cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dietary vitamin D and risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma: the multiethnic cohort

The present study explored the association between dietary vitamin D and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) risk. The multiethnic cohort (MEC) includes more than 215 000 Caucasians, African Americans, Native Hawaiians, Japanese Americans and Latinos, aged 45-75. After 10 years of follow-up, 939 incident NHL cases were identified. Risk was estimated using proportional hazards' models adjusted for possible confounders. Vitamin D intake was not associated with NHL risk in the entire cohort (P(trend) = 0.72 for men and P(trend) = 0.83 for women), but significantly lowered disease risk in African American women (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.50, 95 % CI: 0.28, 0.90, P(trend) = 0.03) and was borderline protective in African American men (HR = 0.68; 95 % CI: 0.39, 1.19; P(trend) = 0.31) when the highest to the lowest tertile was compared. In NHL subtype analyses, a 19, 36 and 32 % lowered risk, although not significant, was observed for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, follicular lymphoma and small lymphocytic lymphoma/chronic lymphocytic leukemia in women, respectively. High dietary intake of vitamin D did not show a protective effect against NHL within the MEC except among African Americans, possibly because vitamin D production due to sun exposure is limited in this population.
Perceptual Feature Identification for Active Sonar Echoes

This paper presents a novel method of using psychoacoustic information from human listening experiments to generate useful features for automated signal classification or regression. The design and analysis of a similarity experiment using active sonar transient echoes is summarized and two methods are presented for feature identification based on the results of the listening experiment. These methods not only identify novel features but also provide a visual insight into perceptually significant signal attributes. The approach presented is based on perceptual similarity measures collected during formal listening experiments but is applicable to any perceptual similarity experiment (e.g. visual).
Laparoscopic spinal fusion of L4-L5 and L5-S1.

Background: Patients with degenerative disc disease were treated by laparoscopic spondylodesis. Clinical outcome and quality of life were then analyzed in a retrospective study. Methods: Thirty patients with a mean age of 43 years (range, 26-63) who suffered from instability of levels L4-L5 (n = 23), L5-S1 (n = 3), or both (n = 2) underwent surgery. Spondylodesis was achieved with two BAK cylinders. After ?6 months, all patients completed a questionnaire designed to assess satisfaction with the operative outcome. Results: After a median follow-up of 2.3 years (range, 0.9-3.5), 23 patients were free of pain or greatly improved. Complications included bleeding (n = 2), cage displacement (n = 1), retrograde ejaculation (n = 3), and postoperative ileus (n = 1). Good improvement was reported in daily activities and quality of life. Conclusion: Laparoscopic spondylodesis has a good clinical outcome with a low rate of morbidity. Notable improvements can be achieved in terms of daily activities and quality of life; however, these improvements are moderate in degree, and patient activity remains somewhat limited.
The Preparation and Characterization of New Heteropolyoxofluorometalate Anion, [FeW17O56F6H5]8−

The ammonium salt of the anion [FeW17O56F6H5]8− has been isolated in the crystalline form. Chemical analysis, FABMS, visible and FTIR spectroscopy indicate that the anion has the Dawson structure with one of the W+6 in the original 2:18 replaced by Fe+3 ion. The anion appears to be isomorphous with that reported by Baker et al in the Third Chemical Congress of North America, June 5–10, 1988, [ZnW17O56H4NaF6]9−. Single crystal structure study is now underway.
Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy of CdSe/ZnS quantum dot optical bioimaging probes with ultra-thin biocompatible coatings

The colloidal stabilities and emission properties of CdSe/ZnS quantum dot (QD) optical probes capped with a variety of thin, hydrophilic surface coatings were studied using confocal fluorescence correlation spectroscopy. These coatings are based on mercaptoethanol, mercaptopropionic acid (with and without conjugated aminoethoxyethanol), lipopolymers (DSPE-PEG2000), cysteine (Cys), and a variety of Xaa-Cys dipeptides. The study shows that QDs with thin hydrophilic coatings can be designed that combine good colloidal stability and excellent emission properties (brightness). Furthermore, there is a general correlation between colloidal stability and brightness. The experiments reported illustrate that QDs with multiple types of thin coatings can be created for optical imaging applications in a biological environment while also maintaining a size below 10 nm.
Course and Predictors of Cognitive Function in Patients With Prostate Cancer Receiving Androgen-Deprivation Therapy: A Controlled Comparison

Purpose Men receiving androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) for prostate cancer may be at risk for cognitive impairment; however, evidence is mixed in the existing literature. Our study examined the impact of ADT on impaired cognitive performance and explored potential demographic and genetic predictors of impaired performance. Patients and Methods Patients with prostate cancer were assessed before or within 21 days of starting ADT (n = 58) and 6 and 12 months later. Age- and education-matched patients with prostate cancer treated with prostatectomy only (n = 84) and men without prostate cancer (n = 88) were assessed at similar intervals. Participants provided baseline blood samples for genotyping. Mean-level cognitive performance was compared using mixed models; cognitive impairment was compared using generalized estimating equations. Results ADT recipients demonstrated higher rates of impaired cognitive performance over time relative to all controls (P = .01). Groups did not differ at baseline (P > .05); h...
Evolutionary developmental biology meets the brain: The origins of mammalian cortex

For most of the past 100 years, the evolutionary origins of the mammalian cortex and the development of the mammalian cortex have been studied as if the two issues were completely unrelated to each other. The paper by Kuan et al. (2) in the current issue of the Proceedings raises a number of important issues for the fields of evolution and cortical development and attempts to bridge this gap. This paper also comes at a time in which molecular genetics has forced us to deal with the “meaning” of major gene families found across all vertebrates and invertebrates.
Modelling complex systems by separating application and security concerns

This paper describes how to model complex applications by modelling application requirements and designs separately from security requirements and designs using the UML notation. By careful separation of concerns, the security requirements are captured in security use cases and encapsulated in security objects separately from the application requirements and objects. The approach reduces system complexity caused by mixing security requirements with business application requirements with the goal of making complex systems more maintainable. Furthermore, the security use cases and objects can be reused by other software applications.
A Preliminary Study of the Association Between Changes in Mood and Cognition in a Mixed Geriatric Psychiatry Sample

The relationship between measures of mood state and cognitive function was investigated in a sample of geriatric psychiatry inpatients. All were admitted to an urban hospital with varying degrees of cognitive impairment. Patients with diminishing negative affects and depressive symptoms during the course of hospitatization improved significantly on three cognitive tests, and half of the group members were no longer impaired according to their performance on a mental status exam. Correlations between cognition and mood-scale change scores were significant on tests emphasizing spatial processing and learning. Although the effects were modest in this heterogenous sample, the data demonstrate a significant influence of changing mood state on neuropsychological test performance.
Multiple structures with arbitrarily large projective dimension supported on linear subspaces

Abstract Let K be an algebraically closed field. There has been much interest in characterizing multiple structures in P K n defined on a linear subspace of small codimension under additional assumptions (e.g. Cohen–Macaulay). We show that no such finite characterization of multiple structures is possible if one only assumes unmixedness. Specifically, we prove that for any positive integers h , e ≥ 2 with ( h , e ) ≠ ( 2 , 2 ) and p ≥ 5 there is a homogeneous ideal I in a polynomial ring over K such that (1) the height of I is h , (2) the Hilbert–Samuel multiplicity of R / I is e , (3) the projective dimension of R / I is at least p and (4) the ideal I is primary to a linear prime ( x 1 , … , x h ) . This result is in stark contrast to Manolache's characterization of Cohen–Macaulay multiple structures in codimension 2 and multiplicity at most 4 and also to Engheta's characterization of unmixed ideals of height 2 and multiplicity 2.
STUDY OF PHASE SEPARATION IN THE HUBBARD MODEL1

We study the behavior of the mean number of particles as a function of the chemical potential μ in the two dimensional Hubbard model with both attractive and repulsive interaction, using a quantum Monte Carlo method. Working at U/t=10, 4 and −4 on lattices with 4×4, 6×6 and 8×8 sites, we do not find evidence of phase separation.
Where Are the Antifeminist Evangelicals? Evangelical Identity, Subcultural Location, and Attitudes toward Feminism

Based on data from a national survey and personal interviews with more than 300 religiously committed Protestants, this analysis assesses the range and location of attitudes toward feminism among conservative Protestants. Findings suggest that evangelicals are not uniformly antifeminist. Rather, the majority are both supportive and appreciative of the gains of liberal feminism as well as concerned that feminism has gotten off track by promoting an excessive individualism that undermines stable, meaningful, and caring relationships. For most evangelicals, feminism is neither a significant subcultural religious boundary nor a focus of political mobilization or action. Political conservatism, embeddedness in conservative local religious subcultures, belief in husbands’ headship and authority, and affiliation with particular subgroups and denominations help to locate and specify the sources that create, reinforce, and sustain more negative attitudes toward feminism within this diverse religious subculture.
Tolerance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to killing by ciprofloxatin, gentamicin and imipenem in vitro and in vivo

In the rat croton oil pouch model, treatment with ciprofloxacin, gentamicin or imipenem caused a sharp reduction in the numbers of Pseudomonas aeruginosa when applied 24 h after infection but treatment had little or no effect when delayed until 48 h after infection. Surviving bacteria from treated animals were fully susceptible on subculture in vitro. Between 24 h and 48 h after infection there was an increase in the concentration of magnesium and a decrease in the concentration of oxygen but no significant change in the pH of the pouch fluid. In-vitro, the MBC of gentamicin was increased four-fold by the addition of magnesium ions and eight-fold under anaerobic conditions whereas these variables had no significant effect upon the MBC of ciprofloxacin and imipenem. However, cells of P. aeruginosa incubated in batch culture for 4, 24 and 48 h became progressively more tolerant to killing by all three drugs. We conclude that the tolerance of P. aeruginosa in vivo was only partly explained by biochemical changes at the site of infection. The stationary growth phase was associated with progressive tolerance to killing by ciprofloxacin, gentamicin and imipenem both in vivo and in vitro.
Development and application of a glassy-winged and smoke-tree sharpshooter egg-specific predator gut content ELISA

Abstract The recent invasion of southern California by the glassy-winged sharpshooter (GWSS), Homalodisca coagulata (Say) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), has triggered a statewide control effort. Management of GWSS will include biological control using resident and imported natural enemies. Currently, very little information is available on the role of generalist predators in suppression of GWSS eggs, nymphs or adults. We have developed a sharpshooter egg-specific monoclonal antibody (MAb) for use as a diagnostic tool for predator gut content analysis. The MAb was tested by an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for specificity to the different life stages of GWSS, smoke-tree sharpshooter (STSS), Homalodisca liturata Ball (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), and various life stages of 27 other arthropod species. We found that the MAb only reacted to the egg stage of both sharpshooters and, to a lesser extent, to the adult stage of gravid GWSS and STSS females. Moreover, the ELISA was more responsive to younger GWSS eggs than older ones. Laboratory trials were conducted to determine how long GWSS egg antigen remained detectable in the guts of the green lacewing, Chrysoperla carnea Stephens (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) and the ladybird beetle, Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) using both an indirect and sandwich ELISA format. We found that GWSS egg antigen was detectable for up to 30 and 12 h in the guts of C. carnea and H. axyridis; respectively, and that the sandwich ELISA was much more sensitive than the indirect ELISA. Finally, 98 field-collected lacewings were examined for sharpshooter remains using our sharpshooter-specific sandwich ELISA. The assay detected sharpshooter egg antigen in 8.2% of the lacewings examined. This work represents a first step towards identifying the GWSS predator complex.
Direct examination of histone acetylation on Myc target genes using chromatin immunoprecipitation.

Overexpression of c-Myc can lead to altered transcriptional regulation of cellular genes and to neoplastic transformation. Although DNA binding is clearly required, the mechanism by which recruitment of c-Myc to target promoters results in transcriptional activation is highly debated. Much of this controversy comes from the difficulty in clearly defining a true Myc target gene. We have previously determined that cad is a bona fide Myc target gene and thus now use the cadpromoter as a model to study Myc function. Others have shown that Myc can interact indirectly with histone acetylases and have suggested that Myc mediates transcriptional activation by causing an increase in the levels of acetylated histones on target promoters. To directly test this model, we employed a chromatin immunoprecipitation assay to examine the levels of acetylated histones on the cadpromoter. Although Myc was bound to the cad promoter in S phase but not in G0 phase, we found high levels of acetylated histones on the promoter in both stages. We also examined acetylated histones on the cad promoter before and after differentiation of U937 cells. Although the levels of c-Myc bound to the cad promoter were greatly reduced after differentiation, we saw high levels of acetylated histones on thecad promoter both before and after differentiation. Finally, we found that a 30-fold change in binding of N-Myc to the telomerase promoter did not result in a concomitant change in histone acetylation. Thus, recruitment of a Myc family member to a target promoter does not necessarily influence the amount of acetylated histones at that promoter. Further investigations are in progress to define the role of Myc in transcriptional activation.
THE EFFECTS OF SPACE RADIATION EXPOSURE ON POWER MOSFETS: A REVIEW

Power MOSFETs are a commonly used device for many switching and power control applications. Their upper frequency limit spans a fairly broad range, from 1 MHz to 10 MHz. These devices are frequently used in spaceborne electronic systems where they encounter radiation exposure during operation. This paper reviews the current technology, its high frequency capability, the future trends for power MOSFET technology, and the degradation that the power VDMOS technology experiences in the space radiation environment.
Were infants in the control group sicker

Dr. Vollman9s comments are thoughtful and pertinent. As he no doubt realizes, we cannot completely resolve the question of comparability of the patient groups. The mortality figures for those infants breathing spontaneously on entry to the study are presented in the accompanying Table. Since this represents a group of patients selected out of the study population in retrospect, it is meaningless to apply any test of statistical significance to these figures. To complicate matters further, six of the control patients in the Table required mechanical ventilation immediately after qualifying for the study (before the next blood gas sample was drawn); all six died.
Factoring large numbers on a pocket calculator

(1986). Factoring Large Numbers on a Pocket Calculator. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 93, No. 10, pp. 802-808.
Defect Saturation in a-SiGe:H(F) Alloys

It is a question as yet unresolved whether the density of light-induced defects in a-Si:H reaches a saturated value that cannot fundamentally be exceeded, or whether the defect density is in all conditions a steady-state value that reflects carrier concentration and temperature. In our experiments on a-Si:H we have observed defect saturation at low temperature and high light intensity; on the other hand, data exhibiting no saturation have also been published. To learn more about this question we have carried out saturation experiments on a-SiGe:H(F) alloys. These alloys have lower defect freeze-in temperatures than a-Si:H and, presumably, lower annealing energies. Therefore, saturation should be more difficult to achieve in the alloys than in a-Si:H. We have studied saturation for a-SiGe:H(F) samples to temperatures above the onset of thermal annealing and have observed that its behavior is similar to that seen in a-Si:H.
Quantitative Assessment of Surface Loss in Nanocrystalline YBO3:Eu3+ from Measurements of Host-to-Activator Transfer Efficiency

Host-to-activator energy-transfer efficiencies under vacuum ultraviolet excitation have been calculated for YBO3:Eu3+ with particle sizes of 50–500 nm, using excitation and reflectance spectroscopy. The data were evaluated using published kinetic models in order to estimate the magnitude of energy lost to the surface of the particle as the crystallite size is decreased. The data indicate that surface losses become measurable at particle sizes of about 300 nm, whereas below about 100 nm, approximately 40% of the excitation energy is lost to the particle surface. The data did not allow us to draw any conclusions about the effect of particle size on the bulk transport of electron–hole pairs.
Effect of Preoperative Use of Parenteral Nutritionon Chemotherapy in Patients with Colorectal Carcinoma

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of the preoperative use of parenteral nutrition and chemotherapy in the patients with colorectal carcinoma. Methods: Fifty eight cases of colorectal patients were randomly assigned into four groups for 5-7 days different preoperative treatment: control group (18 cases, normal oral intake), parenteral nutrition group (16 cases), chemotherapy group (14 cases, 5 FU for 5 days preoperative), parenteral nutrition and chemotherapy group (10 cases, parenteral nutrition same as parenteral nutrition group, chemotherapy same as chemotherapy group), Several parameters were evaluated pre and posttreatment,those including as following. The indexes of nutritional status including body weight,thickness of three angle muscle′s skin, albumin, transferin, The biochemical indexes such as Na, K, Cl, Ca, Pi, CO2, Glucose, Ast, GGT, Alp, TBIL, BUN, Cre of blood; The indexes of immune system including lymphocyte calculating, IgA, IgM, IgG, C3,and C4. After surgery,the tumor samples were tested for DNA index,cell cycle with flow cytometry(FCM),and by immunohistochemical method. Result: After 5-7 days treatment, the indexes of nutrition status increased in parenteral nutrition group and parenteral nutrition chemotherapy group(P 0.05), but decreased in chemotherapy group(P 0.05). The change of homeostasis and the indexes of hepatorenal function were not significant(P 0.05); The indexes of immune function increased in parenteral nutrition group and parenteral nutrition plus chemotherapy groups (P 0.05), but decreased in chemotherapy group(P 0.05). The indexes of cell progression were different in different treatment group. In parenteral nutrition group, phase S and phase G2+M increased(P 0.05), while in chemotherapy group phase G2+M decreased obviously. In parenteral nutrition and chemotherapy group, phase S significantly increased (P 0.01), but phase G2M decreased (P 0.05). Conclusion: Preoperative short term (5-7 days) parenteral nutrition and chemotherapy can improve nutritional state and immune function of colorectal patients but also increase cell progressive index.
Neural control of the heart: central and peripheral

The autonomic nervous system plays a crucial role in regulating cardiac function. Afferent fibers from mechanoreceptors and chemoreceptors in the heart and major arteries are carried by vagal, glossopharyngeal, and sympathetic nerves to the central nervous system, where cardiovascular responses are integrated with other visceral functions as part of complex behaviors. Disturbances in the balance between cardiac sympathetic and parasympathetic efferent activity produced by central or peripheral nervous system perturbations may lead to cardiac arrhythmias and other profound changes in the electrocardiogram. Recognition of such cardiac changes in the context of neurologic disease is critical for accurate diagnosis and treatment of affected patients.
Windows and Mirrors: Texts, Religions, and Stories of Origins

Editor's introduction to the June 2016 issue of the Bulletin for the Study of Religion, specifically discussing how we treat our data sets as windows ("windows into the past") when they serve as mirrors (reflecting modern, scholarly presuppositions).
Macroeconomic Rebalancing in China and the G20

The principal challenge facing the world economy is the risk of recurrent financial crises. Global macroeconomic imbalances create the conditions for boom-and-bust cycles that are extremely costly for the countries that experience them, and that can affect other nations and the entire world economy as well. The G20 recognizes the importance of these trends, and has committed itself to cooperative measures to reduce imbalances. However, progress has been limited and halting. There are major political obstacles to global macroeconomic policy cooperation, both within countries and among countries. China's attempts to rebalance its economy are crucial to broader international financial stability. Its G20 presidency gives China the opportunity to demonstrate that it is willing and able to advance its cooperation with economic partners, and to help lead the rest of the world in this direction.
Advantages and Limitations of Wearable Activity Trackers: Considerations for Patients and Clinicians.

Background Exercise, light physical activity, and decreased sedentary time all have been associated with health benefits following cancer diagnoses. Commercially available wearable activity trackers may help patients monitor and self-manage their behaviors to achieve these benefits. Objectives This article highlights some advantages and limitations clinicians should be aware of when discussing the use of activity trackers with cancer survivors. Methods Limited research has assessed the accuracy of commercially available activity trackers compared to research-grade devices. Because most devices use confidential, proprietary algorithms to convert accelerometry data to meaningful output like total steps, assessing whether these algorithms account for differences in gait abnormalities, functional limitations, and different body morphologies can be difficult. Quantification of sedentary behaviors and light physical activities present additional challenges. Findings The global market for activity trackers is growing, which presents clinicians with a tremendous opportunity to incorporate these devices into clinical practice as tools to promote activity. This article highlights important considerations about tracker accuracy and usage by cancer survivors.
Cloud-Based Web Services for Endangered Language Analysis (Invited Paper)

Language endangerment is one of the most urgent problems facing humanities, with roughly one language disappearing every two weeks. Currently most of the linguistics tools used for endangered language documentation and analysis are desktop-based standalone software systems that do not expose libraries or services to be integrated by user applications, nor do they sufficiently support data sharing among different users for collaborative research efforts. To address this issue, we present a general architecture to design and develop an integrative computational platform for endangered language documentation and analysis (called PELDA) using RESTful web services and cloud computing techniques. The web services developed and deployed on the cloud platform can be easily integrated into any applications that support HTTP communications, while general users can access the linguistics tools and manage data files via web browsers. Then using Praat, an open source linguistics tool for acoustic analysis, as an example, we discuss the unique challenges and basic procedure to migrate linguistics tools to the cloud platform and demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed approach.
High-Performance Depth Profiling with a Quadrupole-Based SIMS Instrument

Because of its good depth resolution and high sensitivity, SIMS is ideally suited for determining the depth distribution of sample constituents in the 0.1–10 μm depth range. The accuracy of measured depth distributions is generally limited by instrumental distortions [1]. A primary goal in SIMS instrument development, therefore, has been to eliminate such distortions by careful instrument design. The most recent advance in this direction is the Physical Electronics Model 6300 SIMS system. In this paper, the design and operation of this system is briefly described. An example of a depth profile of a B implant in Si is presented that demonstrates the performance of the instrument.
Lactase (β-galactosidase) encapsulation in hydrogel beads with controlled internal pH microenvironments: Impact of bead characteristics on enzyme activity

Individuals who suffer from lactose intolerance can alleviate many of their symptoms by ingestion of lactase (β-galactosidase) with lactose-containing foods. However, this enzyme is deactivated when exposed to highly acidic gastric fluids, which reduces the amount reaching the small intestine. Oral delivery systems are therefore needed to protect lactase in the stomach, and then release it in an active form in the small intestine. In this study, carrageenan-based hydrogel beads were fabricated that contained lactase and a buffer (Mg(OH)2). This buffer was selected because it is insoluble under alkaline conditions, but soluble under acidic conditions, and can therefore maintain a neutral pH inside the beads when they are dispersed in a low pH solution (such as acidic gastric fluids). Small (D = 255 μm) and large (D = 2610 μm) hydrogel beads were prepared using two different injection methods to compare the impact of bead dimensions on the retention of lactase activity. A ratiometric fluorescence method based on confocal laser scanning microscopy was developed to measure changes in the internal pH of the hydrogel beads before and after exposure to simulated gastric conditions. After exposure to stomach conditions, the internal pH of buffer-free beads dropped steeply (from around pH 7.0 to below pH 4.0), but that of buffer-loaded beads remained fairly constant (from around pH 7.2 to pH 6.6). When exposed to small intestine conditions, lactase encapsulated in buffer-loaded beads maintained its enzyme activity, whereas lactase encapsulated in buffer-free beads did not. Smaller beads needed a higher amount of Mg(OH)2 to maintain a neutral internal pH throughout the gastric phase, which was attributed to faster diffusion of hydrogen ions (H+) into smaller beads. These results suggest that buffer-loaded hydrogel beads may be useful for encapsulation, protection, and delivery of acid-labile enzymes and other bioactive substances.
Angle Dependence of Diffuse Reflectance for a Microencapsulated Thermochromic Coating

Traditional solar power applications largely avoid using the infrared spectrum. Nevertheless, this region makes up about 45% of the solar power spectrum and therefore represents an untapped resource. Temperature control of buildings represents a significant cost for both businesses and private consumers. We are interested in developing thermochromic materials for building coatings to help moderate solar infrared absorption and thereby offset temperature control costs for buildings. Our initial effort in this study has been to characterize materials which might represent starting points for our research. We previously designed and 3D-printed an optical test platform to perform reflectance measurements with an ultraviolet-visible-near infrared spectrometer over a spectral range from 200–1000nm. The test platform temperature can be adjusted in real time using Peltier modules. In this study, a sample of microencapsulated 7-anilino-3-diethylamino-6-methyl fluoran was studied by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy from 15-40 degrees Celsius. Scanning electron microscopy was used to characterize the dye particles. Temperature and spectral data were monitored while the sample temperature was adjusted. The visible diffuse reflectance from the sample increased from around 15% below the transition to more than 40% above the transition. A modification of this fluoran which extends the switching behavior into the infrared may be viable for passive thermo-optical switching in building coatings.
Brief Report: The Preliminary Psychometric Properties of the Social Communication Checklist

Despite the expansion of early intervention approaches for young children with ASD, investigators have struggled to identify measures capable of assessing social communication change in response to these interventions. Addressing recent calls for efficient, sensitive, and reliable social communication measures, the current paper outlines the refinement and validation of the Social Communication Checklist (SCC). We discuss two small studies exploring the psychometric properties of the SCC and the SCC-R (revised Social Communication Checklist), including sensitivity to change, inter-rater reliability, and test-retest reliability, in two samples of children with ASD and one sample of typically-developing children. Results indicate this measure is reliable, sensitive to change after a brief social communication intervention, and strongly related to well-established measures of social communicative functioning.
Toxic Metal Ions Promote Self-Association and Replace Structural Zinc Ions in the Regulatory Region of Protein Kinase C

Protein Kinase C (PKC) isoenzymes are a family of kinases that control cell proliferation, migration, and apoptosis. The hallmark of PKC activation is their translocation to lipid membranes that occurs in response to Ca2+ and diacylglycerol. Previous studies have shown that PKC activity is modulated by toxic metal ions such as Pb2+ and Cd2+. Our objective was to understand the effect of these metal ions on the structure and function of the membrane-binding regulatory region of PKC. Our efforts focused on the PKCα region that consists of two peripheral membrane-binding domains, C1B and C2. Using a combination of biophysical techniques, we demonstrate that interactions of Pb2+ and Cd2+ with C1B-C2 have profound and distinct consequences for the biophysical and functional properties of this region. While both Cd2+ and Pb2+ can spontaneously replace structural Zn2+ ions in C1B, NMR spectroscopy revealed that only Cd2+ was able to support the proper fold and ligand-binding function of the protein. In addition, Cd2+ promotes the formation of well-defined C1B-C2 oligomers that we were able to detect and characterize using small-angle X-ray scattering experiments and negative-stain electron microscopy. In contrast to Cd2+, Pb2+ cannot support the proper fold of C1B but acts successfully as a functional surrogate of Ca2+ in driving protein-membrane association. Our work demonstrates the potential diversity of responses of signaling proteins to toxic metal ions and suggests that molecular mechanisms of Pb2+ and Cd2+ toxicity are distinct. This work was supported by Welch Foundation grant A-1784, NSF CAREER award CHE-1151435, and NIH grant R01 GM108998.
Case 18: Tension Pneumoperitoneum

A 16-year-old girl is admitted to the hospital with increasing abdominal pain. Her history is unremarkable and she is on no treatment. A diagnosis of a perforated viscous is made. Abdominal X-rays show a large pneumoperitoneum with elevation of the diaphragm. She is transferred to the operating room with a 4-l oxygen mask for an emergency laparotomy. She is unable to lie flat because of her respiratory distress. Her vital signs include a sinus tachycardia of 110 beats per minute (bpm), blood pressure (BP) 150/90, respiration shallow with a rate of 32, and oxygen saturation 95 %. She complains of severe abdominal pain, cannot get enough air, and is very worried.
A visual analogue scale and a Likert scale are simple and responsive tools for assessing dysphagia in eosinophilic oesophagitis

SummaryBackground While symptom scores have been developed to evaluate dysphagia in eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE), their complexity may limit clinical use. Aim To evaluate a visual analogue scale (VAS) and a 10-point Likert scale (LS) for assessment of dysphagia severity before and after EoE treatment. Methods We conducted a prospective cohort study enrolling consecutive adults undergoing out-patient endoscopy. Incident cases of EoE were diagnosed per consensus guidelines. At diagnosis and after 8 weeks of treatment, symptoms were measured using the VAS, LS and the Mayo Dysphagia Questionnaire (MDQ). The percentage change in scores before and after treatment were compared overall, in treatment responders (<15 eos/hpf) and non-responders, and in patients without baseline dilation. Results In 51 EoE cases, the median VAS decreased from 3.6 at baseline to 1.4 post-treatment (71% decrease), the LS decreased from 6 to 2 (67%) and the MDQ decreased from 20 to 10 (49%). The VAS correlated with both the LS (R = 0.77; P < 0.0001) and MDQ (R = 0.46, P = 0.001). After stratification by histological response, the LS decreased 70% in responders vs. 13% in non-responders (P = 0.02). In patients who did not receive baseline dilation, both the VAS and LS decreased significantly more in the histological responders. Conclusions Both the VAS and LS were responsive to successful treatment as measured by histologic improvement. Because the VAS and LS are simple to administer and are responsive to treatment, they can provide an efficient and objective method for assessing dysphagia severity in EoE in clinical practice.
Tumor antigen specific T cell expansion is greatly facilitated by in vivo priming.

5566 Adoptive T cell immunotherapy has the potential to induce a clinical response in patients with established cancers and infectious diseases. Polyclonal antigen specific CD4 T cell therapy holds promise as a treatment modality as CD4 T cells are critical in eliciting and maintaining both CD8 and B cell immunity. Expansion of antigen specific CD4 T cells, however, has been limited by a lack of ex vivo priming and expansion techniques. We evaluated the feasibility of expanding tumor-specific T cells ex vivo following in vivo priming with HER-2/neu (HER2) peptides. First, using a well characterized CMV model, we expanded CMV specific T cells from 10 healthy donors who have been previously infected with CMV (CMV+). PBMC from 5 CMV seronegative donors (CMV−) were used as controls. During expansion, PBMC were stimulated with CMV lysate on Day 0 and then expanded with Xcyte CD3/CD28 beads on Day 12. IL-2 was added into culture every 2 to 3 days after the bead stimulation for a period of 12 days. At the end of expansion, the total number of T cells increased 22-fold in CMV+ subjects as compared with 11-fold in CMV− donors. Although there was no difference in the phenotype of expanded cells, the frequencies of CMV-specific T cells generated from CMV+ donors were more than 11-fold higher than those from CMV− donors (p=0.00037). Moreover, the expanded CMV specific T cells responded at 103 to 104 lower concentrations of CMV lysate in CMV+ donors than that in CMV− donors. These results demonstrate that highly functional anti-CMV T cells can be expanded following endogenous priming by virus. Using the same expansion procedure, we stimulated PBMC from 11 patients who had been vaccinated with a HER2 peptide vaccine with 3 neu helper peptides. The cells from 7 breast cancer patients without previous vaccination were used as controls. At the end of expansion, the total number of T cells increased 21-fold in primed patients as compared with 7-fold in naive patients. Although the phenotype of the expanded cells was similar, the frequencies of neu-specific CD4 cells generated from primed patients were more than 17-fold higher than those from naive patients (p=0.01). The expanded anti-tumor T cells from vaccinated patients responded to a 102 –103 times lower concentration of peptides than naive samples, similar to the CMV+ donors. Expansion of HER2 specific CD8 cells was also observed in primed patients. Moreover, the growth of HER2 specific T cells over the expansion period correlated with the maximal T cell response to HER2 peptides during active immunization (p=0.008). Thus, anti-tumor specific T cells can be largely expanded ex vivo following previous priming in vivo with a vaccine. This approach provides an effective method to generate tumor specific polyclonal T cells ex vivo for therapeutic use.
Antioxidants and longevity of mammalian species.

Humans have the longest maximum lifespan potential of any mammalian species and also appear to consume more energy over this lifespan on a per-weight basis than any other species (Cutler, 1984a). These two unique biological characteristics of humans are the result of an unusually slow aging rate.
Low-Complexity Modeling of Dynamic Mode-Division Multiplexing Channels

We propose a simplified dynamic channel model for mode-division multiplexing (MDM) that uses a reduced parameter set for simulation. We discuss the implications of channel dynamics on adaptive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) equalization.
What Counts as Science in Everyday and Family Interactions

What counts as science? As evidenced by the focus of this entire volume, this is a complex and controversial question and the answer necessarily depends on the contexts and the stakeholders involved (Stevens, 2000). Other chapters in this volume take the valuable step of examining in some depth how various stakeholders seem to count certain talk and action as science (see chapter by Stevens). Our goal in this chapter is somewhat distinct from the other chapters in this section, because our starting place is different. We ask how children first encounter and begin to think about science without even knowing about science as a domain (see also National Research Council [NRC], 2007, 2009). And we ask how, while engaging in a variety of everyday activities, parents may contribute to children’s early thinking about science, sometimes without even meaning to do so (see also Ash, 2003; Crowley & Galco, 2001; Ellenbogen, 2002).
Why character education

Character education in schools has been high on the UK political agenda for the last few years. The government has invested millions in grants to support character education projects and declared its intention to make Britain a global leader in teaching character and resilience. But the policy has many critics: some question whether schools should be involved in the formation of character at all; others worry that the traits schools are being asked to cultivate are excessively competitive or military. In this pamphlet Randall Curren sets out a robust defence of character education. He welcomes the political support it presently enjoys, but contends that greater clarity about the nature, benefits and acquisition of good character is essential. In particular, he argues that too narrow a focus on traits like perseverance and resilience is a serious mistake: these traits are only virtues when they are part of a wider set of moral and intellectual qualities, and when their exercise is guided by good judgment. Curren offers us a compelling and coherent account of what good character is and how it might be cultivated in schools. He explains why schools must be needs-supporting environments that provide students with opportunities to engage in rewarding activity, and why cultivating good character implies promoting the ‘fundamental British values’ of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance. His groundbreaking pamphlet promises to expand the scope and strengthen the foundations of character education in British schools, and should go a long way towards allaying the fears of its detractors.
Precision oncology in non-small-cell lung cancer: opportunities and challenges

Major advances in our understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have led to effective targeted therapeutics in several genomically-defined subsets of NSCLC. The recently updated College of American Pathologists, International Association for the Study of Lung cancer, and Association for Molecular Pathology joint guideline, which was endorsed by ASCO, sets new standards for molecular testing in NSCLC.
Augmentation of drug reward by chronic food restriction: behavioral evidence and underlying mechanisms.

Chronic food restriction and maintenance of low body weight have long been known to increase the self-administration and motor-activating effects of abused drugs. Using a lateral hypothalamic self-stimulation (LHSS) rate-frequency method, it is shown that chronic food restriction augments the rewarding (i.e., threshold lowering) effect of diverse drugs of abuse. Further, the effect is attributed to increased sensitivity of a neural substrate, rather than a change in drug bioavailability or pharmacokinetics, because it is preserved when drugs are injected directly into the lateral cerebral ventricle (intracerebroventricularly). The food restriction regimen that augments drug reward also increases the induction of c-fos, by intracerebroventricular amphetamine, in limbic forebrain dopamine (DA) terminal areas. The possibility of increased DA receptor function is suggested by findings that rewarding and motor-activating effects of direct DA receptor agonists are augmented by food restriction, and the augmented behavioral effects of amphetamine are reversed by an otherwise subthreshold dose of D-1 antagonist. Initial studies of DA receptor-mediated signal transduction, that are focused on the D-2 receptor, suggest increased functional coupling between receptor and G-protein (i.e., quinpirole-stimulated [(35)S]GTPgammaS binding) in dorsal striatum. Unlike behavioral sensitization induced by intermittent stress or psychostimulant treatment, which persist indefinitely following induction, the augmenting effect of food restriction abates within 1 week of restored ad libitum feeding and weight gain. The possible involvement of endocrine hormones and/or 'feeding-related' neuropeptides, whose levels change dynamically with depletion and repletion of adipose stores, is therefore under investigation. Initial tests have been limited to acute treatments aimed at attenuating the effects of hypoinsulinemia, hypoleptinemia and elevated corticosterone levels in food-restricted rats. None of these treatments has attenuated the behavioral effect of food restriction. While a melanocortin receptor agonist has been found to enhance drug reward, melanocortin receptors do not seem to mediate the augmenting effect of food restriction. Continuing investigations of endocrine adiposity signals, 'feeding-related' neuropeptides and dopaminergic signal transduction may further elucidate the way in which drugs of abuse exploit mechanisms that mediate survival-related behavior, and help explain the high comorbidity of drug abuse and eating disorders.
Punishment as Crime Prevention

The deterrence theory of punishment is more accurately called the crime prevention theory, as deterrence is one of several possible methods of inflicting harm for the sake of crime prevention. Deterrence includes General Deterrence (punishing one person to influence others) and Specific Deterrence (punishing one person to deter him from committing future wrongs). Other methods include incapacitation (physically preventing the wrongdoer from committing future crimes) and rehabilitation (inculcating moral values in the wrongdoer in order that he not commit future wrongs). The basic objection to any crime prevention theory is that it appears to presuppose the utilitarian moral theory. But it is widely accepted that utilitarianism is an unacceptable moral theory, for it violates basic moral intuitions such as the principle that one may not use people ameans to the greater social good, or that the end does not justify the means. If the utilitarian theory is rejected, then specific and general deterrence must be rejected as well. However, incapacitation and rehabilitation do not presuppose the utilitarian moral theory. They can rather be accommodated within a deontological moral theory, so long as it incorporates the Doctrine of Double Effect. Thus it turns out that at least these two methods, contrary to the Abolitionists, can be morally justified. Still, it seems clear that the most fundamental rationalization for punishment is retributive.
Potential cardio-protective effects of psoriasis medications

Psoriasis management can be challenging, complicated sometimes by being associated with other systematic inflammatory diseases including metabolic syndrome, myocardial infarction, hypertension, obesity, diabetes mellitus, and hyperlipidemia. Of particularly concern is its cardiovascular linkage. It is noteworthy and reassuring that some therapeutic options for psoriasis may be cardio-protective. We highlight phototherapy, methotrexate, and TNF alpha inhibitors and other biological agents for psoriasis that may lower the risk of cardiovascular events. Ways to reduce cardiovascular risk in patients with psoriasis should be encouraged. We concur with the conclusion that long-term study is necessary to assess the risks and benefits of biologic therapy, but that persons with preexistent cardiovascular disease or at high risk for it might benefit from medication with cardio-preventive value.