cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Carrier testing in fragile X syndrome: effect on self-concept.

The purpose of the study was to explore self-concept in women at risk for inheriting the fragile X mutation. Time 1 measures were obtained prior to carrier testing and Time 2 measures were collected approximately 5 months after learning carrier status. The sample consisted of 42 women from 17 families. Measures included the Tennessee Self-Concept Scale (TSCS), the fragile X Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and a structured interview. The TSCS provided a global measure of self-concept and the fragile X VAS and structured interview provided a contextual measure of self related to carrier status. Results indicated that there were no differences initially between carriers and noncarriers and no change from Time 1 to Time 2 on the TSCS. Analysis of the Time 1 fragile X VAS means for the total sample found a reduction in positive feelings about self. Analysis of the Time 2 fragile X VAS found that noncarriers reported improvement in feelings about self, with no change in feelings about self found in the carriers. Responses from the structured interview indicated that the feelings regarding self in the context of genetic testing are not related to global self-concept, but result from concerns regarding the implications of a positive carrier test for themselves and their families. This information highlights areas related to carrier testing that warrant further investigation and may ultimately result in modifications to the genetic counseling. Am. J. Med. Genet. 92:336–342, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Breast cancer risk associated with proliferative breast disease and atypical hyperplasia

Background. Women with proliferative breast disease (PD) have been observed to have an increased risk of breast cancer. The authors evaluated the effect of PD on breast cancer risk in a case–control study among participants of the Breast Cancer Detection Demonstration Project (BCDDP). Methods. More than 280,000 women were screened in the BCDDP at 29 centers. Study subjects were selected from BCDDP participants who underwent biopsy that revealed benign breast tissue. There were five BCDDP centers for which histologic slides were available on more than 85% of the benign biopsy specimens. Case patients for this study were the 95 women from these five centers who had breast cancer develop during follow-up. Two matched control patients who did not have breast cancer develop were selected for each case. The biopsy slides were reviewed by two pathologists who were blinded with regard to cancer outcome. Results. Women with atypical hyperplasia (AH) had 4.3 times the breast cancer risk of women without PD (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.7–11). In women with PD lacking AH, the relative risk was 1.3 (95% CI, 0.77–2.2). A family history of breast cancer (FH) increased breast cancer risk 2.4 times (95% CI, 1.4–4.3). The joint occurrence of FH and AH had a strong synergistic effect on breast cancer risk. Conclusions. AH is a reliable marker of increased breast cancer risk among women undergoing breast biopsy.
Effects of the synthetic estrogen, 17α-ethinylestradiol, on aggression and courtship behavior in male zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Abstract The synthetic estrogen, 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2), is the active component in oral contraceptive pills. It is excreted from the human body in high amounts and released via sewage treatment plant effluent into aquatic environments. In fish, estrogen receptors have strong binding affinities for EE2, and exposure raises the possibility of adverse neuroendocrine responses in aquatic animals. In the present study we explored the effects of dissolved-phase EE2 on the dynamics of male–male aggression and courtship behaviors in adult zebrafish. Further, we assessed whether the behavioral effects of EE2 result in changes in male offspring paternity. We scored the aggressive behaviors of individual unexposed males and categorized these fish as either dominant or subordinate. We then exposed dominant males to EE2 at doses of 0, 0.5, 5.0, and 50.0 ng/L for 48 h. Subsequent trials examined the agonistic behaviors of males in two testing scenarios: (1) a dyadic encounter with another male alone, and (2) a competitive spawning interaction with another male and three adult females. Competitive spawning tests were also used to assess the impacts of EE2 exposure on courtship behavior and paternity using males that were homozygous for green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression under the control of the islet-1 promoter. We found that EE2 at all exposure concentrations reduced male aggression during male–male dyadic encounters and caused a social dominance reversal in 50% of the fish at the highest exposure dose (50 ng/L EE2). The frequency of courtship-specific behavior decreased in dominant males exposed to the steroid, though this effect was only significant for the lowest dose group (0.5 ng/L EE2). In the highest exposure group (50 ng/L EE2), 50% of dominant males relinquished paternal dominance. Our results show that short-term exposure to EE2 at environmentally relevant levels can alter aggression, and shift individual social status and reproductive success in male zebrafish.
Comparison Study Of Nonlinear Filters In Image Processing Applications

Nonlinear filters are used in many applications, including speech and image processing, owing to their ability to suppress noise and preserve signal features such as edges. This study presents a performance evaluation of non-linear filters derived from the robust point estimation theory. The first part of the work is a classification of various approaches to nonlinear filtering into three types of estimators according to the process of the filter. The second part is a computer implementation and evaluation of all of the filters discussed. Finally, a summary of experimental results is presented.
Production of Conductive PEDOT Nanofibers by the Combination of Electrospinning and Vapor-Phase Polymerization

This study reports on the combination of the electrospinning technique and an adapted vapor-phase polymerization procedure to fabricate PEDOT nanofibers. The fibers have average diameters around 350 nm and are soldered at every intersection of the mat, ensuring a superior dimensional stability. The nanofibers are highly ordered at the molecular level, giving the nonwoven mats a very high conductivity (∼60 S/cm), the highest value reported so far for polymer nanofibers. The mats also demonstrate interesting electrochemical properties due to their porous and nanostructured nature. These conductive nanofibers are expected to be of interest for a number of electronic devices requiring flexibility and/or significant surface area, such as sensors or energy storage systems.
Principals' Perceptions of Preparation and Practice in Gifted and Special Education Content: Are We Doing Enough?:

This paper examines in-service school leaders' perceptions regarding the degree to which their administrator preparation program addressed necessary skills and knowledge to effectively work with ed...
High Temperature Reliability of SiC n-MOS Devices up to 630 °C

SiC based field-effect devices are attractive for electronic and sensing applications above 250 °C. At these temperatures the reliability of the insulating dielectric in metal-oxidesemiconductor (MOS) structures becomes an important parameter in terms of long-term device performance. We report on the reliability of n-MOS SiC capacitors following thermal stress cycling in the 330 to 630 °C range. As the primary mode of oxide breakdown under these conditions is believed to be due to electron injection from the substrate, the gate leakage current was measured as a function of temperature. The gate dielectric was grown using dry oxidation with a post oxidation NO passivation anneal. For large area, 1 mm diameter, 6H-SiC capacitors we obtain current densities as low as 5nA/cm2 at 630 °C. In addition, gate leakage measurements from arrays of 300 to 1000 2m diameter devices fabricated on different 1cm2 6H-SiC substrates are presented. These are encouraging results for the long-term reliability of SiC field-effect sensors.
Optical properties and quantum efficiency of thin-film alkali halides in the far ultraviolet

The optical constants of thin films of CsI, KI, and KBr and the quantum efficiency (QE) of planar photocathodes made with these alkali halides in the 53.6-174.4-nm spectral range are presented. The optical constants were obtained from measurements of the reflectance as a function of incidence angle. The effect of film heating and exposure to UV irradiation on the optical properties and on the QE of the three alkali halides was investigated. KBr was found to be the most stable material for both heating and UV irradiation. KI appeared to be close to temperature stable, whereas UV exposure affected its optical constants. CsI optical constants changed after 420 K heating and after UV exposure. The changes in the optical constants were related to the QE changes, and a certain correlation between both variations was determined. However, it was also demonstrated that the QE changes cannot be explained solely by the changes in optical constants.
Preliminary toxicity studies on N,N,N'-trimetyl-N' (2-hydroxyl-3-methyl-5-iodobenzyl)-1,3-propanediamine (HIPDM), a new brain perfusion imaging agent

HIPDM is a promising new agent for use in conjunction with single-photon emission tomography (SPECT) for studying local cerebral perfusion. The acute toxicity of HIPDM was studied in the rat and the rabbit. The LD50 for HIPDM in the rat was 36 mg/kg. Animals displayed signs of CNS involvement in toxicity which included convulsions, and locomotor deficits. The LD50 in the rabbit was approximately 20 mg/kg. Both loss of motor coordination and convulsions were the predominant signs of toxicity. Both the rat and rabbit displayed little individual variation in response to HIPDM as indicated by the steepness of the dose response curves. Repeated administration of HIPDM in the rabbit for two weeks at 1.4 mg/kg/day resulted in no effects on weight gain. Similarly there were no adverse effects on clinical chemistry and hematological parameters in serum and blood. Terminal tissue analysis revealed no induction of histopathological lesions in the brain or other tissues. It is unlikely that acute toxic manifestations will result from doses necessary for diagnostic purposes in man.
Focusing pulsed electromagnetic radiation in the near field

Intense, subnanosecond electric fields can be used either to stimulate bioelectric effects, such as calcium release in cells (which can lead to various secondary physiological effects), or to generate local hyperthermia. High power wideband antennas radiating electromagnetic waves in the subnanosecond range allows us to treat deep lesions non-invasively. Electromagnetic waves launched at the first focal point of the reflector are focused at the second focal point. This allows us either to deposit substantial amount of energy to the target for therapy or to image the dielectric properties of tissue in the confocal configuration. Two antennas with prolate spheroidal reflectors but fed with different wave launchers were designed and built to focus the radiated electric field. Antenna I is immersed in coupling medium with high dielectric permittivity, allowing for a small aperture diameter (0.14 m). Antenna II has a larger aperture diameter (0.5 m) and is to be operated in air.
Rate constants for collisional deactivation of Br2 B 3Π by Br2(X) and He

Electronic self-quenching of Br2(B) was investigated in the gas phase. The molecules were excited to individual rovibrational levels by a pulsed dye laser, and the fluorescence decay monitored in real time. Negatively curved Stern-Volmer plots were obtained for low J levels (<15) of υ′ = 7, 11, and 14, and these were interpreted in terms of a deactivation mechanism involving collisional energy transfer to predissociated levels. The Stern-Volmer plots and resolved fluorescence data have been analyzed using a detailed kinetic model of the quenching, energy transfer, and predissociation occurring within a collisionally coupled set of rovibrational levels. The model provided rate constants for quenching [(4.2 ± 0.5) × 10−10 cm3 molecule−1 s−1], rotational energy transfer [(6 ± 2) × 10−10 cm3 molecules−1 s−1], and indirect evidence for efficient near-resonant vibrational energy transfer (V-R, T). Electronic quenching of Br2(B) by He was also investigated. Previous studies gave rate constants of ≈ 2 × 10−10 cm3 molecule−1 s−1, but in the present work it was found that the deactivation is entirely a consequence of energy transfer to predissociated levels. An upper limit of kq = 2 × 10−12 cm3 molecule−1 s−1 was determined.
Survey of the Initial Cohort of Graduating Integrated 0+5 Residents and Vascular Fellows: Experiences During the Job Hunt

18. Survey of the Initial Cohort of Graduating Integrated 0+5 Residents and Vascular Fellows: Experiences During the Job Hunt Benjamin D. Colvard, MD, Murray Shames, MD, Andres Schanzer, MD, John Rectenwald, MD, Rabih Chaer, MD, Jason T. Lee, MD Vascular Surgery, Stanford, Stanford, CA; University of South Florida, Tampa, FL; University of Massachusetts, Worcester, MA; University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI; University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA; Stanford, Stanford, CA
Auxin regulates first leaf development and promotes the formation of protocorm trichomes and rhizome-like structures in developing seedlings of Spathoglottis plicata (Orchidaceae)

Auxin flows in a polar manner to target tissues and exert its morphogenic effect. Preventing auxin movement, with polar auxin transport (PAT) inhibitors, or increasing auxin levels in tissues through exogenous application can provide a means for assessing the importance of appropriate tissue distribution and concentration of this hormone during development. The formulation of culture media for micropropagation has been the primary focus of most orchid tissue culture research, a goal that unveils seedling hormone responses at a single point in development. This study was unique because it evaluated the auxin response of orchids during three stages of seedling development. Seedlings were grown on standard culture media for 10, 35 and 85 days. Each group was sub-cultured onto auxinand/or PAT inhibitor-containing media for an additional 10, 30 and 60 days, respectively. Data were collected on first leaf initiation, trichome formation and the appearance of propagative structures. In the 20-day seedlings, auxins and PAT inhibitors promoted precocious formation and random placement of protocorm hairs rather than in tufts, as seen in older, control seedlings. The 65-day seedlings formed protocorm-like bodies, rhizome-like growths from the stem, and fleshy leaves with trichomes. Seedlings cultured for 145 days developed microshoots or callus growth in the axils of older leaves and exhibited necrosis of original seedling roots and leaves. In general, exogenously applied auxin promoted the reversion of differentiated Spathoglottis plicata seedling tissue to a morphology that had propagative properties. Additionally, auxins commonly induced hair formation, which suggests that protocorm hairs may be root hair-like in nature. This work characterized three auxin growth responses in S. plicata seedlings that have not been reported in orchids: (i) the inhibition of first leaf initiation and abnormal first leaf morphology; (ii) the promotion of trichome formation; and (iii) the induction of rhizome-like structures and microshoots at a specific stage in seedling development.
Developmental age and the critical period for imprinting

Developmental age is widely accepted as a more sensitive baseline than posthatch age for the determination of the critical period for imprinting. The original data upon which this hypothesis is based were reexamined and found to have been analyzed in a meaningless way. There seems to be no objective data supporting the idea that developmental age provides a more sensitive baseline.
Energetic radiation produced during rocket-triggered lightning.

Using a NaI(Tl) scintillation detector designed to operate in electrically noisy environments, we observed intense bursts of energetic radiation (≫10 kiloelectron volts) during the dart leader phase of rocket-triggered lightning, just before and possibly at the very start of 31 out of the 37 return strokes measured. The bursts had typical durations of less than 100 microseconds and deposited many tens of megaelectron volts into the detector. These results provide strong evidence that the production of runaway electrons is an important process during lightning.
Targeted ablation of TRAF6 inhibits skeletal muscle wasting in mice

Skeletal muscle wasting is a major human morbidity, and contributes to mortality in a variety of clinical settings, including denervation and cancer cachexia. In this study, we demonstrate that the expression level and autoubiquitination of tumor necrosis factor (α) receptor adaptor protein 6 (TRAF6), a protein involved in receptor-mediated activation of several signaling pathways, is enhanced in skeletal muscle during atrophy. Skeletal muscle–restricted depletion of TRAF6 rescues myofibril degradation and preserves muscle fiber size and strength upon denervation. TRAF6 mediates the activation of JNK1/2, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, adenosine monophosphate–activated protein kinase, and nuclear factor κB, and induces the expression of muscle-specific E3 ubiquitin ligases and autophagy-related molecules in skeletal muscle upon denervation. Inhibition of TRAF6 also preserves the orderly pattern of intermyofibrillar and subsarcolemmal mitochondria in denervated muscle. Moreover, depletion of TRAF6 prevents cancer cachexia in an experimental mouse model. This study unveils a novel mechanism of skeletal muscle atrophy and suggests that TRAF6 is an important therapeutic target to prevent skeletal muscle wasting.
Caregiver training for people with Alzheimer's based on a stress threshold model

A caregiver training protocol for Alzheimer's disease and related disorders (ADRD) is presented for dementia management based on the progressively lowered stress threshold model. The training protocol is described using criteria for a nursing intervention including: (a) characteristics of the nursing diagnosis, (b) research base for the intervention, (c) desired patient outcomes, (d) acceptability to the patient, (e) capability of the nurse, and (f) feasibility for doing the intervention. A national study is described which is currently underway to further evaluate the effects of the training protocol.
Fiber options for advanced transmission systems

Discusses the trade-off in effective area, chromatic dispersion and chromatic dispersion slope on system performance at both 10 Gbit/s and 40 Gbit/s over a broad range spectral bandwidth. Traditional single fiber applications and advanced hybrid fiber applications are presented.
PENDULUM IMPACT TESTS ON STEEL W-BEAM GUARDRAILS

The response of a G4(1S) strong post steel w-beam guardrail system to pendulum impacts has been investigated in a series of full-size physical tests and in simulated experiments using the explicit finite-element analysis code DYNA3D. The physical tests were conducted at the Federal Outdoor Impact Laboratory at the Turner Fairbank Highway Research Center of the Federal Highway Administration in McLean, Va. In the pendulum tests, an 880-kg mass was used to strike the rail perpendicular to its face. The rail section was attached to steel posts and blockouts and supported in a specially designed fixture. Initial velocities of the pendulum at impact were 9.25, 20, 30, and 35 km/h. Acceleration, force, velocity, and displacement histories of the impact event were obtained from accelerometer data taken during the testing. Data from the DYNA3D simulations of the impact tests compared well with the data obtained from the full-scale testing. Displacement plots of the deformed shapes of the rails at 25-ms intervals compared favorably with high-speed film images. Force versus displacement histories showed good agreement with those obtained from quasi-static experiments. The use of pendulum impact tests for screening and evaluation of alternative guardrail systems is recommended.
Bounds on the moments for an ensemble of random decision trees

An ensemble of random decision trees is a popular classification technique, especially known for its ability to scale to large domains. In this paper, we provide an efficient strategy to compute bounds on the moments of the generalization error computed over all datasets of a particular size drawn from an underlying distribution, for this classification technique. Being able to estimate these moments can help us gain insights into the performance of this model. As we will see in the experimental section, these bounds tend to be significantly tighter than the state-of-the-art Breiman's bounds based on strength and correlation and hence more useful in practice.
Temporal and Spatial Indices of AF Regularization Predict Intraprocedural AF Termination and Outcome.

Ablation has become a cornerstone of therapy for atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common arrhythmia in the Western world and an important cause of morbidity and mortality [1]. However, optimal approach for ablation remains hotly debated, and this is particularly true for the selection of procedural endpoints. Since seminal studies by HaIssaguerre et al [2] showed that ectopy from the pulmonary veins (PVs) may trigger paroxysms of AF, PV isolation has become central to most ablation approaches. However, PV isolation often fails to terminate AF, particularly in patients with persistent AF [3], indicating AF sustaining mechanisms that lie outside the PVs. For this reason or to eliminate additional triggers, many approaches to ablate extra-PV tissue have been devised whose AF termination rates range from 58% [4] to 87% [5]. However, some constants remain. First, the event of AF termination is currently extremely difficult if not impossible to predict a priori. Second, AF termination by current ablative approaches is typically to atrial tachycardia, rather than to the sinus rhythm from which AF usually initiates. Finally, third, despite the intuitive advantages of AF termination, is remains disputed whether AF termination by current approaches is a desirable endpoint that improves long-term outcome. This brief review focuses on these facets of intra-procedural AF termination.
Post-hysterectomy vesicovaginal fistula: treatment by partial colpocleisis.

Abstract Urologists have been reticent to approach vesicovaginal fistulas via the vaginal route. The Latzko partial colpocleisis seems to be an easier, faster and less traumatic procedure than many advocated in the literature. The success rate is high and the procedure is highly recommended.
Interpersonal Autonomic Physiology A Systematic Review of the Literature

Interpersonal autonomic physiology is defined as the relationship between people's physiological dynamics, as indexed by continuous measures of the autonomic nervous system. Findings from this field of study indicate that physiological activity between two or more people can become associated or interdependent, often referred to as physiological synchrony. Physiological synchrony has been found in both new and established relationships across a range of contexts, and it correlates with a number of psychosocial constructs. Given these findings, interpersonal physiological interactions are theorized to be ubiquitous social processes that co-occur with observable behavior. However, this scientific literature is fragmented, making it difficult to evaluate consistency across reports. In an effort to facilitate more standardized scholarly approaches, this systematic review provides a description of existing work in the area and highlights theoretical, methodological, and statistical issues to be addressed in future interpersonal autonomic physiology research.
Cooperative Stand-off Tracking of Moving Targets by a Team of Autonomous Aircraft

Guidance laws are developed for tracking of a ground vehicle by a two-vehicle autonomous aircraft team. Guidance for the team is accomplished by construction of Lyapunov vector fields, which provide global stability to limit cycles (loiter circles) over the ground vehicle target. Inclusion of ground vehicle velocity produces assured stand-off separation from the target, and a second Lyapunov vector field produces advantageous phasing of aircraft to follow unpredicted target motion. Simulations including saturation limits on commanded aircraft turn rate and air speed indicate the utility of these guidance laws in following an agile target.
A Revolution in Rights: Reflections on the Democratic Invention of the Rights of Man:

This commentary aims to bring to the fore the revolutionary elements of the democratic politics inaugurated by the 1789 Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen. This founding event places righ...
Parameterized design of parallel movement machine tools based on SolidWorks

The visualized designing method of mechanical products usually takes the 3D CAD model of the component parts and subassemblies as the object of study to carrying out the machining and assembly and the researches on links of kinematics,dynamics,working process and course of control etc..Therefore,the rapid establishment of 3D entity model of the product is the key of applying high efficiently the visualized optimal designing method.Take the 3-TPT parallel machine tool as an example,under the environment of SolidWorks by using the Visual Basic software,the parameterized designing system of this machine tool was developed.The entity model of the machine tool can be established rapidly by applying this system,and then enhanced the efficiency of study on the visualized designing method.
Survey on Food Additives in Noodles and Rice Vermicelli Commodities

Objective To understand the situation of food additives in noodles and rice vermicelli, to get data for the safety management of foods. Methods High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was used to determine benzoic acid, sorbic acid, tartrazing, sunset yellow FCF in 42 samples of rice vermicelli and 32 samples of noodles. Results The recoveries of benzoic acid and sorbic acid, tartrazing and sunset yellow FCF were 99.2%～105.1%, 98.2%～103.5% respectively. The positive rate of the benzoic acid and the sorbic acid, the tartrazing and the sunset yellow FCF were 28.6% and 81.2%. Conclusion The color reagents and the preservatives are forbidden in the noodles and rice vermicelli commodities according to the national regulations. The results suggest that the foods safety management action requires further enhancement.
Constructing Ultrametric and Additive Trees Based on the L 1 Norm

1) criterion. Examples of ultrametric and additive trees fitted to two extant data sets are given, plus a Monte Carlo analysis to assess the impact of both typical data error and extreme values on fitted trees. Solutions are compared to the least-squares (L 2) approach of Hubert and Arabie (1995a), with results indicating that (with these data) the L 1 and L 2 optimization strategies perform very similarly. A number of observations are made concerning possible uses of an L 1 approach, the nature and number of identified locally optimal solutions, and metric recovery differences between ultrametrics and additive trees.
Corneal Neuralgia after LASIK.

Purpose To illustrate that corneal neuralgia may be the basis for refractory dry eye syndrome after laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). Methods The methodology used is that of a retrospective medical record review of a small case series. Results Three male patients, aged 30 to 48 years, referred in 2012 for dry eye syndrome refractory to treatment within 1 year of LASIK or LASIK enhancement are reported. Each patient gave history of eye pain, light sensitivity, and difficulty with visual activities beginning within 2 months of LASIK or LASIK enhancement. Best-corrected visual acuity was 20/15 or 20/20 in each of the six eyes. Tear-centered models and metrics did not explain persistent symptoms, which was consistent with inadequate response to standard dry eye treatments used before referral and reported here. In vivo confocal microscopy was abnormal at presentation in each case and was followed over time. Treatments undertaken subsequent to referral included autologous serum tears (three cases), PROSE (Prosthetic Replacement of the Ocular Surface Ecosystem) treatment (two cases), and systemic agents for pain, anxiety, or depression (three cases). By the end of 2013, at a mean of 23 months after LASIK or LASIK enhancement, symptoms improved in all three patients. Conclusions Patients with persistent dry eye symptoms out of proportion to clinical signs after LASIK have a syndrome that may best be classified as corneal neuralgia. In vivo confocal microscopy can be informative as to the neuropathic basis of this condition. In keeping with current understanding of complex regional pain syndrome, early multimodal treatment directed toward reducing peripheral nociceptive signaling is warranted to avoid subsequent centralization and persistence of pain. Distinguishing this syndrome from typical post-LASIK dry eye remains a challenge.
Shale-Hosted Hydrocarbons and Hydraulic Fracturing

Hydrocarbons are commonly generated in formations consisting largely of fine-grained, highly impermeable mudstone containing large amounts of organic matter (commonly called shale). When these hydrocarbons migrate out of the source rock to porous rock capped by an impermeable stratum, they form conventional oil and gas reservoirs. Unconventional oil and natural gas extracted directly from these petroleum source rocks and nearby likewise impermeable sedimentary rocks constitute one of the fastest growing energy resources in the world. This chapter describes these shale-hosted hydrocarbons and the processes required to extract them from the rocks, including both hydraulic fracturing for mature and overmature source rocks, and surface and in situ retorting for immature source rocks (oil shale).
Phase Stability Under Irradiation

Irradiation can have profound effects on the formation or dissolution of phases by alteration of the stability of those phases. The most direct way in which irradiation can alter phase stability is by causing local enrichment or depletion of solute such that the solubility limit is crossed.
Illyria, Italia, Englandia

Like an American on a one week tour of all of Europe, when Viola comes ashore in the second scene of Twelfth Night, she wants to know where she is: ‘What country, friends, is this?’ (I,ii,1). And the captain assures her, ‘This is Illyria, lady’ (I,ii,2). Editors dutifully note that Shakespeare takes his place name from a favourite sourcebook, Golding’s Ovid, and that Illyria is located in present-day Yugoslavia. Nevertheless, all would also agree that the feel and ambience of Orsino’s dukedom of music and love is decidedly Italian — like the settings for a goodly number of other Shakespeare plays.
Installation, Training, Maintenance, Security, and Infrastructure

How are the Cognitive Things configured and installed?Who trains them?Could they be deployed in a way to keep them secure?What type of infrastructure is needed - public cloud? private cloud?How are they organized?
The Effects of Stereotype Activation on Generational Differences

Three experimental studies were conducted to examine the effects of stereotype activation on generational differences in personality between Millennials (born between 1979 and 1994) and Generation X (born between 1965 and 1978). Personality was assessed using a self-report measure of entitlement in Study 1 and 2. Study 3 incorporated a version of Prisoner’s Dilemma to assess a behavioral state indicator of entitlement. Participants either experienced no stereotype activation, implicit activation about generational differences, or explicit stereotype activation that “Millennials are the most entitled generation.” The results were consistent with expectations across all three studies. Millennials who experienced implicit stereotype activation about generational differences were higher in entitlement than participants in other conditions. Conversely, Millennials who experienced explicit stereotype activation about their own entitlement were lower in entitlement than participants in other conditions. Overall, the results indicate that generational differences are in part influenced by stereotype activation.
DNA repair: Telomere-lengthening mechanism revealed.

Shortening of the ends of chromosomes limits a cell's lifespan. Some cancer cells avoid this fate through a mechanism called alternative lengthening of telomeres, molecular details of which have now been defined. See Article p.54 One aspect of cancer cells that contributes to their expansion and persistence is their ability to maintain telomere length as they continually divide. And one mechanism of telomere lengthening that does not utilize telomerase—and is found in more than one in ten cancers—is termed alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT). Roger Greenberg and colleagues show here that a specialized replisome is formed in ALT-positive cancer cells that is capable of synthesizing long tracts of DNA at the telomere, proceeding from a double-strand break. This process is independent of many canonical replication- and homology-dependent repair components.
cellGPU: massively parallel simulations of dynamic vertex models

Abstract Vertex models represent confluent tissue by polygonal or polyhedral tilings of space, with the individual cells interacting via force laws that depend on both the geometry of the cells and the topology of the tessellation. This dependence on the connectivity of the cellular network introduces several complications to performing molecular-dynamics-like simulations of vertex models, and in particular makes parallelizing the simulations difficult. cellGPU addresses this difficulty and lays the foundation for massively parallelized, GPU-based simulations of these models. This article discusses its implementation for a pair of two-dimensional models, and compares the typical performance that can be expected between running cellGPU entirely on the CPU versus its performance when running on a range of commercial and server-grade graphics cards. By implementing the calculation of topological changes and forces on cells in a highly parallelizable fashion, cellGPU enables researchers to simulate time- and length-scales previously inaccessible via existing single-threaded CPU implementations. Program summary Program Title: cellGPU Program Files doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.17632/6j2cj29t3r.1 Licensing provisions: MIT Programming language: CUDA/C++ Nature of problem: Simulations of off-lattice “vertex models” of cells, in which the interaction forces depend on both the geometry and the topology of the cellular aggregate. Solution method: Highly parallelized GPU-accelerated dynamical simulations in which the force calculations and the topological features can be handled on either the CPU or GPU. Additional comments: The code is hosted at https://gitlab.com/dmsussman/cellGPU , with documentation additionally maintained at http://dmsussman.gitlab.io/cellGPUdocumentation
Collaborative Interventions Reduce Time-to-Thrombolysis for Acute Ischemic Stroke in a Public Safety Net Hospital

Background and Purpose Shorter time-to-thrombolysis in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is associated with improved functional outcome and reduced morbidity. We evaluate the effect of several interventions to reduce time-to-thrombolysis at an urban, public safety net hospital. Methods All patients treated with tissue plasminogen activator for AIS at our institution between 2008 and 2015 were included in a retrospective analysis of door-to-needle (DTN) time and associated factors. Between 2011 and 2014, we implemented 11 distinct interventions to reduce DTN time. Here, we assess the relative impact of each intervention on DTN time. Results The median DTN time pre- and postintervention decreased from 87 (interquartile range: 68-109) minutes to 49 (interquartile range: 39-63) minutes. The reduction was comprised primarily of a decrease in median time from computed tomography scan order to interpretation. The goal DTN time of 60 minutes or less was achieved in 9% (95% confidence interval: 5%-22%) of cases preintervention, compared with 70% (58%-81%) postintervention. Interventions with the greatest impact on DTN time included the implementation of a stroke group paging system, dedicated emergency department stroke pharmacists, and the development of a stroke code supply box. Conclusions Multidisciplinary, collaborative interventions are associated with a significant and substantial reduction in time-to-thrombolysis. Such targeted interventions are efficient and achievable in resource-limited settings, where they are most needed.
Comparison and combination of rotational imaging optical coherence tomography and selective plane illumination microscopy for embryonic study

Several optical imaging techniques have been applied for high-resolution embryonic imaging using different contrast mechanisms, each with their own benefits and limitations. In this study, we imaged the same E9.5 mouse embryo with rotational imaging optical coherence tomography (RI-OCT) and selective plane illumination microscopy (SPIM). RI-OCT overcomes optical penetration limits of traditional OCT imaging that prohibit full-body imaging of mouse embryos at later stages by imaging the samples from multiple angles. SPIM enables high-resolution, 3D imaging with less phototoxicity and photobleaching than laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) by illuminating the sample with a focused sheet of light. Side by side comparisons are supplemented with co-registered images. The results demonstrate that SPIM and RI-OCT are highly complementary and could provide more comprehensive tissue characterization for mouse embryonic research.
Output from Simulation Runs

Computer simulation models are mainly developed to emulate actual systems that are too complex to analyze mathematically. The systems often fall into the terminating or the nonterminating type. The chapter describes how output data is collected for either type of system. Terminating systems have a defined beginning and ending event, and nonterminating systems include a combination of transient, equilibrium and cyclical stages. The output data from these systems are needed subsequently to statistically analyze the performance of the system that is under study. Another simulation model presented is one that creates the database to be used as test data for software applications like forecasting and inventory replenishments.
Comments on induction during cell differentiation

I suspect that this symposium was convoked because many share the conviction that embryological “induction” involves mechanisms similar to those implicated in the induction of enzymes in micro-organisms. This article of faith is summarized in the axiom that anything found to be true for E. coli must also be true for elephants (Monod and Jacob, 1962). For myself, I am not sure how one compares elephants with E. coli; how, so to speak, one focuses simultaneously on both these forms. True, in both proteins may be ultimately programmed by the sequence of bases in the DNA, polysaccharides synthesized by way of uridine nucleotides and so forth, but this does not describe how the elephant, consisting of billions of individual, specialized, and generally non-dividing cells, has developed. Yet this is the crux of morphogenesis and cell differentiation — how, by way of mitotic divisions, a zygote yields so many spatially-oriented muscle, cartilage, nerve, liver and other specialized cells whose activities, when integrated, form the elephant. The problem is not primarily how a muscle cell orders smaller molecules into myosin, actin, or creatine kinase, but how one group of cells is instructed to become muscle, whereas another group, descendents from the same parent cell, is instructed to fabricate a protein-chondroitin sulphate complex and hence becomes cartilage.
Constitutive Freezing Tolerant Mutants in Arabidopsis

Little is known about the signaling cascades by which plants perceive low temperatures and use the information to trigger molecular and biochemical programs leading to increased freezing tolerance. We have developed a Petri dish freezing assay that allows rapid screening of large numbers of M2 plants for mutants which are constitutively freezing tolerant. In this assay, non-acclimated wild-type Arabidopsis thaliana, Columbia exhibited a killing temperature (LT50) of −5.3°C. Two days of acclimation at 4°C brought about a change in LT50 to −12°C. Over 20 independent mutant lines that are freezing tolerant without cold acclimation were obtained by screening approximately 800,000 EMS-mutagenized M2 plants at −8°C. One mutant line, which has a recessive mutation at a locus designated eskimol (esk1), has LT50 of-11.5°C in the absence of acclimation. The esk1 mutant is smaller than WT but in most other aspects the growth and development of these plants are similar to WT. One hypothesis to explain the recessiveness and pleiot-ropic effects of esk1 is that the wild-type ESK1 gene may encode a negative regulator which represses the genetic programs required to withstand freezing at normal growth conditions.
Voices of White Resistance: Democratic Theory and the Task of Contending with White Nationalist Voice

As white nationalists have come to increasing prominence in recent decades, their presence presents a significant challenge to democratic societies. Motivated by a sense of racial imperilment, and opposed, sometimes violently, to core democratic ideals, white nationalists cannot be meaningfully incorporated into the political life of societies which promote inclusiveness and pluralism without threatening those values. Yet democratic theory, which seeks to offer ideal visions of what democratic societies could look like, provides no means for contending with the active presence of white nationalism in contemporary democratic societies. This article uses the concept of voice to explore these shortcomings in several theories of democracy, including deliberative, agonistic, and empowerment theories. In doing so, it draws on a wealth of white nationalist media, both physical and digital, to demonstrate how attitudes regarding racial imperilment, often articulated in terms of a ‘white genocide’, foreclose on any possibility of incorporating white nationalist voices into democratic societies. Moreover, an examination of white nationalists’ ongoing project to shift the boundaries of what is permissible in popular discourse, a process which is amplified by digital media technologies, suggests that they are nevertheless a pressing problem for democratic societies which should be addressed. In doing so, it is important to move beyond the focus on voice which underlays much democratic theory, exploring instead the experiences of social life to which white nationalist voices speak so that we might gain a better understanding of what motivates white nationalist voice and, potentially, how it might be addressed.
Process simulation of an integrated biomass torrefaction and pelletization (iBTP) plant to produce solid biofuels

Abstract Torrefaction is an important thermal pretreatment method to produce solid biofuels from lignocellulosic biomass to replace coal for sustainable heat and power generation. In this study, a thermodynamic-based process simulation model was developed for an integrated biomass torrefaction and pelletization (iBTP) plant to conduct mass and energy balances and to determine equipment size and design parameters using an Aspen Plus simulation tool. The key unit operations of an iBTP plant consisted of a biomass drying, fuel combustion, torrefaction, grinding, pelletizing, and cooling operations. A solid convective rotary dryer was simulated to study the temperature profiles and moisture content of hot gas and solid biomass along the dryer length. A rotary kiln torrefaction reactor was modeled through pre-defined reactor modules to investigate the main thermal and electrical energy requirements. The reactor output parameters such as mass and energy yield, HHV, and torgas compositions were validated for a torrefaction temperature range of 230–290 °C. The other main unit operations including combustion, grinding, pelletization, and cooling were also simulated to conduct detailed thermodynamic mass and energy balances at an industrial scale (pellet production capacity of 100,000 Mg yr−1) from pine wood chip feedstock. When wood bark is used as an auxiliary fuel over natural gas (base case), a separate solid fuel burner unit was simulated. The total thermal energy consumption for the production of torrefied pellets were ranged from 5.2 to 14.1 MJ kg−1 with the torgas energy contributions of 30–90% for the torrefaction temperature range of 250–290 °C. For the base case torrefaction temperature of 270 °C, the overall thermal and electrical energy consumptions were 7.2 and 0.9, respectively for the Mg of torrefied pellets produced. The developed model can be used to conduct process economics and safety assessments of a commercial scale plant.
Abstract 4178: Germline mutations in BRCA2 and pediatric/adolescent non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: A report from the St. Jude Lifetime (SJLIFE) and Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (CCSS) cohorts

Pathogenic or likely pathogenic (P/LP) monoallelic germline mutations in BRCA2 increase risk of developing breast, ovarian, prostate, and pancreatic cancers. In a prior report from the SJLIFE study, BRCA2 was the third most frequently mutated gene (14 occurrences) among 3006 survivors of childhood cancer with the highest number observed among lymphoma survivors (7/586). To further investigate BRCA2 as a potential predisposition gene for pediatric/adolescent lymphoma, we analyzed 781 additional lymphoma survivors in the SJLIFE and CCSS cohorts with whole-genome sequencing (30X coverage). In the combined set of 1367 survivors (808 Hodgkin’s lymphoma [HL], 559 non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma [NHL]; 54% male; median age at diagnosis 12.6 [range 1.1-22.7] years), 13 P/LP mutations in BRCA2 were identified, with 7 mapped to the breast or ovarian cancer cluster regions defined by the Consortium of Investigators of Modifiers of BRCA1/2. Compared to reference controls in the Genome Aggregation Database (gnomAD) (Table 1), a significant association was observed between lymphoma and mutations in BRCA2 (odds ratio [OR], 3.1; 95% CI, 1.7-5.5) but not BRCA1. When stratified by diagnosis, the association was significant for NHL (OR, 4.8; 95% CI, 2.0-9.6) but not for HL. BRCA2 mutation carriers included a broad spectrum of NHL histological subtypes. Our findings support inclusion of pediatric/adolescent NHL in the spectrum of cancers associated with germline BRCA2 mutations. Approximately 1.4% of survivors of pediatric/adolescent NHL are carriers of a P/LP mutation in BRCA2, which may be the underlying etiology of their primary diagnosis. Clinically, counselling regarding BRCA2 mutation status should be considered for pediatric/adolescent NHL patients. Large scale genetic studies of newly diagnosed pediatric/adolescent lymphoma patients are warranted to replicate and refine diagnosis-specific risk estimates. Citation Format: Zhaoming Wang, Ti-Cheng Chang, Carmen L. Wilson, Chimene A. Kesserwan, Todd M. Gibson, Nan Li, John Easton, Heather L. Mulder, Gang Wu, Michael N. Edmonson, Michael C. Rusch, James R. Downing, Kim E. Nichols, Smita Bhatia, Gregory T. Armstrong, Melissa M. Hudson, Jinghui Zhang, Yutaka Yasui, Leslie L. Robison. Germline mutations in BRCA2 and pediatric/adolescent non-Hodgkin9s lymphoma: A report from the St. Jude Lifetime (SJLIFE) and Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (CCSS) cohorts [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 4178.