cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Forward Bio-optical Modeling and Calibration

Utilization of remotely sensed data can provide greater economy in many types of hydrologic surveys than using conventional methods. This is possible because certain biological and geochemical constituents of surface/near surface water produce changes in reflectance that can be measured by ocean color remote sensing. To develop analytical algorithms for Case2 waters, an optical (forward) model needs to link the water quality parameters (WQPs) to the inherent optical properties (IOPs), linking these in turn to the subsurface irradiance reflectance R(0−) for retrieval of constituent concentrations using (inverse) modeling. The goal was to establish a monitoring system for retrieval of water constituent concentrations using remote sensing ocean color data. Subsequently, chlorophyll concentration can be used as an indicator for high biomass nuisance blooms, as well as an indicator for super-eutrophic conditions connected to oxygen depletion and dead zone formation.
Greater activation of peripheral T follicular helper cells following high dose influenza vaccine in older adults forecasts seroconversion

Abstract Background Influenza related morbidity and mortality disproportionately impacts older adults. The serologic response to vaccine is diminished in older adults; however, high dose inactivated influenza vaccine (HD IIV) has shown improved rates of seroconversion compared to standard dose (SD IIV). We hypothesize this may be due to the superior ability of high dose vaccine to activate T follicular helper (Tfh) cells and provide B cell dependent T cell help. Methods We measured peripheral Tfh (pTfh) activation in 50 community dwelling adults 65 years or older who were randomly assigned to receive either the HD IIV or SD IIV. Results The HD vaccination elicited significantly higher levels of ICOS expression on pTfh cells, at day 7 compared to SD vaccination (p = 0.02). The magnitude of the increase in ICOS+ pTfh cells from baseline to day 7 was predictive of seroconversion for both influenza A and B vaccination. Conclusion Strong Tfh activation in response to influenza vaccination forecasts successful seroconversion in older adults, and HD IIV elicits greater Tfh activation than SD IIV. Future vaccine studies should focus on ways to further optimize the Tfh response.
NUCLEAR PERFORMANCE OF MOLTEN SALT FUSION-FISSION SYMBIOTIC SYSTEMS FOR CATALYZED DEUTERIUM-DEUTERIUM AND DEUTERIUM-TRITIUM REACTORS.

The nuclear performance of a fusion-fission hybrid reactor having a molten salt composed of Na-Th-F-Be as the blanket fertile material and operating with a catalyzed deuterium-deuterium (DD) plasma...
Medical education generation gaps: Moving forward is possible.

Dear SirI greatly value Marjel van Dam and colleagues’ insights into the complexities of generation gaps in medical education (van Dam et al. 2017). I fall into the millennial domain although not i...
Central nervous system relapse of rhabdomyosarcoma.

Purpose The optimal management of central nervous system (CNS) relapse of rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is unclear. We examined diagnosis, management, and outcomes of patients with RMS developing CNS relapse. Methods Records of 23 patients diagnosed with CNS relapse between 1999 and 2016 were reviewed. Median age at presentation of CNS relapse was 15 years (range, 1–34 years). High-risk features at initial presentation were as follows: 16 alveolar patients, 13 Stage IV, and 13 with primary tumor in parameningeal locations. Results CNS relapse occurred at a median 12 months (range, 1–23 months) from diagnosis and most common presenting symptoms were headache (n = 9), nausea/vomiting (n = 8), visual difficulty (n = 5), and none (n = 5). Leptomeningeal metastases were detected in 21 patients while only 2 developed parenchymal metastases without leptomeningeal involvement. Fifteen patients received CNS-directed radiation therapy (RT), including craniospinal irradiation to a median 36 Gy (range, 18–36 Gy) and/or whole brain radiotherapy to a median 30 Gy (range, 6–41.4 Gy). Three patients received concurrent chemotherapy. Follow-up magnetic resonance imaging was conducted in 13 patients after RT initiation with 8 demonstrating improvement, 2 with stable disease, and 3 with progression. Twelve patients were tested for reactivity to I-131-labeled monoclonal antibody 8H9, and three tested positive and received at least one intra-Ommaya dose; all three lived >12 months post-CNS relapse. Twenty-one patients died of CNS disease and two of metastatic disease at other sites. Median survival post-CNS relapse was 5 months (range, 0.1–49 months). Conclusions The prognosis for patients with RMS developing CNS relapse remains poor. Treatment including CNS-directed RT should be considered and investigation into preventative therapies is warranted.
Understanding Causal Distributional and Subgroup Effects With the Instrumental Propensity Score

To address issues with measured and unmeasured confounding in observational studies, we developed a unified approach to using an instrumental variable in more flexible ways to evaluate treatment effects. The approach is based on an instrumental propensity score conditional on baseline variables, which can then be incorporated in matching, regression, subclassification, or weighting along with various parametric, semiparametric, or nonparametric methods for the assessment of treatment effects. Therefore, the application of the instrumental propensity score allows different methods for outcome effect evaluations in addition to standard 2-stage least square models while controlling for unmeasured confounders. Several properties of the instrumental propensity score are discussed. The approach is then illustrated using subclassification along with a semiparametric density ratio model and empirical likelihood. This method allows us to evaluate distributional and subgroup treatment effects in addition to the overall average treatment effect. Simulation studies showed that the method works well. We applied our method to a study of the effects of attending a Catholic school versus a public school and found that attending a Catholic school had significant beneficial effects on subsequent wages among a subgroup of subjects.
Temperature analysis for early detection and rate estimation of CO2 wellbore leakage

Abstract Wellbore leakage of carbon dioxide (CO2) injected into storage zones can induce significant temperature anomalies. These thermal signals arise from expansion of the leaking CO2 associated with the pressure drop across the leak, known as the Joule-Thomson effect, which has the potential to reveal the nature of leakage and determine the wellbore leakage rate of CO2. We investigate the strength of the temperature signal as a function of leakage rate and develop a control volume analysis to relate these two in the complex two-phase leakage conditions. This analytical thermal model for CO2 leakage enables quick analysis with sufficient accuracy to estimate the leakage rate. The application range of this approach is identified from the results of comprehensive investigations. The nature of the thermal signal is sensitive to the balance between the Joule-Thomson effect and heat conduction. The ratio of these two effects and newly defined JT/cond Number provide general criteria for the applicability of modeling these thermal signals in the range of 40–90% and 1.6-4, respectively. Furthermore, in the case of higher leakage rate, we extend the analytical model to predict the leakage transmissibility with improved accuracy compared to the direct rate estimation from leakage thermal model in this scenario. The general procedure and flow chart to apply the proposed approach to a practical problem are provided, which is suitable for both injection and post-injection periods for a CO2 storage project. This analytical model breaks a new ground to apply recent temperature wellbore monitoring developments for CO2 leakage detection and characterization purposes. Field applications of this model can complement other leakage rate estimation techniques and be an essential part of the CO2 leakage detection tool if other approaches are not viable.
Racial Politics, Resentment, and Affirmative Action: Asian Americans as “Model” College Applicants

This article uses philosophical analysis to clarify the arguments and claims about racial discrimination brought forward in the recent legal challenges to affirmative action in higher education adm...
Meta-Analysis of Big Five Personality Traits in Autism Spectrum Disorder.

The present meta-analysis synthesizes the emerging literature on the relationship of Big Five personality traits to autism spectrum disorder. Studies were included if they (1) either (a) measured autism spectrum disorder characteristics using a metric that yielded a single score quantification of the magnitude of autism spectrum disorder characteristics and/or (b) studied individuals with an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis compared to individuals without an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis and (2) measured Big Five traits in the same sample or samples. Fourteen reviewed studies include both correlational analyses and group comparisons. Eighteen effect sizes per Big Five trait were used to calculate two overall effect sizes per trait. Meta-analytic effects were calculated using random effects models. Twelve effects (per trait) from nine studies reporting correlations yielded a negative association between each Big Five personality trait and autism spectrum disorder characteristics (Fisher's z ranged from -.21 (conscientiousness) to -.50 (extraversion)). Six group contrasts (per trait) from six studies comparing individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder to neurotypical individuals were also substantial (Hedges' g ranged from -.88 (conscientiousness) to -1.42 (extraversion)). The potential impact of personality on important life outcomes and new directions for future research on personality in autism spectrum disorder are discussed in light of results.
Quantification characteristics of digital spiral analysis for understanding the relationship among tremor and clinical measures in persons with multiple sclerosis.

Abstract Background Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a degenerative neurological condition causing demyelination and neuronal loss. Tremor, a symptom of MS, is prevalent in 45.0–46.8% NARCOMS registrants. Although several tools to measure tremor exist, few outcomes are quantitative or regularly utilized clinically. New method Introduction of a novel adaptation of the digital spiral drawing to find a quick, sensitive, and clinically useful technique, to predict tremor in persons with MS (pwMS). Digital spiral measures included: Segment Rate (SEGRT), Standard Deviation (SD) of Radial Velocity (VSD-R), SD of Tangential Velocity (VSD-T), SD of Overall Velocity (VSD-O), Mean Drawing Velocity (MNV-O) and Mean Pen Pressure Acceleration (MNA-P). Digital spiral measures were compared with the manual Archimedes Spiral (AS) drawing and the following clinical measures: Finger-Nose Test (FNT), presence of visually observed intention tremor (VOT), Nine-Hole Peg Test (NHPT), and Box and Block Test (BBT). Results All clinical measures utilized demonstrated significant relationships with all digital variables, except VSD-R. The forward-stepwise regression revealed BBT accounted for the most variance, followed by SEGRT. Comparison with Existing Methods: SEGRT is more sensitive in detecting VOT and better for quantifying tremor than AS. BBT and SEGRT are optimal predictive measures for tremor. Conclusions SEGRT has stronger sensitivity and negative predictive value than AS in detecting VOT. All clinical measures (NHPT, FNT, BBT, and AS) were significantly associated with the digital variables (SEGRT, VSD-T, VSD-O, MNV-O, and MNA-P) except for VSD-R. After controlling for Patient Determined Disease Steps (PDDS), BBT and SEGRT are the best predictive measures for tremor.
Experience in Vibratory and Electro-Ejaculation Techniques in Spinal Cord Injury Patients: A Preliminary Report

AbstractMore than 90 per cent of complete spinal cord injury patients have major fertility problems, depending upon the site and type of injury. During the last 5 years 34 patients were treated by vibratory and/or electrostimulation at our center, and semen was produced in all but 5. In 8 patients ejaculation was attempted by vibratory stimulation alone and in 22 electrostimulation also was used. Vibratory stimulation is the easier and less cumbersome of the 2 methods. No major side effects were noted with either technique. Stimulation was performed by a rectal electrode incorporated in a silicone finger glove with a current of 0.1msec, in duration, a frequency of 30Hz. and an average of 60 volts. Vibratory stimulation was applied to the frenulum and/or glans penis with a specially constructed vibrator at a frequency of 80Hz. and a peak-to-peak oscillation of 1.6 to 2.4mm. Semen obtained during the first 6 months after injury was not of a quality consistent with successful fertilization owing to poor moti...
The Islamic Faith: Implications for Business Management

The literature on faith and spirituality is flourishing and opening horizons for more dialogs and discussions on how employees can integrate their spirituality and religious beliefs at work. While this renaissance is beneficial for employees and organizations, it entails a deep understanding of the underpinnings of spiritual practices, including the most espoused religions. Islam is the second largest religion in the world, and its adherents are present in the five continents of the globe. Despite the diversity of their work practices, they all share the same belief system. The purpose of this chapter is twofold: (1) to explore the foundations of workplace spirituality and identify its main paradigms and (2) to share the key features of Islam and offer some preliminary thoughts on how they can be reflected in the workplace. Ultimately, the intent is to contribute to promoting tolerance and reducing philosophical and cultural misunderstandings.
Immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment of advanced age metastatic melanoma (MM) patients.

e14603Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) treatment has become effective method of treating mm including in those over 65 years of age. Increasing number of advanced age mm patients (pts....
The intersection of intimate partner violence and poverty in Black communities

Abstract Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a major public health concern that has profound impacts on women across the globe. Though it cuts across race, socioeconomic status, age, geography and sexual orientation, those communities plagued by poverty experience disproportionate rates. Poverty creates unique circumstances of vulnerability for individuals, families, and communities and is disproportionately experienced by Black communities in both developed and developing countries. The impact of poverty on Black communities is significant and pervasive, with deep historical roots. Both IPV and poverty have profound effects on women's physical and psychosocial health and well-being. Black women who live at the intersection of experiencing poverty and IPV are in an especially disadvantaged position. This paper will explore the impact of poverty on Black women's experiences of violence in the United States and on the African continent and present a call to action for necessary structural, community and individual level intervention to address this pervasive concern.
Age Induced Nitroso-Redox Imbalance Leads to Subclinical Hypogonadism in Male Mice.

Objective: The cause of age-related changes in testosterone remains unclear. We hypothesized that increased nitroso-redox imbalance with aging could affect testosterone production. Materials and Methods: We measured several markers of nitroso-redox imbalance (4-HNE, 3-NT, and NT) in serum of S-nitrosoglutathione reductase knock out (GSNOR KO) mice that have increased nitroso-redox imbalance and compared these to wild-type (WT) mice. We evaluated the impact of age-induced nitroso-redox imbalance on serum luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone (T) in WT young ( 12 months) mice. Finally, to elucidate the susceptibility of testes to nitroso-redox imbalance, we measured 4-HNE protein levels in the testes of WT and KO mice. Results: We identified 4-HNE as a reliable marker of nitroso-redox imbalance, as evidenced by increased protein levels in serum of GSNOR KO mice compared with WT mice. We demonstrated that 4-HNE serum protein levels increase in WT mice with age but do not accumulate in the testes. We also found that T levels were similar in all age groups. Interestingly, we found that serum LH levels in aged and middle-aged mice were increased when compared to young mice (n = 5) consistent with the phenotype of subclinical hypogonadism. Conclusions: Increased serum 4-HNE and LH levels without changes in T with age suggest that nitroso-redox imbalance is associated with subclinical hypogonadism in aged mice. Recognizing the relationship and etiology of a currently poorly understood classification of hypogonadism could be a paradigm shift in how age-related testosterone change is diagnosed and treated.
Searches for First Generation Leptoquark Pair Production in pbar-p Collisions at D0

We have searched for the pair production of first generation scalar leptoquarks using the full data set (123 pb**-1) collected with the D0 detector at the Fermilab Tevatron during 1992-1996. We observe no candidates, consistent with the expected background. We combine these new results from the ee + jets and enu + jets channels with the published nunu + jets result to obtain a 95% CL upper limits on the LQ pair production cross section as a function of mass and beta, the branching ratio to a charged lepton and a quark. Comparing to the NLO theory predictions, we set 95% CL lower limits on the LQ mass of 225, 204, and 79 GeV/c**2 for beta=1, 1/2, and 0, respectively. The results of this analysis rule out an interpretation of the excess of high Q**2 events at HERA as leptoquarks with LQ mass below 200 GeV/c**2 for values of beta > 0.4.
RDS Of Things: Using RDS Technology For Smart Cities

Life in big cities is getting harder every day. Local governments are trying to find ways to use smart city concepts to make cities more livable. However, smart city concepts face many challenges because the technologies used for them, such as LoRa Wan,2g, and 3G, are expensive and difficult to implement in large areas. Cheaper and easy to implement, FM Radio Data System (RDS) is a more effective technology for some applications. Many people use FM RDS technology in daily life, such as in their cars, phones and FM radio receivers to get the station name or “now playing song” text. We propose a new usage of FM RDS technology for smart cities. We develop a prototype and show that the proposed system is feasible and reliable under normal conditions. We show that our proposed system is cheaper and more scalable than other technologies for typical smart city applications, at the expense of robustness to unreliability of communication.
Left bundle branch pacing utilizing three dimensional mapping.

Introduction Permanent His bundle pacing is feasible and effective in patients with atrioventricular block or left bundle branch block. However, pacing thresholds to capture the distal His bundle is often higher. Recently left bundle branch area pacing (LBBP) has been shown to be feasible by advancing the lead transvenously, deep into the interventricular septum to reach the left ventricular endocardial surface. In this article we describe the utility of three dimensional (3D) mapping to achieve LBBP. Methods Ensite Precision (Abbott) mapping system was used to perform LBBP. A decapolar catheter was used to create 3D map of right atrium and right ventricle (RV). Regions of interest (His bundle, potential LBBP sites of interest in RV) were tagged in the 3D map. The LBBP lead was implanted utilizing the 3D map. The lead depth in the septum was assessed in the 3D map. Results LBBP was performed in three patients: chronic LBBB and intermittent 2:1 atrioventricular block; atrioventricular (AV) node ablation and conduction system pacing; and bifascicular block and intermittent AV block in a patient with severe left ventricular hypertrophy. LBBP was successful in all three patients. The lead depth in the interventricular septum was 12, 11, and 21 mm, respectively as assessed by 3D mapping. Conclusions Three-dimensional mapping was helpful in achieving LBBP in patients with LBBB, severe left ventricular hypertrophy or during AV node ablation. 3D mapping also facilitated easy assessment of lead depth during and after lead fixation. 3D mapping techniques may be a valuable tool to reduce the learning curve of implanters with minimal experience in LBBP.
Treatment Classification and Selection Based on Behavioral Function

Results from more than 25 years of research on behavioral approaches to the treatment of self-injury, aggression, and related disorders in developmentally disabled individuals indicate that these problems are learned behaviors and can be reduced significantly using interventions derived from operant conditioning principles. A consistent finding has been that behavior disorders are responsive to treatment across an extremely wide range of procedural variation. Because so many options are available in a given clinical situation, issues related to treatment selection have become increasingly important in recent years, and a number of decision-making models have been proposed. Yet the question of how best to proceed when attempting to reduce a serious behavior problem has been difficult to answer and is often the subject of controversy. Some treatments are viewed as more effective, intrusive, or costly than others, and there has been disagreement over the relative “ranking” of treatments based on these factors. The ultimate criteria used in making treatment decisions should take into account scientific, ethical, and economic factors, as well as consumer preference (e.g., see the extensive discussion of these factors in Repp & Singh, 1990). Much of the current controversy, however, arises from more basic misconceptions about the characteristics of treatment procedures and the behavior disorders they are designed to eliminate, resulting in either arbitrary or erroneous classification.
Features of an Unusual AML with t(4;12)/Pdgra-ETV6 As the Sole Cytogenetic Abnormality Associated with Myelodysplastic Changes: A Case Report and Literature Review

The t(4;12) cytogenetic abnormality is rare in AML, and is associated with a unique morphologic and immunophenotypic profile. Pseudo-lymphoid morphology of myeloid blasts (appearing as atypical lymphocytes), multilineage dysplasia, absence of eosinophilia, aberrant CD7 and lack of myeloperoxidase (MPO) expression, low frequency of FLT3 mutations, and treatment refractoriness are some of the characteristics of this AML subtype previously described in the literature. We report a case of AML with t(4;12) in a middle-age male who presented with pancytopenia: WBC 3.34 (65% lymphocytes), Hgb 6.9, Plt 13, and no known prior history of a myeloid neoplasm. Bone marrow aspirate revealed 78% blasts that appeared large with uneven chromatin distribution, prominent nucleoli, and inconspicuous granules; and significant dysplastic features in the erythroid and megakaryocyte elements. Immunostains performed on the trephine core biopsy showed blasts expressed CD34 (subset), CD71 (subset), and were CD117+ Bcl-2+ CD43+ CD7+ MPO-. Flow cytometry identified 74% myeloblasts, positive for CD34, CD38, CD123, CD117, CD33, HLA-DR, CD13 (subset), CD56, CD7, CD71; negative for monocyte-specific markers. The morphologic and immunophenotypic features were compatible with AML with MDS-related changes. Karyotype analysis identified t(4;12)(q12;p13) in 18/20 cells, and no additional chromosomal abnormalities. PDGFRA translocation to 12p was confirmed using PDGFRA and ETV6 FISH probes. Analysis of frequent genomic alterations in AML identified BCOR p.Leu1646Profs, TET2 p.Gln1627Ilefs, U2AF1 p.Ser34Phe mutations; and no FLT3 mutation. Conclusions: In AML with t(4;12)/PDGFRA-ETV6, though lack of a FLT3 mutation is relatively favorable, BCOR and U2AF1 mutations and multilineage dysplasia are unfavorable prognostic factors. Synergism of the additional oncogenic mutations with the PDGFRA activating mutation can be postulated. The t(4;12)/PDGFRA-ETV6 should be recognized in the WHO classification as a recurrent balanced translocation in AML with MDS-related changes. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Is the corn futures market noisier? The impact of high frequency quoting

The paper pioneers research on high frequency (HF) quoting noise in electronically traded agricultural futures markets. HF quoting – quickly cancelling posted limit orders and replacing them with n...
The effect of functional unit and co-product handling methods on life cycle assessment of an algal biorefinery

Abstract Microalgae are a promising feedstock for sustainable fuel and nutritional products. To be economically viable, algal biorefineries will need to produce multiple products, such as nutraceuticals and animal feed, in addition to fuel. Life cycle assessment (LCA) has been applied widely to algal biorefineries, but results vary across studies. Here we address two methodological challenges that can lead to variability in LCAs of multi-product algal biorefineries: the choice of functional unit and the method used to handle co-products. LCA was conducted for an algal biorefinery that produces two representative products—fuel and animal feed—using three functional units: (1) 1 MJ fuel, (2) 1 kg animal feed, and (3) 1 ha of production area, coupled with the system expansion method. For the fuel-based functional unit, the system expansion method was compared to impact allocation based on mass, energy, and market value of the biorefinery products. The choice of functional unit affects the results for several environmental indicators. For ecosystem quality, the choice of functional unit can change the overall balance of environmental impacts from harmful to beneficial. The effect of functional unit on climate change depends on the boundary considered in the model—i.e., “well to gate” or “well to wheels”. When a fuel-based functional unit is used, the choice of co-product handling method (i.e., allocation versus the system expansion method) affects environmental impacts, such as ecosystem quality and climate change, differently. For LCAs that use a fuel-based functional unit to compare algal biofuel to other fuels, multiple co-product handling methods should be analyzed and presented to stakeholders. A land based functional unit coupled with the system expansion method can be used to improve LCAs that compare among multi-product algal biorefineries.
Translational research of temporomandibular joint pathology: a preliminary biomarker and fMRI study

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is well innervated by braches of the trigeminal nerve. The temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) can cause neural-inflammation in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) at the site of injury, or compression, and may have systemic effects on the central nervous system (CNS). Neural-inflammation causes elevations in cytokine expression and microglia activation. When the site of injury, or compression is treated, or relieved, neural inflammation is reduced. These changes can be seen and measured with fMRI brain activities. For this study, patients with comorbid TMD and systemic/neurologic conditions were compared using clinical diagnostic markers, inflammatory, pain, tissue destruction enzymatic biomarkers, and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) activity of the brain, with and without a custom-made dental orthotic. Our results showed a correlation between the clinical diagnosis of the pathological TMJ, biomarkers and the fMRI study. There was a marked elevation of biomarkers in samples taken from TMJ of patients who were clinically diagnosed with TMD. The fMRI study of TMD patients showed an abnormal hyper-connected salience network and a diminished blood flow to the anterior frontal lobes when they did not wear their customized dental orthotics. Our findings highlight the importance of TMJ-CNS connections and use of fMRI as an investigative tool for understanding TMD and its related neurological pathologies.
Sexual Attitudes, Perceptions of Attractiveness, and Level of Coercion Affect Undergraduate Men’s Judgments of Women’s Responses to Sexual and Nonsexual Social Situations:

The aims of this study were to (a) evaluate undergraduate men's (N = 108) judgments of the effectiveness of women's responses to increasingly coercive sexual victimization risk and nonsexual social situations and (b) examine whether individual difference factors (e.g., perceptions of attractiveness, rape empathy) influenced these judgments. As part of a larger study, undergraduate women were video recorded responding to a series of vignettes depicting increasingly coercive sexual and nonsexual social situations. Undergraduate men then rated the effectiveness of these responses in either decreasing risk for sexual victimization (for the sexual victimization risk situations) or increasing the likelihood of achieving a social goal (for the nonsexual social situations), as well as each woman's physical attractiveness. Multilevel modeling results revealed that both situational-level (i.e., level of coercion) and individual-level factors (i.e., rape empathy, perceived attractiveness of the women, and rape myth acceptance) were associated with men's judgments of the effectiveness of women's responses in sexually risky situations. Specifically, responses were rated as less effective in decreasing victimization risk as the level of coercion increased, and men who reported lower rape empathy, lower perceived attractiveness of the woman, and higher rape myth acceptance judged women's responses as less effective than men who reported higher rape empathy, higher perceived attractiveness, and lower rape myth acceptance. Attractiveness was the only significant predictor of men's judgments of women's responses to nonsexual situations, with more attractive women being perceived as more effective. The findings of the current study highlight the importance of understanding the interaction between individual difference variables and situational features in understanding men's judgments of women's responses.
Unanswered Questions: Hereditary Breast and Gynecological Cancer Risk Assessment in Transgender Adolescents and Young Adults

Transgender (TG) individuals have higher rates of mortality associated with cancer diagnoses, in part due to avoidance of gender-assigned cancer screenings resulting in later stages at diagnosis. Knowledge about the risks of breast or gynecological cancer in TG and nonbinary (NB) persons receiving gender-affirming hormone therapy is limited. Even less information exists regarding the subset of individuals with genetic predisposition for these malignancies. We performed a retrospective literature review of studies from the last 15 years on breast cancer rates and identified risks in TG persons. An accumulating body of data on breast cancer incidence in TG persons suggests higher than previously believed rates of breast cancer in TG women compared with cisgender men and risk correlating with duration of hormone use. Few studies have examined other cancer risks in TG populations. To date, only three publications address the association with BRCA1/2 mutation presence and breast cancer incidence in TG persons. Meanwhile, there is growing awareness and social acceptance of TG/NB identities coupled with recognition of gender dysphoria at increasingly earlier ages. No information directly addressing cancer risk counseling in TG/NB adolescents and young adults with a family history of cancer or hereditary cancer syndrome exists. Whether the presence of a known genetic predisposition or strong family cancer history may affect cancer risk in these populations is unknown, leading to significant gaps in clinicians' ability to accurately and appropriately estimate cancer risks and counsel those with genetic predisposition on the risks/benefits associated with surgical options and the initiation, duration, and dosing of gender-affirming hormone therapies. A series of three cases illustrates the utility of cancer risk assessment and genetic testing in TG/NB adolescents and young adults, and the unique challenges and unanswered questions that are encountered in the process.
The Theory of an Expanding Earth and the Acceptability of Guiding Assumptions

For over two decades plate tectonics has enjoyed a dominant position in the earth sciences. The intellectual grandchild of Alfred Wegener’s theory of continental drift, plate tectonics is the now familiar explanation of continental displacement as the product of lateral movement of rigid lithospheric plates in which continental blocks are embedded. This theory is the direct descendant of Harry Hess’s theory of sea-floor spreading (Hess, 1962), according to which mid-ocean ridges are a source of new crustal material upwelling from the earth’s interior. In Hess’s theory, this new oceanic crust is gradually transported away along crustal ‘conveyor belts’ driven by mantle convection currents, and ultimately dragged back down into the earth’s mantle (subducted) at the trailing edges of these convection currents. Lateral drift of continents occurs as they ride piggy-back along these conveyor belts (see Figure 1).
Couple communication from a cross-cultural perspective

Abstract This chapter provides an overview and critique of research on couple communication from a cross-cultural perspective. The majority of studies from both observational and self-report methods have generally supported the behavioral link between communication behaviors and relational satisfaction, lending support for couple therapy and relationship education across cultures. Specifically, positive communication behaviors such as positive affect, validation, and warmth are positively related to relational satisfaction. In contrast, negative communication behaviors such as hostility, invalidate, dominance are negatively associated with relational satisfaction. The magnitude of the association between communication and relational satisfaction is moderated by culture, gender, and contexts. Overall, the relationship between communication and satisfaction is stronger for Western couples than for non-Western couples. A couple of studies have also shown that the communication behaviors of the female partner affect couple relationship satisfaction more so than those of the male partner.
Icing Conditions Encountered by a Research Aircraft

Abstract The characteristics of clouds which have led to airframe icing on an instrumented Beechcraft Super King Air are summarized. The icing encounters occurred at altitudes from 0–8000 m MSL, in summer and winter, in stratiform and cumuliform clouds, and at temperatures from 0 to −30°C. The characteristics of icing encounters in different areas and in different seasons are compared. The fraction of measurements exceeding various threshold values of liquid water content, average liquid water content over a given distance, volume-median droplet diameter, droplet concentration, ice crystal concentration, and potential ice accumulation are given. The effects of these cloud characteristics on aircraft performance were measured by comparing the rate of climb of the aircraft with ice to the rate of climb for the clean aircraft under the same conditions. Most icing encounters led to a reduction in the rate of climb that increased linearly with the path integral of the supercooled liquid water content. The volu...
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tears: The Impact of Increased Time From Injury to Surgery on Intra-articular Lesions:

Background:Previous research has shown that meniscal and articular cartilage lesions increase with time in the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)–deficient knee.Purpose:To analyze the association bet...
Analytical Modelling of Temperature Distribution in SLM Process with Consideration of Scan Strategy Difference between Layers

In the practical selective laser melting (SLM) manufacturing process, the scan strategy often varies between layers to avoid overlapping of the melted area, which affects the residual stress and deflection of the final build. Yet not much modelling work has been done to accommodate the angle between layers. The paper proposed an analytical thermal model to address the scan strategy difference, such as laser scan direction difference between layers, which brings the model closer to the practical scan situation. The analytical transient moving point heat solution is adopted in this model. The laser movement is first considered in a laser coordinates, which originates at the laser radiation spot, and then transferred into a stationary coordinate, which originates at the starting point of the build. The model takes account of multi-track and multi-layer effect by considering thermal property changes caused by remaining heat, which is further adopted for temperature distribution calculation. The scan direction difference leads to different laser path at each layer, and alters heating and cooling time for a specific point on the build. The proposed model is validated by comparing the predicted melt pool geometries to documented experimental data. The effect of scan direction difference between layers is further discussed in the later part. It is found that the uni- and bi- directional scan leads to diverse temperature profile but its effect on melt depth is not significant. Although the laser rotation angle between layers leads to changes in the melt depth, it is not in a large scale. The proposed model shows that scan strategy does not change melt pool geometry in a significant scale but affects the thermal profile as well as thermal history. It can be used as a step for further modelling work for porosity and deflection.
Autonomy vs. beneficence. A bioethical inquiry for Covid-19 mandatory vaccination

Lately, the public discussion around mandatory vaccination has been an intensely enliven one. On the one hand, there are those who argue for the effectiveness of vaccination and demand that all procure it in order that all be immunize and that the threat of COVID-19 be minimize. On the other hand, there are those who are troubled about getting the vaccine and claim that mandatory vaccination is an infringement on their individual Autonomy. Furthermore, there are those who refuse vaccination for faith-based reasons and thus invoke religious exemption. The paper offers a moral analysis about the conflict between Mandatory Vaccination, supposed to be for the good of the community, and individual Autonomy. It clarifies why there are no moral basis for mandatory vaccination nor for religious exemption.
Charge localization in a layer induced by electron-phonon interaction: application to transient polaron formation

We describe electron transfer and localization in a finite two-dimensional transporting layer (15 × 15) using a tight binding Hamiltonian where each site is coupled to phonons. For a narrow electronic band, a polaron is formed with a population that peaks in the middle of the layer and exhibits a concomitant energy lowering. A “local defect” can be simulated by lowering or raising the corresponding site energy. As an example, if we put the defect in one corner, the consequence is that the electron population builds up a polaron which is repelled from this region. The model has been applied to describe the experimentally observed real time polaron formation process in organic layers and in particular in the surface bands of ice-covered metal. We simulate the polaron formation, population distribution and energy relaxation in time. We also investigate the effect of local fluctuations on polaron formation. The formalism can be generalized to excitonic trapping, and has many potential applications.
Cultural citizenship, political belonging, and the European Union

Like many concepts in the social sciences, the notion of citizenship is subject to different understandings based on the particular interests and preferences of those who engage in public discourse about its meaning. The particular notion of EU citizenship is often dismissed as insubstantial. Authors note that EU member states continue to have different laws on citizenship, that Union citizenship is derived from member state citizenship, and that Union citizenship has failed to promote much of a sense of European identity. The particular idea of cultural citizenship, meanwhile, has been described by some as an oxymoron, with many authors noting that while it is a useful concept, it remains underdeveloped and underemployed, and that it needs to be further articulated in connection with specific issues and contexts. This paper will attempt to do just that by moving from theory to practice, exploring ways in which ideas of political and cultural belonging have overlapped in such a way as to direct citizenship in Europe away from an association with states or cultures to an association with ideas. Received : 31 November 2012 Accepted : 20 December 2012 Publicacion online : 15 April 2016
Three-Dimensional Field Solutions for Multi-Pole Cylindrical Halbach Arrays in an Axial Orientation

This article presents three-dimensional B field solutions for the cylindrical Halbach array in an axial orientation. This arrangement has applications in the design of axial motors and passive axial magnetic bearings and couplers. The analytical model described here assumes ideal magnets with fixed and uniform magnetization. The field component functions are expressed as sums of 2-D definite integrals that are easily computed by a number of mathematical analysis software packages. The analysis is verified with sample calculations and the results are compared to equivalent results from traditional finite-element analysis (FEA). The field solutions are then approximated for use in flux linkage and induced EMF calculations in nearby stator windings by expressing the field variance with angular displacement as pure sinusoidal function whose amplitude depends on radial and axial position. The primary advantage of numerical implementation of the analytical approach presented in the article is that it lends itself more readily to parametric analysis and design tradeoffs than traditional FEA models.
Electrophoretic analysis of serum proteins, lipoproteins, and glucoproteins in healthy newborn infants, older infants, and children in Greece. I. Normal values from birth to adolescence.

Summary Total protein determinations and the electrophoretic patterns of proteins, lipoproteins, and glucoproteins were determined in the sera of healthy newborn infants, older infants, and children in Greece.
Optimized RNA extraction and RT-PCR assays provide successful molecular analysis on a wide variety of archival fixed tissues

AACR Annual Meeting-- Apr 14-18, 2007; Los Angeles, CA 4423 Background: Molecular study of archival fixed tissues is of considerable interest as samples with clinical and pathological annotations are readily available. Key elements for molecular profiling archival tissues are an RNA extraction method that performs efficiently with different tissue types and fixation protocols, and an assay platform that detects expression of gene(s) of interest with high fidelity in the fragmented RNA typically recovered from these samples. We have optimized RNA extraction and multi-gene quantitative RT-PCR (QRT-PCR) assays to profile gene expression in fixed breast tissues. A commercial assay (Onco type DX™) in clinical use predicts prognosis and therapeutic response. In this study, we demonstrate this RNA extraction and RT-PCR methodology apply to a variety of archival tissues fixed using different protocols. Methods: 5 archival renal cell carcinoma (RCC), 13 colon, 36 prostate, 4 primary and 15 metastatic melanoma samples fixed in formalin, Hollandes or Zenkers fixative and stored for variable lengths of time (0.5-25 years) were studied. From each specimen, RNA was extracted from 3 10-μ sections. RNA yield and size distribution were analyzed. QRT-PCR was used to profile multiple house-keeping and organ-specific genes, with cycle threshold (CT) reflecting gene expression level. Results: (1) Effect of tissue fixatives on RNA yield, quality and gene expression. 5 RCC specimens were divided and part of each specimen was fixed in formalin and part in Hollandes fixative. Hollandes fixation yielded less, more fragmented RNA (average 48.4% less, with majority <100 bases) than formalin fixation. However, after normalization againt 5 house-keeping genes, mean (SD) expression (log2 CT) of the 48 genes was similar in formalin and Hollandes fixed tissues (7.8 (3.3) vs7.7 (3.3), p=0.893) and expression levels across samples and genes was highly concordant (r = 0.99, p<0.001). (2) Effect of archival age and fixatives on RNA yield, quality and gene expression. QRT-PCR was performed on RNA extracted from 3 colon cancer specimens fixed in Zenkers in 1982, 2 specimens fixed in Hollandes in1985, and 8 specimens fixed in formalin in 2004. Average RNA yields were 3755, 8648and 12244 ng for the 3 fixation methods. RNA was fragmented to a significantly greater degree with Zenkers and Hollandes-fixed samples. Though significant (p=0.046), differences in mean normalized expression levels for 48 genes were small: formalin 7.2 (2.8), Hollandes 7.7 (2.8), and Zenkers 7.9 (3.1). Using the same techniques, RNA extracted from archival prostate and melanoma tissues was profiled for up to 384 genes with similar success. Conclusion: Tissue fixation and storag significantly affect RNA yield and quality in archival fixed tissues. However, we have developed RNA extraction methods and RT-PCR expression assays that apply to a variety of tissues fixed and stored using different protocols.
We're listening to you! [technology review survey results]

We completed a readership survey that was tied to technology review articles published in the May/June and July/August 2005 issues of Computing in Science Engineering. This paper is part of our effort to engage readers in the iterative process of improving the usefulness of this magazine's technology reviews. We understand that utility is related not only to the content's relevance but also to its presentational format in the broadest sense, including organization, perspectives, and levels of detail
Rainwater Harvesting for Campus Student Center: A Sustainable, Community-Orientated Senior Design Project

A team of three mechanical engineering senior undergraduate students and one faculty member designed and installed a rainwater harvesting system in the University’s student center. After an extensive analysis of the piping system, the team was able to use existing rain leaders and piping to move all the rainwater from the third floor patio to a mechanical room located on the first level of the building. In the mechanical room, the piping system was redesigned to route the collected water into a large storage tank. From the tank, the rainwater was pumped into the irrigation line and used to water a large portion of the campus lawns and greenery. In addition, the system incorporated an overflow feature, a drainage line, a new pump, a flow meter to track water usage (which was previously never tracked at the University), a design where regular flushing of the system is automatic, and a maintenance plan. The harvested rainwater could also potentially be used to fill up the University watering trucks to water the flowers, shrubs, and greenery that covers the 200-acre campus. Students found that this community-based project opened their eyes to sustainability, the environment, and was rewarding work.
One-dimensional dynamics for a discontinuous map

Abstract A discontinuous, two-parameter family of one-dimensional maps is shown to posses many of the features of the quadratic (“logistic”) map; for instance, a unique, twice differentiable maximum. However, paths may be chosen in the two-dimensional parameter space which give rise to a wealth of possible routes to chaos. In particular, paths may be found for the Feigenbaum route to chaos — period-doubling cascade of bifurcations — with a resulting single parameter in the map converging geometrically with a constant ω n directly to chaotic motion.