cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cardiac evaluation of children with congenital anomalies of the kidneys and urinary tract

Objective - The purpose of this investigation was to determine the frequencies and types of associated congenital heart disease and other cardiac lesions in children with congenital anomalies of the kidneys and urinary tract (CAKUT). Participants and method - This was a prospective cardiac evaluation of children with diagnosed CAKUT, conducted between January 2013 and December 2015 at the Department of Pediatrics of the University Clinical Hospital, Tuzla. All cases were reviewed for age, gender, consanguinity, occurrence of congenital heart disease (CHD) and CAKUT in family history. Cardiac examination included: physical examination, noninvasive blood pressure measurement, a twelve lead electrocardiogram and echocardiogram. Results - Complete cardiac examination was performed in 144 children with congenital anomalies of the kidneys and urinary tract. Clinically insignificant morphological or hemodynamical changes were noted in 13% or 9.0% children. Congenital heart disease was found in 32 (22.2%), hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in 2 and pulmonary hypertension in 1 of the 144 children. In 4 children congenital heart disease was part of other known genetic syndromes, and all of these cases had severe CHD. In twenty-six or 76.5% of the total of 32 patients it was already known, and in 6 (23.5%) CHD was discovered during this research. Ventricular septal defect was the most common malformation (13% or 40.6% of patients). Vesicoureteral reflux was the most frequent CAKUT associated with CHD. Conclusions - The results of this study showed a significant association between CAKUT and CHD. Therefore we suggest performing cardiac assessment of all children with CAKUT.
Anesthesia for Procedures in the Neurointerventional Suite

Procedures in the neurointerventional suite can be divided into opening procedures and closing procedures, such as angioplasty for stroke, embolization for cerebral arterio-venous malformations or coiling for cerebral aneurysm. Different equipment and medications are available for each type of procedure with unique possible side effects and complications.
Regulation Under Uncertainty: Use of the Linear No-Threshold Model in Chemical and Radiation Exposure

This paper examines the use of the linear no-threshold (LNT) model in chemical and radiation exposure. The LNT model assumes that exposure to any level of a chemical or radiation is harmful, down to even the last molecule. Used primarily to be “public health protective,” the model has been the backbone of chemical and radiation risk regulation for many decades. Given the current state of science and risk management tools, we challenge the notion that using the LNT as the default model is public health protective. First, more and more research has uncovered dose-response relationships that reveal either a threshold or, more importantly, a hormetic response, where exposure to low doses of a hazard actually yields health benefits. Second, given these more realistic alternative dose-response models, risk management tools including risk-risk analysis and health-health analysis show that regulating down to extremely low levels can have negative health consequences when ancillary risks are considered. Risk-risk analysis focuses on how reductions in target risks can lead to increases in risk from substitute chemicals or activities. Health-health analysis explores how costs of compliance are borne in part by consumers who are forced to reduce their own private risk-mitigating activities. Overestimating risk, a common feature of the LNT model, upsets the careful balancing of risks required of risk managers.
Reduced-attention output feedback control of linear systems with bounded disturbances

One of the main challenges in Networked Control Systems is to make better use of shared communication and computing resources while preserving closed-loop stability and good performance of the controlled process. Herein, we present an output feedback control strategy that reduces the communication overhead of the networked control system by increasing the time between control and measurement samples. The control design is based on self-triggered control and ensures closed-loop stability and ultimate boundedness of the state vector despite the presence of bounded input and output disturbances. The current work assumes that not all state variables are available for measurement and employs a reconstruction technique to estimate the state vector. Since the sampling is time-varying, this paper also presents results on the preservation of reconstructability and observability of linear systems under aperiodic sampling. Two numerical examples are presented to illustrate the performance of the state estimation and reduced-attention control strategy.
Sea Spray Aerosol: The Chemical Link between the Oceans, Atmosphere, and Climate

The oceans, atmosphere, and clouds are all interconnected through the release and deposition of chemical species, which provide critical feedback in controlling the composition of our atmosphere and climate. To better understand the couplings between the ocean and atmosphere, it is critical to improve our understanding of the processes that control sea spray aerosol (SSA) composition and which ones plays the dominate role in regulating atmospheric chemistry and climate.
Ethics complaints against female psychiatrists.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence and nature of investigated ethics complaints against female psychiatrists and to compare them with those against male psychiatrists. METHOD The author, a member of the APA Ethics Committee, reviewed informal records kept by her during a period of just under 5 years. RESULTS The Ethics Committee reviewed 259 complaints against men and 30 against women, constituting a prevalence rate of about 1.1% against male members and 0.4% against female members. Thirty-nine percent of the complaints against men and 60% against women were dismissed. Eighty-five sexual complaints against male psychiatrists and eight against female psychiatrists (of which two and six, respectively, were for homosexual behavior) were investigated. Also investigated were 19 complaints involving discourtesy or poor judgment against men and two against women, 21 of breach of confidentiality against men and three against women, and 23 involving financial matters against men and four against women. CONCLUSIONS In this study of informal records, there were fewer investigated ethics complaints against female than against male psychiatrists, and more of these were dismissed after investigation. A greater proportion of the complaints of sexual exploitation made against women were for homosexual involvement. Cultural power differentials between genders may in part explain some of the data.
Simulating individual-based movement in dynamic environments

Abstract The accuracy of spatially-explicit individual-based models (IBMs) often depends on the realistic simulation of the movement of organisms, which is especially challenging when movement cues (e.g., environmental conditions; prey and predator abundances) vary in time and space. A number of approaches or sub-models have been developed for simulating movement in IBMs. We evaluated four movement sub-models (restricted-area search, kinesis, event-based, and run and tumble) in a spatially-explicit cohort IBM in which the prey and predators were both dynamic (varying across cells and over time) and responsive to the dynamics of the cohort individuals. Movement, growth, and mortality were simulated every 25 min for 30 12-h days (single generation) on a 2.7 × 2.7 km 2 grid with 625 m 2 cells, and egg production was calculated based on weight and survival of individuals at the end of 30 days. We based the cohort model on small pelagic coastal fish, and the prey was based on zooplankton and the predators based on a typical piscivorous fish. Movement sub-models were calibrated with a genetic algorithm in dynamic and static versions of the prey and predator-defined environments. Prey and predator fields were fixed in the static environment; in the dynamic environment, prey density was reduced based on consumption and predators actively sought out cohort individuals. Static-trained sub-models were then tested in the dynamic environments and vice versa. The four movement sub-models were successfully trained and performed reasonably well in terms of egg production (a measure of individual fitness) when trained and tested in the same type of environment. However, the type of environment affected calibration success, and static-trained models did not perform well when tested in dynamic environments because cohort individuals moved in response to both prey and predator cues rather than primarily avoiding fixed-in-space high mortality cells. Use of movement sub-models in IBMs should carefully consider how the conditions assumed for calibration relates to the dynamic conditions the model will be used to address.
Multi-Layer Authorization Framework for a Representative Hadoop Ecosystem Deployment

Apache Hadoop is a predominant software framework to store and process vast amount of data, produced in varied formats. Data stored in Hadoop multi-tenant data lake often includes sensitive data such as social security numbers, intelligence sources and medical particulars, which should only be accessed by legitimate users. Apache Ranger and Apache Sentry are important authorization systems providing fine-grained access control across several Hadoop ecosystem services. In this paper, we provide a comprehensive explanation for the authorization framework offered by Hadoop ecosystem, incorporating core Hadoop 2.x native access control features and capabilities offered by Apache Ranger, with prime focus on data services including Apache Hive and Hadoop 2.x core services. A multi-layer authorization system is discussed and demonstrated, reflecting access control for services, data, applications and infrastructure resources inside a representative Hadoop ecosystem instance. A concrete use case is discussed to underline the application of aforementioned access control points. We use Hortonworks Hadoop distribution HDP 2.5 to exhibit this multi-layer access control framework.
Enhancement and Inhibition of Microsomal Drug Metabolism

Rates of drug metabolism in man and animals can be altered in a variety of ways. For example, it is well-known, that chronic administration of many drugs results in increased rates of microsomal drug metabolism [1]. Conversely, a number of treatments will reduce the rate of drug metabolism. Included are X-irradiation [2], alkylating agents [3], ascorbic acid deficiency [4], alloxan diabetes [5], morphine [6], carbon tetrachloride [7], 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole [8] and p-aminosalicylic acid [9]. In many cases it appears that these treatments serve to produce quantitative reductions in the amount of enzyme protein and, thus, diminish drug metabolism.
Response to Comments on "The [4Fe4S] cluster of human DNA primase functions as a redox switch using DNA charge transport".

Baranovskiy et al. and Pellegrini argue that, based on structural data, the path for charge transfer through the [4Fe4S] domain of primase is not feasible. Our manuscript presents electrochemical data directly showing charge transport through DNA to the [4Fe4S] cluster of a primase p58C construct and a reversible switch in the DNA-bound signal with oxidation/reduction, which is inhibited by mutation of three tyrosine residues. Although the dispositions of tyrosines differ in different constructs, all are within range for microsecond electron transfer.
PT-symmetry in kagome photonic lattices

Photonic lattices composed of balanced gain and loss waveguides have attracted considerable attention due of their potential applications in optical beam engineering and image processing. These photonic lattices belong to a larger class of intriguing active metamaterials that exhibit the parity-time ( ) symmetry. Kagome lattice is a two-dimensional network of corner-sharing triangles and is often associated with geometrical frustration. In particular, the frustrated coupling between waveguide modes in a kagome array leads to a dispersionless flat band consisting of spatially localized modes. Recently, a -symmetric photonics lattice based on the kagome structure has been proposed by placing -symmetric dimers at the kagome lattice points. Each dimer corresponds to a pair of strongly coupled waveguides. With balanced arrangement of gain and loss on individual dimers, the system exhibits a -symmetric phase for finite gain/loss parameter up to a critical value. Here we discuss the linear and nonlinear optical beam propagations in this novel -symmetric kagome system. The linear beam evolution in this complex kagome waveguide array exhibits a novel oscillatory rotation of optical power along the propagation distance. Long-lived local chiral structures originating from the nearly flat bands of the kagome structure are observed when the lattice is subject to a narrow beam excitation. We further show that inclusion of Kerr-type nonlinearity leads to novel optical solitons.
Reading Philosophical Investigations Resolutely

Resolute reading of TLP exerts a willy-nilly but mesmeric fascination. Its proponents try to materialize it; its opponents try to prevent its materialization. We all know about food fights. But this is a recipe fight. Before the cake has been baked, indeed before the batter battered, the bakers fall on each other, rending and tearing.
Retroperitoneal Lymph Node Dissection as Primary Treatment for Metastatic Seminoma

Reducing the long-term morbidity in testicular cancer survivors represents a major area of interest. External beam radiation therapy and systemic chemotherapy are established treatments for seminoma; however, they are associated with late toxicities such as cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance, and secondary malignancy. Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) is a standard treatment for nonseminomatous germ cell tumors (NSGCT) that has minimal long-term morbidity. Given the efficacy of RPLND in management of NSGCT, interest has developed in this surgery as a front-line treatment for seminoma with isolated lymph node metastasis to the retroperitoneum. Four retrospective studies have shown promising results when surgery is performed for seminomas with low-volume retroperitoneal metastases. To better determine if RPLND can be recommended as a primary treatment option, two prospective clinical trials (SEMS and PRIMETEST) are underway. This review will examine the literature, discuss the benefits/limitations of RPLND, and compare the methodologies of the two ongoing clinical trials.
Coaching Quality in Pre-Kindergarten Classrooms: Perspectives from a Statewide Study.

Forty-nine coaches, 947 teachers, and 189 administrators in a state-wide prekindergarten program responded to survey questions about coaching dosage and activities. The survey responses were aligned with the Coaching Quality Framework, an organization of characteristics of quality coaching proposed by the authors, and analyzed to identify similarities and differences in stakeholders’ perspectives of coaching. The vast majority of coaches, teachers, and administrators surveyed agreed that coaching was an effective professional development strategy for supporting teachers’ use of evidence-based practices. Coaches and teachers responded similarly to questions of dosage and many of the coaching quality indicators. Coaches and teachers disagreed on some aspects of the coaching activities, particularly planning for coaching, that may affect the perceptions and effectiveness of coaching. Qualitative analyses of coach and teacher responses reveal programmatic planning components that support or impede coaching. These results have implications for how coaches, teachers, and administrators prepare for large-scale coaching.
Frameworks and Best Practices

The second part of the book focuses on approaches to assessment and analysis of cyber resilience. Having discussed, in the previous two chapters, perspectives on quantifying cyber resilience, we now present several chapters that assemble qualitative and quantitative inputs for a broad range of metrics that might apply to cyber resilience. Some of these approaches (e.g., most of this chapter and the next one) are largely qualitative and based on human review and judgment of pertinent aspects of systems, organization, and processes. Other is based on quantitative and often theoretically rigorous modeling and simulation of systems, networks, and processes.
A Filtering Method for Pressure Time Series of Oil Pipelines

This paper proposes a two-stage filtering method for pressure time series in oil pipelines. First, adopt moving mean filter to smooth the signal contaminated by noise. Second, utilize the result as the input of the discrete or stationary wavelet filter to process the signal without losing its singularities including useful information. By testing this method on real data from oil pipelines, the results demonstrate an excellent performance on filtering the pressure time series and retaining data characteristics.
SPEX: a second-generation experiment design system

The design of laboratory experiments is a complex and important scientific task. The MOEGEN project has been developing computer systems for automating the design process in the domain of molecular biology. SPEX is a second-generation system which synthesizes the best ideas of two previous MOLGEN hierarchical planning systems: stepwise refinement of skeletal plans and a layered control structure. It has been tested successfully on several problems in the task domain and promises to serve as a testbed for future work in explanation, experiment debugging, and empirical evaluation of different basic design strategies.
BIOMETRICAL ANALYSIS OF TRICHOMONAS VAGINALIS DONNÉ IN VARIOUS CLINICAL FORMS OF WOMAN TRICHOMONADOSIS

Publisher Summary This chapter presents the biometrical analysis of Trichomonas vaginalis done in various clinical forms of woman trichomonadosis. The biometric characteristics of T. vaginalis were worked out, taking into consideration the following parameters: length, width, surface of projection, volume, shape index, and the plasmonuclear, surface, and volumetric indexes. The investigations were performed on women divided into asymptomatic, acute, and chronic infections in estrogenic early and late luteal phases of menstrual cycle. It was found that the average length, width, and the projection surface of protozoon in direct preparations were smaller than the corresponding values calculated on the basis of measurements taken from the vaginal secretion fixed smears. Irrespectively of the kind of the preparations, it was found that there existed statistically significant differences between biometric characteristics of protozoa taken up from women with asymptomatic, acute, and chronic infections. The results show that the surface of projection of trichomonas in the chronic infection were found to be the largest and in the acute infection—the smallest.
Assessing the Importance of CO2-Induced Climatic Changes Using Risk-Benefit Analysis

A decision analytic approach is described for estimating the economic impact of CO2 induced climatic change, allowing for probabilistic features that arise from uncertainty in the magnitude of global climatic change. Since we have no means for assessing the error of the economic cost calculations, we have to regard the results as illustrative only, though the general impression that CO2 doubling indeed produces major stress is confirmed. Thus, the analysis predicts a 3% per annum economic loss relative to gross world product (GWP), roughly the rate of growth of the GWP, by the year 2020 for a 3% per annum exponential growth of CO2 in the atmosphere, with catastrophic losses occuring shortly thereafter. Some general results that we believe are independent of the fidelity of the analysis are readily apparent. Thus, we find that the question of the need for immediate action to curb fossil fuel use in order to avoid CO2 induced disaster is a function of two primary factors: 1) the validity of the long market penetration time concept as applied to new energy sources, and 2) the nature and magnitude of social discounting of future events.
Androstenedione may be a more important precursor of tissue dihydrotestosterone than testosterone in women.

The expression of androgenic features in the external genitalia and skin is largely dependent on the intracellular formation of dihydrotestosterone (DHT). The relative contributions of androstenedione (Δ 4 A) and testosterone (T) to DHT production in skin have not been compared. To clarify this, the authors studied the in vitro conversion of Δ 4 A to DHT, Δ 4 A to T, and T to DHT in genital and/or pubic skin minces from 20 normal women, 4 hirsute women, and 3 normal men. In normal women, the mean conversion ratios (CRs) of Δ 4 A to DHT in genital skin (7.06%±1.72%, standard error of the mean) and in pubic skin (2.30%±0.26%) were both significantly higher ( P 4 A to DHT (10.6%±4.59%) compared with T to DHT (4.17±1.07). Conversely, the CR of Δ 4 A to DHT (12.8%±9.8%) was significantly lower than the CR of T to DHT (59.7%±12.0%) in male genital skin ( P 4 A are higher than T in women, it is concluded that Δ 4 A may be a more important precursor for DHT in female skin.
Practicing Culturally Responsive Pedagogy in Physical Education.

As a result of continuous global immigration to the United States, several microcultures coexist within the country. Today’s classroom should provide an interface where individuals from different cultural backgrounds have the potential for sharing a rich place of learning – a place where the teacher embraces and celebrates individual differences, fosters the development of positive self-concepts, provides meaningful and relevant learning experiences, and insists on high expectations for everyone. Facilitating this kind of learning environment is the result of practicing culturally responsive pedagogy (CRP). A culturally responsive teacher acts on knowledge about cultural differences, and implements, as habit, pedagogical skills that foster a meaningful and relevant education for all of her/his learners. The call for cultural responsiveness extends to all dimensions of the school experience, including physical education. Physical education presents unique needs and opportunities to practice cultural responsiveness. Presented here are principles of culturally responsive teaching, applied through the lens of physical education.
Gender Differences in Use of Prolonged Nonoperative Therapies Before Index Lumbar Surgery

Objective The purpose of the present study was to assess for gender-based differences in the usage and cost of maximal nonoperative therapy before spinal fusion surgery in patients with symptomatic lumbar stenosis or spondylolisthesis. Methods A large insurance database was queried for patients with symptomatic lumbar stenosis or spondylolisthesis undergoing index lumbar decompression and fusion procedures from 2007 to 2016. This database consists of 20.9 million covered lives and includes private or commercially insured and Medicare Advantage beneficiaries. Only patients continuously active within the Humana insurance system for ≥5 years before the index operation were eligible. Usage was characterized by the cost billed to the patient, prescriptions written, and number of units billed. Results A total of 4133 patients (58.5% women) underwent 1-, 2-, or 3-level posterior lumbar instrumented fusion. A significantly greater percentage of female patients used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (P Conclusions These results suggest that gender differences exist in the use of nonoperative therapies for symptomatic lumbar stenosis or spondylolisthesis before fusion surgery.
Prognostic significance of day 14 (D14) bone marrow (BM) assessment in adult patients receiving induction for Philadelphia chromosome-negative (Ph-) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

7035Background: The prognostic impact of D14 BM blast percentage in the context of minimal residual disease (MRD) status at complete response (CR) in pts with ALL undergoing induction chemotherapy ...
Placebo response and cessation in binge eating disorder: A pooled analysis of two randomized parallel-group clinical trials.

Objective This study aims to explore predictors and clinical correlates of placebo response and cessation in binge eating disorder (BED). Method Data from two identically designed, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, and multicenter pharmacotherapy studies for adults with moderate to severe BED were pooled. Results Of 360 placebo recipients, 134 (37%) were responders and 53 (15%) achieved 4-week binge eating cessation. Placebo response and cessation were each associated with higher baseline disability scores but not with measures of BED symptomatology severity. Compared with placebo noncessation, placebo cessation was further associated with increased blood pressure at baseline and greater improvement in pulse and triglyceride levels at endpoint. Discussion Future clinical trial design for BED pharmacotherapy trials might consider disability level among participants to enhance signal detection. Cessation of binge eating with placebo might be associated with improvement in cardiovascular and metabolic variables, at least over the short term.
SNUSE: A secure computation approach for large-scale user re-enrollment in biometric authentication systems

Abstract Recent years have witnessed an increasing demand for biometrics based identification, authentication and access control (BIA) systems, which offer convenience, ease of use, and (in some cases) improved security. In contrast to other methods, such as passwords or pins, BIA systems face new unique challenges; chiefly among them is ensuring long-term confidentiality of biometric data stored in backends, as such data has to be secured for the lifetime of an individual. Cryptographic approaches such as Fuzzy Extractors (FE) and Fuzzy Vaults (FV) have been developed to address this challenge. FE/FV do not require storing any biometric data in backends, and instead generate and store helper data that enables BIA when a new biometric reading is supplied. Security of FE/FV ensures that an adversary obtaining such helper data cannot (efficiently) learn the biometric. Relying on such cryptographic approaches raises the following question: what happens when helper data is lost or destroyed (e.g., due to a failure, or malicious activity), or when new helper data has to be generated (e.g., in response to a breach or to update the system)? Requiring a large number of users to physically re-enroll is impractical, and the literature falls short of addressing this problem. In this paper we develop SNUSE , a secure computation based approach for non-interactive re-enrollment of a large number of users in BIA systems. We prototype SNUSE to illustrate its feasibility, and evaluate its performance and accuracy on two biometric modalities, fingerprints and iris scans. Our results show that thousands of users can be securely re-enrolled in seconds without affecting the accuracy of the system.
Automated Testing of Basic Recognition Capability for Speech Recognition Systems

Automatic speech recognition systems transform speech audio data into text data, i.e., word sequences, as the recognition results. These word sequences are generally defined by the language model of the speech recognition system. Therefore, the capability of the speech recognition system to translate audio data obtained by typically pronouncing word sequences that are accepted by the language model into word sequences that are equivalent to the original ones can be regarded as a basic capability of the speech recognition systems. This work describes a testing method that checks whether speech recognition systems have this basic recognition capability. The method can verify the basic capability by performing the testing separately from recognition robustness testing. It can also be fully automated. We constructed a test automation system and evaluated though several experiments whether it could detect defects in speech recognition systems. The results demonstrate that the test automation system can effectively detect basic defects at an early phase of speech recognition development or refinement.
Intratumor immunotherapy utilizing real time radiological image guidance: Early experience from a tertiary cancer center.

e15223Background: Intratumoral (IT) delivery of immunotherapeutic agents is a compelling approach to overcoming the systemic barriers of toxicity and lack of efficacy associated with many novel age...
Subjective cognitive abilities correlate with poor sleep among day-shift and night-shift nurses.

Experimental studies have shown that sleep deprivation may lead to worse performance on cognitive tests. However, few studies have considered how sleep is associated with perceived cognitive performance in the daily lives of hospital nurses who require high cognitive abilities to deliver high-quality patient care. The current study examined the relationship between sleep and subjective cognition in nurses, and whether the relationship differed by work shift and workdays. Sixty in patient nurses working full-time (M = 35 years; 39 day-shift nurses, 21 night-shift nurses) reported their sleep characteristics and daily subjective cognition using ecological momentary assessment for 14 days. Concurrently, objective sleep characteristics were measured with a sleep actigraphy device for 14 days. Using multilevel modelling, results indicated that at the within-person and between-person level, better sleep quality and higher sleep sufficiency were associated with better subjective cognition at the daily-level and on average. Moderation analyses indicated at the within-person level, better sleep quality and longer time in bed were associated with better next-day cognition; these associations were stronger for night-shift nurses compared with day-shift nurses. At the between-person level, better sleep quality and higher sleep sufficiency were also associated with better subjective cognition overall; these associations were significant for day-shift nurses, but not for night-shift nurses. The sleep-subjective cognition relationships were more apparent on workdays versus non-workdays. Findings suggest that sufficient sleep recovery is important for nurses' reports of daily and overall cognitive functioning. Night-shift nurses' subjective cognitive abilities may be more protected on days following better sleepquality and more sufficient sleep.
Optimizing brief, focused assessment of priority symptoms and concerns in recurrent and/or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck: Content validation of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy/National Comprehensive Cancer Network Head and Neck Symptom Index-10 (FHNSI-10).

Background and Aims Patients with recurrent and/or metastatic (R/M) squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) experience vast disease and treatment burdens. Brief, focused instruments are needed to assess patient-reported priority symptoms and concerns as targeted outcome assessments for use in clinical research. Although the instrument was developed based on expert and patient input and is psychometrically valid, the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (FACT)/National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Head and Neck Symptom Index-10 (FHNSI-10) has yet to undergo content validation from the perspective of R/M SCCHN patients to evaluate its use as a brief symptom-focused targeted endpoint assessment for use in clinical research. Methods Interviews conducted with R/M SCCHN patients explored priority symptoms and concerns, followed by cognitive debriefing of the FHNSI-10 to evaluate face validity. Transcripts were analyzed, and results were mapped to the FHNSI-10. In accordance with published recommendations, expert input from the original development and published literature was considered for content validity assessment. Results A total of 18 patients participated in a concept elicitation interview; saturation was obtained at interview 17. Most (83%) were undergoing active treatment, male (94%), white (72%), and did not have a college degree (67%). The most commonly mentioned symptoms were lumps/swelling, pain, sore throat, difficulty swallowing, and voice changes. For all items, ≥75% reported each question was relevant to their R/M SCCHN experience and 94% reported the instrument captured their experiences with R/M SCCHN. Conclusion Results provide support for the content validity of the FHNSI-10, inasmuch as all 10 items were spontaneously reported and considered relevant to R/M SCCHN. Content validity might be enhanced by adding cough and hearing impairment items; however, the existing FHNSI-10 covers the majority of symptoms uncovered in interviews with a small sample of R/M SCCHN patients.
Risk and Emotions

Due to the fact that the target groups of this research paper are financial risk managers and investment brokers, to start with a short introduction covering risk management topics would be useful. However, this chapter is not meant to provide a collection of definitions and differences between risk and uncertainty or systemic and systematic risk. The author is aware of the fact that the readers of this research paper already have this knowledge and, therefore, this part follows another objective.
TH-F-304-03: Calculation Techniques (including Monte Carlo) for Determining Non-Target Photon, Electron, and Neutron Doses

The introduction of advanced techniques and technology in radiotherapy has greatly improved our ability to deliver highly conformal tumor doses while minimizing the dose to the adjacent organs at risk. Despite these tremendous improvements there remains a general concern about doses to normal tissues outside the target volume. As patients live longer after treatment, there is increased opportunity for late effects including second cancers and cardiac toxicity to manifest. Complicating the management of these issues, there are unique challenges with measuring, calculating, and reducing non-target doses that many medical physicists may have limited experience with. Task Group (TG) 158, measurement and calculation of doses outside the treatment volume from external-beam radiation therapy was created to provide guidance for physicists in terms of assessing and managing non-target doses. This education session would highlight the major topics included TG-158. The principal objective for this session will be to provide guidance for medical physicists in terms of assessing and managing non-target doses. Learning Objectives: 1. To highlight major concerns with non-target radiation and provide a rough estimate of doses associated with different treatment approaches in clinical practice. 2. To discuss (a) uses of dosimeters and phantoms for measuring photon, electron, and neutron doses and (b) the use of calculation techniques (including Monte Carlo) for dosimetric evaluations. 3. To highlight techniques that may be considered for reducing non-target doses and summarize TG158 recommendations for both clinical and research practice.
Transforms and Applications Primer for Engineers with Examples and MATLAB

Considered an essential handbook for engineering professionals, Transformations and Applications Primer for Engineers with MATLAB contains the most important transforms that undergraduate students and practicing engineers need to know. The text provides a large number of examples to explain their use in different areas including circuit analysis, differential equations, signals and systems, and mechanical vibrations. Offering numerous MATLAB functions created by the author, this comprehensive primer also includes extensive tables of transforms to supplement learning. A valuable teaching tool, this comprehensive text presents advanced material in a format that makes it easier to understand.
Inhibition of bacteriophage T4 deoxyribonucleic acid maturation by actinomycin D. The accumulation of "replicating deoxyribonucleic acid".

Abstract In the presence of 0.1 µg per ml of actinomycin D, a concentration of drug that inhibits T4 progeny formation in Escherichia coli from 98 to g 99% but does not inhibit the synthesis of macromolecules, T4-infected cells fail to synthesize "mature" phage deoxyribonucleic acid leading to the accumulation of a DNA species that appears to be identical with "replicating" T4 DNA. The data suggest that the antibiotic acts by blocking the normal packaging of phage DNA within the head membrane.
Role of Polymeric Additive Compatibility in Ceramic Processing Systems

The interactions between polymeric additives in ceramic processing are usually considered negligible. In this study it is shown that PVA binder migration during the spray drying process is influenced by the choice of dispersant This result suggests that interactions between polymers usually do occur and can adversely affect product performance. Flory-Huggins calculations predict phase separation of Na-PMAA and Na-PM with PVA and homogeneous mixing of Na-silicate with PVA. Light scattering studies on polymer solutions and morphology studies on dried polymer solutions confirm these predictions. Based on these calculations and the observations, PVA binder migration behavior is explained. PVA in spray-dried granules can be stained and its location within the spray-dried granule observed, verifying the effect of other polymers (dispersants) on binder migration.
Spatial simulation: exploring pattern and process

Authors David O’Sullivan and George Perry have done a stellar job in building a methodological and conceptual architecture for using simulation to explore spatial pattern and process. While this bo...
Residues 1-254 of anthrax toxin lethal factor are sufficient to cause cellular uptake of fused polypeptides

Anthrax lethal toxin is a complex of protective antigen (PA, 735 amino acids) and lethal factor (LF, 776 amino acids) that lyses certain eukaryotic cells. LF interacts with PA to gain access to the cytosol to assert its toxicity. The internalization of LF requires that PA bind to a specific membrane receptor and be cleaved by a cell-surface protease (probably furin), so as to expose a site on PA to which LF binds with high affinity. To localize LF functional domains, amino, carboxyl, and internal deletions of LF were made. Toxicity was eliminated by deletion of 40 and 47 residues from the amino and carboxyl termini, respectively. Similarly, deleting the first of the four imperfect repeats of 19 amino acids located at residues 308-383 made LF non-toxic, showing that this region is also essential for activity. To identify the minimum region of LF which is required for binding to PA, varying amino-terminal portions of LF were fused to the ADP-ribosylation domain of Pseudomonas exotoxin A. Fusion proteins containing residues 1-254 of LF were toxic when administered with PA, while those having only residues 1-198 of LF were inactive, showing that the PA-binding domain of LF lies within residues 1-254.
Molten-Salt Reactors—History, Status, and Potential

Molten-salt breeder reactors (MSBR’s) are being developed by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory for generating low-cost power while extending the nation’s resources of fissionable fuel. The fluid fu...
Utilization of design for manufacturing (DFM) techniques

The authors report on the results of a survey to determine the extent of familiarity with and use of design for manufacturing tools and techniques in San Francisco Bay area firms. The survey determines whether companies have been more successful using some techniques than others. The primary benefits are considered to be higher quality, lower costs, and fewer engineering change orders. The problems preventing companies from doing a better job of using DFM tools are identified. Also discussed are differences in perception among design managers, design engineers, manufacturing managers, and manufacturing engineers with regard to the recognition of benefits and the effectiveness of their companies in using DFM techniques. >
Adherence to antipsychotic medications.

Taking antipsychotic medication as prescribed is one of the best means patients have of managing psychotic symptoms and preventing relapse. Yet, for various reasons, patients may discontinue taking their medication or skip doses, either occasionally or frequently. Among patients treated with conventional neuroleptics, approximately 40% stop taking their antipsychotic medication within 1 year, and about 75% stop taking the medication within 2 years. Although adverse effects play a large role in a patient's decision to discontinue antipsychotic therapy, other factors also have an effect. Using the health belief model, clinicians can assess the relative impact of various factors on medication adherence. This model posits that adherence to treatment is determined by the patient's assessment of the perceived benefits of treatment and risks of illness versus the costs of treatment (including adverse effects such as weight gain). Other factors in the decision are barriers to adherence and cues to act (i.e., reminders to take medication). Patients who believe the risks of treatment outweigh the benefits are likely to discontinue their medication and are candidates for intervention to increase adherence.
Development, Evaluation, and Validation of Environmental Assessment Tools to Evaluate the College Nutrition Environment

Abstract Objective: To develop, evaluate, and validate 2 nutrition environment assessment tools (surveys), for specific use in combating overweight on college/university campuses. Participants and Methods: Invitations to complete surveys were e-mailed to food service and health center directors at 47 universities, Winter 2008. Overall response rate was 48%. Responses from the 39 individuals who completed tool evaluations at the end of each survey were analyzed. Follow-up interviews and site visits performed through Summer 2008 validated responses. Results: The majority of respondents (64%) indicated tools were effective at assessing their nutrition environments; 78% believed these types of assessment tools to be important to their school. Conclusion: Food service and health center directors support use of nutrition environment assessment tools and found them effective at clarifying existing nutrition programs, policies, and food offerings on their campuses. Conducting assessments using these tools could i...
Comparing responses to novel objects in wild baboons (Papio ursinus) and geladas (Theropithecus gelada)

Behavioral flexibility is considered by some to be one of the hallmarks of advanced cognitive ability. One measure of behavioral flexibility is how subjects respond to novel objects. Despite growing interest in comparative cognition, no comparative research on neophilia in wild primates has been conducted. Here, we compare responses to novel objects in wild chacma baboons (Papio ursinus) and geladas (Theropithecus gelada). Baboons and geladas are closely related taxa, yet they differ in their ecology and degree of social tolerance: (1) baboons are habitat and dietary generalists, whereas geladas have one of the most specialized primate diets (90% grass); (2) baboons exhibit an aversion toward extra-group individuals, whereas geladas typically exhibit an attraction toward them. Using subjects of all age and sex classes, we examined responses to three different objects: a plastic doll, a rubber ball, and a metal can. Overall, baboon subjects exhibited stronger responses to the objects (greater neophilia and exploration) than gelada subjects, yet we found no evidence that the geladas were afraid of the objects. Furthermore, baboons interacted with the objects in the same way they might interact with a potential food item. Responses were unrelated to sex, but immatures showed more object exploration than adults. Results corroborate novel object research conducted in captive populations and suggest that baboons and geladas have differences in behavioral flexibility (at least in this cognitive domain) that have been shaped by ecological (rather than social) differences between the two species.
Engine Dynamic Analysis With General Nonlinear Finite Element Codes: Part II — Bearing Element Implementation, Overall Numerical Characteristics and Benchmarking

Finite element codes are used in modelling rotor-bearing-stator structure common to the turbine industry. Engine dynamic simulation is used by developing strategies which enable the use of available finite element codes. benchmarking the elements developed are benchmarked by incorporation into a general purpose code (ADINA); the numerical characteristics of finite element type rotor-bearing-stator simulations are evaluated through the use of various types of explicit/implicit numerical integration operators. Improving the overall numerical efficiency of the procedure is improved.
Abstract 4349: Therapeutic radiation induces an epigenetic DNA methylation response

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL Therapeutic radiation results in a cascade of cellular events culminating either in repair of DNA damage and cell survival, or failure to repair damage and cell death. Gene expression is partially under epigenetic control in the form of DNA methylation. We investigated whole genome DNA methylation profiles of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells following therapeutic radiation to determine genes and pathways that are differentially methylated. MDA-MB-231 cells were treated with a single dose of 0, 2, or 6 Gy and incubated at 1, 2 4, 8, 24, 48, and 72 hrs before obtaining DNA extracts. DNA was subjected to whole genome DNA methylation profile analysis using an Infinium BeadArray which has the ability to determine CpG methylation at 450,000 genomic sites and covering all genes. Compared to unirradiated cells, 2 and 6 Gy irradiated cells showed 419-1661 CpG sites with decreased methylation and 514-2657 CpG sites with increased methylation, depending on time and dose. The number of hypomethylated genes in 2 Gy irradiated cells increased over time while the number of hypermethylated genes decreased in the first 8 hrs and then increased to a maximum at 72 hrs. In 6 Gy irradiated cells, no pattern was detected, although there was overall more DNA methylation changes than in 2 Gy irradiated cells, indicated a dose effect. Gene ontology analysis using Genomatix Genome Analyzer showed significant changes in DNA repair, cell cycle, apoptosis, and cell survival pathway gene methylation. DNA repair genes were differentially methylated as early as 1 hr after irradiation and sustained through 72 hrs. Epigenetic changes persisted after DNA repair, as shown by gamma-H2AX immunofluorescence, had taken place. Cell cycle, cyclin-dependent kinase, and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor genes were differentially methylated 4-24 hrs post-irradiation, correlating with a G2 cell cycle arrest as determined by flow cytometry. These data suggest that epigenetic regulation in the form of DNA methylation is integrated with the cellular response to radiation. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4349. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-4349