cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Retrieval-induced forgetting in schizophrenia

Retrieving category associates (e.g., FRUIT-ORANGE) may induce forgetting other category members (e.g., FRUIT-BANANA), a phenomenon known as retrieval-induced forgetting (RIF). We designed 2 experiments to examine the role of RIF in the associative memory impairment of schizophrenia (SZ). Subjects studied 36 category-exemplar pairs, generated from 6 categories composed of 6 members each. For half of the studied category-exemplar pairs, subjects practiced retrieval by completing word stems, followed by a delayed category-cued recall on all of the practiced and unpracticed items. Experiment 1 used unrelated category exemplars-pairs (e.g., FRUIT-ORANGE, METALS-IRON), whereas experiment 2 included related category exemplar pairs (e.g., COTTON-SHIRT, LEATHER-SKIRT). SZ showed reduced associative memory but normal RIF for unrelated categories used in experiment 1. For experiment 2, SZ showed a significant decline in associative memory for related but not unrelated category-exemplars in comparison to controls. Results suggested faulty specificity/distinctiveness for encoding and retrieval, but not abnormal RIF in the associative memory disturbance of SZ.
Identification of a unique porcine Fc gamma RIIIA alpha molecular complex

Receptors for the Fc portion of IgG (Fc gamma R) evoke a variety of immune responses upon attachment of the immune complex to this cell surface molecule. Enhancement of tumor cell cytotoxicity is one essential response mediated by Fc gamma Rs. We are studying two mAbs, G7 and PNK-E, which bind to a cytolytic triggering molecular complex on porcine NK cells and phagocytes and function in the enhancement and induction of tumor cell cytotoxicity, respectively. Through biochemical characterization and molecular cloning, we have identified the G7 molecule as the porcine homologue of human Fc gamma RIIIA alpha. The G7 and PNK-E molecules have previously been shown to exist as a complex on the cell surface, suggesting that PNK-E represents an Fc gamma RIIIA alpha-associated molecule in the porcine system. We used the mild detergent Brij 96 to identify associated molecules such as the gamma and zeta subunits. G7 and PNK-E mAbs immunoprecipitate the identical multimolecular complex which includes the gamma subunit on porcine PMN. In addition to the G7 molecule at 40 kDa and the gamma subunit at 7 kDa, Brij 96 immunoprecipitation with G7 mAb, PNK-E mAb, or anti-gamma Ab shows association of unidentified molecules of approximately 15, 20, and 25 kDa on reducing SDS-PAGE, none of which appear to be the zeta subunit. Large-scale immunoprecipitation of the G7 complex from porcine PMN will be performed to isolate sufficient quantities of these unidentified proteins to obtain amino acid sequences. Since these molecules seem to be distinct from Fc gamma R-associated subunits described to date, these studies may lead to the identification of unique Fc gamma R-associated molecules and suggest the presence of a novel Fc gamma RIIIA alpha molecular complex in the porcine system.
A latitudinal gradient in tree growth response to climate warming in the Siberian taiga

We investigated the climate response of three Siberian taiga species, Larix cajanderi, Picea obovata, and Pinus sylvestris, across a latitudinal gradient in central Siberia. We hypothesized that warming is more frequently associated with increased growth for evergreen conifers (P. obovata and P. sylvestris) than for L. cajanderi, and for northern than for southern sites; we also hypothesized that increased growth is associated with a positive trend in normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). In mixed stands, growth of L. cajanderi and P. obovata increased over time, but the larger growth increases in P. obovata may presage a shift in competitive balance between these species. Climate response varied among and within populations of all species, and positive responses to temperature prevailed at northern sites, where trees grew faster in years with warm early summers. Negative responses to warming declined along the south to north latitudinal gradient. We observed considerable variability in climate response within populations which even exceeded that among species or sites. Tree response to climate was correlated with NDVI trends, indicating that patterns of tree-growth response to climate were indicative of a coherent landscape-scale response to warming. Our findings suggest that increased productivity with warming is likely only in the northern reaches of the Siberian taiga. An increased prevalence of evergreen conifers in areas currently dominated by deciduous Larix species also seems likely.
Classification of Central Retinal Vein Occlusion

Our prospective clinical study of 360 eyes with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) and our experimental studies on CRVO in 54 eyes of rhesus monkeys have shown that CRVO consists of the following two distinct entities: (1) Nonischemic CRVO in which there is essentially a stasis of retinal venous circulation; we call it venous stasis retinopathy (VSR). (2) Ischemic CRVO: We call this hemorrhagic retinopathy (HR). Our prospective clinical studies have revealed that it is absolutely essential to differentiate CRVO into VSR and HR because of their very different prognoses and management. VSR is a benign and self-limited condition, while HR is a severe, potentially blinding disorder. Lumping the two types of CRVO together as one disease has caused much confusion concerning the prognosis and management of CRVO. The basis of such a classification and differential diagnosis of VSR and HR is discussed at length.
Stereo reconstruction from multiperspective panoramas

The paper presents a new approach to computing depth maps from a large collection of images where the camera motion has been constrained to planar concentric circles. We resample the resulting collection of regular perspective images into a set of multiperspective panoramas, and then compute depth maps directly from these resampled images. Only a small number of multiperspective panoramas is needed to obtain a dense and accurate 3D reconstruction, since our panoramas sample uniformly in three dimensions: rotation angle, inverse radial distance, and vertical elevation. Using multiperspective panoramas avoids the limited overlap between the original input images that causes problems in conventional multi-baseline stereo. Our approach differs from stereo matching of panoramic images taken from different locations, where the epipolar constraints are sine curves. For our multiperspective panoramas, the epipolar geometry to first order consists of horizontal lines. Therefore, any traditional stereo algorithm can be applied to multiperspective panoramas without modification. Experimental results show that our approach generates good depth maps that can be used for image based rendering tasks such as view interpolation and extrapolation.
Bubble measurements in a gas-liquid jet

Abstract Measurements have been carried out in the developing and fully developed regions of a free, axisymmetric, isothermal, air-water, bubbly jet. Three experiments have been conducted at a fixed jet-exit Reynolds number and gas superficial velocity using three different bubble injector assemblies producing bubbles of moderately different average sizes and size distributions. The volume fraction of the bubbly jet flow examined in this study is low and the resulting dispersed flow is dilute. A one-component Phase-Doppler Velocimetry system has been employed to measure bubble size and velocity non-intrusively. Visual data collected simultaneously with the light-scattering measurements were analyzed with the aid of image processing and used to verify the trends portrayed by the light-scattering measurements and to determine average bubble size. Our measurements show that, even in the dilute flow examined here, differences in initial bubble-size and size distribution can influence the RMS velocity fluctuat...
Parameter determination and validation for a mechanistic model of the enzymatic saccharification of cellulose-Iβ

Cost-effective production of fuels and chemicals from lignocellulosic biomass often involves enzymatic saccharification, which has been the subject of intense research and development. Recently, a mechanistic model for the enzymatic saccharification of cellulose has been developed that accounts for distribution of cellulose chain lengths, the accessibility of insoluble cellulose to enzymes, and the distinct modes of action of the component cellulases [Griggs et al. (2012) Biotechnol. Bioeng., 109(3):665–675; Griggs et al. (2012) Biotechnol. Bioeng., 109(3):676–685]. However, determining appropriate values for the adsorption, inhibition, and rate parameters required further experimental investigation. In this work, we performed several sets of experiments to aid in parameter estimation and to quantitatively validate the model. Cellulosic materials differing in degrees of polymerization and crystallinity (α-cellulose-Iβ and highly crystalline cellulose-Iβ) were digested by component enzymes (EGI/CBHI/ ) and by mixtures of these enzymes. Based on information from the literature and the results from these experiments, a single set of model parameters was determined, and the model simulation results using this set of parameters were compared with the experimental data of total glucan conversion, chain-length distribution, and crystallinity. Model simulations show significant agreement with the experimentally derived glucan conversion and chain-length distribution curves and provide interesting insights into multiple complex and interacting physico-chemical phenomena involved in enzymatic hydrolysis, including enzyme synergism, substrate accessibility, cellulose chain length distribution and crystallinity, and inhibition of cellulases by soluble sugars. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 31:1237–1248, 2015
Simultaneous determination of all-trans, 9-cis, 13-cis retinoic acid and retinol in rat prostate using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry

Since retinoic acid (RA) and RA receptors are key developmental regulators during organogenesis, they might participate in the abnormal development of the prostate caused by early estrogen exposure. In order to test this assumption, a sensitive analytical method that can differentiate 9-cis, 13-cis, and all-trans RA in small tissue samples ( approximately 8 mg) is required. Since retinol is the metabolic precursor to RA, simultaneous quantification of retinol would also provide valuable information. Here, we report a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method for simultaneous determination of retinol and 9-cis, 13-cis, and all-trans RA in rat prostate. Mass spectrometric signal responses for RA were compared using positive ion atmospheric-pressure chemical ionization (APCI) and electrospray, as well as positive ion and negative ion APCI. Positive ion APCI was selected for all subsequent analysis for its better sensitivity, and to provide simultaneous determination of retinol and RA. Ventral prostate tissue samples were homogenized and extracted following simple protein precipitation without derivatization. Baseline separation of 9-cis, 13-cis, and all-trans RA standards was obtained by using a non-porous silica C18 column. Selected ion monitoring of the ions m/z 301 and m/z 269 was carried out for mass spectrometric quantitative analysis. The ion of m/z 301 corresponded to the protonated molecule of RA, whereas the ion of m/z 269 corresponded to loss of water or acetic acid from the protonated molecule of retinol or the internal standard retinyl acetate respectively. The method has a linear response over a concentration range of at least three orders of magnitude. The limit of quantitation was determined to be 702 fmol all-trans RA injected on-column. The method showed excellent intra- and inter-assay reproducibility and good recovery, and is suitable for analyzing RA and retinol in small tissue samples (approximately 8 mg).
Biographical sketch: Georg Hermann von Meyer (1815-1892).

This biographical sketch on Georg Hermann von Meyer highlights the interactions in the 1860s that von Meyer, a famous anatomist, had with Karl Culmann, a famous structural engineer and mathematician. The published papers from this interaction caught the attention of Julius Wolff and stimulated his development of the trajectorial hypothesis of bone adaptation—now called “Wolff’s Law.” The corresponding translations are provided: (1) von Meyer’s 1867 paper that highlights the regularity of arched trabecular patterns in various human bones, and his discussions with Culmann about their possible mechanical relevance; and (2) Wolff’s 1869 paper that first mentions the correspondence of stress trajectories in a solid, crane-like structure to the arched trabecular patterns in the proximal human femur. This biographical sketch on Georg Hermann von Meyer corresponds to the historic texts, The Classic: The Architecture of the Trabecular bone (by von Meyer), and The Classic: On the Significance of the Architecture of the Spongy Substance for the Question of Bone Growth. A preliminary publication (by Wolff) available at DOIs 10.1007/s11999-011-2041-5, 10.1007/s11999-011-2042-4.
What do people ask their social networks, and why?: a survey study of status message q&a behavior

People often turn to their friends, families, and colleagues when they have questions. The recent, rapid rise of online social networking tools has made doing this on a large scale easy and efficient. In this paper we explore the phenomenon of using social network status messages to ask questions. We conducted a survey of 624 people, asking them to share the questions they have asked and answered of their online social networks. We present detailed data on the frequency of this type of question asking, the types of questions asked, and respondents' motivations for asking their social networks rather than using more traditional search tools like Web search engines. We report on the perceived speed and quality of the answers received, as well as what motivates people to respond to questions seen in their friends' status messages. We then discuss the implications of our findings for the design of next-generation search tools.
In vivo tracking of 'color-coded' effector, natural and induced regulatory T cells in the allograft response

Here we present methods to longitudinally track islet allograft–infiltrating T cells in live mice by endoscopic confocal microscopy and to analyze circulating T cells by in vivo flow cytometry. We developed a new reporter mouse whose T cell subsets express distinct, ‘color-coded’ proteins enabling in vivo detection and identification of effector T cells (Teff cells) and discrimination between natural and induced regulatory T cells (nT reg and iT reg cells). Using these tools, we observed marked differences in the T cell response in recipients receiving tolerance-inducing therapy (CD154-specific monoclonal antibody plus rapamycin) compared to untreated controls. These results establish real-time cell tracking as a powerful means to probe the dynamic cellular interplay mediating immunologic rejection or transplant tolerance. Understanding the cellular immune response to transplanted tissue has a key role in developing strategies to improve transplant outcomes. Tissue biopsy is the standard method for accessing immune cell infiltration in the graft, but the method is both invasive and inadequate when temporal information is needed to characterize an immune reaction that progresses dynamically over time. Advances in molecular imaging techniques that combine cell labeling with the use of whole-body imaging modalities such as positron emission tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and bioluminescence imaging have led to promising approaches for tracking immune cells noninvasively in vivo 1–4 , but these methods lack the sensitivity and spatial resolution to quantify events at the single-cell level. In addition, there is need to track multiple cell populations using labels that are not diluted by cell division. Here we describe a real-time optical method for simultaneous tracking of multiple T cell subsets that are color-coded with distinct fluorescent reporters in a mouse model in which pancreatic islet transplants are placed beneath the renal capsule. As rejection occurs at 2 weeks in control untreated hosts, we track the T cell response for a period of 2 weeks after transplantation in both the circulatory compartment (by in vivo flow cytometry) 5 and within the allograft (by endoscopic confocal microscopy) 6 . In vivo flow cytometry allows noninvasive, continuous detection and quantification of fluorescently labeled cells in the circulation without the need to draw blood samples 5 . Endoscopic confocal microscopy enables minimally invasive imaging of internal organs with cellular definition by inserting a narrow-diameter endomicroscope through a small incision in the skin 6 . We show that repeated imaging of the islet allograft just beneath the renal capsule can be accomplished in the same mouse over the two-week period.
To Approach, to Welcome, to Contest

As Jacques Derrida emphasizes in his eloquent funeral tribute to Emmanuel Levinas, “welcome” is one of the most frequently used words in Totalite et infini. In the early pages of this work Levinas insists on the broadly framed significance of welcoming and teaching as manifestations of the ethical encounter. In later sections, however, he carefully distinguishes between the discreet welcome of the feminine whose language is silent and without teaching, and the approach of an absolute Other, who teaches transcendence itself. Levinas privileges the masculine when referring to the Other who teaches and seems to relegate the feminine to a silent presence whose welcome sets the stage for the ethical experience but who lacks the capacity to accept this challenge. The role and status of sexual difference in relation to the ethical is perhaps the most highly contested aspect of Levinas's writings, and since the late 1980s women scholars have ever more boldly probed the tensions in Levinas's writings with respect to these issues. Their commentaries, written from a variety of perspectives, force us to acknowledge Levinas's shortcomings. At the same time they enable us to appreciate more specifically the significance of Le Clezio's own undertaking, which changed form dramatically following his years with the Indians in Panama to assume an openly acknowledged ethical dimension. The works from the last two decades that most daringly concretize the process of refusing or accepting the summons of an Other are the Mauritian sagas of Le chercheur d'or, La quarantaine, and Revolutions. These works both valorize the welcome of the Levinasian feminine and embody teaching in female characters, such as Ouma, Suryavati, Ananta, Anna Archambeau, and Catherine Marro. The male protagonists in these works, Alexis L'Etang, Leon Archambeau, and Jean Marro, either reject their teaching outright, preferring to remain enclosed in the solitude of the Same, or in different ways, accept the possibility of re-commencement as Other, which Le Clezio himself so eagerly embraced.
Self-Charging Structures Using Piezoceramics and Thin-Film Batteries

This paper presents the investigation of a novel concept involving the combination of piezoelectrics and new thin-film battery technology to form multifunctional self-charging, loadbearing energy harvesting devices. The proposed self-charging structures contain both power generation and energy storage capabilities in a multilayered, composite platform consisting of active piezoceramic layers for scavenging energy, thin-film battery layers for storing scavenged energy, and a central metallic substrate layer. Several aspects of the design, modeling, fabrication, and evaluation of the self-charging structures are reviewed. A focus is placed on the evaluation of the load-bearing capabilities of the fabricated self-charging structures through both classical static failure testing as well as dynamic vibration failure testing.
The Impact of Certification Criteria on Integrated COTS-Based Systems

While COTS products can be made secure and reliable within a individual domains, they may introduce security vulnerabilities when integrated with other components due to different security expectations. These problematic interactions within an integrated system can be hidden among the multiple, contributing policy types. Furthermore, security certification criteria governing the integrated system can introduce conflicts with local component policies. Security policies and certification criteria lack a common representation. Security policies use various formats and levels of granularity without comparable attributes. Certification criteria are often text-based checklists. We outline a policy configuration model to represent security policies in a format which can manifest conflicting properties across policy specifications. The model defines security policies according to fundamental attributes of property assertions, observable behaviors, mechanisms, constraints, communication and interaction expectations, dependencies on other policies, system configuration, and component state. We extend model expression concepts to incorporate requirements based on common certification criteria
Negotiating Risks: Sources of Uncertainty and the Impact of Reference Points on Concession-Making and Settlements

The reference points negotiators use to evaluate outcomes have a dramatic influence over concession-making and agreements. However, the conventional finding that low reference points Induce more concessions and fewer impasses is limited to situations with deterministic payoffs. Indeed, the impact of framing 15 virtually reversed when parties negotiate under uncertainty. Two experiments demonstrate these relationships in varied contexts. In such cases, negotiators seeking cooperation should frame their counterpart's outcomes as losses rather than gains. These findings also resolve a theoretical question by demonstrating that reference dependent shifts in risk attitude are essential to a descriptive theory of bargaining.
Age differences in the Structured Assessment of Violence Risk in Youth (SAVRY)

This study examined age differences in (1) the latent structure of the SAVRY, (2) the correspondence among structured professional judgments of risk and an empirically-derived measure, and (3) the SAVRY's predictive validity for probation outcomes. The sample consisted of 177 juveniles placed on probation. Analyses were conducted on two separate age groups: ages 13–15 and 16–18. We found that the SAVRY measured “risk” similarly across age (i.e., invariant latent structures) and that structured judgments of risk corresponded with the empirically-derived measure across both age groups. However, findings regarding the predictive validity of the SAVRY for probation outcomes were mixed. These findings provide strong support for the measurement and construct validity of the SAVRY across age and highlight the need for additional research on age differences in the strength of its predictive validity.
Measurement and Characterization of Asphalt Pavement Surface Macrotexture Using Three Dimensional Laser Scanning Technology

Pavement macrotexture plays a critical role in highway users' safety. It is also closely related to tire-pavement interaction noise. In recent years, continuous effort has been made toward three-dimensional macrotexture measurement in the field to accommodate pavement management. This study presents a newly developed macrotexture measuring system with 3D laser scanning technology. The underlying system demonstrates a series of desirable properties including: (1) 3D surface feature, (2) high speed data collection, (3) large sampling capacity, (4) high resolution and accuracy, and (5) ease of operation. Based on data collected on a real-world asphalt pavement by the system, it is demonstrated that the existing pavement macrotexture evaluation indexes are extended from 2D to 3D. By comparison, it is shown that the 3D indexes are able to characterize pavement macrotexture in a more comprehensive and realistic manner. The correlation among the 3D indexes is also evaluated, which provides pavement researchers and engineers more flexibility in selecting relevant indexes in macrotexture property evaluation.
Maturation of NaV and KV Channel Topographies in the Auditory Nerve Spike Initiator before and after Developmental Onset of Hearing Function

Auditory nerve excitation and thus hearing depend on spike-generating ion channels and their placement along the axons of auditory nerve fibers (ANFs). The developmental expression patterns and native axonal locations of voltage-gated ion channels in ANFs are unknown. Therefore, we examined the development of heminodes and nodes of Ranvier in the peripheral axons of type I ANFs in the rat cochlea with immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy. Nodal structures presumably supporting presensory spiking formed between postnatal days 5 (P5) and P7, including Ankyrin-G, Na V 1.6, and Caspr. These immature nodal structures lacked low-voltage-activated K V 1.1 which was not enriched at juxtaparanodes until approximately P13, concurrent with the developmental onset of acoustic hearing function. Anatomical alignment of ANF spike-initiating heminodes relative to excitatory input from inner hair cell (IHC) ribbon synapses continued until approximately P30. High-voltage-activated K V 3.1b and K V 2.2 were expressed in mutually exclusive domains: K V 3.1b was strictly localized to nodes and heminodes, whereas K V 2.2 expression began at the juxtaparanodes and continued centrally along the first internode. At spike-initiating heminodes in the distal osseous spiral lamina, Na V 1.1 partly overlapped Na V 1.6 and ankyrin-G. ANFs displayed K V 7.2 and K V 7.3 at heminodes, nodes, internodes, and the unmyelinated synaptic terminal segments beneath IHCs in the organ of Corti. In response to sound, spikes are initiated at the heminode, which is tightly coupled to the IHC ribbon synapse ∼20–40 μm away. These results show that maturation of nodal alignment and ion channel content may underlie postnatal improvements of ANF excitability and discharge synchrony. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Acoustic and electrical hearing depends on rapid, reliable, and precise spike generation in auditory nerve fibers. A limitation of current models and therapies is a lack of information on the identities and topographies of underlying ion channels. We report the developmental profile of the auditory nerve spike generator with a focus on Na V 1.1, Na V 1.6, K V 1.1, K V 2.2, K V 3.1b, K V 7.2, and K V 7.3 in relation to the scaffold ankyrin-G. Molecular anatomy of the spike generator matures in the weeks after developmental onset of hearing function. Subcellular positioning of voltage-gated ion channels will enable multicompartmental modeling of auditory nerve responses elicited by afferent chemical neurotransmission from hair cells and modulated by efferent neurotransmitters or evoked by extracellular field stimulation from a cochlear implant.
An Autoethnography of Memory and Connection

This is an autoethnography about the lyrical vagaries of memory. I trace the contours of early life memories, evoked by song lyrics, and show how pivotal events sometimes come into play in startling ways, through the in-breaking of unexpected memory fragments. In the end, I fall into a space in which I hope to open up dialogue about the intersections of memory, song, story, and relational co-being and co-authorship.
Application of the residual statics of the simulated annealing method on mountainous data processing

A great number of the value of residual statics remain in the data after processed by the tomographic statics because of fluctuating surface elevation, dramatic changing of sub-surface structure and lithology, even some old strata are exposed in some places, so the S/N of the data in the area is low. The data processed by the traditional surface consistent residual statics is not good. This paper introduces the application of the annealing residual statics in this processing. The simulated annealing is a method of global convergence, not only overcoming the defect that the local convergence is deficient in the surface consistent residual statics based on linear method, but also has very good stability for low S/N data and obtained a good result in the low S/N mountainous seismic data processing.
60 COMPARISON OF BODY FAT CONTENT MEASURED BY DUAL X-RAY ABSORPTIOMETRY AND PORTABLE BIOIMPEDANCE ASSAY IN YOUNG HEALTHY SUBJECTS.

Purpose One of the problems encountered in following overweight/obese patients undergoing exercise and/or dietary interventions is reliance on their total body weight alone, which frequently lags behind favorable body composition changes. Few new devices become available over-the-counter in retail stores that provide consumers with a valid and reliable instrument to evaluate body composition that can be bought over-the-counter in retail stores while at the same time being portable, low cost, and easy to operate while requiring little to no maintenance. We undertook a study comparing body fat content determined by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), which is considered one of the standards for accurate assessment of body composition to a new easy to use over-the counter bioelectric impedance analysis instrument (BIA). Methods We enrolled 38 healthy, young female volunteers (19.3 6 0.5 yrs; 165.7 6 5 lbs, and 21.95 6 2.39 kg/m≤) and performed early morning fasting body composition testing using both the DXA and BIA. Subjects were advised to avoid any activities leading to significant changes of body hydration status to comply with instructions from the device manufacturer. The study was approved by the institutional review board at the University of Oklahoma. Results Study results showed the following: the percentage of body fat determined by DXA scan, 31.59 6 6.09%, was significantly higher than the percentage of body fat by BIA, 21.46 6 4.11% (p # .001); however, both results were within normal limits for the age-gender group established for each device. The correlation in percentage of body fat was very high (r = .85 with p Conclusion Our results indicate that BIA is a sufficiently accurate and reasonably precise method of determining relatively "mobile " subcutaneous segment of the total body fat in lean young female subjects and for follow-up of weight management programs. Considering high clinical interest of following interval changes of the body fat content, rather than absolute values, we recommend intervention studies to assess dynamic changes, including initiation of diet and/or involvement in regular physical activity, to be undertaken. Consequently, determining the applicability of the method in the population with higher BMI is indicated.
Prevalence and characteristics of patients with stage IV solid tumors who receive no anticancer therapy.

6065 Background: Clinicians caring for patients with cancer are well aware that a subset of patients who present with metastatic solid tumors never receive anticancer therapy for reasons including poor functional status, comorbidities, and patient preference. The prevalence and characteristics of this population have not previously been described. Methods: The National Cancer Database was queried for patients diagnosed with metastatic (stage IV) solid tumors including breast, cervix, colon, kidney, small-cell and non-small cell lung [NSCLC and SCLC], prostate, rectum and uterus. Patients who received neither radiation therapy nor systemic therapy were identified. Other factors such as age, race, income, insurance status, and diagnosis year were assessed. In an exploratory analysis, log-binomial regression was used to estimate prevalence ratios (PR) for the proportion of untreated stage IV to treated stage IV cancer cases according to these factors. Results: From 2000-2008, 773,233 patients with stage IV c...
A Medium-Voltage Hybrid DC Circuit Breaker—Part II: Ultrafast Mechanical Switch

This paper presents the test results of an ultrafast (less than 2 ms) medium-voltage hybrid dc circuit breaker prototype that consists of three switching devices: a 15-kV silicon carbide (SiC) emitter turn-off thyristor as the main breaker (MB), a fast acting mechanical switch, and a commutating switch (CS) to quickly divert the primary current to the MB for arcless interruption. The hybrid dc circuit breaker prototype can interrupt a circuit in less than 2 ms in dc power systems up to 10 kV, such as in electric ships. The ultrafast operations and extremely low loss can effectively limit the fault current level and switching transients in all medium-voltage systems, and can provide intelligent and fast protection function for smart power distribution and critical loads in a modernized grid. The design considerations of the three switching devices of the hybrid dc circuit breaker are presented. This paper focuses on the ultrafast mechanical switch and the testing of the hybrid dc circuit breaker, while a companion paper addresses the high-voltage solid-state main switch and the low-voltage solid-state CS.
A Q-Methodological Study of Women's Subjective Perspectives on Mathematics

The objective of this study was to explore, using Q-methodology, women's subjective reactions to and experiences with mathematics. Ninety-six undergraduate women from a private university conducted Q-sorts on items that related to their personal experiences, attitudes, and belief/awareness of gender stereotypes for math. On the basis of the Q-factor analysis, three unique perspectives toward math emerged. The perspectives were classified as “Successfully Encouraged,” “Stereotypically Discouraged,” and “Mathematically Aversive.” These groupings were differentiated by their variety of experiences, attitudes, and awareness of stereotypes about math. Measures of math self-schema, math anxiety, and self-reported math ability were also used to interpret the groupings. This research revealed the women's various experiences with and attitudes toward math. The findings are integrated with previous theories in order to understand women's underrepresentation in math-related fields.
Food safety and food imports in Europe: the risk of aflatoxins in pistachios

The United States has surpassed Iran as the largest pistachio exporter to the European Union. Both lower prices and a less frequency of aflatoxin contamination have contributed to the success of th...
Integrating autonomous distributed control into a human-centric C4ISR environment

This paper considers incorporating autonomy into human-centric Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) environments. Specifically, it focuses on identifying ways that current autonomy technologies can augment human control and the challenges presented by additive autonomy. Three approaches to this challenge are considered, stemming from prior work in two converging areas. In the first, the problem is approached as augmenting what humans currently do with automation. In the alternate approach, the problem is approached as treating humans as actors within a cyber-physical system-of-systems (stemming from robotic distributed computing). A third approach, combines elements of both of the aforementioned.
Astrobiology’s Cosmopolitics and the Search for an Origin Myth for the Anthropocene

This article analyzes astrobiology as a cosmopolitical project—the ways in which astrobiological “sensemaking” practices do philosophical, political, cultural, ontological, and ethical work as much as they do scientific work. More specifically, this article argues that astrobiology is engaged in the crafting of a new “origin myth” that makes sense of humanity’s place in the universe during our transition from the Holocene to the Anthropocene. In doing so, this article traces the ways in which astrobiology employs scientific methodologies and engages with popular culture in ways that do four kinds of major work commonly found in origin myths: telling the origin story, demarcating the boundaries between self and the other, giving normative guidance, and declaring a shared societal purpose.
Locus of Control and Psychological Empowerment: Individual Variances and Substitutes for Leadership

This study proposes that potential leadership substitutes must be accepted, or alternatively, not rejected, to function as substitutes for leadership. The different situations and individual differ...
Bilateral Deep Femoral Vein Thrombosis

IntroductionDeep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a major national health problem, especially among the critically ill and elderly. Most clinically significant DVTs involve the proximal veins of the lower ...
Building Reflective Practices in a Pre-service Math and Science Teacher Education Course That Focuses on Qualitative Video Analysis

The use of video for in-service and pre-service teacher development has been gaining acceptance, and yet video remains a challenging and understudied tool. Many projects have used video to help pre...
Drug delivery using microneedle patches: not just for skin

Drug delivery is often limited by the need to cross a barrier to gain access to target tissues. In the case of skin, the main barrier is the skin’s outer layer of stratum corneum, which measures ju...
Biological Activities of Tocotrienols and Tocopherols

Publisher Summary Evans and Bishop discovered Vitamin E in 1922. But now what remains to be investigated is the cellular regulatory effects of the vitamin E homologs. There may be many pathways by which vitamin E homologs may modulate signal-transduction pathways and control cellular proliferation. Importantly, the pathways for apoptosis and necrosis are modulated by redoxsensitive signals, and these too could be dependent on vitamin E. Vitamin E deficiency was first described in 1922 at the University of California in Berkeley by Evans and Bishop during their investigations of infertility in rancid lard-fed rats. In 1936, Evans and colleagues isolated a factor that prevented vitamin E deficiency symptoms and named it α- tocopherol. In the subsequent year, two other tocopherols, β and γ, were isolated from vegetable oils, but these had lower biologic activities than α-tocopherol. This was the first indication that different naturally occurring forms of vitamin E exist, and that α-tocopherol is the most effective form in preventing vitamin E deficiency symptoms. The existence of eight different naturally occurring forms of vitamin E, all with relatively potent antioxidant activities, has provoked interest in the function of this vitamin. If α-tocopherol is the most biologically potent form of vitamin E, why do the other forms exist? This chapter attempts to answer this question by evaluating the available information on the functional and physiological roles of the various tocopherol and tocotrienol homologs of vitamin E.
Re-Imaging the Role of Education and Wellness on Community Impact

Offering the best educational system in the world, students come to the United States from virtually every country to fulfill their educational aspirations. These are, however, some of the most difficult times American higher education has ever faced. Each day we are deluged with negative stories about the economy. There are no new funds in state coffers, and the federal government is quickly back-pedaling from its support of higher education as the nation seeks sources for massive budget cuts.
Accounting for Systems Analysts in the 21 st Century

Computer Information System (CIS) majors are required to successfully complete an introductory accounting course. Given the current forces in the financial world, the appropriateness of this course warrants scrutiny as to whether it properly serves the student, and the degree to which it continues to meet the IS 2002 outcomes. The current business learning outcomes are cited in the IS 2002 document. An introductory accounting course should be updated to include a deeper study of financial statements, accounting cycles, and financial ratio analysis. This paper attempts to answer the question: What are the key accounting concepts that should be taught to CIS students with a focused goal of preparing them for careers as systems analysts in the 21 st century?
Immune microenvironment of triple-negative breast cancer in African-American and Caucasian women

African-American (AA) patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) are less likely to achieve pathologic complete response from neoadjuvant chemotherapy and have poorer prognosis than Caucasian patients with TNBC, suggesting potential biological differences by race. Immune infiltration is the most consistent predictive marker for chemotherapy response and improved prognosis in TNBC. In this study, we test the hypothesis that the immune microenvironment differs between AA and Caucasian patients. RNA-seq expression data were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database for 162 AA and 697 Caucasian breast cancers. Estrogen receptor (ER)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2)-positive, and TNBC subtypes were included in the analyses. Tumor infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) counts, immunomodulatory scores, and molecular subtypes were obtained from prior publications for a subset of the TNBC cases. Differences in immune cell distributions and immune functions, measured through gene expression and TIL counts, as well as neoantigen, somatic mutation, amplification, and deletion loads, were compared by race and tumor subtype. Immune metagene analysis demonstrated marginal immune attenuation in AA TNBC relative to Caucasian TNBC that did not reach statistical significance. The distributions of immune cell populations, lymphocyte infiltration, molecular subtypes, and genomic aberrations between AA and Caucasian subtypes were also not significantly different. The MHC1 metagene demonstrated increased expression in AA ER-positive cancers relative to Caucasian ER-positive cancers. This study suggests that the immunological differences between AA and Caucasian breast cancers represented by TCGA data are subtle, if they exist at all. We observed no consistent racial differences in immune gene expression or TIL counts in TNBC by race. However, this study cannot rule out small differences in immune cell subtype distribution and activity status that may not be apparent in bulk RNA analysis.
Imaging Musculoskeletal Manifestations of Pediatric Hematologic Malignancies.

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this article is to describe imaging findings of common and uncommon musculoskeletal manifestations, posttreatment changes, and complications of pediatric hematologic malig...
Effect of aortic angulation on the outcomes of fenestrated-branched endovascular aortic repair.

Abstract Objective To investigate the effect of aortic angulation on the early and midterm outcomes of fenestrated-branched endovascular aneurysm repair for thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAA) or pararenal aortic aneurysms (PRAA). Methods We retrospectively reviewed the data of consecutive patients enrolled in a prospective nonrandomized physician-sponsored investigational device exemption study (2013-2018). The infrarenal, suprarenal, and supraceliac aortic angles were measured on three-dimensional reconstructions of the preoperative computed tomography angiogram; a 45° cutoff was used for the analysis. End points were technical success, freedom from endograft-related complications (defined by type IA/IB/IIIA/IIIB/IIID endoleaks, and limb thrombosis); and freedom from target vessel instability (defined by branch-related death, occlusion, rupture or reintervention for stenosis, endoleak, or disconnection). Cox proportional hazard multivariable regression analyses were preformed to assess impact of covariates. Results There were 298 patients treated for 102 PRAAs (34%) and 196 TAAAs (66%) (78 extent IV, 118 extent I-III) with 1156 renal-mesenteric vessels incorporated. An angulation of >45° was present in the infrarenal aortic axis in 94 patients (32%), suprarenal axis in 39 (13%), and supraceliac axis in 93 (31%). A supraceliac angle of >45° was more common with extent I-III TAAAs (P = .01). Technical success was 97% and was not significantly related to aortic angulation; the total operating time and fluoroscopy time were significantly longer in patients with any aortic angulation of >45°. Freedom from endograft-related complications was 93% (95% confidence interval [CI], 90%-97%) at 42 months, and was not associated with infrarenal (HR, 1.0; 95% CI, 0.4-2.9; P = .976), suprarenal (HR, 1.7; 95% CI, 0.5-1.8; P = .428), or supraceliac (HR, 0.9; 95% CI, 0.3-2.6; P = .886) aortic angles of >45°. Overall freedom from target vessel instability was 92% (95% CI, 90%-94%) at 42 months. By multivariable analysis, target vessel instability was not affected by an infrarenal angle of >45° (HR, 1.5; 95% CI, 0.9-2.4; P = .135) and a supraceliac angle of >45° (HR, 0.9; 95% CI, 0.5-1.5; P = .627), but was associated with a suprarenal angle of >45° (HR, 5.6; 95% CI, 3.5-9.1; P Conclusions Fenestrated-branched endovascular aneurysm repair can achieve excellent early and midterm results among patients with an aortic angulation of >45°, with no increase in rates of graft-related complications. However, increased aortic angulation was associated with longer operative and fluoroscopy times. The suprarenal aortic angle was the most important determinant of more target vessel events, independent of stent design or which bridging stent was selected.
Transulnar Catheterization in Patients with Failed Ipsilateral Transradial Access: Novel TR Band Modification for Dual-Site Hemostasis.

Abstract Objectives This study investigated the feasibility and safety of transulnar access (TUA) and efficacy of novel TR band modification for dual site hemostasis in patients with failed ipsilateral transradial approach. Background Failed transradial access requires cross over to alternative access site. There is paucity of data on feasibility and safety of ipsilateral TUA due to concern of potential risk of hand ischemia. Methods We retrospectively reviewed ten patients who underwent coronary angiography and intervention via ulnar artery in the setting of failed ipsilateral transradial access. Patent hemostasis for both ulnar and radial arteries was achieved with novel modification of the TR band to compress both arteries at the same level of puncture sites. Results TUA after failed ipsilateral transradial access was successful in all ten cases. All patients were followed within 7 days and there were no adverse complications such as ulnar artery occlusion, nerve injury, or hand ischemia. Conclusion TUA maybe a safe and viable option when cross over is necessary from failed ipsilateral transradial access. Modification of the TR band for both radial and ulnar access site can achieve patent hemostasis effectively at the level of both puncture sites.
Masculinity in the Movies of David Mamet

No American playwright-scenarist-director has been so consistently obsessed with the meaning of masculinity than David Mamet. No writer of his stature has attempted with such tenacity to tie the gender-specific eruption of predatory aggressiveness to the commonplace operations of American business. In a series of works that began with American Buffalo, House of Games and Speed-the-Plow and reached a certain culmination with Oleanna, Mamet has addressed with exceptional savagery how contemporary men have negotiated the economic and social minefield that the relentless pursuit of profit and the egalitarian demands of women have registered. The films that he wrote and directed explore these phenomena by also recording the vernacular at its most corrosive pitch.