cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On the logic of nonmonotonic conditionals and conditional probabilities : Predicate logic

In a previous paper I described a range of nonmonotonic conditionals that behave like conditional probability functions at various levels of probabilistic support. These conditionals were defined as semantic relations on an object language for sentential logic. In this paper I extend the most prominent family of these conditionals to a language for predicate logic. My approach to quantifiers is closely related to Hartry Field's probabilistic semantics. Along the way I will show how Field's semantics differs from a substitutional interpretation of quantifiers in crucial ways, and show that Field's approach is closely related to the usual objectual semantics. One of Field's quantifier rules, however, must be significantly modified to be adapted to nonmonotonic conditional semantics. And this modification suggests, in turn, an alternative quantifier rule for probabilistic semantics.
Growth of TiC thin films by pulsed laser evaporation

Abstract Thin films of TiC have been grown on Si (100) substrates by pulsed laser evaporation. Analysis by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and by Auger sputter depth profiles indicates that the films grown between RT and 500° C are stoichiometric TiC. Film/ substrate interdiffusion is observed at higher substrate temperatures.
Systematic investigation of parameters affecting the performance of an agitated filter-dryer

A systematic experimental investigation of contact drying operation was carried out in an agitated Charles Thompson filter-dryer. In this study, the effect of process parameters (wall temperature, impeller speed, fill level) on the drying performance in the filter-dryer is quantified as a function of bed temperature and solvent concentration. In addition, the impact of drying conditions on the particle size distribution was also examined. It was found that in the range of parameters investigated, drying rate increased with wall temperature and reduced bed depth. The effect of impeller speed was variable where favorable drying conditions were strongly dependent on the particle properties. Moreover, decrease in the particle size was evident with an increase in impeller speed and decrease in the bed depth due to increased collision frequency and reduction in the fill volume both leading to particle attrition respectively. Besides, the average wall to solid heat transfer coefficient is also estimated for variable operating conditions. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 102:2198–2213, 2013
Pharmacologic Management of Diarrhea in Patients With Short Bowel Syndrome

Diarrhea associated with short bowel syndrome (SBS) can have multiple etiologies, including accelerated intestinal transit, gastric acid hypersecretion, intestinal bacterial overgrowth, and malabsorption of fats and bile salts. As a result, patients may need multiple medications to effectively control fecal output. The armamentarium of antidiarrheal drugs includes antimotility agents, antisecretory drugs, antibiotics and probiotics, bile acid-binding resins, and pancreatic enzymes. An antidiarrheal regimen must be individualized for each patient and should be developed using a methodical, stepwise approach. Treatment should be initiated with a single first-line medication at the low end of its dosing range. Dosage and/or dosing frequency can then be slowly escalated to achieve maximal effect while minimizing adverse events. If diarrhea remains poorly controlled, additional agents can be incorporated sequentially. If modification of the regimen is required, a single medication should be altered or exchanged at a time. After each adjustment of the regimen, sufficient time should be permitted to fully assess response (≥3-5 days) before initiating additional changes. SBS-associated malabsorption is a major obstacle to optimization of an antidiarrheal regimen because drug absorption is impaired. Patients may benefit from high dosages and/or frequent dosing intervals, liquid preparations, or nonoral routes of drug delivery. Although the diarrhea associated with SBS can be debilitating, effective pharmaceutical management has the potential to substantially improve health outcomes and quality of life for these patients.
Bronchoscopy: What Critical Care Nurses Need to Know

Although bronchoscopies have been performed for over a century and are relatively safe when practice guidelines are followed, they are invasive and a real source of anxiety and fear for the patient. The role of the critical care nurse is essential to a successful outcome. This article provides an overview of the main diagnostic and therapeutic indications, contraindications, and possible complications. Also discussed are patient education; patient and staff safety; and considerations before, during, and after the procedure.
Resonant mode lifetimes due to boundary wave emission in equilateral triangular dielectric cavities

Lifetimes are estimated for the two-dimensional resonant optical modes of a dielectric cavity with an equilateral triangular cross section, that are approximately confined by total internal reflection. Exact solutions of a two-dimensional scalar wave equation for triangular geometry with Dirichlet boundary conditions are used to describe approximately the vector fields of the possible transverse electric (TE) and transverse magnetic (TM) modes. Only two-dimensional electromagnetic solutions are considered here, where there is no propagation vector perpendicular to the plane of the triangle (kz = 0). The field properties just inside and outside the cavity boundary are shown to be significantly different for TE and TM field polarizations, the two cases having different dependences on the index mismatch with the exterior. For a given mode specified by particular quantum numbers, TE polarization leads to longer lifetime than TM polarization at high index mismatch, assuming that escape of evanescent boundary waves at the corners is the primary decay process.
The role of nitric oxide in tumour progression

Nitric oxide (NO) and nitric oxide synthases are ubiquitous in malignant tumours and are known to exert both pro- and anti-tumour effects. We summarize our current understanding of the role of NO in tumour progression, especially in relation to angiogenesis and vascular functions. We also discuss potential strategies for cancer treatment that modulate NO production and/or its downstream signalling pathways.
A theoretical study of selected singlet and triplet states of the CO molecule

The results of the configuration calculations of six singlet electronic states and one triplet electronic state of CO are presented. The potential energy curves, spectroscopic constants, and electron transition moments are calculated, along with electronic dipole moment functions for three states. The self consistent field and configuration calculations used to obtain the electronic wave functions are described. The theoretical results are found to be in good agreement with the experimental measurements, and in the case of the dipole moment function calculations, preferable to them.
U-Pb ages of detrital zircons in Jurassic eolian and associated sandstones of the Colorado Plateau: Evidence for transcontinental dispersal and intraregional recycling of sediment

U-Pb ages for 1655 individual detrital zircon grains in 18 samples of eolian and associated marine and fluvial sandstones of the Glen Canyon and San Rafael Groups from the Colorado Plateau and contiguous areas shed light on patterns of Jurassic sediment dispersal within Laurentia. Most detrital zircon grains in Jurassic eolianites were derived ultimately from basement provinces older than 285 Ma in eastern and central Laurentia, rather than from rock assemblages of the nearby Cordilleran margin. The most prominent peaks of constituent age populations at 420 Ma, 615 Ma, 1055 Ma, and 1160 Ma reflect derivation from Paleozoic, Neoproterozoic, and Grenvillian sources within the Appalachian orogen or its sedimentary cover. Sediment was transported to a position upwind to the north of the Colorado Plateau by a transcontinental paleoriver system with headwaters in the central to southern Appalachian region, but subordinate non-Appalachian detritus was contributed by both northern and southern tributaries during sediment transit across the continent. Subordinate detrital zircons younger than 285 Ma in selected Middle to Upper Jurassic eolianites were derived from the Permian-Triassic East Mexico and the Mesozoic Cordilleran magmatic arcs. Lower Jurassic fluvial sandstones typically contain a mixture of detrital zircons redistributed from eolian sand and derived from the East Mexico arc, which lay up-current to the southeast. Zircons in marine Curtis sandstone were largely reworked from underlying Entrada eolianite, with minor contributions from the Jurassic backarc igneous assemblage of the Great Basin. Once mature quartzose detritus was dispersed widely across southwest Laurentia by a transcontinental paleoriver system and paleowinds, which deposited extensive Jurassic ergs, durable zircon grains were recycled by multiple intraregional depositional systems. Lower Jurassic fluvial sand is locally composed, however, of detritus derived from the nearby Cordilleran magmatic arc assemblage and its Precambrian basement.
Lipomatous hypertrophy of the interatrial septum: prevalence and features on fusion 18F fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/CT.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of lipomatous hypertrophy of the interatrial septum (LHIS) on CT and its metabolic pattern on 18F fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET). Method and materials: Eight hundred two CT PET scans were reviewed. Patients were included if the interatrial septum was ≥ 1 cm and excluded if there was evidence of malignancy in the adjacent lung, hilum, or mediastinum. CT scans were fused with PET scans, and the mean standardized uptake value (SUV) was calculated over the LHIS, chest wall (CW) fat, and mediastinal blood pool. CT scans were reviewed for presence of excessive fat in the mediastinum, pericardial, peridiaphragmatic, peritoneal, and retroperitoneal regions and for the presence of emphysema. Medical records were reviewed for body mass index (BMI) and history of arrhythmia. Results: Twenty-three of 802 patients (2.8%) had LHIS on CT (9 women and 14 men); average age was 75.6 years (range, 58 to 95 years). Average BMI of 17 patients (± SD) was 31 ± 4.9 (range, 22.1 to 39.9). Mean CT values were as follows: thickening of LHIS, 1.47 ± 0.35 cm (range, 1.07 to 2.25 cm); LHIS, − 79.6 + 24.5 Hounsfield unit (HU) [range, − 11 to – 121 HU]. LHIS was dumbbell shaped in 18 patients. Mean SUVs were as follows: LHIS, 1.84 ± 0.10 (range, 0.48 to 3.48); CW fat, 0.36 + 0.37 (range, 0.04 to 1.98); blood pool, 1.74 + 0.51 (range, 0.25 to 2.71). The SUV of LHIS was greater than the SUV of CW wall fat in all patients (p r = 0.883). Those with dumbbell-shaped LHIS (p Conclusion: The SUV of LHIS was greater than the SUV of CW fat in all patients. LHIS with greater thickness or dumbbell shape had greater FDG uptake. These findings on CT and PET are important to recognize in order to avoid false-positive FDG-PET interpretations.
R PheWAS: data analysis and plotting tools for phenome-wide association studies in the R environment

Summary: Phenome-wide association studies (PheWAS) have been used to replicate known genetic associations and discover new phenotype associations for genetic variants. This PheWAS implementation allows users to translate ICD-9 codes to PheWAS case and control groups, perform analyses using these and/or other phenotypes with covariate adjustments and plot the results. We demonstrate the methods by replicating a PheWAS on rs3135388 (near HLA-DRB, associated with multiple sclerosis) and performing a novel PheWAS using an individual’s maximum white blood cell count (WBC) as a continuous measure. Our results for rs3135388 replicate known associations with more significant results than the original study on the same dataset. Our PheWAS of WBC found expected results, including associations with infections, myeloproliferative diseases and associated conditions, such as anemia. These results demonstrate the performance of the improved classification scheme and the flexibility of PheWAS encapsulated in this package. Availability and implementation: This R package is freely available under the Gnu Public License (GPL-3) from http://phewascatalog.org. It is implemented in native R and is platform independent. Contact: ude.tlibrednav@sawehp Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Force Microscopy: Applications in Biology and Medicine. Edited by Bhanu P. Jena and J.K. Heinrich Hörber

Force Microscopy: Applications in Biology and Medicine. Edited by Bhanu P. Jena and J.K. Heinrich Horber. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, NJ; 2006, 300 pages. ISBN 978-0-471-39628-4 The excitement of man's imagination and discovery by the scope of imaging tools, whether tele- or micro-, from 10 15 to 10 −15 m, ranges from the limits of the known universe to the atomic level. Light and electron microscopy opened vistas of biology and medicine with discovery of the unit of life, the cell and viruses. In the mid-1980s development of scanning probe microscopy allowed studies on live cells at the near-nanometer level. Thus, results from studies using the atomic force microscope (AFM) have given birth to a new field, “NanoCellBiology”, by providing investigators a three-dimensional view of the structure and dynamics of live cells and biomolecules at near-angstrom resolution. Applications of force microscopy to the study of physiological processes of living cells combined with biochemical and molecular biology are yielding rapid advances on how normal and diseased cells function. This exciting book contains 15 chapters by invited experts that examine cell secretory machinery and the discovery of a new cellular structure—the porosome—involved in cell secretion, properties of microbial and cell plant surfaces, cellular interactions of nanodrug delivery systems, intermolecular forces and avidity modulation of leukocyte adhesion molecules, micromechanical properties of lipid bilayers and vesicles, imaging of soft surfaces, high-speed action of biomolecules in motion, cytogenetic applications, and the study of macromolecular interactions in hemostasis and thrombosis.
Recurve piezoelectric-strain-amplifying actuator architecture

Various external and internal leverage devices have been developed to amplify strain; however, these devices are commonly inefficient due to transmission losses and can be difficult to pack into constrained application volumes. A Recurve actuator architecture has been designed which amplifies direct material strains and allows for construction of highly compact, high-energy-density actuator arrays. The Recurve architecture enables arrays that can be tailored to produce specific force and displacement output and can be configured in a variety of ways to make efficient use of available design space. This paper describes a Recurve actuator architecture and presents a quasi-static model relating voltage, force, and deflection along with experimental results for fundamental Recurve actuator elements.
Social Relations and Mental Health Middle-Aged and Older Men and Women from Three European Ethnic Groups

It is believed that social support provided through continuing ties with relatives and friends fosters personal adjustment, mitigating the impact of life stress and role strain. Respondents from th...
Field-aligned electron bursts at high latitudes observed by OGO 4.

High latitude electron bursts observed by OGO 4, postulating electric field acceleration mechanism beyond 3 earth radii for ambient thermal plasma electrons
Micro-mechanics based derivation of the materials constitutive relations for carbon-nanotube reinforced poly-vinyl-ester-epoxy based composites

The atomic-level computational results of the mechanical properties of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube (MWCNT) reinforced poly-vinyl-ester-epoxy obtained in our recent work [Grujicic M, Sun Y-P, Koudela KL (2006) Appl Surf Sci (accepted for publication, March)], have been utilized in the present work within a continuum-based micro-mechanics formulation to determine the effective macroscopic mechanical properties of these materials. Since the MWCNT reinforcements and the polymer-matrix molecules are of comparable length scales, the reinforcement/matrix interactions which control the matrix-to-reinforcement load transfer in these materials are accounted for through direct atomic-level modeling of the “effective reinforcement” mechanical properties. The term an “effective reinforcement” is used to denote a MWCNT surrounded by a layer of the polymer matrix whose thickness is comparable to the MWCNT radius and whose conformation is changed as a result of its interactions with the MWCNT. The micro-mechanics procedure yielded the effective continuum mechanical properties for the MWCNT-reinforced poly-vinyl-ester-epoxy matrix composite mats with a random in-plane orientation of the MWCNTs as a function of the following composite microstructural parameters: the volume fraction of the MWCNTs, their aspect ratio, the extent of covalent functionalization of the MWCNT outer walls as well as a function of the mechanical properties of the matrix and the reinforcements.
Cancer care in nursing homes.

Objectives To review the available scientific literature on cancer care in nursing homes and recommendations for clinical practice and further research are offered. Data Sources Research studies and review articles. Conclusion Overlooked issues for older adults with cancer in nursing homes include screening, treatment, and symptom management. Cancer care and survivorship in nursing homes receives little direct attention. Implications for Nursing Practice Oncology nurses can improve cancer care and survivorship in nursing homes by considering nursing homes as a practice venue.
Molecular mechanisms of COPII vesicle formation

The first step in protein secretion from eukaryotic cells is mediated by COPII vesicles, known for the cytoplasmic coat proteins that are the minimal machinery required to generate these small transport carriers. The five COPII coat components coordinate to create a vesicle by locally generating membrane curvature and populating the incipient bud with the appropriate cargo. This review describes the molecular details of how the COPII coat sculpts vesicles from the endoplasmic reticulum and highlights some unresolved questions regarding the regulation of this process in the complex environment of the eukaryotic cell.
Eigentaste 5.0: constant-time adaptability in a recommender system using item clustering

Recommender systems strive to recommend items that users will appreciate and rate highly, often presenting items in order of highest predicted ratings first. In this working paper we present Eigentaste 5.0, a constant-time recommender system that dynamically adapts the order that items are recommended by integrating user clustering with item clustering and monitoring item portfolio effects. This extends our Eigentaste 2.0 algorithm, which uses principal component analysis to cluster users offline. In preliminary experiments we backtested Eigentaste 5.0 on data collected from Jester, our online joke recommender system. Results suggest that it will perform better than Eigentaste 2.0. The new algorithm also uses item clusters to address the cold-start problem for introducing new items.
Synthetic sports: a bacterial relay race

Pennsylvania State University is well known for the breadth and depth of its athletic programs. But, until last year, the Penn State Athletic Department had focused on tuition-paying and scholarship-funded eukaryotes, while bacteria had languished in neglect. To reconcile this apparent inequity, we designed a bacterial relay race. We eventually hope to have a multi-leg relay race with laps, but for the initial iGEM competition the project was simplified to a ‘hand-off’ where a group of motile bacteria would encounter an immotile group, transferring a signal to turn on the latter's motility.
An Example of The Unified Method of Interpretation for Crustal Seismic Data

Summary Two interpretations of the record section for a seismic refraction profile recorded in the Basin and Range area of western North America are presented which compare the results to be obtained from the apparent velocities and intercepts of first arrivals with those which may be found from a unified interpretation of all relevant data. The addition of nearby vertical-incidence reflection data permits the identification of separate echoes from the tops and bottoms of two separate velocity inversions which are situated above and below the intermediate layer at depths of roughly 10 and 20 + km. The four wide-angle reflection hyperbolae corresponding to these interfaces are concordant with strong and distinct wave groups in the record section, confirming the unified interpretation. Suggestions that the seismic refraction operations be curtailed, because of a supposed inability to detect intra-crustal interfaces, are questioned in the light of this result.
The phytophthora genome initiative database: informatics and analysis for distributed pathogenomic research.

The Phytophthora Genome Initiative (PGI) is a distributed collaboration to study the genome and evolution of a particularly destructive group of plant pathogenic oomycete, with the goal of understanding the mechanisms of infection and resistance. NCGR provides informatics support for the collaboration as well as a centralized data repository. In the pilot phase of the project, several investigators prepared Phytophthora infestans and Phytophthora sojae EST and Phytophthora sojae BAC libraries and sent them to another laboratory for sequencing. Data from sequencing reactions were transferred to NCGR for analysis and curation. An analysis pipeline transforms raw data by performing simple analyses (i.e., vector removal and similarity searching) that are stored and can be retrieved by investigators using a web browser. Here we describe the database and access tools, provide an overview of the data therein and outline future plans. This resource has provided a unique opportunity for the distributed, collaborative study of a genus from which relatively little sequence data are available. Results may lead to insight into how better to control these pathogens. The homepage of PGI can be accessed at http:www.ncgr.org/pgi , with database access through the database access hyperlink.
Pyrazinamide and Rifampin vs Isoniazid for the Treatment of Latent Tuberculosis: Improved Completion Rates But More Hepatotoxicity

Context American Thoracic Society guidelines recommend a 9-month course of therapy with isoniazid for treatment of persons with latent tuberculosis infection who are at high risk for reactivation of disease. Major liver injury has been reported with the alternative regimen, a 2-month course of pyrazinamide and rifampin. Objective To evaluate the rate of completion and incidence of hepatotoxicity of a short regimen of pyrazinamide and rifampin for latent tuberculosis as compared with standard isoniazid therapy before and after instituting an intensive monitoring program. Design, setting, and participants Prospective cohort study of 224 patients in a community setting between 1999 and 2001. Interventions Daily pyrazinamide and rifampin for 2 months or daily isoniazid for 6 months. Main outcome measures Treatment completion, hepatotoxicity (fourfold increase of alanine transaminase [ALT]), severe hepatotoxicity (40-fold increase in ALT). Results Treatment was completed by 71% (78 of 110 patients) in the pyrazinamide/rifampin group and by 59% (67 of 114 patients) in the isoniazid group (p = 0.07). Hepatotoxicity (ALT > 160 U/L) was documented in 13% (14 of 110 patients) in the pyrazinamide/rifampin group and in 4% (5 of 114 patients) in the isoniazid group (p = 0.03). Severe hepatotoxicity (ALT > 1,600 U/L) occurred in 2 of 43 patients (5%) receiving pyrazinamide/rifampin prior to instituting intensive monitoring. Once more intensive monitoring of liver enzymes was implemented, severe hepatotoxicity occurred in none of 67 patients. Conclusion The risk of hepatitis in patients receiving pyrazinamide/rifampin for prevention of latent tuberculosis is increased threefold as compared to patients receiving isoniazid. When patients were monitored more intensively, severe hepatotoxicity did not develop, but the difference did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.15).
ESL student reaction to written comments on their written work

Abstract Although studies of instructor response to student writing are numerous in both L1 and L2 contexts, the literature on student reaction to those comments is small in L2 research. Partly for this reason, we have examined ESL students' own preferences and views on feedback. We surveyed the attitudes of 59 students in four ESL-oriented classes. Our questionnaire elicited their opinions on the usefulness of various types of comments, the scope of teacher markings, responsibility in error marking and correction, and revision. Eight students were then selected for interview (either audio- or video-taped). The respondents can be divided into three categories, primarily according to their degrees of acceptance of revision and of teacher intervention in providing input: Receptors (46%), Semi-resistors (41%), and Resistors (13%). The survey revealed that as students progress from English language learners to apprentices in their chosen discipline, the more restricted is the role they assign to the language teacher.
Pregnancy and ovarian steroid regulation of angiotensin II type 1 and type 2 receptor expression in ovine uterine artery endothelium and vascular smooth muscle.

Although pregnancy is clearly associated with refractoriness to infused angiotensin II (AII) in the uteroplacental unit, there is still dispute over the mechanism by which angiotensin type 1 and type 2 receptors (AT1R and AT2R) may mediate this response in the uterine artery. This is in large part due to incomplete knowledge of levels of AT1R and AT2R expression and function in uterine artery endothelium (UA Endo) in the nonpregnant (NP) and pregnant (P) states, combined with the disagreement on whether AII may act through release of adrenomedullary catecholamines. The authors have previously described an increase in AT1R in UA Endo but not UA vascular smooth muscle (VSM) during pregnancy as compared to the nonpregnant intact ewe. Herein they report that the pregnancy-associated increase in AT1R expression in UA Endo is regulated by ovarian steroids. Using a recently developed antibody to AT2R, the authors now show there is no change in AT2R in UA Endo or VSM associated with ovarian function, and although...
A technique for characterization of hardware system behavior for product reliability predictions

This paper describes a cost-effective reliability estimation technique that systematically characterizes components of a system based on the system behavior. This technique is an extension to that known as statistical interference theory where probability of failure is derived from the interference between load and strength distributions. Material strength distribution is a physical property characterizing material's failure. Several parameters such as stress, strain, or energy can be used to measure strength in hardware components. Strength distributions for most commonly used materials can be obtained from materials testing. Load distribution derived from field return data and strength distribution aggregates effects of numerous parameters to form a material behavioral response under field use conditions.
"Try To Be A Man": The Rabbinic Construction Of Masculinity*

What does it mean “to be a man”? Whereas in most societies at most times the determination of “maleness” is straightforward (does he have male genitalia? what is his chromosomal make-up?), locating the cultural constructions of “manhood” is far more difficult. Many anthropologists have noted that in contrast to models that postulate a common psychology for all men, everywhere, all the time, constructions of manhood are varied and culturally dependent. For example, the highly aggressive behavior necessary for retention of manhood for a male resident of Andalusian Spain can be contrasted to the sanctioned behavior of males of Tahiti. Unifying these diverse constructions of masculinity, however, is the common idea that manhood is an acquired state that males must fight both to attain and maintain. Because manhood is an achieved state, it can never be taken for granted: a male must be constantly proving that he is a man. “[T]he state of being a ‘real man’ or ‘true man’ [is] uncertain or precarious, a prize to be won or wrested through struggle.” Similar constructions of manhood are evident today throughout the circum-Mediterranean.
Economics of the Super Bowl

The Super Bowl is America’s premier sporting event. This paper details basic economic facts about the game and examines the controversy surrounding the purported economic impact of the game on host communities. While the league and sports boosters claim that the game brings up to a $500 million economic impact to host cities, a review of the literature suggests that the true economic impact is a fraction of this amount.
Major Histocompatibility Class II HLA-DRα Gene Expression in Thyrocytes: Counter Regulation by the Class II Transactivator and the Thyroid Y Box Protein

Aberrant expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II proteins on thyrocytes, which is associated with autoimmune thyroid disease, is mimicked by gamma-interferon (gamma-IFN). To define elements and factors that regulate class II gene expression in thyrocytes and that might be involved in aberrant expression, we have studied gamma-IFN-induced HLA-DR alpha gene expression in rat FRTL-5 thyroid cells. The present report shows that class II expression in FRTL-5 thyrocytes is positively regulated by the class II transactivator (CIITA), and that CIITA mimics the action of gamma-IFN. Thus, as is the case for gamma-IFN, several distinct and highly conserved elements on the 5'-flanking region of the HLA-DR alpha gene, the S, X1, X2, and Y boxes between -137 to -65 bp, are required for class II gene expression induced by pCIITA transfection in FRTL-5 thyroid cells. CIITA and gamma-IFN do not cause additive increases in HLA-DR alpha gene expression in FRTL-5 cells, consistent with the possibility that CIITA is an intermediate factor in the gamma-IFN pathway to increased class II gene expression. Additionally, gamma-IFN treatment of FRTL-5 cells induces an endogenous CIITA transcript; pCIITA transfection mimics the ability of gamma-IFN treatment of FRTL-5 thyroid cells to increase the formation of a specific and novel protein/DNA complex containing CBP, a coactivator of CRE binding proteins important for cAMP-induced gene expression; and the action of both gamma-IFN and CIITA to increase class II gene expression and increase complex formation is reduced by cotransfection of a thyroid Y box protein, which suppresses MHC class I gene expression in FRTL-5 thyroid cells and is a homolog of human YB-1, which suppresses MHC class II expression in human glioma cells. We conclude that CIITA and TSH receptor suppressor element binding protein-1 are components of the gamma-IFN-regulated transduction system which, respectively, increase or decrease class II gene expression in thyrocytes and may, therefore, be involved in aberrant class II expression associated with autoimmune thyroid disease.
The Relationship of Respiratory Allergies to Croup

One-hundred and forty atopic patients followed at Milwaukee Children's Hospital Allergy Clinic had a complete history, and the medical records were reviewed to determine if an association between croup and respiratory allergies exists. Twenty-five percent of the subjects who participated in the study had at least one episode of croup in their lives.
Hybrid functional calculations of native point defects in InN

By means of hybrid functional calculations we investigate the role of native point defects in the electronic properties of InN. We find that nitrogen vacancies are the most energetically favorable defects and act as shallow donors for Fermi-level positions within the band gap. However, their formation energies are too high in order to explain the observed unintentional n-type conductivity in as-grown or annealed InN films. A transition from donor to acceptor behavior occurs at 1.9 eV above the valence-band maximum (VBM), indicating that if nitrogen vacancies are intentionally introduced to increase the carrier concentration, e.g., by irradiating the InN crystals, the Fermi level will saturate at 1.3 eV above the conduction-band minimum (CBM). The other donor defects, i.e., the nitrogen split interstitial, nitrogen antisite, and indium antisite, have even higher formation energies, and thus are also unlikely sources of unintentional n-type conductivity. The indium vacancies and nitrogen interstitials occupying the octahedral sites are deep acceptors with transition levels resonant in the conduction band. These defects exhibit very high formation energies even for Fermi levels well above the CBM. Our results indicate that InN can support very high electron concentrations before compensation by native acceptor defects takes place.
Risk Factors for Running Away Among a General Population Sample of Males and Females

The present study examines risk factors for running away and homelessness among a sample of more than 7,000 currently housed youth using the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health). Structural equation modeling results revealed that those with greater levels of family instability and those who ran away at Wave 2 were significantly more likely to run away and/or become homeless 5 years later at Wave 3. Family instability also had a significant indirect effect on running away and/or being homeless at Wave 3 through greater levels of problem behaviors and running away at Wave 2. Running away at Wave 1 was indirectly associated with running away and/or becoming homeless at Wave 3 through family instability, problem behavior, and Wave 2 running.
Gender Differences in Adolescents’ Work and Family Orientations in the United States

We use the Education Longitudinal Study: 2002 to compare the perceived importance of work and family achievement among young women and men. We apply latent class analysis to identify distinct confi...
Use of Non-Mammalian Model Systems to Investigate Mechanisms Mediating Biological Interactions with Power Frequency Electromagnetic Fields

The original epidemiological study by Wertheimer and Leeper in 1979 initiated the concern that above average exposure to power frequency electromagnetic fields (EMF) might contribute to an increased risk of developing certain types of cancer1. Numerous additional studies involving both children and adults have also implicated job-related, environmental and residential exposure to EMF as a possible factor in the development of human cancer. However, some studies have come to contradictory conclusions. The epidemiological data has been recently reviewed2–4. The question of EMF-associated health risks remains emotional, controversial and political5.
Comparison of Isolated Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait.) Proanthocyanidins to Catechin and Procyanidins A2 and B2 for Use as Standards in the 4-(Dimethylamino)cinnamaldehyde Assay

The 4-(dimethylamino)cinnamaldehyde (DMAC) assay is currently used to quantify proanthocyanidin (PAC) content in cranberry products. However, this method suffers from issues of accuracy and precision in the analysis and comparison of PAC levels across a broad range of cranberry products. Current use of procyanidin A2 as a standard leads to an underestimation of PACs content in certain cranberry products, especially those containing higher molecular weight PACs. To begin to address the issue of accuracy, a method for the production of a cranberry PAC standard, derived from an extraction of cranberry (c-PAC) press cake, was developed and evaluated. Use of the c-PAC standard to quantify PAC content in cranberry samples resulted in values that were 2.2 times higher than those determined by procyanidin A2. Increased accuracy is critical for estimating PAC content in relationship to research on authenticity, efficacy, and bioactivity, especially in designing clinical trials for determination of putative health ...
HCV antibody quantitative levels in liver transplant patients: do they have any relevance in clinical practice?

Objectives: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is not directly cytopathic to the hepatocytes; however, host immune response against the virus does cause hepatic injury. Production of the HCV antibody is a host immune response to a viral antigen. The currently used HCV antibody assay is a qualitative, not quantitative, assessment. In this study, we sought to quantitatively estimate HCV antibody levels in patients who had undergone liver transplantations at the University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, and correlate these levels with HCV RNA viral load, genotype, severity of recurrence, and anti-HCV treatment. Materials and Methods: From 39 liver transplantation patients, we obtained 141 blood samples for quantitative HCV RNA to measure HCV antibody levels quantitatively. Results: Most antibody levels were within a narrow range with a mean of 32.9 ± 5.1. Samples with undetectable RNA had a mean antibody level of 31.4 ± 8.0, and samples with a positive RNA had mean level of 33.0 ± 4.6. The mean antibody levels were significantly higher for patients with genotype 1 (n = 33) compared with those with genotype 2 (n = 5) (33.2 vs 29.1; P = .007). No correlation was found between antibody levels and severity of hepatic injury with regard to hepatitis activity index or fibrosis score. Six patients with no response to anti-HCV treatment had no change in their mean antibody levels (33.7 vs 34.5). Ten patients who responded to anti-HCV therapy had lower mean levels after therapy, but the changes were not significant (34.2 vs 30.4). Conclusions: Antibody levels in this study did not correlate with viral load or hepatic injury. However, genotype-2 patients had significantly lower levels compared with genotype-1 patients, and patients who responded to anti-HCV therapy demonstrated decreased antibody levels. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is the most common indication for liver transplantation (LTx) in the United States. Recurrence of HCV infection is almost universal after LTx. With currently available anti-HCV therapy, less than 35% of patients achieve a
Stability of antigens on leukocytes in banked platelet concentrates: decline in HLA-DR antigen expression and mixed lymphocyte culture stimulating capacity following storage.

Repeatedly transfused thrombocytopenic patients frequently form antibodies directed against human leukocyte antigens (HLA) and become unresponsive to random donor platelet transfusions. Although exposure to foreign antigens borne on donor leukocytes appears necessary to provoke primary sensitization, the stability of leukocyte antigens during routine platelet storage is largely unknown. Accordingly, we serially measured the expression of surface markers on leukocytes derived from platelet concentrates during storage using immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. Our results indicate that the expression of class I HLA antigens, Leu-4 (T cell), and HLe-1 (pan leukocyte) remained stable on lymphocytes under standard platelet storage conditions, but that the percentage of lymphocytes bearing class II HLA antigens declined significantly over time. This decline in lymphocyte HLA class II expression was associated with a significantly diminished ability of stored leukocytes to stimulate blastogenesis in mixed lymphocyte culture. However, leukocytes retained the ability to respond in mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC) following storage. We also performed studies on lymphocytes cultured in the presence of cyclohexamide, which suggested that the expression of class I HLA antigens and B2 microglobulin are highly sensitive to the inhibition of protein synthesis, whereas the expression of class II HLA antigens, Leu- 4, and HLe-1 are not. Our results may prove useful in understanding the mechanisms that lead to platelet refractoriness and in designing strategies to prevent HLA alloimmunization.
Ethical Issues Raised by CACREP Accreditation of Programs Within Institutions That Disaffirm or Disallow Diverse Sexual Orientations

The field of counseling is expatiating on counselors’ religious values that conflict with the affirmation of diverse sexual orientations. There is also a germane systemic issue: the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs’ practice of providing accreditation to counseling programs housed within religious institutions that disaffirm or disallow individuals with sexual minority identities. This article examines the complexities of this practice given the field's ethical mandate to affirm both religious and sexual orientation diversity.
Experimental Nonlinear Dynamics of Laminated Quasi-Isotropic Thin Composite Plates

Composite panels and plates are increasingly used and continuously developed in diverse industrial domains such as aerospace, automobile, civil and naval structures. However, nonlinear dynamic behavior and failure mechanisms of these structures are still obscure in many respects. A representative example of this issue is nonlinear dynamic behavior of damaged curved composite plates, which is not well represented in the literature although the phenomena could have a detrimental effect on the safety of the aforementioned structures. In this work, free vibrations of (a) an isotropic flat plate (ASTM A36 steel) under fully clamped (CCCC) and cantilever (CFFF) boundary conditions, (b) a symmetrically laminated quasi-isotropic flat composite plate (unidirectional carbon/epoxy) under the same boundary conditions (CCCC and CFFF), and (c) a post-buckled symmetrically laminated quasi-isotropic flat composite plate (carbon fibers woven fabrics) under a clamped and free (CCFF) boundary condition are investigated. A single-point laser is used to capture the dynamic responses of the plates. The von Karman strain-displacement relations and Rayleigh-Ritz method are employed based on the classical laminated plate theory (CLPT) to establish a theoretical model. This research will ultimately be extended to the nonlinear modeling of vibrations and damage of curved laminated composite plates subjected to large deformations.
Second-Generation Tunable pH-Sensitive Phosphoramidate-Based Linkers for Controlled Release

We developed a second generation of tunable pH-sensitive linkers based on our phosphoramidate scaffold to release amine-containing drugs under acidic conditions. The pH-triggered phosphoramidate-based linkers are responsive to pH and do not require intracellular enzymatic action to initiate drug release. On the basis of the model scaffolds examined, phosphoramidate-based linkers were selected for particular properties for controlled release applications such as amine type, stability under physiological conditions, or release rates at various pH values such as intracellular endosomal conditions. Key to the pH-triggered amine release from these linker is a proximal carboxylic acid to promote hydrolysis of the phosphoramidate P-N bond, presumably through an intramolecular general acid-type mechanism. Phosphoramidate hydrolysis is largely governed by the pKa of the leaving amine. However, the proximity of the neighboring carboxylic acid attenuates the stability of the P-N bond to hydrolysis, thus allowing for control over the release of an amine from the phosphoramidate center. In addition, we observed that the Thorpe-Ingold effect and rigidification of the scaffold could further enhance the rate of release. Esterification of the neighboring carboxylic acid was found to protect the scaffold from rapid release at low pH. This latter observation is particularly noteworthy as it suggests that the phosphoramidate-based drug-conjugate scaffold can be protected as an ester prodrug for oral administration. While the tunability phosphoramidate linkers is attractive for applications in intracellular trafficking studies in which pH changes can trigger release of turn-on dyes, antibody drug conjugates, small-molecule drug conjugates, and drug eluting stents (DES), the promise of oral delivery of drug conjugates is expected to have broad impact in controlled release applications.
National prostate cancer screening rates following the 2012 United States Preventive Services Task Force recommendation discouraging prostate-specific antigen (PSA)-based screening.

5026 Background: The prostate cancer screening debate intensified following the 2012 United States Preventive Task Force (USPSTF) recommendation discouraging prostate specific antigen (PSA) testing...
Retinal Image Quality Classification Using Neurobiological Models Of The Human Visual System

Retinal image quality assessment (IQA) algorithms use different hand crafted features without considering the important role of the human visual system (HVS). We solve the IQA problem using the principles behind the working of the HVS. Unsupervised information from local saliency maps and supervised information from trained convolutional neural networks (CNNs) are combined to make a final decision on image quality. A novel algorithm is proposed that calculates saliency values for every image pixel at multiple scales to capture global and local image information. This extracts generalized image information in an unsupervised manner while CNNs provide a principled approach to feature learning without the need to define hand-crafted features. The individual classification decisions are fused by weighting them according to their confidence scores. Experimental results on real datasets demonstrate the superior performance of our proposed algorithm over competing methods.
Micro interactions and Multi dimensional Graphical User Interfaces in the Design of Wrist Worn Wearables

Advances in technology in the past decades, including miniaturized components, flexible materials and novel sensors, fostered advances in Wearable Computing. With many different form factors available and diverse potential features, wearable computers have been successfully applied in various domains. Despite the large potential and versatility of wearable devices, and wrist worn computers in particular, it is still a major challenge to design efficiently their user interfaces and interactive solutions. The design of efficient interaction solutions is complex due to the dynamic constraints and requirements of the contexts of use where the user interaction takes place and also due to inherent limitations of wearable devices, which involve processing, power, and interactive surfaces. This paper presents the main challenges in the design of interaction and interfaces for wrist worn wearables, and to address a major requirement in this domain, of quick interactions through small displays, it also discusses tw...
Atomistic simulation of orientation dependence in shock-induced initiation of pentaerythritol tetranitrate.

The dependence of the reaction initiation mechanism of pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN) on shock orientation and shock strength is investigated with molecular dynamics simulations using a reactive force field and the multiscale shock technique. In the simulations, a single crystal of PETN is shocked along the [110], [001], and [100] orientations with shock velocities in the range 3–10 km/s. Reactions occur with shock velocities of 6 km/s or stronger, and reactions initiate through the dissociation of nitro and nitrate groups from the PETN molecules. The most sensitive orientation is [110], while [100] is the most insensitive. For the [001] orientation, PETN decomposition via nitro group dissociation is the dominant reaction initiation mechanism, while for the [110] and [100] orientations the decomposition is via mixed nitro and nitrate group dissociation. For shock along the [001] orientation, we find that CO–NO2 bonds initially acquire more kinetic energy, facilitating nitro dissociation. For the othe...