cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Indium 111—labeled leukocyte scanning for detection of prosthetic vascular graft infection

Recent animal and human studies have suggested that positive indium 111-labeled leukocyte scans may help establish the diagnosis of vascular graft infection; however, there is little information available about the predictive value of both positive and negative leukocyte scans in larger groups of patients. In this study 31 indium 111 leukocyte scans were performed prior to definitive treatment in 21 patients with suspected vascular graft infections. Patients with more than one leukocyte scan performed had either anatomically distinct sites of infection or rescanning of a potentially infected site after definitive treatment. Scans were performed according to the method of Baker et al., attaching 500 muCi of indium 111 to leukocytes with imaging 24 hours later. All patients with positive scans underwent surgical exploration of the area of leukocyte accumulation, with documentation of purulence and culture of the graft. Patients with negative scans were treated as if scan results were indeterminate and underwent surgical exploration for usual clinical indications; if no exploration was performed, the patient was followed up closely for at least 1 year. Twelve of 12 positive scans showed purulence or culture evidence of infection with three different organisms; in 15 instances of negative scans, two operations were performed with one infection noted, whereas no patient without surgery has had a graft infection at 10 months follow-up. In addition to localizing graft infections, two scans demonstrated a nonvascular site of infection. Positive scans also helped determine the extent of infection along the graft, allowing better planning of the surgical procedure. These results indicate that indium 111-labeled leukocyte scans help document and localize prosthetic vascular graft infections.
Detection of hypophosphite, phosphite, and orthophosphate in natural geothermal water by ion chromatography.

Abstract Current doctrine states that phosphorus is incorporated into cells in the pentavalent(V) oxidation state as orthophosphate. However, recent studies show that microorganisms contain enzymes used to metabolize reduced forms of phosphorous, including phosphite(III) and hypophosphite(I), which suggests that there is a natural source for these chemical species. This paper will discuss suppressed conductivity ion chromatography methods developed to detect hypophosphite, phosphite, and orthophosphate in a geothermal water matrix containing fluoride, chloride, bromide, nitrate, hydrogen carbonate and sulfate. All peaks were clearly resolved, and calibrations were linear with estimated 3 σ detection limits of 0.83, 0.39, and 0.35 μM for hypophosphite, phosphite, and orthophosphate, respectively.
Ratio statistics of gene expression levels and applications to microarray data analysis.

Motivation Expression-based analysis for large families of genes has recently become possible owing to the development of cDNA microarrays, which allow simultaneous measurement of transcript levels for thousands of genes. For each spot on a microarray, signals in two channels must be extracted from their backgrounds. This requires algorithms to extract signals arising from tagged mRNA hybridized to arrayed cDNA locations and algorithms to determine the significance of signal ratios. Results This paper focuses on estimation of signal ratios from the two channels, and the significance of those ratios. The key issue is the determination of whether a ratio is significantly high or low in order to conclude whether the gene is upregulated or downregulated. The paper builds on an earlier study that involved a hypothesis test based on a ratio statistic under the supposition that the measured fluorescent intensities subsequent to image processing can be assumed to reflect the signal intensities. Here, a refined hypothesis test is considered in which the measured intensities forming the ratio are assumed to be combinations of signal and background. The new method involves a signal-to-noise ratio, and for a high signal-to-noise ratio the new test reduces (with close approximation) to the original test. The effect of low signal-to-noise ratio on the ratio statistics constitutes the main theme of the paper. Finally, and in this vein, a quality metric is formulated for spots. This measure can be used to decide whether or not a spot ratio should be deleted, or to adjust various measurements to reflect confidence in the quality of the measurement. Contact e-dougherty@tamu.edu
Forest Cover Dynamics and Forest Transitions in Mexico and Central America: Towards a “Great Restoration”?

Most academic and popular forest narratives in Mexico and Central America have focused on forest loss or deforestation as the primary tendency in forest cover, with little attention paid to the possibilities of a forest transition. Indeed, the evidence suggests that in particular periods and places linear tendencies towards forest loss have been predominant. However, looking more closely at data from more recent periods suggests that in the last two decades more complex nonlinear patterns of deforestation, forest recovery, and forest maintenance in spite of proximate deforestation pressures characterize forest cover dynamics in the region. Forest maintenance is argued to be a result of particular forest uses that can include shade tree coffee, sustainable forest management for timber, and protected areas. Forest cover dynamics vary considerably from country to country in the region, as do the immediate prospects for a forest transition.
Sigma-delta modulation with i.i.d. Gaussian inputs

The response of a single-loop sigma-delta modulator to an independent identically distributed (i.i.d.) Gaussian input signal is analyzed. A continuous-time stochastic model is developed and the connection of the model to the system is described. A condition is given so that the difference between the behavior of the model and that of the true system can be made arbitrarily small. Theories from renewal and Wiener processes are applied to show the convergence and mixing properties of the output sequence. Also derived is the power spectrum of the quantization noise. Compared to the spectrum when the input is DC, the i.i.d. Gaussian random process smears the discrete spectrum into band structures. >
Civil Rights, Education Research, and the Courts

This commentary was designed to accompany a series of articles in Educational Researcher, vol. 35, no. 1, a theme issue entitled “Moving Beyond Gratz and Grutter—The Next Generation of Research.” The author discusses the role of education research in civil rights litigation, drawing on historical roots established in Brown v. Board of Education 1954 and exploring recent challenges in cases such as Grutter v. Bollinger 2003. He highlights the roles of scientific research in judicial decision making, which have included informing doctrine and bolstering the rhetorical strength of judicial opinions. Because of the courts’ open-ended use of scientific research, the author concludes that education research can play a valuable role in informing civil rights disputes and policy debates
Measurement of hydrogen isotope transport in poly(vinyl fluoride) films by the permeation-rate method

A novel gas-flow method of measuring the diffusion, solubility, and permeability of gases and vapors in polymer films is described. The specific advantages of this system over the time-lag technique are discussed. Transport data, including activation energies and enthalpies of solutions, for hydrogen and deuterium in poly(vinyl fluoride) are presented, and the effects of the glass transition and of orientation on the observed transport rates are discussed.
China's Response to Pandemics: From Inaction to Overreaction

Two U.S. specialists (on the governance and foreign policy aspects of China's public health issues as well as its human and medical geography) examine how two different sets of policies implemented by the government of China have affected both the geography and political ecology of pandemic disease outbreaks (HIV/AIDS, SARS, and H1N1) over the past two decades. More specifically, they argue that: (1) broad development and reform policies largely responsible for China's rapid modernization/urbanization and increasingly successful perfomance in the global economic arena have generated unexpected side-effects in terms of the location, incidence, and spread of pandemics as well as the state's capacity to mount an adequate health care response; and (2) politically motivated public health policies implemented in response to the spread of specific pandemics in China have had unanticipated impacts on the progression of disease outbreaks and their outcomes. Journal of Economic Literature, Classification Numbers: H...
A Monte Carlo study of high energy prompt gamma-ray detection with LSO crystals

A novel imaging approach for small animals (mice) has been proposed and investigated primarily by Monte Carlo simulation. The new approach is called prompt gamma-ray imaging or PGI. This approach consists of irradiating small animals in the thermal neutron beam of a nuclear reactor to produce prompt gamma rays from the elements in the sample by the radiative capture (n, /spl gamma/) reaction. These prompt gamma rays are emitted in energies and coincident chains that are characteristic of each element. Therefore, they can be used for imaging by using the principles derived from PET and SPECT imaging. In addition, the transmitted neutrons from the beam can be simultaneously used for very sensitive structure imaging, which provides the desired co-registration. For PET and SPECT imaging this must be obtained by a separate CT or MRI scanning device. In this new approach, the common gamma-ray energy range is from several kev to 11 Mev. The detection of high energy prompt gamma rays for this purpose is studied here by using currently available PET scanners; especially those that use LSO crystals. MCNP5is used to simulate these detection related issues.
Stepwise Polychlorination of 8-Chloro-BODIPY and Regioselective Functionalization of 2,3,5,6,8-Pentachloro-BODIPY

An effective, stepwise methodology for polychlorination of BODIPY using trichloroisocyanuric acid (TCCA) in acetic acid was developed. In this way, selectively substituted di-, tri-, tetra-, and pentachloro-BODIPYs 2–5 were prepared. The pentachloro-BODIPY is shown to undergo regioselective Pd(0)-catalyzed Stille and Suzuki coupling reactions, first at the 8-position followed by the 3,5- and then the 2,6-positions; nucleophilic substitution reactions occur first at the 8- followed by the 3,5-positions, while the 2,6 are unreactive.
Doxorubicin-Based Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy Produces Favorable Outcomes in Limited-Stage Plasmablastic Lymphoma: A Single-Institution Review

Abstract Background Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) is an aggressive variant of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. We sought to assess the treatment outcomes after combined-modality therapy for early-stage PBL. Materials and Methods We retrospectively reviewed the outcomes of 10 consecutive patients diagnosed with stage I-II PBL from February 2001 to December 2013 at a single institution. The baseline clinical characteristics, treatment modalities, overall outcomes, and treatment-related toxicity were assessed. Results The median age at diagnosis was 50.5 years. All patients had extranodal disease; 2 were positive for human immunodeficiency virus. Seven patients received hyper-CVAD (cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin, dexamethasone)-based chemotherapy, 2 received CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone), and 1 received dose-adjusted EPOCH (etoposide, prednisone, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin). Radiotherapy (RT) was administered after a complete response to chemotherapy in 7 patients and a partial response in 1 patient. At a median follow-up period of 42 months, the estimated 2-year progression-free and overall survival rates were 90% and 100%, respectively. Conclusion PBL can be successfully treated with aggressive chemotherapy followed by RT. The treatment was well tolerated and can result in long-term survival for patients with limited-stage disease.
HGM: a call for model validation

The hydrogeomorphic (HGM) approach to wetland functional assessment has been in place for more than 20 years, yet most models developed to date have not been validated. Although HGM models are typically calibrated to a data set, we lack true validation efforts, especially as wetland scientists and managers continue to assert that measuring structure equates to an assessment of function. This paper is a call for a renewed effort at HGM validation in order to fully assure that we know when structure is measured we are also measuring function.
Learning Inter-Task Transferability in the Absence of Target Task Samples

In a reinforcement learning setting, the goal of transfer learning is to improve performance on a target task by re-using knowledge from one or more source tasks. A key problem in transfer learning is how to choose appropriate source tasks for a given target task. Current approaches typically require that the agent has some experience in the target domain, or that the target task is specified by a model (e.g., a Markov Decision Process) with known parameters. To address these limitations, this paper proposes a framework for selecting source tasks in the absence of a known model or target task samples. Instead, our approach uses meta-data (e.g., attribute-value pairs) associated with each task to learn the expected benefit of transfer given a source-target task pair. To test the method, we conducted a large-scale experiment in the Ms. Pac-Man domain in which an agent played over 170 million games spanning 192 variations of the task. The agent used vast amounts of experience about transfer learning in the domain to model the benefit (or detriment) of transferring knowledge from one task to another. Subsequently, the agent successfully selected appropriate source tasks for previously unseen target tasks.
NLRC4 is an innate immune detector of the bacterial type III secretion apparatus (135.72)

The mammalian innate immune system uses Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and Nod-LRRs (NLRs) to detect microbial components during infection. Often these molecules work in concert; for example, the TLRs can stimulate the production of the pro-forms of the cytokines IL-1β and IL-18, whereas certain NLRs trigger their subsequent proteolytic processing via caspase 1. Gram negative bacteria utilize type III secretion systems (T3SS) to deliver virulence factors to the cytosol of host cells, where they modulate cell physiology to favour the pathogen. We show here that NLRC4/Ipaf detects the basal body rod component of the T3SS apparatus (rod protein) from S. typhimurium (PrgJ), Escherichia coli (EprJ and EscI), Burkholderia pseudomallei (BsaK), and Shigella flexneri (MxiI). These rod proteins share a sequence motif that is essential for detection by NLRC4; a similar motif is found in flagellin which is also detected by NLRC4. S. typhimurium has two T3SS: Salmonella pathogenicity island-1 (SPI-1), which encodes the rod protein PrgJ, and SPI-2, which encodes the rod protein SsaI. While PrgJ is detected by NLRC4, SsaI is not, and this evasion is required for virulence in mice. Our results indicate that macrophages respond to the activity of T3SS, not by sensing the specific translocated virulence factors, but rather by detecting the translocation apparatus that is conserved between pathogens. This reduces the number of host detectors required, a survival strategy that is divergent from that used by plants, where translocated effectors are detected on a gene for gene basis. Furthermore, the specific detection of the virulence machinery permits the discrimination between pathogenic and non pathogenic bacteria.
Endocrine systems and behavior.

The is article outlines how the endocrine system influences the development and maintenance of certain behaviors—primarily reproductive and aggressive behaviors—that are of clinical importance to animal scientists and veterinarians.
Susceptibility of Trees to Southern Pine Beetle, Dendroctonus frontalis (Coleoptera: Scolytidae)

Loblolly and shortleaf pines on one study site in the North Carolina piedmont were subjected to attack by varying numbers of southern pine beetle (SPB), Dendroctonus frontalis Zimmermann. Shortleaf pines appeared to be the more susceptible host on this site. Resin flow rate was significantly lower and length of the hypersensitive lesion resulting from inoculation of the trees with the blue-staining fungus Ceratocystis minor (Hedgecock) Hunt was significantly longer in shortleaf pines successfully attacked by 2,000 SPB compared with shortleaf pines unsuccessfully attacked by 2,000 SPB. Loblolly pines attacked by ca. 2,000 SPB had similar resin flow rates and longer hypersensitive lesions than did shortleaf pines unsuccessfully attacked by 2,000 beetles. Overall, shortleaf pines either had a high resin flow rate or a long hypersensitive response, whereas in loblolly pines, the two variables were positively correlated.
Snow Conditions and the Onset of Breeding in the Mountain White-Crowned Sparrow

Since the summer of 1968, my students and I have been studying the breeding biology of the Mountain White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys oriantha) in the Mono Basin of the Sierra Nevada of California, especially at Tioga Pass. This bird summers in high mountain meadows of western North America and winters in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Earlier we reported on reproductive schedule and success of oriantha during the consecutive seasons of 1968 through 1970 (Morton et al. 1972). Of all environmental factors affecting the reproductive efforts of this bird, snow conditions seem to be most important. In many years snowpack seems to determine arrival and occupancy schedules at breeding grounds. Duration of snowpack and rate of disappearance affect the availability and suitability of habitat throughout much of the breeding season. The 1969 season of our study followed a winter with the heaviest snowpack ever recorded in the Mono Basin and the 1976 season followed a winter with one of the lightest snowpacks recorded. Herein I compare data from these seasons, and others, in order to provide insight as to how migratory birds are adapted for breeding under the range of conditions found in high mountains. Most of our study was conducted at Tioga Pass Meadow, a 0.5 x 1.0 km subalpine meadow that extends northward from Tioga Pass (elev. 9,500-10,300 ft).
Industrial coal consumption in early modern London

The importance of energy, in particular coal, is the subject of ongoing debate amongst economic historians who examine its relationship to the timing and nature of British industrialization. Yet attention to the case of London during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries shows that heavy coal consumption did not require industrial production, nor was heavy industrial coal demand dependent on steam engines. Rather, through the first sustained attempt to quantify industry's proportion of London's demand for mined coal, this article argues that the early modern world's leading coal market was driven primarily by domestic rather than industrial consumption, but that many industrial facilities nevertheless consumed fuel on scales often associated with later industrialization.
The changes of nonprotein-bound iron levels and behavioral neurological assessment following selective head cooling with mild hypothermia treatment in neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy

Objective The study examined the changes of nonprotein-bound iron(NPBI) levels and neonatal behavioral neurological assessment(NBNA) score,following selective head cooling with mild hypothermia(SHC) treatment in neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy(HIE).Methods Patients studied were from our hospital NICU between January 2011 and June 2011.Neonates with moderate or severe HIE were randomly assigned to SHC group(34 cases) and to conventional management group(32 cases).In both groups,serum levels of NPBI 0 h,24 h,48 h,72 h,7 d were measured after treatment,and compared the NBNA score after birth 7 d,14 d,28 d.Results There was no statistical significance of serum levels of NPBI at the beginning of treatment(P0.05).For the SHC group,24 h,48 h,72 h serum levels of NPBI were respectively(5.57 ± 0.75) μmol / L,(3.23 ± 0.68) μmol/L,(1.94 ±0.58) μmol/L after threatment,significantly lower than the conventional group(7.40 ± 0.55) μmol / L,(5.53 ± 0.94) μmol / L,(2.70 ± 0.83) μmol / L.The difference was statistically significant(P0.05).14 d and 28d after birth NBNA score of the SHC group was respectively(34.0 ± 2.2) and(36.0 ± 1.8),significantly higher than the conventional group-(31.2 ± 2.5) and(34.2 ± 1.5).The difference was statistically significant(P0.05).12 months after birth,children with mild hypothermia group mental development index(MDI)(96.2 ± 16.3) and psychomotor development index(PDI)(88.9 ±12.6) was better than that of the conventional group MDI(85.8 ±8.9) and PDI(74.3 ± 14.1).The difference was statistically significant(P0.05).For the SHC group,the incidence of neurological sequela was 11.76%,conventional group sequela incidence was 34.37%,and the outcome of the two groups showed significant difference(P0.05).Conclusions Mild hypothermia treatment can reduce the release of NPBI,inhibit the production of oxygen free radicals and the lipid peroxidation reaction,reduce ischemia-reperfusion injury after oxidative stress,and has a neuroprotective role.
Abstract A183: Molecular elucidation of the CBM complex in NF-kappaB activation by using single molecule imaging and structural studies

NF-kB family proteins are evolutionarily conserved master regulators of immune and inflammatory responses. NF-kB signaling has a crucial role in regulating the activation, proliferation and effectors functions of lymphocytes in adaptive immune responses. The CARMA1/Bcl10/MALT1 (CBM) complex is the central mediator of TCR and BCR induced NF-kB activation in lymphocytes. Mutations, chromosomal translocations and over-expressions of CBM component proteins have been shown to directly lead to non-Hodgkin9s lymphomas. Elucidating the molecular basis of assembly and activation of the CBM complex could provide a platform for mechanistic understandings of the associated lymphomas and potential therapeutic target identification. Our research goals are to investigate the CBM mechanism in the NF-kB activation pathway by single molecule imaging and structural studies on the CARMA1/Bcl10, BCl10/MALT1 and CBM complex by combining electron microscopy and X-ray crystallography. We have succeeded in purifying the CARMA1/Bcl10/MALT1 complex and shown by negative staining EM that the CBM complexes form filamentous structures as well as BCl10 only. In vitro, polymerization assay indicated that CARMA1 nucleates Bcl10 filament assembly, which could promote downstream MALT1 activation. Based on the 3D map from negative stained electron microscopy and high-resolution individual structures of CARMA1/Bcl10 CARD domains, we reconstituted a structure model of CARMA1/Bcl10 filament. Single molecule imaging enables us to track after the filament formation of labeled BCl10 filaments and the nucleation of BCl10 by labeled CARMA1 and determine the filaments formation rates in vitro supported by kinetic studies. In addition, we could determine that polymerization BCl10 has polarity and the filament growth is only at one end. Moreover, Real time Super Resolution Microscopy (STORM) measurements showed a surprising funding that CARMA1(8-302) is segmented along the filaments and incorporated within BCl10 filaments. At the moment, we are pursuing the determination of cryo-EM structures of BCl10 and BCl10/ MALT1 complex. At the moment, we are processing BCl10 and BCl10/ MALT1 complex data sets that were collected with a K2 detector and by using Titan cryoEM microscope. BCl10 (1-205) structure was solved to a 6A and the data is currently being further improved. Citation Format: Liron David, Hao Wu. Molecular elucidation of the CBM complex in NF-kappaB activation by using single molecule imaging and structural studies. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the CRI-CIMT-EATI-AACR Inaugural International Cancer Immunotherapy Conference: Translating Science into Survival; September 16-19, 2015; New York, NY. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2016;4(1 Suppl):Abstract nr A183.
Gauss Maps, Tangential and Dual Varieties

In the preceding lecture, we associated to each point of a projective variety X ⊂ ℙ n a linear subspace of ℙ n. We investigate here how those planes vary on X, that is, the geometry of the Gauss map. Before we launch into this, however, we should take a moment to discuss a question that will be increasingly relevant to our analysis; the choice of our ground field K and in particular its characteristic.
PRAGMATIC MUNICIPALISM: LOCAL GOVERNMENT SERVICE DELIVERY AFTER THE GREAT RECESSION

Since the Great Recession, some have argued that local governments have become ‘austerity machines’ that cut and privatize services and undermine unions. We conducted a national survey of US municipalities in 2012 to examine how service provision level and delivery methods are related to local stress and capacity, controlling for community need and place characteristics. We find that local governments are balancing the pressures of stress with community needs. They use alternative revenue sources and service delivery methods (privatization and cooperation) to maintain services. Unionization is not a barrier to innovation. Further, we find that ethnically diverse suburbs are providing more services than other suburbs, thus acting more like metro core cities. We find that the Great Recession has not dramatically shifted local government behaviour to a ‘new normal’ of fiscal austerity. Instead, we find municipalities practising ‘pragmatic municipalism’ to maintain their public role.
The Pathology of Adrenal Masses

Adrenal masses include lesions derived from the adrenal cortex and medulla as well as metastatic tumors to the adrenal glands. The principal cortical masses include adrenal cortical hyperplasia, adenomas, and carcinomas. The principal adrenal medullary masses include pheochromocytomas and neuroblastic tumors. The pathological distinction of benign from malignant adrenocortical tumors can usually be done with the Weiss criteria, but there are some exceptional tumors that are difficult to classify. Distinguishing between benign and malignant pheochromocytomas is often difficult and relies mainly on the presence of metastatic disease. Neuroblastomas show a spectrum ranging from highly malignant undifferentiated neuroblastomas to benign ganglioneuromas. Immunohistochemical analyses can be very helpful in the differential diagnosis of adrenocortical tumors and pheochromocytomas and in separating these lesions from metastatic tumors. Recent molecular studies have provided new insights into regulatory molecules in both adrenocortical and medullary tumors.
Open circuit fault detection and localization in modular multilevel converter

Modular multilevel converters (MMCs) have become attractive since being proposed for high voltage/power applications with their properties such as scalability, efficiency, redundancy and high quality output voltage and current. MMCs are comprised of many submodules which are typically made of insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs) and diodes in the form of half-bridge cell and failure of these switches can be a major system operation and reliability issue. In this study, detection and localization of the submodule IGBT's open-circuit fault is investigated using a 5-level MMC model. Phase shifted pulse width modulation, circulating current suppression controller and voltage sorting-balancing algorithm are applied to get proper results in open loop condition. The proposed method is validated using Matlab/Simulink computer simulations.
Simple, efficient allocation of modelling runs on heterogeneous clusters with MPI

In scientific modelling and computation, the choice of an appropriate method for allocating tasks for parallel processing depends on the computational setting and on the nature of the computation. The allocation of independent but similar computational tasks, such as modelling runs or Monte Carlo trials, among the nodes of a heterogeneous computational cluster is a special case that has not been specifically evaluated previously. A simulation study shows that a method of on-demand (that is, worker-initiated) pulling from a bag of tasks in this case leads to reliably short makespans for computational jobs despite heterogeneity both within and between cluster nodes. A simple reference implementation in the C programming language with the Message Passing Interface (MPI) is provided. Simulated makespans for a special case of on-demand task allocation are studied.Makespans for on-demand task allocation are reliably short despite heterogeneity.A reference implementation in C with Message Passing Interface is provided.
Long-term cigarette smoking, second-hand smoke exposure, and risk of colorectal cancer.

A213 OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between cigarette smoking, second-hand smoke (SHS) exposure, and colorectal cancer risk. METHODS: Patients who attended Roswell Park Cancer Institute between 1982 and 1997 and completed an epidemiological questionnaire were eligible for this hospital-based case-control analysis. Approximately 1,203 cases of primary, incident colorectal cancer were frequency matched to 2,406 malignancy-free controls on age (5-year intervals), gender, and year of questionnaire completion. Logistic regression was used to calculate colorectal cancer risk by various tobacco smoke exposure measures while controlling for relevant covariates (body mass index, residence, race, education, income, family history, vegetable intake, meat intake, other tobacco use, alcohol use, and aspirin use). RESULTS: Overall, those who had more that 40 pack-years of exposure had a small, statistically significant increase in colorectal cancer risk (adjusted OR = 1.23; 95%CI = 1.02-1.48). The risk for those with more than 40 pack-years rose when individuals with current SHS exposure were removed from the analysis (adjusted OR = 2.12; 95%CI = 1.42-3.15), as a positive trend for increasing risk for increasing pack-years was also noted. Risk estimates were generally higher for males compared to females. When SHS exposure was the main predictor variable, never smoking males exposed to 7 or more hours a day of SHS had an increased colorectal cancer risk that was not statistically significant (adjusted OR = 1.58; 95%CI = 0.93-2.69), although the risk estimate for females was near the null value. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term, heavy smokers had a slight, statistically significant increase in colorectal cancer risk. Current SHS exposure may be an independent risk factor for colorectal cancer and failure to account for this exposure may result in exposure misclassification.
In Their Own Words: Erasing Deficits and Exploring What Works to Improve K-12 and Postsecondary Black Male School Achievement.

This article outlines the imperative for strengths-based research to counter deficit perceptions and perspectives of Black males in contemporary discussions of their school achievement in the Unite...
Biomarker classification, validation, and what to look for in 2017 and beyond.

The Translational Science section of the BJUI is very selective and focused on bringing our readers high quality work that has potential to impact practice. A very common submission includes methods utilizing retrospective design, small to moderate sample size, biomarker expression at the immunohistochemistry stage, and prognostic classification. These papers are probably better off in biomarker-focused journals. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Media Use and Men’s Risk Behaviors: Examining the Role of Masculinity Ideology

Although research indicates significant associations between exposure to certain types of media and men’s participation in high-risk behaviors, less is known about the potential mediating role of masculinity ideology, which is also linked to risk behaviors. Accordingly, the purpose of the present study was to investigate the relation between multiple forms of media, masculinity ideology, and participation in high-risk behaviors among a sample of 449 undergraduate men from a U.S. Midwestern university. Survey results indicated that overall television use, sports television, and movie viewing were significantly associated with stronger endorsement of masculinity ideology. Masculinity ideology, in turn, was associated with sexual risk-taking, alcohol use, drug use, and speeding while driving. Furthermore, masculinity ideology was found to mediate the relation between these media formats and risk outcomes. These findings highlight several ways in which various media formats and traditional masculine norms promote behaviors that put men at increased risk for sexually transmitted diseases, substance abuse problems, and physical injury.
A Glimmer of Hope in a Suffocated Media Landscape? Citizen Journalism Practices in Turkey

The introduction of new communication technologies has raised questions about how existing media practices and media work are changing as a result (Lievrouw, 2002). Audio, visual, and digital innovations have contributed to the changing way journalists think and practice their profession (Lasorsa, Lewis, & Holton, 2012). It is now of common consent that emerging possibilities generated through new media are shifting the function of journalism in western democracies. While the contribution of professional journalism to democratic citizenship is thought to be well-established in some countries, whether citizen journalism can play a similar role is yet to be determined (as also argued by Kaufhold, Valenzuela, & de Zuniga, 2010).
Semi-automated Ontology Development and Management System Applied to Medically Unexplained Syndromes in the U.S. Veterans Population

Terminologies or ontologies to describe patient-reported information are lacking. The development and maintenance of ontologies is usually a manual, lengthy, and resource-intensive process. To support the development of medical specialty-specific ontologies, we created a semi-automated ontology development and management system (SEAM). SEAM supports ontology development by automatically extracting terms, concepts, and relations from narrative text, and then offering a streamlined graphical user interface to edit and create content in the ontology and finally export it in OWL format. The graphical user interface implements card sorting for synonym grouping and concept laddering for hierarchy construction. We used SEAM to create ontologies to support medically unexplained syndromes detection and management among veterans in the U.S.
Effects of overlearning trials upon habit reversal under conditions of aversive stimulation

The present study investigated the effects of overlearning trials upon the reversal of a position habit. Rats learned to make a left (or right) position choice in order to climb out of the T shaped discrimination box half-filled with water. The control group received reversal training immediately after reaching criterion on original learning, while the overlearning group received 150 post-criterion trials prior to reversal. The overlearning trials had no significant effect upon trials to reversal criterion. Both groups took more trials to reversal criterion than to criterion on original learning.
U.S. Teachers as Policy Protagonists in Digital Public Spaces

Teachers engage with policies far beyond the confines of their classroom and seemingly unrelated to their classroom practice, stretching the parameters of theories such as street-level bureaucracy (Lipsky, 2010; Weatherly & Lipsky, 1977) and doing policy in schools (Ball, Maguire, & Braun, 2012). This was observed in ethnographic studies and analyses, suggesting a “policy protagonism” in which teachers engaged in public arenas with the state and with the public outside of school to address problems they faced within school walls (Robert & McEntarfer, 2014). Four attributes of policy protagonism are defining policy “problems,” seeking power and resources to address those policy-worthy problems, “using” social categories and symbolic identities such as perceptions of teachers as mothers and caregivers, and, finally, demanding multiple seats at the decision-making table. Using discourse analysis, I examine Massachusetts' teachers' publications in local and national online newspapers between 2012–2014 that id...
Waiting to Exhale: Transcatheter Repair of Mitral Regurgitation and Survival.

Mitral regurgitation (MR) is the most common valvular disease in Western countries, affecting 2 to 4 million people in the United States alone.1 When severe and left untreated, MR leads to adverse ventricular remodeling and, in many patients, impaired survival with a high rate of morbidity because of heart failure. For primary MR, surgery, particularly valve repair, is the standard of care and is recommended for patients with either symptoms or significant left ventricular dysfunction.2 Conversely, guideline-directed medical therapy is emphasized for patients with secondary MR and typically consists of β-receptor blockers, vasodilators, diuretics, and aldosterone antagonists, with or without cardiac resynchronization.3 For secondary MR, such therapy targets ventricular dysfunction as the cause of MR and has established efficacy for improving symptoms and the prognosis of patients with heart failure.3 See Article by Kortlandt et al Transcatheter mitral repair with MitraClip (Abbott Vascular, Menlo Park, CA) first became available for high-risk or inoperable patients in 2008, when it received Conformite Europeene mark for clinical use in those with primary or secondary MR in Europe. Agency approval in the United States (primary only) and parts of Asia (primary or secondary or both) soon followed, with the most recent commercial launch occurring in Japan earlier this year. The broad, multinational adoption of transcatheter repair of MR with MitraClip is notable, particularly given (1) the relatively small size of the reported randomized clinical trials of this therapy, (2) the absence of demonstrated superior efficacy of the therapy in comparison with current standards for MR treatment, and (3) for patients with secondary MR, the considerable controversy regarding the benefits of MR correction by any means, be it surgical or transcatheter. Indeed, practice guidelines have given a class IIb recommendation for transcatheter repair of MR (primary or secondary MR in Europe; …
HPV and EBV in Head and Neck Cancer

The focus of this book chapter is to discuss the role of human papillomavirus (HPV) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). We have summarized the main events of HPV and EBV life cycle, potential mechanisms of HPV- or EBV-mediated carcinogenesis, and the implications of HPV and EBV in head and neck cancer, with an emphasis on disease diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic treatment. The potential of proteomics and metabolomics for studying these virus-associated cancers has also been discussed. A mechanistic understanding of HPV-associated HNSCC or EBV-associated NPC would require profound analysis of these tumors using advanced molecular analysis technologies, which will facilitate the development of preventive and therapeutic strategies for these diseases.
Psychosocial Concerns of Women who Delay Prenatal Care

Early and continuous prenatal care is an important factor in maternal and child health. The findings of this study of 201 women who entered prenatal care during the third trimester of pregnancy ind...
Linguistically Responsive Teaching in Preservice Teacher Education: A Review of the Literature Through the Lens of Cultural-Historical Activity Theory:

This article presents an integrated systematic review of scholarship related to preparing preservice teachers (PSTs) to teach multilingual learners in U.S. schools. We drew from cultural-historical...
Robot Reinforcement and Error-Based Movement Learning in Infants With and Without Cerebral Palsy.

Background Prone mobility, central to development of diverse psychological and social processes that have lasting effects on life participation, is seldom attained by infants with cerebral palsy (CP) and has no tested interventions. Reinforcement learning (RL) and error-based movement learning (EBL) offer novel intervention possibilities. Objective This study examined movement learning strategies in infants with or at risk for CP using RL and EBL during acquisition of prone locomotion. Design The study was a randomized trial that used repeated measures. Setting The study setting was a university physical therapy clinic in the United States. Patients Thirty infants aged 4.5 to 6.5 months participated in the study: 24 had or were at risk for CP, and 6 were typically developing. Intervention Infants with and at risk for CP were randomly assigned to a combination of RL and EBL (SIPPC-RE), or RL only (SIPPC-R) conditions. Infants with typical development comprised the RL-only reference group (SIPPC-TD). Infants trained in prone locomotion with the Self-Initiated Prone Progression Crawler (SIPPC) robotic system for three 5-minute trials, twice a week for 12 weeks in their homes or child care. All training sessions were videotaped for behavioral coding. Measurements The SIPPC gathered robot and infant trunk/limb movement data. Randomized 2-way analysis of variance with repeated measures and Pearson r to analyze the data was used. Results Results included the number of arm movements and trial-and-error activity distinguished between the SIPPC-RE and SIPPC-R groups. The mean change in arm movements from baseline for the SIPPC-RE and SIPPC-R groups was 4.8 m and -7.0 m, respectively. The mean differences in rotational amplitude (trial and error) from baseline to the end of the study were 278 degrees and 501 degrees, respectively. These changes were correlated with distance traveled and goal-directed movements. The latter increased over the 12 weeks for the SIPPC-RE and SIPPC-TD groups, but not the SIPPC-R group. Limitations The CP groups were unequal due to reassignment and did not include a typically developing comparison group of a combination of RL and EBL. Conclusion These findings suggest movement learning and retention in infants with CP is differentially affected by the use of RL and EBL, with a combination of both showing more promise than RL alone. The findings also implicate cognition, type of brain insult, emergence of reaching, and muscle force production, which must be explored in future studies.
Structural Biology of Telomerase

Telomerase is a DNA polymerase that extends the 3' ends of chromosomes by processively synthesizing multiple telomeric repeats. It is a unique ribonucleoprotein (RNP) containing a specialized telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) and telomerase RNA (TER) with its own template and other elements required with TERT for activity (catalytic core), as well as species-specific TER-binding proteins important for biogenesis and assembly (core RNP); other proteins bind telomerase transiently or constitutively to allow association of telomerase and other proteins with telomere ends for regulation of DNA synthesis. Here we describe how nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography of TER and protein domains helped define the structure and function of the core RNP, laying the groundwork for interpreting negative-stain and cryo electron microscopy (cryo-EM) density maps of Tetrahymena thermophila and human telomerase holoenzymes. As the resolution has improved from ∼30 A to ∼5 A, these studies have provided increasingly detailed information on telomerase architecture and mechanism.
Calcific Lesion Interventions

Procedural inability to deploy stents was shown to be more frequent in patients with calcified lesions than in those with noncalcified lesions (8.2 % vs 1.8 %, respectively) [1, 2]. Optimal stent delivery and apposition in these calcified lesions mandate adequate debulking.
Investigating Recurrent Generational Wartime Behavioral Health Crises: Part 2 of a Preliminary Analysis

This is the second of a two-part analysis of generational wartime mental health crises. Wartime mental health crisis has been defined as a sentinel public health event whereby mental health demand of the military population demonstrably exceeds the mental health system’s capacity to provide adequate access to timely, effective mental health and social support services during and/or after a period of war. The present study extends an analysis that substantiated a twenty-first century wartime crisis by investigating the hypothesis of repetitive mental health crises following every major American war since the 20th century. Compelling evidence of recurring generational crises is established by citing first-hand primary sources from wartime cohorts. A clear trend emerged, possibly linking the pattern of wartime crises with generations of self-reported failure to learn well-documented war trauma lessons (e.g., the need to adequately plan, prepare, and train for inevitable war stress casualties). The authors discuss the need for further research that would elucidate so-called “psychiatric lessons of war” and contribute to the prevention of cyclic crises.
The occurrence of Affixifilum gen. nov. and Neolyngbya (Oscillatoriaceae) in South Florida (USA), with the description of A. floridanum sp. nov. and N. biscaynensis sp. nov

South Florida (USA) has a subtropical to tropical climate with an extensive and diverse coastline that supports the growth of benthic cyanobacterial mats (BCMs). These BCMs are widespread and potentially house numerous bioactive compounds; however, the extent of the cyanobacterial diversity within these mats remains largely unknown. To elucidate this diversity, BCMs from select locations in South Florida were sampled and isolated into unicyanobacterial cultures for morphological and molecular studies. Phylogenetic relationships of isolated taxa were assessed using the markers 16S rRNA and 16S-23S rRNA ITS by both maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference. We propose Affixifilum gen. nov. based on morphological characteristics and the 16S rRNA phylogeny. Two species are included: Affixifilum granulosum comb nov. (=Neolyngbya granulosa) found in Brazil and Florida (USA) and A. floridanum sp. nov. Several other features, including pair-wise distance of 16S rRNA and 16S-23S rRNA ITS, 16S-23S rRNA ITS secondary structure, morphology, and ecology, provide support for Affixifilum. We also propose the transfer of Lyngbya regalis to Neolyngbya as N. regalis comb. nov. and include the description of one novel species, N. biscaynensis sp. nov.