cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Quality of Virtual Life

Current virtual worlds, such as Second Life, The Sims Online, HiPiHi, and There.com are visually rich three dimensional platforms for social and economic interaction that offer their users the ability to literally live virtual lives. In 2010, at any given point of time, upwards of 70,000 users can be found in avatar form (i.e. as a digital alter ego that provides a virtual representation of the user) inhabiting Second Life, while its counterpart, HiPiHi, has been touted as the vanguard of a vast Chinese project to construct a network of virtual worlds capable of supporting billions of avatars (Keegan, 2007). Driven in part by "a whole generation of children... growing up on Club Penguin and Webkinz" (Anderson & Rainie, 2008, p. 88) over half of Internet industry experts interviewed by the Pew Internet & American Life Project agreed that by the year 2020, "most well-equipped Internet users will spend some part of their waking hours - at work and at play - at least partially linked to augmentations of the real world or alternate worlds" (Anderson & Rainie, 2008, p. 5). Within these complex immersive environments, the idea of virtual lives that are either complements or substitutes for one's real world life is already a day-to-day reality for many virtual world users.Given that increasing numbers of people are living at least parts of their lives in virtual environments, an important question is how such virtual life impacts one's happiness, well being, and overall quality of life. Quality of life (QOL) and subjective well being (SWB) both have vast literatures and exhaustive reviews are available elsewhere (Diener, Suh, Lucas, & Smith, 1999; Hagerty, et al., 2001; Lyubomirsky, King, & Diener, 2005; Ryan & Deci, 2001; Sirgy, Michalos, Ferriss, Easterlin, Patrick, & Pavot, 2006). QOL is largely the domain of the social indicators literature, with an economic and public policy focus, while SWB is largely the domain of the psychology literature, with an emphasis on the processes underling SWB. The fundamental motivating questions of this chapter are whether virtual worlds are sufficiently distinct from real life environments that it makes sense to introduce a new multidimensional quality of virtual life (QOVL) construct, how QOVL would be expected to relate to QOL, and how consideration of QOVL becomes an important consumer welfare issue as people spend increasing amounts of time in virtual environments.
Is complementary and alternative medicine use associated with cancer screening rates for women with functional disabilities

Abstract Objectives The purpose of this study was to examine the associations of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use with mammogram and Pap test rates and functional disabilities (FDs). Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Data were derived from the 2012 National Health Interview Survey ( n =6576). Analysis FDs was defined as physical and/or social limitations. The weighted logistic regression models were performed using SAS software. Study covariates were age, race, education, marital status, usual source of care, and insurance. Results Of 6576 women, a majority were Caucasian (87%), with GED or less (40%), married (50%), having usual source of care (96%) and health insurance (91%), and with FDs (56%). The results indicated that some CAM practices were negatively associated with increased mammogram and Pap test rates while other CAM practices were positively associated. The results indicated that CAM practices that contribute to musculoskeletal problems such as acupuncture and massage were associated with the increased mammogram and Pap test rates. Contrary, women who used chiropractic manipulation, biofeedback, guided imagery, and energy hearing therapy were less likely to obtain cancer screenings regularly regardless of having FDs. Conclusions The use of several CAM therapies was more likely to be associated with mammogram and Pap test frequency, indicating that the CAM use may be associated with better screening rates due to the improvement of musculoskeletal problems. It is important to determine how each CAM therapy improves secondary health conditions in clinical trials to increase cancer screening rates for women with FDs.
Practical Skills for Microentrepreneurs: ACCION's Experiences with its ABC's of Business Training Program

This InSight describes the ABCs of Business training program for microentrepreneurs and the premises upon which it was developed. It details lessons ACCION has learned about adult education and how these lessons were incorporated into the interactive training style the program applies.
The nature of surface immunoglobulin in pure monocytic (M5) leukemia.

The presence of endogenous monoclonal surface immunoglobulin (SIg) on circulating neoplastic cells of certain B-cell disorders such as the leukemic phase of lymphoma and B-cell acute lymphocytic leukemia is well established. The paradoxical appearance of prominent SIg on blasts from adults with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia has also been observed. In some cases, myeloblasts and myelomonoblasts have been characterized by polyclonal SIg of exogenous origin. Neoplastic cells from two patients with pure monocytic leukemia, a rare variant of acute nonlymphocytic leukemia, were studied with respect to functional properties. All blasts from both patients demonstrated polyclonal SIg. This surface fluorescence was not artifactual, since identical results were obtained when cells were stained with F(ab′)2 fragments and whole test antisera. Trypsin digestion removed the immunoglobulin, and it was not reconstituted on the cell surface after short-term culture. The SIg observed was apparently of exogenous origin, bound to the Fc or cytophilic antibody receptor. Thus, SIg on leukemic blasts does not necessarily imply B-lymphocyte cytogenesis. The use of trypsin digestion to distinguish between exogenous and endogenous SIg may be useful in the subclassification of acute nonlymphocytic leukemia.
E-059 A Novel approach for carotid sacrifice using temporary balloon occlusion and Onyx in a porcine model

Introduction Carotid sacrifice is a valuable technique in the treatment of giant internal carotid artery aneurysms, carotid cavernous fistulae and carotid blowouts. With detachable balloons no longer available in the USA, most neurointerventionalists have relied on coil embolization as their primary means for carotid sacrifice, a procedure that can be lengthy and expensive. We describe a new technique for carotid sacrifice using temporary balloon occlusion of the carotid artery while embolizing the artery with Onyx in a porcine model. Materials and methods Following strict animal laboratory protocols, a total of 10 vessels were embolized in four pigs. The pigs were placed under general anesthesia and continuously monitoring by the animal laboratory veterinary staff. Access into the common femoral artery was gained using a micropuncture kit, and a 7 F sheath was placed. A 7 F guiding catheter was advanced over a 0.035 inch glidewire under fluoroscopic guidance into the right or left common carotid artery. A double Tuohy–Boorst was attached to the hub of the guiding catheter. An over the wire balloon was placed through one side port of the Tuohy–Boorst and advanced over a 0.010 inch microwire into the common carotid artery. An Onyx compatible microcatheter was then advanced through the second side port of the Tuohy–Boorst over a 0.010 inch microwire to a position adjacent or just distal to the balloon. The balloon was inflated and contrast injected through the guide catheter to confirm complete occlusion of flow. Onyx was then slowly injected under blank roadmap guidance into the common carotid artery through the microcatheter until a dense Onyx cast was visualized. Once the desired result was obtained, the microcatheter was removed and then the balloon was deflated and removed under fluoroscopic guidance. Follow-up angiography was performed. In four vessels, one or two coils were detached through the microcatheter, distal to the balloon, prior to Onyx embolization. In two vessels, the Ascent balloon catheter was used and Onyx embolization done directly through the balloon catheter. Results Successful occlusion of the carotid artery was obtained in eight of 10 vessels using the techniques described above. In the two unsuccessful vessels, we were able to identify deficiencies in our technique that led to the failures (premature removal of the balloon prior to formation of a dense Onyx cast in one vessel and detachment of a single coil as opposed to two coils in the other vessel). Conclusion Carotid sacrifice using Onyx with temporary balloon occlusion is a safe and effective technique, and can be performed more rapidly than the traditional method of coil embolization.
A Survey of Poultry Curricula

Abstract The 1987 Poultry Science Association Teaching Committee recommended that a curriculum survey be conducted of the various institutions offering an undergraduate degree in poultry science. In 1992, a survey was conducted to “identify the extent to which modern educational technology is employed in the education of future poultry scientists.” At the time of the survey there were 16 institutions in the U.S. and Canada offering undergraduate degrees in poultry science. The number and type of required poultry courses varied greatly among the programs. There were 10 different types of management courses offered at the various institutions. Almost all of the programs required the students to enroll in an undergraduate seminar course. Half of the institutions required their poultry majors to take at least one microcomputer course, and more than a third required a basic statistics course. Most programs offered several options within a degree program.
Growth, Development, and Survival of Certain Lepidoptera Fed Gossypol in the Diet

In laboratory feeding tests, effects of incorporating various concentrations of gossypol acetate into the artificial diet of larvae of the beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Hubner); bollworm, Heliothis zea (Boddie); cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni (Hubner); and salt-marsh caterpillar, Estigmene acrea (Drury), were determined. As little as a 0,1% concentration of gossypol in the diet reduced the weights of larvae significantly at 10 days of age and increased the number of days required for development from eggs to adult. The LD50 concentrations were 0.06% for the salt-marsh caterpillar, 0.35% for bollworms, 0.24% for beet armyworms, and 0.18% for cabbage loopers. The data suggest that gossypol might he incorporated in cotton plants as a practical control for certain lepidopterous insect pests.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Update and Future

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a worldwide disease whose prevalence is increasing as obesity rates increase. The link between obesity and OSA is likely to be the deposition of fat in the tongue, compromising upper airway size. The role of obesity varies in different ethnic groups, with Chinese being particularly sensitive to increases in weight. OSA lends itself to a personalized approach to diagnosis and therapy. For example, different clinical OSA subtypes likely benefit from therapy in different ways. Hypoglossal nerve stimulation is a useful second-line therapy in patients who cannot tolerate continous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines or intraoral devices. Technological advances allow patients to participate in their own care, and doing so improves CPAP compliance. We are entering a future where we can focus efforts to predict and prevent OSA on an individual level.
Should We Believe in Quantum Field Theory

The following is a straightforward attempt to answer the question stated in the title and posed by Professor Zichichi in his opening lecture of the School. Its perspective is to some extent historical as is appropriate, in my opinion, for part of an attempt to assess where we are and where we are going in the study of sub-nuclear matter. If there are readers who are not aware of the inherent fallibility of such attempts to learn from history, they should be reminded that the method involved is somewhat reminiscent of that used by the celebrated wise men of Chelm, who, when they wished to record the location of an especially good fishing spot, carefully marked the place on the boat from which they were fishing.
Character Development in Practice: How Producers Craft Engaging Characters to Drive Content Delivery: Commentary on Chapter 9

Richards and Calvert discuss parasocial relationships, which they define as the connections that viewers have with the characters they watch on television, in the movies, and on apps. In particular, their research examines how children form these connections to characters, and the authors consider the implications and impact of how these relationships affect children’s ability to learn from characters. This commentary analyzes how PBS KIDS producers develop characters for PBS KIDS content, and considers Richards and Calvert’s findings in light of this process.
Efficient pooling against strategic adversary with applications in anonymous and reliable networking

In many anonymous peer-based networking schemes, it is difficult to identify adversarial participants who drop or corrupt packets they are supposed to forward. This paper considers a pooling problem which models the strategic interaction between an adversary and a sender who chooses relay nodes from a pool of participants, a subset of which is controlled by the adversary. The sender adaptively chooses sets of relay nodes over a number of rounds, while the adversary chooses whether or not to attack in rounds where adversarial nodes are chosen. We introduce a class of strategies, called random pooling strategies, over which it is tractable to optimize and whose performance is within a factor of 1.4 of the optimal strategy when the number of adversaries is given.
Assisted Living in the Atheroma: Elderly Macrophages Promote Plaques

Age dominates as a risk factor for human atherosclerosis, yet the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. A recent report described accumulation of senescent cells in atheromata of hypercholesterolemic mice and provides novel insights into how genes expressed by aging cells associate with the characteristics of human plaques implicated in cardiovascular events.
A Novel Link between Inflammation and Cancer

Immune checkpoint-blockade treatments targeting PD-1/PD-L1 have revolutionized cancer therapy. Hence, understanding the regulation of PD-L1 expression has major clinical relevance. In this issue of Cancer Cell, Lim et al. report that inflammation-induced and NF-κB-driven expression of deubiquitinating enzyme CSN5 leads to PD-L1 stabilization and immune suppression in tumors.
Problem Statement for Coherent Channels

Let us begin with a description of the kind of communication link with which we are concerned. A basic block diagram of the system is shown in Fig. 12.1. The information or data usually comes from several analog sources which are sampled, digitalized, and arranged in the form of sequences of binary digits, although in general the digitalized symbols could be elements from a K-ary alphabet. The encoder maps sequences of digits of length n one to one onto a set of M time-varying waveforms each of duration T sec. This is known as block encoding. The resulting sequence of time-varying signals is then used to modulate a high-frequency carrier (AM, FM, PM, etc., or combinations of these). Since each member of each sequence can be any element of the alphabet, we necessarily have M = K n , or M = 2 n in the binary case. Thus the primary source may be taken as discrete, with a nominal rate of H bits per second. If the source is binary, as is usually the case, then the maximum possible rate is, of course, the number of bits per second, and this is what is normally taken as H, since the system must certainly be prepared to handle this rate. Because it is normally impossible to specify quantitatively the precise probabilistic structure of the source, the maximum value of H is assumed, corresponding to equally likely signals: $$ H = \frac{1}{T}\log _2 M $$
Estimating internal tissue temperature using microwave radiometry data and bioheat models

An ability to noninvasively measure the temperature of internal tissue regions would be valuable for applications including the detection of malignancy, inflammation, or ischemia. The output power of a microwave radiometer with an antenna at the skin surface is a weighted average of temperature in a tissue volume beneath the antenna. It is difficult, however, to translate radiometric measurements into temperature estimates for specific internal tissue regions. The chief difficulty is insufficient data: in a realistic system there are no more than a few measurements to characterize the entire volume. Efficient use must be made of available prior information together with the radiometric data in order to generate a useful temperature map. In this work we assume that we know the tissue configuration (obtained from another modality), along with arterial blood temperature, skin temperature, and nominal tissue-specific values for metabolic and blood perfusion rates, thermal conductivity, and dielectric constants. The Pennes bioheat equation can then be used to construct a nominal temperature map, and electromagnetic simulation software to construct the radiometric weighting functions for any given radiometer configuration. We show that deviations from the nominal conditions in localized regions (due, e.g., to the presence of a tumor) lead to changes in the tissue temperature that can also be approximated in terms of the nominal bioheat model. This enables the development of algorithms that use the nominal model along with radiometric data to detect areas of elevated temperature and estimate the temperature in specified tissue regions.
Probabilistic Prognostics and Health Management: A Brief Summary

This chapter gives a brief summary of probabilistic prognostics and health management (PPHM) and presents a framework to implement PPHM to predict remaining useful life (RUL) of energy systems efficiently and with minimal uncertainty. The chapter also presents the way forward by indicating that an interdisciplinary research is critical so as consortium of multidiscipline experts will come together and discuss the implementation of the framework for enhanced RUL prediction. The prediction of RUL with minimal uncertainty will significantly lower or avoid the downtime of energy systems and thereby reduce the cost of energy. The reduction in cost will make renewable energy, like wind energy, cheaper.
Metabolic enzyme activities of abyssal and hadal fishes: pressure effects and a re-evaluation of depth-related changes

Abstract Metabolic enzyme activities of muscle tissue have been useful and widely-applied indicators of whole animal metabolic capacity, particularly in inaccessible systems such as the deep sea. Previous studies have been conducted at atmospheric pressure, regardless of organism habitat depth. However, maximum reaction rates of some of these enzymes are pressure dependent, complicating the use of metabolic enzyme activities as proxies of metabolic rates. Here, we show pressure-related rate changes in lactate and malate dehydrogenase (LDH, MDH) and pyruvate kinase (PK) in six fish species (2 hadal, 2 abyssal, 2 shallow). LDH maximal reaction rates decreased with pressure for the two shallow species, but, in contrast to previous findings, it increased for the four deep species, suggesting evolutionary changes in LDH reaction volumes. MDH maximal reaction rates increased with pressure in all species (up to 51±10% at 60 MPa), including the tide pool snailfish, Liparis florae (activity increase at 60 MPa 44±9%), suggesting an inherent negative volume change of the reaction. PK was inhibited by pressure in all species tested, including the hadal liparids (up to 34±3% at 60 MPa), suggesting a positive volume change during the reaction. The addition of 400 mM TMAO counteracted this inhibition at both 0.5 and 2.0 mM ADP concentrations for the hadal liparid, Notoliparis kermadecensis. We revisit depth-related trends in metabolic enzyme activities according to these pressure-related rate changes and new data from seven abyssal and hadal species from the Kermadec and Mariana trenches. Results show that, with abyssal and hadal species, pressure-related rate changes are another variable to be considered in the use of enzyme activities as proxies for metabolic rate, in addition to factors such as temperature and body mass. Intraspecific increases in tricarboxylic acid cycle enzymes with depth of capture, independent of body mass, in two hadal snailfishes suggest improved nutritional condition for individuals deeper in the hadal zone, likely related to food availability. These new data inform the discussion of factors controlling metabolism in the deep sea, including the visual interactions hypothesis and extend published trends to the planet's deepest-living fishes.
City Politics and Racial Polarization: Bloc Voting in Cleveland Elections

It was in the turbulent 1960s that blacks in Northern industrial cities became powerful contenders in electoral politics, occasionally capturing the top elective offices in the cities. Carl B. Stokes in Cleveland and Richard Hatcher in Gary won the mayoralty races to become the first negro mayors of the respective cities in 1967, while Kenneth Gibbson was elected mayor of Newark in 1970.' Many social and political changes, some of which have been in progress for decades, have contributed to such a dramatic climax of black political victories. Some of the more salient changes to this effect include the urbanization of black population, voting rights legislation, and the achievement of a remarkable cohesion in black voting behavior. The settlement concentration of black population has shifted drastically from rural areas to urban and from the South to the North during the last fifty years as a result of black migration, most notably during and after World War 11.2 A series of civil rights legislation in the postwar years has successively lowered the barriers disenfranchising many blacks. A vigorous civil rights movement and other varieties
Abstract PR04: HER3 crosstalk with HPV16-E6E7 is a feedback resistance mechanism to PI3K-targeted therapies in head and neck cancer

Human papillomavirus (HPV) 16 plays an etiologic role in a growing subset of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), where viral expression of the E6 and E7 oncoproteins is necessary for tumor growth and maintenance. Although patients with HPV(+) tumors have a more favorable prognosis, there are currently no HPV-selective therapies. Accumulating evidence indicates that HPV oncoproteins can activate the Phosphoinositol-3-Kinase (PI3K) pathway, which contributes to transformation. Furthermore, PI3K is genomically activated by PIK3CA mutation or amplification in a disproportionately high number of HPV(+) tumors as compared to HPV(-) tumors. Based on this knowledge, we investigated the efficacy of PI3K-targeted therapies in preclinical models of HPV(+) HNSCC. Our results indicate that HPV(+) preclinical models were less sensitive to the PI3K inhibitors BYL719, BKM120, and BEZ235 as compared with HPV(-) models. Sensitivity of HPV(+) cell lines to PI3K inhibitors was increased upon knockdown of the E6 and E7 oncoproteins. Reciprocally, overexpression of E6 and E7 in HPV(-) cells rendered them resistant to PI3K-targeted therapies. Proteomic analyses indicated that treatment of HPV(+) cell lines and patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) with the PI3Kα inhibitor BYL719 induced expression of the receptor tyrosine kinase HER3, as well as E6 and E7. HER3 was found to regulate the abundance of E6 and E7 in the HPV(+) models. Targeting HER3 with siRNAs or the monoclonal antibody, KTN3379, blocked the increase in E6 and E7 protein levels following BYL719 treatment, and enhanced the efficacy of PI3K inhibitors in HPV(+) cell line and PDX models. Taken together, these results suggest that crosstalk between HER3 and HPV16-E6E7 can limit the efficacy of PI3K inhibitors, and that co-targeting HER3 and PI3K may be an effective therapeutic strategy in HPV(+) tumors. This abstract is also being presented as Poster 67. Citation Format: Toni M. Brand, Stefan Hartmann, Neil E. Bhola, Hua Li, Yan Zeng, Rachel O9Keefe, Max V. Ranall, Sourav Bandyopadhyay, Margaret Soucheray, Danielle L. Swaney, Nevan Krogan, Carolyn Kemp, Umamaheswar Duvvuri, Daniel E. Johnson, Michelle A. Ozbun, Julie E. Bauman, Jennifer R. Grandis. HER3 crosstalk with HPV16-E6E7 is a feedback resistance mechanism to PI3K-targeted therapies in head and neck cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-AHNS Head and Neck Cancer Conference: Optimizing Survival and Quality of Life through Basic, Clinical, and Translational Research; April 23-25, 2017; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2017;23(23_Suppl):Abstract nr PR04.
Crystallinity of hydroxyapatite drives myofibroblastic activation and calcification in aortic valves.

Abstract Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is an inexorably degenerative pathology characterized by progressive calcific lesion formation on the valve leaflets. The interaction of valvular cells in advanced lesion environments is not well understood yet highly relevant as clinically detectable CAVD exhibits calcifications composed of non-stoichiometric hydroxyapatite (HA). In this study, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic imaging was used to spatially analyze mineral properties as a function of disease progression. Crystallinity (size and perfection) increased with increased valve calcification. To study the relationship between crystallinity and cellular behavior in CAVD, valve cells were seeded into 3D mineral-rich collagen gels containing synthetic HA particles, which had varying crystallinities. Lower crystallinity HA drove myofibroblastic activation in both valve interstitial and endothelial cells, as well as osteoblastic differentiation in interstitial cells. Additionally, calcium accumulation within gels depended on crystallinity, and apoptosis was insufficient to explain differences in HA-driven cellular activity. The protective nature of endothelial cells against interstitial cell activation and calcium accumulation was completely inhibited in the presence of less crystalline HA particles. Elucidating valve cellular behavior post-calcification is of vital importance to better predict and treat clinical pathogenesis, and mineral-containing hydrogel models provide a unique 3D platform to evaluate valve cell responses to a later stage of valve disease. Statement of Significance We implement a 3D in vitro platform with embedded hydroxyapatite (HA) nanoparticles to investigate the interaction between valve interstitial cells, valve endothelial cells, and a mineral-rich extracellular environment. HA nanoparticles were synthesized based on analysis of the mineral properties of calcific regions of diseased human aortic valves. Our findings indicate that crystallinity of HA drives activation and differentiation in interstitial and endothelial cells. We also show that a mineralized environment blocks endothelial protection against interstitial cell calcification. Our HA-containing hydrogel model provides a unique 3D platform to evaluate valve cell responses to a mineralized ECM. This study additionally lays the groundwork to capture the diversity of mineral properties in calcified valves, and link these properties to progression of the disease.
Physicochemical and sensory properties of wheat- Apricot kernels composite bread

Abstract There is a rising demand for the development of new foods with dietary properties. Apricot kernel flour (AKF) could offer an exciting potential as protein source in cereal products. The aim of this work was to enrich bread with AKF. Partial substitutions of wheat flour (WF) with 4, 8, 12 and 24% AKF were carried out. Bread composition, hydration and textural properties, colour parameters and consumer acceptance were investigated. Results showed that AKF could be successfully used to prepare bread enriched in protein, ash and fat contents. Prepared breads have low carbohydrate content. Partial replacement of WF with AKF up to 12% showed that bread quality was slightly affected and consumers appreciate the new product especially for breakfast. The use of AKF, at level above 12%, leads to bread with lower volume, darker crust and yellowish crumb colour than wheat bread. AKF addition induces a hardening effect on crumb texture which is characterized by a grain structure with small cells. As a by-product, apricot kernels offer an exciting potential as a food ingredient permitting to enrich bread and enlarge the food base for consumers. The use of AKF above 12% is not recommended.
Prognostic score to predict mortality during TB treatment in TB/HIV co-infected patients

Background Estimating mortality risk during TB treatment in HIV co-infected patients is challenging for health professionals, especially in a low TB prevalence population, due to the lack of a standardized prognostic system. The current study aimed to develop and validate a simple mortality prognostic scoring system for TB/HIV co-infected patients. Methods Using data from the CDC’s Tuberculosis Genotyping Information Management System of TB patients in Texas reported from 01/2010 through 12/2016, age ≥15 years, HIV(+), and outcome being “completed” or “died”, we developed and internally validated a mortality prognostic score using multiple logistic regression. Model discrimination was determined by the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC). The model’s good calibration was determined by a non-significant Hosmer-Lemeshow’s goodness of fit test. Results Among the 450 patients included in the analysis, 57 (12.7%) died during TB treatment. The final prognostic score used six characteristics (age, residence in long-term care facility, meningeal TB, chest x-ray, culture positive, and culture not converted/unknown), which are routinely collected by TB programs. Prognostic scores were categorized into three groups that predicted mortality: low-risk ( 25 points). The model had good discrimination and calibration (AUC = 0.82; 0.80 in bootstrap validation), and a non-significant Hosmer-Lemeshow test p = 0.71. Conclusion Our simple validated mortality prognostic scoring system can be a practical tool for health professionals in identifying TB/HIV co-infected patients with high mortality risk.
Historical Background of the Italian Social Republic

During Mussolini’s first period as Italy’s head of government and Fascist duce between 1922 and 1943, he pursued imperialist objectives in the Balkans and in the Mediterranean Basin by exploiting the myth of Italy’s “mutilated victory.” Moreover, to partner with the German-led defeated powers of World War I bent on tearing up the Paris Peace Conference treaties imposed on them by the victorious Western Powers, Mussolini contrived the notion of revisionismo fascista. In a fit of utter opportunism, Mussolini joined Hitler in World War II on 10 June 1940, when he thought that the Third Reich had already finished off the Western Powers. But this calculation turned out to be faulty. Instead of an easy victory over already prostrate enemies, Italy suffered defeat after defeat on all fronts against the resurgent Western Powers reinforced eventually by the USA and its Soviet ally. When the tide began to turn against the Axis, an Italian cabal deposed Mussolini from power on 25 July 1943. He landed in prison. When Italy formally surrendered to the Allies on 8 September 1943, the country suffered deep shame in the belief that the nation has just died.
Social Skills Training for Children and Youth with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders: Validity Considerations and Future Directions

This article provides an analysis of the current knowledge base of social skills training (SST) with students with, or at risk for, Emotional and Behavioral Disorders (EBD). This knowledge base is evaluated with respect to issues regarding construct, internal, external, and social validity of the SST literature. Research syntheses investigating construct validity suggest that the three domains of social interaction, prosocial behavior, and social-cognitive skills adequately represent the social skills construct. Internal validity analyses based on the results of six meta-analyses suggested that SST is an effective intervention strategy for students with EBD, showing a 64% improvement rate relative to controls using the Binomial Effect Size Display. External validity analyses showed that SST is effective across a broad range of behavioral difficulties, such as aggression externalizing behaviors, internalizing behaviors, and antisocial behavior patterns. Some weaknesses were noted in the social validity of ...
Human t(1;19)(q23;p13) pre-B acute lymphoblastic leukemia in mice with severe combined immunodeficiency

Severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice were injected intravenously with 5 x 10(6) primary bone marrow (BM) blasts from newly diagnosed patients with E2A-PBX1 fusion transcript positive t(1;19)(q23;p13) pre- B acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). A marked variation existed in the pattern and extent of leukemic cell engraftment in SCID mice challenged with t(1;19) pre-B ALL blasts. Blasts from some patients caused disseminated leukemia that was detected by histopathology and/or flow cytometry, whereas blasts from other patients produced occult leukemia that was only detected by flow cytometry and/or polymerase-chain reaction. Notably, the ability of primary t(1;19) pre-B ALL blasts to cause disseminated leukemia in SCID mice was associated with poor prognosis. Six of six patients whose blasts caused disseminated leukemia in SCID mice relapsed at a median of 7.8 months (range: 5.7 to 25.2 months). In contrast, the remaining four patients whose blasts did not engraft or only partially engrafted remain in complete remission at 28 to 47 months. A new E2A-PBX-1 fusion transcript positive t(1;19) pre- B ALL cell line (designated LC1;19) with the composite immunophenotype CD7-CD10+CD19+CD45-HLA-DR+C mu+ was established by expanding BM blasts from a SCID mouse, which died of human t(1;19) ALL at 7 weeks after inoculation of primary leukemic blasts from a t(1;19) ALL patient. This cell line caused disseminated and invariably fatal leukemia when greater than 10(4) cells were injected intravenously into SCID mice. Total body irradiation followed by syngeneic BM transplantation (BMT) showed limited efficacy against LC1;19 leukemia in SCID mice. To our knowledge, this study is the first to (1) examine the in vivo growth of primary t(1;19) pre-B ALL blasts in SCID mice and (2) show that leukemic blasts from a majority of newly diagnosed t(1;19) pre-B ALL patients cause disseminated human leukemia in SCID mice. Our results indicate that t(1;19) pre-B ALL is biologically heterogeneous with regard to its in vivo growth pattern in SCID mice, a feature that may be predictive of prognosis. The described LC1;19 SCID mouse model may prove particularly useful for designing more effective treatment strategies against poor-prognosis t(1;19) ALL.
Contract enactment in virtual organizations: a commitment-based approach

A virtual organization (VO) is a dynamic collection of entities (individuals, enterprises, and information resources) collaborating on some computational activity. VOs are an emerging means to model, enact, and manage large-scale computations. VOs consist of autonomous, heterogeneous members, often dynamic exhibiting complex behaviors. Thus, VOs are best modeled via multiagent systems. An agent can be an individual such as a person, business partner, or a resource. An agent may also be a VO. A VO is an agent that comprises other agents. Contracts provide a natural arms-length abstraction for modeling interaction among autonomous and heterogeneous agents. The interplay of contracts and VOs is the subject of this paper. The core of this paper is an approach to formalize VOs and contracts based on commitments. Our main contributions are (1) a formalization of VOs, (2) a discussion of certain key properties of VOs, and (3) an identification of a variety of VO structures and an analysis of how they support contract enactment. We evaluate our approach with an analysis of several scenarios involving the handling of exceptions and conflicts in contracts.
Fabrication methods for infrared resonant devices.

Photonic metastructures operating in the 8–13 μm mid-infrared are fast becoming a topic of active research. However, literature describing techniques for their fabrication, which lie on a scale between nanofabrication and microelectromechanical systems technology, is scant. Here, we present detailed fabrication blueprints for achieving robust and repeatable results for devices in this region. Applying a Ge device layer on a ZnS substrate, we fabricate a materially robust transverse-magnetic-polarized wideband reflector with high reflectance in a 2.4 μm band. We then regrow a conformal layer on the device, boosting its performance to yield a ∼3 μm 90% reflectance band from 8.1 μm to 11.1 μm and a band of 98% reflectance spanning 8.7–10.4 μm. The generalized methods presented are applicable in most labs with ordinary fabrication resources.
Rehabilitation training for community health workers: a five-year study

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a rehabilitation training program for community health workers in a resource-limited setting over a 5-year period. This is a re...
Rhodium-Catalyzed [5 + 2] Cycloadditions of Allenes and Vinylcyclopropanes: Asymmetric Total Synthesis of (+)-Dictamnol

The asymmetric synthesis of (+)-dictamnol is described, based on the rhodium catalyzed [5 + 2] cycloaddition of an allene and vinylcyclopropane. This cycloaddition methodology provides the basis for a general and efficient route to various bicyclo[5.3.0]decenes, ring systems common to a wide range of natural and designed compounds of structural and medicinal interest.
Degeneracy-Aware Imaging Sonar Simultaneous Localization and Mapping

High-frequency imaging sonar sensors have recently been applied to aid underwater vehicle localization, by providing frame-to-frame odometry measurements or loop closures over large timescales. Previous methods have often assumed a planar environment, thereby restricting the use of such algorithms mostly to seafloor mapping. We propose an algorithm to generate pose-to-pose constraints for pairs of sonar images, which may also be applied to larger sets of images, that makes no assumptions about the environmental geometry. The algorithm is sensitive to the inherent degeneracies of the imaging sonar sensor model, and may be tuned to tradeoff between providing more constraints on the sensor motion and not overfitting to noise in the measurements. For real-time localization, we fuse the resulting pair-wise sonar pose constraints with vehicle odometry in a pose graph optimization framework. We rigorously evaluate the proposed method and demonstrate improvement in accuracy over previously proposed formulations both in simulation and real-world experiments.
Black Dot Tinea Capitis: Magnified

Tinea capitis is one of the most prevalent infections in young children. Non-inflammatory, black dot tinea capitis may be difficult to distinguish between other hair disorders in children such as seborrheic dermatitis, alopecia areata, trichotillomania, or Langerhan histiocytosis. This case highlights the salient trichoscopic features of non-inflammatory black dot tinea capitis. Trichoscopy is a fast, noninvasive technique that helps distinguish this common diagnosis and spares the need for scalp biopsies in children. Under magnification, the presence of comma hairs is specific to tinea capitis in all skin types whereas corkscrew hairs have been reported specifically in African American children. Awareness and recognition of this type of hair would exclude the most common differential diagnoses of patchy alopecia in this age and spare the need for biopsy in young children.
Vector competence for Zika virus is not affected by mosquito age but vectorial capacity of Ae. aegypti is multifactorial and age-dependent

ABSTRACT The transmission of vector-borne diseases like Zika virus (ZIKV) is a dynamic process that is defined by intrinsic and extrinsic factors. One of the most important definers of the efficiency of the transmission is vector competence, or the ability of a vector to become infected with and eventually transmit a pathogen. Many things affect vector competence including vector species, discrete populations within species, and environmental factors. Several recent studies have focused on environmental factors such as temperature, and found that temperature not only affects vector competence of ZIKV in Aedes aegypti but also the life traits of the mosquito. Thus, we wanted to determine if the vector competence and extrinsic incubation period (EIP) of ZIKV was altered due to the age at which a mosquito becomes exposed. We found that there were virtually no differences in the proportion of infected, disseminated, or transmitting mosquitoes 5, 8, and 11 days post exposure among those mosquitoes exposed at 5 days post emergence versus those exposed at 12 days post emergence. However, to put this lack of differences into a more biologically relevant context, we investigated the interaction of vector competence, EIP, and age-dependent life traits of lifespan and biting rate. To illustrate the differences, we modified the vectorial capacity (VC) equation, which is a vector-centric equivalent to the basic reproduction number. VC describes the number of secondary cases of vector infection given the introduction of an infectious individual into a naive population. By deriving an age-structure measure (VCage), we are able to demonstrate the effect of age on the transmission of ZIKV by Ae. aegypti. While aging of mosquitoes in the field is limited to pre-parous and parous females, our VCage equation, like age-structured mathematical models, can be used to inform hypothesis regarding the effective density of mosquito vectors, those that are transmitting versus those that are unexposed or exposed but not transmitting due to the effects of age. These results are intuitive. However, our VCage model, like other models with age-structured vector populations, can be used to put this intuition into a quantitative framework and our experimental findings offer more insights into the importance of age-dependence of virus:vector interactions. Our experimental data further offer age-dependent parameterization of several components of VCage that could be used to inform mathematical models where age structure in a mosquito population is important.
Exploring the Predictors of Post-Clerkship USMLE Step 1 Scores.

AbstractTheory: We used two theoretical frameworks for this study: a) experiential learning, whereby learners construct new knowledge based on prior experience, and learning grows out of a continuo...
Integrated harvest of phenolic monomers and hydrogen through catalytic pyrolysis of biomass over nanocellulose derived biochar catalyst.

The remarkable enhancement of phenolic monomer generation and hydrogen was achieved through catalytic pyrolysis of Douglas fir over nanocellulose derived biochar catalyst for the first time. The main compositions of produced bio-oil were phenolic monomers, furans, and naphthalenes, etc., in which the phenolic monomers were dominant compositions. And at the temperature of 650 °C and 3 of biochar to biomass ratio, the quantification results showed that the concentration of phenol was increased to 53.77 mg/mL from 15.76 mg/mL of free of biochar catalyst. The concentration of cresols were facilitated to 44.51 mg/mL from 20.95 mg/mL, while the concentration of dimethylphenols reduced to 7.76 mg/mL from 9.11 mg/mL. Up to 85.32 vol% of hydrogen was observed, increasing from 45.53 vol% of the non-catalytic process. After 15 cycles of reuse, biochar catalysts still favored to produce a much higher concentration of phenolic monomers and hydrogen than that of absence of biochar catalysts.
Community Mapping with Resettled Refugees: Reflections on Embeddedness

Place is at the center of forced displacement and migration. For community researchers and practitioners, this spatial marginality is a site for a response. Participatory, community-based mapping can be one such modality or tool. This study is such a project that sought to understand city-level factors that characterize resettlement geography of refugees in the United States, with the Bhutanese refugee community as a case study and community partner. Reflections center around ‘embeddedness’ as fundamental to the research process, not only procedurally—for connecting and engaging with communities to implement the study, but also substantively—for informing research questions and having a sense of what is possible to begin with.
Design of 30-T pulsed magnetic field generator for magnetized high-energy-density plasma experiments

This paper presents the conceptual design of a high-voltage pulser intended to generate 30-T magnetic fields for magneto-inertial fusion experiments at the OMEGA facility. The pulser uses a custom capacitor bank and two externally triggered spark gaps to drive a multiturn coil. This new high-voltage pulser is capable of storing 10 times more energy than the previous system, using a higher charge voltage (from 20 to 30 kV) and a larger capacitance (from 1 to $5\text{ }\text{ }\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{F}$). Circuit simulations show that this pulser can deliver 100 kA into a 60-nH, $14\text{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{m}\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Omega}}$ coil with a rise time of $1\text{ }\text{ }\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{s}$. For a coil with two turns with an average coil diameter of 7.8 mm, this current translates into a 32-T peak magnetic field at coil center. This is a factor of 3 increase in the peak magnetic field compared to the present generator magnetic field capabilities.
Applying Moral Caution in the Face of Disagreement

In this paper I explore an epistemic asymmetry that sometimes occurs regarding the moral status of alternative actions. I argue that this asymmetry is significant and has ramifications for what it is morally permissible to do. I then show how this asymmetry often obtains regarding three moral issues: vegetarianism, abortion, and charitable giving. In doing so, I rely on the epistemic significance of disagreement and the existence of moral controversy about these issues.
What went wrong? Fracking in Eastern Europe

A few years ago, optimistic estimates claimed that Eastern Europe possessed large shale formations that seemed likely to produce great quantities of natural gas. In addition, the countries in the region had strategic incentives to develop a transparent domestic shale industry in order to reduce its reliance on gas from Russia. Nevertheless, political and social factors as well as differences in physical characteristics, prevented the U.S. experience from being replicable in Eastern Europe. In the end, most multinational energy corporations announced that they had abandoned efforts to find and produce natural gas from shale rock in Eastern Europe. The paper discusses the impact of shale gas exploration on the quality of democratic governance by comparing and contrasting fracking regulations adopted in the United States with those of Eastern Europe. The main research question attempts to ask and identify: “what are the factors that influence a democratic and fair governance of public natural resources”.
Long-Term Effects of Antipsychotic Medications in Older Adults

Many older adults across all settings are on antipsychotic medications; all too frequently for long periods of time. There are very few studies about the long-term effects of these medications, esp...