cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The utility of high-risk HPV testing in the management of women 30 to 64 years of age with low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions on cervical cytology.

Introduction The current American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology guidelines recommend high risk-human papillomavirus testing for patients 30 to 64 years of age with a low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion on Papanicolaou (Pap) tests. This study presents our experience since the introduction of the new guidelines. Materials and methods From September 1, 2013 through August 31, 2014, 20,014 ThinPrep Pap tests were processed, of which 17,989 (90%) were negative, 863 (4.3%) were atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS), and 540 (2.7%) were low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL). Thirty-eight percent of the negative cases, 87% of the ASCUS cases, and 76% of the LSIL cases were processed for high risk-human papillomavirus genotypes. Of the 1,163 patients with a Pap test diagnosis of ASCUS and LSIL, 656 (56%) underwent colposcopic examination and, of those, 240 (37%) had cervical biopsies performed. Results In our cohort, 247 (33%) of the 754 ASCUS Pap tests were hr-HPV-positive and 507 (67%) were hr-HPV-negative. Of the 409 LSIL Pap tests, 245 (60%) were hr-HPV-positive and 164 (40%) were hr-HPV-negative. Colposcopy/biopsy follow-up within 3-months of the ThinPrep Pap test showed cervical intraepithelial lesion grade 2/3 lesions in 16% of the hr-HPV-positive ASCUS cases, in 15% of the hr-HPV-positive LSIL cases and in 9% of the hr-HPV-negative LSIL cases. Conclusions This study supports the current management guidelines of colposcopy for women 30 to 64 years of age with hr-HPV-positive ASCUS and LSIL on Pap tests and repeat Pap test with cotesting for women with hr-HPV-negative LSIL.
Heliobacterium modesticaldum, sp. nov., a thermophilic heliobacterium of hot springs and volcanic soils

Enrichment cultures for heliobacteria at 50°C yielded several strains of a thermophilic heliobacterium species from Yellowstone hot spring microbial mats and volcanic soils from Iceland. The novel organisms grew optimally above 50°C, contained bacteriochlorophyll g, and lacked intracytoplasmic membranes. All isolates were strict anaerobes and grew best as photoheterotrophs, although chemotrophic dark growth on pyruvate was also possible. These thermophilic heliobacteria were diazotrophic and fixed N2 up to their growth temperature limit of 56°C. Phylogenetic studies showed the new isolates to be specific relatives of Heliobacterium gestii and, as has been found in H. gestii, they produce heat-resistant endospores. The unique assemblage of properties found in these thermophilic heliobacteria implicate them as a new species of this group, and we describe them herein as a new species of the genus Heliobacterium, Heliobacterium modesticaldum.
Radiative exchange, near-surface temperature and soil water of forest and cropland in interior Alaska

Abstract The expansion of the agricultural industry in Alaska during the early 1980's allowed for clearing 50 000 ha of boreal forest. Little is known, however, about the impact of clearing boreal forest on surface energy exchange processes. This study assessed radiative and heat exchange, temperature and soil water at boreal forest and grassland sites near Delta Junction, AK. The sites, located 5 km apart, were on a nearly level alluvial terrace. The grassland site was cleared in 1978 and seeded to grass in about 1985. At both sites, sensors were installed to measure the albedo, net radiation, surface heat flux, near-surface temperatures and soil water content from September 1991 to April 1993. Seasonal variations in albedo were more apparent for grassland (0.19 to 0.85) than for forest (0.08 to 0.18). Net radiation over forest was 20% greater during the summer and 20% smaller during winter compared with grassland. Surface heating consumed 13 and 6% of net radiation during the growing season at the grassland and forest sites, respectively. Soil temperatures at the 0.5-m depth ranged from −14 to 10°C at the grassland site and from −2.5 to 0.5°C at the forest site. The soil at the grassland site was drier and exhibited greater seasonal variation in water content compared with the soil at the forest site. Ice lenses were apparent in the forest soil at a depth of 0.3–0.6 m as the water content exceeded the porosity. This study suggests that clearing forest land will reduce the net absorption of radiation, but enhance soil heating and drying in the subarctic.
Clinical Segmental Myelitis Associated with an Unidentified Toxoplasma-Like Parasite in a Cat:

A single species of the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma changes were felt to be diagnostic. Cerebrospinal fluid colgondii is known to parasitize virtually all warm-blooded anlected at the time of myelogram contained 117 WBC/μl, 4210 imals, including humans. 3 Recently, another unidentified red blood cells/μl, and 186 mg/dl of protein. The WBC were parasite, antigenically similar to Toxbplasma but slightly difmostly small lymphocytes. Based on the elevated protein and ferent structurally was found in a cat with a myeloproliferthe cytologic changes, a diagnosis of nonsuppurative meninative disease. Primary disease in a cat associated with this gomyelitis was made. unidentified parasite is reported here. A 3-year-old intact female domestic long haired cat was Based on the evidence of inflammatory disease, a feline leukemia virus test was performed, which was negative. Sepresented to The Veterinary Teaching Hospital, The Ohio State University-Columbus, for evaluation of a left thoracic rum electrophoresis was performed, looking for a based gammopathy, such as seen with feline infectious broadperitolimb gai prior to t disturbance. presentation The and abnormal described gait was noticed 3 weeks as a “lameness.” Over nitis. The electrophoresis results were normal. Antibodies to T. gondii were found in 1:4,096 dilution of the serum tested the course of 3 weeks, the cat aspect of the carpus. At times, began the leg to walk on the dorsal would be carried. The owner brought the cat for cortisone by the referring evaluation because treatment with veterinarian had not alleviated the clinical signs. Additionally, the left pelvic limb was now abnormal. Neurologic and ophthalmologic abnormalities were found on physical examination. The cat had anisocoria, with the left pupil smaller than the right. The pupillary light reflexes were preserved. There was slight protrusion of the nictitans on the left and ptosis of the left palpebrum. The triceps and biceps muscles in the left thoracic limb were atrophied. The left pelvic limb was weak and had deficits in the postural reactions. The apparent lower motor neuron weakness of the left thoracic limb, the Homer’s syndrome, and the weakness of the left pelvic limb indicated a lesion in the spinal cord at the level of the cervical intumescence (C6-T2). The ophthalmologic examination revealed a focal area of hyperreflectivity surrounded by edema in the right eye. These changes in eu the indirect hemagglutination test. thanasia rather than treat the cat. The The owner elected cat was euthanized with an overdose was performed. of barbiturate anesthesia, and a necropsy
Evaluation without ground truth in social media research

Even without it, some ingenious methods can be developed to help verify users' social media behavioral patterns.
On the Relationships Among Traffic Load, Capacity, and Throughput for the M/M/1/m, M/G/1/m-PS, and M/G/c/c Queues

System throughput is one of the widely used performance measures in manufacturing, communication, and service networks. Although there are exceptions, throughput of such systems typically increases with additional capacity. We investigate how this improvement in throughput depends on the traffic load. More specifically, we consider M/M/1/m , M/G/1/m-PS , and M/G/c/c queues, all of which arise in a variety of contexts. For the M/G/c/c queue, we show that throughput improvement (both nominal and relative) that would be obtained by adding an extra server is increasing in the traffic load. For the M/M/1/m and M/G/1/m-PS queues, we show that throughput improvement (both nominal and relative) that would be obtained by adding an extra buffer space is unimodal in traffic load. In particular, the relative improvement is maximized when the traffic load is one regardless of the buffer size. We also prove a new structural property for the blocking probability of the M/M/1/m and M/G/1/m-PS queues.
Putting motivational interviewing in perspective

The goal of our commentary was to allow pharmacists to better understand the motivational interviewing model so that they would consider using this strategy with patients to improve medication adherence. The commentary’s title was written as a question to stimulate the reader’s interest and
A Century of Differential Evolution of Housing Co-operatives in Mumbai and Chennai

Since their inception at the beginning of the 20th century, the evolutionary paths of housing co-operatives have diverged in Mumbai and Chennai. Housing co-operatives in Mumbai have been principally Tenure co-operatives (i.e. for collective ownership and management). In Chennai they have been mainly Finance co-operatives (i.e. for providing loans to members). This paper makes a comparative institutional analysis of the two cities to examine the divergent evolution. The examination is important for informing the institutional conditions that enable co-operatives to flourish. Four institutional aspects are examined in this context: the local housing market, local housing policies, role of state government and co-operative institutional support structures.
Acute toxicity of ammonia on juvenile cobia ( Rachycentron canadum , Linnaeus, 1766) according to the salinity

Juvenile cobia (Rachycentron canadum) (total length 15.16 ± 0.92 cm and weight 19.26 ± 4.5 g) were exposed to different concentrations of ammonia–N (unionized plus ionized ammonia as nitrogen), using the static renewal method at different salinity levels of 5, 20, and 35‰ at pH 8.1 and 25°C. The 24, 48, 72, 96 h LC50 values of ammonia–N for R. canadum juveniles were 60.28, 48.57, 37.42, 22.73 mg l−1 at 35‰; 51.25, 43.63, 28.17, 19.05 mg l−1 at 20‰; and 39.48, 25.31, 19.50, 8.13 mg l−1 at 5‰, respectively. The 24, 48, 72, 96 h LC50 values of NH3–N (unionized ammonia as nitrogen) were 1.81, 1.46, 1.12, and 0.68 mg l−1 at 35‰; 1.75, 1.49, 0.96, and 0.65 mg l−1 at 20‰; and 1.52, 0.97, 0.71, and 0.31 mg l−1 at 5‰, respectively. As the salinity decreased from 35 to 5‰, susceptibility of ammonia–N increased by 34.5, 47.88, 50.56, and 64.23% after 24, 48, 72, and 96 h exposure, respectively. Furthermore, we found that exposure of fish to ammonia–N caused an increase in oxygen consumption of 129.1, 157.5, and 192% and a decrease in the ammonia excretion level of 53.4, 38.2, and 23.3% with respect to the control.
Using MILP and CP for the scheduling of batch chemical processes

A hybrid framework that uses Mathematical and Constraint Programming for the scheduling of batch chemical processes is proposed. Mathematical programming is used for the high-level optimization decisions (number and type of tasks, and assignment of equipment units to tasks), and Constraint Programming is used for the low-level sequencing decisions. The original problem is decomposed into an MILP master problem and a CP subproblem. The master MILP is a relaxation of the original problem, and given a relaxed solution, the CP subproblem checks whether there is a feasible solution and generates integer cuts. The proposed framework is based on the hybrid algorithm of Maravelias and Grossmann ([1],[2]), and can be used for different objective functions and different plant configurations. In this paper we present the simplifications and enhancements that allow us to use the proposed framework in a variety of problems, and report computational results.
FANCD2 Is a Potential Therapeutic Target and Biomarker in Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma Harboring the PAX3–FOXO1 Fusion Gene

Purpose: Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma that harbors the PAX3–FOXO1 fusion gene (t-ARMS) is a common and lethal subtype of this childhood malignancy. Improvement in clinical outcomes in this disease is predicated upon the identification of novel therapeutic targets. Experimental Design: Robust mouse models were used for in vivo analysis, and molecular studies were performed on xenografts treated in parallel. Two independent patient sets ( n = 101 and 124) of clinically annotated tumor specimens were used for analysis of FANCD2 levels and its association with clinical and molecular characteristics and outcomes. Results: Our xenograft studies reveal a selective suppression of FANCD2 by m-TOR kinase inhibition and radiosensitization of the t-ARMS line only. In the initial patient set, we show that FANCD2 transcript levels are prognostic in univariate analysis, and are significantly associated with metastatic disease and that the copresence of the translocation and high expression of FANCD2 is independently prognostic. We also demonstrate a significant and nonrandom enrichment of mTOR-associated genes that correlate with FANCD2 gene expression within the t-ARMS samples, but not within other cases. In the second patient set, we show that on a protein level, FANCD2 expression correlates with PAX3–FOXO1 fusion gene and is strongly associated with phospho-P70S6K expression in cases with the fusion gene. Conclusions: Our data demonstrate that FANCD2 may have a significant role in the radiation resistance and virulence of t-ARMS. Indirectly targeting this DNA repair protein, through mTOR inhibition, may represent a novel and selective treatment strategy. Clin Cancer Res; 20(14); 3884–95. ©2014 AACR .
Convergence and stability analysis of a synchronous adaptive CDMA receiver

A thorough investigation on the convergence and stability of an adaptive synchronous CDMA receiver is presented. The receiver consists of a decorrelator at the first stage and an adaptive interference canceler at the second stage. By using a steepest descent algorithm that minimizes the output signal energy to adaptively control the weights, neither the knowledge of the users' received amplitudes nor the use of training sequences is required. The system is near-far resistant, and its error performance approaches the single-user bound when the interferers' SNRs are high. Sufficient conditions for the receiver to achieve convergence are derived, and their properties are analyzed.
Discrimination of Geological End Members Using Hyperion Imagery: Preliminary Results, Big Bend National Park, Texas

Hyperion hyperspectral data are being tested as a means for generating databases of surface cover at Big Bend National Park, Texas. Preliminary unmixing results indicate a capacity for discrimination of general geological classes, but separation of several sedimentary end members has proven difficult due to shared weathering characteristics. Of special interest in this study is the utility of hyperspectral data in the mapping of fractional lithological compositions of widespread alluvial deposits.
The role of liver transplantation techniques in the surgical management of advanced renal urothelial carcinoma with or without inferior vena cava thrombus

Purpose: Standard radical nephrectomy for large masses is significantly facilitated by liver transplantation techniques, which have been successfully employed over the last ten years at our institution. Large and locally-advanced urothelial carcinoma of the kidney with or without extension into the inferior vena cava is rare. The purpose of this study was to present the surgical management of large and locally-advanced urothelial tumors arising from the renal pelvis using liver transplantation techniques and to evaluate patient outcome. Materials and Methods: Diagnostic work-up and surgical management of 4 patients with large and locally-advanced renal urothelial carcinoma were retrospectively reviewed. Two out of four patients with urothelial carcinoma presented with inferior vena cava thrombus. Mean tumor size was 11.6 cm. All patients underwent surgery, 2 patients with the presumed diagnosis of renal cell cancer. Liver transplantation techniques were an integral part in all radical nephrectomies. Results: No intraoperative complications and postoperative mortality occurred. Mean operative time was 7.5 hours, estimated blood loss was 1.5 L, and an average of 4.8 units of blood was transfused intraoperatively. Three patients succumbed to cancer recurrence at a mean postoperative time of 6.3 months; 1 patient is still alive 24 months after surgery. Conclusions: Large and locally-advanced renal masses of urothelial origin can be successfully removed by a combination of radical nephrectomy with liver transplantation techniques. Since long-term outcome of such patients has been poor, accurate preoperative diagnosis is essential to consider neoadjuvant treatment and to plan nephroureterectomy.
Estimation of 3-D left ventricular deformation from medical images using biomechanical models

The quantitative estimation of regional cardiac deformation from three-dimensional (3-D) image sequences has important clinical implications for the assessment of viability in the heart wall. We present here a generic methodology for estimating soft tissue deformation which integrates image-derived information with biomechanical models, and apply it to the problem of cardiac deformation estimation. The method is image modality independent. The images are segmented interactively and then initial correspondence is established using a shape-tracking approach. A dense motion field is then estimated using a transversely isotropic, linear-elastic model, which accounts for the muscle fiber directions in the left ventricle. The dense motion field is in turn used to calculate the deformation of the heart wall in terms of strain in cardiac specific directions. The strains obtained using this approach in open-chest dogs before and after coronary occlusion, exhibit a high correlation with strains produced in the same animals using implanted markers. Further, they show good agreement with previously published results in the literature. This proposed method provides quantitative regional 3-D estimates of heart deformation.
Group informatics: A methodological approach and ontology for sociotechnical group research

We present a methodological approach, called Group Informatics, for understanding the social connections that are created between members of technologically mediated groups. Our methodological approach supports focused thinking about how online groups differ from each other, and diverge from their face-to-face counterparts. Group Informatics is grounded in 5 years of empirical studies of technologically mediated groups in online learning, software engineering, online political discourse, crisis informatics, and other domains. We describe the Group Informatics model and the related, 2-phase methodological approach in detail. Phase one of the methodological approach centers on a set of guiding research questions aimed at directing the application of Group Informatics to new corpora of integrated electronic trace data and qualitative research data. Phase 2 of the methodological approach is a systematic set of steps for transforming electronic trace data into weighted social networks.
A factor analytic study of branching patient management problems.

Summary This study was undertaken to determine the factor analytic structure of patient management problems (PMPs) and to determine whether such factors are stable for different groups taking the same examination and for the same group over time. Two examinations were administered to a group of medical students, the first during their junior year and the second during their senior year. The second examination was also administered to a second class of students during their junior year. Factor analyses results indicated there are two components to medical problem-solving as measured by PMPs-data gathering and management. Both factors were stable over groups and over time.
A Model for the Boreal Summer Intraseasonal Oscillation

Abstract The tropical intraseasonal oscillation (ISO) exhibits pronounced seasonality. The boreal summer ISO is more complex than its winter counterpart due to the coexistence of equatorial eastward, off-equatorial westward, and northward propagating, low-frequency modes and their interactions. Based on observational evidence and results obtained from numerical experiments, a mechanism is proposed for the boreal summer ISO in which the Northern Hemisphere summer monsoon (NHSM) circulation and moist static energy distribution play essential roles. With a climatological July mean basic state, the life cycle of model low-frequency waves consists of four processes: an equatorial eastward propagation of a coupled Kelvin–Rossby wave packet, an emanation of moist Rossby waves in the western Pacific, a westward propagation and amplification of the Rossby waves in South Asian monsoon regions, and a reinitiation of the equatorial disturbances over the central Indian Ocean. The life cycle spans about one month and p...
Faculty Development Practices In Distance Education For Success With Culturally Diverse Students

The student population is becoming more geographically and culturally diverse in the online arena because students from all parts of the world are able to register for online classes. These diverse students need competent and qualified online facilitators that are able to use diverse teaching pedagogies to meet their learning needs. Therefore, developing and training faculty members through a successful orientation program to integrate diverse cyberspace technology into the classroom for student learning are a necessity today. As such, administrators should focus on the effective development, training, and retaining of technologically savvy educators to teach in various distance learning modalities (online, on-ground, and blended formats) using cyberspace technology while focusing on effectively achieving learning outcomes with diverse students. The document discusses diversity issues, the desires and views of online students based on a survey of 229 graduate students, and suggestions for new online faculty members. An emersion model of training used for faculty orientation and development is presented.
SINGLE BOOK REVIEWS

Painted Books and Indigenous Knowledge in Mesoamerica: Manuscript Studies in Honor of Mary Elizabeth Smith. Elizabeth Hill Boone, ed. New Orleans: Middle American Research Institute, 2005. 446 pp.
Efficient Utilization of Test Elevators to Reduce Test Time in 3D-ICs

Three Dimensional Integrated Circuits are an important new paradigm in which different dies are stacked atop one another, and interconnected by Through Silicon Vias (TSVs). Testing 3D-ICs poses additional challenges because of the need to transfer data to the non-bottom layers and the limited number of TSVs available in the 3D-ICs for the data transfer. A novel test compression technique is proposed that introduces the ability to share tester data across layers using daisy-chained decompressors. This improves the encoding of test patterns substantially, thereby reducing the amount of test data required to be stored on the external tester. In addition, an inter-layer serialization technique is proposed, which further reduces the number of TSVs required, using simple hardware to serialize and deserialize the test data. Experimental results are presented demonstrating the efficiency of the technique proposed.
'Treading Water': A Preliminary Assessment of EPA Enforcement During the Bush II Administration

This article examines the enforcement record of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) during the first term of the George W. Bush Administration, from 2001 through 2004. It describes the early “signals” sent by the Administration that enforcement was being deemphasized, the well publicized, contentious effort by the Administration to “reform” EPA’s new source review program, enforcement resource and budgetary constraints, official secretiveness, intra-Agency perceptions of enforcement politicization, declines in staff morale, and trends in institutional enforcement relationships. The article is based on interviews with current and former EPA/DOJ officials and review of numerous articles and EPA policy documents.
Theory is Stranger than Fiction: Black Literature as Social Truth

The texture of black life under conditions of racial inequality has become increasingly harder to describe in our time. Though empirically undeniable, categorical racial inequality has become so diffuse that the experience of living under unequal terms of democratic association can be difficult to grasp. This matters for moral and political philosophy because the experience of racial inequality as captured in both mundane and tragic ways is fundamental to equality. This chapter attempts to give some content to a human point of view of equality, a view culled from Bernard Williams's injunction that we understand equality as a property between humans, with all the complexity and richness that term brings with it. I do so by engaging a range of black novelists and satirists (Ann Petry, Percival Everett, Paul Beatty, Mat Johnson, and Colson Whitehead) whose own projects are geared to engaging readers' ethical sense by describing both dramatically and satirically the various effects and outcomes racial inequality imposes on black lives. My own aim is to present a work of political philosophy that mirrors their attempt to imaginatively engage readers for the express purposes of working towards a robust and re-imagined conception of egalitarianism appropriate for race in our time.
Glass Formation and Phase Separation in the Vitreloy Type Bulk Metallic Glasses

Results of calorimetric, differential thermal analysis, and structural measurements are presented for a series of bulk metallic glass forming compositions in the Zr-Ti-Cu-Ni-Be alloy system. The structural data identify the competing crystalline phases, formed on cooling from the liquid state, for various compositions in the Zr-Ti-X quasi-ternary phase diagram; with the Cu-Ni-Be ratio given by X = Be 9 Cu 5 Ni 4 . For this region of the ndimensional phase space (n=5), the bulk glass forming range is extensive and the calorimetric data exhibit thermal features associated with the occurrence of phase separation in the undercooled liquid state prior to primary crystallization. The topology of the composition manifold is complex; manifest by dramatic changes in crystallization behavior for small changes in the Zr-Ti-X ratio. Alloys with large supercooled liquid regions, Δ, are observed; ΔT≈ 135 K. Zr-Ti-Cu-Ni-Be alloy compositions with eutectic temperatures less than that of pure Al (T m = 933 K) were also synthesized.
Hippocampal levels of dynorphin A (1-8) in neonatal and 16-week-old spontaneously hypertensive rats: comparisons with DOCA-salt hypertension.

In this study the possible role of hippocampal dynorphin in the development of hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) was investigated by determining dynorphin A (1–8) (DN A (1–8)) levels in hippocampus in 16 week old SRH, Wistar Kyoto (WKY) controls and SHR treated with antihypertensive drugs as well as DOCA-salt hypertensive Sprague Dawley (SD) rats, using radioimmunoassay (RIA). We found that DN A (1–8) was decreased significantly in both dorsal (−68%) and ventral (−58%) hippocampus in SHR compared with WKY rats. Treatment with hydralazine and guanethidine (25 mg/kg/24 hr of each drug in drinking water) for 8 weeks to prevent the development of hypertension in young SHR had no effect on this low hippocampal dynorphin level. We failed to find significant changes in hippocampal DN A (1–8) level in DOCA-salt hypertensive rats. The low level of hippocampal dynorphin existed before the development of hypertension in 6 day neonatal SHR (−73%). Hippocampal Met-enkephalin was unchanged in all experimental groups except for a slight decrease in neonatal SHR. The results establish a genetic difference in the hippocampal dynorphin system of SHR compared with WKY, the significance of which, for the development of hypertension, remains to be investigated.
Notes for New Therapists

In this article, we draw on our experiences as therapists and supervisors to highlight the errors new clinicians tend to make and how they can be avoided. A critical issue is how to approach the client's narrative. We propose a stance of “respectful skepticism,” in which the factors that shape the client's truth can best be appreciated. This represents a middle way between gullible listener and prosecuting attorney. We also discuss common problems with client motivation, as well as the changing role of feelings in therapy, the importance of the therapeutic contract, the high cost of defensiveness, the concept of conversational domains, and the advantages of avoiding therapeutic platitudes, explanatory fictions, and jargon.
An investigation of proposed techniques for quantifying confidence in assurance arguments

The use of safety cases in certification raises the question of assurance argument sufficiency and the issue of confidence (or uncertainty) in the argument's claims. Some researchers propose to model confidence quantitatively and to calculate confidence in argument conclusions. We know of little evidence to suggest that any proposed technique would deliver trustworthy results when implemented by system safety practitioners. Proponents do not usually assess the efficacy of their techniques through controlled experiment or historical study. Instead, they present an illustrative example where the calculation delivers a plausible result. In this paper, we review current proposals, claims made about them, and evidence advanced in favor of them. We then show that proposed techniques can deliver implausible results in some cases. We conclude that quantitative confidence techniques require further validation before they should be recommended as part of the basis for deciding whether an assurance argument justifies fielding a critical system.
Association of Soluble CD40 Ligand With Duration of Atrial Fibrillation and With Intensity of Spontaneous Echocardiographic Contrast

Abstract Objectives The authors tested the hypothesis that the inflammatory response of nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) is associated with elevated soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L). Background NVAF is generally believed to be an inflammatory disease process. sCD40L represents a sensitive in vivo indicator of platelet activation and may serve as an “inflammatory and thrombotic thermometer.” Methods Plasma sCD40L was measured using enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay in 109 NVAF cases (60.9 ± 15 years of age; 26% women) and 48 normal sinus rhythm (NSR) controls (62.3 ± 15 years of age; 44% women). Patients were separated by arrhythmia duration of 12 months (n = 70). Results Median sCD40L level was significantly higher in NVAF cases than in NSR controls (321 pg/ml vs. 238 pg/ml, respectively; p = 0.029). This difference was driven by higher levels in patients with NVAF duration for Conclusions sCD40L levels are significantly higher in NVAF patients than in NSR controls but only for up to 1 year after development of dysrhythmia. An sCD40L concentration of 552 pg/ml can help to assess development or recurrence of asymptomatic NVAF.
The Cambridge History of American Foreign Relations

Volume 3 describes the history of the foreign relations of the United States during 1913–1945, the period of two world wars as well as of momentous changes that brought to an end the period of European domination. The United States emerged as the key global power, actively participating in wars but also promoting trade and investment activities throughout the world, as well as 'Americanising' other countries' ways of life and habits of thought. The book is thus not a usual survey of foreign policy decisions but tells a story about America's growing involvement in all parts of the world and in all aspects of twentieth-century life.
Racial and ethnic differences in associations between psychological distress and the presence of binge drinking: Results from the California health interview survey.

Abstract Introduction Racial and ethnic minorities often suffer from poorer health than Whites given their exposure to more stressors and fewer resources that buffer the effects of stress. Given that alcohol is often consumed to alleviate the negative moods, the present study hypothesized that psychological distress may impact the involvement in binge drinking differently across racial and ethnic groups. Methods We used data from the California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) from 2007 to 2012. The sample consisted of 130,556 adults including African Americans ( N = 6541), Asians ( N = 13,508), Latinos ( N = 18,128), and Whites ( N = 92,379). Binary logistic regression analysis was used with consideration for complex survey design. Results The results indicated that psychological distress was significantly associated with binge drinking across all racial and ethnic groups. However, this association differed by race and ethnicity adjusting for age, gender, marital status, education, poverty, and employment status. The results revealed that psychological distress had the largest effect on binge drinking for Asian Americans, particularly Filipinos and South Asians, compared to Whites. Conclusions This study highlights the importance of examining racial and ethnic differences in the impacts of psychological distress on alcohol consumption. Future research is needed to better understand the potential factors that mediate the effects of psychological distress on binge drinking specific to each racial and ethnic group in order to develop culturally sensitive interventions and hence decrease the alcohol-related racial health disparities.
OSU-HDAC42, a Novel Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor, Induces Apoptosis in a Caspase-Dependent Manner and Induces p 21WAF1/CIP1 and p16 Expression in Multiple Myeloma Cell Lines.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a neoplastic disorder characterized by accumulation of slowly-proliferating clonal plasma cells. OSU-HDAC42 [a.k.a. (S)-HDAC-42] is a novel histone deacetylase inhibitor that induces apoptosis in various types of cancer cells and is being developed as an anti-cancer therapy in the NCI Rapid Access to Intervention Therapy (RAID) program. In this study, we tested the in vitro activity of OSU-HDAC42 against human MM cells. OSU-HDAC42 induced myeloma cell death, with an LC 50 of less than 1.6μM after 48 hours in the four cell lines tested - U266, IM-9, RPMI 8226 and ARH-77 using the MTT assay. OSU-HDAC42 induced cleavage of caspases 3, 8 and 9, as well as polyADP-ribose polymerase (PARP). Addition of the pan-caspase inhibitor Q-VD-OPH before exposure to the drug prevented apoptosis at 48 hours, as determined by Annexin V/propidium iodide staining. These results indicate that OSU-HDAC42 induced apoptosis by a mainly caspase-dependent manner. Bax expression was up-regulated at 24 and 48 hours, while Bcl-2 remains relatively constant. Mcl-1 showed increasing cleavage at increasing doses of OSU-HDAC42. These findings support a mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis. Cell cycle suppressor proteins p21WAF1/CIP1 and p16 were also significantly induced after treatment with the drug, suggesting that OSU-HDAC42 may also acts on pathways to halt cell cycle progression. In addition, the gp130 (signal-transducing) subunit of the IL-6 receptor was down-regulated by OSU-HDAC42 exposure. The tyrosine-phosphorylated form of STAT3, which is phosphorylated by dimerized gp130, was also dramatically reduced following incubation with OSU-HDAC42, supporting the finding that gp130 expression is diminished. As IL-6 is an important growth and survival factor for MM cells, down-regulation of gp130 may be an important mechanism for the activity of OSU-HDAC42 against MM cells. TRAIL, FasL, XIAP, and p53 expression were not affected by OSU-HDAC42. While other HDAC inhibitors have been shown to activate the death receptor pathway or down-regulate XIAP, this was not observed with OSU-HDAC42 in myeloma cells. In conclusion, OSU-HDAC42 has in vitro activity against myeloma cells and acts via activation of caspases, inducing the cell cycle suppressors p21 WAF1/CIP1 and p16, as well as interfering with the IL-6 signal transduction pathway.
Organized simultaneous displays facilitate learning of complex natural science categories

Subjects learned to classify images of rocks into the categories igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary. In accord with the real-world structure of these categories, the to-be-classified rocks in the experiments had a dispersed similarity structure. Our central hypothesis was that learning of these complex categories would be improved through observational study of organized, simultaneous displays of the multiple rock tokens. In support of this hypothesis, a technique that included the presentation of the simultaneous displays during phases of the learning process yielded improved acquisition (Experiment 1) and generalization (Experiment 2) compared to methods that relied solely on sequential forms of study and testing. The technique appears to provide a good starting point for application of cognitive-psychology principles of effective category learning to the science classroom.
Solubilization of meat & bone meal protein by dilute acid hydrolysis for the production of bio-based flocculant ☆

Abstract Flocculants are substances that cause suspended particles to aggregate, therefore accelerating sedimentation to produce a clarified solution. They find use in a huge variety of applications including wastewater treatment, erosion control, and paper manufacture. Meat and bone meal (MBM) is a high protein by-product of meat processing. Protein extracted from MBM has been shown to have good flocculation activity, but this protein has poor solubility. Previous attempts to improve solubility through alkaline or enzymatic hydrolysis have produced small protein fragments with low flocculation activity. The objective of this project was to produce large, soluble MBM protein fragments by applying reaction conditions that are known to hydrolyze peptide bonds only at aspartic acid and asparagine residues. In this project, milled MBM was suspended in 0.03N hydrogen chloride solution, under vacuum, and incubated at 108 °C. Samples were removed after 1, 2, and 4 h, and the soluble and insoluble material was separated. The molar mass distribution of soluble material was examined by size exclusion chromatography (SEC), progressive solubilization of protein was measured by using a test for organic nitrogen, and flocculation activity was tested by measuring kaolin clarification effectiveness (KCE). Results showed that at all hydrolysis times, concentration of solubilized material was increased approximately 3-fold compared to the acid-free controls. Results also showed that as reaction duration increased, more MBM protein was solubilized, but average molecular weight (MW) of solute was reduced, and flocculation activity was dependent on reaction duration. The dilute acid hydrolysis (DAH) employed in this project could be a simple and inexpensive treatment that has potential to add value to MBM and provide a new source for bio-based flocculants.
Materials perspectives for next-generation low-cost tandem solar cells

Abstract Recent progress in commercial single-junction photovoltaic (PV) technologies has brought device efficiency closer to their practical limits. Module prices are dropping rapidly and solar energy has already reached grid parity in many areas. Solar module costs now constitute a small fraction of the total systems costs and to continue system cost reduction, increasing efficiency becomes even more critical. Multi-junction solar cells are the most logical path to increase PV module performance beyond 25%, but the varieties available today are still are out-performed in efficiency or cost by the main stream single-junction technologies: crystalline Si, CdTe and CIGS. Finding a solution for this problem is attracting a growing research interest. We review the latest developments in the field with particular focus on thin-film high band gap candidates such as perovskites on commercial bottom cells including silicon, CdTe and CIGS. We also review the current state of all-chalcopyrite tandems, and promising concepts using CdTe-alloys as a top cell on silicon.
Integrated Solvent Design for CO2 Capture and Viscosity Tuning

Abstract We present novel design strategies for reduced viscosity single-component, water-lean CO 2 capture organic solvent systems. Through molecular simulation, we identify the main molecular-level descriptor that influences bulk solvent viscosity. Upon loading, a zwitterionic structure forms with a small activation energy of ca 16 kJ/mol and a small stabilization of ca 6 kJ/mol. Viscosity increases exponentially with CO 2 loading due to hydrogen-bonding between neighboring Zwitterions. We find that molecular structures that promote internal hydrogen bonding (within the same molecule) and suppress interactions with neighboring molecules have low viscosities. In addition, tuning the acid/base properties leads to a shift of the equilibrium toward a non-charged (acid) form that further reduces the viscosity. Based on the above structural criteria, a reduced order model is also presented that allows for the quick screening of large compound libraries and down selection of promising candidates for synthesis and testing.
Understanding receptor-mediated endocytosis of elastic nanoparticles through coarse grained molecular dynamic simulation

For nanoparticle (NP)-based drug delivery platforms, the elasticity of the NPs has a significant influence on their blood circulation time and cellular uptake efficiency. However, due to the complexity of the endocytosis process and the inconsistency in the definition of elasticity for NPs in experiments, the understanding about the receptor-mediated endocytosis process of elastic NPs is still limited. In this work, we developed a coarse-grained molecular dynamics (CGMD) model for elastic NPs. The energy change of the elastic NPs can be precisely controlled by the bond, area, volume and bending potentials of this CGMD model. To represent liposomes with different elasticities, we systematically varied the bending rigidity of elastic NPs in CGMD simulations. Additionally, we changed the radius of the elastic NPs to explore the potential size effect. Through virtual nano-indentation tests, we found that the effective stiffness of elastic NPs was determined by their bending rigidity and size. Afterwards, we investigated the receptor-mediated endocytosis process of elastic NPs with different sizes and bending rigidities. We found that the membrane wrapping of soft NPs was faster than that of the stiff ones at the early stage, due to the NP deformation induced large contact area between the NPs and the membrane. However, because of the large energy penalties induced by the NP deformation, the membrane wrapping speed of soft NPs slows down during the late stage. Eventually, the soft NPs are wrapped less efficiently than the stiff ones during the membrane wrapping process. Through systematic CGMD simulations, we found a scaling law between the cellular uptake efficiency and the phenomenal bending rigidity of elastic NPs, which agrees reasonably well with experimental observations. Furthermore, we observed that the membrane wrapping efficiencies of soft and stiff NPs with large sizes were close to each other, due to the stronger ligand–receptor binding force and smaller difference in the stiffness of elastic NPs. Our computational model provides an effective tool to investigate the receptor-mediated endocytosis of elastic NPs with well controlled mechanical properties. This study can also be applied to guide the design of NP-based drug carriers with high efficacy, by utilizing their elastic properties.
Predicting Protein Localization Using a Domain Adaptation Approach

A challenge arising from the ever-increasing volume of biological data generated by next generation sequencing technologies is the annotation of this data, e.g. identification of gene structure from the location of splice sites, or prediction of protein function/localization. The annotation can be achieved by using automated classification algorithms. Supervised classification requires large amounts of labeled data for the problem at hand. For many problems, labeled data is not available. However, labeled data might be available for a similar, related problem. To leverage the labeled data available for the related problem, we propose an algorithm that builds a naive Bayes classifier for biological sequences in a domain adaptation setting. Specifically, it uses the existing large corpus of labeled data from a source organism, in conjunction with any available labeled data and lots of unlabeled data from a target organism, thus alleviating the need to manually label a large number of sequences for a supervised classifier. When tested on the task of predicting protein localization from the composition of the protein, this algorithm performed better than the multinomial naive Bayes classifier. However, on a more difficult task, of splice site prediction, the results were not satisfactory.
3.13 – Geochemistry of the Igneous Oceanic Crust

3.13.4 WORLDWIDE GEOCHEMICAL VARIATIONS AMONG OCEAN RIDGE BASALTS 437 3.13.4.1 Crystallization 438 3.13.4.1.1 Major elements 438 3.13.4.1.2 Trace elements 438 3.13.4.1.3 Correcting for crystallization 443 3.13.4.2 Melting 444 3.13.4.2.1 Major elements 444 3.13.4.2.2 Trace elements 446 3.13.4.2.3 The shape of the melting regime and the generation of diverse melt compositions 447 3.13.4.3 Mantle Heterogeneity 447 3.13.4.3.1 Pyroxenite melting 448 3.13.4.3.2 Assimilation of altered crust 449 3.13.4.3.3 Local trends in basalt composition 450 3.13.4.4 Spatial Variations in Lava Compositions 451 3.13.4.4.1 Along-axis chemical variations 451 3.13.4.4.2 Temporal variations on lava composition 454
Prediction and Optimization

This chapter explains how to apply neural networks to predict the values of process performance variables from independent operating variables based on laboratory or plant data in bioprocessing and chemical engineering. We describe how to combine neural networks with statistical methods to identify the major independent operating variables and their respective ranges to optimize the process performance. In particular, this chapter presents three case studies that illustrate various practical aspects of applying neural networks to prediction and optimization problems in bioprocessing and chemical engineering.
Traditional Ecological Values, Knowledge, and Practices in Twenty-First Century Hawai‘i

We discuss traditional values, knowledge, and practices of the first people of the Hawaiian Islands – as those values are understood and implemented in relation to global society. Prior to European contact, Hawaiian society was dynamic, innovative, and socially, spiritually, and culturally complex; Hawaiians supported large populations in hierarchical societies maintained by large, intensive, and evolving agricultural systems. Hawaiian society was irrevocably changed by contact with the world, and Hawaiian organizations must now walk a difficult line in reflecting both the economic and legal forms of Western organizations and the values of Hawaiian society – while recognizing that change (innovation) itself is a traditional feature of ancient and modern Hawaiian society. One such organization, Kamehameha Schools, is the largest private landowner in Hawai‘i; Kamehameha has extensive holdings of agricultural and conservation lands as well as high-value commercial properties. Kamehameha has organized its resource management around a “five-value” framework; instead of managing its lands simply to provide income to support its educational mission, Kamehameha evaluates all of its conservation and agricultural land in terms of its community, economic, cultural, environmental, and educational value – and explicitly optimizes its management to provide the most benefit across all five values. We suggest that this approach itself represents an innovative application of traditional values in the context of a twenty-first century society.