cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
No difference between direct-acting antivirals for hepatitis C in hepatocellular carcinoma risk.

Background and aims It is unclear whether there are differences between direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) for hepatitis C virus in risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after antiviral therapy. We aimed to compare different DAA regimens with respect to risk of de novo HCC following antiviral therapy. Patients and methods We identified 33 137 patients who initiated hepatitis C virus antiviral treatment in the Veterans Affair healthcare system between 6 December 2013 and 31 December 2015 with one of four DAA-only regimens (± ribavirin): paritaprevir/ritonavir/ombitasvir/dasabuvir (n=6289), sofosbuvir (n=4356), sofosbuvir+simeprevir (n=3210), and ledipasvir/sofosbuvir (n=19 282). We retrospectively followed patients until 15 June 2017 to identify incident (de novo) cases of HCC. We used propensity score-adjusted Cox proportional hazards regression to compare different DAA regimens with respect to HCC risk. Results During a mean follow-up of 1.52 years, 741 new cases of HCC were diagnosed after antiviral treatment (annual incidence=1.47%). Patients treated with sofosbuvir+simeprevir had the highest annual HCC incidence (2.47%), followed by sofosbuvir (1.91%), ledipasvir/sofosbuvir (1.26%), and paritaprevir/ritonavir/ombitasvir/dasabuvir (0.95%). However, there were great differences between DAA-treated patients in the prevalence of cirrhosis, markers of advanced fibrosis, thrombocytopenia, and other HCC risk factors. After adjustment for baseline characteristics associated with HCC, there were no significant differences in HCC risk between the four DAA regimens. Conclusion There are no significant differences between DAA regimens in HCC risk after antiviral treatment. This suggests that DAAs do not have direct carcinogenic effects as it would be unlikely that different DAAs would have identical carcinogenic effects.
Somatic APP gene recombination in Alzheimer’s disease and normal neurons

The diversity and complexity of the human brain are widely assumed to be encoded within a constant genome. Somatic gene recombination, which changes germline DNA sequences to increase molecular diversity, could theoretically alter this code but has not been documented in the brain, to our knowledge. Here we describe recombination of the Alzheimer's disease-related gene APP, which encodes amyloid precursor protein, in human neurons, occurring mosaically as thousands of variant 'genomic cDNAs' (gencDNAs). gencDNAs lacked introns and ranged from full-length cDNA copies of expressed, brain-specific RNA splice variants to myriad smaller forms that contained intra-exonic junctions, insertions, deletions, and/or single nucleotide variations. DNA in situ hybridization identified gencDNAs within single neurons that were distinct from wild-type loci and absent from non-neuronal cells. Mechanistic studies supported neuronal 'retro-insertion' of RNA to produce gencDNAs; this process involved transcription, DNA breaks, reverse transcriptase activity, and age. Neurons from individuals with sporadic Alzheimer's disease showed increased gencDNA diversity, including eleven mutations known to be associated with familial Alzheimer's disease that were absent from healthy neurons. Neuronal gene recombination may allow 'recording' of neural activity for selective 'playback' of preferred gene variants whose expression bypasses splicing; this has implications for cellular diversity, learning and memory, plasticity, and diseases of the human brain.
Inotuzumab: from preclinical development to success in B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Inotuzumab ozogamicin (InO) is a recently US Food and Drug Administration-approved antibody-drug conjugate for the treatment of relapsed/refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). InO consists of a CD22-targeting immunoglobulin G4 humanized monoclonal antibody conjugated to calicheamicin. Although initially developed for the treatment of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) because of activity in preclinical models and high response rates in indolent lymphomas, a phase 3 trial was negative and further development focused on CD22+ ALL. Although results in NHL were disappointing, parallel testing in early-phase trials of CD22+ ALL demonstrated feasibility and efficacy. Subsequently, the randomized phase 3 Study Of Inotuzumab Ozogamicin Versus Investigator's Choice Of Chemotherapy In Patients With Relapsed Or Refractory Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia trial showed that InO was superior to standard of care regimens with a significantly improved complete remission (CR) rate in patients with relapsed/refractory disease (80.7% vs 29.4%, P < .001). Patients achieving CR with InO also had a significantly higher rate of undetectable minimal residual disease compared with chemotherapy (78.4% vs 28.1%, P < .001). InO-specific side effects, including veno-occlusive disease, have been an ongoing area of concern, and consensus guidelines for minimizing toxicities are now available. Ongoing trials are investigating the combination of InO with other agents in the relapse setting and the addition of InO to frontline therapy. This review details the preclinical and clinical development of InO, focusing on how best to use it and future directions for further development.
Outcomes of drainless outpatient parotidectomy.

BACKGROUND Superficial parotidectomy has traditionally been completed with a drain and overnight hospital stay. We report perioperative and postoperative outcomes for patients undergoing drainless outpatient parotidectomy vs traditional drained extended stay parotidectomy. METHODS Retrospective chart review from a single surgeon from 2009 to 2017 of patients undergoing parotidectomy, including demographic data, surgical approach, tumor pathology and size, blood loss, drain placement, postoperative pain control, and complications, was done. A comparison was performed between patients undergoing drain placement and those treated with "drainless" technique. RESULTS Ninety-one patients underwent parotidectomy (42 drainless; 49 drained). Intraoperative blood loss was lower in the "drainless" group (16.0 mL vs 34.9 mL, P < .001). There was a lower rate of facial nerve paresis in the "drainless" group compared with the "drained" cohort (7% vs 16.3%, P = .18). Seroma formation and infection rate was similar. CONCLUSION In the properly selected patient, outpatient drainless parotidectomy is a viable procedure with comparable outcomes to traditional extended stay drained parotidectomy.
Pulmonary embolism imaging: when is it too much?

We would like to commend Dhakal et al 1 for their research. This work highlights persistent and increasing overuse of imaging for ruling out pulmonary embolism (PE). Since the introduction of CT use for PE rule-out in the late 1990s, studies between 2000 and 2010 showed that use of CT for PE rule-out increased by greater than 10–15 times over the decade.2 3 Prior studies on evaluation of positivity of PE rule-out imaging have shown relatively high positivity ranging between 6% and 25%.4 5 Generally, positivity of less …
Religion Policy and the Faith-Based Initiative: Navigating the Shifting Boundaries between Church and State

Despite widespread presumption of a wall of separation between church and state, boundaries between the activities of religious and policy organizations in the United States are fluid and endlessly renegotiated. Faith-based organizations (FBOs) are full participants in complex policy networks in some policy areas (health, education, and social services), while in other issue areas FBOs have minimal if any impact. Government policies at national, state, and local levels directly or indirectly manipulate the incentives and disincentives of believers’ participation in policy-relevant activities.Religion policy encompasses a wide array of policy instruments (or policy tools), and this paper identifies the key determinants of diverse patterns of relationships among the leaders of religious and political organizations. The Bush-era faith-based initiative illustrates religion policy in action, revealing both its potential and its inherent limitations. This paper concludes with an examination of criteria by which the positive and negative consequences of increased FBO participation, for those involved in specific policy areas and for society as a whole, might be evaluated.
Dental sequelae of pediatric maxillofacial trauma

Purpose: Our goal was to explore dental complications in the pediatric population following facial trauma and identify those at risk. Patients and Methods: We queried children with fractures of tooth-supporting regions presenting from 2000 to 2014. Data elements included demographics, treatment method, and dental outcome measures. Results: A total of 117 subjects were identified. The average age at injury was 10.41 years, and average follow-up was 2.9 years. Fractures were grouped as mandibular (62.39%), maxillary (22.22%), or combination (15.39%). Dentition at time of injury was classified as primary (17.95%), mixed (38.46%), or permanent (43.59%). Conservative management was employed in 41.88%, open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) in 49.57%, and closed reduction and external fixation in 8.55%. The majority (67.52%) did not experience any dental trauma or sequela. Dental avulsion (10.26%), subluxation (10.26%), dysgenesis (5.13%), and development of a crossbite (5.13%), openbite (3.42%), and occlusal cant (0.85%) were observed. Avulsion was more likely in subjects requiring ORIF (P
Branched-Chain Fatty Acid Content Modulates Structure, Fluidity, and Phase in Model Microbial Cell Membranes.

Recent progress in understanding the importance and origins of lipid rafts in microbial cell membranes has focused attention on membranes containing branched-chain fatty acids. The working hypothesis is that branched fatty acids increase the fluidity of the bilayer, analogous to unsaturated fatty acids in membranes of higher organisms. Here, we perform a series of 7 μs long atomistic simulations on biomimetic, branched-chain lipid containing bilayer patches, systematically varying the amount of the straight-chain fatty acid component, n16:0, from 7.0 to 47.3 mol %. The simulations reveal thickening and ordering of the bilayer as well as higher bilayer viscosity and bending modulus with increasing n16:0 content, thus providing quantitative support that branched fatty acids increase the bilayer fluidity. A sharp transition in these properties is observed at ∼20% n16:0 content, resembling a phase change. The simulations provide the first access to ordered and disordered phases in a bacterial cell membrane mimic containing branched-chain lipids. Granted several assumptions, a comparison of these phases provides estimates of physical properties such as hydrophobic mismatch (∼1.2 A), difference in bending moduli (∼15.7 kBT), and the line tension (∼0.6 pN) for a putative lipid raft in the cell membrane of an organism such as Bacillus subtilis or Staphylococcus aureus.
Crystal Structure of Coesite, a High-Pressure Form of SiO2, at 15 and 298 K from Single-Crystal Neutron and X-Ray Diffraction Data: Test of Bonding Models.

Natural coesite, a dense variety of SiO2 stable between ∼ 2.5 and 9.5 GPa, crystallizes in space group C2/c. Cell dimensions are determined at 15 and 292 K by neutron diffraction and at 298 K by XRD.
Shooting in Cold Blood

On Stalin’s orders, about 1 million were shot during the 1937-1938 Great Terror (including the bulk of the Soviet officer corps); about 22,000 Polish officers were shot in 1940; and at the 1943 Tehran Conference, Stalin proposed that 50,000 German officers ‘must be shot.’ Hayek’s ‘Plan for the Future of Germany’ began with a description of what became Pinochet’s ‘Plan for the Future of Chile’: ‘Neither legal scruples nor a false humanitarianism should prevent the meeting out of full justice to the guilty individuals ... There are thousands, probably tens of thousands, who fully deserve death; and never in history was it easier to find the guilty men.’Hayek, Hitler and Pinochet sought to create irreversible versions of the past. Hitler’s method was to ‘cleanse the nation of its enemies,’ and the ‘Model Constitution’ that Hayek sent to Pinochet ‘would of course make all socialist measures for redistribution impossible’ and ‘could, therefore, only be imposed when socialists were unable to effectively object.’ In Pinochet’s Police State, tens of thousands were rounded up, maltreated and tortured, which left Hayek celebrating: ‘I have not been able to find a single person even in much maligned Chile who did not agree that personal freedom was much greater under Pinochet than it had been under Allende.’
Sleep Quality and Cognitive Function in Type 1 Diabetes: Findings From the Study of Longevity in Diabetes (SOLID).

Study objective The objective was to examine the association between sleep quality and global and domain-specific cognitive function among older individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Methods We evaluated 695 individuals with T1D aged 60 years or above who participated in the baseline assessment of the Study of Longevity in Diabetes (SOLID), which captured subjective sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) and global and domain-specific (language, executive function, episodic memory, and simple attention) cognitive function. Multivariable linear regressions estimated the associations between sleep quality quartiles and overall and domain-specific cognitive function adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, depressive symptoms, and severe hypoglycemic episodes. Sensitivity analyses examined the associations between aspects of sleep quality and global cognitive function. Results The worst sleep quality quartile was associated with lower global cognition (β=-0.08; 95% confidence interval: -0.17, -0.01) and lower executive function (β=-0.17, 95% confidence interval: -0.30, -0.03) compared with the best quartile of sleep quality adjusting for demographics and comorbidities. Sleep quality was not associated with language, episodic memory, or simple attention. Sleep medications and daytime dysfunction were most strongly associated with global cognition. Conclusion Our results suggest that sleep quality may be a modifiable risk factor for global cognitive function and executive function among elderly individuals with T1D.
The Auteur Theory in the Age of the Mini-Series

Dominant in mid-century, the auteur theory of cinema elevated the director of a film to a position of artistic eminence. The theory was eroded by theoretical attacks and by the rise of big-budget computer-driven action films. This chapter explores the further decline in the auteur theory wrought by the contemporary rise of the television mini-series. Various twenty-first-century mini-series have been critically acclaimed, but in most cases, these mini-series have multiple directors. There remains an aesthetic problem: can there be an integrated work of art when there is no integrating artist?
Nonequilibrium Phenomena in (Quasi-)thermal Plasma Flows

Thermal plasmas are utilized in diverse applications that require high power densities or throughputs, such as metal cutting, welding, spraying, metallurgy, and materials synthesis. Thermal plasma applications involve interactions between the highly energetic plasma and working gas streams, confining devices, or processing materials. Whereas thermal plasma implies a state of equilibrium (i.e. Local Thermodynamic Equilibrium, LTE), due to the above interactions, thermal plasma flows depict nonequilibrium phenomena of two types: kinetic and dissipative. Kinetic nonequilibrium manifests microscopically and is caused by localized imbalances between particles and fields interactions. Its occurrence is evidenced, for example, as deviations from thermal equilibrium between heavy-species and electrons or from mass-action laws. In contrast, dissipative nonequilibrium reveals macroscopically and is produced by external driving forces that incite distributed responses, such as the growth of instabilities, the occurrence of self-organization, or the establishment of turbulence. Although kinetic nonequilibrium has been increasingly incorporated in thermal plasma flow models (e.g. finite-rate chemistry, two-temperature models), it is the great advances in numerical computing that is enabling the exploration of dissipative nonequilibrium (e.g. pattern formation, small-scale turbulent features). Both types of nonequilibrium are reviewed, including their estimation and incidence, within the context of computational models and their relevance to thermal plasma sources and processes.
Trends in utilization of deceased donor kidneys based on hepatitis C virus status and impact of public health service labeling on discard.

Background Kidneys from deceased donors infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) are underutilized. Most HCV virus-infected donors are designated as Public Health Service increased donors (PHS-IR). Impact of PHS and HCV designations on discard is not well studied. Methods We queried the UNOS data set for all deceased donor kidneys between January 2015 and December 2018. The final study cohort donors (n = 38 702) were stratified into three groups based on HCV antibody (Ab) and NAT status: (a) Ab-/NAT- (n = 35 861); (b) Ab+/NAT- (n = 973); and (c) Ab±/NAT+ (n = 1868). We analyzed utilization/discard rates of these organs, the impact of PHS-IR and HCV designations on discard using multivariable two-level hierarchical logistic regression models, forecasted number of HCV viremic donors/kidneys by 2023. Results During the study period, (a) the number of viremic donor kidneys increased 2 folds; (b) the multilevel mixed-effects logistic regression models showed that, overall, the PHS labeling (OR 1.20, CI 95% CI 1.15-1.29) and HCV designation (OR 2.29; 95% CI 2.15-2.43) were independently associated with increased risk of discard; (c) contrary to the general perception, PHS-IR kidneys across all HCV groups, compared to PHS-IR kidneys were more likely to be discarded; (d) we forecasted that the number of kidneys from HCV viremic donor kidneys might increase from 1376 in 2019 to 2092 in 2023. Conclusion Hepatitis C virus viremic kidneys might represent 10%-15% of deceased donor organ pool soon with the current rate of the opioid epidemic. PHS labeling effect on discard requires further discussion of the utility of this classification.
Writing beyond "The Four Corners": Adolescent Girls Writing by, in, from, and for Bodies in School.

There is growing interest in foregrounding bodies in literacy research and pedagogy. Drawing across multiple conceptualizations of bodies as tools, mediums, and social texts, this qualitative case ...
The Sox2 transcription factor binds RNA.

Certain transcription factors are proposed to form functional interactions with RNA to facilitate proper regulation of gene expression. Sox2, a transcription factor critical for maintenance of pluripotency and neurogenesis, has been found associated with several lncRNAs, although it is unknown whether these interactions are direct or via other proteins. Here we demonstrate that human Sox2 interacts directly with one of these lncRNAs with high affinity through its HMG DNA-binding domain in vitro. These interactions are primarily with double-stranded RNA in a non-sequence specific fashion, mediated by a similar but not identical interaction surface. We further determined that Sox2 directly binds RNA in mouse embryonic stem cells by UV-cross-linked immunoprecipitation of Sox2 and more than a thousand Sox2-RNA interactions in vivo were identified using fRIP-seq. Together, these data reveal that Sox2 employs a high-affinity/low-specificity paradigm for RNA binding in vitro and in vivo. Some transcription factors have been proposed to functionally interact with RNA to facilitate proper regulation of gene expression. Here the authors demonstrate that human Sox2 interact directly and with high affinity to RNAs through its HMG DNA-binding domain.
Design and Computational Modeling of Fabric Soft Pneumatic Actuators for Wearable Assistive Devices

Assistive wearable soft robotic systems have recently made a surge in the field of biomedical robotics, as soft materials allow safe and transparent interactions between the users and devices. A recent interest in the field of soft pneumatic actuators (SPAs) has been the introduction of a new class of actuators called fabric soft pneumatic actuators (FSPAs). These actuators exploit the unique capabilities of different woven and knit textiles, including zero initial stiffness, full collapsibility, high power-to-weight ratio, puncture resistant, and high stretchability. By using 2D manufacturing methods we are able to create actuators that can extend, contract, twist, bend, and perform a combination of these motions in 3D space. This paper presents a comprehensive simulation and design tool for various types of FSPAs using finite element method (FEM) models. The FEM models are developed and experimentally validated, in order to capture the complex non-linear behavior of individual actuators optimized for free displacement and blocked force, applicable for wearable assistive tasks.
Teaching Pain Management in Serious Illness in the Era of the Opioid Epidemic: A Team-Based Intervention.

Introduction Despite the prevalence of pain in patients with serious illness, recent guidelines for opioid prescribing practices have largely excluded palliative care patients. In lieu of such guid...
Curation of a Multiple Myeloma Cell Surface Database for Immunotherapy Development

Background/Objective: Every year in the United States, 32,000 individuals are diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma (MM) and 13,000 die from the disease. MM is a cancer of the plasma cells and while treatment exists, MM remains incurable. Our overall goal is to identify biologically and therapeutically relevant cell surface targets to develop MM immunotherapy. Methods: Given the genomic heterogeneity of MM, we performed surface analysis of seven MM cell lines by Mass-Spectrometry (MS), generating a pool of candidate proteins. Lacking specific tools for studying cell surface proteins, we developed an integrated computational tool with five distinct databases, and scored the likelihood of cell surface location for each molecule. One point was given for each database a protein appeared in. A protein receiving a score of three or more was considered a cell surface protein with high confidence. However, about one third of the candidates were not detected by the computational tool, thus requiring manual curation. We used UniProt and GeneCards to determine the subcellular locations of the unannotated IDs, and further confirmed their location with the computational tool. Results: Of the 5,454 UniProt IDs produced by MS, 2,026 were not annotated. Causes of an unannotated ID included having an obsolete ID, being an isoform, and/or not being located on the cell surface. Through manual annotation, 8 unique cell surface IDs were added to the existing 448. The 456 targets were further analyzed based on their expression profiles in both MM and normal tissues resulting in 94 of the most promising targets, some of which would have been missed without manual curation. Conclusion/Potential Impact: Public genomic databases are often incomplete and may contain errors making manual curation a necessary step in error reduction. Left unchecked, promising surface targets could have been overlooked hindering the creation of potentially curative immunotherapies.
Analysis on E-commerce Order Cancellations Using Market Segmentation Approach

This study investigates the application of market segmentation on E-commerce canceled orders. It uses a transnational dataset that contains transactions of an online retail store during a year. The analysis process includes 1) an exploratory data analysis on the canceled orders which makes up a considerably amount of the dataset to show their characteristics. 2) a production segmentation that utilize the k-means clustering to create 5 product clusters. 3) a customer segmentation with k-means clustering using the production segments and customer features which results in 7 segments. In the process, the study compares silhouette scores and applies principal component analysis to optimize the number of clusters. The conclusion shows that market segmentation serves as an effective tool to distinguish products and consumers with different characteristics and help make suggestions to businesses. Also, including attitudinal features into the analysis process will result in improved customer profiles.
Proyecto Hidroaysén: capitalismo extractivista, regulación estatal y acción colectiva en la Patagonia

En este articulo entendemos que el eje de los conflictos ambientales en general, y en la Patagonia en particular, esta definido por la forma especifica de produccion del territorio. Es decir, sobre el uso de los activos naturales, las relaciones que se establecen con la naturaleza, las formas de gobernar estos territorios (actores) y cual es la relacion que mantienen con otros. La emergencia de este tipo de conflictos se explica por la expansion del capitalismo extractivista en zonas de frontera y por la escasa presencia del Estado a nivel local, en terminos de provision de servicios y de una debil regulacion en materia ambiental que acaba favoreciendo intereses territorialmente exogenos y contrarios a los endogenos. Frente al anuncio de la construccion de cinco centrales hidroelectricas en la region de Aysen-Chile, en este articulo se analiza la accion de los tres principales actores: Comunidad, Estado y empresa privada, que interactuan durante el proceso de discusion y aprobacion del megaproyecto Hidroaysen, proponiendo escenarios territoriales desde racionalidades diferentes, que definen modelos de desarrollo contradictorios para una bioregion.
The t(1;19)(q23;p13) results in consistent fusion of E2A and PBX1 coding sequences in acute lymphoblastic leukemias

The t(1;19)(q23;p13) chromosomal translocation is observed cytogenetically in 25% of children with pre-B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and is associated with an adverse treatment outcome. The t(1;19) juxtaposes the E2A gene from chromosome 19 with the PBX1 gene on chromosome 1, leading to the production of fusion transcripts and resultant chimeric proteins that contain the transcriptional-activating motif of E2A and the DNA-binding homeodomain of PBX1. To investigate the molecular nature of E2A/PBX1 fusion in patients with t(1;19) ALL we used an RNA-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR) procedure to amplify a portion of the chimeric transcript. We detected E2A/PBX1 fusion transcripts in cells from 97% (37 of 38) of cases in which the t(1;19) had been observed cytogenetically. Molecular evidence of E2A/PBX1 fusion transcripts was also observed in a patient in whom a t(1;19) was not detected cytogenetically and in one patient with subclinical levels of minimal residual disease before overt clinical relapse. In all PCR- positive cases the junction of E2A and PBX1 coding sequences occurred at precisely the same location as demonstrated by hybridization of PCR products with a fusion site-specific detection oligonucleotide. These findings demonstrate the consistent fusion of E2A and PBX1 coding sequences resulting from t(1;19) and suggest that site-specific fusion of E2A and PBX1 is an important pathogenic event in t(1;19) ALL.
Coming to Terms with Adoption: The Construction of Identity from Adolescence into Adulthood

Abstract This article focuses on the development of personal identity of adopted individuals from adolescence into adulthood. For adopted persons, identity development involves exploration of alternative futures as well as coming to terms with the facts of one's adoption. Integration of adoption into one's overall sense of identity is discussed, as is evidence about adopted persons' construction of identity from the perspective of first-person accounts, reports from clinicians, and research on identity and adoption. A conceptual scheme regarding adoptive identity development is outlined, and implications for research and practice are discussed.
Method for Reinforcing Threads in Multilayer Composite Tubes and Cylindrical Structures

Multilayer techniques such as: tape wrapping, braiding, and filament winding represent versatile and economical routes for fabricating composite tubes and cylindrical structures. However, multilayer architectures lack the radial reinforcement required to retain threads when the desired means of connection or closure is a threaded joint. This issue was addressed in the development of a filament wound, carbon-carbon composite impact shell for the NASA radioisotope thermoelectric generator. The problem of poor thread shear strength was solved by incorporating a number of radial elements of triangular geometry around the circumference of the thread for the full length of thread engagement. The radial elements significantly increased the shear strength of the threaded joint by transmitting the applied force to the balance of composite structure. This approach is also applicable to ceramic composites.
Probabilistically Guided Prefix Gene Expression Programming

Over the years there has been an increasing interest in probabilistically oriented Evolutionary Algorithms (EAs), but it has not been until recently that these innovative methods have been collectively recognized and achieved an independent status. By eliminating the traditionally employed genetic operators, these probabilistic EAs have been forced to adopt an alternative approach, and in the case of Estimation of Distribution Algorithms (EDAs), probabilistic graphical models have become the favored substitute. In this paper, we propose to utilize a previously overlooked probabilistic model known as Hidden Markov Models (HMMs). But preferring not to completely abandon the biologically inspired genetic operations, we largely ignore the classical learning algorithms used to train HMMs, and instead use Differential Evolution (DE) to evolve the underlying numerical parameters of the chosen probabilistic model. The evolved HMMs are then used to generate Prefix Gene Expression Programming (PGEP) chromosomes which encode candidate solutions, and thus provide feedback to guide this proposed evolutionary search process. Finally, benchmarking on a set of symbolic function regression problems has been conducted in order to compare this novel approach to the existing PGEP method.
Predictors Of Accounting Salaries: A Comparison Of Bachelor Degree Graduate Salaries With Associate Degree Graduate Salaries

This paper reports on an investigation comparing the employment salary of bachelor degree in accounting graduates with associate degree in accounting graduates two years after their graduation. Using hierarchical regression analyses, this study shows the predictive strength of participants’ academic qualifications, age, gender, GPA, professional qualifications, field of employment and type of employment on salary-level. Findings reveal that participants with a bachelor degree in accounting earn significantly more than those with an associate degree in accounting and that academic qualification, age, professional qualification and field of employment to be significant predictors of salary. Educational implications of these findings are discussed.
Scaling peak VO2 to body mass in young male and female distance runners.

This study examined age- and sex-associated variation in peak oxygen consumption (V˙o 2) of young male and female distance runners from an allometric scaling perspective. Subjects were from two sep...
Chronic subdural hematoma in childhood acute leukemia

Chronic subdural hematomas were present at necropsy in 13 of 126 children with acute lymphocytic leukemia (10.3%), and were absent in other types of acute leukemia. Thrombocytopenia, which was usually associated with acute subdural bleeding, was thought to have an insignificant role in the pathogenesis of chronic subdural hematoma. Clinically, the frequent coexistence of meningeal leukemia and chronic subdural hematoma made diagnosis difficult. We believe that chronic subdural hematoma should be suspected in children with acute lymphocytic leukemia and neurologic symptoms who have no pleocytosis or blast cells in the cerebrospinal fluid, seizures, focal neurologic signs, or poor clinical response to therapy for meningeal leukemia. In view of the improving prognosis of acute lymphocytic leukemia, an aggressive diagnostic and therapeutic approach is advocated.
Effects of thermal history on anisotropic and asymmetric membranes formed by thermally induced phase separation

The effects of thermal history, such as cooling rate and quench temperature, on membrane structure were investigated in the formation of anisotropic and asymmetric membranes via thermally induced phase separation. A polymer concentration gradient was produced by evaporating the diluent from the top surface of an isotactic polypropylene-diphenyl ether melt-blend before cooling to induce phase separation. The quench temperature and the quench medium (that is, air or water) were used to influence the cell size and the diameter of crystallized spherulites. The membrane structures are discussed in terms of the calculated polymer volume fraction as a function of position from the top to bottom surfaces. To superimpose a cooling rate gradient on the polymer concentration gradient, one side of the sample was immersed in ice water after the evaporation. This combined use of a thermal gradient and concentration gradient produced pronounced asymmetric structures with a skin layer at the top surface.
Balancing of energy-consuming processes of K 562 cells.

A balance of ATP-consuming processes in human erythroleukemia (K 562) cells by use of the decreased 14CO2 formation from [1-14C]-glutamate following inhibition of energy-requiring processes is presented. This method was tested on Ehrlich mouse ascites tumour cells and was used in suspensions of K 562 cells with a low cell content. More than 90 per cent of the ATP produced by oxidative phosphorylation could be accounted for in K 562 cells. Protein synthesis consumed about 35 per cent, Na+/K+-ATPase about 20 per cent and transcription processes 5–10 per cent of the total ATP. The share of the Ca2+-dependent reactions was notably high at 25 per cent in comparison with Ehrlich mouse ascites tumour cells, reticulocytes or hepatocytes. ATP consumption by DNA synthesis was assessed at 5–10 per cent. Only less than 10 per cent of the consumption of ATP produced oxidatively remained for other cellular reactions. The degree of coupling of K 562 cells was high in comparison with that of other eukaryotic cell types.
Patronage and Power: Russia’s Dominant Party Regime

Following the election cycle of 2007–2008, Russia prepares to enter a phase marked by a change of presidents but continuity in the model of legislative-executive relations that was established under Vladimir Putin. During Putin’s presidency, Russia created an authoritarian dominant party regime. In such a system, patronage and coercion are used to ensure the dominant party’s control of elective offices. In Russia, United Russia’s commanding majority in parliament ensures that the president and government can enact their legislative agenda without opposition. The arrangement allows parliamentarians to enjoy substantial material benefits and patronage opportunities as champions of powerful commercial interests in return for conceding authoritarian powers to the president.
Differential TCR gene usage between WC1 − and WC1 + ruminant γδ T cell subpopulations including those responding to bacterial antigen

Ruminant gammadelta T cells are divided into subpopulations based on the presence or absence of WC1 co-receptors (scavenger-receptor-cysteine-rich family members uniquely expressed on gammadelta T cells). Evidence suggests WC1+ are inflammatory while WC1- are regulatory and that they also differ in their tissue distribution. Recently, this paradigm was refined further as cells that produce interferon-gamma and proliferate to autologous antigens, leptospira antigens, or IL-12 were largely found within the WC1+ subpopulation that bears the WC1.1 antigenic epitope but not that bearing the WC1.2 epitope. Here, the T cell receptor gene expression by these different subpopulations (WC1-, WC1.1+, and WC1.2+) was compared using flow cytometrically-purified cells and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The WC1- gammadelta T cells had transcripts for all 11 possible combinations of the TRG subgroup V and C genes while those in both WC1+ subpopulations were restricted to TRGV3-TRGC5 and TRGV7-TRGC5. In contrast, all three subpopulations expressed transcripts from all four known bovine TRDV genes. Further analysis of the WC1+ gammadelta T cells that proliferated in leptospira antigen-stimulated cultures indicated that they do not represent a unique subpopulation within the larger WC1+ population based on their TCR gene usage. Moreover, sequencing of 65 transcripts showed that their junctional regions were diverse as TRGJ5-1, TRGJ5-2, TRDJ1, and TRDJ3 were used, and CDR3s ranged from 9 to 24 amino acids. The restricted but shared gammadelta TCR gene usage for WC1.1+, WC1.2+, and WC1(+)-antigen-responsive cells leaves open the possibility that the WC1 co-receptor is an important determining element in the activation process and subsequent response.
Pharmacokinetics of intravenous and oral prethcamide in horses

Abstract The respiratory stimulant prethcamide is a mixture of equal parts of crotethamide and cropropamide. A specific and sensitive gas chromatographic method for the determination of crotethamide and cropropamide in horse plasma and urine is described. Both components of prethcamide were extracted from plasma and urine into dichloromethane. The extracts were analyzed by capillary gas chromatography with thermionic detection in the nitrogen-specific detection mode. The lower limits of quantitation were 4.0 ng ml −1 of plasma and 10.0 ng ml −1 of urine. Calibration curves were linear from 2.0–100 ng ml −1 of plasma for both components. Pharmacokinetic parameters for crotethamide and cropropamide after intravenous and oral dosing were estimated by analysis of plasma concentration versus time data. The total plasma clearance of cropropamide was greater than that of crotethamide and both values were greater than 5 ml min −1 kg −1 . Renal clearance values of the two drugs were comparable and were much less than estimates of filtration clearance values in horses, indicating extensive re-absorption of both components from the renal tubules. Both compounds were metabolized by N-demethylation of the [(dimethylamino)-carbonyl]-propyl moiety and these metabolites were excreted in urine. The method was demonstrated to be suitable for detecting illicit administration of prethcamide to competition horses.
Ras Promotes Nonautonomous Cell Death in Response to Radiation: Insights From a Novel Drosophila-based Model of Radiation Therapy

Purpose/Objective: Blood flow and flow-related microenvironment play an important role in radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Increased perfusion heightens tumor radiosensitivity and drug delivery. 20-hydroxy5,8,11,14-eicosatetraenoic acid (20-HETE) is a cytochrome P450-derived arachidonic acid metabolite in the microcirculation where it increases vascular tone. In addition, 20-HETE mediates proliferation, angiogenesis, and inflammation, all of which are important in cancer pathogenesis. Studies in our laboratory identified 20-HETE as the mediator of androgen-induced vascular dysfunction and hypertension. Given that androgen plays a major role in prostate cancer (PCa), we examined whether 20-HETE is present in PCa, and whether it regulates PCa vasculature and blood flow. Materials/Methods: LNCaP cell line was from ATCC. RWPE-1 cell line was a gift from Dr. John Pinto (New York Medical College), and primary human prostate stromal cells (LONZA). 20-HETE and 20-hydroxy-6,15eicosadienoic acid (20-HEDE, a 20-HETE antagonist) were chemically synthesized. LNCaP suspension (4x10 cells in 100ml) was xenografted subcutaneously in nude mice. Tumors studied after reaching 1.5-2 cm diameter. Blood flow and vascular function were measured in situ by creating a tumor window submerged with Krebs and using laser Doppler. Tumors were removed and vessels were microdissected for functional and biochemical analyses. Ex vivo tumor blood vessel function was assessed with pressure-myograph. 20-HETE was measured in cells and tissue homogenates by LC/MS/MS. Results: Twenty-HETE was non-detected in normal RWPE-1 prostate epithelial cell line or in primary human prostate stroma cells. In contrast, 20-HETE levels in LNCaP cells amounted to 566 139 pg/mg protein. Similar levels of 20-HETE were detected in homogenized tumor tissue derived from LNCaP cells (425 97 pg/mg protein). Interestingly, 20HETE was not detected in tumor microvessels. Addition of the 20-HEDE (1 mM) in situ increased tumor vessel diameter by 30 mm; this increase was attenuated by 20-HETE in a dose-dependent manner. Similarly, addition of 20-HEDE (1 mM) increased tumor vessel perfusion by 1.7 0.2-fold, which was reversed with 20-HETE (1 mM). Tumor vessel function assessed ex vivo by pressure-myograph demonstrated vasoconstriction with the addition of 20-HETE that was attenuated by cotreatment of 20-HEDE. Conclusion: This study suggests that PCa derived 20-HETE exerts a vasoconstriction influence on the tumor vasculature leading to reduction in blood flow. Inhibition of 20-HETE synthesis or blockade of 20-HETE actions may lead to increase blood flow, and thereby increasing drug delivery and radiosensitivity. Author Disclosure: C. Wu: None. Y. Liu: None. F.F. Zhang: None. M. Schwartzman: None.
Quality of life among patients with primary, metastatic and recurrent cancer

Diagnosis of cancer is an emotionally traumatic event that significantly impacts the quality of life (QoL) of the patients. Progression to metastasis or recurrence of cancer after first diagnosis poses a greater threat to life that further increases this emotional trauma and can worsen the QoL. In this research we sought to explore the differences in QoL (symptom severity and physical functioning) experienced by primary non-metastatic (PNM), primary metastatic (PM) and recurrent (RC) cancer patients. Cancer patients recruited in two cognitive intervention trials formed the sample for this analysis. Data were analysed using longitudinal mixed models, with two interaction terms. Least square means were calculated and compared. Over the period of study RC patients reported the worst symptom severity and physical function followed by PM and PNM patients. Primary non-metastatic patients showed a steady decline in severity whereas PM and RC showed slight gains after the first follow-up. Primary non-metastatic patients displayed best physical functioning followed by PM and RC patients, and remained stable over time. Breast cancer patients displayed most variation in symptom severity among the three progression groups, whereas significant variation in physical function among the three groups was observed within all cancer sites.
Identifying a Barotropic Growth Mechanism in East Pacific Tropical Cyclogenesis Using Adjoint-Derived Sensitivity Gradients

AbstractThe eastern Pacific tropical cyclone basin is typified by a low-level westerly jet with the main development region residing on its northern, cyclonic-shear side. The persistent meridional shear of the zonal flow associated with the jet allows for the possibility of barotropic conversion of energy from the mean state into the kinetic energy of vortices—possibly contributing to tropical cyclogenesis, but this is difficult to quantify by perturbing the model based on intuition since there is no guarantee that perturbations will favorably interact with the jet to facilitate cyclogenesis.Here, sensitivity gradients of vortex intensity through cyclogenesis are calculated for a set of cases spanning from 2004 to 2010 and are interpreted dynamically to determine which cases have sensitivities describing structures that can grow barotropically from the low-level jet. The adjoint model is run with adiabatic physics linearized about a basic state that contains moist convection. Optimal perturbations derived...
The determinants of cross-sectional liquidity in the IPO aftermarket

This article examines the determinants of cross-sectional liquidity in the Initial Public Offering (IPO) aftermarket. Previous literature suggests that liquidity trading, information asymmetry, the extent of estimation uncertainty and heterogeneity of opinion are related to share turnover of seasoned stocks, whereas very few papers examine the factors of liquidity of newly listed firms. Because IPO stocks typically experience a volatile trading period following the IPO issuance date, I draw on the literature on trading activities and IPO firms and explore the sources, if any, of IPO liquidity during the period of 1995 through 2005. I also examine IPO attributes, such as the presence of venture capital and the number of underwriters in a syndicate. The results of random effects models suggest that liquidity trading, the mass of informed agents and certain IPO attributes play a role in explaining IPO trading activity. In contrast to previous studies on the trading activity of seasoned stocks, I find that di...
Tropospheric and lower stratospheric vertical profiles of ethane and acetylene

The first known vertical distributions of ethane and acetylene which extend into the lower stratosphere are reported. The average upper tropospheric concentrations, between 20,000 ft and 35,000 ft, near 37 deg N-123 deg W were 1.2 micrograms/cu m (1.0 ppb) for ethane and 0.24 micrograms /cu m (0.23 ppb) for acetylene while the values near 9 N-80 W were 0.95 micrograms/cu m (0.77 ppb) and 0.09 micrograms/cu m (0.09 ppb), respectively. Detectable quantities of both ethane and acetylene are present in the lower stratosphere. There is a sharp decrease in the levels of these two compounds as one crosses the tropopause and ascends into the lower stratosphere. The observed levels of ethane and acetylene may allow some impact on the background chemistry of the troposphere and stratosphere.
Concanavalin A-induced lysis of zoospores of Blastocladiella emersonii

Abstract Concanavalin A (ConA) induces lysis of zoospores of the aquatic fungus Blastocladiella emersonii . The rapid lysis can be completely blocked by α-methyl- d -mannoside. At lower temperatures the cells are more tolerant towards lysis compared with cells at room temperature. Dimeric ConA derivatives and Lens culinaris hemagglutinin A are less effective, whilst other lectins tested do not induce lysis at all. We suggest that cluster formation of adjacent ConA receptors precedes lysis.
Short-Term Home Visiting for Parents

The purpose of this article is to review various aspects of home-visiting programs that have shown to be effective in recent literature to inform policy makers, practitioners, and other involved stakeholders of the current best practices or limitations and to discuss future recommendations based on the literature. Areas of review include intervention design, home-visitor qualifications to fit program design, ongoing staff training and supervision, cultural competency, family-centered approaches, and appropriate intensity and duration through frequent home visiting. Home visiting demonstrates many promising outcomes, as well as challenges, and home-visiting programs would benefit most from more research and more collaboration between programs, service providers, policy makers, and funding sources.