cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Machine learning methods for track classification in the AT-TPC

Abstract We evaluate machine learning methods for event classification in the Active-Target Time Projection Chamber detector at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory (NSCL) at Michigan State University. Currently, events of interest are selected via cuts in the track fitting stage of the analysis workflow. An explicit classification step to single out the desired reaction product would result in more accurate physics results as well as a faster analysis process. We tested binary and multi-class classification methods on data produced by the 46 Ar(p,p) experiment run at the NSCL in September 2015. We found that fine-tuning a pre-trained convolutional neural network produced the most successful classifier of proton scattering events in the experimental data, when trained on both experimental and simulated data. We present results from this investigation and conclude with recommendations for event classification in future experiments.
Medical Laboratory Science Graduate Management Curriculum Development Using Managerial Survey Responses

A Midwestern MLS program conducted an online survey to assess current supervisor/leads9 and managers9/directors9 self-perception of their educational preparedness to perform 30 managerial tasks. One-third or more felt at least well prepared to perform training and monitor quality. Greater than one-third felt at least not very well prepared to negotiate contracts, perform cost analyses, determine productivity, prepare budgets, interview applicants, hire employees, write job descriptions, evaluate employee performance, build employee consensus, resolve conflict, prepare for laboratory inspection/assessment, ensure regulatory compliance, develop/facilitate competency assessments, develop/oversee document management, perform SWOT analyses, analyze/monitor test utilization, oversee process improvement, select/acquire equipment, perform equipment/method validation, interdisciplinary team participation, manage projects, and maintain/validate LISs. Investigators also surveyed managers/directors regarding their perceived and expected preparedness of newly hired/recently promoted managers to perform the same tasks. For all 30 tasks, expectations were higher than perceived performance. This resulting data will be a resource in MMLS degree development.
Post-mastectomy intensity modulated proton therapy after immediate breast reconstruction: Initial report of reconstruction outcomes and predictors of complications.

Abstract Purpose To report reconstructive outcomes of patients treated with post-mastectomy intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT) following immediate breast reconstruction (IBR). Materials and methods Consecutive women with breast cancer who underwent implant-based IBR and post-mastectomy IMPT were included. Clinical characteristics, dosimetry, and acute toxicity were collected prospectively and reconstruction complications retrospectively. Results Fifty-one women were treated between 2015 and 2017. Forty-two had bilateral reconstruction with unilateral IMPT. The non-irradiated contralateral breasts served as controls. Conventional fractionation (median 50 Gy/25 fractions) was administered in 37 (73%) and hypofractionation (median 40.5 Gy/15 fractions) in 14 (27%) patients. Median mean heart, ipsilateral lung V20Gy, and CTV-IMN V95% were 0.6 Gy, 13.9%, and 97.4%. Maximal acute dermatitis grade was 1 in 32 (63%), 2 in 17 (33%), and 3 in 2 (4%) patients. Surgical site infection (hazard ratio [HR] 13.19, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.67–104.03, p = 0.0012), and unplanned surgical intervention (HR 9.86, 95% CI 1.24–78.67, p = 0.0068) were more common in irradiated breasts. Eight of 51 irradiated breasts and 2 of 42 non-irradiated breasts had reconstruction failure (HR 3.59, 95% CI 0.78–16.41, p = 0.084). Among irradiated breasts, hypofractionation was significantly associated with reconstruction failure (HR 4.99, 95% CI 1.24–20.05, p = 0.024), as was older patient age (HR 1.14, 95% CI 1.05–1.24, p = 0.002). Conclusions IMPT following IBR spared underlying organs and had low rates of acute toxicity. Reconstruction complications are more common in irradiated breasts, and reconstructive outcomes appear comparable with photon literature. Hypofractionation was associated with higher reconstruction failure rates. Further investigation of optimal dose-fractionation after IBR is needed.
Modulating Polymer Dispersity with Light: Cationic Polymerization of Vinyl Ethers Using Photochromic Initiators

Deterministic methods for tuning polymer dispersity are rare, especially for nonradical polymerizations. Reported here is the first example of photomodulating dispersity in controlled cationic polymerizations of vinyl ethers using carboxy-functionalized dithienylethene initiators. Reversible photoisomerization of these initiators induces changes in their acidities by up to an order of magnitude. Using the more acidic, ring-closed isomers as initiators results in polymers with lower dispersities. The degree of light-induced pKa change in the initiators correlates with the degree of dispersity change in polymers derived from the isomeric initiators. The polymerizations are controlled, and dynamic photoswitching of dispersity during the polymerization reaction was demonstrated. This work provides a framework for photomodulating dispersity in other controlled polymerizations and developing one-pot block copolymerization reactions in which the dispersities of component blocks can be controlled using light.
An internal model control design method for failure-tolerant control with multiple objectives

Abstract The selection of control structure is a critical step in the design of a control system since it can largely affect the achievable control performance. This paper presents a general internal model control (IMC) structure with multiple degrees-of-freedom for the design of control systems with multiple objectives (i.e., reference tracking and load and output disturbance rejection), so that controllers are designed independently of each other. The optimal performance of controllers is shown to remain intact when a controller is taken off-line, for example, due to actuator and/or sensor failures. This feature circumvents the need to redesign the remaining on-line controllers for optimal failure-tolerant control. The proposed control approach is used to derive IMC control structures for multi-loop cascade and coordinated control systems. The performance of the control approach is demonstrated on a simulated thin-film drying process in continuous pharmaceutical manufacturing for several multi-loop control structures and a variety of control-loop component failures.
Trade books’ evolving historical representation of John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Abstract History-based trade books, such as biographies, narrative non-fiction, and expository texts, are essential secondary sources in social studies classrooms. Research, though, indicates a preponderance of misrepresentations in trade books’ depictions of historical eras and figures. We examined trade books’ historical representation of John Fitzgerald Kennedy, an iconic American president. The data sample featured biographies targeting various grade-ranges and published in different eras. Including books targeting early grade, middle grade, and high school students enabled comparisons of historical representation within and between different grade-ranges. Incorporating texts published in different eras allowed for consideration of how Kennedy’s historical representation changed over time. Mixed methods content analysis—reliant on both open and axial-coding—yielded important findings about how children’s and young adult authors depicted Kennedy’s family history, particularly during World War II, privileged social position, Catholicism, wife, health, tensions during his presidency, and his assassination and subsequent conspiracy theories. Trade books’ representations appeared to be shaped more by date-of-publication than intended age of the reader. Identified historical misrepresentations included presentism, omission, exceptionalism, and heroification. Significance for teachers and researchers is articulated and practical classroom suggestions are provided.
Clinical Outcomes of Robotic Assisted Partial Nephrectomy for Pathologic T3a Renal Masses with Venous Tumor Thrombus

Abstract Objective To evaluate the safety, efficacy, and early oncologic outcomes of pT3a renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with venous involvement treated with robotic partial nephrectomy (RPN), given that experience and outcomes in this group is limited. Methods A retrospective chart review of patients undergoing RPN from 9/2009-7/2020 was performed. Outcomes were captured from patients with pathologic T3a disease with vein involvement. Clinical characteristics were analyzed using SPSS (IBM, Armonk, NY). Local recurrence-free survival (LRFS) and metastasis-free survival (MFS) at 2 years were calculated from Kaplan-Meier survival curves. Results For 45 included patients, mean operative and warm ischemia times were 199.6 min ± 47.3 and 30.5 min ± 10.5, with mean estimated blood loss of 324.9 cc ±209.5. Rates of transfusion, embolization, re-admission, and re-operation at 30 days were 8.9% (4/45), 2.2% (1/45), 11.1% (5/45), and 6.7% (3/45; cystoscopic stent placement), respectively. All tumors were malignant on pathology, with clear cell RCC being the most common (91.0%, n=41). The positive margin rate was 6.7% (n=3). Local recurrence occurred in 4.4% (n=2) at a mean time of 5.2 months ± 2.3. Four patients (8.9%) progressed to metastatic disease at a mean of 22.2 months ± 23.0. At 2 years, LRFS was 95.4% and MFS was 95.3%. Conclusions We present the largest known series of patients RPN for pT3a renal masses with venous tumor involvement. We found it both feasible and safe in the appropriate hands. Short term oncologic outcomes for these patients appear more favorable than historic literature suggested. Sources of Funding none
Chapter 31 – Identity Theft

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the importance of understanding the human factor of security and detail the findings from a study on deceit. Computer science has a long-term tradition of studying and understanding security threats, such as identity theft; the human component of the problem is traditionally ignored. Identity theft is commonly defined as unwanted appropriation of access credentials that allows creation and access of accounts and that allows the aggressor to pose as the victim. Phishing is a type of identity theft that is perpetrated on the Internet and that typically relies on social engineering to obtain the access credentials of the victim. Similar deceit techniques are becoming increasingly common in the context of crimeware. For identity theft, the attacker's aim is to make the victim perform some action he would not have wanted to perform had he understood the consequences. Attackers leverage preexisting trust between victims and the chosen false identities to spur dubious actions (illegally transferring money, remailing stolen goods, installing malware on computers, and recommending fraudulent services to friends).
Consumer Contracts: Behavioral Economics vs. Neoclassical Economics

In the past decade behavioral economics has established itself as a contender to the throne of neoclassical economics in the economic analysis of law. The pros and cons of behavioral as compared to neoclassical economics have been vigorously debated at the general, methodology level. But the success or failure of the behavioral challenge will be judged by its ability to improve upon neoclassical economics - both descriptively and prescriptively - in specific legal applications. Consumer contracts provide an important test case for behavioral economics. In this exchange we offer the first comprehensive debate between the behavioral and neoclassical perspectives as applied to the law and economics of consumer contracts.
Poppies without Borders: Notes for a Eurasian History of Opium

This article examines opium prohibition as a component of Eurasian imperial state-building. This comparative study of prohibition problems in British India and Qing China in the early 1800s reveals the limits structures of indirect rule in frontier areas placed on the territorial pretensions of the Qing and East India Company.
Absence of retinoblastoma protein expression in primary non-small cell lung carcinomas.

Retinoblastoma (RB) protein expression was examined in paraffin and frozen tissue sections of 36 primary non-small cell lung carcinomas (NSCLC) using immunohistochemistry with confirmation by direct Western blotting. A normal RB protein staining pattern was present in 24 and absent in 10 NSCLC. Two additional RB positive primary tumors have major foci in which all tumor cells showed no RB protein staining. Significantly more high-stage (stages III and IV) NSCLC had altered RB protein expression than those with low-stage (stages I and II) tumors ( P < 0.05). The results suggest that absence of the RB expression may be associated with the initiation and/or progression of many NSCLC. This is the first report of successful RB staining in paraffin sections.
Identification of a major binding site for complement C3 on the IgG1 heavy chain.

Activation of the alternative pathway of complement by immune complexes involves the covalent attachment of the third component (C3) to the IgG heavy chain. In order to localize the site/sites of attachment, adducts of human C3.IgG were digested in situ with endoproteinase Lys-C and Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease, and the fragments were analyzed. The dimeric peptide containing the covalent bond, identified by alkylation of the free thiol group (Cys1010) with iodo[14C]acetamide, was isolated by high-performance liquid chromatography fractionation. A double sequence with NH2 termini corresponding to position 134 of IgG heavy chain and position 1002 of the C3 alpha' chain was found by analysis with automated Edman degradation. The intact dimeric peptide had a mass of 3453 Da and was composed of IgG and C3 fragments with predicted sizes of 23 and 12 residues, respectively. The IgG peptide includes a cluster of six potential acceptor sites for ester bond formation. Thus, it appears that C3 binding is limited to a single region within the CH1 domain of the IgG1 heavy chain.
Modeling of Two-Phase Transport Phenomena in Porous Media: Pore-Scale Approach

Fundamentals of two-phase transport in a porous medium with emphasis on pore-scale physics are discussed. Lattice Boltzmann modeling and pore network modeling techniques are reviewed and are deployed to study two-phase flow in the engineered porous materials used in a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC). Computation of fluid distribution, capillary pressure, and relative permeability is discussed. Porous material microstructure–PEFC performance relation is showcased, highlighting the potential of deploying pore-scale modeling to the advancement of fundamental two-phase transport understanding and PEFC porous material development. Additionally, the need for further advancement of pore-scale models is highlighted.
A Review of “In the Shadow of Slavery: Africa's Botanical Legacy in the Atlantic World”

This is Judith Carney's second volume in what hopefully will become a trilogy on the contributions of African peoples to the cultural landscapes and economies of the New World. In her first book, B...
Pharmacological intervention for cognitive deficits and aggression in frontal lobe injury

We present a case that promotes early intervention and pharmacological treatment for the neuropsychiatric sequelae (frontal lobe syndrome, including cognitive impairment and aggressive behavior) associated with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and delirium. The patient, who sustained significant systemic complications related to his trauma, was previously diagnosed with alcohol and drug dependence and antisocial personality disorder. These antecedent conditions and prolonged systemic complications likely played a complicating role in his course of recovery.
Abstract 3837: Innovative rapid gene methylation analysis of surgical margin tissues in head and neck cancer

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA Background: To secure negative surgical margins is the primary goal of surgical cancer treatment. However, tumor recurrence sometimes occurs even with histologically negative surgical margins. In order to detect submicroscopic residual cancerous cells intra-operatively, a time saving molecular biological approach is required. Methods: We established an innovative rapid Quantitative methylation PCR (QMSP) assay, which consists of remarkably time-minimized DNA extraction, bisulfite treatment and QMSP quantification. In order to assess the feasibility of completing the rapid assay during a surgical procedure, 10 serial specimens of primary head and neck cancers were evaluated by both rapid QMSP and conventional QMSP. Results: The DNA product quality of the most time saving procedure was as good as that of a conventional procedure. In the QMSP assay, target gene methylation and reference gene methylation were equally detected by both rapid and conventional methods. Finally, two frequently methylated genes in head and neck cancers, homeobox A9 (HOXA9) and endothelin receptor type B (EDNRB) were analyzed in 10 head and neck tumors, margin tissues and normal tissues. Relative QMSP values of rapid and conventional QMSP were quite similar in almost all tumors, margins and normal tissues. The average total time for the rapid QMSP procedure was less than 3 hours. Although postoperative follow-up periods are less than a year, local tumor recurrence occurred in one case whose margin tissue was QMSP positive. Conclusion: This innovative rapid QMSP yields acceptable levels of methylation detection and can be completed during the operative window. The procedure promises to become a useful clinical tool, if the methylated surgical margins are revealed to correlate with the local tumor recurrence in a larger cohort. Citation Format: Masamichi Hayashi, Rafael Guerrero-Preston, Zubair Kahn, Xiufeng Li, Julie Ahn, Marla Goldsmith, Christina Michailidi, Wayne Koch. Innovative rapid gene methylation analysis of surgical margin tissues in head and neck cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 3837. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-3837
Obesity, obstetric complications and cesarean delivery rate--a population-based screening study.

Abstract Objective This study was undertaken to determine whether obesity is associated with obstetric complications and cesarean delivery. Methods A large prospective multicenter database was studied. Subjects were divided into 3 groups: body mass index (BMI) less than 30 (control), 30 to 34.9 (obese), and 35 or greater (morbidly obese). Groups were compared by using univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses. Results The study included 16,102 patients: 3,752 control, 1,473 obese, and 877 morbidly obese patients. Obesity and morbid obesity had a statistically significant association with gestational hypertension (odds ratios [ORs] 2.5 and 3.2), preeclampsia (ORs 1.6 and 3.3), gestational diabetes (ORs 2.6 and 4.0), and fetal birth weight greater than 4000 g (ORs 1.7 and 1.9) and greater than 4500 g (ORs 2.0 and 2.4). For nulliparous patients, the cesarean delivery rate was 20.7% for the control group, 33.8% for obese, and 47.4% for morbidly obese patients. Conclusion Obesity is an independent risk factor for adverse obstetric outcome and is significantly associated with an increased cesarean delivery rate.
Racial and Ethnic Disparities among Enrollees in Medicare Advantage Plans

Background Differences in the control of blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose among the various racial and ethnic groups of Medicare enrollees may contribute to persistent disparities in health outcomes. Methods Among elderly enrollees in Medicare Advantage health plans in 2011 who had hypertension (94,171 persons), cardiovascular disease (112,039), or diabetes (105,848), we compared the respective age-and-sex-adjusted proportions with blood pressure lower than 140/90 mm Hg, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels below 100 mg per deciliter (2.6 mmol per liter), and a glycated hemoglobin value of 9.0% or lower, according to race or ethnic group. Comparisons were made nationally and within regions and health plans, and changes since 2006 were assessed. Results Black enrollees in 2006 and 2011 were substantially less likely than white enrollees to have adequate control of blood pressure (adjusted absolute differences in proportions of enrollees in the 2 years, 7.9 percentage points and 10.3 percentag...
An optimal media distribution algorithm in P2P-based IPTV

Peer-to-peer networks have been considered as a promising network model for bandwidth-intensive multimedia streaming applications. In this paper, we study the problem of how to distribute segments of a media object from a media distribution server in IPTV applications. We leverage peer-to-peer networks to reduce the pressure on the distribution server, and peers exchange media segments in every playback interval. We propose a media distribution algorithm to find the optimal sizes of these media segments so that the time for every peer to receive all the media segments is minimized. The optimal solution is a function of the upload and download bandwidths of the participating peers. We compared our media distribution algorithm with two heuristics through simulations. The experimental results have demonstrated the scalability and efficiency of our proposed algorithm.
Activity of Xanthine Oxidase in Dairy Products

Abstract One-hundred-ninety-five commercially processed dairy products were assayed polarographically for activity of xanthine oxidase. Average activity of 22 of 25 fluid milks ranged from 4.5 to 139.6 μ1 oxygen/ml per h. Most of the powdered and evaporated milk products and all butters had no activity. Average activity in ice creams and yogurts ranged from 0 to 40.3 μl oxygen/g per h. One-half of the 24 brands of creams contained activity ranging from 4.2 to 404.8 μ1 oxygen/ml per h. Approximately two-thirds of the 111 brands and varieties of cheeses contained activities ranging from 0 to 420.4 μl oxygen/g per h. If the starting milk in cheese making was pasteurized or if the cheese was processed, enzyme activity was generally low or zero. Cheeses made from either goat's or ewe's milk contained always low or no activity. Activity of fresh raw milk increased 3.7-fold in storage at 4 C for 24 h while activity declined for longer periods. Fresh unchilled raw milk contained about two-thirds as much activity as processed whole milk, while the latter contained one-half as much activity as the former stored at 4 C for 24 h. The effect of freezing on xanthine oxidase in raw milk was even greater when stored at 4 C. Activity increased steadily from the first 24 h at –20 C to a 15-fold maximum at 72 h. This increase in activity is over 4-fold higher than that obtained by storing raw milk at 4 C for the same time. This finding can improve the yield of xanthine oxidase in purification procedures. In contrast, storage of processed whole milk at –20 C and treatment with Triton X-100 increased activity only slightly. Commercial processing destroyed about 82% of the activity in raw milk, an amount much greater than reported heretofore.
Evolution, techniques, clinical outcomes, and pathophysiology of LASEK: review of the literature

Laser subepithelial keratomileusis (LASEK) is a relatively new laser surgical procedure that combines certain elements of both laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) to improve the risk/benefit ratio. Diluted alcohol is used to loosen the epithelial adhesion to the corneal stroma. The loosened epithelium is moved aside from the treatment zone as a hinged sheet. Laser ablation of the subepithelial stroma is performed before the epithelial sheet is returned to its original position. We reviewed the literature regarding modifications of the technique, indications, outcomes, and complications, as well as wound healing after LASEK surgery. This literature review of 1,421 LASEK-treated eyes provided many findings: 1) The long-term stable results in the absence of serious complications, such as infections, recurrent erosions, scars, or late-onset corneal haze formation in patients re-examined up to 5 years after LASEK; 2) Epithelial closure with recovery of functional vision was completed at days 4 to 7 in most cases; 3) A tendency toward overcorrection with PRK nomograms; 4) We hypothesize that this tendency may be due to the decreased wound healing response, which may lead to myopic regression in PRK; and 5) Postoperative discomfort and prolonged visual recovery until the epithelium closes remain the biggest disadvantages of LASEK compared to LASIK. LASEK surgery is especially valuable in patients with thin corneas who would not qualify for LASIK surgery. However, a potential superiority of LASEK to LASIK in wavefront guided ablations still remains speculative.
Scheduling real-time divisible loads with advance reservations

Providing QoS and performance guarantee to arbitrarily divisible loads has become a significant problem for many cluster-based research computing facilities. While progress is being made in scheduling arbitrarily divisible loads, previous approaches have no support for advance reservations. However, with the emergence of Grid applications that require simultaneous access to multi-site resources, supporting advance reservations in a cluster has become increasingly important. In this paper we propose a new real-time divisible load scheduling algorithm that supports advance reservations in a cluster. The impact of advance reservations on system performance is systematically studied. Simulation results show that, with the proposed algorithm and appropriate advance reservations, the system performance could be maintained at the same level as the no reservation case. Thus, Our approach enforces the real-time agreement vis-a-vis addresses the under-utilization concerns.
The Gulf War, child nutrition and feeding practices in Iraq

Abstract We conducted a cross-sectional study, which included 420 children to investigate the association between feeding practices and growth of children 0–18 months of age, who were attending maternal and child health clinics (MCHCs) in Basrah city, Iraq, 6 months after the Gulf War in 1991. Children who were bottle-fed, had lower mean Z-scores for all anthropometric indices compared to children who were breast-fed. Similar results were observed for mixed bottle and breast feeding compared with breast feeding for weight-for-height and weight-for-age indices. The beneficial effect of breast feeding for all growth indices was not limited to the youngest age group, but was observed across all age categories. This association was modified by socio-economic status. Based on this study, breast feeding should be promoted for children up to 18 months of age and older, given its potential for averting child malnutrition and mortality. Breast feeding promotion should be coupled with nutrition supplementation for both pregnant and lactating women at risk. Nutrition supplementation should also be provided to infants 4–6 months of age and older to ensure adequate caloric intake. Given the current economic situation in Iraq, adequate resources need to be ensured by the international community in order to sustain these public health efforts.
The computer as a psychotherapist

The shortage of therapists/researchers in the area of psychopathology is examined, and the use of a computer-standard environment system as a possible solution to this shortage and many other problems associated with both research and treatment are considered. Current applications of the computer and other automatic devices in psychotherapy are reviewed, including work with autistic children, phobics and juvenile delinquents. A unified assessment-treatment approach is discussed within the context of a computer-standard environment system considering limitations imposed by the current technology.
Zinc Crystal Growth in Microgravity

We report one of the first direct measurements of the efficiency of vapor-to-crystalline-solid growth in a microgravity environment aboard NASA's Reduced Gravity Research Facility. Zinc vapor is produced from a heater in a vacuum chamber containing argon gas. Vapor-phase nucleation is induced by cooling as the vapor expands away from the heat source, and its onset is easily detected visually by the appearance of a cloud of solid, crystalline zinc particles. The size distribution of these particles is monitored in situ by photon correlation spectroscopy. Samples were also extracted from the vapor for later analysis by scanning electron microscopy. The initial, rapid increase in the particle size distribution as a function of time is used to calculate the sticking efficiency for zinc atoms at growing crystal sites. Only a few of every 105 zinc atoms that collide with the grain surfaces are incorporated into the growing crystals. If the large (>10 μm) graphite or SiC grains extracted from meteorites grow with comparable efficiency, then such materials could not have formed on timescales compatible with circumstellar outflows. However, these grains could have formed in equilibrium in stellar atmospheres prior to the initiation of the outflow.
Optimism and Education Buffer the Effects of Syndemic Conditions on HIV Status among African American Men who Have Sex with Men

The present study sought to replicate effects of the number of syndemic psychosocial health conditions on sexual risk behavior and HIV infection among a sample of high-risk African American men who have sex with men (MSM) and to identify resilience factors that may buffer these effects. We used baseline data from an HIV risk-reduction trial to examine whether a higher number of syndemic conditions was associated with higher rates of self-reported sexual risk behavior and HIV infection. Using logistic regression models, we tested for interactions between number of syndemic conditions and several potential resilience factors to identify buffering effects. Replicating previous studies, we found significant associations between numbers of syndemic conditions and higher rates of sexual risk behavior and HIV infection. Surprisingly, we also replicated a previous finding (Stall et al., Am J Public Health, 93(6):939–942, 2003) that the effects of syndemic burden on HIV status fell off at the highest levels of syndemic conditions. Among a variety of potential resilience factors, two—optimism and education—buffered the syndemic effect on HIV prevalence. This is, to our knowledge, the first paper to identify resilience factors buffering against syndemic effects among MSM. It also constitutes a significant contribution to the literature regarding prevention among black MSM. These results point to the need to identify HIV-positive black MSM and provide effective treatment for them and to develop interventions addressing both syndemic and resilience factors.
The Applicability of Neurally-Controlled Devices in Business: A Student Perspective

Neurophysiological tools are receiving increased attention in the field of information systems and by organizations to provide new modes of interaction with computers and more insights into the minds of end-users and customers. Academics and members of private industry are leading the charge with new research streams and systems development efforts, but what do our future contributors to society think about these advances and their applicability to business? A preliminary study is presented from a qualitative analysis of responses from twenty students in a college survey course on information systems. Emerging themes include an appreciation for the swift advances being made with neurally-controlled devices, technical limitations, advantageous uses for assistive technology, viable applications for business and medicine, concerns for security, fear of unintended societal consequences, competitive devices, and belief that this is all still science-fiction. These themes highlight opportunities for aligning research and development efforts.
The Oscillating Arc: Elements of Group VI

A study of the behavior of sulphur, selenium, tellurium, chromium, molybdenum, tungsten and uranium as cathodes in an arc in hydrogen reveals that all of them permit radio-frequency oscillations to occur in a tuned circuit across the arc. No magnetic field is required for these oscillations. The elements of the sulphur group give unsteady oscillations, disintegrate rapidly and form hydrides with the arc atmosphere. The other elements yield steadier oscillations with no chemical action, and allow the arc to operate at a high temperature. The character of the spectra of these arcs in both the oscillating and the non-oscillating states is described and comparisons made. A mechanism is suggested whereby some elements will permit oscillations to occur and some will not.
Magnetic resonance imaging features of meningiomas in children and young adults: a retrospective analysis.

Summary Objectives Meningiomas are rare in children and, unlike in adults, they have male predominance, unusual locations, cystic components and poorer clinical outcomes. The aims of our study were to: a) evaluate the MRI features of pediatric meningiomas; b) correlate ADC values of meningiomas with clinical and histopathological types; and c) correlate peritumoral edema with size and histopathological type of tumor. Patients and methods Radiological data from 24 patients (mean age: 14.3 years) with an imaging or histopathological diagnosis of meningioma, and presurgical MRI between 1995 and 2009 from two medical institutions, were reviewed. Meningiomas were clinically classified as spontaneously arising meningiomas (SAM), NF2-associated meningiomas (NF2-M) and radiation-induced meningiomas (RIM) and, histopathologically, according to the WHO classification system. The main MRI signal characteristics and enhancement were evaluated. ADC values were compared with histopathological type and clinical group. Tumor size and peritumoral edema were also assessed. Results Thirty-four meningiomas (eight SAM, 13 NF2-M, 13 RIM) in 24 patients (12 male, 12 female) were evaluated. Unusual locations were frequently seen in SAM, including cases of intraventricular and intraparenchymal meningiomas. SAM were also always larger than either RIM or NF2-M. Cystic components were only found in SAM, and were not associated with high-grade tumors (WHO II and III). Mean ADC values were significantly different between SAM and NF2-M, but were not associated with histopathological type. Peritumoral edema correlated with tumor size, but did not differ significantly according to clinical group. Conclusion Pediatric SAM have unusual locations, larger size and cystic components, and are diagnosed at a younger age than NF2-M and RIM. NF2-M can have unusual locations such as, in particular, the craniocervical junction. Tumor ADC values did not help to predict tumor grade or clinical type. Peritumoral edema correlated with tumor size, but not with clinical group or histopathological grade.
121. Towards the genetics of a complex phenotype: strain analyses of drug effects on startle gating ☆

Sensorimotor gating of the startle reflex, measured by PPI, is impaired in humans with specific neuropsychiatric disorders, and is disrupted in humans and rats by dopamine (DA) agonists. Animal models are clarifying the genetics of PPI and its sensitivity to neurochemical regulation. Differences in sensitivity to the PPI-disruptive effects of APO across rat strains (eg. Sprague Dawley (SD) vs. Wistar (W)), and within strains, across suppliers (eg. Harlan [“H”] vs. Bantin-Kingman [“BK”]) must reflect relatively subtle genetic drift, which might be manipulated by pharmacogenetic strategies and serve as targets for QTL or other approaches for understanding the genetics of complex phenotypes. We assessed the scope and development of PPI APO sensitivity differences in SD vs. W rats (H and BK). Findings confirmed significant SDH . WH sensitivity to the PPI-disruptive effects of APO in adults and d18 pups; an SDH 3 WH F1 exhibited the WH parental phenotype. Both BK rat strains were less sensitive than SDH rats to the PPI-disruptive effects of APO; in SDBKs, APO effects on PPI interacted with changes in startle magnitude. SDH . SDBK sensitivity was also noted in the PPI-disruptive effects of the D1 agonist SKF82958, but not the D2 agonist quinpirole. Substrain differences in PPI drug sensitivity are DA receptor subtypespecific. SDH . WH APO sensitivity in d18 pups suggests that genetic differences in DAergic sensitivity are expressed early in development; for this substrate, efficient phenotype screening can be completed in pups.
Loss-of-function of DELLA protein SLN1 activates GA signaling in barley aleurone

Gibberellic acid (GA) is an important signaling molecule that participates in many aspects of plant growth and development. While the importance of this hormone is clear, the transcriptional regulatory networks involved are still being characterized. The cereal aleurone, particularly the barley aleurone, has been used as a classic model to study GA and GA signaling for many years, and these studies have significantly contributed to our understanding of GA in plant biology. The objective of this study was to characterize the transcripts regulated through the DELLA protein SLN1, a negative regulator of the GA signaling pathway. To detect the transcripts, Affymetrix Barley 1 GeneChips were hybridized with RNA extracted from barley aleurone treated with GA or aleurone of the DELLA mutant sln1c without GA treatment. The transcripts detected, in term of both expressed genes and their function, were highly similar between the GA-treatment and the sln1c mutant. These results from a genome-wide transcript analysis provide evidence that SLN1 in the GA signal transduction pathway controls almost all GA-induced genes in the barley aleurone.
Increased expression of heat shock protein, transferrin, and β2-microglobulin in astrocytes during scrapie

Abstract Scrapie is a slow infection and neurodegenerative disease of animals characterized pathologically by formation of amyloid, astrocytosis, vacuolation and unjury and death of neurons. Our previous studies of scrapie point to: (i) a critical role for the astrocyte in responding to, and perhaps inadvertently contributing to, the neuropathological manifestations of infection; and (ii), the hypothesis that the astrocyte a executes a programed response to neurological injury analogous to the stress response. The expression of genes encoding tranferrin and β 2 -microglobulin has been shown to increase during scrapie and we sought in the studies reported here to determine whether this modulated expression would map to astrocytes. We also looked for changes in a heat shock protein that is induced in the stress response. We show that transferrin, β 2 -microglobulin and heat shock 72 kD protein all increase in astrocytes in the course of infection. We speculate in the discussion on the possible functions of the other proteins in neurodegenerative processes and why these functions so frequently reside in the astrocyte.
The Importance of Voting in International Organizations: Simulating the Case of the European Union

Simulations can have many advantages over the standard lecture format. This is particularly true with respect to topics that are not as exciting as, say, a major international crisis. The single-class session simulation described in this article takes an important but less than jazzy topic (for students) and brings it alive. It centers on the importance of voting rules, notably in the European Union’s Council of Ministers. Students play the roles of government ministers from the fifteen European (EU) countries who must vote on issues using majority and qualified majority voting (QMV) rules. The simulation will teach students about, among other things, the implications of different voting rules and their implications for a country’s sovereignty. The article provides a brief description of the importance of voting rules in general and of QMV in particular, guidelines for instructors on how to adapt the simulation to different class sizes, and an informative in-class handout that may be provided to students.
Connolly and Hirschmann receive 2011 N. L. Bowen Awards: Citation for Marc M. Hirschmann

James A. Connolly and Marc M. Hirschmann received the 2011 N. L. Bowen Award at the 2011 AGU Fall Meeting, held 5–9 December in San Francisco, Calif. The award recognizes “outstanding contributions to volcanology, geochemistry, or petrology.”
Short-hairpin RNAs delivered by lentiviral vector transduction trigger RIG-I-mediated IFN activation

Activation of the type I interferon (IFN) pathway by small interfering RNA (siRNA) is a major contributor to the off-target effects of RNA interference in mammalian cells. While IFN induction complicates gene function studies, immunostimulation by siRNAs may be beneficial in certain therapeutic settings. Various forms of siRNA, meeting different compositional and structural requirements, have been reported to trigger IFN activation. The consensus is that intracellularly expressed short-hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) are less prone to IFN activation because they are not detected by the cell-surface receptors. In particular, lentiviral vector-mediated transduction of shRNAs has been reported to avoid IFN response. Here we identify a shRNA that potently activates the IFN pathway in human cells in a sequence- and 5′-triphosphate-dependent manner. In addition to suppressing its intended mRNA target, expression of the shRNA results in dimerization of interferon regulatory factor-3, activation of IFN promoters and secretion of biologically active IFNs into the extracellular medium. Delivery by lentiviral vector transduction did not avoid IFN activation by this and another, unrelated shRNA. We also demonstrated that retinoic-acid-inducible gene I, and not melanoma differentiation associated gene 5 or toll-like receptor 3, is the cytoplasmic sensor for intracellularly expressed shRNAs that trigger IFN activation.
Relief of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia-related Bladder Outlet Obstruction after Transarterial Polyvinyl Alcohol Prostate Embolization

JVIR 2000; 11:767–770 THE standard management of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is based on overall patient health and the severity of symptoms. Voiding difficulties attributable to BPH can be quantified with the International Prostatic Symptom Score, a questionnaire consisting of seven symptom categories, with a range of increasingly severe symptom scores from 0 through 35. The score is based on the severity of each of the following obstructive urinary symptoms: hesitancy, decreased urinary stream, intermittency, sensation of incomplete emptying, nocturia, frequency, and urgency. The questionnaire responses are graded, with each of the seven symptom categories contributing a maximum of 5 points, for a total possible score of 35. Symptoms can be ranked as mild (score, 0–7), moderate (score, 8–19), and severe (score, 20–35) (1). Prostatectomy constitutes the traditional management of gross hematuria and/or severe voiding difficulties secondary to BPH. This can be accomplished by transurethral or open surgical means. Various medications, specifically 5-alpha reductase inhibitors and selective -blockers, can decrease the severity of voiding symptoms secondary to BPH. Symptomatic BPH typically occurs in the sixth and seventh decades; it is this older age group that tends to be affected with comorbid cardiovascular disease. Surgical intervention in this age group is considered to be of high risk. We present a case of persistent hematuria and severe urinary obstructive symptoms secondary to BPH, which failed to respond to multiple attempts at conventional therapy. The patient’s condition was successfully managed with superselective transarterial polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) embolization. CASE HISTORY
Early depletion of proliferating B cells of germinal center in rapidly progressive simian immunodeficiency virus infection

AbstractLack of virus specific antibody response is commonly observed in both HIV-1-infected humans and SIV-infected monkeys with rapid diseaseprogression. However, the mechanisms underlying this important observation still remain unclear. In a titration study of a SIVmac239 viral stock,three out of six animals with viral inoculation rapidly progressed to AIDS within 5 months. Unexpectedly, there was no obvious depletion ofCD4 + T cells in both peripheral and lymph node (LN) compartments in these animals. Instead, progressive depletion of proliferating B cells anddisruption of the follicular dendritic cell (FDC) network in germinal centers (GC) was evident in the samples collected at as early as 20 days afterviral challenge. This coincided with undetectable, or weak and transient, virus-specific antibody responses over the course of infection. In situhybridization of SIV RNA in the LN samples revealed a high frequency of SIV productively infected cells and large amounts of accumulated viralRNA in the GCs in these animals. Early severe depletion of GC proliferating B cells and disruption of the FDC network may thus result in aninability to mount a virus-specific antibody response in rapid progressors, which has been shown to contribute to accelerated disease progressionof SIV infection.© 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
In Defence of Historicism

Abstract This paper defends a historicist approach to the history of ideas. A historicist ontology implies that texts have meaning only for specific people, whether these be individual authors, particular readers, or the intersubjective beliefs of social groups. Texts do not have intrinsic meanings in themselves.
Secondary biogenic textures in some iron—Manganese nodules from the Blake Plateau, Atlantic Ocean

Abstract Eighty-seven manganese nodules, representing six different locations at depths ranging from 2400 to 7400 m, from the eastern edge of the Blake Plateau were studied. Most of the nodules contained secondary structural textures resulting from the apparent burrowing of marine microfauna. This biogenic activity produced modification of the original growth patterns. In many cases the burrowed zones served as favored sites for redeposition of iron—manganese material. Transmitted light and scanning electron microscope analysis revealed the presence of three types of organic activity: (1) agglutinated foraminiferal tests; (2) pre-bored clay particles acting as nuclei or later included during nodule growth; and (3) younger burrows that cross-cut all older structures. In many instances this cross-cutting action resulted in almost total eradication of areas of the original growth patterns. The final texture may be mistaken for a similar growth texture previously classified as mottled, but a more specific genetic term might be “disrupted.”
Comparison of rapid diagnostic methodologies for Chlamydia and gonorrhea in an urban adolescent population: a pilot study.

Purpose: To compare a combination DNA probe test which detects both N. gonorrhoeae (GC) and C. trachomatis (CT) to the current culture methodologies among a population of female adolescents at an urban teaching center. In addition, the probe test for CT was compared to a direct immunofluorescence test. Methods: All sexually active female adolescents between the ages of 13–21 years who sought care at an urban teaching center from June 1991 through November 1991 and who required testing for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) were recruited for this study. Results: The probe test was demonstrated to be 66.6% sensitive and 94.9% specific when compared to tissue culture for CT and 50% sensitive and 98.2% specific when compared to culture for GC. We found an overall prevalence of 23.5% for CT and 3.5% for GC. Conclusions: The two rapid diagnostic tests for CT evaluated in this study demonstrated similar sensitivities. However the probe test offers advantages in that it is easier to perform, skill at reading fluorescence is not required, and one specimen yields results for both CT and GC.