cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Causal Explanations for Infertility

Infertility offers an ideal opportunity to examine people’s cognitive adaptation in the face of threat. First, it is a major life event that is an impediment to a developmental milestone, the transition to parenthood (Belsky, Spanier, & Rovine, 1983; Hobbs & Cole, 1976). The magnitude of this threat is captured in the following spontaneous descriptions offered by our research participants: I think it’s the worst experience of my life. The only other tragedy I can compare it to in my life was when my father died, out of the blue... Devastating, frustrating, painful, rageful. As many negative adjectives I could think of to describe it. It’s not an experience I would wish on anyone.
Significance of multiple carcinoid tumors and tumorlets in surgical lung specimens: analysis of 28 patients.

Background The clinical significance of multiple carcinoid tumorlets in surgical lung specimens has not been systematically analyzed. We reviewed our experience to determine the range of clinical circumstances associated with this finding. Methods We reviewed clinical records, available imaging, and pathology materials from patients evaluated at Mayo Clinic Rochester (from 1987 to 2000) with two or more carcinoid tumors or tumorlets in lung specimens. Results Twenty-eight of 294 patients with a diagnosis of carcinoid tumor or tumorlet had two or more lesions. Twenty-six patients (93%) were women; mean age was 65 years. Patients were categorized into three groups: multiple nodules (n = 17), solitary lung nodules on preoperative imaging (n = 7), and airflow limitation (n = 4). Approximately half of patients with multiple nodules had respiratory complaints; two patients had Cushing syndrome. Ten patients (58.8%) were suspected of having pulmonary metastases, including 7 patients with previously diagnosed malignancies. Intrathoracic lymph node metastases were present in three patients, none of whom had recurrent disease. One patient had a carcinoid tumor resected 8 years later. Extrathoracic metastases developed in another patient 3 years after presentation, and the patient was alive with disease 2 years later. Only one patient with airflow limitation had a syndrome resembling diffuse idiopathic pulmonary neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia. Conclusions Our series represents the largest compilation of multiple carcinoid tumors or tumorlets. Our analysis reveals that multiple carcinoid tumors or tumorlets occur most commonly in patients with multiple nodules resembling metastatic disease. Significant airflow limitation is rare. Long-term survival is excellent, although patients have persistent disease.
Joint Mechanisms of Impaired Growth-Hormone Pulse Renewal in Aging Men

Context: Aging reduces the size (mass) of GH secretory bursts and thereby reduces total GH secretion. Experimental data indicate that high-amplitude GH pulses are evoked by reversible cycles of GH-induced negative feedback. Whether aging impairs autofeedback is unknown. Objective: The objective of this study is to assess whether age attenuates and IGF-I potentiates negative feedback by a near-physiological pulse of GH. Design/Setting/Subjects: In a university setting, 17 healthy men ages 19–71 yr each underwent four randomly ordered infusion studies on separate mornings fasting. Intervention: Intravenous injection of a pulse of: 1) saline or 2) recombinant human (rh) GH to impose controlled negative feedback, followed in 2 h by a bolus of 3) saline or (iv) the ghrelin analog GHRP-2 to overcome feedback inhibition. Outcome Measures: The impact of age and IGF-I concentrations on GH autofeedback was assessed by regression analysis. Results: Percentage feedback inhibition correlated negatively with: 1) age af...
Cross-platform, secure message delivery for mobile devices

With the rise of mobile technology, modern organizations are encountering rapidly evolving demands to their communications and data infrastructure. The "Bring Your Own Device" (BYOD) approach places significant new demands on how enterprises approach security, device management, crossplatform support and data distribution. Mobile devices are powerful, lightweight and rapidly supplanting classical computing systems like desktop and notebook computers. Here we discuss a framework which unifies numerous heterogenous devices and their software ecosystems into a single flexible platform for enterprise device management and message dissemination. This framework provides a foundation that considers the myriad security, connectivity and energy implications that are far different from "classical" enterprise system. We discuss the experiences and considerations used in the design of this framework, and why such a unified, flexible approach is necessary for the present and approaching demands of enterprise security, timeliness and accessibility.
Evaluating patients with renal failure for renal artery stenosis with gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography

Abstract The incidence and prevalence of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) continues to increase, especially in the elderly population. The role of renovascular disease in contributing to ESRD is still not well defined. The objective of this study was to determine the utility of gadolinium (Gd)-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) in evaluating elderly patients with renal insufficiency for renal artery stenosis (RAS). A 7-month prospective study conducted in a tertiary referral center evaluated 40 consecutive patients with progressive renal insufficiency (18 men and 22 women; mean age, 70 ± 5.6 [standard deviation] years) and high clinical suspicion for renovascular disease with Gd-enhanced MRA. Digital substraction angiography (DSA) was obtained in only those patients with significant RAS detected by MRA. Twelve patients had significant RAS. Six of these patients had percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty (PTRA), five patients had renal artery bypass surgery, and one patient had a stent placed after PTRA. Seventy-eight renal arteries were satisfactorily evaluated by MRA. Twenty-two renal arteries were evaluated by both MRA and DSA. Of the 12 significant stenoses detected by the MRA, 11 were confirmed by DSA and 1 was confirmed at the time of surgical revascularization. It is concluded that Gd-enhanced MRA is a useful test for the evaluation of RAS in patients with compromised renal function.
High order three-dimensional hybrid-stress elements for thick-plate analysis

Two alternative hybrid-stress based three-dimensional elements are presented. These elements are intended for use in the analysis of thick plates for which the through-thickness variation of displacement and stress may be of high order, and in which a single element is to be used through the thickness of the plate. For both elements, the displacement assumption allows for cubic through-thickness variation in the inplane displacements, and quadratic through-thickness variation for the transverse displacement. The elements differ in the stress assumption used. In the first element, the z variations in the stress components are chosen to be consistent with the z variations of the strain distribution calculated from the displacement assumption, and the traction boundary conditions at the upper and lower surfaces are satisfied in the weighted integral sense. In the second element, the z variations in the stress components are chosen to achieve consistency with respect to the equilibrium equations, and the traction-free conditions at the upper and lower surface of the plate are satisfied exactly. The example problem of a semi-infinite, simply-supported thick plate under transverse sinusoidal loading is considered. Results obtained by using each of these elements are compared with available elasticity and approximate solutions, and an assessment of the relative merits and range of applicability of each element is made.
Physicalism as an attitude

It is widely noted that physicalism, taken as the doctrine that the world contains just what physics says it contains, faces a dilemma which, some like Tim Crane and D.H. Mellor have argued, shows that “physicalism is the wrong answer to an essentially trivial question”. I argue that both problematic horns of this dilemma drop out if one takes physicalism not to be a doctrine of the kind that might be true, false, or trivial, but instead an attitude or oath one takes to formulate one’s ontology solely according to the current posits of physics.
The ash-1, ash-2 and trithorax Genes of Drosophila melanogaster Are Functionally Related

Mutations in the ash-1 and ash-2 genes of Drosophila melanogaster cause a wide variety of homeotic transformations that are similar to the transformations caused by mutations in the trithorax gene. Based on this similar variety of transformations, it was hypothesized that these genes are members of a functionally related set. Three genetic tests were employed here to evaluate that hypothesis. The first test was to examine interactions of ash-1, ash-2 and trithorax mutations with each other. Double and triple heterozygotes of recessive lethal alleles express characteristic homeotic transformations. For example, double heterozygotes of a null allele of ash-1 and a deletion of trithorax have partial transformations of their first and third legs to second legs and of their halteres to wings. The penetrance of these transformations is reduced by a duplication of the bithorax complex. The second test was to examine interactions with a mutation in the female sterile (1) homeotic gene. The penetrance of the homeotic phenotype in progeny from mutant mothers is increased by heterozygosis for alleles of ash-1 or ash-2 as well as for trithorax alleles. The third test was to examine the interaction with a mutation of the Polycomb gene. The extra sex combs phenotype caused by heterozygosis for a deletion of Polycomb is suppressed by heterozygosis for ash-1, ash-2 or trithorax alleles. The fact that mutations in each of the three genes gave rise to similar results in all three tests represents substantial evidence that ash-1, ash-2 and trithorax are members of a functionally related set of genes.
Field measurements of incision rates following bedrock exposure: Implications for process controls on the long profiles of valleys cut by rivers and debris flows

Until recently, published rates of incision of bedrock valleys came from indirect dating of incised surfaces. A small but growing literature based on direct measurement reports short-term bedrock lowering at geologically unsustainable rates. We report observations of bedrock lowering from erosion pins monitored over 1–7 yr in 10 valleys that cut indurated volcanic and sedimentary rocks in Washington, Oregon, California, and Taiwan. Most of these channels have historically been stripped of sediment. Their bedrock is exposed to bed-load abrasion, plucking, and seasonal wetting and drying that comminutes hard, intact rock into plates or equant fragments that are removed by higher fl ows. Consequent incision rates are proportional to the square of rock tensile strength, in agreement with experimental results of others. Measured rates up to centimeters per year far exceed regional long-term erosionrate estimates, even for apparently minor sediment-transport rates. Cultural artifacts on adjoining strath terraces in Washington and Taiwan indicate at least several decades of lowering at these extreme rates. Lacking sediment cover, lithologies at these sites lower at rates that far exceed long-term rock-uplift rates. This rate disparity makes it unlikely that the long profi les of these rivers are directly adjusted to either bedrock hardness or rock-uplift rate in the manner predicted by the stream power law, despite the observation that their profi les are well fi t by power-law plots of drainage area vs. slope. We hypothesize that the threshold of motion of a thin sediment mantle, rather than bedrock hardness or rock-uplift rate, controls channel slope in weak bedrock lithologies with tensile strengths below ~3–5 MPa. To illustrate this hypothesis and to provide an alternative interpretation for power-law plots of area vs. slope, we combine Shields’ threshold transport concept with measured hydraulic relationships and downstream fi ning rates. In contrast to fl uvial reaches, none of the hundreds of erosion pins we installed in steep valleys recently scoured to bedrock by debris fl ows indicate any postevent fl uvial lowering. These results are consistent with episodic debris fl ows as the primary agent of bedrock lowering in the steepest parts of the channel network above ~0.03–0.10 slope.
Stomatal pore size and density in mangrove leaves and artificial leaves: effects on leaf water isotopic enrichment during transpiration

We tested the hypothesis that the previously observed low isotopic enrichment of mangrove leaf water is caused by larger stomatal pores and lower densities compared with freshwater plants. First, we measured and compared pore size and density in mangroves, transitional and freshwater species in South Florida. We pooled this data with other reports encompassing 14 mangrove species and 134 freshwater species and tested for differences in pore size and density between mangroves and freshwater plants. Second, we built artificial leaves having different pore size and density and determined whether there were isotopic differences in their water after transpiration. Both the local survey and pooled data showed that mangrove leaves have significantly larger stomatal pores with lower densities compared with freshwater plants. Isotope enrichment of water from artificial leaves having larger less dense pores was lower than those having smaller and denser pores. Stomatal pore size and density has an effect on leaf water isotopic enrichment amongst other factors. Pore size and density probably affects key components of the Peclet ratio such as the distance advective flow of water must travel to the evaporative surface and the cross-sectional area of advective flow. These components, in turn, affect leaf water isotopic enrichment. Results from the artificial leaf experiment also mimic a recent finding that effective path length scales to the inverse of transpiration in real leaves. The implications of these findings further our understanding of leaf water isotope ratios and are important in applications of stable isotopes in the study of paleoclimate and atmospheric processes.
HDAC2 as a new target to improve schizophrenia treatment.

One of the main characteristics of treatment of psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia and depression, is the chronic administration (weeks, months or even years) of therapeutic compounds. A ...
Growth of Aerobacter aerogenes on d-Arabinose: Origin of the Enzyme Activities

Mutants of Aerobacter aerogenes can be selected which are capable of utilizing d-arabinose as a sole source of carbon and energy for growth. Mutants can also be selected which are capable of using l-xylose. The mutational event permitting the utilization of d-arabinose results in the constitutive synthesis of certain enzymes of the l-fucose catabolic pathway. l-Fucose isomerase catalyzes the first reaction in the degradation of d-arabinose: the isomerization of d-arabinose to d-ribulose. No other type of mutation appears to be required to initiate growth on d-arabinose, and wild-type cells induced for the enzymes of the l-fucose catabolic pathway are capable of growth on d-arabinose. The first reaction in the catabolism of l-xylose, the isomerization of l-xylose to l-xylulose, also appears to be catalyzed by constitutively synthesized l-fucose isomerase.
Efficient Characterization of Collective Motions and Interresidue Correlations in Proteins by Low-Resolution Simulations†

A low-resolution model is used together with recently developed knowledge-based potentials for exploring the dynamics of proteins. Configurations are generated using a Monte Carlo/Metropolis scheme combined with a singular value decomposition technique (SVD). The approach is shown to characterize the cooperative motions in good detail, at least 1 order of magnitude faster than atomic simulations. Trajectories are partitioned into modes, and the slowest ones are analyzed to elucidate the dominant mechanism of collective motions. Calculations performed for bacteriophage T4 lysozyme, a two-domain enzyme, demonstrate that the structural elements within each domain are subject to strongly coupled motions, whereas the motions of the two domains with respect to each other are strongly anticorrelated. This type of motion, evidenced by the synchronous fluctuations of the domain centroids by up to (4.0 A in opposite directions, is comparable to the movements observed by recent spin-labeling experiments in solution. The potential of mean force governing these fluctuations is shown to be anharmonic. The ‚-sheet region at the N-terminal domain and the helix E in the C-terminal domain are identified as regions important for mediating cooperative motions and, in particular, for the opening and closing of the active-site cleft between the domains. Residues Leu66-Phe67 in the central helix C stop the propagation of correlated motions between the domains. There is a correlation between the groups involved in highly cooperative motions revealed by simulations and the highly protected regions during unfolding measured by pulsed H/D exchange and 2-D NMR.
MRI before reexcision surgery in patients with breast cancer.

OBJECTIVE. The aims of this study were to assess the diagnostic accuracy of MRI in evaluating patients for residual cancer, identify the prevalence of multicentric or multifocal disease, and evaluate the impact of MRI on surgical treatment planning.SUBJECTS AND METHODS. Of 101 potentially eligible patients, 80 candidates for breast conservation therapy who had primary breast cancer in 82 breasts diagnosed by excisional biopsy with close or positive margins were included in the study group. All patients underwent contrast-enhanced MRI before further surgery and subsequently underwent either reexcision lumpectomy or mastectomy with histopathologic correlation.RESULTS. Residual carcinoma, either invasive or in situ, was present in 59.8% of the breasts. The sensitivity and specificity of MRI for detecting residual disease were 61.2% and 69.7%, respectively. Twenty-three additional lesions distant from the biopsy site were identified in 19 breasts, and 18 suspicious lesions underwent biopsy. Histology results ...
Two Psychological Defenses of Hobbes’s Claim Against the “Fool”

A striking feature of Thomas Hobbes’s account of political obligation is his discussion of the Fool, who thinks it reasonable to adopt a policy of selective, self-interested covenant breaking. Surprisingly, scholars have paid little attention to the potential of a psychological defense of Hobbes’s controversial claim that the Fool behaves irrationally. In this paper, I first describe Hobbes’s account of the Fool and argue that the kind of Fool most worth considering is the covert, long-term Fool. Then I advance and critically assess two psychological arguments according to which the Fool’s policy of self-interested covenant breaking is prudentially irrational. The first argument holds that, taken together, the deep guilt from early-stage covenant breaking, the cumulative guilt from continued covenant breaking, and the high statistical risk of detection during high-volume covenant breaking (which increases greatly when one is desensitized to guilt) render the Fool’s policy irrational. The second argument holds that the Fool’s policy is irrational because it puts him at risk of adopting a psychologically intolerable view of his fellow covenanters and, specifically, the extent to which they can be trusted.
Insecta, Ephemeroptera: new and additional records from New York (U.S.A.)

Jacobus and McCafferty (2001b) listed 173 species of mayflies from New York, including 42 new state species records, of which 170 were considered valid taxa. Herein, we augment that list with nine new state species records (indicated by an asterisk, "*") and new collection data for species seldomly reported from the state. We also note recent changes to the taxonomy of New York Ephemeroptera and note other necessary emendations to the list of species records.
Publics’ emotional responses expressed in different clusters of corporate crises

Emotion is one of the most important indicators of the stakeholders’ interpretation of crisis situation; however, little research has paid enough attention to how publics experience different types of emotions in different crisis clusters. The purpose of this study is to investigate how publics’ emotional responses vary in three different crisis clusters: victim cluster, accidental cluster and preventable cluster. A content analysis of 1,800 publics’ postings to nine crisis cases (three cases in each crisis cluster) posted on these nine organizations’ official Facebook pages or official websites reveals that publics feel a range of different emotions in crisis situations, including anger, anxiety, fright, sadness, sympathy, disappointment, alertness and gratefulness. In addition, different primary emotions are expressed by publics in three different crisis clusters. Anger is the dominant emotion in preventable crisis, and also is the most frequently expressed emotion in accidental crisis. However, in victim crisis cases, sadness is the most frequently expressed emotion by publics. Overall, the findings indicate the significant role of public’s emotional response in a crisis. Also, the findings demonstrate a potential for developing an effective corporate response strategy in a given crisis situation, considering the crisis cluster and publics’ emotional response.
Industrial Leadership

Everyone, at some point in life, is asked to choose between two different, sometimes opposing, points of view. The measure of leadership is how well you navigate this dilemma. The Web extra at http://youtu.be/m7pz1xITxD4 is an audio recording of author David Alan Grier expanding on his Errant Hashtag column, in which he talks about how everyone, at some point in life, is asked to choose between two different, sometimes opposing, points of view. The measure of leadership is how well you navigate this dilemma.
Toxicity of Selected Insecticides to Two Laboratory Strains of Insecticide-Resistant Diamondback Moth (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) from Central Florida

Topical application and leaf residue bioassays were done to determine the toxicity of selected insecticides to two laboratory strains (A and B) of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.), from central Florida. Both strains were started in the spring of 1987 with individuals from a field population. Strain A was isolated before insecticide application. Strain B was isolated after five weekly applications of fenvalerate. Both strains were maintained in the laboratory for 27 (strain B) and 29 (strain A) generations without exposure to insecticides. Results indicated that strain B was 38.3 times more resistant to fenvalerate than strain A based on topical application, but leaf residue bioassays indicated no difference. The toxicities of chlorpyrifos and methamidophos were similar in both strains based on topical application. Leaf residue bioassays with concentrations of insecticides representing field rates indicated both strains were resistant to fenvalerate and methomyl but were susceptible to chlorpyrifos, acephate, endosulfan, and thiodicarb.
Humanism and the Lutheran Tradition: A Case Study

What has Jerusalem to do with Athens, the Church with the Academy, the Christian with the heretic?"1 Tertullian's oft quoted question was part of his attempt to show the folly of the philosophical approach of the Gnostics. While it is, no doubt, possible to take Tertullian's question out of the context of his attempt to refute those whom he regarded as heretics and so invest it with a meaning that he did not intend it to have, his query does point in a general way to a persistent issue in Chris tian history: the relationship between Christians and the catego ries and structures of their society. In H. Richard Niebuhr's terminology, it is the relationship between Christ and culture.2 Tertullian's answer to his question—it amounted to a "little or nothing"—has found echoes in individuals and groups down through the centuries. Other answers have been more positive in tone.3 One of the areas in which some of the tensions inherent in the relationship have at times come to a focus is that of education. Two examples might be mentioned. Will Herberg has noted that some Puritan leaders were disturbed by the prominence of the "pagan classics" at Harvard in that school's early years. Their dilemma resulted from the fact that "the Puritans were not only the apostles of the Reformation, but also the heirs of medieval scholasticism and the humanistic Renaissance." The problem, according to Herberg, was that "whereas the purpose
Acute Toxicity for Mice of Phthalic Acid and Certain Derivatives.

SummaryThe L.D. 50 doses for the mice used are as follows: Phthalic acid, 0.011 g; sodium phthalate, 0.042 g; dimethyl phthalate, 0.05 ml; dibutyl phthalate, 0.11 ml; and dioctanol 2 phthalate, 0.92 ml. Compared to phthalic acid, the L.D. 50s of the compounds are as follows: Phthalic acid, 1, sodium phthalate, 4; dimethyl phthalate, 5; dibutyl phthalate, 10; dioctanol 2 phthalate, 84.
Key role for constitutive cyclooxygenase-2 of MDCK cells in basal signaling and response to released ATP.

Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells release ATP upon mechanical or biochemical activation, initiating P2Y receptor signaling that regulates basal levels of multiple second messengers, including ...
Point-of-Care Ultrasound Diagnosis of Left-Sided Endocarditis.

A 56-year-old male presented to the emergency department (ED) with fatigue, generalized weakness, cough without hemoptysis or dyspnea, occasional fever, night sweats, dark stools, and weight loss for months. Physical exam revealed a cachectic gentleman with bilateral distal pitting edema. Cardiac and respiratory exams revealed no adventitious sounds. Stool guaiac was negative for blood. Complete blood count revealed mild anemia without leukocytosis, and chest radiograph showed cardiomegaly with left pleural effusions. Initial providers were most concerned for malignancy, although differential included tuberculosis or endocarditis. Given the reassuring exam and chronicity of symptoms, initial disposition plan was discharge with close follow up for malignancy evaluation. With the consideration of endocarditis, a point-of-care cardiac ultrasound was performed revealing a mobile mass on the aortic valve and an irregular mitral valve (Video). After blood cultures and broad-spectrum antibiotics, the patient was admitted. Transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE), demonstrated vegetations on the mitral and aortic valves. Blood cultures grew enterococcus. The patient underwent mitral and aortic valve replacements without complications and was discharged home. Infective endocarditis (IE) is an uncommon disease and a challenging diagnosis to make in the ED. Symptoms are nonspecific, murmurs can be difficult to auscultate, and skin manifestations are rare. Though transesophageal echocardiogram is the most sensitive modality for evaluation of suspected IE, it is not available in most EDs. TTE only has sensitivity of 50–70%; however, larger lesions (>10mm) have a sensitivity of 84%.1 Vegetations are mobile, irregularly shaped structures usually on the upstream side of valves, with motion irrespective of valve. Differential includes myxomatous process, tumors, thrombi, or imaging artifact.2 Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has been reported to diagnose both right- and left-sided IE.3,4 Though not definitive, POCUS can dramatically change disposition and expedite care in patients for whom emergency physicians are considering IE.
Analysis on epidemic situation and impact factors of drug-resistant tuberculosis in Zhenjiang city

Objective To understand the epidemic situation and impact factors of drug-resistant tuberculosis in Zhenjiang City, and to provide the reference and basis for prevention and control strategy of drug-resistant tuberculosis. Methods According to WHO/IUATl D guidelines for anti-tuberculosis drug resistance surveillance, sampling and anti-tuberculosis drug resistance surveillance were conducted, questionnaires were filled up by monitored cases and the results were analyzed by SPSS13.0. Results The total drug resistance rate was 41.7%, among them initial drug resistance rate was 31.1% and acquired drug resistance rate was 56.3%.Single factor analysis showed that the family income of less than 4 200 yuan per year, retreatment cases at private clinic, private hospital or any other similar hospital, use of anti-TB drugs because of other disease before were associated with any drug resistance.The multivariate logistic regression model showed that cases retreatment at private hospital or individual clinic hospital were associated with any drug resistance(OR=1.95, 95%CI: 1.139-3.336). Conclusion The epidemic situation of any drug resistance would be controlled with good methods of centralized manage.
Human Resources Strategy Plan of the Public Hospital Based on Snell Model

The traditional personnel management in the public hospital is becoming more and more unsuitable to meet the needs of the new situation.Firstly,the problems of personnel management in the public hospitals are analyzed,then the Snell model theory is applied to classify human resources of public hospitals and to make the corresponding strategies.
Breast cancer patient access to social work

SummaryThis study was conducted to understand the impact of oncology social work office location on breast cancer patients’ access and utilization of social work services. It also explored the current status of oncology social work offices and the perceptions among Association of Oncology Social Work Listserv members. The frequency and types of interventions and referral time were determined retrospectively. Association of Oncology Social Work Listserv members were surveyed.FindingsFrom 461 new breast cancer patient charts, 52 were referred to social work during study period. Face-to-face interventions decreased by 0.8 contact (p = .0221) and telephone interventions increased by 1.8 contacts (p = .0293) after social work office was relocated away from clinical area. Referral time to social work services decreased unexpectedly by 14.5 days (p = .076) after office relocation. Association of Oncology Social Work Listserv survey results identify an office location as possible barrier, though most respondents ...
Heterogeneous Datasets Representation and Learning using Diffusion Maps and Laplacian Pyramids.

The diffusion maps together with the geometric harmonics provide a method for describing the geometry of high dimensional data and for extending these descriptions to new data points and to functions, which are defined on the data. This method suffers from two limitations. First, even though real-life data is often heterogeneous , the assumption in diffusion maps is that the attributes of the processed dataset are comparable. Second, application of the geometric harmonics requires careful setting for the correct extension scale and condition number. In this paper, we propose a method for representing and learning heterogeneous datasets by using diffusion maps for unifying and embedding heterogeneous dataset and by replacing the geometric harmonics with the Laplacian pyramid extension. Experimental results on three benchmark datasets demonstrate how the learning process becomes straightforward when the constructed representation smoothly parameterizes the task-related function.
Rubeosis Iridis: Preoperative Iris Fluorescein Angiography and Periocular Steroids

To study the risk of developing rubeosis iridis following vitrectomy, the use of preoperative iris fluorescein angiography was prospectively investigated on patients with diabetes mellitus, without any clinically detectable iris or angle neovascularization. With increasing severity of fluorescein leakage, the risk of iris neovascularization with or without glaucoma, six months after vitreous surgery, is significantly increased. It was also determined whether postoperative steroid therapy (periocular triamcinolone acetonide and topical prednisolone phosphate) reduces the risk of developing iris neovascularization after vitrectomy. Controlled and treated patient eyes did not differ significantly in the degree of rubeosis. However, neovascular glaucoma statistically occurred more frequently in the nonsteroid group.
Does Learner Control Affect Learning

Many intelligent tutoring systems permit some degree of learner control. A natural question is whether the increased student engagement and motivation such control provides results in additional student learning. This paper uses a novel approach, learning decomposition, to investigate whether students do in fact learn more from a story they select to read than from a story the tutor selects for them. By analyzing 346 students reading approximately 6.9 million words, we have found that students learn approximately 25% more in stories they choose to read, even though from a purely pedagogical standpoint such stories may not be as appropriate as those chosen by the computer. Furthermore, we found that (for our instantiation of learner control) younger students may derive less benefit from learner control than older students, and girls derive less benefit than boys.
Ex-Vivo Expansion and mRNA Transfection of Cord Blood Derived Natural Killer Cells with Preserved Cytotoxicity.

Natural Killer (NK) cell-mediated cytotoxicity can control leukemia relapse while protecting patients from graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after allogeneic stem cell transplant. Cord blood (CB) is rich in NK cells with similar properties of proliferation and cytotoxicity as adult blood NK cells. Hence these cells are attractive for developing strategies to eliminate residual disease after cord blood transplant. In this study, CB mononuclear cells were cryopreserved after CD3 depletion performed by immunomagnetic microbead selection (Miltenyi Biotec, Auburn, CA). After thawing, cells were plated for NK expansion, with or without a feeder layer of irradiated cord mesenchymal (UCM) cells either from the same (autologous) or from an unrelated (allogeneic) cord donor, with or without IL-2 (1000 IU/ml), IL-15 (10 ng/ml), IL-3 (10ng/ml) and Flt3 (10ng/ml). At a median of 19 days of culture (range 14–21), there was significantly higher expansion (range 3.5–72 fold) of CD56+/CD3− cells with the UCM feeder layer and cytokines compared to controls (mean 21.2 ± 20.8 fold increase vs 1.6 ± 0.9 fold increase with feeder layer only and 1.8 ± 0.89 fold increase with cytokines only, p=0.039 and p=0.041 respectively). There was no significant difference in NK expansion between autologous and allogeneic UCM feeder layers (29.6 ± 26.8 vs. 12.8 ± 8.9 fold, p=0.243). Expanded CB-NK cells were then tested for cytotoxicity against K562 cells using a calorimetric assay with PKH67-GL. CB-NK cells expanded either with autologous or allogeneic UCM feeder layers displayed enhanced cytotoxicity compared to controls plated with cytokines only (91.78±0.7% vs. 82.5±1.8%, p=0.003 and 89±2.3% vs. 83.7±0.18%, p=0.056, respectively). In order to test whether expanded CB-NK cells can be transfected for ultimately targeting malignant cells, we electroporated expanded CB-NK cells with mRNA produced from plasmid GFP-DNA by in vitro transcription. Flow cytometry was used to detect viability, which was 94%, 92% and 93% for non-transfected, GFP-DNA and GFP-mRNA samples respectively. GFP-mRNA expression at 24 hours was significantly higher (range 36.6–50.8%, mean 42.8±5.2%) compared GFP-cDNA controls (mean 4.2±0.35%, p<0.001). Mean GFP-mRNA expression was 35%, 31% and 16.5% at 48, 72 and 144 hours respectively. In summary, CB-NK cells can be effectively expanded with a feeder layer of UCM cells while preserving cytotoxicity and can also be genetically modified by mRNA transfection.
Burst-mode asynchronous controller implementation on FPG using relative timing

A new methodology for the design of glitch free burst-mode asynchronous controllers on FPGAs is presented. The approach is based on relative timing, which enables timing driven asynchronous design. On ASICs, relative timing based asynchronous designs have achieved notable benefits in terms of power, performance and area, when compared to their synchronous counterparts. This paper adopts the relative timing based design methodology on FPGAs and presents a methodology to extract and map timing constraints to guarantee correct operation. The method presented in this paper can be used to implement a wide variety of burst-mode controllers, across various FPGAs. This will form the foundation for seamless ASIC prototyping of asynchronous designs on FPGAs as well as implementation of low power asynchronous designs on FPGAs.
The distinctive histopathology of hydralazine-associated ANCA positive vasculitis: in vivo demonstration of NETosis.

The least common variant of drug-induced vasculitis occurs within the context of anti-neutrophilic cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-mediated small-vessel vasculitis; the implicated drugs include minocycline, the TNF alpha inhibitors, as well as carbimazole [1, 2]. The mechanisms of ANCA+ vasculitis are complex but a component of the vascular injury represents at least one mechanism mediated by antibodies targeting antigens, namely intracytoplasmic neutrophil granules containing myeloperoxidase (MPO) [...]
Small signal modeling and transient analysis of a Trans quasi-Z-source inverter

Abstract This paper proposes, analyses and validates, both computationally and experimentally, an AC small signal model for a Trans quasi-Z-source inverter working in continuous conduction mode (CCM). For the implementation of the small-signal model, the dynamics of the particular Trans-qZSI network components have been considered. The presented AC small signal model is used for a detailed analysis of the performance of the Trans-qZSI topology, involving various aspects; a parametric study of the influence of the passive components on the dynamic response of the Z network, as well as the influence of their associated losses. Duty cycle and load variations are studied too, for Z topology operating point performance analysis. The AC small-signal model is then used to design a compensator for a closed-loop control scheme. Computer simulation results are presented to validate the model and the control method, comparing PSIM Trans-qZSI detailed simulations to the MATLAB derived results. Finally, experimental validation is achieved for the AC model in a low-medium power Trans-qZSI design, both in time and frequency domain. According to experimental results analysis, a snubber circuit is designed too, for the converter.
Allocating Organs to Cognitively Impaired Patients

Should patients’ cognitive function be weighed in the allocation of organs? This debate raises important questions, from the ethics of making judgments regarding others’ quality of life to the science of cognitive impairment’s effect on post-transplantation survival.
Going Beyond the Existing Consensus: The Use of Games in International Relations Education

Despite the popularity of using games to teach international relations, few works directly assess their effectiveness. Furthermore, it is unclear if games help all students equally, or if certain students are more likely to benefit than others. Finally, how closely the game must mirror the concept being taught to be an effective pedagogical tool has received scant attention. We address these points by discussing the use of an updated version of the classic American election game, Consensus, to help illustrate the role of domestic political coalitions in an international political economy course. Assessing the performance of 39 students via a pre- and post-quiz, we find that student performance improved overall, particularly among frequent gamers.
Bioenergy Economics and Policy in US and Brazil: Effects on Land Use and Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Biofuel production expanded dramatically in the US and Brazil in the last decade but has begun to plateau. The accompanying increase in prices of food crops and its potential to lead to land use changes has led to skepticism about the greenhouse gas mitigation potential of biofuels. Chapters in this book discuss the policy and market drivers for biofuel production and the conceptual and empirical issues in assessing the greenhouse gas intensity of biofuels. Models used to quantify the greenhouse gas impact of biofuels are described. Lastly, the economic considerations that will drive adoption of second generation biofuels from cellulosic feedstocks and their implications for the design of contracts and a supply chain for biomass are discussed.
Accelerated losses of protected forests from gold mining in the Peruvian Amazon

Gold mining in Amazonia involves forest removal, soil excavation, and the use of liquid mercury, which together pose a major threat to biodiversity, water quality, forest carbon stocks, and human health. Within the global biodiversity hotspot of Madre de Dios, Peru, gold mining has continued despite numerous 2012 government decrees and enforcement actions against it. Mining is now also thought to have entered federally protected areas, but the rates of miner encroachment are unknown. Here, we utilize high-resolution remote sensing to assess annual changes in gold mining extent from 1999 to 2016 throughout the Madre de Dios region, including the high-diversity Tambopata National Reserve and buffer zone. Regionally, gold mining-related losses of forest averaged 4437 ha yr−1. A temporary downward inflection in the annual growth rate of mining-related forest loss following 2012 government action was followed by a near doubling of the deforestation rate from mining in 2013–2014. The total estimated area of gold mining throughout the region increased about 40% between 2012 and 2016, including in the Tambopata National Reserve. Our results reveal an urgent need for more socio-environmental effort and law enforcement action to combat illegal gold mining in the Peruvian Amazon.
Higher-order low-energy theorems for nucleon Compton scattering

The well-known zero- and first-order (in photon energy) low-energy theorems for nucleon Compton scattering have recently been derived by Abarbanel and Goldberger using only the physical helicity amplitudes for the process and exploiting their kinematical singularities and zeros. We use this approach to study higher-order terms in photon energy and find the result, not entirely new, that four of the six independent helicity amplitudes are determined in second order by the mass, charge, and magnetic moment of the nucleon. Therefore, these parameters together with two structure-dependent constants, which can be interpreted approximately as electric and magnetic polarizabilities, completely determine the Compton scattering to second order in energy. Similar simplifications occurring in the structure of higher-order terms in energy are also discussed. The kinematical singularity structure of helicity amplitudes is a manifestation of Lorentz invariance. We claim to have fully exploited the requirements of Lorentz invariance and therefore to have derived the complete set of low-energy theorems for this process.
Relation of Mouse Specific-Locus Tests to Other Mutagenicity Tests and to Risk Estimation

Several years ago, when concern over the possible human genetic hazards from chemicals was first becoming widespread in the scientific community, markedly different views of possible risk were being expressed. At one extreme, there were predictions that, because detoxification systems in mammals are so effective, noxious chemicals would be prevented from reaching the gonads, or the genes in the germ cells, and would therefore present much less risk to the human population than penetrating ionizing radiation. At the other extreme, there were calculations, based on the mutagenic effects of caffeine in lower organisms, that coffee consumption alone could be causing a vastly greater genetic hazard than that from the total exposure to ionizing radiation.
CT-Guided Percutaneous Needle Biopsy of Retroperitoneal and Pelvic Lymphadenopathy: Assessment of Technique, Diagnostic Yield, and Clinical Value.

Abstract Purpose To assess the technical success rate, diagnostic yield, and clinical value of computed tomography (CT)–guided percutaneous needle biopsy (PNB) for retroperitoneal and pelvic lymphadenopathy. Materials and Methods This retrospective study included 344 patients evaluated for safety and technique and 334 patients evaluated for diagnostic yield and clinical analyses. PNBs were performed with fine-needle aspiration (FNA) in 315 patients and with core biopsy in 333 patients. Follow-up analyses, including repeat biopsy, open surgery, imaging, and clinical indicators, were conducted for 94 patients who had nonspecific malignant or benign results. Diagnostic yields were calculated based on biopsy and follow-up results. Factors associated with final diagnoses were compared and modeled by multivariate analysis. Results Technical success rate was 99.7%. Thirty-nine patients (11.3%) had minor complications. From biopsy results and follow-up analyses, final malignant diagnoses were determined for 281 patients (84.1%). Overall sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy rates of PNB were 91.5%, 100%, and 92.8%, respectively. For patients with a history of malignancy, the likelihood of nodal involvement was 84.6% and that of a new, different malignancy was 3.7%. Older age (odds ratio [OR], 1.03; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00–1.05), history of malignancy (OR, 3.44; 95% CI, 1.71–6.92), multiple lymph nodes (LNs; OR, 2.65; 95% CI, 1.38–5.09), and new or enlarging LNs (OR, 2.62; 95% CI, 1.25–5.48) were independent risk factors for malignancy diagnosis. Conclusions CT-guided PNB is a safe, effective procedure that can achieve high diagnostic yields for patients with retroperitoneal and pelvic lymphadenopathy.
Burning questions about ecosystems

Cumulative wildfires or prescribed burning produce different outcomes for the vegetation, suggest two long-term analyses of fire-affected ecosystems. Climate change and land management practices are altering how ecosystems function.
Preparing communication design students as facilitators: a primer for rethinking coursework in project management

Building from previous work by Lauren and Schreiber (2017) and research individually conducted by the author (Lauren, 2018), this brief teaching case provides a rationale for coursework in project management that draws from experiential learning to teach facilitation. The case begins by providing a research context for how communication designers are increasingly focused on practices of facilitation in their work, particularly in fast-paced, distributed work environments. The case presents two metaphors (gardening and cooking) for helping students think about facilitation techniques. Then, the article describes a project management course that emphasizes the importance of facilitation in classroom exercises and major assignments by developing skills in three foundational areas: improvisation, document design, and systems design. Each area is described with examples to help instructors of project management adapt or use similar approaches at their own unique institutional, programmatic, and classroom contexts. The article concludes with four suggestions, such as partnering with industry practitioners and arranging site visits to see project management in action. As well, the concluding suggestions explain recent iterations of the course's design.