cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Speaking the Same Language? English Language Fluency and Violent Crime at the Neighborhood Level

ABSTRACTIn this article, we seek to extend knowledge of the relationship between immigration and crime. We synthesize existing theories and literatures and argue that one largely overlooked aspect of immigration—language use—may play critical roles in how and why immigration is related to macro-level violence rates. Specifically, there are theoretical reasons to expect that levels of lack of English fluency and of bilinguals in neighborhoods will be associated with violent crime rates. We test these relationships using data from the National Neighborhood Crime Study (NNCS). The multivariate results reveal that lack of English fluency has a nonlinear relationship with homicide and robbery, such that when lack of fluency is low, crime rates increase, but the positive effect diminishes as English nonfluent individuals come to represent a greater proportion of neighborhood population. In addition, levels of bilingualism moderate the effects of lack of English-language fluency for homicide but less so for robb...
E-095 Pre hospital stroke notification and prospective 90-day functional outcome in community hospital

Background: The benefits of pre-hospital stroke notification have been established in numerous studies. Our study prospectively evaluated whether pre-hospital stroke notification is a predictor for improved long-term quality of life and functional independence for patients in a community hospital setting. Methods Patients >=18 years of age admitted to Valley Community Hospital through the Emergency Department (ED) from April 2015 to May 2016 and were diagnosed with transient ischemic attack and ischemic stroke were included for the the purpose of this analysis. The primary outcomes were length of stay (LOS), modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at discharge and at 90 days, and Quality of Life Global Health score (GHS), along with derived physical and mental health scores, and EQ5D at 90 days determined via phone interview. Comparisons of the primary outcomes were made between patients who arrived by ambulance with pre-hospital stroke notification versus those without prenotification. We also examined for differences between baseline patient characteristics, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), and intravenous (IV) tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) administration. All analyses were done using linear and logistic multivariate regression models adjusted for IV tpa administration, gender, age, coronary artery disease, pre hospital notification, means of arrival to the hospital, and time of arrival ( Results A total of 148 patients were included, and 33 patients had stroke prenotification. At 90 days, we collected data from 114 patients, and 84 of these patients were able to complete the quality of life questionnaire. A higher percentage of patients with stroke prenotification had tPA administration (39.4% vs. 13.9%, p =0.002). In the multivariate analyses, patient who did not get IV tpa were more likely to have a poor mRS 3-6 at 90 days (OR 6.22, p=0.027), and those with severe NIHSS were six times more likely to have a poor mRS of 3-6 at 90 days (OR 6.6, p=0.044). Patients with prehospital notification did not have significant difference in the GHS physical score, mental score, or EQ5D score at 90 days. Results did not change when repeating our analyses with exclusion of walk-in patients to the ED, and the 11 patients who died during study. Conclusion In a prospective community sample those who received IVtpa and those with milder NIHSS had significantly better 90 day mRS outcomes. Pre hospital stroke notification in itself did not result in better functional or quality of life outcomes at 90 days in this community setting. Disclosures: B. Klein: None. N. Adler: None. R. Shaw: None. L. Bush: None. R. Marshall: None. D. Altschul: None.
A new rhetoric for a decolonial world

ABSTRACTIn this essay, I expand on the notion that defining rhetoric in terms of persuasion promotes violence. I contend that the making of any kind of postcolonial world needs to begin with ending violence, beginning with the most insidious kinds of violence, such as the violence found in too much of our rhetorical and communicational practices. Integral to the making of any kind of postcolonial world needs to be the creation and propagation of a new rhetoric that discourages and delegitimises violence. In this essay, I discuss the beginnings of such a rhetoric and how we can begin to realise and promote such a rhetoric.
Neuromuscular diseases associated with Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection

From the most common distal symmetric polyneuropathy (Bilgrami and O'Keefe, 2014) to the rare motor neuron diseases, HIV infection is associated with pathology at all levels of the peripheral nervous system. HIV infection can cause these conditions due to viral exposure itself, the resulting immune dysregulation, opportunistic infections found in untreated patients, and from the therapy used in treatment of the virus. Before the advent of antiretroviral therapy, 5 neuromuscular diseases associated with HIV often resulted from opportunistic infections. With advances in antiretroviral therapy, the etiologies of neuromuscular complications more frequently become the result of prolonged HIV exposure, comorbid diseases, and side effects of medications. In this article we review the literature on HIV associated neuromuscular diseases, emphasizing the more recent studies in the post antiretroviral era, but also reviewing conditions more prevalent in the pre antiretroviral era which continue to be seen in developing countries and resource poor areas. This discussion includes the following conditions: distal symmetric polyneuropathy, autonomic neuropathy, inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, mononeuropathy, mononeuropathy multiplex, polyradiculopathies, myelopathy, myopathy, motor neuron disease, and antiretroviral treatment related conditions.
Protein Colorimetry Experiments That Incorporate Intentional Discrepancies and Historical Narratives.

A set of biochemistry experiments based on the technique of protein colorimetry is described. Students used the Biuret and Bradford assays to qualitatively and quantitatively assess solutions for protein. Two unique features of these experiments are (1) the use of intentional discrepancies within each experiment to promote critical thinking and (2) the use of authentic historical narratives to introduce critical concepts in the interpretation of assays and demonstrate the relevance of laboratory work to “real-world” scenarios. Details on the implementation and the evaluation of these experiments are discussed.
Surgical Considerations in Adult Patients with Congenital Heart Disease

The number of adults with congenital heart disease (CHD) has dramatically increased over the past decades. It is estimated that more than a million adults with CHD are in the United States alone (Hoffman, Am Heart J 147:425–439, 2004) and it is expected that this number will continue to grow as the population increases. This is secondary to the significant improvement in cardiac surgery and perioperative care. Now, at least 95 % of newborns with CHD will survive to adulthood (Warnes, J Am Coll Cardiol 46:1–8, 2005); however, despite this improvement, residual or recurrent lesions may progress over years and decades resulting in an increase in the need for reoperation. Valve procedures are the most common, and many patients may require numerous surgical procedures or interventions over a lifetime. This chapter will review the surgical issues associated with reoperation in adults with CHD and discuss the role of available imaging modalities in the perioperative management of this growing patient population.
Social Stress and Cardiovascular Disease in Primates

Atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries (CAA) and its complications are the ­principal pathological processes that result in coronary heart disease (CHD). Cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) are a well-characterized animal model of susceptibility to diet-induced atherogenesis. Cynomolgus monkeys imported as adults have little or no atherosclerosis.
A developmental perspective on marital closeness and health in older adulthood

Although closeness is a necessary element in relationships, its role in later-life marriages is less clear, with some finding benefits of greater closeness and others finding costs. To begin to rec...
Associations of serum perfluoroalkyl substance and vitamin D biomarker concentrations in NHANES, 2003-2010.

Abstract Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent endocrine disrupting chemicals found in industrial and commercial products. Previous research has shown that other endocrine disrupting chemicals such as phthalates and bisphenol A may alter circulating levels of vitamin D; however, no research has examined associations between PFAS and vitamin D biomarkers. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 7040 individuals aged 12 years and older participating in the 2003–2010 cycles of the United States National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Concentrations of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), and total 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] were measured in serum samples. We used multivariable linear regression to estimate covariate-adjusted differences in total 25(OH)D or prevalence odds of vitamin D deficiency per log2 change in PFAS concentrations. We also assessed potential effect measure modification by gender, age, and race/ethnicity. PFAS were detected in over 98% of the samples. In adjusted models, each 2-fold increase in PFOS was associated with 0.9 nmol/L (95% CI: 0.2, 1.5) lower total 25(OH)D concentrations, with associations significantly stronger among whites (β: −1.7; 95% CI: −2.6, −0.7) and individuals older than 60 years of age (β: −1.7; 95% CI: −2.9, −0.5). Each 2-fold increase in PFHxS was associated with 0.8 nmol/L (95% CI: 0.3, 1.3) higher total 25(OH)D, and this association was not modified by age, gender, and race/ethnicity. PFOA and PFNA were not associated with total 25(OH)D. When assessing prevalence odds of vitamin D deficiency, we observed similar patterns of association with PFAS concentrations. Our results suggest that some PFAS may be associated with altered vitamin D levels in the United States population, and associations may vary by chemical, age, and race/ethnicity. Prospective epidemiological studies are needed to confirm our findings and determine their implications for vitamin D-associated health outcomes in children and adults.
Intimate partner cohesion and military unit cohesion: Different types of interpersonal relationships each uniquely predict soldier well-being

Although research on military populations has found that measures of personal well-being are correlated with both intimate partner cohesion and military unit cohesion, it is not clear how t...
Using Benchmarks to Develop a Quality Improvement Project: Continuous Monitoring of Waveform Capnography in the Intubated Neonatal Patient

Introduction: In January 2014, the GAMUT database was created to enable transport teams to track a previously agreed upon set of quality metrics. Currently, there are over 100 participating transport programs – accounting for over 150,000 patient contacts. Collaboration among programs in collecting and reporting data, has allowed participants to benchmark with each other and to provide consistency in quality improvement projects among transport services across the country. As a result of the first summary report distributed from this database …
Stochastic analysis of genetic feedback controllers to reprogram a pluripotency gene regulatory network

Cellular reprogramming is traditionally accomplished through an open loop (OL) control approach, wherein key transcription factors (TFs) are injected in cells to steer the state of the pluripotency (PL) gene regulatory network (GRN), as encoded by TFs concentrations, to the pluripotent state. Due to the OL nature of this approach, the concentration of TFs cannot be accurately controlled. Recently, a closed loop (CL) feedback control strategy was proposed to overcome this problem with promising theoretical results. However, previous analyses of the controller were based on deterministic models. It is well known that cellular systems are characterized by substantial stochasticity, especially when molecules are in low copy number as it is the case in reprogramming problems wherein the gene copy number is usually one or two. Hence, in this paper, we analyze the Chemical Master Equation (CME) for the reaction model of the PL GRN with and without the feedback controller. We computationally and analytically investigate the performance of the controller in biologically relevant parameter regimes where stochastic effects dictate system dynamics. Our results indicate that the feedback control approach still ensures reprogramming even when both the PL GRN and the controller are stochastic.
Real-Time Observation of Stacking Faults in Gold Shock Compressed to 150 GPa

A new experimental approach reveals, for the first time, the formation of microstructural defects in gold when shock compressed to high pressure, a critical insight to understanding shocked states of materials.
El legado de Sabine MacCormack en los Andes

espanolLa doctora Sabine MacCormack, una historiadora de estudios clasicos y andinos, ha legado su extraordinaria biblioteca al Ins-tituto de Pastoral Andina (iPA) en el Peru. La profesora Sa-bine fue reconocida por su labor academica ejemplar, por sus imprescindibles libros y numerosos articulos sobre la compleja historia colonial de los Andes. Su trayectoria de Alemania al Rei-no Unido y luego a los Estados Unidos ha sido tan significativa como la magnitud de sus investigaciones del mundo clasico gre-corromano y la Latinoamerica colonial. Sus colegas y amigos, reflexionando sobre su tragico fallecimiento, han coincidido en la importancia de un examen intelectual exhaustivo de mundos aparentemente desconectados como el que Sabine llevo a cabo. Los aportes de Sabine, sin embargo, continuan vibrantes en los numerosos seguidores de sus estudios y en la colosal biblioteca personal que con tanto esmero atesoro y organizo y que ahora se encuentra en el Peru.Allpanchis, ano xliv n.83-84, 1.er y 2.do semestres, 2019, pp. 287-298. issn0252 - 8835 EnglishDr. Sabine MacCormack, a historian of Classics and of the Andes, left her extraordinary library to the Instituto Pastoral Andina (IPA) in Peru. Professor MacCormack was recognized by her exemplary scholarship, her books, and numerous articles examining the complex history of colonial Andes. Her trajec-tory from Germany to England, and then to the United States was as significant as the scope of her studies from the classic Greco-Roman to the Andean world. Her colleagues and friends on mourning her tragic death reflected on the importance of a comprehensive intellectual inquiry into the seemingly deta-ched societies that MacCormack studied. The contributions of MacCormack, however, continue thriving on the number of followers of her studies and her carefully collected and curated library that is now located in Peru
Current Models of Speech Motor Control: A Control-Theoretic Overview of Architectures & Properties

This paper reviews the current state of several formal models of speech motor control with particular focus on the low level control of the speech articulators. Further development of speech motor control models may be aided by a comparison of model attributes. The review builds an understanding of existing models from first principles, before moving into a discussion of several models, showing how each is constructed out of the same basic domain-general ideas and components – e.g., generalized feedforward, feedback, and model predictive components. This approach allows for direct comparisons to be made in terms of where the models differ, and their points of agreement. Substantial differences among models can be observed in their use of feedforward control, process of estimating system state, and method of incorporating feedback signals into control. However, many commonalities exist among the models in terms of their reliance on higher-level motor planning, use of feedback signals, lack of time-variant adaptation, and focus on kinematic aspects of control and biomechanics. Ongoing research bridging hybrid feedforward/feedback pathways with forward dynamic control, as well as feedback/internal model-based state estimation is discussed.
Longitudinal subcortical segmentation with deep learning

Longitudinal information is important for monitoring the progression of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Huntington's disease (HD). Specifically, longitudinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies may allow the discovery of subtle intra-subject changes over time that may otherwise go undetected because of inter-subject variability. For HD patients, the primary imaging-based marker of disease progression is the atrophy of subcortical structures, mainly the caudate and putamen. To better understand the course of subcortical atrophy in HD and its correlation with clinical outcome measures, highly accurate segmentation is important. In recent years, subcortical segmentation methods have moved towards deep learning, given the state-of-the-art accuracy and computational efficiency provided by these models. However, these methods are not designed for longitudinal analysis, but rather treat each time point as an independent sample, discarding the longitudinal structure of the data. In this paper, we propose a deep learning based subcortical segmentation method that takes into account this longitudinal information. Our method takes a longitudinal pair of 3D MRIs as input, and jointly computes the corresponding segmentations. We use bi-directional convolutional long short-term memory (C-LSTM) blocks in our model to leverage the longitudinal information between scans. We test our method on the PREDICT-HD dataset and use the Dice coefficient, average surface distance and 95-percent Hausdor distance as our evaluation metrics. Compared to cross-sectional segmentation, we improve the overall accuracy of segmentation, and our method has more consistent performance across time points. Furthermore, our method identifies a stronger correlation between subcortical volume loss and decline in the total motor score, an important clinical outcome measure for HD.
Optimal Dynamic Selling Mechanism and Deal Protections in Mergers and Acquisitions

We study the dynamic profit-maximizing selling mechanism in an MA they shed light on how to use deal protections in practice.
Distributed Experiment Design and Control for Multi-agent Systems with Gaussian Processes.

This paper focuses on distributed learning-based control of decentralized multi-agent systems where the agents' dynamics are modeled by Gaussian Processes (GPs). Two fundamental problems are considered: the optimal design of experiment for concurrent learning of the agents' GP models, and the distributed coordination given the learned models. Using a Distributed Model Predictive Control (DMPC) approach, the two problems are formulated as distributed optimization problems, where each agent's sub-problem includes both local and shared objectives and constraints. To solve the resulting complex and non-convex DMPC problems efficiently, we develop an algorithm called Alternating Direction Method of Multipliers with Convexification (ADMM-C) that combines a distributed ADMM algorithm and a Sequential Convexification method. The computational efficiency of our proposed method comes from the facts that the computation for solving the DMPC problem is distributed to all agents and that efficient convex optimization solvers are used at the agents for solving the convexified sub-problems. We also prove that, under some technical assumptions, the ADMM-C algorithm converges to a stationary point of the penalized optimization problem. The effectiveness of our approach is demonstrated in numerical simulations of a multi-vehicle formation control example.
Cognitieve-coping- en verwerkingsvaardigheden: de cognitieve driehoek

Vaak komt in het denken van kinderen en hun verzorgers tot uiting hoe zij traumatische ervaringen zin proberen te geven. De term cognitieve coping verwijst naar een heel scala aan interventies waarmee kinderen en verzorgers worden aangemoedigd hun gedachten te onderzoeken en zo uiteindelijk cognities die onjuist zijn of geen nut hebben ter discussie te stellen en recht te zetten. Mensen kunnen zin geven aan traumatische gebeurtenissen met behulp van hun kennis en levenservaring. Maar omdat kinderen daar nog maar beperkt over beschikken, zijn zij soms sterk geneigd om er onjuiste of disfunctionele ideeen over traumatische gebeurtenissen op na te houden. Die gedachten kunnen een negatieve invloed hebben op de opvattingen en overtuigingen die ze ontwikkelen. Veel kinderen en ouders realiseren zich niet dat ze ervoor kunnen kiezen om hun eigen gedachten te veranderen en dat ze daarmee ook hun gevoelens en hun gedrag kunnen veranderen. Dit idee is de basis van de ‘cognitieve driehoek’.
Nietzsche and Virtue

‘‘A confrontation with Nietzsche is a difficult thing to arrange.’’ So writes Philippa Foot, whose own important confrontations with Nietzsche focused largely on his views concerning human virtue, goodness and flourishing. Nietzsche is a difficult philosopher to engage because, perhaps owing to the varied styles, tensions, and developments in his views, it can be difficult as readers to get a handle on just what Nietzsche is up to. Is he tearing down, or building up? Is he serious, or satirical? And if we say that he is all of these things, then we must ask how, in a principled way, we should draw lines between these and other strategies in a given work, or passage. Nietzsche’s views on virtue serve as an example of these challenges. In part seven of Beyond Good and Evil, ‘‘Our Virtues,’’ Nietzsche begins not with an explanation or proclamation, but with a question:
Mechanisms of TGF-β-Induced Apoptosis in Cancer Cells

Apoptosis is a common regulatory process of multicellular organisms. Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) has essential roles in a variety of apoptotic pathways including the mitochondrial apoptotic, death receptor, and other intracellular signaling pathways. The TGF-β-mediated apoptotic process involves not only intracellular proapoptotic responses but also anti-apoptotic signals. Resistance to TGF-β regulatory signals is the most indicative characteristic of many cancer cells during tumorigenesis. Therefore, controlling the homeostatic balance of these regulatory signals is critical for the prevention of tumorigenesis. Understanding the mechanisms of TGF-β-induced apoptosis in cancer cells will provide new insight of anticancer therapy.
Appendicitis in Puerto Rico

Abstract 1. 1. A review of 244 cases of appendicitis in Puerto Rico is given. 2. 2. A low incidence of peritonitis, a low mortality, a low leucocytic response, show that appendicitis is a less fatal disease in Puerto Rico. 3. 3. The absence of virulent strains of streptococcus explains the low mortality. 4. 4. Intestinal parasites play an insignificant part in the etiology of appendicitis.
Nuclear Medicine Instrumentation

Nuclear medicine uses a variety of ionization detectors to measure radioactivity attached to pharmaceuticals designed to target specific tissues and even molecules In vivo. The targeting agents include naturally occurring molecules, their engineered variants, and nanostructures. Radioactive labels must emit γ rays (photons) to allow imaging, but beta or alpha emissions are used in radiotherapy of cancer. Both two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) images can be produced. The gamma camera is the most common imaging device with positron emission tomographic (PET) scanners becoming very popular because of their tomographic and quantitative outputs. Hybrid devices using gamma camera and computed tomography (CT) or PET and CT on the same scanning bed have been developed to allow better correlation of regions of elevated radioactivity with physiological structures. Small animal versions of these instruments and their hybrids are available for radiopharmaceutical research studies. Keywords: well counter; gamma camera; SPECT; PET scanner; internal emitter therapy; animal imaging
Virulence, sporulation, and elicitin production in three clonal lineages of Phytophthora ramorum

Abstract Phytophthora ramorum populations are clonal and consist of three lineages. Recent studies have shown that the clonal lineages may have varying degrees of aggressiveness on some host species, such as Quercus rubra. In this study, we examined virulence, sporulation and elicitin production of five P. ramorum isolates from each of the three clonal lineages. Virulence (lesion size) and sporulation (sporangia production) were determined on wound-inoculated detached leaves of Rhododendron catawbiense ‘Nova Zembla’. Lesion area differed between the clonal lineages (p
Business Process Management Curriculum

As organizations continue to focus on improving and managing business processes, the ability to acquire and cultivate the appropriate skilled workforce has remained a challenge. While Business Process Management (BPM) was once defined in terms of tools and technologies, it has recently emerged as a discipline encompassing a broad spectrum of organizational practices. As a result, the skill-sets for BPM endeavors of today’s organizations have gone beyond the automation of processes to encompass a wide variety of strategic, technical, and people skills that are difficult to find in today’s professionals. Many organizations have assigned the process transformation leadership to existing business analysts who find that they require additional training and education. This chapter reviews the role of a business analyst within the context of BPM practice and suggests a curriculum designed to cultivate skills for the emerging business process (BP) analyst.
Test results of a 60 volt bipolar nickel-hydrogen battery

In July, l986, a high-voltage nickel-hydrogen battery was assembled at the NASA Lewis Research Center. This battery incorporated bipolar construction techniques to build a 50-cell stack with approximately 1.0 A-hr capacity (C) and an open-circuit voltage of 65 V. The battery was characterized at both low and high current rates prior to pulsed and nonpulsed discharges. Pulse discharges at 5 and 10 C were performed before placing the battery on over 1400, 40% depth-of-discharge, low-earth-orbit cycles. The successful demonstration of a high-voltage bipolar battery in one containment vessel has advanced the technology to where nickel-hydrogen high-voltage systems can be constructed of several modules instead of hundreds of individual cells.
Marine Isotope Stage 11 (Mis 11): Analog for Holocene and Future Climate?

Pleistocene interglacials are often considered to be possible geological analogs for the climatic development of the Holocene epoch. Marine isotope stage 11 (MIS 11), a prominent interglacial 400 ky ago, is of particular interest because of the similarity between orbitally driven insolation variations then and now. We have examined the record of climatic conditions during MIS 11 at two locations on rapidly accumulating sediment drifts in the North Atlantic, and made a comparison with global records in order to assess the duration, stability, and amplitude of the interglacial. Deep-sea cores from ODP Sites 980 and 983 have sedimentation rates in excess of 10 cm/kyr, and have been sampled at 2-3 cm intervals, yielding century-scale resolution of millennial-scale variability. We used stable isotopes of oxygen in foraminifera to assess climatic and hydrographic conditions at the sea surface and in the deep ocean. Different age models were evaluated, including one tuned to orbital insolation variations and one based on a constant accumulation model. These chronologies indicate that the relatively ice-free portion of MIS 11 lasted longer than other peak interglacials. Sea surface warmth in the subpolar North Atlantic lasted even longer, a minimum of 30 kyr. Throughout this interval, oxygen isotope ratios in Neogloboquadrina pachyderma (dextral), a proxy for sea-surface temperature (SST), did not vary more than 0.25 per mil, or ∼1°C, from the long-term mean. This is in strong contrast to the large temperature oscillations in the subsequent glaciation, MIS 10. During both the interglacial and glacial, a gradient in planktonic oxygen isotope ratios was maintained between the two sites, counter to the modern salinity-driven gradient in seawater oxygen isotope ratios, and therefore consistent with a persistent similar N-S temperature gradient. Oxygen isotope ratios recorded during MIS 11 in both planktonic and benthic foraminifera are similar to values that characterize the Holocene. Thus ice-volume (sea-level), ocean temperature, local salinity, and the isotopic composition of ice sheets were similar, in sum, to today. Any departure from the modern values in one of these climate components would have had to be compensated by some combination of the others. We conclude that the elapsed portion of the Holocene has been similar to MIS 11 in mean climate state and degree of stability, without nearly approaching its duration. Both the forcing and response of climate during MIS 11 appear to be appropriate analogs for the natural development of recent and future climate.
Methods for Regression

This chapter contains sections titled: Taxonomy: Dictionary versus Kernel Representation Linear Estimators Adaptive Dictionary Methods Adaptive Kernel Methods and Local Risk Minimization Empirical Studies Combining Predictive Models Summary
Phenazopyridine does not improve catheter discomfort following gynecologic surgery.

Objective We sought to determine if phenazopyridine improves pain in catheterized patients recovering from gynecologic surgery. Study Design This trial randomized 240 adult women, who were undergoing gynecologic surgery and requiring an indwelling Foley catheter, to placebo or phenazopyridine hydrocholoride. Group assignment was masked by instillation of orange dye in the Foley bag of both groups. The primary outcome was the mean postoperative visual analog score (VAS). Secondary outcomes were pain medicine utilization and blinding efficacy. Results In all, 219 patients received study medications (112 phenazopyridine and 107 placebo). There was no significant difference in demographics, procedure type, bladder VAS, overall VAS, and pain medication use. Only 25 of the 45 participants who responded guessed their group assignment correctly, suggesting adequate blinding. Conclusion Postoperative VAS scores and pain medicine usage did not change with using routine phenazopyridine following gynecology surgery. Colored dye adequately masks visual side effects of phenazopyridine.
Cancer disparities: developing a multidisciplinary research agenda – preface

In this Special Issue, we present a series of papers concerned with developing a multidisciplinary research agenda to address social disparities in cancer. Motivating this Special Issue are two concerns: (1) despite major advances in knowledge during the 20th century about the extent, determinants, treatment, and prevention of cancer, social disparities in cancer, including within the United States, remain serious, persistent, and require redress; and (2) huge gaps in knowledge exist regarding the causes of and solutions to social disparities in cancer across the full cancer continuum, from prevention to occurrence to diagnosis to treatment and, all too often, to death. Consequently, critical research is critically needed, both to answer the unanswered questions and to ascertain why existing knowledge is not implemented to reduce and eliminate these disparities. To help advance work in this field, we share papers developed for a January 2004 workshop on cancer disparities held at the Dana Farber/Harvard Cancer Center (DF/HCC), in Boston, MA. Topics addressed include: the definition and magnitude of, and programmatic responses to, social disparities in cancer, plus development of a systematic approach to raising research questions to address cancer disparities, using the case examples of breast, cervix, colon, and prostate cancer.
Macrodynamics of α2 dynamos

Abstract Two distributions of the α-effect in a sphere are considered. The inviscid limit is approached both by direct numerical solution and by solution of a simpler nonlinear eigenvalue problem deriving from asymptotic boundary layer analysis for the case of stress-free boundaries. The inviscid limit in both cases is dominated by the need to satisfy the Taylor constraint which states that the integral of the Lorentz force over cylindrical (geostrophic) contours in a homogeneous fluid must tend to zero. For a small supercritical range in α, this condition can only be met by magnetic fields which vanish as the viscosity goes to zero. In this range, the agreement of the two approaches is excellent. In a portion of this range, the method of finite amplitude perturbation expansion is useful, and serves as a guide for understanding the numerical results. For larger α, evidence from the nonlinear eigenvalue problem suggests both that the Taylor state exists, and that the transition from small to large amplitud...
A thyristor-based photoreceiver based on the dual-channel double-heterostructure optoelectronic switch

A new approach to photoreceiver design is described based on the functionality of an optoelectronic thyristor. The receiver eliminates the transimpedance amplifier and the decision circuit by utilizing the internal gain of the thyristor and its nonlinear thresholding property. The sensitivity is determined by the shot noise on the input signal to be 360 photons per bit at a bit-error rate of 10/sup -9/. The speed of the photoreceiver is determined by the switching times of the thyristor. An output voltage signal from 0 to 1.5 V is obtained with switch on and off times of 12.5 ps and input photocurrent densities of 10/sup 4/ A/cm/sup 2/. The switch off time is equally as fast as the switch on due to the absence of stored charge in the modulation doped structure. The key to the high speed is the utilization of the third and fourth terminal contacts to the thyristor and the integration of the biasing transistors, which control the switching currents. An input optical signal of 0.5 mW will achieve this bandwidth in a device size of 0.2 /spl mu/m/spl times/12.5 /spl mu/m.
The effect of instruction on language learners' sociolinguistic awareness: An empirical study with pedagogical implications

Abstract This article presents the results of a study centered on the effect of instruction on second language (L2) learners' sociolinguistic awareness, with specific focus on French negative structures (i.e., presence vs. absence of ne ). Drawing on data from a metalinguistic awareness questionnaire completed by 110 US university learners of French in five different groups, we examine the extent to which instruction versus no instruction influences awareness of variation as well as differences among three approaches to instruction (i.e., integrated curriculum vs. one-time explicit instruction vs. one-time nonexplicit intervention). Our results show that some form of instruction is better than no instruction. However, the type of instruction is also a crucial factor. Following the presentation of the results, we discuss the role of sociolinguistic knowledge in relation to L2 performance abilities. Pedagogical implications are also provided.
Brillouin scattering in the critical mixture of nitrobenzene—n-hexane investigated by a double pass Fabry-Pérot interferometer technique

Abstract A double pass Fabry-Perot interferometer technique reduces the Rayleigh background intensity by a factor 10 5 at the Brillouin-shifted frequency. The Brillouin peak is well resolved even at the critical point. Brillouin shifts are measured as a function of temperature with an accuracy of better than one percent. The experimental sound velocity is not affected by critical fluctuations.
Complexity Of A Proposed Database Storage Structure

Abstract An alternate method for storing M to N relationships is presented. Implementing this method involves a minimization procedure which is shown to be equivalent to finding the minimal number of bipartite cliques which cover all of the edges of a related bipartite graph. This bipartite edge clique cover problem is known to be NP -complete, suggesting that attention should be focused on finding heuristic, not necessarily optimal, algorithms which produce solutions in polynomial-time. One such heuristic is presented which seems to work well on a variety of bipartite graphs. However, there are bipartite graphs for which its performance is poor, i.e. the heuristic produces solutions significantly worse than optimum. A family of bipartite graphs is presented for which the performance factor is unbounded.
An Agenda for Research Linking Information Systems and International Business: Theory, Methodology and Application

Recent trends in information systems research reflect the need to respond to the realities of an increasingly interdependent, international economy. In responding to this demand, a stream of research is currently developing that directly interfaces the information systems (IS) discipline with the field of international business (IB). Research addressing this interface places an added challenge on the IS researcher to broaden his knowledge base to encompass the theory and literature foundations of an often unfamiliar body of research. This article addresses the need to define the current state of research in international business which is relevant to the IS academician in an effort to move toward a research agenda linking these two areas. Scholarly research addressing the interface of two very different streams of research (i.e., information systems and international business) requires a knowledge of theoretical foundations, methodological rigor and application trends from both academic disciplines. However, since both information systems and international business are interdisciplinary in nature and pull on several reference disciplines for theory development, identifying the research bounds that define this interface is especially difficult. A framework is presented that provides structure for the development of a research agenda that defines this IS / IB interface.
Abstract 5197: RIN1 suppresses apoptosis in melanoma cells and is a potential therapeutic target.

Proceedings: AACR 104th Annual Meeting 2013; Apr 6-10, 2013; Washington, DC The RAS effector RIN1 is frequently overexpressed in melanoma tumor samples. This aberrant overexpression is associated with tumor thickness, lymph node metastasis and poor prognosis. RIN1 is a multifunctional protein that has been shown to regulate growth factor receptor signaling and endocytosis, as well as the activity of the non-receptor tyrosine kinase ABL, which functions in actin remodeling and the DNA damage response. Here, we identify RIN1 as a suppressor of apoptosis in melanoma. shRNA-mediated knockdown of RIN1 in the melanoma cell line A375 suppressed proliferation and induced apoptosis. We found RIN1 to be commonly overexpressed in melanomas, with elevated levels of the protein detected in 10 of 13 melanoma cell lines tested in comparison with human neonatal melanocytes. Additionally, depletion of RIN1 in several primary cell types does not affect cell viability. This supports the hypothesis that some melanoma cells are addicted to RIN1 and suggests its potential as a therapeutic target. To examine the role of RIN1 in melanoma cell survival, point mutations were made to disrupt several known functions. These include receptor tyrosine kinase binding, ABL binding, Rab5 GEF activity and RAS association. The mutants have been stably transduced into melanoma cells under the control of a tetracycline-responsive promoter and they will be used to elucidate the contribution of different RIN1-dependent pathways to oncogenic activity. Overall, our goal is to determine the molecular mechanisms governing oncogenic addiction to RIN1 as well as points of vulnerability that could be therapeutically targeted. Citation Format: Pamela Y. Ting, John Colicelli. RIN1 suppresses apoptosis in melanoma cells and is a potential therapeutic target. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5197. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-5197
Mental Health Consumer-Operated Services Organizations in the US: Citizenship as a Core Function and Strategy for Growth

Consumer-operated services organizations (COSOs) are independent, non-profit organizations that provide peer support and other non-clinical services to seriously mentally ill people. Mental health consumers provide many of these services and make up at least a majority of the organization’s leadership. Although the dominant conception of the COSO is as an adjunct to clinical care in the public mental health system, this paper reconceives the organization as a civic association and thereby a locus of citizenship. Drawing on empirical research on COSOs in one state and the citizenship and civic democracy literatures, COSOs are analyzed here as membership organizations with democratic norms and strong ties to local communities. The suggestion is made that by embracing and enhancing their status as civic associations, COSOs may advance the goals of the social movement that spawned them and avoid predictable obstacles to further growth and development.
Participants’ Perceptions of Web-Infused Environments: A Survey of Teaching Beliefs, Learning Approaches, and Communication

AbstractThis research study surveys instructors’ and students’ perceptions of teaching and learning in Web-infused courses. The survey consisted of questions that revolved around six themes drawn from a review of the social constructivist and instructional technology literature relevant to the design of and learning in Web-based learning contexts: (1) computer competency (for background information); (2) pedagogical beliefs/teaching and learning approaches/instructional and learning strategies, (3) degree of integration; (4) instructional practices., such as use of the Web tools (e.g., chat group discussion, e-mail for assignments, whiteboard, etc.); (5) perceived degree of communication/interactivity; and (6) perceived degree of student/instructor engagement. The sample consisted of faculty at a state university who piloted a Web authoring system for designing their courses with online technologies. Students enrolled in some of those courses comprised the student sample. Online communication tools were u...
On the series representation of bivariate probability density functions

A series representation is derived for a class of bivariate probability density functions. The representation uses orthonormal sets generated by the first-order density functions.
Evaluation of the placebo effect in the treatment of radiation sickness.

A method for determining the proportion of placebo reactors in a double blind study of pattents receiving medication for radiation sickness is described. The proportion of placebo reactors lies between 61 and 72%. The factors which most closely affect this proportion are the site of irradiation, sex of patient, and (total) cumulative integral dose of radiation. No evaluation of the effectiveness of prochlorperazine as an anti-emetic was attempted because of the small number of cases involved. (auth)
Overexpression of p16INK4 is a reliable marker of human papillomavirus–induced oral high-grade squamous dysplasia

Objective Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection has been implicated in the development of high-grade squamous dysplasia and carcinoma of the oral cavity in the absence of other known risk factors such as smoking. HPV-induced oral dysplasia or carcinoma may be a unique tumor entity in terms of biologic behavior and treatment decisions. In detecting such cases, most reported studies have used techniques that are less sensitive than DNA amplification. Recent reports have suggested that overexpression of the p16 INK4 protein is a surrogate marker of HPV-induced high-grade dysplasia or carcinoma. However, the correlation between expression of p16 INK4 and the presence of HPV DNA as determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification has not been previously reported. The purpose of this research was to determine if immunohistochemistry for p16 would serve as a marker of HPV-associated high-grade oral squamous dysplasia. Study design Archival formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections from 41 cases of high-grade oral squamous dysplasia were randomly selected. Expression of p16 INK4 protein was assessed by immunohistochemical analysis (16P04 Neomarkers, Fremont, CA). Strong and diffuse nuclear staining restricted to the dysplastic region in the epithelium was scored as positive for protein expression, whereas focal or weak nuclear or cytoplasmic staining was scored as negative. The presence of HPV was determined by microdissection, DNA extraction, and PCR DNA amplification using elongated primers that align with corresponding sequences of the L1 region of 23 mucosotropic HPV genotypes. The HPV type was determined by direct sequencing of the PCR product. Normal squamous epithelium was used as an internal negative control, and cases of severe cervical high-grade squamous dysplasia were used as a positive control for immunohistochemical staining and PCR. Results The results of immunohistochemical analysis for overexpression of p16 INK4 were positive in 6 of the 41 tissue sections. The results of PCR DNA amplification were also positive for these 6 sections. HPV-16 was identified in 5 of the positive cases; in the other case, the viral strain could not be determined. Conclusions Immunohistochemical detection of p16 INK4 is a technically simple and potentially reliable assay for diagnosing cases of HPV-induced oral high-grade squamous dysplasia. Detecting such lesions may influence future therapeutic decisions.
Evolving force balance at Columbia Glacier, Alaska, during its rapid retreat

[1] Changes in driving and resistive stresses play an essential role in governing the buoyancy forces that are important controls on the speed and irreversibility of tidewater glacier retreats. We describe changes in geometry, velocity, and strain rate and present a top-down force balance analysis performed over the lower reach of Columbia Glacier. Our analysis uses new measurements and estimates of basal topography and photogrammetric surface velocity measurements made between 1977 and 2001, while assuming depth-independent strain. Sensitivity tests show that the method is robust and insensitive to small changes in the calculation parameters. Spatial distributions of ice speed show little correspondence with driving stress. Instead, spatial patterns of ice speed exhibit a nonlinear correspondence with basal drag. Primary resistance to flow comes from basal drag, but lateral drag becomes increasingly more important throughout the retreat, which may account for observed increases in speed. Maximum basal drag is always located in a prominent constriction located ∼12 km upstream from the preretreat terminus. Once the terminus retreated into deep water off the terminal moraine marking the modern maximum extent, the upstream location of this maximum basal drag helped to promote thinning and decrease effective pressure in the lower region by limiting replenishing ice flow from upstream. An increase in both ice velocity and calving resulted, initiating what appears to be an irreversible retreat.