cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Timing of Radiation Therapy in Pediatric Wilms Tumor: A Report From the National Cancer Database.

Purpose To determine, using the National Cancer Database (NCDB), the impact of the surgery to radiation therapy interval (SRI) on survival in contemporary patients with Wilms tumor (WT). Methods and Materials The NCDB was queried for patients aged ≤25 years diagnosed from 2004 to 2013 with unilateral WT who underwent definitive surgery and radiation therapy. The SRI was calculated for each patient. A stratified analysis was performed based on presence of metastasis using logistic regression to calculate risk factors for prolonged SRI, with a focus on the recommended SRI according to recent Children's Oncology Group trials (by day 14) and National Wilms Tumor Study-5 (by day 9). Cox regression was performed to assess the association of SRI with overall survival. Results A total of 1488 patients were included; 32.1% had metastasis at diagnosis. Among both metastatic and nonmetastatic groups, older patients were more likely to have prolonged SRI. For those without metastasis, SRI > 14 days was associated with increased risk of mortality (hazard ratio 2.13, P = .013). Analyzing SRI as a continuous variable also demonstrated an increased risk of death with longer SRI (hazard ratio 1.04 per day, P = .006) in this group. In contrast, among patients with metastasis, no significant association between SRI and mortality was found. Conclusion Early initiation of radiation therapy remains a critical component of multimodal treatment for patients with nonmetastatic WT. For nonmetastatic patients, SRI ≤ 14 days correlates with improved overall survival. However, no such association was noted for patients with metastases. These results may inform the development of future WT trials.
Asymptotically Exact Posteriori Error Estimates for the Local Discontinuous Galerkin Method Applied to Nonlinear Convection–Diffusion Problems

In this paper, we present and analyze implicit a posteriori error estimates for the local discontinuous Galerkin (LDG) method applied to nonlinear convection–diffusion problems in one space dimension. Optimal a priori error estimates for the solution and for the auxiliary variable that approximates the first-order derivative are derived in the $$L^2$$ -norm for the semi-discrete formulation. More precisely, we identify special numerical fluxes and a suitable projection of the initial condition for the LDG scheme to achieve $$p+1$$ order of convergence for the solution and its spatial derivative in the $$L^2$$ -norm, when piecewise polynomials of degree at most p are used. We further prove that the derivative of the LDG solution is superconvergent with order $$p+1$$ towards the derivative of a special projection of the exact solution. We use this result to prove that the LDG solution is superconvergent with order $$p+3/2$$ towards a special Gauss–Radau projection of the exact solution. Our superconvergence results allow us to show that the leading error term on each element is proportional to the $$(p+1)$$ -degree right Radau polynomial. We use these results to construct asymptotically exact a posteriori error estimator. Furthermore, we prove that the a posteriori LDG error estimate converges at a fixed time to the true spatial error in the $$L^2$$ -norm at $$\mathcal {O}(h^{p+3/2})$$ rate. Finally, we prove that the global effectivity index in the $$L^2$$ -norm converge to unity at $$\mathcal {O}(h^{1/2})$$ rate. Our proofs are valid for arbitrary regular meshes using $$P^p$$ polynomials with $$p\ge 1$$ . Finally, several numerical examples are given to validate the theoretical results.
Self-Efficacy for Pain Communication Moderates the Relation Between Ambivalence Over Emotional Expression and Pain Catastrophizing Among Patients With Osteoarthritis.

Abstract Pain catastrophizing (ie, the tendency to focus on and magnify pain sensations and feel helpless in the face of pain) is one of the most important and consistent psychological predictors of the pain experience. The present study examined, in 60 patients with osteoarthritis pain who were married or partnered: 1) the degree to which ambivalence over emotional expression and negative network orientation were associated with pain catastrophizing, and 2) whether self-efficacy for pain communication moderated these relations. Hierarchical multiple linear regression analyses revealed a significant main effect for the association between ambivalence over emotional expression and pain catastrophizing; as ambivalence over emotional expression increased, the degree of pain catastrophizing increased. In addition, the interaction between ambivalence over emotional expression and self-efficacy for pain communication was significant, such that as self-efficacy for pain communication increased, the association between ambivalence over emotional expression and pain catastrophizing became weaker. Negative network orientation was not significantly associated with pain catastrophizing. Findings suggest that higher levels of self-efficacy for pain communication may help weaken the effects of ambivalence over emotional expression on pain catastrophizing. In light of these results, patients may benefit from interventions that target pain communication processes and emotion regulation. Perspective This article examines interpersonal processes involved in pain catastrophizing. This study has the potential to lead to better understanding of maladaptive pain coping strategies and possibly better prevention and treatment strategies.
Spin and Azimuthal Asymmetries in DIS

Single-spin asymmetries (SSA) in hadronic reactions have been among the most difficult phenomena to understand from first principles in QCD. Large SSAs have been observed in hadronic reactions for decades [1, 2]. In general, such single-spin asymmetries require a correlation of a particle spin direction and the orientation of the production or scattering plane. In hadronic processes, such correlations can provide a window to the physics of initial and final state interactions at the parton level. Recently, significant SSAs were reported in semi-inclusive DIS (SIDIS) by the HERMES collaboration at HERA [3, 4] for a longitudinally polarized target, the SMC collaboration at CERN for a transversely polarized target [5], and the CLAS collaboration at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (JLab)[6] with a polarized beam.
Wake Studies on Yawed, Stranded Cables

The study of the near wake on a cable yawed with respect to a uniform flow was performed using five rigid cable models and a cylinder in a low speed wind tunnel. The models were tested at a Reynolds number of 6,000 based on diameter. Smoke-wire flow visualization was used to qualitatively and quantitatively evaluate the near wake flows. Hot wire measurements of the wake frequency spectrum were obtained. Results show that cable stranding affects shedding characteristics and near wake structure.
Die spontane Entwicklung unbefruchteter Eier (natürliche Parthenogenese)

Lange bevor die Bedeutung des Spermatozoons bei der Befruchtung richtig erkannt war, hatten Reaumur, Bonnet und eine Reihe anderer Autoren des 18. Jahrhunderts die Tatsache festgestellt, das Blattlause ohne Begattung lebendige Junge zur Welt bringen. Bei geeigneter Temperatur und Feuchtigkeit konnen, wie Kirby fand1), vier Jahre lang (moglicherweise beliebig lange) die parthenogenetischen Generationen bei Aphiden einander folgen, ohne das es zur Bildung von Mannchen uberhaupt kommt. Nur unter besonderen Bedingungen gebaren die Blattlause beide Geschlechter, die sich dann begatten. Diese Begattung fuhrt zur Eiablage und aus diesen Eiern entstehen ausschlieslich lebendig gebarende parthenogenetische Weibchen.
Potential national voluntary gamete donor registry discussed at recent health law symposium.

Despite exponential growth in the past decades, most aspects of the assisted reproductive technology (ART) industry remain largely unregulated; recently, pressure has been mounting for coordinated study and regulation of this developing industry. On March 28, 2008, lawyers, health care professionals, representatives from sperm banks, consumers of ART services, and other stakeholders in ART industry gathered at DePaul University College of Law for its Health Law Institute’s symposium titled “Tracking Change: The Feasibility of a Voluntary Gamete Donor Registry in the United States.” The implementation of a registry would mark the first effort in the United States to centralize, maintain, and disseminate information about gamete donors by collecting and storing genetic and identifying information about egg and sperm donors. Establishing a registry requires balancing the interests of donor-conceived individuals, their parents, gamete donors, health care professionals, and society as a whole, as well as ensuring the privacy and safety of all involved.
Pipeline Mechanical Damage Characterization by Multiple Magnetization Level Decoupling

Mechanical damage, caused by mechanical forces that deform the natural cylindrical shape of a pipe, can be detrimental to the operational integrity of a pipeline. Mechanical damage can either remain benign for the operational life of the pipeline or lead to failure. Mechanical damage is the leading cause of pipeline failures in the United States. Therefore, it is important to both detect mechanical damage defects and characterize parameters such as microstructure change, residual stress, and the extent of removed metal.
Notch sensitivity and brittleness in fracture testing of S2 columnar freshwater ice

Two loading configurations (four-point-bend, three-point-bend) were used in the laboratory at Clarkson to test for the fracture toughness of carefully grown S2 columnar freshwater ice. For one specific crack orientation and one grain size, the crack length was varied ranging from very short to very deep. The crack length effects were studied in this way for three specimen sizes (the in-plane dimensions of the specimen size were geometrically scaled; the specimen thickness was essentially constant). These crack length and specimen size tests are primarily directed towards designing fracture toughness tests for ice that both satisfy small scale yielding requirements and provide material properties (in the sense of (1)) — toughness values independent of the size and geometry of the specimen. Considerations of sufficient notch sensitivity in terms of brittleness numbers provide a means to determine the necessary specimen size. The results reported in this paper suggest that the specimen sizes used in testing S2 ice to date have largely been sub-size.
Epidermoid Cyst of the Testis: Sonographic Characteristic Appearance:

Intratesticular epidermoid cysts are rare, benign, well-defined, and solitary keratinized intratesticular lesions. They usually present as a painless, discrete, and firm swollen area before being d...
An Empirical Study to Understand the Influence of Government Initiatives and Individual Factors on Startups

To fulfill the needs of a dynamic environment a country need startups, and to boost them a country needs a supporting environment. Every nation is motivating its individuals to become an entrepreneur. Government of India is making exceptional effort to support startups through various support programs, campaigns and policies. The government has initiated many schemes such as Startup India, AIM, Make in India, Multiplier Grants Schemes (MGS), Academic Research In Science, Engineering, Art and Management (ARSEAM) and many more to encourage individuals for building innovative startups. The objective is to excel its economy through employment opportunities, infrastructure development, technology upgradation and innovations. The study discusses the contributions made by the government in promotion and development of startups. But, entrepreneurship is not only influenced by the government initiatives, ‘Individual Factors’ plays an equally important role in building a startup. Individual factors such as creativity, innovative skills, and leadership qualities are equally important to motivate an individual to become an entrepreneur. The paper discusses the role of individual factors as well as the government support in entrepreneurial process. The paper also discusses the importance of both factors and does a comparative study through ‘Pearson Correlation Analysis’ to understand the significance of relationship between the startups and government initiatives and individual factors. Keywords: Entrepreneurship, correlation, creativity, subsidiaries, infrastructure, ventures Cite this Article Pragati Saxena. An Empirical Study to Understand the Influence of Government Initiatives and Individual Factors on Startups. OmniScience: A Multi-disciplinary Journal. 2018; 8(2): 32–41p.
The Philosopher's New Clothes: The Theaetetus, the Academy, and Philosophy’s Turn against Fashion

This book takes a new approach to the question, "Is the philosopher to be seen as universal human being or as eccentric?". Through a reading of the Theaetetus, Pappas first considers how we identify philosophers – how do they appear, in particular how do they dress? The book moves to modern philosophical treatments of fashion, and of "anti-fashion". He argues that aspects of the fashion/anti-fashion debate apply to antiquity, indeed that nudity at the gymnasia was an anti-fashion. Thus anti-fashion provides a way of viewing ancient philosophy’s orientation toward a social world in which, for all its true existence elsewhere, philosophy also has to live.
Hepatic coma associated with methoxyflurane anesthesia. Report of a case.

This report describes a patient who developed hepatic coma following methoxy-flurane anesthesia and recovered following exchange transfusion. The difficulties delineating the true hepatotoxin in this setting are discussed, but it is considered likely that methoxyflurane was responsible. A review of past experience with this agent and analogous halogenated hydrocarbon anesthetics strongly suggests an association with hepatic dysfunction. Until this relationship is disproven, we feel that this anesthetic should not be used as an agent of first choice in patients with a history of unexplained postoperative fever, rash or eosinophilia. The risk to operating-room personnel, who may have been inadvertently sensitized, must be considered.
Sleep pressure regulates mushroom body neural-glial interactions in Drosophila

Sleep is a behavior that exists broadly across animal phyla, from flies to humans, and is necessary for normal brain function. Recent studies in both vertebrates and invertebrates have suggested a role for glial cells in sleep regulatory processes. Changes in neural-glial interactions have been shown to be critical for synaptic plasticity and circuit function. Here, we wanted to test the hypothesis that changes in sleep pressure alters neural-glial interactions. In the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, sleep is known to be regulated by mushroom body (MB) circuits. We used the technique GFP Reconstitution Across Synaptic Partners (GRASP) to test whether changes in sleep pressure affect neural-glial interactions between MB neurons and astrocytes, a specialized glial cell type known to regulate sleep in flies and mammals. The MB-astrocyte GRASP signal was reduced after 24 h of sleep deprivation, whereas the signal returned to baseline levels following 72 h of recovery. Social enrichment, which increases sleep drive, similarly reduced the MB-astrocyte GRASP signal. We did not observe any changes in the MB-astrocyte GRASP signal over time-of-day, or following paraquat exposure or starvation. These data suggest that changes in sleep pressure are linked to dynamic changes in neural-glial interactions between astrocytes and neuronal sleep circuits, which are not caused by normal rest-activity cycles or stressors.
Encapsulation of Silicon Nanoclusters in Zeolite Y

Luminescent silicon clusters have been synthesized by the chemical vapor deposition of Si2H6 into the α-cages of H32Na24Y zeolite. The synthetic process was monitored by FTIR, TGA-MS, and 29Si and 1H solid-state NMR spectroscopies. In the initial step at 100 °C, Si2H6 reacts with the Bronsted acid sites to produce anchored ZO−Si2H5. Si2H6 is also chemisorbed at Na+ cation sites to give Si2H6/NaHY and is possibly physically trapped within the α-cage by the anchored disilyl groups. Multiple quantum 1H NMR spin counting shows that each α-cage contains 38 H atoms. This is equivalent to 14 Si atoms present as a combination of disilyl and disilane. Subsequent thermal treatment of the entrapped disilane precursors leads, via H2 and SiH4 elimination, to the formation of Si clusters. The formation of Si clusters is complete at 550 °C. These clusters are capped by up to 5 H atoms (determined by 1H NMR spin counting) and attached to the zeolite framework through SiOx linkages (determined by Si K-edge XANES). The ave...
Holding Physicians Accountable for Fertility Fraud

Recently, several cases have been filed in North America and Europe alleging that fertility physicians inseminated former patients with their own sperm, only to have this conduct come to light decades later when their unsuspecting adult children use direct-to-consumer genetic tests only to learn that they are not biologically related to their fathers and often have multiple half-siblings. For instance, Donald Cline of Indianapolis, Indiana, has over 50 donor-conceived children, with more continuing to come forward. Although these cases induce gut-level disgust, it has thus far proven difficult to hold these physicians legally accountable because their conduct seems to fall within gaps in existing civil and criminal laws. This article explores the legal contours of fertility fraud cases involving illicit physician inseminations, explaining why it falls through gaps in existing criminal and civil law, and why it is essential to take whatever measures are necessary to hold physicians accountable. Part I discusses six physicians who have thus far faced criminal or civil charges for their conduct in North America and analyzes why it is difficult to hold physicians criminally and civilly liable under existing law, including excerpts from an interview with the prosecutor in the Cline case. Part II discusses how fertility fraud violates various ethical and legal interests of female and male former patients and their donor-conceived children. Finally, Part III assesses how Cline’s illicit inseminations affected parents and progeny, how they learn of these new genetic connections, what they think of Cline and his motivations, how they derive support from one another, their reactions to criminal proceedings against Cline, and why they regard a legislative “fertility fraud” bill as an ideal outcome. This article concludes by discussing efforts to pass a fertility fraud bill in Indiana.
Impacts of longterm conservation measures on ecosystem services in Northwest Ethiopia

Abstract A Soil Conservation Research Program (SCRP) has been on-going in Anjeni Watershed, Amhara Region, Ethiopia since the 1980s, focussing particularly on soil-based, graded fanya juu terraces. This study was carried out to examine the long-term impacts of these soil and water conservation measures in improving ecosystem services. A comparative analysis was made with a non-treated 100 ha adjacent watershed (Zikrie). The Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) was used in a geographic information system (GIS) to quantify soil loss. Representative soil samples were taken 30 cm deep soil pits in the loss and deposition zones in the terraced Anjeni and topo-sequential soil samples on both watersheds. Laboratory analysis was carried out at the National Soil Testing Laboratory (NSTL) of Ethiopia. Soil texture, pH and OC were analyzed for the 91 soil samples. A GIS analysis of the RUSLE factors was made on a 5 m grid cell basis. The mean annual soil loss rate in Anjeni was estimated to be 37 t ha-1 yr-1, while that of the adjacent non-conserved Zikrie was 45 t ha-1 yr-1. The total estimated soil loss in Anjeni watershed was 4214 t yr-1. River valleys in the Anjeni watershed had the maximum mean annual estimated soil loss hazard (86 t ha-1 yr-1). Cultivated land had medium mean annual estimated soil loss (44 t ha-1 yr-1) due to the soil conservation works. Supporting the soil-based graded fanya juu terraces with biological soil conservation measures is important for the stability of the ecosystem.
Neutralizing antibodies to gB based CMV vaccine requires full length antigen but reduced virus neutralization on non-fibroblast cells limits vaccine efficacy in the guinea pig model

Cytomegalovirus is a leading cause of congenital disease and a vaccine is a high priority. The viral gB glycoprotein is essential for infection on all cell types. The guinea pig is the only small animal model for congenital CMV (cCMV), but requires guinea pig cytomegalovirus (GPCMV). Various GPCMV gB vaccine strategies have been investigated but not with a full length protein. Previous GPCMV gB vaccines have failed to fully protect against cCMV, with approximately 50% efficacy. In an effort to define the basis of GPCMV gB based vaccine failure, we evaluated recombinant defective Ad vectors encoding GPCMV gB full length (gBwt), or truncated protein lacking transmembrane domain (gBTMD). Both candidate vaccines evoked high anti-gB titers and neutralized virus infection on fibroblast cells but had varying weaker results on non-fibroblasts (renal epithelial and placental trophoblasts). Non-fibroblast cells are dependent upon the viral pentamer complex (PC) for endocytic pathway cell entry. In contrast, fibroblasts cells that express the viral receptor platelet derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRA) to enable entry by direct cell fusion independent of the PC. Anti-gBwt sera was approximately 2-fold (renal epithelial) to 3-fold (fibroblasts) more effective at neutralizing virus compared to anti-gBTMD sera. Both gB vaccines were weakest against virus neutralization on trophoblasts. Knockout of PDGFRA cell receptor on fibroblast cells (GPKO) rendered virus dependent upon the PC pathway for cell entry and anti-gB GPCMV NA50 was more similar to epithelial cells. In a gBwt vaccine protection study, vaccination of animals significantly reduced, but did not prevent dissemination of wild type GPCMV challenge virus to target organs. Depletion of complement in vivo had limited impact on vaccine efficacy. Overall, a full length gB antigen has the potential to improve neutralizing antibody titer but fails to fully prevent virus dissemination and likely congenital infection.
Ant-based Neural Topology Search (ANTS) for Optimizing Recurrent Networks

Hand-crafting effective and efficient structures for recurrent neural networks (RNNs) is a difficult, expensive, and time-consuming process. To address this challenge, we propose a novel neuro-evolution algorithm based on ant colony optimization (ACO), called Ant-based Neural Topology Search (ANTS), for directly optimizing RNN topologies. The procedure selects from multiple modern recurrent cell types such as \(\varDelta \)-RNN, GRU, LSTM, MGU and UGRNN cells, as well as recurrent connections which may span multiple layers and/or steps of time. In order to introduce an inductive bias that encourages the formation of sparser synaptic connectivity patterns, we investigate several variations of the core algorithm. We do so primarily by formulating different functions that drive the underlying pheromone simulation process (which mimic L1 and L2 regularization in standard machine learning) as well as by introducing ant agents with specialized roles (inspired by how real ant colonies operate), i.e., explorer ants that construct the initial feed forward structure and social ants which select nodes from the feed forward connections to subsequently craft recurrent memory structures. We also incorporate communal intelligence, where best weights are shared by the ant colony for weight initialization, reducing the number of backpropagation epochs required to locally train candidate RNNs, speeding up the neuro-evolution process. Our results demonstrate that the sparser RNNs evolved by ANTS significantly outperform traditional one and two layer architectures consisting of modern memory cells, as well as the well-known NEAT algorithm. Furthermore, we improve upon prior state-of-the-art results on the time series dataset utilized in our experiments.
A multigene assay to predict recurrence of tamoxifen-treated, node-negative breast cancer

(2005). A multigene assay to predict recurrence of tamoxifen-treated, node-negative breast cancer. The Women's Oncology Review: Vol. 5, No. 1, pp. 45-47.
Superfluidity of dipolar excitons in doped double-layered hexagonal lattice in a strong magnetic field

We examine the occurrence of Bose-Einstein condensation and superfluidity of dipolar excitons for a pair of quasi-two-dimensional spatially separated hexagonal $\ensuremath{\alpha}\text{\ensuremath{-}}{\mathcal{T}}_{3}$ layers. In the $\ensuremath{\alpha}\text{\ensuremath{-}}{\mathcal{T}}_{3}$ model, the $AB$-honeycomb lattice structure is supplemented with C atoms, located at the centers of the hexagonal lattice. We have solved a two-body problem for an electron and a hole for the model Hamiltonian for the $\ensuremath{\alpha}\text{\ensuremath{-}}{\mathcal{T}}_{3}$ double layer in a magnetic field. The exciton binding energy is changed due to the magnetic field, and magnetoexcitons are formed as excitons in a magnetic field. The energy dispersion of collective excitations, the spectrum of sound velocity, and the effective magnetic mass of magnetoexcitons are obtained in the integer quantum Hall regime for high magnetic fields. The superfluid density and the temperature of the Kosterlitz-Thouless phase transition are probed as functions of the excitonic density, the magnetic field, and the interlayer separation.
The Oscillatory ReConstruction Algorithm adaptively identifies frequency bands to improve spectral decomposition in human and rodent neural recordings

Neural oscillations show substantial variability within and across individuals and brain regions, yet most existing studies analyze oscillations using canonical, fixed-frequency bands. Thus, there ...
Effective Video Production for Online and In-Person Courses

This workshop will be a tutorial on effective media production for computer science courses. We'll spend time breaking down the ways that you can use media in your courses, both live and pre-recorded. Good media production relies heavily on both well-planned curriculum and pre-production. As part of this, we'll focus on our work building courses around short 5-10 minute videos, which have been shown to encourage engagement from students. We'll discuss designing your content and process for efficient turn around, so that you can successfully build a course 'just in time'. The goal of the workshop is to share with participants the techniques we use in our own courses. We'll demo our workflows and favorite tools, with pointers on where to learn more. Along the way, we'll share how you can accomplish a well-produced video with minimal budgets, and where you can get the most out of adding hardware and software to your setup. This workshop will be highly interactive. For each topic, we'll start off with live demonstrations, but then spend time with hands-on questions from participants. Participants are encouraged to bring their questions and challenges to the workshop.
BPA and BPA alternatives BPS, BPAF, and TMBPF, induce cytotoxicity and apoptosis in rat and human stem cells.

Abstract Bisphenol A (BPA) is a ubiquitous industrial chemical found in everyday plastic products and materials. Due to scientific findings on the reproductive, developmental, and cellular defects caused by BPA and heightened public awareness, manufacturers have begun to use new chemicals in place of BPA in “BPA-free” products. These alternatives are chemical analogs of BPA and include dozens of new compounds that have undergone relatively little testing and oversight, including: bisphenol S (BPS), bisphenol AF (BPAF), and the recently developed tetramethyl bisphenol F (TMBPF; the monomer of valPure V70). Here, we used adult female rat adipose-derived stem cells (rASCs) and human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) to compare the toxicities and potencies of these BPA alternatives in vitro. Rat and human stem cells were exposed to BPA (1–10 μM), 17β-estradiol (E2; 10 μM), BPS (1–100 μM), BPAF (3 × 10−4–30 μM), TMBPF (0.01–50 μM), or control media alone (with 0.01% ethanol) for varying time intervals from 10 min to 24 h. We found significantly decreased cell viability and massive apoptosis in rat and human stem cells treated with each BPA analog, as early as 10 min of exposure, and at low, physiologically relevant doses. BPAF showed extreme cytotoxicity in a dose-dependent manner (LC50 = 0.014 μM (rASCs) and 0.009 μM (hMSCs)), whereas TMBPF showed a bimodal response, with low and high concentrations being the most toxic (LC50 = 0.88 μM (rASCs) and 0.06 μM (hMSCs)). Activated caspase-6 levels increased in nearly all cells treated with the BPA analogs indicating the majority of cell death was due to caspase-6-mediated apoptosis. These results in both rat and human stem cells underscore the toxicity and potency of these BPA analogs, and establish a rank order of potency of: BPAF > TMBPF > BPA > BPS. Further, these and other recent findings indicate that these newer BPA analogs may be ‘regrettable substitutions,’ being worse than the original parent compound and lacking proper testing and regulation. This work brings to light the need for further toxicological characterization, better regulation, greater public awareness, and the development of safer, more sustainable chemicals and non-plastic products.
Global Critical Metal Resources; Why We Don't Know How Much We Have

The critical minerals are a group of elements that are essential to modern life but have insecure supply as a result of a variety of factors and are of increasing importance given their use in technologies needed to reduce global CO2 emissions and mitigate against anthropogenic climate change. However, the majority of these critical elements are produced as co- or by-products of other more widely produced metals, meaning that their economic contributions to mining operations are often small and the elements in question are often produced downstream in smelters or refiners. This means that mines may produce a critical element that is unquantified in reserve or resource reporting. Extrapolating this to a global scale yields a situation where we simply are unable to robustly estimate current resources of these crucial elements. This paper reviews the key uncertainties in these areas as well as ways forward to improving the predictability of future production of these critical minerals.
Minimizing Oracle-Structured Composite Functions

We consider the problem of minimizing a composite convex function with two different access methods: an oracle, for which we can evaluate the value and gradient, and a structured function, which we access only by solving a convex optimization problem. We are motivated by two associated technological developments. For the oracle, systems like PyTorch or TensorFlow can automatically and efficiently compute gradients, given a computation graph description. For the structured function, systems like CVXPY accept a high level domain specific language description of the problem, and automatically translate it to a standard form for efficient solution. We develop a method that makes minimal assumptions about the two functions, does not require the tuning of algorithm parameters, and works well in practice across a variety of problems. Our algorithm combines a number of well-known ideas, including a low-rank quasi-Newton approximation of curvature, piecewise affine lower bounds from bundle-type methods, and two types of damping to ensure stability. We illustrate the method on stochastic optimization, utility maximization, and risk-averse programming problems.
Complications Related to Skin Incisions, Design, and Skin Flaps

The design and location of surgical skin incision is a crucial component of neck dissection. During a neck dissection, vital neck structures, such as the carotid artery, internal jugular vein, and various cranial nerves, are exposed. Therefore, an ideal skin incision design should allow sound oncologic dissection of the desired lymph nodes without compromising function and aesthetics. Complications related to skin incision and design are some of the most frequent complications encountered with neck dissection. In this chapter, we visit the skin anatomy and physiology, principles of wound healing, various neck incisions designs, risk factors for complications related to skin incisions, and finally, the management of these complications.
Initial Investigation of a GNSS-R Multiscale Rough Surface Forward Model at San Luis Valley Calibration/Validation Sites

A forward model for delay-Doppler maps (DDMs) of global navigation satellite system reflectometry (GNSS-R) from bare land surfaces with multiscale roughness is presented and investigated. The geometrical optics (GO) model of [1] for GNSS-R from rough sea surfaces has been extended to land applications in [2] by including a longwave component derived from the elevations and gradients of a digital elevation model (DEM) and a medium- wave component arising from surface gradients below the resolution of the DEM. Following [3], the present work improves the GO model by including an attenuation factor that accounts for shortwave diffraction. The proposed multiscale forward model has potential applications for the spaceborne monitoring of soil moisture and other biogeophysical parameters.
Changing the College AOD Environment for Primary Prevention

Identifying environmental factors reflected to alcohol use is important for program planning and evaluation in college alcohol and drug prevention programs. Little has been written concerning uses of data in environmental prevention efforts. This paper presents four brief interrelated case studies of how environmental modifications were used by a college alcohol prevention project to 1) change the marketing practices and service policies of a student-oriented bar, 2) alter the sales practices of a campus bookstore concerning alcohol paraphernalia, 3) to develop a campaign with the goal of reducing risk factors related to heavy drinking at private student parties, and 4) stop an unsafe bus from transporting students to bars in Mexico. Creative use of such environmental prevention approaches has potential benefit to colleges and universities concerned with the primary prevention of alcohol-related problems experienced by students.
Tending the Vineyard: Cultivating Political Process Research

Goodwin and Jasper's criticisms of various iterations of political process theory are incorrectly applied to the entire developing paradigm. Their indictment offers a rigid and narrow representation of the theory and rejects the social science enterprise of building theory altogether. At the same time, their criticisms raise important puzzles for scholars working on social movements, particularly about defining opportunities, and studying culture. I answer their criticisms of the theory, acknowledge useful questions and challenges that they offer, and conclude by suggesting an agenda for research on social movements in the future.
Comparison of the Corrosion Behavior of the 14CR ODS Alloy in Steam and Supercritical Water

The 14CrODS alloy was corroded in both steam and supercritical water (SCW) at 500°C. The weight gain observed in SCW was consistently about 1.5 times higher than that in steam and the corrosion rate was higher in SCW compared to steam. To explain this discrepancy, the oxide microstructure of samples corroded in both environments was analyzed using microbeam synchrotron diffraction and fluorescence, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In both environments, the oxide formed a three-layer structure, similar to previous observations on ferritic-martensitic alloys. Compared to the SCW samples, the steam samples exhibited thinner and denser oxide layers, which contained more Cr2O3 especially at specific interfaces. These results are discussed and an explanation for the divergence in oxidation behavior between steam and SCW is proposed.
Improved DNA-FISH for cytometric detection of Candida spp.

Aims: We developed improved methods for DNA-based fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for rapid detection of Candida spp. and Candida albicans via flow cytometry. Methods and Results: Two previously reported C. albicans-targeted DNA probes were evaluated against whole cells of C. albicans and related Candida species using a rapid, high-temperature hybridization protocol. One probe (CalB2208) was shown for the first time to be suitable as a FISH probe. Although cell labelling for both probes was relatively bright, we were able to substantially improve our results by altering fixation and hybridization conditions. For fixation, a 60 : 40 mixture of 10% buffered formalin and ethanol was most effective. Probe intensity was improved as much as ten-fold through the use of unlabelled helper probes, and buffer containing 0·9 mol l−1 NaCl plus 10% formamide yielded the best hybridizations for both probe/helper cocktails. Although optimal labelling occurred with longer hybridizations, we found that C. albicans could be completely differentiated from the nontarget yeast Rhodotorula glutinis after only 15 min using the brightest probe (Calb-1249) and that a formal washing step was not required. Specificities of probe/helper cocktails under optimal conditions were determined using a panel of target and nontarget cell types, including four strains of Candida dubliniensis. Calb-1249 cross-reacted slightly with Candida parapsilosis and strongly with both Candida tropicalis and C. dubliniensis. In contrast, we found that CalB2208 was exclusive for C. albicans. The molecular basis of this specificity was confirmed by DNA sequencing. Conclusions: We describe DNA probe-based approaches for rapid and bright labelling of Candida spp. and for specific labelling of C. albicans without cross-reaction with C. dubliniensis. Our work improves upon previously described methods. Significance and Impact of the Study: The methods described here for rapid FISH-based detection of Candida spp. may have applications in both clinical and food microbiology.
Systematic Review of Nontumor Pediatric Auditory Brainstem Implant Outcomes

ObjectiveThe auditory brainstem implant (ABI) was initially developed for patients with deafness as a result of neurofibromatosis type 2. ABI indications have recently extended to children with con...
A cellist with arm pain: thermal asymmetry in scalenus anticus syndrome.

Abstract We report on a cellist with pain and coldness of the upper extremity. Abnormal thermographic studies were instrumental in uncovering intermittent compression of the subclavian artery, and this prompted us to study the effects of cello playing on skin temperature asymmetry. Temperature asymmetry was defined as the temperature difference (delta-T) from one hand to the other. In 57 controls, mean delta-T at rest was .309±.254C. Exercising the upper extremities by prolonged elbow flexion or by movements mimicking cello playing in controls did not significantly affect delta-T. In our patient, delta-T was ten times control (3.6C). Angiography showed extrinsic compression of the subclavian artery occurring only after cello playing; sympathetic ganglion block relieved the pain. Our patient's abnormal skin temperature may have reflected sympathetic vasomotor hyperactivity. Intermittent neurovascular compression and sympathetic hyperactivity appear to be factors in scalenus anticus syndrome.
Structural Proteins of Mammalian Oncogenic RNA Viruses: Multiple Antigenic Determinants of the Major Internal Protein and Envelope Glycoprotein

The antigenic determinants of two purified protein constituents of mammalian C-type RNA viruses, the major structural protein of about 30,000 daltons, and the membrane glycopeptides of about 70,000 daltons were examined by competition radioimmunoassay. By the appropriate choice of antiserum and competing proteins, it was possible to distinguish type-specific, group-specific, and interspecies determinants. Both of the viral constituents were found to contain each of these three classes of antigens. The results suggested that the majority of the determinants of the major structural protein were group specific, 5% to 30% were interspecies, and a small fraction were type specific. In the case of the envelope glycopeptides, the chief determinants were type and group specific, and a small fraction were interspecies.
An electrophysiological study of neural pathways for corticofugally inhibited neurons in the central nucleus of the inferior colliculus of the big brown bat, Eptesicus fuscus

This electrophysiological study tests the hypothesis that one possible neural pathway for corticofugally inhibited neurons in the central nucleus of the inferior colliculus (ICc) of the big brown bat, Eptesicus fuscus, is mediated through excitatory projections from the auditory cortex (AC) to the external nucleus of the IC (ICx), which then sends inhibitory inputs to the ICc. This study shows that all neurons in the ICx are broadly tuned to stimulus frequency. Electrical stimulation in the AC typically increases the number of impulses, expands the auditory spatial response areas, and broadens the frequency tuning curves (FTCs) of neurons in the ICx. This corticofugal facilitation is mediated at least in part through NMDA receptors, since application of DL-2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid (APV), an antagonist for NMDA, decreases these response properties of neurons in the ICx. Electrical stimulation in the ICx typically decreases the number of impulses, reduces the auditory spatial response areas, and narrows the FTCs of neurons in the ICc. This inhibition is mediated at least in part through GABAA receptors, since application of bicuculline, an antagonist for GABA, increases these response properties of neurons in the ICc. These data suggest that corticofugal facilitation of the ICx and the inhibition of the ICx to the ICc may be one of the polysynaptic pathways for corticofugal inhibition of neurons in the ICc. Possible functions of this polysynaptic pathway in acoustic orientation and signal processing are discussed.
A novel 3D sensory system for robot-assisted mapping of cluttered urban search and rescue environments

In this paper, the first application of utilizing a unique 3D sensor for sequential 3D map building in unknown cluttered urban search and rescue (USAR) environments is proposed. The sensor utilizes a digital fringe projection and phase shifting technique to provide real-time 2D and 3D sensory information of the environment. The proposed sensor is unique over current technologies in that high-resolution 3D information of rubble filled environments can be acquired from the single sensor at a speed of 30 frames per second (fps). Furthermore, we propose the development of a novel robust and reliable landmark identification technique that utilizes both 2D and 3D depth images taken by the sensor for 3D mapping. Preliminary experiments show the potential of the real-time 3D sensory system and landmark identification scheme for robotic 3D mapping in unknown cluttered USAR-like environments.
Critical Conditions for Liquid Mediated Collapse of Two-Dimensional Rough Surfaces

Small-scale devices are particularly vulnerable to adverse effects of adhesion because of large surface-area-to-volume ratios. Additionally, small gaps can be easily bridged at high humidity or when there are other contaminant liquids present. The bridging of a portion of the interface by a liquid droplet of given volume, tends to pull surfaces in closer proximity due to the sub-ambient pressures that arise. In turn, regions spanned by the bridge will increase in size and lead to a greater adhesive force. In the present work we develop a model for these effects in the presence of surface roughness. The influence of asperities on the surface is treated by means of a recently-developed multi-scale model that considers the full range of wavelengths comprising the surface profile. In the simulations, two nominally flat rough surfaces with profiles that vary only in one direction are brought together under a prescribed load. A liquid bridge of given volume (per unit depth) is then introduced into the contact, assuming an initial areal coverage. The interface configuration is then iterated until one is found that satisfies the equations of elasticity and capillarity for a given liquid volume. As a result of the simulation, critical values are found for combinations of parameters that delineate stable and unstable conditions.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Core-modified, meso-alkylidenyl porphyrins and their expanded analogues: a new family of nonplanar porphyrinoids.

New core-modified, meso-alkylidenyl porphyrinoids bearing multiple exocyclic double bonds were synthesized and characterized. The synthesis was accomplished using a typical “3 + 1”-type condensation approach. Stable exocyclic tautomers bearing double bonds at the meso positions, as well the corresponding endocyclic tautomers, were isolated in the case of both thiabenziporphyrin and thiapyriporphyrin products prepared in the course of this study. On the other hand, only the exocyclic tautomer was isolated in the case of the congeneric oxapyriporphyrin and oxabenziporphyrin. Expanded analogues of the exocyclic forms of oxabenziporphyrin and thiabenziporphyrin were also isolated as minor products. A single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of the expanded thiabenziporphyrin (20) revealed that all four pyrrole rings displayed an inverted geometry, presumably reflecting the strong hydrogen-bonding extant between the pyrrole N−H proton and the carbonyl group of the malonate moiety in the solid state. On the ot...
Spore dispersal in Alternaria porri (Ellis) Neerg. on onions in Nebraska

SUMMARY In spore-trapping studies in 1965, conidia of Alternaria porri (Ellis) Neerg. were detected in the atmosphere immediately above onions affected by purple blotch disease. On calm summer days, peak conidium concentration occurred between 08.00 and 14.00 hr., few conidia being trapped between 20.00 and 06.00 hr. On windy days, there were marked increases in concentration. Concentration tended to increase with increasing wind velocity. Increased conidium concentrations were also recorded after rainfall and irrigation, and during spraying operations. Laboratory observations indicate that in A. porri, the attachment of conidium to conidiophore is weakened, if not broken, by movements in the conidial apparatus which occur in response to a decrease in vapour pressure. Possible causes of fluctuations in atmospheric content of A. porri conidia are discussed.
A synthesis of decision models for analysis, assessment, and contingency planning for oil spill incidents

Abstract Oil spill incidents can have a devastating effect on the natural environment. The evidence is clear that a lack of attention to an integrative approach in response strategies has resulted in the poor performance of clean-up activities in many oil spill incidents. This paper critically presents and evaluates decision models related to the modelling, analysis, assessment and contingency planning for oil spill incidents. The models are presented according to the hierarchy that characterizes the decision-making process. We present an integrated conceptual framework that synthesizes all the above models and shows the interdependencies among the different echelons of the decision-making process. The framework also identifies directions of modelling approaches for future research.
Freedom Fighters or Comintern Soldiers? Writing About the ‘Good Fight’ During the Spanish Civil War

Daniel Gray Homage to Caledonia: Scotland and the Spanish Civil War. Luath Press, Edinburgh, 2008. pp. 223. £16.99/$32.95 (Hb). ISBN 1-906307-64-4 Christopher Othen, Franco's International Brigades...