cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An approach and tools to automate externalization of application logic

Externalization of application logic from application objects has become pervasive in its use in many system, business and application components. Implementation of such systems typically focuses on the use of rules and rule engines, and has typically been closely integrated with the application objects themselves and application source code needs to be modified to include decision points to externalize the logic. This puts a burden on the developers if the application contains a large number of decision points. The problem is compounded by legacy applications where source code is not available and therefore it is virtually impossible to modify the application source code to include the decision points. This has limited the potential use of application logic externalization methodology. In this report, we will describe an approach and tools to automate the process of externalizing application logic for applications without modifying source code.
Obesity and prostate cancer screening among African-American and Caucasian men.

BACKGROUND Differential prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing practices according to obesity-related comorbid conditions may contribute to inconsistent results in studies of obesity and prostate cancer. We investigated the relationship between obesity and PSA testing, and evaluated the role of prior diagnoses and disease screening on PSA testing patterns. METHODS Men, 40 and 79 years old and without prior prostate cancer were recruited from 25 health centers in the Southern US (n = 11,558, 85% African-American). An extensive in-person interview measured medical and other characteristics of study participants, including PSA test histories, weight, height, demographics, and disease history. Odds ratios (OR) and (95% confidence intervals) from logistic regression summarized the body mass index (BMI) and PSA test association while adjusting for socio-economic status (SES). RESULTS BMI between 25 and 40 was significantly associated with recent PSA testing (past 12 months) (OR25.0–29.9 = 1.23 (1.09, 1.39); OR30–34.9 = 1.36 (1.18, 1.57); OR35.0–39.9 = 1.44 (1.18, 1.76); OR≥40 = 1.15 (0.87, 1.51)). Prior severe disease diagnoses, such as heart disease, did not influence the obesity and PSA test association. However, adjustment for prior high blood pressure or high cholesterol diagnoses reduced the BMI-PSA testing associations. Physician PSA test recommendations were not associated with BMI, and results did not appreciably vary by race. CONCLUSIONS Overweight and obese men were preferentially PSA tested within the past 12 months. BMI was not associated with physician screening recommendations. Data suggest that clinical diagnoses related to obesity increase clinical encounters that lead to preferential selection of obese men for prostate cancer diagnosis. This detection effect may bias epidemiologic investigations of obesity and prostate cancer incidence. Prostate 66: 1371–1380, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
RNAi knockdown of a salivary transcript leading to lethality in the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum

Abstract Injection of siRNA (small interfering RNA) into parthenogenetic adult pea aphids (Acyrthosiphon pisum) is shown here to lead to depletion of a target salivary gland transcript. The siRNA was generated from double stranded RNA that covered most of the open reading frame of the transcript, which we have called Coo2. The Coo2 transcript level decreases dramatically over a 3-day period after injection of siRNA. With a lag of 1 to 2 days, the siCoo2-RNA injected insects died, on average 8 days before the death of control insects injected with siRNA for green fluorescent protein. It appears, therefore, that siRNA injections into adults will be a useful tool in studying the roles of individual transcripts in aphid salivary glands and suggests that siCoo2-RNA injections can be a useful positive control in such studies.
Temperature-dependent 780-nm laser absorption by engineering grade aluminum, titanium, and steel alloy surfaces

The modeling of laser interaction with metals for various applications requires a knowledge of absorption coefficients for real, commercially available materials with engineering grade (unpolished, oxidized) surfaces. However, most currently available absorptivity data pertain to pure metals with polished surfaces or vacuum-deposited thin films in controlled atmospheres. A simple laboratory setup is developed for the direct calorimetric absorptivity measurements using a diode-array laser emitting at 780 nm. A scheme eliminating the effect of convective and radiative losses is implemented. The obtained absorptivity results differ considerably from existing data for polished pure metals and are essential for the development of predictive laser-material interaction models.
Acclimation Effects and Separate Opinion Writing in the U.S. Courts of Appeals

Objective. This article investigates the existence of a freshman effect on separate opinion authorship on the U.S. Courts of Appeals. First, we evaluate the extent to which freshman judges demonstrate unique behavior with respect to writing concurring and dissenting opinions. Second, we examine the potential for background factors to condition any freshman effect. Methods. Individual judges' decisions to author separate opinions, drawn from the Courts of Appeals Database (1960 to 1988), are modeled as a function of a host of individual- and circuit-level factors, including the freshman status of the judge. Results. After controlling for alternative explanations, we find that freshman judges on the courts of appeals are less likely to author concurring and dissenting opinions. Prior federal or appellate court experience, however, does not appear to condition the freshman effect. Conclusion. Freshman circuit court judges experience significant acclimation effects following their elevation to the federal appellate bench.
Long-term effects of a community-based lifestyle intervention to prevent type 2 diabetes: the DEPLOY extension pilot study

Objective: The US Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) and other large trials internationally have shown that an intensive lifestyle intervention can reduce the development of type 2 diabetes. We eval...
Transcatheter Potts shunt: an innovative IDEA.

IDEA, an acronym for Investigate, Design, Execute, and Adjust, enumerates universal common principles of the learning cycle that lead to successful innovations. Innovation starts with a question, which generates an investigation and information-gathering effort. How can I do that better? That leads to the definition of a problem to be analyzed and solved. The search for possible answers to your question entails generating ideas, solutions, and corrective measures. By experimenting with one or more of the solutions, the most appropriate and effective process and outcome is discovered. One reflects on their own experiments, observing their own thinking and actions. How well did that work? This in turn stimulates further questions, commencing the IDEA and the learning cycle again. This issue of the Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation includes a report of an innovative procedure, a transcatheter Potts shunt, created for rescue of severe right ventricular failure in the setting of refractory pulmonary hypertension. Using the IDEA loop, the authors developed a systematic innovation using a fast learning cycle of piloting, prototyping, and testing a first-in-human transcatheter Potts shunt. In subsequent studies, they will continuously adjust the procedure and outcomes while improving the design of this technique. Pulmonary arterial hypertension continues to portray a poor prognosis despite a decade of explosive therapeutic advances that have extended life and made it more meaningful in these patients. Yet, the stages in which therapy is used are generally advanced, and even multiple pharmacologic treatments eventually are exhausted. Progressive right ventricular failure leads to frequent decompensation, and life expectancy in such individuals is measured in days and weeks, a clinically frustrating and often ‘‘optionless’’ situation.
Measuring pain presence and intensity in nursing home residents.

Objectives To examine the extent of agreement between nursing home residents’ (or their proxies’) reports of pain presence and intensity as derived from an interview questionnaire and the Minimum Data Set (MDS) nearest to the interview date. Design Cross-sectional comparison of the 2 data sources on pain measurements. Setting Nursing homes included in evaluation projects of EverCare program and Minnesota Senior Health Options. Participants Nursing home residents (n = 3100) were grouped based on the type of respondent answering the interview questionnaire: resident, family proxy, or staff proxy. Measurements We used kappa statistics and multinomial logit regression to examine agreement between the interview questionnaire and the MDS on pain presence and intensity. Results Presence of pain was reported 1.3 to 1.8 times more often on the questionnaire, depending on the respondent group. Agreement on the presence of pain was slight to fair (kappa = 0.17 to 0.28) between the MDS and the questionnaire. There was slight agreement on pain intensity (kappa = 0.13 to 0.18). The family proxy respondent group showed the largest discrepancy between questionnaire and the MDS in reporting of pain presence and intensity. The staff proxy respondent group had better agreement on pain intensity than did the other respondent groups, but it achieved only slight agreement (kappa = 0.18). Conclusions Detecting and quantifying pain in nursing home residents is complex. Pain information is best obtained directly from residents; observations should be standardized. The MDS should be revised accordingly.
An Example of the Role of Basic Science Research to Inform the Treatment of Unilateral Vocal Fold Paralysis

An alternative and complementary approach to randomized trials or other clinical research in unilateral vocal fold paralysis is to use basic science research in animal models to answer the followin...
Tub Bathing Improves Thermoregulation of the Late Preterm Infant

ABSTRACT Objective To compare body temperature of the late preterm infant after 24 hours of life at three time points before and after immersion tub bathing or sponge bathing. We hypothesized that late preterm infants achieve significantly improved thermoregulation when bathed by immersion tub bath compared to traditional sponge bathing. Design This study was a randomized controlled trial. Setting A large metropolitan teaching hospital in the northeastern United States. Population Late preterm infants (100) born between 35 and 36 6/7 weeks gestation, bathed in the well‐baby nursery of a 30‐bed mother/baby unit. Methods Infant participants were identified and informed consent was obtained from the parent. Infants were randomized into two groups: 50 bathed by sponge and 50 bathed by immersion tub. Infant body temperature was measured at three time points: 10 minutes prior to bathing, 10 minutes following bathing, and 30 minutes following bathing. Results Infants who were tub bathed experienced significantly less variability in body temperature and overall were warmer 10 minutes and 30 minutes following the bath compared to infants who were sponge bathed ( p = .024). Conclusion The study findings support the hypothesis that late preterm infants who are tub bathed experience significantly less body temperature variability and an overall higher body temperature following the bathing procedure.
A New Method with Flexible and Balanced Control of False Negatives and False Positives for Hit Selection in RNA Interference High-Throughput Screening Assays

The z-score method and its variants for testing mean difference are commonly used for hit selection in high-throughput screening (HTS) assays. Strictly standardized mean difference (SSMD) offers a way to measure and classify the short interfering RNA (siRNA) effects. In this article, based on SSMD, the authors propose a new testing method for hit selection in RNA interference (RNAi) HTS assays. This SSMD-based method allows the differentiation between siRNAs with large and small effects on the assay output and maintains flexible and balanced control of both the false-negative rate, in which the siRNAs with strong effects are not selected as hits, and the restricted false-positive rate, in which the siRNAs with weak or no effects are selected as hits. This method directly addresses the size of siRNA effects represented by the strength of difference between an siRNA and a negative reference, whereas the classic z-score method and t-test of testing no mean difference address whether the mean of an siRNA is exactly the same as the mean of a negative reference. This method can readily control the false-negative rate, whereas it is nontrivial for the classic z-score method and t-test to control the false-negative rate. Therefore, theoretically, the SSMD-based method offers better control of the sizes of siRNA effects and the associated false-positive and false-negative rates than the commonly used z-score method and t-test for hit selection in HTS assays. The SSMD-based method should generally be applicable to any assay in which the end point is a difference in signal compared to a reference sample, including those for RNAi, receptor, enzyme, and cellular function.
Analysis of Distance-Based Location Management in Wireless Communication Networks

The performance of dynamic distance-based location management schemes (DBLMS) in wireless communication networks is analyzed. A Markov chain is developed as a mobility model to describe the movement of a mobile terminal in 2D cellular structures. The paging area residence time is characterized for arbitrary cell residence time by using the Markov chain. The expected number of paging area boundary crossings and the cost of the distance-based location update method are analyzed by using the classical renewal theory for two different call handling models. For the call plus location update model, two cases are considered. In the first case, the intercall time has an arbitrary distribution and the cell residence time has an exponential distribution. In the second case, the intercall time has a hyper-Erlang distribution and the cell residence time has an arbitrary distribution. For the call without location update model, both intercall time and cell residence time can have arbitrary distributions. Our analysis makes it possible to find the optimal distance threshold that minimizes the total cost of location management in a DBLMS.
Optical CDMA Code Collision and Translation Performance Analysis

This paper presents the performance analysis of a code translation (conversion) module for an optical code-division multiple access (O-CDMA) local area network (LAN) system. Simulation results are presented for a code re-using system with two LANs connected by a central router. The same set of codes is being used in each of the two LANs. Code collisions occur at the router when a code in use in one LAN clashes with a message from the other LAN at the same code. A model is developed to simulate the system and to measure the performance characteristics. The simulations indicate that throughput can be increased at least by 20% using a code translation scheme. Furthermore, the network with given number of codes can support twice as many users for the same percentage of code collisions whenever a code translation scheme is employed.
Stratified laminar flow in ducts of arbitrary shape

A method of analysis is presented for determining closed-form solutions for two-component stratified laminar flow in horizontal ducts of arbitrary cross section. It is demonstrated that the method is remarkably easy to apply and produces results of high accuracy. As an application, solutions are obtained for stratified flow in a circular tube. The results are compared with various limiting cases and excellent agreement is found to exist. Among the limiting cases, an exact solution was derived by Green's functions for the problem in which the interface between the flow components is situated at the horizontal diametral plane.
Rapidly mixing random walks on hypercubes with application to dynamic tree evolution

In many tree-structured parallel computations, the size and shape of a tree that represents a parallel computation is unpredictable at compile-time. The tree evolves gradually during the course of the computation. When such an application is executed on a static network, the dynamic tree evolution problem is to distribute the tree nodes to the processors of the network such that all the processors receive roughly the same amount of load and that communicating nodes are assigned to neighboring processors. The main contribution of the paper is to describe a simple random-walk-based asymptotically optimal dynamic tree evolution algorithm on hypercubes and analyze the speed at which the performance ratio converges to the optimal. Our strategy is to prove that the Markov chain of the random walk on a hypercube is rapidly mixing.
Integrating Software Product Line Engineering and Agile Development

A software product line is a set of software-intensive systems sharing a common, managed set of features, developed from reusable core assets and incorporating variations to derive product variants. This involves identifying commonality and variability in the product family and implementing shared artifacts while preserving the ability to implement required variability. Software development organizations that recognize market opportunities for products that share a significant number of common elements, but that also exhibit variations, can reap significant economic benefits with SPLE. Agile methods emphasize improvisation over conventional development approaches. These methods focus on quick development in an uncertain, ill-understood environment in which requirements rapidly evolve. These methods also view people, rather than formal documentation, as a project's most important element.
Functional Interactions Between Sae2 and the Mre11 Complex

The Mre11 complex functions in double-strand break (DSB) repair, meiotic recombination, and DNA damage checkpoint pathways. Sae2 deficiency has opposing effects on the Mre11 complex. On one hand, it appears to impair Mre11 nuclease function in DNA repair and meiotic DSB processing, and on the other, Sae2 deficiency activates Mre11-complex-dependent DNA-damage-signaling via the Tel1–Mre11 complex (TM) pathway. We demonstrate that SAE2 overexpression blocks the TM pathway, suggesting that Sae2 antagonizes Mre11-complex checkpoint functions. To understand how Sae2 regulates the Mre11 complex, we screened for sae2 alleles that behaved as the null with respect to Mre11-complex checkpoint functions, but left nuclease function intact. Phenotypic characterization of these sae2 alleles suggests that Sae2 functions as a multimer and influences the substrate specificity of the Mre11 nuclease. We show that Sae2 oligomerizes independently of DNA damage and that oligomerization is required for its regulatory influence on the Mre11 nuclease and checkpoint functions.
Topographic distribution of inguinal lymph nodes metastasis: significance in determination of treatment margin for elective inguinal lymph nodes irradiation of low pelvic tumors

Abstract Purpose : To study the distribution of gross inguinal lymph node metastasis and, in particular, its correlation with major pelvic bony structures on a simulation film. Methods and Materials : Thirty-seven cases of low pelvic tumors having gross inguinal lymph node metastasis that were treated with radiation therapy between November 1987 and December 1992 were segregated for study. The patient's nodes were palpated and marked with lead wire before the simulation film was taken. The geometric center of the usually round or elliptical node on the film was assumed to be the origin of the previously uninfested node. A total of 84 such labeled nodes was obtained from these 37 cases. These centers were transferred to and mapped collectively on a new simulation film showing major pelvic bony structures of left hemipelvis and upper femur. Results : Distribution of gross inguinal lymph nodes was found confined to the following area, as related to major pelvic bony structure: laterally, just abutting the tangential line that passes through lateral border of the femoral head; medially: 3 cm away from the body's midline axis; superiorly: 1 cm below the line that joins both upper borders of the femoral head; inferiorly: 2.5 cm below the low borders of ischial tuberosity. According to this rectangular boundary, three nodes were out of field, nine nodes near the border less than 1 cm margin. This area adequately covered 86% (72 of 84) of the studied nodes. Conclusion : Distribution study is important in determining the treatment margin. In general, an additional 1–2 cm beyond the area described above is the recommended treatment margin for elective inguinal lymph nodes irradiation with high confidence level of coverage.
Sleuth : a domain based testing tool

Domain based testing (DBT) is a test generation method based on domain analysis and domain modeling. Domain models serve as a structure to generate tests. Domain based testing forms a family of test generation methods. Each member of the family defines a specialized domain analysis and a domain model for each problem domain or class of software. To demonstrate these principles, we define a domain analysis and domain model for systems with a command-language interface. The analysis exploits information from the command language, and the domain model stores syntax and semantic information needed for test case generation. The domain analysis for command-based systems is a part of the Test Generation Process Model. The paper also introduces an interactive test generation tool called Sleuth.
A pain in the ear: the radiology of otalgia.

Otalgia is ear pain. Ear disease causes primary otalgia. Secondary (referred) otalgia is referred to the ear from disease in structures remote from the ear. Otalgia, especially referred otalgia, can be a diagnostic challenge. The radiologic approach to a patient with otalgia relies on the physical examination. If the otoscopic findings are abnormal, the computed tomographic (CT) or magnetic resonance (MR) study focuses on the temporal bone. (The appropriate radiologic study depends on the disease.) The physical examination for ear pain includes the ear (auricle and temporal bone) and structures that are potential sources of referred pain. Imaging studies can show clinically occult temporal bone disease as well as sources of referred pain in the nasopharynx, retropharynx, paranasal sinuses and nasal cavity, temporomandibular joint (TMJ), parotid gland, oropharynx and oral cavity (including teeth), hypopharynx and larynx, thyroid gland, esophagus, and trachea. Tailoring a CT or MR study to evaluate primary or referred otalgia requires an understanding of the (admittedly complex) anatomy of ear pain.
False friends and false coinage: a tool for navigating the ethics of sociable robots

In this paper, an analogy that Aristotle drew between false friends and false coinage is leveraged to identify ethically important features of cases involving so-called sociable robots. The use of such robots to care for the elderly and disabled poses both benefits and costs. Although a uniform verdict on the ethical use of these robots is unlikely to be forthcoming, owing to the importance of context and wide array of variables that can influence assessment of a situation, progress can be made by using analogies from other domains. Such analogies can help identify relevant features of a given situation, in order to better evaluate the costs and benefits to patients, caregivers, and designers, thereby facilitating appropriately context-sensitive judgments.
Decision Focus, Action Orientation

Turning analysis into effective action is a hallmark of the professional. Preparation for professional life, therefore, should exercise students' skills in drawing out action insights from analysis. Analytic work is, by its nature, descriptive. The role of the teacher is to take it farther, to motivate students to extract the actionable insights. The verb, "educate," derives from a Greek verb meaning, "to draw out." It might be said that a complete education in Finance draws out the action insights from analysis. What makes this hard is that the teacher cannot do this for the students; they must do it themselves. Making decisions and developing action implications cannot be served up the way a teacher might derive a formula. Students must discover it themselves. To compound matters, one cannot trust that students will do this unprompted. While most students have an appetite for Finance tools and concepts, they show an aversion for decisions and action. Making meaning of one's work is hard, and feels awkward to the novice. One builds skills of decision and action taking through trial-and-error exercise. As the former CEO of Citicorp, Walter Wriston, once wrote, "Good judgment comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgment." To produce new professionals in business and finance, we need to exercise their skills in the classroom. This column offers suggestions for how to proceed.
The Anticancer Action of Lymphotoxin

Study of the mechanisms of natural immunity at the target cell level possessing the potential to prevent and intervene to modulate the development of carcinogenesis has identified lymphotoxin to be a major component (Evans et al., 1983). Lymphotoxin anticancer activities include: (1) cancer prevention measured by irreversible inhibition of chemical carcinogen or radiation transformation of syngeneic Syrian hamster cells in vitro (Evans and DiPaolo, 1981) or in a combined in vivo-in vitro transplacental carcinogenesis assay (Ransom et al., 1982b, 1983a); (2) cytostasis assessed by reversible growth inhibition of allogeneic or syngeneic tumor cells (Evans and Heinbaugh, 1981; Evans et al., 1983); (3) cytolysis indicated by radionuclide release from allogeneic or syngeneic tumor cells (Evans and Heinbaugh, 1981); and (4) cytoreductive stimulating activity demonstrated by enhanced sensitivity of lymphotoxin-treated tumor cells to natural killer cell cytolysis (Ransom and Evans, 1982, 1983).
A Bayesian Approach To Electrical ResistanceTomography Data Inversion

Electrical resistance tomography can be an effective tool to delineate contaminated subsurface zones and to monitor subsurface remediation processes, provided accurate electrical resistivity images are achieved. Solutions from traditional regularization inverse methods are often unsatisfactory due to deleterious effects of the regularization term. In this work, datasets are obtained from multiple ERT configurations and assimilated in a Bayesian framework. The parameters are inverted by maximizing the a posteriori density. A modified total variation function is used to form the prior estimate. A new approach, successive partial variation relaxation, is developed to successfully minimize the deleterious effect of the subjective (prior) information.
Evaluation of a Thermionic Ionization Detector for Selective Detection of Oxygenated Volatile Organic Compounds

Thermionic ionization detectors (TIDs) consist of a catalytically active, low work function, heated source. The detector responds to molecules with high electron affinity that can extract an electron from the surface of the source to form negative ions. They are used as selective detectors for nitrogen and phosphorus compounds. In this research, a TID is used for selective detection of oxygenated volatile organic compounds in the presence of other hydrocarbons. The effects of various TID operating parameters are studied.
Cellular uptake of albumin from lungs of anesthetized rabbits

Resolution of alveolar edema depends on clearance of serum protein, as well as liquid from the alveolar space. Protein clearance is slower than liquid clearance and may take days to weeks. Our earlier studies presented evidence for the importance of paracellular removal of soluble protein from the air spaces. However, long-term protein clearance may also depend on uptake by alveolar epithelial cells or macrophages. This study examined cellular uptake of soluble human albumin and insoluble colloidal gold-albumin from the lungs of anesthetized rabbits. Native albumin was endocytosed by both alveolar type I and type II cells and appeared in vesicles and endosomes. Neither cell type took up colloidal gold-albumin over periods as long as 8 h. Alveolar macrophages took up native albumin and colloidal gold-albumin to a greater extent and more rapidly than alveolar epithelial cells. The tracer proteins were found in vesicles, endosomes, and phagolysosomes. Similarly, cultured alveolar macrophages took up native albumin more rapidly than cultured type II cells. Thus macrophages may be important in clearing precipitated protein from the air spaces, and they may have a role in completing the clearance of soluble protein. The potential for transepithelial transport of soluble alveolar protein exists, but based on this work and our prior studies, it appears to be a low-capacity pathway.
Programmed cell death-Ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression and outcome in patients with squamous cell cancer of anal canal (SCCAC).

3523 Background: PD-L1 expression has been associated with worse prognosis in a variety of cancers. In anal carcinoma, the prevalence of PD-L1 positivity in tumor tissue is unknown. To evaluate the...
Examining the Moderating Role of Disposable Income on the Relationship of Consumer's Impulse Buying Behaviour and Visual Merchandizing: A Study on Fashion Merchandizing in Thailand

Buyer’s intentions are varied which can get impacted with visual contacts, stimulus interaction and perceptual interfaces. The current study has attempted to analyse the moderating role of disposable income on the relationship of visual merchandise and impulse buying behaviour of consumers. This has also intended to explore the relationships between Visual Marketing and Impulse Buying Behaviour. Being descriptive in nature the study has incorporated multiple regression and correlation analysis to test the presumptions. The statistical inferences have supported the presumptions which have further suggested the managerial implications.
Is Schooling a Consumer Good? A Case Against School Choice, But Not the One You Had in Mind

School choice theory rests on the assumption that K–12 education is a consumer good or service. The assumption is erroneous, because schooling is also a form of labor students perform for the benefit of society. Consequently, schools cannot benefit from competition the same way other industries do. However, public schooling’s current monopoly is indefensible, and alternative ways of creating an educational market should be considered.
Nonoperative management of atypical endometrial hyperplasia and grade 1 endometrial cancer with the levonorgestrel intrauterine device in medically ill post-menopausal women.

Abstract Objective To assess the endometrial response rates to treatment with the levonorgestrel intrauterine device in post-menopausal women with atypical hyperplasia/endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia and grade 1 endometrioid (AH/EC) endometrial carcinoma who are not surgical candidates. Methods Chart review was undertaken of patients with AH/EC who underwent levonorgestrel intrauterine device insertion by a gynecologic oncologist within two academic health systems between 2002 and 2013. When available, tissue blocks were evaluated with immunohistochemical staining for progesterone receptor expression. Results A total of 41 patients received treatment for AH/EC with the levonorgestrel intrauterine device. Follow up sufficient to assess response occurred in 36 women (88%). Complete response was documented in 18 of 36 women (50%), no response in 8 patients (22%), partial response in 3 women (8%) and progression of disease in 7 patients (19%). Four of 18 patients with complete response (22%) later experienced relapse of hyperplasia or cancer. Four patients (10%) died during the study period: none had evidence of metastatic disease and 1 of the 4 woman died of perioperative complications following hysterectomy for stage I disease. Patients responding to treatment had significantly lower progesterone receptor expression on post-treatment biopsies. Conclusions Intrauterine levonorgestrel is a viable treatment option for post-menopausal women with AH/EC who are poor candidates for standard surgical management. The response rate in this series is similar to published reports in premenopausal patients and includes cases of disease recurrence following conversion to benign endometrium.
Zinc-binding structure of a catalytic amyloid from solid-state NMR

Throughout biology, amyloids are key structures in both functional proteins and the end product of pathologic protein misfolding. Amyloids might also represent an early precursor in the evolution of life because of their small molecular size and their ability to self-purify and catalyze chemical reactions. They also provide attractive backbones for advanced materials. When β-strands of an amyloid are arranged parallel and in register, side chains from the same position of each chain align, facilitating metal chelation when the residues are good ligands such as histidine. High-resolution structures of metalloamyloids are needed to understand the molecular bases of metal-amyloid interactions. Here we combine solid-state NMR and structural bioinformatics to determine the structure of a zinc-bound metalloamyloid that catalyzes ester hydrolysis. The peptide forms amphiphilic parallel β-sheets that assemble into stacked bilayers with alternating hydrophobic and polar interfaces. The hydrophobic interface is stabilized by apolar side chains from adjacent sheets, whereas the hydrated polar interface houses the Zn2+-binding histidines with binding geometries unusual in proteins. Each Zn2+ has two bis-coordinated histidine ligands, which bridge adjacent strands to form an infinite metal-ligand chain along the fibril axis. A third histidine completes the protein ligand environment, leaving a free site on the Zn2+ for water activation. This structure defines a class of materials, which we call metal-peptide frameworks. The structure reveals a delicate interplay through which metal ions stabilize the amyloid structure, which in turn shapes the ligand geometry and catalytic reactivity of Zn2.
Human Breast Tumor Characterization on Post-Surgical Mastectomy Specimens Using Harmonic Motion Imaging (HMI)

Recently, we have shown that Harmonic Motion Imaging (HMI) can be used to differentiate relative stiffness and monitor HIFU ablations in small lumpectomy human breast specimens. The objective of this study is to apply HMI on post-surgical mastectomy breast specimen to mimic the in vivo environment and characterize tumor at different depth for better tumor localization and identification before and after HIFU treatment. 2D HMI displacement maps could be generated to map the induced peak-to-peak displacement covering the entire target area within two minutes indicating lower displacement in the tumor region and higher displacement in the peripheral tissue. A Student's paired t-test across all specimens showed a significant difference in the HMI displacement (P < 0.0001) between the tumor and the perilesional tissue. HMI was shown to successfully map the relative stiffness at variable depths in post-surgical human breast mastectomy specimens. This study therefore lays the foundation for upcoming clinical application of HMI on the breast for tumor detection and subsequent thermal ablative treatment.
Fracture Toughness and Tensile Behavior of Incoloy 908

Tensile properties of Incoloy® alloy 908* conduit material for the ITER Model Coil were determined at cryogenic temperatures (4 K, 77 K) and room temperature under two process conditions: (1) as received; and (2) compacted, bent, re-straightened, and heat treated for 650°C for 240 hours in vacuum. Fracture toughness for the two process conditions were also measured at room temperature and 4K by the single specimen J-integral test technique. J-integral results were interpreted by two standards, E 813–89 and E 813–81.
Psychiatric Disorders and Pregnancy

Publisher Summary Women are at great risk of developing psychiatric disorders during their reproductive years of life (between ages 18 and 45 years). Therefore, a large number of women may develop a new psychiatric illness or experience worsening of their existing psychiatric disorder during pregnancy or lactation. The two most common psychiatric disorders among women are depression and anxiety disorders. Other less prevalent psychiatric illnesses include schizophrenia, eating disorders, and bipolar disorders (BPD). In general, management of these psychiatric disorders during pregnancy poses a significant challenge to treating psychiatrists and successful treatment outcomes require familiarity with the course of these disorders during pregnancy and thorough knowledge of the potential effects of psychiatric medications on the fetus. Despite the fact that many patients with psychiatric disorders become pregnant while in treatment, most physicians feel uncomfortable treating these patients. This feeling of uneasiness stems from the fact that most psychiatric disorders deteriorate during pregnancy and our knowledge about the safety profile of psychiatric medications is very limited.
Myositis ossificans progressiva: Case report with metabolic and histochemical studies

Abstract A classic case of myositis ossificans progressiva is reported. Metabolic studies are in accord with others in that the calcium and phosphorus balance and parathyroid function are normal. Certain histochemical observations suggest that the muscular tissue is intrinsically altered prior to its invasion by connective tissue, an assumption further supported by electromyographic findings. This hypothesis is contrary to the prevailing opinion that the muscle tissue changes are secondary to the connective tissue reactions. Speculations are made as to the effect of these observations on the present theories of etiology.
Convergences urbaines: la ville dans les littératures africaines de l’Atlantique Noir

AbstractThe article analyzes how migration and city interact in six novels by African authors who not only write about but also from the Americas. I argue that the novels mediate the Africa-America...
Isoflurane does not further impair microvascular vasomotion in a rat model of subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Since isoflurane is known to attenuate endotheliumdependent dilation (EDD) in normal cerebral arterioles, we examined whether the anesthetic has a similar effect and further impairs EDD in vessels exposed to SAH. Autologous blood was introduced in the subarachnoid space and the parietal lobe harvested. Control animals were sacrificed without introduction of blood. The response of microvessies to the endothelium-dependent dilator adenosine diphosphate (ADP) 10−9–10−4 M, the endothelium-independent dilator nitroprusside 10−9–10−4 M, and ET-1 10−13–10−8 M was measured by videomicroscopy in the presence of 0–2 minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of isoflurane. Isoflurane attenuated EDD to ADP in control vessels [66 ± 5% (control) vs 27 ± 11% (2 MAC) dilation to ADP 10−4 M, P < 0.05], Although SAH was associated with reduced dilation to ADP exposure to isoflurane did not further impair dilation to ADP after SAH [26 ± 3% (SAH) vs 21 ± 5% (SAH/2 MAC) dilation to ADP 10−4 M,P = NS]. Dilation to nitroprusside was not affected by isoflurane or SAH. Constriction to ET-1 was reduced by 2 MAC ofisoflurane[21 ± 1% (control) vs 13 ± 5% (2 MAC) constriction to ET-1 10−8 M,P < 0.05], but not by I MAC of isoflurane in control vessels. Constriction to ET-1 was greatly attenuated by 1 or 2 MAC of isoflurane after SAH [32 ± 5% (SAH) vs 18 ± 4% (SAH/2 MAC) constriction to ET-1 10−8 M,P < 0.05], In rats, isoflurane does not further impair EDD after SAH and modulates the constrictive response to ET-1. Such an effect of isoflurane would not predispose the SAH-exposed vessels to vasospasm.
Smartphone Apps to Support Coordinated Specialty Care for Prodromal and Early Course Schizophrenia Disorders: Systematic Review.

Background: Demand for mental health services, especially for clinical high-risk and early psychosis, has increased, creating a need for new solutions to increase access to and quality of care. Smartphones and mobile technology are potential tools to support coordinated specialty care for early psychosis, given their potential to augment the six core roles of care: case management and team leadership, recovery-oriented psychotherapy, medication management, support for employment and education, coordination with primary care services, and family education and support. However, the services smartphones are actually offering specifically for coordinated specialty care and the level of evidence are unknown. Objective: This study aimed to review the published literature on smartphone technology to enhance care for patients with prodromal and early course psychosis and schizophrenia and to analyze studies by type, aligned with coordinated specialty care domains. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted on August 16 and 17, 2019, using the PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Sciences, and PsycINFO electronic databases. The eligible studies were reviewed and screened based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: The search uncovered 388 unique results, of which 32 articles met the initial inclusion criteria; 21 eligible studies on 16 unique app platforms were identified. Feasibility studies showed a high user engagement and interest among patients, monitoring studies demonstrated a correlation between app assessments and clinical outcomes, and intervention studies indicated that these apps have the potential to advance care. Eighteen studies reported on app use for the case management roles of coordinated specialty care. No app studies focused on employment and education, coordination with primary care services, and family education and support. Conclusions: Although the published literature on smartphone apps for prodromal and first-episode psychosis is small, it is growing exponentially and holds promise to augment both monitoring and interventions. Although the research results and protocols for app studies are not well aligned with all coordinated specialty care roles today, high rates of adoption and feasibility suggest the potential for future efforts. These results will be used to develop coordinated specialty care–specific app evaluation scales and toolkits.
Performance evaluation of four point-of-care HIV tests using unprocessed specimens.

Abstract Background The performance of recently approved point-of-care (POC) HIV tests should be assessed using unprocessed specimens. Objective To evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of four POC HIV tests using whole blood (WB) and two using oral fluid (OF) among persons recruited from health clinics in Seattle, Washington, during September 2015-September 2017. Study design Participants were tested with the POC tests, additional plasma and serum were collected for laboratory testing, and participant- reported use of antiretroviral therapy (ART) or pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) was recorded. Participants testing negative on all tests could reenroll every 90 days. Specimens from persons previously diagnosed with HIV infection as well as from those who were newly diagnosed during the study were included in the sensitivity estimate. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated based on HIV status determined by laboratory testing. Results Of 1,256 visits, 179 were from persons with HIV infection; 120 of these were taking ART. Among 1,077 visits from participants not diagnosed with HIV, PrEP use was reported at 155 (14.4%) visits. Sensitivity was similar among POC WB tests (95.53%-97.21%; p>0.05). Among participants on ART, sensitivity was lower for the same test performed on OF compared to WB (p Conclusions These POC tests displayed relatively high sensitivity and specificity using unprocessed specimens, suggesting their effectiveness in identifying HIV infections whenever laboratory-based testing is not feasible. Nonetheless, clients with recent risk should retest to rule out the possibility of a false-negative result.
Correction to: Neuroadaptations in the dentate gyrus following contextual cued reinstatement of methamphetamine seeking.

The author reports that data for electrophysiology findings reported in Figs. 4 and 5 for control group and Meth Rst group have been published previously (Galinato MH et al., J Neurosci. 2018 Feb 21; 38(8):2029-2042.
Inhibition of nitric oxide-dependent vasodilation by halogenated anesthetics

Publisher Summary In this chapter, the inhibitory effects of halothane, enflurane, and isoflurane on acetylcholine (ACh)–, nitric oxide (NO)–, and carbon monoxide (CO)–induced relaxations in vascular smooth muscle has been reported. This inhibition is the result of competition between NO and the anesthetics for the heme moiety on the soluble guanylate cyclase. It has been suggested that halothane and, to a lesser extent, enflurane and isoflurane have an inhibitory effect on soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) in the smooth muscle cell. It has been also reported that in endothelial-denuded vessels halothane significantly suppressed relaxation induced by exogenous NO. Like NO, carbon monoxide activates GC by binding to the heme group in the enzyme. Relaxation induced by CO is also inhibited by halothane. This provides further support for an interaction between the anesthetic and GC. In addition, studies using hepatic tissue provide direct evidence that halothane and isoflurane inhibit NO activation of this enzyme. As halothane contains bromine, in addition to chlorine and fluorine, it has the greatest affinity for ferrous heme proteins. Halothane is attracted to and reduced by cytochrome P-450 as is evidenced by its extensive metabolism. In contrast, isoflurane and enflurane contain chlorine and fluorine but not bromine. They do not show the same affinity for ferrous heme proteins, and this is supported by their more limited metabolism. Halothane at both 1 and 2 minimal alveolar concentrations (MAC) inhibits NO-induced relaxation and decreases NO stimulation of cGMP. In contrast, 1 MAC isoflurane is without effect, but 2 MAC isoflurane significantly inhibit those responses. These observations suggest that isoflurane has a lower affinity than halothane for the ferrous heme of sGC; thus, a higher concentration of isoflurane is required to achieve the same inhibition.
The Manchurian candidate: chiropractors as propagators of neoliberalism in health care

The rise of neoliberalism has influenced the health care sector, including the chiropractic profession. The neoliberal infiltration of market justice behavior is in direct conflict with the fiduciary agreement to serve the public good before self-interests and has compromised the chiropractor, who now may act as an agent of neoliberalism in health care. The purpose of this paper is to present an overview of the impact of neoliberalism on the chiropractic profession and provide recommendations for a professional philosophical shift from a market justice model to a communal and social justice model.
Parametric Investigation of Laser-Driven Microrobot Maneuvrability on Dry Substrates

ChevBot is a novel microrobot for operation in dry environments driven by focused energy from a Nd:YAG laser. The microrobot operates using stick-slip locomotion by converting opto-thermal energy from the focused laser source into mechanical energy using “chevron-style” actuators. ChevBot’s body components are fabricated using Micro-Electro-Mechanical-System (MEMS) technology and completed using a microassembly process. In this paper, we investigate the effect of laser parameters such as pulse frequency, beam intensity and position to the maneuverability of the robot on planar substrates. The average microrobot forward speed could be varied between $1-134\mu m/s$ by sweeping the laser pulse frequency from 900-1500 Hz. Experiments also suggest that the average speed of the ChevBot can also be controlled by varying the number of pulses and laser drive current. Furthermore, the ChevBot could be steered in both the clockwise and counterclockwise directions by positioning the laser spot in various locations on the ChevBot’s microactuator.