cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Detecting and defending against Web-server fingerprinting

Cyber attacks continue to increase in sophistication. Advanced attackers often gather information about a target system before launching a precise attack to exploit a discovered vulnerability. This paper discusses techniques for remote identification of web servers and suggests possible defenses to the probing activity. General concepts of finger-printing and their application to the identification of Web servers, even where server information has been omitted are described and methodologies for detecting and limiting such activity are discussed.
An Autopsy-based Quality Assessment Program for Improvement of Diagnostic Accuracy

A program for quality assessment of medical diagnostics is proposed, based on detailed, ongoing comparison of clinical diagnoses with autopsy diagnoses. The model requires that the autopsy service itself be subjected to quality control to assure the reliability of the autopsy findings, including the quality of diagnoses made postmortem, and the quality of autopsy reports. Discrepancies between premortem and postmortem diagnoses are classified as to cause and magnitude; for each disease, the total diagnostic experience is collected, and sensitivity and specificity of clinical diagnostics are computed. These are compared with control ranges of sensitivity and specificity, prospectively arrived at through analysis of thousands of cases. Statistically acceptable sampling for autopsy, and review of findings by an independent body are also discussed. The findings generated by this program would be of great value in programs for quality improvement of medical care. The model has the following advantages: (1) it recognises that there is an unavoidable baseline of diagnostic errors; (2) the control levels, based on current medical practice, are prospectively established; (3) it avoids placing blame in a single case; and (4) it provides a fairly high power scrutiny that can focus on diagnostics for single diseases rather than the entire spectrum of medical practice.
Asexual metazoans undergo senescence.

Abstract August Weismann popularized the notion that metazoans have a potentially immortal germ line separated from a mortal soma, and evolutionary biologists regard senescence as an evolved characteristic of the soma. Many have claimed that metazoans that do not sequester their germ line have no clear distinction between germ line and soma, and consequently they should lack senescence. Here we present experimental evidence that senescence occurs in the asexually reproducing marine oligochaete Paranais litoralis. We also analyze data reported in Sonneborn's classical study and show that the rhabdocoel Stenostomum incaudatum undergoes senescence. We argue that the stability of commitment to somatic function and the fact that asexual metazoans form their germ cells from undifferentiated stem cells are sufficient to allow for senescence of the asexual metazoan's soma. Thus the evolution of somatic differentiation, and not germ-line sequestration, would be the necessary condition for the evolution of senescence.
Barriers to Medical Provider Support for Prescription Naloxone As Overdose Antidote for Lay Responders

Poisonings are the leading cause of adult injury death in the United States. Over 12 weeks in 2011, 143 key informant interviews were conducted using a structured interview guide in three study sites in New England. This analysis focuses on the 24 interviews with emergency department providers, substance use treatment providers, pain specialists, and generalist/family medicine practitioners. Using an iterative coding process, we analyzed statements regarding support and concern about naloxone prescription for pain patients and drug users. The study's implications and limitations are discussed and future research suggested. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention funded this study.
A CONVENIENT METHOD FOR THE PREPARATION OF 1-ACYL-2-PHENYLHYDRAZINES

(1980). A CONVENIENT METHOD FOR THE PREPARATION OF 1-ACYL-2-PHENYLHYDRAZINES. Organic Preparations and Procedures International: Vol. 12, No. 3-4, pp. 249-251.
Using knowledge driven matrix factorization to reconstruct modular gene regulatory network

Reconstructing gene networks from micro-array data can provide information on the mechanisms that govern cellular processes. Numerous studies have been devoted to addressing this problem. A popular method is to view the gene network as a Bayesian inference network, and to apply structure learning methods to determine the topology of the gene network. There are, however, several shortcomings with the Bayesian structure learning approach for reconstructing gene networks. They include high computational cost associated with analyzing a large number of genes and inefficiency in exploiting prior knowledge of co-regulation that could be derived from Gene Ontology (GO) information. In this paper, we present a knowledge driven matrix factorization (KMF) framework for reconstructing modular gene networks that addresses these shortcomings. In KMF, gene expression data is initially used to estimate the correlation matrix. The gene modules and the interactions among the modules are derived by factorizing the correlation matrix. The prior knowledge in GO is integrated into matrix factorization to help identify the gene modules. An alternating optimization algorithm is presented to efficiently find the solution. Experiments show that our algorithm performs significantly better in identifying gene modules than several state-of-the-art algorithms, and the interactions among the modules uncovered by our algorithm are proved to be biologically meaningful.
The Cost and Efficiency of Distribution in the Soviet Union

I. Introduction, 437. — II. A comparison of Russian and American distribution markups, 438. — III. Significance of lower costs of distribution in the Soviet Union as a measure of productivity, 447. — IV. Conclusion, 452.
Improved equation for estimating single-pool Kt/V at higher dialysis frequencies

RATIONALE To measure adequacy in patients dialyzed other than three times per week, guidelines recommend the use of 'standard' Kt/V, which commonly is estimated from treatment Kt/V, time and frequency; however, the accuracy of equations that predict treatment Kt/V in patients being dialyzed other than three times per week has not been evaluated. METHODS In patients enrolled in the Frequent Hemodialysis Network (FHN) Daily and Nocturnal Trials who were being dialyzed three, four or six times per week, we tested the accuracy of the following Kt/V prediction equation: Kt/V = -ln(R - GFAC × T_hours) + (4-3.5 × R) × 0.55 × weight loss/V, where R = post-dialysis/pre-dialysis blood urea nitrogen and GFAC, originally set to 0.008 for a 3/week schedule (Daugirdas, J Am Soc Nephrol 1993), is a factor that adjusts for urea generation. RESULTS With the above equation, there was <0.1% mean error in predicted treatment Kt/V for 3/week patients, but mean errors were -5, -9 and -13% for the 6/week daily, 4/week nocturnal and 6/week nocturnal patients. Modeling simulations were performed to optimize the GFAC term for dialysis schedule and length of the preceding interdialysis interval (PIDI). After substituting schedule- and interval-optimized GFAC terms, the treatment Kt/V prediction errors were reduced to -0.81, +0.1 and -1.3% for the three frequent dialysis schedules tested. CONCLUSION For frequent dialysis schedules, the urea generation factor (GFAC) of one commonly used Kt/V prediction equation should be adjusted based on length in days of the PIDI and number of treatments per week.
Patterns of experience in text editing

What are the effects of experience on text editing behavior? Do users inevitably develop optimal strategies for getting their work done? The answer to such questions are becoming increasingly important, as more and more individuals begin to use word processing equipment routinely. In the best of all possible worlds, experienced users do become experts, able to quickly and accurately choose and execute optimal procedures to accomplish any given goal. Such a state of affairs would make designers of editing systems very happy indeed. But another alternative exists, that at least some proportion of experienced and frequent users stabilize at some nonoptimal level of skill.An initial survey of relevant research is encouraging. So, for example, Card, Moran, and Newell (1980) were able to deduce selection rules from experienced users' editing behavior that predicted 80% of their editing decisions, suggesting that experienced users have fairly well-defined heuristics for carrying out editing tasks. Tyler and Roth (1982) followed up on this work, demonstrating that novices were less likely to demonstrate selection rules than experienced users, preferring instead to rely on a single, sometimes inefficient, strategy. Finally, Folley and Williges (1982) demonstrated that when confronted with the description of a novel editor, users experienced on other systems make use of a greater number of commands in carrying out a paper-and-pencil application of the editor than do complete novices.
Systemic granulomatous disease in a horse grazing pasture containing vetch (Vicia sp.).

A lo-year-old quarterhorse gelding was presented to theCalifornia Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in early Mayfor euthanasia and necropsy. Presenting clinical signs in-cluded weight loss; severe generalized dermatitis; dependentedema in the limbs, preputial sheath, and ventral abdomen;lymphadenomegaly of superficial and palpable lymph nodes;
Effect of monochloramine disinfection of municipal drinking water on risk of nosocomial Legionnaires'disease

Summary Background Many Legionella infections are acquired through inhalation or aspiration of drinking water. Although about 25% of municipalities in the USA use monochloramine for disinfection of drinking water, the effect of monochloramine on the occurrence of Legionnaires'disease has never been studied. Methods We used a case-control study to compare disinfection methods for drinking water supplied to 32 hospitals that had had outbreaks of Legionnaires'disease with the disinfection method for water supplied to 48 control-hospitals, with control for selected hospital characteristics and water treatment factors. Findings Hospitals supplied with drinking water containing free chlorine as a residual disinfectant were more likely to have a reported outbreak of Legionnaires'disease than those that used water with monochloramine as a residual disinfectant (odds ratio 10·2 [95% CI 1·4–460]). This result suggests that 90% of outbreaks associated with drinking water might not have occurred if monochloramine had been used instead of free chlorine for residual disinfection (attributable proportion 0·90 [0·29–1·00]). Interpretation The protective effect of monochloramine against legionella should be confirmed by other studies. Chloramination of drinking water may be a cost-effective method for control of Legionnaires'disease at the municipal level or in individual hospitals, and widespread implementation could prevent thousands of cases.
Correlation Analysis for Angular Compounding in Strain Imaging

Spatial angular compounding for elastography is a new technique that enables the reduction of noise artifacts in elastograms. This technique is most effective when the angular strain estimates to be averaged or compounded are uncorrelated. In this paper, we present a theoretical analysis of the correlation between pre- and postcompression radio-frequency echo signals acquired from the same location but at different beam insonification angles. The accuracy of the theoretical results is verified using radio- frequency pre- and postcompression echo signals acquired using a real-time clinical scanner on tissue-mimicking uniformly elastic and homogenous phantoms. The theory predicts an increased signal decorrelation with an increase in the beam-steered insoniflcation angle as the applied strain increases and for increasing depths in the medium. Theoretical results provide useful information regarding the correlation of the angular strain estimates obtained from different beam angles that helps in finding optimum compounding schemes for elastography.
Modeling and simulation of jitter in phase-locked loops due to substrate noise

This paper presents a methodology to simulate, at the system-level, substrate noise coupling to phase-locked loop (PLL) circuits. Macro models of the noise coupling to the PLL are proposed based on the concept of an impulse sensitivity function (ISF). A system-level simulation is implemented using Verilog-A and achieves significant advantage, namely 50 times speed enhancement over circuit-level simulation. Furthermore, a period histogram and its variations are considered as metrics to analyze the substrate noise effects on the PLL and the simulation method is verified by comparison with the measured data of period histogram variation patterns.
Improper defibrillator pad usage by emergency medical care providers for children: an opportunity for reeducation

Abstract Purpose Approximately 14 000 pediatric out-of-hospital arrests occur annually. With this significant number and the diversity in the training backgrounds of medical providers, correct choice and placement of defibrillator pads are imperative to ensure maximum efficacy. Methods One hundred fifty-two emergency medical care providers from 6 medical fields were recruited for the study. Each participant answered a series of questions to ascertain baseline knowledge of correct defibrillator pad choice and placement in 2 scenarios with mannequins weighted less than 15 kg and more than 15 kg. After the testing, each participant received an educational intervention. Six months after the first phase, participants received a questionnaire to ascertain knowledge retention. Results In the primary study phase, for correct pad choice for mannequins weighing less than 15 kg and more than 15 kg, overall results were 98% (95% confidence interval [CI], 94.1%-100%) and 38.8% (95% CI, 31.4%-46.8%), respectively. In the second phase, pad choices for mannequins weighing less than 15 kg and more than 15 kg were 77.3% (95% CI, 68.6%-84.2%) and 60% (95% CI, 47.7%-71.1%). The rates of correct pad placement during the initial phase for mannequins weighing less than 15 kg and more than 15 kg were 5.8% (95% CI, 2.8%-11.2%) and 25.7%, respectively (95% CI, 19.4%-35.7%). Rates for correct pad placement ( 15-kg mannequins) improved in the second phase to 68.2% (95% CI, 56%–78.4%) and 71.2% (95% CI, 62.8%-81.5%). Conclusion Pediatric emergency providers have poor understanding of pad choice and placement. Emergency medical care providers for children who are educated about the correct defibrillator pad choices and placement have improved knowledge and can retain that knowledge for at least 6 months.
The Darwin Rise demise: the western Pacific guyot heights trace the trans-Pacific Mendocino fracture zone

Abstract The Darwin Rise has been proposed so many times and in so many forms and places that the time has come to make a more comprehensive examination of the region. Lying on the NW Pacific Plate between the Geisha Guyots, the Mid-Pacific Mountains, the equator, and the trenches, the region is roughly bounded by magnetic anomaly M20 (147 Ma). It was subjected to a massive outpouring of lava about 105 to 120 Ma, which created the guyots and seamounts in that region. Guyots are excellent tools for studying events of long ago because they eroded in the same lowstand in the Cretaceous and guyot relief, therefore, is a surrogate for paleo-sealevel. The relief is derived by subtracting the break depth of the summit plateau of a guyot from the regional depth. Guyot relief would necessarily be less in the center than to the periphery if the feature formed on a pre-existing rise, as has been postulated. The existence of a paleo-Darwin Rise would give concentric contours for the region in question. Of the sixty guyots used in this study, thirty-seven of these guyots were surveyed using SASS multibeam in the Marcus-Wake seamount group. Twenty-three guyots were surveyed using random track single-beam sonar surveys. An entirely different scenario is shown. Data revealed a major fracture passing through the area coevally or after the guyots formed. Because the depths to the summit are not the same now, vertical tectonics occurred after subaerial erosion. This means the fracture formed during and after the erosion (roughly 105 Ma) and influenced the normal sequence of events in guyot formation. Depending on how one deciphers trends through the Hess Rise morass, SASS bathymetry shows a continuation of the Surveyor/Mendocino fracture zone swarm inside the M20 region to the NE of these data. The fracture swarm continues to the western Pacific trench system. Based on this information, if the Darwin Rise ever existed, it had to have done so elsewhere.
A period-processor-time-minimal systolic array for cubical mesh algorithms

The paper, using a directed acyclic graph (dag) model of algorithms, investigates precedence constrained multiprocessor schedules for the n*n*n directed mesh. Any such schedule requires at least 3n-2 multiprocessor steps. Time-minimal schedules that use as few processors as possible are called processor-time-minimal. For the cubical mesh, such a schedule requires at least (3n/sup 2//4) processors. Among such schedules, one with the minimum period (i.e. maximum throughput) is referred to as period-processor-time-minimal. The period of any processor-time-minimal schedule for the cubical mesh is at least 4n/3 steps. This lower bound is shown to be exact by constructing such a schedule, which can be realized on a toroidally-connected systolic array. >
Measure it, model it, manage it (MI)/sup 3/ - a Java performance-engineering framework

The methodology presented in this paper describes a Java performance-engineering framework that will help software engineers and capacity planners eliminate performance problems and determine reasonable hardware configurations prior to application deployment. The framework focuses on (1) measuring and modeling Java methods during development, (2) refining the model created during development with performance measurements provided by quality assurance (QA) testing, and (3) using the model before the application is deployed to conduct capacity studies aimed at minimizing hardware configuration while maximizing transaction throughput.
Child welfare versus parental autonomy: Medical ethics, the law, and faith-based healing

Over the past three decades more than 200 children have died in the U.S. of treatable illnesses as a result of their parents relying on spiritual healing rather than conventional medical treatment. Thirty-nine states have laws that protect parents from criminal prosecution when their children die as a result of not receiving medical care. As physicians and citizens, we must choose between protecting the welfare of children and maintaining respect for the rights of parents to practice the religion of their choice and to make important decisions for their children. In order to make and defend such choices, it is essential that we as health care professionals understand the history and background of such practices and the legal aspects of previous cases, as well as formulate an ethical construct by which to begin a dialogue with the religious communities and others who share similar beliefs about spiritual healing. In this paper, we provide a framework for these requirements.
Conceptual Circuit Models of Neurons

Electronic circuit analogues of biological membranes are presented, by which the passive channels are modeled as parallel and serial combinations of resistors (Ohmic conductors) and diffusors (negative non-Ohmic conductors), and the active channels of the one-way ion pumps are modeled as one-way inductors. We show that our simple analog models can reproduce known phenomena of membrane excitability such as the generation of action potentials and spike bursts.
COARSE AND UNIFORM EMBEDDINGS.

Abstract In these notes, we study the relation between uniform and coarse embeddings between Banach spaces as well as uniform and coarse equivalences. In order to understand these relations better, we look at the problem of when a coarse embedding can be assumed to be also topological. Among other results, we show that if a Banach space X uniformly embeds into a minimal Banach space Y , then X simultaneously coarsely and uniformly embeds into Y , and if a Banach space X coarsely embeds into a minimal Banach space Y , then X simultaneously coarsely and homeomorphically embeds into Y by a map with uniformly continuous inverse.
Applications for Pulse Power using Nanosecond Pulsed Electric Fields (nsPEFs) in Cell Biology and Cancer Treatment

This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Frank Reidy Research Center for Bioelectrics at ODU Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Bioelectrics Publications by an authorized administrator of ODU Digital Commons. For more information, please contact digitalcommons@odu.edu. Repository Citation Beebe, Stephen J., "Applications for Pulse Power using Nanosecond Pulsed Electric Fields (nsPEFs) in Cell Biology and Cancer Treatment" (2013). Bioelectrics Publications. Paper 14. http://digitalcommons.odu.edu/bioelectrics_pubs/14
Redesigning a telephone bill

This is a case study of a telephone bill redesign project in a collaborative effort, a linguist a graphic designer and an executive manager developed and tested new telephone bill solutions to improve customer comprehension and satisfaction with a very familiar yet complex document The project resulted in an improved document for the telephone company while raising important questions for future research into the nature of how people interact with routine documents in terms of preference, comprehension and use.
Systems thinking metaphors for illuminating fundamental policy dilemmas

Public policy is often driven by two inputs: measurements that describe a shortfall from a goal, and simplistic policy recipes that strive to overcome the shortfall, often with little attention to how the shortfall was created in the first place. Indeed, measurement has become an important part of policy design. Measurements interpret performance as indicators of growth and the volume of activity. They can be easily fed to complex forecasting instruments generating non-verifiable futures, which drive policy with highly variable efficacy. Should we aim at more precise measurements and more complex forecasting instruments or develop more informed policy paradigms? This paper advocates the later by proposing several metaphorical policy structures that are cognizant of the root causes of the many classes of policy situations. They allow moving away from symptoms to address policy to root causes. They are proposed as an alternative to measurement based policy actions.
Europe and the Germans

The German problem, in Taylor’s view, was as old as the Germans themselves. However, it took the particular twist that led to the Second World War only after Bismarck unified Germany in 1871. The Bismarckian German Empire, achieved by what Taylor termed the Prussian will to power, furnished pan-German nationalism with the power-base denied to it by the Habsburg monarchy. Unification produced a formidable military and industrial state in the centre of Europe, and consequently the German problem broadened and deepened. The new German Empire pointed directly and unerringly toward the Reich created by Adolf Hitler, under which the pan-German dream was fulfilled to the extent it ever would be. Twentieth-century Europe was shaped to a considerable extent by a Germany wearing the face of an ‘intolerant exterminator and overlord’, in Taylor’s words, that had been imposed by Prussian militarism and barbarism upon the civilised and cultured Germany of the west.1
Factors affecting the numbers of expected viable lactic acid bacteria in inoculant applicator tanks

The application of correct numbers of viable microorganisms to forages at the time of ensiling is one of the most important factors affecting the probability of a beneficial effect from an inoculant. The objective of this study was to determine relationships between numbers of expected lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from silage inoculants in application tanks and various factors that might affect their viability. The pH and temperature of inoculant-water mixes were measured in applicator tanks (n=53) on farms in Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota, and California during the corn harvest season of 2012. Samples were collected on-farm and plated on de Man, Rogosa, and Sharpe agar to enumerate LAB and establish the number of viable LAB (cfu/mL). Expected numbers of LAB were calculated from the minimum label guarantees for viable bacteria and mixing rates with water. In addition, the pH of the inoculant-water mixes at sampling, the ambient temperature at sampling, and the length of time that the samples had been in the tank were measured and obtained. The log difference between the measured and expected numbers of LAB was calculated and expressed as ΔM - E in log scale. Ambient temperature at sampling had no relationship with time in the tank or ΔM - E. Most (83%) of the inoculants had been mixed with water in the applicator tanks for <10h. For these samples, a negative linear correlation (R2=0.36) existed between time that the inoculant-water mixes were in the applicators tanks and ΔM - E. The pH of the inoculant-water mixes was also negatively correlated (R2=0.28) with time in the applicator tank, but pH was not related to ΔM - E. The temperatures of the inoculant-water mixtures were negatively correlated with ΔM - E (R2=0.39). Seven of 8 samples whose ΔM - E were at least -0.95 or more lower than expected (equivalent of about 1 or more log concentration less than expected) had water temperatures above 35°C. These data support our previous laboratory findings and suggest that high temperatures of inoculant-water mixes have the potential to negatively affect the final application rate of some inoculants, which may affect their overall effectiveness to improve silage fermentation.
Microstructural characterization of myocardial infarction with optical coherence tractography and two-photon microscopy

Myocardial infarction leads to complex changes in the fiber architecture of the heart. Here, we present a novel optical approach to characterize these changes in intact hearts in three dimensions. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) was used to derive a depth-resolved field of orientation on which tractography was performed. Tractography of healthy myocardium revealed a smooth linear transition in fiber inclination or helix angle from the epicardium to endocardium. Conversely, in infarcted hearts, no coherent microstructure could be identified in the infarct with OCT Additional characterization of the infarct was performed by the measurement of light attenuation and with two-photon microscopy. Myofibers were imaged using autofluorescence and collagen fibers using second harmonic generation. This revealed the presence of two distinct microstructural patterns in areas of the infarct with high light attenuation. In the presence of residual myofibers, the surrounding collagen fibers were aligned in a coherent manner parallel to the myofibers. In the absence of residual myofibers, the collagen fibers were randomly oriented and lacked any microstructural coherence. The presence of residual myofibers thus exerts a profound effect on the microstructural properties of the infarct scar and consequently the risk of aneurysm formation and arrhythmias. Catheter-based approaches to segment and image myocardial microstructure in humans are feasible and could play a valuable role in guiding the development of strategies to improve infarct healing.
Decentralized placement of heterogeneous nodes

We present a node placement algorithm for planning the deployment of a heterogeneous, underwater sensor network. Typical node placement algorithms do not account for heterogeneous node types and consequently, do not always provide accurate estimates for the total probability of success for the overall mission objective. In our approach, we derive an objective function that couples the probability of success for all node types to be used by a mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) solver for optimal placement. To reduce the computational intensity associated with the MILP-based approach, we provide an algorithm that converts the original optimization problem into several smaller optimization problems. We also describe the accompanying MILP framework that we have developed to create and maintain MILP problems.
Caffeine inhibition of GLUT1 is dependent on the activation state of the transporter.

Abstract Caffeine has been shown to be a robust uncompetitive inhibitor of glucose uptake in erythrocytes. It preferentially binds to the nucleotide-binding site on GLUT1 in its tetrameric form and mimics the inhibitory action of ATP. Here we demonstrate that caffeine is also a dose-dependent, uncompetitive inhibitor of 2-deoxyglucose (2DG) uptake in L929 fibroblasts. The inhibitory effect on 2DG uptake in these cells was reversible with a rapid onset and was additive to the competitive inhibitory effects of glucose itself, confirming that caffeine does not interfere with glucose binding. We also report for the first time that caffeine inhibition was additive to inhibition by curcumin, suggesting distinct binding sites for curcumin and caffeine. In contrast, caffeine inhibition was not additive to that of cytochalasin B, consistent with previous data that reported that these two inhibitors have overlapping binding sites. More importantly, we show that the magnitude of maximal caffeine inhibition in L929 cells is much lower than in erythrocytes (35% compared to 90%). Two epithelial cell lines, HCLE and HK2, have both higher concentrations of GLUT1 and increased basal 2DG uptake (3–4 fold) compared to L929 cells, and subsequently display greater maximal inhibition by caffeine (66–70%). Interestingly, activation of 2DG uptake (3-fold) in L929 cells by glucose deprivation shifted the responsiveness of these cells to caffeine inhibition (35%–70%) without a change in total GLUT1 concentration. These data indicate that the inhibition of caffeine is dependent on the activity state of GLUT1, not merely on the concentration.
Health status and health behaviors among citizen endurance Nordic skiers in the United States

More than two-thirds of Americans are overweight or obese (69%) placing them at high risk for a wide array of chronic diseases. Physical activity anchors most approaches to obesity prevention and weight management, but physical activity levels remain low in the general US population. As a group, citizen athletes who compete in Nordic skiing events such as the American Birkebeiner participate in fitness cultures that promote physical activity. During October–November 2014, we emailed a 48 question online survey to 23,611 individuals who had participated in the American Birkebeiner ski event, the largest citizen ski race in North America. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize data. Binomial and student t test were used to compare binary and continuous outcomes to health behaviors of the US population. 5433 individuals responded. Obesity prevalence (BMI ≥30) was 3% and average BMI was 24. Skiers reported very good health (88%), higher fitness than peers (99%), freedom from depression (93%) low levels of smoking (3%), high consumption of fruits and vegetables, moderate alcohol use, and high levels of physical activity. Fifteen percent practiced all 4 healthy living characteristics known to reduce cardiovascular event risk. As a group, citizen endurance Nordic skiers enjoy low levels of obesity, below average BMI, and report lifestyle behaviors known to decrease obesity, promote health, and reduce cardiovascular disease risk. Future research should explore hypotheses that explain how the fitness cultures surrounding citizen athletic events support weight loss, cardiovascular fitness, and healthy lifestyle habits.
Reproducibility of Ba/Ca variations recorded by northeast Pacific bamboo corals

Trace elemental ratios preserved in the calcitic skeleton of bamboo corals have been shown to serve as archives of past ocean conditions. The concentration of dissolved barium (BaSW), a bioactive nutrientlike element, is linked to biogeochemical processes such as the cycling and export of nutrients. Recent work has calibrated bamboo coral Ba/Ca, a new BaSW proxy, using corals spanning the oxygen minimum zone beneath the California Current System. However, it was previously unclear whether Ba/Cacoral records were internally reproducible. Here we investigate the accuracy of using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for Ba/Cacoral analyses and test the internal reproducibility of Ba/Ca among replicate radial transects in the calcite of nine bamboo corals collected from the Gulf of Alaska (643–720 m) and the California margin (870–2054 m). Data from replicate Ba/Ca transects were aligned using visible growth bands to account for nonconcentric growth; smoothed data were reproducible within ~4% for eight corals (n = 3 radii/coral). This intracoral reproducibility further validates using bamboo coral Ba/Ca for BaSW reconstructions. Sections of the Ba/Ca records that were potentially influenced by noncarbonate bound Ba phases occurred in regions where elevated Mg/Ca or Pb/Ca and coincided with anomalous regions on photomicrographs. After removing these regions of the records, increased Ba/Cacoral variability was evident in corals between ~800 and 1500 m. These findings support additional proxy validation to understand BaSW variability on interannual timescales, which could lead to new insights into deep sea biogeochemistry over the past several centuries.
Polymyxin B Pharmacokinetics in Adult Cystic Fibrosis Patients.

Objectives Polymyxin B pharmacokinetics (PK) in adults with cystic fibrosis (CF) are not well described. The goals of this pilot study were to identify a PK model for patients with CF receiving polymyxin B with exploration of covariate relationships of the PK parameters, to compare polymyxin B PK parameters in adults without CF, and to probe exposures associated with different dosing schemes through simulation. Methods Adult patients with CF treated with polymyxin B at New York-Presbyterian Hospital had PK samples measured by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (MS)/MS. Multiple PK models were fit utilizing Pmetrics for R. Model covariates considered included: age, total body weight, creatinine clearance, albumin, and body mass index. PK parameters in CF patients were compared with PK parameters for 53 adults without CF who were receiving polymyxin B from the same institution. Simulations with target exposure (area under the curve)/minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 20 mg*L/h were conducted for different dosing schemes and MIC ranges. Main results Nine patients with CF received between 58 and 240 mg of polymyxin B (median 1.47 mg/kg/dose [IQR (1.43-1.65)]). A two-compartment model adjusting polymyxin B clearance for patient CrCl was better than a standard two-compartment model (p=0.004) in CF patients. When compared to PK parameters for patients without CF, PK parameters of polymyxin B in CF were similar (p>0.05). Simulations for plasma concentrations showed all regimens performed adequately at MICs between 0.03125 and 0.125 mg/L but not at increasing MICs of 1 and 2 mg/L. Conclusions In this pilot study of polymyxin B PK in adults with CF, the PK parameters of polymyxin B were mostly similar to adults without CF. We observed a potential association between CrCl and polymyxin B clearance, which stands in contrast to the general adult population. However, this observation requires further study. Additional studies focusing on optimal and safe polymyxin B dosing in CF are needed.
Recording of external radiation exposures at Oak Ridge National Laboratory: implications for epidemiological studies.

Accurate measurements of radiation exposure for individuals are critical to assessing radiation-mortality associations. This paper is based on a study of changes in recorded doses and in radiation monitoring programs at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, a U.S. Department of Energy facility where whole body external penetrating radiation exposures have been of primary epidemiological interest. External radiation monitoring data from 1943-1984 are analyzed for a group of white males (N = 8,318). The proportion of workers monitored for external radiation increased from about 50% in 1943 to over 80% in 1944 to above 98% after 1948. Mean radiation doses showed maxima in 1944 and 1957, followed by steady and long-term declines. Numerous changes in monitoring programs occurred during the study period, including changes in the types of dosimeters used, the frequency of reading dosimeters, methods of calculating doses, and practices of recording doses. Temporal patterns of doses in the lower range of the distribution showed some changes suggestive of changes in policies and practices for recording doses, which would influence dose values used in epidemiological studies. Reliable and accurate exposure measurements are especially important in studies of low level exposures due to small differences in outcomes between exposure groups. Evidence of changes in recorded doses due to monitoring and recording practices, rather than to actual changes in exposures in this well-monitored population, suggests the importance of comparable studies of other populations used for epidemiological studies of radiation-mortality associations.
Total Neutron Cross Sections for Structural Materials

The total neutron cross sections of several structural materials have been measured over the thermal range of energy. A plate of commercial wrought nickel, thin sheets of 61,S aluminum and a cylind...
Comparative Studies on the Nadh-Q Oxidoreductase Segment of the Bacterial Respiratory Chain

Among the three energy transducing site of the eukaryotic mitochondrial respiratory chain (1-3) the NADH-Q oxidoreductase is the most complex and the least understood. In order to search for a simpler model system, we have examined Site I from some selected bacteria, namely,Paracoccus denitrificans and Thermus thermophilus HB-8(4).
Prospect refuge theory: a psychological orientation for edge effect in recreation environments.

Edge, or the ecotone between teo contrasting habitats, has long been recognized as a preferred environmental setting for wildlife. Recreationists also prefer edge environments, both as physical par...
Immunoglobulin light chain amyloid aggregation

Light chain (AL) amyloidosis is a devastating, complex, and incurable protein misfolding disease. It is characterized by an abnormal proliferation of plasma cells (fully differentiated B cells) producing an excess of monoclonal immunoglobulin light chains that are secreted into circulation, where the light chains misfold, aggregate as amyloid fibrils in target organs, and cause organ dysfunction, organ failure, and death. In this article, we will review the factors that contribute to AL amyloidosis complexity, the findings by our laboratory from the last 16 years and the work from other laboratories on understanding the structural, kinetics, and thermodynamic contributions that drive immunoglobulin light chain-associated amyloidosis. We will discuss the role of cofactors and the mechanism of cellular damage. Last, we will review our recent findings on the high resolution structure of AL amyloid fibrils. AL amyloidosis is the best example of protein sequence diversity in misfolding diseases, as each patient has a unique combination of germline donor sequences and multiple amino acid mutations in the protein that forms the amyloid fibril.
Emergent palliative radiotherapy: Dedicated personnel resources to improve workflow.

93Background: Approximately half of patients undergoing radiotherapy (RT) do so with palliative intent. Urgent indications for RT may include neurologic compromise, pain, or bleeding. While some practices have a dedicated palliative RT team, the majority utilize an “on-call” system with a rotating outpatient radiation oncologist. We report our experience with a dedicated nurse practitioner (NP) to assist with palliative RT workflow, with the goal of expediting patient care. Methods: 226 inpatients treated with RT to a site of metastatic disease from May 2012 to May 2018 were included. Since August 2017, an NP has helped expedite emergent RT referrals. Mann-Whitney U tests were used to compare days between steps in the treatment planning process before and after integration of an NP. Results: The median age at RT was 60 years (IQR 49–69). The most common primary sites were lung (26%) and breast (12%). The most common indication for RT was symptomatic brain metastases (SBM, 33% of patients), followed by pai...
Further phenotypic characterization of LEPREL1-related ectopia lentis.

LEPREL1 (Prolyl-3-Hydroxylase Leprecan-Like 1; P3H2) encodes a dioxygenase responsible for post-translational hydroxylation of fibril-forming collagens (1). Biallelic mutations in the gene were ori...
Nosocomial outbreak of influenza A H3N2 in an inpatient oncology unit related to health care workers presenting to work while ill.

Objective To describe an outbreak of influenza A in an oncology unit, highlighting infection control methods implemented, and examining reasons health care workers (HCWs) present to work with influenza-like illness (ILI). Methods Confirmed cases were defined by the presence of ILI and a positive nasopharyngeal polymerase chain reaction swab for influenza A H3. Probable cases were defined as exposed HCWs with ILI who were unavailable for polymerase chain reaction testing. Infection prevention measures included closing the ward for new admissions, oseltamivir prophylaxis for all exposed groups, and dismissal from work of HCWs with ILI until resolution of symptoms. An anonymous survey of the cases in our HCWs was conducted to better elucidate reasons behind presenteeism. Results Over the course of 8 days (November 16, 2017, to November 22, 2017), influenza was diagnosed in 7 of 10 inpatients on the oncology ward, 16 HCWs (14 confirmed, 2 probable), and 2 visitors. The suspected index case was an HCW. Of the surveyed HCWs, 64% presented to work despite feeling ill (ie, presenteeism). The most common reason was “sense of duty as a health care worker.” Conclusions This nosocomial outbreak of influenza highlights the challenges of protecting inpatients from viral respiratory tract infections. HCWs and patient visitors with ILI should avoid work or visiting until resolution of peak respiratory symptoms and adhere to strict respiratory etiquette.
“Rampant Signs and Symbols”: Artifacts of Language in J.D. Salinger’s “For Esmé—With Love and Squalor” and Glass Family Stories

iv Introduction 1 “For Esme—With Love and Squalor” 9 “A Perfect Day for Bananafish” 29 Raise High the Roofbeam, Carpenters 46 Conclusion 66 Works Cited 73
Scaling up visual attention and visual working memory to the real world

Abstract Both visual attention and visual working memory tend to be studied either with very simple stimuli and low-level paradigms, which are designed to allow us to understand the representations and processes in detail, or with fully realistic stimuli that make such precise understanding difficult but are more representative of the real world. In this chapter we argue for an intermediate approach in which visual attention and visual working memory are studied by scaling up from the simplest settings to more complex settings that capture some aspects of the complexity of the real-world, while still remaining in the realm of well-controlled stimuli and well-understood tasks. We believe this approach, which we have been taking in our labs, will allow a generalizable set of knowledge about visual attention and visual working memory while maintaining the rigor and control that is typical of vision science and psychophysics studies.
A phylogenomic rodent tree reveals the repeated evolution of masseter architectures.

Understanding the number of times a trait has evolved is a necessary foundation for comprehending its potential relationships with selective regimes, developmental constraints and evolutionary dive...
Low Copy Number and Limited Variability of Proviral DNA in Alveolar Macrophages from HIV-1-Infected Patients: Evidence for Genetic Differences in HIV-1 between Lung and Blood Macrophage Populations

We investigated the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) proviral DNA sequence and copy number in alveolar macrophages (AM) and peripheral blood monocytes (PBM) from 10 HIV-positive patients without any active concurrent pulmonary disease to understand the nature of HIV-1 infection in vivo in the lung microenvironment. The 10 seropositive patients without active pulmonary disease were selected based on chest roentegenography and pathological/cytological tests of bronchoalveolar (BAL) fluid. In order to determine accurate proviral copy numbers, AM and PBM were isolated to 99 and 94% purity, respectively, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR), with a sensitivity to detect three copies of HIV proviral DNA per 105 cells, was applied. For analysis of genetic variation in HIV-1, PCR-amplified HIV-1 DNA from AM and PBM of five patients were subcloned and 2–12 clones from each sample underwent DNA sequence analysis of HIV-1 gp120 V3–V5. Heteroduplex mobility assays were performed to confirm the results of the sequence analysis. The proviral copy number in AM or PBM were less than 20 copies/105 cells in all patients, and five patients had less than the detection limit. There was no significant difference in HIV copy number between AM and PBM. No correlation was found between PBM/AM HIV copy number and CD4+ lymphocyte count in the peripheral blood. Sequence analysis revealed that the mean intrapatient genetic similarity in AM was 97.5 ± 0.18% (n = 107), which was significantly higher than that in PBM (96.2 ± 0.26% (n = 94), p < 0.001), suggesting that variability of HIV-1 DNA in AM was relatively limited. Divergence occurred when AM derived HIV-1 sequence was compared with PBM derived sequence from the same patient (95.8 ± 0.17% (n = 223) p < 0.001). Phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequence demonstrated complete separation of HIV lineages from lung and blood in four of five patients. The results suggest that HIV-1 infection in AM is restricted in vivo with low viral burden and homogenous genotype. We propose that the pulmonary micro-environment may limit the extent of HIV-1 infection.
A descriptive analysis of corporate environmental responsibility in major league professional sport.

This article explores corporate environmentalism across North American major league professional sport through a webpage content analysis of disclosed business practices and programs. The results of the content analysis reify previous academic work, which suggests corporate environmental responsibility in professional sport is varied. Yet, the results also point to an increasingly standardized approach to integrated/operational business practices focusing on materials and resources, and energy and atmosphere, as well as campaign-based programs focusing on corporate social marketing. The findings identify an opportunity for professional team sport organizations to innovate new cause-related marketing and cause promotion programs, and point to a key role for senior leaders in leveraging advanced capabilities to catalyze knowledge development in other business practices and programs. Additionally, by establishing common areas of success, the findings present an opportunity for professional team sport organizations to communicate their environmental successes collectively. Subscribe to JASM