cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
LINEAR CONFORMAL QUANTUM GRAVITY

This paper is an investigation of field theories that satisfy the following two criteria. (1) Among the propagating modes is a pair of massless particles with helicities \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2. (2) The canonical communtation relations are conformally invariant. This study of "linear conformal gravity" is motivated by the belief that conformal invariance may be the key to a future theory of quantum gravity. Our first conclusion is that the fields of linear conformal gravity include a tensor field of rank 3 and mixed symmetry, and a symmetric tensor field of rank 2, tentatively interpreted as a torsion field and a metric field. The free quantum field operator is constructed explicitly, and the propagator is calculated. The Fourier transform is of dimension ${p}^{\ensuremath{-}4}$, which is encouraging for renormalizability. The field inevitably carries along a nonunitary ghost, similar to the one that turns up in linearized Weyl gravity. Our main result is that the ghost can be exorcised by imposing constraints on the external sources and boundary conditions on the physical states.
Physiology of the Transport of Cattle

Transport inevitably puts cattle in a stressful situation and considerable attention has been given to changes in various biochemical and physiological systems as indicators of the development of stress reactions during and after transportation.
Marfan Syndrome teaching algorithm: Does it make a difference?

Marfan Syndrome (MFS) is an autosomal dominant, connective tissue disorder that is due to a deficiency in the structural protein, fibrillin. MFS patients are more likely to experience aortic aneurysms and dissections, dislocated lens, and/or severe musculoskeletal deformities than non-MFS patients. Attainment of a longer lifespan in MFS patients is directly dependent on vigilant blood pressure (BP) control, frequent cardiology surveillance, annual eye exams and frequent dental hygiene visits. This study evaluated the effect of a Marfan Syndrome Teaching algorithm (MFSTA) on 20 MFS patients, with regard to BP management, cardiovascular medication adherence; adherence to activity restrictions; and attendance at scheduled eye, cardiology and dental exams. This study demonstrated adherence improvement in the attendance at scheduled cardiology, ophthalmology, and dental exams from 50%, 55% and 70% prior to the study, respectively, to 95%, 90% and 100% post study. Furthermore, subject adherence with self-administration of ordered cardiovascular medications increased from 50% (pre-study) to 93.3% (93.3%), and subject adherence with activity restrictions escalated from 70% (pre-study) to 95% (post study). All subjects demonstrated proficiency in regular testing and recording of their blood pressure. There was no significant change in the mean systolic BP (SBP) for 13 of the subjects who had both pre- and post-intervention BP recording, although the post intervention SBP was slightly higher (p = 0.30). However all subjects in the intervention period demonstrated a mean SBP of 124.7 mm Hg, with standard deviation (SD) of 12.9 mm Hg. Limited pre-intervention BP readings of 7 subjects prevented a pre- and post-SBP comparison. The MFSTA model should be considered for other patient populations involving chronic cardiovascular healthcare conditions.
Carbonate precipitation by the thermophilic archaeon Archaeoglobus fulgidus : a model of carbon flow for an ancient microorganism

Microbial carbonate precipitation experiments were conducted using the archaeon bacteria Archaeoglobus fulgidus to determine chemical and isotopic fractionation of organic and inorganic carbon into mineral phases. Carbonate precipitation was induced in two different experiments using A. fulgidus to determine the relative abundance of organically derived carbon incorporated into carbonate minerals as well as to define any distinct phases or patterns that could be attributed to the precipitation process. One experiment used a medium containing 13 C-depleted organic carbon and 13 C-enriched inorganic carbon, and the other used a 14 C-labeled organic carbon source. Results indicated that 0.9–24.8% organic carbon was incorporated into carbonates precipitated by A. fulgidus and that this process was mediated primarily by pH and CO 2 emission from cells. Data showed that the carbon in the CO 2 produced from this microorganism is incorporated into carbonates and that the rate at which precipitation occurs and the dynamics of the carbonate precipitation process are strongly mediated by the specific steps involved in the biochemical process for lactate oxidation by A. fulgidus .
The effect of coating single- and double-stranded DNA with the recombinase A protein of Escherichia coli on transgene integration in mice

Embryo survival and transgene inte- gration rates are two major factors that influence the efficiency of transgenic animal production by pronuclear microinjection. Recombinase A pro- tein-coated transgenes were compared for trans- gene integration and embryo survival with their non-coated counterparts in both single- and dou- ble-stranded forms. Murine zygotes were micro- injected with a large 30 kb aS1-casein/human lysozyme DNA construct and a small 5.5 kb b-lactoglobulin/desaturase DNA construct using four different construct preparations for each gene. The preparations included recombinase A protein-coated, single- and double-stranded DNA constructs and non-coated, single- and double- stranded DNA constructs. Using conventional non-coated, double-stranded DNA constructs, we obtained a transgene integration efficiency of 1.5% (1352 embryos transferred produced 20 transgenic pups). The same double-stranded DNA constructs coated with recombinase A protein yielded a similar percentage of transgene integration (1.1%, 18/1697). Using single-stranded DNA, non-coated constructs produced a transgene integration rate of 0.5%, while none of the 1040 zygotes injected with recombinase A-coated constructs produced trans- genic pups. While recombinase A protein coating produced no effect on embryo survival, litter size or pregnancy rate with double-stranded con- structs, a detrimental effect was observed on em- bryo survival (P 0.05) was observed with the recombinase A protein coating of single-stranded desaturase constructs. These results suggest that recombinase A protein coating of single- and double-stranded DNA constructs produced no significant differ- ences (P > 0.05) in the efficiency of generating transgenic mice with respect to the percentage of transgenic animals born.
Emerson, Barzillai Frost, and the Divinity School Address

The Reverend Barzillai Frost, minister of the Unitarian church in Concord from 1837 to 1857, does not loom large in the biographies of Emerson. Cabot does not even mention him; Rusk refers to him but once. His name seldom appears in the Journals, and in the published letters there are only a few unimportant allusions to him.
The genetic landscape of the T cell non-inflamed tumor microenvironment in human solid tumors

Meeting abstracts A subset of patients with cancer have evidence of a spontaneous anti-tumor immune response and T cell infiltration into tumor sites. This has prognostic significance and is associated with clinical response to immunotherapeutics in multiple cancers. It has been observed that high
Bottlenecks (Union-Made Included)

M J-R. ARNOLD is doing an important piece of work and doing it well, probably better than it has ever been done before. -Consequently one wonders how he can find time to write a book.' One should expect not leisurely scholarship, but an expression of the working creed of a busy man. To be enjoyed, the work should be skimmed rapidly, because the more it is analyzed the more doubts it raises. The basic ideas are not new. Private monopolies and privately controlled markets are not to be tolerated. The main trouble with the antitrust laws, as Professor Fetter said years ago, is that they have not been enforced well enough. Mr. Arnold says the way to enforce them is to enlarge the anti-trust staff and then concentrate fire on one related group of industries at a time, the way he is doing: first on the building industry, then on the food industry, etc. According to Mr. Arnold, lack of antitrust laws produced Hitler, the downfall of France, the original weakness of England, and the inequalities of income in this country which he assumes or believes prevent the full enjoyment of our productive capacity. Whether the enforcement of anti-trust laws will cure baldness and ingrowing toenails is left to the imagination. There is no concession that other factors contributed to the state of the world's difficulties, nor is there any discussion of such problems as the real cut-throat competition brought about by the tendency of competitive prices to approach variable costs in industries where fixed costs are of overwhelming importance. Nothing is said about the operation of the free competitive system in industries where bankrupt competitors do not go to the wall but merely show up as reorganized concerns with their fixed costs written off, prepared to force a forfeiture of previous investment throughout the industry. Perhaps the key to the author's method is to be found when he says: "Social institutions respond to pressures, not to logical thinking."2 The
Kyambogo University's Department of Performing Arts: Academic Institution, Unification, Curriculum, and Mediation Practices in Uganda

As mobility, migration, and flow exist at the regional and global levels simultaneously, arising African urban centers, with resulting rural-urban migrations and academic institutions  institutions based on westernized Euro-USA standards are producing drastic shifts in Africas socio-cultural systems. Representative of this trend, academic institutions in Uganda are not only changing the way music is being perceived, but, through various programs and methods, they are also serving as the primary outlet for fostering cultural coexistence(s) and preservation. Currently, in Uganda, Kyambogo Universitys Department of Performing Arts facilitates courses and programs dedicated to written music traditions of the west alongside the localized oral traditions of the country. As members of separate ethnic groups such as the Baganda, Basoga, Banyoro, and Acholi collaborate, this unification not only changes the face of Ugandas customary music practices but it also presents potential impediments as individuals may find themselves at odds with each other due to customary practices and beliefs. Through an observation of the departments mission, merits, and curriculum, this paper examines the complex interrelationship between the concurrent traditional and institutional governing practices established for the purpose of cultural mediation as members of the countrys various ethnic groups, along with foreign students, come together.
Abstract 18852: Adenylate Kinase Phosphotransfer and AMP Signaling Regulate Cardiomyocyte Cell Cycle and Heart Regenerative Capacity

The mammalian heart loses its regenerative potential within a week after birth. Although under certain circumstances adult cardiomyocytes can re-enter the cell cycle, initiate DNA synthesis and progress towards mitosis, however, they do not complete a conventional mitosis cycle and proceed towards endomitosis resulting in polyploidy. This suggests that high-energy dependent steps in cell cycle and myofibrillar disassembly are malfunctioning in adult cardiomyocytes. It is known that nucleotide-based energetic signaling and metabolic environment are critical for initiation of tissue regeneration after injury. The regulatory mechanisms and energetic-metabolic signaling circuits that govern cardiomyocyte cell cycle withdrawal and binucleation are poorly understood. Using mouse neonatal (2 and 10 days) hearts, with high and low regenerative capacity, respectively, we have determined metabolomic profiles and dynamics of phosphotransfer circuits and AMP-signaling using 18O-phosphoryl labeling mass-spectrometric and 18O-assisted 31P NMR techniques. The results demonstrate that loss of heart regenerative capacity 10 days after birth is associated with marked changes in heart metabolome and adenylate kinase (AK)-catalyzed phosphotransfer flux. Among most altered metabolites were putrescine and myo-inositol, involved in tissue regeneration, Krebs cycle and amino acid metabolites, creatinine, glucose-6-phosphate and lactate indicating rearrangements in energy and substrate metabolic systems. AK flux was the only phosphotransfer flux significantly upregulated in hearts at 10 days of age along with increased in mitochondrial and glycolytic capacities and mitochondrial AK2 expression. Increased AK2 expression was associated with augmented AMP phosphorylation, measured by generation of β-ATP[18O], and reduction of AMPK activity. Thus, increased channeling of AMP into mitochondria and reduction of AK-AMP-AMPK signaling axis could contribute to the withdrawal from completion of cell cycle in terminally differentiated adult cardiomyocytes. The uncovered metabolic signaling mechanism opens new avenues for targeted regulation of heart regenerative potential critical for repair of injured hearts.
Transposition der großen Gefäße

Albert versuchte 1954 erstmalig eine physiologische Korrektur der Transposition der grosen Gefase (TGA), indem er im Tierexperiment den venosen Zuflus transponierte [3]. 1959 berichtete Senning uber eine erfolgreiche intraatriale Korrektur unter Verwendung des Vorhofseptums und der Vorhofwand [64]. Schumacker beschrieb 1961 ein Operationsverfahren mit einem zweischenkligen Vorhoflappen. 1964 fuhrte Mustard die intraatriale Umleitungsoperation mit Perikard in die Klinik ein [47]. In den folgenden Jahren sollte dieses Verfahren breite klinische Anwendung finden. In den spaten 70er Jahren wandte man sich jedoch wieder vermehrt der Senningschen Operation zu in der Hoffnung, einige der Spatkomplikationen der Mustard-Operation reduzieren oder ganz vermeiden zu konnen [10, 20, 50, 53].
Reliable gender screening for human preimplantation embryos, using multiple DNA target-sequences

Dependable methods were developed for preimplantation sexing of human IVF embryos, for use in clinical settings where prospective parents are at high risk for transmission of X-linked diseases. Using single cultured cells and blastomeres from human embryos as model systems, a multiplex protocol was developed for rapid analysis via nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Reliability was enhanced by co-amplification of conserved amelogenin gene segments from both X and Y chromosomes, as well as Y-linked DYZ1 repetitive elements. Each cell was manually isolated and individually washed to avoid potential contaminants. Multiplex amplification allowed recognition of spurious amplification failures specific to particular amelogenin single-copy targets. The X-linked internal control and multiple Y-linked markers allowed recognition and exclusion of most aberrant samples, thus averting potential misdiagnosis. The optimized single-cell protocol reduced experimental sexing errors to < 2% (1/60), but also revealed potential pitfalls of single-cell analysis. With human triploid embryos, separate sampling of individual blastomeres provided concordant female or male signals. Slight modification adapted the procedure for diagnosis of biopsy material from blastocyst stage embryos, allowing separate analysis of multiple tubes containing multiple cells for improved reliability.
A new MAC layer protocol for safety communication in dense vehicular networks

Traffic safety applications using VANET can significantly improve road safety if safety packets can be delivered on time. Therefore, a MAC layer protocol for VANET that can guarantee timely delivery of data is critical. Currently, the MAC layer standard that is supporting inter-vehicular communication is IEEE 802.11 which is a contention based protocol where all the vehicles contend for one common channel. This protocol can not guarantee an upper bounded delay for delivery of safety messages. To resolve this issue, we first obtain the theoretical lower bound on the delay for delivery of safety messages. Then, we introduce a novel MAC layer protocol for inter-vehicular communication that guarantees the delivery of safety messages within a certain upper bound. This upper bound is only within a constant factor from the theoretical lower bound. Our protocol is distributed and dynamic and easily adjusts to the topological changes in the network. Through analytical modeling and simulation, we show that using our MAC layer protocol, the delay in transmission only grows linearly with the number of vehicles even in the dense networks where IEEE 802.11 protocol causes unpredictable delays.
Parametric Design of Low Emission Hybrid-lift Cargo Aircraft

The cargo transportation industry, as it exists today, has two signi cant gaps in terms of available modes of transportation. Firstly, there exists a large cost-speed gap amongst the di erent modes of cargo transportation. As depicted in Figure 1, a shipper has the option of either fast and expensive air freight or a combination of slow and inexpensive ship, rail, and truck freight. For overseas transportation especially, there is a need and an opportunity to ll the gap between marine vessels and airplanes. Secondly, there is a large discrepancy amongst current freight transportation modes in terms of environmental performance. The gap between marine vessels and airplanes is again signi cant, as shown in Figure 2. Marine vessels and rail are relatively clean options compared to the high CO2 equivalent emissions per ton-mile output of heavy-duty vehicles and airplanes. The need here is for a freight transportation mode that is greener than airplanes and trucks but more exible than ships and rail. In this work, we propose a hybrid lift aircraft (HLA) as the solution to these two glaring needs in the cargo transportation industry. A hybrid airship combines buoyant and aerodynamic lift to produce a more e cient and exible vehicle than the existing aircraft.
Human Flesh Search - Facts and Issues

AbstractThis article studies an interesting Internet phenomenon known as Human Flesh Search which illustrates the far-reaching impacts of the Internet that is less documented. Due to its huge threat on individual privacy, human flesh search has introduced huge controversy and invited heated debate in China. This paper reviews its growth, explores the impetuses, identifies the distinctions from the alternative search engines, and summarizes the benefits and drawbacks. Furthermore, the paper develops a systematic review of the prior literature in human flesh search by surveying major sources such as academic journals, national and international conferences, and public and private databases. Finally, the paper identifies five research gaps in the literature and offers an initial interpretation and analysis of these remaining research issues. Human flesh search is still growing and the current study helps the computing field learn the past and present of this emerging phenomenon and properly manage its future...
Testing Psychometric Properties and the Cross-Ethnic Construct Validity of the Risk and Resiliency Checkup

The psychometric properties of the risk and resiliency checkup (RRC) were examined in a sample of 2,835 youth offenders. Solid evidence for internal consistency and convergent validity were demonstrated by correlations between the RRC subscales and the total scores. Three hypothetical factor models for the RRC were explored: a second-order factor model, a first-order 2-factor model without covariance, and a first-order 2-factor model with covariance. The first-order 2-factor model with covariance of the RRC was selected for further analyses. Recognizing that measurement invariance was rarely tested with risk assessments, this study examined the measurement invariance of the RRC model across three ethnic groups. The data supported configural invariance as well as partial metric invariance. This study presents substantial empirical evidence for the construct validity of the RRC across three ethnic groups. However, the first-order 2-factor model for the RRC indicates that risk and protective factors appear t...
Parametric Identification of Surface Regions in OpenVSP for Improved Engineering Analysis

In this paper we present a method for parametrically identifying regions of interest on surfaces, and the implementation of this method in Vehicle Sketch Pad. We also show three different example applications for this new feature. The first application is identifying regions of a geometry as solar cells in order to analyze the equivalent solar cell area at different elevations and azimuths of the sun. The second application is creating an engine in Vehicle Sketch Pad that allows for powered boundary conditions to be easily applied for a computational fluid dynamics solver. The final application explored is identifying a control surface on an airfoil and using Cart3D to compute the derivative of the sectional lift coefficient with respect to the control surface deflection.
Effect of pine pollen on non-specificity immune function and NK cell in mice

Objective:To study the effect of pine pollenon on non-specificity immune in mice.Methods:The mice were administerd at the doses of 0.45,0.90,1.80 g/kg,respectively for 30 days.The ability of mononuclear macrophage eliminating carbon and the mononuclear celiac macrophage phagocytic activity of pine pollen and function of NK cell were tested.And then 3 immune function indexes were measured to judge the effect of pine pollen on immune system.Results:Pine pollen strengthened the ability of mononuclear macrophage eliminating carbon and the mononuclear celiac macrophage phagocytic activity.Conclusion:Pine pollen can strengthen the non-specificity immune function.
Enantiomerization Kinetics of 2,2′-Disubstituted Biphenyls: A Dynamic Chiral HPLC Investigation

The enantiomers of eight axially chiral biaryls were separated by chiral HPLC. On-column enantiomerization of 1-(o-tolyl)naphthalene and 2-cyclohexyl-2′-dimethylaminobiphenyl was observed between 10 °C and 35 °C, generating characteristic HPLC elution profiles with a plateau between the resolved enantiomer peaks. Computer simulation of the experimentally obtained chromatograms allowed determination of the Gibbs free energies of activation, ΔG≠, as 93.2 kJ/mol and 88.4 kJ/mol, respectively.
Structural Correlates of Idiotypes Expressed on Galactan-Binding Antibodies

Antigenic determinants located on the variable region of the immunoglobulins (now commonly referred to as idiotypes) were originally described in humans in 1955(1) and in rabbits in 1963.(2) These markers have proven to be extremely valuable in the study of immunoglobulin genetics, diversity, and structure-function relationships. More recently, interest in idiotypes has expanded with the proposal of Jerne(3) suggesting that the determinants expressed on a given antibody population (Abl) are recognized by a second set of antibodies (Ab2 or anti-idiotype) which may in turn be recognized by additional sets of antibodies (Ab3, Ab4, etc.) forming a network which is postulated to be intimately involved in the regulation of immune responses.
Hypothesizing and Theorizing: Challenge in an Early Childhood Curriculum*

AbstractThe authors describe how challenge is manifest in an early childhood gifted program which encourages inquiry through the project approach to curriculum development. The paper is based on a two-year study in which the investigators documented a) the processes of learning b) the processes of facilitation, and c) the outcomes of learning (products, ideas, language, etc.). Using as an example one sequence of project investigations in a K/1 classroom, this paper describes how children developed understandings of concepts related to shadows. Interactions between children are described in-depth which demonstrate the social nature of their learning and the evaluative nature of children s thinking and comments. Content which emerged from children’s questions, hypotheses, theories, predictions, and experiments is described.
Ambient and laboratory evaluation of a low-cost particulate matter sensor

Abstract Low-cost, light-scattering-based particulate matter (PM) sensors are becoming more widely available and are being increasingly deployed in ambient and indoor environments because of their low cost and ability to provide high spatial and temporal resolution PM information. Researchers have begun to evaluate some of these sensors under laboratory and environmental conditions. In this study, a low-cost, particulate matter sensor (Plantower PMS 1003/3003) used by a community air-quality network is evaluated in a controlled wind-tunnel environment and in the ambient environment during several winter-time, cold-pool events that are associated with high ambient levels of PM. In the wind-tunnel, the PMS sensor performance is compared to two research-grade, light-scattering instruments, and in the ambient tests, the sensor performance is compared to two federal equivalent (one tapered element oscillating microbalance and one beta attenuation monitor) and gravimetric federal reference methods (FEMs/FRMs) as well as one research-grade instrument (GRIMM). The PMS sensor response correlates well with research-grade instruments in the wind-tunnel tests, and its response is linear over the concentration range tested (200–850 μg/m3). In the ambient tests, this PM sensor correlates better with gravimetric methods than previous studies with correlation coefficients of 0.88. However additional measurements under a variety of ambient conditions are needed. Although the PMS sensor correlated as well as the research-grade instrument to the FRM/FEMs in ambient conditions, its response varies with particle properties to a much greater degree than the research-grade instrument. In addition, the PMS sensors overestimate ambient PM concentrations and begin to exhibit a non-linear response when PM2.5 concentrations exceed 40 μg/m3. These results have important implications for communicating results from low-cost sensor networks, and they highlight the importance of using an appropriate correction factor for the target environmental conditions if the user wants to compare the results to FEM/FRMs.
Comprehensive Analytical Approach toward Glycomic Characterization and Profiling in Urinary Exosomes

Exosomes are extracellular nanosized vesicles with lipid bilayers encapsulating nucleic acids and proteins, both with and without glycosylation. While exosomal nucleic acids and proteins have previously been explored to identify cancer biomarkers with some promising results, little information has been available concerning their glycoconjugate content. Exosomes were isolated from normal urine samples through multistep differential centrifugation. The isolated exosomes have an average size of 146 nm and a spherical shape, as determined by dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy, respectively. N-Glycans were enzymatically released from the isolated vesicles. After being reduced and permethylated, N-glycans were measured by MALDI mass spectrometry. Paucimannosidic, high-mannose, and complex type glycans were identified and their relative abundances were determined. Some detailed structures of these glycans were revealed through liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS-MS). ...
New technology reveals the role of giant larvaceans in oceanic carbon cycling

To accurately assess the impacts of climate change on our planet, modeling of oceanic systems and understanding how atmospheric carbon is transported from surface waters to the deep benthos are required. The biological pump drives the transport of carbon through the ocean’s depths, and the rates at which carbon is removed and sequestered are often dependent on the grazing abilities of surface and midwater organisms. Some of the most effective and abundant midwater grazers are filter-feeding invertebrates. Although the impact of smaller, near-surface filter feeders is generally known, efforts to quantify the impact of deeper filter feeders, such as giant larvaceans, have been unsuccessful. Giant larvaceans occupy the upper 400 m of the water column, where they build complex mucus filtering structures that reach diameters greater than 1 m. Because of the fragility of these structures, direct measurements of filtration rates require in situ methods. Hence, we developed DeepPIV, an instrument deployed from a remotely operated vehicle that enables the direct measurement of in situ filtration rates. The rates measured for giant larvaceans exceed those of any other zooplankton filter feeder. Given these filtration rates and abundance data from a 22-year time series, the grazing impact of giant larvaceans far exceeds previous estimates, with the potential for processing their 200-m principal depth range in Monterey Bay in as little as 13 days. Technologies such as DeepPIV will enable more accurate assessments of the long-term removal of atmospheric carbon by deep-water biota.
A Concept Analysis of Resilience Integrating Genetics

Although clinicians and researchers are interested in the phenomenon of resilience, there is no agreed-upon definition of resilience. Scientific evidence suggests that resilience is influenced by intrapersonal (e.g. personality traits) and environmental (e.g. social support) variables. A concept analysis was conducted to better understand the meaning of resilience. In this analysis, the antecedent of resilience was a potentially traumatic event; the defining attributes were ego-resiliency, emotion regulation, social support, and heredity; and the consequences were none to mild psychopathological symptoms and positive adaptation. This analysis can help nurses better understand resilience and its relationships to both intrapersonal and environmental variables.
Phase II study of enzalutamide monotherapy with radiation therapy for intermediate risk prostate cancer.

58Background: Castrating androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is standardly prescribed in combination with radiation therapy (RT) for intermediate or high-risk prostate cancer (PCa). ADT is associated with multiple side effects including weight gain, loss of libido, hot flashes and muscle atrophy. In contrast, enzalutamide monotherapy is associated with much fewer side effects. Methods: At Dana-Farber/ Harvard Cancer Center we performed an open label phase II study of enzalutamide for 6 months as neo- and adjuvant treatment for intermediate risk PCa patients (NCCN criteria) receiving RT. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients achieving a PSA response of ≤0.2 . This endpoint is predictive of long term PSA response in a similar risk-group of patients treated with RT and ADT. PSA values were obtained at baseline and monthly on 6 cycles of enzalutamide (160mg/day). 79.2 Gy in 44 fractions of IMRT was started between 6 and 10 weeks after the initiation of enzalutamide. Quality of life questionnaires...
Red-Blue Pebble Game: Complexity of Computing the Trade-Off between Cache Size and Memory Transfers

The red-blue pebble game was formulated in the 1980s~\citeHK81 to model the I/O complexity of algorithms on a two-level memory hierarchy. Given a directed acyclic graph representing computations (vertices) and their dependencies (edges), the red-blue pebble game allows sequentially adding, removing, and recoloring red or blue pebbles according to a few rules, where red pebbles represent data in cache (fast memory) and blue pebbles represent data on disk (slow, external memory). Specifically, a vertex can be newly pebbled red if and only if all of its predecessors currently have a red pebble; pebbles can always be removed; and pebbles can be recolored between red and blue (corresponding to reading or writing data between disk and cache, also called I/Os or memory transfers). Given an upper bound on the number of red pebbles at any time (the cache size), the goal is to compute a game execution with the fewest pebble recolorings (memory transfers) that finish with pebbles on a specified subset of nodes (outputs get computed). In this paper, we investigate the complexity of computing this trade-off between red-pebble limit (cache size) and number of recolorings (memory transfers) in general DAGs. First we prove this problem PSPACE-complete through an extension of the proof PSPACE-hardness of black pebbling complexity~\citeGLT80. Second, we consider a natural restriction on the red-blue pebble game to forbid pebble deletions, or equivalently, forbid discarding data from cache without first writing it to disk. This assumption both simplifies the model and immediately places the trade-off computation problem within NP. Unfortunately, we show that even this restricted version is NP-complete. Finally, we show that the trade-off problem parameterized by the number of transitions is W[1]-hard, meaning that there is likely no algorithm running in a fixed polynomial for constant number of transitions.
Jaundice in the Pediatric Patient

A. Clinically apparent icterus in a neonate generally occurs when the serum bilirubin exceeds 5 mg/dl. This level may be somewhat lower for an older child. The bilirubin can be either unconjugated (indirect) or conjugated (direct), with the differential diagnosis for each being very different. Physiologic (unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia) jaundice of the newborn has a multifactorial etiology which includes immaturity of the enzyme glucuronyl transferase which is responsible for bilirubin conjugation. Serum bilirubin concentration should be less than 13 mg/dl and usually resolves within 1 week. Other causes of unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia include breast-milk jaundice, hemolytic disorders, hypothyroidism, and familial disorders. Surgically treatable conditions include pyloric stenosis and other forms of intestinal obstruction.
High-Speed Modeling of Ultracompact Electrooptic Modulators

The technology for compact thin-film lithium niobate electrooptic modulators has made significant advances recently. With achieving high levels of maturity for such platforms, a model is now required in order to accurately design the devices and reliably predict their performance limits. In this paper, a general transmission-line model is developed for predicting the frequency-dependent response of the compact modulators. The main radio frequency (RF) parameters of the modulators, such as characteristic impedance, effective index, and attenuation constant are calculated as a function of the coplanar waveguide dimensions, and validated by using numerical simulations. The accuracy of the model in predicting the 3-dB modulation bandwidth of the devices is verified by comparison with experimental results. Finally, guidelines for device design with significant improvement in the attainable modulation bandwidth are also presented by optimization of RF and optical parameters, predicting $>$ 100 GHz modulation bandwidth. The presented model is not limited to emerging thin-film lithium niobate devices, and is applicable to any type of ultracompact electrooptic modulator.
Providing Access, Serving Programs, and Inclusiveness; a Tripartite Model for Graduate Schools

The objective of this paper is to address critical questions and issues related to academic support and inclusivity for graduate students in the context of graduate education. Graduate school leadership, underrepresented student participation, and affirmative action are examined to ascertain connectivity to support the benefits of diversity. A comprehensive, tripartite model is provided to guide institutions specifically by assisting graduate school administrators who are charged to improve inclusiveness regarding academic programs and departments. This model can help provide services and award funding with a level of precision that avoids inarticulate support by delineating the different needs that programs have.
Harnessing the power of topological data analysis to detect change points

We introduce a novel geometry‐oriented methodology, based on the emerging tools of topological data analysis, into the change‐point detection framework. The key rationale is that change points are likely to be associated with changes in geometry behind the data‐generating process. While the applications of topological data analysis to change‐point detection are potentially very broad, in this paper, we primarily focus on integrating topological concepts with the existing nonparametric methods for change‐point detection. In particular, the proposed new geometry‐oriented approach aims to enhance detection accuracy of distributional regime shift locations. Our simulation studies suggest that integration of topological data analysis with some existing algorithms for change‐point detection leads to consistently more accurate detection results. We illustrate our new methodology in application to the two closely related environmental time series data sets—ice phenology of the Lake Baikal and the North Atlantic Oscillation indices, in a research query for a possible association between their estimated regime shift locations.
Assessing accuracy, precision and selectivity using quality controls for non-targeted analysis.

Abstract The benchmarks to assess reproducibility are not well defined for non-target analysis. Parameters to evaluate analytical performance, such as accuracy, precision and selectivity, are well defined for target analysis, but remain elusive for non-target screening analysis. In this study, quality control (QC) guidelines are proposed to assure reliable data in non-target screening methodologies using a simple set of standards. Workflow reproducibility was assessed using an in-house QC mixture containing selected compounds with a wide range of polarity that can be detected either by electrospray ionization (ESI) in positive or negative mode. The analysis was performed by online solid phase extraction (SPE) liquid chromatography coupled to high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS). Data processing was done by a commercially available software, Compound Discoverer v. 3.0 using an environmental working template, which searched a multitude of databases, including Chemspider, EPA Toxcast, MzCloud among others. We have specifically evaluated method specificity, precision, accuracy and reproducibility in terms of peak area and retention time variability, true positive identification rate, intraday (within days) and interday (consecutive days) variations and the use of QC samples to reduce false positives. The method showed a satisfactory accuracy with an identification rate of ≥70% for most of the QC compounds. Precision estimated based on peak area relative standard deviation (RSD) ranged between 30 and 50% for most of the compounds. Data normalization to a single internal standard did not improve peak area variability. Retention time precision showed great repeatability and reproducibility (RSD ≤ 5%). In addition, a simple model of RT vs log Kow was designed based on our QC mixtures to efficiently reduced false positives by an average of 49.1%.
Rate, causes, and predictors of 90‐day readmissions and the association with index hospitalization coronary revascularization following non‐ST elevation myocardial infarction in the United States

OBJECTIVES To assess the causes and predictors of readmission after NSTEMI. BACKGROUND Studies on readmissions following non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) are limited. We investigated the rate and causes for readmission and the impact of coronary revascularization on 90-day readmissions following a hospitalization for NSTEMI in a large, nationally representative United States database. METHODS We queried the National Readmission Database for the year 2016 using appropriate ICD-10-CM/PCS codes to identify all adult admissions for NSTEMI. We determined the 90-day readmissions for major adverse cardiac events (MACE). All-cause readmission was a secondary endpoint. The association between coronary revascularization and the likelihood of readmission was analyzed using multivariate Cox regression analysis. RESULTS A total of 296,965 adult discharges following an admission for NSTEMI were included in this study. The rate of readmissions for MACE was 5.2% (n = 15,637) and for any cause was 18.0% (n = 53,316). 38% of MACE readmissions and 40% of all-cause readmissions occurred between 30- and 90-days following the index hospitalization. During index hospitalization, 51.0% underwent coronary revascularization (40.8% with PCI and 10.2% with CABG). This was independently predictive of a lower risk of 90-day readmission for MACE (adjusted HR 0.59, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.56-0.63, p < .001) and for any cause (adjusted HR 0.65, 95% CI 0.63-0.67, p < .001). In-hospital mortality for MACE readmissions was significantly higher compared to that of index hospitalization (3.8% vs. 2.6%, p < .001). CONCLUSION Readmissions following NSTEMI carry higher mortality than the index hospitalization. Coronary revascularization for NSTEMI is associated with a lower readmission rate at 90 days.
Telemedicine and health policy: A systematic review

Abstract Background Telemedicine diagnoses and treats patients remotely via telecommunications technology all over the world. Telemedicine becomes more prevalent as providers recognize the benefits, patients receive increased access and payers see the reduction in cost of care. Objective Telemedicine studies have shown success in limiting geographical constraints, time spent, and costs incurred by patients with positive health outcomes across medical specialties. The aim of this review is to evaluate the implications of telemedicine and health policies. Methods An assessment of the literature in four databases was made on content germane to health policy implications of telemedicine. From the results of the search, 48 publications were kept for analysis. Results The fifteen facilitators mentioned most often were increased access, increased convenience, improved population health, care enabled through mobile technology, self-efficacy, increased patient-to-provider communication, cost advantages, efficacy of modality, increased health outcomes, reaches developing countries, increased quality, a positive previous experience, and a secure means of care. The twelve barriers mentioned most often were the increased cost to providers, patient privacy, technical literacy, state licensing, data security, socioeconomics, limited reimbursements, issues of interoperability, patient safety, less personal means of care, misaligned incentives, and ethical concerns. Conclusions Telemedicine has the potential for growth and adoption, however, there are several implications and barriers of health policy surrounding telemedicine that make it difficult to adopt. Policies will likely encourage and incentivize its spread and use. Future research should focus on standardization of telemedicine and new policies and incentives that encourage its use.
Should Global Conservation Initiatives Prioritize Phylogenetic Diversity

Some recent conservation proposals – including the Zoological Society of London’s (ZSL) EDGE of Existence programme – have focused on the value of protecting species with high evolutionary distinctiveness, a dimension of biodiversity conservation that’s not been much emphasized in conservation practice. In this paper we critically examine this strategy, investigating whether there are good reasons for prioritizing evolutionarily distinctive species, and the phylogenetic diversity to which they contribute, over other forms of biodiversity. We first discuss evolutionary distinctiveness, its relationship to phylogenetic diversity, how phylogenetic diversity can be measured, and intuitive thoughts about its value. Then we consider five kinds of arguments about the value of phylogenetic diversity that might be made to support prioritizing it, given its current lack of emphasis in conservation practice. These are: arguments based on protecting biodiversity, arguments based on option value, arguments based on ecological resilience, arguments based on historical value, and arguments based on aesthetic value. We maintain that these arguments, taken individually, offer varying degrees of fairly weak support for valuing species with high evolutionary distinctiveness. Taken together, however, these arguments seem sufficiently strong to justify programs such as EDGE, insofar as such programs are framed as correctives to a past lack of emphasis on the protection of phylogenetic diversity. We suggest, however, that these arguments are not sufficiently strong to support an absolute prioritization of phylogenetic diversity over protecting other forms of biodiversity.
Airborne Monitoring of Harmful Algal Blooms Over Lake Erie

The Hyperspectral Imager mounted to an aircraft was used to develop a remote sensing capability to detect the pigment Phycocyanin, an indicator of Microcystis, in low concentration as an early indicator of harmful algal bloom prediction.
Renal Diseases and Bone: Emerging Therapeutics

Disorders of bone metabolism occur relatively early in the presence of chronic kidney disease (CKD). They become more prevalent as kidney function declines and are common in dialysis patients. A new designation, chronic kidney disease–mineral and bone disorders (CKD-MBD), has been advocated by the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) group to broadly describe the interrelationship of the disorders that involve mineral metabolism, skeletal disorders, and soft tissue calcification associated with CKD [79]. In addition to characterizing the effect of renal diseases on skeletal homeostasis, we will also discuss both current and emerging strategies aimed at correcting the biochemical parameters that lead to the resultant mineral and bone disorders. The clinician must recognize that the approach to a patient with CKD-MBD involves multiple considerations and interventions; there is no one pharmacologic therapy that will independently correct the disordered mineral metabolism of CKD. This chapter will concentrate on the skeletal disorders associated with metabolic acidosis [45, 46].
Viviparous placentotrophy in reptiles and the parent–offspring conflict

In placentotrophic viviparous reptiles, pregnant females deliver nutrients to their developing fetuses by diverse morphological specializations that reflect independent evolutionary origins. A survey of these specializations reveals a major emphasis on histotrophy (uterine secretion and fetal absorption) rather than hemotrophy (transfer between maternal and fetal blood streams). Of available hypotheses for the prevalence of histotrophic transfer, the most promising derives insights from the theoretical parent-offspring conflict over nutrient investment. I suggest that histotrophy gives pregnant females greater control over nutrient synthesis, storage, and delivery than hemotrophic transfer, reflecting maternal preeminence in any potential parent-offspring competition over nutrient investment. One lizard species shows invasive ovo-implantation and direct contact between fetal tissues and maternal blood vessels, potentially conferring control over nutrient transfer to the embryo. Future research on squamates will benefit from application of parent-offspring conflict theory to the transition from incipient to substantial matrotrophy, as well as by testing theory-derived predictions on both facultatively and highly placentotrophic forms.
Near-field optical probe studied using terahertz pulses

A typical configuration of apertureless near-field scanning optical microscopy is combined with a terahertz time-domain spectroscopy. The detected terahertz pulse shape is related to the tip-sample distance and the input pulse shape.
Role of near-infrared spectroscopy in intravascular coronary imaging

Near-infrared spectroscopy is an intracoronary imaging modality that has been validated in preclinical and clinical studies to help quantify the lipid content of the coronary plaque and provide information regarding its vulnerability. It has the potential to develop into a valuable tool for the risk stratification of a vulnerable plaque and, furthermore, a vulnerable patient. In addition, in the future this technology may help in the development of novel therapies that impact vascular biology.
The demonstration play school of 1913

(1915). The Demonstration Play School of 1913. American Physical Education Review: Vol. 20, No. 7, pp. 429-445.