sepsis. The fused structures were the sternum, pericardium, diaphragm, and liver. Although one was normotensive, the twin who died had an unexplained hypertension and E.K.G. anomalies. Silon was used as a means of temporary abdominal closure.