cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fluorescence Tomographic Imaging Using a Hand-Held Optical Imager: Extensive Phantom Studies

Hand-held probe based optical imager has become popular towards breast imaging for its potential portability and maximum patient comfort (no compression involved), but are currently limited on three-dimensional (3-D) tumor localization. A novel hand-held probe based optical imager with unique source and detector set-up was recently developed in our laboratory towards tomographic breast imaging. With 3-D fluorescence tomography feasibility of this novel optical imager demonstrated in previous studies, extensive phantom studies under various conditions were performed to assess current system limitation on 3-D tumor/target recovery. The phantom studies have been performed on slab geometries (650 ml) under different target depths (1-2.5 cm), target volumes (0.45, 0.23 and 0.10 cc), fluorescence absorption contrast ratios (1:0, 1000:1 to 5:1), and number of targets (up to 3), using Indocyanine Green (ICG) as the fluorescence contrast agent. The fluorescence optical measurements acquired on phantom surface were applied towards an Approximate Extended Kalman Filter (AEKF) algorithm for 3-D mapping of fluorescence absorption coefficient over entire phantom volume. In most cases, the target was successfully reconstructed. Currently, the limitations in terms of resolution, depth, and volume recovery of the embedded target are assessed. Upon further experimental validation based on in-vitro and in-vivo studies, the clinical translation of this technology is promising.
Observations of irradiated fuel behavior under simulated accident heating conditions

Modifications to the direct electrical heating apparatus have enabled it to be used successfully to heat irradiated mixed-oxide fuel pellets to melting in an $alpha$-$gamma$ hot cell. For this purpose, a fuel extrusion device was constructed to remove irradiated fuel from its cladding. Proof-testing was successfully conducted using two UO$sub 2$--20 wt percent PuO$sub 2$ pellets irradiated in the Experimental Breeder Reactor II to 3.25 at. percent burnup at approximately 3.05 kW/m (approximately 10 kW/ft). The sequence of events leading to fuel failure--namely, melting: swelling, and fragmentation--agrees with observations from inreactor accident simulations. (auth)
General Concepts of Blood Vessel Formation and Remodeling

The goal of this chapter is to provide the reader with a basic understanding of the cascade of events that comprise blood vessel formation and remodeling, as well as the extrinsic factors that underlie vascular adaptations. Although vascular patterns and characteristics are organ specific, they nevertheless share many common features and developmental regulators.
Ekphrasis and Gender in Anne Finch's Longleat Poems

This essay seeks to expand our understanding of ekphrasis and its dynamics by analyzing the poetry of Anne Finch. In the standard model constructed by critics from the eighteenth century to the present, ekphrasis represents a contest between poetry and visual art that applies a gendered hierarchy to the arts: poetry is masculinized and painting feminized; a masculine speaker describes a feminine object. Founded exclusively on the work of male poets, this account has not yet considered how eighteenth-century female poets contributed to this tradition. Through her ekphrastic practice, this essay argues, Finch rejects the aesthetic binary that relegates women to the position of objects rather than speakers, censures those who would deny women’s participation in the arts, and proves that women can claim both verbal authority and visual power.
Probing dark energy via galaxy cluster outskirts

We present a Bayesian approach to combine $Planck$ data and the X-ray physical properties of the intracluster medium in the virialization region of a sample of 320 galaxy clusters ($0.056 3$ keV) observed with $Chandra$. We exploited the high-level of similarity of the emission measure in the cluster outskirts as cosmology proxy. The cosmological parameters are thus constrained assuming that the emission measure profiles at different redshift are weakly self-similar, that is their shape is universal, explicitly allowing for temperature and redshift dependence of the gas fraction. This cosmological test, in combination with $Planck$+SNIa data, allows us to put a tight constraint on the dark energy models. For a constant-$w$ model, we have $w=-1.010\pm0.030$ and $\Omega_m=0.311\pm0.014$, while for a time-evolving equation of state of dark energy $w(z)$ we have $\Omega_m=0.308\pm 0.017$, $w_0=-0.993\pm0.046$ and $w_a=-0.123\pm0.400$. Constraints on the cosmology are further improved by adding priors on the gas fraction evolution from hydrodynamic simulations. Current data favour the cosmological constant with $w\equiv-1$, with no evidence for dynamic dark energy. We checked that our method is robust towards different sources of systematics, including background modelling, outlier measurements, selection effects, inhomogeneities of the gas distribution and cosmic filaments. We also provided for the first time constraints on which definition of cluster boundary radius is more tenable, namely based on a fixed overdensity with respect to the critical density of the Universe. This novel cosmological test has the capacity to provide a generational leap forward in our understanding of the equation of state of dark energy.
Properties of a Transmissible Agent Capable of Inducing Marked DNA Degradation and Thymine Catabolism in a Human Cell.

SummaryThe appearance of a transmissible cytopathic agent during the first blind passage of pooled human “liver” cultures previously infected with 4 acute infectious hepatitis bloods is described. The infectivity of this agent in the “liver” culture was cell-associated. The infective degenerated “liver” cells retained their infectivity for at least 16 weeks at 4°C and 8 weeks at 36°C. Heating for 1 hour at 56°C failed to destroy completely the infectivity of infected mouse fibroblasts. One cycle of freeze-thawing or homogenizing, however, abolished the infectivity with occasional exceptions. Characteristic cytopathology consisted of cytoplasmic granularity, cell rounding followed by diminution of cell volume leading to morphologic picture of shrunken cells. During an intermediate stage of degeneration, characteristic intranuclear basophilic globules were seen regularly; the globules were Feulgen positive. The established cell line was more susceptible to the destructive action of this agent than primary c...
P-023 Transfontanelle and Transcardiac Veno-arterial Approaches for Embolization of Complex Pediatric Intra-cranial Vascular Malformations

Introduction Trans-arterial endovascular embolization using liquid embolics for the treatment of intra-cranial vascular lesions can be challenging in neonates and infants due to difficulties with arterial access. This is particularly true when repeated procedures have to be performed for staged embolization of very complex lesions. Sometimes, there can be severe intra-procedural spasm or long standing occlusion of the femoral arteries, which can render arterial access very difficult. A Transvenous approach may also not be useful due to the angio-architecture of some of these lesions. Herein, we describe two patients in whom arterial access was compromised but embolization could still be carried out via alternate techniques. Case Series Case 1: A 2 week old infant presented with a Dural Sinus Malformation and a giant midline venous pouch, with multiple associated high flow arteriovenous fistulae. At the end of six trans-arterial embolization sessions with femoral arterial punctures, she still had residual high flow shunting. Both femoral arteries were small in calibre and the left was occluded. Therefore, the midline venous pouch was punctured via a percutaneous transfontanelle approach (through the posterior fontanelle) and the malformation was successfully embolised using Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol Co-polymer (Onyx) and coils while preserving the superior saggital sinus. Case 2: A 5 month old presented for elective embolization of an antenatally diagnosed mixed mural and choroidal type Vein of Galen Aneurysmal Malformation (VGAM). Both femoral arteries were small in size and developed severe vasospasm when an ultra-sound guided needle puncture was attempted precluding arterial access by this approach. Therefore, the right common femoral vein (CFV) was punctured under ultrasound and a 4 French Guiding catheter was passed through this puncture site and advanced to the right atrium. Eventually arterial access was obtained by navigating this catheter from the right atrium to the left atrium across the patent Foramen Ovale followed by advancement into the aortic arch. Embolization was then carried out successfully by the injection of Onyx or n-BCA from multiple pericallosal and choroidal arteries with approximately 50% reduction in flow through the VGAM. Conclusion Per-cutaneous Transfontanlle and Trans-cardiac percutaneous veno-arterial approaches for embolization may be useful in the treatment of selected intra-cranial vascular malformations in neonates and infants. Disclosures B. Jagadeesan: 2; C; Covidien, Microvention, Lake Regional. H. Zachararotos: None. K. Shea: None. D. Nascene: None. A. Grande: 2; C; Covidien, Integra. R. Tummala: 2; C; Lake Regional.
W. Lance Bennett & Alexandra Segerberg, The Logic of Connective Action: Digital Media and the Personalization of Contentious Politics

It is hard to miss the striking resemblance between Mancur Olson’s (1965) The Logic of Collective Action and Bennett and Segerberg’s The Logic of Connective Action. Just like the first book that heralded social movement studies into the resource mobilization paradigm, the latter is likely to inaugurate a new paradigm of contentious action research in the digital age. Both books deal with the role of organization in social movements. In contrast to the collective action organizational logic in the first book, Bennett and Segerberg’s book offers a new organizational logic—connective action— to explain how contentious action networks evolve in the digital era. This review follows the structure of the book and discusses its main theoretical contributions, the empirical studies supporting the new theory, and a few gaps that can be filled by further investigations.
THE STUDY ON THE X-RAY SEPARATOR AND ITS PRE-SORTING TEST OF THE LOW GRADE ORE OF Mo AND Ni

This article describes the theory foundation of X-ray separation technology and introduce the study status quo,constitute and work principle of X-ray sorter.This paper also conducts X-ray sorting test on the low grade ore of Mo and Ni respectively in Liaoning province.The low grade Mo ore test can abtain a good result with the concentrate recovery,enrichment ratio and concentrate grade is 73.11%,2.03 and 0.130% respectively and the tailings discarding ratio is 63.70%.The low grade Ni ore test can abtain a good result with the concentrate recovery and enrichment ratio concentrate grade is 61.92%,1.45and 0.64% respectively and the tailings discarding ratio is 61.63%.
Treatment of Anxiety Disorders of Childhood

This article provides a description of the essential features of each anxiety disorder, highlighting specific issues relative to the DSM-IV diagnosis of children and adolescents. A summary of the psychosocial and pharmacologic literature pertaining to each disorder is presented, along with recommendations for treatment applications to adolescents. The article concludes with an outline of issues for consideration for further investigation.
Experimental Behavior of Molten SnxLiy When Impacted by a Vertical Column of Water

Sn x Li y and Pb x Li y eutectic alloys are being considered as liquid breeding materials for nuclear fusion applications. Thus, it is important to understand the interactions that might occur if this alloy were inadvertently to contact water. In an effort to study this interaction, experiments have been conducted with the molten alloys when impacted with a vertical 2.4 m tall column of water at 30°C. The qualitative behavior of Sn 75 Li 25 was compared with similar impacts of other candidate molten metals, specifically a lithium-lead alloy, Pb 83 Li 17 1 . Multiple pressure spikes were produced with Sn and Pb, while essentially only one initial pressurization followed by a few strongly damped minor peaks were observed with the different lithium alloys. Hydrogen production from the lithium water interaction was measured and used to determine the extent of the chemical reaction. Dynamic pressure traces from the physical and chemical reactions are discussed and used to compare the energetics associated with the two different eutectics. It was found that the water/eutectic interactions of Pb 83 Li 17 and Sn 75 Li 25 are quite similar and significantly reduced from that of pure lithium and other reactive metals.
The Evolution of Integrating ESG Analysis into Wealth Management Decisions

Retail investors rely heavily on the advice of their financial advisors. But relatively few of those advisors have begun to incorporate investment strategies based on environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors for their client's portfolios. The author attributes this lack of interest to the disappointing returns of the “first generation” of ESG retail investment products, which approached the topic through a “socially responsible investing” (SRI) lens with mandates to exclude companies and industries viewed as having negative impact on society. These early “negative screening” directives had the effect of reducing the size of the manager's investable universe, which effectively ensured that SRI portfolio would underperform the overall market. The author, who is himself a practicing financial advisor, proposes that an innovative evolutionary process is underway in which investment managers are shifting away from a penchant for “negative screening” to a more inclusive approach he refers to as “best-in-class ESG Factor Integration.” And he identifies three main catalysts for this evolution: (1) greater disclosure of ESG data by public companies; (2) the growing accuracy and accessibility of ESG research, from commercial as well as academic sources; and (3) the inclusion of ESG factors with the traditional value drivers emphasized by the fundamental and quantitative methods used by portfolio managers. Although such integration is yet in its early stages, the author is optimistic that this growing trend will become an important part of an overall sustainable investing movement. No longer confined to large institutional investors, ESG factor integration is now available through a growing number of products and investment platforms.
Using the laboratory to engage all students in science practices

This study examines the extent to which the type of instruction used during a general chemistry laboratory course affects students’ ability to use core ideas to engage in science practices. We use Ford’s (2008) description of the nature of scientific practices to categorize what student do in the laboratory as either empirical or representational. One approach to lab instruction, engages students in the empirical practices of science but in a traditional prescriptive manner designed to demonstrate and verify content. The second approach, Argument-Driven Inquiry (ADI), engages students in both the empirical and representational practices of science. A practical exam was used to compare student learning in each condition. The assessment targeted student ability to participate in specific scientific practices, including planning and conducting investigations, analyzing and interpreting data and arguing from evidence. Students who were taught with either ADI (N = 81) or Traditional (N = 76) had equivalent understanding of content based on the ACS-GCST exam, however the mean score on the practical exam was significantly higher for students in the ADI sections. Results also indicate that the mean scores on the practical exam were significantly higher in the ADI sections for all students including female students, under-represented minority (URM) students, and students with lower past academic achievement. In the traditional laboratory sections there was a significant difference in the mean scores on the practical exam for the URM student relative to the majority, which was not present in the ADI sections. However, the opposite was found for students with low past academic achievement; the mean score on the practical exam was significantly lower for the students in the ADI sections in comparison to the traditional sections.
Functional roles of MMP14 and MMP15 in early postnatal mammary gland development

During late embryogenesis, mammary epithelial cells initiate migration programs that drive ductal invasion into the surrounding adipose-rich mesenchyme. Currently, branching morphogenesis is thought to depend on the mobilization of the membrane-anchored matrix metalloproteinases MMP14 (MT1-MMP) and MMP15 (MT2-MMP), which drive epithelial cell invasion by remodeling the extracellular matrix and triggering associated signaling cascades. However, the roles that these proteinases play during mammary gland development in vivo remain undefined. Here, we characterize the impact of global Mmp14 and Mmp15 targeting on early postnatal mammary gland development in mice. Unexpectedly, both Mmp14-/- and Mmp15-/- mammary glands retain the ability to generate intact ductal networks. Although neither proteinase is required for branching morphogenesis, transcriptome profiling reveals a key role for MMP14 and MMP15 in regulating mammary gland adipocyte differentiation. Whereas MMP14 promotes the generation of white fat depots crucial for energy storage, MMP15 differentially controls the formation of thermogenic brown fat. Taken together, these data not only indicate that current paradigms relevant to proteinase-dependent morphogenesis need be revisited, but also identify new roles for the enzymes in regulating adipocyte fate determination in the developing mammary gland.
High Endothelial Venules and Lymphatic Vessels in Tertiary Lymphoid Organs: Characteristics, Functions, and Regulation.

High endothelial venules (HEVs) and lymphatic vessels (LVs) are essential for the function of the immune system, by providing communication between the body and lymph nodes (LNs), specialized sites of antigen presentation and recognition. HEVs bring in naive and central memory cells and LVs transport antigen, antigen-presenting cells, and lymphocytes in and out of LNs. Tertiary lymphoid organs (TLOs) are accumulations of lymphoid and stromal cells that arise and organize at ectopic sites in response to chronic inflammation in autoimmunity, microbial infection, graft rejection, and cancer. TLOs are distinguished from primary lymphoid organs - the thymus and bone marrow, and secondary lymphoid organs (SLOs) - the LNs, spleen, and Peyer's patches, in that they arise in response to inflammatory signals, rather than in ontogeny. TLOs usually do not have a capsule but are rather contained within the confines of another organ. Their structure, cellular composition, chemokine expression, and vascular and stromal support resemble SLOs and are the defining aspects of TLOs. T and B cells, antigen-presenting cells, fibroblast reticular cells, and other stromal cells and vascular elements including HEVs and LVs are all typical components of TLOs. A key question is whether the HEVs and LVs play comparable roles and are regulated similarly to those in LNs. Data are presented that support this concept, especially with regard to TLO HEVs. Emerging data suggest that the functions and regulation of TLO LVs are also similar to those in LNs. These observations support the concept that TLOs are not merely cellular accumulations but are functional entities that provide sites to generate effector cells, and that their HEVs and LVs are crucial elements in those activities.
Testing biomechanical models of human lumbar lordosis variability.

Objectives Lumbar lordosis (LL) is a key adaptation for bipedalism, but factors underlying curvature variations remain unclear. This study tests three biomechanical models to explain LL variability. Materials and methods Thirty adults (15 male, 15 female) were scanned using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), a standing posture analysis was conducted, and lumbar range of motion (ROM) was assessed. Three measures of LL were compared. The trunk's center of mass was estimated from external markers to calculate hip moments (Mhip) and lumbar flexion moments. Cross-sectional areas of lumbar vertebral bodies and trunk muscles were measured from scans. Regression models tested associations between LL and the Mhip moment arm, a beam bending model, and an interaction between relative trunk strength (RTS) and ROM. Results Hip moments were not associated with LL. Beam bending was moderately predictive of standing but not supine LL (R2 = 0.25). Stronger backs and increased ROM were associated with greater LL, especially when standing (R2 = 0.65). The strength-flexibility model demonstrates the differential influence of RTS depending on ROM: individuals with high ROM exhibited the most LL variation with RTS, while those with low ROM showed reduced LL regardless of RTS. Discussion Hip moments appear constrained suggesting the possibility of selection, and the beam model explains some LL variability due to variations in trunk geometry. The strength-flexibility interaction best predicted LL, suggesting a tradeoff in which ROM limits the effects of back strength on LL. The strength-flexibility model may have clinical relevance for spinal alignment and pathology. This model may also suggest that straight-backed Neanderthals had reduced lumbar mobility.
ANALISIS BIAYA OPERASIONAL DAN PENDAPATAN OPERASIONAL TERHADAP RETURN ON ASSETS PADA PT BANK TABUNGAN NEGARA (PERSERO) TBK

Earnings or profitability of the business and is used to measure the level of business efficiency and profitability achieved by bank.Untuk maintain a decent level of profitability, the bank must earn to cover the costs and the bank must strive constantly maintain a certain level of income by taking into account risk factors dihadapi.metode research used in the preparation of this thesis is the observation method is to do a street vendor in the State Savings Bank (Persero) Tbk, study the documentation that is by collecting several topics related to the study of books, internet sites, as well as collect data annual basis through the period 2003-2013 financial statements of the bank in the form of balance sheet and profit / loss have been published and simple linear regression analysis method through IBM SPSS Statistics software 21.Tujuan of this research was to determine the relationship, influence, and the regression equation formed from Operating Expenses and Operating Income (ROA) on Return On Assets (ROA) .From the results of analysis showed that the ROA has a weak relationship and not the direction of the ROA amounted to -0.039, and ROA have a significant effect on ROA of 47.7% while the remaining 52.3% is influenced by other factors. The regression equation that can be formed is y = 4,793-0,039x. Keywords: Operating Costs and Operating Income ( BOPO ), Return on Assets (ROA)
Attention by design: Using attention checks to detect inattentive respondents and improve data quality

Abstract This paper examines attention checks and manipulation validations to detect inattentive respondents in primary empirical data collection. These prima facie attention checks range from the simple such as reverse scaling first proposed a century ago to more recent and involved methods such as evaluating response patterns and timed responses via online data capture tools. The attention check validations also range from easily implemented mechanisms such as automatic detection through directed queries to highly intensive investigation of responses by the researcher. The latter has the potential to introduce inadvertent researcher bias as the researcher's judgment may impact the interpretation of the data. The empirical findings of the present work reveal that construct and scale validations show consistently significant improvement in the fit statistics—a finding of great use for researchers working predominantly with scales and constructs for their empirical models. However, based on the rudimentary experimental models employed in the analysis, attention checks generally do not show a consistent, systematic improvement in the significance of test statistics for experimental manipulations. This latter result indicates that, by their very nature, attention checks may trigger an inherent trade-off between loss of sample subjects—lowered power and increased Type II error—and the potential of capitalizing on chance alone—the possibility that the previously significant results were in fact the result of Type I error. The analysis also shows that the attrition rates due to attention checks—upwards of 70% in some observed samples—are far larger than typically assumed. Such loss rates raise the specter that studies not validating attention may inadvertently increase their Type I error rate. The manuscript provides general guidelines for various attention checks, discusses the psychological nuances of the methods, and highlights the delicate balance among incentive alignment, monetary compensation, and the subsequently triggered mood of respondents.
Reducing controller updates via event-triggered model predictive control in an embedded artificial pancreas

An essential component in the design of a wearable or implantable artificial pancreas is a low-power, embedded control algorithm capable of tight glucose regulation in people with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM). In this paper, physiological insights into glucose management are leveraged to formulate a safety-constrained, event-triggered model predictive control (MPC) algorithm customized to reduce the number of controller updates, leading to reduced processor runtime and lowered energy expenditure. The proposed event-triggered MPC is deployed on a wearable (65 mm × 30 mm × 5 mm) embedded prototyping platform running a single core 1 GHz 32-bit ARM11 processor. The efficiency of the proposed method is verified in a hardware-in-the-loop simulation study with ten subjects simulated in-silico using the United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) accepted UVA/Padova Metabolic Simulator. The controller is challenged with large, unannounced meals and sudden hypoglycemia. Empirical studies reveal that the proposed event-triggered MPC remains idle for 50% of the time in closed-loop, while maintaining 32 (out of 53) hours in the clinically accepted safe glucose region (70–180 mg/dL), compared to 35.5 hours for its time-triggered counterpart, with reduced time in hypoglycemia. Thus, the proposed strategy significantly reduces the number of controller updates required, without compromising safety in glycemic regulation.
Tumor Suppressor Genes of Bladder Cancer and Potential for Gene Therapy

Each year, more than 50,000 new cases of bladder cancer are diagnosed.27 Superficial bladder cancers constitute 80% of these neoplasms and are associated with a high rate of tumor recurrence despite treatment consisting of transurethral resection and intravesical chemotherapy or immunotherapy.28 Tumor progression within 5 years occurs in 30 to 40% of patients with high-risk superficial disease; 15 to 34% of patients with superficial bladder cancer die from it.10,23 The prognosis for patients with advanced tumors is poor, even for patients who receive aggressive multimodal therapy. Only 20 to 40% of patients with advanced bladder cancer survive 5 years.10,23 Thus, novel treatments are needed to improve the prognosis for patients with bladder cancer.
Caught Red-Handed: Toward Practical Video-Based Subsequences Matching in the Presence of Real-World Transformations

Every minute, staggering amounts of user-generated videos are uploaded to on-line social networks. These videos can generate significant advertising revenue, providing strong incentive for unscrupulous individuals that wish to capitalize on this bonanza by pirating short clips from popular content and altering the copied media in ways that might bypass detection. Unfortunately, while the challenges posed by the use of skillful transformations has been known for quite some time, current state-of-the-art methods still suffer from severe limitations. Indeed, most of today's techniques perform poorly in the face of real world copies. To address this, we propose a novel approach that leverages temporal characteristics to identify subsequences of a video that were copied from elsewhere. Our approach takes advantage of a new temporal feature to index a reference library in a manner that is robust to popular spatial and temporal transformations in pirated videos. Our experimental evaluation on 27 hours of video obtained from social networks demonstrates that our technique significantly outperforms the existing state-of-the-art approaches with respect to accuracy, resilience, and efficiency.
CAGE in Cyberspace? How Digital Innovations Internationalize in a Virtual World

How can mobile apps internationalize in cyberspace, and what strategies can they utilize to facilitate the internationalization process? By examining factors affecting the internationalization spee...
Prediction Model and Risk Stratification Tool for Survival in Patients With CKD.

Introduction Because chronic kidney disease (CKD) adversely affects survival, prediction of mortality risk should help to identify individuals requiring therapeutic intervention. The goal of this project was to construct and to validate a risk scoring system and prediction model of the probability of 2-year mortality in a CKD population. Methods We applied the Woodpecker approach to develop prediction equations using linear, exponential, and combined models. A risk indicator R on a scale of 0 to 10 was calculated as follows: starting with 0, add 0.048 for each year of age above 20, 0.45 for male sex, 0.49 for each stage of CKD over stage 2, 1.04 for proteinuria, 0.72 for smoking history, and 0.49 for each significant comorbidity up to 5. Results Using R to predict 2-year mortality, the model yielded an area under the receiver operating characterisic curve of 0.83 (95% confidence interval = 0.81−0.86) with 5062 subjects with CKD ≥stage 2 from a National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey cohort (1999−2004) having a 3.2% 2-year mortality. The combined expression offered results closest to most actual outcomes for the entire population and for each CKD stage. For those patients with higher risk ( R ≥ 4−5, >5−6, and >6), the predicted 2-year mortality rates were 3.8%, 6.4%, and 13.0%, respectively, compared to observed mortality rates of 2.7%, 4.5%, and 13.3%. Conclusion The risk stratification tool and prediction model of 2-year mortality demonstrated good performance and may be used in clinical practice to quantify the risk of death for individual patients with CKD.
Structurally informed evolutionary models improve phylogenetic reconstruction for emerging, seasonal, and pandemic influenza viruses

Precise estimation of genetic substitution patterns is critical for accurate reconstruction of pathogen phylogenies. Few studies of viral evolution account for mutational rate variation across a single gene. This is especially true when considering evolution of segmented viruses where individual segments are short, encoding for few proteins. However, the structural and functional partition of these proteins could provide valuable information for more accurate inference of viral evolution, due to the intense immune selection pressure on different functional domains. In this study we developed and evaluated a structurally informed partitioning scheme combined with an approximate codon substitution model that accounts for rate variation among immunogenic head and stalk domains of the surface protein hemagglutinin (HA) of influenza viruses. We evaluated the model fit with a Bayes factor, using path-sampling (PS) and stepping-stone sampling (SS) approaches to calculate the marginal likelihood estimation. We evaluated and compared 4 different models - HKY85, SRD06 codon, HKY85 plus functional partitioning, SRD06 plus functional partitioning on pandemic H1N1/2009, seasonal H3N2, B-Yamagata and Victoria lineages, and two highly pathogenic avian influenza A viruses H5Nx and H7N9. The Bayes factor tests showed that structurally informed partitioning with SRD06 performed better for all datasets with decisive support. Significantly faster nucleotide substitution rates for head domain, compared to stalk domain was observed and may provide insight for stalk derived universal vaccine design. In summary, we show that integrating a functionally conserved partitioning scheme based on protein structures of immune targets allow for significant improvement of phylogenetic analysis and providing important biological insights.
ORBÁN: Europe’s new strongman

Paul Lendvai begins his excellent book Orban: Europe’s New Strongman by recalling Isaiah Berlin’s formulation that certain people, in crucial moments, can change the course of history. Lendvai’s an...
Charge Dynamics in near-Surface, Variable-Density Ensembles of Nitrogen-Vacancy Centers in Diamond

Although the spin properties of superficial shallow nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers have been the subject of extensive scrutiny, considerably less attention has been devoted to studying the dynamics of NV charge conversion near the diamond surface. Using multicolor confocal microscopy, here we show that near-surface point defects arising from high-density ion implantation dramatically increase the ionization and recombination rates of shallow NVs compared to those in bulk diamond. Further, we find that these rates grow linearly, not quadratically, with laser intensity, indicative of single-photon processes enabled by NV state mixing with other defect states. Accompanying these findings, we observe NV ionization and recombination in the dark, likely the result of charge transfer to neighboring traps. Despite the altered charge dynamics, we show that one can imprint rewritable, long-lasting patterns of charged-initialized, near-surface NVs over large areas, an ability that could be exploited for electrochemic...
Neonatal Outcomes Based on Duration of Exposure to Antenatal Corticosteroids in Indicated Preterm Deliveries

Objective To evaluate how duration of exposure to antenatal corticosteroids (ACSs) prior to delivery affects neonatal outcomes in indicated preterm deliveries. Study Design This is a retrospective cohort of all indicated singleton preterm deliveries (23–34 weeks) in a single tertiary center from 2011 to 2014 comparing those who received ACS 2 to 7 days versus >7 days prior to delivery. The primary neonatal outcome was a composite of arterial cord pH Results In total, 301 women delivered >48 hours after initial ACS dose, 230 delivered within 2 to 7 days, and 71 delivered >7 days. Infants with an interval of >7 days had no significant increase in the unadjusted composite neonatal outcome (p = 0.42), but when adjusted, the composite neonatal outcome (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 2.7; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.18–6.31) and neonatal death (AOR: 4.20; 95% CI: 1.39–12.69) were significantly increased with an ACS interval of >7 day. Conclusion In this cohort, the benefit of ACS diminished >7 days after administration, particularly when delivery occurred at
Relative Radiosensitivity of Metastatic Spine Disease

Up to 10% of all cancer patients developed metastatic disease in the bone. The purpose of the present report is to describe the radiosensitivity of metastatic disease to the spine. Tumor histology is the primary method that physicians use to determine radiation sensitivity. The most radiosensitive histologies include seminoma, myeloma, and lymphoma, while radioresistant histologies include melanoma, renal cell carcinoma, and sarcoma. The radiosensitivity of the cancer can guide management of patients with spinal metastatic disease, as conventionally fractionated radiation therapy may suffice for radiosensitive tumors. Higher, ablative doses can be delivered to radioresistant tumors using a specialized radiation technique called stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) to overcome radioresistance. SBRT is able to overcome radioresistance by delivering a higher biologically effective dose to tumors while sparing surrounding normal tissue.
Philosophy, Eros, and the Socratic Turn

Lutz focuses on the sections of Phaedo, Parmenides, Symposium, and Apology that shed light on Socrates’ intellectual biography. Taken together, Lutz argues, these passages reveal the stages of Socrates’ education in human things, especially his reasons for pursuing knowledge of eros (erotics). For Lutz, making sense of Socrates’ philosophic development is essential for explaining why Socrates engages others—including unpromising non-philosophers—in conversation and refutation. Lutz concludes by attempting to resolve certain puzzles in Apology, particularly Socrates’ seemingly contradictory statements about the god and his (Socrates’) divine mission.
The dynamics of wearing hijab for Muslim American women in the United States

Over the past decade, and particularly since the September11 terrorist attacks, the Muslim community in the United States has experienced an increased level of social and religious scrutiny. This unfortunate incident has fundamentally changed the way the American society views Muslims, especially Muslim women who wear the veil or hijab in public. Muslim women have experienced various instances of discrimination including people trying to remove their hijab, and/or name calling. A unique aspect of Muslim women in the US is that they not only confront the stigma of gender, race, ethnicity and religion, but that which is attached to Islamic dress as well. Despite some of these problems, however, the experiences of Muslim women in the United States remains one of the least researched topics in sociology. The purpose of this thesis is to explore the social and familial factors that affect Muslim women’s decision to wear the hijab and how their families react to their decision to wear the hijab. I specifically argue that the process through Muslim women in America come to wear the hijab is multi-faceted and involves both social and familial factors. I also argue that these women encounter both supportive and unsupportive attitudes from their families over their decision to wear the hijab. With Muslim women as such visible symbols of Muslim American society, it is imperative that they become active in the Muslim society as well as in the mainstream American society in order to improve the public impression of Muslim women as meek, uneducated and confined to their homes. This thesis also discusses the reaction of their families to their hijab. Future research is needed to study how these women negotiate their everyday lives while wearing the hijab outside their homes.
Video Tape System for Ion Imaging

In recent years, several schemes have been proposed for direct acquisition of digital representations of stigmatic SIMS images [1–3]. These approaches suffer some common drawbacks. In order to construct a reasonable representation of an ion image, a considerable amount of raw data (ca. 100 Kbyte/image) must be manipulated. In the systems described by [1,2] data cannot be acquired from the ion microscope and written to random access memory at the same time. Consequently, some data are missed while the record of previous data is being written. This problem becomes worse as spatial quantization (i.e. more image pixels) of the image increases. Additionally, in applications such as image depth profiling [4], investigations of differential sputtering by construction of “burn through” maps [5,6] and image integration [7], many images must be recorded. The sheer volume of digital data can rapidly outstrip the capacity of contemporary random access mass storage units. Furthermore, on-line data acquisition puts considerable pressure on the operator to make decisions about data recording during an experimental run. This can be difficult in some cases, such as those involving high sputter rates and rapid image evolution. As the sampling in SIMS is destructive, it is crucial to record data in a “one pass” mode, making these decisions even more critical. Recently, improvements in experimental strategy have ameliorated these difficulties to some extent [8], but the acquisition of copious amounts of data remains problematic.
TEM analysis of tweed structure in high-palladium dental alloys

Transmission electron microscopy and convergent-beam electron diffraction were used to study three high-palladium dental alloys: an as-cast Pd-Ga alloy, a cast Pd-Cu-Ga alloy aged at room temperature for over 5 years, and a cast Pd-Cu-Ga alloy annealed at 1023 K for 2 h and slowly cooled to room temperature. Bands containing a tweed structure in the Pd-Ga alloy were 120degrees twins with (1 1 0 mirror planes. Within these bands the alloy had a face-centered tetragonal structure with a c/a ratio of 1.03. The aged Pd-Cu-Ga alloy contained a larger amount of tweed structure than the original as-cast alloy, along with randomly oriented bands and thin lath-like regions. The annealed Pd-Cu-Ga alloy contained rectangular particles of a secondary phase that may be Pd2Ga, Pd5Ga2 or Pd13Ga5. The microtwinned band structure relieves the strain energy arising from transformation of the f.c.c. palladium solid solution on cooling.
HLA-H and associated proteins in patients with hemochromatosis.

The 845A(C282Y) mutation in the HLA-H gene accounts for most cases of hereditary hemochromatosis in patients who are of European origin. Some lack this mutation, however, and it is not present in Asian patients. Thus, other mutations either in HLA-H or associated proteins may be present in such patients. HLA-H associates with β-2-microglobulin. Calreticulin associates with class 1 HLA proteins and appears to be identical with mobilferrin, a putative iron transport protein. These two proteins are therefore candidates for mutations in patients with hemochromatosis. We have sequenced the coding region and parts of introns of the HLA-H gene, the β-2-microglobulin gene, and the calreticulin (mobilferrin) gene of 10, 7, and 5 hemochromatosis patients, respectively, selecting those who were not homozygous for the 845A(C282Y) mutation. The number of chromosomes at risk studied were 18 for HLA-H, 14 for β-2-microglobulin, and 10 for calreticulin. We detected 3 new intronic polymorphisms in the HLA-H gene, each a point mutation. Some differences from published sequences of β-2-microglobulin and calreticulin were documented, but these were uniformly present in all samples. The lack of additional mutations in the HLA-H gene is remarkable, and we speculate that the C282Y mutation may be a gain-of-function change.
The Institutional Context of the Infant Formula Controversy

All business activities carry with them certain second-order effects, called externalities, on society. In a market economy, a firm makes every effort, within the prevailing legal system, to externalize as much of its costs to society as possible and thereby improve its internal efficiencies and profits. The operation of the market economy assures that these second-order effects of a firm’s activities are in the public domain and so must be handled by government agencies, or absorbed by various communities and groups, leaving individual firms to pursue their self-interest unfettered by external considerations.
Association between Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Diabetes Mellitus Type I and II, a New York State Planning and Research Cooperation System Database Analysis (1998–2014) (P6.461)

Objective: To investigate the association between Diabetes mellitus(DM)Type I and II and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis(ALS) Background: Previous studies suggested that diabetes may delay ALS onset and slow its progression. We previously observed that patients with ALS and diabetes have older age compared to ALS-patients without diabetes Design/Methods: We used data from New-York-Statewide-Planning-and-Research-Cooperation - System-database for the 1998–2014-period. Results: A total of 7102 patients with ALS were reported (mean age 64.5 years ±13.5, 55% of whom were male) of which 0.59% had DMI and 9.6% had DMII. Mean age of ALS patients with DM was significantly higher than ALS patients age without DM (66.2 years ±11.9; 64.5 years ±13.6;p Conclusions: Our study demonstrated no significant difference in the age, death rate and hospice discharge of ALS patients diagnosed with diabetes compared to ALS patients without diabetes. Patients diagnosed with ALS were more likely to be discharged to skilled nursing facility or short-term hospital if they have DMII as a comorbidity, but not DMI. Patients with DMII were also less likely to be discharged to home as compared to ALS patients without DMII. Work in progress to investigate the effect of diabetes on the rate of respiratory failure, intubation, tracheostomy and hospitalization in ALS patients. Study Supported by: Unrestricted grant from RAM capital Department start up fund Disclosure: Dr. Nasar has nothing to disclose. Dr. Sheikh has nothing to disclose. Dr. Souayah has nothing to disclose.
Links between looking and speaking in autism and first-degree relatives: insights into the expression of genetic liability to autism

Rapid automatized naming (RAN; naming of familiar items presented in an array) is a task that taps fundamental neurocognitive processes that are affected in a number of complex psychiatric conditions. Deficits in RAN have been repeatedly observed in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and also among first-degree relatives, suggesting that RAN may tap features that index genetic liability to ASD. This study used eye tracking to examine neurocognitive mechanisms related to RAN performance in ASD and first-degree relatives, and investigated links to broader language and clinical-behavioral features. Fifty-one individuals with ASD, biological parents of individuals with ASD (n = 133), and respective control groups (n = 45 ASD controls; 58 parent controls) completed RAN on an eye tracker. Variables included naming time, frequency of errors, and measures of eye movement during RAN (eye-voice span, number of fixations and refixations). Both the ASD and parent-ASD groups showed slower naming times, more errors, and atypical eye-movement patterns (e.g., increased fixations and refixations), relative to controls, with differences persisting after accounting for spousal resemblance. RAN ability and associated eye movement patterns were correlated with increased social-communicative impairment and increased repetitive behaviors in ASD. Longer RAN times and greater refixations in the parent-ASD group were driven by the subgroup who showed clinical-behavioral features of the broad autism phenotype (BAP). Finally, parent-child dyad correlations revealed associations between naming time and refixations in parents with the BAP and increased repetitive behaviors in their child with ASD. Differences in RAN performance and associated eye movement patterns detected in ASD and in parents, and links to broader social-communicative abilities, clinical features, and parent-child associations, suggest that RAN-related abilities might constitute genetically meaningful neurocognitive markers that can help bridge connections between underlying biology and ASD symptomatology.