cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Estimating Error Rate during Self-Test via One's Counting

We have shown previously that in many applications ? including audio, speech, graphics, video, and digital communications ? chips that cause occasional errors may lead to acceptable system operation, provided the rate at which errors occur at the output is below a desired threshold. In this paper we propose a new self-test technique to estimate the error rate, i.e., the percentage of input vectors likely to cause errors, for a circuit under test (CUT). The proposed method uses one's count signature to estimate the error rate at the output of the CUT. It then compares this estimate with a threshold error rate to decide whether the chip is acceptable for a particular application. Using this method, a large fraction of imperfect chips that can provide acceptable system operation can be identified, effectively leading to yield gain compared to classical test approaches. The fact that this yield gain is achievable using a low-cost self-test approach accentuates the economic benefits.
Efficacy and safety of edifoligide, an E2F transcription factor decoy, for prevention of vein graft failure following coronary artery bypass graft surgery: PREVENT IV: a randomized controlled trial.

ContextCoronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery with autologous vein grafting is commonly performed. Progressive neointimal hyperplasia, however, contributes to considerable vein graft failure. Edifoligide is an oligonucleotide decoy that binds to and inhibits E2F transcription factors and thus may prevent neointimal hyperplasia and vein graft failure.ObjectiveTo assess the efficacy and safety of pretreating vein grafts with edifoligide for patients undergoing CABG surgery.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsA phase 3 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 3014 patients undergoing primary CABG surgery with at least 2 planned saphenous vein grafts and without concomitant valve surgery, who were enrolled between August 2002 and October 2003 at 107 US sites.InterventionVein grafts were treated ex vivo with either edifoligide or placebo in a pressure-mediated delivery system. The first 2400 patients enrolled were scheduled for 12- to 18-month follow-up angiography.Main Outcome MeasuresThe primary efficacy end point was angiographic vein graft failure (≥75% vein graft stenosis) occurring 12 to 18 months after CABG surgery. Other end points included other angiographic variables, adverse events through 30 days, and major adverse cardiac events.ResultsA total of 1920 patients (80%) either died (n = 91) or underwent follow-up angiography (n = 1829). Edifoligide had no effect on the primary end point of per patient vein graft failure (436 [45.2%] of 965 patients in the edifoligide group vs 442 [46.3%] of 955 patients in the placebo group; odds ratio, 0.96 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 0.80-1.14]; P = .66), on any secondary angiographic end point, or on the incidence of major adverse cardiac events at 1 year (101 [6.7%] of 1508 patients in the edifoligide group vs 121 [8.1%] of 1506 patients in the placebo group; hazard ratio, 0.83 [95% CI, 0.64-1.08]; P = .16).ConclusionsFailure of at least 1 vein graft is quite common within 12 to 18 months after CABG surgery. Edifoligide is no more effective than placebo in preventing these events. Longer-term follow-up and additional research are needed to determine whether edifoligide has delayed beneficial effects, to understand the mechanisms and clinical consequences of vein graft failure, and to improve the durability of CABG surgery.Clinical Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00042081.Published online November 13, 2005 (doi:10.1001/jama.294.19.joc50135).
Correlates of apparel significance among older men and women

A total of 978 older men and women (over 65 years) were systematically identified from a list of registered voters and asked to participate in a study examining the correlates of apparel significance (extent to which apparel is considered important by an individual). A postal survey technique was used to collect the data. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse and interpret the data. The condition number index was used to test for multicollinearity of data. Pearson product moment correlation coefficients, analysis of variance and stepwise multiple regression were used to analyse the data. The findings revealed that apparel significance was positively related to self-esteem, age perception, media usage, opinion leadership and social participation. Stepwise multiple regression results indicated that 65·3% of the variance was explained by media usage, opinion leadership and sex.
Less Successful Tax Avoiders

I propose a measure of tax risk that uses large ex-post payments to tax authorities to capture firms that might be exposed to future tax risk (tax spike firms). I first validate my measure by showing that tax spike firms indeed face higher future tax risk, as measured by future large tax payments and tax volatility. In addition, these firms have high historical ETRs, which contrasts with the use of low ETRs as a proxy for tax risk in prior research. I then provide evidence that tax spike firms face higher financing costs when raising funds in the syndicated loan market. Finally, using a large hand-collected sample of tax disclosures, I find that lenders charge the largest penalties to firms that disclose a tax settlement and to firms that do not provide proper disclosures explaining their tax spikes. Overall, my study contributes to a better understanding of the types of firms that are exposed to tax risk and the economic consequences these firms face.
Agents’ model of uncertainty

Multi-agent systems play an increasing role in sensor networks, software engineering, web design, e-commerce, robotics, and many others areas. Uncertainty is a fundamental property of these areas. Agent-based systems use probabilistic and other uncertainty models developed earlier without explicit consideration of agents. This paper explores the impact of agents on uncertainty models and theories. We compare two methods of introducing agents to uncertainty theories and propose a new theory called the agent-based uncertainty theory (AUT). We show advantages of AUT for advancing multi-agent systems and for solving an internal fundamental question of uncertainty theories, that is identifying coherent approaches to uncertainty. The advantages of AUT are that it provides a uniform agent-based representation and an operational empirical interpretation for several uncertainty theories such as rough set theory, fuzzy sets theory, evidence theory, and probability theory. We show also that the introduction of agents to intuitionist uncertainty formalisms can reduce their conceptual complexity. To build such uniformity the AUT exploits the fact that agents as independent entities can give conflicting evaluations of the same attribute. The AUT is based on complex aggregations of crisp (non-fuzzy) conflicting judgments of agents. The generality of AUT is derived from the logical classification of types (orders) of conflicts in the agent populations. At the first order of conflict, the two agent populations are disjoint and there is no interference of logic values assigned to any statement p and its negation by agents. The second order of conflict models superposition (interference) of logic values for overlapping agent populations where an agent assigns conflicting logic values (true, false) to the same attribute simultaneously.
Interactions between Myc and MondoA transcription factors in metabolism and tumourigenesis

Metabolic reprogramming towards aerobic glycolysis is a common feature of transformed cells and can be driven by a network of transcription factors. It is well established that c-Myc and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) contribute to metabolic reprogramming by driving the expression of glycolytic target genes. More recently, the c-Myc-related transcription factor MondoA has been shown to restrict glucose uptake and aerobic glycolysis via its induction of thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP). Three recent studies demonstrate that complex and cancer type-specific interactions between c-Myc, MondoA and HIF-1α underlie metabolism, tumourigenesis and drug response. In triple-negative breast cancer, c-Myc blocks MondoA-dependent activation of TXNIP to stimulate aerobic glycolysis. In contrast, in neuroblastoma, N-Myc requires MondoA for metabolic reprogramming and tumourigenesis. Finally, the therapeutic response of BRAFV600E melanoma cells to vemurafenib requires downregulation of c-Myc and HIF-1α and upregulation of MondoA-TXNIP, and the subsequent reprogramming away from aerobic glycolysis. In this minireview we highlight the findings in these three studies and present a working model to explain why c-Myc and MondoA function cooperatively in some cancers and antagonistically in others.
The Genus Lyreidus de Haan, 1839 (Crustacea, Decapoda, Raninidae): Systematics and Biogeography

Six extant and nine fossil species of the raninid Lyreidus de Haan, including Lyreidus (Lyreidus) lebucasis n. sp. and L. (Lysirude) hookeri n. sp., are recognized. Based on morphology of the anterolateral margin and sternum, the species are referred to two subgenera, Lyreidus (Lyraidus) and Lyreidus (Lysirude). The genus first appears in shallow-water, high-latitude Southern Hemisphere localities in New Zealand, Antarctica, and Chile in the early Eocene. Subsequently, the nominate subgenus is confined to the Southern Hemisphere until the Neogene, when it dispersed into the Indo-West Pacific region. Lyreidus (Lysirude) is documented by early and middle Eocene occurrences in Antarctica and New Zealand; however, all subsequent occurrences, fossil and recent, arc in the Northern Hemisphere. The disjunct modern distribution within the genus is confined to this subfamily; species are known from the western North Atlantic and the Indo-West Pacific.
Beta-haemolytic streptococcal endocarditis: clinical presentation, management and outcomes

AbstractBackground Beta-haemolytic streptococcal (BHS) endocarditis is rare, but well-recognised for its high morbidity and mortality. This study sought to further characterise clinical features, management and outcomes of BHS endocarditis. Methods Retrospective review of all adultpatients (≥ 18 years old) with BHS endocarditis treated at the Mayo Clinic from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2014. Results Forty-nine cases of BHS endocarditis were identified with a mean (± SD) age of 64 (±14.9) years and 65% were males. The infection was community acquired in 92% of the cases, with a median (IQR) time to diagnosis from symptom onset of 6 days (5–10). Associated conditions included the presence of a prosthetic valve (41%), malignancy (33%) and diabetes mellitus (DM) (31%). Median (IQR) vegetation size was 12 mm (9–17 mm). In a univariate analysis patients with DM had larger vegetations, median (IQR) = 17 mm (10.5–26 mm) compared to non-diabetic patients, median (IQR) = 11 mm (8–15 mm) (p = 0.01). Septic brain ...
Metal Ion Scrambling in Hexanuclear M6(Et2NCO2)12 Complexes (M ) Co, Mg). Synthesis, Solid State Structure, and Solution Dynamics of Heteronuclear ConMg6-n(Et2NCO2)12 Complexes

Heteronuclear diethylcarbamato complexes of the form ConMg6-n(Et2NCO2)12 were prepared from the isostructural homonuclear precursors Mg6(Et2NCO2)12, 1, and Co6(Et2NCO2)12, 2, via a solvothermal methodology. Two materials were selected for single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis: Co1.6Mg4.4(Et2NCO2)12 and Co2.7Mg3.3(Et2NCO2)12. Both compounds crystallize in the orthorhombic space group Ccca, as do 1 and 2. The molecular structure is best described as two trinuclear M3 units cross-linked by diethylcarbamate ligands and twisted about one another, so that the complex has overall D2 symmetry and is chiral. Each trinuclear unit consists of two terminal pentacoordinate metal ions and one central hexacoordinate metal ion. The X-ray diffraction data were unambiguous that the Co2+ ions migrate exclusively to the pentacoordinate sites in the heteronuclear complexes, thus demonstrating that metal ion scrambling at the molecular level must occur. The composition of individual crystals can be continuously varied for...
Distribution and Seasonal Biology of Phyllophaga crinita in the Texas High Plains

Damaging population levels of a white grub, Phyllophaga crinita (Burmeister), annually infest ca. 40,000 acres of grain sorghum and wheat in a 7 county area in the Texas Southern High Plains. Based on weekly sampling, larvae were present in the field throughout the year and was the only stage present during all months except May, June, and July. Pupae were most abundant in mid-June and the subsequent adults were most prevalent in early July. The egg stage was most abundant ca. 1–2 wk following peak adult abundance. Adult activity was recorded by light trap collections and was greatest during late June and July which corresponded to the peak abundance of adults collected in the field.
Adolescent gun violence prevention: what we know, and what we can do to keep young people safe.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review will focus on recent research, initiatives, and legislation regarding the issue of gun violence as it pertains to adolescents. RECENT FINDINGS: Homicide and suicide continue to be major killers of adolescents in the United States. Gun homicide kills teens in the most urban areas of the United States at the same rate as suicide kills teens in the most rural areas of the United States. Research on assault-injured youth sheds light on risk factors for teen gun homicide, and has found high rates of illegal gun carrying and retaliatory attitudes among at-risk teens. Suicide research continues to show a strong correlation between gun ownership and accessibility, and risk of completed suicide. Stand Your Ground laws and campus carry laws present unique threats to different populations of American teens. SUMMARY: Given the enormous toll that gun violence takes on adolescent lives, pediatricians should ask about guns in the home and become involved in efforts to strengthen laws that would decrease gun violence. Language: en
Research on working condition and influencing factors among some occupational groups in Xicheng District of Beijing

[Objective]To learn the health and working condition among occupational groups in some workplaces of Xicheng District of Beijing,as well as its influencing factors,provide scientific basis for further intervention.[Methods]Using stratified cluster sampling,a questionnaire survey was conducted among 1 784 employees in 6 types of workplace,including government agency,hospital,school,factory,shopping mall,and research institute.[Results]Among the surveyed population,the top three diseases with highest prevalence rate were overweight and obesity(35.6%),cervical spondylosis(16.9%) and fatty liver(14.3%).There was a close relationship between sitting work time and health status.[Conclusion]Overweight and obesity are the major health problems among some occupational groups in Xicheng District of Beijing.It is necessary to pay attention to the occupational hazards caused by sitting work mode.
The Use of Line Arrester in Lightning Protection of 500 kV Transmission Line in Complex Terrain

Lightning fault of 500 kV transmission line is the main cause of the line trip out,especially for transmission lines located in complex terrain.The ATP-EMTP and electric geometry method are used to analyze the shielding failure lightning withstand level of the typical 500 kV lines which are influenced by terrain factors,the working principle of line arrester in lightning protection is explained.Lightning disturbance governance of the first 500 kV Puhong line is introduced.Studies show that more attention should be paid the influence of topography on lightning protection of transmission line;the line arrester is one of the effective means for lightning disturbance treatment of 500 kV transmission line in complex terrain.
Basic amino acid transport in renal papilla: microinfusion of Henle's loops and vasa recta

To determine whether basic amino acids, like acidic and neutral amino acids, could be reabsorbed distal to tips of Henle's loops and recycled between loops and vasa recta in the renal papilla, we c...
Exploring the Sex-Determination Pathway for Control of Mosquito-Borne Infectious Diseases

Abstract Mosquitoes are the vectors of many pathogens that continue to make a large impact on human health. Current control measures for vector-borne infectious diseases are under threat and new strategies, including genetic control, are urgently needed. Genetic strategies to control mosquito-borne diseases include population suppression and population replacement. Because only female mosquitoes feed on blood and transmit pathogens, it is critical to release only male mosquitoes when implementing either of the two genetic methods. Challenges remain in achieving robust, reliable, and cost-effective mass production and sex separation of mosquitoes. Rapid progress in mosquito genomics and functional genomics presents exciting opportunities to improve our understanding of the sex-determination pathways, which will provide new targets and strategies for genetic sexing as well as population reduction through the introduction of male-bias. In this chapter, we will focus on the current understanding of the sex-determination pathway in mosquitoes including recent progress from genomics and bioinformatics analyses. We will compare and contrast mosquitoes of the Culicinae and Anopheles subfamilies, which have different types of sex-determining chromosomes. We will end by exploring new strategies that build on the discoveries of the molecular mechanisms of mosquito sex determination.
Fluorescence-linked Antigen Quantification (FLAQ) Assay for Fast Quantification of HIV-1 p24Gag

The fluorescence-linked antigen quantification (FLAQ) assay allows a fast quantification of HIV-1 p24Gag antigen. Viral supernatant are lysed and incubated with polystyrene microspheres coated with polyclonal antibodies against HIV-1 p24Gag and detector antibodies conjugated to fluorochromes (Figure 1). After washes, the fluorescence of microspheres is measured by flow cytometry and reflects the abundance of the antigen in the lysate. The speed, simplicity, and wide dynamic range of the FLAQ assay are optimum for many applications performed in HIV-1 research laboratories.
Captures of Boll Weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Relation to Trap Distance From Cotton Fields.

The boll weevil ( Anthonomus grandis grandis Boheman) has been eradicated from much of the United States, but remains an important pest of cotton ( Gossypium spp.) in other parts of the Americas. Where the weevil occurs, the pheromone trap is a key tool for population monitoring or detection. Traditional monitoring programs have placed traps in or near the outermost cotton rows where damage by farm equipment can cause loss of trapping data. Recently, some programs have adopted a trap placement adjacent to but outside monitored fields. The effects of these changes have not been previously reported. Captures of early-season boll weevils by traps near (≤1 m) or far (7–10 m) from the outermost cotton row were evaluated. In 2005, during renewed efforts to eradicate the boll weevil from the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas, far traps consistently captured more weevils than traps near cotton. Traps at both placements indicated similar patterns of early-season weevil captures, which were consistent with those previously reported. In 2006, no distinction between trap placements was detected. Early-season patterns of captures in 2006 were again similar for both trap placements, but captures were much lower and less regular compared with those observed in 2005. These results suggest magnitude and likelihood of weevil capture in traps placed away from cotton are at least as high as for traps adjacent to cotton. Therefore, relocation of traps away from the outer rows of cotton should not negatively impact ability to monitor or detect the boll weevil.
Evaluating the Community Land Model (CLM4.5) at a coniferous forest site in northwestern United States using flux and carbon-isotope measurements

Abstract. Droughts in the western United States are expected to intensify with climate change. Thus, an adequate representation of ecosystem response to water stress in land models is critical for predicting carbon dynamics. The goal of this study was to evaluate the performance of the Community Land Model (CLM) version 4.5 against observations at an old-growth coniferous forest site in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States (Wind River AmeriFlux site), characterized by a Mediterranean climate that subjects trees to water stress each summer. CLM was driven by site-observed meteorology and calibrated primarily using parameter values observed at the site or at similar stands in the region. Key model adjustments included parameters controlling specific leaf area and stomatal conductance. Default values of these parameters led to significant underestimation of gross primary production, overestimation of evapotranspiration, and consequently overestimation of photosynthetic 13C discrimination, reflected in reduced 13C : 12C ratios of carbon fluxes and pools. Adjustments in soil hydraulic parameters within CLM were also critical, preventing significant underestimation of soil water content and unrealistic soil moisture stress during summer. After calibration, CLM was able to simulate energy and carbon fluxes, leaf area index, biomass stocks, and carbon isotope ratios of carbon fluxes and pools in reasonable agreement with site observations. Overall, the calibrated CLM was able to simulate the observed response of canopy conductance to atmospheric vapor pressure deficit (VPD) and soil water content, reasonably capturing the impact of water stress on ecosystem functioning. Both simulations and observations indicate that stomatal response from water stress at Wind River was primarily driven by VPD and not soil moisture. The calibration of the Ball–Berry stomatal conductance slope (mbb) at Wind River aligned with findings from recent CLM experiments at sites characterized by the same plant functional type (needleleaf evergreen temperate forest), despite significant differences in stand composition and age and climatology, suggesting that CLM could benefit from a revised mbb value of 6, rather than the default value of 9, for this plant functional type. Conversely, Wind River required a unique calibration of the hydrology submodel to simulate soil moisture, suggesting that the default hydrology has a more limited applicability. This study demonstrates that carbon isotope data can be used to constrain stomatal conductance and intrinsic water use efficiency in CLM, as an alternative to eddy covariance flux measurements. It also demonstrates that carbon isotopes can expose structural weaknesses in the model and provide a key constraint that may guide future model development.
Novel Pretreatments of Whole Blood Using Fenton-Like Processes for Trace Metal Analysis

Whole blood is a complex mixture of biological and chemical species. Its pretreatment, which is often conducted by dry ashing, is needed before the analyses of trace metals in whole blood. Recently photo-Fenton Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP) process has been used in the pretreatment of whole blood. Two new AOP processes using simple heating and microwave irradiation have been developed in the current work to pretreat blood samples. The treatments are based on a Fenton-like AOP with acid deactivation of the enzyme catalase. The first treatment is performed with a lab oven over 5 h, while the second uses microwave irradiation for 6 min. These methods allow for either cost-effective pretreatment through the use of the lab oven, or time savings through the use of the microwave oven. The degradations of blood and pure hemoglobin samples are compared through UV/visible spectroscopy, and the copper concentration in the treated samples were analyzed via anodic stripping voltammetry as a demonstration of analyzing trace metals in the pretreated whole blood.
Thermal Radiation and Electromagnetic Modes

Before a discussion of the detection process, we first investigate the properties of the optical and infrared radiation in equilibrium with a cavity at temperature T. The results of this derivation are essential to an understanding of detection processes limited by thermal radiation from the vicinity of the detectors as well as from the background or other extraneous radiators near the desired signal source. The treatment also introduces the three forms of thermal statistics which will be used later in discussions of laser preamplification and thermal detectors. A up right finâl concept, introduced in this chapter and developed elsewhere in the text, is that of the allowed spatial modes of the electromagnetic field. The properties of these modes are key elements in the treatment of heterodyne detection and radiation field fluctuations.
Abstract CT304: Phase Ib trial of trastuzumab emtansine (TE) in combination with lapatinib (L) plus nab-paclitaxel (A) in metastatic HER2-neu overexpressed breast cancer patients: STELA trial results

Background: Multiple large randomized clinical trials have demonstrated that dual HER2 targeted therapies are synergistic and result in improved efficacy. We conducted a phase Ib trial of trastuzumab-emtansine (TE) and lapatinib (L), together with Nab paclitaxel (A) in patients with HER2 over-expressed stage IV breast cancer. Methods: Key inclusion criteria are stage IV HER2 positive breast cancer, LVEF ≥ 45%, and Peripheral neuropathy Results: Nine patients, median age 47 (range 44-64) years were enrolled. All patients are currently off the study. The DLTs were grade 3 diarrhea (n = 1) and grade 3 elevated transaminase (n = 1). Grade 3-4 hematological toxicities included neutropenia (N = 6) and thrombocytopenia (N = 1). Other AEs included grade 1-2 mucositis (n = 2), diarrhea (N = 2), and liver function tests abnormality (N = 5). The 24 hour trough levels of each of the drug were within the range of the values reported in the literature. The MTD of TE, L and A was reached at: TE 3.0 mg/kg, Lapatinib 750mg and Abraxane (A) 80 mg/m2. Eight patients, with a median of 1 prior metastatic therapy (range 0-5) were evaluable for response. Five patients, 62.5% derived clinical benefit, including 1 patient with complete response and 4 patients with partial response. Conclusions: TE plus L and A therapy was well tolerated with antitumor activity observed. STELA Ib trial has been expanded to include twelve additional patients for safety and efficacy evaluation. Citation Format: Tejal Patel, Jaime Mejia, Angel Rodriguez, Jenny Chang. Phase Ib trial of trastuzumab emtansine (TE) in combination with lapatinib (L) plus nab-paclitaxel (A) in metastatic HER2-neu overexpressed breast cancer patients: STELA trial results. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr CT304. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-CT304
Taking ACTION to reduce pain: ACTION study rationale, design and protocol of a randomized trial of a proactive telephone-based coaching intervention for chronic musculoskeletal pain among African Americans

Rates of chronic pain are rising sharply in the United States and worldwide. Presently, there is evidence of racial disparities in pain treatment and treatment outcomes in the United States but few interventions designed to address these disparities. There is growing consensus that chronic musculoskeletal pain is best addressed by a biopsychosocial approach that acknowledges the role of psychological and environmental factors, some of which differ by race. The primary aim of this randomized controlled trial is to test the effectiveness of a non-pharmacological, self-regulatory intervention, administered proactively by telephone, at improving pain outcomes and increasing walking among African American patients with hip, back and knee pain. Participants assigned to the intervention will receive a telephone counselor delivered pedometer-mediated walking intervention that incorporates action planning and motivational interviewing. The intervention will consist of 6 telephone counseling sessions over an 8–10 week period. Participants randomly assigned to Usual Care will receive an informational brochure and a pedometer. The primary outcome is chronic pain-related physical functioning, assessed at 6 months, by the revised Roland and Morris Disability Questionnaire, a measure recommended by the Initiative on Methods, Measurement, and Pain Assessment in Clinical Trials (IMMPACT). We will also examine whether the intervention improves other IMMPACT-recommended domains (pain intensity, emotional functioning, and ratings of overall improvement). Secondary objectives include examining whether the intervention reduces health care service utilization and use of opioid analgesics and whether key contributors to racial/ethnic disparities targeted by the intervention mediate improvement in chronic pain outcomes Measures will be assessed by mail and phone surveys at baseline, three months, and six months. Data analysis of primary aims will follow intent-to-treat methodology. We will tailor our intervention to address key contributors to racial pain disparities and examine the effects of the intervention on important pain treatment outcomes for African Americans with chronic musculoskeletal pain. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01983228 . Registered 6 November 2013.
Initial Radioiodine Ablation

Radioiodine has been used to treat thyroid cancer for more than 70 years and is an important aspect in the management of well-differentiated thyroid cancer. It has been historically used in two ways: to ablate residual thyroid tissue (adjuvant therapy) and to treat known metastatic disease. However, the indications and dosages of radioactive iodine use for patients with well-differentiated thyroid cancer are changing, with physicians advising treatment less often and lower doses for adjuvant therapy in recent years. As the practice of radioactive iodine continues to evolve with the availability of large, rigorous clinical studies, it is likely that adjuvant radioactive iodine will be reserved for larger tumors with more aggressive histology and/or for recurrent disease.
A Security Framework for Enhancing User Experience

In this paper, we present a novel framework that enhances user experience for their daily computing activities while being protected from cyber threats. The conceptual security framework also targets two additional goals: enabling end-users to experiment software applications before making a decision for a real installation, and serving as a testing environment for both research scholars and security practitioners to analyze and predict potentially malicious activities. The framework introduces three modes of operations full lockdown, partial lockdown, and administration and a virtual storage that provides a safe, secure, and reliable computing environment for end-users. We also present three use cases that show the applicability of their framework in a real-world environment.
Fission Cross Section of Uranium-235 from 0.8 to 4 MeV

The relative energy dependence of the 235U fission cross section has been measured with respect to the (n, p) scattering reaction for neutron energies from 0.8 to 4 MeV. The Lawrence Livermore Labo...
Institutional Policies and Practices for Admitting, Assessing, and Tracking International Students

The United States has the largest market share of international students at 22%, followed by the United Kingdom at 11% (Project Atlas, 2015). The U.S. share has decreased from 28% in 2001 although total numbers ofinternational students are increasing (Project Atlas, 2015). Decreased market share may be due to targeted national strategies in other countries to attract international students. These include immigration policies that not only expedite obtaining a student visa, but provide opportunities to work while studying and permanent jobs and residency after graduation (e.g., Canada, the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden) (Lane, 2015). Nations are also actively recruiting, providing databases with comprehensive information about studying in the country, (e.g., the Netherlands), and offering financial incentives (e.g., Germany)(Lane, 2015). In some cases, countries that once sent students to study abroad (United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Malaysia) are now actively recruiting to host students from their regions (Lane, 2015).
El discurso desincretizador y womanista de Georgina Herrera: hacia una descolonización de la espiritualidad de la mujer negra cubana

Resumen El proposito de este articulo es usar la poesia de Georgina Herrera para deconstruir la tradicion de la santeria que considera la religion yoruba como una ramificacion del catolicismo y no como una religion universal. Georgina Herrera refleja en sus poemarios Africa (2006) y Gatos y liebres o libro de las conciliaciones (2010) el nuevo discurso afro-cubano que apuesta por una heterogeneidad religiosa que emerge en Cuba a finales de los anos ochenta. Ademas, la poeta aboga en su poesia por el derecho del liderazgo religioso de la mujer afro-cubana, recuperando las practicas yorubas ortodoxas y el papel activo de las mujeres en sus rituales. Abstract The purpose of this article is to use Georgina Herrera’s poetry in order to deconstruct the tradition of santeria that considers the Yoruba religion under the wing of Catholicism and not as a universal religion. Georgina Herrera reflects in her books of poems Africa (2006) and Gatos y liebres o libro de las conciliaciones (2010) the new Afro-Cuban discourse of religious heterogeneity that emerged in Cuba at the end of the eighties. Furthermore, the poet advocates for the right to leadership of Afro-Cuban women recovering the orthodox Yoruba practices and the active role of women in their rituals.
Patterns of sedentary behavior and mortality in U.S. middle-aged and older adults a national cohort study

Background Excessive sedentary time is ubiquitous in Western societies. Previous studies have relied on self-reporting to evaluate the total volume of sedentary time as a prognostic risk factor for mortality and have not examined whether the manner in which sedentary time is accrued (in short or long bouts) carries prognostic relevance. Objective To examine the association between objectively measured sedentary behavior (its total volume and accrual in prolonged, uninterrupted bouts) and all-cause mortality. Design Prospective cohort study. Setting Contiguous United States. Participants 7985 black and white adults aged 45 years or older. Measurements Sedentary time was measured using a hip-mounted accelerometer. Prolonged, uninterrupted sedentariness was expressed as mean sedentary bout length. Hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated comparing quartiles 2 through 4 to quartile 1 for each exposure (quartile cut points: 689.7, 746.5, and 799.4 min/d for total sedentary time; 7.7, 9.6, and 12.4 min/bout for sedentary bout duration) in models that included moderate to vigorous physical activity. Results Over a median follow-up of 4.0 years, 340 participants died. In multivariable-adjusted models, greater total sedentary time (HR, 1.22 [95% CI, 0.74 to 2.02]; HR, 1.61 [CI, 0.99 to 2.63]; and HR, 2.63 [CI, 1.60 to 4.30]; P for trend < 0.001) and longer sedentary bout duration (HR, 1.03 [CI, 0.67 to 1.60]; HR, 1.22 [CI, 0.80 to 1.85]; and HR, 1.96 [CI, 1.31 to 2.93]; P for trend < 0.001) were both associated with a higher risk for all-cause mortality. Evaluation of their joint association showed that participants classified as high for both sedentary characteristics (high sedentary time [≥12.5 h/d] and high bout duration [≥10 min/bout]) had the greatest risk for death. Limitation Participants may not be representative of the general U.S. population. Conclusion Both the total volume of sedentary time and its accrual in prolonged, uninterrupted bouts are associated with all-cause mortality, suggesting that physical activity guidelines should target reducing and interrupting sedentary time to reduce risk for death. Primary Funding Source National Institutes of Health.
Electronic Structure and Dynamics of Copper-Doped Indium Phosphide Nanocrystals Studied with Time-Resolved X-ray Absorption and Large-Scale DFT Calculations

The recent development of time-resolved X-ray absorption spectroscopy (TR-XAS) has opened avenues for fundamental research on doped semiconductors. Reported herein are results on the successful doping of indium phosphide nanocrystals (NCs) with copper and subsequent characterization with time-resolved X-ray studies and large-scale density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The synthetic protocol that was based on the cluster seed method afforded control of both the doping level and the quantity of NCs produced in a batch. The stability of the colloidal dispersion allowed us to monitor the photophysical properties of copper guest ions with static and TR-XAS at the copper K-edge. These data reveal that copper captures a hole from the photoexcited InP NC, and relaxation to the ground state occurs via multiple timescales likely due to the presence of interior and surface-bound dopant ions as well as recombination with surface- and defect-trapped electrons. Large-scale DFT calculations reveal a striking dep...
B-Cell Lymphocytosis

Evaluation of the peripheral blood (typically including flow cytometry immunophenotyping) and/or bone marrow is often the initial testing used to make a diagnosis of many B-cell lymphomas. This chapter presents the features and differential diagnoses of B-cell lymphomas that are primarily diagnosed by evaluating blood and bone marrow samples, as well as reactive B-cell proliferations in the bone marrow and blood. The chapter will not discuss bone marrow staging of B-cell and Hodgkin lymphomas that have already been diagnosed in extramedullary tissues.
Concordant pain provocation during transforaminal epidural steroid injection for lumbosacral radiculopathy: effect on pain outcome and predictive factors.

BACKGROUND Anecdotal report suggests that provocation of pain during epidural steroid injection (ESI) that is concordant with typical radicular symptoms predicts pain outcome following injection. However, limited evidence exists that substantiates this theory. Additionally, there is a paucity of literature investigating factors associated with the provocation of pain during ESI. OBJECTIVES The goal of this study was to determine whether provocation of concordant radicular pain during transforaminal ESI predicts pain relief immediately after injection and at short-term follow-up. Demographic, radiologic, and procedural factors associated with the pain provocation and pain outcomes at immediate and short-term follow-up were also investigated. STUDY DESIGN Longitudinal cohort study. SETTING Urban academic outpatient interventional spine clinics. METHODS Adults who underwent a fluoroscopically guided transforaminal ESI without sedation between January 1, 2006, and October 29, 2007, for the treatment of lumbosacral radicular pain were included in this study. The relationships between provocation of concordant pain, immediate post-injection, and follow-up visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores, as well as with demographic, radiologic, and procedural factors were determined using chi-square/Fisher's exact tests for categorical variables and t-tests or ANOVA for numerical variables. RESULTS One thousand twenty one patients, 42.4% (433) male/57.6% (588) female, with a mean (SD) age of 54.1 (16.7) years were included in the study. Concordant pain provocation did not predict the magnitude of pain reduction (P = 0.9255) or the frequency of achieving > 50% pain relief (P = 0.7449) at short-term follow-up. Radiologic evidence of foraminal stenosis or nerve root impingement (P < 0.0001) and the lack of a medial-superior contrast flow pattern (P = 0.0199) were associated with a greater frequency of pain provocation during transforaminal ESI. LIMITATIONS This study is primarily limited by possible selection bias given that patients who did not follow-up in the clinic could not be studied, and an incomplete follow-up rate (66%). Conclusions regarding subacute and long-term pain outcomes cannot be determined from this study as only short-term data were available. CONCLUSIONS Provocation of concordant radicular pain does not predict pain relief at short-term follow-up after a transforaminal ESI. Foraminal stenosis, nerve root impingement, and lack of a medial-superior contrast flow pattern are associated with pain during the transforaminal ESI. Thus, clinicians should be aware of these radiologic and procedural risk factors for inciting pain during transforaminal ESI.
Learning evaluation functions

This research proposes a scheme for learning state evaluation functions for heuristic search problem solving systems. The proposed scheme employs both empirical and analytical learning techniques. Characterizations of states which are n=l,2,… steps from the goal are learned. These characterizations are then used to define a state evaluation function.
Molecular Mechanisms of Persistent Infection by Reovirus

Many cytolytic animal viruses are capable of establishing persistent infections of cultured cells. For such persistent infections to be maintained interactions between virus and cell must be modulated such that a less cytopathic virus-host relationship is established (reviewed in Ahmed et al. 1996). Variant viruses may be selected that are attenuated in cytolytic potential, or variant cells may be selected that are less permissive for viral replication. In some cases, however, viruses and cells coevolve during persistent infection, such that selection of virus-resistant cells leads to counterselection of highly infective mutant viruses that can grow in resistant cells.
Determination of Ion-Atom Potentials from Mobility Experiments

Drift tube exoeriments have been used to investigate the behavior of low density ion swarms, with applied electric fields, since the 1930’s. Starting with the work of Tyndall and of Bradbury and Nielsen it was recognized that the evolution of the swarm consisted of a steady drift of the swarm center and diffusion out from this center. Thus the experimental data may be analyzed in terms of a drift velocity, \(\vec{v}\), and a diffusion coefficient, D, such that the ion density at position \(\vec{r}\) at time t is \( n(\vec{r},t) = C{\left[ {4\pi Dt} \right]^{{ - 3/2}}}\exp {[\vec{r} - \vec{v}t)^{2}}/4Dt] \)(1) assuming a concentration of C ions at the origin at time zero.
The impact of perioperative blood transfusion on survival following radical cystectomy for urothelial carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION Perioperative blood transfusion (PBT) has been shown to contribute to cancer progression and mortality. This study sought to determine the impact of PBT during radical cystectomy on cancer-specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS). MATERIALS AND METHODS The Columbia University Urologic Oncology Database was reviewed for patients who underwent a RC from 1989 to 2010 (n = 638). PBT was defined as non-autologous packed red blood cells (PRBC) received during the same hospital stay as the radical cystectomy. Clinical and pathological variables were compared between the cohorts and survival analysis was performed with the Kaplan-Meier and Cox-regression methods. The primary outcomes were CSS and OS. RESULTS Of 638 patients identified, 209 patients (32.8%) underwent PBT with an average of 2.21 ± 1.66 units transfused PRBC. Mean age was 68.1 ± 11.2 years; median follow up was 25.5 months (range 1-164 months). The number of units of PRBC transfused was inversely associated with OS (HR 1.12; p = 0.008) and CSS (HR 1.12; p = 0.049) on univariable analysis. Additionally, Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated a significant difference in OS (p = 0.0211) in patients who received more units of PRBC. However, on multivariable analysis, the number of units of PRBC transfused was not an independent predictor of outcome for CSS (p = 0.300) or OS (p = 0.246). CONCLUSIONS Each additional unit of PRBC received during radical cystectomy is associated with a decrease in survival. However, after controlling for clinical and pathologic factors which predict survival, PBT does not have an independent affect upon CSS or OS.
Optimizing the Learning and Working Environment for Radiology Residents.

Rationale and Objectives: In the newest revision of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education Common Program Requirements, substantial changes were made to section VI now entitled “The Learning and Working Environment.” The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education expanded section VI to include patient safety, quality improvement, supervision, accountability, well-being, and fatigue mitigation realizing work hours represent only one part of the work environment. Materials and Methods: These new requirements prompted us to evaluate our current curriculum, including our current tools for meeting program requirements such as the didactic lecture series and tracking resident progress in our Clinical Competency Committee, and identified areas of our curriculum that were lacking or could be improved upon. Results: This assessment leads to incorporation of innovative and novel strategies to not only satisfy the requirements but also to engage our trainees throughout the process. Conclusion: Our model can be used as an example for other residency programs looking for ways to fulfill these new requirements.
A rhyme hunt

Judith Harries discusses how children can use the word play, onomatopoeia and rhyme found in Michael Rosen's much-loved children's books to develop their speaking skills and cooperative play.
Adverse childhood experiences among foster parents: Prevalence and association with resilience, coping, satisfaction as a foster parent, and intent to continue fostering

Abstract Foster parents provide substitute, primary care for children who have been removed from their primary caregivers due to abuse and neglect. Little is known about the experiences of foster parents prior to fostering, particularly whether they have experienced adversity themselves, such as adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). The purpose of this study was to examine the occurrence of ACEs among a convenience sample of foster parents and explore multiple relationships between foster parent-reported ACEs, resilience, and other indicators of foster parent function and well-being (parental stress, satisfaction as a foster parent, perceived challenges with fostering, intent to continue fostering). This study included a convenience sample of 150 non-relative foster parents from across the United States who were currently fostering. Authors utilized descriptive statistics to describe occurrence of ACEs, regression analyses to examine associations between study variables, and t tests to address differences in resilience and fostering outcomes based on experience of ACEs. Sixty-eight percent (68%) of foster parents in this sample experienced one ACE or more. Results indicated that there were no relationships between ACEs and foster parent outcomes, except that foster parents with at least one ACE reported more challenges with the foster care system. Parental resilience was associated with parental stress, satisfaction, and intent to continue fostering. The results of this study indicate that early adversity may be less important than foster parent resilience, particularly considering that resilience is both genetic and something that can be taught. Thus, researchers and child welfare practitioners or administrators should understand and integrate foster parent training and supports that can build foster parent resilience.
Radiolysis and radionuclide production in a flowing-water target during fast 40Ca20+ irradiation.

Abstract A flowing-water target was irradiated with a 140 MeV/u, 8 nA 40Ca20+ beam to test the feasibility of isotope harvesting at the upcoming Facility for Rare Isotope Beams. Among other radionuclides, 2.6(2)E-6 48Cr and 5.6(5)E-6 28 Mg nuclei were formed for every impingent 40Ca and were collected through ion exchange. Radiolysis-induced molecular hydrogen evolved from the target at an initial rate of 0.91(9) H2 molecules per 100 eV of beam energy deposited. No radiation-accelerated corrosion of the target material was observed.