cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Robust Expectation-Maximization Algorithm for Multiple Wideband Acoustic Source Localization in the Presence of Nonuniform Noise Variances

Wideband source localization using acoustic sensor networks has been drawing a lot of research interest recently. The maximum-likelihood is the predominant objective which leads to a variety of source localization approaches. However, the robust and efficient optimization algorithms are still being pursuit by researchers since different aspects about the effectiveness of such algorithms have to be addressed on different circumstances. In this paper, we would like to combat the source localization based on the realistic assumption where the sources are corrupted by the noises with nonuniform variances. We focus on the two popular source localization methods for solving this problem, namely the SC-ML (stepwise-concentrated maximum-likelihood) and AC-ML (approximately-concentrated maximum likelihood) algorithms. We explore the respective limitations of these two methods and design a new expectation maximization (EM) algorithm. Furthermore, we provide the Cramer-Rao lower bound (CRLB) for all these three methods. Through Monte Carlo simulations, we demonstrate that our proposed EM algorithm outperforms the SC-ML and AC-ML methods in terms of the localization accuracy, and the root-mean-square (RMS) error of our EM algorithm is closer to the derived CRLB than both SC-ML and AC-ML methods.
Percutaneous Dilational Tracheostomy: Anesthetic Considerations for a Growing Trend

Percutaneous dilational tracheostomy (PDT) is a new technique for the establishment of prolonged mechanical ventilation in the critical care setting. Critical care specialists who perform PDTs consult anesthesiologists to provide airway support as well as sedation for these procedures. The purpose of this review is to introduce the principles, complications, and advantages of percutaneous tracheostomy. Airway and anesthetic considerations for this procedure are examined. PDT is a natural extension of the current surgical trend toward minimally invasive procedures. The technique was first described by Ciaglia et al. (1) in 1985 as an alternative to standard tracheostomy. Interest in the technique has grown with the publication of results and long-term follow-up by the same group in 1992 (2). The perceived advantages over standard surgical tracheostomy include its speed, simplicity, and low reported incidence of complications. PDTs are performed in the intensive care unit (ICU) by critical care specialists, including surgeons, anesthesiologists, and pulmonary care intensivists. PDT is amenable to bedside insertion, eliminating the risks and resources involved in the transportation of the critically ill patient. Since operating room time is unnecessary, substantial cost savings can also be expected.
Predicting Flameholding for Hydrogen and Natural Gas Flames at Gas Turbine Premixer Conditions

Lean premixed gas turbines are one of the most common methods for stationary power generation. By creating a homogeneous mixture of fuel and air upstream of the combustion chamber, temperature variations are reduced within the combustor, which reduces emissions of nitrogen oxides. However, by premixing fuel and air, a potentially flammable mixture is established in a part of the engine not designed to contain a flame. If the flame propagates upstream from the combustor (flashback), significant engine damage can result. While significant effort has been put into developing flashback resistant combustors, these combustors are only capable of preventing flashback during steady operation of the engine. Transient events (e.g. auto ignition within the premixer, pressure spikes during ignition) can trigger flashback that cannot be prevented with even the best combustor design. In these cases, preventing engine damage requires designing premixers that will not allow a flame to be sustained. Experimental studies were conducted to determine under what conditions premixed flames of hydrogen and natural gas can be anchored in a simulated gas turbine premixer. Tests have been conducted at pressures up to 9 atm, temperatures up to 750 K, and free stream velocities between 20 and 100 m/s. Flames were anchored in the wakes of features typical of premixer passageways, including cylinders, steps and airfoils. The results of this study have been used to develop tools that predict when a flame remains anchored to a particular feature.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Detection and alignment of dual-polarization optical quadrature amplitude transmitter IQ and XY skews using reconfigurable interference

Dual-polarization quadrature amplitude modulation (DP-QAM) is one of the feasible paths towards 100-Gb/s, 400-Gb/s and 1-Tb/s optical fiber communications systems. For DP-QAM transmitter, the time mismatch between the in-phase and quadrature (IQ) or x-polarized and y-polarized (XY) tributary channels is known as the IQ or XY skew. Large uncompensated IQ or XY skew can significantly degrade the optical fiber communications system performance. Sometimes, time-interleaved return-to-zero (RZ) DP signal is preferred with lower nonlinear polarization scattering induced penalty. In this work, detection and alignment of DP-QAM transmitter IQ and XY skews using reconfigurable interference is experimentally demonstrated. For IQ skew detection, a total dynamic range of 26.4 dB is achieved with ~1-dB power change for 0.5-ps skew from well alignment. For XY skew detection, it shows 23.2-dB dynamic range, and ~1.5-dB power change is achieved for 1-ps XY skew. Fast detection algorithm for arbitrary skew is also proposed and experimentally verified. The scheme is compatible with different modulation formats, flexible data sequences, and variable waveforms.
Incorporating exposure models in probabilistic assessment of the risks of premature mortality from particulate matter

This paper examines the link between the ambient level of particulate pollution and subsequent human health effects and various sources of uncertainty when total exposure is taken into consideration. The exposure simulation model statistically simulates daily personal total exposure to ambient PM and nonambient PM generated from indoor sources. It incorporates outdoor–indoor penetration of PM, contributions of PM from indoor sources, and time–activity patterns for target groups of the population. The model is illustrated for Los Angeles County using recent 1997 monitoring data for both PM10 and PM2.5. The results indicate that, on average, outdoor-source PM contributes about 20–25% of the total PM exposure to Los Angeles County individuals not exposed to environmental tobacco smoking (ETS), and about 15% for those who are exposed to ETS. The model computes both the fractional contribution of outdoor concentrations to total exposure and the effect of exposure uncertainties on the estimated slope of the (linear) concentration–response curve in time-series studies for PM health effects. The latter considers the effects of measurement and misclassification error on PM epidemiological time-series studies. The paper compares the predictions of a conventional PM epidemiological model, based solely on ambient concentration measurements at a central monitoring station, and an exposure simulation model, which considers the quantitative relationship between central-monitoring PM concentrations and total individual exposures to particulate matter. The results show that the effects of adjusting from outdoor concentrations to personal exposures and correcting dose–response bias are nearly equal, so that roughly the same premature mortalities associated with short-term exposure to both ambient PM2.5 and PM10 in Los Angeles County are predicted with both models. The uncertainty in the slope of the concentration–response curve in the time-series studies is the single most important source of uncertainty in both the ambient- and the exposure-health model.
Immunohistochemistry for annexin A10 can distinguish sporadic from lynch syndrome-associated microsatellite-unstable colorectal carcinoma

Differentiating sporadic microsatellite-unstable colorectal carcinoma due to MLH1 promoter hypermethylation from Lynch syndrome (LS)-associated tumors due to mutations in mismatch-repair proteins is time consuming, cost intensive, and requires advanced laboratory testing. A mutation in BRAF has been shown to be highly specific for sporadic tumors; however, a significant proportion of sporadic microsatellite-unstable tumors lack BRAF mutations. MLH1 promoter methylation analysis is subsequently used to differentiate LS and sporadic tumors, but both tests require specialized laboratories and are costly. Through previous gene expression profiling of serrated polyps, we identified annexin A10 as a protein highly expressed in sessile serrated adenomas/polyps. As these polyps give rise to the majority of sporadic microsatellite-unstable tumors, we evaluated the ability of annexin A10 expression to discriminate between LS and sporadic tumors. A marked increase in annexin A10 mRNA was observed in sporadic microsatellite-unstable tumors compared with LS tumors (378-fold increase, P<0.001). Using immunohistochemistry, annexin A10 was expressed in 23/53 (43%) BRAF-mutated and 9/22 (41%) BRAF wild-type sporadic tumors. In contrast, only 3/56 (5%) LS tumors were positive for annexin A10 (P<0.0001). One patient had a deleterious MSH2 mutation, and another had a variant of uncertain significance in MSH6. These 2 tumors could be easily distinguished from sporadic tumors using mismatch-repair protein immunohistochemistry. Only 1/28 (4%) LS tumors with loss of MLH1 was positive for annexin A10. This patient did not have a deleterious MLH1 mutation but rather germline promoter hypermethylation of MLH1. On the basis of these results, immunohistochemistry for annexin A10 may be a useful marker to distinguish sporadic from LS-associated microsatellite-unstable colon cancer.
Lethal neonatal deficiency of carbamyl phosphate synthetase.

Abstract A male infant, who appeared normal at birth, manifested hypothermia, irritability, and hypertonia 24 hours after beginning protein feedings. Increasing rigidity and coma ensued, and the ch...
Lectures in Astrobiology, Vol. I

This review concerns the question “What is out there?,” about which humankind has speculated since we learned to ask. Is there life elsewhere in the universe? Can we can recognize it? And how did it (and life on earth) arise? These questions are fundamentally microbial. They promise to remain unanswered for the next few years at least. These two books together form a timely introduction to the topic.
Characterization of 1,4, dihydropyridine calcium channel binding sites in the human prostate.

Abstract The binding and functional properties of calcium channel receptors have not been previously characterized in the normal or hyperplastic prostate. Dihydropyridine (DHP) binding sites have been characterized in other tissues using the ligands 3 H-nitrendipene and (+) 3 H-PN200-110. Saturation experiments were performed on homogenates obtained from five human prostate adenomas using these ligands. The binding of 3 H-nitrendipine and (+) 3 H-PN200-110 in the prostate was saturable and of high affinity. The mean K d of 3 H-nitrendipine and (+) 3 H-PN200-110 was 0.92 ± 0.11 nM and 0.14 ± 0.02 nM, respectively. The mean B max of 3 H-nitrendipine and (+) 3 H-PN200-110 was 0.57 ± 0.06 and 0.19 ± 0.02 fmol/mg. wet wt., respectively. The percent specific binding of 3 H-nitrendipene and (+) 3 H-PN200-110 was 18 ± 1% and 38 ± 4%, respectively. The pharmacology of (+) 3 H-PN200-110 binding sites was further characterized using competition displacement experiments. The IC 50 corrected values for Bay K 8644, nifedipine, verapamil, and diltiazem in the human prostate and other tissues are of the same order of magnitude. The prostate contains an abundance of high affinity DHP binding sites. The physiologic significance of the DHP binding sites in the prostate requires further investigation.
Water dispersible siloxane nanogels: a novel technique to control surface characteristics and drug release kinetics

Amphiphilic, water-dispersible, crosslinked siloxane nanogels were synthesized via a free radical solution polymerization and then applied as optically clear, functional coatings on the surface of lens substrates to demonstrate the feasibility of siloxane-nanogels to generate covalently tethered surfaces on intraocular lens substrates. Siloxane nanogels were synthesized from 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate and polyethylene glycol diacrylate and subsequently chain-end functionalized with mercaptosuccinic acid to yield a clear, water-dispersible nanogel. The nanogels were then spin-coated onto lens substrates as a coating and covalently tethered via a two-part interfacial redox polymerization using N′N′-tetramethylethylenediamine and ammonium persulfate. Covalently crosslinked, stable nanogel coatings on the lens substrate were shown to increase the hydrophilicity of the material surfaces while maintaining optical clarity, with >85% of white light transmittance. No significant changes were observed in the cytocompatibility, refractive index and mechanical properties of the substrate before and after the coatings were generated. The coatings were also modified to facilitate the sustained release of an anti-inflammatory drug dexamethasone in which >90% of the incorporated drug within the nanogel was released within 5 days, thereby demonstrating the feasibility of this approach to also enable the multi-day sustained delivery of an active pharmaceutical agent (API) at therapeutically relevant doses.
The Role of Experience in Empirical Justification: Response to Nikolai Ruppert, Riske Schlüter, and Ansgar Seide

As I wrote in the Foreword to the second edition of Evidence and Inquiry, I was delighted by how warmly this book was received in many circles—both inside philosophy and, outside, among scientists, legal scholars, historians, etc. I was especially glad that so many of these readers had found my ideas helpful in their fields. But somehow I wasn’t greatly surprised that—despite Hilary Putnam’s comment on the back cover that Popper, Quine, Rorty, Goldman, the Churchlands, etc. “will have to reply”—none of the cynics I had criticized so comprehensively, and none of the epistemologists whose theories I had examined in careful detail, offered any relevant response. Nor was I greatly surprised that some mainstream epistemologists thought I was just willfully blind to the epistemological power of Bayes’s Theorem, or the importance of “refuting the skeptic,” or the relevance of “context,” or of gender, …, or, etc. But I was surprised, and more than a little disturbed, by how many seemed primarily concerned to show that my foundherentist theory was really just a variant of one or another more familiar approach.
Chronic Epstein Barr virus infection leading to classical Hodgkin lymphoma

Chronic Epstein Barr virus (EBV) infection in an immunocompetent host has been described however it is not a common entity. It has been linked to many lymphoproliferative disorders and achieves such via many molecular mechanisms, some of which are poorly understood. In addition to infectious mononucleosis, the EBV is linked to various other hematological pathologies and autoimmune disorders. We describe the case of an elderly immunocompetent female who presented with non-specific symptomatology, lymphadenopathy, cytopenias, elevated autoantibody titers and a crescent EBV viral load that were suggestive of a multisystemic inflammatory disease related to EBV. Extensive work up including multiple bone marrow biopsy and lymphoid tissue procedures ultimately led to the diagnosis of Hodgkin lymphoma. EBV-related lymphomagenesis is complex and through the utilization of its nuclear antigens and latent membrane proteins the virus is able to shape the microenvironment to promote the various pathologies seen. Moreover, the diagnosis of EBV-associated lymphoproliferative disorders might be challenging when they present in immunocompetent individuals. Our case also represents an emphatic reminder for clinicians that spontaneous regression of lymphadenopathy is not exclusive of low-grade lymphoid malignancies.
Conventions, National Negro

Between 1830 and 1893, mostly non-southern freemen and post–Civil War freedmen held state and national conventions on their concerns. Chaired by educated leaders, the conclaves reflected black strategies for freedom and justice. Antebellum delegates convened amid slavery, racism, and violence. They embraced the antislavery movement; they espoused liberty, literacy, racial pride, and economic self-help. African emigration and colonization polarized them. Emigration, said opponents, the majority, would mean forsaking slaves; to proponents, it promised independence. Both sides endorsed tactics of moral suasion and political action. The postwar Freedmen's Conventions, National Equal Rights League, Citizens’ Equal Rights Association, and Afro-American League (1890) continued the struggle. Delegates called for Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendment rights; antilynching; education; suffrage; and equality of opportunity. “We are full-grown, native-born citizens ... All we desire is equal right, equal punishment, equal protection, equal chance, no more,” they declared, foreshadowing twentieth century African American protest.
Amorphous TiO2 Compact Layers via ALD for Planar Halide Perovskite Photovoltaics

A low-temperature (<120 °C) route to pinhole-free amorphous TiO2 compact layers may pave the way to more efficient, flexible, and stable inverted perovskite halide device designs. Toward this end, we utilize low-temperature thermal atomic layer deposition (ALD) to synthesize ultrathin (12 nm) compact TiO2 underlayers for planar halide perovskite PV. Although device performance with as-deposited TiO2 films is poor, we identify room-temperature UV–O3 treatment as a route to device efficiency comparable to crystalline TiO2 thin films synthesized by higher temperature methods. We further explore the chemical, physical, and interfacial properties that might explain the improved performance through X-ray diffraction, spectroscopic ellipsometry, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. These findings challenge our intuition about effective electron selective layers as well as point the way to a greater selection of flexible substrates and more stable inverted device designs.
Laparoscopic Management of Testicular Disorders: Cryptorchidism and Varicocele

Cryptorchidism or undescended testes (UDTs) is the failure of one or both testes to descend from the pararenal embryological origin to the base of the scrotum. If uncorrected, boys with UDT are at a higher risk of infertility and malignancy (Desireddi et al., J Urol 180:1805–8, 2008; Samadi et al., J Endourol 17:365–8, 2003; Heyns CF. J Anat 153:93–112, 1987; Wenzler et al., J Urol 171:849–51, 2004). It is therefore important to identify these patients early and ensure follow-up so that orchiopexy can be performed in a timely manner if spontaneous descent does not occur. Diagnostic laparoscopy is the gold standard for the diagnosis of a non-palpable testis, and the laparoscopic approach for cryptorchidism has replaced the combined inguinal/retroperitoneal open approach.
Nodal Sets of Eigenfunctions: Riemannian Manifolds With Boundary

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the nodal sets of eigenfunctions. The basic tools for proving unique continuation theorems are Carleman inequalities. In his original paper, Aronszajn established such inequalities for second-order elliptic operators with C2,1 coefficients. Twice differentiable coefficients were needed for the use of geodesic polar coordinates. A substantial improvement was made in later joint work by Aronszajn, Krzywicki, and Szarski. They established strong unique continuation for second-order elliptic operators with C0,1 coefficients. In the Lipschitz case, one makes a preliminary conformal change in the metric associated to the second-order operator. This conformally changed metric has a coordinate representation with the necessary good properties of geodesic polar coordinates.
Salvage Tandem Autologous Stem Cell Transplant with Consolidation for Relapsed Multiple Myeloma

Abstract Background: Therapeutic options for patients with Multiple myeloma (MM) whose disease has relapsed after a prior autologous stem cell transplant (SCT) include an expanding armamentarium of novel agents, often combined with traditional chemotherapy, or a second SCT, with no clear standard of care. Upfront tandem transplantation has been shown to improve both progression free survival and overall survival. But currently, there is little data regarding the application of tandem SCT in relapsed multiple myeloma patients. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the outcomes of patients who underwent salvage melphalan-based tandem SCT for relapsed MM at University of Iowa Hospitals and clinics. Progression free survival (PFS) was defined as the time from date of the first salvage SCT to disease progression or death, whereas overall survival (OS) was defined from the date of the first salvage SCT to the date of death from any cause. Results: Between 2012 and 2015, 12 patients with MM received tandem autograft (total 24 transplants) for relapsed disease at our center. Conditioning was with VDT-melphalan 200mg/m2 (21/24), VDT-MEL 140mg/m2 (2/24) and Velcade, gemcitabine, BCNU, melphalan and dexamethasone (1/24). The median age at the salvage SCT was 48 years (range 37-58); 7 patients were female. 17% had high risk cytogenetics (including t(4;14), +1q, p53 loss) at the time of salvage SCT. Median time between previous transplant and progression of disease was 34 months (range 8-108). Of the 7 patients, who received re-induction therapy, 71% had chemotherapy refractory disease prior to salvage SCT. Response was assessed at 2-3 months post-SCT. Overall response rate was 92%. 7/12 (58%) patients achieved stringent complete remission, one patient achieved CR, one patient achieved near CR, 2/12 patients achieved VGPR and 1/12 had stable disease (SD). Following salvage tandem SCT, all patients received consolidation therapy with three drug combination, intended to be given for two years. Three patients have shown progressive disease at the time of analysis. The median PFS was 390 days (range 265- 1085) (Table-1); the median OS was 517 days (range 338-1085) (Table-2). Rate of progression free survival in the 10 evaluable patients at one year was 80%. There was no transplant related mortality. One patient died of progressive disease. Conclusions: Salvage tandem SCT is an effective strategy for relapsed MM and is especially effective in patients who had received less intensive therapy initially (single transplant and no maintenance therapy). Incorporation of novel agents (monoclonal antibodies and high doses of carfilzomib) into maintenance strategies may further improve outcomes. Download : Download high-res image (59KB) Download : Download full-size image Figure 1 . Progression free survival for all the patients Download : Download high-res image (47KB) Download : Download full-size image Figure 2 . Overall survival for all the patients Disclosures Farooq: Kite Pharma: Research Funding.
Social Work Leadership: An Analysis of Historical and Contemporary Challenges

ABSTRACTWith an increased interest in the outcomes and benefits of social work leadership, a general consensus has emerged that the profession lacks leadership on multiple practice levels. A review of historical social work leadership literature reveals broad themes that have contributed to the profession’s current leadership challenges: (1) uncertain professional identity; (2) insufficient education and training, and (3) sexism, discrimination, and power. Current leadership challenges in social work research and practice are discussed in light of these historical themes. Resolution of these challenges requires integration and acceptance of our identity through pursuing leadership research and practices for social justice.
CARDIOVASCULAR COMPLICATIONS AND IN-HOSPITAL OUTCOMES OF CHAGAS’ DISEASE IN THE UNITED STATES FROM 2003-2011

Background: Chagas’ disease (CD), caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, has been increasingly diagnosed as a cause of cardiovascular disease in the US. We aimed to examine trends of hospital admissions and cardiovascular outcomes of CD. Methods: Search of 2003-2011 Nationwide Inpatient Sample database
Self-Killing and the Matter of Affect in Bacon and Spinoza

If the stoic tradition valorized self-killing as the ultimate example of the rational control of the passions, Christian thought regarded self-killing as a sin and a crime. Yet there is a third level at which medieval and early modern persons understood such actions as neither a moral quandary nor a philosophical exemplum but a medical problem for the emerging Renaissance sciences of life, vitality, and matter. What role might “affect” have in the understanding of self-killing as both an object of thought and a completed action when the explanatory force of humoral theory began to wane? This chapter examines two exemplary early modern texts that reveal the categorical problems and conceptual challenges posed by self-killing to emergent materialist accounts of the passions.
Improving data collection, documentation, and workflow in a dementia screening study

Background: A clinical study team performing three multicultural dementia screening studies identified the need to improve data management practices and facilitate data sharing. A collaboration was initiated with librarians as part of the National Library of Medicine (NLM) informationist supplement program. The librarians identified areas for improvement in the studies’ data collection, entry, and processing workflows. Case Presentation: The librarians’ role in this project was to meet needs expressed by the study team around improving data collection and processing workflows to increase study efficiency and ensure data quality. The librarians addressed the data collection, entry, and processing weaknesses through standardizing and renaming variables, creating an electronic data capture system using REDCap, and developing well-documented, reproducible data processing workflows. Conclusions: NLM informationist supplements provide librarians with valuable experience in collaborating with study teams to address their data needs. For this project, the librarians gained skills in project management, REDCap, and understanding of the challenges and specifics of a clinical research study. However, the time and effort required to provide targeted and intensive support for one study team was not scalable to the library’s broader user community.
Heterogeneous Aerial Platform Adaptive Mission Planning Using Genetic Algorithms

The focus of this study was to examine an automated mission planner that utilized a heterogeneous set of small aerial assets simultaneously surveying several Points of Interest (POI). The concept m...
Optimization of recombinant β‐glucuronidase hydrolysis and quantification of eight urinary cannabinoids and metabolites by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

Prolonged urinary cannabinoid excretion in chronic frequent cannabis users confounds identification of recent cannabis intake that may be important in treatment, workplace, clinical and forensic testing programs. In addition, differentiation of synthetic Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) intake from cannabis plant products might be an important interpretive issue. THC, 11-hydroxy-THC (11-OH-THC) and 11-nor-9-carboxy-THC (THCCOOH) urine concentrations were evaluated during previous controlled cannabis administration studies following tandem alkaline/E. coli β-glucuronidase hydrolysis. We optimized recombinant β-glucuronidase enzymatic urinary hydrolysis before simultaneous liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) quantification of THC, 11-OH-THC, THCCOOH, cannabidiol (CBD), cannabinol (CBN), cannabigerol (CBG), tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) and 11-nor-9-carboxy-THCV (THCVCOOH) in urine. Enzyme amount, incubation time and temperature, buffer molarity and pH were optimized using pooled urine samples collected during a National Institute on Drug Abuse, Institutional Review Board-approved clinical study. Optimized cannabinoid hydrolysis with recombinant β-glucuronidase was achieved with 2000 IU enzyme, 2M pH 6.8 sodium phosphate buffer, and 0.2 mL urine at 37°C for 16 h. The LC-MS/MS quantification method for hydrolyzed urinary cannabinoids was validated per the Scientific Working Group on Toxicology guidelines. Linear ranges were 1-250 μg/L for THC and CBG, 2-250 μg/L for 11-OH-THC, CBD, CBN, THCV and THCVCOOH, and 1-500 μg/L for THCCOOH. Inter-batch analytical bias was 92.4-112.4%, imprecision 4.4-9.3% CV (n=25), extraction efficiency 44.3-97.1% and matrix effect -29.6 to 1.8% (n=10). The method was utilized to analyze urine specimens collected during our controlled smoked, vaporized and edible cannabis administration study to improve interpretation of urine cannabinoid test results.
Racial Disparities and Factors Affecting Michigan Colorectal Cancer Screening

The objective of this study was to investigate the various factors that influence colorectal cancer screening in Michigan using 6091 participants in the Michigan Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System representing adults ≥ 50 years old. Screening for colorectal cancer was assessed as fecal occult blood testing or colonoscopy/sigmoidoscopy. Full models simultaneously adjusted for alcohol use, angina/coronary heart disease, stroke, heart attack, gender, income, marital status, race, age, diabetes, disability, exercise, health care coverage, health care access, smoking, and mental health. Data analysis included cross-tabulation and logistic regression modeling. Minorities were 1.3 (unadjusted odds ratio; 95% confidence interval = 1.03–1.57) times more likely to never have a colonoscopy/sigmoidoscopy than non-Hispanic whites. Race/ethnicity was not significant in the full model, but adults with the following characteristics were significantly (p < 0.05) more likely to never have a colonoscopy/sigmoidoscopy: no personal doctor/health care provider, no health care coverage, light alcohol consumption ≤ 25% of days, no alcohol consumption, low income < $15,000, 50–64 years old, no diabetes, no activity limitation, no exercise, smoked daily, and smoked some days. The racial disparity in colorectal cancer screening in Michigan was explained by other characteristics. The healthcare community can work to eliminate racial disparities in colorectal cancer screening by increasing screening efforts for individuals with these characteristics.
Retinal Cell Type DNA Methylation and Histone Modifications Predict Reprogramming Efficiency and Retinogenesis in 3D Organoid Cultures

Diverse cell types can be reprogrammed into pluripotent stem cells by ectopic expression of Oct4 (Pou5f1), Klf4, Sox3, and Myc. Many of these induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) retain memory, in terms of DNA methylation and histone modifications (epigenetic memory), of their cellular origins, and this may bias subsequent differentiation. Neurons are difficult to reprogram, and there has not been a systematic side-by-side characterization of reprogramming efficiency or epigenetic memory across different neuronal subtypes. Here, we compare reprogramming efficiency of five different retinal cell types at two different stages of development. Retinal differentiation from each iPSC line was measured using a quantitative standardized scoring system called STEM-RET and compared to the epigenetic memory. Neurons with the lowest reprogramming efficiency produced iPSC lines with the best retinal differentiation and were more likely to retain epigenetic memory of their cellular origins. In addition, we identified biomarkers of iPSCs that are predictive of retinal differentiation.
Pediatric Supratentorial Ependymoma: Surgical, Clinical, and Molecular Analysis.

BACKGROUND Pediatric supratentorial ependymomas (SEs) have distinct molecular and behavioral differences from their infratentorial counterparts. OBJECTIVE To present our experience with pediatric SEs over a 24-yr period. METHODS Clinical, operative, and radiographic information was abstracted retrospectively. Our primary outcomes were progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Detection of C11orf95-RELA rearrangement was performed using interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (iFISH). RESULTS Seventy-three patients were identified (41 female, 32 male); median age was 6.7 yrs (range, 1 mo-18.8 yr); median follow-up was 8.3 yrs (range, 2.0-26.3). Fifty-eight (79.5%) of 73 patients underwent gross total resection (GTR); no patient with subtotal resection had greater than 1 cm3 of residual tumor; 42 patients (57.5%) experienced subsequent disease progression with 17 patients ultimately dying of their disease. Median PFS was 3.7 yrs. Molecular analysis was available for 51 patients (70%). On bivariate analysis, PFS and OS were not statistically affected by age, tumor grade, or extent of resection, although there was a clinically significant trend for the latter in favor of aggressive resection on PFS (P = .061). Children with RELA fusion had significantly higher PFS (P = .013) than those without, although there was no difference in OS when compared with those with no C11orf95-RELA fusion or C11orf95 gene rearrangement alone. CONCLUSION In our series, GTR may be associated with better PFS, but did not impact OS. Surprisingly, RELA fusion was not found to be a negative prognostic factor, raising the possibility that the deleterious effects may be overcome by aggressive resection.
Research on the Parent–Adolescent Dyad

Historically, empirical attempts to understand families with adolescents have paid great attention to the activities of parents, especially in terms of what they are doing to socialize their offspring to become productive members of society. As a natural extension, then, the parent–adolescent dyad becomes the smallest unit of analysis that can be used in the study of families with adolescents. The seminal work of Diana Baumrind on parenting styles (authoritative, authoritarian, permissive/indulgent, and indifferent/neglectful) continues to maintain a strong influence on the most recent research that focuses attention on parent–adolescent dyadic relationships. The present chapter reviews studies that have been conducted over the last 15 years, with particular attention paid to the linkage that has been established between healthy adolescent development and an authoritative style of parenting. In addition, newer studies that have extended this work in a number of important directions are also highlighted. This includes work that examines parenting style differences between mothers and fathers, and the degree to which parenting style consistency matters. The empirical literature concerning other related parenting behaviors such as monitoring and knowledge, responsiveness, warmth, and psychological control also is reviewed, and variations that may exist as a function of race, ethnicity, and culture are discussed as well.
PULMONARY EMBOLISM RESPONSE TEAMS: DO THEY RESULT IN BETTER OUTCOMES IN SEVERE PULMONARY EMBOLISM (A SINGLE CENTER RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS)?

Severe (massive and sub-massive) pulmonary embolism (PE) is associated with significant rates of morbidity and mortality. We sought to assess severe PE before and after the inception of a multidisciplinary PE Response Team (PERT). Acute PE patients in the pre-PERT and early-PERT years (2013-2016)
Changes in healthcare delivery following spinal fracture in Medicare Accountable Care Organizations.

Abstract BACKGROUND CONTEXT Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) were designed to reduce healthcare costs while simultaneously improving quality. Given that the success of ACOs is predicated on controlling costs, concerns have been expressed that patients could be adversely affected through restricted access to surgery, including in the context of spine fracture care. PURPOSE Evaluate the impact of Medicare ACO formation on the utilization of surgery and outcomes following spinal fractures. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective review of Medicare claims (2009–2014). PATIENT SAMPLE Patients treated for spinal fractures in an ACO or non-ACO. OUTCOME MEASURES The utilization of surgery as treatment for spinal fractures, in-hospital mortality, 90-day complications, or hospital readmission within 90-days injury. METHODS We used a pre–post study design to compare outcomes for patients treated in ACOs versus non-ACOs. Receipt of surgery for treatment of a spinal fracture was the primary outcome, with mortality, complications and readmissions treated secondarily. We used multivariable logistic regression adjusting for confounders to determine the association between environment of care (ACO vs. non-ACO) and the outcomes of interest. In all testing, beneficiaries treated in non-ACOs during 2009 to 2011 were used as the referent. RESULTS During 2009 to 2011, 9% (n=10,866) of patients treated in non-ACOs received surgery, whereas a similar percentage (9%; n=210) underwent surgery in ACOs. This figure decreased to 8% (n=9,857) for individuals treated in non-ACOs over 2012 to 2014, although the surgical rate remained unchanged for those receiving care in an ACO (9%; n=227). There was no difference in the use of surgery among patients treated in ACOs (OR 0.96; 95% CI 0.79, 1.18) over 2012 to 2014. Similar increases in the odds of mortality were observed for both ACOs and non-ACOs during this period. A marginal, yet significant increase in complications was observed among ACOs, although there was no change in the odds of readmission. CONCLUSIONS Our study found that the formation of ACOs did not result in alterations in the use of surgery for spinal fractures or substantive changes in outcomes. As ACOs continue to evolve, more emphasis should be placed on the incorporation of measures directly related to surgical and trauma care in the determinants of risk-based reimbursements.
Understandings of Scientific Inquiry: An International Collaborative Investigation of Grade Seven Students

Although understandings of scientific inquiry (as opposed to conducting inquiry) are included in science education reform documents around the world, little is known about what students have learned about inquiry during their elementary school years. This is partially due to the lack of any assessment instrument to measure understandings about scientific inquiry. However, a valid and reliable assessment has recently been developed and published, Views About Scientific Inquiry (VASI) (Lederman et al., J Res Sci Teach 51(1): 65–83, 2014). The purpose of this large-scale international project was to collect the first baseline data on what beginning middle school students have learned about scientific inquiry during their elementary school years. Eighteen countries/regions spanning 6 continents including 2634 students participated in the study. In many countries, science is not formally taught until middle school, which is the rationale for choosing seventh grade students for this investigation. This baseline data will simultaneously provide information on what, if anything, students learn about inquiry in elementary school, as well as their beginning knowledge as they enter secondary school. It is important to note that collecting data from all of the approximately 200 countries globally and from every region of each country was not humanly possible. A concerted effort was made, however, to provide a relatively representative picture of each country and the world. The results overwhelmingly show that students around the world at the beginning of grade seven have very little understandings about scientific inquiry. Some countries do show reasonable understandings in certain aspects, but the overall picture of understandings of scientific inquiry is not what is hoped for after completing 6 years of elementary education in any country.
Bio-modification of coal fly ash using urease-producing bacteria

Abstract Due to its potential for metal leaching and the corresponding environmental impacts, the beneficial reuse of coal fly ash in construction has been carefully evaluated. Biological processing may provide a promising technology to modify coal ash to limit metal leaching. The goal of this study was to use urease-producing bacteria to modify coal fly ash and to evaluate the effect on metal leaching. Metal leaching was investigated through synthetic precipitate leaching processes by three types of coal fly ash before and after bio-modification. For metals like Al, Ba, and Cr, the leaching concentrations decreased after bio-modification, whereas the leaching concentrations increased for metals such as Ca, Mg, Mn and V. The increase of pH and the production of carbonate by the consumption of urea and the adsorption to precipitation compounds during the bio-modification process contributed the stabilization of Al, Ba and Cr. However, the bio-leaching induced by the organic products from bacteria and potentially the competition for carbonates promoted the leaching of Ca, Mg, Mn and V which would benefit the recycle of metals. Bioprocessed coal fly ash and sand mixtures were utilized to prepare construction materials. The unconfined compressive and flexural strength supports beneficial uses of coal fly ash with bio-modification.
Hydrogels in Emerging Technologies for Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes therapies that afford tighter glycemic control in a more manageable and painless manner for patients has remained a central focus of next-generation diabetes therapies. In many of these emerging technologies, namely, self-regulated insulin delivery and cell replacement therapies, hydrogels are employed to mitigate some of the most long-standing challenges. In this Review, we summarize recent developments in the use of hydrogels for both insulin delivery and insulin-producing cell therapies for type 1 diabetes management. We first outline perspectives in glucose sensitive hydrogels for smart insulin delivery, pH sensitive polymeric hydrogels for oral insulin delivery, and other physiochemical signals used to trigger insulin release from hydrogels. We, then, investigate the use of hydrogels in the encapsulation of insulin secreting cells with a special emphasis on hydrogels designed to mitigate the foreign body response, provide a suitable extracellular microenvironment, and improve mass transfer through oxygen supplementation and vascularization. Evaluations of limitations and promising directions for future research are also considered. Continuing interdisciplinary and collaborative research efforts will be required to produce hydrogels with instructive biochemical microenvironments necessary to address the enduring challenges of emerging type 1 diabetes therapies.
Abstract IA-18: Big pediatric cancer genomic data: Discovery, precision medicine, and data sharing

High throughput next generation sequencing (NGS) has enabled tremendous advances in our understanding of the genomic landscape of pediatric cancer, leading to discoveries of new mechanisms of tumor initiation and progression, novel targets, and diagnostic and prognostic markers. By focusing on the development of innovative computational analysis tools, we have investigated the genomic variants in pediatric cancer in the following areas: 1) genomic landscapes of >20 subtypes of pediatric cancer; 2) a pan-cancer study of genomes and transcriptomes of pediatric cancer which unveiled that >50% of the driver genes are absent in adult cancer; 3) clonal evolution of relapsed pediatric leukemia driven by therapy-induced variants bearing novel mutational signature; and 4) pathogenic germline mutations in cancer predisposition genes. These insights led to implementation of clinical cancer genomic profiling by three-platform of whole genome, whole exome and transcriptome sequencing for all eligible pediatric cancer patients at St Jude. Use of these data sets improved molecular diagnosis of pediatric cancer. Since 2015, we have analyzed >1,200 pediatric oncology patients providing critical data that may affect patient care. The omics data generated from our research and clinical programs can be accessed on St. Jude Cloud (https://www.stjude.cloud), a cloud-based data sharing ecosystem for accessing, analyzing and visualizing genomic data generated from >10,000 pediatric cancer patients, long-term survivors of pediatric cancer and >800 pediatric sickle cell patients. Access to three interconnected Apps on St. Jude Cloud, i.e. Genomics Platform, Pediatric Cancer (PeCan) Knowledgebase and Visualization Community, provides a unique experience for simultaneously performing advanced data analysis and enhancing the knowledgebase for pediatric cancer. Citation Format: Jinghui Zhang. Big pediatric cancer genomic data: Discovery, precision medicine, and data sharing [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Special Conference on Artificial Intelligence, Diagnosis, and Imaging; 2021 Jan 13-14. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2021;27(5_Suppl):Abstract nr IA-18.
Survey on High Risk Behavior related with STD and HIV Infection among Sexual Workers in Wuxi City

Objective This work was to investigate the infection of HIV/AIDS, syphilis, hepatitis among sex workers in Wuxi and their knowledge about condom use and the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS. Methods(1) The quota sampling, convenience sampling and snowball sampling methods were applied to select 1625 female sex workers from different recreation locations in Jiangyin, Yixing and Chongan districts, and 113 male sex workers in Chongan district for lab serum detection and related questionnaire survey.(2) Between female sex workers and male sex workers, their knowledge and awareness on condom use and HIV/AIDS, syphilis, hepatitis diseases were compared and analyzed. Results(1) Among the 1625 female sex workers, the HIV infection rate was 0, syphilis infection rate was 2.95%, hepatitis C infection rate was 0.18%, the awareness of HIV/AIDS prevention and control was 80.43%, and the recent rate of commercial condom use was 74.58%;(2) Among the 113 male sex workers, the HIV infection rate was 0.88%, syphilis infection rate was 7.08%, hepatitis C infection rate was 0%, the awareness of HIV/AIDS prevention and control was 78.76%, the recent rate of commercial condom use was 71.68%.(3) Between female and male sex workers, significant difference was observed in drug use(P0.003), the recently received education on condom use/ AIDS counseling and the free use of condom and AIDS testing(P0.000), being infected by HIV(P0.019) or by Syphilis infection(P0.035). Conclusion The incidence of HIV, syphilis and HCV infections among sex workers in Wuxi was low. During the intervention in this study, male sex workers for whom this was the first survey that they ever received, had higher HIV and syphilis infection rates than female sex workers, but received less intervention to their high-risk behaviors.
Entropy-Invariants of Dynamical Systems and Perturbations of Operators

In [12] we proved a sharp extension to the case of commuting n-tuples, of the well-known invariance of absolutely continuous spectra in trace-class scattering theory. Our proof relied on invariants k ℐ (τ)(ℐ a normed ideal, τ an n-tuple of operators), playing the role of a ”size ℐ”-dimensional measure of τ.