cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Efficacy and safety of stereotactic body radiation therapy for the treatment of pulmonary metastases from sarcoma: A potential alternative to resection.

Background/Objectives Oligometastatic sarcoma pulmonary metastases (PM) are typically treated with resection and/or chemotherapy. We hypothesize that stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) can be an alternative to surgery that can achieve high rates of local control (LC) with limited toxicity. Methods Thirty consecutive sarcoma patients received SBRT to 39 PM's from 2011 to 2015 at two university hospitals to a median dose of 50 Gy in 4–5 fractions with CyberKnife or linear accelerator. Patients underwent CT or PET/CT scans q3 months after SBRT. Results 77% received prior chemotherapy, 70% had 1–3 prior pulmonary resections, and 26% received prior thoracic radiotherapy. Median lesion size was 2.4 cm (range 0.5–8.1 cm). Median follow-up was 16 and 23 months for patients alive at last follow-up. At 12 and 24 months, LC was 94% and 86%, and OS was 76% and 43%. LC and OS did not differ by SBRT technique, fractionation regimen, lesion location, histology, or size (all P > 0.05). Three developed grade 2 chest-wall toxicity with no other grade ≥2 toxicities. Conclusions This is the largest series on SBRT for sarcoma PM's and demonstrates that SBRT is well-tolerated with excellent LC across tumor locations and sizes. SBRT should be considered in these patients, and prospective studies are warranted. J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;114:65–69. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Clinical Observation of Accommodative Esotropia in Children

[Objective]To observe the eye position,diopter,visual acuity and binocular vision of children with accommodative esotropia after wearing glasses.[Methods]106 children with accommodative esotropia wore the completely correction glasses after accurate refraction,follow-up for 4 years,and the retrospective analysis was conducted.[Results]After 6 months,91 cases showed orthotropia,which accounted for 85.85%.Some children with accommodative esotropia must wear the completely correction glasses for 6 months or more.The hyperopic diopter declined from +6.54D at first visit to +5.02D after 4 years.The visual acuity increased from 0.36 at first visit to 0.82 after 4 years.[Conclusion]The treatment of accommodative esotropia is a comprehensive course.It is necessary to pay attention to the correction of eye position,treatment of amblyopia and establishment of binocular vision.
The Alpha Adrenergic Binding Properties of Terazosin in the Human Prostate Adenoma and Canine Brain

Clinical trials are currently underway to evaluate the efficacy of terazosin for the treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Terazosin is a potent and selective alpha 1 adrenergic blocking agent structurally similar to prazosin. The alpha adrenergic binding properties of terazosin were studied in human prostate adenomas and canine brains using radioligand receptor binding methods. Saturation analyses were performed at varying concentrations of [125I]-Heat and [3H]rauwolscine [( 3H]Ra) in human prostate adenomas and canine brains. The binding of [125I]-Heat and [3H]Ra in the human prostates and canine brains was consistently saturable and of high affinity. The equilibrium dissociation constant (Kd) for [125I]-Heat binding in the canine brains and human prostate adenomas was 84.4 +/- 4.3 pM and 65.4 +/- 19.2 pM, respectively (p greater than 0.05). The (Kd) for [3H]Ra binding in the human prostate adenomas and canine brains was 1.21 +/- 0.23 nM and 1.52 +/- 0.28 nM, respectively (p greater than 0.05). The density of alpha 1 (0.37 +/- 0.15 fmol/mg. wet wt.) and alpha 2 (0.29 +/- 0.09 fmol/mg. wet wt. adrenergic binding sites in the human adenomas were similar (p greater than 0.05). The IC50 corrected (IC50 corr) of terazosin for [125I]-Heat and [3H]Ra binding sites in the human prostate was 2.5 nM and 1.0 micron., respectively. The IC50 corr of terazosin for [125I]-Heat and [3H]Ra binding sites in the canine brain was 2.0 nM and 0.8 microM, respectively. The competitive binding assays indicate that terazosin binds selectively to alpha 1 adrenergic binding sites in the human prostate and canine brain.
Robust GPS-based direct time estimation for PMUs

Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs) provide time synchronized electrical measurements at many nodes across the power grid. This wide area time synchronization is made possible via GPS time transfer. Unfortunately, the GPS civilian signal is weak and vulnerable to signal interferences such as jamming and meaconing. As such, the GPS-based time synchronization of PMUs may be a potential point of entry for attacks on the power system. To address this concern, we present Direct Time Estimation (DTE) for the robust GPS-based time transfer to PMUs. As a direct method, Direct Time Estimation (DTE) does not rely on intermediate measurements such as independent channel range, range rates and their residuals. Instead, it generates the time and time drift solutions by operating directly on the raw signal. In this manner, the entire received signal information is utilized, leading to increased robustness in tracking. We developed and implemented DTE on our research platform — PyGNSS. To evaluate the performance of DTE, we conducted realistic simulations, such as jamming and meaconing, based on data collected from field experiments. Through the simulated attacks, we demonstrate the enhanced robustness of DTE with respect to conventional algorithms, such as scalar tracking.
Aorta-coronary bypass grafting with the internal mammary artery: clinical experience in 70 patients.

Clinical and angiographic results in 70 patients who received free internal mammary artery (IMA) grafts are reviewed. One postoperative death occurred, but it was not related to the free IMA technique. Forty-seven patients underwent postoperative arteriography. The average interval between operation and catheterization was 10.7 months, and the patency rate for 49 free IMA grafts was 89.8 per cent. Of the 29 patients who received free IMA grafts as the only revascularization procedure, 21 patients (80 per cent) progressed to Functional Class I and only 5 patients did not have improvement in their functional status.
Nitroprusside inhibits serotonin-induced mitogenesis and tyrosine phosphorylation of smooth muscle cells

Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) produces hyperplasia and hypertrophy of bovine pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (SMC) in culture. The growth responses are associated with early elevations...
On the Estimation of Correlation Coefficient Using Scrambled Responses

Abstract The problem of estimating the correlation coefficient using scrambled responses based on the Eichhorn and Hayre (1983) model was considered by Singh (1991) who had studied the asymptotic behavior of the bias and variance expressions. As pointed out by Chaudhuri (2011, p. 185) , Bellhouse (1995) has considered the problem of estimating the correlation coefficient, but the details are cumbersome and are not reported in his monograph. Chaudhuri (2011) further indicates that efforts are needed to refine developments to estimate correlation coefficient to switch over to the utilization of procedures when only randomized response survey data are available. He mentioned that no literature of relevance seems available yet. In this chapter, an attempt has been made to answer the question raised by Chaudhuri (2011) .
Special Issues in the Treatment of Women

Women have higher rates of chronic pain conditions, suffering from more severe pain and functional impairment. Consequently, female patients are more likely to receive an opioid prescription and at higher dosages when treated by a provider for pain issues, compared to men. At present, rates of nonmedical use of prescription opioids (NMUPO) are equivalent between men and women, but recent research has shown a larger increase of opioid misuse among women. Screening and diagnosing opioid use disorders in women requires an understanding of the unique risk factors, aberrant behaviors with prescription opioids, and the influence of comorbid psychiatric conditions that may increase a woman’s risk of becoming opioid-dependent. Furthermore, research has begun to explore the role of ovarian hormones in pain experience, analgesic response, and substance use disorders in women. Special considerations for treating women with opioid use disorders are identified with a review of pain experience, opioid treatment of pain conditions, risk factors and treatment of opioid use disorders in women, and treatment of opioid use disorders in pregnancy.
Leiomyosarcoma Ex Pleomorphic Adenoma of the Parotid Gland: A Case Report and Literature Review.

There is only one previously reported incident in the English literature of sarcoma ex pleomorphic adenoma of the parotid and there are only 8 cases of primary parotid leiomyosarcoma. In our case, a 79-year-old female patient presented to our care with left preauricular pain, swelling, and facial weakness. After CT imaging, she underwent left total parotidectomy. A spindle cell lesion was identified intraoperatively and the facial nerve was sacrificed. Subsequent analysis of the lesion yielded a diagnosis of leiomyosarcoma ex pleomorphic adenoma. After 30 fractions of radiation therapy, scans were negative for tumor. However, 18 months after first experiencing symptoms, she was found to have metastases to the brainstem and lung. When diagnosing sarcoma ex pleomorphic adenoma of the parotid gland, it is important to perform thorough immunohistochemical staining and exclude a previous history of sarcoma or other sources of metastases. Complete resection is critical due to the tumor’s local aggressiveness and metastatic potential. Although these tumors are not very responsive to chemotherapy or radiation, adjuvant treatment is commonly used when margins are unclear.
Scarring Alopecias Related to Hairstyling Practices

Over time, traumatic hairstyling practices can lead to both scarring and nonscarring forms of alopecia. In scarring alopecia, fibrous scar tissue replaces hair follicles, resulting in permanent hair loss. In nonscarring alopecia, such as traction and chemically related alopecias, hair regrowth is possible. However, repeated trauma can lead to permanent, scarring hair loss. Additionally, hair styling practices can exacerbate existing alopecia. Understanding the role hair care practices play in the development of hair loss is critical to management of these conditions.
Tailoring of individual photon lifetimes as a degree of freedom in resonant quantum photonic sources

Resonant quantum photonic sources with dissimilar decay rates are proposed and theoretically demonstrated to improve the efficiencies of entangled photon and squeezed light sources while also enabling engineering of frequency correlations in photon pair sources.
Hysteresis in the sorption and desorption of hydrophobic organic contaminants by soils and sediments: 2. Effects of soil organic matter heterogeneity

Abstract Sorption and desorption equilibria were measured for phenanthrene and 12 different soil and sediment samples using an experimental protocol described in the companion paper of this two-part series. Ten of the 12 sorbents studied were found to exhibit statistically significant sorption–desorption hysteresis , with those containing diagenetically-altered soil organic matter (kerogens) doing so to greater extents than those containing geologically-younger humic soil organic matter. Correlations between the extent of hysteresis and the characteristics of 13 C-NMR spectra indicate that particle-scale soil organic matter heterogeneity significantly affects this phenomenon. The experimental observations are mechanistically consistent with a conceptual model based on polymer sorption theory, the Dual Reactive Domain Model (DRDM). The work reinforces the general suitability of the DRDM for characterizing sorption–desorption interactions between hydrophobic organic contaminants and soils and sediments.
A Hercules in the Cradle: War, Money, and the American State, 1783-1867. By Max M. Edling. (Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press, 2014. Pp. xii, 318. $45.00.)

Historians have long appreciated the golden rule: Whoever has the gold makes the rules. So it was in the early American republic, especially in its wartime successes. As Max M. Edling's excellent, ...
Competition during thermoregulation altered the body temperatures and hormone levels of lizards

Summary Every organism must thermoregulate to maximize its performance, but competing organisms limit access to preferred microclimates. Such competition often creates hierarchies in which dominant individuals have more access to limited resources than subordinate individuals. To assess the costs of competition during thermoregulation, we measured thermoregulation, movement, and hormones of male lizards (Sceloporus jarrovi) when alone and when paired with a smaller or larger conspecific. Large males were 31% closer to the heat source when paired than when alone, resulting in a higher mean body temperature (35·7 vs. 33·9 °C). Conversely, small males were 40% farther from the heat source when paired, resulting in lower mean body temperature (32·1 vs. 33·6 °C). When paired, large and small males circulate 26 and 44% more corticosterone, respectively. Conversely, large males circulated 26% more testosterone when paired, whereas small males circulated 26% less testosterone. Both dominant and subordinate males incurred costs when paired, including poorer thermoregulation, more movement and greater physiological stress. Thus, competition for thermal resources should feature more prominently in ecological and evolutionary models of thermoregulation. A lay summary is available for this article.
The Independence Polynomial

Known in statistical physics as the partition function of a hard core model, the independence polynomial of a graph is a far-reaching extension of the matching polynomial, demonstrating a much more complicated behavior.
AN ANALYSIS OF THE EFFECT OF PRICING STRATEGIES ON PROFITABILITY OF INSURANCE FIRMS IN KENYA

Purpose: The objectives of the study were to establish the effect of economy, skimming, penetration and premium pricing strategies on the profitability of insurance firms in Kenya. Methodology: The descriptive research design was preferred to other research designs because it reports the status of study variables. The population of study was the 45 insurance companies operating in Kenya as at 31 st December 2012. Data was drawn from a period of five (5) years that is 2008-2012. The sample of this study was 10% of the sales workforce which comprised of 900 employees from the 45 insurance companies. The sample was generated by purposively sampling two employees from each insurance company.The researcher collected primary data with the help of a questionnaire. The primary data obtained from the questionnaires was summarized and analyzed by use of descriptive and inferential statistical techniques. Results: Regression and correlation results indicated that there was a statistically significant and positive relationship between economy pricing, skimming pricing, penetration pricing, premium pricing, price optimization strategies, strategies and profitability. Results show that economy pricing, skimming pricing, penetration pricing, premium pricing, price optimization strategies have a positive effect on the profitability of insurance companies. The correlation between profitability and penetration, premium and price optimization strategies was strong and positive. The regression results indicate that the variables; economy pricing, penetration pricing, premium pricing, price optimization strategy and skimming pricing were satisfactorily explaining profitability. Policy recommendation: The study recommends that insurance companies put in place measures assess the most effective pricing strategy to reduce product costs and thus increase profitability whenever such a strategy is used.
Phase-Change Aminopyridines as Carbon Dioxide Capture Solvents

Carbon dioxide is the main atmospheric greenhouse gas released from industrial point sources. In order to mitigate adverse environmental effects of these emissions, carbon capture, storage, and utilization are required. To this end, several CO2 capture technologies are being developed for application in carbon capture, including aqueous amines and water-lean solvents. Herein we report new aminopyridine solvents with the potential for CO2 capture from coal-fired power plants. These four solvents, 2-picolylamine, 3-picolylamine, 4-picolylamine, and N′-(pyridin-4-ylmethyl)ethane-1,2-diamine, are liquids that rapidly bind CO2 to form crystalline solids at standard room temperature and pressure. These solvents have displayed high CO2 capture capacity (11–20 wt %) and can be regenerated at temperatures in the range of 120–150 °C. The advantage of these primary aminopyridine solvents is that a crystalline salt product can be separated, making it possible to regenerate only the CO2-rich solid and ultimately reduc...
Comparisons between elastographic stiffness scores for benign versus malignant lymph nodes in dogs and cats.

Lymph node evaluation is an important component of oncology staging in dogs and cats, however diagnosis of malignancy currently requires cytology or histopathology. Elastography is an ultrasound technique that allows estimation of tissue stiffness. In people, it has been shown to increase the sensitivity of sonography in detection of metastatic lymph nodes. The objective of this prospective, cross-sectional study was to determine if elastographic stiffness differs for malignant versus benign canine and feline lymph nodes that were considered abnormal in gray-scale ultrasound imaging. Animals scheduled for ultrasound-guided fine needle aspirates of a lymph node at a single center were prospectively enrolled. Elastography was performed by a board-certified veterinary radiologist (G.S.) prior to tissue sampling. Softness was scored qualitatively as 1-4 (1 = hard; 4 = soft) on an image depicted by a color scale (blue = hard, red = soft). Quantitative analysis was performed using custom-made software. Fifty-one lymph nodes were included in the evaluation, 21 had benign and 30 had neoplastic cytology. Benign lymph nodes were softer (median score of 2.5, range 1-4) than malignant lymph nodes (median = 2, range 1-3), and differences were significant in qualitative and quantitative analyses (P < 0.01). Of the lymph nodes with a score of 2 or below (hard), 19/25 (76%) were malignant, of the lymph nodes with a score over 2 (soft), 24/36 (67%) were benign. Findings indicated that elastographic stiffness scores differed between benign and malignant lymph node groups; however overlapping scores for the two groups limited the use of this technique for routine clinical diagnosis of malignancy.
Private Labels and Retailer Profitability: Bilateral Bargaining in the Grocery Channel

We examine the role of store branded "private label" products in determining bargaining outcomes between retailers and manufacturers in the single-serve brew-at-home coffee category. Exploiting a novel setting in which the dominant, single-serve technology was protected by a patent that prevented private label entry, we develop a structural model of demand and supply-side bargaining and seek to quantify the impact of private labels on retailer profits. To quantify the benefits of private label introduction, we decompose their impact into the direct profits (from adding an additional product) and the bargaining benefit on branded products (from increasing retailer's bargaining leverage), netting out the business stealing effects on incumbent branded products. We find that bargaining outcomes are driven primarily by bargaining leverage, while bargaining ability is relatively symmetric between retailer and manufacturer. Moreover, the impact of bargaining leverage is substantial: increased bargaining leverage accounts for roughly 20% of the overall benefit of private label introduction, which is itself on the order of 10% of pre-introduction profits. Finally, we find that private labels are beneficial to all retailers, but some retailers gain much more than others.
Explore Entrepreneurial Human Capital and New Venture R&D Search Intensity: A Dynamic Perspective

While entrepreneurial human capital has been studied extensively, few studies have considered its dynamism. This deficit impedes our understanding of how human capital works for entrepreneurial act...
Environmental conditions in health care facilities in low- and middle-income countries: Coverage and inequalities

Safe environmental conditions and the availability of standard precaution items are important to prevent and treat infection in health care facilities (HCFs) and to achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets for health and water, sanitation, and hygiene. Baseline coverage estimates for HCFs have yet to be formed for the SDGs; and there is little evidence describing inequalities in coverage. To address this, we produced the first coverage estimates of environmental conditions and standard precaution items in HCFs in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs); and explored factors associated with low coverage. Data from monitoring reports and peer-reviewed literature were systematically compiled; and information on conditions, service levels, and inequalities tabulated. We used logistic regression to identify factors associated with low coverage. Data for 21 indicators of environmental conditions and standard precaution items were compiled from 78 LMICs which were representative of 129,557 HCFs. 50% of HCFs lack piped water, 33% lack improved sanitation, 39% lack handwashing soap, 39% lack adequate infectious waste disposal, 73% lack sterilization equipment, and 59% lack reliable energy services. Using nationally representative data from six countries, 2% of HCFs provide all four of water, sanitation, hygiene, and waste management services. Statistically significant inequalities in coverage exist between HCFs by: urban-rural setting, managing authority, facility type, and sub-national administrative unit. We identified important, previously undocumented inequalities and environmental health challenges faced by HCFs in LMICs. The information and analyses provide evidence for those engaged in improving HCF conditions to develop evidence-based policies and efficient programs, enhance service delivery systems, and make better use of available resources.
Saccharolobus caldissimus gen. nov., sp. nov., a facultatively anaerobic iron-reducing hyperthermophilic archaeon isolated from an acidic terrestrial hot spring, and reclassification of Sulfolobus solfataricus as Saccharolobus solfataricus comb. nov. and Sulfolobus shibatae as Saccharolobus shibatae comb. nov.

A novel hyperthermophilic archaeon of strain HS-3T, belonging to the family Sulfolobaceae , was isolated from an acidic terrestrial hot spring in Hakone Ohwaku-dani, Japan. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the closest phylogenetic relatives of strain HS-3T were, first, Sulfolobus solfataricus (96.4 %) and, second, Sulfolobus shibatae (96.2 %), indicating that the strain belongs to the genus Sulfolobus . However, the sequence similarity to the type species of the genus Sulfolobus ( Sulfolobus acidocaldarius ) was remarkably low (91.8 %). In order to determine whether strain HS-3T belongs to the genus Sulfolobus , its morphological, biochemical and physiological characteristics were examined in parallel with those of S. solfataricus and S. shibatae . Although there were some differences in chemolithotrophic growth between strain HS-3T, S. solfataricus and S. shibatae , their temperature, pH and facultatively anaerobic characteristics of growth, and their utilization of various sugars were almost identical. In contrast, the utilization of various sugars by S. acidocaldarius was quite different from that of HS-3T, S. solfataricus and S. shibatae . Phylogenetic evidence based on the 16S and the 23S rRNA gene sequences also clearly distinguished the monophyletic clade composed of strain HS-3T, S. solfataricus , and S. shibatae from S. acidocaldarius . Based on these results, we propose a new genus and species, Saccharolobus caldissimus gen. nov., sp. nov., for strain HS-3T, as well as two reclassifications, Saccharolobus solfataricus comb. nov. and Saccharolobus shibatae comb. nov. The type strain of Saccharolobus caldissimus is HS-3T (=JCM 32116T and InaCC Ar80T). The type species of the genus is Saccharolobus solfataricus.
On the taxonomic status of Leucauge granulata (Walckenaer, 1841); Leucauge argentata (Cambridge, 1869), Leucauge bengalensis Gravely, 1921, and Leucauge tuberculata Wang, 1991: A case of synonymy (Araneae: Tetragnathidae)

Abstract Leucauge White, 1841, is a cosmopolitan genus with many erroneous placements and misidentifications. Even though the genus contains 174 species, most of the species are still without a proper taxonomic description. Owing to the probability of erroneous placements in the genus, the genus remains with many dubious species. We propose Leucauge argentata (Cambridge 1869), L. bengalensis Gravely 1921, and L. tuberculata Wang 1991 as junior synonyms of Leucauge granulata (Walckenaer 1841). The photographs and illustrations of both somatic and reproductive structures of the spider are provided.
Nutritional programming effects on growth and reproduction of broodstock and embryonic development of progeny in yellow perch (Perca flavescens) fed soybean meal-based diets

Abstract The objective of this research was to determine if growth performance of yellow perch (Perca flavescens) could be enhanced through nutritional programming when fed soybean meal-based (SBM) diets as their first feed. It was hypothesized that juvenile yellow perch could be nutritionally programmed by being fed SBM-based diets as their first formulated feed, and that this would result in improved growth performance when reintroduced to this diet later in life. It is assumed that nutritionally programmed fish transitioned back to fish meal (FM)-based diets during gametogenesis would eliminate reproductive effects from the SBM-based diets, such as reduced fecundity, egg quality or fertilization rate. The experimental design was carried out over four phases. In Phase 1, juvenile yellow perch were divided into four dietary treatments: 1) FM control, 2) wheat gluten meal (WG) and 3) and 4) two soybean meal (SBM-A/SBM-B) varieties, all fed to fish in triplicate. Plant proteins replaced 75% of the fish meal protein in the diet formulations, and diets were fed to juveniles for 2 months. In Phase 2, fish were combined in a “common garden” design, and all fed the FM diet for 9 months. In Phase 3, all fish were transitioned to the SBM-A diet for 7 months. Mean individual weights of fish and survival were measured at the beginning and end of each phase. Growth performance was calculated as weight gain (%) and specific growth rate (SGR, %/day. In Phase 4, fish were fed the FM diet over winter (6 months) when gametogenesis occurs and somatic growth was minimal. When females were ready to ovulate, they were manually stripped of eggs and fertilized with pond-raised males. Mean egg weight, total number of eggs, fecundity, gonadosomatic index (GSI), and fertilization rate were all calculated to determine reproductive quality. Results from phase 3 show that fish nutritionally programmed with SBM-A, had a higher weight gain percent when returned to SBM than fish from the other three diets, though not significant. Specifically, weight gain of SBM-A fed fish was 150 ± 31%, whereas other groups were 114 ± 24% (FM), 110 ± 26% (WG) and 118 ± 15% (SBM-B). Female reproductive quality was not affected by diet and results showed no significant differences between any of the parameters examined. However, growth during phase 4 was correlated with time to ovulation, increased GSI and mean egg weight.
Fuzzy Cognitive Map to Support Conflict Analysis in Drought Management

Empirical investigations in scientific literature have highlighted the differences between the stakeholders’ perceptions of a given drought phenomenon’s severity and the results of scientific - technical evaluation. This means that there can be several perceptions of the phenomenon, and the scientific models used to assess the drought’s severity do not consider these differences. Facing a drought phenomenon, stakeholders adopt different mental models to assess its severity, taking into account additional elements, other than just water availability and climatic conditions. This, in turn, could have a strong negative impact on the effectiveness of drought mitigation strategies. In fact, if the mitigation actions are selected without considering the stakeholders’ perceptions of the drought, then the actions themselves could be considered as unsatisfactory by the stakeholders or, even worst, not acceptable at all. If the degree of acceptability is low, then the implementation of the mitigation actions could be hampered by strong opposition from the stakeholders. Therefore, an in depth analysis of the potential conflicts and the definition of effective negotiation strategies could be really useful. In this perspective, we propose a methodology based on a Fuzzy Cognitive Map (FCM) to support the elicitation and the analysis of stakeholders’ perceptions of drought, and the analysis of potential conflicts. The method was applied to a drought management process in the Trasimeno Lake area (Umbria Region) in order to analyze potential conflict.
Identifying Stage-Specific Genes by Combining Information from Two Different Types of Oligonucleotide Arrays

The identification of stage-specific genes in the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum may provide a starting point to identify key elements for the malaria parasite to complete its life cycle. In this study, we address this question through the combined analysis of gene expression data collected from two distinct microarray platforms. Although it is intuitive that a joint analysis is likely to be more informative than that based on a single source, such analysis faces many statistical challenges in addition to the fact that different sets of genes may be probed on different platforms. First, the platforms are sufficiently different that it is difficult to correlate expression levels measured on different platforms. Second, the time resolution of the two data sets differs. To address these challenges, we have developed novel statistical methods to integrate these two distinct platforms. Based on our methods, we have identified genes that are either uniquely expressed or differentially expressed at the sporozoite and gametocyte stages. Some of these genes are known to be specific at these two stages and some are novel, providing potential candidates for transmission-blocking vaccine development. We also analyze the functions of the identified genes based on Gene Ontology (GO) classification and investigate the predicted interacting proteins. The detailed results are available at http://bioinformatics.med.yale.edu/CAMDA2004.
Hypnosis in the Context of Behavior Therapy

Behavior therapy, while retaining a primary allegiance to principles of scientific rigor, is no longer bound to narrow stimulus-response theories as in the early 1960’s. Its purview now encompasses human responses that stem from internal as well as external sources. No longer is it necessary to reject or play down the significance of “cognitions,” “imagery,” or related covert processes. Hypnosis, which had long been recognized as a useful way of facilitating behavioral change directly, is now also seen as helpful in altering internal events that, in turn, indirectly bring about desired behavioral change. Furthermore, besides affecting cognitive, memory and perceptual processes, hypnosis is presented as a powerful placebo. Given the specific expectancies and various demand characteristics of the hypnotic context, hypnosis can facilitate a wide range of behavioral techniques. The present paper briefly discusses the impact of hypnosis across various modalities — behavior, affect, sensation, imagery, cognition, and interpersonal relationships. There is some discussion of trance-specific effects in terms of graphic imagery, and in the general areas of pain control and amnesia.
Coping with AIDS: The Challenges of an Evolving Disease

The story of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) – the search for its cause, the struggle to prevent its spread, the yet unsuccessful search for effective vaccines and cures– is a social drama with few parallels in the history of medicine. Several elements in this story set it apart from most other medical conditions, and give a distinctive cast to many of the issues associated with coping (Epstein, 1998). It appeared out of nowhere, spread with blazing speed, and awakened a massive political and scientific response. As has happened with some past epidemics, the AIDS epidemic was associated in the public mind with stigmatized behaviors and social groups. In contrast to prior epidemics, one of the stigmatized groups was newly empowered by the gay rights movement and thus, its members were able to marshal social and legal resources. Already existing social networks could thus be mobilized in efforts to resist anticipated use of legal sanctions by public health authorities; in community-based efforts to curtail disease-spread, and provide resources and support for those already infected; and in pressuring federal agencies and drug manufacturers. Political lobbying for specific chronic illnesses and disabilities (CID) was not new, but AIDS advocacy, in particular, has produced a highvisibility confrontational style, mass mobilization, and close involvement with the details of research and drug production. This chapter selectively reviews research relevant specifically to coping. It also builds on and updates material from several useful chapters on this topic (Antoni, Esterling, Lutgendorf, Fletcher, & Schneiderman, 1995; Folkman & Chesney, 1995; Satriano, Riemen, & Berkman, 2004; Schneiderman & Antoni, 2003). Particular attention is given to the close relationship between coping demands and specific disease characteristics and evolving treatments. As dramatic shifts have occurred in the disease epidemiology, incidence, prevalence, course, and outcome, the stressors and coping needs have changed. Yet, research findings can quickly become dated and inapplicable (e.g., the demands of pregnancy, for
Optomechanical frequency comb memory

Typical nano-mechanical oscillator arrays exhibit a mechanical frequency distribution arising from the imprecision in the nanofabrication process, thus hindering their collective dynamics. We tailor the inhomogeneously broadened spectrum of a nano-oscillator ensemble to unravel the collective dynamics of mechanical oscillators in an optomechanical array. We show that by engineering tunable optomechanical interactions, the instantaneous phase matching between the oscillators reveals collective dynamics in the form of a photon-phonon echo excitation without the need for active frequency tuning. Using numerical simulations, we demonstrate that by controlling such collective dynamics, broadband and scalable coherent light storage can be realized. An optomechanical memory of this kind enables information storage over a wide band of wavelengths, including the telecommunications band and, importantly, can be integrated into the silicon photonic networks.
The Device War - The War Between IOT Brands In A Household.

Users buy compatible IOT devices from different brands with an expectation that their cooperation is smooth, but while function may superficially look friendly, cohabitation can subversively cause early battery depletion in competitor devices. The Wi-Fi Direct standard was introduced with the intention of simplifying peer-to-peer connections in home applications while helping devices to save power through centralization of effort into a single group owner device negotiated on start-up. Attacks on the group formation stage can be based on manipulating a victim device to frequently end up being assigned the group owner function, thereby depleting its batteries at faster rates than its peer devices. This manipulation is made easy by the group formation mechanism adopted by the standard. We show that group formation procedures could be better secured with features ensuring fairness by relying on commitments and by learning about the behavior observed for peer devices in the past. Simulations are used to quantify the resistance achieved against several attack strategies.
Sociodemographic factors and social determinants associated with toxicology confirmed polysubstance opioid-related deaths.

Abstract Background and aims While prescribed and illicit opioid use are primary drivers of the national surges in overdose deaths, opioid overdose deaths in which stimulants are also present are increasing in the U.S. We determined the social determinants and sociodemographic factors associated with opioid-only versus polysubstance opioid overdose deaths in Massachusetts. Particular attention was focused on the role of stimulants in opioid overdose deaths. Methods We analyzed all opioid-related overdose deaths from 2014 to 2015 in an individually-linked population database in Massachusetts. We used linked postmortem toxicology data to identify drugs present at the time of death. We constructed a multinomial logistic regression model to identify factors associated with three mutually exclusive overdose death groups based on toxicological results: opioid-related deaths with (1) opioids only present, (2) opioids and other substances not including stimulants, and (3) opioids and stimulants with or without other substances. Results Between 2014 and 2015, there were 2,244 opioid-related overdose deaths in Massachusetts that had accompanying toxicology results. Toxicology reports indicated that 17% had opioids only, 36% had opioids plus stimulants, and 46% had opioids plus another non-stimulant substance. Persons older than 24 years, non-rural residents, those with comorbid mental illness, non-Hispanic black residents, and persons with recent homelessness were more likely than their counterparts to die with opioids and stimulants than opioids alone. Conclusions Polysubstance opioid overdose is increasingly common in the US. Addressing modifiable social determinants of health, including barriers to mental health services and homelessness, is important to reduce polysubstance use and overdose deaths.
Low Testosterone: Determine and Treat the Underlying Disorder

Male hypogonadism is a common problem encountered by primary care and endocrine providers alike. The evaluation can be complex, and a number of conditions must be considered in the differential diagnosis. Popularity of the syndrome of “low T” in the media and ambiguity with regard to the appropriate “normal” range of testosterone further complicate the evaluation. Treating male hypogonadism with testosterone replacement is not without risks, and a number of causes of low testosterone can be reversed by treating the underlying cause. Therefore, it is imperative that the appropriate evaluation be undertaken in a patient with concern for hypogonadism. In this chapter we will outline the differential diagnosis and appropriate workup of this condition. We also discuss the appropriate interpretation of testosterone values and considerations for therapy in these patients.
Adolescent and Young Women’s Daily Reports of Emotional Context and Episodes of Dating Violence

To investigate same day, previous day, and next day associations between trust, closeness, commitment, jealousy and provision of instrumental support with dating violence victimization and perpetration. A convenience sample of young women, 16–19 years, in a heterosexual dating relationship with at least one act (past month) of physical or psychological victimization or perpetration, were recruited from urban public locations. Participants answered questions daily via text continuously for four months on dating violence and partner-specific emotions. Daily surveys asked about trust, closeness, commitment for their partner, jealousy, perceptions of partner’s jealousy and provision of instrumental support to and from partner, and dating violence victimization and perpetration. Multilevel modeling examined within-relationship associations over time. Mean (sd) age for the full sample was 18.1 (1.1) years. Same-day emotional context (trust, closeness, commitment, jealousy and provision of instrumental support) was more strongly associated with victimization and perpetration compared to previous day emotions. Strongest same-day positive associations were with partner’s perpetration, both partner’s jealousy, and females’ instrumental support. Partner’s jealousy and increased trust were best predictors of next day victimization. Closeness, commitment and trust went down on the day of violence. Perpetration was positively associated with next day commitment. Victimization was positively associated with next day trust. This event-level analysis demonstrates the role and timing that emotional aspects of adolescent relationships – including positive feelings – have surrounding episodes of dating violence. This granular understanding of the emotional context of dating violence has the potential to facilitate development of effective, developmentally appropriate interventions.
Non-invasive prediction of tissue Doppler-derived E/e' ratio using lung Doppler signals.

AIMS Lung Doppler signals (LDS) represent the radial movement of small pulmonary blood vessel walls, caused by pulse waves of cardiac origin. We sought to investigate the accuracy and prognostic value of LDS as a predictor of mitral valve early diastolic flow to annular velocity ratio (E/e'), in patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF). METHODS AND RESULTS We prospectively enrolled patients with ADHF (n = 99, mean age 65 ± 15 years, 61% males) who underwent echocardiographic and simultaneous LDS evaluation at hospital admission. Patients with hospital stay over 72 h underwent a repeat echocardiogram and LDS assessment before discharge. Patients were followed for the occurrence of short-term all-cause mortality and heart failure (HF) hospitalization. Predicted E/e' from LDS correlated with echocardiographic E/e' at admission and discharge (r = 0.67 and 0.83; P < 0.001 for both), respectively. Patients were dichotomized into two groups by the median predicted-E/e'. A high predicted-E/e' was associated with age, hypertension, anaemia, history of HF with preserved ejection fraction (EF), and chronic kidney disease. Over a median follow-up period of 7 months, 22 (22.2%) patients died and 23 (23.2%) patients were rehospitalized for HF. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed a significantly lower event-free survival in high predicted-E/e' group HF patients with reduced EF (P = 0.0247). No significant differences were observed in HF rehospitalization rates between the two groups. CONCLUSION In this single-centre prospective study of patients with ADHF, LDS predicted echocardiographic E/e' measurements and showed prognostic value in predicting all-cause mortality in HF patients with a reduced EF.
Combinatorics of Supergiant Fullerenes: Enumeration of Polysubstituted Isomers, Chirality, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Electron Spin Resonance Patterns, and Vibrational Modes from C70 to C150000

We have developed combinatorial techniques for the enumeration of isomers of polysubstituted giant fullerenes through icosahedral C150000 and applied the techniques to chirality of the isomers, NMR spectroscopy, and group theoretical analysis of the vibrational modes of supergiant fullerenes. We have employed a combination of distance-degree vectorial sequences, self-returning walk sequences followed by our generalization of Sheehan's version of Polya's theorem, and Mobius inversion technique extended to all irreducible representations of the point groups of giant fullerenes. The concept of shell equivalence classes was utilized to analyze supergiant fullerenes. We have applied these techniques to golden fullerenes in the series C60m2 for m of up to 50 or C150000 as well as giant fullerenes in the series C180m2 and C70(D5h). We have employed computational and combinatorial tools to enumerate both chiral and achiral isomers of substituted and hetero giant fullerenes as well as NMR-generating functions for the giant fullerenes. The techniques also provide efficient tools to enumerate all of the vibrational modes of giant fullerenes in terms of the shell partitions. General combinatorial formulae are obtained for larger polysubstituted golden fullerenes of the series C60m2 for any m, and thus the techniques are applied to larger fullerenes such as C150000. New insights into chirality measures, NMR, ESR hyperfine structures, and vibrational modes of supergiant fullerenes are provided using the novel combinatorial techniques.
Altmetric scores analysis reveals a high demand for psychiatry research on social media.

Abstract The aim of our study is to investigate the social and electronic media attention received by psychiatry research using the Altmetric attention scores (AAS) and the predictors of this public engagement. We analyzed all research articles published in 2016 in the top 5 impact factor-based psychiatry journals. We extracted the AAS, various media (news, Twitter, Facebook, etc.) engagements, and citations received by each article using online database. Univariate and multivariate linear regression analysis was performed. A total of 360 research articles published in JAMA Psychiatry, The Lancet Psychiatry, World Psychiatry, American Journal of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics were included. The median AAS was 44 [IQR = 15 – 146] and median citations were 26 (14-47) with a significant but weak correlation (rs = 0.43; p = 0.001) between the two metrics. The multivariate model found that the significant predictors of an 'article's higher AAS were its journal of publication, article type, and the topics addressed in the article (impact of lifestyle on mental well-being, suicide, and addiction). In conclusion, we found a very high degree of public engagement with psychiatry research, especially when compared to other medical specialties. This highlights great opportunity as well as responsibility for psychiatry research community.
Nonparametric estimation of SiC film residual stress from the wafer surface profile

Abstract Thin film residual stress is proportional to substrate curvature change after film deposition, based on Stoney’s equation. Curvature is approximately equal to the second derivative of substrate deflection. It is common to apply Stoney’s equation locally, where the residual stress at a selected point and direction is estimated from the local substrate curvature. The locally weighted least squares regression method (LowLSR) is adapted for estimating the substrate curvature in the radial directions across the wafer from the corresponding deflection profiles measured by a profilometer. LowLSR is implemented in the R package npregderiv developed by the authors. The changing film thickness profiles in the radial directions are estimated using the local linear estimator and plugged into Stoney’s equation. Thus, this research is the first attempt of using nonparametric statistical methods to estimate the residual stress in SiC films with non-uniform thickness.