cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
ANTHROPOGENIC DISTURBANCE AND RECOVERY PATTERNS IN MONTANE FORESTS, COLORADO FRONT RANGE

Extensive logging and burning in association with the mining booms of the latter half of the 19th century severely disturbed the montane forests of Boulder County in the Colorado Front Range. Repeat photography of 68 historical photographs and age structure analysis of 24 stands were used to investigate patterns of stand development following disturbance. The data set of nearly 1300 tree ages revealed highly variable patterns of development of stands dominated mainly by ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesli), lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta), limber pine (Pinus flexilis), and subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa). In most cases, forest succession followed an “initial floristics” pattern in which both early and late successional (or climax) species established more or less synchronously. Less commonly, and always on less favorable sites, forest succession followed a “relay floristics” pattern in which the late successional species did not establish until several decades after initi...
Dynamic optimal UAV trajectory planning in the National Airspace System via mixed integer linear programming

Unmanned air vehicles (UAVs), which have been popular in military context, have recently attracted attention of many researchers because of their potential civilian applications. However, before th...
Detection of transplant renal artery stenosis: determining normal velocities at the renal artery anastomosis.

Renal artery anastomosis peak systolic velocity (RAA PSV) exceeding 250 cm/s and a ratio of the renal artery to the adjacent external iliac artery (RAA:EIA) exceeding 1.8 historically suggest significant transplant renal artery stenosis (TRAS). However, the range of RAA PSV in transplants without TRAS has not been established. A retrospective review of renal transplants at a single institution over 5 years was performed identifying patients without graft dysfunction, failure, or refractory hypertension. RAA PSV obtained during interval postoperative sonograms was recorded. Of 1141 patients, 844 met the inclusion criteria. Mean RAA PSV for 377 patients evaluated within 2 days of transplant measured 195 cm/s; RAA PSV exceeded 250 cm/s in 97 patients (26%). Mean RAA PSV for 820 patients evaluated 1-month post-transplant measured 206 cm/s; RAA PSV exceeded 250 cm/s in 224 patients (27%). Mean RAA PSV for 785 patients evaluated 4-month post-transplant measured 203 cm/s; RAA PSV exceeded 250 cm/s in 201 patients (26%). Mean RAA PSV for 766 patients evaluated 1-year post-transplant measured 189 cm/s; RAA PSV exceeded 250 cm/s in 141 patients (18%). At each of the given time points, 24%–34% of normal patients had RAA-to-EIA ratios greater than 1.8. Approximately, 26% of patients without TRAS have RAA PSV > 250 cm/s in the first 9 months, and 18% do at 1 year. Similar findings also occurred with regards to the RAA-to-EIA ratio threshold of 1.8. In isolation, a PSV over 250 cm/s or 1.8 ratio threshold for suspicion of TRAS will lead to a large number of false-positive assessments.
O -GlcNAc Transferase

Glycosylation of nuclear and cytoplasmic proteins by the addition of a single N- acetylglucosamine monosaccharide (O-GlcNAc) is a major posttranslational modification in higher eukaryotes (Hart 1997). O-GlcNAcylation is characterized by the addition of single GlcNAc residues from a UDP-GlcNAc sugar donor to the hydroxyl groups of serine/threonine residues via an O-glycosidic bond in a β-linkage. Unlike some other forms of O-glycosylation, this sugar is generally unmodified and is not usually further elongated. O-GlcNAcylation of proteins has been shown to be both highly abundant and dynamic, often in response to cellular stimuli (Hart 1997), and it has been suggested that it is a form of regulation alternative to, but working in concert with, serine/threonine phosphorylation. Proteins modified by O-GlcNAc are myriad in form and function, with classes which include nuclear pore proteins, transcription factors, RNA polymerase II, oncoproteins, protein kinases and phosphatases, steroid receptors, and cytoskeletal proteins such as MAPs, neurofilaments, and α- crystallins (Hart 1997). Recently, an enzyme that catalyzes this modification was purified to homogeneity from rat liver (Haltiwanger et al. 1992), and the rat and human cDNAs were cloned (Kreppel et al. 1997; Lubas et al. 1997). This chapter examines the characteristics of this enzyme in detail.
Saturation Mutagenesis of the HIV-1 Envelope CD4 Binding Loop Reveals Residues Controlling Distinct Trimer Conformations

The conformation of HIV-1 envelope (Env) glycoprotein trimers is key in ensuring protection against waves of neutralizing antibodies generated during infection, while maintaining sufficient exposure of the CD4 binding site (CD4bs) for viral entry. The CD4 binding loop on Env is an early contact site for CD4 while penetration of a proximal cavity by CD4 triggers Env conformational changes for entry. The role of residues in the CD4 binding loop in regulating the conformation of the trimer and trimer association domain (TAD) was investigated using a novel saturation mutagenesis approach. Single mutations identified, resulted in distinct trimer conformations affecting CD4bs exposure, the glycan shield and the TAD across diverse HIV-1 clades. Importantly, mutations that improve access to the CD4bs without exposing the immunodominant V3 loop were identified. The different trimer conformations identified will affect the specificity and breadth of nabs elicited in vivo and are important to consider in design of Env immunogens for vaccines.
A Moral Absolutist Definition of Meaningful Work

Many researchers and laypersons agree on at least two conventional propositions about meaningful work: first, it means different things to different people; and second, it is worthwhile. Separately...
Making the case for case-based learning in computer information systems

In this chapter, we report the results of a study comparing current student's perceptions of computer information systems with student's perceptions of 12 years past. We found that students continue to prefer more interaction than they perceive an IS career to provide. Given this we (1) report on some programs available in high schools to interest students in a CIS career and (2) discuss case or problem-based learning as a means to provide students with the interaction they desire and show them that it is an integral part of a CIS career.
Towards Incremental A-r-Star

Graph search based path planning is popular in mobile robot applications and video game programming. Previously, we developed the A-r-Star pathfinder, a suboptimal variant of the A-Star pathfinder with performance that scales linearly with increasing the resolution (size) and hence sparseness of the grid map of a given continuous world. This paper presents the study of the direct acyclic graph (tree structure) formed by the A-r-Star and outlines steps to developing an incremental version of the A-r-Star. The incremental version of A-r-Star is able to replan faster using information from previous searches to speed up subsequent searches.
General Principles of Inertial Confinement

Over the past thirty years, mankind has witnessed a worldwide effort by scientists and engineers to conceptualize and develop an economical technology for conversion of nuclear fusion energy to electricity. Nuclear fusion energy is released when the nuclei of light elements are fused together at high temperature to produce more tightly bound, heavier nuclei. Technical requirements for fusion fuel ignition and thermonuclear burn favor the deuterium-tritium (DT) fusion reaction which releases an enormous amount of energy : 337 MJ/mg of fuel reacted or burned. The resources of this fuel are virtually inexhaustible. For comparison, the combustion of fuel oil releases 46 J/mg and its resources are being depleted rapidly.
Assessment of cognitive impairment in HSV-1 positive schizophrenia and bipolar patients: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Abstract A common characteristic among schizophrenia and bipolar disorder patients is cognitive dysfunction, especially for memory and attention. Recent evidence has suggested that cognitive impairment in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder patients could be associated with herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) infection, due to the ability of HSV-1 to infect neurons in the temporal lobe, which plays a key role in the formation of memory and processing of sensory input. The objective of this review is to analyze the aggregate neuropsychological testing data from previous studies regarding the impact of HSV-1 infection on cognitive function in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. A systematic literature search generated a total of 379 articles; 12 full-text case control and cross-sectional studies met the eligibility criteria to be included in the review. Pooled effects assessed the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) total scores and the three index scores for immediate memory, delayed memory, and attention in a random effects model. The overall effect for RBANS total score was in favor of the HSV-1 positive group (z = 3.10, p = 0.002). A statistically significant overall effect of cognitive impairment for memory and attention indices was in favor of HSV positive schizophrenia patients (z = 5.95 p
Case Series: A Minimally Invasive Tunneling Approach for Cubital Tunnel Syndrome.

Background Cubital tunnel syndrome (CuTS) is the second most common peripheral neuropathy in the United States. All three current surgical treatment approaches, consisting of in situ decompression, medial epicondylectomy, and transposition, require large curvilinear incisions and dissections that cross the medial epicondyle. However, the use of a large curvilinear incision may not be necessary for in situ decompression and may be achieved with small incisions proximal and distal to the medial epicondyle. This may limit the risk of peri-incisional pain and numbness, similar to the benefits provided by endoscopy. Objective The aim of this study is to evaluate a minimally invasive tunneling approach for in situ ulnar nerve decompression utilizing 2 cm incisions proximal and distal to the medial epicondyle. Methods A retrospective chart review was performed for patients at Emory University Hospital with CuTS who underwent minimally invasive tunneling for in situ decompression. Seven cases were identified. Patient demographics and data on post-operative complications were collected. Pre-operative severity was graded as a Modified McGowan severity. The primary outcome was evaluated using the post-surgical Messina Criterion. Secondary outcomes were reports of peri-incisional pain or numbness evaluated at follow-up. Descriptive statistics are presented. Results Pre-operatively, one of the seven cases was Grade I McGowan and the remaining six were Grade 2a or 2b. Post-operatively, on the Messina Criterion, four of seven patients were rated as having "Good" outcomes, two of seven had "Fair", while one of seven had "Poor." There was one post-operative surgical site infection. Among the other six cases, there were no reports of peri-incisional pain or numbness. Conclusions The use of less-invasive tunneling approach to in situ decompression yielded positive outcomes in this case series with no reports of peri-incisional pain or numbness. A prospective trial may be useful to explore the theoretical benefits of this novel tunneling approach.
SWOT and the ice-covered polar oceans: An exploratory analysis

Abstract The Surface Water Ocean Topography mission (SWOT), scheduled for launch in 2021, is the first space-borne radar interferometer capable of providing wide-swath height maps of water surfaces with centimetric precision. In addition to its primary objectives in oceanography and hydrography, the SWOT instrument offers opportunities for other applications. Here, we explore the feasibility of sea ice freeboard and sea surface height retrievals in the ice-covered oceans from SWOT data. The quality of SWOT height estimates depends on the backscatter strength and number of samples used for multi-looking. We use near-nadir radar backscatter estimates from sea ice and water over the range of SWOT incidence angles to simulate SWOT height maps and assess the retrieval precision under different backscatter, surface type and roughness conditions. Unlike wind-roughened open water, the available observations suggest that backscatter over sea ice has a moderate dependence on look angle (specularity), and the backscatter of younger, flatter sea ice has a greater degree of specularity than older, more deformed and colder sea ice. To achieve a similar freeboard precision to conventional altimeters (∼3 cm) requires averaging over 15–40 km2 in the near- to mid-swath and 90–175 km2 in the far-swath for lower northern latitudes (
Robotic type II B posterior exenteration for recurrent vaginal cancer.

Abstract Objective To demonstrate a surgical video, wherein a robotic-assisted posterior exenteration was performed for management of recurrent vaginal cancer. Methods We present a case of a 55 year-old female with a history of stage II squamous cell vaginal carcinoma. Patient recurred two years after completion of her primary chemoradiation at the posterior upper vagina. Pelvic MRI showed an approximately 4 cm tumoral nodule, without invasion into rectum or to bilateral parametria. PET-CT ruled out any metastatic disease. She was explained of the palliative systemic treatment versus potentially curative pelvic exenteration, as her options. After extensive counseling, she opted for the surgical option. Given her extensive comorbidities, including poorly controlled diabetes, COPD, obesity and heavy smoking, decision was made to attempt the procedure with a robotic approach (Behbehani et al.; Kammar et al. [ 1 , 2 ]). The technical steps of posterior Type IIB exenteration have been detailed in the video with an emphasis on anatomic landmarks by utilizing visual illustrations (Cibula [ 3 ]). The surgical margins were deemed to be negative with frozen section evaluation. Intravenous indocyanine green injection confirmed adequate blood supply to the end colostomy site. Patency of bilateral ureters was confirmed at the end of the procedure. Results Robotic-assisted Type IIB posterior pelvic exenteration was successfully completed without any intra-operative complications. Patient was discharged home on post-operative day 8. She has been dispositioned to surveillance. Conclusions Robotic approach to highly morbid pelvic exenteration procedures should be considered in selected patients with recurrent gynecologic malignancies, who present without evidence of distant metastatic disease.
Identification and characterization of a fast-neutron-induced mutant with elevated seed protein content in soybean

Protein content of soybean is critical for utility of soybean meal. A fast-neutron-induced deletion on chromosome 12 was found to be associated with increased protein content. Soybean seed composition affects the utility of soybean, and improving seed composition is an essential breeding goal. Fast neutron radiation introduces genomic mutations resulting in novel variation for traits of interest. Two elite soybean lines were irradiated with fast neutrons and screened for altered seed composition. Twenty-three lines with altered protein, oil, or sucrose content were selected based on near-infrared spectroscopy data from five environments and yield tested at five locations. Mutants with significantly increased protein averaged 19.1–36.8 g kg−1 more protein than the parents across 10 environments. Comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) identified putative mutations in a mutant, G15FN-12, that has 36.8 g kg−1 higher protein than the parent genotype, and whole genome sequencing (WGS) of the mutant has confirmed these mutations. An F2:3 population was developed from G15FN-12 to determine association between genomic changes and increased protein content. Bulked segregant analysis of the population using the SoySNP50K BeadChip identified a CGH- and WGS-confirmed deletion on chromosome 12 to be responsible for elevated protein content. The population was genotyped using a KASP marker designed at the mutation region, and significant association (P < 0.0001) between the deletion on chromosome 12 and elevated protein content was observed and confirmed in the F3:4 generation. The F2 segregants homozygous for the deletion averaged 27 g kg−1 higher seed protein and 8 g kg−1 lower oil than homozygous wild-type segregants. Mutants with altered seed composition are a new resource for gene function studies and provide elite materials for genetic improvement of seed composition.
Procedure for 2D fluid–structure interaction simulation

A numerical technique for the solution of the structural dynamics equations of motion is presented. The structural dynamics mass and momentum conservation equations are solved using a control volum...
Topical cholesterol/lovastatin for the treatment of porokeratosis: A pathogenesis-directed therapy

Background Porokeratosis is associated with mevalonate pathway gene mutations. Therapeutic options are few and often limited in efficacy. We hypothesized that topical therapy that aims to replenish cholesterol, an essential mevalonate pathway end-product, and block the accumulation of mevalonate pathway toxic metabolites could alleviate porokeratosis. Objective To study the efficacy of topical cholesterol/lovastatin in different variants of porokeratosis. Methods We enrolled a series of 5 porokeratosis patients,1 with disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis, 2 with porokeratosis palmaris et plantaris disseminata, and 2 with linear porokeratosis. Patients were genotyped before initiation of therapy. Patients then applied topical cholesterol/lovastatin twice daily to a unilaterally defined treatment area for up to 3 months. The response was evaluated and patients photographed at every visit. Results Three patients had MVD mutations, and 2 patients had PMVK mutations. Treatment with topical cholesterol/lovastatin (but not cholesterol alone) resulted in near complete clearance of disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis lesions after 4 weeks of therapy and moderate improvement of porokeratosis palmaris et plantaris disseminata lesions and linear porokeratosis lesions. There were no adverse events. Limitations Case series design with a small number of patients. Conclusion Topical cholesterol/lovastatin is an effective and well-tolerated therapy for porokeratosis that underscores the utility of a pathogenesis-based therapy that replaces deficient end products and prevents accumulation of potentially toxic precursors.
Book Review: Between Christ and Caliph: Law, Marriage and Christian Community in Early Islam by Lev Weitz

Lev Weitz. Between Christ and Caliph: Law, Marriage and Christian Community in Early Islam . Divinations: Rereading Late Ancient Religion. Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Press, 2018. 352 pages, 6 illustrations. ISBN 978-0-8122-5027-5. $65. Historians of Islam during its formative period have a strong tendency to focus their attention on Muslim elites—who were a minority—at the expense of non-Muslim subjects of the caliphate—who were a majority. In Between Christ and Caliph , Lev Weitz reframes the historical narrative about the emergence of Islam by placing non-Muslims at the center of this narrative, with special attention to the field of law. He argues that Christian, Muslim, and other elites were part of what Hodgson called an “Islamicate” culture that was shared by all subjects of the caliphate. He asks: How did Christians respond to Islamic legal institutions and practices and what effect did this response have on legal institutions and communal identity? He answers: Islamic imperial governance motivated Syriac Christian elites to modify their communal institutions and to redefine their identity as religious communities by creating a new Christian law that treated obligations between husbands, wives, and other family members as defined by new rules relating to marriage, divorce, inheritance, and the household ( baytā ). The argument unfolds in three parts of uneven length that are framed by an introduction and conclusion: Part I, Empire, Household, and Christian Community from Late Antiquity to the Abbasid Caliphate (chapters 1–3); Part II, Christian Family Law in the Making of Caliphal Society and Intellectual Cultures (chapters 4–8); and Part III, Islamic Family Law and Christian Jurists after Imperial Fragmentation (chapter 9). Each chapter begins with a short selection from a Christian legal source that exemplifies the problematic of that chapter. In Chapter 1 Weitz reviews the position of the Church on monogamy and the indissolubility of marriage as reflected in the New Testament, second-century church orders, and the proceedings of ecumenical synods in the fourth and fifth centuries, followed by a review of Christian marriage practices in Byzantium and …
Genetic Testing in Kidney Cancer Patients: Who, When, and How?

Abstract There are more than a dozen recognized hereditary forms of kidney cancer. While classic syndromic forms are readily recognizable, more recently described conditions are subtler because of lower penetrance. Adequate counseling and implementation of risk assessment before or after management are important aspects of clinical care. Germline testing to assess hereditary risk has rapidly evolved thanks to multigene panel testing, which can be performed quickly and at relatively low cost. This review discusses what is known about germline risk assessment, namely which individuals should be tested and when and how, and covers many of the uncertainties around this process. Patient summary More than a dozen genes have been linked to predisposition to kidney cancer. We review genetic testing in terms of who should be tested and when and how the testing should be carried out. Results from genetic tests can help in tailoring screening and surgical management and in selecting the most suitable chemotherapy.
Use of immune checkpoint inhibitors in End Stage Kidney Disease patients, single center experience and review of the literature

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), immunomodulatory antibodies that are used to enhance the immune system, have substantially improved the prognosis of patients with advanced malignancy. Although we are aware that there is no renal clearance of these agents (1), the data on the use of ICIs in patients with ESKD on hemodialysis (HD) as well as those on peritoneal dialysis (PD) is sparse. Published reports on the use of ICIs in patients with ESKD are limited to case reports and case series: one from Korea (2) and the second from Italy (3). We describe our single-center experience of ICI use in patients with ESKD and summarize the current literature of ICI use in this population. We used data from a large health system in the state of New York comprising 23 hospitals and >700 ambulatory facilities. Data for this study were obtained from the enterprise inpatient electronic health record (Sunrise Clinical Manager; Allscripts, Chicago, IL), which covers 13 of the hospitals, including the oncology infusion centers. Using an analytics database, we identified all patients with a minimum of one ESKD diagnosis code (Insertional Classification of Diseases 10th Edition, N18.6) who received at least one of the following agents between 2012 and 2019: ipilimumab, nivolumab, pembrolizumab, or atezolizumab. We included both prevalent patients on dialysis (those already receiving dialysis during the time of ICI initiation) and incident patients on dialysis (those who started dialysis after ICI initiation). Charts were reviewed manually to confirm that patients were on HD or PD during the ICI therapy. Clinical details such as demographics, comorbidities, cancer type, immune-related adverse …
Trends in Wait Time for Outpatient Colonoscopy in the Veterans Health Administration, 2008–2015

The Veterans Health Administration (VA) recently has been scrutinized for prolonged wait times for routine medical care, including elective outpatient procedures such as colonoscopy. Wait times for colonoscopy following positive fecal occult blood test (FOBT) are associated with worse clinical outcomes only if greater than 6 months. We aimed to investigate time trends in wait time for outpatient colonoscopy in VA and factors influencing wait time. Retrospective cohort study using mixed-effects regression of VA administrative data from the Corporate Data Warehouse. Veterans who underwent outpatient colonoscopy for positive FOBT in 2008–2015 at 124 VA endoscopy facilities. The main outcome measure was wait time (in days) between positive FOBT and colonoscopy completion, stratified by year and adjusted for sedation type, year, and potentially influential patient- and facility-level factors. In total, 125,866 outpatient colonoscopy encounters for positive FOBT occurred during the study period. The number of colonoscopies for this indication declined slightly over time (17,586 in 2008 vs. 13,245 in 2015; range 13,425–19,814). In 2008, median wait time across sites was 50 days (interquartile range [IQR] = 33, 75). There was no secular trend in wait times (2015 median = 52 days, IQR = 34, 77). Examining the adjusted effect of patient- and facility-level factors on wait time, no clinically meaningful difference was found. Wait times for colonoscopy for positive FOBT have been stable over time. Despite the perception of prolonged VA wait times, wait times for outpatient colonoscopy for positive FOBT are well below the threshold at which clinically meaningful differences in patient outcomes have been observed.
From Voluntarily Childless to Childfree: Sociohistoric Perspectives on a Contemporary Trend

In 2014, a commonly used anthropology textbook defined family as “minimally, a mother and her dependent children” (Schultz and Lavenda 2014). The Oxford English Dictionary also defines family by focusing on the presence of children in the home. More importantly, many in politics, Western culture, and the media define family in terms of a nuclear unit consisting of two heterosexual parents and their offspring (Stacey 1996). These definitions suggest that children are what define a family. As such, many scholars emphasize the economic, political, and social aspects of children in the home when studying families. However, the family has seen many changes to its typical composition over time.
Worsening Creatinine Trend in the Year Prior to LVAD Implantation is Associated with Lower Pectoralis Muscle Measures and Increased Post LVAD Mortality

Purpose The association between renal function at the time of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation and post LVAD mortality has been previously established. The association between the slope of renal function change in the year prior to LVAD implantation has not been reported. Methods A single center retrospective analysis was performed. Inclusion criteria were patients with chest CT scans performed ≤3 months prior to LVAD implantation with renal function trend available for a year prior to LVAD (n=102). Renal function was smoothed using mixed effects modeling from 365 to 60 days prior to LVAD and a slope was calculated for each patient. The slope of the renal function was assessed as a predictor of post LVAD mortality using multivariable cox regression. Results Patients with the largest deterioration in renal function in the year prior to LVAD were more likely to be INTERMACS 1 and 2 at the time of surgery (Table). A 1 mg/dl increase in creatinine between -365 days and -60 days increased the hazards rate of death after LVAD by a factor of 2.6 (adjusted HR 2.6, 95 % CI 1.03-6.7, p = 0.04). Patients with the largest decline in renal function had lower pectoralis muscle tissue attenuation by CT imaging in the 3 months prior to LVAD (Table). Conclusion Renal function deterioration over the course of the year prior to LVAD was associated with pectoralis muscle sarcopenia and higher post LVAD mortality, even after adjustment for other variables. The change in renal function paired with muscle tissue attenuation by CT scan may further define ideal implantation timing.
Differential Scanning Calorimetry

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Do COVID-19 Conspiracy Theory Beliefs form a Monological Belief System?

Along with criticisms of the U.S. government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the disruptions to home, work, and school life resulting from social distancing orders recommended by public health experts, as well as the uncertainty about how long the disruptions will be necessary and when (if ever) we will have a vaccine, have come COVID-19 conspiracy theories (CTs).
Evolution of clinical outcomes of metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma: A 10-year single-institution retrospective study.

e16760Background: Pancreatic adenocarcinoma represents the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States. A majority of patients have locally advanced or metastatic disease at t...
Trading with the enemy? The flow of scrap between Britain and Germany from pre-war rearmament to post-war reconstruction

Ferrous scrap is a vital ingredient in the manufacture of steel, and it constitutes a strategic material of the greatest significance in modern warfare. During the late 1930s, Britain exported cons...
Prognostic factors of biochemical remission after transsphenoidal surgery for acromegaly: a structured review

Biochemical control is the main determinant of survival, clinical manifestations and comorbidities in acromegaly. Transsphenoidal selective adenomectomy (TSA) is the initial treatment of choice with reported biochemical remission rates varying between 32 and 85%. Understanding the limiting factors is essential for identification of patients who require medical treatment. We reviewed the English literature published in Medline/Pubmed until Dec 31, 2019 to identify eligible studies that described outcomes of TSA as primary therapy and performed analyses to determine the main predictors of remission. Most publications reported single-institution, retrospective studies. The following preoperative parameters were consistently associated with lower remission rates: cavernous sinus invasion by imaging, larger tumor size and higher GH levels. Young age and preoperative IGF-1 levels were predictive in some studies. When controlled for covariates, the best single preoperative predictor was cavernous sinus invasion, followed by preoperative GH levels. Conversely, low GH level in the first few days postoperatively was a robust predictor of durable remission. The influence of tumor histology (sparsely granular pattern, co-expression of prolactin and proliferation markers) on surgical remission remains to be established. Few studies developed predictive models that yielded much higher predictive values than individual parameters. Surgical outcome prognostication systems could be further generated by machine learning algorithms in order to support development and implementation of personalized care in patients with acromegaly.
Automated Bolus Detection in Videofluoroscopic Images of Swallowing Using Mask-RCNN

Tracking a liquid or food bolus in videofluoroscopic images during X-ray based diagnostic swallowing examinations is a dominant clinical approach to assess human swallowing function during oral, pharyngeal and esophageal stages of swallowing. This tracking represents a highly challenging problem for clinicians as swallowing is a rapid action. Therefore, we developed a computer-aided method to automate bolus detection and tracking in order to alleviate issues associated with human factors. Specifically, we applied a stateof-the-art deep learning model called Mask-RCNN to detect and segment the bolus in videofluoroscopic image sequences. We trained the algorithm with 450 swallow videos and evaluated with an independent dataset of 50 videos. The algorithm was able to detect and segment the bolus with a mean average precision of 0.49 and an intersection of union of 0.71. The proposed method indicated robust detection results that can help to improve the speed and accuracy of a clinical decisionmaking process.
AED: incrementally synthesizing policy-compliant and manageable configurations

When updating router configurations, network operators often attempt to meet a variety of management objectives (e.g., maintaining structural similarity across devices), while also ensuring all forwarding policies are correctly satisfied. Our tool, AED, automates this process. AED models configuration updates as a collection of syntax tree additions and removals, and formulates an innovative system of SMT (Satisfiability Modulo Theory) constraints that encode configurations' structure and interaction with routing algorithms. Operators express management objectives in a high-level language, and AED translates these to "soft" constraints that are maximally satisfied. Evaluations on real and synthetic network configurations show that AED can update networks with tens of routers and hundreds of policies in under a minute, and AED outperforms both hand-crafted updates and state-of-the-art tools in meeting management objectives.
An Electronically Steerable Millimeter-Wave Reflectarray for Wireless Power Delivery

Wirelessly delivering power at millimeter-wave frequencies overcomes fundamental physical limitations on the range of lower frequency power delivery systems subject to size and maximum RF power density constraints. We identify the design of a cost-effective, solid-state system for steering a high-directivity beam as a primary challenge in implementing consumer and industrial millimeter-wave wireless power delivery systems, and present the design and measurements of a large-scale 61.5 GHz electronically reconfigurable reflectarray to address this challenge. A dual-channel, two-bit reflective phase shifter IC implemented in 65 nm CMOS forms the core of this design. The antenna array printed circuit board is implemented with a single RF laminate and the phase shifter ICs comprise only 3.5% of the aperture area, minimizing overall system cost. The demonstration array has 874 reflective elements in an area approximately 8.5 cm in diameter, scans to ±50 degrees from boresight, achieves an aperture efficiency of approximately 8.7%, and consumes only 1.1 mW of DC power.
Simulating and Evaluating a Quaternary Logic FPGA Based on Floating-gate Memories and Voltage Division

Technology scaling cannot meet consumer demands, especially for binary circuits. Previous studies proposed addressing this with multi-valued logic (MVL) architectures, but these architectures use non-standard fabrication techniques and optimistic performance analysis. This study presents a new quaternary FPGA (QFPGA) architecture based on floating-gate memories that standard CMOS fabrication can fabricate: programming floating-gates implement a voltage divider, and these divided voltages represent one of four distinct logic values. When simulated with open-source FinFET SPICE models, the proposed architecture obtains competitive delay and power performance compared to equivalent binary and QFPGA architectures from literature. Results show the proposed QFPGA basic logic element (BLE) requires half the area and dissipates a third of the power density compared to QFPGA architectures from literature. When projecting BLE performance onto benchmark circuits, implementing circuits requires up to 55% less area and one-third the power, and the proposed architecture can operate at clock speeds up to three times faster than binary equivalents. Future studies will investigate accurate modeling of interconnects to better account for their performance impacts and will explore efficient architectures for programming MVL memories when they're used in FPGAs.
Submillimeter Model Measurements and their Applications to Millimeter Radar Systems

A submillimeter-based modeling system has been developed and employed to obtain imaging and radar cross section (RCS) measurements of scale model targets. In these demonstration experiments three submillimeter frequencies at 1288, 2542, and 3125 GHz, obtained from a CO 2 optically pumped CH 3 OH laser were used to model 37, 70, and 90 GHz, respectively. In addition, a CD 3 OH laser line at 37.6 μm (7980 GHz) has been used to extend these measurements up to 228 GHz. The results obtained demonstrate that the system is capable of providing quantitative radar data.
Pathophysiology of Fibromyalgia

A variety of factors have been implicated in the pathophysiology of fibromyalgia, including changes in neural structure and function, muscular physiology, hormonal factors, inflammatory markers, and genetic influences. Fibromyalgia patients are more sensitive to painful stimulation, due to both peripheral and central sensitization. Increased sensitivity to pain is linked to reductions in brain activity in descending inhibitory pathways. Growth hormone deficiency and thyroid autoimmunity may be linked to fibromyalgia symptoms. Fibromyalgia aggregates in families, although no clear fibromyalgia gene(s) has been identified. Patients with fibromyalgia beginning after trauma have greater distress and disability.
SU-E-T-441: Gamma Passing Rates for IMRT QA and VMAT QA

Purpose: This study compares gamma passing rates for a cohort of similar intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) quality assurance (QA) plans to determine the equivalence of the patient specific QA plan delivery. The passing criterion is 90% gamma index with 3% dose difference (DD), 3mm distance-to-agreement (DTA) and a dose threshold of 10%. Methods: Gamma passing results of previously treated IMRT QA plans, delivered to Sun Nuclear MapCheck phantom, and VMAT QA plans, delivered to ScandiDos Delta4 phantom, are organized by anatomical site and treatment machine. Both Varian and Elekta machines are included. Pairs of IMRT and VMAT plans are matched based on site, machine, and PTV volume to ensure similar plan cohorts. A two-tailed t-test analysis of the data with an alpha of 0.05 determines if there exists a statistically significant difference. Power was calculated to detect a difference of 4%; all data sets were strong with above a 0.8 power. Results: The first data set consisting of 20 matched pairs of prostate plans was statistically insignificant (p-value=0.90, Power=0.99). The 14 matched pairs set of head and neck plans has a statistically significant Result (p-value=0.028, Power=0.88). The head and neck IMRT gamma indexes have a mean of 93.1% and range of 82%-100% while the VMAT gamma indexes have a mean of 96.7% and range of 92%-100%. The two combined data sets of matched plans had a statistically insignificant Result (p-value=0.073, Power=0.99). Conclusion: Overall, IMRT and VMAT have equivalent passing rates when comparing the gamma analysis using a passing criterion of 3% DD and 3mm DTA. When separated by site, prostate IMRT and VMAT plans have equivalent passing rates while head and neck plans have a statistically significant variation of passing rates. The passing rates for the two modalities are independent of delivery machine for matched PTV target volumes.
On the loss of regularity of shearing flows of viscoelastic fluids

In this expository article a brief survey is given of a part of the theory of rectilinear shearing flows of simple fluids with fading memory. The topics discussed have relevance to the search for a theory of melt fracture of polymers at high rates of shear. The emphasis is laid on unbounded growth of shear-acceleration waves and breakdown of initially smooth solutions.
Materializing Spanish-Colonial Revival Architecture

ABSTRACTIn the early twentieth century, Spanish-Colonial Revival became embedded in the local culture of Southern California. However, this architectural style did not simply appear, rather it was materialized by architects, builders, realtors, and manufacturers of construction materials who built for and sold to homeowners. This process was not simply about using “history” and “heritage.” Rather, these social actors had to legitimize the ubiquitous use of red-tile roofing and cement stucco to establish new aesthetic norms and conventions for the vernacular landscape. As such, this article will look at the relationship between the political economy of building and aesthetics in the shaping of the vernacular landscape.
Supersymmetry phenomenology: A Microreview

We briefly review the current status and future prospects for supersymmetry searches at colliders, and discuss strategies by which further information about sparticle properties may be obtained at the LHC.
Calculation of the Pressure Rise in the Fermilab 19000 L Helium Dewar

A computer program called “PD5000” has been written to calculate the pressure rise in the liquid helium dewar which is presently installed at the Fermilab Central Helium Liquefier. The calculation is intended to verify that the pressure in the inner vessel will not rise above a safe level in a catastrophic venting situation.
Charging control and transaction accounting mechanisms using IRTL (information resource transaction layer) middleware for P2P services

One of the many challenges associated with p2p computing is providing mechanisms for control over accounting transactions among peers. With the increase in the number and variety of p2p applications, there is a need to distinguish between services that can be charged and services that can operate without charging mechanisms. In this paper we present an Information Resource Transaction Layer (IRTL) middleware architecture that addresses some of the technical challenges associated with heterogeneous resource transactions in the p2p-computing environment. We propose to handle charge control, transaction accounting, reputation management and several other p2p parameters through the IRTL.
Auto-tuning of fuzzy controllers using cell mapping

This paper presents a systematic method for designing and evaluating a fuzzy logic controller based on the cell-to-cell mapping technique. Control rules of a fuzzy controller are identified automatically using the cell map information and a genetic optimization process. The resulting controller exhibits near time-optimal control and improved system performance. These characteristics can be evaluated and verified by use of cell maps of the overall system. In particular, the size of the stability region around the equilibrium state can be visualized from the cell map. A demonstration of using cell maps in controller design and system performance evaluation is illustrated for the position control of an inverted pendulum.
Mortality Ascertainment in the Veteran Population: Alternatives to the National Death Index

Veterans of the US military service constitute a dynamic cohort that is suitable for epidemiologic investigations. However, the ability to ascertain vital status is paramount to the value of this population in studies having mortality as a primary endpoint. The purpose of this study was to estimate and compare the mortality ascertainment obtained from the Department of Veterans Affairs Patient Treatment File and Beneficiary Identification and Record Locator System (BIRLS) with that obtained from the National Death Index on a cohort of 17,118 male veterans hospitalized in 1970 or 1971. Based on the 4,246 deaths identified in this cohort between 1979 and 1988, the sensitivities of BIRLS, the Patient Treatment File, and the National Death Index were 94.5%, 33.0%, and 96.7%, respectively. BIRLS was comparable with the National Death Index regarding mortality ascertainment and allowed for central acquisition of 89% of the death certificates from the Department of Veterans Benefits. There was no difference detected in the completeness of the BIRLS file before and after passage of the Omnibus Act in 1981. The Patient Treatment File served as a complement to BIRLS, providing additional mortality data and identification of hospitals for recall of medical records. The National Death Index provided the best mortality ascertainment, but acquistion of death certificates from individual states was extremely time consuming and expensive. The authors recommend greater consideration by investigators of sampling the veteran population and utilizing available Veterans Affairs databases for large studies in which mortality is the primary endpoint of interest.
Cardioglobulin Tissue Localization and Plasma Activity With Special Reference to Cardiovascular Disease and Lupus Erythematosus

Two experimental approaches were made to gain insight into the physiological significance of cardioglobulin. The first was to determine whether Cardioglobulin was localized to a particular organ or tissue, since earlier studies had suggested that the system might function as a regulator of myocardial contractility. By fluorescence localization of antibodies to rat cardioglobulin-C, cardioglobulin-C was found not only on the surface of heart muscle cells, but in other extracellular locations which, broadly speaking, were either cell surfaces or basement membrane. The second phase of the study was measurement of plasma activity of cardioglobulin-A, -B, and -C in human diseases. The previously discovered increased overall activity in patients with elevated left ventricular systolic pressure was due to increased cardioglobulin-A. Decreased activity in patients with idiopathic myocardial failure was due to decreased cardioglobulin-C. Patients with advanced cirrhosis and evidence of impaired protein production also had low cardioglobulin-C. Low plasma cardioglobulin was found in 22 of 24 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Cardioglobulin was normal in all of 17 patients with other connective tissue diseases. The new tissue and clinical findings may provide a clue in the search for the functional significance of this recently discovered protein system.