cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Zero-valent iron pretreatment for enhancing the biodegradability of RDX.

Hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (C3H6N3(NO2)3, royal demolition explosive or RDX) is a common nitramine explosive and one of the major constituents in wastewaters from ammunitions plants. The objective of this study is to investigate zero-valent iron (Fe(0)) pretreatment for enhancing the biodegradability of recalcitrant RDX. It was hypothesized that iron pretreatment can reductively transform RDX to products that are more amenable to biological treatment processes such as activated sludge. Results of batch and column experiments showed rapid and complete removal of RDX by Fe(0) regardless of the buffering capacity. Formaldehyde (HCHO), a major reduction product of RDX, was readily biodegraded by a mixed culture. Respirometric data indicate that iron-treated RDX solution exerted substantially higher biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) than untreated RDX solution. We propose that an integrated iron reduction—activated sludge process may be a feasible option for treating RDX-laden wastewater.
Obsessive–compulsive disorder beliefs, metacognitive beliefs and obsessional symptoms: relations between parent beliefs and child symptoms

Investigations of obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) have increasingly emphasized the role of cognition in symptom development and maintenance. In the present study, relationships between parent and adolescent child OCD symptoms and OCD cognition measures were explored to elucidate how OCD related beliefs and OCD symptoms might develop. One hundred and twenty-six non-clinical parent–adolescent pairs completed measures of OCD symptoms, OCD related beliefs and metacognitive beliefs (cognitive self-consciousness [CSC], the tendency to focus attention on thought processes). A significant indirect relationship was found between parent OCD symptoms and adolescent OCD symptoms through specific adolescent OCD related beliefs. Contrary to expectations, parent and adolescent CSC were not correlated. Although findings were limited by the correlational and cross-sectional design, implications of the observed associations for theory and treatment are discussed. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Physician attitudes regarding hypoactive sexual desire disorder in a primary care clinic: a pilot study.

ABSTRACT Introduction Female sexual dysfunction (FSD), in particular, complaints of low desire, affects many American women. Despite the impact FSD may have on these women, many do not present their symptoms to their physicians. Aim To determine physician attitudes and practices regarding hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) in the primary care setting. Main Outcome Measures A 10-item questionnaire regarding HSDD. Methods All residents and faculty in an academic primary care clinic were invited to participate in a web-based survey regarding HSDD. Return of the questionnaire was considered consent. Responses were downloaded into Excel and converted into an spss database. Results In total, 53 of 155 physicians responded (46% response rate—41.5% women, 58.5% men). Of respondents, 90% reported little confidence in making the diagnosis of HSDD, 90% of physicians had not screened a patient for HSDD, and 98% of the physicians had not prescribed medication for patients with HSDD. No significant gender differences among physicians were identified, but faculty providers had more confidence in diagnosing and treating HSDD than resident physicians. Conclusions These results indicate there is an opportunity to improve patient care and life satisfaction by offering physicians training on diagnosis and management of HSDD. Harsh V, McGarvey EL, and Clayton AH. Physician attitudes regarding hypoactive sexual desire disorder in a primary care clinic: A pilot study
Abstract 138: Procollagen I Carboxyterminal Propeptide Levels in Friedreich Ataxia and Its Relation to Subclinical Myocardial Disease

Background: Friedreich ataxia (FA) is the most common recessive hereditary ataxia. Triplet expansion (GAA) of the frataxin gene leads to intramitochondrial iron accumulation, and cardiomyopathy is the leading cause of death in FA. Histopathologic analysis of autopsy hearts has shown myocardial fibrosis and concentric left ventricular (LV) thickening, which our group has previously shown in vivo in FA patients using cardiac magnetic resonance with late gadolinium enhancement (LGE-CMR). Procollagen I carboxyterminal propeptide (PICP) is a serum marker of collagen synthesis, suggesting potential utility as a biomarker of myocardial fibrosis and remodeling. Objectives: The aims of this work were to 1) determine PICP levels in FA patients compared to similar-aged healthy controls, 2) evaluate PICP levels relative to GAA repeat length, 3) evaluate PICP in the context of cardiac remodeling and 4) compare serum PICP levels to presence or absence of fibrosis by LGE-CMR. Methods: 30 FA patients (34.2±11.8 years) underwent measurement of serum PICP using sandwich ELISA as well as CMR examination with cine and LGE acquisitions. Southern blot analysis was performed to measure GAA repeats, recording the minimum of 2 values for each FA patient. 5 healthy volunteers (37.6±8.4 years) served as controls for PICP measurement. Cine images were analyzed at end-diastole to compute relative wall thickness (RWT), a marker of concentric remodeling. Results: PICP values were markedly elevated in FA patients compared to normal controls (1034±76 vs. 657±89 ng/mL, p=0.004). Minimum GAA repeat length was moderately correlated with greater RWT (r=0.40, p=0.041) but did not predict PICP level. Higher PICP level modestly predicted worse concentric remodeling (r=0.39, p=0.033). However, PICP did not distinguish between 15 patients with evident myocardial fibrosis by LGE vs. 15 LGE-negative FA patients (1042±128 vs 1027±87 ng/mL, p=0.925). Conclusions: PICP, a serum marker of collagen synthesis, is significantly elevated in FA patients with higher values indicating adverse LV remodeling. PICP may provide complementary information to direct myocardial fibrosis imaging, and warrants further evaluation as a biomarker of disease severity and treatment response.
Experimental Validation of a Numerical Model for Simulating Radiographic Imaging of Portland Cement-Based Materials

This paper presents a numerical modeling approach, developed within the CIVA RT virtual radiography software, for simulating radiographic imaging of Portland cement-based materials. The modeling approach is validated experimentally for 20 and 30 cm thick Portland cement concrete specimens, which were imaged over a range of source intensities using a 450 keV COMET MXR-451 X-ray tube. Both a discrete coarse aggregate (DCA) model and a computationally efficient homogenized concrete (HC) model were investigated. The study found that for concrete sections thicker than 10 cm, the HC model provides radiation transmission predictions comparable to the DCA model, which was attributed to the increase in photon scattering with specimen thickness. The experimental validation study utilized film-based radiography and considered target optical density measurements of 1.0, 2.0, and 3.5. In general, numerical predictions from the virtual radiography model were in good agreement with the experimental data. For the 20 cm thick specimens, relative error in the numerical predictions ranged from 18 to 20 %. Relative error in numerical predictions for the 30 cm thick specimens ranged from 4 to 8 %. The improvement in model prediction accuracy for the thicker specimens was attributed to increased filtration of lower energy radiation, which reduced the influence of approximation error in the lower energy region of the photon emission spectrum.
Effect of V1/V2-receptor antagonism on renal function and response to vasopressin in conscious dogs

To characterize effects of V1- and V2-receptor stimulation on renal function, eight conscious mongrel female dogs were studied in four separate studies greater than or equal to 2 wk apart during the following six consecutive 20-min periods: 1) intrarenal administration of the full V1/V2-receptor antagonist SKF 105494 (100 ng.kg-1.min-1) during basal circulating vasopressin (VP) levels (n = 3), 2) elevation of renal arterial plasma VP concentrations by intrarenal administration of exogenous arginine VP (0.05 mU.kg-1.min-1, n = 5), 3) simultaneous administration of SKF 105494 at (100 ng.kg-1.min-1) with intrarenal administration of exogenous VP (0.05 mU.kg-1.min-1; n = 5), and 4) intrarenal vehicle alone (n = 5). When administered during conditions of basal circulating endogenous VP, the full receptor antagonist effects were limited to opposition of hydrosmotic effects of VP. Elevation of renal arterial plasma VP levels through infusion of exogenous VP resulted in decreased renal plasma flow, glomerular filtration rate, osmolar clearance, urinary flow rate, and free water clearance and increased urine osmolality. These effects were all abolished by simultaneous administration of V1/V2-receptor antagonist. These data suggest that, under basal low levels of circulating VP, VP only influences renal water excretion. However, when plasma VP concentrations are elevated, VP may contribute to renal vasoconstriction and secondarily to reduced solute excretion, in addition to its effects on free water clearance.
High early life stress and aberrant amygdala activity: risk factors for elevated neuropsychiatric symptoms in HIV+ adults

Relative to HIV-negative adults, HIV+ adults report elevated levels of early life stress (ELS). In non-HIV samples, high ELS has been linked to abnormalities in brain structure and function, as well as increased risk of neuropsychiatric symptoms. Yet, little is known about the neural effects of high ELS, and their relation to elevated neuropsychiatric symptoms, in HIV+ adults. Recent studies have revealed combined effects of HIV and high ELS on amygdala morphometry. Aberrant amygdala activity is prominently implicated in studies of neuropsychiatric symptomology in non-HIV samples. Hence, this preliminary study examined: 1) the combined effects of HIV and high ELS on amygdala activity, and 2) the relation between amygdala activity and neuropsychiatric symptoms in HIV+ adults. We included 28 HIV+ adults and 25 demographically-matched HIV-negative control (HC) adults. ELS exposure was quantified using a retrospective ELS questionnaire, which defined four groups: HIV+ Low-ELS (N = 15); HIV+ High-ELS (N = 13); HC Low-ELS (N = 16); and HC High-ELS (N = 9). Participants completed a battery of neuropsychiatric measures. BOLD fMRI assessed amygdala reactivity during explicit observation of fearful/angry faces. High-ELS participants demonstrated reduced levels of amygdala reactivity relative to Low-ELS participants. HIV+ High-ELS participants reported higher levels of neuropsychiatric symptoms than all other groups. In the HIV+ group, lower amygdala responses were associated with higher neuropsychiatric symptoms, particularly depression, anxiety, and alexithymia. Collectively, these results suggest that high ELS exposure is a significant risk factor for neuropsychiatric symptoms in HIV+ adults. Furthermore, our results implicate ELS-related abnormalities in amygdala activity in the etiology of neuropsychiatric symptoms in HIV+ adults.
Absence of TSG101 transcript abnormalities in human cancers

The human TSG101 gene was cloned and mapped to chromosome 11p15, a site suspected to contain a tumor suppressor gene involved in a variety of human cancers. Subsequent investigation described the presence of abnormally spliced transcripts and point mutations of TSG101 in breast cancer. Thus, we performed RT–PCR amplification of the entire open reading frame of TSG101 to test for aberrant transcripts in various human tumor cell lines derived from breast, bladder, head and neck, and lung cancer. In addition, we performed RT–PCR on cDNA from primary human breast and Wilms' tumor tissue. We found a single band of the expected size in 10 of 11 breast cancers and 6 of 6 Wilms' tumor samples after the first round of PCR. The remaining breast cancer sample displayed a barely visible smaller band. However, aberrant bands appeared in most cases after performing nested PCR casting doubt on the physiologic relevance of these spliced variants. We then searched for small intragenic mutations by complete sequence analysis of TSG101 in breast cancer cell lines and tumors, as well as in Wilms' tumors and normal fetal and adult kidney. No point mutations were found in any of the samples, including four breast tumors with chormosomal loss at 11p15. We found no consistent evidence of aberrant splicing or point mutations in breast cancer or Wilms' tumor suggesting that TSG101 is not a primary target of inactivation in human cancer.
Emmett Leith and the Solidification of a Communications Viewpoint in Optics

The invention of the carrier frequency hologram by Emmett Leith and his colleagues energized a remarkable influx of communications ideas into optics, and helped solidify the role of optics in electrical engineering.
Helping Nurses Manage Their Stress by Integrating Health Promotion: An Ecological Approach

In the United States registered nurses constitute the largest health care occupation; with about three out of five jobs being located in hospitals Everyday more and more nurses describe their profession as increasingly hectic and stressful. The purpose of this study is to design and implement how nurses at the Cayuga Community Health Network Center can reduce stress by using an Ecological Approach on health promotion programs. Two-hundred and seventy five nurses agreed to attend the Stress Management for Professional Caregivers workshop. All of the participants were female, with the majority being Caucasian. A majority of the nurses stated the workshop made them think about how they handle stress. Nearly all of the nurses stated that the information in the stress management workshop was valuable to them professionally. The success of this stress workshop demonstrates that implementing health promotion programs from an ecological perspective has the potential to reduce stress among nurses.
Who should be tested in the sleep laboratory

Sleep laboratory testing with nocturnal and daytime polysomnography is an indispensable procedure for the evaluation of patients with sleep-disordered breathing, pathological excessive daytime sleepiness, and complex motor disorders. Titration of positive airway pressure apparatuses should be performed in conjunction with polysomnography. A sleep laboratory test yields best results when the procedure is based on proper clinical evaluation of the disorder.
Concordance between Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time and Antifactor Xa Assay for Monitoring Unfractionated Heparin in Hospitalized Hyperbilirubinemic Patients.

BACKGROUND Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and antifactor Xa (anti-Xa) monitoring methods for unfractionated heparin (UFH) often disagree. The extent of discordance for those with elevated bilirubin remains unclear. Our objective was to evaluate concordance between activated aPTT and anti-Xa methods for hyperbilirubinemic patients on UFH. METHODS This was a retrospective cohort study of 26 patients hospitalized at Rhode Island Hospital between August 2014 and September 2014. Patients had at least one bilirubin measurement >5 mg/dL. After categorizing lab values, percent agreement and kappa were used to examine concordance between aPTT and anti-Xa. RESULTS Overall percent agreement between aPTT and anti-Xa was 50%. A nontherapeutic aPTT and therapeutic anti-Xa accounted for 98% of all disagreement. Specifically, 76.7% of disagreement was due to a subtherapeutic aPTT and a therapeutic anti-Xa. Unweighted kappa was 0.141 (95%CI: 0.048-0.235). CONCLUSION Concordance between aPTT and anti-Xa values was poor in hyperbilirubinemic patients.
Hydroxyurea in Stage D Carcinoma of the Prostate: A Pilot Study

AbstractThere were 13 patients with histologically proved metastatic prostatic adenocarcinoma treated with a single oral dose of 80mg. per kg. hydroxyurea every third day (based on ideal or actual weight, whichever is less) and 12.5mg. chlorotrianisene per day. Toxicity was mild. The most common manifestations were nausea, occasional vomiting and leukopenia. A definite attempt was made to depress the white blood count to approximately 2,000 cells per cu. mm. Hydroxyurea was not discontinued unless the white blood count decreased to less than 2,000 cells per cu. mm., after which a single dose was usually omitted. Omission of a single dose would allow the white blood count to return promptly to more than 2,000 cells per cu. mm. Objective tumor regression was demonstrated in 6 of the 13 patients and all patients had a definite improvement in the quality of life.
Food-Induced Hyperkinesis

The results of a controlled trial of hyposensitization with intradermal EPD (beta-glucuronidase and food antigens) in 40 children with the hyperkinetic syndrome are reported from the Universitatskinderklinik, Lindwurmstrasse, Munchen, Germany and The Allergy Unit, London, UK.
Sex Hormones and Environmental Factors Affecting Exercise

Reproductive hormones and environmental conditions can influence physiological systems such as fluid regulation and thermoregulation, which in turn can impact exercise. There are numerous challenges with performing physiological studies on women due to the changing hormonal profiles that occur across the menstrual cycle, in addition to the various types of exogenous hormonal contraceptives used by women. Over the last 20 years, our laboratory has performed a number of research studies to examine sex and sex hormone effects on fluid regulation and temperature regulation in humans. In addition, our laboratory has developed a novel way to control reproductive hormone exposure in young women and to isolate the effects of individual sex hormones on physiological systems. Research findings in our laboratory and others show that there are sex differences and menstrual cycle differences in the osmotic release of arginine vasopressin (AVP) and onset of thirst during hyperosmotic conditions such as dehydration, and that these differences are primarily driven by estradiol. With respect to temperature regulation, progesterone increases core temperature and delays the threshold for the onset of sweating, whereas estradiol reduces the onset of sweating threshold, resulting in higher sweat rates for a given core temperature, favoring heat dissipation. However, exercise training may attenuate these sex hormone effects on sweating. Lastly, as alterations in sex hormones occur in conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome or with aging and menopause, fluid balance and temperature regulation may become impaired. Additional research is needed to characterize the physiological effects of sex hormone exposure (beyond estradiol), particularly in special populations, at rest and during exercise given the numerous health benefits of physical activity.
Opening the book of revelations

Science is a uniquely public form of knowledge. What distinguishes it from other forms of knowledge is that scientific hypotheses can be checked by anyone with the will and resources to do so. In principle, race, gender and nationality form no impediment to doing science, although the reality is sometimes different. Nor need the practice of science be confined to people. Tool-using animals, aliens and suitably programmed computers might all generate and test hypotheses, reject the bad ones and put the good ones to use.
The Practice and Promise of Critical Information Literacy: Academic Librarians' Involvement in Critical Library Instruction

Critical information literacy is a way of thinking and teaching that examines the social construction and political dimensions of libraries and information, problematizing information’s production and use so that library users may think critically about such forces. Being an educational approach that acknowledges and emboldens learners’ agency, critical information literacy has much to offer librarians. Using a survey and follow-up interviews with thirteen librarians practicing critical information literacy, this paper illustrates some of the many ways that librarians incorporate this vital approach to teaching the complexities of information, as well as the potential advantages and difficulties of doing so.
Heme protein-mediated synthesis of PEDOT:PSS: enhancing conductivity by inhibiting heme degradation

Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) is a conducting polymer used in regenerative medicine, solar energy conversion, OLEDs, and biological sensing. PEDOT:PSS can be synthesized with a wide range of biomolecular oxidants including hemoglobin, catalase, horseradish peroxidase, soybean peroxidase, and laccase. Unfortunately heme proteins have been found to degrade during polymer synthesis, limiting their utility. We show that the peroxidase substrate, 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS), inhibits heme degradation during hemoglobin-mediated synthesis of PEDOT:PSS, measured by fluorescence emission. Four-point probe measurements show that films of PEDOT:PSS are more conductive when synthesized in the presence of ABTS. Characterization of the resulting PEDOT:PSS films using visible and near IR spectroscopy shows that ABTS produces a bipolaron rich polymer, as expected if heme degradation is inhibited. Conductivity is further enhanced (31 S cm−1) when an iron chelator, EDTA, is used in combination with ABTS.
Life Satisfaction, Hope, and Positive Emotions as Antecedents of Health Related Quality of Life Among Homeless Individuals

Among a sample of individuals identifying as homeless (N′ = 275), this study modeled the relationship between the psychological well-being variables of hope, life satisfaction, positive emotions, and health related quality of life (HRQoL). Specifically, covariance based structural equation modeling (CB-SEM) was used to test a prior theory that life satisfaction serves as an antecedent of HRQoL with hope and positive emotions as mediators. Results indicated that the theorized CB-SEM model closely fit the observed data, with the model also serving as a robust predictor of hope, positive emotions, and HRQoL. The data suggests that life satisfaction and hope are important cognitive sets influencing positive emotional well-being with all 3 variables collectively contributing to increased perceptions of HRQoL. The study concludes with a discussion of the implications of the results on future research, particularly surrounding potential quality of life interventions for individuals facing homelessness and associated health challenges.
Rigid subanalytic sets

Let K be an algebraically closed field endowed with a complete non-archimedean norm. Let f : Y → X be a map of K-affinoid varieties. In this paper we study the analytic structure of the image f(Y ) ⊂ X; such an image is a typical example of a subanalytic set. We show that the subanalytic sets are precisely the D-semianalytic sets, where D is the truncated division function first introduced by Denef and van den Dries. To prove this we establish a Flattening Theorem for affinoid varieties in the style of Hironaka, which allows a reduction to the study of subanalytic sets arising from flat maps. More precisely, we show that a map of affinoid varieties can be rendered flat by using only finitely many local blowing ups. The case of a flat map is then dealt with by a small extension of a result of Raynaud and Gruson showing that the image of a flat map of affinoid varieties is open in the Grothendieck topology. Using Embedded Resolution of Singularities, we derive in the zero characteristic case a Uniformization Theorem for subanalytic sets: a subanalytic set can be rendered semianalytic using only finitely many local blowing ups with smooth centres. As a corollary we obtain that any subanalytic set in the plane is semianalytic. Let K be an algebraically closed field with a complete non-archimedean norm. The free Tate algebra of all formal power series f = ∑ ν aνS ν over K for which |aν | tends to zero as ν goes to infinity, is denoted by K〈S1, . . . , Sn〉 and its elements 1991 Mathematics Subject Classification. Primary 32P05, 32B20; Secondary 13C11, 12J25, 03C10. The authors want to thank Jan Denef, for sharing with them his idea that Raynaud’s Theorem could be used in conjunction with a rigid analog of Hironaka’s work. c ©0000 American Mathematical Society
Copper oxide catalyst supported on niobium oxide for CO oxidation at low temperatures

Abstract CuOx/Nb2O5 shows higher CO oxidation activity than CuOx/Al2O3. Analysis of X-ray photoelectron spectra shows the presence of Cu1 + species on Nb2O5, which is known to be the active species for CO oxidation. In contrast, only Cu2 + is found to be present on Al2O3. Enhanced activity of CuOx/Nb2O5 is consistent with its lower activation energy for CO oxidation compared with CuOx/Al2O3. It is argued that the formation of stable Cu1 + species on Nb2O5 is a result of presence of deep copper acceptor states within the band gap of Nb2O5. 6%CuOx/Nb2O5 shows comparable activity to 1%Pt/Al2O3 but loses its advantage above 500 °C.
Multidimensional integral equations: a new approach to solving microelectrode diffusion problems Part 2. Applications to microband electrodes and the scanning electrochemical microscope

Abstract The new approach to solving diffusion problems using multidimensional integral equations (equations containing multiple integrals) proposed in Part 1 is used to address microelectrode problems with two types of electrode geometry: two-dimensional linear diffusion and cylindrical diffusion in a thin-layer cell. The electrochemical current transients and cyclic voltammograms at a microband electrode as well as the response of a pair of parallel microbands working in the generator—collector mode are obtained. The current found with a scanning electrochemical microscope with either a conductive or an insulating substrate is also calculated using this approach. In both cases the current—potential curves can be computed for a simple electrode reaction with any value of heterogeneous rate constant and any shape of excitation signal. The theory for an electrode process with a successive first-order homogeneous chemical stage is also discussed.
U3Si2 behavior in H2O: Part I, flowing steam and the effect of hydrogen

Abstract Recent interest in U3Si2 as an advanced light water reactor fuel has driven assessment of numerous properties, but characterization of its response to H2O environments is absent from the literature. The behavior of U3Si2 in H2O containing atmospheres is investigated and presented in a two-part series of articles aimed to understand the degradation mechanism of U3Si2 in H2O. Reported here are thermogravimetric data for U3Si2 exposed to flowing steam at 250–470 °C. Additionally the response of U3Si2 to flowing Ar-6% H2 from 350 to 400 °C is presented. Microstructural degradation is observed following hours of exposure at 350 °C in steam. U3Si2 undergoes pulverization on the timescale of minutes when temperatures are increased above 400 °C. This mechanism is accelerated in flowing Ar-H2 at the same temperatures.
Metadata Exploitation in Large-scale Data Migration Projects

The inherent complexity of large-scale information integration efforts has led to the proliferation of numerous metadata capabilities to improve upon project management, quality control and governance. In this paper, we utilise complex information integration projects in the context of SAP application consolidation to analyse several new metadata capabilities, which enable improved governance and control of data quality. Further, by investigating certain unaddressed aspects around these capabilities, often tending to negatively impact information integration projects, we identify key focus areas for shaping future industrial and academic research efforts.
Covalent Nitrides: Properties and General Characteristics

This chapter reveals the properties of covalent nitrides—boron nitride, aluminum nitrides, and silicon nitride—and provides a summary of the fabrication processes and applications of these compounds. The refractory covalent nitrides have remarkable properties and are industrial materials of major importance, produced on a large scale in the form of powders, monolithic shapes, and coatings. The three covalent nitrides are low-density materials with melting points, which are higher than those of their parent elements—boron, aluminum, and silicon. Of the three, boron nitride has the highest melting point and is more refractory than boron carbide. On the other hand, silicon nitride is not as refractory as silicon carbide. The thermal conductivity of the covalent nitrides decreases with increasing temperature. Thermal expansion of the covalent nitrides is low and, like that of the covalent carbides, increases with increasing temperature. This increase is not entirely linear and is slightly more rapid at high temperature. The covalent nitrides are excellent electrical insulators. Their electrons are strongly and covalently bonded to the nucleus and are not available for metallic bonding.
Chemotherapy- and Radiation-Induced Accelerated Senescence: Implications for Treatment Response, Tumor Progression and Cancer Survivorship

Standard chemotherapy and radiotherapy are designed to eradicate malignancies by depriving tumor cells of their reproductive potential. Traditionally, it has been assumed that the loss of proliferative potential by cancer cells predominantly involves the triggering of cell death via apoptosis. However, it is becoming clear that cancer cells derived from solid tumors often undergo rapid and widespread induction of senescence following exposure to DNA damaging therapeutic agents. Tumor cells undergoing this accelerated senescence response share several cellular and molecular features with replicatively aged cells, including activation of DNA damage response pathways and a similar senescence-associated secretory pattern. Here, we discuss accelerated senescence in response to chemotherapy and radiation focusing on the potential implications for treatment response, tumor progression, and cancer survivorship. One emerging theme is that the persistence of metabolically active, senescent cells plays an active and diverse role in shaping the tumor microenvironment. There is hope that a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms (1) initiating and maintaining senescence in cancer cells and (2) underlying the senescence-associated bystander effects in tumor and non-tumor cells will lead to the future development of more efficacious and less toxic cancer treatments.
Fracture resistance of polyblends and polyblend matrix composites Part III Role of rubber type and location in nylon 6,6/SAN composites

The role of rubber particle type, location and morphology on toughening in blends of nylon 6,6 with styrene acrylonitrile (SAN), with and without fibre reinforcements was examined in this study. The rubber used was ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber and the results were compared to a previous study that used butadiene rubber. The compositions of the blends ranged from pure nylon 6,6 to pure SAN. EPDM rubber was chemically compatibilized with one of the matrix phases rather than grafted, as in the ABS. In order to study the effect of rubber location on fracture behaviour, the approach was to compatibilize EPDM with either the minor phase or the major phase component of the blend. Attention was focused on fracture initiation toughness and fracture propagation toughness, measured through the parameters J IC and J SS, respectively. J SS refers to the steady-state, or plateau value of the material R-curve and was therefore a measure of total toughness which included the additional component derived from crack extension. The results indicated that EPDM rubber was not as effective a toughening agent as was butadiene in the Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) system, primarily due to the morphology of EPDM and its interface character with the nylon 6,6 or SAN matrix. It was demonstrated that the embrittlement effects of a second rigid polymer phase can be mitigated by selectively adding rubber to that phase in the alloy or blend. With regard to the role of fibre reinforcement, a strong fibre matrix interface was found to be essential for toughening. Further, the extent of rubber toughening was larger when fibres were present than when fibres were absent, provided the fibre matrix interface was strong. Fibres also, like rubber, enhanced local matrix plasticity as well as reduced the embrittlement effects associated with a second polymer phase.
Exploring the Role of Sex and Sexual Experience in Predicting American Indian Adolescent Condom Use Intention Using Protection Motivation Theory

Introduction: American Indian (AI) youth experience poor sexual health outcomes. Research indicates the Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) is a robust model for understanding how sexual risk and protective behaviors are associated with condom use intention (CUI). Studies indicate the constructs of the PMT which influence CUI vary by sex and sexual experience. This analysis explores associations between PMT constructs and CUI by sex and sexual experience among AI youth who participated in the Respecting the Circle of Life (RCL) trial, a sexual and reproductive health intervention. Methods: We analyzed baseline data from the sample of 267 AIs, ages 13-19, who participated in the evaluation. We examined CUI and PMT construct scores by sex and sexual experience utilizing generalized estimated equations and multiple regression models to test which PMT constructs were associated with CUI across sex and sexual experience. Results: Twenty-two percentage of participants were sexually experienced; 56.8% reported CUI at baseline. We found several differences in scores in PMT constructs by sex and sexual experience including self-efficacy, response efficacy, vulnerability, severity, and extrinsic rewards. We also found constructs varied that were associated with CUI varied across sex and sexual experience. No PMT constructs were associated with CUI among sexually experienced youth. Conclusion: Results provide support for developing, selecting and delivering sexual health programs by sex and sexual experience in American Indian communities. Girls programs should focus on internal satisfaction and self-worth while boys should focus on negative impacts of not using condoms. Programs for youth who are not sexually active should focus on negative impacts of not using condoms. Programs for sexually inactive youth should work to change peer norms around condom use and improve knowledge about the efficacy of condom use.
Etiology of subjective taste loss.

BACKGROUND Taste complaints are commonly encountered in clinical practice. Although changes in taste function may arise from varied etiologies, numerous other factors may impact patients' taste perceptions, the most common of which is olfactory dysfunction. Thus, patients with taste complaints may or may not have measurable deficits in taste function. This poses a challenge to providers faced with evaluation of patients with taste disorders, and may delay diagnosis and management. METHODS We retrospectively examined records of 1108 patients evaluated at the Virginia Commonwealth University Health System Smell and Taste Clinic and compared patients' subjective taste complaints with results of objective testing of the senses of taste and smell. RESULTS A total of 358 patients had a subjective taste complaint and results from both gustatory and olfactory function tests. Patients were grouped by subjective complaint as "taste only" (n = 63) or "taste and smell" (n = 295). Of patients reporting a "taste-only" complaint, 25.4% had abnormal gustatory function, whereas 44.4% had abnormal olfactory function. For those reporting taste-and-smell complaints, only 9.5% had abnormal gustatory function, whereas 86.8% had abnormal olfactory function. CONCLUSION This study supports the hypothesis that patients who present with a taste complaint are more likely to have an underlying olfactory than gustatory impairment. However, those with a taste-only complaint are more likely to have objective gustatory deficits than those with a taste-and-smell complaint. These findings may prove useful to healthcare providers who evaluate patients presenting with complaints of taste loss.
From existential alterity to ethical reciprocity: Beauvoir’s alternative to Levinas

While Simone de Beauvoir’s theory of alterity has been the topic of much discussion within Beauvoir scholarship, feminist theory, and social and political philosophy, it has not commonly been a reference point for those working within ethics. However, Beauvoir develops a novel view that those concerned with the ethical import of respect for others should consider seriously, especially those working within the Levinasian tradition. I claim that Beauvoir distinguishes between two forms of otherness: namely, existential alterity and sociopolitical alterity. While sociopolitical alterity is a contingent and surmountable form of otherness that results from oppression of individuals and groups, existential alterity is a necessary feature of the human condition that discloses the foreignness of the other as a freedom. Out of this view of existential alterity, I argue, Beauvoir develops an ethic of asymmetrical reciprocity. In contrast with Levinas, who dismisses reciprocity as a symmetrical or reversible model of relation that minimizes difference, Beauvoir promulgates a view of reciprocity that does not fall into the problems that Levinas diagnoses. Moreover, asymmetrical reciprocity more successfully figures the ethical relation to the other than the absolute asymmetry one finds in Levinas, which becomes evident through revisiting Levinas’s account of eros and contrasting it with that of Beauvoir.
Transition Portal for daylighting calculations in early phase design

Abstract Daylighting studies are becoming increasingly important for early stage design of buildings and their facades. As architects generate increasingly complex building models in early phase design, this necessity for daylighting simulations is growing. Unfortunately, simulation models used for daylighting analysis are often over-simplified to reduce computation time, and these models tend not to simulate sufficient results for accurate facade studies and room detail. We present an accurate, easy-to-use, interactive, physically-based daylighting Transition Portal simulation method for design and analyses for daylighting in early phase design. The Transition Portal can enable comprehensive visual interfaces for building designers yielding global illumination solutions for their design by leveraging a radiosity based approach to calculate daylighting illumination studies. This novel method is significantly faster and more accurate than existing early design simulation techniques. These procedures can be used to determine the illumination at any specific point in time or space, or averaged on a monthly or yearly basis for any given weather model. After a priori computations, solutions at any time step can be obtained in a few milliseconds on modern computer workstations.
HPLC with charged aerosol detector (CAD) as a quality control platform for analysis of carbohydrate polymers

QC analysis of carbohydrates has been historically cumbersome due to lengthy and laborious derivatization techniques and the requirement of complimentary instrumentation. HILIC-CAD has emerged as an effective platform for direct monosaccharide composition analysis of complex carbohydrates without derivatization. Although, several neutral sugars have been separated and detected using HILIC-CAD, there has not been any report on acidic and amino sugar analysis using this method. In this study, we developed a gradient method for simultaneous analysis of acidic, amino and select neutral monosaccharides. As an application of the HILIC-CAD method, we performed composition analysis of commercially purchased hyaluronic acid products. Additionally, since CAD is suitable for SEC experiments, we tested the homogeneity of hyaluronic acids using a SEC-CAD method. We separated common uronic acids (GlcA, GalA, LIdoA and Neu5Ac), amino sugars (GlcN, GalN and GlcNAc) and select neutral sugars (LRha, LFuc, Man and Gal) using a gradient HILIC-CAD method. The optimized gradient method demonstrated good linearity (R2 > 0.99), precision (RSD < 8%), LOD (< 85 ng/mL) and LOQ (< 280 ng/mL). HILIC-CAD analysis of commercially purchased hyaluronic acid products indicated that samples were composed of GlcNAc and GlcA. Additionally, SEC-CAD chromatograms indicated the heterogeneous nature of the samples.
Comments on 'French guidelines on the use of systemic treatments for moderate-to-severe psoriasis in adults'.

Linked article: F. Amatore et al. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2019; 33: 464–483. https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.15340
The influence of RNA-synthesis inhibitors on in vivo pollen tube growth and the self-incompatibility reaction in Lilium longiflorum thunb.

Injection of 3 X 10−4 g/ml acridine orange, 2 X 10−5 g/ml actinomycin-D, or 1.34 X 10−3 g/ml 6-methyl-purine in stigmatic exudate into the hollow styles of Lilium longiflorum immediately before, or 6 or 12 hr after pollination restricted compatible pollen tube growth to lengths typical of incompatible tubes. Treatment 24 hr after pollination resulted either in no effect on compatible tube growth or in a significant retardation of compatible tube growth but not to the length of tubes in incompatibly pollinated styles. Aqueous solutions of these inhibitors at the same concentrations injected into lily styles 6 or 12hr before pollination significantly stimulated incompatible pollen tube growth. These results suggest that RNA synthesis in the style is necessary for the self-incompatibility reaction and RNA synthesis in the pollen tube is required for compatible tube growth. The RNA synthesis in the pollen tube may be completed by 24 hr after pollination.
Sleep coach intervention for teens with type 1 diabetes: Randomized pilot study

Background Teens with type 1 diabetes (T1D) experience increased sleep disturbances, which have been linked to problems with adherence and glycemic control. As such, sleep represents a novel target to improve outcomes in teens. Objective To evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a sleep-promoting intervention in teens with T1D. Research design and methods Teens aged 13 to 17 with T1D (n = 39) completed measures of sleep quality and diabetes management and wore actigraphs to obtain an objective measure of sleep. Hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) was collected from medical records. Teens were randomized to Usual Care (n = 19) or the Sleep Coach intervention (n = 20). Teens in the Sleep Coach group received educational materials on healthy sleep habits and completed three individual telephone sessions. Follow-up data were collected at 3 months, including exit interviews with teens and parents. Results Feasibility of the study was excellent; 80% of teens in the Sleep Coach group completed all three sessions, and retention was high (90%). Based on actigraphy data, a significant improvement in sleep efficiency and sleep duration was observed (48-minute increase) among teens randomized to the Sleep Coach intervention, and teens in the control group were 7.5 times more likely to report poor sleep quality after 3 months than intervention participants. No change in HbA1c was observed. Conclusions The Sleep Coach intervention for teens with T1D is a feasible and acceptable program that increased sleep duration and improved sleep quality for this high-risk population.
Hailing a change: comparing taxi and ridehail service quality in Los Angeles

For decades, taxis have provided for-hire vehicle service without significant competition from other modes. But in 2012, ride-hail services such as Uber and Lyft upended the taxi business model by connecting riders to drivers through smartphone applications. Since then, few studies have considered how taxis compare to their new competition or how service quality varies across the two modes. We use data from 1680 ride-hail and taxi trips taken in a Los Angeles audit study to ask: how do service qualities—including trip price, reliability, and accountability—vary across ride-hailing (Uber and Lyft) and taxis? We find that, for the same origin and destination pair, ridehail users pay 40% lower fares and wait about one-quarter of the time compared to taxis. In addition, ride-hailing nearly guaranteed a ride, while about one in five taxi riders were never picked up. We utilize semi-structured interviews of frequent taxi and ride-hail users to examine potential explanations of the stark quantitative differences observed across modes. Findings reveal that, despite technological disruption, travelers continue to prioritize the long-standing tenets of transportation services: affordability, reliability, and accountability. Ride-hailing successfully implemented technologies to deliver on these traveler priorities, while taxis have largely failed to capitalize on new technologies. Findings suggest that taxis will need to do more than lower prices or put more cars on the road if they hope to compete with ride-hailing services, and that both new and old modes should harness technology to deliver on long-standing transportation service goals.
Component detection in piping and instrumentation diagrams of nuclear power plants based on neural networks

Abstract Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs) are the most commonly used engineering drawings to describe components and their relationships, and they are one of the most important inputs for data analysis in Nuclear Power Plants (NPP). In traditional analysis, the information related to the components is extracted manually from the P&IDs. This usually takes large amounts of effort and is error-prone. With the rapid development in the area of computer vision and deep learning, automatically detecting components and their relationships becomes possible. In this paper, we aim to use the latest neural network models to automatically extract information on components and their identifications, from the P&IDs in NPPs. We use a Faster Regional Convolutional Neural Networks (Faster RCNN) architecture called ResNet-50, to detect the components in the P&IDs. Compared to common object detection, object detection for P&IDs poses unique challenges to these methods. For example, the P&IDs symbols are much smaller than the background, and detecting such small objects remains a challenging task for modern neural networks. To address these challenges, we 1) propose several techniques for data augmentation that effectively solve the problem of training data shortage, and 2) propose a feature grouping strategy for detecting components with distinct features. Besides, we introduce a SegLink model for text detection, which can automatically extract components’ identifications from P&IDs. We also develop a method for building a data structure to reflect the relationships between components (e.g., to which pipe a component is connected, or what are the downstream or upstream components of one specific component) based on the extracted information. This data structure can be further used for plant safety analysis, and operation and maintenance cost optimization. Sensitivity analysis and comparison with other Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) are performed. The results of these analyses are also discussed in this paper. This analysis framework has been tested on the P&IDs from a commercial NPP. The Average Precision for components, which is used to measure the performance of the proposed method, is about 98%. The success rates of component-text mapping and component-pipe mapping are 270/275 and 319/319, respectively. It is worth noting that this framework is generic and can also be applied to P&IDs of non-nuclear industries.