cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evidence for a Bidirectional Element Located Downstream from the Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Latency-Associated Promoter That Increases Its Activity during Latency

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) latent infection in vivo is characterized by the constitutive expression of the latency-associated transcripts (LAT), which originate from the LAT promoter (LAP). In an attempt to determine the functional parts of LAP, we previously demonstrated that viruses harboring a DNA fragment 3′ of the LAT promoter itself were able to maintain detectable promoter expression throughout latency whereas viruses not containing this element could not (J. R. Lokensgard, H. Berthomme, and L. T. Feldman, J. Virol. 71:6714–6719, 1997). This element was therefore called a long-term expression element (LTE). To further study the role of the LTE, we constructed plasmids containing a DNA fragment encompassing the LTE inserted into a synthetic intron between the reporter lacZ gene and either the LAT or the HSV-1 thymidine kinase promoter. Transient-expression experiments with both neuronal and nonneuronal cell lines showed that the LTE locus has an enhancer activity that does not activate the cytomegalovirus enhancer but does activate the promoters such as the LAT promoter and the thymidine kinase promoter. The enhancement of these two promoters occurs in both neuronal and nonneuronal cell lines. Recombinant viruses containing enhancer constructs were constructed, and these demonstrated that the enhancer functioned when present in the context of the viral DNA, both for in vitro infections of cells in culture and for in vivo infections of neurons in mouse dorsal root ganglia. In the infections of mouse dorsal root ganglia, there was a very high level of promoter activity in neurons infected with viruses bearing the LAT promoter-enhancer, but this decreased after the first 2 or 3 weeks. By 18 days postinfection, neurons harboring latent virus without the enhancer showed no β-galactosidase (β-gal) staining whereas those harboring latent virus containing the enhancer continued to show β-gal staining for long periods, extending to at least 6 months postinfection, the longest time examined.
When Government Targets “The State”: Transnational NGO Government and the State in Belize

Two broad trends characterize neoliberal forms of environmental governance: a shift in responsibilities for managing nature from state to nonstate actors and the use of market-based mechanisms and rationalities to manage the environment. In Belize, a transnational alliance of conservation nongovermental organizations (NGOs) has taken responsibility for governing large swaths of Belizean nature. While most analyses of NGOs’ roles in environmental government focus on efforts to manage resource-dependent rural communities, this article explores how this NGO alliance has used ecotourism, a market-based mechanism to fund protected areas, to elicit actions in favor of conservation from state officials.
Relative roles of the fla/che P(A), P(D-3), and P(sigD) promoters in regulating motility and sigD expression in Bacillus subtilis.

Three promoters have been identified as having potentially important regulatory roles in governing expression of the fla/che operon and of sigD, a gene that lies near the 3′ end of the operon. Two of these promoters, fla/che PA and PD-3, lie upstream of the >26-kb fla/che operon. The third promoter, PsigD, lies within the operon, immediately upstream of sigD. fla/che PA, transcribed by EςA, lies ≥24 kb upstream of sigD and appears to be largely responsible for sigD expression. PD-3, transcribed by EςD, has been proposed to participate in an autoregulatory positive feedback loop. PsigD, a minor ςA-dependent promoter, has been implicated as essential for normal expression of the fla/che operon. We tested the proposed functions of these promoters in experiments that utilized strains that bear chromosomal deletions of fla/che PA, PD-3, or PsigD. Our analysis of these strains indicates that fla/che PA is absolutely essential for motility, that PD-3 does not function in positive feedback regulation of sigD expression, and that PsigD is not essential for normal fla/che expression. Further, our results suggest that an additional promoter(s) contributes to sigD expression.
Innervation of the heart of the adult fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster

The innervation of the adult abdominal heart of Drosophila melanogaster was studied by neuronal staining with green fluorescent protein and immunocytochemical techniques. The investigation was undertaken to determine whether the adult heart receives neuronal input or whether its complex activity must be considered independent from the nervous system. The larval heart lacks innervation, suggesting that the cardiac impulse is totally myogenic. At metamorphosis, segmental neural processes grow onto the myocardium. A pair of transverse nerves innervates bilaterally each cardiac chamber and its alary muscles. These nerve terminals are immunoreactive to glutamate and form unique synaptic structures on the ventral layer of longitudinal cardiac muscles of the conical chamber. This characteristic cardiac synapse may represent part of the neural mechanism controlling the retrograde heartbeat, and, thus, the cardiac reversal that is characteristic of adults. In addition, crustacean cardioactive peptide-immunoreactive fibers originating from peripheral, bipolar neurons (BpNs) fasciculate with the transverse nerve projections and terminate segmentally throughout the abdominal heart. An additional cluster composed of four large, CCAP-positive neurons innervates the terminal chamber. The cardioacceleratory effect of CCAP release at this location may modulate the properties of a pacemaker producing the anterograde heartbeat.
Thermal decomposition behavior of praseodymium oxides, hydroxides, and carbonates

Thermal decomposition behavior was studied for Pr6O11, Pr2O3, Pr(OH3), and Pr2(CO3)3 · xH2O. In the course of transformation, the intermediate species were different for each starting material, as well as the surface area and morphology of the final thermal decomposition products. During thermal decomposition in the temperature range of 200°C up to 1400°C, mass losses for each species were attributed to the removal of hydroxide and carbonate species based on changes in the infrared bands for each powder for hydroxide groups at ≃3600 cm−1 and carbonate groups at ≃1300–1500 cm−1. X-ray diffraction analysis identified the final decomposition product at 1400°C for each species as Pr6O11 regardless of the starting material. A decrease in surface area and increase in equivalent particle radius for each final Pr6O11 product is attributed to sintering. The presence of hydroxyl and carbonate groups in the Pr6O11, Pr2O3, Pr(OH3), and Pr2 (CO3)3 · xH2O precursor dictate the morphology of thermally decomposed Pr6O11.
Optimal design of oligonucleotide microarrays for measurement of DNA copy-number

Copy-number variants (CNVs) occur frequently within the human genome, and may be associated with many human phenotypes. If disease association studies of CNVs are to be performed routinely, it is essential that the copy-number status be accurately genotyped. We systematically assessed the dynamic range response of an oligonucleotide microarray platform to accurately predict copy-number in a set of seven patients who had previously been shown to carry between 1 and 6 copies of an 4 Mb region of 15q12.2–q13.1. We identify probe uniqueness, probe length, uniformity of probe melting temperature, overlap with SNPs and common repeats (particularly Alu elements) and guanine homopolymer content as parameters that significantly affect probe performance. Further, we prove the influence of these criteria on array performance by using these parameters to prospectively filter data from a second array design covering an independent genomic region and observing significant improvements in data quality. The informed selection of probes which have superior performance characteristics allows the prospective design of oligonucleotide arrays which show increased sensitivity and specificity compared with current designs. Although based on the analysis of data from comparative genomic hybridization experiments, we anticipate that our results are relevant to the design of improved oligonucleotide arrays for high-throughput copy-number genotyping of complex regions of the human genome.
Feasibility of using thrombin generation assay (TGA) for monitoring bypassing agent therapy in patients with hemophilia having inhibitors.

Background: Monitoring bypassing agent therapy and observing concordance with clinical hemostasis is crucial in vital hemorrhages and major surgeries in patients with hemophilia having inhibitor.Objective: We aimed to investigate the value of the thrombin generation assay (TGA) and thromboelastography (TEG) for monitoring hemostasis in patients with hemophilia having inhibitor, during supplementation therapy with bypassing agents.Patients and Methods: The study group consisted of 7 patients with hemophilia having factor VIII inhibitor. All patients were male. The median age of the participants was 10 years. Age range was 6 to 32 years. The median inhibitor level was 10 Bethesda units (BU), with a range of 5 to 32 BU. A total of 17 bleeding episodes were evaluated. Both TEG and TGA tests were assessed in addition to clinical responses. Assessments were made prior to bypass agent therapy such as recombinant factor VIIa (rFVIIa) or activated prothrombin complex concentrate (aPCC) for bleeding episodes, durin...
The evolution of microbial phosphonate degradative pathways.

Phosphonate utilization by microbes provides a potential source of phosphorus for their growth. Homologous genes for both C–P lyase and phosphonatase degradative pathways are distributed in distantly related bacterial species. The phn gene clusters for the C–P lyase pathway show great structural and compositional variation among organisms, but all contain phnG–phnM genes that are essential for C–P bond cleavage. In the γ-proteobacterium Erwinia carotovora, genes common to phosphonate biosyntheses were found in neighboring positions of those for the C–P lyase degradative pathway and in the same transcriptional direction. A gene encoding a hypothetical protein DUF1045 was found predominantly associated with the phn gene cluster and was predicted functionally related to C–P bond cleavage. Genes for phosphonate degradation are frequently located in close proximity of genes encoding transposases or other mobile elements. Phylogenetic analyses suggest that both degradative pathways have been subject to extensive lateral gene transfers during their evolution. The implications of plasmids and transposition in the evolution of phosphonate degradation are also discussed.
Forecasts of monthly averaged daily temperature highs in Bowling Green, Ohio from monthly Sea surface temperature anomalies in the Eastern Pacific Ocean during the previous year

Step-wise linear regression methods are employed to yield a whole-year forecast of the monthly averaged daily maximum temperature (TMAX) in Bowling Green, Ohio, from Sea Surface Tempemture Anomalies (SSTA) measured in the previous year by the AWHR satellite sensor package over a region in the eastern Pacific Ocean. The forecasts for 1996-1 999 were less accumte on an absolute basis than on a seasonal basis, predicting ru~x on the same side of the seasonal average as actual TMAX for 7 months in 1996,10 months in 1997,10 months in 1998, and 5 of 7 months for which data are available in 1999. Improvement in forecast results occurred when models were constrained to those that definitively passed the DurbinWatson statistical test for autocorrelation. Models produced with this method can only be applied to the area from which the TMAX data were recorded, but they are much simpler than models that simulate the physics of the atmosphere.
Empirical Evidence Of Sector Rotation: A Case Study Of Old Economy Industry And New Economy Industry

This research examines whether variations in returns exist between Old economy industry and New economy industry when the U.S. economy changed from expansion to contraction. The two-year period, 1999-2000 is used for examining sector rotation. Further, this study tends to investigate whether the lack of consistent time-series performance presents within an industry. Our sample industries include Oil Exploration and Production industry, Oil Well Service and Equipment industry, and Integrated Oil industry to be the representative Old economy industries. Business-to-Business software industry is an example of New economy industry. In general, our results support our hypothesis that industry factor is an important basis for substantial returns variations between New economy industry and Old economy industry. Business-to-Business software industry reports statistically significant positive Jensen Alpha of 199.66% and 483% in third quarter of 1999 and fourth quarter of 1999, respectively. However, Business-to-Business software industry shows deteriorated Jensen Alpha approaching the end of 2000. This study also documents considerable changes of quarterly Jensen Alpha for three Oil industries from time to time. Empirical evidence indicates the apparent lack of consistency in returns within an industry over time. Moreover, consistent with the oil gas futures prices patterns, three Oil industries have underperformed the market in 1998 and significantly outperformed the market in 2000.
“Only if I'm First Author”: Conflict over Credit in Management Scholarship

From authors' responses to open-ended questions, this theory-building study developed a framework to explain conflict over credit for joint research. Regression analysis of quantitative items provided evidence for the influence of motives and power on attitudes toward the value of author tasks and the criteria for ordering names in publications. The resulting model identifies four collaborative approaches and the sources of conflict appearing in each.
Effect of 2-6 diaminopurine (2-6 DP): 6 chlorpurine (ClP) and thioguanine (ThG) on rat litter in utero.

Summary1. 2-6-DP, CIP and ThG were given to groups of pregnant rats in 2 doses of 5 LD50, not toxic to the mother animals. The compounds were given on the 4th and 5th, or on the 7th and 8th, or on the 11th and 12th days of gestation. 2. 2-6-DP showed a peak of action on the fetuses and litters when given before implantation, destroying 75% of all the fetuses, but only 57% of all the litters. 3. CIP showed a peak of action on the 7th and 8 th days, destroying all fetuses and litters. Treatment on days 4 and 5 of gestation destroyed 69% of the fetuses, but only 32% of all litters. At midterm, no litter was completely destroyed, and only 10% of all the fetuses were resorbed. However 50% of all survivors were stunted and malformed. 4. ThG was the most toxic compound to the fetuses. At the time of implantation it destroyed all fetuses. On days 4 and 5 of gestation, it led to resorption of 75% of the fetuses, but only to 10% complete litter destruction. At midterm it still destroyed 61% of all fetuses, and 43% ...
Creating Clear and Persuasive Charts

In this chapter, you’ll learn how to create powerful charts that present your data clearly and persuasively.
The Analysis of the current status of human resource allocation of center for disease control and prevention at all levels in Anhui province

Objective Based on analysis of the current status of human resources in CDC at all levels in Anhui province,we discussed the problems which exists in present human resource allocation and gives some strategies.It is very important for making scientific planning and allocation of human resource in the future.Methods The initial information of all CDC in Anhui province,such as numbers,age,length of service,academic background,academic title and post,which acquired from the initial information database of National Electronic Disease Control And Prevention System,were used to analyzed by Excel.Results In Anhui province,it differs a lot in personnel numbers,academic background and academic title of CDC at province level,municipal level and county level.Conclusions The government should make a good job of human resource planning in local CDC from the strategic view,and accelerate the pace of bringing talents.
HPLC determination of lafutidine in human plasma

Objective:To establish an HPLC method to determine lafutidine in human plasma.Method:Using spi- ronolactone as an interal standard(IS).Lafutidine and IS were separated on a ZORBAX Eclipse XDB-C_(18)(5μm, 4.6 mm×150 mm)column and a Eclipse XDB-C_(18)(5μm,4.6 mm×12.5 mm)precolumn;The mobile phase consisted of 12 mmol·L~(-1)acetic acid(adjusted to pH 8 with ammonia water)-methanol(44:56)at a flow rate of 1 mL·min~(-1);UV detection at 230 nm and column temperature was controlled about 35℃.Results:The regression line was linear in the concentration range of 5.33-426.7 ng·mL~(-1)(r=0.9997);the limit of detection was 2.67 ng·mL~(-1)and the lowest limit of quantification was 5.33 ng·mL~(-1);Intra-day and inter-day RSD for assa- ying the plasma sample containing three concentration of lafutidine were 4.9%,3.4%,1.8% and 1.9%,2.9%, 1.4%(n=5);The mean absolute recovery was 72.4% and the mean relative recovery was 98.5%.Conclusion: The method of HPLC determination of lafutidine in plasma is simple and accurate
Differences in perceived stress, depression, and medical symptoms among medical, nursing, and physician assistant students: a latent class analysis

In most health professions institutions, curricular evaluation is conducted in the absence of psychological tools. Yet, student health is correlated with stress and depression. This study used latent class analysis to describe student groups and their levels of stress, depression, and medical symptoms. Data from 386 health professions students (including medical, physician assistant, nursing, and audiology students) at Nova Southeastern University were analyzed. The results showed that nursing students are most likely to be classified as “healthy-adjusted” (latent class 1). Medical students were most likely to be classified as “severely depressed” (latent class 3). The findings demonstrate a need for the use of psychological tools in addition to conventional metrics to evaluate and improve curricula.
Endovascular aneurysm sealing addresses several limitations of conventional endovascular aneurysm repair

Endovascular aneurysm repair has enabled a broad population of patients with infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm to be treated by a less-invasive technique. However, endovascular aneurysm repair has therapeutic limitations, including the need for lifelong surveillance and a higher rate of secondary interventions than open repair. These outcomes can promote patient dissatisfaction and result in increased health care costs and associated morbidity and mortality. The primary reason for secondary interventions is continued abdominal aortic aneurysm sac enlargement due to endoleaks. Conventional endovascular aneurysm repair procedures do not address aortic branch vessels that are ligated during open repairs. Secondary measures to occlude these branch vessels have shown efficacy in limiting sac growth, but do not predictably eliminate the need for further interventions. Endovascular aneurysm sealing is a new technique that addresses some of the limitations of conventional endovascular repair. Endovascular aneurysm sealing secures the stent graft flow lumens within a biostable polymer. This stability prevents stent migration while also sealing branch vessels that are otherwise not addressed by other endovascular devices. This new approach to endovascular repair has shown early promise in reducing the rates of endoleak and need for secondary interventions, while opening up the possibility of durable endovascular repair to a more challenging type of anatomy.
GPU-Accelerated State-Averaged Complete Active Space Self-Consistent Field Interfaced with Ab Initio Multiple Spawning Unravels the Photodynamics of Provitamin D3

Excited-state molecular dynamics is essential to the study of photochemical reactions, which occur under nonequilibrium conditions. However, the computational cost of such simulations has often dictated compromises between accuracy and efficiency. The need for an accurate description of both the molecular electronic structure and nuclear dynamics has historically stymied the simulation of medium- to large-size molecular systems. Here, we show how to alleviate this problem by combining ab initio multiple spawning (AIMS) for the nuclear dynamics and GPU-accelerated state-averaged complete active space self-consistent field (SA-CASSCF) for the electronic structure. We demonstrate the new approach by first-principles SA-CASSCF/AIMS nonadiabatic dynamics simulation of photoinduced electrocyclic ring-opening in the 51-atom provitamin D3 molecule.
NKG2D signaling and host defense after mouse hepatitis virus infection of the central nervous system.

after infection with a wide variety of viruses. Through secretion of cytokines as well as cytolytic activity, these cells are capable of muting viral replication and reducing the amount of virus present within infected tissue. In recent years, additional activating and inhibitory receptors have been discovered that control both NK cell and CD8 T-cell activation in response to stress, transformation, and/or infection. In this study, the expression and functional role of the activating receptor NKG2D and its corresponding ligands were determined in viral infection of the central nervous system (CNS). Our data highlight a previously unappreciated role for NKG2D ligand-induced signaling in host defense after viral infection of the CNS by enhancing T-cell effector function and regulating immune-cell trafficking.
Testicular circulatory isolation prevents testicular exposure to doxorubicin in a rat model

Steady progress in the treatment of cancer has increased the proportion of longterm survivors, and delayed treatment toxicity such as infertility is becoming an important consideration. Despite many reports documenting the adverse effects of cytotoxic drugs on fertility in men [1], a practical method to avoid this is not currently available. We are investigating a mechanical approach to this problem, which we have termed testicular circulatory isolation (TCI). This consists of temporarily interrupting the blood supply to the testis during drug administration. In the rat, testicular injury due to doxorubicin is reduced by TCI [1]. TCI can partially protect male rats from drug-induced infertility [2], and no long-term testicular injury results from TCI [3]. We now report an investigation of the mechanism of this protective effect.
Competition or Collusion

Since it seems that firms can raise their net return by forming monopolies, why is there not a monopoly in every industry? This is especially hard to answer for a theory assuming that firms strive to maximize their net return, for then one must explain the state of competition in an industry as resulting from the fact that collusion is not always more lucrative than competition. That is, a group of colluding firms may encounter costs of collusion itself that would be absent under competition. One of the main tasks of this chapter is to study these costs and how they relate to industry structure.
Endoscopic Management of Large and Difficult Common Bile duct Stones

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) assisted removal of small stones is easily accomplished with standard biliary sphincterotomy and balloon and basket extraction. Common bile duct stones greater than 15 mm are difficult to remove with standard techniques. Besides large stones, impacted and adherent bile duct stones, intrahepatic stones, stones proximal to stricture, Mirizzi syndrome, and stones associated with postsurgical biliary anatomy are often challenging and constitute difficult bile duct stones. Patients with difficult and large bile duct stones are managed best at tertiary academic centers with therapeutic pancreaticobiliary endoscopy expertise. Dedicated techniques such as mechanical lithotripsy (ML), electrohydraulic lithotripsy (EHL), laser lithotripsy (LL), and endoscopic papillary balloon dilation (ELPBD) either used alone or in combination are helpful in the treatment of patients with large and difficult CBD stones. Enteroscopy-assisted ERCP, EUS-guided biliary access, offers helpful alternative in difficult to access papillas. The majority of patients with large and difficult bile duct stone can be successfully treated with these endoscopic modalities. Despite widespread use and success in endoscopic management of patients with large and difficult bile duct stones, a small percentage of patients fail these treatment options and can benefit from surgery or percutaneous approach for stone removal. Identification of large and difficult to treat bile duct stone patients and referral to places with available expertise, equipment, and multidisciplinary teams are helpful in successful treatment and better patient outcomes.
Management of patients with acute aortic syndrome through a regional rapid transport system

Abstract Objective The objective of this study was to describe the outcomes of patients with acute aortic syndrome (AAS) during and after transfer to a regional aortic center by a rapid transport system. Methods Review of patients with AAS who were transferred by a rapid transport system to a regional aortic center was performed. Data regarding demographics, diagnosis, comorbidities, transportation, and hospital course were acquired. Severity of existing comorbidities was determined by the Society for Vascular Surgery Comorbidity Severity Score (SVSCSS). The Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score assessed physiologic instability on admission. Risk factors associated with system-related (transfer and hospital) mortality were identified by univariate and multivariate linear regression analysis. Results During a recent 18-month period (December 2013-July 2015), 183 patients were transferred by a rapid transport system; 148 (81%) patients were transported by ground and 35 (19%) by air. Median distance traveled was 24 miles (range, 3.6-316 miles); median transport time was 42 minutes (range, 10-144 minutes). Two patients died during transport, one with a type A dissection, the other of a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm. There were 118 (66%) patients who received operative intervention. Median time to operation was 6 hours. Type B dissections had the longest median time to operation, 45 hours, with system-related mortality of 1.9%; type A dissections had the shortest median time, 3 hours, and a system-related mortality of 16%. Overall, system-related mortality was 15%. On univariate analysis, factors associated with system-related mortality were age ≥65 years ( P = .026), coronary artery disease ( P = .030), prior myocardial infarction ( P = .049), prior coronary revascularization ( P = .002), SVSCSS of >8 ( P P = .002), systolic blood pressure P = .001), diagnosis of aortic aneurysm ( P = .013), systolic blood pressure P 10 ( P = .004). Distance traveled and transport mode and duration were not associated with increased risk of system-related mortality. Only SVSCSS of >8 (odds ratio, 7.73; 95% confidence interval, 2.32-25.8; P = .001) was independently associated with an increase in system-related mortality on multivariate analysis. Conclusions Implementation of a rapid transport system, regardless of mode or distance, can facilitate effective transfer of patients with AAS to a regional aortic center. An SVSCSS of >8 predicted an increased system-related mortality and may be a useful metric to assess the appropriateness of patient transfer.
Dimensions of Racial Identity and Perceived Discrimination in Health Care

Objective: Perceived discrimination is an important risk factor for minority health. Drawing from the scholarship on multi­dimensionality of race, this study exam­ines the relationships between perceived discrimination in health care and two dimensions of racial identity: self-identified race/ethnicity and perceived attributed race/ ethnicity (respondents’ perceptions of how they are racially classified by others). Methods: We used Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data collected in 2004- 2013 and we specifically examined the data on perceived racial discrimination in health care during the past 12 months, perceived attributed race/ethnicity, and self-identified race/ethnicity. Results: In models adjusting for sociode­mographic and other factors, both dimen­sions of racial/ethnic identity contributed independently to perceived discrimination in health care. After controlling for self-identified race/ethnicity, respondents who reported being classified as Black, Asian, Hispanic, and Native American had higher likelihood of perceived discrimination than respondents who reported being classified as White. Similarly, after taking perceived attributed race/ethnicity into account, self-identified Blacks, Native Americans, and multiracial respondents were more likely to report perceived discrimination than coun­terparts who self-identified as White. The model using only perceived attributed race/ ethnicity to predict perceived discrimination showed a superior fit with the data than the model using only self-identified race/ ethnicity. Conclusion: Perceived attributed race/ ethnicity captures an aspect of racial/ethnic identity that is correlated, but not inter­changeable, with self-identified race/ethnic­ity and contributes uniquely to perceived discrimination in health care. Applying the concept of multidimensionality of race/ ethnicity to health disparities research may reveal understudied mechanisms linking race/ethnicity to health risks. Ethn Dis. 2016;26(4):501-512; doi:10.18865/ ed.26.4.501
The British Library “King’s” edition

In the British Library is a series of collected works under the listing of ‘‘King’s Topographical Collection’’ (Maps K.Top.1.58). Volume I has two parts devoted to astronomical maps and prints: Part 1 includes numbered entries 50–69, and Part 2 includes numbered entries 70–91. Some of these entries are from well-known sources, others are not.
Cost of Robot-Assisted Radical Cystectomy

Robotic-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) for the treatment of bladder cancer is increasingly being employed. When only direct costs are considered, open radical cystectomy as compared to RARC is a less costly therapy. However, when indirect costs are also considered, cost-margins narrow, as RARC may result in less complication-related expenditures. Future prospective comparisons of the two modalities should include costing data to optimally compare cost effectiveness of the open and robotic approach to bladder surgery.
In vivo corrosion of CoCrMo alloy and biological responses: a review

In vivo corrosion of cobalt-chromium-molybdenum (CoCrMo) alloy and its potential adverse effects on the body have been recognized as a major concern for its use as biomaterials in recent years. Whi...
Sequence-specific sepsis-related DNA capture and fluorescent labeling in monoliths prepared by single-step photopolymerization in microfluidic devices.

Abstract Fast determination of antibiotic resistance is crucial in selecting appropriate treatment for sepsis patients, but current methods based on culture are time consuming. We are developing a microfluidic platform with a monolithic column modified with oligonucleotides designed for sequence-specific capture of target DNA related to the Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC) gene. We developed a novel single-step monolith fabrication method with an acrydite-modified capture oligonucleotide in the polymerization mixture, enabling fast monolith preparation in a microfluidic channel using UV photopolymerization. These prepared columns had a threefold higher capacity compared to monoliths prepared in a multistep process involving Schiff-base DNA attachment. Conditions for denaturing, capture and fluorescence labeling using hybridization probes were optimized with synthetic 90-mer oligonucleotides. These procedures were applied for extraction of a PCR amplicon from the KPC antibiotic resistance gene in bacterial lysate obtained from a blood sample spiked with E. coli. The results showed similar eluted peak areas for KPC amplicon extracted from either hybridization buffer or bacterial lysate. Selective extraction of the KPC DNA was verified by real time PCR on eluted fractions. These results show great promise for application in an integrated microfluidic diagnostic system that combines upstream blood sample preparation and downstream single-molecule counting detection.
Online Automata: Exemplars of “State”

An online automaton 1 (OA, for short) is an abstract device that is a “pure” state-transition system. To hone your intuiton for the formal specification of OAs, consider Figure 3.1, which depicts a finite OA2—which we shall later (in the next chapter, in fact) call a finite automaton (FA, for short and finite automata in the plural). One can think about an OA M as a simple machine that communicates with the world via
The Interaction Between the Coagulation System and the Systemic Inflammatory Mediators

Activation of the coagulation system is commonplace in the presence of severe sepsis. Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIG) may generate diffuse thrombin formation resulting in tissue necrosis, organ failure [1] and considerable morbidity and mortality [2, 3]. Moreover, consumptive coagulopathy from uncontrolled DIG may precipitate a hemorrhage diathesis as clotting factors are consumed in the process. While clinically overt DIG occurs in the minority of septic patients, sensitive measures of coagulation activation provide evidence that some clotting occurs in almost every patient in septic shock [4, 5, 6].
Ray tracing and heat transfer simulation of novel glass-covered XCPC collector

The Compound parabolic concentrator used in the solar collector discussed in this paper is of the novel design, glass encased with 23% truncated reflectors and all glass receiver. Optical modeling was done in Light tools illumination design software to determine the optimum optical efficiency within a range of half acceptance angle and the heat transfer modeling and simulation was done in COMSOL Multiphysics simulation software. The Collector was built, tested and performance characterization was done. The experimental tests performed are stagnation test, water test for optical efficiency at low temperatures and closed loop oil test for thermal efficiency at high temperatures as high as 200°C. For the water and oil test, Flow rate method and Calorimetry method were used. The light tools optical modeling gave the optical efficiency of 64%. The stagnation temperature recorded at the absorber at 0% efficiency was 350°C. The water test at the temperature of 30-40°C gave the efficiency of 59%.
CGYRO Performance on Power9 CPUs and Volta GPUs

CGYRO, an Eulerian gyrokinetic solver designed and optimized for collisional, electromagnetic, multiscale fusion plasma simulation, has been ported and benchmarked on a Summit-like Power9-based system equipped with Volta GPUs. We present our experience porting the application and provide benchmark numbers obtained on the Power-based node and compare them with equivalent tests from several leadership class systems. The tested node provided the fastest single-node CGYRO runtimes we’ve measured to date.
Using Delays to Decrease Paper Consumption in Food Service and Laboratory Settings

Recent research has indicated high economic and environmental costs of human paper usage. Technologies have been developed to reduce consumers’ paper use behavior, including mechanical dispensers that institute a delay between opportunities to obtain each consecutive unit. However, there is no empirical evidence that these dispensers or delays reduce paper use. In Experiment 1, implementing a delay between paper-unit deliveries using mechanical dispensers in a university cafe resulted in a significant decrease in units per person, material per person, and cost per person, compared to free-access dispensers. In Experiment 2, a relatively long delay was more effective than a short delay in reducing paper consumption in a laboratory experiment using mechanical dispensers. These results indicate that delays could be used to decrease paper use in many contexts on a larger scale. More research is necessary to determine the underlying behavioral mechanisms responsible for the observed reduction and the cost–benefit relationship under different circumstances.
The effect of body posture on available habitat and activity-time in a lizard: Implications for thermal ecology studies.

Abstract Ectothermic animals contend with variable environmental temperature through behavioral thermoregulation, including selection of activity-times and microhabitat spaces with suitable operative temperatures. Thus, an important component to understanding the influence of temperature on animals is through the assessment of thermal constraints on time and space usage. Thermal ecologists have recognized that postural adjustments are an important part of behavioral thermoregulation. However, the impact of postural adjustments on available space and time has received little attention. We hypothesized that postural adjustments would significantly affect the thermal availability of space and time for surface activity. To test our hypothesis, we used data collected over a four-year study of the thermal ecology of Eastern Collared Lizards (Crotaphytus collaris) in Arkansas. We used a novel approach to model three distinct postures used by C. collaris, and to assess the impact of posture on available space and time. For our study species and habitat, posture had a significant impact on several indices of available space and time including: a) a 13% increase in length of the reproductive activity season, b) a 35% increase in the frequency distribution of habitat within active body temperature range and c) a 42% increase in average thermal quality index. We conclude that posture can significantly impact space and time available for surface activity in species that employ it for thermoregulation. Thus, a clearer understanding of the thermal constraints on time-space usage in ectotherms requires consideration of the impact of posture on the spatiotemporal distribution of thermally suitable microhabitats.
A Leasehold Approach to Corporate Social Responsibility

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) connects organizations with various environments and constituencies. CSR is enacted through governance and strategic processes, yet this can cause distortions as the process conforms to an agency theory narrative. This paper analyzes the role agency plays in CSR and offers an alternative (the leasehold approach) that uniquely describes the relationships among owners, organizational leadership, and contemporary management practices. An alternative to the existing paradigm is explored by 1) acknowledging the robust role of leaders in determining vision, strategy and CSR, 2) recognizing that governance balances obligations to multiple parties to whom leaders have committed, 3) allowing that those commitments determine the organization’s accountabilities necessary to demonstrate promised performance, 4) focusing on value creation more than distribution of surplus, and 5) highlighting that financial and social outcomes are equally legitimate. Implications for theory/practice are offered; leasehold indeed offers an open, autonomous, and accountable way to view corporate governance and CSR.
Engendering excitement and interest in computer science courses by using emerging wireless sensors

This paper presents our novel course design that adopts the wireless sensor motes as a pedagogical tool to provide more effective Computer Science education on several complex topics, including the event-drive concurrency model in our Operating System course and the secure network communication protocol implementation in our Network Security course. In particular, we present two wireless sensor based hands-on projects: the event-driven concurrency programming and the secure communication protocol implementation, exclusively designed for the above two courses, respectively. In the Operating System course, the wireless sensor event-driven programming project helps our students clearly understand the differences between the event-driven concurrency model and the multi-threading model. In the Network Security course, the comparatively simple network protocol stack enables our students to quickly implement their own secure communication protocols from scratch and therefore strengthens their understanding of the secure network protocol design. The student evaluation results suggest both programming projects achieved the expected goals and the students were excited in working with the wireless sensors.
Trends in socioeconomic inequalities in premature and avoidable mortality in Canada, 1991-2016.

BACKGROUND: Recent epidemiologic findings suggest that socioeconomic inequalities in health may be widening over time. We examined trends in socioeconomic inequalities in premature and avoidable mortality in Canada. METHODS: We conducted a population-based repeated cohort study using the 1991, 1996, 2001, 2006 and 2011 Canadian Census Health and Environment Cohorts. We linked individual-level Census records for adults aged 25–74 years to register-based mortality data. We defined premature mortality as death before age 75 years. For each census cohort, we estimated age-standardized rates, risk differences and risk ratios for premature and avoidable mortality by level of household income and education. RESULTS: We identified 16 284 045 Census records. Between 1991 and 2016, premature mortality rates declined in all socioeconomic groups except for women without a high school diploma. Absolute income-related inequalities narrowed among men (from 2478 to 1915 deaths per 100 000) and widened among women (from 1008 to 1085 deaths per 100 000). Absolute education-related inequalities widened among men and women. Relative socioeconomic inequalities in premature mortality widened progressively over the study period. For example, the relative risk of premature mortality associated with the lowest income quintile increased from 2.10 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.02–2.17) to 2.79 (95% CI 2.66–2.91) among men and from 1.72 (95% CI 1.63– 1.81) to 2.50 (95% CI 2.36–2.64) among women. Similar overall trends were observed for avoidable mortality. INTERPRETATION: Socioeconomically disadvantaged groups have not benefited equally from recent declines in premature and avoidable mortality in Canada. Efforts to reduce socioeconomic inequalities and associated patterns of disadvantage are necessary to prevent this pattern of widening health inequalities from persisting or worsening over time.
Patterns of power: bargaining and incentives in two-person games

Abstract We introduce the concept of a strategic dictator and use it to analyse patterns of power in two- person games that arise naturally in bargaining, arbitration, and incentive problems. A strategic dictator is an agent who has the power to ensure that a Nash equilibrium outcome is his or her preferred outcome, but who may have to lie in order to do this. We discuss applications of our analysis to Stackelberg and Cournot Duopolists, to bargaining situations, and to the existence of appropriate incentive systems.
UAV geofencing: navigation of UVAs in constrained environments

Abstract Geofencing is a technique that defines virtual boundaries in a specific geographical area. This technique is very useful in navigation of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), which is called UAV geofencing. In this context, most of the works focus on defining the boundaries of admissible geographical regions, without addressing control issues and boundary handling problems. More precisely, in the presented geofencing systems, once the defined boundaries are violated, the reaction is limited to some predefined alerting actions. From a technical viewpoint, preventing UAVs from violating the boundaries defined by the geofencing systems can be considered as a control problem. In particular, by using a constrained control scheme, one can address the problem of enforcing geofence satisfaction at all times, while ensuring that control objectives are achieved and the UAV can fulfill the assigned mission. The aim of this chapter is to collect and to systematize in a common framework the numerous contributions dispersed regarding navigation of UAVs in constrained environments. In this chapter, the most recent results are discussed, and a perspective on some open research directions is provided.
6.2 W/Mm and Record 33.8% PAE at 94 GHz From N-Polar GaN Deep Recess MIS-HEMTs With ALD Ru Gates

This letter reports on the $W$ -band power performance of N-polar GaN deep recess MIS–high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) using a new atomic layer deposition (ALD) ruthenium (Ru) gate metallization process. The deep recess structure is utilized to control the DC-RF dispersion and increase the conductivity in the access regions. The ALD Ru effectively fills the narrow T-gate stems aiding realization of shorter gate lengths with lower gate resistance than in prior work. In this work, the gate length was scaled down to 48 nm, resulting in the demonstration of a record high 8.1-dB linear transducer gain measured at 94 GHz by load pull. This increased gain has enabled a record 33.8% power-added efficiency (PAE) with an associated output power density ( $P_{\mathrm {O}}$ ) of 6.2 W/mm.
AI and Algorithmic Bias: Source, Detection, Mitigation and Implications

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) algorithms are widely used throughout our economy in making decisions that have far-reaching impacts on employment, education, access to credit, and other areas. Initially considered neutral and fair, ML algorithms have recently been found increasingly biased, creating and perpetuating structural inequalities in society. With the rising concerns about algorithmic bias, a growing body of literature attempts to understand and resolve the issue of algorithmic bias. In this tutorial, we discuss five important aspects of algorithmic bias. We start with its definition and the notions of fairness policy makers, practitioners, and academic researchers have used and proposed. Next, we note the challenges in identifying and detecting algorithmic bias given the observed decision outcome, and we describe methods for bias detection. We then explain the potential sources of algorithmic bias and review several bias-correction methods. Finally, we discuss how agents’ strategic behavior may lead to biased societal outcomes, even when the algorithm itself is unbiased. We conclude by discussing open questions and future research directions.
Time reversal effects in random scattering media on superresolution, shower curtain effects, and backscattering enhancement

[1] In this paper, we present analytical theories of the first and second moments of the time-reversed pulse which are obtained by the second- and the fourth-order moments of stochastic Green's functions in random media. The theories are based on the use of parabolic approximations, two-frequency mutual coherence function, and the circular complex Gaussian assumptions. Several effects are discussed including the superresolution, the coherence length, backscattering enhancement, the dependence on the optical depth, the shower curtain effect, and the bandwidth.