cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A neural network model for adaptive, non-uniform A/D conversion

An adaptive feedforward network is presented for performing non-uniform, flash-type analog-to-digital (A/D) conversion. The unsupervised competitive learning rule used, called boundary adaptation rule (BAR), maximizes entropy and provides an efficient nonuniform quantization of the analog signal range. The network is easily implementable in VLSI circuitry and meets the requirements of smart sensors. It is shown that the network is able to adapt itself to rapidly changing input signals, such as speech signals. >
Genetics of sexual isolation in females of the Drosophila simulans species complex

Genetic analysis of hybrids between Drosophila simulans and D. sechellia shows that sexual isolation in females is caused by at least two genes, one on each major autosome, while the X chromosome has no effect. These results are similar to those of a previous study of hybrids between D. simulans and another sibling species, D. mauritiana. In this latter hybridization, each arm of the second chromosome carries genes causing sexual isolation in females, implying a total divergence of at least three loci. The genetic similarity between the D. simulans/D. mauritiana and D. simulans/D. sechellia hybridizations probably results from independent evolution and not phylogenetic artifacts, because the dominance relationships and behavioural interactions differ between the two hybridizations. The lack of an X-chromosome effect on sexual isolation contrasts with genetic studies of post-zygotic reproductive isolation, which invariably show strong effects of this chromosome.
Cardiovascular Function in Hypothermic Anesthetized Man

Although hypothermia is being used as an adjunct to general anesthesia, its cardiovascular effects in man are not fully known. In this report the authors present the hemodynamic changes observed in patients undergoing hypothermia under the clinical conditions of its practical usage in the operating room. Considerable variability in vasomotor and cardiac responses was encountered, indicating that uniform behavior of patients to this agent is not to be expected in the relatively uncontrolled operating room setting; therefore, it should be used conservatively, particularly in critically ill patients in whom unexpected reactions may be disastrous.
Prudence Demands Conservatism

We define accounting information systems as conditionally conservative if they produce finer information at lower expected earnings levels. We then study the preference for differing levels of conditional conservatism among decision-maker(DM)'s with varying attributes including risk aversion and prudence. Similar to risk aversion, prudence is a metric based on DM's indirect utility that measures the sensitivity of DM's' decisions to changes in risk; prudent DM's save more as income becomes riskier. In a model of precautionary savings with information, we show that prudent DM's (those with positive prudence measures) prefer more conservative accounting systems, that imprudent DM's (those with negative prudence measures) prefer liberal accounting systems. We also show that conservative accounting may be preferred to a perfect information system if they are costly. We provide cases demonstrating the generality of our results, including examples where conservatism is preferred with increasing, constant and decreasing risk aversion.
Clinicopathologic significance of DNA mismatch repair protein defects and endometrial cancer in women 40years of age and younger.

Abstract Background The hereditary basis of endometrial cancer is apparent in young women with endometrial cancer. The objective of this study was to examine risk factors and outcomes in patients 40years of age and younger with endometrial cancer. Methods We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients aged 40years or less who were diagnosed with endometrial carcinoma between 1/93 and 5/08. Clinical and pathologic data were extracted from medical records. Paraffin-embedded slides from hysterectomy specimens were obtained and DNA mismatch repair (MMR) immunohistochemistry was performed. Cases were analyzed according to the presence of DNA MMR protein defects. Standard two-sided statistical tests were performed. Results Of the 56 identified patients, the median age was 36years (range, 24–40). The majority of the endometrial carcinomas were of endometrioid histology (91%), stage I (71%), and FIGO grade 1 (59%). Abnormal DNA MMR was found in 9 cases (16%). Cases with abnormal DNA MMR had lower body mass index (BMI) ( P =0.05), and had a family history suggestive of Lynch syndrome ( P =0.001). Tumors were more likely to have advanced stage disease ( P P P P =0.002). Cases with abnormal DNA MMR had significantly worse overall survival ( P =0.028) and progression-free survival ( P =0.042). Conclusions Endometrial cancer is rare in women aged 40years or less. In this group of patients, loss of DNA MMR was associated with lower BMI, worse clinicopathologic factors, and worse outcome. These results may have implications when young women diagnosed with endometrial cancer are counseled regarding prognosis.
Contamination and Release of Nanomaterials Associated with the Use of Personal Protective Clothing

Introduction We investigated nanomaterial release associated with the contamination of protective clothing during manipulation of clothing fabrics contaminated with nanoparticles. Nanomaterials, when released as airborne nanoparticles, can cause inhalation exposure which is the route of exposure of most concern to cause adverse health effects. Measurement of such nanoparticle re-suspension has not yet been conducted. Protective clothing can be contaminated with airborne nanoparticles during handling and operating processes, typically on the arms and front of the body. The contaminated clothing could release nanoparticles in the general room while performing other activities and manipulating the clothing after work. Methods The exposures associated with three different fabric materials of contaminated laboratory coats (cotton, polyester, and Tyvek), including the magnitude of contamination and particle release, were investigated in this study by measuring the number concentration increase and the weight change on fabric pieces. This study simulated real life occupational exposure scenarios and was performed in both regular and clean room environments to investigate the effect of background aerosols on the measurements. Concentration were measured using particle spectrometers for diameters from 10nm to 10 µm. Collected aerosol particles and contaminated fabric surfaces were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and elemental composition analysis. Results The magnitude of particle release from contaminated lab coat fabric was found to vary by the type of fabric material; cotton fabric showed the highest level of contamination and particle release, followed by Tyvek and polyester fabrics. The polyester lab coat material was found to have the lowest particle release to deposition (R/D) ratio. The particle release number concentrations were in a range of 768-119 particles cm(-3) and 586-187 particles cm(-3) in regular and clean rooms, respectively. Multiple peaks were observed in the number concentration distribution data, with particle diameters peaking at 40-50 and 100-300nm. Conclusions The SEM analysis of the contaminated fabric surface found test particles and other environmental particles. The elemental composition analysis presented detectable response to the studied alumina oxide particles. The laboratory coat primarily made of cotton woven material is not recommended for worker protection against nanoparticle exposure because of the highest particle contamination and release ability. In addition, the result demonstrated that a well-controlled (cleanroom) environment is critical to investigate the factors affecting nanoparticle interaction with protective clothing.
Temporal Assessment of the Impact of Exposure to Cow Feces in Two Watersheds by Multiple Host-Specific PCR Assays

Exposure to feces in two watersheds with different management histories was assessed by tracking cattle feces bacterial populations using multiple host-specific PCR assays. In addition, environmental factors affecting the occurrence of these markers were identified. Each assay was performed using DNA extracts from water and sediment samples collected from a watershed directly impacted by cattle fecal pollution (WS1) and from a watershed impacted only through runoff (WS2). In WS1, the ruminant-specific Bacteroidales 16S rRNA gene marker CF128F was detected in 65% of the water samples, while the non-16S rRNA gene markers Bac1, Bac2, and Bac5 were found in 32 to 37% of the water samples. In contrast, all source-specific markers were detected in less than 6% of the water samples from WS2. Binary logistic regressions (BLRs) revealed that the occurrence of Bac32F and CF128F was significantly correlated with season as a temporal factor and watershed as a site factor. BLRs also indicated that the dynamics of fecal-source-tracking markers correlated with the density of a traditional fecal indicator (P < 0.001). Overall, our results suggest that a combination of 16S rRNA gene and non-16S rRNA gene markers provides a higher level of confidence for tracking unknown sources of fecal pollution in environmental samples. This study also provided practical insights for implementation of microbial source-tracking practices to determine sources of fecal pollution and the influence of environmental variables on the occurrence of source-specific markers.
Determinants of Public Support for Threatened and Endangered Species Management: A Case Study of Cape Lookout National Seashore

Gaining public support for management actions is important to the success of public land management agencies' efforts to protect threatened and endangered species. This is especially relevant at national parks, where managers balance two aspects of their conservation mission: to protect resources and to provide for public enjoyment. This study examined variables potentially associated with support for management actions at Cape Lookout National Seashore, a unit of the National Park Service. Two visitor surveys were conducted at the park at different seasons, and a resident survey was conducted for households in Carteret County, North Carolina, where the park is located. The goal of the project was to provide park managers with information that may help with the development of communication strategies concerning the park's conservation mission. These communication strategies may help to facilitate mutual understanding and garner public support for management actions. Several variables were examined as potential determinants that park managers ought to consider when developing communication strategies. Multinomial logistic regression was applied to examine the relationships between these variables and the likelihood of support for or opposition to management actions. The variables examined included perceived shared values of park resources, general environmental attitudes, level of familiarity with park resources and regulations, knowledge about threatened and endangered species, level of trust in the decision-making process, and perceived shared values with park management. In addition, demographic variables such as income level, respondent age, residency status, and visitor type were also used. The results show that perceived values of threatened and endangered species, trust in park managers and the decision-making process, and perceived share values with park managers were among the strongest indicators of support for management actions. Different user groups also exhibited different levels of support, with groups engaged in specialized recreation activities (fishers) being the most likely to oppose management actions. While our findings are not surprising, they corroborate past research that has shown an effective communications strategy should be customized to target different audiences. In addition, management should focus on developing long-term relationships that build trust in and foster credibility of decision-making processes.
Social Capital Accessibility of Intermarrieds

Grounded in Bourdieu’s social capital theory, the study’s purpose was to investigate social capital accessibility of intermarrieds compared to intramarrieds. Using the 2001 Integrated Health Interview Series data, two generalized linear models with Poisson distribution and identity link were performed: Model 1 compared intermarrieds to intramarrieds; Model 2 compared specific types of intermarrieds to intramarrrieds. Model 1 indicated that intermarrieds had less accessibility to social capital than intramarrieds. Model 2 indicated that intermarrieds, particularly interracially marrieds, had less social capital accessibility than intramarrieds, although the influence was moderate. Social capital accessibility of the interethnically or internationally marrieds was not significantly different from that of intramarrieds. Findings provide partial support to previous research concerning a lack of social capital accessibility for intermarrieds.
Simultaneous Evaluation of Safety, Acceptability, Pericoital Kinetics, and Ex Vivo Pharmacodynamics Comparing Four Rectal Microbicide Vehicle Candidates

Abstract Preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) of HIV infection with tenofovir-containing regimens is effective, but plagued by poor adherence in some studies. Options for safe, effective, and acceptable PrEP products, especially for men and women at risk of HIV via receptive anal intercourse (RAI), are needed. We performed a randomized, partially blinded, first-in-human evaluation of four candidate rectal microbicide vehicles—aqueous gel, aqueous fluid, lipid gel, and lipid fluid—to select a prototype for further clinical development. Eight seronegative participants received three doses of each product with each dose separated by at least 2 weeks: one dose was given alone without simulated RAI in clinic, another dose was followed by simulated RAI in clinic, and another dose was self-administered at home in the context of RAI with a partner. Assessments included safety, acceptability, colon histology, ex vivo HIV infectivity of colon tissue explants, and colonic luminal distribution of vehicle and HIV surrogates...
Black Man Walking, Brown Man Working: Street-Level Bureaucrats and Perceptions of Immigrant Worthiness

Street-level bureaucrats have a degree of discretion in carrying out their work and the extent to which street-level bureaucrats view the citizen-client as ‘worthy’ affects how they choose to exercise their discretion. Scholars have assessed how the individuals’ actions, characteristics and situational context affect street-level bureaucrats’ perceptions of worthiness. Little work has focused on understanding how they perceive the worthiness of immigrants who may speak, act and dress very differently than the majority of citizen-clients. This article explores street-level bureaucrats’ perceptions of immigrants in 23 U.S. cities and tests the hypothesis that workers in welcoming organizations will perceive immigrants as worthy and those in unwelcoming organizations will perceive immigrants as unworthy. I summarize results of 41 interviews with frontline workers in police departments and public libraries to illustrate their perceptions of immigrant-clients. I find little evidence that street-level bureaucrats’ perceptions of immigrants are related to the agency’s degree of welcomeness.
A filtration of the loops on SU(N) by Schubert varieties

Il y a une filtration F n,k de l'espace ΩSU(n) qui realise la filtration R n,k en homologie. De plus il y a un diagramme commutatif entre ΩSU(n), BU, BU(k)F n,k par des applications j et h usuelles et le quotient F n,k de la filtration est homeomorphe au complexe de Thorn de γ u−1,k sur F u−1,k
Chemical and Physical Absorption of SO2 by N-Functionalized Imidazoles: Experimental Results and Molecular-level Insight

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) removal is a key component of many industrial processes, especially coal-fired power generation. Controlling SO2 emissions is vital to maintaining environmental quality, as SO2 is a contributor to acid rain, but has value as a chemical feedstock. Although a number of novel solvents/materials including ionic liquids (ILs) have recently been proposed for alternatives to limestone scrubbing for SO2 capture/removal from point sources, the imidazole architecture presents a convenient, inexpensive and efficient class of low volatility and low viscosity solvents to accomplish this goal. On the basis of our prior work with imidazoles for CO2 capture, we have extended our interests toward understanding the relationship between imidazole structure and SO2 absorption. Using a series of imidazole compounds with various substituents at the 1, 2 and/or 4(5) positions of the five-membered ring, SO2 absorption via both chemical and physical mechanisms was observed. The chemical absorption product is ...
Calcified hemangioma of the spinal canal: unusual CT and MR presentation.

With the advent of high-resolution CT, criteria for the diagnosis of intraspinal hemangiomas have been established . These consist of the presence of intracanalicular soft-tissue masses of mild to moderately hyperdense attenuation with variable degrees of contrast enhancement, primarily in association with vertebral hemangioma [1-6]. The presence of calcification in the intraspinal soft-tissue component has not to our knowledge been reported. We report a symptomatic intraspinal hemangioma with marked soft-tissue calcification causing cord compression . Whenever a calcified intraspinal extradural soft-tissue mass is encountered on CT the differential diagnosis of hemangioma should be included as an alternative to a calcified extradural meningioma since the former is a hypervascular lesion prone to massive, uncontrollable bleeding during surgery [7]. This case is also of interest as it represents the first demonstration of intraspinal hemangioma by MR imaging.
Detection and Identification of Listeria Species by Matrix-assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry

Five type strains of Listeria species such as Listeria monocytogenes,L.ivanuii,L.innocua,L.welshimeri and L.grayi were detected and identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry(MALDI-TOF-MS).The results were compared with those detected by conventional techniques(VITEK-2) and PCR at the same time.L.monocytogenes cultured in different media with various cultivation time was evaluated.Moreover,60 artificial food samples infected with 5 Listeria species were also tested by MALDI-TOF-MS,conventional techniques and PCR.The results indicated that MALDI-TOF-MS was a fast and reliable method for the identification of Listeria species,which also had the characteristics of excellent stability and reproducibility.The overall performance of MALDI-TOF-MS revealed significant advantages compared with conventional biochemical detection systems.Therefore,MALDI-TOF-MS is suitable for high-throughout and rapid screening at low cost during the detection and identification of foodborne pathogenic bacteria such as Listeria species.
Use of acid-suppression therapy for treatment of non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

Purpose. Prognostic factors in patients with peptic ulcer bleeding and therapeutic strategies for preventing the recurrence of bleeding are described. Summary. The risk of complications and death in a patient with acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding can be predicted based on certain clinical factors, the most important being the endoscopic findings. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are the drugs of choice for patients with peptic ulcer bleeding because the drugs are more effective than histamine H2-receptor antagonists for maintaining the target intragastric pH (6 or higher) and preventing the recurrence of peptic ulcer bleeding, although an impact on mortality has not been demonstrated. High-dose intravenous PPI therapy should be used for patients at high risk of rebleeding (based on endoscopic findings). Oral PPI therapy may be used for low-risk patients. Underlying causes of ulcers should also be addressed and treated as necessary. Conclusion. Acid-suppression therapy using PPIs is effective for reducing the risk for recurrence of peptic ulcer bleeding.
FANCA protein binds FANCC and FANCG proteins in an intracellular complex

To the editor: FANCA protein binds FANCC and FANCG proteins in an intracellular complex Dr Alan D'Andrea's group, having created antisera with specificity for the 3 well-characterized Fanconi anemia gene products FANCA, FANCC, and FANCG, has described an interesting model by which these 3 gene
A new laparoscopic technique for interstitial pregnancy resection. A case report.

BACKGROUND The interstitial gestation prevalence ranges from 1 in 2,500-5,000 live births, with a mortality rate of 2-2.5%. Total abdominal hysterectomy is usually offered to clinically stable patients over 35 years old. For younger women who desire to preserve their child-bearing capacity, interstitial pregnancy excision with a salpingo-oopherectomy is offered. The case presented here differed from the classic approach in that the adnexal structures were preserved, the products of conception were excised laparoscopically, and myometrium reconstruction was performed by suturing and tying with a laparoscopic technique. CASE A 34-year-old multipara presented with genital tract bleeding and gradual-onset, diffuse pelvic cramps progressively worsening and associated with nausea and vomiting. As expected, the regular, last menstrual period was 8 weeks prior to the patient's hospital admission. The serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropin level was 20,159 mIU/mL and the progesterone level 12.6 ng/mL. High-resolution transvaginal ultrasound revealed no intrauterine gestational sac. A 1.2-cm fluid collection was observed in the right uterine cornual area, and posterior cul-de-sac fluid was present. A hysteroscopic evaluation was inconclusive, and the endometrium frozen section histologic study failed to confirm the presence of chorionic villi. The patient underwent diagnostic and operative laparoscopic excision of the interstitial pregnancy with adnexa preservation. CONCLUSION Laparoscopic resection of interstitial pregnancy with the preservation of the adnexal structures was a safe alternative to laparotomy in this case.
Acoustic Microscopy to Study Grain Structure

The use of reflection acoustic microscopy with spherical lens for quantitative nondestructive evaluation has been studied in the past both from the experimental and theoretical point of view. The basic results have shown that the output of the microscope’s transducer is sensitive to the near-surface material’s elastic properties. Based on this, a variety of applications of the acoustic microscope to material science study have been developed [1]. Measurements of surface wave velocity and elastic constants in solids [2,3,4], detection and characterization of discontinuities of the elastic constants in solids due to cracks, interfaces, etc. [5], and measurements of dispersion relation for leaky Rayleigh wave in simple and layered systems [4,6] are a few examples of problems which can be investigated by means of the acoustic microscope.
The Crisis of Faith: Popular Reaction to the Tenth Anniversary of the October Revolution

In January 1928, L. N. Bondarenko, a village correspondent from the village of Yuzhnyi, Kharkov okrug, described in a letter to Kres’tianskaia Gazeta his pessimism toward the construction of socialism: ‘Our building of socialism is similar to the construction of the Great Wall of China, which took a lot of energy, but made little sense.’ He explained the failure of socialism: Either socialist theory is utopian and inapplicable to real life, or those people who are preaching about building socialism are unable to put their ideas into action (as I think), or the number of saboteurs and wreckers has multiplied…. Ten years’ experience has demonstrated: socialism is unattainable if it is built by such violent politics by uneducated and corrupt bureaucrats…. People are exploited now not by capitalists and landlords, but by the government, which grabbed all the national resources and mismanaged them without accountability. Incapable of running the country, they blame circumstances allegedly beyond their control.1
Pancreatic Head Resection for Painful Chronic Pancreatitis

This chapter compares the outcomes of operations for chronic painful pancreatitis performed with or without duodenal preservation. The results of published, randomized clinical trials and systematic reviews are examined with regard to quality of evidence and strength of recommendations. Both pancreaticoduodenectomy and duodenal preserving resection of the head of the pancreas can provide pain relief for the majority of patients with chronic pancreatitis who undergo these operations. Current evidence is not adequate to clearly establish the superiority of either of these approaches, or of any specific variation of duodenal preserving resection, in terms of pain relief, peri-operative morbidity, post-operative pancreatic function or quality of life. Delayed gastric emptying may be more frequent following pancreaticoduodenectomy. The functional benefits of duodenum preserving resections that were noted in some early reports are absent at longer term follow up.
MECHANISMS OF THERMAL TOLERANCE

Hibernation is a widely explored natural phenomenon involving responses to cold. Physiological investigations utilize field collected subjects, laboratory reared subjects and animal models which utilize hypothermia. In our laboratory, water turnover in ground squirrels, (Spermophilus tridecemlineatus) showed that total water turnover (TWT) is about 14 ml/day and evaporative water loss (EWL) about one half TWT. VO 2 falls from 400 cc O 2 /hr in normothermia to 8 cc O 2 /hr in hibernation. TWT and VO 2 were comparably reduced in hibernation, both about 2% of normothermic values. Helium-code hypothermia in hamsters, (Mesocricetus auratus) is utilized as a model for hibernation. Hamsters are induced into hypothermia to body temperature (T re ) 7°C and, with glucose maintenance through i.v. infusion, they survive for four days, a period comparable to a bout of natural hibernation. Pretreatment with cortisone enhances gluconeogene sis and survival in hypothermia, and through endogenous thermogenesis 50 percent rewarm to normothermia, T re 37°C. This review proposes a role for glucocorticoids in hibernation and suggests that animal models be used to broaden our understanding of thermogenic mechanisms.
Investigation of surface roughness effects for D-band SIW transmission lines on LCP substrate

This paper studies the influence of surface roughness on the performance of substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) structures in D-band (110–170 GHz). SIW structures are fabricated in a flexible low-cost/loss organic substrate, liquid crystal polymer (LCP), after polishing the material surface. The fabrication realizes a minimum feature size of 20 μm. The average insertion loss of the polished SIWs in D-band is measured to be 0.33dB/mm, showing an average 0.35 dB/mm improvement compared with SIWs in the raw substrate, without affecting the quality of the impedance match. Based on the modeling result, simulation is able to predict the loss under different surface roughness conditions, which is verified with measurements. Therefore, both fabrication and modeling solutions are provided to facilitate future high-frequency designs of SIW-based devices. This is the first paper that demonstrates the loss of SIW to be comparable to that of microstrip in the D-Band.
Neurochemical arguments for the use of dopamine D4 receptor stimulation to improve cognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia.

Abstract Background Dopamine (DA) D4 receptors have been implicated in schizophrenia and the ability of some atypical antipsychotic drugs (APDs) to improve the cognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia (CIAS). Systemic administration of a D4 agonist, PD168077, at a sub-effective dose, together with a sub-effective dose of lurasidone, an atypical APD which is a weak D4 receptor antagonist, reversed the deficit in novel object recognition (NOR) in rats treated subchronically with phencyclidine (PCP), a rodent model of CIAS. Atypical APDs potentially stimulate D4Rs via their ability to enhance DA release in key brain areas related to cognition. However, some atypical APDs are relatively potent D4 antagonists at clinical dosages, including clozapine, and risperidone. The D4 antagonist, L745870, blocked the ability of clozapine, but not lurasidone, to reverse the NOR deficit in rats. Methods The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a selective D4 agonist and antagonist, alone, and as pretreatment with lurasidone, on neurotransmitter efflux in mouse medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and dorsal striatum (dSTR), using in vivo microdialysis. Results and discussion PD168077 alone, and in combination with sub-effective dose lurasidone, increased DA and acetylcholine (ACh) efflux in mPFC, but only DA efflux in dSTR. L745870 had no effect on neurotransmitter efflux on its own or on the ability of lurasidone to increase cortical or striatal neurotransmitter efflux. These results indicate D4 receptor agonism alone is sufficient to increase cortical DA and ACh efflux without interfering with the effects of lurasidone and possibly other atypical APDs on extracellular cortical DA and ACh levels. A D4 agonist may be useful for treating CIAS, especially as augmentation of those atypical APDs which are not potent D4 antagonists.
Of diamond surfaces, red light photobiomodulation and fertility: lessons from the laboratory.

There is hardly a day that goes by in my various professional roles as scientist, science watcher or clinician without encountering new information or a new scenario that highlights the complexity of biology and biological systems. Such occurrences warrant careful evaluation and oftentimes lead to new management strategies or form the basis for further scientific investigation. This is inevitable as the knowledge base expands and our understanding of the variables potentially impacting our strategies and outcomes increases. We continually learn, re-learn and refine what we do and how we do it. The survival and performance of human spermatozoa in vitro is one evolving story that has far-reaching implications in numerous fields in addition to human reproduction.
The application of antivascular photo-mediated ultrasound therapy in removing microvessels in the eye

Pathologic microvasculature plays a key role in the leading causes of blindness including diabetic retinopathy, retinal vein occlusions, and macular degeneration. Current treatments, including laser therapy, photodynamic therapy (PDT), and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy, impose significant burdens on patients, their families, and our health system because of frequent administration, and destructive nature. Using a combination of a low intensity laser concurrently with ultrasound, we developed a novel treatment, photo-mediated ultrasound therapy (PUT), which can noninvasively remove microvessels without damaging surrounding tissue in the eye. We present the first evaluation of PUT on rabbit choroidal vessels.
How High School Coursework Predicts Introductory College-Level Course Success:

Objective: In recent years, developmental education (DE) reform has led to a restructuring of the placement process, redesigning of course instructional modalities, or implementing student support services to supplement developmental coursework. In Florida, recent legislative changes allowed students to opt out of placement testing and enroll directly in college-level courses regardless of academic ability. The purpose of this study is to understand how students’ high school transcript information can be used in the academic advising process when students are no longer required to take standardized placement tests. Method: We used a combination of high school courses from statewide student-level data and conducted logistic regression analyses to understand how these courses help predict success in English Composition 1 and Intermediate Algebra. We also developed student profiles and presented predicted probabilities to illustrate how students with different combinations of high school coursework were pred...
Corrections to "Channel Power Optimization of WDM Systems Following Gaussian Noise Nonlinearity Model in Presence of Stimulated Raman Scattering"

An error in the equations in the Appendix of the above-named work [ibid., vol. 35, no. 23, pp. 5237–5249, Nov. 2017] has been identified. The corrected equations fix a contradiction in the printed statement at the end of the Appendix. The numerical results presented, including optimized power allocations and figures, used the incorrect model as printed. For the significantly tilted optimized power allocations considered and at the relatively low total fiber powers considered, using the correct model yields a negligible change to those results, so the interpretation and conclusions remain unaltered. The model as corrected here yields correct results at arbitrary power levels, including levels much higher than those considered in the paper.
Electron beam melting of Inconel 718: effects of processing and post-processing

This study reports the effect of process temperature on microstructure evolution of electron beam melted Inconel 718. Samples fabricated at 915°C had fine grain boundary δ (∼200 nm) along with coar...
Challenging the Gendered Academic Hierarchy: The Artificial Separation of Research, Teaching, and Feminist Activism

In my 2017 Sherif Award address, I pay tribute to Carolyn Wood Sherif for her insightful exposure of an academic hierarchy in psychology and her call to be skeptical not only of our research choices but also of our career choices. I contend that the artificial separation of research/scholarship and teaching/mentoring, along with the masculinization and privileging of the former over the latter, contributes to perpetuating this gendered academic hierarchy. I suggest three possibilities for integrating teaching and research, embedded within one’s commitment to feminist activism, by (a) publishing about one’s own teaching, (b) researching one’s teaching effectiveness, and (c) using one’s classes to do research that contributes to feminist scholarship (as well as, in a fourth example, challenging the academic hierarchy itself). My immodest goal is to inspire junior and senior academic feminists to practice a “subversive” feminism that challenges the gendered, hierarchical academic institutions in which we are...
High-Fat Diets Alter the Modulatory Effects of Xenobiotics on Cytochrome P450 Activities

Cytochrome P450 monooxygenase (P450) enzymes metabolize critical endogenous chemicals and oxidize nearly all xenobiotics. Dysregulated P450 activities lead to altered capacity for drug metabolism and cellular stress. The effects of mixed exposures on P450 expression and activity are variable and elusive. A high-fat diet (HFD) is a common exposure that results in obesity and associated pathologies including hepatotoxicity. Herein, we report the effects of cigarette smoke on P450 activities of normal weight and HFD induced obese mice. Activity-based protein profiling results indicate that HFD mice had significantly decreased P450 activity, likely instigated by proinflammatory chemicals, and that P450 enzymes involved in detoxification, xenobiotic metabolism, and bile acid synthesis were effected by HFD and smoke interaction. Smoking increased activity of all lung P450 and coexposure to diet effected P450 2s1. We need to expand our understanding of common exposures coupled to altered P450 metabolism to enhan...
Short- and midterm results for internal jugular vein extension for short right renal vein kidney transplant.

Renal transplantation remains the definitive treatment for end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The shorter renal vein in right donor nephrectomies is associated with higher incidence of technical failure. We present here our experience with autologous internal jugular vein (IJV) conduits to facilitate living-donor transplants. Six patients underwent right, living-donor kidney transplant with simultaneous IJV harvest over a 1-year period. All had bilateral jugular duplex scans preoperatively and were placed on aspirin 81 mg postoperatively. Patient demographics, comorbidities, and laboratories were retrospectively queried. Postoperative follow-up and examination were performed per institutional protocol. The mean age and BMI were 51 ± 4.6 years and 30 ± 1.4 kg/m2 , respectively. An average 4.5 ± 0.5 cm of IJV was taken, and anastomosed exsitu, end to end to the renal vein. One patient developed a perinephric hematoma requiring reexploration and another expired during follow-up from septic shock of unknown etiology; there were no harvest site complications or deep vein thrombosis. All had immediate and stable graft function at 3.8 ± 1.7 (range: 0.7-11.3) months follow-up. Mean serum creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate were 1.3 ± 0.1 mg/dL and 55 ± 2.4 mL/min/1.73 m2 , respectively. Internal jugular vein extension of short right renal veins for kidney transplant is a viable technique for ESRD patients with promising results.
New Approaches for Sum-of-Diameters Clustering

It was shown recently that by employing ideas from incremental graph connectivity the asymptotic complexity of sum-of-diameters bipartitioning could be reduced. This article further exploits this idea to develop simpler algorithms and reports on an experimental comparison of all algorithms for this problem.
Functional electrical stimulation for augmented walking in adolescents with incomplete spinal cord injury.

AbstractBackground/Objective: This study evaluated the effects of functional electrical stimulation (FES) applied to the muscles acting on the pelvis, hip, and knee on muscle strength, energy cost of walking, maximum walking distance and speed, step length and cadence, and joint kinematics during gait in 3 ambulatory adolescents with incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI).Methods: Percutaneous FES was used to strengthen weakened muscles and to augment walking. After training, participants walked as desired at home with FES for 1 year. Data were collected at baseline (preintervention), and with FES on and FES off immediately following the training period and with FES on and FES off at 3, 6, and 12 months posttraining.Results: Voluntary strength improved in 12 out of 13 stimulated muscles. Decreased energy cost, increased maximum walking distance and speed, increased step length, and improved joint kinematics during gait were demonstrated with FES on and FES off Discussion: FES was able to achieve selective st...
Spatiotemporally distinct neural mechanisms underlie our reactions to and comparison between value-based options

Abstract Previous research suggests that people evaluate options in at least two ways: (1) appraising their overall value and (2) choosing between them. Here we test whether these processes are temporally dissociable, with appraisal-related processes tied to the time one’s options appear and choice-related processes tied to the time a decision is made. We recorded EEG while participants individually rated and subsequently made choices between consumer goods. As predicted, we found appraisal-related neural activity locked to the onset of the stimuli and choice-related activity locked to (and preceding) the response. Patterns of appraisal- and choice-related activity were further associated with distinct topographical profiles. Using a novel neural index of one’s certainty about a given item’s value, we also provide evidence that choices and choice-related activity were further modulated by this option-specific value certainty. Taken together, our results support the hypothesis that spatiotemporally distinct mechanisms underlie appraisal and choice, suggesting that commonly observed neural correlates of choice value may reflect either or both of these processes.
Abstract 1620: Validation of a proteomic signature of lung cancer risk from bronchial brushings

A major challenge in lung cancer prevention and cure hinges on identifying the at-risk population who ultimately develops lung cancer. Previously we reported proteomic alterations in the cytologically normal bronchial epithelial cells collected from the bronchial brushings of individuals at-risk for lung cancer. Proteins were identified by shotgun proteomics using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and selected candidate biomarkers of risk were validated in an independent sample cohort by parallel reaction monitoring. The purpose of the current study is to validate, in independent cohorts from Vanderbilt University Medical Center, a selected list of 54 candidate proteins associated with risk for lung cancer with sensitive targeted proteomics using selected reaction monitoring (SRM) at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. We tested proteins from bronchial brushings and bronchial biopsies collected from individuals at low risk (n=10) and high risk (n=10) based on the Tammemagi risk stratification model as well as from patients with lung cancer (n=10). Multiplexed LC-SRM assays were developed for all 54 proteins and the protein concentrations were determined by LC-SRM using heavy isotope-labeled peptides for 44 and 49 proteins in the brushings and biopsy samples, respectively. Pairwise comparisons by Wilcoxon rank sum test demonstrated significant overexpression, in the high-risk group compared to the low-risk group, of ALDH3A1 and AKR1B10 in both brushings and biopsies, and of SFN/YWHAS only in the biopsies. Significant overexpression of ALDH1A1, ALDH3A1, AKR1B10, ANXA1, CTNNB1, G6PD, LGALS7B, ALOX15, PGK1, SFN/YWHAS, and UBA1 were observed in the lung cancer group compared to the low-risk group in the brushings only. LGALS7B was also overexpressed in the brushings of high risk compared to lung cancer group. In conclusion, these SRM results revealed promise of selected candidate proteins to stratify the at-risk population for lung cancer. Next, our validation efforts will test the promising candidates in second, larger independent cohort; methods with increased sensitivity such as PRISM (high-pressure, high-resolution separations with intelligent selection and multiplexing)-SRM for analysis of the previously undetected low abundant protein candidates and carrier-assisted SRM approaches for analysis of very small-sized samples. Ultimately, we hope to deliver a signature of risk that may provide the basis for lung cancer risk assessment and possibly novel future prevention strategies. This work is supported by UO1CA152662. Citation Format: SM Jamshedur Rahman, Yuqian Gao, Athena A. Schepmoes, Yi-Ting Wang, Tujin Shi, Sheau-Chiann Chen, Heidi Chen, Karin D. Rodland, Tao Liu, Pierre P. Massion. Validation of a proteomic signature of lung cancer risk from bronchial brushings [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 1620.
Financial Analytics Toolkit: Ratio Analysis

This note describes the most common financial ratios and how they provide insight into firm performance. The emphasis is on how ratios summarize operating behaviors and results in ways that facilitate interpretation and highlight decisions. There are three broad categories of ratios covered in the note: profitability, operating efficiency, and leverage (the use of debt financing). The note defines the ratios, explains how they provide insight, and explores complications related to their use. The concepts in this note are applied to the firm Morgan Industries, a setting that has been integrated across all the Financial Analytics Toolkit series of technical notes. Excerpt UVA-F-1897 Rev. Dec. 6, 2019 Financial Analytics Toolkit: Ratio Analysis Ratio analysis provides insight into the performance of a firm, and ratios are often used in forecasting expected future performance. They summarize operating behaviors and results in ways that facilitate interpretation and highlight decisions. There are three broad categories of ratios: profitability, operating efficiency, and leverage (the use of debt financing). Most applications use line items directly from financial statements, although a few also use a firm's stock price. Many ratios link income statement amounts to balance sheet amounts. When doing so, one typically uses the end-of-year balance sheet amount associated with a given year's income statement amount. Profitability Ratios Profitability ratios evaluate the degree to which operations are providing an acceptable return on investment (ROI). The return can be evaluated relative to all investments (assets) or just to the investment made by shareholders (equity). A common framework for discussing firm profitability is the so-called DuPont decomposition. The elements of this framework are shown in Table 1. . . .
Place-based Community Engagement in Higher Education: A Strategy to Transform Universities and Communities

A wave of upheavals in our economic, political, and social structures have unearthed deep-seated questions about the value and relevance of many of our institutions. Poised in this liminal space be...
Automated Test Generation for Activation of Assertions in RTL Models

A major challenge in assertion-based validation is how to activate the assertions to ensure that they are valid. While existing test generation using model checking is promising, it cannot generate directed tests for large designs due to state space explosion. We propose an automated and scalable mechanism to generate directed tests using a combination of symbolic execution and concrete simulation of RTL models. Experimental results show that the directed tests are able to activate assertions non-vacuously.
Cosmopolitan Constitutionalism: The Case of the European Convention*

Owing to the vagaries of the ‘constitutionalization’ of the European Union, legal scholarship has disregarded the momentous constitutional transformation brought about by the European Convention System. This is regrettable, not least because the Convention has reconfigured national constitutional authority in a cosmopolitan context. The emerging cosmopolitan constitutionalism is based upon three ideas: first, the exercise of state authority must be legitimate also from the perspective of those who are not citizens; second, a constitution must embrace fundamental rights and the representation of insiders in order to facilitate the representation of all, including outsiders; third, the authority of the constitution does not only depend on the endorsement by an independent people but also on recognition by other peoples that pursue the same type of political project. At the same time, any cosmopolitan constitutional system needs to leave space for particularity. It is therefore not by accident that the idea of a ‘margin of appreciation’ is of pivotal significance.
Experimental validation of a shape-memory alloy slat-cove filler: Structural response and computational model development:

Current and expected Federal Aviation Administration regulations are pressuring the aerospace industry to develop new technologies that reduce aeroacoustic emissions, which may affect the health an...