cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Alcohol-related harm among college students: Past issues and future directions

Abstract College student drinking continues to be a significant public health concern because they consume alcohol at rates higher than their same-age, noncollege, peers. In 2002, the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism's Task Force on college campus drinking identified mechanisms to address this epidemic as the basis for prevention programs projected to reduce drinking. Subsequent policy implemented the program across US college campuses. However, recent analysis of these prevention programs has shown that researchers overestimated the magnitude of effect and longevity of these programs. The current chapter discusses some of the issues that have arisen due to nationwide policy adoption for these programs in the absence of large-scale evidence. We then provide a more nuanced approach to understanding and targeting college student drinking which addresses all three levels of analysis identified by the NIAAA Task Force. Finally, we provide a roadmap for future research aimed at reducing this significant problem.
Using Laser Scans and ‘Life History’ to Remember Heritage in Virtual Environments

When building is demolished or at risk, it is important to capture more than just a visual of the brick and mortar we need to preserve the structure’s community ties its “life history” - the human element; the stories of design, construction, community activity, and events are lost with the passing of each individual associated with it. One tool that can be utilized is the terrestrial laser scanner, which can capture an authoritative record of a structure or object at a moment in time. Comprehensively, scans are useful documentation to assist site restoration in the event of a natural disaster, fire, war, or deterioration due to weather. This value has been demonstrated with both the 2019 fire at Notre Dame and the UNESCO/CyArk conservation efforts at the Ananda Ok Kyaung temple that was impacted by an earthquake in 2016. Working in conjunction with local communities, researchers are able to solicit private collections of memorabilia, photographs, and documentation that cannot be found in archives and libraries. The life history approach combines the detailed laser scans with this rich multi-disciplinary documentation to capture the structure’s place in the community broadening its utility to enhance VR and AR experiences.
The Management Field in Light of the Climate Crisis: What Changes Do We Have to Make?

Despite knowing for at least half a century that the unfolding climate and attendant ecological crises would be inevitable given “business as usual”, the broad field of management has been ineffect...
Emotional changes following discrimination induction in gender- and sexuality-diverse adolescents.

Sexual and gender minority (SGM)-identifying adolescents are particularly vulnerable to negative psychological outcomes, including engagement in nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI). However, little is known about why these relationships exist. We used experimental methods to test the psychological mediation framework in an online sample of 328 adolescents who reported female sex at birth and a range of sexual and gender identities. Participants reported on depressive symptoms, self-criticism (both self-report and implicit), NSSI, and discrimination. They also completed a discrimination-based mood induction to test emotional reactivity. At baseline, SGM participants reported higher levels of implicit and self-reported self-criticism, depressive symptoms, discrimination, and higher rates of NSSI compared with cisgender, heterosexual participants (ps < .03). Following the discrimination induction, SGM-identifying participants exhibited larger emotional reactivity compared with cisgender heterosexual participants, as measured by change in negative mood, F(1, 326) = 7.33, p = .01, ηp2 = .02, and state self-criticism, F(1, 326) = 4.67, p = .03, ηp2 = .014, but not implicit affect toward the self. This effect was associated with baseline depressive symptoms, self-criticism, NSSI history, and discrimination. Post hoc analyses revealed that participants who tended to reframe experiences of discrimination as opportunities for growth exhibited attenuated emotional reactivity to the induction; findings remained significant after adjusting for SGM status and event severity (ps < .001). Results indicate that adolescents identifying as SGM may experience elevated psychological distress compared with their cisgender heterosexual peers and that stigma-related stressors may increase emotion dysregulation and maladaptive cognitive styles, paralleling previously proposed psychological mediation models. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).
Adding carbon fiber to shoe soles may not improve running economy: a muscle-level explanation

In an attempt to improve their distance-running performance, many athletes race with carbon fiber plates embedded in their shoe soles. Accordingly, we sought to establish whether, and if so how, adding carbon fiber plates to shoes soles reduces athlete aerobic energy expenditure during running (improves running economy). We tested 15 athletes as they ran at 3.5 m/s in four footwear conditions that varied in shoe sole bending stiffness, modified by carbon fiber plates. For each condition, we quantified athlete aerobic energy expenditure and performed biomechanical analyses, which included the use of ultrasonography to examine soleus muscle dynamics in vivo. Overall, increased footwear bending stiffness lengthened ground contact time (p = 0.048), but did not affect ankle (p ≥ 0.060), knee (p ≥ 0.128), or hip (p ≥ 0.076) joint angles or moments. Additionally, increased footwear bending stiffness did not affect muscle activity (all seven measured leg muscles (p ≥ 0.146)), soleus active muscle volume (p = 0.538; d = 0.241), or aerobic power (p = 0.458; d = 0.04) during running. Hence, footwear bending stiffness does not appear to alter the volume of aerobic energy consuming muscle in the soleus, or any other leg muscle, during running. Therefore, adding carbon fiber plates to shoe soles slightly alters whole-body and calf muscle biomechanics but may not improve running economy.
Jump-precursor state emerges below the crossover temperature in supercooled o-terphenyl.

In a supercooled liquid, the crossover temperature ${T}_{c}$ separates a high-temperature region of diffusive dynamics from a low-temperature region of activated dynamics. A molecular-dynamics simulation of all-atom, flexible $o$-terphenyl [Eastwood et al., J. Phys. Chem. B 117, 12898 (2013)] is analyzed with advanced statistical methods to reveal the molecular features associated with this crossover. The simulations extend to an \ensuremath{\alpha}-relaxation time of 14 \ensuremath{\mu}s (272.5 K), two orders of magnitude slower than at ${T}_{c}$ (290 K). At ${T}_{c}$ and below, a distinct state emerges that immediately precedes an orientational jump. Compared to the initial, tightly caged state, this jump-precursor state has a looser cage, with solid-angular excursions of 0.054--0.0125 \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} 4\ensuremath{\pi} sr. At ${T}_{c}$ (290 K), rate heterogeneity is already the dominant cause of stretched relaxation. Exchange within the distribution of rates is faster than \ensuremath{\alpha} relaxation at ${T}_{c}$, but becomes equal to it at the lowest temperature simulated (272.5 K). The results trend toward a recent experimental observation near the glass transition (243 K) [Kaur et al., Phys. Rev. E 98, 040603(R) (2018)], which saw exchange substantially slower than \ensuremath{\alpha} relaxation. Overall, the dynamic crossover comprises multiple phenomena: the development of heterogeneity, an increasing jump size, an emerging jump-precursor state, and a lengthening exchange time. The crossover is neither sharp, nor a simple superposition of the high- and low-temperature regimes; it is a broad region that contains unique and complex phenomena.
Association of neighborhood physical activity opportunities with incident cardiovascular disease in the Cardiovascular Health Study.

Abstract We determined associations of cumulative exposures to neighborhood physical activity opportunities with risk of incident cardiovascular disease (CVD). We included 3595 participants from the Cardiovascular Health Study recruited between 1989 and 1993 (mean age = 73; 60% women; 11% black). Neighborhood environment measures were calculated using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and annual information from the National Establishment Time Series database, including the density of (1) walking destinations and (2) physical activity/recreational facilities in a 1- and 5-km radius around the respondent's home. Incident CVD was defined as the development of myocardial infarction, stroke, or cardiovascular death and associations with time to incident CVD were estimated using Cox proportional hazards models. A total of 1986 incident CVD cases occurred over a median follow-up of 11.2 years. After adjusting for baseline and time-varying individual and neighborhood-level confounding, a one standard deviation increase in walking destinations and physical activity/recreational facilities within 5 km of home was associated with a respective 7% (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.87–0.99) and 12% (95% CI = 0.73–1.0) decreased risk of incident CVD. No significant associations were noted within a 1-km radius. Efforts to improve the availability of physical activity resources in neighborhoods may be an important strategy for lowering CVD.
Professional Speech at Scale

Regulatory actions affecting professional speech are facing new challenges from all sides. On one side, the Supreme Court has grown increasingly protective of professionals’ free speech rights, and it has subjected regulations affecting that speech to heightened levels of scrutiny that call into question traditional regulatory practices in both law and medicine. On the other side, technological developments, including the growth of massive digital platforms and the introduction of artificial intelligence programs, have created brand new problems of regulatory scale. Professional speech is now able to reach a wide audience faster than ever before, creating risks that misinformation will cause public harm long before regulatory processes can gear up to address it. This article examines how these two trends interact in the fields of health-care regulation and legal practice. It looks at how these forces work together both to create new regulatory problems and to shape the potential government responses to those problems. It analyzes the Supreme Court’s developing caselaw on professional speech and predicts how the Court’s jurisprudence is likely to shape current legal challenges in law and medicine. The Article further examines the regulatory challenges posed by the change in scale generated by massive digital platforms and the introduction of artificial intelligence. It concludes by recommending ways in which government regulators can meet the new challenges posed by technological development without infringing on protected speech. The crux of our proposal is that incremental change in the traditional state regulatory process is insufficient to meet the challenges posed by changes in technological scale. Instead, it is time to ask bigger questions about the underlying goals and first principles of professional regulation.
Management of Upper Extremity Orthopaedic Injuries in Epileptic Patients: A Systematic Review

Object Injury of the upper extremities may occur during seizures. There is a lack of standardized guidelines available when diagnosing and planning perioperative care. Methods PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were systematically screened using predefined search terms. Results Of the 59 patients included, 36 (61.0%) involved a posterior shoulder dislocation. Associated fractures were observed in 34 (57.6%) cases with surgical intervention performed in 30 (50.8%) patients. 44 patients reported functional outcomes, with over half (23 of 44, [52.2%]) endorsing range of motion deficits. Conclusions Post-seizure patients may require standardized diagnostic protocols to ensure prompt management with a specialized treatment approach that accommodates the nuances of their condition.
Fourier transform infrared spectrometry: A tool for modern agricultural research

The concept of using a two-beam interferometer for the measurement of infrared spectra has taken almost a century to come to fruition. Michelson first devised the concept of the interferometer which now bears his name in 1887. However it was not until about sixty years later that Fellgett recognized the multiplex advantage attained for spectra measured using a Michelson interferometer, i.e., the fact that information from all wavelengths in the spectral region under investigation is sampled throughout the entire measurement. In the early 1950’s, Jacquinot proved that the light-grasp of an interferometer was greater than that of a monochromator operating at the same spectral resolution. The combination of the Fellgett (or multiplex) and Jacquinot (or optical throughput) advantages of an interferometer leads, in theory at least, to a sensitivity advantage for interferometrically measured spectra of between two and three orders of magnitude for data acquired in equal times. Only recently, however, has the performance which may be predicted on theoretical grounds started to be achieved in practice, and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrometers based on Michelson (and other two-beam) interferometers is now the most popular technique for measuring high quality infrared spectra of samples of many different types.
Integrated Moving Horizon-Based Dynamic Real-Time Optimization and Hybrid MPC-PID Control of a Direct Compaction Continuous Tablet Manufacturing Process

In this manuscript, a moving horizon-based real-time optimization (MH-RTO) has been integrated with a hybrid model predictive control (MPC) system for a continuous tablet manufacturing process for quality by design (QbD)-based efficient continuous manufacturing. In the proposed approach, the integrated MH-RTO provides the optimal operational set points for the tablet production rate in real time. The MH-RTO takes into consideration the capital and operating cost, the market fluctuations, the product inventory, the product quality assurance strategy, the regulatory constraints, and the product rejections. An advanced hybrid model predictive control system then ensures that the required production rate with desired quality is met with minimum resources and time. A robust optimization strategy and an efficient control system have been integrated to achieve the maximum profit. The MH-RTO integrated with a hybrid control strategy ensures the maximum possible profit irrespective of the market demand fluctuations. The basic advantage of the MH-RTO framework is that it takes into consideration the future demand and thus can lead to increased profit compared to a standard real-time optimization approach.
Within and Between-Subject Reliability Using Classic Jack for Ergonomic Assessments

As the use of computer-aided ergonomic tools become more prominent in performing ergonomic evaluations early in the design phase, the drive to improve upon the validity, reliability, and accuracy of the technology will increase. Posturing a digital human (DH) in a virtual environment proves to be a challenging task. There are a very large number of possible positions in which the DH can be positioned for any given task, and the position that the DH is postured into may differ depending on the experiences of the user. This may lead to different conclusions regarding the acceptability of an operation.
The Fundamental Learning Problem that Genetic Algorithms with Uniform Crossover Solve Efficiently and Repeatedly As Evolution Proceeds.

This paper establishes theoretical bonafides for implicit concurrent multivariate effect evaluation--implicit concurrency for short---a broad and versatile computational learning efficiency thought to underlie general-purpose, non-local, noise-tolerant optimization in genetic algorithms with uniform crossover (UGAs). We demonstrate that implicit concurrency is indeed a form of efficient learning by showing that it can be used to obtain close-to-optimal bounds on the time and queries required to approximately correctly solve a constrained version (k=7, \eta=1/5) of a recognizable computational learning problem: learning parities with noisy membership queries. We argue that a UGA that treats the noisy membership query oracle as a fitness function can be straightforwardly used to approximately correctly learn the essential attributes in O(log^1.585 n) queries and O(n log^1.585 n) time, where n is the total number of attributes. Our proof relies on an accessible symmetry argument and the use of statistical hypothesis testing to reject a global null hypothesis at the 10^-100 level of significance. It is, to the best of our knowledge, the first relatively rigorous identification of efficient computational learning in an evolutionary algorithm on a non-trivial learning problem.
P-selectin blockade does not impair leukocyte host defense against bacterial peritonitis and soft tissue infection in rabbits

Adhesion molecules are responsible for PMN-endothelial cell interactions involved in both PMN-mediated endothelial injury (e.g., after ischemia-reperfusion injury) and PMN-mediated host defense against bacterial infection. Inhibition of PMN-endothelial adherence with CD18 and P-selectin mAb has been shown to ameliorate the tissue injury resulting from ischemia and reperfusion under a variety of experimental conditions. However, interference with PMN function may result in an increased risk of bacterial infection. Previous investigations suggest that CD18 blockade can lead to increased infectious risk. Little is known of the infectious risks associated with selectin blockade. We report the effects of P-selectin blockade (using mAb PB1.3) on bacteria-induced PMN emigration into the peritoneum and subcutaneous (s.c.) tissue in rabbits. Leukocyte and PMN emigration into the peritoneum 4 h after inoculation with 10 ml of 10(9) CFU/ml Escherichia coli was significant in saline-treated animals, and not different in animals pretreated with mAb PB1.3. Similarly, the incidence and severity of abscess formation 7 days after s.c. inoculation with Staphylococcus aureus (10(7), 10(8), or 10(9) CFU) was not increased in rabbits pretreated with mAb PB1.3 compared to saline. PMN emigration to the s.c. S. aureus was also similar in both saline and mAb PB1.3-treated animals, as determined by light microscopy. We conclude that P-selectin blockade with mAb PB1.3: 1) does not interfere with acute, E. coli-induced PMN emigration into the peritoneum, 2) does not increase the incidence or severity of S. aureus abscess formation in s.c. tissue, and 3) interferes less with PMN antibacterial host defense mechanisms than inhibition of CD18-mediated PMN adherence.
Approaches to medical student remediation after a comprehensive clinical skills examination.

OBJECTIVE Most US medical schools conduct comprehensive clinical skills assessments during Years 3 and 4. This study explores strategies used to identify and remediate students who perform poorly on these assessments. METHODS In the academic year 2005-06, we conducted 33 semi-structured interviews with individuals responsible for standard setting in and remediation after their schools' comprehensive clinical skills assessments. We coded interviews to identify major themes. RESULTS Prior to remediation, some schools employed a 'verification' step to ensure the accuracy of the failing score or need for remediation. Participants described a remediation process that included some or all of 3 steps. Firstly, students' specific learning deficits were diagnosed. Next, students participated in remedial activities such as performance review sessions or practice with standardised or actual patients. Lastly, students were re-tested, usually with a shorter, more formative examination. All participants reported using a diagnostic step, most offered or required remedial activities and many re-tested, although schools varied in the emphasis placed on each step. Many participants cited the individualised attention students received from remediation faculty staff as a strength of their approach, although they raised concerns about the substantial time demands placed on remediation faculty. Most respondents reported some dissatisfaction with their school's remediation process, particularly uncertainty about efficacy or rigour. CONCLUSIONS Schools vary in the intensity and scope of remediation offered to students who perform poorly on clinical skills assessments. Although many schools invest significant resources in remediation, the effect of these efforts on students' subsequent clinical performance is unknown.
Primate Allomaternal Care

Allomaternal care (AMC) (i.e., infant care that is provided by group members other than an infant's mother) is a rare, although phylogenetically widespread, mammalian infant care strategy. In primates, however, AMC occurs at unusually high frequencies, particularly among several haplorhine (monkey and ape) taxa. In fact, AMC is present in every major primate radiation and has been described in 74% of 154 species for which data are available. Its widespread presence in the Order Primates suggests that there may have been strong selective pressure for AMC early in primate evolution, but it is currently unknown why these behaviors are so common in primates. Research focused on captive callitrichids (tamarins and marmosets) has contributed greatly to our understanding of the potential causes and consequences of highly derived forms of AMC (i.e., cooperative breeding). Recent efforts have shifted focus to understand the selective pressures leading to the expansion and diversification of AMC throughout the Primate Order, thus expanding research to investigate the causes and consequences of less derived forms of AMC. Here we review the broad-scale patterns observed in primates and outline innovative and exciting avenues of research moving forward. Keywords: infant care; allomother; helper; hormones; behavioral genetics
Thinking in Indian: A John Mohawk reader

Thinking in Indian: A John Mohawk reader . Barreiro, J. (Ed.) 2010. Golden, CO: Fulcrum. 289 pp. ISBN 139781555917388. Sotsisowah (John Mohawk, 1944–2006), an elder of the Turtle Clan in the Seneca Nation, was deeply rooted in Haudenasaunee [Iroquois] culture and traditions as a philosopher, activist and teacher. Mohawk played a central role in indigenous politics locally, nationally and internationally as he brought attention to the plight of indigenous peoples and sought to re-awaken us to the traditions that have been forgotten, ignored and suppressed. In this work, Mohawk’s colleague Jose Barreiro, a senior scholar at the Smithsonian National Museum and former editor of Akwesasne Notes , presents a collection of Mohawk’s essays that were produced and published over 30 years on a range of topics that resonate with contemporary indigenous issues.
Clomiphene citrate is safe and effective for long-term management of hypogonadism.

Study Type – Therapy (population cohort) Level of Evidence 2a What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? Clomiphene citrate (CC) has previously been documented to be efficacious in the treatment of hypogonadism. However little is known about the long term efficacy and safety of CC. Our study demonstrates that CC is efficacious after 3 years of therapy. Testosterone levels and bone mineral density measurement improved significantly and were sustained over this prolonged period. Subjective improvements were also demonstrated. No adverse events were reported. OBJECTIVE • To assess the efficacy and safety of long-term clomiphene citrate (CC) therapy in symptomatic patients with hypogonadism (HG). PATIENTS AND METHODS • Serum T, oestradiol and luteinizing hormone (LH) were measured in patients who were treated with CC for over 12 months. • Additionally, bone densitometry (BD) results were collected for all patients. Demographic, comorbidity, treatment and Androgen Deficiency in Aging Men (ADAM) score data were also recorded. • Comparison was made between baseline and post-treatment variables, and multivariable analysis was conducted to define predictors of successful response to CC. • The main outcome measures were predictors of response and long-term results with long-term CC therapy in hypogonadal patients. RESULTS • The 46 patients (mean age 44 years) had baseline serum testosterone (T) levels of 228 ng/dL. • Follow-up T levels were 612 ng/dL at 1 year, 562 ng/dL at 2 years, and 582 ng/dL at 3 years (P < 0.001). • Mean femoral neck and lumbar spine BD scores improved significantly. • ADAM scores (and responses) fell from a baseline of 7 to a nadir of 3 after 1 year. • No adverse events were reported by any patients. CONCLUSIONS • Clomiphene citrate is an effective long-term therapy for HG in appropriate patients. • The drug raises T levels substantially in addition to improving other manifestations of HG such as osteopenia/osteoporosis and ADAM symptoms.
Analgesic Effects of Oral Propiram Fumarate, Codeine Sulfate and Placebo in Postoperative Pain

Our purpose was to evaluate the analgesic efficacy and safety of single oral doses of propiram fumarate 50 mg, codeine sulfate 60 mg and placebo in the relief of moderate to severe postoperative pain. One hundred and twenty patients completed a randomized, double-blind, single-dose, stratified, parallel-groups trial and were observed for either 4 or 6 hours. Based upon each of the summary efficacy measures--SPID, % SPID and TOTAL--propiram and codeine were approximately equally effective and both were statistically superior to placebo. Propiram was significantly more effective than codeine at hour 5 for Pain Intensity Difference. Two adverse effects were attributed to propiram. Propiram fumarate 50 mg is an effective oral analgesic similar to codeine sulfate 60 mg, with the possibility of a longer duration of action.
Preparation and periodic emission of superlattice CdS/CdS:SnS2 microwires.

Semiconductor superlattice micro-/nanowires could greatly increase the versatility and power of modulating electronic (or excitonic, photonic) transport, optical properties. In this communication, we report growth of a semiconductor CdS/CdS:SnS2 superlattice microwire through a coevaporation technique with microenvironmental control. Such a novel superlattice microwire can modulate the exciton and photons to show multipeak emissions with periods in a wide spectral range, which arise in the 1-d photon crystal and confined exciton emission. This system can be widely used in producing multicolor emissions, low-threshold lasing, study light-matter interaction, slow light engineering, and weak nonlinear optical devices.
Commutators of operators

A mathematical formulation of the famous Heisenberg uncertainty principle is that a certain pair of linear transformations P and Q satisfies, after suitable normalizations, the equation PQ - QP = 1. It is easy enough to produce a concrete example of this behavior; consider L2(-∞, +∞) and let P and Q be the differentiation transformation and the position transformation, respectively (that is, (Pf) (x) = f’(x) and (Qf) (x) = xf(x)). These are not bounded linear transformations, of course, their domains are far from being the whole space, and they misbehave in many other ways. Can this misbehavior be avoided?
Consequences of Fluorine Atom Bridging and Increasing Metal Atom Spin Density for the Low Temperature Magnetism of the Series. Na3[FeF6],[NH4]3[FeF6], [Co(NH3)6][FeF6] and [NH4CoFeF6]

Aspects of the low temperature magnetism of some distorted cryolite-like compounds of high-spin iron III, namely Na 3 [FeF 6 ], [NH 4 ] 3 [FeF 6 ] are presented. The behavior of these systems is compared to iron-57 Mossbauer spectroscopy and ac-susceptibility results for the related [Co(NH 3 ) 6 ][FeF 6 ] and the modified pyrochlore [NH 4 CoFeF 6 ] obtained via thermolysis of [Co(NH 3 ) 6 ][FeF 6 ] under nitrogen.
Social Work Students’ Perceptions of Themselves and Others: Self-Esteem, Empathy, and Forgiveness

This study examined how 86 social work students attending a university in Florida viewed themselves and others in relation to self-esteem, empathy, and forgiveness. The study used a cross-sectional...
Free-to-total prostate-specific antigen ratios 18-24 months following external beam radiation for adenocarcinoma of the prostate.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to evaluate free-to-total prostate-specific antigen (PSA) ratios after definitive external beam radiation therapy for men with adenocarcinoma of the prostate (CaP). METHODS A prospective evaluation of percent free PSA in men following definitive external beam radiation therapy for CaP was compared to men with untreated CaP and men at very low risk for CaP. Statistical comparison of clinical and pathologic parameters was performed. RESULTS There was no statistically significant difference in free-to-total PSA ratios for men with newly diagnosed CaP and men with detectable PSA who were treated with external beam radiation therapy. CONCLUSIONS Free-to-total PSA ratios after definitive external beam radiation therapy for CaP are consistent with percent free PSA in patients with newly diagnosed CaP. This supports the theory that PSA from in situ prostate tissue following external beam radiation therapy is produced by malignant cells.
A matched comparison of perioperative outcomes of a single laparoscopic surgeon versus a multisurgeon robot-assisted cohort for partial nephrectomy

Purpose Minimally invasive nephron sparing surgery is gaining popularity for small renal masses. Few groups have evaluated robot-assisted partial nephrectomy compared to other approaches using comparable patient populations. We present a matched pair analysis of a heterogeneous group of surgeons who performed robot-assisted partial nephrectomy and a single experienced laparoscopic surgeon who performed conventional laparoscopic partial nephrectomy. Perioperative outcomes and complications were compared. Materials and Methods All 249 conventional laparoscopic and robot-assisted partial nephrectomy cases from January 2007 to June 2010 were reviewed from our prospectively maintained institutional database. Groups were matched 1:1 (108 matched pairs) by R.E.N.A.L. (radius, exophytic/endophytic properties, nearness of tumor to collecting system or sinus, anterior/posterior, location relative to polar lines) nephrometry score, transperitoneal vs retroperitoneal approach, patient age and hilar nature of the tumor. Statistical analysis was done to compare operative outcomes and complications. Results Matched analysis revealed that nephrometry score, age, gender, tumor side and American Society of Anesthesia physical status classification were similar. Operative time favored conventional laparoscopic partial nephrectomy. During the study period robot-assisted partial nephrectomy showed significant improvements in estimated blood loss and warm ischemia time compared to those of the experienced conventional laparoscopic group. Postoperative complication rates, and complication distributions by Clavien classification and type were similar for conventional laparoscopic and robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (41.7% and 35.0%, respectively). Conclusions Robot-assisted partial nephrectomy has a noticeable but rapid learning curve. After it is overcome the robotic procedure results in perioperative outcomes similar to those achieved with conventional laparoscopic partial nephrectomy done by an experienced surgeon. Robot-assisted partial nephrectomy likely improves surgeon and patient accessibility to minimally invasive nephron sparing surgery.
TEMPERATURE AT A PROPAGATING CRACK TIP IN A VISCOPLASTIC MATERIAL

Abstract Rupture processes at a propagating crack tip and the dissipation of mechanical energy in the vicinity of a crack tip can give rise to substantial temperature increases. In this paper we consider the (;transient) time-dependent temperature field. It is shown that under certain conditions. which are discussed in some detail, the adiabatic approximation gives a very acceptable approximation for the near-tip temperature. The adiabatic approximation has been used to calculate the crack tip temperature for a crack that propagates in a viscoplastic material. The mechanical behavior of the material is represented by a model proposed by Bodner and Partom. The Bodner-Partom model accounts for flux of energy into the crack tip as well as for dissipation of mechanical energy in the near-tip region. The temperatures due to both effects have been analyzed. and estimates are presented for the maximum crack tip temperature that may be reached during the crack propagation process.
Effect of chronic restraint stress and tianeptine on growth factors, growth-associated protein-43 and microtubule-associated protein 2 mRNA expression in the rat hippocampus

Chronic restraint stress of rats for three weeks produces an atrophy of apical dendrites in the CA3 region of the hippocampus. This alteration is blocked by the novel antidepressant, tianeptine. In order to investigate the underlying mechanism of these phenomena, we evaluated the effect of chronic restraint and tianeptine on mRNA expression of neurotrophic factors such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). Chronic restraint and tianeptine treatment did not change the expression of these neurotrophins in the rat hippocampus. We also evaluated the effects of stress and tianeptine on GAP-43 and MAP2, both of which are known to be related to the development of neurons. Chronic restraint resulted in a small decrease in GAP-43 mRNA expression in the CA3 region of the hippocampus, which was not prevented by the concomitant administration of tianeptine. MAP2 mRNA expression was not changed by either chronic stress or tianeptine treatment. We conclude that these neurotrophins, GAP-43 and MAP2 are not likely to be directly related to the chronic stress-induced dendritic atrophy or the prevention of the atrophy by tianeptine.
An analysis of distributed sensor data aggregation for network intrusion detection

A current trend in computer network intrusion detection is to deploy a network of traffic sensors, or agents, throughout the network and forward sensed information back to a central processor. As these systems start to incorporate hundreds, even thousands, of sensors, managing and presenting the information from these sensors is becoming an increasingly difficult task. This paper explores the use of conversation exchange dynamics (CED) to integrate and display sensor information from multiple nodes. We present an experimental setup consisting of multiple sensors reporting individual findings to a central server for aggregated analysis. Different scenarios of network attacks and intrusions were planned to investigate the effectiveness of the distributed system. The network attacks were taken from the M.I.T. Lincoln Lab 1999 Data Sets. The distributed system was subjected to different combinations of network attacks in various parts of the network. The results were then analyzed to understand the behavior of the distributed system in response to the different attacks. In general, the distributed system detected all attacks under each scenario. Some surprising observations also indicated attack responses occurring in unanticipated scenarios.
Evaluation and management of prosthetic valve endocarditis.

Abstract Despite improved operative technique and sophistication in managing patients undergoing cardiac valve replacement, prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) remains a source of major morbidity (overall recent incidence ∼2.1%), and these patients have a high case-fatality rate (58% overall). Early PVE (less than 60 days postoperative) has a worse prognosis (78% case-fatality rate) and is usually caused by staphylococcal species, gram-negative rods, and fungi; whereas the case-fatality rate in late PVE is 46%, owing to the lower fatality of streptococcal species infections that tend to occur late. Risk factors that portend a poor clinical response to medical therapy alone include the presence of congestive heart failure, paravalvular leakage, systemic emboli, early PVE, nonstreptococcal etiology, aortic location in a nonheterograft valve, as well as persistent fever (> 10 days). Given the frequently dismal outcomes in the medical management of these patients, the case is made for early surgical intervention in most cases of PVE (except for late streptococcal disease), especially if any of the aforementioned risk factors are present.
Enhancement of lung colony formation by admixing irradiated with viable tumor cells: dependence on host status

The study was designed to determine whether whole-body irradiation or stimulation of the reticuloendothelial system of mice influences the ability of heavily irradiated tumor cells to enhance formation of artificial metastases when given simultaneously with viable tumor cells. Experiments were performed with a nonimmunogenic sarcoma syngeneic to C3Hf/Kam mice. Whole-body irradiation augmented and stimulation of the reticuloendothelial system abolished the metastasis-enhancing effect of tumor cells. Another observation was that heavily irradiated tumor cells can enhance formation of metastases if given i.v. within several hours before or after i.v. injection of tumor cells.
Mixtures of fermionic atoms in an optical lattice

A mixture of light and heavy spin-polarized fermionic atoms in an optical lattice is considered. Tunneling of the heavy atoms is neglected such that they are only subject to thermal fluctuations. This results in a complex interplay between light and heavy atoms caused by quantum tunneling of the light atoms. The distribution of the heavy atoms is studied. It can be described by an Ising-like distribution with a first-order transition from homogeneous to staggered order. The latter is caused by an effective nonlocal interaction due to quantum tunneling of light atoms. A second-order transition is also possible between an ordered and a disordered phase of heavy atoms.
Solar thermal electric power systems: Manufacturing cost estimation and systems optimization

Abstract Since the spring of 1973, the faculty of the School of Engineering at Colorado State University has hasn engaged in studies to estimate minimum cost systems for generating electric power by solar thermal means. These studies have been financed by the National Science Foundation and the Energy Research and Development Administration. The effort has consisted primarily of estimating the costs of large-volume manufacture of components of candidate systems and developing procedures whereby these complex, inter-related components are synthesized into minimum cost systems. This paper describes the approaches used in estimating the manufacturing costs of the system components, describes the procedure developed to find systems optima, illustrates key results and presents the minimum cost designs, makes cost comparisons with present and future methods of electric power generation, and points out what can be done to help make solar electric power generation a more viable alternative.
Self-management education for persons with arthritis: Managing comorbidity and eliminating health disparities†

Objective To compare short-term and long-term effectiveness of the Arthritis Self-Help Course (ASHC) and the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) for persons with arthritis concerning health care use, health-related quality of life, health behaviors, and arthritis self-efficacy. Methods Forty-eight workshops were randomized to the ASHC (n = 26) or CDSMP (n = 22). A total of 416 individuals, including 365 African Americans, participated. The mean age for each group was 64 years, mean years of education was 11.7, mean number of chronic conditions was 4, and 75–80% of participants in each group were female. Multivariate statistical tests were used to assess effectiveness within and between programs for all workshop participants and African Americans. Results At 4 months all ASHC participants including African Americans, had significant improvements (P ≤ 0.05) in self-efficacy, stretching and strengthening exercises, aerobic exercises, and general health. All CDSMP participants had statistically significant improvements in self-efficacy, disability, pain, and general health. African American CDSMP participants showed statistically significant improvements in general health. Trends toward improvement (P = 0.051–0.100) were shown in 5 variables among African American CDSMP participants and in 4 variables among all CDSMP participants. Statistically significant differences between the 2 programs at 4 months were seen in pain and disability in both groups. The CDSMP produced stronger results. Significant results at 1 year within and between programs were minimal for both groups. Conclusion When populations with arthritis and multiple comorbid conditions are targeted, the CDSMP may be most cost effective.
Monoamine oxidase activity in normal and Lesch-Nyhan fibroblasts.

Monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity was studied in cultured skin fibroblasts from 10 Lesch-Nyhan patients, a Lesch-Nyhan variant and 11 controls matched for age. sex and race. Activity (predominantly type A) was measured in cell homogenates using tryptamine as the substrate. For each line activity varied with the conditions of culture. Activity increased 3-10 fold as cultures went from logarithmic to stationary phase of growth. When cultures were confluent, activity was lowered by frequent feedings or the use of fresh medium and serum. Activity for each line remained fairly stable during successive passages, but rose 3-8 fold as cultures became senescent. When comparing activity between control and Lesch-Nyhan lines, cells were cultured under standardized conditions. The mean value of MAO activity in Lesch-Nyhan lines was approximately one fourth of the mean activity in control lines (P < 0.012), In the control population, the distribution of activity appeared to be bimodal. Activities in the Lesch-Nyhan lines fell completely within the lower portion of the control distribution. Cells from a Lesch-Nyhan patient who lacked several of the neurologic symptoms of the disease (including self-mutilation) had an MAO activity 6 fold greater than the control mean. although his hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase activity was <3% of control levels. It appears that: (1) MAO activity is low in fibroblasts from typical Lesch-Nyhan patients: (2) the severity of neurologic symptoms may be correlated with levels of MAO activity: and (3) some interaction between purine and catecholamine metabolism can affect nerve function.
Relationship of components of the body among mature cows as related to size, lactation potential and possible effects on productivity

Attributes of lactation and weight of components of the empty body were analysed to evaluate relationships between performance potential of various breeds or breed crosses and the proportion of empty-body components relative to slaughter weight. Differences in major internal organs attributable to breed, breed cross, level of food intake, mature body size and milk production potential were observed. Milk yield was positively related to proportion of lung tissue, tended to be positively related to head and liver tissues but was negatively related to the proportion of warm carcass. As estimated from a three breed diallel, significant additive breed direct effects were observed for several empty-body components. In general, heterosis tended to be non-significant for all proportions of body components with the exception of proportion of head, fore and hind feet and lung tissue. Breed crosses characterized as having greater potential for mature weight were heavier at slaughter and had a greater proportion of structural components such as head, hide and fore and hind feet. Differences among visceral organs associated with production potential for size and milk production are discussed relative to the possible effect on basal energy expenditure and the effect these differences may have on the energy requirements for a cow/calf livestock enterprise.
Evaluating an Information System for Policy Modeling and Uncertainty Analysis.

Le systeme DEMOS, systeme d'informations specialise dans la prise de decision et l'analyse d'incertitudes, a ete evalue de facon a bâtir les elements methodologiques necessaires a l'appreciation de tous systemes d'information avances. L'exemple d'une session d'interrogation sur DEMOS concernant l'evaluation du cout de l'achat et de l'entretien d'une automobile est donne dans son integralite, tel qu'elle se presente a l'ecran
A Technic for Demonstrating Plasmodesma

Sections of potato tuber and epidermis from veins on the dorsal side of the sunflower leaf have proved most satisfactory in demonstrating plasmodesma. Kill fresh sections 5 minutes in a solution of 0.75 g. KI, 0.50 g. iodine in 100 cc. H2O. Swell 5 minutes in 10% H2SO4. Mordant 5 minutes in a solution of 1.25 g. KI, 1.00 g. iodine in 100 cc. of 5% H2SO4. Wash in 5% H2SO4 until iodine starts to fade. Stain in a mixture of 0.5% gentian violet solution in 5% H2SO4 made up to a deep green color. Wash in a solution of 30 cc. glycerin, 2 g. ZnCl2, 0.2 g. iodine, and a bit of KI in 60 cc. of water. Brush with a camel's hair brush, wash and mount in the same solution.
Brain copper content and cuproenzyme activity do not vary with prion protein expression level.

Prion diseases are neurodegenerative disorders that result from conformational transformation of a normal cell surface glycoprotein, PrPC, into a pathogenic isoform, PrPSc. Although the normal physiological function of PrPC has remained enigmatic, the recent observation that the protein binds copper ions with micromolar affinity suggests a possible role in brain copper metabolism. In this study, we have used mice that express 0, 1, and 10 times the normal level of PrP to assess the effect of PrP expression level on the amount of brain copper and on the properties of two brain cuproenzymes. Using mass spectrometry, we find that the amount of ionic copper in subcellular fractions from brain is similar in all three lines of mice. In addition, the enzymatic activities of Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase and cytochrome coxidase in brain extracts are similar in these groups of animals, as is the incorporation of 64Cu into Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase both in cultured cerebellar neurons and in vivo. Our results differ from those of another set of published studies, and they require a re-evaluation of the role of PrPC in copper metabolism.
Monopolizing Our Bodies? The Myriad Supreme Court Case and Issues of Access and Justice

The actress Angelina Jolie’s disclosure that she had a double mastectomy in 2013 shed a great deal of attention on the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. This disclosure was made concurrently with the June 13, 2013 U.S. Supreme Court decision in the case of Association for Molecular Pathology v. Myriad Genetics. The court held unanimously that naturally occurring DNA segment was a product of nature and thus not patent eligible but that complementary DNA (cDNA) was patent eligible. Now with the dismantling of Myriad’s patent monopoly on the genetic test, issues of access remain but the response of Myriad to develop a financial assistance program illustrates how influential the case may be in changing behavior. Improving accessibility to such tests while still incentivizing the creators of new technologies is a difficult balance to strike. It is one, however, that must be achieved.