cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nongeniculate afferents to striate cortex in macaques.

Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was injected in relatively massive amounts to cover most, or portions, of opercular striate cortex in four macaques. Absence of transcallosal or circumventricular labelling, plus discrete and consistent retrograde labelling in other areas in the four cases, assured the validity and specificity of the observations. Numerous labelled cells in regions directly bordering striate cortex, however, were excluded from the analysis because of the possibility of uptake consequent to physical diffusion. With this exception, all labelled cells were counted at roughly 2-mm intervals for one case with extensive unilateral injection of HRP. Even excluding the closely circumstriate population, the totals indicate that more than 30% of the afferent input to striate cortex arises from nongeniculate sources. Four areas of neocortex together make up about one-fourth of the total afferents: superior temporal sulcus 17.1%; inferior occipital area, 6.1%; intraparietal sulcus, 0.4%; and parahippocampal gyrus, 0.3%. Other areas projecting to striate cortex include claustrum, pulvinar, nucleus paracentralis, raphe system, locus coeruleus, and the nucleus basalis of Meynert. Cells of the latter were particularly striking with their very heavy uptake of HRP, and, even in cases of minimal effective injection, were scattered throughout an extensive area from the posterior edge of the globus pallidus passing rostrally beyond the chiasm and into the nucleus of the diagonal band. On the basis of their distribution and known cholinergic affinity, it is argued that this group also includes the cells labelled in and around lateral hypothalamus and cerebral peduncle, and that as a whole the group constitutes a cholinergic counterpart of the diffusely projecting monoaminergic systems. It seems possible that the basalis projection at first follows a fornical-subcallosal pathway to reach striate cortex via callosoperforant fibers.
Layered neural net design through decision trees

A multiple-layer artificial network (ANN) structure is capable of implementing arbitrary input-output mappings. Similarly, hierarchical classifiers, more commonly known as decision trees, possess the capabilities of generating arbitrarily complex decision boundaries in an n-dimensional space. Given a decision tree, it is possible to restructure it as a multilayered neural network. It is shown how this mapping of decision trees into a multilayer neural network structure can be exploited for the systematic design of a class of layered neural networks, called entropy nets, that have far fewer connections. >
Learning Technological Concepts and Developing Intellectual Skills

The increasing complexity of work and social life demands that people possess conceptual understanding and intellectual skills in order to gain the desired level of competence. Unfortunately, the development of high level cognitive skills is a complex task that has not been sufficiently addressed in education. This chapter discusses the nature of intellectual skills and identifies numerous problems that educators face when they attempt to emphasize these skills in their curriculum. Through a comparison of the characteristics of formal and informal learning environments, the author identifies four elements of informal learning that guide the creation of high level intellectual skills. Incorporating the four elements of informal learning in formal instruction can lead to robust opportunities for students to gain conceptual understanding and develop their intellectual skills.
Schwinger vacuum pair production in chirped laser pulses

The recent developments of high intensity ultrashort laser pulses have raised the hopes of observing Schwinger vacuum pair production which is one of the important nonperturbative phenomena in QED. The quantitative analysis of realistic high intensity laser pulses is vital for understanding the effect of the field parameters on the momentum spectrum of the produced particles. In this study, we analyze chirped laser pulses with a subcycle structure, and investigate the effects of the chirp parameter on the momentum spectrum of the produced particles. The combined effect of the chirp and carrier phase of the laser pulse is also analyzed. These effects are qualitatively explained by investigating the turning-point structure of the potential within the framework of the complex WKB scattering approach to pair production.
An efficient forward solver in electrical impedance tomography by spectral element method

In electrical impedance tomography (EIT), a forward solver capable of predicting the voltages on electrodes for a given conductivity distribution is essential for reconstruction. The EIT forward solver is normally based on the conventional finite element method (FEM). One of the major problems of three-dimensional (3-D) EIT is its high demand in computing power and memory since high precision is required for obtaining a small secondary field which is typical for a small anomaly. This accuracy requirement is also set by the level of noise in the real data; although currently the noise level is still an issue, future EIT systems should significantly reduce the noise level to be capable of detecting very small anomalies. To accurately simulate the forward solution with the FEM, a mesh with large number of nodes and elements is usually needed. To overcome this problem, we proposed the spectral element method (SEM) for EIT forward problem. With the introduction of SEM, a smaller number of nodes and hence less computational time and memory are needed to achieve the same or better accuracy in the forward solution than the FEM. Numerical results demonstrate the efficiency of the SEM in 3-D EIT simulation
A platform for assessing chemotactic migration within a spatiotemporally defined 3D microenvironment

While the quantification of cell movement within defined biochemical gradients is now possible with microfluidic approaches, translating this capability to biologically relevant three-dimensional microenvironments remains a challenge. We introduce an accessible platform, requiring only standard tools (e.g. pipettes), that provides robust soluble factor control within a three-dimensional biological matrix. We demonstrate long-lasting linear and non-linear concentration profiles that were maintained for up to ten days using 34.5 μL solute volume. We also demonstrate the ability to superimpose local soluble factor pulses onto existing gradients via defined dosing windows. The combination of long-term and transient gradient characteristics within a three-dimensional environment opens the door for signaling studies that investigate the migratory behavior of cells within a biologically representative matrix. To this end, we apply temporally evolving and long-lasting gradients to study the chemotactic responses of human neutrophils and the invasion of metastatic rat mammary adenocarcinoma cells (MtLN3) within three-dimensional collagen matrices.
The relationship between migratory behaviour, memory and the hippocampus : an intraspecific comparison

It has been hypothesized that memory-demanding ecological conditions might result in enhanced memory and an enlarged hippocampus, an area of the brain involved in memory processing, either via extensive memory experience or through evolutionary changes. Avian migration appears to represent one of such memory-demanding ecological conditions. We compared two subspecies of the white-crowned sparrow: migratory Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii and non-migratory Z. l. nuttalli. Compared to non-migratory Z. l. nuttalli, migratory Z. l. gambelii showed better memory performance on spatial one-trial associative learning tasks and had more hippocampal neurons. Migratory subspecies also had larger hippocampi relative to the remainder of the telencephalon but not relative to body mass. In adults, the differences between migratory and non-migratory sparrows were especially pronounced in the right hippocampus. Juvenile migratory Z. l. gambelii had relatively larger hippocampal volume compared to juvenile non-migratory Z. l. nuttalli. Adult migratory Z. l. gambelii had more neurons in their right hippocampus compared to juveniles but such differences were not found in non-migratory Z. l. nuttalli. Our results suggest that migratory behaviour might be related to enhanced spatial memory and an enlarged hippocampus with more neurons, and that differences in the hippocampus between migratory and non-migratory sparrows might be experience-dependent. Furthermore, for the first time our results suggest that the right hippocampus, which encodes global spatial information, might be involved in migratory behaviour.
Hyperspec - analysis of handheld spectroradiometer data

There is an increasing use of handheld spectroradiometer data for "ground truthing" of hyperspectral imagery, as well as conducting pilot studies where hyperspectral imagery may eventually be used. There exists a need for standalone software that can be used for organizing, displaying, preprocessing, and analyzing large collections of handheld hyperspectral signatures. The authors of this paper have created a shareware package, HyperSpec, for such tasks. This paper provides details of HyperSpec as well as an example application of the software to an invasive species detection project.
Remote Sensing Techniques for Studying Coastal Ecosystems: An Overview

KLEMAS, V., 2011. Remote sensing techniques for studying coastal ecosystems: an overview. Journal of Coastal Research, 27(1), 2–17. West Palm Beach (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208. Advances in sensor design and data analysis techniques are making remote sensing systems practical and attractive for use in research and management of coastal ecosystems, such as wetlands, estuaries, and coral reefs. Multispectral and hyperspectral imagers are available for mapping coastal land cover, concentrations of organic/inorganic suspended particles, and dissolved substances in coastal waters. Thermal infrared scanners can map sea surface temperatures accurately and chart coastal currents, while microwave radiometers can measure ocean salinity, soil moisture, and other hydrologic parameters. Radar imagers, scatterometers, and altimeters provide information on ocean waves, ocean winds, sea surface height, and coastal currents, which strongly influence coastal ecosystems. Using airborne light detecting and ranging systems, one can produce bathymetric maps, even in moderately turbid coastal waters. Since coastal ecosystems have high spatial complexity and temporal variability, they frequently have to be observed from both satellite and aircraft in order to obtain the required spatial, spectral, and temporal resolutions. A reliable field data collection approach using ships, buoys, and field instruments with a valid sampling scheme is required to calibrate and validate the remotely sensed information. The objective of this paper is to present an overview of practical remote sensing techniques that can be used in studies of coastal ecosystems.
The effect of ethylurethan on adenosinetriphosphatase activity of tissue homogenates.

Abstract Although ethylurethan has no effect on alkaline β-glycerophosphatase, or acid or alkaline phenylphosphatase, it inhibits ATPase of mouse tissue homogenates and catalyzes the loss of ATPase activity caused by mild thermal treatment.
Comparative Evaluation of Spinosad and Phloxine B as Toxicants in Protein Baits for Suppression of Three Fruit Fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) Species

Spinosad and phloxine B are two more environmentally friendly alternative toxicants to malathion for use in bait sprays for tephritid fruit fly suppression or eradication programs. Laboratory tests were conducted to assess the relative toxicity of these two toxicants for melon fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae Coquillett; oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis Hendel; and Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) females. Field tests also were conducted with all three species to compare these toxicants outdoors under higher light and temperature conditions. In laboratory tests, spinosad was effective at much lower concentrations with LC50 values at 5 h of 9.16, 9.03, and 4.30 compared with 250.0, 562.1, and 658.9 for phloxine B (27, 62, and 153 times higher) for these three species, respectively. At 16 ppm spinosad, LT50 values were lower for all three species (significantly lower for C. capitata and B. dorsalis) than 630 ppm phloxine B LT50 values. At 6.3 ppm spinosad, the LT50 value for C. capitata (3.94) was still significantly less than the 630 ppm phloxine B LT50 value (6.33). For all species, the 100 ppm spinosad concentrations gave LT50 values of < 2 h. In comparison among species, C. capitata was significantly more sensitive to spinosad than were B. cucurbitae or B. dorsalis, whereas B. cucurbitae was significantly more sensitive to phloxine B than were C. capitata or B. dorsalis. LC50 values were reduced for both toxicants in outdoor tests, with greater reductions for phloxine B than for spinosad for B. dorsalis and B. cucurbitae. Fly behavior, though, is likely to keep flies from being exposed to maximum possible outdoor light intensities. Comparable levels of population suppression for any of the three species tested here will require a much higher concentration of phloxine B than spinosad in the bait.
Occupational Stress And Job Satisfaction In White- And Blue-Collar Workers

The relationship between job satisfaction and stress has been examined in numerous settings. In the present study, a two-part occupational stress survey was given to140 subjects in whiteand blue-collar occupations. Twelve possible stressor variables divided into three levels of stress: independent; group; and organizational were analyzed. A factorial ANOVA analysis was conducted, and revealed that there was a significant main effect result for types of stress experienced by the workers in the two types of organizations, but there were no differences between the organizations in terms of amount or types of stress, nor were there any differences between male and female employees. The relationship between stress and job satisfaction was discussed, and suggestions were made as to ways organizations can improve job satisfaction by paying attention to some of the sources of stress.
Teaching the Art of Economic Research in a Senior Seminar

In many academic settings, undergraduate economics majors are asked to do an independent project or thesis in their final year. Because doing research is very different from learning economics in a classroom, students are frequently unprepared for this endeavor. This article describes a seminar course intended to ease this transition by preparing students to embark on such a project. The first goal of the course is to assist students in developing a sound economic research project. The second goal is to help them develop the research skills to execute their project. In essence, the course is an abbreviated and accelerated version of some of the learning that takes place alongside the standard curriculum in graduate school. The article describes a course that has been designed for a liberal arts setting, and also discusses other possible variations.
Emergent Noncentrosymmetry and Piezoelectricity Driven by Oxygen Octahedral Rotations in n = 2 Dion–Jacobson Phase Layer Perovskites

The loss of centrosymmetry via oxygen octahedral rotations is demonstrated in the n = 2 Dion–Jacobson family of layered oxide perovskites, A′LaB2O7 (A′ = Rb, Cs; B = Nb, Ta). Ab initio density functional theory calculations predict that all four materials should adopt polar space groups, in contrast to the results of previous experimental studies that have assigned these materials to the centrosymmetric P4/mmm space group. Optical second harmonic generation experiments confirm the presence of a noncentrosymmetric phase at ambient temperature. Piezoresponse force microscopy experiments also show that this phase is piezoelectric. To elucidate the symmetry-breaking and assign the appropriate space groups, the crystal structure of CsLaNb2O7 is refined as a function of temperature from synchrotron X-ray diffraction data. Above 550 K, CsLaNb2O7 adopts the previously determined centrosymmetric P4/mmm space group. Between 550 and 350 K, the symmetry is lowered to the noncentrosymmetric space group Amm2. Below 350 K, additional symmetry lowering is observed as peak splitting, but the space group cannot be unambiguously identified.
Abstract A8: Vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein Ser239 regulates matrix metalloproteinase-9 in colon cancer

Cancer invasion and spreading is promoted by membrane protrusion formation driven by actin polymerization and filament (F)-actin elongation, a process controlled by the actin-binding protein vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP). Tumor epithelial cell matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is a key promoter of carcinogenesis and invasion in colon cancer. Interestingly, both VASP and MMP-9 activities are regulated by intracellular cGMP signaling in colon cancer cells. However, direct functional relationships between VASP and MMP-9 are unrecognized. Here, human colon carcinoma cells were examined by immunoblotting, sucrose-gradient fractionation, confocal microscopy and imaging analysis. MMP-9 localizes at membrane protrusions and lipid rafts, cell surface microdomains specialized in signal transduction, in a cGMP-dependent manner. Activation of cGMP signaling disrupted membrane protrusion dynamics and induced intracellular MMP-9 redistribution. Strikingly, cancer cells expressing the serine-to-alanine VASP phosphomutant at Ser239, resistant to cGMP-dependent VASP phosphorylation, were insensitive to cGMP effects on membrane protrusions and MMP-9. Importantly, cGMP signaling through VASP Ser239, but not Ser157, critically regulates the ability of cancer cells to release MMP-9 in the extracellular environment. Together, these observations indicate tumor epithelial cell MMP-9, a key promoter of cancer invasion, is regulated by VASP Ser239 phosphorylation, a previously unappreciated paradigm in colon cancer biology. Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2010;3(12 Suppl):A8.
Overcoming Colonial Policies of Divide and Rule Postcolonialism’s Harnessing of the Vernaculars

T chapter1 offers a situated account of English and vernacular literacy practices from a postcolonial perspective. Postcolonial scholarship in disciplines such as cultural studies and English literature has alerted us to the extent to which colonial rule partially created and reproduced negative images regarding “natives” so as to be better able to govern. Within applied linguistics, this awareness provides a necessary sociohistorical background against which to understand current grounded realities around language teaching and learning. Colonial policies in South Asian education— especially the policy of Divide and Rule—created schisms between the English medium (EM) and vernacular medium (VM) of education (Phillipson, 1992). This breakdown assumes neocolonial hues and dovetails directly with local societal stratifications (of caste and class) that exacerbate unequal conditions between those who are educated in the two tracks. Situated in ongoing endeavors in a variety of local contexts in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, where I was raised and schooled, this chapter calls attention to some key educational sites through which these policy-related inequities are reproduced, and some ways in which individual teachers and institutions assume the responsibility to make conditions more just and equal. The chapter concludes with a discussion of how a postcolonial research framework allows us to understand not only grounded inequities around language policies in terms of historical colonial pasts but also how fellow humans draw on particular rationalizations to harness the veranaculars and work toward moving us all to more equal footings (Canagarajah, 1997). Increasing discussions around English being a “world” language (Brutt-Griffler, 2002) and the instrumental role it plays in globalization force us now to take stock of the “dominating” role that English seems to be assuming. Scholarship in this realm ranges from researchers questioning mediums-of-instruction policies, to ways in
The Intricacies of Premodern Asian Connections

his study of the reemergence of intra-Asian connections published in this issue of the Journal of Asian Studies, Prasenjit Duara has aptly underscored the importance of comprehending the patterns of interactions and connectivities among Asian societies during the precolonial period. The following comments will reaffirm most of his contentions, but also will problematize the issue, especially in regard to some of the neglected topics and the conceptualization of the premodern interactions. I will address three issues. First, Duara s essay emphasizes Asian interactions, mostly through the maritime channels, starting sometime in the thirteenth or fourteenth century. He also mentions, albeit briefly, that these contacts extend further back in history. The first section of my comments will elaborate on these pre-thirteenth-century linkages in order to demonstrate that they contributed significantly to the formation of later networks of exchange. I will highlight the role played by the intermediary states and peoples in linking various parts of Asia during the first millennium of the common era. The current emphasis on premodern India and China often obscures the important contributions made by these intermediary states and people. Second, I will argue that conflicts and warfare were also important elements of cross-cultural interactions in precolonial Asia. These often involved military confrontations and political aspirations to control strategic passes, straits, and territories. Thus, looking back into the past does not necessarily provide us with a model for peace and harmony that can be replicated in contemporary political discourse, as politicians from some Asian countries have tried to do.
A robust simplex cut-cell method for high-order discontinuous Galerkin discretizations of three-dimensional aerodynamic problems

In this paper we present a robust simplex cut-cell method for three-dimensional aerodynamic problems. The framework is based on the work of Fidkowski and Darmofal, but two issues that limit the method robustness and automation are addressed. The first is the intersection ambiguity due to numerical precision. We demonstrate robustness issues when using standard double precision for the cut-cell intersection problem, and introduce the adaptive precision arithmetic that guarantees intersection correctness. Various techniques are developed to improve the efficiency of using this arithmetic. The second is the poor quadrature quality for cut cells of arbitrary shapes. We demonstrate the impact of quadrature quality on the convergence behavior of nonlinear solvers, and propose a highquality quadrature rule for cut cells. The robustness of our cut-cell method is then shown through several aerodynamic examples. For each example, the cut-cell method is applied on 100 to 200 adapted meshes, and no human intervention is involved in the process from the initial to the final mesh.
Semiconductor optical amplifier and electroabsorption modulator monolithically integrated via selective area growth

A monolithically integrated semiconductor optical amplifier and electroabsorption modulator has been fabricated in the InP/InGaAsP system by selective area growth. An amplifier gain of 20dB was measured together with a modulator attenuation of 16dB at -5V reverse bias for an amplifier peak emission at 1550nm.
Acupuncture for the management of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.

J Adv Pract Oncol 2012;3:178–181 Review of “Evaluation of acupuncture in the management of chemotherapyinduced peripheral neuropathy,” by G. K. Donald, I. Tobin, and J. Stringer (2011). Acupuncture in Medicine, 29, 230–233. For a discussion of the potential threats to validity that exist in studies using a retrospective design, see the related article by Cindy Tofthagen, PhD, ARNP, AOCNP®, on page 181.
ANALYSIS ON THE RULE OF SOFT REDUCTION GRADIENT FOR CONTINUOUS CASTING SLAB OF DIFFERENT STEEL GRADES

Based on the theoretical model of soft reduction gradient,the soft reduction gradients for continuous casting slabs with different steel grades were investigated.The results show that there are no big changes of the range of soft reduction gradient and soft reduction rate for casting steel grades,such as low carbon,low carbon peritectic,peritectic and medium carbon,which changed from 0.26 to 0.16 mm/m and 0.37 to 0.22 mm/min,respectively.The average soft reduction gradient and average soft reduction rate almost have no change as the steel grade changed,which keep 0.21 mm/m and 0.29 mm/min,respectively.It also can be concluded that the soft reduction amount was influenced by steel grade greatly,and it became larger with the increase of the range between liquidus temperature and solidus temperature.
Comparative Research on Network Org anization and China' s Conglomerates

The network organization that some f irms are connected with long -term cooperation and net information technology is a current new style of o rganizational structure.The netwo rk organization means a new way of devel-opment for China' s conglomerates:emphasis on the con nected way of contract and normal holding,excite the sub-sidiary,break out the confines of th e structure of the great firm,make th e hierarchy organization structure change to network structure,in order to acqui re the economy of scale and scope in a c hanging market circumstance.
Cross-linking of β-amyloid protein precursor catalysed by tissue transglutaminase

Alzheimer's disease is characterized by progressive dementia, cortical atrophy with synaptic loss, and the accumulation of neurofibrillary tangles and senile plaques containing β-amyloid. The β-amyloid protein precursor (β-APP), may normally be involved in cell adhesion related to synaptic maintenance. Loss of synapses correlates with dementia, suggesting that synaptic deficits may underlie the disease. Synapse stability may depend on the action of tissue transglutaminase (tTG), an enzyme capable of crosslinking large, multi-domain extracellular glycoproteins, that is active and present at synapses. We now show that β-APP is a substrate for tTG in vitro that results in dimers and multimers by silver staining and immunoblotting. This novel post-translational modification suggests further roles for β-APP in synaptic function as well as in Alzheimer's disease.
The Influence of Spatial Position of Price Sequences on Choice and Value Perceptions

In this research, we extend findings from the numerical cognition literature to explore and test how retail spatial arrangement of prices can influence value perceptions and choice. Specifically, we demonstrate that presenting options in an ordered price sequence increases consumers’ preference for higher priced items depending on the spatial direction of the display. The results of two studies provide evidence that in horizontal displays, consumers are more likely to select the higher-priced items when prices follow a descending (vs. ascending) sequence. In contrast, when the products are arranged in a vertical format, consumers are more likely to select the higher-priced items when the products are presented in ascending order (vs. descending). The findings of this paper have important implications for retail product displays and menu designs.
Vetoing the future: political constraints and renewable energy

ABSTRACTDespite the increased importance of and attention to renewable energy, its share in the overall energy mix has varied significantly across countries and over time. There are many determinants of clean energy transitions; this study focuses on political constraints. Here it is argued that political systems that have fewer political constraints have fewer access points through which powerful status quo veto players can slow the progress of clean energy reforms. To test the theory, a hierarchical model is applied on a dataset of 125 countries over four decades. The results provide significant support for the theory. Furthermore, the effects for political constraints hold even when we distinguish between hydro and non-hydro renewable sources and control for regime type. This study builds on research that recognizes the importance of politics in understanding the challenges and opportunities of clean energy reform.
The Monastery, the City and the Human Future

Despite our times being labeled “secular age,” unanticipated currents of spirituality in both new, old and mixed forms keep appearing. I many places pilgrimages have reemerged often to traditional sacred sites but with new meanings layered onto older ones in Europe, America and Asia. In this phenomenology of pilgrimage the author catalogs some of the characteristics of these post-secular journeys. They attract conventionally religious people, seekers, New Age adherents, amateur historians, health buffs, nature lovers and tourists who together constitute a new and different sort of “congregation,” which like many aspects of the world today is temporary, in flux and in motion. They often exhibit an element of commercialization, but hint at one kind of “post-secular” spirituality. This phenomenon presents a challenged to architects, urban planner and scholars of religion.
Selecting Healthcare Providers for Bundled Payments in Healthcare Services

Identification of competitive healthcare providers is an important issue for successful operation of a bundled payment reimbursement program. We develop a healthcare provider selection framework via data envelopment analysis (DEA) and combinatorial auction (CA). Our goal is to cover target regions with adequate numbers of healthcare providers so as to optimally deploy a bundled payment program across these regions. Our methodology balances bid prices and performance of applicants to cover the entire regions in an equitable manner, allows for provider preferences in selecting the bundle of services, and determines winners taking into account service quality, efficiency and the price of the bundles. Our work provides a practical and systematic selection procedure for payers compared to the extant subjective selection methods.
Microbiological evaluation of infected pelvic lymphocele after robotic prostatectomy: potential predictors for culture positivity and selection of the best empirical antimicrobial therapy

To examine symptomatology and microbiology of infected lymphocele (LC) post-robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) and to assess for potential predictors for LC fluid culture positivity. Secondly, to provide general recommendations about use of select antimicrobial therapy. This was a single-center, IRB-approved, retrospective, case series review conducted between October 2008 and October 2014. Data included symptomatology, microbiology of symptomatic LC in men post-robotic prostatectomy and PLND. Those with infected LC were compared to those men with symptomatic LC in the absence of infection. Symptomatic LC was seen in 7% of men, and among those, infected LC was seen in 42%. Infected LC cultures showed predominance of G+ cocci such as S. aureus, coagulase-negative Staphylococcus species, S. pyogenes, S. fecalis and S. viridans. Monomicrobial infection was seen in 85%. Multivariate logistic regression showed leukocytosis [Odds: 12.3, p = 0.03, 95% CI (1.2–125)] was significant predictor for culture positivity, whereas trend toward significance for factors such CT findings of thickened walls around the LC +/− air. LC infection following PLND for prostate cancer is usually monomicrobial and caused by Gram+ cocci. GI tract and skin flora are the main habitat. High index of suspicion of infected LC is undertaken in the presence of leukocytosis, fever and abnormal CT findings. Based upon our local hospital antibiogram, combination of IV ampicillin/sulbactam and vancomycin is suggested as the best initial empiric therapy in treating these patients.
Specimen Validity Testing: Is it "Valid" for Drug Testing in Pain Management?

The goal of drug testing in the pain management population is to confirm compliance with prescribed medications and identify aberrant behaviors, such as use of an illicit substance or pharmaceutical drugs not prescribed. Specimen validity testing (SVT)2 is often used to ensure that the provided sample has not been diluted, substituted, or adulterated. The scientific literature is void of publications pertaining to the proven utility of SVT in the pain management population. All of the standard SVT practices have been adopted directly from substance abuse and workplace drug testing. SVT was first mandated by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in 2004 (1). These guidelines define an invalid specimen as one containing a substance that is not a normal constituent or containing an endogenous substance at a concentration that is not a normal physiologic concentration. The measures used for SVT largely have not changed since their inception in 2004. At the very least, pH, creatinine, and a test that measures the presence of oxidizing agents are required. According to SAMHSA, a sample with a pH that is <4 (lower limit as …
The Power of Narratives: A New Understanding of Antibiotic Resistance

Antibiotic resistance continues unabated despite many efforts to increase awareness and promote responsible use of antibiotics. The limited results of various campaigns and community education initiatives to alleviate antibiotic resistance are concerning. The world faces a future with diminishing power of antibiotics and a possible postantibiotic era with serious consequences for health and humanity. Typically, antibiotic resistance is viewed as a public health problem, and communication principles and theories serve a practical role in creating and disseminating messages. In the exploratory endeavor described in this article, the starting premise is that communication may be a part of the problem. This article provides a new understanding of antibiotic resistance and creates a basis for organizing future efforts to promote prudent use of antibiotics in a more effective manner.
Improved spatial organisation of sensor networks to reduce wildfire impact

Wildfires are particularly dangerous in areas where communities colocate with regions of dense vegetation. Early detection helps minimise response time and community impact, with networks of wireless sensors widely accepted as the best available early warning solution. However, financial constraints often cause sensors to be spatially distributed in a sparse and random (or pseudouniform) manner. This paper presents a new approach to sensor placement by employing maps of wildfire impact. Such maps pinpoint ignition loci that lead to more destructive fires and hence, locations where early identification is essential. We leverage IBM evacuation planner (EVA) to generate these maps from a pipeline of simulation components including: fire progression, evacuee behaviour and traffic simulation. Accordingly, these yield insights into potential community impact, and from them, we propose and evaluate two algorithms for sensor placement. The effectiveness of our approach is demonstrated through a case study in Mount Dandenong, Victoria, Australia.
Non-Alcoholic Fatty Pancreas Disease (NAFPD): A Silent Spectator or the Fifth Component of Metabolic Syndrome? A Literature Review

Background and objective Fat accumulation in the pancreas has remained a relatively unknown disease since it was initially described in 1926. However, it has gained increasing attention in the past two decades with the emergence of the obesity epidemic. Pancreatic steatosis is a general term used for fat accumulation in the pancreas. It is further classified into fatty replacement, fatty infiltration, lipomatous pseudo-hypertrophy, non-alcoholic fatty pancreas disease (NAFPD) and non-alcoholic fatty steatopancreatitis (NASP). NAFPD is defined as obesity-associated accumulation of fat in the pancreas without significant alcohol consumption. Data on the prevalence of NAFPD are limited due to a lack of standardized screening tests. Methods MEDLINE/PubMed was searched to find relevant studies and abstracts on pancreatic steatosis. Results Pancreatic fat can be quantified by various imaging techniques including ultrasonography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The pathophysiology of NAFPD has not been completely understood. Chronic exposure of β-cells to hyperglycemia and higher levels of free fatty acids results in increased intracellular triglyceride accumulation, which ultimately causes reduced insulin secretion, insulin resistance, cell apoptosis and subsequent fatty replacement. This vicious cycle likely is a determining factor in the development of diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome. There is no approved pharmacologic therapy for NAFPD. Caloric restriction might have a role in normalization of β-cell function by reducing pancreatic fat content. Troglitazone (blend of telmisartan and sitagliptin) has demonstrated effectiveness in animal models but is still in experimental stages. Conclusion The cause and effect relationship between the metabolic syndrome and NAFPD has not yet been established. Further studies are required to study the effect of NAFPD on glucose hemostasis.
A knowledge-based framework for the collaborative improvisation of scene introductions

This article describes a framework for the mixed-initiative collaborative creation of introductions to improvised theatrical scenes. This framework is based on the empirical study of experienced improvisational actors and the processes they use to reach shared understanding while creating the scene. Improvisation is a notable creative act, where the process of creating the scene is as much a product as the scene itself. Our framework models the processes of narrative scene establishment. It is designed to allow for the collaborative co-creation of the narrative by both human and computational improvisers. This mixed-initiative approach allows either type of improviser (AI or human) to deal with the ambiguities that are inherent to improvisational theatre. This emphasis on equal collaborative creation also differentiates this framework from existing work in story generation and interactive narrative.
The Role of ADAMTS13 Testing in the Diagnosis and Management of Thrombotic Microangiopathies and Thrombosis

ADAMTS13 (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin type 1 motif, 13) is a metalloprotease responsible for cleavage of ultra-large von Willebrand factor (VWF) multimers. Severely deficient activity of the protease can trigger an acute episode of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). Our understanding of the pathophysiology of TTP has allowed us to grasp the important role of ADAMTS13 in other thrombotic microangiopathies (TMAs) and thrombotic disorders, such as ischemic stroke and coronary artery disease. Through its action on VWF, ADAMTS13 can have prothrombotic and proinflammatory properties, not only when its activity is severely deficient, but also when it is only moderately low. Here, we will discuss the biology of ADAMTS13 and the different assays developed to evaluate its function in the context of TTP, in the acute setting and during follow-up. We will also discuss the latest evidence regarding the role of ADAMTS13 in other TMAs, stroke, and cardiovascular disease. This information will be useful for clinicians not only when evaluating patients who present with microangiopathic hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia, but also when making clinical decisions regarding the follow-up of patients with TTP.
Load Flow Analysis with Analytic Derivatives for Electric Aircraft Design Optimization

Many of the aircraft concepts of the future are exploring the use of hybrid-, turbo- or all-electric propulsion systems to improve performance and decrease environmental impacts. These aircraft concepts range from small rotorcraft for urban air mobility to conventional commercial transports to large blended wing body designs. Developing the conceptual design for these vehicles presents a challenge, however, as traditional aircraft design tools often were not developed to handle these unique propulsion system architectures. Previous studies on these vehicles have therefore relied on relatively simple models of the electrical transmission and distribution system. This paper presents the development of a hybrid AC-DC load flow (or power flow) analysis capability to enhance the conceptual design of these concept vehicles. Specifically, the desire was to create a load flow analysis capability within the OpenMDAO framework that is also being used to develop a set of compatible tools for rapid optimization of conceptual designs. This load flow analysis capability is unique in its flexible object-oriented structure and implementation of analytic derivatives to facilitate the use of solvers and gradient based optimization in the design process. The developed hybrid load flow analysis capability is first verified against a published 13-bus example then used to model the electrical distribution system for a turbo-electric tiltwing aircraft.
Solid Pseudopapillary Neoplasm of the Pancreas in Children and Adults: A National Study of 369 Patients.

Background:Solid pseudopapillary neoplasm (SPN) of the pancreas is a rare tumor in children, with current evidence limited to single-center studies. We examined treatment and clinical outcomes for pediatric and adult SPN with a national data set.Methods:The 2004 to 2013 National Cancer Data Base was
Unobtrusive and Multimodal Approach for Behavioral Engagement Detection of Students

We propose a multimodal approach for detection of students' behavioral engagement states (i.e., On-Task vs. Off-Task), based on three unobtrusive modalities: Appearance, Context-Performance, and Mouse. Final behavioral engagement states are achieved by fusing modality-specific classifiers at the decision level. Various experiments were conducted on a student dataset collected in an authentic classroom.
Correction to: Emergency department screening and interventions for substance use disorders

In the version of this article that was originally published [1], some information in the “Background” section was erroneously omitted.
PathQuery Pregel: high-performance graph query with bulk synchronous processing

High-performance graph query systems are a scalable way to mine information in Knowledge Graphs, especially when the queries benefit from a high-level expressive query language. This paper presents techniques to algorithmically compile queries expressed in a high-level language (e.g., Datalog) into a directed acyclic graph query plan and details how these queries can be run on a Pregel graph vertex-centric compute system. Our solution, called PathQuery Pregel, creates plans for any conjunctive or disjunctive queries with aggregation and negation; we describe how the query execution extracts graph results optimally while avoiding many join operations where parallel map execution is permitted. We provide details of how we scaled this system out to execute large set of queries in parallel over the Google Knowledge Graph, a graph of 70B edges, or facts; we describe our production experience with PathQuery Pregel.
Variable spin-charge conversion across metal-insulator transition.

The charge-to-spin conversion efficiency is a crucial parameter in determining the performance of many useful spintronic materials. Usually, this conversion efficiency is predetermined by the intrinsic nature of solid-state materials, which cannot be easily modified without invoking chemical or structural changes in the underlying system. Here we report on successful modulation of charge-spin conversion efficiency via the metal-insulator transition in a quintessential strongly correlated electron compound vanadium dioxide (VO2). By employing ferromagnetic resonance driven spin pumping and the inverse spin Hall effect measurement, we find a dramatic change in the spin pumping signal (decrease by > 80%) and charge-spin conversion efficiency (increase by five times) upon insulator to metal transition. The abrupt change in the structural and electrical properties of this material therefore provides useful insights on the spin related physics in a strongly correlated material undergoing a phase transition. The interconversion of spin and charge is fundamental to the operation of spintronic devices. Here the authors demonstrate spin-to-charge conversion in the correlated material vanadium dioxide, and show that the efficiency changes dramatically across the metal-insulator transition.
An Outdoor Project-Based Learning Program: Strategic Support and the Roles of Students with Visual Impairments Interested in STEM

A qualitative study was conducted to understand how middle and high school students with visual impairments (VI) engage in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). The Readiness Academy, a Project-Based Learning (PBL) intervention, was designed to provide a week-long, immersive, outdoor, and inquiry-based science education program to students with VI. We analyzed 187 photographs, camp associate intern notes, and researcher memos first using emotion coding, followed by process coding to structure initial codes and categories into seven research activities. We used axial coding as a secondary cycle coding method to determine four consistent themes across all research activities: apprenticeship, collaboration, accessibility, and independence. We found that the inclusion of purposeful accessibility, such as assistive technology and multisensory experiences, supported how students with VI engaged in STEM education. The findings reflect how students dynamically fulfilled roles as apprentices, collaborative members, and independent researchers within the program’s context of PBL and outdoor science education.
Seven Deadly Economic Sins : Obstacles to Prosperity and Happiness Every Citizen Should Know

You have heard of the Seven Deadly Sins: pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath, and sloth. Each is a natural human weakness that impedes happiness. In addition to these vices, however, there are economic sins as well. And they, too, wreak havoc on our lives and in society. They can seem intuitively compelling, yet they lead to waste, loss, and forgone prosperity. In this thoughtful and compelling book, James Otteson tells the story of seven central economic fallacies, explaining why they are fallacies, why believing in them leads to mistakes and loss, and how exorcizing them from our thinking can help us avoid costly errors and enable us to live in peace and prosperity.
Effective Marginal Tax Rates on Low-Income Households

Discussion of marginal tax rates (MTRs) on low-income households often ignores the significance of income-conditioned benefits such as TANF, Food Stamps, Medicaid, and housing vouchers, and fails to account properly for the payroll tax or the possible accrual of expected Social Security benefits. This paper discusses the equivalence between a benefit phaseout and an explicit MTR and provides rough ballpark estimates of the MTRs that a one-parent, two-child household might face as its earnings increased from 0 to $25,000. It finds that these MTRs are generally quite high, especially at the range from just below to just past the official poverty line, by reason of the application of multiple phaseouts. In a worst-case scenario, such a household might even be better-off with earnings of $10,000 than of $25,000.