cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Long-Term Outcomes of Patients With Low Grade Cystic Renal Epithelial Neoplasms.

Abstract Objective To report on the long-term oncologic outcomes of 3 subtypes of low grade cystic renal epithelial neoplasms—multilocular cystic neoplasm of low malignant potential (MCLMP), cystic clear cell RCC (ccRCC), and cystic clear cell papillary RCC (ccpRCC), following 2016 reorganization by the World Health Organization. Materials and Methods A total of 3865 patients underwent radical or partial nephrectomy for unilateral, sporadic ccRCC between 1970 and 2010, of which 145 had previously been classified as cystic ccRCC. One genitourinary pathologist, blinded to outcome, rereviewed and reclassified the specimens by 2016 WHO criteria. Oncologic outcomes were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results Of 145 specimens, 18 (12%) were classified as MCLMP, 95 (66%) cystic ccRCC, and 32 (22%) cystic ccpRCC. Those with MCLMP were more likely female (61% vs 29% vs 31%, P = .03) with larger tumors (median 4.6 cm vs 3.0 cm vs 2.3 cm, P = .02) compared to those with cystic ccRCC and cystic ccpRCC, respectively. Only 2% of cystic ccRCC had tumor necrosis or grade 3 nucleoli present. Median follow-up for survivors was 10.3 years (interquartile range 7.4-14.9). Overall, 1 MCLMP, 5 cystic ccRCC, and 4 ccpRCC recurred during follow-up. Ten- and 20-year cancer-specific survival was 100% across all subtypes. Conclusion In a large cohort of patients previously classified as cystic ccRCC with pathologic rereview and long-term follow-up, we noted that MCLMP is the least common subtype of low grade cystic renal epithelial neoplasms. Regardless, all subtypes are associated with an excellent long-term prognosis following surgical resection.
Odor Identification in Rats: Behavioral and Electrophysiological Evidence of Learned Olfactory-Auditory Associations.

Abstract The ability to recognize and identify a smell is highly dependent on multisensory context and expectation, for example, hearing the name of the odor source. Here, we develop a novel auditory-odor association task in rats, wherein the animal learns that a specific auditory tone, when associated with a specific odor, predicts reward (Go signal), whereas the same tone associated with a different odor, or vice versa, is not (No-Go signal). The tone occurs prior to the onset of the odor, allowing physiological analyses of sensory-evoked local field potential (LFP) activity to each stimulus in primary auditory cortex and anterior piriform cortex (aPCX). In trained animals that have acquired the task, both auditory and subsequent olfactory cues activate β band oscillations in both the auditory cortex and PCX, suggesting multisensory integration. Naive animals show no such multisensory responses, suggesting the response is learned. In addition to the learned multisensory evoked responses, functional connectivity between auditory cortex and PCX, as assessed with spectral coherence and phase lag index (PLI), is enhanced. Importantly, both the multi-sensory evoked responses and the functional connectivity are context-dependent. In trained animals, the same auditory stimuli presented in the home cage evoke no responses in auditory cortex or PCX, and functional connectivity between the sensory cortices is reduced. Together, the results demonstrate how learning and context shape the expression of multisensory cortical processing. Given that odor identification impairment is associated with preclinical dementia in humans, the mechanisms suggested here may help develop experimental models to assess effects of neuropathology on behavior.
Environment-friendly bulk Fe16N2 permanent magnet: Review and prospective

Abstract α″-Fe16N2 had been viewed as a mystery material because of inconclusive arguments in the 1990s, including many controversial reports at two MMM conference symposia, and the topic was then largely dropped by the magnetic research community. The key controversies around this material have now been successfully addressed through our long and persistent efforts from 2002 to 2012, first reported in APS 2010 and then at INTERMAG 2012. Since then, α″-Fe16N2 has been picked up as one of the most promising rare-earth-free magnet candidates because of its use of environment-friendly raw materials, confirmed giant saturation magnetic flux density (2.9 T), and reasonably high magnetic anisotropy constant (1.8 MJ/m3). Its coercivity temperature coefficient (~0.4 Oe/°C) in the range of 27–152 °C is two orders of magnitude lower than that of commercial NdFeB magnets (e.g. N40 ~ −81.9 Oe/K). The iron nitride magnet is of great interest as a magnetic material for applications working at relatively low temperature (
Measurement of Stem Cell Potency, Assessment of Acceptance Limits for Release Criteria and Prediction of Umbilical Cord Blood Engraftment Using a Replacement for the Colony-Forming Cell Assay

The total nucleated cell count (TNC) is a major factor in the acceptance or rejection of an umbilical cord blood (UCB) unit. Yet it is stem cell potency that will decide whether a UCB unit has the capability to engraft and repopulate the patient after transplantation. The colony-forming cell (CFC) assay has been employed in a retrospective manner in order to document the possibility of growth potential of stem cell products destined for transplantation. Although some centers count and differentiate colonies, many use the assay to document either growth or no-growth because the results are difficult to interpret and provide little predictive value. Subjectivity and lack of an external standard to which the assay can be calibrated and validated means that the CFC assay can neither be employed as a reliable and reproducible stem cell potency assay, nor can it be used to define release criteria of UCB products for transplantation. A cell potency and release assay is required by standards and regulatory organizations. Viability and CD34 may be important for engraftment, but cannot measure stem cell potency. In a recent article in Transfusion (48:620, 2008), Reems et al describe a novel instrument-based, ATP bioluminescence proliferation assay used for UCB and compared at two geographical locations. Results demonstrated a correlation for the assay between the locations with a correlation coefficient of R=0.94 (p
Phase transition of the two-dimensional classicalXY-model

In this second paper on the phase transition of the two-dimensional classicalXY-model we consider a diagrammatic analysis to obtain low temperature expansions for characteristic quantities of the preceding paper and to prove some general properties. We also discuss two approximation schemes which work at finite temperatures and which support the general theory developed in the preceding paper.
Late Holocene hydroclimate changes in the eastern Sierra Nevada revealed by a 4600-year paleoproduction record from June Lake, CA

Abstract Well-resolved lake sediment records are key to answering questions about past hydroclimate variability. These questions are particularly relevant in California (USA), where a recent drought stoked fears of water scarcity and caused significant agricultural and other economic losses in this populous state. To contextualize recent and past cycles of aridity, we utilized a Late Holocene lacustrine record from the eastern Sierra Nevada. This study presents geochemical and sedimentological data from June Lake, California to link changes in organic matter production to environmental variability over the last ∼4600 years. The earliest part of our record is characterized by relatively high productivity and wetter conditions than the modern lake system. This interval is followed by a series of distinct and prolonged droughts from ∼3600 to 1700 cal yr BP, an interval that includes the regionally pervasive Late Holocene Dry Period that is recorded in June Lake as enhanced carbonate precipitation and lower primary production. The interval from ∼1700 to 130 cal yr BP, encompassing both the Medieval Climate Anomaly and the Little Ice Age, is characterized by less-frequent droughts and generally high production in a wetter climate. In contrast, sediments of the past 130 years record an abrupt shift to drier conditions, indicated by marked declines in nearly all production indicators. This divergence is likely influenced by anthropogenic warming and suggests that the modern lake system is anomalous with respect to the longer record of change in the basin.
Ocular evaluation and genetic test for an early Alström Syndrome diagnosis.

Abstract Purpose We present 3 cases of Alstrom syndrome (ALMS) that highlight the importance of the ophthalmic exam, as well as the diagnostic challenges and management considerations of this ultra-rare disease. Observations The first case is of a 2-year-old boy with history of spasmus nutans who presented with head bobbing and nystagmus. The second patient is a 5-year-old boy with history of infantile dilated cardiomyopathy status post heart transplant, Burkitt lymphoma status post chemotherapy, obesity, global developmental delay, and high hyperopia previously thought to have cortical visual impairment secondary to heart surgery/possible ischemic event. This patient presented with nystagmus, photophobia, and reduced vision. The third case involves a 8-year-old boy with history of obesity, bilateral optic nerve atrophy, hyperopic astigmatism, exotropia, and nystagmus. Upon presentation to the consulting pediatric ophthalmologist, none of the patients had yet been diagnosed with ALMS. All 3 cases were subsequently found to have an electroretinogram (ERG) that exhibited severe global depression and to carry ALMS1 pathogenic variants. Conclusions and Importance: ALMS is an autosomal recessive disease caused by ALMS1 variations, characterized by cone-rod dystrophy, obesity, progressive sensorineural hearing loss, cardiomyopathy, insulin resistance, and multiorgan dysfunction. Retinal dystrophy diagnosis is critical given clinical criteria and detection rates of genetic testing. Early diagnosis is extremely important because progression to flat ERG leads to the inability to differentiate between rod-cone or cone-rod involvement, either of which have their own differential diagnoses. In our series, the ophthalmic exam and abnormal ERG prompted further genetic testing and the subsequent diagnosis of ALMS. Multidisciplinary care ensures the best possible outcome with the ophthalmologist playing a key role.
Eliciting Willingness and Beliefs towards Participation in Genetic Psychiatric Testing in Black/African American Mothers at Risk for Depression

Black/African American women are at high risk for depression, yet are underrepresented in psychiatric genetic research for depression prevention and treatment. Little is known about the factors that influence participation in genetic testing for Black/African American women at risk. The purpose of this study was to elicit the beliefs that underlie participation in genetic testing for depression in Black/African American mothers, a subgroup at high risk. Willingness to participate in genetic testing procedures was also determined. A qualitative, descriptive design was employed. Exactly 19 mothers aged 21–42 completed open-ended questionnaires. Directed content and descriptive analyses of the text were conducted based on the Theory of Planned Behavior. Salient beliefs included: behavioral advantages—diagnosing/detecting depression (31.6%), finding cure/treatment (21.1%); disadvantages—not finding follow-up treatment/help (21.1%); salient referents, who approves—family members (47.4%), agencies/organizations (26.3%); who disapproves—church associates (21.1%). Control beliefs included: barriers—unpleasant/difficult testing procedures (42.1%), limited knowledge about the purpose of testing (26.3%); facilitator—a convenient location (21.1%). Most mothers (89.5%) indicated willingness to participate in testing. Interventions can target families, address barriers, emphasize future benefits, and use convenient locations and community-based participatory research methods. Policies can address social determinants of participation to increase inclusion of these mothers in psychiatric genetic research.
Spot Urine Samples to Estimate Na and K Intake in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease and Healthy Adults: A Secondary Analysis From a Controlled Feeding Study.

Objective The objective of this study was to assess the agreement between estimated 24-hour urinary sodium excretion (e24hUNa) and estimated 24-hour urinary potassium excretion (e24hUK), calculated from a spot urine sample using several available equations and actual sodium and potassium intake from a controlled diet in both healthy participants and those with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Design and Methods This study is a secondary analysis of a controlled feeding study in CKD patients matched to healthy controls. Participants (n = 16) consumed the controlled diet, which provided ∼2400 mg Na/day and ∼3000 mg K/day, for 8 days. On days 7 and 8, participants consumed all meals and collected all urine in an inpatient research setting, and they were discharged on day 9. The day 7 morning spot urine sample was used to calculate e24hUNa and e24hUK, which was compared with known sodium and potassium intake, respectively. Results Average e24hUNa from the INTERSALT and Tanaka-Na equations were higher than actual sodium intake by 373 mg and 559 mg, respectively, though the differences were not significant. e24hUNa from the Nerbass-SALTED equation in CKD participants was significantly higher than actual sodium intake by ∼2000 mg (P Conclusion e24hUNa and e24hUK are poor indicators of true sodium and potassium intake, respectively, in both healthy and CKD participants. Findings should be confirmed in larger sample sizes with varying levels of dietary sodium and potassium.
Source of Post-Transplant Care and Mortality among Kidney Transplant Recipients Dually Enrolled in VA and Medicare.

Background and objectives Many kidney transplant recipients enrolled in the Veterans Health Administration are also enrolled in Medicare and eligible to receive both Veterans Health Administration and private sector care. Where these patients receive transplant care and its association with mortality are unknown. Design, setting, participants, & measurements We conducted a retrospective cohort study of veterans who underwent kidney transplantation between 2008 and 2016 and were dually enrolled in Veterans Health Administration and Medicare at the time of surgery. We categorized patients on the basis of the source of transplant-related care (i.e., outpatient transplant visits, immunosuppressive medication prescriptions, calcineurin inhibitor measurements) delivered during the first year after transplantation defined as Veterans Health Administration only, Medicare only (i.e., outside Veterans Health Administration using Medicare), or dual care (mixed use of Veterans Health Administration and Medicare). Using multivariable Cox regression, we examined the independent association of post-transplant care source with mortality at 5 years after kidney transplantation. Results Among 6206 dually enrolled veterans, 975 (16%) underwent transplantation at a Veterans Health Administration hospital and 5231 (84%) at a non–Veterans Health Administration hospital using Medicare. Post-transplant care was received by 752 patients (12%) through Veterans Health Administration only, 2092 (34%) through Medicare only, and 3362 (54%) through dual care. Compared with patients who were Veterans Health Administration only, 5-year mortality was significantly higher among patients who were Medicare only (adjusted hazard ratio, 2.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.5 to 3.1) and patients who were dual care (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.1 to 2.1). Conclusions Most dually enrolled veterans underwent transplantation at a non–Veterans Health Administration transplant center using Medicare, yet many relied on Veterans Health Administration for some or all of their post-transplant care. Veterans who received Veterans Health Administration–only post-transplant care had the lowest 5-year mortality.
Examining the Persistence Intentions of College Students of Color

This study used the Social Cognitive Career Theory—Career Self-Management Model (SCCT-CSM) to understand the process by which background variables impact students of color’s intentions to persist i...
Evaluation of dose differences between intracavitary applicators for cervical brachytherapy using knowledge-based models.

ABSTRACT PURPOSE Currently, there is a lack of patient-specific tools to guide brachytherapy planning and applicator choice for cervical cancer. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the accuracy of organ-at-risk (OAR) dose predictions using knowledge-based intracavitary models, and the use of these models and clinical data to determine the dosimetric differences of tandem-and-ring (T&R) and tandem-and-ovoids (T&O) applicators. MATERIALS AND METHODS Knowledge-based models, which predict organ D2cc, were trained on 77/75 cases and validated on 32/38 for T&R/T&O applicators. Model performance was quantified using ΔD2cc=D2cc,actual–D2cc,predicted, with standard deviation (σ(ΔD2cc)) representing precision. Model-predicted applicator dose differences were determined by applying T&O models to T&R cases, and vice versa, and compared to clinically-achieved D2cc differences. Applicator differences were assessed using a Student's t-test (p RESULTS Validation T&O/T&R model precision was 0.65/0.55 Gy, 0.55/0.38 Gy, and 0.43/0.60 Gy for bladder, rectum and sigmoid, respectively, and similar to training. When applying T&O/T&R models to T&R/T&O cases, bladder, rectum and sigmoid D2cc values in EQD2 were on average 5.69/2.62 Gy, 7.31/6.15 Gy and 3.65/0.69 Gy lower for T&R, with similar HRCTV volume and coverage. Clinical data also showed lower T&R OAR doses, with mean EQD2 D2cc deviations of 0.61 Gy, 7.96 Gy (p CONCLUSIONS Accurate knowledge-based dose prediction models were developed for two common intracavitary applicators. These models could be beneficial for standardizing and improving the quality of brachytherapy plans. Both models and clinical data suggest that significant OAR sparing can be achieved with T&R over T&O applicators, particularly for the rectum.
Detection of pseudouridine modifications and type I/II hypermodifications in human mRNAs using direct, long-read sequencing

Enzyme-mediated chemical modifications to mRNAs have the potential to fine-tune gene expression in response to environmental stimuli. Notably, pseudouridine-modified mRNAs are more resistant to RNase-mediated degradation, more responsive to cellular stress, and have the potential to modulate immunogenicity and enhance translation in vivo. However, the precise biological functions of pseudouridine modification on mRNAs remain unclear due to the lack of sensitive and accurate tools for mapping. We developed a semi-quantitative method for mapping pseudouridylated sites with high confidence directly on mammalian mRNA transcripts via direct RNA, long-read nanopore sequencing. By analysis of a modification-free transcriptome, we demonstrate that the depth of coverage and intrinsic errors associated with specific k-mer sequences are critical parameters for accurate base-calling. We adjust these parameters for high-confidence U-to-C base-calling errors that occur at pseudouridylated sites, which are benchmarked against sites that were identified previously by biochemical methods. We also uncovered new pseudouridylated sites, many of which fall on genes that encode RNA binding proteins and on uridine-rich k-mers. Sites identified by U-to-C base calling error were verified using 1000mer synthetic RNA controls bearing a single pseudouridine in the center position, demonstrating that 1. the U-to-C base-calling error occurs at the site of pseudouridylation, and 2. the basecalling error is systematically under-calling the pseudouridylated sites. High-occupancy sites with >40% U-to-C basecalling error are classified as sites of hyper modification type I, whereas genes with more than one site of pseudouridylation are classified as having type II hyper modification which is confirmed by single-molecule analysis. We report the discovery of mRNAs with up to 7 unique sites of pseudouridine modification. Here we establish an innovative pipeline for direct identification, quantification, and detection of pseudouridine modifications and type I/II hypermodifications on native RNA molecules using long-read sequencing without resorting to RNA amplification, chemical reactions on RNA, enzyme-based replication, or DNA sequencing steps.
On the Synergy Between Pretext Caller and Police Interrogator

This chapter reviews the attempts of police to elicit confessions to child and adult sexual assault through standard police interrogation and through the use of alleged victims or associates of alleged victims as surrogate interrogators. Specifically, we describe the use of “pretext calls” (otherwise known as “cold” “controlled” “one party consent” "ruse" or “confrontational” calls) made by victims or their associates at the behest of police. We describe commonalities and differences in the strategies employed by police interrogators and pretext callers, and the synergy between them. We further address reactions of suspects to each, as well as reactions of observers to admissions made in each context.
Angiographic, Physiological, and Virtual Histology Indices of Renal Perfusion to Guide Renal Artery Stenting

Renal artery stenosis (RAS) is predominantly due to atherosclerosis and is the most common cause of secondary hypertension. The disease is aorto-ostial, commonly involving the abdominal aorta and proximal one-third of the main renal artery. It has also been associated with hemodialysis-dependant renal failure and is a strong predictor of all-cause mortality. Clinical presentation generally involves malignant or resistant hypertension, renal insufficiency, or rarely, flash pulmonary edema. Once it develops, RAS is a progressive disease despite adequate medical therapy and can lead to asymptomatic occlusion.
Letters one to ten are addressed to Monsieur Dominique Villars, student of surgery at the Hospital of the Father of Charity in Grenoble.[1772–1774]

Letters one to ten are addressed to Monsieur Dominique Villars, student of surgery at the Hospital of the Fathers of Charity in Grenoble. [1772–1774]
Diallyl trisulfide induced apoptosis in human prostate cancer cells is mediated by inactivation of Akt

2459 Epidemiological studies have concluded that dietary intake of allium vegetables, especially garlic, may lower the risk of different types of malignancies including cancer of the prostate, which is the second leading cause of cancer related deaths among men in the United States. Cancer protective effect of allium vegetables is attributed to organosulfur compounds (OSCs), such as diallyl trisulfide (DATS; CH 2 =CH-CH 2 -(S) 3 -CH 2 -CH=CH 2 ), which are generated upon processing (e.g., cutting or chewing) of these vegetables. Recent studies have indicated that in addition to inhibition of chemically induced cancers in animal models, garlic-derived OSCs including DATS can suppress proliferation of cancer cells in culture by causing apoptosis. However, the sequence of events leading to OSC-induced cell death is poorly defined. In our previous study, we found that DATS-induced cell death in human prostate cancer cells was associated with c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)-mediated phosphorylation of Bcl-2, which reduced heterodimer complex formation between Bcl-2 and Bax leading to activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3. However, pharmacological inhibition of JNK or ERK activation offered only partial protection against cell death caused by DATS. These results suggested involvement of additional mechanisms in DATS-induced apoptosis. The present study demonstrates that inactivation of Akt, a kinase implicated in cell survival, is a key event in DATS-induced apoptosis in PC-3 and DU145 human prostate cancer cells. Treatment of PC-3 and DU145 cells resulted in dephosphorylation of Akt (Ser473) and inhibition of its kinase activity. The phosphorylation of Bad, a downstream target of Akt, was also reduced upon treatment with DATS. Inactivation of Akt in both cell lines was due to down-regulation of IGF-IR and dephosphorylation of phosphatidylinositol-3’-kinase (an upstream effector of Akt). Ectopic expression of constitutively active Akt in DU145 cells offered significant protection against DATS-induced cell death. In conclusion, the results of the present study indicate that DATS-induced apoptosis in human prostate cancer cells is, at least in part, caused by inhibition of Akt (supported by NIH grants CA101753 and CA076348).
What Would It Take to Change Your Mind

Most of us have settled views about various intellectual debates, and much of the activity of philosophers is devoted to giving arguments that are designed to convince one's opponents to change their minds about a certain issue. But, what might this process require? More pointedly, can you clearly imagine what it would take to make you change your mind about a position you currently hold? This article argues that the surprising answer to this question is no—you cannot imagine what would convince you to change your mind, since in doing so you would actually have to find those reasons compelling. The article then briefly looks at some implications of this conclusion.
Prediction for Secondary Prevention

Secondary prevention techniques rest heavily on the idea of identification and prediction. Rather than intervene with entire communities or neighborhoods, or establish programs to reach the general public, secondary prevention techniques rely on efforts to identify potential offenders, places, or situations that have a higher likelihood for criminal activity. One primary problem for secondary prevention, therefore, is proper identification and prediction. Predicting who will and who will not become deviant, where and when crime will occur, who will be a victim, and what items will be targeted by offenders is often a difficult or involved effort. This chapter briefly explores the problem of prediction and identification for prevention purposes. The discussion is divided into three general areas. These are predicting offending behavior, analysis of risk factors for deviance, and identifying places, times, and individual victimization.
The elusive variability of BD + 10.2179 deg

High-speed photometry of the hydrogen-deficient star BD + 10.2179 deg has been obtained in order to ascertain if it is presently pulsationally unstable with the previously published period of 0.162 to 0.164 d. During an observing run of 0.21 d no pulsations were observed above the noise limit of 0.002 mag. Either the previously published period is not real or the star is no longer pulsating.
Coordination and Incentive Contracts in Project Management under Asymmetric Information.

We study the problem of the manager of a project consisting of two sub-projects or tasks which are outsourced to different subcontractors. The project manager earns more revenue from the project if it is completed faster, but he cannot observe how hard subcontractors work, only the stochastic duration of their tasks. We derive the optimal linear incentive contracts to o.er to the subcontractors when the tasks are conducted in series or in parallel. We compare them to the fixed-price contracts often encountered in practice, and discuss when incentive contracts lead to bigger performance improvement. We characterize how the incentive contracts vary with the subcontractors’ risk aversion and cost of effort, the marginal effect of subcontractor effort, and the variability of task durations. We find that this dependence is sometimes counter-intuitive in nature. For instance, for parallel tasks, if the first agent’s task is on the critical path and his variability increases, the project manager should induce the first agent to work less hard and the second agent to work harder.
A Call to Shift the Public Health Focus Away From Weight

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article "Probability of an Obese Person Attaining Normal Body Weight: Cohort Study Using Electronic Health Records" by A. Fildes, J. Charlton, C. Rudisill, P. Littlejohns, A.T. Prevost, and M.C. Gulliford which appears in a 2015 issue.
Reputation and Supportive Behavior: Moderating Impacts of Foreignness, Industry and Local Exposure

We first examine whether there is a relationship between firm reputation and the stated propensity of an individual to pursue behaviors that support the firm. We then examine the extent to which the reputation-supportive behavior linkage is moderated by the firm's foreignness, its industry and its exposure in its local market. In a multi-level analysis using 117,195 individual evaluations of 125 companies in the context of Latin America and Spain, we find a strong direct relationship between reputation and supportive behavior in the product, capital and labor markets. We also find that this relationship is moderated by variables related to foreignness, industry and local exposure.
The r.le programs for multiscale analysis of landscape structure using the GRASS geographical information system

Geographical information systems (GIS) are well suited to the spatial analysis of landscape data, but generally lack programs for calculating traditional measures of landscape structure (e.g., fractal dimension). Standalone programs for calculating landscape structure measures do exist, but these programs do not enable the user to take advantage of GIS facilities for manipulating and analyzing landscape data. Moreover, these programs lack capabilities for analysis with sampling areas of different size (multiscale analysis) and also lack some needed measures of landscape structure (e.g., texture).
Perceived Similarity, Expectation-Reality Discrepancies, and Mentors' Expressed Intention to Remain in Big Brothers/Big Sisters Programs

Studies have begun to document the academic and psychosocial benefits of Big Brothers/ Big Sisters programs for at-risk youth (Rhodes, Grossman, & Resch, 2000). However, investigators have noted a problem with mentor attrition (Meissen & Lounsbury, 1981). The purpose of the current study was twofold. First, we explored the relative importance of specific dimensions of perceived similarity (including similarity in attitudes, interests, race, and personality) as well as mentors' expectation-reality discrepancies in predicting mentors' expressed intention to remain in Big Brothers/Big Sisters programs. Second, we examined a model whereby interpersonal attraction and relationship quality served as mediators of these associations. Our results suggest that perceived similarity in extraver-sion as well as the discrepancy between mentors' ideal versus actual roles were significant predictors of mentors' expressed intention to remain in the relationship. Relationship quality and interpersonal attraction appeared to mediate these findings.
Ischemic brain protection

Despite advances in the understanding of the pathophysiology of cerebral ischemia, no single brain resuscitation therapy has yet been shown to be clinically superior to brain-oriented intensive care. Basic concepts in cardiopulmonary-cerebral resuscitation (CPCR) are discussed, as are two specific phases of CPCR, cerebral preservation and cerebral resuscitation. Cerebral preservation is initiated during cardiac arrest (ie, prior to restoration of spontaneous circulation [ROSC]) and includes use of artificial perfusion techniques and drugs to produce cerebral perfusion during this phase. Cerebral resuscitation is brain-oriented therapy initiated after ROSC. Pharmacologic agents currently under study for cerebral resuscitation include the barbiturates, calcium antagonists, and iron chelators. With respect to defining efficacy of the pharmacologic agents, the concept of therapeutic window is important. Although no agent has been proven clinically, several appear to be promising.
Applications of remote sensing to urban problems

Abstract Applicability of remote sensing technology to urban analysis is reviewed. The general consensus is that remote sensing could aid in urban planning and policy; however, only limited uses of the technology have been made to date. Reasons for limited acceptance are both technological and administrative, with the latter the major deterrent.
Carnap and weyl on the foundations of geometry and relativity theory

At the end of the nineteenth century and, even more, in the early years of the twentieth century the philosophy of geometry experienced unprecedented pressures and tensions. For the revolutionary new developments in the mathematical foundations of geometry and, even more, the application of many of these new mathematical ideas to nature in Einstein’s theory of relativity seemed to suggest irresistibly that all earlier attempts to comprehend philosophically the relationship between geometry on the one hand and our experience of nature on the other were radically mistaken. In particular, the Kantian understanding of this relationship — according to which geometry functions as an a priori “transcendental condition” of the possibility of our scientific experience of nature, and space is correspondingly viewed as a “pure form of our sensible intuition” — seemed to be wholly undermined by the new mathematical-physical developments. The question then — for philosophers, mathematicians, and physicists alike — was what new understanding of the relationship between geometry on the one hand and our experience of nature on the other was to be put in its place.
The impact of mind-body awareness training on the early learning of a brain-computer interface

Brain-computer interface (BCI) systems allow users to interact with their environment by bypassing muscular control to tap directly into the users' thoughts. In the present study, we investigate the role of prior experience with yoga and meditation, examples of formalized mind-body awareness training (MBAT), in learning to use a one-dimensional sensorimotor rhythm based BCI. Thirty-six human subjects volunteered to participate in two different cohorts based on past experience with MBAT — experienced MBAT practitioners and controls. All subjects participated in three BCI experiments to achieve competency in controlling the BCI system. The MBAT cohort achieved BCI competency significantly faster than the control cohort. In addition, the MBAT cohort demonstrated enhanced ability to control the system on various measures of BCI performance and improved significantly more over time when compared to control. Our work provides insight into valuable strategies for reducing barriers to BCI fluency that limit the more widespread use of these systems.
Can an ADN Internship Program Prepare New RNs for Careers in Home Health Care Nursing? Findings From an Evaluation Study at Visiting Nurse Service of New York

In view of shortages of baccalaureate-trained nurses, the Visiting Nurse Service of New York embarked on an initiative to determine whether associate degree nursing graduates, through an intensive internship program, can perform on par with baccalaureate nursing (BSN) graduates. The associate degree in nursing (ADN) internship resembles the existing internship for BSN graduates but includes supplemental educational components. A quasi-experimental evaluation design was developed to examine the formative and summative outcomes of the initiative. ADN interns were compared with BSN interns on retention in the internship, clinical thinking, assessment skills, productivity, and intention to remain in nursing. Data were collected at pre- and postintervention intervals. Findings reveal few significant differences between the ADN and BSN interns, suggesting that with competitive recruitment, appropriate support, and supplementary training, ADN interns can perform on par with their BSN counterparts. The small numb...
High temperature matter and gamma ray spectra from microscopic black holes

The relativistic viscous fluid equations describing the outflow of high temperature matter created via Hawking radiation from microscopic black holes are solved numerically for a realistic equation of state. We focus on black holes with initial temperatures greater than 100 GeV and lifetimes less than 6 days. The spectra of direct photons and photons from ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}$ decay are calculated for energies greater than 1 GeV. We calculate the diffuse gamma ray spectrum from black holes distributed in our galactic halo. However, the most promising route for their observation is to search for point sources emitting gamma rays of ever-increasing energy.
OURS: optimal unicast routing systems in non-cooperative wireless networks

We propose novel solutions for unicast routing in wireless networks consisted of selfish terminals: in order to alleviate the inevitable over-payment problem (and thus economic inefficiency) of the VCG (Vickrey-Clark-Groves) mechanism, we design a mechanism that results in Nash equilibria rather than the traditional strate-gyproofness (using weakly dominant strategy). In addition, we systematically study the unicast routing system in which both the relay terminals and the service requestor (either the source or the destination nodes or both) could be selfish. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first paper that presents social efficient unicast routing systems with proved performance guarantee. Thus, we call the proposed systems: Optimal Unicast Routing Systems (OURS).Our main contributions of OURS are as follows. (1) For the principal model where the service requestor is not selfish, we propose a mechanism that provably creates incentives for intermediate terminals to cooperate in forwarding packets for others. Our mechanism substantially reduces the overpayment by using Nash equilibrium solutions as opposed to strategyproof solutions. We then study a more realistic case where the service requestor can act selfishly. (2) We first show that if we insist on the requirement of strategyproofness for the relay terminals, then no system can guarantee that the central authority can retrieve at least 1overn of the total payment. (3) We then present a strategyproof unicast system that collects 1over2n of the total payment, which is thus asymptotically optimum. (4) By only requiring Nash Equilibrium solutions, we propose a system that creates incentives for the service requestor and intermediate terminals to correctly follow the prescribed protocol. More importantly, the central authority can retrieve at least half the total payment. We verify the economic efficiency of our systems through simulations that are based on very realistic terminal distributions.
Dynamic Radiative–Convective Equilibria Using GCM Column Physics

Abstract The behavior of a GCM column physics package in a nonrotating, doubly periodic, homogeneous setting with prescribed SSTs is examined. This radiative–convective framework is proposed as a useful tool for studying some of the interactions between convection and larger-scale dynamics and the effects of differing modeling assumptions on convective organization and cloud feedbacks. For the column physics utilized here, from the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL) AM2 model, many of the properties of the homogeneous, nonrotating model are closely tied to the fraction of precipitation that is large-scale, rather than convective. Significant large-scale precipitation appears above a critical temperature and then increases with further increases in temperature. The amount of large-scale precipitation is a function of horizontal resolution and can also be controlled by modifying the convection scheme, as is illustrated here by modifying assumptions concerning entrainment into convective plumes. Si...
PLASMON MODES IN METAL NANOWIRES AND LEFT-HANDED MATERIALS

The electromagnetic eld distribution for thin metal nanowires is found, by using the discrete dipole approximation. The plasmon polariton modes in wires are numerically simulated. These modes are found to be dependent on the incident light wavelength and direction of propagation. The existence of localized plasmon modes and strong local eld enhancement in percolation nanowire composites is demonstrated. Novel left-handed materials in the near-infrared and visible are proposed based on nanowire composites.
Complex replicative form molecules of bacteriophages φX174 and S13 su105

Abstract The frequency of occurrence of circular dimers, catenated dimers and higher oligomers has been determined in preparations of the covalently closed, circular DNA of the replicative form of the bacteriophage φX174. Fifty minutes after infection in the presence of chloramphenicol, 2.3, 1 and 0.3%, respectively, of the three types of molecules were present. The conditions for preparing the specimens for electron microscopy and the criteria for distinguishing circular and catenated dimers on micrographs have been formulated so that they can be uniformly applied in a survey of a large number of molecules. A similar survey of a gene IV mutant of bacteriophage S13, blocked in the replication of replicative form, was made. Circular dimers were present, although at a lower frequency than in wild type, indicating that their formation does not necessarily require replication. Catenanes were only slightly reduced in frequency.
Integrated organic photovoltaic modules

Methods for scalable output voltage and encapsulation of organic photovoltaic cells are addressed in this paper. To obtain scalable output voltages, integrated photovoltaic modules comprised of a bulk heterojunction of poly(3- hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and a soluble C 70 derivative, [6,6]-phenyl C 71 butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM-70), were fabricated. Power conversion efficiency of individual P3HT/PCBM-70 cells was estimated to be 4.1 % for AM1.5 G illumination. Modules of one to four cells connected in series produced open-circuit voltages V OC that linearly depend on the number of cells N as V OC = N × 0.621 V with a nearly constant short-circuit current of 1.4 ± 0.1 mA. Separately, shelf lifetimes of more than one year were achieved for pentacene/C 60 solar cells by encapsulation with a 200-nm-thick layer of Al 2 O 3 deposited by atomic layer deposition (ALD). In addition, the ALD process improved the open-circuit voltage and power conversion efficiency of the solar cells by thermal annealing that occurs during the process.
Preserving Privacy in Time Series Data Mining

Time series data mining poses new challenges to privacy. Through extensive experiments, the authors find that existing privacy-preserving techniques such as aggregation and adding random noise are insufficient due to privacy attacks such as data flow separation attack. This paper also presents a general model for publishing and mining time series data and its privacy issues. Based on the model, a spectrum of privacy preserving methods is proposed. For each method, effects on classification accuracy, aggregation error, and privacy leak are studied. Experiments are conducted to evaluate the performance of the methods. The results show that the methods can effectively preserve privacy without losing much classification accuracy and within a specified limit of aggregation error.
Chronic Course of Anxiety Disorders in Children and Adolescents

In a naturalistic study that assessed the lifetime psychiatric histories of 275 children ascertained independently of diagnostic or treatment-seeking behavior, 38 (14%) of the children had a history of anxiety disorder. Rates of comorbidity of depression and other psychiatric disorders were high. Life table estimates of the duration of illness indicate a more protracted time to recover than expected, because 46% would be ill for at least 8 years. Moreover, of those who recovered from their first episode of anxiety disorder, many had experienced recurrence before interview. After conducting pooled analyses, investigators performed separate analyses for children with separation disorder and overanxious disorder. Median age of onset of these conditions was surprisingly young: 10 years of age for overanxious disorder and 8 years of age for separation disorders.
Air pollution implications of increasing residential firewood use

Abstract The authors estimated air quality impacts due to residential firewood use for the year 2000 for 16 U.S. metropolitan areas. The wood usage estimates were based on price elasticities in relation to other space heating fuels, a range of future firewood prices, and an algorithm for the spatial distribution of wood use based on heating degree days and population density. This algorithm had been derived from county level data for New England from 1977 to 1978. The air quality impacts showed substantial increases in benzo(alpha)pyrene, an index of carcinogenic compounds, but did not suggest contravention of ambient air quality standards, in general.
Abstract B107: Combination therapy of kidney cancer using bortezomib and natural killer (NK) cell transfer

Kidney cancer is a malignant tumor that accounts for about two percent of all cancers in the United States. African American men and women account for a higher incidence rate of kidney cancer compared to other races. The higher rate of failure of current immunotherapeutic strategies is attributed to the immunosuppressive effects as well as modification of the immune-regulatory circuits brought about by cancers. With the aim of enhancing immune mechanisms against kidney cancer, we undertook a combinatorial approach to reveal the therapeutic potential of adoptive cell transfer regimens using mouse models in conjunction with molecular targeting drugs that sensitize kidney tumor cell-death. The proteasome inhibitor, bortezomib, selectively sensitizes kidney tumor cells to apoptosis by activating caspase-8 in the extrinsic apoptosis pathway. Moreover, our studies thus far have revealed that bortezomib can also enhance natural killer (NK) cell antitumor function. We observed that bortezomib upregulates Fas and NK cell activating receptor NKG2D ligand Rae1-on renal cancer Renca cells in vivo. Moreover, preliminary observations suggest that bortezomib can be combined with adoptive NK cell transfer to provide greater therapeutic benefits with little adverse effects in vivo. These new data predict the potential of combining adoptive NK cell transfer regimens with bortezomib-induced sensitization of kidney tumor cells to induce apoptosis. Such a combinatorial approach of NK cell transfer coupled with bortezomib treatment would have dual effects by sensitizing tumor cells to cell death and improve NK cell effector functions. This could prevent tumor metastasis by eliminating tumor escape variants and significantly benefit tumor immunotherapy efforts in kidney cancer. Citation Information: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2011;20(10 Suppl):B107.
Low-cost, high-resolution telescopes for imaging low-earth-orbit satellites

Telescopes designed for non-conventional imaging of near-earth satellites must follow a unique set of design rules. Costs must be reduced substantially and the design must accommodate a technique to circumvent the atmospheric distortions of the image. Apertures to 12 meters and beyond are required along with alt-alt mounts providing high tracking rates. A novel design for such a telescope has been generated which is optimized for speckle imaging. Its mount closely resembles a radar mount and it does not employ the conventional dome. Costs for this design are projected to be considerably reduced compared to conventional designs. Results of a detailed design study will be presented. Applications to astronomy will be discussed.