cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hepatitis C Virus Screening Among Adolescents Attending a Drug Rehabilitation Center.

Background Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has a strong association with intravenous drug use (IVDU). IVDU is a growing public health concern, even in the adolescent population. To our knowledge, there are no published HCV screening studies targeting high-risk adolescents who attend drug rehabilitation centers.This study was designed to determine the seroprevalence of HCV infection utilizing point-of-care (POC) testing at an adolescent drug rehabilitation center and gain a preliminary understanding of the acceptance rate for HCV screening in this high-risk population. Methods This single-center, observational study was conducted at a major drug rehabilitation center in northeast Ohio from July 2016 to June 2017. The consented adolescents who presented at the center were recruited to participate in HCV screening. The participants were administered a survey to assess their demographics and risk behavior profile followed by HCV testing utilizing a POC test. Results During the study period, 150 adolescents were admitted to the drug rehabilitation center, of whom 100 were approached and 85 agreed to participate. Forty percent of the participants (34/85) were females, and 78% (66/85) were white. HCV prevalence among participants was 5% (4/85), all of whom were females. History of heroin use was reported by 15% (13/85) and it was associated with HCV seropositivity; 100% (4/4) of all HCV-positive individuals reported the use of heroin vs only 11% (9/81) of HCV-negative individuals (P = .0004). Conclusions Our study showed a high prevalence of HCV among adolescents attending a drug rehabilitation center with high acceptance of POC HCV testing.
The influence of the competitive landscape on cross-functional interactions between procurement and engineering

Abstract This study assesses the extent to which a firm's external environment shapes the cross-functional interactions between procurement and engineering, utilizing an embedded multiple-case study methodology. In summary, we found that high environmental ambiguity discourages procurement-engineering mutual understanding. High environmental uncertainty with moderate ambiguity, on the other hand, appears to foster both mutual understanding and inter-functional collaboration. Overall, procurement personnel are more optimistic than engineering personnel regarding the performance results stemming from cross-functional integration. Additionally, increasing job tenure for procurement personnel leads to a higher level of perceived integration with engineering, while engineers with longer job tenure report see less value in collaborating with procurement, often creating an asymmetric power distribution with engineering taking a dominating role.
Regulating Attention Markets

Attention has become one of the most scarce—and therefore most valuable—assets in modern economies. Humans now trade vast amounts of attention each day in exchange for an ever-growing variety of digital products and services. The global coronavirus pandemic drastically accelerated the redirection of activity into digital attention markets, elevating the importance of questions about their structure and regulation. Yet the law has almost entirely overlooked the rise of the attention economy, even as various laws have played a constitutive role in shaping these markets. This Article is the first to undertake a broad survey of how general trade-regulating laws have treated attention exchange. As it reveals, a variety of legal fields ranging from property and contract to privacy and antitrust have developed cross-disciplinary conflicts, internal contradictions, and coverage gaps involving attention exchanges. Courts adjudicating diverse disputes have deployed fallacious reasoning to justify market-distorting outcomes. Federal agencies have derogated from their congressionally mandated duties, allowing broad-based societal welfare harms to go unchecked. In sum, attention markets are regulated, but that regulation has been haphazard and shoddy. The sole consistency is a systematic bias in favor of already-powerful attention intermediaries. This Article describes the suboptimal current state of affairs and underscores the urgent need for reform. Toward that end, it draws on psychology and behavioral economics research to construct a model of attention expenditure and exchange. Building on these insights, it proposes a foundational set of policy recommendations for (re)regulating attention markets. The Article concludes with a call for scholarly action: effective policy-making will ultimately require the development of a more holistic normative framework than the neoclassical, rights-based rhetoric traditionally used by law-makers and regulators.
Molecular modeling of nanoscale features of cement paste and their correlation to engineering mechanical behavior

Abstract Computational simulations in general, and in particular molecular dynamics, aid in the understanding of material characteristics at nanoscale. The interactions between particles define the dynamic trajectory of a simulated material at molecular level and effect the material properties at the macroscale. Molecular dynamics (MD) has been used to study the mechanical characteristics of cement paste at nanoscale. Depending on the properties to be analyzed, different force files can be used to simulate the atomic interactions. Some force fields capture specific features such as chemical reactions, however the complexity of the mathematical form and the physical phenomena involved in the simulated system make complex force fields more time consuming and computationally expensive. This chapter presents the mechanical properties of different phases of cement paste and the study of the response of CSH phases to different loadings.
Conserved DNA Methyltransferases: A Window into Fundamental Mechanisms of Epigenetic Regulation in Bacteria

An increasing number of studies have reported that bacterial DNA methylation has important functions beyond the roles in restriction-modification systems, including the ability of affecting clinically relevant phenotypes such as virulence, host colonization, sporulation, biofilm formation, among others. Although insightful, such studies have a largely ad hoc nature and would benefit from a systematic strategy enabling a joint functional characterization of bacterial methylomes by the microbiology community. In this opinion article, we propose that highly conserved DNA methyltransferases (MTases) represent a unique opportunity for bacterial epigenomic studies. These MTases are rather common in bacteria, span various taxonomic scales, and are present in multiple human pathogens. Apart from well-characterized core DNA MTases, like those from Vibrio cholerae, Salmonella enterica, Clostridioides difficile, or Streptococcus pyogenes, multiple highly conserved DNA MTases are also found in numerous human pathogens, including those belonging to the genera Burkholderia and Acinetobacter. We discuss why and how these MTases can be prioritized to enable a community-wide, integrative approach for functional epigenomic studies. Ultimately, we discuss how some highly conserved DNA MTases may emerge as promising targets for the development of novel epigenetic inhibitors for biomedical applications.
PurPal: An Interactive Box that Up-regulates Positive Emotions in Consumption Behaviors

Contrary to our anticipation, consumption experiences do not always please us; instead, they sometimes impede our well-being. People often regret using their resources unfavorably (i.e., buyers' remorse or impulse buying) or take the pleasure of having something for granted before long (i.e., hedonic adaptation). Given its effects on optimizing positive experiences, positive emotion regulation can be useful for mitigating these issues. The present paper introduces PurPal, a self-administered behavioral intervention technology that enables users to up-regulate their positive emotions in the context of consumption. PurPal provides adaptive questions associated with users' purchase intentions, which stimulate reflection on possible future positive experiences with purchased items. A user study is planned to validate the efficacy of PurPal in a lab setting. The longer-term goal of the current research is to develop behavioral intervention technologies that support users' emotion regulation processes, enhancing their subjective well-being.
SterileAR: Exploration of Augmented Reality and Computer Vision Approaches for Real-Time Feedback in Sterile Compounding Training

This paper presents preliminary work on the development of SterileAR, a software platform for providing real-time feedback to pharmacy students during training in sterile pharmaceutical compounding procedures. Simulation pedagogy requires that the learner receive immediate feedback to recognize procedural errors and internalize learning objectives. Instructors and task trainers are often utilized in tandem to allow deliberate practice for novices in specialized clinical procedures. In this work, we explore the possibility of augmenting sterile compounding procedure training with real-time feedback using augmented reality, machine learning, and computer vision technologies. We present our approaches to developing SterileAR in four iterations, including specific descriptions of successes and failures, and methodologies for capturing object spatial position, overlapping, and occlusion.
TICAM2-related pathway mediates neutrophil exhaustion

Pathogenic inflammation and immune suppression are the cardinal features that underlie the pathogenesis of severe systemic inflammatory syndrome and sepsis. Neutrophil exhaustion may play a key role during the establishment of pathogenic inflammation and immune suppression through elevated expression of inflammatory adhesion molecules such as ICAM1 and CD11b as well as immune-suppressors such as PD-L1. However, the mechanism of neutrophil exhaustion is not well understood. We demonstrated that murine primary neutrophils cultured in vitro with the prolonged lipopolysaccharides (LPS) stimulation can effectively develop an exhaustive phenotype resembling human septic neutrophils with elevated expression of ICAM1, CD11b, PD-L1 as well as enhanced swarming and aggregation. Mechanistically, we observed that TICAM2 is involved in the generation of neutrophil exhaustion, as TICAM2 deficient neutrophils have the decreased expression of ICAM1, CD11b, PD-L1, and the reduced aggregation following the prolonged LPS challenge as compared to wild type (WT) neutrophils. LPS drives neutrophil exhaustion through TICAM2 mediated activation of Src family kinases (SFK) and STAT1, as the application of SFK inhibitor Dasatinib blocks neutrophil exhaustion triggered by the prolonged LPS challenge. Functionally, TICAM2 deficient mice were protected from developing severe systemic inflammation and multi-organ injury following the chemical-induced mucosal damage. Together, our data defined a key role of TICAM2 in facilitating neutrophil exhaustion and that targeting TICAM2 may be a potential approach to treating the severe systemic inflammation.
Cloud-Based Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Neurofeedback to Reduce the Negative Attentional Bias in Depression: A Proof-of-Concept Study

Individuals with depression show an attentional bias toward negatively valenced stimuli and thoughts. In this proof-of-concept study, we present a novel closed-loop neurofeedback procedure intended to remediate this bias. Internal attentional states were detected in real time by applying machine learning techniques to functional magnetic resonance imaging data on a cloud server; these attentional states were externalized using a visual stimulus that the participant could learn to control. We trained 15 participants with major depressive disorder and 12 healthy control participants over 3 functional magnetic resonance imaging sessions. Exploratory analysis showed that participants with major depressive disorder were initially more likely than healthy control participants to get stuck in negative attentional states, but this diminished with neurofeedback training relative to controls. Depression severity also decreased from pre- to posttraining. These results demonstrate that our method is sensitive to the negative attentional bias in major depressive disorder and showcase the potential of this novel technique as a treatment that can be evaluated in future clinical trials.
Teaching Transactional Skills in a Clinic

In May 2008, the Center for Transactional Law and Practice at Emory University School of Law held a conference entitled “Teaching Drafting and Transactional Skills — The Basics and Beyond.” This Article reflects the Authors’ discussion of teaching drafting and transactional skills to law students in the context of a law school clinic.
Evaluation of DNA-Launched Virus-Like Particle Vaccines in an Immune Competent Mouse Model of Chikungunya Virus Infection

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) infection can result in chronic and debilitating arthralgia affecting humans in tropical and subtropical regions around the world, yet there are no licensed vaccines to prevent infection. DNA launched virus like particle (VLP) vaccines represent a potentially safer alternative to traditional live-attenuated vaccines; however, fully characterized immunocompetent mouse models which appropriately include both male and female animals for preclinical evaluation of these, and other, vaccine platforms are lacking. Utilizing virus stocks engineered to express mutations reported to enhance CHIKV virulence in mice, infection of male and female immunocompetent mice was evaluated, and the resulting model utilized to assess the efficacy of candidate DNA launched CHIKV VLP vaccines. Results demonstrate the potential utility of DNA launched VLP vaccines in comparison to a live attenuated CHIKV vaccine and identify gender differences in viral RNA loads that impact interpretation of vaccine efficacy and may have important implications for future CHIKV vaccine development.
Hysteresis and stiffness of the lateral ankle complex in those with chronic ankle instability.

The role of mechanical laxity and viscoelastic tissue properties in chronic ankle instability (CAI) is unclear, but may influence repeated injury. The purpose was to determine if lateral ankle comp...
Effect of Vehicle Mix on Two-Car Head-On Impact

The comparative dynamic response (acceleration, velocity, and crush) of two cars, differing in mass and structural characteristics and impacting head-on, is examined for various closing speeds and payloads through the use of a computer simulation model. Among other results, this analysis of the so-called vehicle mix problem shows the inherent limitations of "equivalent barrier impact" concepts in analyzing such impacts. /HSRI/
YZGD, a Two-Domain Enzyme, as a Teaching Tool in a Biochemistry Laboratory

YZGD is a two domain enzyme that is both a member of the HAD superfamily with pyridoxal phosphatase activity and a member of the Nudix Hydrolase superfamily with comparable activity on CDP alcohols...
Cell Junctions and the Biological Behaviour of Cancer

Quantitative and qualitative abnormalities in intercellular junctions have been described in a broad spectrum of human and animal cancers. Current efforts are aimed at exploring the possibility that some of these defects may account for the hallmarks of malignancy, namely tumour invasion and metastasis. This approach is hampered by a paucity of information on the natural history of human cancer. There is evidence from quantitative electron microscopy studies of urinary bladder carcinomas induced by a chemical carcinogen in Fischer rats that decreased intercellular adhesion, mediated in part by intercellular junctions, does not contribute to the invasive potential of tumours. However, it may account for increased cell shedding at the tumour surface. The increased leakiness of malignant epithelium is attributed to defects in occludens junctions. The defects appear to represent a failure to assemble intramembrane fibrils into fully competent occludens junctions, rather than a blockage of fibril synthesis. Gap junctional deficiencies are not an invariant in cancers. Further, gap junctional deficiencies are present in human cervical carcinoma-in-situ. These deficiencies are present many hundreds of cell generations before the development of invasive tumours. This argues against the hypothesis that gap junctions per se contribute to the biological behaviour (i.e. invasion) of malignant tumours.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE APPROACHES TO SIMULATION

We present a new methodology for the design and development of large-scale simulations. Such simulations have often been criticized for their lack of intelligibility, modifiability, credibility, and performance. They are costly to build, to run, to interpret, and to change. Recent advances in artificial intelligence, most notably in the areas of expert systems and object-oriented languages, suggest new approaches to overcoming these limitations. We have applied this technology to the design and implementation of a new simulation language and environment called ROSS (Rule-Oriented Simulation System). Within our research system, we have implemented two military battle simulations, SWIRL (a strategic simulation) and TWIRL (a tactical simulation), which simulate the interactions and outcomes of combat between two opposing military forces. A graphics facility has been developed to visually display simulation runs dynamically. written in Franzlisp running on a VAX. Our graphics routines are written in C and loaded directly into the Franzlisp environment. Our graphics processor is an AED 512. Also we are experimenting with a network of Xerox 1100s (Lisp Machines) for our work on distributed simulation (discussed elsewhere [4]).
From Disaster Event to Political Crisis: A ''5C+A'' Framework for Analysis

Why is it that some authorities, governments/administrations, and even entire regimes emerge from disasters more popular and politically stronger, while most appear to emerge less popular and politically weaker, sometimes fatally so? This paper argues that the often problematic political consequences of disasters can be understood more fully by seeing them as “Maslowian Shocks” with strong revelatory components where public estimation of government disaster response may be analyzed along six “5C+A” dimensions: capability, competence, compassion, correctness, credibility, and anticipation. The paper then illustrates the 5C+A framework with a set of cross-national examples and public opinion data from a 2001 post-earthquake survey in El Salvador.
Polymorphism of Rhesus monkey serum prealbumin. Purification and partial structure.

Abstract Two genetic variants of Rhesus monkey prealbumin, Pt 1-1 and Pt 2-2, have been purified by ion exchange chromatography followed by preparative polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Both monkey proteins have molecular weights of approximately 54,000 as determined by ultracentrifugation. Amino acid compositions of both variants are very similar. Peptide maps of the two monkey prealbumins differ definitely from each other in only one peptide. The NH2-terminal sequences (1 to 21) suggest that each variant of Rhesus prealbumin is composed of identical subunits; an interchange of valine and isoleucine is found at residue 5 in Rhesus prealbumin. The structural features of both Rhesus prealbumins are very similar to those of human prealbumin.
Total extension of set functions and relations

Zadeh's (1965) extension principle is applicable to functions defined upon elements of a set. It can be generalized to relations. Any crisp relation can be extended to a function on sets using crisp set theory. Two canonical methods for extending relations upon sets are presented. Equivalence between different extensions is studied. So are cutworthy and strong cutworthy extensions.
An Amino Acid Diet Supporting Superior Growth in Mice

A diet containing, as a source of nitrogen, a mixture of purified L-amino acids simulating the amino acid composition of a successful diet containing vegetable and milk proteins was fed to mice in a 3% agar gel. This diet, at 17% amino acids, supported better growth of young male animals during a 21-day period than did the same assortment of amino acids at 23% of the diet, a commercial mouse food or the same basic diet containing a different assortment of amino acids from a published diet developed for rats. Cystine was removed from the diet, which contained 0.317% methionine and no choline, and this diet, fed for 52 days, continued to support growth and produced no microscopic evidence of fatty liver.
LITMUS: A Multi-Service Composition System for Landslide Detection

Landslides are an illustrative example of multi-hazards, which can be caused by earthquakes, rainfalls and human activity among other reasons. Detection of landslides presents a significant challenge, since there are no physical sensors that would detect landslides directly. A more recent approach in detection of natural hazards, such as earthquakes, involves the use of social media. We propose a multi-service composition approach and describe LITMUS, which is a landslide detection service that combines data from both physical and social information services by filtering and then joining the information flow from those services based on their spatiotemporal features. Our results show that with such approach LITMUS detects 25 out of 27 landslides reported by USGS in December 2013 and 40 more landslide locations unreported by USGS during this period. LITMUS is a prototype tool that is used to investigate and implement research ideas in the area of disaster detection. We list some of the current work being done on refining the system that allows us to identify 137 landslide locations unreported by USGS during a more recent period of September 2014. Finally, we describe a live demonstration that displays landslide detection results on a web map in real-time.
The Impact of Reserve Requirements on Free Bank Failures

The evidence indicates that a specie reserve requirement influences bank closings and bank failures. States enacting a strong specie reserve requirement showed a significant difference in bank failings and closings from states that enacted lenient specie reserve requirements. This study suggests that the discrepancy in experiences between states with different specie reserve requirements may be due to a link between the short-term liability (i.e., banknotes) and the long-term assets (i.e., state bonds). This hypothesis implies that the free banknotes made up a substantial portion of a free bank's liabilities; hence, state bonds were a substantial portion of a free bank's assets. Therefore, in order to make a conclusive statement about the influence of the specie reserve requirement on the free banking experience, more information is needed on the protfolios of the individual free bank.
Cervical laminoplasty developments and trends, 2003-2013: a systematic review.

OBJECT Despite extensive clinical experience with laminoplasty, the efficacy of the procedure and its advantages over laminectomy remain unclear. Specific clinical elements, such as incidence or progression of kyphosis, incidence of axial neck pain, postoperative cervical range of motion, and incidence of postoperative C-5 palsies, are of concern. The authors sought to comprehensively review the laminoplasty literature over the past 10 years while focusing on these clinical elements. METHODS The authors conducted a literature search of articles in the Medline database published between 2003 and 2013, in which the terms “laminoplasty,” “laminectomy,” and “posterior cervical spine procedures” were used as key words. Included was every single case series in which patient outcomes after a laminoplasty procedure were reported. Excluded were studies that did not report on at least one of the above-mentioned items. RESULTS A total of 103 studies, the results of which contained at least 1 of the prespecified outc...
Influence of size-induced oxidation state of platinum nanoparticles on selectivity and activity in catalytic methanol oxidation in the gas phase

Pt nanoparticles with various sizes of 1, 2, 4, and 6 nm were synthesized and studied as catalysts for gas-phase methanol oxidation reaction toward formaldehyde and carbon dioxide under ambient pressure (10 Torr of methanol, 50 Torr of oxygen, and 710 Torr of helium) at a low temperature of 60 °C. While the 2, 4, and 6 nm nanoparticles exhibited similar catalytic activity and selectivity, the 1 nm nanoparticles showed a significantly higher selectivity toward partial oxidation of methanol to formaldehyde, but a lower total turnover frequency. The observed size effect in catalysis was correlated to the size-dependent structure and oxidation state of the Pt nanoparticles. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and infrared vibrational spectroscopy using adsorbed CO as molecular probes revealed that the 1 nm nanoparticles were predominantly oxidized while the 2, 4, and 6 nm nanoparticles were largely metallic. Transmission electron microscopy imaging witnessed the transition from crystalline to quasicrystalline structure as the size of the Pt nanoparticles was reduced to 1 nm. The results highlighted the important impact of size-induced oxidation state of Pt nanoparticles on catalytic selectivity as well as activity in gas-phase methanol oxidation reactions.
Strategic budgeting: Reviewing the literature of an emerging theory

Among all the public management functions, the budget process comes closest to the scenarios pictured in the literature of strategic management and game theory. Unfortunately there has been very little written on the strategic aspects of public budgeting. Generally, writers on strategic management view budgeting as a secondary-level operation functioning as a means of implementing the strategic goals of the organization. Much of the public budgeting literature, however, suggests that budgeting serves a broader function, often helping to determine agency objectives as well as serving to implement objectives defined at top (usually political) levels. In this article the writer argues that strategic management in public agencies must be defined differently from the definition used for that process in private firms. The literature of strategic management and budgeting is reviewed in an effort to clarify the relationship between these two public management functions.
Hydrothermal Synthesis and Structural Characterization of Organically Templated Uranyl Diphosphonate Compounds

The hydrothermal treatment of uranyl nitrate and 1,4-benzenebisphosphonic acid with a variety of aliphatic amines (tetramethylammonium hydroxide, tetraethylammonium hydroxide, and diethyldimethylammonium hydroxide) and small quantities of hydrofluoric acid at 200 °C results in the crystallization of a series of layered uranyl diphosphonate compounds, [(CH3)4N][(UO2)3(O3PC6H4PO3H)2F(H2O)]·0.5H2O (Me4Ubbp), [(CH3CH2)4N]{(UO2)[C6H4(PO3H)(PO3H1.5)]2(H2O)} (Et4Ubbp), and [(CH3CH2)2N(CH3)2][(UO2)3(O3PC6H4PO3H)2F(H2O)] (Et2Me2Ubbp). All these new compounds have layered structures, but the structures of Me4Ubbp and Et2Me2Ubbp are similar in that they both contain UO6F and UO7 pentagonal bipyramids within dimers that are bridged by the phosphonate into a three-dimensional structure. The structure of Et4Ubbp contains a single crystallographically unique UO7 unit. The edge-sharing pentagonal bipyramids are linked into chains formulated as {(UO2)[C6H4(PO3H)(PO3H1.5)]2(H2O)}1−. The voids in these structures are filled...
Effect of substitution of high stearic low linolenic acid soybean oil for hydrogenated soybean oil on fatty acid intake.

High stearic, low α-linolenic acid soybean oil (HSLL) has been developed via traditional breeding to serve as a substitute for partially hydrogenated soybean oils used in food manufacturing. The purpose of this study was to estimate the impact on fatty acid intake in the United States if HSLL were substituted for partially hydrogenated soybean oils used in several food categories, including baked goods, shortenings, fried foods, and margarines. Using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data (1999–2002), baseline intakes of five fatty acids and trans fatty acids (TFA) were determined at the mean and 90th percentile of fat consumption. Then intakes of these fatty acids were determined after HSLL was substituted for 100% of the partially hydrogenated soybean oils used in these four food categories. The results show that baseline intake of stearic acid is 3.0% energy at the mean and 3.3% energy at the 90th percentile. Use of HSLL could increase stearic acid intake to about 4–5% energy. Mean intakes of TFA could decrease from 2.5 to 0.9% energy, and intake of palmitic acid would remain unchanged. Use of HSLL as a substitute for partially hydrogenated soybean oils would result in changes in the fatty acid composition of the US diet consistent with current dietary recommendations.
The HRS GTO program to study the neutral hydrogen column density and D/H ratio in the local interstellar medium

Theoretical line profiles are presented that demonstrate why 100,000 spectral resolution and high S/N are needed to derive accurate column densities from spectral lines that lie close to the flat part of the curve of growth and may contain multiple velocity components. The aim of the Space Telescope high-resolution-spectrograph observing program is to obtain column densities in the hydrogen and deuterium Lyman alpha lines along a variety of lines of sight within and extending beyond the local cloudlet, in which the sun is located near an edge. The broad chromospheric Lyman alpha emission lines of late-type stars are used as background sources against which to measure the interstellar absorption features. Profiles of interstellar absorption features in Mg II and Fe II lines will be obtained to derive the broadening parameter and/or identify possible multiple velocity components in the lines of sight.
Evaluating the Impact of PSA as a Selection Criteria for Nerve Sparing Radical Prostatectomy in a Screened Cohort

Purpose. We investigated whether NS-RP increased risk of PSA failure and whether PSA should be included as a selection criterion for NS. Methods. We evaluated 357 consecutive men with screen-detected PC who underwent open RP without adjuvant radiotherapy between 9/11/2001 and 12/30/2008. Criteria for NS included Gleason score ≤3 + 4, percentage of positive biopsies (PPB) ≤50%, percentage of core involvement ≤50%, nonapical location, no perineural invasion, and no palpable disease on pre- or intraoperative exam but did not include a PSA threshold. Cox multivariable regression assessed whether increasing PSA or unilateral- or bilateral-NS versus non-NS-RP was associated with PSA failure adjusting for prognostic factors. Results. After a median follow-up of 3.96 years, 34 men sustained PSA failure (9.5%). Increasing PSA was significantly associated with increased risk of PSA failure in the interaction model (adjusted hazard ratio (AHR): 1.09 [95% CI: 1.03–1.16]; P = 0.005), whereas unilateral (AHR: 1.24 [95% CI: 0.36–4.34]; P = 0.73) or bilateral NS (AHR: 0.41 [95% CI: 0.06–2.59]; P = 0.34) versus non-NS RP was not. Conclusion. NS-RP in a screened cohort did not increase risk of PSA failure using NS criteria not including PSA.
Creative women in advertising agencies: why so few “babes in boyland”?

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore reasons why there are so few women in creative departments of advertising agencies and to discuss what impact that might have on the work environment of those creative departments and advertising messages they create.Design/methodology/approach – Provides a review of published research and plus opinions of professionals who cover the advertising industry or work in agency creative departments. Personal observations from the authors' time working in the advertising industry are also included.Findings – Themes gleaned from the literature look at the gender gap, the creative department of advertising agencies as an “old‐boys network,” reasons why women leave creative jobs, and why advertising targeting women as consumers is so bad.Practical implications – Women opt out of advertising agencies for any number of reasons – more than just having babies. Keeping women's voices in creative departments would give a better balance to the messages agencies create.Orig...
Lipid-Dependent Generation Of Dual Topology For A Membrane Protein

The mechanism by which membrane proteins exhibit structural and functional duality in the same membrane or different membranes is unknown. We posit that such duality is determined by both the protein sequence and the membrane lipid composition wherein a spatial or temporal change in the latter can result in a post-assembly change in protein structure and function. To investigate whether co-existence of multiple topological conformers is dependent on the membrane lipid composition, we determined the topological organization of lactose permease in an Escherichia coli model cell system in which phosphatidylethanolamine membrane content can be systematically varied. At intermediate levels of phosphatidylethanolamine a mixture of native and topologically mis-oriented conformers co-existed. There was no threshold level of phosphatidylethanolamine determining a sharp transition from one conformer to the other. Co-existing conformers were not in rapid equilibrium at a static lipid composition indicating that duality of topology is established during an early folding step. Depletion of intermediate levels of phosphatidylethanolamine after final protein assembly resulted in complete mis-orientation of the native conformer. Combined with previous results, such topological dynamics are reversible in both directions. We propose a thermodynamically based model for how lipid-protein interactions can result in a mixed topological organization and how changes in lipid composition can result in changes in the ratio of topologically distinct conformers of proteins. These observations demonstrate a potential lipid-dependent biological switch for generating dynamic structural and functional heterogeneity for a protein within the same membrane or between different membranes in more complex eukaryotic cells.
Dispersion of bulk silica onto alumina to form a dispersed, surface phase oxide structure

Addition of colloidal silica to a porous alumina results in gelation onto the exterior surface of the alumina. Subsequent steam treatment with a high steam content allows silica to migrate into the pores of the alumina to form a surface phase oxide structure. The dispersed silica phase on alumina has low acidity in comparison to silica-alumina co-gels as measured by a standard gas oil cracking test. ESCA was useful to follow the migration of silica from the external surface to the internal surface of the particles. The dispersed silica phase stabilized the alumina surface area at severe high temperature conditions. Bulk silicic acid was also found to disperse onto alumina under analogous steaming conditions.
Wake-related activity of tuberomammillary neurons in rats

Histaminergic neurons of the tuberomammillary nucleus (TMN) are hypothesized to promote wakefulness, but little is known about the activity of these cells during spontaneous behavior. We measured histaminergic neuron activity in the dorsomedial, ventrolateral, and caudal TMN at four different times using Fos and adenosine deaminase immunohistochemistry and recordings of sleep/wake behavior. Because circadian factors could influence neuronal activity, we then assessed TMN neuron activity in predominantly sleeping or awake animals, all killed at the same time of day. In both experiments, Fos expression in histaminergic neurons of all three TMN subnuclei was higher during periods of wakefulness. These results demonstrate that histaminergic neurons throughout the TMN are wake-active, and this activity is largely independent of the time of day.
Derivation of Diabetes-Resistant Congenic Lines from the Nonobese Diabetic Mouse

Autoimmune diabetes is a polygenic disease process in man and rodents. To identify and characterize genes involved in the pathogenesis of diabetes in nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice, we initiated a repetitive backcross of diabetes-resistant C57L/J mice onto the NOD strain. This breeding scheme was based on the premise that selection for the trait of disease resistance among genetically mixed mice could be used to maintain transmission of nonpermissive alleles from the diabetes-resistant strain at critical diabetes susceptibility loci. Each of the three recombinant congenic mouse lines derived by this strategy retains a unique constellation of C57L/J-derived DNA segments. Consistent with the involvement of different genetic loci, the pancreatic histology of disease-resistant mice differs from that in NOD mice in a line-specific manner. Functional studies using these lines demonstrate that pathogenesis of autoimmune diabetes is a multistep process which can be blocked at a minimum of three critical, genetically determined points.
Some game-theoretical aspects of parasitism and symbiosis

Given a two-person continuous non-constant sum game, a “solution” can be arrived at even in ignorance of the pay-off functions as each player tries to maximize his own pay-off by trial and error. The solution of the game considered here is either the intersection of two “optimal lines” (the case of the stable equilibrium) or parasitism of one player upon the other (the case of unstable equilibrium). The introduction of secondary satisfactions (linear combinations of the pay-offs) affects both the position and the stability of the equilibrium and thus the resulting primary satisfactions (the pay-offs). These effects of the matrix of transformation are investigated. In particular, it is shown that the social optimum, which is also the solution of the game where collusion is allowed, is attained if and only if the columns of the matrix are identical, and that this solution is generally stable. Some suggested connections with biological situations are discussed.
Hypertension and years of driving in transit vehicle operators

In this study, data from transit vehicle operators of the San Francisco Municipal Railway (Muni), and a control group of individuals newly hired but not yet working as operators, were used to investigate prevalence of hypertension as a function of exposure to bus driving (years of driving), controlling for alcohol consumption and body mass index. Data were collected from transit vehicle operators in the course of their regular biennial examination during the period November 1983 to October 1985. Groups working as operators fewer than 10 years (n =1137), from 10 to 20 years (n =493), and more than 20 years (n =196) were compared to each other and to a group of individuals with no prior exposure, but who were given a medical examination just before beginning their jobs as transit vehicle operators (n = 226). For hypertension (defined as systolic blood pressure ≤ 140, or diastolic blood pressure ≥90, or taking hypertension medication), the prevalence, adjusted for age, race, and gender, increased in a stepwi...
Energy-accuracy trade-off for continuous mobile device location

Mobile applications often need location data, to update locally relevant information and adapt the device context. While most smartphones do include a GPS receiver, it's frequent use is restricted due to high battery drain. We design and prototype an adaptive location service for mobile devices, a-Loc, that helps reduce this battery drain. Our design is based on the observation that the required location accuracy varies with location, and hence lower energy and lower accuracy localization methods, such as those based on WiFi and cell-tower triangulation, can sometimes be used. Our method automatically determines the dynamic accuracy requirement for mobile search-based applications. As the user moves, both the accuracy requirements and the location sensor errors change. A-Loc continually tunes the energy expenditure to meet the changing accuracy requirements using the available sensors. A Bayesian estimation framework is used to model user location and sensor errors. Experiments are performed with Android G1 and AT&T Tilt phones, on paths that include outdoor and indoor locations, using war-driving data from Google and Microsoft. The experiments show that a-Loc not only provides significant energy savings, but also improves the accuracy achieved, because it uses multiple sensors.
Classical Conditioning During Nitrous Oxide Treatment: Influence of Varying the Interstimulus Interval

Classical conditioning of the rabbit nictitating membrane response (NMR) was accomplished by presenting a 75-ms tone conditioned stimulus (CS) at intervals of 0, 100, 200, 400, and 800 ms before the presentation of a 100-ms shock unconditioned stimulus. Following every four paired trials (tone followed by shock), the occurrence of conditioned responses (CRs) was tested on every fifth trial in which only tone was presented (test trials). Three doses of nitrous oxide in oxygen (0, 33, and 67%) were used during conditioning. Nitrous oxide produced dose-dependent decrements of learning. Conditioned responding was related to the interstimulus interval (ISI) by a concave-down function. The higher dose of nitrous oxide caused more decrements of learning at several ISIs compared to the other two doses, changing the shape of the curve. Trace conditioning, which was examined in the present study, was more impaired under the influence of nitrous oxide than conditioning in a previous study, which used the standard delay paradigm. Thus, the drug impairs explicit memory more than implicit memory.
Hydroxysolanascone glucosides from flue-cured tobacco leaves

The structure of 13- and 15-hydroxysolanascone-γ-glucopyranosides, sesquiterpenoid glycosides isolated from flue-cured tobacco leaves, were deduced from the spectral data and by means of the chemical conversion method.
Fluctuation energy equations for turbulent fluid-solid flows

Abstract Fluctuation energy equations and the associated constitutive relations are derived for turbulent fluid-solid flows. This work is a continuation of previous derived for turbulent fluid-solid flows. This work is a continuation of previous comprising all these equations is valid for all flow regimes. Closure of the constitutive relations will depend on the nature of the various flow regimes. The phase interaction terms in the fluid and solid fluctuation energy equations differ by the term 〈m i 〉({v i }−{u i }) . When the phase interaction in the momentum equation, 〈m i 〉 , is dominated by the drag force, the above interaction term in the energy equation results in an enhancement of fluid turbulence by the presence of particles.
Laser radiation enhancement of the corrosion resistance of an amorphous ribbon alloy

The effects of pulsed laser radiation on the corrosion resistance, surface morphology, and composition of liquid-quenched amorphous Fe32Ni36Cr14P12B6 (Allied Corporation Metglas¯ 2826A) are reported. Scanning electron microscopy, Auger depth profiling, and x-ray diffraction were used to characterize the surface, while the corrosion resistance was determined by anodic polarization in H2SO4. The surface of the as-received melt-spun ribbons exhibited many defects, including cracks, compositional irregularities, and microcrystals of Ni5P4. These microcrystals differ from those found upon bulk crystallization. Melting and rapid solidification by radiation with a Q-switched Nd–YAG laser [30 ns full width at half maximum (FWHM)] modified the surface morphology (leaving composition constant), removing the microcrystals and cracks and reducing the carbon and oxygen contamination. The reduction of these surface defects resulted in improved corrosion resistance of the Metglas¯ 2826A ribbon. For example, spontaneous passivation is observed for the laser-treated samples, as opposed to critical current densities of 10μA/cm2 and 1000μA/cm2 for the as-received amorphous and crystallized Metglas¯ alloy, respectively.
Normouricemia in the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion

c Hyponatremia is seen in 40% to 60% of hospitalized acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients. The syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH) and volume contraction are the most common causes. The serum uric acid level can be used to distinguish between these two causes of hyponatremia. Hypouricemia is the rule in SIADH, whereas hyperuricemia commonly accompanies volume contraction. This report presents an AIDS patient with SIADH and normouricemia secondary to pyrazinamide and ethambutol. © 2001 by the National Kidney Foundation, Inc.
Recovery patterns of microbiotic soil crusts 70 years after arsenic contamination

Abstract The Mercur Gold Mine tailings pond experienced a dam failure more than 70 years ago, creating a denuded area that was the subject of this study. Arsenic levels in the surface soils ranged from 45 to 3237 mg As kg−1. Vascular plants, mosses, algae, and lichens all showed a threshold effect to elevated arsenic. Over 2100 mg As kg−1, chlorophyll a was consistently depressed. Over 1700 mg As kg−1, grasses, annuals and mosses were absent, and over 1400 mg As kg−1, cyanobacteria were notably affected. We conclude that the microbiotic crusts will not recover so long as the soil remains contaminated.
Life after radical prostatectomy: a longitudinal study.

Purpose: We investigate the longitudinal recovery of quality of life after radical prostatectomy in men with localized prostate cancer.Materials and Methods: We assessed the self-reported health related quality of life in 247 men undergoing radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer. Patients were assessed at baseline before surgery and postoperatively every 3 months for 1 year and then every 6 months for up to 48 months (median 30). We measured general and prostate specific health related quality of life with the RAND 36-Item Health Survey 1.0 SF-36 and University of California, Los Angeles Prostate Cancer Index. The Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to determine whether some patients were more likely than others to have a successful return to baseline functioning after treatment.Results: In the SF-36 60% of patients reached baseline in all domains by 3 months. By 12 months, greater than 90% of patients reached baseline in all domains. Mean recovery time for these domains was about 4½ mon...
Photonic phase noise characterization of W-band oscillators

In this work we demonstrate W-band phase noise measurement using the photonic delay line technique, and characterize the phase noise of an 80-GHz photonic oscillator. This technique eliminates the need for a low-phase noise W-band reference oscillator.
Protection system for network boundary security

To satisfy the special needs of confidential networks, a protection method of combining ingress and egress access control for network boundary security is proposed. In preventing network attacks, a combined mechanism of packets filtering firewall and intrusion detection system based on artificial neural network and rule matching is implemented to increase the accuracy of intrusion detection. In preventing information leakage, techniques of identity authentication and content filtering are integrated into the mechanism of egress access control so that strategies with more flexibility in security auditing and access control can be implemented, which is effective to prevent the sensitive or secret data from leaking out and to trace the source of leakage.