cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bilateral testicular tumors: Management and outcome in 21 patients

BACKGROUND The authors examined the clinical course of patients with bilateral testicular tumors to determine whether the outcome after treatment was different from patients with unilateral tumors. METHODS Using a computerized data base of 2088 patients with testicular carcinoma at Indiana University, 21 patients (1%) were identified with bilateral testicular carcinoma. A retrospective review of hospital and clinic charts was performed. Sixteen patients with metachronous and 5 patients with synchronous testicular tumors were identified. RESULTS Treatment was based on clinical stage and was similar to therapy given for unilateral disease. The mean age at presentation of the first testicular tumor was 28.4 years (range, 16-47 years). Approximately 50% of the second primary tumors presented > 5 years after the contralateral tumor. At a mean follow-up of 49.9 months (range, 1-276 months), 18 patients were without evidence of disease, 2 were alive with disease, and 1 patient had died of disease. CONCLUSIONS The treatment of patients with bilateral germ cell tumors is based on the pathology and clinical stage and should not be different from the traditional management of unilateral testicular carcinoma. Patients with unilateral testicular carcinoma should be informed of the necessity of long term follow-up because contralateral testicular carcinoma may occur as long as 25 years later. Cancer 1998;83:547-552. © 1998 American Cancer Society.
A Finite Flag-transitive Geometry of Extended G2-type

The purpose of this note is to give an explicit construction of a finite flag-transitive GAB with an extended G2-diagram having the group G2(3) as automorphism group. In our example, it will be apparent that the intersection property is satisfied.
Diffusion and Trapping of Single Particles in Pores

Passage of single molecules and particles through pores is the basis of resistive-pulse sensing. We introduced an additional control of the particle transport by modulation of the driving voltage during the translocation process. Balancing all forces acting on the particles allowed us to observe diffusion of single particles in the pore, and quantifying their diffusive coefficient. The developed method for measuring diffusion coefficient in pores is applicable to particles of difference sizes, does not require fluorescence labeling, and is entirely based on ion current recordings. Application of a modulating voltage signal together with rising edge triggers enabled transporting the same particle back and forth within the pore without letting the particle leave the pore. This method is especially useful for the analysis of species present in a solution in low concentrations where statistics on an ensemble of particles/molecules has to be replaced by the statistics based on one particle studied many times. The experiments were performed with negatively charged polystyrene particles passing through single 11 μm long pores in a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film. The pores were prepared by the track-etching technique, which when applied to PET films leads to pores with undulating diameter along the pore axis. The pore topography is reflected in the pulse shape. Passage of particles through narrower parts of a pore causes a larger change of the transmembrane current compared to the case when the particles pass through wider pore segments. Each particle ‘follows’ the same pore topography thus all current pulses for a given pore look alike. We used the ion current pulse substructure as reference points for particle position along the pore axis, which facilitated the determination of diffusion coefficient of translocating particles.
Central temperature of convecttvely cooled thin targets during ion beam analysis

Abstract A simple expression for the central temperature of a convectively cooled target subjected to ion beam analysis has been obtained in the approximation that the convective-cooling mechanism is dominant.
Predicting interresidue contacts using templates and pathways.

We present a novel method, HMMSTR-CM, for protein contact map predictions. Contact potentials were calculated by using HMMSTR, a hidden Markov model for local sequence structure correlations. Targets were aligned against protein templates using a Bayesian method, and contact maps were generated by using these alignments. Contact potentials then were used to evaluate these templates. An ab initio method based on the target contact potentials using a rule-based strategy to model the protein-folding pathway was developed. Fold recognition and ab initio methods were combined to produce accurate, protein-like contact maps. Pathways sometimes led to an unambiguous prediction of topology, even without using templates. The results on CASP5 targets are discussed. Also included is a brief update on the quality of fully automated ab initio predictions using the I-sites server.
Validated Direct Blood Δ9-THC Radioimmune Quantitation

Ag-THC, the active cannabinoid and its major metabolite, 11nor-9-carboxy-Ag-THC (C-THC), are measurable directly in urine, saliva, and blood. The Ag-THC antiserum is capable of discriminating closely related cannabinoids. The relevant radioimmune results correlate well (corr. coef. 0.87) with GC-mass spectroscopic measurements of split samples performed elsewhere. It is, therefore, concluded that an extremely specific Ag-THC radioimmune assay has been developed. Salivary cannabinoid levels are not expected to discriminate between affected and nonaffected individuals. Since blood Ag-THC concentrations correlate with overt intoxication, this direct RIA has significant forensic implications.
Abdominal damage control surgery and reconstruction: world society of emergency surgery position paper

Damage control laparotomy was first described by Dr. Harlan Stone in 1983 when he suggested that patients with severe trauma should have their primary procedures abbreviated when coagulopathy was encountered. He recommended temporizing patients with abdominal packing and temporary closure to allow restoration of normal physiology prior to returning to the operating room for definitive repair. The term damage control in the trauma setting was coined by Rotondo et al., in 1993. Studies in subsequent years have validated this technique by demonstrating decreased mortality and immediate post-operative complications. The indications for damage control laparotomy have evolved to encompass abdominal compartment syndrome, abdominal sepsis, vascular and acute care surgery cases. The perioperative critical care provided to these patients, including sedation, paralysis, nutrition, and fluid management strategies may improve closure rates and recovery. In the rare cases of inability to primarily close the abdomen, there are a number of reconstructive strategies that may be used in the acute and chronic phases of abdominal closure.
A plea for peer review

Under the auspices of the Committee on Science and Public Policy (COSPUP) of the National Academy of Sciences, J.R. Cole and S. Cole have recently completed phase 2 of a study of peer review in the National Science Foundation (NSF). A summary of their results appeared in a Science (November 14, 1981) article by S. Cole, J.R. Cole, and G. Simon. We have no wish to take issue with the results and conclusions of this study, but we would like to describe to our AGU colleagues the NSF peer review process used by the Division of Earth Sciences (EAR) and how we view it. EAR is one of the few NSF divisions that currently employs a review panel in addition to the ad hoc mail reviewers. All proposals are sent to four or more mail reviewers selected by the program director. These proposals are also sent to all panel members in a given discipline. In the past there were three program panels of five members each, serving geology, geochemistry-petrology, and geophysics. Under the new EAR organization (Eos, December 22, 1981) of eight programs, each of the sixteen panel members will serve on two program panels. These review panels meet in Washington with the program director three times per year to evaluate the proposals with the aid of the mail reviews.
Leader Behavior, Member Attitudes, and Task Performance of Intercultural Discussion Groups

(1966). Leader Behavior, Member Attitudes, and Task Performance of Intercultural Discussion Groups. The Journal of Social Psychology: Vol. 69, No. 2, pp. 305-319.
Herbal products and conventional medicines used by community-residing older women.

Herbal products and conventional medicines used by community-residing older women There is a risk of interaction between herbal products and conventional medications, therefore, more needs to be known about the use of herbals by older persons. The purpose of this research was to explore the use of herbal products for medicinal purposes and to compare differences in the demographic characteristics and health status of herbal product users and nonusers among community-dwelling older women. In 1998, a random sample of 86 women aged 65 years and older who lived independently in a North Central Florida county was selected. Names were obtained from the Florida State Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Structured interviews using questionnaires were completed for 86 subjects. The interview questionnaire addressed health status and the use of conventional medicines, use of herbal products, and demographic data. Findings indicated that herbal products were used by 45% of the sample in the previous 12 months. The average number of herbal products used by the 45% was 2·5. Herbal products were used to prevent health problems (41%), to treat illness (23%), and for both prevention and treatment (36%). The women reported using an average of 3·2 prescribed medicines and 3·8 nonprescribed medicines. No differences in demographic characteristics and health status were found for users and nonusers of herbal products except that herbal product users were more concerned with memory problems than nonusers. No difference in perceived seriousness of memory problems existed between the two groups. It is important for health care providers to be knowledgeable about the use of herbal products to provide comprehensive health care to older women.
Hox protein mutation and macroevolution of the insect body plan

A fascinating question in biology is how molecular changes in developmental pathways lead to macroevolutionary changes in morphology. Mutations in homeotic (Hox) genes have long been suggested as potential causes of morphological evolution1,2, and there is abundant evidence that some changes in Hox expression patterns correlate with transitions in animal axial pattern3. A major morphological transition in metazoans occurred about 400 million years ago, when six-legged insects diverged from crustacean-like arthropod ancestors with multiple limbs4,5,6,7. In Drosophila melanogaster and other insects, the Ultrabithorax (Ubx) and abdominal A (AbdA, also abd-A) Hox proteins are expressed largely in the abdominal segments, where they can suppress thoracic leg development during embryogenesis3. In a branchiopod crustacean, Ubx/AbdA proteins are expressed in both thorax and abdomen, including the limb primordia, but do not repress limbs8,9,10,11. Previous studies led us to propose that gain and loss of transcriptional activation and repression functions in Hox proteins was a plausible mechanism to diversify morphology during animal evolution12. Here we show that naturally selected alteration of the Ubx protein is linked to the evolutionary transition to hexapod limb pattern.
Decentralized Collaborative Load Transport by Multiple Robots

With the rapid progress of the robotic technology, it is becoming increasingly common to have multiple robots working together for material transport, cooperative assembly, etc. To ensure the proper handling of the load, especially if it is fragile or needs to be moved rapidly, the constraint force needs to be carefully managed. Tight force coordination is possible if all robots share their force information and the grasp geometry is completely known. When this is not the case, a common approach is to use the leader/follower strategy, where the leader provides the position control for the load and other robots comply based on the individual contact force measurements. This paper considers an alternate decentralized motion and force control method, where all robots participate in the control of the load without sharing any position and force information. Under centralized squeeze force control, robot motion is not affected. However, when the force control is decentralized, a perturbation term is added to the motion control loop. We show that the nominal exponential stability of the motion loop preserves the closed loop stability in the presence of this perturbation. Simulation and experimental results are included to demonstrate the proposed approach.
MAQS: a personalized mobile sensing system for indoor air quality monitoring

Most people spend more than 90% of their time indoors; indoor air quality (IAQ) influences human health, safety, productivity, and comfort. This paper describes MAQS, a personalized mobile sensing system for IAQ monitoring. In contrast with existing stationary or outdoor air quality sensing systems, MAQS users carry portable, indoor location tracking sensors that provide personalized IAQ information. To improve accuracy and energy efficiency, MAQS incorporates three novel techniques: (1) an accurate temporal n-gram augmented Bayesian room localization method that requires few Wi-Fi fingerprints; (2) an air exchange rate based IAQ sensing method, which measures general IAQ using only CO2 sensors; and (3) a zone-based proximity detection method for collaborative sensing, which saves energy and enables data sharing among users. MAQS has been deployed and evaluated via user study. Detailed evaluation results demonstrate that MAQS supports accurate personalized IAQ monitoring and quantitative analysis with high energy efficiency.
Financial Risk Tolerance and Additional Factors That Affect Risk Taking in Everyday Money Matters

The purpose of this research was to extend the investigative line of inquiry, as initiated by Carducci and Wong (1998), regarding risk taking in everyday money matters by examining demographic, socioeconomic, and attitudinal characteristics that may be used either individually or in combination as determinants of financial risk tolerance. Discriminant analysis results indicated that risk tolerance was associated with being male, older, married, professionally employed with higher incomes, more education, more financial knowledge, and increased economic expectations. Findings suggest that the achievement of financial success can be explained, at least in part, by a combination of someone's personality characteristics and socioeconomic background.
Reverse-time prestack depth migration of GPR data from topography for amplitude reconstruction in complex environments

With increased computational power, reverse-time prestack depth migration (RT-PSDM) has become a preferred imaging tool in seismic exploration, yet its use has remained relatively limited in ground-penetrating radar (GPR) applications. Complex topography alters the wavefield kinematics making for a challenging imaging problem. Model simulations show that topographic variation can substantially distort reflection amplitudes due to irregular wavefield spreading, attenuation anomalies due to irregular path lengths, and focusing and defocusing effects at the surface. The effects are magnified when the topographic variations are on the same order as the depth of investigation—a situation that is often encountered in GPR investigations. Here, I use a full wave-equation RT-PSDM algorithm to image GPR data in the presence of large topographic variability relative to the depth of investigation. The source and receiver wavefields are propagated directly from the topographic surface and this approach inherently corrects for irregular kinematics, spreading and attenuation. The results show that when GPR data are acquired in areas of extreme topography, RT-PSDM can accurately reconstruct reflector geometry as well as reflection amplitude.
Harriette M. Cluxton, 1914–2001

Harriette M. Cluxton, who died on May 14, 2001, was well known as a very active Chicago-area hospital librarian who stayed professionally active beyond retirement. Born in Minneapolis on August 14, 1914, Harriette graduated from Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1936. Before choosing librarianship, she taught English and Latin. She spent time in Cleveland, Ohio, and worked as medical librarian at Huron Road Hospital. Later, she received her library science degree from Rosary College, now Dominican University. She also worked at the Illinois College of Optometry. In the early 1960s, she became medical librarian at Illinois Masonic Medical Center, where she stayed until 1980. Harriette was representative of the dynamic hospital librarian. She considered herself a colleague of the medical staff and merited their highest respect. She acted as an informal consultant for administrators who needed information about salaries, budgets, programs, acquisitions, and other library matters, usually to help out local librarians. Harriette mentored numerous medical librarians with sage advice and practicality. In 1972/73, she served as president of the Chicago Chapter of Special Libraries. Previously, she was a cofounder of the Hospital and Nursing Librarians of Illinois (now Health Sciences Librarians of Illinois). She served as sergeant-at-arms at the MLA annual meeting in 1977. In the 1970s, Harriette carefully cultivated the Midwest Regional Medical Library (Greater Midwest Health Sciences Network). She advocated the hospital library's role as a vital and contributing agency in the health care process. She served notably in “network” committees and task forces. Probably, the accomplishment she was most proud of was founding the Metropolitan Consortium of Chicago in 1975. She served as coordinator for its initial five years and turned over the gavel to her successor once its bylaws, policies, and procedures were in place. Many recall Harriette as an advocate for sound ideas and a very astute political observer and player. An inactive retirement was out of the question. She continued to serve the Metropolitan Consortium of Chicago as an active Bylaws Committee member and the consortium archivist. She contributed regularly to its newsletter, the Metrometeor, with her very witty column, “Harriette's Historiette.” The Midwest Chapter was one of her great interests in her later years. She conscientiously served as its archivist and was a member of the Bylaws and Audit Committees. She also wrote a very detailed history of the Midwest Chapter in 1994. For those of us coming of age in the 1960s and 1970s, Harriette M. Cluxton was synonymous with Chicago hospital and medical librarianship. We, who were associated with Harriette, were enriched by her example and her substance.
Initiating antiretroviral therapy in HIV-infected patients with >500 CD4 cells/µL provides more benefit than delaying treatment

Commentary on : The INSIGHT START Study Group. Initiation of Antiretroviral Therapy in Early Asymptomatic HIV Infection. N Engl J Med 2015;373:795–807.[OpenUrl][1][CrossRef][2][PubMed][3] It is clear that the successful treatment of HIV infection requires that patients be diagnosed, be engaged in regular care and receive and adhere to effective antiretroviral therapy (ART). When to start ART has been less clear. WHO guidelines have evolved over time from reserving therapy for the most immunocompromised in September 2015 treating all patients with HIV infection.1 Two large well-conducted randomised controlled trials (RCTs), the Strategic Timing of Antiretroviral Therapy (START) trial2 and the TEMPRANO ANRS 12136,3 have been particularly important in advancing the evidence base for universal therapy. START was designed and conducted by the International Network for Strategic Initiatives … [1]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DN%2BEngl%2BJ%2BMed%26rft.volume%253D373%26rft.spage%253D795%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1056%252FNEJMoa1506816%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F26192873%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [2]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=10.1056/NEJMoa1506816&link_type=DOI [3]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=26192873&link_type=MED&atom=%2Febmed%2F21%2F1%2F26.atom
Controlled Multi-Stage Self-Assembly of Vesicles

The association of lipid or surfactant molecules into spherical vesicles in solution constitutes a primary self-assembly process, although typical vesicles are not the equilibrium form of aggregation for most lipids. Such meta-stable vesicles can undergo a secondary self-assembly into higher order structures in a controlled and reversible manner by means of site-specific ligandreceptor coupling. Cryo-electron microscopy shows these structures to be composed of tethered vesicles in their original, unstressed state. In contrast, vesicles aggregated by non-specific forces are deformed. In this work, we show that equilibrium vesicles can also undergo a secondary selfassembly via ligand-receptor interactions, as evidenced by freeze-fracture electron microscopy. Such site-specific vesicle aggregation provides a practical mechanism for the production of stable, yet controllable, microstructured materials.
Compliant-Backplate Helmholtz Resonators for Active Noise Control Applications

The results of a theoretical and experimental investigation into compliant-backplate Helmholtz resonators are presented. The motivation for this study is to develop an actively tuned noise control system, based upon a Helmholtz resonator that uses a compliant piezoelectric composite backplate. To establish a baseline case, rigid backplate Helmholtz resonators were designed using a lumped element model and tested in a plane-wave tube. After this initial testing, the rigid backplate of the resonator was replaced by several compliant aluminum diaphragms and characterized. The experimental results are compared to lumped element models of the Helmholtz resonator with a compliant diaphragm.
Histological Subtypes of Focal Cortical Dysplasia

Clinical, EEG, MRI, neuropsychological, surgical, and seizure outcome data in 200 children with histologically proven cortical malformations were analyzed in a study at Motol University Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic, Miami Children's Hospital, and other centers.
Community co-management: a new model for nature reserve management

Co_management demonstration of GEF project were conducted in Taibai,Foping and Zhouzhi National Nature Reserves, Shaanxi Province as a new approach of reserve managing. According to procedures, reserves clarified objectives of co_management and established co_management committee as well as developed Community Resources Management Plan (CRMP). Countering threats to biodiversity conservation from economic development of the community, the implementer adopted countermeasures such as publicizing and educating, investigating of community, natural resource using, extending agriculture techniques, choosing some community development programs, practicing of energy_saving techniques, expanding range of community participation and establishing resource conservation system. Some positive outputs of co_management have been achieved. Villagers have benefited especially from exploitation of fuelwood resource, popularization of agricultural technology and community development programs, meanwhile the conservation of biodiverstiy was further strengthened. The experience and demonstration of the community co_management showed its value in seeking a new reserve management model of balancing conservation and development.
Abstract 3272: LKB1 loss is associated with resistance to VEGF inhibitors in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

Background LKB1 is a protein kinase that is mutated and down-regulated in 20-30% of NSCLC. LKB1 mutations co-occur with KRAS alterations in 7%-10% of NSCLC, resulting in an aggressive phenotype with short survival, and frequent metastases. Because LKB1 activates AMPK, many of the best known functions of LKB1 are attributed to its ability to control metabolic alterations in the cells. However LKB1 also plays an important role in regulating tumor progression, metastasis and angiogenesis, likely as a compensatory strategy to overcome energetic depletion of tumor microenvironment. Bevacizumab, the anti-VEGF antibody improves PFS in NSCLC patients combined with chemotherapy but the benefit is modest and transient and often patients develop resistance. Our laboratory has identified alterations in cell metabolism and in vasculature of LKB1 deficient tumors when compared to LKB1 wild type. These findings may indicate that loss of LKB1 could alter the tumor vasculature in NSCLC. Methods mRNA expression of angiogenesis related genes were analyzed in wild type and LKB1 deficient NSCLC tumors (TCGA). In vitro validation was performed by qPCR and western blot. CD31 IHC was performed to analyze microvasculature density (MVD) in Krasmut and Krasmut LKB1f/f mice tumors. HUVEC tube formation and migration assays were performed with conditioned medium of LKB1 expressing and deficient NSCLC isogeneic cell lines. Xenograft NSCLC models were established via s.c. injection of H460 (LKB1 deficient) and H460 LKB1 (LKB1 expressing) cells in nude mice. Treatment consisting of human and/or mouse bevacizumab and nintedanib were administrated. Tumor volumes were measured and vasculature analysis was performed. Results In vitro HUVEC cells exhibited an increase migration and differences in endothelial network formation when incubated with conditioned medium from LKB1 deficient cells compared to LKB1 expressing cells medium (p Conclusions LKB1 deficiency may promote resistance to anti-angiogenic therapy by regulating compensatory angiogenic pathways along metabolic adaptations to energetic stress in NSCLC. Citation Format: Irene Guijarro, Alissa Poteete, Chao Yang, Emily Roarty, Monique Nilsson, Huiying Sun, Pan Tong, Edward Chang, Jaime Rodriguez-Canales, Barbara Mino, Edwin Parra, Ignacio Wistuba, Jing Wang, Timothy Heffernan, John V. Heymach. LKB1 loss is associated with resistance to VEGF inhibitors in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 3272.
Painting Pictures of Ourselves: Researcher Subjectivity in the Practice of Feminist Reflexivity

In this article, I argue that researchers need to carefully distinguish the concepts of subjectivity and positionality in feminist reflexive practice, as an explicit focus on researcher subjectivity has the potential to provide additional insights into the research process that go beyond a focus on relational positionality. Drawing on examples from my own research, I argue that examining one's subjectivity as a researcher opens up a consideration of emotional reactions to research; lets us reconsider the importance of feelings of (dis)affiliation and (dis)comfort in the research process; and helps us to recognize that the dreams and desires of researchers about themselves and their research participants can play an important role in the research process. Moreover, researcher subjectivity attunes us to ways in which our subjectivities shift through the research process and are intimately connected to and mediated by the process of research and our interactions with our research participants.
Pengaruh Pemberdayaan Sumber Daya Manusia Dan Kompensasi Terhadap Kinerja Pegawai Bagian Humas Kanwil Kementerian Agama Propinsi Dki Jakarta

Permasalahan kinerja tidak terbatas pada seberapa besar organisasi mampu memberdayakan sumber daya manusia sebagai anggota organisasi untuk mencapai hasil kerja yang diinginkan tetapi lebih jauh lagi adalah seberapa sukseskah organisasi dapat mendorong motivasi dan kepuasan pegawai untuk bekerja semaksimal mungkin sehingga mereka dapat mencapai kinerja yang diharapkan. Salah satu cara mendorong motivasi dan kepuasan pegawai adalah dengan memberikan imbalan atau balas jasa dalam hal ini adalah kompensasi baik secara langsung atau pun tidak langsung yang memadai, sehingga pegawai merasa bahwa organisasi telah memperhatikan sekaligus menghargai atas apa yang telah mereka kerjakan demi kepentingan organisasi, dengan demikian maka kinerja pegawai akan tercapai, namun sebaliknya apabila organisasi kurang memberikan perhatian dalam hal ini pemberian kompensasi karyawan maka bukan hal mustahil pegawai tidak termotivasi dalam bekerja sehingga akibatnya kinerja tidak tercapai sesuai harapan organisasi dan akibat dari ketidakpuasan pegawai atas kompensasi tersebut maka akan membuat kinerja semakin menurun.Metode penelitian yang dilakukan dalam penelitian ini adalah menggunakan desain penelitian survei dengan metode penelitian Kuantitatif. Selanjutnya Sugiyono (2008:11) menyatakan bahwa penelitian kuantitatif adalah penelitian yang dilakukan untuk mengetahui nilai mandiri, baik satu variabel atau lebih (independent) tanpa membuat perbandingan atau menghubungkan antara variabel satu dengan variabel lain, sedangkan penelitian asosiatif merupakan penelitian yang bertujuan mengetahui hubungan antar dua variabel atau lebih, dengan penekanan melihat hubungan kausal yaitu hubungan sebab akibat. Hasil dari penelitian ini data variabel Pemberdayaan Sumber Daya Manusia menunjukkan bahwa skor terendah 67 dan skor tertinggi adalah 93. Dengan demikian, diperolehnya skor terendah dan tertinggi, maka rentangan skornya (range) adalah 26 (93-67). Data variabel Kompensasi menunjukkan bahwa skor terendah adalah 51 dan skor tertinggi adalah 71. Dengan demikian, diperolehnya skor terendah dan tertinggi, maka rentang skornya (range) adalah 20 (71-51). untuk data variabel kinerja pegawai menunjukkan bahwa skor terendah adalah 55 dan skor tertinggi adalah 74. Dengan demikian, diperolehnya skor terendah dan tertinggi, maka rentang skornya (range) adalah 19 (74-55).
Transcranial direct-current stimulation modulates offline visual oscillatory activity: A magnetoencephalography study.

Abstract Transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS) is a noninvasive neuromodulatory method that involves delivering low amplitude, direct current to specific regions of the brain. While a wealth of literature shows changes in behavior and cognition following tDCS administration, the underlying neuronal mechanisms remain largely unknown. Neuroimaging studies have generally used fMRI and shown only limited consensus to date, while the few electrophysiological studies have reported mostly null or counterintuitive findings. The goal of the current investigation was to quantify tDCS-induced alterations in the oscillatory dynamics of visual processing. To this end, we performed either active or sham tDCS using an occipital–frontal electrode configuration, and then recorded magnetoencephalography (MEG) offline during a visual entrainment task. Significant oscillatory responses were imaged in the time-frequency domain using beamforming, and the effects of tDCS on absolute and relative power were assessed. The results indicated significantly increased basal alpha levels in the occipital cortex following anodal tDCS, as well as reduced occipital synchronization at the second harmonic of the stimulus-flicker frequency relative to sham stimulation. In addition, we found reduced power in brain regions near the cathode (e.g., right inferior frontal gyrus [IFG]) following active tDCS, which was absent in the sham group. Taken together, these results suggest that anodal tDCS of the occipital cortices differentially modulates spontaneous and induced activity, and may interfere with the entrainment of neuronal populations by a visual-flicker stimulus. These findings also demonstrate the importance of electrode configuration on whole-brain dynamics, and highlight the deceptively complicated nature of tDCS in the context of neurophysiology.
Vivado design interface: An export/import capability for Vivado FPGA designs

Research tools targeting commercial FPGAs have most commonly been based on the Xilinx Design Language (XDL). Vivado, however, does not support XDL, preventing similar tools from being created for next-generation devices. Instead, Vivado includes a Tcl interface that exposes Xilinx's internal design and device data structures. Considerable challenges still remain to users attempting to leverage this Tcl interface to develop external CAD tools. This paper presents the Vivado Design Interface (VDI), a set of file formats and Tcl functions that address the challenges of exporting and importing designs to and from Vivado. To demonstrate its use, VDI has been integrated with RapidSmith2, an external FPGA CAD framework. To our knowledge this work is the first successful attempt to provide an open-source tool-flow that can export designs from Vivado, manipulate them with external CAD tools, and re-import an equivalent representation back into Vivado.
Tapered Bottlebrush Polymers: Cone-Shaped Nanostructures by Sequential Addition of Macromonomers

Tapered (cone-shaped) bottlebrush polymers were synthesized for the first time by ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) using a sequential-addition of macromonomers (SAM) strategy. Polystyrene macromonomers with molecular weights that increased from 1 to 10 kg mol–1 were polymerized in sequence to high conversion, yielding tapered bottlebrush polymers that could be visualized by atomic force microscopy (AFM).
Retrieving the aerosol complex refractive index using PyMieScatt: A Mie computational package with visualization capabilities

Abstract The complex refractive index m = n + ik of a particle is an intrinsic property which cannot be directly measured; it must be inferred from its extrinsic properties such as the scattering and absorption cross-sections. Bohren and Huffman called this approach “describing the dragon from its tracks”, since the inversion of Lorenz-Mie theory equations is intractable without the use of computers. This article describes PyMieScatt, an open-source module for Python that contains functionality for solving the inverse problem for complex m using extensive optical and physical properties as input, and calculating regions where valid solutions may exist within the error bounds of laboratory measurements. Additionally, the module has comprehensive capabilities for studying homogeneous and coated single spheres, as well as ensembles of homogeneous spheres with user-defined size distributions, making it a complete tool for studying the optical behavior of spherical particles.
The Epidemiology of Status Epilepticus

Status epilepticus (SE) is a relatively common neurologic emergency, associated with a high mortality. Over the past decade, several large-scale studies have used national data sets to investigate SE incidence and mortality, building upon the foundations established by earlier population-based studies. This chapter reviews methods used for studying the Epidemiology of SE, the risk factors for developing SE, and the parameters that influence mortality associated with SE. Special consideration is given to the pediatric and elderly populations, who are at most risk for developing SE.
Integration of microwave data from SMAP and AMSR2 for soil moisture monitoring in Italy

Abstract In this study, an integration of microwave data obtained from the SMAP and AMSR2 satellite radiometers has been attempted, to achieve an accurate estimation of the Soil Moisture Content (SMC). This research aimed to overcome the failure of radar sensor in SMAP satellite as well as the failure to generate the radar/radiometer combined SMC product at a spatial resolution of 9 km × 9 km. A disaggregation technique, based on the Smoothing Filter based Intensity Modulation (SFIM), enabled us to obtain co-located SMAP and AMSR2 brightness measurements at L, C, X, Ku and Ka bands at approximately 10 km × 10 km on the selected test area, which corresponds to the entire Italian territory. These disaggregated microwave data were used as inputs of the “HydroAlgo” retrieval algorithm based on Artificial Neural Networks (ANN), which were able to exploit the synergy between radiometric acquisitions from these two sensors. The algorithm was defined, implemented and tested using all the overlapping orbits of SMAP and AMSR2 over Italy throughout the 9_month period between April and December 2015. Distributed SMC reference values for implementing and validating the algorithm were obtained from the Soil Water Balance hydrological model, SWBM. Through HydroAlgo, an SMC product at a resolution of approximately 10 km × 10 km was obtained. This result is close to the original Radar/Radiometer SMC product from SMAP, with an average correlation coefficient R > 0.75 and RMSE ≅ 0.03 m3/m3, in both ascending and descending orbits.
The General Selection Equation

In his monumental Origin of Species (1859), Charles Darwin entitled the fourth chapter Natural Selection, or the Survival of the Fittest. Thus he introduced into biological science the concept of fitness, linked with the concept of selection.
Tim-3 Regulation of Cancer Immunity

Chronic unrelenting immune responses can lead to immunopathology that can be fatal. Consequently, the immune system has evolved both molecular and cellular mechanisms that serve to contract active immune responses and restore immune homeostasis. Molecular mechanisms include the upregulation of inhibitory or immune checkpoint receptors on T cells post activation. Cellular mechanisms include regulatory T cells (Tregs) and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) that suppress active T-cell responses. Unfortunately, all of these mechanisms have been co-opted in cancer to suppress the generation of productive antitumor T-cell responses. In tumor-bearing hosts, the sustained expression of immune checkpoint receptors on T cells results in T-cell dysfunction or exhaustion. Moreover, MDSCs expand to large numbers in tumor-bearing hosts and the tumor microenvironment promotes Tregs. The inhibitory receptor T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain 3 (Tim-3) has a role in each of these mechanisms of immune suppression, thus highlighting the value of Tim-3 as a target for anticancer immunotherapy. Here, we discuss the role of Tim-3 in each of these mechanisms and the implications for the development of agents that target Tim-3 for cancer treatment.
Abstract 983: Metabolic radiosensitization: Overcoming the radioresistance of hypoxic tumors by targeting OXPHOS

It has been recognized decades ago that lower oxygen tension decreases the efficiency of radiation therapy (RT). Strategies to clinically overcome hypoxia have been disappointing. We have addressed this issue by targeting the tumor metabolism. “Metabolic radiosensitization” is a concept of achieving a temporary decrease in the oxygen consumption (OCR) of tumor cells and therefore reduce hypoxia prior to RT. Inhibiting mitochondrial respiration will cause a decrease in the demand for oxygen that will in turn lead to a decrease of tumor hypoxia providing a therapeutic window to deliver RT. A number of FDA-approved drugs have been shown to inhibit mitochondrial OCR as an off-target effect. Repurposing one of these drugs with well-established safety profiles for radiosensitization would thus provide an exciting opportunity for clinical translation. We found that papaverine (PPV) showed the most promising results by rapidly achieving up to 40% inhibition of OCR within minutes in clinically achievable doses in the low micromolar range. Using near infra-red optical spectroscopy (NIRS) with a mouse flank xenotransplantation model we confirmed that a single dose of the drug caused a 1.3-1.4x increase of tumor oxygenation in vivo in the first 30 minutes, while the normal tissue oxygenation remained unaffected. We then determined that combination of papaverine followed by RT after 30 minutes enhanced the tumor radiation growth delay significantly by 2.1-3.9x compared to RT alone. Papaverine has been traditionally used as a vasodilator and anti-spasmodic and is thought to act through its ability to inhibit phosphodiesterase 10A (PDE10A). However, we found that increased cAMP did not inhibit OCR in vitro, suggesting that PPV has dual functions as PDE10A and OCR inhibitor. To mechanistically establish that PPV is radiosensitizing through inhibition of mitochondrial complex I, we generated tumor cells with PPV-resistant mitochondria. We used CRISPR/Cas9 to knock out a gene essential for complex I core activity. We then rescued partial mitochondrial function in these cells by introducing papaverine-resistant yeast complex I encoded by the NDI1 gene. Analysis of these cells by Seahorse confirmed that they were resistant to the effects of PPV on OCR. These PPV-resistant tumor cells were used to grow tumors, and in radiation growth delay experiments, NDI1-expressing tumors were resistant to PPV radiosensitization. These findings confirm that PPV radiosensitizes hypoxic tumors though inhibition of complex I. In conclusion, our data indicate that repurposing FDA approved papaverine for metabolic radiosensitization has a strong potential for translation into the clinics. Citation Format: Martin Benej, Xiangqian Hong, Bing Yu, Ioanna Papandreou, Nicholas Denko. Metabolic radiosensitization: Overcoming the radioresistance of hypoxic tumors by targeting OXPHOS [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 983.
The community resilience reader: Essential resources for an era of upheaval

The Community Resilience Reader provides a detailed and compact overview of the E4 crises occurring globally. The authors characterize the main issues affecting communities worldwide as environment...
Interdependence, Perception, and Investment Choices: An Experimental Approach to Decision Making in Innovation Ecosystems

We explore how decision makers perceive and assess the level of risk in interdependent settings. In a series of five experiments, we examine how individuals set expectations for their own project i...
Induction of Chilling Tolerance by Brief Abiotic Shocks

Exposure to nonfreezing temperatures below c12°C causes a physiological disorder called chilling injury in most crops of tropical origin (e. g., banana, mango), in some crops of subtropical origin (e. g., cucumber, tomato) and in a few crops of temperate origin (e. g., some apple cultivars, asparagus) (Bramlage, 1982; Couey, 1982; Saltveit and Morris, 1990). After a lag period of a few hours to weeks, during which chilling does not appear to have a permanent effect, the degree of injury increases proportionally with the duration of exposure and inversely with the temperature. Symptoms of chilling injury can develop at the chilling temperature (e. g., blackening of banana peel), but most symptoms only become obvious after stressed tissue is removed to a warm, nonchilling temperature. These symptoms include reduced seed germination, plant vigor, stand establishment, plant growth, quality, and shelflife of harvested commodities. Chilling injury can also include abnormal ripening and an increase in respiration and ethylene production, disease susceptibility, ion leakage and water loss. While most organs and tissues of a chilling sensitive plant exhibit some of these symptoms, certain sensitive plants (e. g., sweet corn) have parts (i. e., corn kernels and cob) that are insensitive to chilling.
The Effectiveness of Vegetation in Reducing Building Energy Demand

Buildings account for about 40% of total energy consumption in the United States. Energy efficiency has become of increasing concern to those in both the private and sustainability sectors due to its potential to cut operating costs, enhance corporate social responsibility, reduce environmental impact, and mitigate climate change. One of the less publicized methods of building energy efficiency is vegetation via green roofs, green walls and facades, and surrounding greenery. This paper seeks to assess the effectiveness of vegetation in reducing building heating and cooling demands, thereby lowering energy consumption. The study also analyzes the impact of other factors such as climate, vegetation type, and growing substrate on the effectiveness of building greenery in increasing energy efficiency. Overall, green roofs, vertical greenery, and surrounding vegetation were all found to be viable methods of reducing building energy consumption, especially in hot, dry climates.
A Novel Method for Polymer Content Determination in Asphalt Binder and Emulsion

Modification of asphalt binder is a must to enhance the performance of asphalt binder. The objectives of this study are to develop an extensional deformation test method using a Sentmanat Extensional Rheometer (SER) fixture inside a Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR) and to investigate the relationship between different percentages of latex polymer and force ductility in polymer (latex) modified asphalt emulsion (PMAE) and polymer modified asphalt binder (PMAB). The sample geometry used in this study is 3 mm × 0.72 mm. Total twenty-four samples are tested by the SER where twelve samples are PMAE and twelve samples are PMAB. One neat binder PG 64-22 and one PMAE are used. 2%, 4% and 6% latex are mixed with PG 64-22 by a mechanical mixer and a high shear mixer for making PMAB. PMAEs are collected from the manufacture with 0%, 2.5%, 4% and 5.5% latex in it. Second peak elongation force, F2 is only obtained from the latex modified binders and emulsions. First peak elongation force, F1 has no linear correlation in case of PMAE and PMAB where F2 has a linear correlation with the percent of the polymer in the PMAE and PMAB with R2 values equal to 0.9934 and 0.9535 respectively indicating extensional deformation test with SER is very promising. Additionally, DSR temperature sweep test results and multiple stress creep recovery (MSCR) test results indicate that F2 is a better indicator of polymer content than rutting factor G*/sinδ and non-recoverable creep compliance, Jnr.
Heat transfer and flow regimes during counter-flow steam condensation in flattened-tube air-cooled condensers

Abstract Experimental results for counter-flow steam condensation in a 5.7 m-long air-cooled condenser tube with a flattened-tube cross section are presented. The tube is inclined at upward inclination angles from 0.5° to 40°, with both the vapor inlet and liquid outlet at the lower end of the tube. The effect of inclination angle on flow regimes, void fraction, capacity and heat transfer coefficient is presented. In addition, a water-cooled test section provides local steam-side heat transfer coefficient along the tube circumference at increased accuracy to that determined in the air-cooled test section. The range of condensation pressures tested is 88–120 kPa and all tests have a mass flux of less than 4.2 kg m−2 s−1. Stratified flow is found for nearly all conditions and locations in the condenser. Flooding of this stratified condensate layer is found for tube inclination angles of 5° and lower. This flooding is found to reduce the condenser capacity. The results are compared to those for co-current flow in the same condenser tube. Capacity is found to be unaffected by the flow configuration (counter-flow vs. co-current) when flooding does not occur. Steam-side heat transfer coefficient is also found to be unaffected by flow configuration for all conditions tested.