cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of [11C]TAZA for amyloid β plaque imaging in postmortem human Alzheimer's disease brain region and whole body distribution in rodent PET/CT

Objective Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by Aβ plaques in the brain. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a novel radiotracer, 4-[(11) C]methylamino-4'-N,N-dimethylaminoazobenzene ([(11)C]TAZA), for binding to Aβ plaques in postmortem human brain (AD and normal control (NC)). Methods Radiosyntheses of [(11)C]TAZA, related [(11)C]Dalene ((11)C-methylamino-4'-dimethylaminostyrylbenzene), and reference [(11)C]PIB were carried out using [(11)C]methyltriflate prepared from [(11) C]CO(2) and purified using HPLC. In vitro binding affinities were carried out in human AD brain homogenate with Aβ plaques labeled with [(3) H]PIB. In vitro autoradiography studies with the three radiotracers were performed on hippocampus of AD and NC brains. PET/CT studies were carried out in normal rats to study brain and whole body distribution. Results The three radiotracers were produced in high radiochemical yields (>40%) and had specific activities >37 GBq/μmol. TAZA had an affinity, K(i) = 0.84 nM and was five times more potent than PIB. [(11)C]TAZA bound specifically to Aβ plaques present in AD brains with gray matter to white matter ratios >20. [(11)C]TAZA was displaced by PIB (>90%), suggesting similar binding site for [(11)C]TAZA and [(11)C]PIB. [(11)C]TAZA exhibited slow kinetics of uptake in the rat brain and whole body images showed uptake in interscapular brown adipose tissue (IBAT). Binding in brain and IBAT were affected by preinjection of atomoxetine, a norepinephrine transporter blocker. Conclusion [(11)C]TAZA exhibited high binding to Aβ plaques in human AD hippocampus. Rat brain kinetics was slow and peripheral binding to IBAT needs to be further evaluated.
Social Science Research and the Microcomputer

During the era of the mainframe computer, 1946-1976, sociologists wholeheartedly embraced computer technology as an adjunct to quantitative research methods. The nature of the technology and the resultant structure by which most sociologists gained access to computers lent itself to several undesirable side effects. However, the undeniable calculational power of the technology was enough to outweigh those disadvantages, at least for the mainstream of the discipline. The introduction of microcomputers has significantly changed the calculational power/cost ratio inherent in computer technology and permits new structures of access, not only for sociologists, but for individuals in all walks of life. Although this does not in and of itself offer a panacea for every criticism that has ever been raised concerning the usage of computers within sociology, several of the previous disadvantages of computer technology have now been technically eliminated, if not yet eliminated in practice.
Enabling performance intelligence for application adaptation in the Future Internet

Today's Internet which provides communication channels with best-effort end-to-end performance is rapidly evolving into an autonomic global computing platform. Achieving autonomicity in the Future Internet will require a performance architecture that (a) allows users to request and own 'slices' of geographically-distributed host and network resources, (b) measures and monitors end-to-end host and network status, (c) enables analysis of the measurements within expert systems, and (d) provides performance intelligence in a timely manner for application adaptations to improve performance and scalability. We de- scribe the requirements and design of one such "Future Internet performance architecture" (FIPA), and present our reference implementation of FIPA called 'OnTimeMeasure.' OnTimeMeasure comprises of several measurement-related services that can interact with each other and with existing measurement frameworks to enable performance intelligence. We also explain our OnTimeMea- sure deployment in the global environment for network innovations (GENI) infrastructure collaborative research initiative to build a sliceable Future Internet. Further, we present an application- adaptation case study in GENI that uses OnTimeMeasure-enabled performance intelligence in the context of dynamic resource allocation within thin-client based virtual desktop clouds. We show how a virtual desktop cloud provider in the Future Internet can use the performance intelligence to increase cloud scalability, while simultaneously delivering satisfactory user quality-of-experience.
Influence of RTIL Nanodomains on the Voltammetry and Spectroelectrochemistry Of Fullerene C 60 in Benzonitrile/Room Temperature Ionic Liquids Mixtures

Abstract The cyclic voltammetry of fullerene C 60 was examined in mixed benzonitrile/RTIL solvents in order to probe the effect of nanodomains in the mixed RTIL/benzonitrile solutions and their effect upon the voltammetry. In probing the interactions of the fullerides (up to C 60 3− ) with RTILs, BMIm + (1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium, mostly planar) and tetraalkylammonium (more spherical/flexible) salts were used. In order to investigate these shifts in more detail, the ΔE 12 ° (=E° 1 –E° 2 ) and ΔE 23 ° (=E° 2 –E° 3 ) values, which were independent of the reference potential, were used. At higher concentrations of the RTILs, greater stabilization of the more highly charged fullerides were observed. These shifts were attributed to the interaction of the fullerides with nanodomains of the RTIL. This was further confirmed by examining the shifts in the E 1/2 values of non-RTIL and RTIL salts at constant ionic strength and the changes in diffusion coefficient with %RTIL. The observed shifts in the E 1/2 values with increased concentration of the RTIL salts could not be explained by ion pairing equilibria alone. Changes in the visible and near infrared spectra between benzonitrile and mixed benzonitrile/RTIL spectra were most significant for C 60 3− , where voltammetric evidence indicates the strongest interaction between the fullerides and the RTIL. Among the RTILs studied, preliminary DFT calculations showed that the more flexible tetraalkylammonium ion was able to stabilize the C 60 -anionic species better than the planar BMIm + species, under similar solution conditions.
Linkage of tobiano coat spotting and albumin markers in a pony family

Genetic segregation patterns among blood type markers and various phenotypically observed traits were studied in a small herd of ponies. The herd consisted of 10 mares without white spotting and a single stallion with the dominant pattern of tobiano spotting. Comparison of segregation patterns at loci for which the stallion was heterozygous showed tight linkage for the Alb-B and tobiano markers. In 17 cases in which the Alb contribution of the sire could be determined, all 10 foals that inherited AlbB from him were tobiano spotted, and all 7 non-spotted foals inherited his AlbA. The use of the symbol To is proposed for dominantly inherited tobiano spotting linked to the albumin.
Selective Originalism: Sorting Out Which Aspects of Giles's Forfeiture Exception to Confrontation Were or Were Not 'Established at the Time of the Founding'

In Giles v. California (2008), as in Crawford v. Washington (2004), Justice Scalia's majority opinion purported to follow the framing-era Confrontation Clause. Giles did comport with historical doctrine insofar as it limited forfeiture by wrongdoing to instances of a defendant's deliberate witness tampering. However, Giles departed from framing-era doctrine in other, fundamental ways. Specifically, in framing-era law forfeiture applied only to sworn prior testimony given under the Marian statutes; that is either in Marian post-arrest committal proceedings or in coroners' inquests. Likewise, during the nineteenth century, forfeiture applied only to prior sworn and confronted testimony. Forfeiture was never a basis for admitting unsworn and unconfronted hearsay statements such as that at issue in Giles until the late twentieth century - and then were allowed under the Roberts "reliability" formulation of confrontation that Crawford rejected as an inadequate formulation of the right. Hence, a genuine "originalist" analysis would have undermined the constitutionality of current Federal Rule of Evidence 804(b)(6).Additionally, all of the opinions in Giles persisted in endorsing Crawford's completely fictional claim that the original confrontation right regulated only "testimonial" hearsay, but did not apply at all to "nontestimonial" hearsay - notwithstanding that Justice Scalia made several assertions in Giles that undercut that pretended historical distinction. For example, and in contrast to Crawford, he acknowledged that the general ban against hearsay arose from the same roots as the confrontation right itself. Nevertheless, dicta in Giles indicates that the justices intend to narrowly confine "testimonial" hearsay - and thus the confrontation right itself - to only those hearsay statements made to (or by) government officers, but to exempt all other hearsay as "nontestimonial," including even statements made to physicians or nurses involved in gathering evidence for domestic violence prosecutions. In sum, the purported originalism in Giles was so selective that it did not amount to originalism at all.
MITOCHONDRIAL-DNA ANALYSES AND THE ORIGIN AND RELATIVE AGE OF PARTHENOGENETIC LIZARDS (GENUS CNEMIDOPHORUS). II. C. NEOMEXICANUS AND THE C. TESSELATUS COMPLEX.

Restriction-endonuclease analyses of mitochondrial DNAs from all six color-pattern classes (A-F) of the parthenogenetic lizard Cnemidophorus tesselatus yield estimates of nucleotide divergence that are extremely low (π = 0.06%). In digests of 75 C. tesselatus mtDNAs with 20 different restriction enzymes, only four cleavage-site differences were noted, three of which were found only in pattern class F. The near-identity of these mitochondrial DNAs with those from C. tigris marmoratus shows unequivocally that C. t. marmoratus was the species to which the maternal parent(s) of all C. tesselatus belonged. Mitochondrial-DNA analyses of another unisexual species, C. neomexicanus, led to the same conclusion. Mitochondrial DNAs from 96 individuals of these three species were extensively analyzed for cleavage-site differences; only 13 were found. The low interspecific sequence diversity found within C. neomexicanus and the C. tesselatus complex suggests a recent origin for both. Based on diversity data for mitochondrial DNA and allozymes, we estimate that a minimum of two hybridizations were required to produce all diploid C. tesselatus (C-F), followed by at least two more to generate the triploids (A and B). These data and those presented in the two accompanying papers indicate that events leading to parthenogenesis in Cnemidophorus are rare and strengthen the hypothesis that interspecific hybridization is a necessary, causal event in its establishment.
Kinetics of SO2 Adsorption on Photoexcited α-Fe2O3†

SO2 is an atmospheric pollutant whose oxidation leads to acid rain, while α-Fe2O3 (hematite, a naturally occurring component of atmospheric aerosol particles) has a charge-transfer band gap (about 2.2 eV) smaller than the cutoff of solar radiation in the troposphere (about 4.3 eV) and is thus able to participate in photochemical reactions. The interaction of SO2 with UV-irradiated, single-crystal α-Fe2O3 was examined by using UPS, XPS, and Auger spectroscopies. Between 261 and 331 K, SO2 adsorbs on the α-Fe2O3(0001) surface with a very low sticking coefficient in the absence of UV irradiation. The adsorbed species resembles SO42-; its heat of adsorption is estimated to be 2.4 eV. UV irradiation of the α-Fe2O3 substrate during SO2 exposure leads to a significantly increased rate of adsorption. All of the cations in stoichiometric α-Fe2O3 are Fe3+; UV irradiation produces Fe2+ cations through the creation of electron−hole pairs. The Fe2+ sites are found to be much more reactive to SO2 adsorption than are Fe...
Reciprocal Relationship of Hemoglobins A2 and F in Beta Chain Thalassemias, a Key to the Genetic Control of Hemoglobin F

Two pedigrees, each exhibiting the presence of two distinct thalassemia genes are described. Though indistinguishable by their hematologic stigmata the genes in each pedigree differed in their effect on the quantitative behavior of the minor hemoglobin components A2 and F. One gene produced the usual pattern of elevated values for the A2 fraction with minimal if any increases in the proportion of hemoglobin F. Another gene failed to produce increases in the A2 fraction but gave rise to substantial increments in the amounts of fetal hemoglobin. Still another gene produced a similar pattern but with less marked elevations of hemoglobin F though still well above the usual levels for thalassemic heterozygotes. There were intrafamilial similarities with respect to these features. In one family, the combination of two dissimilar genes had produced the picture of thalassemia major in the propositus. For the particular thalassemia genes observed a reciprocal relationship in the quantitative behavior of the two minor components could be shown on the basis of comparisons including a larger case material studied by the authors. The apparent vagaries in the quantitative behavior of fetal hemoglobin in thalassemic heterozygotes could thus be explained as related to the presence or absence of an elevated A2 fraction. In general, levels of fetal hemoglobin in the former type rarely exceed 3.5 per cent, in the latter they are rarely below 4.0 per cent. In accordance with other genetic information the findings are compatible with the assumption that both types of thalassemia genes represent mutations of β genes affecting the synthesis of β chains and thus represent a series of multiple alleles at the β chain locus. This interpretation fits the hypothesis of Ingram and Stretton regarding the nature of the defect in thalassemia. The factor determining whether predominantly δ or γ chains and consequently hemoglobin A2 or hemoglobin F (or still other fractions) are formed appears to be the nature of the particular amino-acid substitutions in the anomalous β chain, resulting in the utilization of one or another metabolic pathway leading to the formation of different by-products of a metabolic block. The genetic implications of this hypothesis are presented with a view to establishing that current genetic theory does not yet fully account for the observations. The interpretation of γ chains of fetal hemglobin as primitive β chains produced under the control of the same pair of genes which in normal adult life regulate the synthesis of β chains is offered as the basis for a unifying concept concerning the nature and genetic control of fetal hemoglobin. If valid, this concept appears applicable to all conditions thus far known, normal or abnormal, in which fetal hemoglobin occurs.
Vitamin D and critical illness outcomes

Purpose of reviewAlthough low vitamin D levels have been shown to be a risk factor for adverse outcomes in critical care, it is not clear to date if supplementation can alter such outcomes in all ICU patients. The focus of vitamin D research now is on interventional trials to identify a critically i
Structural and Chemical Disorder in Amorphous GaAs

Amorphous III-V materials present an interesting array of problems concerning the determination of their structure. They apparently exhibit short range tetrahedral order as do their elemental counterparts a-Si and a-Ge, but beyond nearest neighbor distances, fluctuations in bond lengths and bond angles lead to a more or less random arrangement of atomic sites in a manner qualitatively similar to that observed in a-Si and a-Ge.1 Dangling-bond defects (analogous to vacancies in crystals) in amorphous tetrahedral semiconductors have been studied a great deal although the vast majorities of both experimental and theoretical investigations have focused on a-Si and a-Si:H.2 The relationship between randomness imposed on a tetrahedral network and the presence of strains which are supposedly relieved by the formation of dangling bonds constitutes a controversial issue which still merits much study. However, in addition to those mentioned above, an even greater variety of intrinsic or native defects are expected to be present in a-III-V compounds than in a-Si of a-Ge due to local departures from stoichiometry and the possibility of bonding between like atoms (wrong bonds).
Three whole-wood isotopic reference materials, USGS54, USGS55, and USGS56, for δ2H, δ18O, δ13C, and δ15N measurements

Abstract Comparative measurements of stable hydrogen and oxygen isotopes in wood are hampered by the lack of proper reference materials (RMs). The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has prepared three powdered, whole-wood RMs, USGS54 ( Pinus contorta , Canadian lodgepole pine), USGS55 ( Cordia cf. dodecandra , Mexican ziricote), and USGS56 ( Berchemia cf. zeyheri , South African red ivorywood). The stable isotopes of hydrogen, oxygen, carbon, and nitrogen in these RMs span ranges as δ 2 H VSMOW from –150.4 to –28.2 mUr or ‰, as δ 18 O VSMOW from + 17.79 to + 27.23 mUr, as δ 13 C VPDB from –27.13 to –24.34 mUr, and as δ 15 N AIR-N2 from –2.42 to + 1.8 mUr. These RMs will enable users to normalize measurements of wood samples to isotope–delta scales, and they are intended primarily for the normalization of δ 2 H and δ 18 O measurements of unknown wood samples. However, they also are suitable for normalization of stable isotope measurements of carbon and nitrogen in wood samples. In addition, these RMs are suitable for inter-laboratory calibration for the dual-water suilibration procedure for the measurements of δ 2 H VSMOW values of non-exchangeable hydrogen. The isotopic compositions with 1-σ uncertainties, mass fractions of each element, and fractions of exchangeable hydrogen of these materials are: USGS54 ( Pinus contorta , Canadian Lodgepole pine) δ 2 H VSMOW = –150.4 ± 1.1 mUr (n = 29), hydrogen mass fraction = 6.00 ± 0.04 % (n = 10) Fraction of exchangeable hydrogen = 5.4 ± 0.6 % (n = 29) δ 18 O VSMOW = + 17.79 ± 0.15 mUr (n = 18), oxygen mass fraction = 40.4 ± 0.2 % (n = 6) δ 13 C VPDB = –24.43 ± 0.02 mUr (n = 18), carbon mass fraction = 48.3 ± 0.4 % (n = 12) δ 15 N AIR- N2 = –2.42 ± 0.32 mUr (n = 17), nitrogen mass fraction = 0.05 % (n = 4) USGS55 ( Cordia cf. dodecandra , Mexican ziricote) δ 2 H VSMOW = –28.2 ± 1.7 mUr (n = 30), hydrogen mass fraction = 5.65 ± 0.06 % (n = 10) Fraction of exchangeable hydrogen = 4.1 ± 0.5 % (n = 30) δ 18 O VSMOW = + 19.12 ± 0.07 mUr (n = 18), oxygen mass fraction = 35.3 ± 0.2 % (n = 6) δ 13 C VPDB = –27.13 ± 0.02 mUr (n = 18), carbon mass fraction = 53.3 ± 0.6 % (n = 12) δ 15 N AIR-N2 = –0.3 ± 0.4 mUr (n = 16), nitrogen mass fraction = 0.25 % (n = 4) USGS56 ( Berchemia cf. zeyheri , South African red ivorywood) δ 2 H VSMOW = –44.0 ± 1.8 mUr (n = 30), hydrogen mass fraction = 5.65 ± 0.05 % (n = 10) Fraction of exchangeable hydrogen = 6.6 ± 0.3 % (n = 30) δ 18 O VSMOW = + 27.23 ± 0.03 mUr (n = 12), oxygen mass fraction = 41.1 ± 0.2 % (n = 6) δ 13 C VPDB = –24.34 ± 0.01 mUr (n = 12), carbon mass fraction = 47.3 ± 0.2 % (n = 12) δ 15 N AIR-N2 = + 1.8 ± 0.4 mUr (n = 15), nitrogen mass fraction = 0.27 % (n = 4)
Responding through transposition: public Euroskepticism and European policy implementation

Do public attitudes concerning the European Union affect the speed with which member states transpose European directives? It is posited in this article that member state governments do respond to public attitudes regarding the EU when transposing European directives. Specifically, it is hypothesized that member state governments slow transposition of directives when aggregate public Euroskepticism is greater. This expectation is tested using extended Cox proportional hazard modeling and data derived from the EU’s legislative archives, the official journals of EU member states, and the Eurobarometer survey series. It is found that member state governments do slow transposition in response to higher aggregate public Euroskepticism. These findings have important implications for the study of European policy implementation, as well as for our understanding of political responsiveness in the EU.
A Conversation of Care: Unpacking and Engaging Pre-service Teacher Ideologies

ABSTRACTCaring relationships are a core component in effective classrooms, and safe learning environments. As such, it is important for pre-service teachers to reflect on their own perceptions and experience regarding care and care within the classroom if they are to build upon that knowledge and grow as caring educators. In addition, teacher educators can learn more about the developing theories of care that exist within college classrooms, and utilize this knowledge in working with pre-service teachers to understand the power of care and relationships between students and teachers. The purpose of this article is to examine pre-service teacher perceptions of “care” and caring relationships within the classroom. How do pre-service teachers define “care”, and how do their experiences align with their personal beliefs? More importantly, how do these perspectives shape their teacher identity?
Capturing Real-Time Data in Disaster Response Logistics

The volume, accuracy, accessibility and level of detail of near real-time data emerging from disaster-affected regions continue to significantly improve. Integration of dynamically evolving in-field data is an important, yet often overlooked, component of the humanitarian logistics models. In this paper, we present a framework for real-time humanitarian logistics data focused on use in mathematical modeling along with modeling implications of this framework. We also discuss how one might measure the attributes of the framework and describe the application of the presented framework to a case study of near real-time data collection in the days following the landfall of Typhoon Haiyan. We detail our first-hand experience of capturing data as the post-disaster response unfolds starting on November 10, 2013 until March 31, 2014 and assess the characteristics and evolution of data pertaining to humanitarian logistics modeling using the proposed framework. The presented logistical content analysis examines the availability of data and informs modelers about the current state of near real-time data. This analysis illustrates what data is available, how early it is available, and how data changes after the disaster. The study describes how our humanitarian logistics team approached the emergence of dynamic online data after the disaster and the challenges faced during the collection process, as well as recommendations to address these challenges in the future (when possible) from an academic humanitarian logistics perspective.
ITO-free Flexible Organic Light Emitting Diodes with Enhanced Light Outcoupling

We introduce flexible organic light-emitting diodes on silver nanowire substrates with enhanced light outcoupling through the use of porous polyimide (p-PI) films. The p-PI extracts substrate and waveguide losses without electrical alteration.
Dynamically reconfigurable AES cryptographic core for small, power limited mobile sensors

In this paper, we propose a dynamically run-time reconfigurable power aware cryptographic processor for secure autonomous encryption. The design proposes the implementation of a dynamically reconfigurable AES cryptography process on an FPGA. The proposed design encompasses a microarchitecture which is variously power, latency, and throughput optimized via hardware acceleration and partial reconfiguration by a multi-level autonomic controller and a data router to enable tradeoffs under changing operational requirements within resource constraints. The multi-level controller decides on the appropriate configuration based on varying operational workloads to characterize the effect that time-varying task parameters have on the hardware architecture, to enable a run-time tradeoff of performance and resources usage (Key length, computational efficiency, latency and throughput).
Stability of Cd1–xZnxOyS1–y Quaternary Alloys Assessed with First-Principles Calculations

One route to decreasing the absorption in CdS buffer layers in Cu(In,Ga)Se2 and Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 thin-film photovoltaics is by alloying. Here we use first-principles calculations based on hybrid functionals to assess the energetics and stability of quaternary Cd, Zn, O, and S (Cd1–xZnxOyS1–y) alloys within a regular solution model. Our results identify that full miscibility of most Cd1–xZnxOyS1–y compositions and even binaries like Zn(O,S) is outside typical photovoltaic processing conditions. The results suggest that the tendency for phase separation of the oxysulfides may drive the nucleation of other phases such as sulfates that have been increasingly observed in oxygenated CdS and ZnS.
Interaction of Automation Visibility and Information Quality in Flight Deck Information Automation

An empirical study evaluated key human factors issues related to automation visibility and information quality, based on a refined definition of information automation. Next-generation air transportation system operational concepts will dramatically affect the types and amount of information available on flight decks. Information automation systems collect, process, and present information to support pilot tasks and awareness. The definition of flight deck information automation was refined to differentiate it from other types of automation. Pilots interacted with an example information automation system to investigate the premise that automation visibility will have an impact on the ability of pilots to detect problems resulting from poor information quality. Poor information quality appeared to be difficult for pilots to detect, even when presented with high automation visibility. Pilots tended to over-trust automation, so when reporting high workload and information was missing, they chose the top plan suggested by the automation even though it was not the best. Trust in automation was reduced by low information quality, but compensated for by increased automation visibility. Added information to help pilots understand information automation state and outputs, given a level of information quality, should be balanced against potential increases in pilot workload due to the time and attention needed to process the extra information.
Strain Standard for Calibration of Electrical Strain Gages

Moire interferometry can be used as a tool for precision measurements in numerous fields. In this chapter it will be applied to calibrate a test stand1 which will be used for subsequent calibration of strain gages. Electrical resistance strain gages are in extensive use in two fields: experimental strain (and stress) analysis and transducer measurements. In the latter category, they are used in engineering and in commercial products to measure force, torque, pressure, and other parameters.
Absorption, Translocation, and Metabolism of 14C-Halosulfuron in Grafted Eggplant and Tomato

Grafted plants are a combination of two different interspecific or intraspecific scion and rootstock. Determination of herbicidal selectivity of the grafted plant is critical given their increased use in vegetable production. Differential absorption, translocation, and metabolism play an important role in herbicide selectivity of plant species because these processes affect the herbicide amount delivered to the site of action. Therefore, experiments were conducted to determine absorption, translocation, and metabolism of halosulfuron in grafted and non-grafted tomato and eggplant. Transplant type included non-grafted tomato cultivar Amelia, non-grafted eggplant cultivar Santana, Amelia scion grafted onto Maxifort tomato rootstock (A-Maxifort) and Santana scion grafted onto Maxifort rootstock (S-Maxifort). Plants were treated POST with commercially formulated halosulfuron at 39 g ai ha-1 followed by 14C-halosulfuron under controlled laboratory conditions. Amount of 14C-halosufuron was quantified in leaf wa...
Retrospective analysis of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) patients treated initially with BCNU compared to temozolomide (TMZ) with concomitant radiation therapy

2071 Background: TMZ and radiation as initial treatment has become the standard of care for GBM. There are no randomized studies comparing TMZ to BCNU in GBM. Methods: We did a retrospective analysis of all 100 GBM patients (pts) diagnosed by our pathology department in the last 10 years. 20 pts were excluded, in 12 pts no chemotherapy was given and there was no data available for 8 pts. BCNU treatment was given in earlier years than TMZ generally. Overall survival (OS), progression free survival (PFS) and four prognostic factors were compared between BCNU and TMZ treated groups. Results: Results show that there is no significant difference in OS and PFS between the two groups. Survival curves were superimposable. This is despite the fact that tumor size and ECOG performance status were worse, though not significantly so in the BCNU group. Age was the only variable that correlated with survival. After correcting for age there was still no difference in PFS and OS between the BCNU and TMZ group. Conclusion...
A Free Energy Barrier Caused by the Refolding of an Oligomeric Intermediate Controls the Lag Time of Amyloid Formation by hIAPP.

Transiently populated oligomers formed en route to amyloid fibrils may constitute the most toxic aggregates associated with many amyloid-associated diseases. Most nucleation theories used to describe amyloid aggregation predict low oligomer concentrations and do not take into account free energy costs that may be associated with structural rearrangements between the oligomer and fiber states. We have used isotope labeling and two-dimensional infrared spectroscopy to spectrally resolve an oligomeric intermediate during the aggregation of the human islet amyloid protein (hIAPP or amylin), the protein associated with type II diabetes. A structural rearrangement includes the F23G24A25I26L27 region of hIAPP, which starts from a random coil structure, evolves into ordered β-sheet oligomers containing at least 5 strands, and then partially disorders in the fibril structure. The supercritical concentration is measured to be between 150 and 250 μM, which is the thermodynamic parameter that sets the free energy of ...
Coding the Privileged Self: Facebook and the Ethics of Psychoanalysis “Outside the Clinic”:

Analysis of official statements from Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg, as well as other representatives, demonstrates how the company appropriates moral-developmental concepts to construct relationships with users that mimic the clinical relationship between analyst and patient. This performance of psychoanalysis “outside the clinic” is ethically fraught. After identifying the company’s perspective on the nature and dynamics of the self, we show how Facebook’s attempts to cultivate specific moral virtues like authenticity and integrity are undercut by its commercial imperatives. To the extent that it neglects this tension, the construction of self encoded in Facebook’s platform architecture will continue to reflect a dynamic of socioeconomic privilege endemic to Silicon Valley’s elite subculture and will therefore amplify preexisting social inequities. We conclude with some preliminary suggestions for how alternative architectures could mitigate these issues.
Deep coma does not always predict poor outcomes among patients with polytrauma.

This study aimed to clarify the prognosis of polytrauma patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with a Glasgow Coma Scale score (GCS) of 3. A trauma registry system has been established at our institution since 2009. The current study reviewed patients in the registry who presented to the ED with a GCS of 3 from January 2011 to December 2015. Surviving and non-surviving patients were compared to identify the prognostic factors of patient survival. The study also aimed to determine the factors contributing to patients who survived with a GCS > 13 at discharge. During the study period, 145 patients were enrolled in the study, 119 of whom (82.1%) did not survive the traumatic insult. Of the 26 survivors, 13 (9.0%) had a GCS of 14 or 15 at discharge. The multiple logistic regression revealed that a lack of bilateral dilated and fixed pupils (BFDP) (OR 5.967, 95% CI 1.780–19.997, p = 0.004) and a GCS > 3 after resuscitation (OR 6.875, 95% CI 2.135–22.138, p = 0.001) were independent prognostic factors of survival. Based on the multiple logistic regression, an age under 40 years (OR 16.405, 95% CI 1.520–177.066, p = 0.021) and a GCS > 3 after resuscitation (OR 12.100, 95% CI 1.058–138.352, p = 0.045) were independent prognostic factors of a GCS > 13 at discharge. Aggressive resuscitation still provided benefit to polytrauma patients presenting with a GCS of 3, especially those with a rapid response to the resuscitation. Young patients with a deep coma on arrival had a higher probability of functional recovery after resuscitation in the ED.
Infant temperament and parent use of food to soothe predict change in weight-for-length across infancy: early risk factors for childhood obesity

Greater weight gain in infancy is a risk factor for childhood obesity. The present study examined the interaction between infant temperament and parent use of food to soothe infant distress (FTS) as predictors of weight gain across the first 2 years of life. A total of 160 mother–infant dyads were recruited into a longitudinal study. Infant temperament was assessed by parents through a questionnaire (surgency, negativity) and by observer ratings (surgency, irritability) during a laboratory visit when infants were 6 months old. Parents also completed a 3-day infant cry diary when their children were 6 months of age to assess when they used food in response to infant cry/fuss bouts. Infant weight/length was measured in the lab at 6 and 18 months. Multiple regressions were run to test the moderating effect of FTS on weight gain. Significant interactions were revealed for both measures of surgency and parent FTS in predicting weight gain. Surgent infants whose parents had a greater tendency to use FTS had greater weight-for-length gain in 1 year than if their parents tended to use less FTS. The interaction between observer ratings of irritability and parent FTS was also significant but in an unexpected direction. The findings point to the role of temperament, specifically surgency, in weight gain during infancy, but only if their parents used FTS. Surgency may have evoked this feeding practice that increased their health risk.
Fog Computing and Efficient Resource Management in the era of Internet-of-Video Things (IoVT)

Internet-of-Things (IoT) consists of interconnected devices with sensing, monitoring and processing functionalities that work in a cooperative way to offer services. Smart buildings, self-driving cars, house monitoring and management, city electricity and pollution monitoring are some examples where IoT systems have been already deployed. Amongst different kinds of devices in IoT, cameras have a key role, since they can capture rich and resourceful content. The number of embedded cameras is rising rapidly establishing the term Internet-of-Video Things (IoVT). However, since multiple IoT devices share the same gateway, the data that is produced from high definition cameras struggle the network and the available computational resources, resulting in Quality-of-Service degradation regarding visual content. In this work, we propose a methodology that tries to balance the content generation rate of cameras in an IoT environment. Specifically, the targeted use case is face recognition for video surveillance under local storage, network utilization and computational constraints while achieving the highest possible accuracy.
Advances in the Psychophysiology of Aging

The decade of the seventies has witnessed some major advances in scientific knowledge about physiology and behavior relationships in aging. These advances have been achieved by the invention and application of new measuring tools and by a change in assumptions about the aging individual. The newly invented tools have provided clearer perspectives of the living, responding brain. They have also enhanced the descriptive knowledge of brain and behavior relationships. The change in assumptions about aging has led us to modify the notion that aging in the nervous system is fixed and irreversible, and we have begun to explore the impact of interventions on aging physiology.
Vasoactive Effects of Estrogens

Actions of estrogens in the walls of arteries have atherosclerotic-inhibiting and hemodynamic effects. Because others participating in this Symposium will be directly addressing the role of estrogens in preventing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, this presentation will focus on the hemodynamic effects of ovarian hormones.
Architecture of Air-Filled Caves within the Karst of the Brooksville Ridge, West-Central Florida

Air-filled caves surveyed in the Brooksville Ridge of west-central Florida provide insight into the organization of karstic permeability within the unconfined portions of the Upper Floridan Aquifer. The morphology of the passages that compose these caves in geologically young, high-permeability limestones is strikingly different from caves found in ancient carbonates far from the influence of the coast. Cave passages in west-central Florida are laterally extensive and tiered. Principal horizons of cave development occur between +3 m and +5 m, +12 m and +15 m, and +20 m and +22 m above modern sea level. The primary guide of cave passage orientations within these cave levels is widespread fractures oriented approximately NE-SW and NW-SE. Cave passages of human dimensions form at the intersection of the laterally extensive cavities and fractures and often acquire a characteristic plus-sign shape. The walls of cave passages in west-central Florida are porous and complex, with small-scale solution features such as pockets and tafoni structures extending into the host bedrock. Additionally, these cave passages often end in blind pockets, ever-narrowing fissures, sediment fills, and collapses. The passages do not appear to represent an integrated system of conduits between aquifer inputs and outputs.
The Diagnosis, Prevention and Treatment of Human Cytomegalovirus Infections Using Human and Murine Monoclonal Antibodies

These investigations were supported by PHS Grant Number CA-23766 and CA-00984, awarded by the National Cancer Institute, DHHS. Dr. Emanuel is the recipient of Clinical Investigator Award K08-CA00984 from the National Cancer Institute.
Single-layer antiferromagnetic semiconductor CoS 2 with pentagonal structure

Structure-property relationships have always been guiding principles for materials discovery. Here we explore the relationships to discover two-dimensional (2D) materials with the goal of identifying 2D magnetic semiconductors for spintronics applications. In particular, we report a density functional theory + $U$ study of single-layer antiferromagnetic (AFM) semiconductor ${\mathrm{CoS}}_{2}$ with the pentagonal structure forming the so-called Cairo tessellation. We find that this single-layer magnet exhibits an indirect band gap of 1.06 eV with electron and hole effective masses of 0.52 and 1.93 ${m}_{0}$, respectively, which may lead to relatively high electron mobility. The hybrid density functional theory calculations correct the band gap to 2.24 eV. We also compute the magnetocrystalline anisotropy energy (MAE), showing that the easy axis of the AFM ordering is along the $b$ axis with a sizable MAE of 153 $\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{eV}$ per Co ion. We further calculate the magnon frequencies at different spin-spiral vectors, based on which we estimate the $\mathrm{N}\stackrel{\ifmmode \acute{}\else \'{}\fi{}}{\text{e}}\mathrm{el}$ temperatures to be 20.4 and 13.3 K using the mean field and random phase approximations, respectively. We then apply biaxial strains to tune the band gap of single-layer pentagonal ${\mathrm{CoS}}_{2}$. We find that the energy difference between the ferromagnetic and AFM structures strongly depends on the biaxial strain, but the ground state remains the AFM ordering. Although the low critical temperature prohibits the magnetic applications of single-layer pentagonal ${\mathrm{CoS}}_{2}$ at room temperature, the excellent electrical properties may find single-layer semiconductor applications in optoelectronic nanodevices.
Specificity landscapes unmask submaximal binding site preferences of transcription factors

We have developed Differential Specificity and Energy Landscape (DiSEL) analysis to comprehensively compare DNA-protein interactomes (DPIs) obtained by high-throughput experimental platforms and cutting edge computational methods. While high-affinity DNA binding sites are identified by most methods, DiSEL uncovered nuanced sequence preferences displayed by homologous transcription factors. Pairwise analysis of 726 DPIs uncovered homolog-specific differences at moderate- to low-affinity binding sites (submaximal sites). DiSEL analysis of variants of 41 transcription factors revealed that many disease-causing mutations result in allele-specific changes in binding site preferences. We focused on a set of highly homologous factors that have different biological roles but "read" DNA using identical amino acid side chains. Rather than direct readout, our results indicate that DNA noncontacting side chains allosterically contribute to sculpt distinct sequence preferences among closely related members of transcription factor families.
Review of Christopher Borsing's Daniel Defoe and the Representation of Personal Identity

A reveiw of Christopher Borsing's recent book Daniel Defoe and the Representation of Personal Identity (New York: Routledge, 2017).
Obstetric anaesthesia: what a neurologist needs to know

Neurologists are often consulted to see women postpartum who are having difficulties involving the lower extremities; weakness, numbness and pain. Many of these women have received labour analgesia. Often, there is limited understanding by the neurologist of how these procedures are performed, why a neuraxial technique is chosen and their potential complications. This case-based review will explain the differences in the neuraxial procedures: epidural, spinal and combined spinal epidural; their advantages and disadvantages, why one technique might be chosen over another, contraindications as well as procedural risks.
Predicting Layoff among Fragile Families

The loss of a job is the loss of a major social and economic role and is associated with long-term negative economic and psychological consequences for workers and families. Modeling the causal eff...
Going It Alone: Advance Directive Discordance in Older Married Couples:

Contrary to expectations of joint decision-making, a substantial minority of older married couples report only one spouse possessing an advance directive. Using Health and Retirement Study data, the authors examined advance directive discordance among heterosexual married couples in which at least one spouse had completed an advance directive. It was predicted that spouses who differed in age, self-rated health, or race/ethnicity would be more apt to adopt individualistic as opposed to relational motivational stances, resulting in higher odds of nonmatching advance directive status. Heterogamy did not account for discordance, but couples in which one or both spouses attended some college were more likely to report advance directive concordance. In contrast, couples in which one or both spouses were non-White were more likely to display advance directive discordance. Study results raise concerns about the effectiveness and reach of advance care planning promotion efforts among low-education and non-White older married adults.
An Evaluation of Race Disparities in Academic Plastic Surgery.

BACKGROUND Academic plastic surgery has a history of underrepresentation of ethnic and racial minority groups. Recent policy shifts by national medical groups and plastic surgery societies have focused on reversing these inequalities. This study seeks to measure ethnic and racial representation at academic and leadership positions following recent changes. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted in June of 2018, measuring ethnic and racial diversity of U.S. academic plastic surgery faculty. Among faculty, career qualifications, years of experience, faculty positions, and leadership ethnicity were compared. RESULTS A total of 930 academic plastic surgeons were included in the study. Classified collectively as nonwhite, this group graduated more recently than other academic plastic surgeons (2006 versus 2001; p < 0.0001) and had greater rates of clinical fellowship attainment (OR, 1.62; 95 percent CI, 1.16 to 2.26). Nonwhite individuals were less likely to be employed in the full professor position compared with their white colleagues (OR, 0.6; 95 percent CI, 0.42 to 0.88; p = 0.0077). However, after adjustment for differences in years of postresidency experience, this disparity was no longer significant (OR, 1.06; 95 percent CI, 0.62 to 1.83; p = 0.82), indicating the importance of current cohort experience differences. Assessment of program leadership found that nonwhite chairs employed significantly more nonwhite faculty (42.5 percent versus 20.9 percent; p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS Academic plastic surgery continues to face disparities in representation of both ethnic and racial minorities. Current inequalities are most severe at senior academic positions and may be linked to cohort experience differences along with leadership and promotion biases.
The self- upgrading mobile application for the automatic malaria detection

WHO set an ambitious vision of malaria control which includes reducing malaria case incidence by 90% by 2030. Many tools and approaches have been considered to enable the progress toward malaria vision. The use of portable smartphones and machine learning (ML) software is a promising one among them. Recently, many ML models have been proposed for malaria detection. From the interview with health workers in the field, we realized ML model should be continuously improved to provide higher accuracy and/or more capability to cover practical issues found in a real setting such as malaria mosquitoes with drug resistance. In this paper, we propose the mobile application for malaria detection which upgrades ML model on its own without depending on internet connection. Unavailability of internet connection is commonly observed in malaria epidemic countries. We also learned that ML model should be not only accurate but also resource-efficient. This motivated us to set up performance metrics for ML model. Based on the metrics, we chose the optimal ML model of Resnet-50. While most of the prior art ML models were optimized in terms of accuracy only, the optimal model of our choice satisfies both accuracy and resource efficiency. With adopting the model, we architect self-upgrading malaria-detection application and it is validated using ATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method) to ensure the application works in the resource-constrained setting as desired. Lastly, we develop the prototype application and show it diagnoses malaria parasites as expected. To collect more blood samples and feedback from prospect users, we plan to do testing at local clinics in India and Myanmar.
Coauthorship in academic journals: Implications for international collaboration and alliances

Based on the knowledge‐based resource theory of alliance, we analyze coauthorship collaboration. We find that (1) collaboration increases the impact of published articles; (2) articles with nonalphabetical author listing are associated with fewer citations; and (3) barriers to transferring knowledge lowers an article's impact, especially if authors do not take ownership over the article. Coauthors who do not act as if they were senior authors undermine coauthorship collaboration, resulting in lower citations on the article. Our results suggest that articles with alphabetical author listing receive more citations, questioning the norm in journals of some disciplines that advocate nonalphabetical author listing.