cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The use of lipid emulsion as an intravesical medium to disperse light in the potential treatment of bladder tumors.

Abstract An obstacle to satisfactory treatment of early bladder cancer with hematoporphyrin derivative-photoradiation therapy is nonuniform illumination of the bladder mucosa. This study was done to determine the characteristics and attenuation of laser light passing through the dispersion medium. Bladder simulation was achieved with the use of 5 different sizes of round-bottom flasks. Intralipid ® was the dispersion medium. For each flask, 6 different concentrations of the dispersion medium were used. An Argon ion laser was used to stimulate a dye laser at 630 nm. The laser was directed toward the center of the flasks via a fiberoptic cable and energy concentration at 7 different angles was measured. We concluded that the optimal medium was a 1:100 dilution of Intralipid with water, which produced an almost uniform dispersion of light on the walls of the flask. There is a linear correlation between power as measured at the fiber tip and the amount of radiation detected on the walls of the flasks. After determining optimal concentration of medium, we calculated the amount of time needed for a desired energy (Joules/cm. 2 ) to treat a tumor. This calculation was based on the size of the bladder and the power as measured at the fiber tip. The results indicate it is possible to treat the entire mucosa of the bladder with a uniform dose of photoradiation energy.
Dependence of urinary prostaglandin E2 excretion on urinary volume rather than solute handling or segmental nephron function in man

Eight normal subjects underwent water loading alone and water loading plus 40 mg of frusemide IV, fluid intake ad libitum alone and fluid intake ad libitum plus frusemide, plus each of the preceding after pretreatment with indomethacin. After frusemide administration, increases in urinary sodium excretion paralleled increases in urinary volume, and urinary prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) excretion correlated closely with sodium excretion (y = 1.03x - 0.28; r = 0.940; P less than 0.0001). In the absence of the diuretic, urinary volume varied over a wide range with little change in sodium excretion. Again, urinary PGE2 excretion correlated with urinary sodium excretion (y = 0.12x + 0.05; r = 0.789; P less than 0.002). However, the correlation differed markedly from that observed in the studies with frusemide. Expressing urinary PGE2 excretion as a function of urinary volume for all of the studies resulted in a highly significant correlation (y = 10.7x - 0.70; r = 0.975; P less than 0.0001). Multiple and stepwise regression analyses assessing the correlation of urinary PGE2 excretion with urinary flow rate and with indices of function of various nephron segments indicate that the correlation with urinary PGE2 could be predominantly accounted for by urinary volume. We conclude that in the condition of this study in man, urinary PGE2 excretion is a correlate of urinary volume.
Sexual experience modulates partner preference and mPOA nitric oxide synthase in female rats.

Sexually experienced female rats return to the male more quickly after intromissions, exhibit shorter interintromission intervals, and spend more time with the male rat during a test of paced mating behavior in comparison to naive rats. The present study tested whether these changes reflect heightened sexual motivation independent of receipt of vaginocervical stimulation and/or neurochemical changes in the medial preoptic area (mPOA). Ovariectomized, female rats were given estradiol benzoate and progesterone, and then received either 6 paced mating encounters (experienced) or 6 control exposures to an empty paced mating arena (naive). Experienced and naive rats received a no-contact partner preference test under oil vehicle and then under hormone on a different day. Hormonal status and sexual experience led to significantly higher preference for the male. Brains were collected 1 hr after both experienced and naive rats received paced mating to compare mPOA levels of Fos, a marker of neural activity, in response to copulation and nitric oxide synthase (NOS), the enzyme responsible for production of nitric oxide (NO). Expression of NOS was higher in experienced relative to naive rats, whereas Fos was comparable between the groups. The data are consistent with the idea that both sexual motivation and changes to the mPOA contribute to the shift in paced mating behavior induced by sexual experience. (PsycINFO Database Record
Length of residence: Does it make a difference in older bilinguals?

Among papers considering L2 performance, a subset take into account the length of residence (LOR) in the country where the L2 is spoken. In about half of these, LOR makes no difference for performance of at least one variable measured. Since those who reside in an L2 environment for many years tend to be older, the beneficial effects of longer LOR may at some point be counteracted by declines due to aging. This article draws on research in cognitive aging to consider how age could impact L2 performance. This is particularly important when investigating the effects of LOR or age of L2 acquisition since LOR, age of acquisition, and age at testing are linearly dependent variables, making conclusions based on any of these variables problematic. We argue that aging is a largely ignored confound in the literature on L2 attainment, particularly for studies that include older adults in their samples.
Towards energy-efficient task scheduling on smartphones in mobile crowd sensing systems

In a mobile crowd sensing system, a smartphone undertakes many different sensing tasks that demand data from various sensors. In this paper, we consider the problem of scheduling different sensing tasks assigned to a smartphone with the objective of minimizing sensing energy consumption while ensuring Quality of SenSing (QoSS). First, we consider a simple case in which each sensing task only requests data from a single sensor. We formally define the corresponding problem as the Minimum Energy Single-sensor task Scheduling (MESS) problem and present a polynomial-time optimal algorithm to solve it. Furthermore, we address a more general case in which some sensing tasks request multiple sensors to report their measurements simultaneously. We present an Integer Linear Programming (ILP) formulation as well as two effective polynomial-time heuristic algorithms, for the corresponding Minimum Energy Multi-sensor task Scheduling (MEMS) problem. Extensive simulation results show that the proposed algorithms achieve significant energy savings, compared to a widely-used baseline approach; moreover, the proposed heuristic algorithms produce close-to-optimal solutions.
The Unintended Consequences of Social Accounting: Explanations and (Un)ethical Behavior

In the organizational justice literature, social accounts or explanations have been found to be a useful mechanism in enhancing employees’ justice perception, particularly when organizational decis...
Gaps in integrating genetic testing into management of breast cancer.

160Background: Genetic testing for breast cancer risk is evolving rapidly, with surging use of multiple-gene panels. However, little is known about the extent to which testing is effectively integrated into management after diagnosis of breast cancer. Methods: A population-based sample of 3930 patients diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014-15 and identified by two SEER registries (Georgia and Los Angeles) were sent surveys 2 months after surgery and responses merged to SEER data. A subgroup at higher pre-test risk of pathogenic mutation carriage (vs average risk) was defined according to testing guidelines. Results: Among 2502 eligible patients with unilateral breast cancer (response rate 70%), 666 (27%) reported genetic testing. The Table shows wide variability in patient report of which professional ordered the test and discussed the results. Few (18-21%) patients had testing ordered by a genetic counselor and approximately half (57% high-risk, 42% average-risk) discussed results with one. One third of p...
The Fermi surface of platinum

We have made measurements of the extremal cross-sectional areas of the open hole surface of the Fermi surface of platinum for the previously unobserved, heavy mass orbits centered on γ and X with the magnetic field along the [100] and [110] directions, respectively. When combined with previous measurements, the necessary data associated with all classes of orbits on all three sheets of the surface are now available. Using a relativistic non-muffin-tin, Korringa-Kohn-Rostoker formalism, data were fitted using the scattering phase shifts associated with the appropriate irreducible relativistic cubic representations as disposable parameters (through l = 2) to an accuracy of 0.3%. The resulting radii of all sheets of the Fermi surface are reported. A volume integration yields the necessary charge neutrality for this even-valent metal to within 1%. Next, available cyclotron mass data were fitted using the energy derivatives of the scattering phase shifts as disposable parameters (many-body effects being absorbed in the parameter set) to an accuracy of 3.4% ; here the measured total electronic density of states was used as a constraint. The resulting Fermi velocities are also reported.
Religion and Cultural Survival

The role of religious practices in cultural evolution and the interrelations of religious and other cultural practices are the topics of this paper. This paper provides a descriptive analysis of the social and historical conditions of which religious practices have been generated. Additionally, the relation of religious practices to the outcome of cultural survival is discussed. Our analysis draws upon a number of distinctions: cultural vs. noncultural practices, religious vs. nonreligious, relig ious vs. moral, and moral vs. other cultural practices. We address the significance of these distinctions to the role of religious practices in cultural survival and conclude with a discussion of the challenges facing behavior analysts as cultural engineers. Religious practices of one type or another are aspects of all cultures. Traditionally, religion has been understood as a structure established for the guidance and comfort of persons who lack other means of escaping from the exigencies of life. Sociologists, anthropologists, theologians, and others have written extensively on the subject. Researchers studying the sociology of religion have appealed to theoretical perspectives, such as "rational choice theories," in an effort to understand religion's influence in our society (Batson, Schoenrade, & Ventis, 1993; Becker & Eiesland, 1997; Sherkat & Ellison, 1999). However, little elaboration as to the nature of religious practices, the circumstances responsible for their stability over time, and their relevance to cultural survival from a naturalistic, behavioral perspective has surfaced. The prevalence of religious practices and beliefs across all cultures and history warrants attention from behavioral psychologists; and such scrutiny has begun to emerge from within the behavior analytic community. A number of these formulations (e.g., Biglan, 1995; Glenn, 1989) have benefited from interdisciplinary contacts, significant among these have been commerce with behavioral anthropology (Harris, 1979). Others have proceeded on more specifically behavioral grounds (e.g. , Hayes, 1988; Kantor, 1982; Malott, 1988; Skinner, 1972). Nevertheless, whereas the analYSis of cultural practices
Transducers for harsh environments in nuclear applications

Ultrasound offers measurements of parameters encountered in harsh environments such as steam generators, heat exchangers and nuclear reactor primary and secondary systems. But there is a lack of piezo-materials tolerant of high temperatures and nuclear irradiation. Another issue is that transducers are needed that can be left in place on curved surfaces such as pipes and valves. The transducers should capable of providing structural health monitoring for extend periods of time. Both active and passive monitoring are necessary. The goal is a transducer that provides a leave-in-place solution to structural health monitoring where plant shutdown and an operating technician are not required. This method will significantly decrease the cost of inspection which usually requires facility shut-down.
Evaluating University Physical Activity Courses from Student and Instructor Perspectives

This article presents the results of a survey of student and faculty perspectives within a university-level instructional physical activity (PA) program. The results revealed that students enrolled in the courses primarily for enjoyment and to stay fit. A majority of students ranked the quality of instruction as excellent, were interested in new activity offerings such as SCUBA and training for road races, and would be likely or very likely to continue pursuing the activity in the future. Faculty responses included challenges in teaching instructional PA courses (e.g., varying skill levels, equipment access), the benefits of teaching including improved student skills and student enjoyment, and an interest in professional development opportunities. An ongoing evaluation of student and instructor perspectives within instructional PA programs is recommended and necessary, but responsiveness to this information is paramount for ensuring high-quality, engaging programs.
A Proactive Behavioral Health Service Model to Address Use of Constant Observation in a General Hospital.

In hospitals, use of constant observation (CO) causes significant economic burden without demonstrated reduction in adverse events. A novel quality improvement (QI) project was developed to reduce ...
Treatment of seborrheic dermatitis: a comprehensive review

Seborrheic dermatitis (SD) is a chronic, recurring inflammatory skin disorder that manifests as erythematous macules or plaques with varying levels of scaling associated with pruritus. The condition typically occurs as an inflammatory response to Malassezia species and tends to occur on seborrheic areas, such as the scalp, face, chest, back, axilla, and groin areas. SD treatment focuses on clearing signs of the disease; ameliorating associated symptoms, such as pruritus; and maintaining remission with long-term therapy. Since the primary underlying pathogenic mechanisms comprise Malassezia proliferation and inflammation, the most commonly used treatment is topical antifungal and anti-inflammatory agents. Other broadly used therapies include lithium gluconate/succinate, coal tar, salicylic acid, selenium sulfide, sodium sulfacetamide, glycerin, benzoyl peroxide, aloe vera, mud treatment, phototherapy, among others. Alternative therapies have also been reported, such as tea tree oil, Quassia amara, and Solanum chrysotrichum. Systemic therapy is reserved only for widespread lesions or in cases that are refractory to topical treatment. Thus, in this comprehensive review, we summarize the current knowledge on SD treatment and attempt to provide appropriate directions for future cases that dermatologists may face.
Comparison of Children's Menu Items at Full- and Quick-Service Restaurants.

Objectives The proportion of food consumed by children from restaurants tripled during the last 4 decades and that coincided with the increased rate of obesity. Despite the presence of data linking quick-service (QS) food consumption to poor diet quality, studies comparing the nutrition content of the children's menu items at QS restaurants (QSRs) with those at full-service restaurants (FSRs) are limited. The objectives of this study were to examine the nutrition content of common children's menu items at both QSRs and FSRs and compare these data with recommendations reported by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2015-2020, Eighth Edition. Methods Using the 2014 data of the MenuStat project, 10 food items that are on both QSR and FSR children's menus were selected. Data from each restaurant category were aggregated and the overall average of the nutritional content of each individual food item was calculated and compared between the two restaurant categories. Results The average of calories, fat, carbohydrates, and added sugar of most items on the children's menu of QSRs are lower than those of FSRs. Also, most food items on children's menus of FSRs, and to a lesser extent those of QSRs, exceeded the national recommended calories and fat content per meal. Conclusions Although some children's menu items of QSRs have less fat and fewer calories compared with those of FSRs, most menu items in both FSRs and QSRs do not meet national dietary recommendations. Healthcare professionals may expand discussions with patients to include both restaurant categories when counseling them and their families on obesity prevention. Also, educating children and families about reading the nutritional content information of children's menu items when eating out to make an informed choice can be a tool in fighting childhood obesity.
Chapter 20 Attention and Hyperactivity

More than a decade ago, in response to persuasive arguments by Douglas (1972) and others that children diagnosed with Hyperkinetic Reaction of Childhood (DSM-II, 1968) might have a primary deficit in attention processes, the diagnostic criteria and label for this disorder were changed to emphasize attention deficits [e.g., Attention Deficit Disorder with (ADDH) or without (ADD) Hyperactivity in DSM-III (1980), and Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in DSM-III-R (1987)] A great deal of research has been devoted to searching for a core attention deficit in these children. Among researchers involved in this search, there is an emerging opinion that children with ADD/ADHD may not have a specific information processing deficit that can be attributed to a defect in attention. The empirical support for this view has emerged in recent investigations which have used paradigms from cognitive psychology to measure attention based on performance on laboratory tasks. This research has shown that some theoretically important components of attention do not distinguish ADD/ADHD patients from normal subjects, and this has convinced many investigators that “attention deficit” is not the core defect of the ADD/ADHD syndrome. Several issues about diagnosis and labeling of ADD/ADHD are discussed in this chapter. Based on new models of attention, we present a position in favor of retention of the term “attention deficit” as part of the psychiatric label, but we recommend restricting this label to a smaller, more homogeneous group of children than specified by DSM-III or DSM-III-R criteria.
High-Temperature Reactivity

The need for high-temperature materials and for a systematic understanding of their chemical behavior has increased enormously in the past three decades. New technologies based on nuclear energy, space exploration, and solid-state electronic devices have emphasized this need, as has the recently expanded search for new and more efficient energy sources and conversion devices. The first large organized effort to study and understand the chemistry of materials at high temperatures was initiated during the Manhattan Project some thirty years ago. The studies of Leo Brewer and co-workers* resulted in the birth of high-temperature chemistry as a major area of chemical research. Research in high-temperature chemistry has flourished and our knowledge of the chemical, thermodynamic, and kinetic properties of reactions at high temperatures has greatly increased in these last thirty years. Although information is still sparse in comparison to that for room-temperature reactions, a start has been made at categorizing the behavior and properties of these high-temperature systems.
74-P: THE C1q ASSAY IN RENAL POST-TRANSPLANT PATIENTS

Aim Clinical management of renal transplant patients is often a clinical dilemma once they have developed donor specific antibodies (DSA). One of the mechanisms of graft injury by DSA is considered complement-mediated. We evaluated complement-fixing ability of DSA during post-transplant monitoring. Methods Frozen serum samples (N = 17) were selected from 6 patients in whom DSA was detected after kidney transplant, including collections from rising and stable creatinine periods. HLA antibody (IgG) was tested by LABScreen PRA and LABScreen Single Antigen beads (SAB, One Lambda). Complement fixing ability was tested by C1q assay (One Lambda). Donor/recipient HLA typing was tested by serology or SSO/SSP. DSA (IgG), DSA (C1q), creatinine, and biopsy results were correlated. Results From 6 patients (3 pediatrics and 3 adults), 17 serum samples are from 7 points during increasing creatinine and 10 points during stable creatinine. In these patients, the first detection of DSA was from 1.2 to 6 years ago. Specificity was class II only in 4 patients and both class I/II in 2 patients. All 17 data points detected maximum DSA (IgG) at >7000 MFI by SAB, and were also equally positive by C1q assay, regardless the creatinine trend or biopsy results. Corresponding biopsy results were available in 12 samples; C4d and T-cell rejection (N = 3), C4d only (N = 5), T-cell rejection only (N = 4), and neither (N = 0). Thus, 8 of 12 serum samples correlated C1q positivity and C4d positivity (66%). Among the 6 patients with C1q positive DSAs, 4 patients had stable creatinine, chronic antibody rejection was recognized 18 months after C1q detection, and one developed rising creatinine due to T-cell rejection. Conclusions All 17 DSA (IgG) positive samples were also positive by C1q assay, regardless of the creatinine or C4d biopsy status. In vivo responses and consequences of DSA are regulated by complex immune mechanisms, which may not correlate to an in vitro complement fixing assay.
Optimal Dispatch of Electrical Transmission Systems Considering Interdependencies with Natural Gas Systems

This chapter presents a novel model to assess the interdependencies between electric power systems interconnected with natural gas systems. The impact from natural gas systems in the electric power system can be evaluated with the proposed model in normal operation and contingency situations. To reduce the impact of interdependencies, additional constraints to the optimal dispatch problem are formulated. The interdependency constraints can be integrated into the normal optimal power flow problem and security-constrained optimal power flow problem to improve the robustness of the electric power system. A co-simulation platform is built in MATLAB environment. We evaluate the proposed model using the IEEE 14-bus system and a corresponding natural gas transmission system. According to the simulation results, the reliability of the power system is improved when interdependency constraints are considered.
PET Scanning in Anaplastic Cancer of the Thyroid

The role of positron emission tomography (PET) in differentiated and medullary cancers has been presented (see also Chapters 34 and 71). The latter chapters contain descriptions of methodology that are not presented again at length here. Briefly, the patient should fast and have a normal fasting serum glucose value. A range of 10–15 mCi (370–555 MBq) of F-18 Fluorinedeoxyglucose (FDG) is injected intravenously, and scanning commenced after a delay of 60 min, but some authorities prefer a delay of 90–120 min. It is important that the patient is resting in a quiet environment, not speaking or chewing during the hour between injection and scanning. The scan should usually be obtained from the base of the skull to the upper thighs. Attenuation correction is appropriate, or use of instrumentation for combined PET/computed tomography (CT) that includes attenuation correction is advisable.
Identification of Small Peptides that Inhibit NADPH Oxidase (Nox2) Activation

Nicotinamide adenine phosphate (NADPH) oxidase type 2 (Nox2), a major source of reactive oxygen species in lungs, plays an important role in tissue damage associated with acute inflammatory diseases. The phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activity of peroxiredoxin 6 (Prdx6), called aiPLA2, is required for Nox2 activation through its role in the cellular generation of Rac, a key cytosolic component of the activation cascade. Lung surfactant protein A (SP-A) binds to Prdx6, inhibits its aiPLA2 activity, and prevents activation of Nox2. Based on protein docking software, we previously identified a 16 amino acid (aa) peptide derived from rat SP-A as the Prdx6 binding motif. We now identify the minimal effective sequences of rat/mouse and human SP-A as 9-aa sequences that we have called PLA2-inhibitory peptide (PIP).These sequences are PIP-1, rat/mouse; PIP-2, human; and PIP-3, a hybrid of PIPs 1&2. aiPLA2 activity in vitro was inhibited by 50% with ~7–10 µg PIP/µg Prdx6. Inhibition of the aiPLA2 activity and Nox2 activation of lungs in vivo was similar for intratracheal (IT) and intravenous (IV) administration of PIP-2, but required its incorporation into liposomes as a delivery vehicle; tissue ½ time for decrease of the in vivo inhibition of aiPLA2 activity after PIP-2 administration was ~50 h. These properties suggest that PIP-2 could be an effective therapeutic agent to prevent tissue injury associated with lung inflammation.
Correction to: Objectification and System Justification Impact Rape Avoidance Behaviors

The correlation table (Table 1) erroneously listed the N as 160; n for correlations (using pairwise deletion) ranged between 279 and 293 and is now included in the table.
Prognostic indicators of survival in sinonasal extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma.

OBJECTIVES Extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma (ENKTL) is a highly aggressive tumor of the sinonasal tract associated with poor overall survival (OS). This study expands upon epidemiologic, prognostic, and treatment factors for OS and disease-specific survival (DSS), incorporating newly accessible chemotherapy data. METHODS Retrospective population-based cohort study performed on cases of sinonasal ENKTL identified through the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. Univariate Kaplan-Meier analysis and subsequent multivariate Cox-regression analysis were performed to evaluate prognostic and treatment variables for OS and DSS. RESULTS Four hundred and sixty cases of sinonasal ENKTL were identified. Five-year OS and DSS were 46% and 56%, respectively. On multivariate analysis, higher Ann Arbor stage was associated with worse OS (P < 0.001) and DSS (P < 0.001), whereas administration of radiotherapy was associated with improved OS (P < 0.001) and DSS (P = 0.001). Additionally, a higher age at diagnosis was associated with reduced OS (P = 0.024). Chemotherapy was associated with improved OS (P < .01) and DSS (P = .04) for Ann Arbor stage I disease. Surgery was not associated with improved survival. CONCLUSION This represents the first study to investigate the use of chemotherapy for the treatment of sinonasal ENKTL using population-based analysis. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy significantly improve survival in all Ann Arbor stage patients and early-stage patients, respectively. Early-stage disease is significantly associated with improved survival. With no established treatment regimen for sinonasal ENKTL, these findings suggest combination chemoradiation is an effective therapy for prolonged survival, especially in early stages of disease. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 3 Laryngoscope, 129:2675-2680, 2019.
Screening for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection status in university freshmen: acceptability of a gingival swab method.

Prophylactic vaccines against Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) are under development. EBV-naive college freshmen are ideal candidates for an efficacy trial, because their incidence of infectious mononucleosis (mono) during freshman year is as high as 20%. To assess perceptions about mono and a mono vaccine, and to learn if EBV immune status could be determined using a gingival swab rather than phlebotomy, we performed a cross-sectional study of 235 healthy students at the beginning of their freshman year. Subjects completed questionnaires and donated oral washes, gingival swabs and venous blood. Overall, 90% of students found the swab easy to use and 80% preferred the swab over venepuncture. Of the 193 students with sufficient samples, 108 (56%) had EBV antibodies in blood vs. 87 (45.1%) in the gingival swab. The sensitivity and specificity of the swab compared with blood for detecting EBV antibodies was 75.9% and 94.1%, respectively, with an accuracy of 89.3%. EBV DNA was detected in the oral wash and swab of 39.2% and 30.4% of blood-antibody-positive individuals, respectively. In conclusion, 44% of our freshmen were EBV-naive and thus vaccine candidates, the gingival swab was an acceptable alternative to phlebotomy for detecting EBV antibody but needs improved sensitivity, and the perceived value of EBV vaccine was high (72% believed they would benefit).
Caught in the Open: A Domain Insertion of M. tuberculosis Gyrase Suppresses ATPase Dimerization.

In this issue of Structure, Petrella et al. (2019) determine the structure of a catalytically competent construct of M. tuberculosis gyrase. Surprisingly, both apo and AMPPNP-bound structures capture a previously unknown enzyme state that is stabilized by a domain insertion unique to Corynebacteriales and appears to help regulate ATPase cycling.
Associations of regional amyloid-β plaque and phospho-tau pathology with biological factors and neuropsychological functioning among HIV-infected adults

With increasing age, the general population is increasingly vulnerable to the development of cerebral amyloid-β (Aβ) plaque and neuronal phospho-tau (p-tau) pathology. In HIV disease, prior studies of these neuropathologic changes were relatively limited. Here, we characterized Aβ plaques and p-tau lesions by immunohistochemistry in relevant brain regions (prefrontal neocortex, putamen, basal-temporal neocortex, and hippocampus) of HIV-infected adults. We used multivariable logistic regression to predict regional Aβ plaque or p-tau pathology based on demographic factors, apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotypes, HIV disease-related factors, and regional gliosis. We used multiple linear regression to predict T-scores in neuropsychological domains based on regional Aβ plaque or p-tau pathology. We found that APOE e4 alleles, older age, and higher plasma HIV-1 RNA predicted prefrontal Aβ plaques (odds ratio (OR) 5.306, 1.045, and 0.699, respectively, n = 168). Older age predicted putamen Aβ plaques (OR 1.064, n = 171). APOE e4 alleles, hepatitis C virus seropositivity, and higher plasma HIV-1 RNA predicted hippocampus Aβ plaques (OR 6.779, 6.138, and 0.589, respectively, n = 56). The p-tau lesions were sparse in the vast majority of affected cases. Lifetime substance use disorder and higher plasma HIV-1 RNA predicted putamen p-tau lesions (OR 0.278 and 0.638, respectively, n = 67). Older age and gliosis predicted hippocampus p-tau lesions (OR 1.128 and 0.592, respectively, n = 59). Prefrontal Aβ plaques predicted lower speed of information processing (n = 159) and putamen Aβ plaques predicted lower levels of attention and working memory (n = 88). Regional p-tau lesions were not significantly predictive of any neuropsychological domains. In conclusion, Aβ plaque or p-tau pathology in different brain regions was predicted by different sets of biological factors. Aβ plaques in prefrontal neocortex and putamen predicted poorer functioning in cognitive domains relevant to these brain regions. The absence of significant impact of regional p-tau lesions on neuropsychological functioning might be explained by the subthreshold burden of p-tau lesions.
Criterion-Referenced Measurement

In this article, criterion-referenced measurement – measuring human performance in relation to a well-described behavior standard – is defined in contrast to norm-referenced measurement – measuring test-taker performance by comparison with the performances of other test-takers. The major steps in developing a criterion-referenced assessment – domain specification, item or task construction, content validation, item analysis and selection, standard setting, estimating reliability, concurrent validation, and score reporting as well as the measurement issues associated with each are described. Application of criterion-referenced tests in professional credentialing and corporations is described; the issue of criterion-referenced measurement in school accountability testing is raised. Emerging issues in developing criterion-referenced tests are noted.
Nitrous Oxide Reduces Pain Associated With Local Anesthetic Injections

BackgroundLocal anesthetic injections can be painful and distressing.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to determine whether nitrous oxide, ice, vibration, or topical anesthetic improves analgesia ...
From invisible to visible: Kwai and the hierarchical cultural order of China’s cyberspace:

Contemporary China owns over 750 million Internet users, and a short-video-sharing app named Kwai has over 600 million users. From 2016 to 2017, when Kwai emerged as the largest short-video-sharing...
Swarm and Multi-agent Time-based A* Path Planning for Lighter-Than-Air Systems

This work develops and implements a multi-agent time-based path-planning method using A*. The purpose of this work is to create methods in which multi-agent systems can coordinate actions and compl...
TAF15 contributes to the radiation-inducible stress response in cancer

Resistance to radiation therapy is a significant problem in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). There is an unmet need to discover new molecular targets for drug development in combination with standard of care cancer therapy. We found that TAF15 was radiation-inducible using phage-displayed peptide libraries. In this study, we report that overexpression of TAF15 is correlated with worsened survival in NSCLC patients. Radiation treatment led to surface induction of TAF15 in vitro and in vivo. We genetically silenced TAF15 which led to a significant reduction in proliferation of NSCLC cells. Cells depleted of TAF15 exhibited cell cycle arrest and enhanced apoptosis through activation and accumulation of p53. In combination with radiation, TAF15 knockdown led to a significant reduction in the surviving fraction of NSCLC cell lines. To determine the importance of TAF15 surface expression, we targeted TAF15 with an antibody. In combination with radiation, the anti-TAF15 antibody led to a reduction in the surviving fraction of cancer cells. These studies show that TAF15 is a radiation-inducible molecular target that is accessible to anti-cancer antibodies and enhances cell viability in response to radiation.
Radiological analysis and transmutation calculation of representative castable nanostructured alloys

Abstract Radiological analysis regarding the waste management was performed on two current reduced-activation ferritic-martensitic (RAFM) steels Eurofer 97 and F82H and two castable nanostructured alloys (CNAs) CNA1 and CNA3 using the European DEMO first wall spectrum. CNA1 and CNA3 are a new generation of RAFM steels, which have increased amounts of nanoscale carbonitrides and carbides precipitates, respectively, via small composition modifications. The increased nitrogen in CNA1 leads to higher activity at ≥50 years, and thus to the disposal concern under the current NRC regulation. However, the calculation using Fetter’s evaluation leads to reduced waste disposal rating (WDR) of down to 0.25 depending on the damage dose from ∼0.05 wt percent nitrogen in CNA1, and thus less concern on the waste disposal. Contact dose rate after 10 years from the first wall replacement primarily depends on the initial Co and Nb impurity levels. Other added elements, such as V and Si in CNA1 and Ti and Mn in CNA3, do not have significant effect on the specific activity, contact dose rate, or decay heat. Composition limits of CNAs are given based on the shallow burial disposal and materials recycling. In addition, composition evolution of typical precipitates in the CNAs was calculated using the DEMO first wall and the HFIR spectra. Larger transmutation-induced composition evolution occurs in the V/Ta-rich carbonitrides in CNA1 than that in the Ti-rich carbides in CNA3.
Host-associated microbiota of yellow stingrays (Urobatis jamaicensis) is shaped by their environment and life history

Insights gained from the unique scientific opportunities presented by public zoos and aquaria can help inform conservation and management decisions for wild populations and provide a rationale for decisions on exhibit design and maintenance for managed populations. This study has shown the diversity and composition of the microbiota associated with three different populations of yellow stingrays (Urobatis jamaicensis); wild rays (W), aquarium-housed rays originally caught in the wild (WC), and aquarium-born rays (AB). The microbial communities of wild rays were more diverse and had a different structure than did both WC and AB ray populations. Importantly, differences also existed between the two populations of aquarium-housed rays. There were significantly lower abundances of Bacteroidetes in skin-associated communities from WC rays v. AB rays, whereas there were significantly higher abundances of Vibrionaceae in cloaca-associated communities of WC rays v. those born in the aquarium. Additionally, the diversity of cloacal microbial communities was significantly lower in WC rays than aquarium-born rays. Findings from this study have demonstrated that a move from a wild to managed environment alters the host–microbe relationship in yellow stingrays and have lent support towards the refinement of aquarium disinfection strategies and expansion of cooperative breeding programs in the zoo and aquarium community.
How to Get Away with Merger: Stealth Consolidation and its Effects on Us Healthcare

Only large mergers must be reported to the US government, so many anticompetitive deals may effectively avoid antitrust scrutiny. This paper uses data from the dialysis industry to show that premerger notifications are essential to antitrust enforcement and that ensuing enforcement actions preserve competition and protect consumers, evidenced by lower hospitalization and mortality rates. It then studies the effect of eliminating premerger notification exemptions. To do so, I estimate a structural model of quality competition. I find the counterfactual policy saves thousands of lives, yielding benefits that far exceed reasonable estimates of the additional costs of enforcement. Institutional subscribers to the NBER working paper series, and residents of developing countries may download this paper without additional charge at www.nber.org.
Building Transfer Student Pathways for College and Career Success

Edited by: Mark Allen Poisel and Sonya Joseph Reviewed by: Maria A. Sedotti, Director of Orientation Services, University of Connecticut, Storrs Campus
Rhodamine-based caged dye for aqueous MTV with green lasers

Molecular tagging velocimetry (MTV) is a nonintrusive optical diagnostic with typically three variants in liquids distinguished by the dye that they rely on: phosphorescent, photochromic, or caged. The latter scheme, initially called photo-activated nonintrusive tracking of molecular motion (PHANTOMM), required both a UV and a dedicated blue laser. Here, we demonstrate caged-dye-based MTV with pulsed UV and green lasers for the first time, simplifying its deployment in most experimental fluid dynamics laboratories.
Sensing with Wireless Sensor Networks

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are a group of interconnected autonomous sensor nodes that use wireless communication technology. Their goal is to monitor physical or environmental conditions and to transmit their data cooperatively to a base station. The WSNs are used widely and have proved particularly useful in difficult environments where wired networks cannot be deployed. This feature together with their ability to adapt to changing environments, and the low cost of installing and maintaining them are the main characteristics that make them good sources of data in agricultural settings. The use of WSNs can provide farmers with valuable information on field properties, which can help them understand field variability and make better and quicker decisions on applying agricultural inputs such as pesticides, irrigation and fertilizers. Information on WSNs presented in this chapter is designed to provide potential users with the main concepts of WSNs and the ability to select the best WSN properly for their needs. The chapter is divided into three sections: (5.1) Concepts of Sensing with WSNs; (5.2) Applications of WSNs in Agriculture and (5.3) Conclusions and Future of WSNs. Section 5.1 presents the importance of WSNs. Most of the available wireless communication standards and protocols are described and their performance is compared. Section 5.2 presents the sensors and electronics that are available in the market. Furthermore, it describes and presents examples of applications of WSNs in agriculture such as irrigation, fertilizer application, pest management, crop and weather monitoring. Section 5.3 discusses the importance of WSNs for agricultural applications. Use of WSNs will improve overall agricultural system performance and will propel us closer to precision agriculture and smart farming, by providing the data that will allow farmers to apply the right amount of resources at the right time and in the right place. Future improvements to WSNs will make them more efficient, less complex and self-healing.
P2X Purinergic Receptor Knockout Mice Reveal Endogenous ATP Modulation of Both Vasopressin and Oxytocin Release from the Intact Neurohypophysis

Bursts of action potentials are crucial for neuropeptide release from the hypothalamic neurohypophysial system (HNS). The biophysical properties of the ion channels involved in the release of these neuropeptides, however, cannot explain the efficacy of such bursting patterns on secretion. We have previously shown that ATP, acting via P2X receptors, potentiates only vasopressin (AVP) release from HNS terminals, whereas its metabolite adenosine, via A1 receptors acting on transient Ca(2+) currents, inhibits both AVP and oxytocin (OT) secretion. Thus, purinergic feedback-mechanisms have been proposed to explain bursting efficacy at HNS terminals. Therefore, in the present study, we have used specific P2X receptor knockout (rKO) mice and purportedly selective P2X receptor antagonists to determine the P2X receptor subtype responsible for endogenous ATP induced potentiation of electrically-stimulated neuropeptide release. Intact neurohypophyses (NH) from wild-type (WT), P2X3 rKO, P2X2/3 rKO and P2X7 rKO mice were electrically stimulated with four 25-s bursts (3 V at 39 Hz) separated by 21-s interburst intervals with or without the P2X2 and P2X3 receptor antagonists, suramin or pyridoxal-phosphate-6-azophenyl-2',4'-disulfonic acid (PPADS). These frequencies, number of bursts, and voltages were determined to maximise both AVP and OT release by electrical stimulations. Treatment of WT mouse NH with suramin/PPADS significantly reduced electrically-stimulated AVP release. A similar inhibition by suramin was observed in electrically-stimulated NH from P2X3 and P2X7 rKO mice but not P2X2/3 rKO mice, indicating that endogenous ATP facilitation of electrically-stimulated AVP release is mediated primarily by the activation of the P2X2 receptor. Unexpectedly, electrically-stimulated OT release from WT, P2X3, P2X2/3 and P2X7 rKO mice was potentiated by suramin, indicating nonpurinergic effects by this 'selective' antagonist. Nevertheless, these results show that sufficient endogenous ATP is released by bursts of action potentials to act at P2X2 receptors in a positive-feedback mechanism to 'differentially' modulate neuropeptide release from central nervous system terminals.
The discipline of organizing

Organizing is such a common activity that we often do it without thinking much about it. In our daily lives we organize physical things--books on shelves, cutlery in kitchen drawers--and digital things--Web pages, MP3 files, scientific datasets. Millions of people create and browse Web sites, blog, tag, tweet, and upload and download content of all media types without thinking "I'm organizing now" or "I'm retrieving now." This book offers a framework for the theory and practice of organizing that integrates information organization (IO) and information retrieval (IR), bridging the disciplinary chasms between Library and Information Science and Computer Science, each of which views and teaches IO and IR as separate topics and in substantially different ways. It introduces the unifying concept of an Organizing System--an intentionally arranged collection of resources and the interactions they support--and then explains the key concepts and challenges in the design and deployment of Organizing Systems in many domains, including libraries, museums, business information systems, personal information management, and social computing. Intended for classroom use or as a professional reference, the book covers the activities common to all organizing systems: identifying resources to be organized; organizing resources by describing and classifying them; designing resource-based interactions; and maintaining resources and organization over time. The book is extensively annotated with disciplinary-specific notes to ground it with relevant concepts and references of library science, computing, cognitive science, law, and business.
Output feedback control of singularly perturbed systems

Consideration is given to an important problem in large scale system analysis which represents a physical decomposition depending on the time scale. Respecting stabilizability conditions the authors obtain an output feedback control for the whole system by calculating fast and slow output feedback controllers separately. These controllers are simple in calculation and implementation because of their structure and because the problem was decomposed into two reduced-order problems. >
Nonlinear Discrete-Time Observers using Newton's and Broyden's Method

In this note we study observers for a general class of nonlinear discrete-time systems, using Newton's method in the context of solving a sequence of nonlinear equations. The proposed observer is shown to have non-local convergence properties, however, it is potentially computationally expensive. We discuss the possibility of reducing the computational complexity of this observer by implementing it with a modified version of Broyden's method.
Ubiquitin and the Deconstruction of Synapses

The postsynaptic density (PSD) is a macromolecular machine that organizes signal transduction pathways at the postsynaptic membrane. In his essay that won the Eppendorf & Science Prize for Neurobiology, Michael Ehlers discusses how synapse activity regulates changes in PSD composition through ubiquitin-dependent protein turnover.