cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An innovative portfolio of research training programs for medical students

Medical student education continues to evolve, with an increasing emphasis on evidence-based decision making in clinical settings. Many schools are introducing scholarly programs to their curriculum in order to foster the development of critical thinking and analytic skills, encourage self-directed learning, and develop more individualized learning experiences. In addition, participation in rigorous scholarly projects teaches students that clinical care and research should inform each other, with the goal of providing more benefit to patients and society. Physician-scientists, and physicians who have a better appreciation of science, have the potential to be leaders in the field who will deliver outstanding clinical care, contribute new knowledge, and educate their patients.
A homochiral metal-organic framework with amino-functionalized pores

A new metal-organic framework [Zn2(Cam)2(apyr) ⊃ 2DMF], 4 (apyr = 2-aminopyrazine) has been synthesized by the high temperature equimolar reactions of zinc nitrate with the (+)-camphoric acid (H2Cam) in neat DMF solution. The crystal structure of 4 was determined by X-ray analyses and found to be a porous cubic network composed of linked zinc camphorate “paddlewheel” secondary building units and apyr pillars. The apyr pillars give amino-functionality to the pores. The extended structure of 4 contains guest DMF molecules trapped within the channels. Compound 4 is potentially porous and thermogravimetric analysis is consistent with the initial loss of guest DMF between 75 and 190°C, with the decomposition of the material at 430°C. The material was found to take up racemic alcohols into its pores, however no enantioselectivity was achieved. Reactivity studies of 4 with acetaldehyde show that the amino groups in the pores can be transformed into imine functionalities via post-synthetic covalent modification.
Pathway-based genome-wide association analysis of coronary heart disease identifies biologically important gene sets

Genome-wide association (GWA) studies of complex diseases including coronary heart disease (CHD) challenge investigators attempting to identify relevant genetic variants among hundreds of thousands of markers being tested. A selection strategy based purely on statistical significance will result in many false negative findings after adjustment for multiple testing. Thus, an integrated analysis using information from the learned genetic pathways, molecular functions, and biological processes is desirable. In this study, we applied a customized method, variable set enrichment analysis (VSEA), to the Framingham Heart Study data (404 467 variants, n=6421) to evaluate enrichment of genetic association in 1395 gene sets for their contribution to CHD. We identified 25 gene sets with nominal P<0.01; at least four sets are previously known for their roles in CHD: vascular genesis (GO:0001570), fatty-acid biosynthetic process (GO:0006633), fatty-acid metabolic process (GO:0006631), and glycerolipid metabolic process (GO:0046486). Although the four gene sets include 170 genes, only three of the genes contain a variant ranked among the top 100 in single-variant association tests of the 404 467 variants tested. Significant enrichment for novel gene sets less known for their importance to CHD were also identified: Rac 1 cell-motility signaling pathway (h_rac1 Pathway, P<0.001) and sulfur amino-acid metabolic process (GO:0000096, P<0.001). In summary, we showed that the pathway-based VSEA can help prioritize association signals in GWA studies by identifying biologically plausible targets for downstream searches of genetic variants associated with CHD.
Worker lipid stores decrease with outside-nest task performance in wasps: Implications for the evolution of age polyethism

Recent models of energetically efficient division of labor in eusocial insects predict that risky tasks will be performed by workers with low nutrient content. We measured changes in workers' nutrient stores (chloroform: methanol extractable lipids) in relation to age-based division of labor in the eusocial waspPolybia occidentalis to test this prediction. Distributions of age of first performance differed among task sets; tasks at increasing distance from the nest interior were performed later in life. However, individuals varied in the rate of passage through the task sequence. Weight of extractable lipids, corrected for differences in body weight, decreased with time elapsed since first performance of tasks outside the nest. Lipid content had a weaker negative relationship with adult age. Therefore, patterns of lipid decrease reflected individual differences in age polyethism. Age-based division of labor, with performance of risky tasks delayed until late in life by workers with depleted nutrient stores, may have evolved as an energy saving mechanism for insect colonies.
An examination of AED implementation and related risk management practices in high school athletic departments

Abstract This study examined AED implementation, related risk management practices, and perceived constraints to AED implementation in high school athletic departments in one southern state in the United States. High school administrators (N = 269) participated in this study. Descriptive statistics, chi-square analyses, tests of point-biserial correlation coefficients, and t-tests revealed that a majority of the respondents were athletic directors (75.5%), at public schools (75.0%), CPR certified (65.9%), had worked in their current position for 10 years or less (72.2%), and had no or limited knowledge of their state's AED immunity laws (79%). Significantly (p
Blending quadric surfaces with quadric and cubic surfaces

We show that a pair of quadric surfaces, M and N, may be blended (smoothly joined) using a quadric surface if and only if the pencil of M and N contains either a plane or a pair of planes. Under this condition, we derive the equations of quadric and cubic surfaces that blend M and N.
The effects of eight‐week balance training or weight training

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of participating in an eight‐week physical training (ie. balance or weight training) on psychosocial outcomes for independently living healthy older adults. Eighteen older adults (65 years old or older) voluntarily participated in this study. Participants were randomly and evenly distributed in three different groups such as balance, weight or control group; six participants in each. Fear of falling and social activity levels were statistically tested by evaluating questionnaires validated in previous studies. Psychological factors improved in all groups after eight weeks (P < 0.05). Social interaction levels did not improve in any of the three groups, although all participants exhibited improvements in being physically independent (P < 0.05). Results suggested that being physically active as well as being socially active could result in being less fearful of falls, more confident of leaving residency, being more independent, and being more active.
A Further Examination of the Liberation Hypothesis in Capital Murder Trials

The liberation hypothesis argues that the effects of extra-legal factors such as victim and/or offender race on sentencing outcomes are conditioned by legally relevant factors, particularly the severity or the strength of the case. Where the evidence is weak or contradictory or the offense is less severe, decision makers are most liberated to use extra-legal factors in reaching their decisions. This study uses data on a large sample of capital murder trials in North Carolina from 1977 to 2009 to test this hypothesis. The results show that the effects of extra-legal factors (specifically, the race of offender–race of victim dyad) vary across levels of offense severity, but in a complex manner. Most notably, Black defendant–White victim dyads demonstrated an increased probability of death sentences at high levels of severity, but decreased probabilities at lower levels of severity.
Neural Coding of Sound Envelope in Reverberant Environments

Speech reception depends critically on temporal modulations in the amplitude envelope of the speech signal. Reverberation encountered in everyday environments can substantially attenuate these modulations. To assess the effect of reverberation on the neural coding of amplitude envelope, we recorded from single units in the inferior colliculus (IC) of unanesthetized rabbit using sinusoidally amplitude modulated (AM) broadband noise stimuli presented in simulated anechoic and reverberant environments. Although reverberation degraded both rate and temporal coding of AM in IC neurons, in most neurons, the degradation in temporal coding was smaller than the AM attenuation in the stimulus. This compensation could largely be accounted for by the compressive shape of the modulation input–output function (MIOF), which describes the nonlinear transformation of modulation depth from acoustic stimuli into neural responses. Additionally, in a subset of neurons, the temporal coding of AM was better for reverberant stimuli than for anechoic stimuli having the same modulation depth at the ear. Using hybrid anechoic stimuli that selectively possess certain properties of reverberant sounds, we show that this reverberant advantage is not caused by envelope distortion, static interaural decorrelation, or spectral coloration. Overall, our results suggest that the auditory system may possess dual mechanisms that make the coding of amplitude envelope relatively robust in reverberation: one general mechanism operating for all stimuli with small modulation depths, and another mechanism dependent on very specific properties of reverberant stimuli, possibly the periodic fluctuations in interaural correlation at the modulation frequency.
POLICE CHIEF PERCEPTIONS OF GOOD POLICING IN NON-URBAN DEPARTMENTS

ABSTRACT This qualitative study identifies what police chiefs consider to be the distinguishing characteristics of their best police officers. To combat the shortcomings of traditional performance appraisals, police chiefs in small, non-urban departments were asked to rank each of their police officers from best to worst. This provided a clear demarcation between high and low-performing officers. The chiefs were then administered a structured interview in order to identify themes in personality and behavioral characteristics of their best-performing police officers. Three themes surfaced in the interviews: the relative unimportance of quantitative measures of performance, a generation gap in officer loyalty, and the importance of maturity to good police work. The findings suggest that police executives are looking for officers with a combination of common sense, technical skills, and emotional intelligence.
Reexamining Income Tax Overwithholding as a Response to Uncertainty

This article reexamines whether significant income tax overwithholding in the United States can be explained as rational risk-neutral taxpayers trying to avoid underwithholding penalties when faced with uncertain tax liabilities. Starting with the important model developed by Highfill, Thorson, and Weber, we add interest accumulated on underwithheld income, consistent boundary conditions, and nominal penalty and opportunity costs. We then incorporate a relevant tax rule into the model. Finally, we consider alternative distributions of taxable income. Under these modifications, penalty avoidance generates refund rates only a quarter to a half of those observed in the United States in the 1980s and the 2000s. This suggests that penalty avoidance in a risk-neutral framework is not sufficient to explain the puzzling overwithholding behavior of US taxpayers.
Assessment of stroke volumeindex with three different bioimpedance algorithms: lack of agreement compared to thermodilution

Objective The accuracy of bioimpedance stroke volumeindex (SVI) is questionable as studies report inconsistent results. It remains unclear whether the algorithms alone are responsible for these findings. We analyzed the raw impedance data with three algorithms and compared bioimpedance SVI to transpulmonary thermodilution (SVITD).
3D modeling of contact problems and hysteresis in coupled electro-mechanics

This paper discusses the modeling of electromechanical hysteresis in devices which exhibit contact between components. We make use of a recently developed tool, CoSolve-EM, in order to solve quasistatic 3D contact electro-mechanics for a clamped-clamped beam, calculating full displacement, capacitance and contact force vs. voltage. We then extend the simulations to two design variations of the beam which permit engineering of its hysteresis characteristics.
Recovery from perturbations during paced walking.

Abstract The aim of the current study was to develop a safe, standardized, stability test and to explore a set of metrics to characterize the recovery of gait stability in healthy individuals following a single mechanical perturbation during steady locomotion. Balance perturbations were mechanically applied to the right foot of 12 healthy subjects during paced walking by translating a platform embedded in a 12 m walkway diagonally (+45/−135°) relative to the direction of travel approximately 200 ms after heel strike. We examined the medio-lateral (ML) displacement of the sternum before, during and after the platform translation. Measurements of ML position of the right and left shanks in relation to the position of the sternum were used as step-by-step estimates of the moment arm controlling ML motion of the body. We hypothesized that when gait is perturbed in the single stance phase of the step cycle via a translation of the support surface, a series of steps after the perturbation input will be altered reflecting an effort by the CNS to maintain the center of mass (COM) within the base of support and to stabilize the upper body for continued gait. Specifically, if the foot is perturbed laterally during mid-stance a widening of the upcoming step will occur and if the foot is perturbed medially a narrowing of the upcoming step will occur. This behavior was frequent for most subjects. Recovery of non-perturbation behavior was achieved on the third step after the platform translation. An additional strategy was seen for some subjects during lateral perturbation inputs. Instead of widening the upcoming step, these subjects acquired the support to stabilize the body by putting their left foot down very quickly with minimal change in stance width. The recovery profiles of the sternum, though directionally asymmetric, were similar in shape among subjects and roughly proportional to the magnitude of the platform translation. Five to six steps were required for complete recovery in the subjects tested in this study.
The Police Officer's Dilemma: A Decade of Research on Racial Bias in the Decision to Shoot

We review sociological, correlational, and experimental research that examines the effect of a target's race on the decision to shoot. Much of this work involves computer-based simulations of a police encounter, in which a participant must decide whether or not to shoot a potentially hostile target who is either Black or White. Experimental work with undergraduate participants reveals a clear pattern of bias (a tendency to shoot Black targets but not Whites), which is associated with stereotypes linking Blacks with the concept of danger. Subsequent work with police officers presents a more complex pattern. Although police are affected by target race in some respects, they generally do not show a biased pattern of shooting. We suggest that police performance depends on the exercise of cognitive control, which allows officers to overcome the influence of stereotypes, and we conclude with potential implications of this research for law enforcement.
Presbytis entellus (Entellus langur)

The karyotypes are gifts of Drs. L. Singh, Varanasi, India, and S. Kakati, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA. They were prepared from bone marrow samples.
Statistics of Spiral Patterns and Comparison of Our Galaxy with Other Galaxies

Apparent relative frequencies of various types of spirals are given for 900 spirals with the best revised Hubble classifications. Mean diameters of inner ring structures vary from 2.1 kpc in ordinary spirals (SA) to 4.4 kpc in barred spirals (SB) with a total range of 10 to 1 within each type. The probable morphological type of our galaxy is estimated from 6 criteria (multiplicity of spiral pattern, inner ring diameter, broken ring structure, radio structure of nucleus, Yerkes type, HI diagram); arguments advanced in 1963 for an SAB(rs) structure of the inner regions of the galactic system are strengthened by this analysis. Several examples of galaxies in this area of the classification plane are discussed.
Glucocorticoids and acute lung injury.

ObjectivesTo describe hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) activation and the role of glucocorticoids in immune modulation during critical illness, and to review clinical trials of pharmacologic and “replacement”’ doses of glucocorticoids in early and late acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
Membrane preconcentration-capillary electrophoresis tandem mass spectrometry (mPC-CE-MS/MS) in the sequence analysis of biologically derived peptides.

Abstract We demonstrate the use of membrane preconcentration capillary electrophoresis tandem mass spectrometry (mPC–CE–MS/MS) for sequencing peptides at the sub-100 femtomole level. In particular by loading the mPC–CE cartridge off-line with a pressurized bomb apparatus, 100 μl solutions can be loaded in
Democracy and Peace

Certain topics have currency If one is to judge from scholarly publications and statements by foreign policy elites, the relationship between democracy and peace is one of those topics. There have been differences over definitions and debate about whether the relationship between democracy and peace is absolute. There is disagreement as to whether normative or institutional factors better explain the relationship. But there appears to be little doubt in the minds of most observers that the "joint democracy effect" is real and, for some, it approaches the status of an empirical law of international relations.' Stated simply, while states characterized by democratic polities are as warprone as any other states, democracies rarely (if ever) engage in war against one another. Extrapolating the logic, a world of democracies would be a peaceful world (although the path to this end might be strewn with conflict).2 Any time scholars write about empirical laws and policy elites invoke such laws to justify policy behavior, one should be wary. Yet, in this case, the weight of evidence seems to support the claim. Nevertheless, there are dissenting views. The article "Polities and Peace" by Henry Farber and Joanne Gowa that appears in the Fall 1995 issue of International Security (and has since been reprinted in Debating the Democratic Peace) stands out as, perhaps, the most carefully crafted challenge to the democratic peace thesis.3 If Professors Farber and Gowa are correct, the democratic peace thesis is "without legs," and policies based on the thesis ill-advised. "Polities and Peace" is an extremely appealing article. The exposition of substantive arguments and quantitative methodology is wonderfully lucid. The attention to detail, explanation of methodology, and discussion of findings provide a textbook example of how quantitative analysis should be presented. The issue addressed is important and policy relevant; the conclusion contrary to "conventional wisdom." There is, to my
Picosecond Fluorescence In Spinach Chloroplasts

Fluorescence decay measurements using a mode-locked argon laser and single photon time-correlated detection, help us understand energy migration in photosynthesis. For intact spinach chloroplasts we find multiple exponential decays. There is some hint of a very fast component (<100 ps), but our data reveal little about it. We would expect this to be due to "photosystem I units." In addition we find two components at longer times, both of which lengthen as conditions are changed from "open" reaction centers (0.1 and 0.7 ns) to "closed" reac-tion centers (1 and 2 ns). This may reflect two kinds of organization for "photosystem II units."© (1982) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Hardware/Software Communication Middleware for Data Adaptable Embedded Systems

Recent trends toward increased flexibility and configurability in emerging applications present demanding challenges for implementing systems that incorporate such capabilities. The resulting application configuration space is generally much larger than any one hardware implementation can support. We present an overview of a new data-adaptive approach to rapid design and implementation of such highly configurable applications. In support of this data-adaptable approach, we demonstrate an efficient and flexible hardware/software communication middleware to support the seamless communication between hardware and software tasks at runtime. We highlight the flexibility of this interface and present an initial case study with results demonstrating the performance capabilities and area requirements.
Multiple body-worn antenna diversity

We present a modified diversity evaluation method for body-worn antennas. The novelty introduced in this method amounts to considering the human body channel separately from the surrounding environment. This formulation can therefore be easily adapted to different environments via post-processing. Our study for antenna diversity includes three human postures (standing, kneeling, and prone) to increase generality and assess antenna performance. Initially, a variety of single body-worn antenna configurations are investigated to establish the best antenna locations. Subsequently, more antenna locations are included to increase communication reliability using the minimum set of antennas. The considered operational frequency is 500 MHz – 600 MHz and the setup focuses on the upper hemisphere with random polarization excitations.
The crystal and molecular structure of 1,9-diamino-4-methyl-3,7-diazanonane-3,7-diacetato(2−)cobalt(III) nitrate monohydrate—a complex exhibiting large 13C NMR steric shifts

Abstract Past studies have shown major 13 C NMR chemical shift differences between methylene carbon atoms proximal (In a γ position) and distal to a ligand methyl substituent in [Co(mddda)] + (mddda = 1,9-diamino-4-methyl-3,7-diazanonane-3,7-diacetate(2−), NH 2 CH 2 CH 2 N(CH 2 COO − )CH 2 CH 2 CH(CH 3 )N(CH 2 COO − )CH 2 CH 2 NH 2 ). Since the chemical shift differences have been attributed to γ steric shifts associated with the methyl group on the hexadentate ligand, X-ray crystal structure determination has been carried out on [Co(mddda)]NO 3 ·H 2 O to examine the steric features. The compound crystallizes in the space group P2 1 /c with a = 9.756(2) A, b = 14.912(4) A, c = 11.783(2)°, A, β = 95.70(2)°, and Z = 4. Intensities were collected on an automated diffractometer and the structure was refined to a conventional R factor of 0.058. The crystal contains a racemic mixture of ΔΛΔ(R) and ΛΔΛ(S) enantiometric cationic complexes, where the R and S labels designate the absolute configurations of the chiral methyl-substituted carbon atom of the ligands. These diastereomers are those required to maintain an equatorial methyl group on the central six-membered chelate ring, whose conformations are λ skew-boat for the ΔΛΔ isomer and δ skew-boat for the ΛΔΛ isomer. The respective conformations of the two skewed five-membered chelate rings are δδ and λλ. Though most corresponding bond lengths and bond angles in the two portions of the molecule are nearly the same, those differences which are observed indicate nonbonded interactions between the methyl substituent and adjacent methylene groups. Consideration of these interactions and geometrical variations indicates that bond angle distortion may play an important role in the γ shifts observed.
The use of human acellular dermal matrices in irradiated breast reconstruction

This article examines the effects of radiation on prosthetic breast reconstruction when human dermal allograft is used in the reconstruction. A brief review of radiation terminology and techniques as applied to the breast is given, followed by a review of the effects of radiation on wound healing in human tissue. The effects of radiation on prosthetic breast reconstruction before the advent of dermal allografting are reviewed. The addition of dermal allograft in reconstruction has led to a reduced number of complications. An algorithm for surgical treatment of irradiated prosthetic breast reconstructions is presented, with a discussion of the authors technique.
Structure of Materials: Metallic structures II: complex geometrically determined structures

Let no one destitute of geometry enter my doors. Plato (427–347 BC) This chapter considers complicated metallic structures determined primarily from geometric considerations. These geometric constraints help us to understand structures with large and small metallic species. First, we will introduce the concept of topological close packing , which lies at the basis of the Frank–Kasper phases . Second, we will discuss the concept of dumbbell substitutions , illustrating how pairs of small atoms can be substituted for single large atoms, to allow for deviations from stoichiometric compositions. All of these geometrical ideas are rooted in quantum mechanical principles, which we will discuss briefly. Electronic states in metals The free electron theory of metals assumes an isotropic, uniformly dense, electron gas. This is an idealization because the charge density of crystalline solids is restricted by lattice periodicity. The free electron theory offers some guiding principles to understand metallic structures. A large portion of the cohesive energy in metals derives from the energy of the electron gas . This energy depends sensitively on the electron density and its spatial variation. The density of states describes the distribution of electron energies in a solid. In a free electron gas, the electrons occupy discrete quantum states (in pairs with opposite spins) consistent with the Pauli exclusion principle. All electrons are assigned a state in sequentially higher energy levels. “Free” refers to the approximation that conduction electrons see, on average, a zero potential in the metal, allowing us to calculate analytically the density of states using quantum mechanics.
Internally Cooled Nb3Sn Cable Performance in A Solenoid

There is growing activity in the magnet design community in internally cooled cabled superconductors (ICCS). The ICCS are highly regarded for the production of magnetic fields as high as 12 T in toroidal plasma fusion devices employing Nb3Sn as the superconductor or 6 T in dipole configuration magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) electrical power generation machines employing NbTi as the superconductor. The ICCS design appears to offer the greatest advantage when (1) the machine scale equals and (2) its structural complexity or magnetic field intensity requirements exceed those of the largest bubble chamber solenoidal magnets. Although testing of ICCS concepts, especially stability, has proceeded for about five years at several laboratories, including the Francis Bitter National Magnet Laboratory [1] and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory [2], no ICCS longer than 1 or 2 m has been examined in a high magnetic field (greater than 7 T). Theoretical analyses have suggested that liquid-helium pressure gradients are an important occurrence within ICCS [3,4]. The induced pressure gradients concommitant with local energy input into an ICCS are believed to be beneficial to its stability or its ability to transfer heat to the liquid helium. On the other hand, analysis suggests that the peak pressure could conceivably exceed 10 MPa (100 atm) at the hydraulic epicenter of a nonrecovering transition to the normal state of the superconductor in 100-m lengths of ICCS [4]. Such high pressures could have serious implications to the conduit design.
Urban Poverty in Developing Countries: A Scoping Study for Future Research

This paper is a scoping exercise to explore options for research on urban poverty in developing countries. Based on a review of the literature and experience, the first part of the paper reviews the changing nature of the urban poverty agenda over the last 30 years by comparing today’s issues with those addressed in World Development Report 1979. The issues are categorized by new issues, old issues still relevant, and forgotten issues; and are grouped by challenges, instruments, analytical and planning tools, data and benchmarks, regions/countries/cities, and institutions. The conclusion of this part of the paper is that while some of the old issues and prescriptions are still valid today, and some important ones apparently forgotten, there are many new issues and approaches that need now be considered. The second part of the paper takes the large array of issues identified in the first section and selects 10 for more detailed consideration as part of a menu of potential high-priority research initiatives on urban poverty. They include slums, employment, small- and medium-size cities, and women/children/youth (from among the challenges); comprehensive slum upgrading programs, conditional cash transfer programs, and incentive-based approaches (from among instruments); happiness and life satisfaction research approaches, impact evaluation, and strategic planning tools (from among analytical and planning tools). Among regions, countries and cities, Africa is recommended as a regional focus, China and India for country studies, and Bogota (or possibly other large cities) for specific city studies.
Lithium amide (LiNH2) under pressure.

Static high pressure lithium amide (LiNH2) crystal structures are predicted using evolutionary structure search methodologies and intuitive approaches. In the process, we explore the relationship of the structure and properties of solid LiNH2 to its molecular monomer and dimer, as well as its valence-isoelectronic crystalline phases of methane, water, and ammonia all under pressure. A NaNH2 (Fddd) structure type is found to be competitive for the ground state of LiNH2 above 6 GPa with the P = 1 atm I4 phase. Three novel phases emerge at 11 (P421m), 13 (P42/ncm), and 46 GPa (P212121), still containing molecular amide anions, which begin to form N–H···N hydrogen bonds. The P212121 phase remains stable over a wide pressure range. This phase and another Pmc21 structure found at 280 GPa have infinite ···(H)N···H···N(H)···H polymeric zigzag chains comprising symmetric N···H···N hydrogen bonds with one NH bond kept out of the chain, an interesting general feature found in many of our high pressure (>280 GPa) L...
Lanczos' Generalized Derivative

(1998). Lanczos' Generalized Derivative. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 105, No. 4, pp. 320-326.
From combatants to candidates: Electoral competition and the legacy of armed conflict:

Efforts to strengthen democratic institutions have become a nearly universal feature of peacebuilding efforts in states recovering from civil war, yet such institutions often become dominated by a ...
Mucinous Adenocarcinoma of the Prostate

The third case of mucous-forming adenocarcinoma of the prostate with metastases to the bone is reported. The primary tumor was unresponsive to definitive radiotherapy and subsequent metastases to the lung, liver and bone failed to respond to hormonal manipulation and chemotherapy.
Impact of day of week on outcomes of endoscopic sinus surgery for chronic rhinosinusitis.

BACKGROUND Outcomes for some surgical procedures are discrepantly affected by the day of the week when surgery is performed. It remains unknown whether this finding is applicable to endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). METHODS A retrospective analysis of a cohort from a prospective observational study of patients undergoing ESS for chronic rhinosinusitis. Primary outcome measures included major postoperative complications (epistaxis that required physician intervention, orbital injury, and cerebrospinal fluid leak) as well as Sinonasal Outcomes Test 22 (SNOT-22) and Chronic Sinusitis Survey (CSS) quality-of-life symptom scores at 3 months, 1 year, and 2 years. Associations between the day of the week when ESS was performed and outcome measures were performed when controlling for patients' clinical and demographic characteristics. RESULTS The study population consisted of 544 patients with a 30-day major postoperative complications rate of 1.2%. There was no predilection for ESS complications by the day of the week. In comparison with ESS on a Monday, improvement in the SNOT-22 score was no different than with ESS performed on Tuesday (p = 0.800 at 3 months, p = 0.149 at 12 months, p = 0.123 at 24 months), Wednesday (p = 0.533 at 3 months, p = 0.708 at 12 months, p = 0.107 at 24 months), and Thursday (p = 0.965 at 3 months, p = 0.959 at 12 months, p = 0.501 at 24 months). No surgeries were performed on Friday. Similar results were found for improvement in CSS scores. CONCLUSION The day of the week on which ESS was performed did not impact surgical outcomes. These results provided novel insights, which may be useful for preoperative discussions with patients and scheduling of ESS.
In Silico-Screening Approaches for Lead Generation: Identification of Novel Allosteric Modulators of Human-Erythrocyte Pyruvate Kinase

Identification of allosteric binding site modulators have gained increased attention lately for their potential to be developed as selective agents with a novel chemotype and targeting perhaps a new and unique binding site with probable fewer side effects. Erythrocyte pyruvate kinase (R-PK) is an important glycolytic enzyme that can be pharmacologically modulated through its allosteric effectors for the treatment of hemolytic anemia, sickle-cell anemia, hypoxia-related diseases, and other disorders arising from erythrocyte PK malfunction. An in-silico screening approach was applied to identify novel allosteric modulators of pyruvate kinase. A small-molecules database of the National Cancer Institute (NCI), was virtually screened based on structure/ligand-based pharmacophore. The virtual screening campaign led to the identification of several compounds with similar pharmacophoric features as fructose-1,6-bisphosphate (FBP), the natural allosteric activator of the kinase. The compounds were subsequently docked into the FBP-binding site using the programs FlexX and GOLD, and their interactions with the protein were analyzed with the energy-scoring function of HINT. Seven promising candidates were obtained from the NCI and subjected to kinetics analysis, which revealed both activators and inhibitors of the R-isozyme of PK (R-PK).
Patterns and Outcomes Of First-Line Management Strategies In Older Adults With Low-Grade Follicular Lymphoma (FL)

Background Therapeutic decision making for patients with low-grade (grade 1 and 2) FL involves deciding whether to treat, when to treat, and which among the numerous treatment modalities to administer. The lack of trials comparing outcomes of these treatment modalities makes it a complex process. This study seeks to examine the evolving treatment paradigm and evaluate the outcomes of first-line management strategies for low-grade FL in adults aged ≥ 66. Methods We used the linked Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare database to identify 4,233 low grade FL patients (pts) aged 66 years and older diagnosed between 1995 and 2009. We ascertained first-line management strategies from Medicare claims made within 90 days of diagnosis. We used Kaplan-Meier estimators stratified by stage to evaluate survival functions for first-line management strategies. We used multivariate Cox proportional hazards models—stratified by stage and adjusted for patient demographics, comorbidity index, and year of diagnosis—to compare the impact of first-line management strategies on overall survival (OS). Results Of the 4,233 pts, 57% were female, 3% were African American, 93% were White, 51% resided in big metropolitan areas, 70% were diagnosed after 2000, 44% had stage III/IV disease, and 38% had extranodal involvement. The median age at diagnosis was 74 years (interquartile range 70-80). Common first-line management strategies were: observation (obs), 47%; chemotherapy (chemo) plus rituximab (R), 20%; chemo alone, 12%; R alone, 9%; and radiotherapy (XRT) alone, 9%. Among pts receiving chemo plus R (R-chemo), the most commonly used regimens were: R-CHOP (R, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone; 36%), R-CVP (R, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisone; 47%), R-Fludarabine based (9%), and R-other (7%). The table displays median survival and hazard ratios (HRs) for first-line management strategies. Among stage I/II cases, most favorable outcomes were observed in cases receiving XRT alone, whereas among stage III/IV cases most favorable outcomes were observed in the group that received R-chemo. In the subset of stage III/IV pts that received R-chemo, R-CHOP was associated with the most favorable outcomes. HRs decreased steadily with increasing years of diagnosis. Conclusion First-line R-chemo is commonly used in older adults with low-grade FL in the United States and is associated with most favorable survival outcomes. XRT is associated with very favorable outcomes in stage I/II pts. Outcomes have improved steadily in the past 10 years. View this table: Table CVP–cyclophosphamide, vincristine, prednisone; CHOP- cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Priapism of the Clitoris: A Case Report Following Trazodone Use

We report a case of painful priapism of the clitoris lasting 24 hours, which was believed to be pathophysiologically associated with the administration of trazodone hydrochloride. Drug-induced unusual erectile activity in the clitoris has been described previously. However, to our knowledge this is the first reported case of drug-induced priapism of the clitoris. Management involved discontinuation of the offending agents and administration of adrenergic agonists to induce clitoral smooth muscle contraction. Clitoral function, proposed to be the ability to engorge and enable extrusion of the glans clitoris, was not obviously adversely affected by the priapistic episode.
Utility of Neuropsychological Evaluations in the Clinical Management of Geriatric Patients

As the population is aging, there is increasing need for clinicians with expertise in the evaluation and management of cognitive and emotional disorders in older adults. Neuropsychological evaluations are a critical tool in the assessment of these conditions, providing information as to cognitive strengths and weaknesses. Pertinent emotional and behavioral symptoms are also assessed. This article provides an introduction to what these assessments entail (i.e., length of assessment, insurance coverage) and the domains that are typically covered (i.e., attention, language, memory, psychiatric symptoms). Examples are provided as to the types of referral questions that can be addressed. We also discuss how information gleaned from these evaluations can aid in differential diagnosis. Specifically, pattern of test performance may be suggestive of a particular disorder. Assessment results can also aid in the treatment, management, and dispositional planning for aging patients. Case examples, relevant to geriatric psychiatry, are used to illustrate these points.
Out of core testing of the North Carolina State University PULSTAR reactor positron beam

Out of core tests were performed on the North Carolina State University intense positron beam, prior to insertion into beamport number 6 of the PULSTAR nuclear reactor The beam optics were tested independently of the positron converter/moderator using beams of electrons and the performance of the extraction lenses was found to be in good agreement with the results of design simulations. The moderators were installed and tested by irradiating them with gamma-rays from a Na-24 source. Consequently, positrons (produced through pair production in the converter) were detected at the end of the beamline with a micro channel plate detector. By scaling the count rate obtained with the Na-24 source, to the energy dependent gamma flux in the beamport, the projected positron count rate is estimated at around 5.2 times 108 e+/s.
Community-Based Healthy Aging Interventions for Older Adults with Arthritis and Multimorbidity

Examine the impact of programs led by community health workers on health and function in older adults with arthritis and other health conditions. We conducted a cluster-randomized trial of the Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program (AFEP) enhanced with the “10 Keys”™ to Healthy Aging compared with the AFEP program at 54 sites in 462 participants (mean age 73 years, 88 % women, 80 % white). Trained Community health workers delivered the 10-week programs. Outcomes assessed after 6 months included physical performance [Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB)], Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) Osteoarthritis Index, and preventive health behaviors. Both groups experienced improvements. Performance improved by 0.3 SPPB points in the AFEP/“10 Keys”™ group and 0.5 in AFEP alone; WOMAC scores declined by 3.0 and 3.9 points respectively. More participants had controlled hypertension at 6 months in both groups (60.1 % baseline to 76.7 % in AFEP/10 Keys and from 76.5 to 84.9 % in AFEP alone) and greater diabetes control (from 15.0 to 34.9 and 15.5 to 34.1 %, respectively). These community-based programs showed similar improvements in preventive health, mobility and arthritis outcomes.
Reading Online in Foreign Languages: A Study of Strategy Use.

Scores of studies have established that when learning online, students must be equipped with different sets of strategies and skills than in a physical classroom setting (Anderson, 2003; Broadbent & Poon, 2015; Coiro, 2007; Leu et al., 2007; Michinov, Brunot, Le Bohec, Juhel, & Delaval, 2011; Salmon, 2013). The present study, by virtue of exploring foreign language learners’ online reading experience, aimed to identify the reading strategies that learners would use when engaged in online reading activities in the target foreign languages. Thirty-two foreign language learners whose native language was English participated in the study. The Online Survey of Reading Strategies (OSORS) designed by Anderson (2003) was administered to investigate the following four research questions: (1) What are the strategies that language learners would or would not use when reading online in foreign languages? (2) Would foreign language learners use some of the online reading strategies more frequently than other strategies? (3) Would different levels of foreign language proficiencies influence language learners’ use of the strategies? (4) What could foreign language teachers do in their instruction to help students acquire and broaden their repertoire of online reading strategies? Data analysis demonstrated the most and least frequently used strategies of the foreign language learners and uncovered a significant difference in the frequency of use among the strategies. However, there was no significant difference found between the use of online reading strategies and learners’ foreign language proficiencies. Implications and suggestions for future research and practice were proposed accordingly.
Human transposon insertion profiling: Analysis, visualization and identification of somatic LINE-1 insertions in ovarian cancer

Mammalian genomes are replete with interspersed repeats reflecting the activity of transposable elements. These mobile DNAs are self-propagating, and their continued transposition is a source of both heritable structural variation as well as somatic mutation in human genomes. Tailored approaches to map these sequences are useful to identify insertion alleles. Here, we describe in detail a strategy to amplify and sequence long interspersed element-1 (LINE-1, L1) retrotransposon insertions selectively in the human genome, transposon insertion profiling by next-generation sequencing (TIPseq). We also report the development of a machine-learning-based computational pipeline, TIPseqHunter, to identify insertion sites with high precision and reliability. We demonstrate the utility of this approach to detect somatic retrotransposition events in high-grade ovarian serous carcinoma.
Anatomical-based registration of multi-sector x-ray images for panorama reconstruction

Accurate measurement of long limb alignment is an essential stage of the pre-operative planning of realignment surgery. This alignment is quantified according to the hip-knee-ankle (HKA) angle of the mechanical axis of the lower extremity and is measured based on a full-length weight-bearing X-ray or standard computed radiography (CR) image of the patient in standing position. Due to the limited field-of-view of the traditionally employed digital X-ray imaging systems, several sector images are required to capture the posture of a standing individual. These sector images need to then be stitched" together to reconstruct the standing posture. To eliminate user-induced variability and time constraints associated with the traditional manual "stitching" protocol, we have created an image processing application to automate the stitching process, when there are no reliable external markers available in the images, by only relying on the most reliable anatomical content of the image. The application starts with a rough segmentation of the tibia and the sector images are then registered by evaluating the DICE coefficient between the edges of these corresponding bones along the medial edge. The identified translations are then used to register the original sector images into the standing panorama image. To test the robustness of our method, we randomly selected 40 datasets from a variant database consisting of nearly 100 patient X-ray images acquired for patient screening as part of a multi-site clinical trial. The resulting horizontal and vertical translation values from the automated registration were compared to the homologous translations recorded during the manual panorama generation conducted by a knowledgeable X-ray imaging technician. The mean and standard deviation of the differences for the horizontal translation parameters was -0:27±1:14 mm and 0:31±1:86 mm for the left and right tibia, respectively. The vertical translation differences for the left and right tibia were 1:05±5:24 mm and 1:32±4:77 mm, respectively. For these differences, the expert radiologist reported no difference in the hip-knee-ankle angular assessment.
The Developmental Neurotoxicity of Cadmium

Abstract Cadmium (Cd2+) is a heavy metal that occurs naturally in the earth’s crust and artificially through industrial processes. It has been widely established that Cd2+ adversely affects various bodily systems and organs, in particular, the kidneys; however, the harmful effects of Cd2+ on the developing nervous system have garnered substantial attention more recently. Numerous animal studies have demonstrated that Cd2+ accumulates in the developing brain, induces oxidative stress, and alters neurotransmitter and electrophysiological activity. They have also shown that Cd2+ impairs the activity of enzymes responsible for healthy cellular functioning in various brain regions. These neurochemical changes are often accompanied by unfavorable neurobehavioral outcomes. In recent human studies, prenatal and postnatal Cd2+ exposure has been found to predict poorer outcomes on measures of behavior, cognition, and development during childhood and adolescence. Overall, Cd2+ appears to pose a significant risk to the developing nervous system and measures should be taken to limit exposures to it, particularly early in life.