cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Research Implications of Prostate Specific Antigen Registry Errors: Data from the Veterans Health Administration

Purpose: We sought to characterize the effects of prostate specific antigen registry errors on clinical research by comparing cohorts based on cancer registry prostate specific antigen values with those based directly on results in the electronic health record.Materials and Methods: We defined sample cohorts of men with prostate cancer using data from the Veterans Health Administration, including those with a prostate specific antigen value less than 4.0, 4.0 to 10.0, 10.0 to 20.0 and 20.0 to 98.0 ng/ml, respectively. We compared the composition of each cohort and overall patient survival when using prostate specific antigen values from the Veteran Affairs Central Cancer Registry vs the gold standard electronic health record laboratory file results.Results: There was limited agreement among cohorts when defined by cancer registry prostate specific antigen values vs the laboratory file of the electronic health record. The least agreement of 58% was seen in patients with prostate specific antigen less than ...
Pencil beam scanning versus passively scattered proton therapy for unresectable pancreatic cancer

Background: With an increasing number of proton centers capable of delivering pencil beam scanning (PBS), understanding the dosimetric differences in PBS compared to passively scattered proton therapy (PSPT) for pancreatic cancer is of interest. Methods: Optimized PBS plans were retrospectively generated for 11 patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer previously treated with PSPT to 59.4 Gy on a prospective trial. The primary tumor was targeted without elective nodal coverage. The same treatment couch, target coverage and normal tissue dose objectives were used for all plans. A Wilcoxon t -test was performed to compare various dosimetric points between the two plans for each patient. Results: All target volume coverage goals were met in all PBS and passive scattering (PS) plans, except for the planning target volume (PTV) coverage goal (V100% >95%) which was not met in one PS plan (range, 81.8–98.9%). PBS was associated with a lower median relative dose (102.4% vs . 103.8%) to 10% of the PTV (P=0.001). PBS plans had a lower median duodenal V59.4 Gy (37.4% vs . 40.4%; P=0.014), lower small bowel median V59.4 Gy (0.11% vs . 0.37%; P=0.012), lower stomach median V59.4 Gy (0.01% vs . 0.1%; P=0.023), and lower median dose to 0.1 cc of the spinal cord {35.0 vs . 38.7 Gy [relative biological effectiveness (RBE)]; P=0.001}. Liver dose was higher in PBS plans for median V5 Gy (24.1% vs . 20.2%; P=0.032), V20 Gy (3.2% vs . 2.8%; P=0.010), and V25 Gy (2.6% vs . 2.2%; P=0.019). There was no difference in kidney dose between PBS and PS plans. Conclusions: Proton therapy for locally advanced pancreatic cancer using PBS was not clearly associated with clinically meaningful reductions in normal tissue dose compared to PS. Some statistically significant improvements in PTV coverage were achieved using PBS. PBS may offer improved conformality for the treatment of irregular targets, and further evaluation of PBS and PS incorporating elective nodal irradiation should be considered.
Pharmacokinetics of Human Red Blood Cell Microparticles Prepared Using High-Pressure Extrusion Method

Red blood cell microparticles (RMPs) is a high potency hemostatic agent, which may serve as a viable therapeutic approach. They generate thrombin in vitro and effective in arresting bleeding in animal bleeding models. However, prior to ascertaining the clinical efficacy of RMPs, detailed preclinical evaluation is necessary. Therefore, we aimed to characterize RMPs, ascertain their stability, and determine their pharmacokinetics in rats. RMPs were prepared from human RBCs by a high-pressure extrusion method. Pharmacokinetic parameters were computed from groups receiving various RMPs dosing regimens. Volume of distribution, elimination rate constant, and clearance for RMPs were also assessed. Major portion of prepared microparticles were RMPs and a very small portion of particles were from platelets and leukocytes. RMPs were stable when stored at 5 and -20°C for at least 12 months. In vivo half-life was found to vary for each paradigm, but in general, was less than 2 min for most of the paradigms evaluated. Our results demonstrate that RMPs are stable during prolonged storage and have a short half-life. Therefore, the clinical use of RMPs as a hemostatic agent, within a tailored treatment paradigm, may be advantageous in achieving prolonged systemic therapeutic benefit without provoking any thrombotic complications.
A printed circuit board approach to measuring current distribution in a fuel cell

A new method of measuring current distribution in a polymer electrolyte fuel cell of active area 100cm2 has been demonstrated, using a printed circuit board (PCB) technology to segment the current collector and flow field. The PCB technique was demonstrated to be an effective approach to fabricating a segmented electrode and provide a useful tool for analysing cell performance at different reactant gas flow rates and humidification strategies. In this initial chapter of work with the segmented cell, we describe measured effects on current distribution of cathode and anode gas stream humidification levels in a hydrogen/air cell, utilizing a NafionTM 117 membrane and single serpentine channel flow fields, and operating at relatively high gas flow rates. Effects of the stoichiometric flow of air are also shown. A clear trend is seen, apparently typical for a thick ionomeric membrane, of lowering in membrane resistance down the flow channel, bringing about the highest local current density near the air outlet. This trend is reversed at low stoichiometric flows of air. At an air flow rate less than three times stoichiometry, the local performance starts to drop significantly from inlet to outlet, as local oxygen concentration drop overshadows the lowering in resistance along the direction of flow.
Energy Marketplace Transactions

The hourly spot price is the basis of the energy marketplace because it provides the foundation for all transactions. Chapter I introduced three different types of transactions. This chapter discusses these transactions in more detail and relates them to present-day transactions rates.
Neurocomputational models of motor and cognitive deficits in Parkinson’s disease

Abstract We review the contributions of biologically constrained computational models to our understanding of motor and cognitive deficits in Parkinson’s disease (PD). The loss of dopaminergic neurons innervating the striatum in PD, and the well-established role of dopamine (DA) in reinforcement learning (RL), enable neural network models of the basal ganglia (BG) to derive concrete and testable predictions. We focus in this review on one simple underlying principle – the notion that reduced DA increases activity and causes long-term potentiation in the indirect pathway of the BG. We show how this theory can provide a unified account of diverse and seemingly unrelated phenomena in PD including progressive motor degeneration as well as cognitive deficits in RL, decision making and working memory. DA replacement therapy and deep brain stimulation can alleviate some aspects of these impairments, but can actually introduce negative effects such as motor dyskinesias and cognitive impulsivity. We discuss these treatment effects in terms of modulation of specific mechanisms within the computational framework. In addition, we review neurocomputational interpretations of increased impulsivity in the face of response conflict in patients with deep-brain-stimulation.
Ferroelectric polymers exhibiting behaviour reminiscent of a morphotropic phase boundary

Piezoelectricity—the direct interconversion between mechanical and electrical energies—is usually remarkably enhanced at the morphotropic phase boundary of ferroelectric materials1–4, which marks a transition region in the phase diagram of piezoelectric materials and bridges two competing phases with distinct symmetries1,5. Such enhancement has enabled the recent development of various lead and lead-free piezoelectric perovskites with outstanding piezoelectric properties for use in actuators, transducers, sensors and energy-harvesting applications5–8. However, the morphotropic phase boundary has never been observed in organic materials, and the absence of effective approaches to improving the intrinsic piezoelectric responses of polymers9,10 considerably hampers their application to flexible, wearable and biocompatible devices. Here we report stereochemically induced behaviour in ferroelectric poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-trifluoroethylene) (P(VDF-TrFE)) copolymers, which is similar to that observed at morphotropic phase boundaries in perovskites. We reveal that compositionally tailored tacticity (the stereochemical arrangement of chiral centres related to the TrFE monomers11,12) can lead to intramolecular order-to-disorder evolution in the crystalline phase and thus to an intermediate transition region that is reminiscent of the morphotropic phase boundary, where competing ferroelectric and relaxor properties appear simultaneously. Our first-principles calculations confirm the crucial role of chain tacticity in driving the formation of this transition region via structural competition between the trans-planar and 3/1-helical phases. We show that the P(VDF-TrFE) copolymer with the morphotropic composition exhibits a longitudinal piezoelectric coefficient of −63.5 picocoulombs per newton, outperforming state-of-the-art piezoelectric polymers10. Given the flexibility in the molecular design and synthesis of organic ferroelectric materials, this work opens up the way for the development of scalable, high-performance piezoelectric polymers.
Molecular Evolution of the Major Arthropod Chemoreceptor Gene Families

The evolutionary origins of the three major families of chemoreceptors in arthropods-the odorant receptor (OR), gustatory receptor (GR), and ionotropic receptor (IR) families-occurred at the base of the Insecta, Animalia, and Protostomia, respectively. Comparison of receptor family sizes across arthropods reveals a generally positive correlation with their widely disparate complexity of chemical ecology. Closely related species reveal the ongoing processes of gene family evolution, including gene duplication, divergence, pseudogenization, and loss, that mediate these larger patterns. Sets of paralogous receptors within species reveal positive selection on amino acids in regions likely to contribute to ligand binding and specificity. Ligands of many ORs and some GRs and IRs have been identified; however, ligand identification for many more chemoreceptors is needed, as are structures for the OR/GR superfamily, to improve our understanding of the molecular evolution of these ecologically important receptors in arthropods.
Adolescent suicide as a failure of acute stress-response systems

Suicide is the second leading cause of death worldwide for adolescents. Despite decades of research on correlates and risk factors for adolescent suicide, we know little about why suicidal ideation and behavior frequently emerge in adolescence and how to predict, and ultimately prevent, suicidal behavior among youths. In this review, we first discuss knowledge regarding correlates, risk factors, and theories of suicide. We then review why adolescence is a period of unique vulnerability, given changing biology and social network reorganization. Next, we present a conceptual model through which to interpret emerging findings in adolescent suicide research. We suggest that a promising area for future research is to examine adolescent suicide as a failure of biological responses to acute stress in the proximal moments of a suicidal crisis. After reviewing initial evidence for this conceptualization, we review future directions for studies on adolescent suicide.
Establishing BARA: Biological Nitrogen Fixation for Future Agriculture

The extensive use of nitrogen (N) fertilizers implicates a paradox. While fertilizers ensure the supply of a large amount of food, they cause negative environmental externalities including reduced biodiversity, eutrophic streams, and lakes. Moreover, such fertilizers may also result in a major public health hazard: increased antibiotic resistance. This Perspective discusses a critical role of perturbations in N cycle caused by excessive use of fertilizers and resulting implications as they relate to resistance genes and biodiversity in the biosphere. While there are solutions such as cover crops, these solutions are expensive and inconvenient for farmers. We advocate the use of biological fixation for staple crops--microbiome mediated natural supply of fixed N. This would involve engineering a microbiome that can be grown cheaply and at scale (less expensive than Haber-Bosch fertilizers). We also propose a practical framework of where and how research investments should be directed to make such a solution feasible. We make three recommendations for decision-makers to facilitate a successful trajectory for this solution. First, that future agricultural science seek to understand how biological fixation might be employed as a practical and efficient strategy. This effort would require that industries and government partner to establish a pre-competitive research laboratory equipped with the latest state-of-the-art technologies that conduct metagenomic experiments to reveal signature microbiomes. Second, the Department of Agriculture and state governments provide research and development (R & D) tax credits to biotech companies specifically geared towards R&D investments aimed at increasing the viability of biological fixation and microbiome engineering. Third, governments and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) coordinate Biological Advanced Research in Agriculture (BARA)--a global agricultural innovation initiative for investments and research in biological fixation and ethical, legal, and social implications of such innovation.
Elovanoids counteract oligomeric β-amyloid-induced gene expression and protect photoreceptors.

The onset of neurodegenerative diseases activates inflammation that leads to progressive neuronal cell death and impairments in cognition (Alzheimer’s disease) and sight (age-related macular degeneration [AMD]). How neuroinflammation can be counteracted is not known. In AMD, amyloid β-peptide (Aβ) accumulates in subretinal drusen. In the 5xFAD retina, we found early functional deficiencies (ERG) without photoreceptor cell (PRC) death and identified early insufficiency in biosynthetic pathways of prohomeostatic/neuroprotective mediators neuroprotectin D1 (NPD1) and elovanoids (ELVs). To mimic an inflammatory milieu in wild-type mouse, we triggered retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) damage/PRC death by subretinally injected oligomeric β-amyloid (OAβ) and observed that ELVs administration counteracted their effects, protecting these cells. In addition, ELVs prevented OAβ-induced changes in gene expression engaged in senescence, inflammation, autophagy, extracellular matrix remodeling, and AMD. Moreover, as OAβ targets the RPE, we used primary human RPE cell cultures and demonstrated that OAβ caused cell damage, while ELVs protected and restored gene expression as in mouse. Our data show OAβ activates senescence as reflected by enhanced expression of p16INK4a, MMP1, p53, p21, p27, and Il-6, and of senescence-associated phenotype secretome, followed by RPE and PRC demise, and that ELVs 32 and 34 blunt these events and elicit protection. In addition, ELVs counteracted OAβ-induced expression of genes engaged in AMD, autophagy, and extracellular matrix remodeling. Overall, our data uncovered that ELVs downplay OAβ-senescence program induction and inflammatory transcriptional events and protect RPE cells and PRC, and therefore have potential as a possible therapeutic avenue for AMD.
Neural Implementation of Behavioral Hierarchy

A vast array of animal behavior—from locomotion to human speech—is thought to consist of different hierarchical levels, but its neural implementation remains poorly understood. In this issue of Neuron, Kaplan et al. (2020) identify neuronal circuit dynamics responsible for multiple levels and timescales of hierarchical locomotion control in Caenorhabditis elegans.
Integral Representations in Complex Analysis: From Classical Results to Recent Developments

After a review of key classical results concerning integral kernels in multidimensional complex analysis and their numerous applications, we discuss some of the central open problems in the general case of weakly pseudoconvex domains. In the final section we describe some more recent results that suggest new approaches towards making progress on some of these problems.
Interhemispheric connectivity endures across species: An allometric exposé on the corpus callosum

Rilling & Insel have argued that in primates, bigger brains have proportionally fewer anatomical interhemispheric connections, leading to reduced functional connectivity between the hemispheres (1). They based this on a comparison between surface areas of the corpus callosum and cortex rather than estimating connection counts, while leaving out other quantities also dependent on brain size such as callosal fiber density, neuron density, and number of functional areas. We use data from the literature to directly estimate connection counts. First, we estimate callosal fiber density as a function of brain size. We validate this by comparing out-of-sample human data to our function’s estimate. We then mine the literature to obtain function estimates for all other quantities, and use them to estimate intra- and interhemispheric white matter connection counts as a function of brain size. The results show a much larger decrease in the scaling of interhemispheric to intrahemispheric connections than previously estimated. However, we hypothesize that raw connection counts are the wrong quantity to be estimating when considering functional connectivity. Instead, we hypothesize that functional connectivity is related to connection counts relative to the number of cortical areas. Accordingly, we estimate inter-area connection counts for intra- and interhemispheric connectivity and find no difference in how they scale with brain size. We find that, on average, an interhemispheric inter-area connection contains 3-8x more connections than an intrahemispheric inter-area connection, regardless of brain size. In doing so, we find that the fiber count of the human corpus callosum has been underestimated by 20%. Significance Statement There are arguments in the literature that larger brains have proportionally fewer interhemispheric connections. We find that the decrease is even larger than previously estimated. However, we argue that this quantity is the wrong thing to measure: Rather, we should measure functional connectivity between cortical areas. We show that the ratio of interhemispheric and intrahemispheric connectivity between cortical areas is constant across mammalian species. These findings are consistent with a growing literature that suggest interhemispheric connectivity is special across all primate species.
Shedding Light on Tuberculosis Deaths in Children and Adolescents.

* Abbreviations: ART — : antiretroviral therapy CFR — : case fatality ratio SMR — : standardized mortality ratio TB — : tuberculosis Tuberculosis (TB) kills ∼1.5 million people worldwide each year.1 Among children and adolescents infected with TB, those <5 years old and those with HIV coinfection have a higher risk of death.2–4 Not only have few researchers quantified the impact of antiretroviral therapy (ART) regarding those with coinfected with HIV,4–6 there are important gaps in our overall knowledge for adolescents treated for TB. Numerous observational studies conducted before the availability of anti-TB antibiotics revealed that TB disease and death peaked in the first 2 years of life and then decreased until adolescence, after which it rose steeply.7 Some reports revealed sex-based differences in incidence and mortality during adolescence.8–11 In recent decades, however, adolescents have received little attention in TB research, and their vulnerability to the disease has been largely forgotten, mostly because TB surveillance systems group individuals <15 years with children and those ≥15 years with adults.1,12 Disaggregated TB data have not been reported routinely for adolescents, although this practice will change in 2021 after the World Health Organization’s request for countries … Address correspondence to Silvia S. Chiang, MD, Center for International Health Research at Rhode Island Hospital, 55 Claverick St, Suite 101, Providence, RI 02906. E-mail: silvia_chiang{at}brown.edu
Computer-delivered personalized feedback intervention for hazardous drinkers with elevated anxiety sensitivity: A pilot randomized controlled trial.

Abstract Hazardous drinkers with emotional vulnerabilities (e.g., elevated anxiety sensitivity) remain an underserved group. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and initial efficacy of a single session remotely-delivered personalized feedback intervention (PFI) targeting alcohol (mis)use and anxiety sensitivity among college students. Hazardous drinkers with elevated anxiety sensitivity (N = 125; 76.8% female; Mage = 22.14; 66.4% racial/ethnic minorities) were randomized to receive the integrated PFI (n = 63) or attention control (n = 62). Follow-up assessments were conducted one-week, one-month and three-months post-intervention. Latent growth curve modeling was used to test pilot outcomes. It was feasible to recruit and retain hazardous drinking students with elevated anxiety sensitivity through follow-up with no group differences in retention. The integrated PFI was rated as more acceptable than the control with medium/large differences (p's
Patient Reported Quality of Life Outcomes After Definitive Radiation Therapy With Absorbable Spacer Hydrogel for Prostate Cancer

Abstract Purpose SpaceOAR is a device approved for conventional radiation in prostate cancer. We sought to observe prospectively how SpaceOAR Hydrogel effected quality of life and dosimetry to organs at risk at our institution. Methods and Materials We prospectively enrolled patients with low risk or favorable-intermediate risk localized prostate cancer. Baseline Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite (EPIC-26) scores along with baseline American Urology Association Symptom Index (AUA-SI) scores were collected. SpaceOAR was placed for all patients who then received stereotactic body radiation therapy, low dose rate brachytherapy, conventionally fractionated radiation therapy, or moderately hypofractionated radiation therapy. We evaluated postimplant dosimetry to critical structures, and prospectively collected follow-up EPIC-26 and AUA-SI scores. We performed a repeated measures analysis of variance to compare patient-specific responses and correlated survey data with dosimetric metrics by generating linear regression models. Results We enrolled 59 patients in this study with a median follow-up of 366 days (interquartile range, 507). At final follow-up, the "?>prostate-specific antigen had a significant decline compared with baseline (P Conclusions Use of SpaceOAR results in favorable dosimetry to the organs at risk and portends excellent short-term quality of life as measured by the association with the patient reported outcome measures. Longer-term follow-up is ongoing and necessary to assess the long-term effect and association of the hydrogel.
The importance of social activity to risk of major depression in older adults.

Background Several social determinants of health (SDoH) have been associated with the onset of major depressive disorder (MDD). However, prior studies largely focused on individual SDoH and thus less is known about the relative importance (RI) of SDoH variables, especially in older adults. Given that risk factors for MDD may differ across the lifespan, we aimed to identify the SDoH that was most strongly related to newly diagnosed MDD in a cohort of older adults. Methods We used self-reported health-related survey data from 41 174 older adults (50-89 years, median age = 67 years) who participated in the Mayo Clinic Biobank, and linked ICD codes for MDD in the participants' electronic health records. Participants with a history of clinically documented or self-reported MDD prior to survey completion were excluded from analysis (N = 10 938, 27%). We used Cox proportional hazards models with a gradient boosting machine approach to quantify the RI of 30 pre-selected SDoH variables on the risk of future MDD diagnosis. Results Following biobank enrollment, 2073 older participants were diagnosed with MDD during the follow-up period (median duration = 6.7 years). The most influential SDoH was perceived level of social activity (RI = 0.17). Lower level of social activity was associated with a higher risk of MDD [hazard ratio = 2.27 (95% CI 2.00-2.50) for highest v. lowest level]. Conclusion Across a range of SDoH variables, perceived level of social activity is most strongly related to MDD in older adults. Monitoring changes in the level of social activity may help identify older adults at an increased risk of MDD.
Citizenship Beyond Borders: A Cross‐National Study of Dual Citizenship*

As global integration increases, the implications for state boundaries and citizens' identity grow more significant. Some scholars suggest that the recognition of dual citizenship reveals the extent to which cross-national immigration requires states to formally recognize a multiplicity of national identities through dual citizenship (Aleinikoff and Klusmeyer 2002; Castles and Davidson 2000; Falk 1994). We propose that scholars need to additionally consider citizenship identity as a source of national assimilation of the international community and postnational citizenship in world culture (Brubaker 1992a; Faist 2004; Soysal 1994; Turner 2001). We use logistic regression to evaluate this argument by examining factors that lead states to enact legislation recognizing dual citizenship. The resulting analysis suggests that the recognition of dual citizenship reflects national, ex-colonial, and postnational cultural identities rather than the presence of cross-national immigration.
The Bilingual Mind: And What it Tells Us about Language and Thought

1. The Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis and the bilingual turn in the study of language and cognition 2. Material worlds: linguistic categorization of the 'kaleidoscopic flux of impressions' 3. Multidimensional worlds: number, time, and space as linguistic systems of symbolic relationships 4. Dynamic worlds: linguistic construal of motion events 5. Narrative worlds: locating ourselves in storylines 6. Discursive worlds: inner speech, interpretive frames, and the accomplishment of intersubjectivity 7. Emotional worlds: emotion categorization, affective processing, and ascription of significance 8. The bilingual mind and what it tells us about language and cognition: some renegade thoughts.
A Novel GPS Receiver Algorithm for Continuous Tracking on Spinning Cylindrical Platforms

Recently, there has been increased interest in GPS navigation for spinning cylindrical platforms (60-160 mm diameter). As expected, a single antenna element does not provide spherical coverage which is needed for continuous satellite tracking. To provide the desired coverage, one can use antenna diversity with multiple antenna elements. Previously, different antenna diversity techniques were compared, and it was shown that the maximum gain method (i.e., choosing the element with the highest gain) provides the spherical coverage. However, it is a challenge to implement this method because of the unknown time-varying platform attitude. In this paper, a novel tracking algorithm is derived that implements the maximum gain method by modifying the receiver itself. Example results are shown for the delay lock loop (DLL) and demonstrate that the proposed approach is able to provide continuous satellite tracking as the platform rotates and eliminate the need for knowledge of the time-varying platform attitude. Copyright © 2013 Institute of Navigation.
Thiophilic interaction chromatography of Alzheimer's β‐amyloid peptides

: Alzheimer's disease is characterized by a progressive formation of senile plaques in the brain, the major constituent of which is β-amyloid (Aβ) peptide, a proteolytic product of the transmembrane β-amyloid precursor protein (APP). Prior to the measurement of levels of the Aβ peptide for diagnostic purposes, this peptide must be isolated from the myriad of proteins resident in the human serum. Thiophilic interaction chromatography is an effective method for the isolation of proteins and peptides containing clusters of aromatic residues such as tryptophan, phenylalanine and tyrosine. The purpose of the present study was to develop a protocol for binding and recovery of Aβ peptides (1–38), (1–40) and (1–42) to T-gels by varying T-gel type and elution conditions such as the salt concentration and type of eluent. We established the minimal salt concentration necessary for the binding of the Aβ(1–40) peptide to the 3S-gel; binding at that concentration was subsequently compared with that of model proteins, lysozyme and α-chymotrypsin and this methodology was extended to 2S-gels and PyS. β-Amyloid peptide (1–40) showed a remarkably strong affinity for all three types of T-gels in comparison to lysozyme and α-chymotrypsin and was found to bind best to 2S-gel.
Effects of Fear appeals and point of reference on the persuasiveness of IT security communications

To better understand end users' security compliance behaviors, we designed an experimental study to investigate how fear appeals and point of reference manipulations could influence end users' security behavioral intentions. The findings suggest that fear appeals and point of reference collectively influence users' perceived persuasiveness of the IT security communication messages. Specifically, higher fear messages are generally more persuasive than low fear ones when the messages are self-referenced. However, in other-referenced messages, the levels of fear appeals do not make differences. Further, our results indicate that users regard IT security issues as peripheral for them and it is suggested that personalized IT security communications might have greater potential in successfully persuading end users for security compliance.
Nascent RNA in transcription complexes interacts with CspE, a small protein in E. coli implicated in chromatin condensation.

Proteins in a partially fractionated Escherichia coli extract that interact with the nascent RNA in active transcription complexes from several promoters were detected using the photocrosslinking ribonucleotide analogs 5-(azidophenacyl)thio-UTP or 5-(azidophenacyl)thio-CTP as transcription substrates. Upon irradiation of ternary transcription complexes, several extract proteins were crosslinked to the RNA. Most notably, a small protein was crosslinked to the RNA in complexes on seven of nine templates tested. This protein was purified and sequenced and found to match a hypothetical protein, MsmC/CspE, recently shown to be involved in chromatin partitioning. CspE has 69% amino acid sequence identity with the major cold shock protein in E. coli, CspA, which has been shown to bind to a DNA sequence designated the Y box, with the sequence 5'-ATTGG. Of the nine templates tested, CspE was found to be most heavily crosslinked to RNA from the lambda PR' promoter, which is modified by the Q antiterminator protein. CspE was very heavily crosslinked to RNA only ten nucleotides long in initial ternary complexes on this promoter, but not to this same RNA after it had been released from the transcription complex. However, even when present from the start of transcription, CspE did not crosslink to the RNA 82 nucleotides long in elongation complexes from this same promoter. Despite the loss of interaction with the RNA after polymerase had left the promoter, CspE inhibited Q-mediated transcriptional antitermination from PR' in vitro almost 200 nucleotides downstream from the promoter, presumably by interaction with the Y box DNA upstream from PR', which overlaps with the binding site for the Q. A potential role for CspE and transcription in chromosome condensation and nucleoid structure is discussed.
Family Level Predictors of Victimization and Offending Among Young Men: Rethinking the Role of Parents in Prevention and Interventions Models.

Abstract This paper is one in a series of three that reports detailed findings from a larger study that simultaneously explored individual, family and neighborhood level predictors of victimization and offending among youth. The current study aims to identify which family level factors have better predictive power with regard to type of victimization and offending over time so that effective prevention and intervention efforts can be developed and implemented. Methods: Path analysis was conducted using data from a multi-wave, panel study (N = 625) of young men ages 16–19 at Wave 1 to determine the best fitting model showing causal pathways from family-level factors, including parental monitoring, parental support, family structure, and socioeconomic status (SES), to both victimization and offending. Findings: Parental monitoring was a significant predictor of personal victimization and offending at Wave 1 and Wave 2. Single parenthood significantly predicted offending at Wave 1. Father support and SES significantly predicted vicarious victimization through exposure to violence. Implications for practice are discussed.
Understanding barriers to routine HIV screening: knowledge, attitudes, and practices of healthcare providers in King County, Washington.

Objective In 2006, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended routine HIV screening in healthcare settings for persons between 13 and 64 years old. In 2010, the Washington Administrative Code (WAC) was changed to align testing rules with these recommendations. We designed this survey to ascertain the current state of HIV testing and barriers to routine screening in King County, Washington. Methods Between March 23 and April 16, 2010, a convenience sample of healthcare providers completed an online survey. Providers answered true-false and multiple choice questions about national recommendations and the WAC, policies in their primary clinical settings, and their personal HIV testing practices. Providers were asked to agree or disagree whether commonly reported barriers limited their implementation of routine HIV screening. Results Although 76% of the 221 respondents knew that the CDC recommended routine HIV screening for persons regardless of their risk, 99 (45%) providers reported that their primary clinical setting had a policy to target testing based on patient risk factors. Forty-four (20%) providers reported that their primary clinical setting had a policy of routine HIV screening, 54 (25%) reported no official policy, and 15 (7%) did not know whether a policy existed. Only 11 (5%) providers offer HIV testing to all patients at initial visits. When asked about barriers to routine screening, 57% of providers agreed that perception that their patient population is low risk limits the number of HIV tests they perform. Only 26 (13%) providers agreed that concern about reimbursement posed a barrier to testing. Conclusions Most providers participating in this survey continue to target HIV testing, despite knowledge of national recommendations. Efforts are still needed to educate providers and policymakers, clarify the recent WAC revisions, and implement structural changes in order to increase HIV testing in Washington State.
The Role of Parental Socialization Types on Differential Family Communication Patterns Regarding Consumption

Abstract This research provides a theoretical basis for explaining differences among mothers regarding how they communicate consumer skills and knowledge to their children. Socialization theory based on similarities in general parenting tendencies was used to group mothers. These groups provided a rationale for expecting consumer socialization communication differences. Findings suggest that more general socialization types exhibit differences on specific communication dimensions. Specifically, mothers who are restrictive and warm in relationships with children are also more likely to use communication messages that promote monitoring and control of children's consumption activities. Mothers who generally respect and solicit children's opinions also tend to utilize messages that foster the development of consumption decision-making abilities in children.
Impact parameter dependence of high energy gamma ray production in heavy-ion collisions

Abstract High energy photons ( E γ ⩾30 MeV) have been measured in coincidence with light particles observed in a multidetector array for the 40 Ar+ 51 V system at a bombarding energy of E A =65 MeV . Double differential cross sections were obtained as a function of the midrapidity charge representation of the centrality of the collision. The inverse slope parameter increases with centrality more strongly than predicted by a BUU model.
Kinetics of efflux of K+ from cultured rose cells treated with ultraviolet light

Irradiation of cultured rose (Rosa damascena Mill. cv. Gloire de Guilan) cells with ultraviolet light caused of loss of K+, which occurred with sigmoid kinetics. The kinetics of loss of K+ were not changed when the extracellular concentration of K+ was held constant during the period of efflux. Furthermore, the rate of loss of K+ was approximately the same even though the K+ concentration in the medium was increased from 0.1 to 10 mM. The kinetics of uptake of the lipophilic methyltriphenylphosphonium cation, an indicator of the plasma membrane potential, were linear throughout the period of K+ efflux, suggesting that the starting and stopping of K+ efflux do not reflect a passive response to changes in the membrane potential of the cells. The results are interpreted in terms of activation and inactivation of an efflux channel or pump for K+.
Inhibition of Sterol Biosynthesis Reduces Tombusvirus Replication in Yeast and Plants

The replication of plus-strand RNA viruses depends on subcellular membranes. Recent genome-wide screens have revealed that the sterol biosynthesis genes ERG25 and ERG4 affected the replication of Tomato bushy stunt virus (TBSV) in a yeast model host. To further our understanding of the role of sterols in TBSV replication, we demonstrate that the downregulation of ERG25 or the inhibition of the activity of Erg25p with an inhibitor (6-amino-2-n-pentylthiobenzothiazole; APB) leads to a 3- to 5-fold reduction in TBSV replication in yeast. In addition, the sterol biosynthesis inhibitor lovastatin reduced TBSV replication by 4-fold, confirming the importance of sterols in viral replication. We also show reduced stability for the p92pol viral replication protein as well as a decrease in the in vitro activity of the tombusvirus replicase when isolated from APB-treated yeast. Moreover, APB treatment inhibits TBSV RNA accumulation in plant protoplasts and in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. The inhibitory effect of APB on TBSV replication can be complemented by exogenous stigmasterol, the main plant sterol, suggesting that sterols are required for TBSV replication. The silencing of SMO1 and SMO2 genes, which are orthologs of ERG25, in N. benthamiana reduced TBSV RNA accumulation but had a lesser inhibitory effect on the unrelated Tobacco mosaic virus, suggesting that various viruses show different levels of dependence on sterol biosynthesis for their replication.
The instability of instability of centered distributions

Abstract Democratic simple majority voting is perhaps the most widely used method of group decision making in our time. Standard theory, based on “instability” theorems, predicts that a group employing this method will almost always fail to reach a stable conclusion. But empirical observations do not support the gloomy predictions of the instability theorems. We show that the instability theorems are themselves unstable in the following sense: if the model of voter behavior is altered however slightly to incorporate any of the several plausible characteristics of decision making, then the instability theorems do not hold and in fact the probability of stability converges to 1 as the population increases, when the population is sampled from a centered distribution. The assumptions considered include: a cost of change; bounded rationality; perceptual thresholds; a discrete proposal space, and others. Evidence from a variety of fields justifies these assumptions in all or most circumstances. One consequence of this work is to render precise and rigorous, the solution proposed by Tullock to the impossibility problem. All of the stability results given here hold for an arbitrary dimension. We generalize the results to establish stability with probability converging to 1 subject to trade-offs between the assumptions and the degree of non-centeredness of the population. We also extend the results from Euclidean preferences to the more general class of intermediate preferences.
Focused Ion-Beam (FIB) Nanomachining of Silicon Carbide (SiC) Stencil Masks for Nanoscale Patterning

We report on experimental explorations of using focused ion beam (FIB) nanomachining of different types of silicon carbide (SiC) thin membranes, for making robust, high-quality stencil masks for new emerging options of nanoscale patterning. Using thin films and membranes in polycrystalline SiC (poly-SiC), 3C-SiC, and amorphous SiC (a-SiC) with thicknesses in the range of t~250nm−1.6μm, we have prototyped a series of stencil masks, with nanoscale features routinely down to ~100nm.
Leonid meteor spectrum from 110 to 860 nm

Abstract During the Leonid meteor shower on 18 November 1999, the five spectrographic imagers onboard the Midcourse Space Experiment (MSX) satellite recorded the first complete meteor spectra from 110 to 860 nm. The observation occurred at 00:23:36.2 UT, at which time the satellite was pointed at a tangent altitude of 100 km over 37.2°N and 78.2°E. The spectrograph slits were oriented approximately parallel to the horizon at a tangent altitude of 100 km, and the meteor passed approximately perpendicular through the slits’ fields of view. All five spectrographic imagers observed the passage of a bright object (mv
Abortion Politics and Health Insurance Reform

The centrality of abortion in U.S. politics makes it likely that abortion funding will play a major role in determining whether there is any health care reform law at all. George Annas describes the Stupak amendment and the current state of the law on federal funding for abortion.
Mapping the Vulnerability to Potential Toxic Substance Releases from Industrial Facilities under Emergency Situations: A Case Study of Galveston, Texas

Abstract This research investigates the spatial variations of vulnerability to toxic substance releases under possible emergency outbreaks in Galveston County, Texas. By identifying the potential risk and measuring the extent of possible impact, we provide useful information for the local government and the public to develop more effective evacuation strategies. Assuming that toxic substance releases occur during a worst-case scenario, we determine the vulnerability based on a combination of five factors at the census block level: (1) population density; (2) the percentage of people under 5 years old and above 65; (3) distance between residence and hazardous sites; (4) road network capacity; (5) density of hazardous sites. We employ the Areal Locations of Hazardous Atmospheres (ALOHA) dispersion model to define the impact areas. We calculate an index for each of the five factors. We weigh the indices equally and generate the overall vulnerability index. Results are visualized in a GIS environment.
Gadolinium-based compounds induce NLRP3-dependent IL-1β production and peritoneal inflammation

Objective Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) is a progressive fibrosing disorder that may develop in patients with chronic kidney disease after administration of gadolinium (Gd)-based contrast agents (GBCAs). In the setting of impaired renal clearance of GBCAs, Gd deposits in various tissues and fibrosis subsequently develops. However, the precise mechanism by which fibrosis occurs in NSF is incompletely understood. Because other profibrotic agents, such as silica or asbestos, activate the nucleotide-binding oligomerisation domain (NOD)-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome and initiate interleukin (IL)-1β release with the subsequent development of fibrosis, we evaluated the effects of GBCAs on inflammasome activation. Methods Bone marrow derived macrophages from C57BL/6, Nlrp3 −/− and Asc −/− mice were incubated with three Gd-containing compounds and IL-1β activation and secretion was detected by ELISA and western blot analysis. Inflammasome activation and regulation was investigated in IL-4- and interferon (IFN)γ-polarised macrophages by ELISA, quantitative real time (qRT)-PCR and NanoString nCounter analysis. Furthermore, C57BL/6 and Nlrp3 −/− mice were intraperitoneally injected with GBCA and recruitment of inflammatory cells to the peritoneum was analysed by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). Results Free Gd and GBCAs activate the NLRP3 inflammasome and induce IL-1β secretion in vitro. Gd-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid also induces the recruitment of neutrophils and inflammatory monocytes to the peritoneum in vivo. Gd activated IL-4-polarised macrophages more effectively than IFNγ-polarised macrophages, which preferentially expressed genes known to downregulate inflammasome activity. Conclusions These data suggest that Gd released from GBCAs triggers a NLRP3 inflammasome-dependent inflammatory response that leads to fibrosis in an appropriate clinical setting. The preferential activation of IL-4-differentiated macrophages is consistent with the predominantly fibrotic presentation of NSF.
ADAM17 silencing by adenovirus encoding miRNA-embedded siRNA revealed essential signal transduction by angiotensin II in vascular smooth muscle cells

Small interfering RNA (siRNA) mediated gene silencing has been utilized as a powerful molecular tool to study the functional significance of a specific protein. However, due to transient gene silencing and insufficient transfection efficiency, this approach can be problematic in primary cell culture such as vascular smooth muscle cells. To overcome this weakness, we utilized an adenoviral-encoded microRNA (miRNA)-embedded siRNA “mi/siRNA”-based RNA interference. Here, we report the results of silencing a disintegrin and metalloprotease 17 (ADAM17) in cultured rat vascular smooth muscle cells and its functional mechanism in angiotensin II signal transduction. 3 distinct mi/siRNA sequences targeting rat ADAM17 were inserted into pAd/CMV/V5-DEST and adenoviral solutions were obtained. Nearly 90% silencing of ADAM17 was achieved when vascular smooth muscle cells were infected with 100 multiplicity of infection of each ADAM17 mi/siRNA encoding adenovirus for 3 days. mi/siRNA-ADAM17 but not mi/siRNA-control inhibited angiotensin II-induced epidermal growth factor receptor trans-activation and subsequent extracellular signal-regulated kinase activation and hypertrophic response in the cells. mi/siRNA-ADAM17 also inhibited angiotensin II-induced heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like factor shedding. This inhibition was rescued with co-infection of adenovirus encoding mouse ADAM17 but not by its cytosolic domain deletion mutant or cytosolic Y702F mutant. As expected, angiotensin II induced tyrosine phosphorylation of ADAM17 in the cells. In conclusion, ADAM17 activation via its tyrosine phosphorylation contributes to heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like factor shedding and subsequent growth promoting signals induced by angiotensin II in vascular smooth muscle cells. An artificial mi/siRNA-based adenoviral approach appears to be a reliable gene-silencing strategy for signal transduction research in primary cultured vascular cells.