cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Alkane oxidation catalysed by a self-folded multi-iron complex

AbstractA preorganised ligand scaffold is capable of coordinating multiple Fe(II) centres to form an electrophilic CH oxidation catalyst. This catalyst oxidises unactivated hydrocarbons including simple, linear alkanes under mild conditions in good yields with selectivity for the oxidation of secondary CH bonds. Control complexes containing a single metal centre are incapable of oxidising unstrained linear hydrocarbons, indicating that participation of multiple centres aids the CH oxidation of challenging substrates.
Pondering on Current Status and Development of Monitoring on Adverse Reaction of Traditional Chinese Medicine in China

With the wide usage of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and the diversity of its dosage-forms, the reports about adverse reaction (ADR) caused by TCM were gradually increased. As the cradle of TCM with tremendous manufacturing enterprise engaged for this purpose, to establish and perfect the TCM ADR monitoring is the problem that TCM industry should face to. In this paper, the key point of TCM ADR monitoring was made clear by analysing the current situation and the problems presented in TCM ADR monitoring in China, and indicated that the nowday developing goals of TCM ADR monitoring are to establish and perfect the technologic system for TCM ADR monitoring, strengthen the related basic research and enhance international communication and cooperation in this field.
Recombinant human Interferon-γaerosol inhalation in treatment of 100 children with respiratory virus infection

Objective To explore applicative curative effect of recombinant human Interferon-γaerosol inhalation in clinical treatment of children with respiratory virus infection. Methods 200 children with respiratory virus infection who were treated in department of infectious diseases in our hospital from February 2014 to February 2015 were selected as research objects and they were allocated to the control group and the observation group according to double-blind method. Patients in the control group were received routine treatment while patients in the observation group were received recombinant human Interferon-γaerosol inhalation treatment on the basis of routine treatment. Curative effects were compared seven days after the medication including the time of clinical symptom improvement, immunological indexes, condition of adverse reactions and so on. Results By observation, effective rate of treatment of patients in the observation group was 95% while the effective rate of treatment of patients in the control group was 86%. Effective rate of treatment of the observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group and the difference was statistically significant(P 0.05). The time of clinical symptom improvement includes coughing, asthma, fever, moist rales of lung and so on. The time of clinical symptom improvement of the observation group was significantly shorter than that of the control group and the difference was statistically significant(P 0.05). Ig E levels after treatment in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group and the differences were statistically significant(P 0.05). While the Ig A level, Ig G level and Ig M level of two groups had no significantly and the difference was not statistically significant(P 0.05). The conditions of improvements of IL- 4 and IFN –γin the observation group were significantly better than those in the control group and the difference was statistically significant(P 0.05). Incidence of adverse reactions of the two groups had no significant difference and the difference was not statistically significant(P 0.05). Conclusion Recombinant human Interferon-γaerosol inhalation in treatment of children with respiratory virus infection has an obvious curative effect. It can accelerate the improvement of patients' clinical symptoms and enhance the body's immune function which is worthy of clinical promotion.
Pneumatic Drilling and Excavation in Support of Venus Science and Exploration

Venus is considered to be Earth’s sister planet hence we can learn a lot about Earth by investigating Venus tectonics, volcanism, and atmosphere. As opposed to Mars which lost most of its atmosphere but retained a lot of water, Venus has extremely dense and hot, carbon dioxide atmosphere (95 % CO2, >90 atm pressure, and ~480 °C temperature) and lost most of its water. One day Earth could end up looking just like Venus or Mars. Mars has been mapped by multitudes of spacecraft and we learn more about that planet each year. In comparison, understanding of Venus is relatively poor. The science objectives for Venus exploration are expressed in various reports by the Venus Exploration Analysis Group (Vexag 2014).
Genome-wide synthetic genetic screening by transposon mutagenesis in Candida albicans

Transposon-based mutagenesis is an effective method for genetic screening on a genome-wide scale, with particular applicability in organisms possessing compact genomes where transforming DNA tends to integrate by homologous recombination. Methods for transposon mutagenesis have been applied with great success in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and in the related pathogenic yeast Candida albicans. In C. albicans, we have implemented transposon mutagenesis to generate heterozygous mutations for the analysis of complex haploinsufficiency, a type of synthetic genetic interaction wherein a pair of non-complementing heterozygous mutations results in a stronger phenotype then either individual mutation in isolation. Genes exhibiting complex haploinsufficiency typically function within a regulatory pathway, in parallel pathways, or in parallel branches within a single pathway. Here, we present protocols to implement transposon mutagenesis for complex haploinsufficiency screening in C. albicans, indicating methods for transposon construction, mutagenesis, phenotypic screening, and identification of insertion sites in strains of interest. In total, the approach is a useful means to implement large-scale synthetic genetic screening in the diploid C. albicans.
The Home Observation of Periconceptional Exposures (HOPE) study, a prospective cohort: aims, design, recruitment and compliance

To examine transient environmental exposures and their relationship with human fecundity, exposure assessment should occur optimally at the time of conception in both members of the couple. We performed an observational, prospective cohort study with biomonitoring in both members of a heterosexual couple trying to conceive. Couples collected urine, saliva, and semen specimens for up to two menstrual cycles on days corresponding to the time windows of fertilization, implantation, and early pregnancy, identified based on the woman’s observations of her cervical fluid. Three hundred nine eligible couples were screened between 2011 and 2015, of which 183 enrolled. Eleven couples (6.0 %) withdrew or were lost to follow up. The most successful and cost effective recruiting strategies were word of mouth (40 % of participating couples), posters and flyers (37 %), and targeted Facebook advertising (13 %) with an overall investment of $37.35 spent on recruitment per couple. Both men and women collected ≥97.2 % of requested saliva samples, and men collected ≥89.9 % of requested semen samples. Within the periovulatory days (±3 days), there was at least one urine specimen collected by women in 97.1 % of cycles, and at least one by men in 91.7 % of cycles. Daily compliance with periovulatory urine specimens ranged from 66.5 to 92.4 % for women and from 55.7 to 75.0 % for men. Compliance was ≥88 % for questionnaire completion at specified time points. Couples planning to conceive can be recruited successfully for periconceptional monitoring, and will comply with intensive study protocols involving home collection of biospecimens and questionnaire data.
Decisions about the future

But you must bind me hard and fast, so that I cannot stir from the spot where you will stand me, … and if I beg you to release me, you must tighten and add to my bonds. Homer, The Odyssey In the last chapter, we examined conflicts between self and others. In this chapter, we look at a different kind of conflict, that between the present and the future. Many of our decisions require us to choose between satisfying our goals for the immediate present and our goals for our futures. Should I do the crossword puzzle or work on this book? (I will enjoy doing the puzzle now, but if I miss the deadline for this manuscript, I will be unhappy later.) Should a student go to a movie or get started on a paper? If she goes to the movie, she may regret it later, when she has to finish the paper at the last minute. Should Bill take a job he likes now, or should he go to graduate school and get a job he likes even better later? Should I learn the violin, putting up with the scratching and sawing in order to play Bach later? We can think of these kinds of conflicts as analogous to social dilemmas. Instead of a conflict between self and other, the conflict is between a “present self” and a “future self.”
A joint relay selection and buffer management scheme for delivery rate optimization in DTNs

Due to the unstable network topology of Delay Tolerant Networks (DTNs), multi-copy routing is often used to increase the reliability of message delivery. However, this routing approach suffers from high buffer and bandwidth overhead. While much work has been done in the design of forwarding algorithms, little work has focused on studying forwarding under the presence of resource constraints such as short contact durations and small buffers. In this paper, we investigate a multi-copy routing strategy and a buffer management policy that maximize the delivery rate in DTNs. We consider a realistic DTN environment with resource constraints, heterogeneous node mobility, and varied message sizes. There are three key issues in DTN routing: (1) to which next hop relay node should messages be replicated, (2) in which order should messages be replicated, and (3) which messages should be dropped first when the buffer is full. We propose to forward a message to a neighboring node that has both a stronger social tie with the destination and a smaller or similar queue length. This aims to reduce traffic at highly connected network nodes, avoiding frequent message drops which compromise the delivery ratio. For the second and third issue, we develop a utility function using global network information to compute per-packet delivery rate utility. Messages are then scheduled and dropped according to their utility values. Extensive simulation results based on the real-world San Francisco cab trace show that our proposed scheme can achieve a delivery rate of up to 22% higher than existing schemes, while still maintaining a comparable average delivery delay. Furthermore, our scheme distributes the network loads more evenly, with the top 10% of network nodes handling only 24% of the forwardings.
Electric current induced ultrafast demagnetization

We report the magnetic response of Co/Pt multilayers to picosecond electrical heating. Using photoconductive Auston switches, we generate electrical pulses with 5.5 ps duration and hundreds of pico-Joules to pass through Co/Pt multilayers. The electrical pulse heats the electrons in the Co/Pt multilayers and causes an ultrafast reduction in the magnetic moment. A comparison between optical and electrically induced demagnetization of the Co/Pt multilayers reveals significantly different dynamics for optical vs electrical heating. We attribute the disparate dynamics to the dependence of the electron-phonon interaction on the average energy and the total number of initially excited electrons.
STUDIES ON THE EFFECTS OF GASEOUS IONS ON THE MAMMALIAN TRACHEA

Abstract Experimental methods were developed to study the effects of gaseous ions on the tracheal mucosa in situ and in excised strips. Positively charged CO2: decreased the ciliary rate, contracted the posterior tracheal wall, induced a state of exaggerated susceptibility to mild mechanical trauma, caused vasoconstriction in the tracheal wall and increased the respiratory rate. Negatively charged oxygen: increased the ciliary rate, reversed the positive ion-induced contraction of the tracheal wall, did not alter the mucosal response to mild trauma, did not change the normal vascularity and decreased the respiratory rate. All five effects are demonstrable in the living tracheotomized animal; only the first three can be demonstrated in the excised strip. All the tracheal effects attributed to positively charged CO2 are also produced by the intravenous injection of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT). We have tested the hypothesis that: (1) Positive air ion effects on the trachea are due to the release and local accumulation of 5-HT and (2) Negative ions reverse positive ion effects by accelerating the rate at which 5-HT is oxidized. The experimental results obtained to date are compatible with the hypothesis.
Oesophageal lichen planus: the efficacy of topical steroid-based therapies.

SummaryBackground Oesophageal lichen planus is an idiopathic inflammatory disorder characterized by significant oesophageal stricturing. Oesophageal lichen planus is a rare, difficult to diagnose, and likely an under recognized disease. As a result, there is no standardized approach to therapy and treatment strategies vary. Aim To examine the utility of topical steroid therapy (fluticasone or budesonide) in the management of oesophageal lichen planus. Methods A retrospective chart review was conducted of patients diagnosed with oesophageal lichen planus who underwent baseline and follow up endoscopy pre and post topical steroid therapy between 1995 and 2016 at Mayo Clinic, Rochester MN. Average time between upper GI endoscopy was 3.2 months (0.7–11.7). Swallowed steroid preparations included fluticasone 880 μg twice daily or budesonide 3 mg twice daily. Patients were reviewed for symptomatic response to therapy using the Dakkak-Bennett dysphagia score (0–4, no dysphagia to total aphagia). Pre- and post-endoscopic findings were assessed. Additional baseline demographic, endoscopic, and histologic data were also obtained. Results We identified 40 patients who met the inclusion criteria. A significant reduction in median dysphagia score from 1 (0–4) to 0 (0–3) after steroid therapy (P < 0.001) was noted. 62% of patients reported resolution of their dysphagia after receiving topical corticosteroids. 72.5% had an endoscopic response to steroid therapy. Conclusion Topical swallowed budesonide or fluticasone appear to effective treatment for oesophageal lichen planus.
Multi-Click Attribution in Sponsored Search Advertising: An Empirical Study in Hospitality Industry:

Sponsored search advertising has become a dominant form of advertising for many firms in the hospitality vertical, with Priceline and Expedia each spending in excess of US$2 billion in online advertising in 2015. Given the competition in online advertising, it has become essential for advertisers to know how effectively to allocate financial resources to keywords. Central to budget allocation for keywords is an attribution of revenue (from converted ads) to the keywords generating consumer interest. Conventional wisdom suggests several ways to attribute revenues in the sponsored search advertising domain (e.g., last-click, first & last-click, or evenly distributed approach). We develop a multi-click attribution methodology using a unique multi-advertiser data set, which includes full advertiser and consumer-level click and purchase information. We add to the literature by developing a two-stage multi-click attribution methodology with a specific focus on sponsored search advertising in the hospitality ind...
Tilting the Energy Balance: Less Energy Out

The recent rise in the population’s caloric intake could very well have been stifled had there been a balancing increase in energy expenditure. However, the population’s increased energy intake has been accompanied by a decline in energy output. This energy “depression” is adding to our collective energy surplus, adding fuel to “Hurricane Obesa.”
Behavioral activation for smoking cessation and mood management following a cardiac event: results of a pilot randomized controlled trial.

Smoking cessation following hospitalization for Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) significantly reduces subsequent mortality. Depressed mood is a major barrier to cessation post-ACS. Although existing counseling treatments address smoking and depression independently in ACS patients, no integrated treatment addresses both. We developed an integrated treatment combining gold standard cessation counseling with behavioral activation-based mood management; Behavioral Activation Treatment for Cardiac Smokers (BAT-CS). The purpose of this pilot randomized controlled trial was to test feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of BAT-CS vs. Standard of Care (SC). Participants were recruited during hospitalization for ACS and were randomly assigned to BAT-CS or SC. The nicotine patch was offered in both conditions. Smoking, mood, and stress outcomes were collected at end-of-treatment and 24-week follow-up. Fifty-nine participants (28 BAT-CS, 31 SC) were recruited over 42 weeks, and assessment completion was above 80% in both conditions. Treatment acceptability and fidelity were high. At 24 week follow-up adjusted odds ratios favoring BAT-CS were 1.27 (95% CI: 0.41–3.93) for 7-day point prevalence abstinence and 1.27 (95% CI: 0.42–3.82) for continuous abstinence. Time to first smoking lapse was significantly longer in BAT-CS (62.4 vs. 31.8 days, p = 0.03). At 24-weeks, effect sizes for mood and stress outcomes ranged from η2 partial of.07–.11, with significant between treatment effects for positive affect, negative affect, and stress. The design of this study proved feasible and acceptable. Results provide preliminary evidence that combining behavioral activation with standard smoking cessation counseling could be efficacious for this high risk population. A larger trial with longer follow-up is warranted. NCT01964898 . First received by clinicaltrials.gov October 15, 2013.
The Effect of Salt-water Corrosion on Copper Alloy Rail Claddings in a Small Railgun

As the U.S. Navy gets closer to fielding shipboard railguns; there is an increasing concern with how surface corrosion of the rail claddings will affect launcher performance and lifetime. It is intuitive to hypothesize that corrosion on the rail surface will negatively affect both the performance and lifetime since significant surface oxide formation on the rail surface will increase the rail/armature contact resistance and surface pitting will reduce the rail/armature contact area. Negative effects from surface corrosion could include increase arcing contact between the armature and the rails, also known as transition, decreasing the launcher efficiency, muzzle velocity, and enhance the rate of rail erosion. In the experiments discussed here, the University of Texas at Arlington has performed two unique sets of experiments. In the first, 6.35-mm diameter C18150 copper rods were pulsed with high current while immersed in a salt fog environment to study how pulsed currents affect surface corrosion. In the second set of experiments, a 1-m-long railgun was used to evaluate the impact of rail corrosion on the launcher operation. A controlled corrosion process was used to induce damage on rail sections positioned at two locations within the gun, the startup and peak current regions, respectively. The launcher has a peak current of roughly 120 kA and a muzzle energy of 1.8 kJ when 14 g launch packages, fabricated from 6061-T6 aluminum, are used. The rail sections, which have dimensions of 1” $\times4$ ” $\times1$ /8,” are fabricated of C18150 and were corroded using a using potentiostatic polarization to drive oxide formation and growth. Railgun performance was evaluated using the standard measurements of armature current, breech voltage, muzzle voltage, and velocity interpolated through b-dots. The rail sections were characterized at the material surface level prior to and after a shot series using scanning electron microscope imagery and x-ray diffraction. Three different sets of samples were tested and include, baseline samples, i.e., no corrosion, samples corroded with a potentiostatic polarization of −0.1 V saturated calomel reference electrode (SCE) for 20 $\text {k}\cdot \text {s}$ in 3.5% NaCl, and samples corroded with a potentiostatic polarization of −0.2 V SCE for 28.8 $\text {k}\cdot \text {s}$ in 3.5% NaCl. Each set of samples were subjected to a series of five railgun shots with a 10-min rest between each shot. The aim of these experiments was to study the surface corrosion induced by the high ohmic heating and pulsed magnetic fields while immersed in a salt fog. The results of both respective types of experiments will be presented here.
A Concluding Manifesto: Culture and Desire

This chapter synthesizes the book’s major theoretical themes and analytical objects—fantasy, desire, subjectivity, production, agency, and institutions. It proposes that the theoretical lessons of the analysis are not limited to China, but should in principle be relevant to social analysis in other cultures. Ambitiously stated, the study recommends substantial revision of anthropology’s object, “culture,” in order to accommodate desire and fantasy.
A systematic review of instrumental variable analyses using geographic region as an instrument

Abstract Background Instrumental variables analysis is a methodology to mitigate the effects of measured and unmeasured confounding in observational studies of treatment effects. Geographic area is increasingly used as an instrument. Methods We conducted a literature review to determine the properties of geographic area in studies of cancer treatments. We identified cancer studies performed in the United States which incorporated instrumental variable analysis with area-wide treatment rate within a geographic region as the instrument. We assessed the degree of treatment variability between geographic regions, assessed balance of measured confounders afforded by geographic area and compared the results of instrumental variable analysis to those of multivariable methods. Results Geographic region as an instrument was relatively common, with 22 eligible studies identified, many of which were published in high-impact journals. Treatment rates did not vary greatly by geographic region. Covariates were not balanced by the instrument in the majority of studies. Eight out of eleven studies found statistically significant effects of treatment on multivariable analysis but not for instrumental variables, with the central estimates of the instrumental variables analysis generally being closer to the null. Conclusions We recommend caution and an investigation of IV assumptions when considering the use of geographic region as an instrument in observational studies of cancer treatments. The value of geographic region as an instrument should be critically evaluated in other areas of medicine.
CT texture features of liver parenchyma for predicting development of metastatic disease and overall survival in patients with colorectal cancer

To determine if identifiable hepatic textural features are present at abdominal CT in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) prior to the development of CT-detectable hepatic metastases. Four filtration–histogram texture features (standard deviation, skewness, entropy and kurtosis) were extracted from the liver parenchyma on portal venous phase CT images at staging and post-treatment surveillance. Surveillance scans corresponded to the last scan prior to the development of CT-detectable CRC liver metastases in 29 patients (median time interval, 6 months), and these were compared with interval-matched surveillance scans in 60 CRC patients who did not develop liver metastases. Predictive models of liver metastasis-free survival and overall survival were built using regularised Cox proportional hazards regression. Texture features did not significantly differ between cases and controls. For Cox models using all features as predictors, all coefficients were shrunk to zero, suggesting no association between any CT texture features and outcomes. Prognostic indices derived from entropy features at surveillance CT incorrectly classified patients into risk groups for future liver metastases (p < 0.001). On surveillance CT scans immediately prior to the development of CRC liver metastases, we found no evidence suggesting that changes in identifiable hepatic texture features were predictive of their development. • No correlation between liver texture features and metastasis-free survival was observed. • Liver texture features incorrectly classified patients into risk groups for liver metastases. • Standardised texture analysis workflows need to be developed to improve research reproducibility.
Da Vinci tool torque mapping over 50,000 grasps and its implications on grip force estimation accuracy

Despite the increasing use of the da Vinci surgical robot, clinicians often claim that the inclusion of force mea­surement at the grasper could enhance the use of these robots in surgery. Many methods have been proposed to accurately estimate this force using already-existing sensors on the da Vinci robot. However, a key weakness in these methods is that they rely on a training dataset which was likely obtained at the beginning of a tool's life, and does not accurately represent the state of the tool throughout use. This work aims to address this problem by assessing the grip force estimation error over the lifetime of a single da Vinci tool, and to propose a method to maintain this estimation error at less than 2 mNm. We found that the most significant changes in the tool were seen in the first 1,000 grasps. Despite these changes, our method to periodically retrain our algorithm maintained the error under 2 mNm. An accurate estimation error has implications in haptics as well as obtaining in-vivo tissue properties during surgical procedures.
Computational Modeling and Design of Adaptive Thin-Film Composite Coatings

The tailoring of thin film coatings comprised of high strength constituents, such as diamond like carbon and partially stabilized zirconia and ductile constituents, such as gold and molybdenum is investigated by new microstructurally-based finite-element techniques for applications related to the wear, durability, and performance of these coatings over a broad range of temperatures and loading conditions. The effects of contact transfer films, grain-shape sizes and distributions, grain-boundary structure and sliding, texture, and strength are used to determine the optimal thin film coating compositions. Comparisons are made with experimental measurements and observations, and guidelines for optimal thin film composite coatings are proposed.
Low-density lipoprotein receptor family: endocytosis and signal transduction.

The low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) family is composed of a class of single transmembrane glycoproteins, generally recognized as cell surface endocytic receptors, which bind and internalize extracellular ligands for degradation by lysosomes. Structurally, members of the LDLR family share homology within their extracellular domains, which are highlighted by the presence of clusters of ligand-binding repeats. Recently, information regarding the structural and functional elements within their cytoplasmic tails has begun to emerge, which suggests that members of the LDLR family function not only in receptor-mediated endocytosis, but also in transducing signals that are important during embryonic development and the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease. This review focuses on recent knowledge of the structural and functional aspects of LDLR family members in endocytosis and signal transduction. The relationship of these functions to the development of the neuronal system and in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease is specifically discussed.
Crop Essential Element Status Assessment in the Field

High crop yields of exceptional quality are dependent on a specific and adequate essential element status in the producing plants. When elemental levels in these plants are under or over the sufficiency range, usually visual symptoms of stress appear which provides one means of identification. Some form of chemical testing of the plant is required to confirm an essential element insufficiency or to determine if sufficiency is being achieved. Such chemical tests performed in the laboratory are called “plant analysis,” while tests performed in the field on fresh tissue are referred to as “tissue tests.” Chemical tests of the growing media, whether soil or some other substance, can also be conducted to predict plant growth and probable crop response to applied fertilizer. Currently, there are no electrical or electrochemical means for assessing either the soil or plant essential element status in situ. Heterogeneous distribution of elements in the plant and rooting media makes for placement of measuring devices difficult, if not impossible. Therefore, one is left with chemical testing as the means of essential element assessment.
The Complex Numbers. Trigonometric Sums. Infinite Products

In order to solve the equation $$a{x^2} + bx + c = 0,$$ (1.1) where a, b, c are real numbers and a ≠ 0, for x ∈ ℝ, we use the identity $$a{x^2} + bx + c = a\left[ {{{\left( {x + \frac{b}{{2a}}} \right)}^2} + \frac{{4ac - {b^2}}}{{4{a^2}}}} \right],$$ (1.2) obtained by “completing the square.” A real number x satisfying (1.1) must satisfy $${\left( {x + \frac{b}{{2a}}} \right)^2} = \frac{{{b^2} - 4ac}}{{4{a^2}}}.$$ (1.3)
A Low-Power Thin-Film Si Heterojunction FET Noise Amplifier for Generation of True Random Numbers

A low-power noise amplifier is implemented with thin-film Si heterojunction field-effect transistors (HJFETs) and its suitability for generation of true random numbers is investigated. The HJFETs are operated at near subthreshold to obtain a large output resistance and therefore a high intrinsic gain at a low operation power. It is found that the noise output of a proof-of-concept 4-stage amplifier with a voltage gain of ~5000, bandwidth of ~1 KHz, power consumption of ~100 nW, and a dc-blocking output capacitance of 250 pF is suitable for generation of statistically true random numbers at a rate of 100 bit/s without requiring post-processing. The described technique may find application in emerging technologies, such as large-area, flexible, and/or wearable devices that benefit from enhanced security and low-power computing.
The Extent of the Transition Zone in Hirschsprung Disease.

Abstract Background Retained transition zone is a leading cause of obstructive symptoms after pull-through operation in Hirschsprung's disease. Objective We aimed to evaluate the extent of the histological transition zone in patients with Hirschsprung's disease. Design We performed an observational study. DAB + immunohistochemistry for Protein Gene Product 9.5 was used to evaluate the neuronal networks in serial sections of pull-through specimens obtained from children with Hirschsprung's disease (n = 12). Reference ranges for ganglion size/density and nerve trunk diameter were statistically determined using healthy controls obtained from colostomy specimens from children with anorectal malformations (n = 8). The transition zone was defined as ganglionic bowel exhibiting ganglion hypoplasia, hypertrophic nerve trunks, or partial circumference aganglionosis. Results The mean submucosal nerve trunk diameter in controls was 19.56 μm +/− 3.87 μm. The median age at pull-through for Hirschsprung's disease was 5 months (3–14 months). The median length of the transition zone across the population was 8 cm (4–22 cm). Median transition zone extent was significantly longer in patients with long-segment aganglionosis (n = 6) compared to rectosigmoid aganglionosis (n = 6, 13 cm vs 6 cm, p = 0.041). Due to the age of the patients enrolled, long-term follow-up of bowel function is not yet available. Conclusion Our data suggest that, in children with rectosigmoid Hirschsprung's disease, the transition zone can extend for up to 13 cm. In children with long-segment disease, a longer transition zone is possible. Extended resection at a minimum 5 cm beyond the most distal ganglionic intra-operative biopsy and intra-operative histological examination of the proximal resection margin are required to minimize transition zone pull-through. Level of Evidence 2.
Outcomes of Serial Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Subsequent Biopsy in Men with Low-risk Prostate Cancer Managed with Active Surveillance.

Abstract Background Outcomes of serial multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) and subsequent biopsy in monitoring prostate cancer (PCa) in men on active surveillance (AS) have not been defined clearly. Objective To determine whether changes in serial mpMRI can predict pathological upgrade among men with grade group (GG) 1 PCa managed with AS. Design, setting, and participants Retrospective analysis of men with GG1 on AS with at least two consecutive mpMRI examinations during 2012–2018 who underwent mpMRI/ultrasound fusion or systematic biopsies. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis Progression on serial mpMRI was evaluated as a predictor of pathological upgrading to GG ≥ 2 on a follow-up biopsy using clinical, pathological, and imaging factors in binary logistic regression. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy were determined. Results and limitations Of 122 patients, 29 men (23.8%) experienced pathological upgrade on the follow-up biopsy. Progression on mpMRI was not associated with pathological upgrade. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of mpMRI progression for predicting pathological upgrade were 41.3%, 54.8%, 22.2%, and 75%, respectively. Age (odds ratio [OR] 1.17, p = 0.006), Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) score on initial mpMRI (4–5 vs ≤3, OR 7.48, p = 0.01), number of positive systematic cores (OR 1.84, p = 0.03), number of positive targeted cores (OR 0.44, p = 0.04), and maximum percent of targeted core tumor involvement (OR 1.04, p = 0.01) were significantly associated with pathological upgrade. Conclusions We did not observe an association between mpMRI progression and pathological upgrade; however, a PI-RADS score of 4–5 on initial mpMRI was predictive of subsequent pathological progression. The continued use of systematic and fusion biopsies appears necessary due to risks of reclassification over time. Patient summary Progression on serial multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging during active surveillance (AS) is not associated with progression on the follow-up biopsy. Both systematic and fusion biopsies are necessary to sufficiently capture progression during AS.
NATURE OF EXCITON-EXCITON ANNIHILATION IN AN AGGREGATED CYANINE DYE

For aggregated 1,1‘,3,3‘-tetraethyl-5,5‘,6,6‘-tetrachlorobenzimidazolocarbocyanine (TTBC) adsorbed onto silica, we have ascertained that coherent optical dynamical processes play key roles in defining the temporal response and spectral profile of the fluorescence. We have also determined which coherent processes are involved in what might generally be termed exciton−exciton annihilation. Additionally, we provide in the TTBC system a concrete example of room temperature superradiance.
Politics of Scandal: Power and Process in Liberal Democracies . Edited by Andrei S. Markovits and Mark Silverstein. New York: Holmes & Meier, 1988. 300p. $49.50 cloth, $19.95 paper.

Through analytical discussions of such events as Watergate and Britain's Profumo affair, this book demonstrates that such political scandals are neither idiosyncratic to democratic regimes nor unique to the United States (or, for that matter, unique to world-weary Europeans). Nor are they, as some political scientists claimed some years ago, routine to those underdeveloped societies who have a high toleration of corruption. While sex and money play their part, at the heart of the great scandals of the post-war era lies the violation of process in the pursuit of power.
A20 restricts inflammation via ubiquitin binding

The ubiquitin-editing enzyme A20 has a pivotal role in restricting autoimmune and inflammatory responses. New studies suggest that A20 prevents inflammatory diseases using a non-catalytic mechanism involving ubiquitin binding.
Use of Cyclosporine Leads to Poorer Outcomes in Patients with Cystic Fibrosis Following Lung Transplant

Purpose Calcineurin inhibitors, tacrolimus (TAC) and cyclosporine (CsA), are used to prevent graft rejection following transplant. In patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), in whom malabsorption and altered drug metabolism could alter the efficacy of immunosuppression, outcomes due to maintenance immunosuppression has been scantly investigated. Our aim is to assess chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD) development in patients with CF who were maintained on TAC compared to CsA. Methods The United Network Organ Sharing (UNOS) registry was queried for all patients with CF who received a primary, bilateral lung transplant between 2000- 2015. Patients were defined by calcineurin inhibitor immunosuppression at hospital discharge post-lung transplant and at 1-year post-transplant (TAC/TAC, CsA/TAC, CsA/CsA). Kaplan-Meier Survival curves with Wilcoxon test was used to test the equality of stratified survival curves. Results During the study period, 2207 CF patients received primary lung transplant. During the first year, TAC/TAC (81%) was most common followed by CsA/TAC (8%) and CsA/CsA (8%). CF patients on TAC/TAC were less likely to have an acute rejection episode (p Conclusion Use of CsA during the first year following lung transplant led to an increased risk of CLAD and death compared to CF patients maintained on TAC during the first year following lung transplant.
Materials, Actuators, and Sensors for Soft Bioinspired Robots

Biological systems can perform complex tasks with high compliance levels. This makes them a great source of inspiration for soft robotics. Indeed, the union of these fields has brought about bioinspired soft robotics, with hundreds of publications on novel research each year. This review aims to survey fundamental advances in bioinspired soft actuators and sensors with a focus on the progress between 2017 and 2020, providing a primer for the materials used in their design.
PEng4NN: An Accurate Performance Estimation Engine for Efficient Automated Neural Network Architecture Search.

Neural network (NN) models are increasingly used in scientific simulations, AI, and other high performance computing (HPC) fields to extract knowledge from datasets. Each dataset requires tailored NN model architecture, but designing structures by hand is a time-consuming and error-prone process. Neural architecture search (NAS) automates the design of NN architectures. NAS attempts to find well-performing NN models for specialized datsets, where performance is measured by key metrics that capture the NN capabilities (e.g., accuracy of classification of samples in a dataset). Existing NAS methods are resource intensive, especially when searching for highly accurate models for larger and larger datasets. To address this problem, we propose a performance estimation strategy that reduces the resources for training NNs and increases NAS throughput without jeopardizing accuracy. We implement our strategy via an engine called PEng4NN that plugs into existing NAS methods; in doing so, PEng4NN predicts the final accuracy of NNs early in the training process, informs the NAS of NN performance, and thus enables the NAS to terminate training NNs early. We assess our engine on three diverse datasets (i.e., CIFAR-100, Fashion MNIST, and SVHN). By reducing the training epochs needed, our engine achieves substantial throughput gain; on average, our engine saves 61% to 82% of training epochs, increasing throughput by a factor of 2.5 to 5 compared to a state-of-the-art NAS method. We achieve this gain without compromising accuracy, as we demonstrate with two key outcomes. First, across all our tests, between 74% and 97% of the ground truth best models lie in our set of predicted best models. Second, the accuracy distributions of the ground truth best models and our predicted best models are comparable, with the mean accuracy values differing by at most .7 percentage points across all tests.
CORE MANY-TO-ONE MATCHINGS BY FIXED-POINT METHODS

We characterize the core many-to-one matchings as fixed points of a map. Our characterization gives an algorithm for finding core allocations; the algorithm is efficient and simple to implement. Our characterization does not require substitutable preferences, so it is separate from the structure needed for the non-emptiness of the core. When preferences are substitutable, our characterization gives a simple proof of the lattice structure of core matchings, and it gives a method for computing the join and meet of two core matchings.
Pancreatic Cancer Metastases to a Klippel-Feil Congenital Fusion of the Cervical Spine: Case Report

To our knowledge, metastasis to the site of congenital cervical fusion in Klippel-Feil syndrome (KFS) has not been described before and this report describes the management. The patient’s clinical presentation, imaging findings, and surgical treatment and outcomes are described. This is a case of a 47-year-old man with severe right C5 radicular symptoms with associated weakness as the first presentation of metastatic pancreatic cancer. The lesion involved the anterior and posterior elements of congenitally fused C4–C5 vertebrae with right foraminal involvement. The patient was managed with C2–T1 posterior spinal fusion and instrumentation with C4–C6 laminectomy and debulking of the lesion. The patient had resolution of his radicular symptoms. The cervical spine accounts for 8–15% of metastatic spine disease. KFS and congenital cervical fusion are uncommon. To our knowledge, this is the first description of a metastatic spine disease at a level of a congenital cervical fusion. The patient underwent successful surgical intervention consisting of posterior spinal fusion and laminectomy.
Finite Element Modeling of Density-Driven Recirculating Turbulent Flow

For many fluid flows in both natural and man-made settings, density gradients influence the nature, direction, and magnitude of the flow. Differences in fluid density may be the result of differences in fluid temperature, salinity or the presence of suspended solids. In all of these flows the thermal energy or contaminant transport is intimately linked to momentum transport in the determination of the flow pattern. Usually these flows are turbulent, and as a consequence a proper representation of the transport phenomena must correctly characterize the interplay between turbulent fluctuations and density variations in the flow. A two-dimensional steady model of the mean flow then consists of a mass conservation equation, two component momentum conservation equations and one transport equation for conservation of a scalar.
Towards an Ensemble Framework for Assisting in Synthesis Tasks

Ensemble methods have enjoyed much recent attention from machine learning researchers. Classification systems have been studied extensively through ensemble methods, and though efforts have also been made to study clustering and regression ensembles, some have suggested wider application of ensemble methods. In this paper, we seek to extend the application of ensemble methods to synthesis tasks involving the design of structures such as plans and workflows. To simplify the design task, incremental refinement recommendations are often sought involving explicit aspects of an incomplete or incorrect structure. We simplify such recommendations to two core components, the problem and the solution, in order to reduce the problem of generating recommendations into two analytical tasks. We formalize this distinction and explore the the implications of implementing an ensemble framework aware of both components, identifying additional requirements such a framework should satisfy to provide accurate and helpful recommendations.
A Review of “Academic writing in a global context: the politics and practices of publishing in English”

Since English is the dominant medium of the international academic community, scholars face growing pressure to publish in English-medium Anglophone-centred journals. While English-medium academic ...
No Way Back? Adaptation and Urbanization of IDP Livelihoods in the Darfur Region of Sudan

This article explores how people in conflict zones adapt their livelihoods after they migrate to urban areas. Drawing on case studies in two towns in the Darfur region of Sudan, the authors find that livelihood systems are in transition and have undergone fundamental changes resulting from displacement and the effects of conflict on dysfunctional and failing institutions. Urban migrants’ livelihood strategies evolve in a context of insecurity, distorted markets, lack of regulation and punitive rent-seeking regimes such as protection payments. Maladaptive livelihood strategies emerge in response to the need for food and income in the short term. New strategies also can increase societal inequities and marginalization, and over-exploit limited natural resources. Thus the ‘new’ livelihoods cannot be considered sustainable or equitable, or even able to provide food security in the short term. Locally appropriate and innovative approaches to support livelihoods are badly needed, but it is important to monitor and evaluate their impacts on livelihood groups, local economic recovery, environment and conflict.
A multidisciplinary approach to the management of hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common form of liver cancer worldwide. The impact of this disease is great, as it is the third-leading cause of global cancer-related mortality. Traditionally, patients with HCC did not present until they were in late stages of the disease, limiting their therapeutic options. In recent years, improvements in disease awareness, as well as in surveillance and screening techniques, have led to earlier diagnosis and the potential for improved prognosis and patient survival. Some current treatments rely on surgical or locoregional techniques, many of which were not suitable for patients with advanced stage disease. In addition to surgical resection, advances in radiofrequency ablation and tran-sarterial chemoembolization procedures have increased survival. However, these improvements are short-lived, requiring alternative therapies for patients with recurrent or advanced-stage HCC. Although conventional chemotherapeutic agents have traditionally been administered in this setting, their role in HCC is decreasing as advances in targeted therapies have proven successful in this disease. Notably, treatment with the multi-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor sorafenib led to significant improvements in survival in phase III clinical studies, resulting in its approval for unresectable HCC. This clinical roundtable provides an overview of HCC, first focusing on the recognition of the disease. This overview is followed by an in-depth discussion of successful management of HCC using a multimodality approach. Techniques in surgical resection and locoregional therapy are described, as are the safety and efficacy of new systemic and targeted agents. Upon completion of this activity, physicians will have an improved understanding of the occurrence, diagnosis, and treatment of HCC.
Overactivation of muscle mechanoreflex in human hypertension

Our previous study in patients with mild essential hypertension demonstrated that moderate level rhythmic handgrip (RHG) at 30% maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), which typically had no effect on...