cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Simulation method for solving hybrid influence diagrams in decision making

Influence diagrams (IDs) are powerful tools for representing and solving complex decision making problems. This paper presents a simulation-based approach for solving decision making problems formulated by hybrid IDs, which involve both discrete and continuous decision and chance variables. In the proposed method, Monte-Carlo simulation is applied in both approximating the expected conditional utility and solving the optimal decision strategies. The forward Monte-Carlo method is presented for expectation calculation, and it does not require Bayesian inference as in the standard "roll-back" method. The cross-entropy method in optimization is introduced to solve the optimal strategies. The decision variables are treated as random variables, and the decision strategies are solved by recursively updating the probability density of the decision variables. Finally, we present the simulation results of a bidding problem as an illustration.
Resibufogenin Prevents the Manifestations of Preeclampsia in an Animal Model of the Syndrome

Background and Objectives. We have developed a rat model of preeclampsia which is based upon excessive volume expansion and includes hypertension, proteinuria and intrauterine growth restriction. In this model, the urinary excretion of the circulating steroid inhibitor of Na +/ K+ ATPase, marinobufagenin, is increased prior to the development of hypertension and proteinuria. An analogue of marinobufagenin, resibufogenin, successfully treats the hypertension and proteinuria. Methods. We administered resibufogenin early in pregnancy in this model, prior to the development of the syndrome. Results. We found that resibufogenin not only prevented the advent of hypertension and proteinuria, but also the development of intrauterine growth restriction. Discussion. These results may have relevance to the human condition.
Receding Horizon Trajectory Planning with an Environment-Based Cost-to-go Function

This paper presents a general framework for trajectory planning in three dimensions for vehicles with broad maneuvering capabilities operating in continuously evolving environments. The approach combines an online receding horizon trajectory optimization and a cost-to-go function computed offline that approximates the performance of the vehicle in the global environment and provides the terminal cost for the receding horizon optimization. This breakdown permits a computationally tractable implementation. To enable an efficient computation of the cost-to-go function, a finite dimensional decomposition of the global environment is used. The paper describes how this decomposition is set up to compute the cost-to-go function, as well as its integration with the online receding horizon trajectory optimization. An example is used to demonstrate the system's basic capabilities. This approach combines key results from robotics motion planning and vehicle trajectory optimization.
Protocols for efficient spatial reuse of traffic channels in DS spread-spectrum packet radio networks with directional antennas

Three simple, robust distributed channel-access protocols are presented that result in efficient spatial reuse of traffic channels in a direct-sequence spread-spectrum packet radio network consisting of an arbitrary mix of nodes with directional antennas and nodes with omnidirectional antennas. Each protocol uses an RTS/CTS channel-access control-packet exchange to negotiate the transmission of a data packet from a source node to its link-level destination on a traffic channel. In addition, each protocol includes a mechanism by which a negotiating node pair dynamically determines which in-use traffic channels in the local area should be treated as reserved and which should be treated as available for concurrent use. The performance of each of the three new protocols is compared with two existing implementations of the RTS/CTS channel-access protocol, both of which take a static approach to reuse of traffic channels. The performance of two of the new protocols is examined in detail. It is shown that both yield significantly better performance than either of the two static approaches and that the superior performance is achieved over a wide range of network conditions that include different network densities and different spread-spectrum processing gains.
Solution approaches for the cutting stock problem with setup cost

In this paper, we study the Cutting Stock Problem with Setup Cost (CSP-S) which is a more general case of the well-known Cutting Stock Problem (CSP). In the classical CSP, one wants to minimize the number of stock items used while satisfying the demand for smaller-sized items. However, the number of patterns/setups to be performed on the cutting machine is ignored. In most cases, one has to find the trade-off between the material usage and the number of setups in order to come up with better production plans. In CSP-S, we have different cost factors for the material and the number of setups, and the objective is to minimize total production cost including both material and setup costs. We develop a mixed integer linear program and analyze a special case of the problem. Motivated by this special case, we propose two local search algorithms and a column generation based heuristic algorithm. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithms on the instances from the literature.
Contemporary issues and challenges for comparativists An appraisal

Sir Edward B. Tyler saw ethnology and ethnography as the twin pillars of cultural anthropology. Yet, ethnology has had a marginal role in anthropology compared to ethnography. The inductive compara...
Psychometric Characteristics of the Professor–Student Rapport Scale:

In this study, the authors assessed the psychometric properties of the Professor–Student Rapport Scale, the first scale to measure professor–student rapport. The scale was found to have adequate test–retest and internal-consistency reliability. In addition to these findings, measures used to determine convergent validity included the Working Alliance Inventory, a social support scale, and a measure of verbal aggressiveness. The rapport scale was found to significantly correlate in the expected direction with these measures. Specifically, the rapport scale correlated positively with the Working Alliance Inventory and the social support scale and correlated negatively with the verbal aggressiveness scale. Applications are discussed in terms of using the scale to identify areas of improvement in teaching practices and the potential usefulness of the scale for predicting student outcomes.
Lesser Salad Vegetables

This chapter deals with vegetables that are less well-known and less often-used in salads than those discussed in earlier chapters. A few are used fairly extensively by some segments of the population. Others are more popular elsewhere than in the United States.
A Critical Examination of the Available Data Sources for Estimating Meat and Protein Consumption in the USA

Objective To describe the methods, strengths and limitations of available data sources for estimating US meat and protein consumption in order to facilitate accurate interpretations and applications. Design We examined agricultural supply and dietary intake databases from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), the US Department of Health and Human Services and the FAO to describe their methodology and to report the most recent estimates for meat and protein consumption. Results Together, loss-adjusted agricultural supply data and dietary recall data provide the best available estimates of US consumption; the most recent sources indicated that US citizens (ages 2 years and over) consume 4·4–5·9 oz (125·9–166·5 g) of total meat and 6·2–7·4 oz-eq (175·2–209·4 g-eq) from the USDA Protein Foods Group per day. Meat constitutes the majority of intake within the Protein Foods Group, and red meat and processed meat constitute the majority of total meat intake. Nutrient supply data indicate that total meat represents an estimated 43·1 % of the total protein available in the US food supply, but without any loss-adjusted nutrient data, per capita protein intake is best estimated by dietary recall data to be 79·9 g/d. Conclusions In order to address public health concerns related to excess meat and/or protein consumption, practitioners, educators and researchers must appropriately use available data sources in order to accurately report consumption at the population level. Implications for comparing these estimates with various recommended intakes are discussed.
Geomorphic consequences of volcanic eruptions in Alaska: A review

Abstract Eruptions of Alaska volcanoes have significant and sometimes profound geomorphic consequences on surrounding landscapes and ecosystems. The effects of eruptions on the landscape can range from complete burial of surface vegetation and preexisting topography to subtle, short-term perturbations of geomorphic and ecological systems. In some cases, an eruption will allow for new landscapes to form in response to the accumulation and erosion of recently deposited volcaniclastic material. In other cases, the geomorphic response to a major eruptive event may set in motion a series of landscape changes that could take centuries to millennia to be realized. The effects of volcanic eruptions on the landscape and how these effects influence surface processes has not been a specific focus of most studies concerned with the physical volcanology of Alaska volcanoes. Thus, what is needed is a review of eruptive activity in Alaska in the context of how this activity influences the geomorphology of affected areas. To illustrate the relationship between geomorphology and volcanic activity in Alaska, several eruptions and their geomorphic impacts will be reviewed. These eruptions include the 1912 Novarupta–Katmai eruption, the 1989–1990 and 2009 eruptions of Redoubt volcano, the 2008 eruption of Kasatochi volcano, and the recent historical eruptions of Pavlof volcano. The geomorphic consequences of eruptive activity associated with these eruptions are described, and where possible, information about surface processes, rates of landscape change, and the temporal and spatial scale of impacts are discussed. A common feature of volcanoes in Alaska is their extensive cover of glacier ice, seasonal snow, or both. As a result, the generation of meltwater and a variety of sediment–water mass flows, including debris-flow lahars, hyperconcentrated-flow lahars, and sediment-laden water floods, are typical outcomes of most types of eruptive activity. Occasionally, such flows can be quite large, with flow volumes in the range of 107–109 m3. A review of the lahars generated during the 2009 eruption of Redoubt volcano will illustrate the geomorphic impacts of lahars on stream channels and riparian habitat. Although much work is needed to develop a comprehensive understanding of the geomorphic consequences of volcanic activity in Alaska, this review provides a synthesis of some of the best-studied eruptions and perhaps will serve as a starting point for future work on this topic.
Ecological Losses are Harming Women: A Structural Analysis of Female HIV Prevalence and Life Expectancy in Less Developed Countries

Increased inequality in life expectancies across nations due to the advent of the HIV pandemic requires rigorous investigation of gender inequalities, as women now disproportionally represent the majority of global HIV cases. While empirical examinations of women’s status on HIV prevalence and life expectancy have amassed, one under-explored area of concern is the influence of environmental decline. We fill this gap by integrating ecofeminist perspectives to inform our analysis of the direct and indirect effects of ecological losses on female health outcomes in a structural equation model of 136 less developed nations. We find that ecological losses reduce women’s longevity via increased HIV rates, hunger, and diminished health resources. Conclusions point to the importance of ecological conditions and the efficacy of incorporating ecofeminist frameworks to explain global health and gender inequalities. Palabras clave: VIH / SIDA, la esperanza de vida, el eco feminismo, perdidas ecologicas, la desigualdad de genero Resumen: El aumento de la desigualdad en la esperanza de vida entre las paises debido a la aparicion de la pandemia del VIH requiere una investigacion rigurosa de las desigualdades de genero, ya que ahora las mujeres estan representadas de forma desproporcionada en la mayoria de los casos de epidemia mundial de VIH. Si bien existe evidencia empirica sobre la situacion de la mujer en la prevalencia del VIH y la esperanza de vida, un area menos investigada y de importancia es la influencia de la degradacion del medio ambiente. Para cubrir esta falta de investigacion, este estudio utiliza la integracion de perspectivas eco feministas para analizar los efectos directos e indirectos del deterioro ecologico sobre la salud de las mujeres con un modelo de ecuaciones estructurales que analiza datos de 136 paises menos desarrollados. Encontramos que los danos o deterioros ecologicos reducen la longevidad de las mujeres a traves de un aumento de las tasas de VIH, el hambre, y una disminucion de los recursos de salud. Nuestras conclusiones apuntan a la importancia de las condiciones ecologicas y la eficacia de la incorporacion de marcos eco-feministas para explicar las desigualdades en salud y de genero a nivel mundial.
Associations between allergic conditions and pediatric brain tumors in Neurofibromatosis type 1

Individuals with Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) are at increased risk for pediatric brain tumors (PBTs), especially optic gliomas; however, factors influencing their development are largely unknown. Extensive research suggests that allergic conditions protect against brain tumors, particularly gliomas in individuals without NF1. In this large cross-sectional study, we employed two different data sources to evaluate evidence for the hypothesis that allergic conditions (allergies, asthma, and eczema) may protect against PBT development in individuals with NF1. We used self- and parent/legal guardian reported questionnaire data from participants in the NF1 Patient Registry Initiative (NPRI, n = 1660) born from 1933 to 2014 to ascertain allergic condition and PBT diagnosis histories. Medical records (MRs) of 629 NF1 patients at a large medical center born from 1930 to 2012 were also reviewed for PBT and allergic condition diagnoses to evaluate additional evidence for our hypothesis. We used logistic regression to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for associations between allergic condition diagnoses and PBTs. Both data sources provided limited to no support for a protective effect of allergies or eczema on PBT development. Non-significant inverse associations between asthma and PBTs were observed (NPRI: OR = 0.80, 95% CI 0.55-1.17; MR: OR = 0.71, 95% CI 0.40-1.28) with stronger associations for optic gliomas specifically. Additionally, a significant inverse association was observed in an NPRI subgroup analysis where the reported asthma diagnosis age was younger than the reported PBT diagnosis age (OR = 0.57; 95% CI 0.36-0.89). Our study supports the hypothesis that asthma protects against PBT development in NF1.
Investigating the Control by Quantum Confinement and Surface Ligand Coating of Photocatalytic Efficiency in Chalcopyrite Copper Indium Diselenide Nanocrystals

In the past few years, there has been immense interest in the preparation of sustainable photocatalysts composed of semiconductor nanocrystals (NCs) as one of their components. We report here, for the first time, the effects of structural parameters of copper indium diselenide (CuInSe2) NCs on visible light-driven photocatalytic degradation of pollutants under homogeneous conditions. Ligand exchange reactions were performed replacing insulating, oleylamine capping with poly(ethylene glycol) thiols to prepare PEG-thiolate-capped, 1.8–5.3 nm diameter CuInSe2 NCs to enhance their solubility in water. This unique solubility property caused inner-sphere electron transfer reactions (O2 to O2•−) to occur at the NC surface, allowing for sustainable photocatalytic reactions. Electrochemical characterization of our dissolved CuInSe2 NCs showed that the thermodynamic driving force (−ΔG) for oxygen reduction, which increased with decreased NC size, was the dominant contributor to the overall process when compared to ...
Maximizing the Potential of Social Media and Social Networks in Neurosurgery.

he Internet has become more accessible than ever over the past few decades. A combination of faster connecT tion speeds at lower costs, the evolution of handheld technological devices like smartphones, and a revolution in the ways that content is created have led to the surge of what is known as social media. Previously, Web content was created primarily by organizations or individuals as 1-way communication tools, much like the traditional media of newsprints or television segments. Content generation and sharing by the end user are now highly encouraged.
Polyamory: Experiences of Power from Without, from Within, and in Between

ABSTRACTThis article highlights the ways in which cultural, relational, and therapeutic power can affect polyamorous relationships and the therapeutic process. In therapy, focusing on the power narratives that polyamorous partners might experience can aid in challenging mononormativity while creating space for a variety of relational orientations. Power processes are presented as occurring on three levels: social discourse (without), relational meaning-making (within), and therapeutic practice (in between). A case study is used to evaluate these processes and implications are provided for clinicians working with polyamorous families.
Abstract 1833: A large-scale synthetic lethal RNAi screening identifies unique sensitizing targets for anti-inflammatory CDDO-Me in metastatic melanoma

Metastatic melanoma is the most lethal form of skin cancer strongly associated with the inflammatory process by secreting high levels of proinflammatory cytokines and producing reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. Chronic inflammation is considered as a major factor to promote the tumor microenvironment in advantage of resistance to radiation, chemotherapy, and biotherapy for metastatic melanoma. CDDO-Me, a novel synthetic triterpenoid, has been shown to exert potent anti-inflammatory and antitumor activity by decreasing oxidative stress and the production of pro-inflammatory molecules, such as Nrf2 and iNOS, in several tumor models. CDDO-Me is presently under evaluation in clinical studies for chronic kidney disease and pancreatic cancer. Here, we used CDDO-Me as a primary agent to inhibit metastatic melanoma growth. In order to improve CDDO-Me response in melanoma cells, we utilized a large-scale synthetic lethal RNAi screen with 24,000 siRNAs targeting ∼6,000 human druggable genes to identify targets that when silenced would sensitize melanoma cells to CDDO-Me. Results from the screens identified twenty of siRNA pools that significantly potentiated the growth inhibitory effects of CDDO-Me in A375 cells. We selected five unique genes, GNPAT, SUMO1, SPUNT2, FLI1, and SSX1, which have not been addressed as drug targets in melanoma before, for target validation and functional analysis in four metastatic melanoma and control cell lines. Specific siRNA against each of these five genes could substantially sensitize four tested melanoma cells to CDDO-me by increasing the growth inhibition and induction of apoptosis, while treatment with nontarget siRNA resulted in no change compared to the treatment with CDDO-Me only. Further studies of downstream signaling revealed that these five genes involved in regulating melanoma cell proliferation and cell death. We identified for the first time that the levels of phosphorylated Erk1/2, Akt, GSK-2, and PRAS40, were dramatically decreased by individual siRNA against GNPAT, SUMO1, SPUNT2, FLI1, and SSX1. Our findings indicate that GNPAT, SUMO1, SPUNT2, FLI1, and SSX1 may play critical roles in synergy with inflammation pathways in modulating melanoma cell survival, which could serve as sensitizing targets to enhance CDDO-Me efficacy in melanoma. Supported by MDACC SPORE in Melanoma P50CA093459. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1833. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-1833
Photoactivatable retroviral vectors: a strategy for targeted gene delivery.

We have explored a novel strategy for the targeting of retroviral vectors to particular sites or cell types. This strategy involves a method whereby the infectivity of a retroviral vector is neutralized by treatment of viral particles with a photocleavable, biotinylation reagent. These modified viral vectors possess little to no infectivity for target cells. Exposure of these modified viral vectors to long-wavelength UV light induces a reversal of the neutralizing, chemical modification resulting in restoration of infectivity to the viral vector. This infectivity ‘trigger’ possesses great potential, both as a research tool and as a novel tactic for the targeting of gene-transfer agents, since it would become possible to direct both the time and location of a viral infection in a versatile manner.
Electron migration limits the rate of photobrightening in thin films of cdse quantum dots in a dry N2 (g) atmosphere

This paper describes a study of the mechanism of photoinduced photoluminescence enhancement, termed “photobrightening” (PB), of ∼150-nm-thick films of CdSe quantum dots (QDs) in a dry N2 (g) atmosphere. Steady-state photoluminescence (PL) and ultrafast transient absorption measurements of films photoexcited continuously and shot-wise revealed that: (i) PL enhancement occurred in all of the close-packed films during periods of continuous photoexcitation and continued after the excitation source was turned off; (ii) the time-dependence of PB (both during excitation and in the dark) was initially linear and became exponential as the PB reached saturation; (iii) the rate of PB and the maximum PB achieved by the film depended on the degree of surface passivation of the QDs; (iv) the PL peak shifted to lower energy and broadened during PB; and (v) rates of nonradiative trapping of excitonic electrons decreased during PB. These data were utilized to construct a model for PB based on migration of photoexcited ele...
Desmoid-Type Fibromatosis of the Tongue

Desmoid-type fibromatosis rarely occurs in the oral tongue. Diagnostic imaging, including ultrasound, is useful for delineating the extent of the lesion and can aid in treatment planning. However, definitive diagnosis is made based on the characteristic histologic features, which include cytologically bland spindle cells with surrounding collagenous matrix and minimal mitotic activity. Immunohistochemical analysis of these lesions reveals that they are classically positive, at least focally, for smooth muscle actin, calponin and muscle-specific actin. These features are exemplified in this sine qua non radiology-pathology correlation article.
Simulation and Analysis of Release Area of Laser Guided Aerial Bomb based on Virtual Releasing

Virtual releasing platform of laser guide aerial bomb for live releasing is established,the bomb releasing area is calculated under the required miss distance and dropping conditions,the simulation result is analyzed and the relevant conclusion is obtained in this paper.The result of the virtual releasing test is identical with that of the live releasing,which proves the accuracy of the simulation result.
The historic and extant spontaneous vascular flora of The New York Botanical Garden

The New York Botanical Garden occupies 100 hectares (250 acres) in the north central portion of Bronx County, New York. The property is a public garden with the majority of the grounds under cultivation. The Thain Family Forest, margins of the Bronx River, rock outcrops and areas of undeveloped landscape are important refugia for spontaneous plants, both native and non-native. We compiled data from historic lists of spontaneously occurring species, conducted original field work and searched the William and Lynda Steere Herbarium to determine the historic and extant spontaneous vascular plant flora of the Garden from 1899 to 2015. This is the first published inventory of the wild flora since 1899. The historic and extant flora comprises 695 species and infraspecies in 363 genera and 121 families. The extant flora comprises 429 species and infraspecies in 263 genera and 108 families. A total of 264 (62%) of the extant species and infraspecies are native and 165 (38%) are not native. All species are vouchered by herbarium specimens collected between 1881 and 2015. All herbarium vouchers are databased, imaged and available online. Forty-six species and infraspecies are new Bronx County records. Among the rare extant species and infraspecies on the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Active Inventory List are three critically imperiled (S1) and two imperiled (S2) taxa, and Carex aggregata that was thought to be historical (SH, no existing sites known) in New York State, but was found in 2009 on the grounds. The number of extant rare species and infraspecies, the total number of extant taxa and the percentage of native verus non-native species strongly supports the conclusion that The New York Botanical Garden is an important and significant refugium or hotspot for local biodiversity.
The expanding GRK interactome: Implications in cardiovascular disease and potential for therapeutic development.

Abstract Heart failure (HF) is a global epidemic with the highest degree of mortality and morbidity of any disease presently studied. G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are prominent regulators of cardiovascular function. Activated GPCRs are “turned off” by GPCR kinases (GRKs) in a process known as “desensitization”. GRKs 2 and 5 are highly expressed in the heart, and known to be upregulated in HF. Over the last 20 years, both GRK2 and GRK5 have been demonstrated to be critical mediators of the molecular alterations that occur in the failing heart. In the present review, we will highlight recent findings that further characterize “non-canonical” GRK signaling observed in HF. Further, we will also present potential therapeutic strategies (i.e. small molecule inhibition, microRNAs, gene therapy) that may have potential in combating the deleterious effects of GRKs in HF.
Familial Occurrence of Testicular Cancer

AbstractThe etiology of testicular cancer is unknown. Familial testicular cancer is a rare entity that adds further information to research regarding the genetic influence on germ cell tumors. We report on 5 brothers, including 2 identical triplets and 1 fraternal brother, with testicular cancer and discuss the epidemiological factors. It appears that environmental and genetic factors must be considered.
Pilot study of small bowel mucosal gene expression in patients with irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea

Prior studies in with irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D) patients showed immune activation, secretion, and barrier dysfunction in jejunal or colorectal mucosa. We measured mRNA expression by RT-PCR of 91 genes reflecting tight junction proteins, chemokines, innate immunity, ion channels, transmitters, housekeeping genes, and controls for DNA contamination and PCR efficiency in small intestinal mucosa from 15 IBS-D and 7 controls (biopsies negative for celiac disease). Fold change was calculated using 2((-ΔΔCT)) formula. Nominal P values (P 0.05). In conclusion, altered transcriptome (and to lesser extent protein) expression of ion transport, barrier, immune, and mast cell mechanisms in small bowel may reflect different alterations in function and deserves further study in IBS-D.
Kohnert tableaux and a lifting of quasi-Schur functions

Abstract We introduce the quasi-key basis of the polynomial ring which contains the quasi-Schur polynomials of Haglund, Luoto, Mason and van Willigenburg. We prove that stable limits of quasi-key polynomials are quasi-Schur functions, thus lifting the quasi-Schur basis of quasisymmetric polynomials to the full polynomial ring. The new tool we introduce for this purpose is the combinatorial model of Kohnert tableaux. We use this model to prove that key polynomials expand positively in quasi-key polynomials which in turn expand positively in fundamental slide polynomials introduced earlier by the authors. We give simple combinatorial formulas for these expansions in terms of Kohnert tableaux, lifting the parallel expansions of a Schur function into quasi-Schur functions into fundamental quasisymmetric functions.
From Tall to Matrix: Redefining Organizational Structures

While community colleges have launched numerous new student success interventions, they have not changed organizational structures to deliver them.The rigidity of the traditional hierarchical manag...
Multiscale Spatial and Temporal Statistical Properties of Rainfall in Central Arizona

AbstractThe statistical properties of the rainfall regime in central Arizona are investigated using observations from the early 1980s of the Flood Control District of Maricopa County (FCDMC) network, currently consisting of 310 gauges ranging in elevation from 220 to 2325 m MSL. A set of techniques is applied to analyze the properties across a wide range of temporal scales (from 1 min to years) and the associated spatial variability. Rainfall accumulation is characterized by (i) high interannual variability, which is partially explained by teleconnections with El Nino–Southern Oscillation; (ii) marked seasonality, with two distinct maxima in summer (July–September) and winter (November–March); (iii) significant orographic control; and (iv) strong diurnal cycle in summer, peaking in early afternoon at higher elevations and at nighttime in lower desert areas. The annual maximum rainfall intensities occur in the summer months and increase with elevation, suggesting that higher terrain enhances the strength o...
Anti–PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies in non-small cell lung cancer: the era of immunotherapy

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has been conventionally treated with cytotoxic chemotherapy with short-lived responses and significant toxicities. Monoclonal antibodies to programmed death-1 receptor (PD-1) and programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) have shown tremendous promise in the treatment of advanced NSCLC in various clinical trials.Areas covered: In this article, we will review the outcomes of various trials of anti-PD-1/anti-PD-L1 antibodies in the treatment of NSCLC. We will also discuss their mechanism of action and toxicities.Expert commentary: Anti-PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies offer several advantages including significant antitumor activity, induction of long lasting responses, and favorable safety profile. Several trials are now being conducted to evaluate their efficacy as first line agents as well as in combination with other agents. More research is also needed to identify other biomarkers, in addition to PD-L1 expression, that could more reliably predict response t...
Cinch for instacurves: The discursive assemblage of waist trainers in new media

ABSTRACTScholars have found that engaging in practices of self-discipline and restraint has severe consequences for women, some of which involves distracting them from more important endeavors. The author explores one such instance of female restraint by analyzing the product reviews of waist trainers, modern-day corsets, sold through new media. This recent analysis examines 1,600 product reviews on Amazon.com for the most popular waist trainer, the “Black 3 Hook Latex Waist Cincher by Ann Chery.” Drawing from literature on fat studies and feminism, the author posits that the product reviewers understand their embodied experience through disciplinary processes, including surveillance, normalization, and self-examination. By highlighting how reviewers deploy these discourses, the author considers the subsequent consequences and possible forms of resistance against bodily discipline.
Comparison of serum concentrations between different dosing strategies of posaconazole delayed-release tablet at a large academic medical centre.

Summary It is unclear if the prophylaxis dose of 300 mg/day is sufficient for achieving serum concentrations targeting the treatment of invasive fungal infections. To evaluate differences between PCZ serum concentrations in patients receiving the DRT vs the OS and in patients receiving higher doses than 300 mg/day of the DRT, a retrospective review was conducted on inpatients who received PCZ for either treatment or prophylaxis. Baseline demographics including comorbid conditions, indication and dose of therapy were collected. Serum trough concentrations were collected at steady state. Fifty-seven patients received PCZ during the study period. A total of 35 levels were collected (DRT n = 18, OS n = 17). Patients receiving the DRT had levels >0.7 mcg/mL 100% of the time compared to 58.8% in those receiving the OS. No significant difference was seen in serum concentrations at 300 mg/day (n = 14) vs 400 mg/day (n = 8) of the DRT (1.55 mcg/mL (1.08-2.50) vs 2.5 mcg/mL (1.85-2.70), P = .19). The DRT leads to more consistent levels in the therapeutic range than the OS. Standard dosing of 300 mg/day with DRT achieves adequate concentrations for prophylaxis and treatment of IFIs, although further data are needed to determine optimal serum concentrations for treatment.
Pavel Pantelimonovich Luk’ianenko and the Origins of the Soviet Green Revolution

This chapter examines the work of the Soviet plant breeder Luk’ianenko, who developed high-yielding semidwarf wheat independently and at the same time as Norman Borlaug in Mexico and while T.D. Lysenko was in power in the USSR. The article analyzes the main components of the Green Revolution of Borlaug and Nazareno Strampelli, outlines the Soviet preconditions for a green revolution in the work of Nikolai Vavilov, analyzes the limits of Lysenko’s influence, describes Luk’ianenko’s work, and examines his very limited contact with Lysenko.
Five-Strand versus Four-Strand Hamstring Tendon Graft Technique for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Biomechanical Comparison.

The aim of this article is to compare diameter and stiffness, displacement, and strain in a five-strand versus four-strand hamstring graft for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Eight matched pairs of lower extremities underwent four-strand or five-strand hamstring graft reconstruction. Diameter was significantly higher in the five-strand versus the four-strand construct (p = 0.002). No significant difference was found between the groups in construct displacement or stiffness. Significantly higher strain was observed in the inner limb versus the outer limb in the four-strand construct (p = 0.001) and in the inner limb versus the fifth limb in the 5-strand construct (p = 0.004). A fifth limb added to a four-strand hamstring graft significantly increased graft diameter but did not significantly change stiffness or displacement, suggesting that attachment of additional graft material via suture did not provide for full incorporation of the added limb into the graft at time zero. The inner limb in both constructs absorbed significantly greater load than did other limbs. The use of suture to attach additional material to a four-strand hamstring graft may not contribute to improved biomechanical qualities of the graft at time zero.
Noise Radar Approach for Interrogating SAW Sensors Using Software Defined Radio

Passive, wireless surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensor systems can be approached from a radar perspective, where the SAW device is thought of as a cooperative target. This paper investigates the use of a commercial-off-the-shelf software defined radio to interrogate wireless SAW sensors with a randomly generated interrogation pulse. The USRP B200mini is utilized as the transceiver platform with custom field-programmable gate array (FPGA) modifications to generate the random interrogation waveform and provide synchronization and buffering to the received signal. Each transmit sample bit in the FPGA is fed by an independent linear-feedback shift register, which generates pseudo-random I and Q samples for the interrogation pulse. An RF daughterboard has also been developed and integrated with the B200mini to increase the transmit power, provide filtering of the RF signals, and switch a signal antenna between the transmit and receive channels. Radio control and matched filter correlator post-processing are accomplished using Python. Design and implementation details for the FPGA modifications, RF daughterboard, and post-processing are discussed. The system is demonstrated by wirelessly interrogating SAW temperature sensors at 915 MHz.
Status Epilepticus: Behavioral and Electroencephalography Seizure Correlates in Kainate Experimental Models

Various etiological factors such as head injury, chemical intoxication, tumors, and gene mutation can induce epileptogenesis. In animal models, status epilepticus (SE) triggers epileptogenesis. In humans, convulsive SE for >30 minutes can be a life threatening medical emergency. The duration and severity of convulsive SE are highly variable in chemoconvulsant animal models. A continuous video-EEG recording, and/or diligent direct observation, facilitates quantification of exact duration of different stages of convulsive seizures (Racine stages 3-5) to determine the severity of SE. A continuous convulsive SE for >30 minutes usually causes high mortality in some rodents and results in widespread brain damage in the surviving animals, in spite of treating with antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). AEDs control behavioral seizures, but not EEG seizures. The severity of initial SE impacts epileptogenesis and cognitive function, therefore, quantitative assessment of behavioral SE and EEG in animal models is useful to understand the impact of SE severity on epileptogenesis. There are several excellent reviews on experimental models of seizure/SE/epilepsy. This review focusses on the comparison of induction and characterization of behavioral SE and EEG correlates in mice and rats induced by kainate. We also discuss the advantages of repeated low dose of kainate (i.p. route), which minimizes variability in the initial SE severity between animals and reduces mortality rate. A refined approach to induce SE with kainate also addresses the two of the 3Rs (i.e., refinement and reduction), the guiding principles for ethical and scientific standpoint of animal research.
Predictors of Persistent Tricuspid Regurgitation after Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement in Patients with Baseline Tricuspid Regurgitation

ObjectiveThis study sought to analyze outcomes in patients with moderate-severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). The consequences of uncorrecte...
Reflection in Business Ethics: Insights from St. Ignatius' Spiritual Exercises

We examine the Spiritual Exercises developed by St. Ignatius Loyola for the purpose of informing the structure of reflection as a tool in business ethics. At present, reflection in business is used to clarify moods, expectations, theories of use, and defining moments. We suggest here that Ignatius' Exercises, which focus on ends, engage the emotions and imagination, use role modeling, and require a response, might be useful as a model for reflection in business.
Study quality in SLA

This study assesses research and reporting practices in quantitative second language (L2) research. A sample of 606 primary studies, published from 1990 to 2010 in Language Learning and Studies in Second Language Acquisition, was collected and coded for designs, statistical analyses, reporting practices, and outcomes (i.e., effect sizes). The results point to several systematic strengths as well as many flaws, such as a lack of control in experimental designs, incomplete and inconsistent reporting practices, and low statistical power. I discuss these trends, strengths, and weaknesses in comparison with methodological reviews of L2 research (e.g., Plonsky & Gass, 2011) as well as reviews from other fields (e.g., education, Skidmore & Thompson, 2010). On the basis of the findings, I also make a number of suggestions for methodological reforms in applied linguistics.
Fourier–Mukai Transforms, Euler–Green Currents, and K-Stability

Inspired by Gang Tian’s work in [4, 10, 11], and [12] we exhibit a wide range of energy functionals in Khler geometry as Fourier–Mukai transforms. Consequently these energies are completely determined by dual type varieties and therefore have logarithmic singularities when restricted to the space of algebraic potentials. This paper is dedicated to Gang Tian on the occasion of his 60th birthday.
Moderation: A Radical Virtue

Aurelian Craiutu and Sheldon Gellar offer closing arguments, reflecting on the question ‘why moderation?’ By examining the American political tradition, they claim that moderation is neither a panacea nor a substitute for pragmatic partisanship. Moderation does have significant advantages: it can promote a form of civic pragmatism capable of dealing with inequalities and justice; it enables us to balance and redress the imbalances in society; and it spans across religions and moral traditions. As such, it fosters dialogue, respect for others, toleration and solidarity. They conclude that moderation is a virtue which is simultaneously necessary (in light of the overwhelming historical experience and the fact that we have lived until recently in a world of extremes), limited and difficult to practice (because moderation requires judgement and lacks a precise algorithm or manual that could teach it to those willing to learn it). Moderation is, as Joseph Hall put it four centuries ago, ‘the silken string running through the pearl-chain of all virtues’.
Multigenerational Forces and Regenerative Capacities: Matter, Weather, Flesh, and the Sociogenic.

To what extent are multigenerational forces associated with the becoming of measured academic skills? This study argues that by considering inhuman(e) ontologies such as a system of racialized stru...
Comments on “Experimental measurements, equilibrium study and model correlation of methyl paraben in ethanol and methanol aqueous solutions from = (293.15–323.15) K”

Abstract A polemic is given regarding the curve-fitting parameters for the Van’t Hoff and Yaws equations that were reported in the published paper by Noubigh and Akemi. For several of the binary solvent mixtures studied the reported curve-fitting parameters yielded Van’t Hoff equation mathematical representations that were far superior to the mathematical representations based on the Yaws equation. Based on the similarities between the mathematical forms of the Van’t Hoff and Yaws equations one would expect the Yaws equation to provide the better mathematical representation for the minimization criterion used in the curve-fit parameter determination.
When Has a Knee or Hip Replacement Failed? A Patient Perspective.

Objective. To define the patient perspective of what constitutes a failure of total joint replacement (TJR) in a qualitative study. Methods. We used the nominal group technique (NGT) with participants who had undergone elective total hip replacements (THR) and/or total knee replacements (TKR) to answer the question, “When would you consider a knee or hip replacement to be a failure?” Results. We performed 8 nominal groups with 42 participants, all of whom had undergone THR and/or TKR between 2016 and 2018. Of these, 48% were male, 17% were Black, 79% had college education or above, and 76% had had osteoarthritis as the underlying diagnosis. The nominated responses/themes that were ranked the highest by the participants were as follows: (1) refractory index joint pain (80 votes); (2) occurrence of postoperative adverse events (54 votes); (3) unable to resume normal activities or go back to work (38 votes); (4) little or no improvement in quality of life (35 votes); (5) early revision surgery (35 votes); (6) death (7 votes); and (7) other, including nurse or physician negligence (2 votes) and expectation-outcome mismatch (1 vote). Conclusion. Lack of relief of pain or restoration of function or quality of life, or the occurrence of surgical complications after TJR were defined as TJR failure by participants. Functional TJR failure seems as important or more important than surgical failure. This patient perspective emphasizing pain, function, satisfaction, adverse events, and revision as critical domain components of TJR failure independently validated their inclusion in the TJR core domain set for clinical trials in people undergoing knee or hip TJR.
Toward treatment and cure of epidermolysis bullosa.

Heritable forms of epidermolysis bullosa (EB), a heterogeneous group of skin fragility disorders, manifest with blistering and erosions with high degree of morbidity (1⇓–3). The phenotypic spectrum is highly variable, and in the most severe cases the patients die within the early postnatal period or within a few months of life due to complications of fragile skin, such as infections, sepsis, dehydration, and metabolic alterations. Some of these cases are also associated with extracutaneous manifestations in the syndromic forms of EB, affecting the lungs, kidneys, and heart (4). There is no effective treatment for EB. In PNAS, Jackow et al. (5) report on a CRISPR/Cas9-mediated therapy approach for a form of EB. Critical for understanding the molecular basis of EB is the recognition of adhesion complexes consisting of interacting proteins, which form a network responsible for keratinocyte cell–cell adhesion and stable association of the epidermis and the underlying dermis (Fig. 1). Currently, there are 21 distinct genes that have been demonstrated to harbor mutations in different forms of EB (6, 7). The topographic location of the mutant genes within the epidermis and the cutaneous basement membrane zone, the types and combinations of the mutations, and their consequences at the mRNA and protein levels collectively explain the tremendous phenotypic variability in this group of disorders. Fig. 1. Schematic representation of the cutaneous basement membrane zone depicting attachment complexes critical for stable cell–cell contacts and association of epidermis to the underlying dermis. The boxed proteins, which are encoded by 21 distinct genes, are mutated in different forms of EB, the prototype of heritable blistering skin disorders. Adapted from ref. 4, with permission from Elsevier. One of the most severe forms of EB is the recessive dystrophic EB (RDEB), in which the most devastating cases manifest with extensive fragility with … [↵][1]1Email: jouni.uitto{at}jefferson.edu. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1