cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Antagonism between two intestinal parasites in humans: the importance of co-infection for infection risk and recovery dynamics

Co-infection may affect transmission and recovery from infection, but remains an understudied element of disease ecology, particularly with regard to antagonism between parasites sharing a host. Helminth and giardia infections are often endemic in the same populations and both occupy the small intestine; yet few studies have examined interactions between these parasites. We report on helminth–giardia co-infections in a panel study of forager–horticulturalists in the Bolivian lowlands. Parasites were identified in faecal samples from 3275 participants, collected during 5235 medical exams over 6 years. Longitudinal co-infection patterns were examined using logistic mixed and multi-state Markov models. The most prevalent infections were hookworm (56%), Giardia lamblia (30%) and Ascaris lumbricoides (15%). Cross-sectionally, hookworm and A. lumbricoides were negatively associated with G. lamblia (OR = 0.60; OR = 0.65, respectively). Longitudinally, giardia infection was less likely in helminth-infected individuals (HR: 0.46). Infection with helminths was also less likely for individuals infected with giardia (HR: 0.71). Finally, treatment with mebendazole reduced subsequent hookworm infections, but resulted in a marginal increase in the odds of G. lamblia infection. Our results provide evidence for an antagonistic relationship between helminths and giardia, and suggest that co-infection should be considered in disease transmission models and treatment decisions.
Genetic-Algorithm-Based Antenna Array Design for a 60-GHz Hybrid Smart Antenna System

The previously described hybrid smart-antenna system solves the transmitter receiver alignment problem of 60-GHz wireless systems when high gain antennas are used. Utilizing multiple highly directional array elements and coherently combining the outputs of a few elements adaptively, the hybrid smart antenna achieves the desired performance and results in significant hardware cost and computational complexity savings. For optimal alignment, however, the output power of the hybrid smart antenna should stay constant over the scanning range. This minimizes the so-called scalloping effects and necessitates a careful selection of the array elements being used in beamforming. In this letter, a genetic-algorithm solution to optimally adjust the beam pattern overlaps the array elements to minimize the output-power fluctuations in a given scan range. It is shown that while the hybrid algorithm may perform satisfactorily with less than one-third of the total number of the array elements (e.g., two or three elements in an array of ten antennas), there is an optimal number of elements for a given array that provides minimal power fluctuation in a specified scan range. A tradeoff between the acceptable level of power fluctuation and the total received power is identified.
Whole cell electrical impedance spectroscopy for studying ion channel activity

In this work, the micro electrophysiological analysis system (/spl mu/-EPAS) is used to study the ion channel activity of single cells. The /spl mu/-EPAS has been designed, fabricated, and characterized for this application. The whole cell analysis system has the capability to perform patch clamping, electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and general extracellular recording using integrated, multi-electrode configurations within a single analysis cavity. Bovine chromaffin cells were used as the target cell to demonstrate and characterize the system. Whole cell impedance measurements were taken over a frequency range of 100 Hz to 5.0 MHz. The impedance signatures of bovine chromaffin cells with: i) the K/sup +/ channels blocked; ii) the Ca/sup 2+/ channels blocked; and iii) unmodified cells were measured and analyzed.
Observations on the mechanism of the physiologic third heart sound

Abstract An early diastolic third heart sound was heard on direct auscultation of the left ventricle of the heart-lung preparation. Tracings of the heart sounds, using a Wiggers-Dean capsule, showed a deflection early in diastole which was apparently synchronous with the sound. When blood flow into the heart was cut off, so that the heart beat empty, and motion of the cuspid valves was eliminated by splinting of the leaflets, the first and third sounds persisted. It was concluded, therefore, that the third heart sound, as recorded from the normally beating dog heart, may arise from the heart wall. The observations further indicated that a mechanical disturbance of apparently simple wave form may have acoustic value, and that the third heart sound is often of this form.
Topiramate raises anterior cingulate cortex glutamine levels in healthy men; a 4.0 T magnetic resonance spectroscopy study.

Rationale Potential mechanisms of action of topiramate include alterations of glutamatergic and GABAergic systems. In particular, topiramate has been shown to increase occipital cortex GABA levels, as measured using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS).
The Prognostic Value of MicroRNAs Varies with Patient Race/Ethnicity and Stage of Colorectal Cancer

Purpose: MicroRNAs (miRNA) have potential prognostic value for colorectal cancers; however, their value based on patient race/ethnicity and pathologic stage has not been determined. The goal was to ascertain the prognostic value of 5 miRNAs with increased expression in colorectal cancers of African American (black) and non-Hispanic Caucasian (white) patients. Experimental Design: TaqMan quantitative real-time PCR was used to quantify expression of miR-20a , miR-21 , miR-106a , miR-181b , and miR-203 in paired normal and tumor colorectal cancer archival tissues collected from 106 black and 239 white patients. The results were correlated with overall survival based on patient race/ethnicity and pathologic stage. Because decisions about adjuvant therapy are important for stage III colorectal cancers, and because miR-181b seemed to have prognostic value only for stage III black patients, we assessed its prognostic value in a separate cohort of 36 stage III colorectal cancers of blacks. Results: All 5 miRNAs had higher expression in colorectal cancers (>1.0-fold) than in corresponding normal tissues. High expression of miR-203 was associated with poor survival of whites with stage IV colorectal cancers (HR = 3.00; 95% CI, 1.29–7.53), but in blacks it was an indicator of poor survival of patients with stages I and II colorectal cancers (HR = 5.63; 95% CI, 1.03–30.64). Increased miR-21 expression correlated with poor prognosis for white stage IV patients (HR = 2.50; 95% CI, 1.07–5.83). In both test and validation cohorts, high miR-181b expression correlated with poor survival of only black patients with stage III colorectal cancers (HR = 1.94; 95% CI, 1.03–3.67). Conclusion: These preliminary findings suggest that the prognostic value of miRNAs in colorectal cancers varies with patient race/ethnicity and stage of disease. Clin Cancer Res; 19(14); 3955–65. ©2013 AACR .
Alcohol use, smoking and gambling in relation to immigrants of Ukrainian nationality in the Czech Republic

Abstract The following paper deals with one of the social determinants of health involving a target group of immigrants of Ukrainian nationality ( N = 237) living in the Czech Republic. The author has focused on the areas pertaining to smoking, alcohol consumption, taking illegal substances (drugs) and playing gambling machines and these areas pertain to the relationship with the following monitored variables: gender, age, highest achieved education and subjective feeling of one's personal health status. The data have been collected by means of a questionnaire survey within the territory of the Czech Republic (quantitative research) and evaluated in SPSS 16.0 program. Pursuant to statistical measurements in the SPSS program, it can be stated that the variable regarding gender joins all the above-mentioned areas in formulating a statistically significant relationship. The other variables do not show any statistically significant relationship. Regarding the consummation of tobacco products, the follow-up file has shown similar numbers of smokers as was the case in the entire Czech Republic representation.
Tax Revenue Volatility and a Statewide Education Tax

The author looks at the volatility of sales, property, and income taxes in Georgia and concludes that a property tax is the best way to fund public schools. Sales and income taxes are more volatile than the property tax, the author says.
A feasibility study for experimentally determining dynamic force distribution in a lap joint

Developing constitutive models of the physics in mechanical joints is currently stymied by inability to measure forces and displacements within the joint. The current state of the art estimates whole joint stiffness and energy loss per cycle from external measured force input and one or two acceleration responses. To validate constitutive models beyond this state requires a measurement of the distributed forces and displacements at the joint interface. Unfortunately, introducing measurement devices at the interface completely disrupts the desired physics. A feasibility study is presented for a non-intrusive method of solving for the interface dynamic forces from an inverse problem using full field measured responses. The responses come from the viewable surface of a beam. The noise levels associated with digital image correlation and continuous scanning laser Doppler velocimetry are evaluated from typical beam experiments. Two inverse problems are simulated. One utilizes the extended Sum of Weighted Accelerations Technique (SWAT). The second is a new approach dubbed the method of truncated orthogonal forces. These methods are much more robust if the contact patch geometry is well identified. Various approaches to identifying the contact patch are investigated, including ion marker tracking, Prussian blue and ultrasonic measurements. A typical experiment is conceivedmore » for a beam which has a lap joint at one end with a single bolt connecting it to another identical beam. In a virtual test using the beam finite element analysis, it appears that the SWAT inverse method requires evaluation of too many coefficients to adequately identify the force distribution to be viable. However, the method of truncated orthogonal forces appears viable with current digital image correlation (and probably other) imaging techniques.« less
Some problems in mathematical biophysics of visual perception and aesthetics

The paper outlines a further extension of a previous theory. It discusses perception of straight lines, perception of length, perception of intersections, disconnected contours; effects of associations; breaking up of a pattern into parts; some suggestions for experimental procedure.
Effect of Chlorcyclizine, Aminopyrine, or Phenobarbital on Carbaryl Metabolism in Alfalfa Leafcutting Bees

Alfalfa leafcutting bees, Megachile pacifica (Panzer) (= rotundata Fabr.) were fed, for 72 h, either chlorcyclizine, phenobarbital or aminopyrine dissolved in an aqueous 25% sucrose solution. The bees were then topically treated with one μg of radioactive carbaryl per bee and the distribution of carbaryl and its metabolites was studied after 4 hours. Carbaryl was most persistent in bees fed aminopyrine. Phenobarbital feeding had no effect on carbaryl persistence in either sex. Chlorcyclizine reduced carbaryl persistence in ♂ bees but had no effect in ♀ bees. Aminopyrine feeding reduced carbaryl metabolism in ♀ bees and eliminated it in ♂ bees except for the production of a single water soluble metabolite. Analysis of the results suggested that carbaryl tolerance in the bees depends upon metabolic degradation of carbaryl and is correlated with removal of the insecticide from the lipophilic fraction of the bee's body.
Studies on Arthropod Cuticle. I. The Distribution of Chitin in Lepidopterous Scales, and its Bearing on the Interpretation of Arthropod Cuticle,

A few years ago Anderson & Richards (1942) reported that the brilliant iridescent blue scales of the tropical butterfly Morpho cypris contain no chitin. The report, incidental to a study of scale architecture, was based on the usual test of solubility in hot concentrated alkali but also included the fact that electron micrographs of less drastically treated scales showed intermediate stages of dissolution. Being desirous of knowing whether or not this is generally true of insect scales, the present author performed tests on a series of specimens representing 109 species of 103 genera and 45 families of Lepidoptera in addition to scales of a mosquito and silverfish.[3][1] Results were highly variable from one species to another and not always easy to duplicate. We were forced to conclude that lepidopterous scales may contain either large amounts or small amounts or no demonstrable chitin. [1]: #fn-3
Oropharyngeal pH Testing Does Not Predict Response to Proton Pump Inhibitor Therapy in Patients with Laryngeal Symptoms

Oropharyngeal pH Testing Does Not Predict Response to Proton Pump Inhibitor Therapy in Patients with Laryngeal Symptoms
Surveillance results of food-borne pathogens in food in Wuzhou City from 2009-2011

[Objective]To know the pollution condition of food-borne pathogens in food in Wuzhou City,provide a scientific basis for prevention and monitoring of food-borne diseases.[Methods]The detection and identification was performed according to GB/T 4789-2010 and the National food-borne disease monitoring handbook.[Results]Among 120 food samples collected in 2009,the detection rate of Vibrio parahaemolyticus,Salmonella and Staphylococcus aureus was 35.00%,14.17% and 10.00% respectively.Listeria monocytogenes and Escherichia coli O157∶H7 were not found.Among 150 samples collected in 2010,the detection rate of Vibrio parahaemolyticus,Salmonella,Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes respectively was 48.00%,9.33%,2.53% and 2.41%.Escherichia coli O157∶H7 and Enterobacter sakazakii were not found.Among 175 samples collected in 2011,Vibrio parahaemolyticus,Enterobacter sakazakii,Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes respectively was 17.39%,5.265,4.61% and 2.92%.Salmonella and Escherichia coli O157∶H7 were not found.[Conclusion]There are hidden dangers in food in Wuzhou City,and the detection rates of pathogens in key food are high.The food management department should carry out the effective supervision measures to prevent the food poisoning.
Heat stress protein-associated cytoprotection of inner medullary collecting duct cells from rat kidney

Although heat stress proteins (HSPs) mediate thermotolerance, the cellular targets of thermal injury and mechanisms of acquired cytoprotection are unknown. To describe the metabolic effects of hyperthermia and the potential mechanisms of thermotolerance, the following were measured in inner medullary collecting duct cells after a 43 degrees C and/or a 50 degrees C thermal insult: 1) state III mitochondrial respiration (SIII MR), 2) glycolytic rate, 3) lactate dehydrogenase activity, 4) membrane permeability, and 5) HSP 72 content. Compared with controls incubated at 37 degrees C, cells heated to 50 degrees C showed a 30 and 50% reduction in glycolysis and SIII MR, respectively. After heating to 50 degrees C, the cell membrane remained intact and immunoreactive HSP 72 was not detected. In contrast, heating to 43 degrees C induced accumulation of HSP 72 and transiently increased both SIII MR and glycolysis. In addition, prior exposure to 43 degrees C completely prevented the fall in SIII MR and glycolysis anticipated with a subsequent 50 degrees C insult. Cytoprotection gradually diminished over several days and correlated with the disappearance of HSP 72. Preservation of oxidative and anaerobic metabolism associated with HSPs may be important in developing resistance to thermal injury.
Fluorescence Blinking as an Output Signal for Biosensing

We demonstrate the first biosensing strategy that relies on quantum dot (QD) fluorescence blinking to report the presence of a target molecule. Unlike other biosensors that utilize QDs, our method does not require the analyte to induce any fluorescence intensity or color changes, making it readily applicable to a wide range of target species. Instead, our approach relies on the understanding that blinking, a single particle phenomenon, is obscured when several QDs lie within the detection volume of a confocal microscope. If QDs are engineered to aggregate when they encounter a particular target molecule, the observation of quasi-continuous emission should indicate its presence. As proof of concept, we programmed DNAs to drive rapid isothermal assembly of QDs in the presence of a target strand (oncogene K-ras). The assemblies, confirmed by various gel techniques, contained multiple QDs and were readily distinguished from free QDs by the absence of blinking.
Parity-time symmetric graphene metasurfaces

In the past decade, parity-time (PT) symmetric quantum Hamiltonian systems have received a great amount of research attention [1, 2], since it was shown that a non-Hermitian Hamiltonians can exhibit an entirely real eigenspectrum, provided that the system is invariant under combined operations of parity (P) and time-reversal (T) symmetry. Although the PT symmetry concept in quantum systems is still under intensive debate, its optics and acoustics analogues can be readily realized by exploiting the formal similarities between the Schrodinger and Helmholtz equations. Optics has emerged as the most versatile platform for studying the PT-symmetric system, since the spatially-modulated distributions of optical gain (e.g., laser) and loss (i.e., optical absorber) are technologically viable. In this talk, we will present a PT-symmetric system in the terahertz (THz) domain, by using the optically-pumped, active graphene metasurface [3, 4] paired with a resistive metallic filament. This PT-symmetric system can achieve an exotic, unidirectional reflectionless propagation of THz waves. The amplified stimulated THz emission and tailored plasmon resonances in the graphene metasurface may effectively realize an equivalent negative-resistance converter at THz and far-infrared wavelengths. By tailoring the geometry of graphene metasurface, the gain, loss, and reactive power can be perfectly balanced in the vicinity of the exceptional point between PT-symmetric and PT-broken phases. Furthermore, we show that the combination of the spectral singularity in a PT-symmetric system and the chemical sensitivity of graphene [5] may lead to exotic scattering responses at the spontaneous PT symmetry-breaking point. At such critical frequency, even a low-level chemical doping may dramatically modulate scattering properties of a graphene-based PT-symmetric sensor, with much higher sensitivity compared to those passive graphene-metasurface micro/nano-sensors. The propose metasurface device may have broad relevance beyond the extraordinary manipulation of THz waves, as it may also open exciting prospects for detecting gas, chemical, and biological agents with ultrahigh sensitivities.
Designing Contentious Politics in Post-1989 China

This article proposes a new approach to studying China’s contentious politics in the post-1989 era. This approach treats China’s central government as an institutional designer whose policies on so...
Fatigue behavior of double-edge notched oxide/oxide ceramic matrix composite in a combustion environment

Tension–tension fatigue tests in a combustion environment were performed on double-edge notched oxide/oxide ceramic matrix composite specimens. The composite, designated as N720/A, constituted wove...
Learning through dynamic design and animation

An effective approach to teaching is to give students free rein to actively learn in an inquisitive and self-structured manner. Such autodidactic learning also promotes strong collaboration amongst students as well as between students and instructors. The activity detailed in this chapter will give the students the ability to take learning into their own hands and develop a dynamic animation of important processes in a way that provides them with a personalized fundamental understanding of new course topics. Using available software, such as PowerPoint, students will explore how to develop a dynamic representation of processes being taught in the classroom and be able to apply similar principles in future courses or projects. In essence, this develops a bottom-up learning process in which students become more aware of all the intricate happenings within a system and are able to portray them in a live, dynamic and accurate representation. Advantageously, this approach can be implemented in both traditional and distance-learning courses and students can present their project in the classroom or through digital recordings. A large-scale culmination of this activity would allow students to contribute to a digital library at the school/university that can be maintained as a resource for both students and educators.
Adaptations in pediatric VAD support: Fitting the square peg in the round hole

Abstract Pediatric end-stage heart failure is a field that has undergone immense change over the past decade as the emerging demand for advanced cardiac therapies has been met with the use of ventricular assist devices (VADs). Though heart transplantation remains the definitive therapy, VAD support has afforded pediatric heart failure patients clinical stability and improved outcomes. However, the use of mechanical circulatory devices designed and intended for adult patients necessitates adaptations in order to be feasible for pediatric support. The inherent limitations to safe and effective VAD support in pediatrics are largely related to patient size restrictions and the challenges presented in supporting patients with congenital heart disease. Though the age of pediatric focused device design is in sight, attempts to address these challenges have largely been through innovation and adaptation of device implantation techniques.
Modeling the Aliso Canyon underground gas storage well blowout and kill operations using the coupled well-reservoir simulator T2Well

Abstract A blowout of the Sesnon Standard-25 well (SS-25; API 03700776) at the Aliso Canyon Underground Gas Storage Facility, first observed on October 23, 2015, eventually resulted in emission of nearly 100,000 tonnes of natural gas (mostly methane) to the atmosphere. Several thousand people were displaced from their homes as the blowout spanned 111 days. Seven attempts to gain pressure control and stop the gas flow by injection of heavy kill fluids through the wellhead failed, a process referred to as a “top kill.” Introduction of drilling mud when a relief well milled through the casing of SS-25 at a depth of ∼8 400 ft (“bottom kill”) succeeded in halting the gas flow on February 11, 2016. We carried out coupled well-reservoir numerical modeling using T2Well to assess why the top kills failed to control the blowout. T2Well couples a reservoir simulation in which porous media flow is described using Darcy's law with a discretized wellbore in which the Navier-Stokes momentum equation implemented via a drift-flux model (Shi et al., 2005) is used to describe multi-phase fluid transport to allow detailed process modeling of well blowouts and kill attempts. Modeling reveals the critical importance of well geometry in controlling flow dynamics and the corresponding success or failure of the kill attempts. Geometry plays a role in controlling where fluids can flow, e.g., when gas flow prevents liquid flow from entering the tubing from the annulus, but geometry also provides the opportunity for dead end regions to accumulate stagnant gas and liquid that can also affect kill attempts. Simulations show that follow-up fluid injections after the main kill attempts likely would have been effective to ensure that gas leakage remains stopped. T2Well is capable of simulating well kills and understanding the mechanisms behind well control failures and successes.
Landscape analysis of soil methane flux across complex terrain

Abstract. Relationships between methane ( CH4 ) fluxes and environmental conditions have been extensively explored in saturated soils, while research has been less prevalent in aerated soils because of the relatively small magnitudes of CH4 fluxes that occur in dry soils. Our study builds on previous carbon cycle research at Tenderfoot Creek Experimental Forest, Montana, to identify how environmental conditions reflected by topographic metrics can be leveraged to estimate watershed scale CH4 fluxes from point scale measurements. Here, we measured soil CH4 concentrations and fluxes across a range of landscape positions (7 riparian, 25 upland), utilizing topographic and seasonal (29 May–12 September) gradients to examine the relationships between environmental variables, hydrologic dynamics, and CH4 emission and uptake. Riparian areas emitted small fluxes of CH4 throughout the study (median: 0.186 µ g CH4 –C m −2 h −1) and uplands increased in sink strength with dry-down of the watershed (median: − 22.9 µ g CH4 –C m −2 h −1) . Locations with volumetric water content (VWC) below 38 % were methane sinks, and uptake increased with decreasing VWC. Above 43 % VWC, net CH4 efflux occurred, and at intermediate VWC net fluxes were near zero. Riparian sites had near-neutral cumulative seasonal flux, and cumulative uptake of CH4 in the uplands was significantly related to topographic indices. These relationships were used to model the net seasonal CH4 flux of the upper Stringer Creek watershed ( − 1.75 kg CH4 –C ha −1) . This spatially distributed estimate was 111 % larger than that obtained by simply extrapolating the mean CH4 flux to the entire watershed area. Our results highlight the importance of quantifying the space–time variability of net CH4 fluxes as predicted by the frequency distribution of landscape positions when assessing watershed scale greenhouse gas balances.
Automated mood-aware engagement prediction

Developing intelligent machines that recognize facial expressions, detect spontaneous emotions and infer affective states of an individual are all challenging problems. While significant amount of work in recent years has focussed on advancing machine learning techniques for affect recognition and affect classification, the prediction of mood from facial analysis and the usage of mood data have received less attention. Questionnaires for psychometric measurement of mood-states are common, but using them during interventions that target psychological well-being of people are arduous and may burden an already troubled population. In this work, we present mood prediction as a sequence learning problem that uses facial Action Units (AUs) as inputs to a Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) machine. We create two separate automated LSTM models — a total mood disturbance predictor and a mood sub-scale predictor, and then use them to aid behavioral assessments of engagement. Our mood-aware engagement predictor uses total mood disturbance score, and our analysis compares both mood sub-scale predictors and an overall mood disturbance predictor for engagement prediction. We evaluate our mood models on a large scale dataset consisting of 8M+ frames from multiple videos collected from 110 subjects during a web-intervention for trauma recovery. Our experiments show that mood-aware engagement predictor using our novel visual analysis approach performs significantly better or on par with using self-reports.
Approximate parametrization of algebraic curves

This paper discusses a solution to the problem of how to approximate an algebraic curve of any degree with piecewise parametric curves. The approximation can be performed using any differentiable parametric curve form. An implementation using rational cubic Bezier curves results in a G 2 piecewise approximation which experiences better than O(h 7) convergence. If the algebraic curve happens to be a cubic curve of genus zero, a parametric curve can be found which exactly fits the given algebraic curve to within floating point precision. An error bound is developed which is much tighter than previously published bounds.
Analysis and characterization of the swine major histocompatibility complex

Three miniature swine lines, inbred for SLA haplotypes a, C/ and df and a recombinant line, haplotype £, were analyzed for possible restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) by Southern blot hybridization with human C2 and factor B (Bf) specific probes. The search for RFLPs by using a human C2 probe failed to reveal any variants. However, a TaqI polymorphism was identified with a human Bf probe. Over­ lapping restriction fragments were found with C2 and Bf probes, which strongly suggests close linkage of C2 and Bf genes in swine. Two TaqI RFLP patterns were distinguished with the Bf probe. Segregation analyses indicated that the polymorphic fragments followed a Mendelian pattern of inheritance. The recombinant haplotype c[, which expresses class I genes of haplotype c and class II genes of haplotype d, was shown to produce an identical RFLP pattern, using the Bf probe, as haplotype d, but different from that of haplotype c. This indicates that there is a close association between Bf and class II genes and that the recombination event leading to the £ haplotype must have occurred between the class'II-Bf and class I genes. Although these data do not show conclusively the location of the C2-Bf genes, it is hypothesized that swine C2-Bf is located between the class II and class I genes, as has been demonstrated in mouse and man.
Abstract IA37: Intersectional approaches to studying the interaction of multiple and multilevel social determinants on cancer health disparities

Social determinants of health are the characteristics and conditions that determine where and how people live, work, and play. Social determinants of health exist at multiple levels and can range from individual characteristics such as gender, education, and income, to local environmental conditions such as social and built environments, to societal influences such as health care policies and racial residential segregation. These characteristics can impact cancer outcomes across the continuum, from risk to death. Moreover, these characteristics are often highly correlated and can interact to influence disparate cancer outcomes above and beyond their individual health effects. The intersectional approach considers the impact on health and health equity of intersecting social positions and processes. To date, the intersectional approach has primarily been applied to qualitative research. This educational presentation will describe the concept of intersectionality, and explore approaches to apply the intersectional approach to cancer health disparities research questions at a population level. Citation Format: Scarlett Lin Gomez. Intersectional approaches to studying the interaction of multiple and multilevel social determinants on cancer health disparities [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Tenth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2017 Sep 25-28; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2018;27(7 Suppl):Abstract nr IA37.
Design Patterns for Managing Up: Four challenging work situations and how to handle them

Challenges come up all the time at work. Spend time now thinking about how you want to be seen at work, and then think about how that version of you would respond to the challenges that you could encounter. When you have a plan in place, you are much more likely to succeed.
Moving Ahead: What’s Next for the eGEMs Community

eGEMs, in close partnership with our key sponsor and publisher, AcademyHealth, has provided a window to the transformational impact of electronic health data (EHD) on how we pursue health and deliver healthcare. This commentary traces key milestones in that journey and announces the next chapter for this community and the critical work it produces.
Menarche, Menstruation, and Gender Identity: Retrospective Accounts from Women Who Have Undergone Premenopausal Hysterectomy

Hysterectomy (the surgical removal of the uterus) precipitates the end of menstrual cycles in premenopausal women. In this article I explore whether that premature termination of menstrual function negatively affects women's subjective gender identities. Using the grounded theory research approach, I conducted in-depth interviews with 40 diverse respondents who had undergone premenopausal hysterectomy. These women generally acknowledged that, since the time of menarche, they had closely associated menstruation with their gender identities. However, despite some regrets, respondents' primary reaction was almost unanimous relief that they had ceased menstruating. This finding must be viewed in the context of overwhelming and uncontrollable menstrual pain and bleeding that many respondents had previously experienced. Contrary to expressing remorse that they no longer identified with “normal” women, who menstruate, most respondents sought to disassociate themselves from the normalized suffering that they perceived is endured by all menstruating women.
Radiation induces an inflammatory response that results in STAT3-dependent changes in cellular plasticity and radioresistance of breast cancer stem-like cells.

Purpose: Pro-inflammatory cytokines within the tumor microenvironment, such as IL-6, contribute to the maintenance of stem cells and promote their survival following treatment. The IL-6/STAT3 pathw...
Cytokines and Chemokines in the Pathogenesis of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis is a CD4+ T cell-mediated demyelinating disease of the CNS that serves as a model for multiple sclerosis. Cytokines and chemokines shape Th1 and Th17 effector responses as well as regulate migration of leukocytes to the CNS during disease. The CNS cellular infiltrate consists of Ag-specific and nonspecific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, neutrophils, B cells, monocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells. The mechanism of immune-mediated inflammation in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis has been extensively studied in an effort to develop therapeutic modalities for multiple sclerosis and, indeed, has provided insight in modern drug discovery. The present Brief Review highlights critical pathogenic aspects of cytokines and chemokines involved in generation of effector T cell responses and migration of inflammatory cells to the CNS. Select cytokines and chemokines are certainly important in the regulatory response, which involves T regulatory, B regulatory, and myeloid-derived suppressor cells. However, that discussion is beyond the scope of this brief review.
Rotenone neurotoxicity: Relevance to Parkinson's disease

Abstract Rotenone is one of the most widely used insecticide and pisicides in the US and around the world. Epidemiological evidences suggest that rotenone exposure may be a risk factor for Parkinson's disease (PD) pathogenesis. Numerous experimental studies prompted such epidemiological studies showing that rotenone produces a PD phenotype in animal models. Various laboratory animals exposed to rotenone exhibit a loss of dopaminergic neurons and specific protein aggregate formation consistent with the major pathological hallmarks of PD. Mechanistic research has shown that inhibition of complex I of the mitochondrial electron transport chain is the primary mechanism of neurotoxic action. Some studies have pointed to other mechanisms such as disruption of microtubule function. Systemic exposure in rats below doses that affect Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production is the most commonly used rotenone PD model. Here, rotenone enters all cells but selectively affects dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra due to high sensitivity to oxidative insults. This chapter briefly covers the history of rotenone neurotoxicity studies, its neurotoxic mechanisms and several related experimental models demonstrating the neurochemical, histopathological and behavioral characteristics identical to clinical PD.
A Low-Power, Highly Integrated Radiation Detection System for Portable, Long-Duration Monitoring

This paper presents the signal processing and power supply electronics for a radiation detection system designed for use in portable and long-duration radiation monitoring applications. The tested system achieves state-of-the-art low power consumption, requiring 2.4 mW, including detector powering, when detecting radiation at 1000 counts per second (cps). It contains two separate chip designs that are optimized for low-power and low-noise operation. First, a $0.13~\mu \text{m}$ multichannel analyzer (MCA) chip measures, processes, and stores sensor data to build a radiation spectrum. Second, a $0.35~\mu \text{m}$ controller chip drives the detector power supply (DPS) circuitry, generating the high voltages required to power standard radiation detectors. The chips were fabricated, tested, and interfaced to a scintillation-based detector to forma complete, low-power radiation detection system that can operate for over 30 days when powered from a CR2477 button cell battery.
Coincident remission of ankylosing spondylitis after autologous stem cell transplantation for multiple myeloma.

IntroductionAnkylosing spondylitis is an autoimmune disease with chronic inflammation of the spine and sacroiliac joints that is commonly treated with immunosuppressants including disease-modifying...
Pedogenic clay formation from allochthonous parent materials in a periglacial alpine critical zone

Abstract This project investigated the origin of clay minerals in regolith present above quartzite bedrock in the alpine zone of the Uinta Mountains, Utah, USA. Geochemical and mineralogical analysis indicates that these clays formed through chemical weathering of two allochthonous parent materials. Smectite-rich clays, with Mg abundance distinctly higher than modern dust or local bedrock, formed through weathering of andesitic ash layers that were deposited during the Oligocene from eruptive centers in the Basin and Range. In contrast, various stages of interstratified kaolinite-illite–smectite clays have formed through weathering of mica and feldspar delivered by eolian processes that continue today. Local bedrock appears to have played only a minor role as a parent material for clay neoformation. These results demonstrate that pedogenic clay can be common even in cold climate soils and regolith overlying weathering resistant bedrock. They also emphasize that the clay inventory in soil and regolith can reflect processes that operated before modern climatic conditions were established, and reinforce the key role played by exogenous mineral inputs in the functioning of the alpine critical zone.
Efficacy of Postemergence Herbicides for Control of Small-Leaf Spiderwort (Tradescantia fluminensis) in Florida

Tradescantia fluminensis (small-leaf spiderwort; SLSW) is a fast-growing herbaceous groundcover and one of the most problematic invasive plants in Florida. The objective of this research was to determine the efficacy of selected postemergence herbicides for SLSW control in greenhouse and field experiments in Florida. An additional objective was to determine if pre-cutting plants would increase herbicidal efficacy. In greenhouse experiments, cutting mature SLSW plants increased the control of most herbicides evaluated. Overall, triclopyr ester provided the highest level of control along with triclopyr amine, triclopyr choline, and glufosinate, all of which were similar. Few differences were observed between 2,4-D, aminopyralid, metsulfuron-methyl, sulfentrazone, and glyphosate and all provided ≤66% control as evidenced by shoot weight reduction. In field experiments, pre-cutting SLSW had no effect on herbicide efficacy. Triclopyr was again generally the most efficacious treatment, outperforming glyphosate, aminopyralid, glufosinate, and fluroxypyr on most evaluation dates, especially as trials progressed past 5 mo. Overall, data suggest that triclopyr would be the most effective option for SLSW management. However, as efficacy was noted with fluroxypyr, glyphosate, and glufosinate depending upon location, other options exist. Further research is needed to determine reapplication intervals and effects on nontarget native plants in order to develop comprehensive management plans.
Comovements in Military Spending: Evidence from a Dynamic Factor Model with Time-Varying Stochastic Volatility

This study examines the trend and comovements of military expenditures across 70 countries from 1967 to 2018. While previous research recognizes the degree of cross-correlations using principal com...
Do Common Factors Really Explain the Cross-Section of Stock Returns?

We find a significant unexplained excess return that arises without taking any systematic risk in the APT sense. We measure individual stocks' exposures to all the common latent factors using a novel high-dimensional method and find that all latent factors have negligible risk premiums despite explaining a large fraction of the time-series variation in stock returns. We use machine learning to construct out-of-sample forecasts of stock returns. A zero-cost beta-neutral portfolio that exploits this predictability but hedges all undiversifiable risk delivers a Sharpe ratio above one and no correlation with any systematic factor.
Thermal Imaging for Inspection of Large Cryogenic Tanks

The end of the Shuttle Program provides an opportunity to evaluate and possibly refurbish launch support infrastructure at the Kennedy Space Center in support of future launch vehicles. One major infrastructure element needing attention is the cryogenic fuel and oxidizer system and specifically the cryogenic fuel ground storage tanks located at Launch Complex 39. These tanks were constructed in 1965 and served both the Apollo and Shuttle Programs and will be used to support future launch programs. However, they have received only external inspection and minimal refurbishment over the years as there were no operational issues that warranted the significant time and schedule disruption required to drain and refurbish the tanks while the launch programs were ongoing. Now, during the break between programs, the health of the tanks is being evaluated and refurbishment is being performed as necessary to maintain their fitness for future launch programs. Thermography was used as one part of the inspection and analysis of the tanks. This paper will describe the conclusions derived from the thermal images to evaluate anomalous regions in the tanks, confirm structural integrity of components within the annular region, and evaluate the effectiveness of thermal imaging to detect large insulation voids in tanks prior to filling with cryogenic fluid. The use of thermal imaging as a tool to inspect unfilled tanks will be important if the construction of additional storage tanks is required to fuel new launch vehicles.
Evidence of Biogenic Corrosion of Titanium after Exposure to a Continuous Culture of Thiobacillus Ferrooxidans Grown in Thiosulfate Medium

Experiments were undertaken to evaluate extreme conditions under which candidate materials intended for use in a proposed nuclear waste repository might be susceptible to corrosion by endogenous microorganisms. Thiobucillus ferrooxidans, a sulfur-oxidizing bacterium, was grown in continuous culture using thiosulfate as an energy source; thiosulfate is oxidized to sulfate as a metabolic endproduct by this organism. Culture conditions were optimized to produce a high-density, metabolically active culture throughout a period of long term incubation in the presence of Alloy 22 (a high nickel-based alloy) and Titanium grade 7 (Tigr7) material coupons. After seven months incubation under these conditions, material coupons were withdrawn and analyzed by high resolution microscopy and energy dispersive x-ray analyses. Alloy 22 coupons showed no detectable signs of corrosion. Tigr7, however, demonstrated distinct roughening of the coupon surface, and [presumably solubilized and precipitated] titanium was detected on Alloy 22 coupons incubated in the same T. ferrooxiduns culture vessel. Control coupons of these materials incubated in sterile thiosulfate medium did not demonstrate any signs of corrosion, thus showing that observed corrosive effects were due to the T. ferrooxidans metabolic activities. T. ferrooxidans intermediates of thiosulfate oxidation or sulfate may have caused the corrosive effects observed on Tigr7.
Scholars and Public Debates: A Reply to Devins and Farnsworth

In the wake of President Clinton's impeachment, a curious controversy has broken out over the proper role of legal scholars in public debates. Neal Devins, Ward Farnsworth and others have argued that letters submitted by law professors to Congress opposing Clinton's impeachment were ill-advised efforts to trade on the impression of scholarly expertise in an area in which most of them had none. In this short article, I reply to the criticisms advanced by Devins and Farnsworth. My basic line of response is that they make a fundamental error in their analysis of what these letters are about. The Clinton impeachment letter did not base its claim to attention on an aggressive presumption of expertise, but by clearly exhibiting the ability of constitutional scholars to create and evaluate constitutional arguments. In Part I, I describe the circumstances that led to the writing of the Clinton impeachment letter and defend it on the basis of a standard of expertise that rests on the ability of scholars to create and evaluate constitutional arguments. I also diagnose the error made by Devins and Farnsworth - they assume they can criticize the expertise on which the letter was based without dealing with the letter's arguments. In Part II, I take up the theories of expertise advanced by Devins and Farnsworth in detail to show how their critiques went wrong. With respect to Devins, I emphasize that he ignores how legal scholars search for the truth through a clash of arguments. Devins's article is also marred by insinuations about the political motivations of those who signed the Clinton letter that are beyond the kind of fair comment that should appear in legal journals. Farnsworth offers a more careful argument, but he is no more successful than Devins in undermining the letter. Specifically, Farnsworth does not understand how public debates work. He offers a convention to govern the signing of such letters that is not necessary given the scrutiny such messages inevitably receive. I deepen my response to Farnsworth in Part III by setting out the circumstances that surrounded the creation of a statement (which I authored) to the Florida legislature, opposing their effort to designate presidential electors in the aftermath of the 2000 Election.