cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pancreatic Fat Infiltration Is Associated with a Higher Risk of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma.

Background Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has a poor survival rate, partly due to delayed diagnosis. Identifying high-risk individuals could lead to early detection and improve survival. A number of risk factors such as alcohol consumption and metabolic syndrome are associated with fatty infiltration of the pancreas. Experimental models show that a fatty pancreas promotes tissue inflammation and fibrosis, which could promote PDAC. Methods We conducted a case-control study in a single-university tertiary hospital. Sixty-eight PDAC cases with recent non-contrast computed tomography (CT) and 235 controls were studied. The controls had no history of malignancy and underwent CT colonography for cancer screening in the same period. Pancreatic fat was estimated by calculating pancreatic (P) attenuation, corrected to splenic (S) attenuation, measured in three 1.0-cm2 regions of the pancreas. The P.S100 value calculated was used to estimate fatty infiltration of the pancreas (FIP), with a lower P.S100 representing a higher FIP. Results The PDAC patients had a lower BMI and a higher rate of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The P.S100 was lower in cases than in controls (86.452 vs. 92.414, p = 4.016e-06), suggesting that FIP is higher with PDAC. The risk of developing PDAC steadily increased significantly for the quartiles with a higher FIP compared to the low FIP quartile. No correlation between BMI and FIP (r = -0.1031179; 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.22267106 to 0.01949092) was found. Adjusting for confounders (age, sex, BMI, and DM), the risk of developing PDAC according to the FIP was estimated to be 3.75 (95% CI 1.9234408-7.993337; p = 0.000171). FIP was stable before and after the diagnosis of PDAC in 9 cases with prior CT scans when no pancreatic tumor was identifiable. Conclusion Fatty pancreas is associated with an increased risk of pancreatic cancer. Once confirmed in larger-scale studies, these findings could help to identify at-risk individuals, particularly in high-risk groups such as chronic alcohol consumers.
S protein-reactive IgG and memory B cell production after human SARS-CoV-2 infection includes broad reactivity to the S2 subunit

ABSTRACT The high susceptibility of humans to SARS-CoV-2 infection, the cause of COVID-19, reflects the novelty of the virus and limited preexisting B cell immunity. IgG against the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein, which carries the novel receptor binding domain (RBD), is absent or at low levels in unexposed individuals. To better understand the B cell response to SARS-CoV-2 infection, we asked whether virus-reactive memory B cells (MBCs) were present in unexposed subjects and whether MBC generation accompanied virus-specific IgG production in infected subjects. We analyzed sera and PBMCs from non-SARS-CoV-2-exposed healthy donors and COVID-19 convalescent subjects. Serum IgG levels specific for SARS-CoV-2 proteins (S, including the RBD and S2 subunit, and nucleocapsid [N]) and non-SARS-CoV-2 proteins were related to measurements of circulating IgG MBCs. Anti-RBD IgG was absent in unexposed subjects. Most unexposed subjects had anti-S2 IgG and a minority had anti-N IgG, but IgG MBCs with these specificities were not detected, perhaps reflecting low frequencies. Convalescent subjects had high levels of IgG against the RBD, S2, and N, together with large populations of RBD- and S2-reactive IgG MBCs. Notably, IgG titers against the S protein of the human coronavirus OC43 in convalescent subjects were higher than in unexposed subjects and correlated strongly with anti-S2 titers. Our findings indicate cross-reactive B cell responses against the S2 subunit that might enhance broad coronavirus protection. Importantly, our demonstration of MBC induction by SARS-CoV-2 infection suggests that a durable form of B cell immunity is maintained even if circulating antibody levels wane. IMPORTANCE Recent rapid worldwide spread of SARS-CoV-2 has established a pandemic of potentially serious disease in the highly susceptible human population. Key questions are whether humans have preexisting immune memory that provides some protection against SARS-CoV-2 and whether SARS-CoV-2 infection generates lasting immune protection against reinfection. Our analysis focused on pre- and post-infection IgG and IgG memory B cells (MBCs) reactive to SARS-CoV-2 proteins. Most importantly, we demonstrate that infection generates both IgG and IgG MBCs against the novel receptor binding domain and the conserved S2 subunit of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Thus, even if antibody levels wane, long-lived MBCs remain to mediate rapid antibody production. Our study also suggests that SARS-CoV-2 infection strengthens preexisting broad coronavirus protection through S2-reactive antibody and MBC formation.
Mandated Opioid Online Training Course—Does it Impact Opioid Prescription Patterns for Outpatient Endoscopic Urological Surgeries?

AbstractIntroduction:Opioid addiction is a rising public health crisis. We evaluated if a New York State-mandated online opioid awareness course impacted our urology opioid prescription practices f...
Catechol-O-methyltransferase genotype differentially contributes to the flexibility and stability of cognitive sets in patients with psychotic disorders and their first-degree relatives

Abstract Dopaminergic activity in prefrontal cortex is modulated by the low (Met) and high (Val) activity of the rs4680 Val158Met single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the Catechol-O-Methyltransferase (COMT) gene. While this has been related to working memory maintenance in patients with schizophrenia, the familial pattern, impact across the psychosis spectrum, and the role of this genotype on other aspects of behavior, such as cognitive flexibility, remains unclear. The relationship between COMT Val158Met genotype and both cognitive stability and flexibility were assessed using the Penn Conditional Exclusion Test (PCET) in healthy controls (n = 241), patients with psychotic disorders (n = 542), and their first-degree relatives (n = 613) from the Bipolar-Schizophrenia Network on Intermediate Phenotypes (B-SNIP) consortium. Higher rates of perseverative errors (poor flexibility) were associated with the low-activity COMT genotype (Met allele carriers) in probands compared to their first-degree relatives with the same genotype. Probands and first-degree relatives homozygous for the high-activity COMT enzyme (Val/Val) showed elevated rates of regressive errors (poor stability) compared to controls. Conversely, heterozygous relatives had comparable regressive error rates to controls, with probands showing elevated errors in comparison. These findings suggest that impaired suppression of learned response patterns and reduced stability of mental sets may be a familial intermediate cognitive phenotype related to Val COMT allele genotype.
Evidence-based opinions?: How the top jurists in the United States differ in their use of social science in criminal procedure decisions

The use of social science research in reaching a judicial decision with broad societal implications dovetails with the emerging push for evidence-based policies regarding criminal procedure issues....
Small-molecule modulation of ppars for the treatment of prevalent vascular retinal diseases

Vascular-related retinal diseases dramatically impact quality of life and create a substantial burden on the healthcare system. Age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and retinopathy of prematurity are leading causes of irreversible blindness. In recent years, the scientific community has made great progress in understanding the pathology of these diseases and recent discoveries have identified promising new treatment strategies. Specifically, compelling biochemical and clinical evidence is arising that small-molecule modulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) represents a promising approach to simultaneously address many of the pathological drivers of these vascular-related retinal diseases. This has excited academic and pharmaceutical researchers towards developing new and potent PPAR ligands. This review highlights recent developments in PPAR ligand discovery and discusses the downstream effects of targeting PPARs as a therapeutic approach to treating retinal vascular diseases.
Outcomes after salvage for HPV-positive recurrent oropharyngeal cancer treated with primary radiation.

Abstract Purpose HPV-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) carries a favorable prognosis for patients, yet nearly 30% of patients will experience disease relapse. We sought to detail patterns of failure, associated salvage therapy, and outcomes for patients with recurrent HPV-positive OPSCC. Methods and materials This is a single institution retrospective study of patients with recurrent HPV-positive OPSCC irradiated from 2002 to 2014. The primary study outcome was overall survival (OS, calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method). Secondary aims included patterns of first failure with descriptive details of salvage therapy. Solitary recurrences were defined as initial presentation of recurrence in a single site (primary, neck or oligometastatic), and multi-site was defined as local and regional and/or multiple sites of distant recurrence. Survival outcomes were compared using the log-rank test. Results The cohort consisted of 132 patients. The median follow-up was 59 months for surviving patients. Estimated 2-year and 5-year OS rates were 47% and 32%, respectively. Comparative 2-year and 5-year OS rates were 65% and 46% versus 19% and 9% for the solitary group and multi-site group, respectively (p Conclusions Patients with recurrent HPV-positive OPSCC experience 5-year survival of approximately 32%. However, patients with a “solitary” recurrence including disease at the primary site, neck or oligometastatic site have more favorable long-term outcomes.
Characterizing Pore-Scale Geochemical Alterations in Eagle Ford and Barnett Shale from Exposure to Hydraulic Fracturing Fluid and CO2/H2O

As demand increases for an affordable energy source that is tied to an environmental obligation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and water usage, there is a growing consideration in shale product...
Detection of Feeder Open Phase Events Using Smart Inverters

Open phase events are not rare in distribution grid with independent phase protection. IEEE 1547–2018 prohibits DER from back feeding into open phase conditions. However, detection of medium voltage (MV) open phase can be challenging for the low voltage connected DER. Depending on the winding of the interconnection transformer, generation and loading level, etc., DER inverter terminal voltage may remain within the normal operating range. This paper investigates an actual open-phase event and evaluates the DER inverters' capability to detect such conditions. Two detection methods based on voltage and current negative sequence components are studied. It is found that DER inverters are able to detect the MV side open phase events in most conditions, especially when the active detection method is utilized, but there are some limitations.
Cómo afecta la frecuencia respiratoria el desempeño de una mascarilla respiratoria autofiltrante N95 y de una mascarilla quirúrgica contra sustitutos de partículas virales

La frecuencia respiratoria (respiraciones/min) difiere entre los individuos y dependiendo de los niveles de actividad fisica. Las particulas ingresan a las mascarillas respiratorias mediante dos vi...
A Key Rate Approach to Replicating Annuities with US Treasury Funds

Prendergast (2021) develops a methodology that enables retail investors to structure annuities using commonly available U.S. Treasury Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs). This article extends that methodology through the use of key rate durations. Back tests and stress tests show that the use of key rate durations substantially enhances the ability of the portfolio of ETFs to replicate an annuity in an environment where yield curves undergo a variety of slope and curvature changes over time. TOPICS:Fixed income and structured finance, exchange-traded funds and applications, quantitative methods, statistical methods Key Findings ▪ Relative to using single durations, the use of key rate durations dramatically improves the ability of an annuity replicating portfolio to provide the desired annuity payments while achieving a zero-ending balance. ▪ This article provides a means for retail investors, or their advisors, to design an annuity that is robust to interest rate changes without paying sizeable fees to life insurance companies and other annuity providers.
Axial Behavior of Concrete Filled Pultrutded FRP Box

Pultruded FRP has been used for decades to save weight, increase corrosion resistance, provide aesthetic beauty and reduce maintenance costs. This paper presents the findings of an experimental study that was conducted to evaluate the axial of six specimens tested under axial loading with different lengths varies from 10 inches to 30 inches using two type of specimens concrete filled box, and reinforced concrete box. The results indicate that the addition on the concrete to the FRP section can improve compressive properties of the section. Also the mode of failure changed from local buckling in case without using concrete to global buckling in case of filling the box with concrete. Design approach were also used to determine the axial capacity of the section filled with reinforced concrete.
A transdisciplinary typology of change identifies new categories of adaptations and forms of co-adaptation in coupled human and natural systems

Adaptation in human and natural systems has received growing attention in sustainability scholarship. Co-adaptation, when coupled human and natural systems (CHANSs) adapt in congruence, is receiving much less attention. Not only are various forms of co-adaptation difficult to disentangle, adaptations are also conceptualized very differently by scholars of human and natural systems. One aspect of adaptation that scholars agree on, however, is that it is first and foremost a change. We offer a new transdisciplinary typology of the four most basic types of change, internally and externally driven non-structural and structural changes, that bridges perspectives in the natural and social sciences and through which we introduce new categories of adaptations and forms of co-adaptation in CHANSs. We first describe the typology’s foundations and its four types of change. We then organize forms of adaptation in human and natural systems according to the types of change they exhibit to identify new categories of adaptations and forms of co-adaptation. Finally, we illustrate the application of the new categories and forms in a real-world CHANS—the privately managed Northwoods in the Upper Midwest, USA. This new typology paves the way for robust and cross-disciplinary research on CHANSs.
Technical Perspective: Scaling Dynamic Hash Tables on Real Persistent Memory

Byte-addressable persistent memory was considered in the data management community as long ago as 1986. Thatte saw the advantages for programmability in unifying the abstractions of byte-addressable RAM with persistence [2]. Thatte's context was object-oriented databases containing a variety data structures that would be awkward to transform into the block-oriented abstractions provided by typical secondary storage. Thatte's proposed physical instantiation of persistent memory was a disk-backed device, although it is unclear whether such a device was ever built. Thatte recognized the importance of recovery to the overall scheme.
Stress Shielding in the Setting of Osteogenesis Imperfecta and the Effect of Downsizing an Intramedullary Rod: A Case Report.

Case Cortical atrophy, or stress shielding, secondary to a large-diameter femoral intramedullary rod was noted over almost a decade in a now 14-year-old girl with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI). After an initial minimally invasive unsuccessful revision, we downsized the left femur rod with realignment and noted restoration of the left femur cortical thickness. Conclusion We demonstrate the significant functional impact of stress shielding and its evolution over a protracted period and outline treatment principles. To our knowledge, this is the first report of treatment of stress shielding of a long bone in the setting of OI.
Control of stochastic unicycle-type robots

This paper addresses the problem of optimal control of a unicycle-type robot perturbed with stochastic noise in an environment with sparsely populated obstacles. The objective is that the robot pose converges to a neighborhood of a desired position and orientation. A feedback control law is constructed such that it is compatible with the differential constraints of the unicycle. The construction is based on numerical solution of the Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman (HJB) partial differential equation (PDE) associated with a stochastic optimal control problem. The control law is optimal in terms of control effort and comes with probabilistic guarantees of convergence to the goal set.
Real, complex, and binary semantic vectors

This paper presents a combined structure for using real, complex, and binary valued vectors for semantic representation. The theory, implementation, and application of this structure are all significant. For the theory underlying quantum interaction, it is important to develop a core set of mathematical operators that describe systems of information, just as core mathematical operators in quantum mechanics are used to describe the behavior of physical systems. The system described in this paper enables us to compare more traditional quantum mechanical models (which use complex state vectors), alongside more generalized quantum models that use real and binary vectors. The implementation of such a system presents fundamental computational challenges. For large and sometimes sparse datasets, the demands on time and space are different for real, complex, and binary vectors. To accommodate these demands, the Semantic Vectors package has been carefully adapted and can now switch between different number types comparatively seamlessly. This paper describes the key abstract operations in our semantic vector models, and describes the implementations for real, complex, and binary vectors. We also discuss some of the key questions that arise in the field of quantum interaction and informatics, explaining how the wide availability of modelling options for different number fields will help to investigate some of these questions.
Simple Chemical Assays for Presence of S2F10 in Decomposed SF6

Disulfur decafluoride (S2F10; also referred to as sulfur pentafluoride) is a highly toxic gas which can be produced by electrical discharges in SF6.1,2 It would be very useful, both for safety in handling decomposed SF6 and for diagnosis of fault conditions, to have a convenient, rapid and sensitive field assay for the presence of S2F10. A number of different assays for S2F10 with varying levels of sensitivity have been developed in the course of a CRADA initiative “Investigation of S2F10 Production and Mitigation in Compressed SF6-Insulated Power Systems.”3 These techniques include GC-MS4, cryogenic GC enrichment5 and IR absorption.6 Although all of these procedures have been shown to have utility in detecting S2F10, and some have great sensitivity (GC-MS and cryogenic enrichment), they do not, in general, lend themselves to rapid field analyses. Ideally, one might wish to have an assay modeled after the “Draeger Tubes,” where a gas sample is drawn through some chemical compound, and the resulting color change can be used to quantify the gas of interest. Disulfur decafluoride had been rather extensively studied in World War II as a candidate chemical warfare agent7, and along with biological studies of its toxicity, chemical detection techniques had also been developed.8 Of the chemical assays described, two were particularly promising, one involving reaction of S2F10 with NaI to produce free I2 which could be titrated with sodium thiosulfate, and the other involving reaction of S2F10 with p-phenylenediamine to produce a pink/red color. This second assay appeared to hold some promise, and accordingly, experiments were carried out to see if this assay could be useful for detecting S2F10 in electrically decomposed SF6 samples.
Tapered semiconductor optical power amplifiers and oscillators

Summary form only given. Tapered AlGaAs quantum well (QW) semiconductor optical amplifiers have made possible compact, efficient, all semiconductor cw optical sources with high brightness. At 980 nm wavelength, cw output power over 3 W in a nearly single-lobed, nearly diffraction-limited beam has been demonstrated in a master-oscillator/power-amplifier configuration requiring less than 100 mW of amplifier input power. >
Liver, Bile Ducts, and Gallbladder

Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is an indispensable tool for pathological diagnosis of both neoplastic and non-neoplastic diseases of the liver and biliary tract. It has a wide spectrum of application ranging from pathogen detection to differentiation of primary from metastatic tumors. The focus of this chapter is to address applications regarding diagnosis and differential diagnosis of liver and biliary tract tumors. Commonly used markers or antibodies are listed in various tables detailing their staining patterns in benign, reactive and neoplastic conditions. Suggested panels of markers are provided to address specific diagnostic challenges such as distinguishing benign vs. malignant biliary proliferation and hepatocellular lesions, differentiating intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma from extrhepatic cholangiocarinoma and metastatic adenocarcinomas from other organs. A process is defined utilizing an initial screening panel and subsequent confirmatory markers for unknown primary tumors in liver. Photomicrographs are provided to illustrate characteristic staining patterns.
Reproduction and heredity beliefs of the Hindus based on their sacred books

Hindus see their children as the reincarnation of the husband. The mother is only a field where the father lays his seed. That the reincarnated husband might be a girl is explained by a more abundant female "semen." Differences among children are explained by the influence of the mother, the same way as a seedling is affected by the soil in which it grows. Because a son is generally desired, one can find in the sacred books of India rules that might increase the chances not only to have a son, but a healthy and gifted one.
The Impact of Copycats on an Original Mobile App's Demand: Empirical Analysis and a Method for Detecting Copycat Apps

While the growth of the mobile apps market has created significant market opportunities and economic incentives for mobile app developers to innovate, it has also inevitably invited other developers to create rip-offs. Practitioners and developers of original apps claim that copycats steal the original app’s idea and demand and have called for app platforms to take action against such copycats. Surprisingly, however, there has been little rigorous research analyzing whether and how copycats affect an original app’s demand. The primary deterrent to such research is the lack of an objective way to identify similarities between different apps. Using a combination of machine learning techniques such as natural language processing, latent semantic analysis, network-based clustering and image analysis, we propose a method to compare apps and detect two types of copycats: deceptive and non-deceptive. Based on the detection results, we conduct an econometric analysis to determine the impact of copycat apps on the demand for the original apps on a sample of 10,100 action game apps by 5,141 developers that were released in the iOS App Store over five years. Our final results indicate that the effect of copycats on an original app’s demand is determined by the quality and level of imitation of the copycat. High-quality, non-deceptive copycats negatively affect demand for the originals. In contrast, low-quality, deceptive copycats positively affect demand for the originals. Our study contributes to the growing literature on mobile app consumption by presenting a method to identify copycats and providing evidence of the impact of copycats on an original app’s demand.
Synthesis of Acyclic Nucleoside and Nucleotide Analogues from Amino Acids: A Convenient Approach to a PMEA–PMPA Hybrid

Abstract Nonracemic amino alcohols derived from common amino acids have been used to assemble acyclic nucleoside and nucleotide analogues with control of absolute stereochemistry. Both ( R )- and ( S )-2-amino-1-propanol, readily available from d - or l -alanine, were used to prepare the nucleoside analogues ( R )- and ( S )-9-[1-methyl-2-hydroxyethyl]adenine, and then the nucleotide analogues ( R )- and ( S )-9-[1-methyl-2-phosphonomethoxyethyl]adenine. In a similar fashion, the CBz derivative of l -threonine was used to prepare first (1 R ,2 R )-9-[1-hydroxymethyl-2-hydroxypropyl]adenine, and then the bis phosphonomethoxy derivative. The bis phosphonate derived from threonine represents a unique structural hybrid of PMEA and PMPA, both of which have well established antiviral activity.
Are there susceptibility factors for primary progressive aphasia

The determinants of selective vulnerability in neurodegenerative diseases remain elusive. The asymmetric loss of neurons in primary progressive aphasia offers a unique setting for addressing this question. Although no factor can yet account for the selective vulnerability of the left hemisphere language network to degenerative diseases, a few themes are emerging as potential targets of further investigation.
High abundance of introduced plants on ancient Native American middens

Past land uses by humans can have long-term effects on natural communities. To test the hypothesis that past land use can alter patterns of biological invasion for extended times, we predicted that middens abandoned by Native Americans over a century ago would have high abundances of introduced plants. We measured cover of vascular species and soil characteristics on and off the eight remaining middens in grasslands along 20 km of the northern coast of California. Relative cover of introduced plants was about 20% higher on than off middens, and cover of introduced annuals was about 110% higher. Concentration of inorganic N in the upper soil was twice as high on as off middens and explained about 40% of the variation in cover of introduced annuals. Abundance of shells on middens was correlated with inorganic N, suggesting that present invasion was linked to intensity of past land use. Results confirm that ancient land use by Native Americans is associated with present-day invasion by introduced plants and suggest that persistent elevation of soil N is partly responsible. Land use that elevates nutrient levels may promote invasion far into the future.
Solution-focused brief therapy with families

Solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) is an evidenced-based, collaborative, strengths-based model developed in the 1980s by Steve de Shazer and Insoo Kim Berg and is now in use as an organizing treatment approach all over the world. This article examines the use of SFBT in family therapy. The history of SFBT, the major tenets as applied to family therapy, and the research in SFBT and SFBT for families are discussed.
Sexual orientation disparities in cardiovascular biomarkers among young adults.

Background Emerging evidence from general population studies suggests that lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) adults are more likely to experience adverse cardiovascular outcomes relative to heterosexuals. No studies have examined whether sexual orientation disparities exist in biomarkers of early cardiovascular disease risk. Purpose To determine whether sexual orientation disparities in biomarkers of early cardiovascular risk are present among young adults. Methods Data come from Wave IV (2008–2009) of the National Longitudinal Study for Adolescent Health (N=12,451), a prospective nationally representative study of U.S. adolescents followed into young adulthood (mean age=28.9 years). A total of 520 respondents identified as lesbian, gay, or bisexual. Biomarkers included C-reactive protein, glycosylated hemoglobin, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and pulse rate. Analyses were conducted in 2012. Results In gender-stratified models adjusted for demographics (age, race/ethnicity); SES (income, education); health behaviors (smoking, regular physical activity, alcohol consumption); and BMI, gay and bisexual men had significant elevations in C-reactive protein, diastolic blood pressure, and pulse rate, compared to heterosexual men. Despite having more risk factors for cardiovascular disease, including smoking, heavy alcohol consumption, and higher BMI, lesbians and bisexual women had lower levels of C-reactive protein than heterosexual women in fully adjusted models. Conclusions Evidence was found for sexual orientation disparities in biomarkers of cardiovascular risk among young adults, particularly in gay and bisexual men. These findings, if confirmed in other studies, suggest that disruptions in core physiologic processes that ultimately confer risk for cardiovascular disease may occur early in the life course for sexual-minority men.
Modelling of the combined effects of stress and anisotropy on the magnetostriction of Tb/sub 0.3/Dy/sub 0.7/Fe/sub 2/

It is shown how the magnetization and magnetostriction of Tb/sub 0.3/Dy/sub 0.7/Fe/sub 2/ can be calculated using a three-dimensional anisotropy model with fractional occupancies p/sub 1/,. . .p/sub 8/ along each of the easy axes. This model assumes no interaction between the domains. Three-dimensional plots of the sum of anisotropy and field energy are presented which show the locations of energy minima and their evolution as the field strength along the
Acute effects of low and high dose alcohol on smoking lapse behavior in a laboratory analogue task.

Rationale Smoking lapses (i.e., returns to smoking after quitting) often occur following alcohol consumption with observational data suggesting greater quantities of alcohol lead to greater risk. However, a causal dose-dependent effect of alcohol consumption on smoking lapse behavior has not been established, and the mechanisms that might account for such an effect have not been tested.
The effective potential as an energy density: the one-phase region

An explicit formula is given relating the effective potential in a finite volumeP(φ)2 quantum field theory to the expected energy density under the constraint of a fixed average filed. In the one phase region, i.e., where the classical potential equals its convex hull and has nonvanishing second derivative, it is shown via a central limit theorem that in the infinite volume limit the effective potential is equal to the constrained energy density, provided ħ is sufficiently small.
Data-Driven Model of Nonverbal Behavior for Socially Assistive Human-Robot Interactions

Socially assistive robotics (SAR) aims to develop robots that help people through interactions that are inherently social, such as tutoring and coaching. For these interactions to be effective, socially assistive robots must be able to recognize and use nonverbal social cues like eye gaze and gesture. In this paper, we present a preliminary model for nonverbal robot behavior in a tutoring application. Using empirical data from teachers and students in human-human tutoring interactions, the model can be both predictive (recognizing the context of new nonverbal behaviors) and generative (creating new robot nonverbal behaviors based on a desired context) using the same underlying data representation.
Skin cancer prevention education for kidney transplant recipients: a systematic evaluation of Internet sites.

Context—Repeated patient education about skin cancer prevention is important to self-care after transplant.Objective—Examine educational materials for kidney transplant recipients available on the Internet that address sun protection and skin self-examination for early detection of squamous cell carcinoma.Design—Systematic review of Web sites for kidney transplant recipients endorsed by transplant physicians and dermatologists.Participants—An expert panel of 8 dermatologists providing care for kidney transplant recipients and 1 research medical anthropologist.Main Outcome Measures—Reading grade level, inclusion of people with skin of color, sufficient content to support effective sun protection, and description of 4 sun-protection strategies and skin self-examination.Results—Of the 40 sites identified, 11 contained information about sun protection or increased risk of any type of cancer. The Web sites had a ninth-grade median reading level (range, seventh grade to college senior). Interrater reliability f...
Body image, plastic surgery (prosthetic testes) and Kallmann's syndrome

A patient with Kallmann's syndrome received prosthetic testicular implants. In interviews and letters, he demonstrates that delay in electing surgery, and its eventual success, were both related to incorporation of the foreign bodies into the body image.
Survival of tumor megaprostheses replacements about the knee.

Limb salvage surgery is an effective procedure with a low risk of tumor recurrence. In an attempt to define the incidence of implant failure at 2, 5, and 10 years postoperatively, we retrospectively reviewed implant survival in a group (n = 105) of pediatric (< 18 years of age) and adult patients wh
The Evolution of the Surgical Methods for Interruption of Right Free Wall Kent Bundles

Abstract In 17 patients with right free wall accessory pathways of conduction of the Kent type, three different operations were used that evolved as the surgical experience increased. Localization was by intraoperative electrophysiological methods in 16 patients and by preoperative study in 1. The types of operation were an epicardial ventricular approach in 2 patients, an endocardial atrial approach in 14, and an epicardial approach without atriotomy using cry-othermic ablation in 1. The most important surgical principle was extensive separation of the coronary sulcus fat from the atrium, annulus fibrosus, and ventricle. All pathways were interrupted, although 1 patient had to have a second operation. There were no deaths or serious complications. The success of operation in Patient 1 in our series of 17 patients with right free wall pathways proved that Kent bundles cause the arrhythmia in Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. It is concluded that the principles on which are based the surgical treatment of arrhythmias due to right free wall Kent bundles are well established and that in selected patients, the operation may be done without cardiopulmonary bypass.
Attentional requirements of learning: Evidence from performance measures

Abstract Important differences have emerged between introspective measures of learning, such as recall and recognition, and performance measures, in which the performance of a task is facilitated by prior experience. Introspective remembering of unattended stimuli is poor. We investigated whether performance measures would also show a strong dependence on attention. Subjects performed a serial reaction time task comprised of a repeating 10-trial stimulus sequence. When this task was given under dual-task conditions, acquisition of the sequence as assessed by verbal reports and performance measures was minimal. Patients with Korsakoff's syndrome learned the sequence despite their lack of awareness of the repeating pattern. Results are discussed in terms of the attentional requirements of learning, the relation between learning and awareness, preserved learning in amnesia, and the separation of memory systems.
Provisioning, Placement and Pipelining Strategies for Data-Intensive Applications in Cloud Environments

Clouds are increasingly being used for running data-intensive scientific applications. Data-intensive science applications need performance, scalability and reliability. However, these can be hard to achieve in cloud environments. Intelligent strategies are required to obtain better performance, scalability and reliability on cloud platforms. In this paper, we propose a set of pipelining strategies to effectively utilize provisioned cloud resources. Our experiments on the ExoGENI cloud testbed demonstrates the effectiveness of our approach in increasing performance and reducing failures.
30 PARENTAL FACTORS RELATED TO ADOLESCENT SUICIDE

It is the purpose of this study to assess the relationship between adolescent suicide attempts and parental depression, parental self-esteem, parental marital adjustment, and parental suicidal behavior. The phenomenal increase in suicide among the young is frequently related to family dysfunction although the few existing studies of this phenomenon are characterized by very small sample sizes, lack of controls, clinical impressions, unsophisticated data analysis, and the exclusion of information from parents themselves. The sample for this study consists of 46 adolescents between the ages of 12 and 20 (and their parents) who were treated for attempted suicide in 1979 and 1980 at Children's Hospital Emergency Room, Columbus, Ohio. These families were matched by sex, race, and socioeconomic status with a control group of 46 families of non-suicidal adolescents who were treated at the same emergency room for minor injuries. Preliminary correlational and regression analysis indicates a significant relationship between parental depression and parental self-esteem and adolescent suicide attempts.
Glucuronate metabolism by Aerobacter aerogenes.

THE initial reaction in the utilization of D-glucuronic acid by a number of bacterial species is catalysed by uronic isomerase1–3. The enzyme is constitutive in organisms that utilize glucuronate and induced in those organisms that become adapted to the utilization of glucuronate (refs. 2, 3 and unpublished work by Payne, W. J.).
Morris water maze: procedures for assessing spatial and related forms of learning and memory

The Morris water maze (MWM) is a test of spatial learning for rodents that relies on distal cues to navigate from start locations around the perimeter of an open swimming arena to locate a submerged escape platform. Spatial learning is assessed across repeated trials and reference memory is determined by preference for the platform area when the platform is absent. Reversal and shift trials enhance the detection of spatial impairments. Trial-dependent, latent and discrimination learning can be assessed using modifications of the basic protocol. Search-to-platform area determines the degree of reliance on spatial versus non-spatial strategies. Cued trials determine whether performance factors that are unrelated to place learning are present. Escape from water is relatively immune from activity or body mass differences, making it ideal for many experimental models. The MWM has proven to be a robust and reliable test that is strongly correlated with hippocampal synaptic plasticity and NMDA receptor function. We present protocols for performing variants of the MWM test, from which results can be obtained from individual animals in as few as 6 days.
Inhibition of succinate dehydrogenase by diazoxide is independent of the ATP-sensitive potassium channel subunit sulfonylurea type 1 receptor

Background Diazoxide maintains myocyte volume and contractility during stress via an unknown mechanism. The mechanism of action may involve an undefined (genotype unknown) mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium channel and is dependent on the ATP-sensitive potassium channel subunit sulfonylurea type 1 receptor (SUR1). The ATP-sensitive potassium channel openers have been shown to inhibit succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) and a gene for a portion of SDH has been found in the SUR intron. Diazoxide may be cardioprotective via inhibition of SDH, which can form part of an ATP-sensitive potassium channel or share its genetic material. This study investigated the role of inhibition of SDH by diazoxide and its relationship to the SUR1 subunit. Study Design Mitochondria were isolated from wild-type and SUR1 knockout mice. Succinate dehydrogenase activity was measured by spectrophotometric analysis of 2,6-dichloroindophenol reduction for 20 minutes as the relative change in absorbance over time. Mitochondria were treated with succinate (20 mM), succinate + 1% dimethylsulfoxide, succinate + malonate (8 mM) (competitive inhibitor of SDH), or succinate + diazoxide (100 μM). Results Both malonate and diazoxide inhibit SDH activity in mitochondria of wild-type mice and in mice lacking the SUR1 subunit (p Conclusions The ability of DZX to inhibit SDH persists even after deletion of the SUR1 gene. Therefore, the enzyme complex SDH is not dependent on the SUR1 gene. The inhibition of SDH by DZX can play a role in the cardioprotection afforded by DZX; however, this role is independent of the ATP-sensitive potassium channel subunit SUR1.
Colon kallikrein, its relation to the plasma enzyme.

Abstract A prekallikrein was extracted from colon wall and activated with Sepharose-bound trypsin complex. Kininogenase activity was also found in a particulate (microsomal) fraction of normal human colon and of adenocarcinoma. The active kallikrein originating from human, monkey or dog colon was subsequently purified. Colon kallikrein liberated bradykinin from human kininogen. Its molecular weight and inhibition pattern also suggested that it is different from glandular kallikrein and similar to plasma kallikrein.
Production of zearalenone, moniliformin and trichothecenes in intact sugar beets under laboratory conditions

Five toxigenic isolates of Fusarium species were tested for the production of zearalenone, moniliformin and trichothecenes (deoxynivalenol, 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol, T-2, HT-2 and neosolaniol) when grown on solid sugar beet slices in the laboratory for thirty days. The isolates were also grown on a solid rice medium for comparison. High zearalenone and trichothecene-producing isolates originally obtained from corn and corn-based feedstuff were compared with isolates obtained from sugar beets. One moniliformin-producing isolate from wheat was included in the study. With the exception of moniliformin, all toxins were produced on both substrates; however, the rice medium yielded the greater concentrations except for HT-2 which was produced on sugar beets in equal or greater concentrations. Zearalenone production on rice reached 729–1943 gmg/g whereas on sugar beet it reached 72–193 gmg/g. The moniliformin-producing isolate grew well on both substrates; however, moniliformin was produced only on the rice substrate. This study demonstrates for the first time that Fusarium species can produce both zearalenone and the trichothecenes on a sugar beet substrate.
Evidence-based Interventions to Support Breastfeeding

Considerable progress has been made in the past decade in developing comprehensive support systems to enable more women to reach their breastfeeding goals. Given that most women in the United States participate in some breastfeeding, it is essential that each of these support systems be rigorously tested and if effective replicated. Additional research is needed to determine the best methods of support during the preconception period to prepare women to exclusively breastfeed as a cultural norm.
Gingival grafting and gingival repositioning

A free gingival graft was performed on a 21-year-old actress who had inflamed, enlarged, unsightly lower anterior gingival tissue. Such grafting provides an almost immediate stabile, well-keratinized zone of attached gingiva in regions where little or none was present before. Healing is rapid and predictable.
Comparison of atriocaval shunting with perihepatic packing versus perihepatic packing alone for retrohepatic vena cava injuries in a swine model.

Abstract Background Retrohepatic vena cava (RVC) injuries are technically challenging and often lethal. Atriocaval shunting has been promoted as a modality to control haemorrhage from these injuries, but evidence from controlled studies supporting its benefit is lacking. We hypothesised that addition of an atriocaval shunt to perihepatic packing would improve outcomes in our penetrating RVC injury swine model. Methods After a survivable atriocaval shunting model was refined in 4 swine without an injury, 13 additional female Yorkshire swine were randomised into either perihepatic packing and atriocaval shunt (PPAS, n = 7) or perihepatic packing alone (PP, n = 6) treatment arms prior to creating a standardised, 1.5 cm stab wound to the RVC. Haemodynamic parameters, intravenous fluid, and blood loss were recorded until mortality or euthanisation after 4 h. Statistical tests used to test differences include the Wilcoxon rank sums test, Fisher exact test and analysis of covariance. A p -value ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Immediately before and after RVC injury, no difference in temperature, cardiac output, heart rate, mean arterial pressure or mean pulmonary artery pressure was detected (all p > 0.05) between the two groups. While the RVC injury did affect measures parameters in PPAS swine over time, haemodynamic compromise and blood loss were not significantly greater in PPAS than PP swine. Survival time was significantly different with all PPAS swine dying within 2 h (mean survival duration 39 (SD 58) min) while all 6 PP swine survived the entire 4 h study period. Conclusions While perihepatic packing alone slowed haemorrhage to survivable rates during the 4 h study period, atriocaval shunt placement led to rapid physiologic decline and death in our standardised, penetrating RVC model.
Social-Emotional Assessment in Early Childhood The Preschool and Kindergarten Behavior Scales

The Preschool and Kindergarten Behavior Scales (RKBS) was developed to address the lack of psychometrically sound behavioral assessment instruments available for use with the early childhood/preschool population and because of the desirability of assessing both social skills and problem behaviors with a single measure. The PKBS was standardized with a diverse sample of 2,855 child ratings. Factor analyses indicate the presence of a stable factor structure for both scales. Reliability studies indicate the PKBS has adequate to strong stability. Explorations of within-scale relationships yielded evidence of content validity as well as 2 forms of construct validity. The PKBS appears to be a psychometrically sound and clinically relevant instrument for screening and assessing social skills and social-emotional problems of young children.
Between Nowhere and Home: the Odyssey of Lucy Snowe

AbstractExtended comparisons of Villette and the Odyssey have been hindered first by Charlotte’s lack of classical training and second by the discrepancy between Lucy’s ambiguous motives and Odysseus’s clear goal of returning to Ithaca. This paper argues for Charlotte’s access to Homeric sources and suggests that the Odyssey’s construction of ‘homesickness’ would have had particular appeal to her during the conception and writing of Villette. Read through the framework of Homer’s epic, it can be seen that Lucy’s journey, like that of Odysseus, is propelled by her desire for an ideal of human intimacy and understanding that becomes ever more alluring in its inaccessibility.