cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Association of microvascular and capillary-lymphatic invasion with outcome in patients with renal cell carcinoma

Purpose: We evaluated the association of microvascular and capillary-lymphatic invasion with patient outcome after nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma.Materials and Methods: We identified 1,433 patients surgically treated for sporadic, unilateral renal cell carcinoma between 2001 and 2008. All specimens were reviewed by a single uropathologist for microvascular and capillary-lymphatic invasion. Associations with time to metastasis and death from renal cell carcinoma were evaluated using Cox proportional hazards models, controlling for established clinicopathological prognostic variables.Results: Microvascular invasion and capillary-lymphatic invasion were identified in 119 (11%) and 17 (2%) of the 1,103 patients with clear cell, 5 (2%) and 1 (less than 1%) of the 219 with papillary, and 1 (1%) and 0 of the 86 with chromophobe renal cell carcinoma, respectively. Median followup in survivors was 6.4 years (range 0 to 11). In clear cell renal cell carcinoma cases microvascular invasion was univariately asso...
B Cell Knockout Mice Are Resistant to Mucosal and Systemic Candidiasis of Endogenous Origin but Susceptible to Experimental Systemic Candidiasis

Germfree JHD mice, which lack functional B cells and antibodies, were as resistant to orogastric and disseminated candidiasis of endogenous origin as were immunocompetent controls. Newborn J HD mice, in contrast to adult mice, were resistant to alimentary tract colonization by Candida albicans for 5-7 days after birth. C. albicans-colonizedJHD mice were more resistant to intravenous challenge with C. albicans and had greater splenocyte proliferative responses to C. albicans antigens than did germfree mice or conventional controls. Thus, innate and acquired T cell-mediated immune responses induced after oral immunization are sufficient to protect J HD mice from mucosal and systemic candidiasis of endogenous origin; however, functional B cells may be required to protect mice from a primary intravenous challenge with C. albicans. The role of antibody-mediated immunity (AMI) in host de­ fense against Candida albicans infections is controversial [1]. Numerous clinical observations suggest that innate and cell­ mediated immunity (CMI) are more important than AMI in resistance to candidiasis [2]. Most patients with candidiasis are neutropenic [3], T cell-deficient, or both; however, most have demonstrable levels of serum antibodies to C. albicans [4]. Patients with congenital defects in AMI (e.g., X-linked agam­ maglobulinemia and secretory IgA deficiency) but intact CMI are not overly susceptible to mucosal or systemic candidiasis [5]. Conversely, recent investigations suggest that antibodies to heat-shock proteins [6] or to specific C. albicans surface antigens [7] play a role in resistance to systemic candidiasis. Studies with laboratory animals have not resolved the role of AMI in resistance to candidiasis. Investigations in mice immunized with C. albicans antigens or treated with high­ titered immune serum suggest that antibodies are protective [7~ 10] or have no effect [11-13] on murine susceptibility to experimental systemic candidiasis. Although immunocompetent mice and an intravenous (iv) challenge route have been used in most studies designed to assess the efficacy of antibody in resistance to candidiasis, several studies have used congenitally immunodeficient mice (T or B cell-mediated immunity). Athymic mice with de­ fects in thymus-matured T cells and production of T cell­ dependent antibodies [14], severe combined immunodefi­ cient (SCID) mice with defects in T and B cell functions
Abnormal Cytology Predicts Poor Prognosis in Cancer Patients With Pericardial Effusion

Purpose Pericardial tamponade is a life-threatening disorder caused by varying medical conditions. Malignancy and complications of its treatment are a common cause of pericardial effusion. The natural history of pericardial effusion remains largely unknown. We investigated the association of malignancy with adverse outcomes after pericardiocentesis. Patients and Methods Consecutive patients undergoing pericardiocentesis at a single institution between January 1, 1999, and January 31, 2003, were included. Death was confirmed with the Social Security Death Index. Survival estimates were obtained by the Kaplan-Meier method. Cox regression was performed to determine the clinical characteristics associated with death. Results Two hundred nineteen patients underwent pericardiocentesis during the study period. The effusion was cancer-related in 43.8% of cases. Median survival was 59.6 weeks (95% CI, 24.3 to 94.8 weeks). During the follow-up period, 47.9% of patients died. Cancer-related pericardial effusion was ...
Splitting the Difference: The Representation of Ideas and Identities in Modern Democracy

Writing in 1788, James Madison observed that "the difference most relied on between the American and other republics consists in the principle of representation, which is the pivot on which the former move, and which is supposed to have been unknown in the latter" (Hamilton, Madison, and Jay 1961, No. 63). While Madison questioned the precision of such conventional wisdom (he noted that the ancients did rely on limited representation), he agreed that American government was unique because it removed the people entirely from all positions of direct legislative power. It was in the new world that political representation had been most completely realized. The prevalence of political representation in early America did not, of course, translate into a clear consensus on how representative institutions ought to be designed. In fact, the new Constitution defended by Madison and his Federalist allies was criticized on the grounds that it established the wrong representative scheme. Madison's Antifederalist opponents believed that the Constitution would create a distant and domineering Congress, filled with representatives who failed to reflect the diversity of local constituencies. This was so because the large electoral districts necessary for the House and Senate guaranteed that only the wealthy had a chance to win national office. Since the Antifederalists viewed the local community as the animating force responsible for limiting political power, they decried government by the rich. Such "lordly and high minded" aristocrats, the Anti-
Using speakeasy for ad hoc peer-to-peer collaboration

Peer-to-peer systems appear promising in terms of their ability to support ad hoc, spontaneous collaboration. However, current peer-to-peer systems suffer from several deficiencies that diminish their ability to support this domain, such as inflexibility in terms of discovery protocols, network usage, and data transports. We have developed the Speakeasy framework, which addresses these issues, and supports these types of applications. We show how Speakeasy addresses the shortcomings of current peer-to-peer systems, and describe a demonstration application, called Casca, that supports ad hoc peer-to-peer collaboration by taking advantages of the mechanisms provided by Speakeasy.
La Fabrication Sociale De La Traite Sexuelle: Idéologie Et Institutionnalisation D’Une Croisade Morale (The Social Construction of Sex Trafficking: Ideology and Institutionalization of a Moral Crusade)

French Abstract: La question de la traite sexuelle est devenue de plus en plus politisee ces dernieres annees suite aux efforts d'une croisade morale influente. Cet article examine la fabrication sociale de la traite sexuelle (et plus generalement de la prostitution) dans le discours des principaux militants et des organisations membres de cette croisade, et conclut que ses allegations principales sont problematiques, non fondees ou demontrablement fausses. L'analyse met en lumiere l'adoption et l'institutionnalisation croissantes de l’ideologie de la croisade dans la politique et la pratique du gouvernement americain.English Abstract: The issue of sex trafficking has become increasingly politicized in recent years due to the efforts of an influential moral crusade. This article examines the social construction of sex trafficking (and prostitution more generally) in the discourse of leading activists and organizations within the crusade, and concludes that the central claims are problematic, unsubstantiated, or demonstrably false. The analysis documents the increasing endorsement and institutionalization of crusade ideology in U.S. government policy and practice.
Direct In-situ TEM Observation Of Modification Of Oxidation By The Injected Vacancies For Ni-4Al Alloy Using A Microfabricated Nanopost

Vacancy injection and selective oxidation of one species in bimetallic alloy at high temperature is a well-known phenomenon. However, detailed understanding of the behavior of the injected vacancies and consequently their effect on oxidation remains elusive. The current research examines the oxidation of high-purity Ni doped with 4.1 at. % Al using in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Experiments are performed on nanoposts fabricated from solution-annealed bulk material that are essentially single crystal samples. Initial oxidation is observed to occur by multisite oxide nucleation, formation of an oxide shell followed by cavity nucleation and growth at the metal/oxide interface. One of the most interesting in situ TEM observations is the formation of a cavity that leads to the faceting of the metal and subsequent oxidation occurring by an atomic ledge migration mechanism on the faceted metal surface. Further, it is directly observed that metal atoms diffuse through the oxide layer to combine w...
Specialty Tier-Level Cost Sharing and Biologic Agent Use in the Medicare Part D Initial Coverage Period Among Beneficiaries With Rheumatoid Arthritis

Objective To examine associations between specialty tier-level cost sharing and use of biologic agents for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) during Medicare Part D's initial coverage period (ICP). Methods This was a retrospective study using 2007–2010 5% sample Medicare files to examine RA patients with use of a Part D RA biologic agent in the prior year. Patients without low-income subsidies (non-LIS group), who faced specialty tier-level cost sharing, were compared to a control group of low-income subsidy patients (LIS group), who faced nominal out-of-pocket costs in the ICP. Outcomes included use of a Part D or Part B RA biologic agent during the ICP and presence of a ≥30-day continuous gap in treatment among Part D biologic agent users in the ICP. Risk-adjusted outcomes were estimated using logistic regressions, controlling for patient demographic, clinical, and Part D plan characteristics. Results On average, a 30-day Part D biologic agent supply cost the non-LIS group $484 out of pocket (29.9% cost sharing) versus $5 (0.3% cost sharing) for the LIS group. The non-LIS group was less likely to fill Part D biologic agents (61.2% versus 72.7%, odds ratio [OR] 0.58 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.46–0.72]; P < 0.001), more than twice as likely to receive Part B biologic agents (9.9% versus 4.4%, OR 2.41 [95% CI 1.61–3.60]; P < 0.001), and less likely to use any biologic agent (70.1% versus 76.9%, OR 0.69 [95% CI 0.55–0.88]; P = 0.002). The non-LIS subgroup filling Part D biologic agents had approximately twice the odds of a gap in both Part D biologic agent and any biologic agent availability. Conclusion Specialty tier-level cost sharing was associated with interruptions in RA biologic agent treatment among Medicare patients.
The Merchant, the Manufacturer, and the Factory Manager: The Case of Samuel Slater*

Early textile enterprises faced no trends with greater reluctance than the integration of operations within a single factory and, considerably later, the assignment of formerly family-dominated, entrepreneurial functions to hired factory agents. Samuel Slater, the classic pioneer of factory production of textile yarns, was slow to accept these trends, and only the obvious inability of either him or his family to cope with a rapidly growing and changing industry in the 1820s and 1830s forced him to integrate spinning, weaving, and finishing operations and to turn over broad responsiblity in individual factories to what is perhaps the earliest example of the professional manager.
The structure of pseudomeissnerian corpuscles. An immunohistochemical study

Immunohistochemical staining for S-100 protein was carried out on one case of von Recklinghausen's neurofibroma and one of giant congenital nevus. Uniformly positive staining was obtained in all cells of the numerous pseudomeissnerian corpuscles in both cases. These structures thus appear, like the true Wagner-Meissner tactile nerve endings, to consist entirely of Schwann cells and not to contain any demonstrable perineurial component.
Economic impact of CT scanning on the evaluation of pituitary adenomas

The medical and financial records of three cohorts of 20 consecutive patients with pituitary adenomas surgically treated in 1976, 1978, and 1980 were evaluated to assess the impact of changing technology on the cost of preoperative diagnostic evaluation. The average preoperative length of hospital stay decreased from 6.8 days in 1976 to 1.9 days in 1980. The average diagnostic radiologic charge adjusted to 1980 dollars decreased from $1,747 in 1976 to $585 in 1980, while the radiologic bill as a percentage of the total hospital bill changed from 17.3% in 1976 to 11.9% in 1980. The decline in cost parameters coincided with the dramatic increase in the use of cranial computed tomography and the sharp reduction in the use of angiography and pneumoencephalography. These findings suggest that computed tomography is a highly efficacious technique for the evaluation of patients with suspected pituitary adenoma, resulting in significant savings in the costs of diagnostic evaluation.
Effects of nanometer carbon powder on the ablative and heat-protection properties of phenolic resin

Phenolic resin matrix was modified by adding nanometer carbon powder.The effect of the content of nanometer carbon powder on the ablative and thermal decomposition properties of the phenolic resin was studied.The distribution of carbon powder is characterized with TEM and SEM.The micro-appearance observation of the ablative surface of the phenolic resin was studied by SEM and the phenolic resin structure after ablation characterized by XRD. The thermal decomposition and thermal decomposition kinetics of the phenolic resin was studied by means of thermal analysis (TGA and DTG).The result shows that the ablative property of phenolic resin is increased with the nanometer carbon powder uniformly dispersed,and the nanometer carbon powder has a catalytic action on the thermal decomposition of phenolic resin.
Finite element analysis for rigidity of cylinder helix spring

A Finite Element Analysis method of analyzing the rigidity of cylinder helix spring is introduced in this paper.The FEA model can be obtained by importing the Pro/E model to ANSYS with Pro/E_ANSYS interface.The rigidities,including vertical,transverse and bending ones,of helix spring are achieved by FEM.It is an accurate and quick method to get the rigidities of cylinder helix spring by FEM,which can be a reliable method in spring design and calculation.
Race, sense of control over life, and short-term risk of mortality among older adults in the United States.

Introduction Sense of control over life has been shown to have protective health effects in studies that have mostly enrolled White middle class individuals. It is unknown, however, whether populations differ in the protective health gain associated with sense of control over life. This study compared a nationally representative sample of Black and White older adults for protective effects of sense of control over life on short-term risk of all-cause mortality in the United States. Material and methods This longitudinal prospective study followed 1,493 White (n = 759) and Black (n = 734) older adults (age 66 or more) from 2001 to 2004. Race, demographics, socio-economics, sense of control over life, health behaviors, and self-rated health were measured at baseline in 2001. Outcome was all-cause mortality occurring between 2001 and 2004. Logistic regression models were used for data analysis. Results In the pooled sample, sense of control over life was protective against 3-year mortality risk above and beyond demographics, socio-economics, health behaviors, and self-rated health. We found a race by sense of control over life interaction, suggesting a stronger protective effect of control over life on mortality risk for Whites compared to Blacks. In race-specific models, sense of control over life at baseline was predictive of mortality among Whites but not Blacks. Conclusions In the United States, Black older adults do not gain a survival benefit associated with high levels of sense of control over life, as do their White counterparts. It is not clear why sense of control over life translates into survival for Whites but not for Blacks.
Abstract B89: Mechanistic assessment of heat shock network perturbation by novel chemotypes identified using chemogenomic screening

The 90-kDa heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) is a chaperone protein responsible for the folding and activation of numerous proteins disregulated in various cancers that drive oncogenesis. Consequently, inhibition of Hsp90 is thought to be an attractive anti-cancer therapeutic strategy, though to date, clinical success has been limited. Hsp90 inhibition leads to simultaneous degradation of multiple oncogenic client proteins, giving “polypharmacologic” effects through the targeting of a single, highly networked protein. Hence, the development of small molecule inhibitors of Hsp90 may be effective anti-cancer agents that have reduced likelihood of development of resistance when compared to other less networked single protein targets. This study demonstrates identification and validation of a novel chemotype that perturbs the heat shock protein network. A liquid culture-based phenotypic screen employing Saccharomyces cerevisiae haploid deletions strains with known sensitivities to Hsp90 inhibitors by screening of the NCI diversity II chemical library set. The screen identified 9 hit compounds; 2 previously identified heat shock modulators and 7 novel heat shock modulator hits. To validate these novel compounds as heat shock network selective, we bioinformatically show that the NSC145366 compounds sensitivity profile in NCI tumor cell lines significantly correlates with other Hsp90 inhibitors. Also, biochemical analyses demonstrate NSC145366 has direct interactions with two cytoplasmic isoforms of human Hsp90 both in recombinant protein preparations and in crude tumor cell lysates. In addition, we show that the compound preferentially interacts with the Hsp90 C-terminal dimerization domain as opposed to many of the current N-terminal domain-based inhibitors. Further characterization of the compound interaction with Hsp90 and its effects on the heat shock cellular network are ongoing. This study demonstrates the utility of phenotypic screening to identify heat shock protein network modulators and the possibility inhibiting Hsp90 in a novel and different mode from previous inhibitors. Citation Format: Kourtney M. Goode, Fiona M. Thomas, Pete Pascuzzi, V. Jo Davisson, Tony R. Hazbun. Mechanistic assessment of heat shock network perturbation by novel chemotypes identified using chemogenomic screening. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference: Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2015 Nov 5-9; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2015;14(12 Suppl 2):Abstract nr B89.
Emerging New Pseudobinary and Ternary Halides as Scintillators for Radiation Detection

Recently there has been a discernible shift from simple binary halide scintillators (e.g., NaI, CsI) toward host compounds that are structurally and electronically more complex. Besides SrI2 and LaBr3, several pseudobinary, ternary and quaternary halides have emerged as promising scintillators for radiation detection. Here, we survey our recent first-principles based computational studies of different hosts belonging to a class of mixed halides or distinct stoichiometric compounds. The mixed halides are comprised of simple binary end members, NaI or CsI, that are known scintillators. The ternary compounds belong to a family of iodides of the type AB2I5 or ABI3, where the A and B cations are alkali and alkaline-earth metals, respectively. These are usually activated by Eu2+. We will consider Eu-dopant behavior in these compounds before delving into a set of ns2 containing ternaries. They are analogous to the AB2I5 group of materials, except that the ns2 ion is part of the crystal framework, replacing the alkali “A” ion, e.g., InBa2I5 or TlBa2I5. Interestingly, we predict Eu2+ activation will be rendered ineffective in these ns2 compounds, caused by changes in the valence and conduction band edges. However, the possibility of fast electron capture at ns2 sites and the prospect of self-activated scintillation could be interesting for detector applications.
Mechanisms of Global Cerebral Edema Formation in Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

A growing body of clinical literature emphasizes the impact of cerebral edema in early brain injury following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). Aneurysm rupture itself initiates global cerebral edema in up to two thirds of cases. Although cerebral edema is not a universal feature of aSAH, it portends a poor clinical course, with quantitative analysis revealing a direct correlation between cerebral edema and poor outcome, including mortality and cognitive deficits. Mechanistically, global cerebral edema has been linked to global ischemia at the time of aneurysm rupture, dysfunction of autoregulation, blood breakdown products, neuroinflammation, and hyponatremia/endocrine abnormalities. At a molecular level, several culprits have been identified, including aquaporin-4, matrix metalloproteinase-9, SUR1-TRPM4 cation channels, vascular endothelial growth factor, bradykinin, and others. Here, we review these cellular and molecular mechanisms of global cerebral edema formation in aSAH. Given the importance of edema to the outcome of patients with aSAH and its status as a highly modifiable pathological process, a better understanding of cerebral edema in aSAH promises to hasten the development of medical therapies to improve outcomes in this frequently devastating disease.
Plasmonic photocatalytic reactor design: Use of multilayered films for improved organic degradation rates in a recirculating flow reactor

Abstract Plasmonic photocatalysis was investigated by examining both the arrangement of the photocatalyst and plasmonic components, and the structure and composition of the plasmonic phase. Pd was epitaxially grown on to 50 nm Ag nanocubes. The Ag:Pd ratio was optimized to blue-shift the plasmonic absorption peak to match the bandgap of TiO 2 (∼405 nm). A ∼ 5 nm Pd coating on the Ag nanocubes (Ag:Pd = 9:1) led to the observation of the Ag nanocube’s plasmonic feature. The arrangement of the photocatalyst components was tested for degradation of model organics in a slurry and a recirculating thin film photoreactor. The results demonstrated that both the arrangement of the components and the structure and composition of the plasmonic material influenced the conversion. The TiO 2 /Ag composite catalysts yielded slight improvement (in thin film reactor) or had a negative effect (slurry reactor) compared to TiO 2 which was attributed to scattering light away from the semiconductor photocatalyst and/or covering some active sites. The addition of the Pd shell on the Ag nanocube yielded improved performance compared to the TiO 2 /Ag composite catalysts, likely due to electron trapping. A factor of 2 enhancement in rate and apparent quantum yield compared to TiO 2 was achieved for the Ag NC layer underneath the TiO 2 layer and was attributed to light scattering of absorbed photons. The addition of the Pd shell to the Ag nanocube still provided enhancement compared to TiO 2 , but was lesser compared to Ag layer due to lower scattering efficiency. The results of this study provide insights for plasmonic photocatalytic reactor design. Best utilization of plasmonic enhancement to photocatalysis is indicated via a layered design of the plasmonic and photocatalytic phases.
Quantifying Protein and Lipid Accumulation at Sites of Membrane Curvature

Protein and lipid organization is tightly regulated on the cellular plasma membrane. This process is driven by intermolecular interactions and leads to nanoscale domain formation where specific biochemical reactions can occur. One feature of membranes that plays a less obvious role is the shape of the lipid membrane. This aspect is difficult to measure in living cells, making biochemical assays a useful tool for quantifying curvature dependent sorting. In our work, we use nanoscale patterning to create substrates that introduce curvature into supported lipid bilayers with the goal of separately assessing the role of shape and chemical composition on the organization of proteins and lipids. To create substrates, nanoparticles are deposited onto glass surfaces prior to lipid bilayer formation. Confocal and total internal reflection fluorescence microscopies, combined with colocalization, single molecule imaging and tracking methods, are used to assess protein and lipid accumulation at regions of curvature. With these methods, we demonstrate that a peripheral membrane binding protein, C-reactive protein, binds highly curved membranes and this interaction depends on the state of the protein. Other proteins, like Cholera Toxin B, avoid curvature. Our membrane curvature assay would be highly useful for assessing the interplay between curved membranes and lipid/protein accumulation.
Effects of Global Climate Change on Building Energy Consumption and Its Implications in Florida

Many studies have investigated the impact of global warming on energy consumption. In this study, the morphing method and EnergyPlus (E+) software were used to investigate the impact of climate cha...
Integrating insulin-like growth factor 1 and sex hormones into neuroprotection: Implications for diabetes

Brain integrity and cognitive aptitude are often impaired in patients with diabetes mellitus, presumably a result of the metabolic complications inherent to the disease. However, an increasing body of evidence has demonstrated the central role of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) and its relation to sex hormones in many neuroprotective processes. Both male and female patients with diabetes display abnormal IGF1 and sex-hormone levels but the comparison of these fluctuations is seldom a topic of interest. It is interesting to note that both IGF1 and sex hormones have the ability to regulate phosphoinositide 3-kinase-Akt and mitogen-activated protein kinases-extracellular signal-related kinase signaling cascades in animal and cell culture models of neuroprotection. Additionally, there is considerable evidence demonstrating the neuroprotective coupling of IGF1 and estrogen. Androgens have also been implicated in many neuroprotective processes that operate on similar signaling cascades as the estrogen-IGF1 relation. Yet, androgens have not been directly linked to the brain IGF1 system and neuroprotection. Despite the sex-specific variations in brain integrity and hormone levels observed in diabetic patients, the IGF1-sex hormone relation in neuroprotection has yet to be fully substantiated in experimental models of diabetes. Taken together, there is a clear need for the comprehensive analysis of sex differences on brain integrity of diabetic patients and the relationship between IGF1 and sex hormones that may influence brain-health outcomes. As such, this review will briefly outline the basic relation of diabetes and IGF1 and its role in neuroprotection. We will also consider the findings on sex hormones and diabetes as a basis for separately analyzing males and females to identify possible hormone-induced brain abnormalities. Finally, we will introduce the neuroprotective interplay of IGF1 and estrogen and how androgen-derived neuroprotection operates through similar signaling cascades. Future research on both neuroprotection and diabetes should include androgens into the interplay of IGF1 and sex hormones.
Monitoring the Effects of Bacillus Thuringiensis Kurstaki on Nontarget Lepidoptera in Woodlands and Forests of Western Oregon

The management of lepidopterous pests can be multifaceted. Many techniques are available for suppression or eradication such as (1) habitat manipulation, (2) plant breeding, (3) genetic alteration of the pest, (4) pheromone-based trapping, (5) natural enemy enhancement, and (6) chemical pesticides. Historically, lepidopterous pests of forests and woodlands, such as, gypsy moth, eastern spruce budworm, western spruce budworm, and Douglas fir tussock moth, have been managed using chemical pesticides and/or natural enemies. However, since the mid-1980s a bacterial biological control agent, Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner var. kurstaki (Btk; applied as live spores) has been widely used for suppression or eradication of lepidopterous forest pests (Beegle and Yamamoto 1992, Martin 1994, Milner 1994).
Automated Medical Diagnosis from Clinical Data

A significant portion of the world population does not have access to proper healthcare. The key factor for healthcare's success is the physician's expertise. In this paper, we examine if that expertise can be modeled as an information corpus, a flavor of Big Data and extracted using text mining techniques, particularly using the Vector Space Model, to perform diagnosis. Using cloud and mobile technologies, medical diagnosis can then be made available everywhere there is Internet connectivity, reducing costs, increasing coverage and improving quality of life. The key to the possibility of performing medical diagnosis using an information retrieval approach is the data. This paper therefore focuses on the suitability of the dataset for automating diagnosis using text mining. We use various text mining tools relevant to the Vector Space Model to perform operations on the data to see if meaningful conclusions can be drawn from it. We present some of our observations from the experiments conducted and conclude with future directions.
A Privacy-Aware Architecture at the Edge for Autonomous Real-Time Identity Reidentification in Crowds

The capability to perform identity reidentification in a crowd (e.g., from video feeds from a network of cameras, and social media platforms, such as Facebook and Instagram) efficiently and effectively is increasingly important, as evident in recent real-world events (e.g., terrorist attacks on places of mass gatherings in different countries). However, real-time reidentification in a network of cameras, such as those deployed in a smart city, and from other sources, such as social media platforms, remains a challenging task. In this paper, a new embedding algorithm pipeline is presented to extract and administrate the crowd-sourced facial image features (e.g., social media platforms and multicameras in a dense crowd, such as a stadium or airport). The proposed facial embedding is a privacy-aware parameterized function, which maps facial images to high-dimensional vectors in order to facilitate the identification and tracking of individuals. In other words, we are able to uniquely identify person(s) of interest, without the need to determine their true identity. To extract the facial embedding information in crowds, concurrent residual neural network (ResNet) embedding pipeline for each camera is proposed. Specifically, facial embedding feature vectors are generated in real-time by each camera using the proposed enhanced ResNet architecture, which is trained with vectorized-l2-loss function for face recognition. The multivariate kernel density estimation matching algorithm is then applied to facial embedding pipelines generated by cameras at the fog cloud for identity reidentification and security verification. This allows us to ensure the privacy of individuals captured by the camera without compromising on the capability for identity reidentification. Evaluations using mixed datasets in real-time demonstrate that our proposed approach achieves a 2.6% accuracy over other state-of-the-art approaches.
Does providing inmates with education improve postrelease outcomes? A meta-analysis of correctional education programs in the United States

Our study addresses the question: Does providing inmates with education while incarcerated reduce their chances of recidivism and improve their postrelease employment prospects? We aggregated 37 years of research (1980–2017) on correctional education and applied meta-analytic techniques. As the basis for our meta-analysis, we identified a total of 57 studies that used recidivism as an outcome and 21 studies that used employment as an outcome. We then applied random-effects regression across the effect sizes abstracted from each of these studies. When focusing on studies with the highest caliber research designs, we found that inmates participating in correctional education programs were 28% less likely to recidivate when compared with inmates who did not participate in correctional education programs. However, we found that inmates receiving correctional education were as likely to obtain postrelease employment as inmates not receiving correctional education. Our meta-analysis demonstrates the value in providing inmates with educational opportunities while they serve their sentences if the goal of the program is to reduce recidivism.
Stage Fright and Self-Regard

It is the main thesis of this paper that if dishonesty and secret guilts make people “uneasy” with others (lest their secrets be detected), it follows that such uneasiness will be accentuated before an “audience. “ But thus far we have cited only informal evidence that dishonesty and guilt-riddenness are the predominant characteristics of so-called neurotic and functionally psychotic persons. At this point, it is therefore appropriate to call attention to a monograph entitled “New Evidence Concerning the Nature of Psychopathology” (Mowrer, 1968), in which upwards of a dozen empirical investigations are reviewed, all of which show that on a scale of “socialization,” the neurotic, while not falling as low as the sociopath, is considerably lower than the normal person. This finding is at variance with Freud’s widely accepted theory that the neurotic is the most highly socialized (inhibited) type of person, the sociopath the least socialized, with the normal person falling somewhere in between. Hence, the theory that stage fright is simply an augmentation of one’s fear of having one’s concealed misdeeds discovered when many people are looking at and watching one.
Ultrasound Evaluation of the Upper Abdomen with the Real Time Sector Scanner

Current B-mode gray scale imaging systems have proven extremely useful in evaluating abdominal disease by revealing the detailed visceral and vascular anatomy of the upper abdomen. With the commercially available static scanners, the abdomen is best examined in single sector sweeps while the patient suspends respiration. Using this technique, investigators have reported visualization of the superior mesenteric artery and vein, splenic, portal, and renal veins, and the pancreas (2,5). Ultrasonic examination of this intricate upper abdominal anatomy can be facilitated by using a real time scanner because the optimal scanning planes are delineated under simultaneous visual guidence. Ideally, a real time scanner should be easy to position around the ribs and be capable of displaying a gray scale image with a resolution similar to that obtained with the static scanners.
Self–care practices among social workers: do they predict job satisfaction and turnover intention?

The current health and mental health care delivery system in the United States strives to provide efficient quality care at a lower cost. This cost-effective approach and recent budget cuts have cr...
“I Just Learned by Observation and Trial and Error”: Exploration of Young Caregiver Training and Knowledge in Families Living with Rare Neurological Disorders

Caregiver skill training and support programs are traditionally offered to adult caregivers, leaving out the over 1 million children and youth who provide care (“young caregivers”). Skill building and support programs are critical to caregiver and patient well-being and can be informed by the knowledge of current caregiver skill and support acquisition. Using data from three studies of neurological disorders, this paper provides initial data on how young caregivers acquire caregiver skills and training needed to inform young caregiver programs. Mixed method data drawn from three studies of young caregivers in neurological disorders, Huntington’s disease (HD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Youth (N = 96), ranged in age from 8 to 20, care for a family member with HD or ALS, and involved in tasks ranging from assistance with walking (76%), toileting (32%) and administering medications (37%). The majority (N = 59; 61%), received no training or guidance. When asked how they knew what to do, six main themes arose: (1) patient tells me what to do, (2) watching and observing, (3) common sense, (4) treating patient like child or self, (5) process of figuring it out, and (6) don’t know. Young caregivers in neurological disorders engage in numerous caregiving tasks with little formal guidance, despite a desire for training and education by adults and professionals. Reliance on various skill methods and lack of formal guidance, points to the need for health care professionals to develop education and training programs targeting this isolated and underserved population, improving the well-being of both caregiver and care recipient.
Posterior Fossa Revascularization Options at the Cranio-vertebral Junction

Cranial bypasses at the cranio-vertebral junction are probably the most challenging surgical treatments that a vascular neurosurgeon needs to face. Current advances in endovascular neurosurgery have limited to some extent the need for these bypasses, thus the experience with these procedures is diminishing which in turn elevate the difficulty level. Indications for bypass at the cranio-vertebral junction may still serve as a treatment option for complex aneurysms of the vertebrobasilar system, posterior circulation ischemia as well as for skull base tumors that involves the vertebral artery.
Zonal Anatomy of Prostate on MRI

Zonal anatomy of the prostate on MRI matches the distinct histological areas of the peripheral, central, and transition zones, as well as the anterior fibromuscular stroma. Understanding of the anatomical zones has an important role in detection of pathologies, such as prostate cancer, as well as morphological changes occurring with age. This chapter introduces the zonal divisions of the prostate, as well as important anatomical landmarks and sector maps that are currently used in clinical practice with an emphasis on its imaging characteristics on MRI.
Clinical and laboratory interpretation of mitochondrial mRNA variants

Interpretation of mitochondrial protein-encoding (mt-mRNA) variants has been challenging due to mitochondrial characteristics that have not been addressed by American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics guidelines. We developed criteria for the interpretation of mt-mRNA variants via literature review of reported variants, tested and refined these criteria by using our new cases, followed by interpreting 421 novel variants in our clinical database using these verified criteria. A total of 32 of 56 previously reported pathogenic (P) variants had convincing evidence for pathogenicity. These variants are either null variants, well-known disease-causing variants, or have robust functional data or strong phenotypic correlation with heteroplasmy levels. Based on our criteria, 65.7% (730/1,111) of variants of unknown significance (VUS) were reclassified as benign (B) or likely benign (LB), and one variant was scored as likely pathogenic (LP). Furthermore, using our criteria we classified 2, 12, and 23 as P, LP, and LB, respectively, among 421 novel variants. The remaining stayed as VUS (91.2%). Appropriate interpretation of mt-mRNA variants is the basis for clinical diagnosis and genetic counseling. Mutation type, heteroplasmy levels in different tissues of the probands and matrilineal relatives, in silico predictions, population data, as well as functional studies are key points for pathogenicity assessments.
Imaging E. coli – bacteriophage interaction using spatial light interference microscopy (SLIM)

In this study, we use Spatial light interference microscopy (SLIM), a quantitative, label-free imaging technique, to study E. coli, phages, and their interaction. The first part of the study involves imaging of infected, fluorescently-labelled E. coli cells. Bacterial genome and prophage were labelled with fluorescent proteins. The SLIM images overlay very well with the fluorescence images, proving that SLIM can detect subcellular features of E. coli. The second part of the study involves imaging isolated phages. Again, using fluorescence as ground truth, our results show that SLIM is able to detect and locate individual bacteriophages.
Novel adhesive anchoring system through engineered adhesive-concrete interface

Abstract This study was to verify an idea that improves the robustness of adhesive anchors, which usually consists of a threaded rod inserted into a drilled hole in concrete with adhesives acting as bonding agent. Bond on adhesive-concrete interfaces can be affected by many factors, including installation conditions, service conditions, and adhesive materials. The innovation is about creating threads/grooves in drilled holes in concrete before adhesive are injected and anchors installed. The hardened adhesive in the grooves creates reliable mechanical interlock to the load carrying mechanism. The new adhesive anchoring system was verified in this study using both unconfined and confined tension tests in uncracked concrete. The comparison tests considered two anchor sizes and three hole-cleaning conditions that represent actual practices. The tests, though limited in considered variables, showed that the new adhesive anchors greatly improved consistence of adhesive anchors and the new anchors achieved higher tensile capacities compared with the traditional adhesive anchors.
Organic Amendments Alter Soil Hydrology and Belowground Microbiome of Tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum)

Manure-derived organic amendments are a cost-effective tool that provide many potential benefits to plant and soil health including fertility, water retention, and disease suppression. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate how dairy manure compost (DMC), dairy manure compost-derived vermicompost (VC), and dehydrated poultry manure pellets (PP) impact the tripartite relationship among plant growth, soil physiochemical properties, and microbial community composition. Of tomato plants with manure-derived fertilizers amendments, only VC led to vigorous growth through the duration of the experiment, whereas DMC had mixed impacts on plant growth and PP was detrimental. Organic amendments increased soil porosity and soil water holding capacity, but delayed plant maturation and decreased plant biomass. Composition of bacterial communities were affected more by organic amendment than fungal communities in all microhabitats. Composition of communities outside roots (bulk soil, rhizosphere, rhizoplane) contrasted those within roots (endosphere). Distinct microbial communities were detected for each treatment, with an abundance of Massilia, Chryseolinea, Scedosporium, and Acinetobacter distinguishing the control, vermicompost, dairy manure compost, and dehydrated poultry manure pellet treatments, respectively. This study suggests that plant growth is affected by the application of organic amendments not only because of the soil microbial communities introduced, but also due to a synergistic effect on the physical soil environment. Furthermore, there is a strong interaction between root growth and the spatial heterogeneity of soil and root-associated microbial communities.
Retrospective Analysis Using Statistical Modeling on the Effect of Repeated Stimulated Granulocyte Donation on Hematopoietic Indices in Granulocytapheresis Donors

Abstract BACKGROUND Short and long term clinical effects of mobilization regimens in hematopoietic stem cell and granulocytapheresis donors have been characterized. The longitudinal hematopoietic changes in RBC, MCV, platelet, and Hgb values related to repeat stimulated granulocytapheresis donations were examined STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS Pre-apheresis CBCs for consecutive GCSF and dexamethasone or GCSF- alone stimulated healthy volunteer granulocytapheresis donors (n=496) between Oct 1994- May 2017 were compared to unstimulated healthy granulocytapheresis donors (n=526). Plateletapheresis donors served as controls (n=3743). The longitudinal change in RBC, platelet, Hgb and MCV for these donor groups were modeled using a linear mixed effects model to control for the intra-subject correlation of repeat donations. Variables in the analysis included: donation category, age, race, gender, and the number of previous donations for each category by time interval: 0-1, 1-2, 2-3, 3-4, and 4+ years ago. The models were built using the nlme package, R version 3.3.1, and used the computational resources of the high performance computing Biowulf cluster. Contrasts were done to illustrate the effect of donation number on pre-collection counts. In the contrast models, a 60-year old donor was set as baseline to place emphasis on age related effects. Male gender, with race set to Caucasian was selected to coincide with our center's majority of granulocyte donors. RESULTS The pseudo-R2 for the pre-RBC model was 0.795; for the pre-platelet model it was 0.765 and for pre-Hgb it was 0.748. Pre-RBC model Age was found to have a minimal negative effect on pre-apheresis RBC counts (b=-0.003, P Pre-Plt model African American race, was associated with a minor increased platelet count (Black: b=14.3, P=0.003 vs White b=-1.7 P=0.671). The Dex and the GCSF-Dex donor groups had statistically significantly higher platelet counts of 30.7 K/uL (P Pre-Hgb model African American race, was associated with a decrease in pre-apheresis Hgb (b=0.537,P Effect of donation number (Figure 1) For the GCSF-Dex stimulated group the platelet, RBC counts and Hgb decreased 22.6 K/µL (-8.8%, P For the unstimulated granulocytapheresis donor group, between donations 1 and 20, the platelet and RBC count decreased by 24.8 K/µL (-11.8%, P CONCLUSIONS Though the absolute changes in CBCs were small; past granulocytapheresis donations were found to have a statistically strong negative effect on precollection RBC counts, platelet counts, and Hgb values. These effects were evident in granulocyte apheresis donor groups but not plateletpheresis donors. In this statistical model, for both these groups, the effect of past donations on RBC, Platelet counts and hemoglobin were detectable 2 years post-donation. Download : Download high-res image (241KB) Download : Download full-size image Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.