cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Antigen-specific desensitization of patients allergic to penicillin☆

Three penicillin-allergic patients with life-endangering infections requiring beta-lactam antibiotic therapy were desensitized by means of increasing oral then parenteral doses and were treated with full doses of beta-lactam agents. Malignant otitis externa caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, osteomyelitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus, and bacterial endocarditis caused by an enterococcus were treated with carbenicillin, nafcillin, and benzylpenicillin G, respectively. No acute allergic reactions occurred during desensitization or within 1 wk of the onset of therapy. Immediate wheal and flare skin-test reactions to beta-lactam determinants diminished or became negative after the desensitization procedure in each patient. Wheal and flare responses provoked by histamine, compound 48/80, and environmental antigens were not affected by the desensitization procedure or continued beta-lactam drug therapy. Mild urticaria appeared after 15 days of penicillin therapy in one patient and after 23 days of carbenicillin therapy in another patient. Skin-test reactions to penicillin reagents had reverted to positive at the time of the urticarial reactions. One patient developed a severe immune hemolytic anemia after 10 days of therapy with nafcillin. The results of this study indicate that acute clinical desensitization of these three penicillin-allergic patients was associated with antigen-specific desensitization of tissue mast cells.
Generating Sub-Resolution Detail in Images and Volumes Using Constrained Texture Synthesis

A common deficiency of discretized datasets is that detail beyond the resolution of the dataset has been irrecoverably lost. This lack of detail becomes immediately apparent once one attempts to zoom into the dataset and only recovers blur. Here, we describe a method that generates the missing detail from any available and plausible high-resolution data, using texture synthesis. Since the detail generation process is guided by the underlying image or volume data and is designed to fill in plausible detail in accordance with the coarse structure and properties of the zoomed-in neighborhood, we refer to our method as constrained texture synthesis. Regular zooms become "semantic zooms", where each level of detail stems from a data source attuned to that resolution. We demonstrate our approach by a medical application - the visualization of a human liver - but its principles readily apply to any scenario, as long as data at all resolutions are available. We will first present a 2D viewing application, called the "virtual microscope", and then extend our technique to 3D volumetric viewing.
Enrollments in High School Government Classes: Are We Short-Changing Both Citizenship and Political Science Training?

For 30 years political scientists largely ignored high school education in civics and government. There are two explanations for this neglect. First, the prevailing view was that students learned nothing from civics courses (Langton and Jennings 1968). Second, social scientists increasingly saw themselves as members of scientific disciplines, so whatever interest they had in precollege education was devoted to augmenting disciplinary knowledge (Haas 1977; Janowitz 1983, ch. 6).
Constraints on unparticle physics from solar and KamLAND neutrinos

Abstract Interest has been directed recently towards low energy implications of a non-trivial conformal sector of an effective field theory with an IR fixed point ( Λ U ), manifest in terms of “unparticles” with bizarre properties. We re-examine the implications of the limits on decay lifetimes of solar neutrinos for unparticle interactions. We study in detail the fundamental parameter space ( Λ U , M ) and derive bounds on the energy scale M characterizing the new physics. We work strictly within the framework where conformal invariance holds down to low energies. We first assume that couplings of the unparticle sector to the Higgs field are suppressed and derive bounds with Λ U in the TeV region from neutrino decay into scalar unparticles. These bounds are significant for values of the anomalous dimension of the unparticle operator 1.0 d ≲ 1.2 . For a region of the parameter space, we show that the bounds are comparable to those arising from production rates at high energy colliders. We then relax our assumption, by considering a more natural framework which does not require a priori restrictions on couplings of Higgs-unparticle operators, and derive bounds with Λ U in meV region from neutrino decay into vector unparticles. Such low scales for the IR fixed point are relevant in gauge theories with many flavors.
Stress, affiliation, and emotional contagion.

Female participants were exposed to high or low threat in the presence of another person believed to be facing either the same or a different situation. In Study 1, each dyad consisted of 2 actual participants, whereas in Study 2, each dyad consisted of 1 participant and 1 confederate, trained to convey either a calm or a nervous reaction to the situation. Affiliation patterns in both studies, defined in terms of the amount of time spent looking at the affiliate, were consistent with S. Schachter' s (1959) "emotional similarity hypothesis"; threat increased affiliation and did so particularly with affiliates believed to be facing the same situation. The authors also found evidence of behavioral mimicry, in terms of facial expressions, and emotional contagion, in terms of self-reported anxiety. The behavioral mimicry and emotional contagion results are considered from both primitive emotional contagion and social comparison theory perspectives. Social psychologists have long been interested in the affiliation preferences of people who are faced with a novel, physical threat situation. The theoretical cornerstone of this fear-andaffiliation research stems from Festinger's (1954) social comparison theory. Festinger argued that people have a basic need to have accurate appraisals of their opinions and abilities and that lacking an objective standard for a reference, individuals will evaluate their opinions and abilities in comparison with other people. Festinger proposed further in his "similarity hypothesis" that people prefer particularly to compare themselves with relatively similar others. Purportedly, similar others provide a more accurate and stable gauge for evaluating one's relative standing than do people of very different ability or opinion.
Locking bandwidth asymmetry in injection-locked GaAlAs lasers

The centre of the locking frequency range of a GaAlAs laser is found to shift to longer wavelengths with increasing injected power by an amount proportional to the square root of the injected power level. These observations are in good agreement with predictions based on an analysis relating equilibrium photon and carrier densities in the laser cavity.
The pros and cons of searching for extracardiac findings at cardiac CT: use of a restricted field of view is acceptable.

While there is no obvious harm in reconstructing a wide field of view (FOV) at cardiac CT, on the basis of logistical considerations and current practice patterns, at present, it appears equally justifiable to use a FOV restricted to the heart.
An interaction analysis of justificatory rhetoric

(1973). An interaction analysis of justificatory rhetoric. Western Speech: Vol. 37, No. 2, pp. 111-117.
Audit Committee Composition and Functioning Post-Enron

The role of audit committees is crucial in the financial reporting process. I studied a sample of 288 SP in many instances, such additions happen in companies that already have multiple audit committee financial experts. This suggests that although it is challenging to find audit committee financial experts it is not impossible as some critics may have suggested in the past when the definition of who is an audit committee financial expert was under debate. I also examined the frequency of audit committee meetings in 2000-2002 and 2008-2009. It was important to look at changes in audit committee meetings in the post-Enron period because companies were likely to revert to reducing costs and reduce audit committee meetings. However, I found that the number of audit committee meetings has continued to increase, contrary to concerns that audit committees would become less diligent with the passage of time.
Annual Women’s Issue

The past decades have seen a gradual increase in attention toward women’s heart and brain health. In the United States, this attention usually culminates in February, when the efforts of the American Heart Association, the American College of Cardiology, and other prominent organizations coincide around the reality that women are commonly afflicted by cardiovascular disease and stroke—and that our prevention programs, clinical care, and research need to include consideration of this population. Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes contributes to both the awareness of women’s cardiovascular health and to progress in promoting it. The journal’s efforts in this respect are ongoing, highlighted by the annual Go Red For Women issue that is now in its …
Effect of Cation Content of Agar on the Activity of Gentamicin, Tobramycin, and Amikacin against Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Fifty-five strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were tested against arithmetic increments in concentrations of gentamicin, tobramycin, and amikacin in 14 different lots of Mueller-Hinton agar. The divalent cation content of each lot was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. The relation between mean minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) for strains within each lot and cation content was studied by stepwise regression. Among the cations, the content of Zn++ most highly correlated with the MIC of each aminoglycoside; however, Zn++ accounted for only 23%, 60%, and 47% of the variability in the mean MIC of gentamicin, tobramycin, and amikacin, respectively, against all strains. In two-cation models Zn++ with Ca++ or Cu++ was most highly correlated with the mean MICs of the three aminoglycosides against all strains. No divalent cation, either singly or in combination with one or two other cations, gave a good prediction of the MICs of the aminoglycosides in agar. Furthermore, there was variability in the cations that most highly correlated with the MICs for some strains. These observations support the concept that ionic strength, cations, and a variety of other as yet poorly defined components of media influence the activity of aminoglycosides against P. aeruginosa.
Efficient single photon detection from 500 nm to 5 μm wavelength

We report on superconducting nanowire single photon detectors (SNSPDs) based on 30 nm wide nanowires with detection efficiency η ∼ 2.6–5.5% in the wavelength range λ = 0.5–5 μm. We compared the sensitivity of 30 nm wide SNSPDs with the sensitivity of SNSPDs based on wider (85 and 50 nm wide) nanowires for λ = 0.5–5 μm. The detection efficiency of the detectors based on the wider nanowires became negligible at shorter wavelengths than the 30 nm wide SNSPDs. Our 30 nm wide SNSPDs showed 2 orders of magnitude higher detection efficiency (η ∼ 2%) up to longer wavelength (λ = 5 μm) than previously reported. On the basis of our simulations, we expect that by changing the optical coupling scheme and by integrating the detectors in an optical cavity, the detection efficiency of our detectors could be increased by a factor of ∼6.
Problems of Field Interviewers

EDITOR'S NOTE: Before leaving the campus for the Army, Lieutenant Snead prepared the following statement of what may properly be called the field agents' or worm's-eye view of marketing research. It suggests clearly that in their preoccupation with sampling techniques and the mathematical manipulation of data, marketing men have given inadequate attention to making sure that their field agents provide data worthy of all the subsequent computations.
A Conformationally Constrained Cyclic Acyldepsipeptide Is Highly Effective in Mice Infected with Methicillin-Susceptible and -Resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

BACKGROUND Cyclic acyldepsipeptides (ADEPs) are a novel class of antibacterial agents, some of which (e.g., ADEP 4) are highly active against Gram-positive bacteria. The focus of these in vivo studies is ADEP B315, a rationally designed compound that has the most potent in vitro activity of any ADEP analog reported to date. METHODS In vivo efficacy experiments were performed using lethal intraperitoneal mice infection models with a methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) and a methicillin-resistant (MRSA) strain. The infected mice were treated with ADEP B315, a des-methyl analog of ADEP 4, vancomycin, or the vehicle used for the ADEPs and their survival was assessed daily. A subset of MSSA-infected mice was sacrificed soon after inoculation and the bacterial burden was measured in their livers and spleens. The toxicity of ADEP B315 was assessed in viability assays using human whole blood cultures. RESULTS In the MSSA experiments, all mice treated with the vehicle succumbed to the infection within 24 hours. All tested compounds were effective in prolonging survival of infected mice (p<0.001). Mice treated with ADEP B315 had a 39% survival rate by 10 days compared to 7% survival in mice treated with a des-methyl ADEP 4 analog (p = 0.017). Survival of the infected mice treated with ADEP B315 was comparable to those treated with vanocmycin (p = 0.12) at the same dose. Further, bacterial burden in the liver and spleen was significantly lower in mice treated with ADEP B315 compared to controls. In the MRSA experiments, ADEP B315 was able to significantly prolong survival compared to mice treated with either the vehicle (p = 0.001) or vancomycin (p = 0.007). ADEP B315 exhibited no significant toxicity in human whole blood cultures at concentrations up to 25 μg/ml. CONCLUSIONS ADEP B315 is safe and can cure mice that have lethal infections of methicillin-sensitive and -resistant strains of S. aureus.
Characterizing persistence in JWST NIRCam flight detectors

Near-IR detectors are commonly reported to display latent images persisting between integration ramps. After array reset, pixels previously subjected to illumination show an anomalous charge accumulation rate that is initially high but decreases to dark-current levels after several hundred seconds. Depending on the flux intensity and observation time, the resulting persistence can dramatically affect science observations if not properly understood. We characterize the persistent behavior of JWST/NIRCam's flight detectors with respect to source intensity, pixel dwell time, and well fill level in order to better understand the underlying physical processes contributing to this phenomenon. Results show that the coefficients of functional fits to the latent signal directly correlate with the stimulating flux as well as the pixel dwell time, enabling predictions of the latent emission. Such relationships provide the potential to model and remove the majority of the persistent flux in NIRCam detectors. Because NIRCam lacks internal calibration lamps, we discuss other alternatives to characterize per- sistence during flight operations.
Abstract 3078: GSK-3 inhibitor 9ING41 potentiates the antitumor effects of CPT-11 in human breast cancer

Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3beta (GSK-3beta), a serine/threonine protein kinase, has been demonstrated to be potential therapeutic target in human breast cancer. Our objective was to evaluate novel GSK-3 inhibitors alone and in combination with chemotherapeutic drugs for the targeted therapy of breast cancer. Using a short-term treatment, we found that the GSK-3 inhibitor 9ING41 significantly potentiates the antitumor effects of CPT-11, cisplatin and 5-FU to inhibit breast cancer cell growth. We established hormone-refractory BC-1 and BC-2 patient-derived xenograft (PDX) tumor models from metastatic pleural effusions that were obtained from breast cancer patients. We considered BC-1 and BC-2 PDX tumors as chemoresistant, because metastatic disease progressed in both cases in despite of the fact that patients received many cycles of chemotherapy. Although we found that BC-1 and BC-2 PDX tumors express estrogen receptor (ER), both PDX tumors carried activating mutations in ESR1. These mutations confer ligand-independent activity of the ER in tamoxifen-resistant breast tumors. We found that BC-1 and BC-2 PDX tumors grew without estradiol supplementation in immunodeficient mice, which suggests a hormone-refractory nature of these tumors. We found that GSK-3 inhibitor 9ING41 potentiates the effects of chemotherapeutic drug CPT-11, and leads to the regression of BC-1 and BC-2 breast PDX tumors. Our results demonstrate inhibition of GSK-3 as a promising therapeutic approach to overcome breast cancer chemoresistance, and identify GSK-3 inhibitor 9ING41 as a drug candidate for the targeted therapy of human breast cancer. Citation Format: Andrey Ugolkov, Irina Gaisina, Kevin White, Alan Kozikowski, Thomas O’Halloran, Andrew Mazar. GSK-3 inhibitor 9ING41 potentiates the antitumor effects of CPT-11 in human breast cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 3078.
Abstract 3999: MicroRNA expression links obesity and recurrence in renal cell carcinoma

Obesity is an established risk factor for clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) development and prognosis; however, the mechanisms underlying this link remain unclear. In the present study, we set to assess whether microRNAs (miRNAs) can serve as a molecular link between obesity and recurrence in ccRCC. Through bioinformatics tools and literature search, we identified 126 obesity-related miRNAs. Supplemented with 25 miRNAs which were differentially expressed between ccRCC from normal kidney, we tested the association of these miRNAs with ccRCC recurrence. Significantly decreased levels of hsa-miR-204-5p were found in recurrent ccRCC patients with an over 2-fold increased risk of recurrence (HR = 2.15, p = 0.028, MST = 25.6 vs. 47.2 months). Correlations between miRNA expression and the predicted target genes were tested using gene profiling data generated from these same patients. We found strong inverse correlations between miR-204 expression and several obesity-related genes, including IGF2BP2 (r = -0.40, p = 4.14×10 −4 ), a member of the insulin growth receptor signaling pathway. This correlation was further validated in TCGA data (r = -0.58, p = 1.40×10 −22 ). We also found that low level of hsa-miR-139-5p was significantly associated with increased recurrence risk (HR = 2.37, p = 0.026, MST = 32.2 vs. 51.3 months). In conclusion, we found a set of obesity-related miRNAs that are dysregulated in ccRCC tissues, and some of these miRNAs, such as hsa-miR-204-5p, were associated with the recurrence of RCC, potentially through regulating obesity-related gene expression. Citation Format: Xiang Shu, Michelle A. Hildebrandt, Jian Gu, Nizar M. Tannir, Surena Matin, Jose A. Karam. MicroRNA expression links obesity and recurrence in renal cell carcinoma. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 3999. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-3999
Aberrant caveolin-1–mediated Smad signaling and proliferation identified by analysis of adenine 474 deletion mutation (c.474delA) in patient fibroblasts: a new perspective on the mechanism of pulmonary hypertension

A heterozygous Caveolin-1 c.474delA mutation has been identified in a family with heritable pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). This frameshift mutation leads to caveolin-1 protein that contains all known functional domains but has a change only in the final 20 amino acids of the C terminus. Here we studied how this mutation alters caveolin-1 function using patient-derived fibroblasts. Transmission electron microscopy showed that fibroblasts carrying the c.474delA mutation formed typical caveolae. Expression of mutated caveolin-1 in caveolin-1-null mouse fibroblasts failed to induce formation of caveolae due to retention of the mutated protein in the endoplasmic reticulum. However, co-expression of wild type caveolin-1 with mutated caveolin-1 restored the ability to form caveolae. Importantly, fibroblasts carrying the mutation showed 2-fold increase in proliferation rate associated with hyper-phosphorylation of Smad1/5/8. This mutation impaired the anti-proliferative function of caveolin-1. Inhibition of type I TGFβ receptors ALK1/2/3/6 responsible for phosphorylation of Smad1/5/8 reduced the hyper-proliferation seen in c.474delA fibroblasts. These results demonstrate the critical role of the final 20 amino acids of caveolin-1 in modulating fibroblast proliferation through dampening Smad signaling, and suggest that augmented Smad signaling and fibroblast hyper-proliferation are contributing factors in the pathogenesis of PAH in patients with caveolin-1 c.474delA mutation.
Abstract 380: Notch4 Uncouples Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase Leading to Arteriovenous Malformations

Notch is distinctively expressed in arterial but not venous endothelial cells. Notch signaling regulates arteriovenous (AV) specification, and mutations in Notch signaling lead to AV malformation (AVM) in mice. AVMs are characterized by abnormal AV shunts that displace capillaries. Mechanisms underlying AVM pathogenesis remain poorly understood, hindering therapeutic development. We reported that endothelial expression of constitutively active Notch4 (Notch4*) in mice initiates AVMs de novo through enlargement of microvessels without an increase in endothelial cell number or proliferation. Here, we hypothesized that Notch4* disrupts endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) signaling and vascular tone, thereby permitting vessel enlargement and AV shunting. We show that arteries isolated from Notch4* mutant mice exhibited decreased arterial tone compared to controls, suggesting that Notch4* impaired vascular tone. Administering the NOS inhibitor N G -nitro-L-arginine abolished Notch4*-mediated vascular tone impairment. Deletion of the eNOS gene and administration of the NOS inhibitor N G -nitro-L-arginine in the Notch4* mutant mice attenuated Notch4*-induced AVM initiation, measured by decreased AV shunt diameter, delayed AV shunting, reduced hemorrhage, pathological lesions, and improved survival, suggesting that eNOS is essential for Notch4* action. In addition, uncoupled eNOS-derived superoxide production was elevated in the Notch4* mice. Our results show that inhibition of eNOS signaling attenuates Notch4*-mediated AVM formation. Furthermore, Notch4* impairs eNOS activity, leading to superoxide production, which results in arterial dysfunction and AV shunt formation.
Contrasting Patterns of DNA Sequence Organization in Plants

One of the major outstanding questions in the recent history of molecular biology concerns the origin and significance of repetitive DNA sequences in eukaryotic genomes. Although higher plant species have not yet received much concentrated attention in this context, an analysis of what data is available shows that plants frequently have much more repetitive DNA than most animals (reviewed in Thompson and Murray, 1979). Therefore it seems logical to view plant genomes as particularly favorable material for studies on the origin and evolution of repeated sequences.
Immune Reconstitution Following Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation in Patients with High-Risk Neuroblastoma at the Time of Immunotherapy

Abstract Outcomes for patients with high-risk neuroblastoma (HR-NBL) are significantly improved with the addition of immunotherapy (dinutuximab + cytokines) following autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (auto-HSCT). We hypothesized that the immune system is not fully reconstituted at the initiation of immunotherapy. To test this hypothesis, we evaluated hematologic and immune subsets in 34 patients with HR-NBL before and after auto-HSCT. We found that absolute T, B, and NK cell counts at the time of immunotherapy were below normal in 80% of patients. Patients with residual disease at the time of transplantation had significantly lower absolute lymphocyte counts (ALC; P = .008), lower CD16+ cell counts (P = .009), and an abnormal ratio of cytokine-releasing to cytotoxic NK cells at the time of dinutuximab treatment. In addition, the preparative regimen used for auto-HSCT predicted immune recovery. Finally, higher total white blood cell count (P = .013) and ALC (P = .013) at 3 months after completion of therapy were measured in patients who remained in remission compared with those who relapsed. Our results indicate that most patients with HR-NBL do not have full immune reconstitution at the time of dinutuximab treatment after auto-HSCT, and that immune recovery may correlate with disease-related outcomes in patients with high-risk disease.
Rural land use bifurcation in the urban-rural gradient

The classic urban-rural gradient concept assumes a decline in land use intensity from an intensively developed urban core outward to residential suburbs, culminating in lightly developed rural areas. The concept provides a common framework directing urban socio-ecological research. Given that rural land use includes woodlands and croplands, and croplands appear as ecologically depauperate as urban lands, we investigated land-use patterns along urban-rural gradients for 30 large metropolitan areas in the eastern United States. We predicted a bifurcation at the rural end of the gradient between woodland and cropland land use that does not correspond with human population density (expected to be relatively low in rural areas regardless of land use type). Our data indicated that ‘rural’ was a poor substitute for ‘natural’ as the rural end of the gradients bifurcated at the rural end between woodland and cropland – croplands being demonstratively poor ecological habitats. Indeed, we found that when defined by habitat quality, the habitat known to be biotically homogenized (urban and cropland) remained steady along the urban-rural gradient. Our results do not undermine the utility of the urban-rural gradient framework, but do suggest that the gradient and/or human population density do not necessarily indicate shifts in habitat quality.
A Virtual Reality Cataract Surgery Course for Residents

We report on two key updates to the publically available Brown ophthalmology residency virtual reality (VR) cataract surgery course. The first is a validated proficiency-based VR simulator test. The second is a mental skills training curriculum derived from a course shown to decrease novice general surgeons' cognitive stress under difficult performance conditions.
Effect of Liquid Phase on Superplasticity at High Strain Rates in Metals and Their Composites

Superplasticity has been observed in many fine-grained metal-matrix composites, mechanically alloyed materials, and modified conventional alloys at extremely high strain rates (> 0.1 s-1). These materials generally exhibited a strain rate sensitivity value of about 0.3 and a maximum elongation of over 300%. The origin of the observed phenomenon of superplasticity at very high rates was, in part, associated with fine grain sizes in these materials. However, a fine grain size was found to be a necessary but insufficient condition. The occurrence of the phenomenon appears to be also caused by the presence of a liquid phase, or in some cases a low melting point region, at the reinforcement-matrix interfaces or grain boundaries. In the present paper, experimental evidence will be given to show that marked changes in superplastic properties are closely related to incipient melting points in a range of materials. This suggests that the presence of a small amount of liquid phase at interfaces or grain boundaries not only enhances the strain rate for superplasticity, but also has a strong influence on the deformation mechanisms.
Why do the Karo Batak prefer women with big feet? Flexible mate preferences and the notion that one size fits all.

Men may find women with small feet relative to body size more attractive because foot size reliably indexes nubility—i.e., age and parity. I collected judgments of attractiveness in response to drawings of women with varying foot sizes from a sample of 159 Karo Batak respondents from North Sumatra, Indonesia, as part of a collaborative project on foot size and attractiveness. The data revealed a contrarian preference among the Karo Batak for women with big feet. The judgments were compared with the results of an existing cross-cultural study that found a preference for women with small feet in aggregate, but a mix of small- and large-foot preferences in the societies taken individually. Using contingency table analysis, I found that ecology and less exposure to Western media were associated with a preference for women with big feet; patriarchal values were not. The findings suggest that human mating preferences may arise in response to local ecological conditions, and may persist and spread via cultural transmission. This has implications for the concept of universality espoused in some versions of evolutionary psychology.
From Uniform Definitions to Prediction of Risk: The Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale Approach to Suicide Risk Assessment

Suicide prevention is of high national and international importance as suicide remains one of the world’s greatest public health crises. Identification is the key to prevention, and therefore the ideal suicide risk assessment instrument enables identification of high risk individuals, monitors for suicide risk factors, and predicts future suicidal behavior in both research and practice. However, research and clinical practice have been challenged by nomenclature and methodological limitations regarding assessment of suicidal ideation and behavior. Systematic assessment for suicidal risk is feasible and provides more reliable outcomes, establishes operationalized criteria, and specifies parameters for triggering referrals, thereby decreasing unnecessary referral and burden. Therefore, assessment of suicidal ideation and behavior should be routinely integrated across public health settings. Knowledge of the full range of suicidal ideation and behaviors and key criteria for differentiating suicidal and non-suicidal events is paramount to the advancement of suicide risk assessment. The Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS), a brief, standardized research-supported risk assessment tool, identifies individuals at increased risk for suicide to lower the overall disease burden and potentially the numbers of unnecessary deaths.
Evaluation of fatigue damage and healing of asphalt mastics for different filler contents

Fatigue damage and healing are two very important characteristics for designing asphalt concrete (AC). Fatigue damage degrades material properties, whereas healing recovers the material properties ...
Multi-distance frequency-domain optical measurements of coherent cerebral hemodynamics

We report non-invasive, bilateral optical measurements on the forehead of five healthy human subjects, of 0.1 Hz oscillatory hemodynamics elicited either by cyclic inflation of pneumatic thigh cuffs, or by paced breathing. Optical intensity and the phase of photon-density waves were collected with frequency-domain near-infrared spectroscopy at seven source-detector distances (11–40 mm). Coherent hemodynamic oscillations are represented by phasors of oxyhemoglobin (O) and deoxyhemoglobin (D) concentrations, and by the vector D/O that represents the amplitude ratio and phase difference of D and O. We found that, on an average, the amplitude ratio (|D/O|) and the phase difference (∠(D/O)) obtained with single-distance intensity at 11–40 mm increase from 0.1° and −330° to 0.2° and −200°, respectively. Single-distance phase and the intensity slope featured a weaker dependence on source-detector separation, and yielded |D/O| and ∠(D/O) values of about 0.5 and −200°, respectively, at distances greater than 20 mm. The key findings are: (1) Single-distance phase and intensity slope are sensitive to deeper tissue compared to single-distance intensity; (2) deeper tissue hemodynamic oscillations, which more closely represent the brain, feature D and O phasors that are consistent with a greater relative flow-to-volume contributions in brain tissue compared to extracerebral, superficial tissue.
Deepening roots can enhance carbonate weathering

Abstract. Carbonate weathering is essential in regulating atmospheric CO2 and carbon cycle at the century time scale. Plant roots have been known to accelerate weathering by elevating soil CO2 via respiration. It however remains poorly understood how and how much rooting characteristics (e.g., depth and density distribution) modify flow paths and weathering. We address this knowledge gap using field data from and reactive transport numerical experiments at the Konza Prairie Biological Station (Konza), Kansas (USA), a site where woody encroachment into grasslands is surmised to deepen roots. Results indicate that deepening roots potentially enhance weathering in two ways. First, deepening roots can control thermodynamic limits of carbonate dissolution by regulating how much CO2 transports downward to the deeper carbonate-rich zone. The base-case data and model from Konza reveal that concentrations of Ca and Dissolved Inorganic Carbon (DIC) are regulated by soil pCO2 driven by the seasonal fluctuation of soil respiration. This relationship can be encapsulated in equations derived in this work describing the dependence of Ca and DIC on temperature and soil CO2, which has been shown to apply in multiple carbonate-dominated catchments. Second, numerical experiments show that roots control weathering rates by regulating the amount of water fluxes that flush through the carbonate zone and export reaction products at dissolution equilibrium. Numerical experiments explored the potential effects of partitioning 40 % of infiltrated water to depth in woodlands compared to 5 % in grasslands. Soil CO2 data from wood- and grasslands suggest relatively similar soil CO2 distribution over depth, and only led to 1 % to 12 % difference in weathering rates if flow partitioning was kept the same between the two land covers. In contrast, deepening roots can enhance weathering by 17 % to 207 % as infiltration rates increased from 3.7 × 10−2 to 3.7 m/yr. Numerical experiments also indicated that weathering fronts in woodlands propagated > 2 times deeper compared to grasslands after 300 years at the infiltration rate of 0.37 m/yr. These differences in weathering fronts are ultimately caused by the contact time of CO2-charged water with carbonate rocks. We recognize that modeling results are subject to limitations in representing processes and parameters, but we propose that the data and numerical experiments allude to the hypothesis that (1) deepening roots can enhance carbonate weathering; (2) the hydrological impacts of rooting characteristics can be more influential than those of soil CO2 distribution in modulating weathering rates. We call for co-located characterizations of roots, subsurface structure, soil CO2 levels, and their linkage to water and water chemistry. These measurements will be essential to improve models and illuminate feedback mechanisms of land cover changes, chemical weathering, global carbon cycle, and climate.
Note on sunflowers

Abstract A sunflower with p petals consists of p sets whose pairwise intersections are identical. The goal of the sunflower problem is to find the smallest r = r ( p , k ) such that any family of r k distinct k -element sets contains a sunflower with p petals. Building upon a breakthrough of Alweiss, Lovett, Wu and Zhang from 2019, Rao proved that r = O ( p log ( p k ) ) suffices; this bound was reproved by Tao in 2020. In this short note we record that r = O ( p log k ) suffices, by using a minor variant of the probabilistic part of these recent proofs.
Nutrient composition of Douglas-fir rhizosphere and bulk soil solutions

Rhizosphere soil solution is the direct source of nutrients for plant uptake. The nutrient composition of rhizosphere soil solution can be very different from that of bulk soil solution due to root exudation, nutrient uptake and rhizosphere microorganism activity. This study examined the nutrient composition of Douglas-fir rhizosphere soil solution in two soils belonging to the Nisqually and Pitcher soil series and compared rhizosphere solution with that of bulk soil solution. Fertilized and unfertilized Nisqually soils were also compared. Soil solutions were collected using centrifugation. Results indicated that nutrient concentrations in the rhizosphere solutions were typically higher than that of bulk soil solutions when no fertilizer was applied. Differences in the concentrations of nutrients between the rhizosphere and bulk soil solutions were masked by the addition of fertilizers. Rhizosphere solution pH also appeared to be affected by the concentration of NH4 and NO3 in the solution. With a higher concentration of NH4 relative to NO3 in the rhizosphere soil solution, the solution pH of the rhizosphere was lower than that of the bulk soil, but with a lower concentration of NH4 relative to NO3, the solution pH of the rhizosphere was higher than that of the bulk soil solution.
Rule-Based Forecasting: Using Judgment in Time-Series Extrapolation

Rule-Based Forecasting (RBF) is an expert system that uses judgment to develop and apply rules for combining extrapolations. The judgment comes from two sources, forecasting expertise and domain knowledge. Forecasting expertise is based on more than a half century of research. Domain knowledge is obtained in a structured way; one example of domain knowledge is managers’ expectations about trends, which we call “causal forces.” Time series are described in terms of up to 28 conditions, which are used to assign weights to extrapolations. Empirical results on multiple sets of time series show that RBF produces more accurate forecasts than those from traditional extrapolation methods or equal-weights combined extrapolations. RBF is most useful when it is based on good domain knowledge, the domain knowledge is important, the series is well-behaved (such that patterns can be identified), there is a strong trend in the data, and the forecast horizon is long. Under ideal conditions, the error for RBF’s forecasts were one-third less than those for equal-weights combining. When these conditions are absent, RBF will neither improve nor harm forecast accuracy. Some of RBF’s rules can be used with traditional extrapolation procedures. In a series of studies, rules based on causal forces improved the selection of forecasting methods, the structuring of time series, and the assessment of prediction intervals.
Separating Precision and Mean in Dirichlet-Enhanced High-Order Markov Models

Robustly estimating the state-transition probabilities of high-order Markov processes is an essential task in many applications such as natural language modeling or protein sequence modeling. We propose a novel estimation algorithm called Hierarchical Separated Dirichlet Smoothing (HSDS), where Dirichlet distributions are hierarchically assumed to be the prior distributions of the state-transition probabilities. The key idea in HSDS is to separatethe parameters of a Dirichlet distribution into the precision and mean, so that the precision depends on the context while the mean is given by the lower-order distribution. HSDS is designed to outperform Kneser-Ney smoothing especially when the number of states is small, where Kneser-Ney smoothing is currently known as the state-of-the-art technique for N-gram natural language models. Our experiments in protein sequence modeling showed the superiority of HSDS both in perplexity evaluation and classification tasks.
Launching and Building the IRIDIUM® Constellation

Over a period of only about one year, Motorola will deploy the largest satellite constellation in the history of humankind. Launching the IRIDIUM® constellation, and turning it into a functioning telecommunications system, is a formidable task involving the coordinated efforts of multiple contractors, organizations and program segments spanning the globe. This paper describes some of the key elements involved in launching and incrementally building the IRIDIUM system.
Pharmacogenomics of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a promising disorder for pharmacogenetic and pharmacogenomic studies due to the high heritability of ADHD, as well as the significant variability in ADHD medication dosing, duration of effect, efficacy, and tolerability. This article summarizes ADHD pharmacogenetic investigations to date, which have primarily focused on response to methylphenidate. The most well-studied genes in ADHD pharmacogenetic studies are the dopamine transporter and dopamine receptor D4. Additional genes that have been associated with methylphenidate response include the adrenergic Α2A receptor, carboxylesterase 1, catechol-O-methyltransferase, dopamine receptor D5, norepinephrine transporter protein 1, serotonin transporter, and synaptosomal-associated protein 25. Unfortunately, the results of current ADHD pharmacogenetic studies have not been entirely consistent, possibly due to small sample sizes and differences in study design, medication dosing regimens, and outcome measures. At present, researchers are increasingly interested in going beyond individual candidate genes to investigate gene-gene and gene-environment interactions or pathways, as well as whole-genome approaches. Potential clinical applications may include the development of treatment efficacy and side effect prediction algorithms that incorporate the interplay of genetic and environmental factors, as well as the future development of more targeted treatment strategies.
The skull of a relative of the stem-group bird Mononykus

In joint expeditions, researchers from the American Museum of Natural History and the Mongolian Academy of Sciences have recovered over 20 alvarezsaurid (Theropoda: Aves) specimens in the Late Cretaceous beds of Mongolia's Gobi Desert1. Here we describe a new taxon that is closely related to Mononykus2,3. This new taxon is represented by two exquisitely preserved skulls — the first known for Alvarezsauridae — details of which support the theory that the group is related to birds4,5. This theory was first put forward on the basis of primarily postcranial evidence2,3, including the presence of avian characteristics such as the absence of a contact between the jugal and postorbital, and between the quadratojugal and squamosal, articulations. Other earlier evidence that suggested that the alvarezsaurids were birds included the presence of a movable joint between the quadratojugal and quadrate, separate squamosal and braincase articulations of the quadrate, confluence between the caudal tympanic recess and columellar recess, a triradiate palatine, an unusually large foramen magnum, and the loss of a coronoid bone. The configuration of the temporal region of the skull and its articulation with the rostrum indicate the capability for prokinetic movement in which flexing occurs at the junction of the upper jaw and neurocranium, and support the idea that prokinesis preceded other types of avian intracranial kinesis.
Untold Truths: The Exclusion of Enforced Sterilizations from the Peruvian Truth Commission's Report

This Article argues that the exclusion of enforced sterilization cases from the Peruvian Truth Commission's (CVR's) investigation and Final Report effectively erases state responsibility and greatly decreases the likelihood for justice and reparations for women victims-survivors of state-sponsored violence in Peru. In a context of deep cultural and economic divides and violent conflict, this note recounts how healthcare providers violated Peruvian women's reproductive rights by sterilizing low-income, indigenous Quechua-speaking women without informed consent through the State's Family Planning Program. It challenges the reasons given by Commissioners themselves for excluding these cases in the Commission's investigation and Final Report and also examines the effects of these omissions. Additionally, this Article argues that these systematic reproductive injustices constitute an act of genocide, proposes an independent inquiry and advocates for a more inclusive investigation and final report for future truth commissions whose goals include truth, accountability and justice for all victims-survivors of state-sponsored violence. Addressing these systematic violations of the fundamental human rights of Peruvian women is particularly important today as the State prosecutes former President Alberto Ken'ya Fujimori, holding him accountable for his alleged acts and omissions in violation of the fundamental human rights of Peruvians during the internal armed conflict. Leaders responsible for the enforced sterilization of more than 200,000 Peruvian women, including Fujimori, must be held accountable for past violations in order to fully realize future reconciliation and justice in Peru.
Torsion of the testicular appendage. Sonographic diagnosis

Torsion of the testicular appendages may simulate the clinical and physical examination findings of testicular torsion. Real-time imaging and duplex Doppler scanning aided the diagnosis of this entity in three children. The testes appear normal on sonograms and have normal vascular flow. A circular mass of increased echogenicity with a variably sized central hypoechoic region is seen adjacent to the testicle. We could not relate variations in echogenicity to time delay between clinical pain and sonographic examination.
First-person pose recognition using egocentric workspaces

We tackle the problem of estimating the 3D pose of an individual's upper limbs (arms+hands) from a chest mounted depth-camera. Importantly, we consider pose estimation during everyday interactions with objects. Past work shows that strong pose+viewpoint priors and depth-based features are crucial for robust performance. In egocentric views, hands and arms are observable within a well defined volume in front of the camera. We call this volume an egocentric workspace. A notable property is that hand appearance correlates with workspace location. To exploit this correlation, we classify arm+hand configurations in a global egocentric coordinate frame, rather than a local scanning window. This greatly simplify the architecture and improves performance. We propose an efficient pipeline which 1) generates synthetic workspace exemplars for training using a virtual chest-mounted camera whose intrinsic parameters match our physical camera, 2) computes perspective-aware depth features on this entire volume and 3) recognizes discrete arm+hand pose classes through a sparse multi-class SVM. We achieve state-of-the-art hand pose recognition performance from egocentric RGB-D images in real-time.