cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nutrient enrichment enhances hidden differences in phenotype to drive a cryptic plant invasion.

Many mechanisms of invasive species success have been elucidated, but those driving cryptic invasions of non-native genotypes remain least understood. In one of the most successful cryptic plant invasions in North America, we investigate the mechanisms underlying the displacement of native Phragmites australis by its Eurasian counterpart. Since invasive Phragmites ’ populations have been especially prolifi c along eutrophic shorelines, we conducted a two-year fi eld experiment involving native and invasive genotypes that manipulated nutrient level and competitor identity (inter- and intra-genotypic competition) to assess their relative importance in driving the loss of native Phragmites . Inter-genotypic competition suppressed aboveground biomass of both native and invasive plants regardless of nutrient treatment ( ∼ 27%), while nutrient addition disproportionately enhanced the aboveground biomass (by 67%) and lateral expansion (by 3 farther) of invasive Phragmites . Excavation of experimental plots indicated that nutrient addition generates these diff erences in aboveground growth by diff erentially aff ecting rhizome production in invasive vs native plants; invasive rhizome biomass and rhizome length increased by 595% and 32% with nutrient addition, respectively, while natives increased by only 278% and 15%. Regardless of nutrient level, native rhizomes produced twice as many roots compared to invasives, which fi eld surveys revealed are heavily infected with mycorrhizal symbionts . Th ese results suggest that native Phragmites competes well under nutrient-limited conditions because its rhizomes are laden with nutrient-harvesting roots and mycorrhizae. Invasive Phragmites ’ vigorous aboveground response to nutrients and scarcity of lateral roots , in contrast, may refl ect its historic distribution in eutrophic Eurasian wetlands and correspond to its prevalence in New England marshes characterized by elevated nutrient availability and relaxed nutrient competition. Th ese fi ndings reveal that discrete diff erences in phenotype can interact with anthropogenic modifi cation of environmental conditions to help explain the success of cryptic invaders.
Lost and found in America: The function of place metaphor in sports illustrated

The writing in Sports Illustrated locates sport in the metaphorical, American version of the Elysian Fields. Because the metaphor is of a place rather than a concept, a number of different symbolic forms interact within the confines of Sports Illustrated’s field. For instance, the place metaphor itself is constructed through the collision of American realities and Elysian Fields ideals. This intersection of symbolic forms produces a metaphor that Sports Illustrated's readers can use to resist American culture's machine metaphor.
Genetic Algorithm Retrieval of Real Refractive Index from Aerosol Distributions that are not Lognormal

Size distributions of real-world aerosols typically deviate substantially from log-normal or other simple mathematical descriptions. The effect of assuming a lognormal shape for distributions that are not well described by this function on the genetic algorithm (GA) retrieval of the real refractive index (m r from scattering properties is investigated. Tests using several laboratory-generated ammonium sulfate aerosols with relatively broad bimodal distributions and with synthetic distributions generated by combining two log-normal distributions are examined. Scattering of the ammonium sulfate aerosols was measured with a dual polarization polar nephelometer. Analysis of the GA retrieval with the assumption that the distribution is lognormal for both the ammonium sulfate aerosol and synthetic distorted distributions show that the retrieved m r is within 0.015 of the expected value in all cases tested. The retrieved values for both the mean and the standard deviation of the aerosol size distribution become ...
Enhancing Transparency of a Position-Exchange Teleoperator

Dynamic properties of robotic manipulators, including inertia, damping, and friction, limit the transparency of a haptic-feedback teleoperator. In this paper, we develop a position-exchange controller to provide haptic-feedback for a surgical teleoperator. The controller consists of proportional controllers and model-based feedforward terms that cancel the dynamic properties of the manipulators. We show that the teleoperator transmits the impedance of a soft environment to the operator when the gains of the proportional controllers are very high and dynamic terms of the manipulators are canceled. However, the high gains and complete cancellation of the dynamic terms of the manipulators can make the teleoperator unstable. We use IlewellynJs criteria for absolute stability to limit the controller parameters to values that keep the teleoperator stable during interactions with any passive user and environment. Experimental results using a custom version of the da Vinci Surgical System show that 70% of the inertia of the slave manipulators during low-frequency motion and almost all static friction of the manipulators during sliding motion can be canceled
Exuberance Embedded in the Process of Mean Reversion of Extreme Stock Returns

This study finds evidence of mean reversion for the 228 highest and 136 lowest monthly rolling annual returns, identified by a rolling equality test over a 125-year period. The distribution of returns in processes of mean reversion further suggests the dominance of optimistic speculations over pessimistic selling. That is, probabilities for market exuberance—returns remaining positive after the stock market reaches a peak or reverting to positive after the stock market hits a low point—are higher than those for either market corrections (returns becoming negative after the market peaks) or market anxiety (returns remaining negative after the market troughs). The results also indicate that positive returns demonstrate higher persistency than negative returns.
An Antimicrobial Stewardship Program with a Focus on Reducing Fluoroquinolone Overuse

The fluoroquinolones have become the leading class of antimicrobial agents prescribed to adults in the United States. Resistance of key pathogens to fluoroquinolones has developed rapidly in parallel with increased prescribing of these drugs. We describe our pharmacist-led antimicrobial stewardship program that focused on reducing inappropriate prescribing of fluoroquinolones, with the goals of limiting the development of resistance and improving patient outcomes. Core strategies were regular monitoring and reporting of resistance trends observed on institutional antibiograms, performing drug audits and related studies with intervention and feedback to prescribers, implementing an automatic parenteral-to-oral conversion program, establishing and implementing a beta-lactam-based institutional guideline for empiric therapy, and educating prescribers. This successful program reduced empiric prescribing of fluoroquinolones by 30%, improved susceptibility for all antipseudomonal agents against Pseudomonas aeruginosa overall by 10%, and decreased mortality associated with P. aeruginosa infections by 2-fold. Our stewardship program clearly demonstrated that pharmacists can take on leadership roles to positively change antimicrobial prescribing at the institutional level and improve patient outcomes.
Normal and abnormal aging in bilinguals.

Bilinguals use two different language systems to mediate not only social communication, but also cognitive processes. Potential differences between bilinguals and monolinguals in task-solving strategies and patterns of cognitive decline during normal and abnormal aging have been suggested. Main contribution: A research review of the area suggests that normal aging is associated with increased interference between the two languages and tendency to retreat to a single language. General cognitive functioning has been found to be higher in demented bilingual patients if communication is carried out in L1 rather than in L2. Recent research has reported that bilingualism can have a protective effect during aging, attenuating the normal cognitive decline associated with aging, and delaying the onset of dementia. Conclusions: Regardless of the significant heterogeneity of bilingualism and the diversity of patterns in language use during life-span, current research suggests that bilingualism is associated with preserved cognitive test performance during aging, and potentially can have some protective effect in dementia.
FoveAR: Combining an Optically See-Through Near-Eye Display with Projector-Based Spatial Augmented Reality

Optically see-through (OST) augmented reality glasses can overlay spatially-registered computer-generated content onto the real world. However, current optical designs and weight considerations limit their diagonal field of view to less than 40 degrees, making it difficult to create a sense of immersion or give the viewer an overview of the augmented reality space. We combine OST glasses with a projection-based spatial augmented reality display to achieve a novel display hybrid, called FoveAR, capable of greater than 100 degrees field of view, view dependent graphics, extended brightness and color, as well as interesting combinations of public and personal data display. We contribute details of our prototype implementation and an analysis of the interactive design space that our system enables. We also contribute four prototype experiences showcasing the capabilities of FoveAR as well as preliminary user feedback providing insights for enhancing future FoveAR experiences.
Does consumer knowledge affect consumer responses to advertised reference price claims

As expected, internal reference prices (IRPs) and purchase intentions for two product categories (microwave ovens and disposable razors) differed according to whether consumers possessed a high or low level of consumer knowledge about the product in this factorial design experiment. Contrary to theory and expectations, neither internal reference points nor purchase intentions were affected by exposure to comparative price advertisements. Students were used as subjects in a before-after procedure with approximately two weeks between pre- and postmeasures of IRPs and purchase intentions. Postmeasures were taken immediately after exposure to ads containing three levels of advertised reference prices. t tests indicated differences between high and low knowledge group IRP means before ad exposure. However, no ANOVA differences were detected in change in IRP or purchase intention scores after ad exposure. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Integrated Models of Judicial Dissent

This paper presents the first integrated models of judicial dissent at the individual level. The models synthesize elements derived from attitudinal, jurisprudential, and contextual approaches to the study of judicial behavior by application of a neo-institutional perspective. The neo-institutional approach emphasizes the interaction of individual preferences, case facts, and environmental forces with institutional rules and structures. Individual judicial votes on death penalty cases from 1980 through 1988 in six state supreme courts are examined employing pooled PROBIT analysis. The results indicate that justices' decisions to dissent reflect significantly more than mere attitudinal disagreement, reactions to various types of case facts or responses to contextual forces. Rather, dissents are the product of all of these types of variables interacting with institutional rules and arrangements. As neo-institutionalism suggests, institutional arrangements serve to condition the effects of personal attribute...
Data Compression: The Complete Reference

Data compression is one of the most important fields and tools in modern computing. From archiving data, to CD ROMs, and from coding theory to image analysis, many facets of modern computing rely upon data compression. Data Compression provides a comprehensive reference for the many different types and methods of compression. Included are a detailed and helpful taxonomy, analysis of most common methods, and discussions on the use and comparative benefits of methods and description of "how to" use them. The presentation is organized into the main branches of the field of data compression: run length encoding, statistical methods, dictionary-based methods, image compression, audio compression, and video compression. Detailed descriptions and explanations of the most well-known and frequently used compression methods are covered in a self-contained fashion, with an accessible style and technical level for specialists and nonspecialists. Topics and features: coverage of video compression, including MPEG-1 and H.261 thorough coverage of wavelets methods, including CWT, DWT, EZW and the new Lifting Scheme technique complete audio compression QM coder used in JPEG and JBIG, including new JPEG 200 standard image transformations and detailed coverage of discrete cosine transform and Haar transform coverage of EIDAC method for compressing simple images prefix image compression ACB and FHM curve compression geometric compression and edgebreaker technique.Data Compression provides an invaluable reference and guide for all computer scientists, computer engineers, electrical engineers, signal/image processing engineers and other scientists needing a comprehensive compilation for a broad range of compression methods.
Exploitation of Pocket Gophers and Their Food Caches by Grizzly Bears

I investigated the exploitation of pocket gophers (Thomomys talpoides) by grizzly bears (Ursus arctos horribilis) in the Yellowstone region of the United States with the use of data collected during a study of radiomarked bears in 1977-1992. My analysis focused on the importance of pocket gophers as a source of energy and nutrients, effects of weather and site features, and importance of pocket gophers to grizzly bears in the western contiguous United States prior to historical extirpations. Pocket gophers and their food caches were infrequent in grizzly bear feces, although foraging for pocket gophers accounted for about 20-25% of all grizzly bear feeding activity during April and May. Compared with roots individually excavated by bears, pocket gopher food caches were less digestible but more easily dug out. Exploitation of gopher food caches by grizzly bears was highly sensitive to site and weather conditions and peaked during and shortly after snowmelt. This peak coincided with maximum success by bears in finding pocket gopher food caches. Exploitation was most frequent and extensive on gently sloping nonforested sites with abundant spring beauty (Claytonia lanceolata) and yampah (Perdieridia gairdneri). Pocket gophers are rare in forests, and spring beauty and yampah roots are known to be important foods of both grizzly bears and burrowing rodents. Although grizzly bears commonly exploit pocket gophers only in the Yellowstone region, this behavior was probably widespread in mountainous areas of the western contiguous United States prior to extirpations of grizzly bears within the last 150 years.
Treatment of Advanced and Recurrent Carcinoma: Chemotherapy

The development of chemotherapy in endometrial cancer took place over two decades, but finally drug combinations have convincingly been shown to have a role in the treatment of advanced and recurrent endometrial cancer. Agents with antitumor activity include doxorubicin, cisplatin, and paclitaxel. A combination of paclitaxel with the cisplatin analog carboplatin and the combination of the three drugs are currently the most commonly used regimens.
Seizures associated with high cerebrospinal fluid concentrations of cefazolin

Three cases of generalized seizures in patients with high cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of cefazolin are reported. Patient 1, a 60-year-old woman with impaired renal function and a Klebsiella pneumoniae infection, was treated with 70 mg every eight hours of i.v. gentamicin sulfate and 1.5 g every four hours of i.v. cefazolin sodium. Gentamicin was discontinued on day 11. On day 12, the patient had a generalized tonic-clonic seizure. Serum and CSF concentrations of cefazolin one day later were 470 and 64 micrograms/ml, respectively. Patient 2, a 70-year-old man with impaired renal function, was given i.v. cefazolin, 1 g every 12 hours; the dosage interval was shortened later to every six hours. Two days later, the patient had two tonic-clonic seizures. Serum and CSF concentrations eight hours after the last dose of cefazolin were 360 and 34 micrograms/ml, respectively. Patient 3, a 67-year-old woman with renal vein thrombosis, received 55 mg every eight hours of i.v. gentamicin and 2 g every six hours of i.v. cefazolin. The antibiotics were discontinued after eight days when the patient had two tonic-clonic seizures. Serum and CSF concentrations of cefazolin measured 28 hours later were 1000 and 106 micrograms/ml, respectively. Previous reports of cefazolin-associated seizures are reviewed. In patients with renal failure, cefazolin may obtain high CSF concentrations. To avoid seizures, cefazolin doses should be adjusted in these patients.
Legal Rights of Fetuses and Young Children

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the legal rights of fetuses and young children, who have been exposed to drugs and alcohol. The precise impact of prenatal exposure to alcohol and illicit drugs on the developing fetus is unclear and may depend on a multiplicity of factors, such as the substance used, the timing of that use during the pregnancy, prenatal medical care, and other environmental factors such as maternal poverty, whether the mother has a social support network, and the presence of domestic violence in the home. Some substances, such as alcohol, appear to have clear negative effects on the development of the fetus, including impairment of cognitive functioning, poor academic performance, and behavioral problems, and may be a contributing factor to juvenile delinquency. Similarly, in utero exposure to cocaine has been associated with decreased blood flow in the child's brain in adolescence, as measured by functional MRI scans. Numerous state courts have addressed efforts by state child welfare authorities to protect the fetuses of substance-abusing women by taking temporary custody of the fetus under state laws, that allow courts to take temporary custody of children who they find are abused or neglected. Some courts have squarely held that under their child protection statutes prenatal exposure to drugs or alcohol is in and of itself sufficient to make a case that a child is maltreated. Other courts have held that a combination of prenatal exposure and environmental factors, such as the parent's continued use of substances, failure to enroll in substance abuse treatment, or associating with drug dealers, is sufficient to support juvenile court action to protect the child.
Emergency Health and Risk Management in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Lesson from the Embassy Bombings in Tanzania and Kenya

In 1998, terrorists simultaneously bombed United States Embassies in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and Nairobi, Kenya. The local response to these bombings was unorganized and ad hoc, indicating the need for basic disaster preparedness and improvement of emergency management capabilities in both countries. In this context, risk and risk management are defined and are related to the health hazards affecting Tanzanians and Kenyans. In addition, the growing number of injuries in Tanzania is addressed and the relationship between risk management and injury is explored. Also, an emergency medicine-based strategy for injury control and prevention is proposed. Implications of implementing such a protocol in developing nations also are discussed.
π-Delocalization and the vibrational spectroscopy of conjugated materials: computational insights on Raman frequency dispersion in thiophene, furan, and pyrrole oligomers.

The symmetric C═C stretching frequency (νЯ) of conjugated polymers and oligomers is a sensitive spectroscopic reporter of molecular structure and material morphologies; however, thorough understanding of how structure affects this frequency is lacking because computational investigations of this relationship have been undertaken with limited approaches. We present a comprehensive computational investigation of the structure-dependent Raman spectroscopy of oligothiophenes, oligofurans, and oligopyrroles in their ground electronic states using density functional theory. We assessed how various functionals (BLYP, B3LYP, BHLYP, and CAM-B3LYP) impact predictions of length-dependent trends in νЯ. The amount of Hartree–Fock exchange in a functional is critical for accurately treating π-delocalization and polarizability and hence the structure-dependent Raman behavior. BLYP and B3LYP fail to accurately predict trends in νЯ with oligomer length because they over-represent delocalization; in contrast, the range-cor...
Thermal Isomerizations of cis,anti,cis-Tricyclo[7.4.0.02,8]tridec-10-ene

cis,anti,cis-Tricyclo[7.4.0.02,8]tridec-10-ene (13TCT) undergoes [1,3] sigmatropic rearrangements at 315 °C in the gas phase to the si product 1 and to the sr product 2 with si/sr = 2.1. The dominant thermal isomerization process, however, is epimerization at C8 to afford product 3. That stereomutation at C8 occurs 50% faster than the si and sr shifts combined.
BEES: Real-time occupant feedback and environmental learning framework for collaborative thermal management in multi-zone, multi-occupant buildings

Abstract In this work we present an end-to-end framework designed for enabling occupant feedback collection and incorporating the feedback data towards energy efficient operation of a building. We have designed a mobile application that occupants can use on their smart phones to provide their thermal preference feedback. When relaying the occupant feedback to the central server the mobile application also uses indoor location techniques to tie the occupant preference to their current thermal zone. Texas Instruments sensortags are used for real time zonal temperature readings. The mobile application relays the occupant preference along with the location to a central server that also hosts our learning algorithm to learn the environment and using occupant feedback calculates the optimal temperature set point. The entire process is triggered upon change of occupancy, environmental conditions, and/or occupant preference. The learning algorithm is scheduled to run at regular intervals to respond dynamically to environmental and occupancy changes. We describe results from experimental studies in two different settings: a single family residential home setting and in a university based laboratory space setting.
Pellegrini-Stieda ossification can also involve the posterior attachment of the MPFL.

Abstract Purpose To evaluate for development of Pellegrini–Stieda (PS)-type ossification following injury to the posterior attachment of the medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL). Materials and methods This retrospective study evaluated 27 patients with acute knee injury with initial radiographs, magnetic resonance imaging within 1 week of injury, and follow-up radiographs assessing for development of PS. Results Of the 27 patients who developed PS ossification, 7 patients (25.9%) had isolated MPFL injury with the ossification slightly more proximal than the traditional PS. Conclusion Isolated injury to the posterior MPFL also leads to PS ossification, which is slightly superior in location to the traditional PS.
Illuminating the Context and Circumstances of Male Couples Establishing a Sexual Agreement in Their Relationship

A sexual agreement is an explicit mutual understanding made between two partners about which sexual and relational behaviors they agree to engage in within and/or outside of their relationship. Fac...
Should Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) Preventative Ventilation Be Standard in the Adult Operating Room

Dr. X is leaving for the night after starting anesthesia for a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Dr. Y comes into the operating room (OR) to take over the case. The patient is a 70 kg, 5’3”, 45-year-old female with a history of hypertension. The surgery is being performed under general endotracheal anesthesia. Dr. X has set the ventilator to volume control, at a tidal volume of 700 mL, respiratory rate of 12, fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) of 50 %, and positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) of 0. After Dr. X has completed his turnover of the case, Dr. Y reaches over to the ventilator and reduces the tidal volume to 400 mL. Dr. X asks Dr. Y why he has changed the ventilator settings.
Bounds on Parameters of Minimally Nonlinear Patterns

Let $ex(n, P)$ be the maximum possible number of ones in any 0-1 matrix of dimensions $n \times n$ that avoids $P$. Matrix $P$ is called minimally non-linear if $ex(n, P) \neq O(n)$ but $ex(n, P') = O(n)$ for every proper subpattern $P'$ of $P$. We prove that the ratio between the length and width of any minimally non-linear 0-1 matrix is at most $4$, and that a minimally non-linear 0-1 matrix with $k$ rows has at most $5k-3$ ones. We also obtain an upper bound on the number of minimally non-linear 0-1 matrices with $k$ rows. In addition, we prove corresponding bounds for minimally non-linear ordered graphs. The minimal non-linearity that we investigate for ordered graphs is for the extremal function $ex_{<}(n, G)$, which is the maximum possible number of edges in any ordered graph on $n$ vertices with no ordered subgraph isomorphic to $G$.
Modifying the Steric Properties in the Second Coordination Sphere of Designed Peptides Leads to Enhancement of Nitrite Reductase Activity

Protein design is a useful strategy to interrogate the protein structure-function relationship. We demonstrate using a highly modular 3-stranded coiled coil (TRI-peptide system) that a functional type 2 copper center exhibiting copper nitrite reductase (NiR) activity exhibits the highest homogeneous catalytic efficiency under aqueous conditions for the reduction of nitrite to NO and H2 O. Modification of the amino acids in the second coordination sphere of the copper center increases the nitrite reductase activity up to 75-fold compared to previously reported systems. We find also that steric bulk can be used to enforce a three-coordinate CuI in a site, which tends toward two-coordination with decreased steric bulk. This study demonstrates the importance of the second coordination sphere environment both for controlling metal-center ligation and enhancing the catalytic efficiency of metalloenzymes and their analogues.
Predictive regulation and human design.

Organisms evolving toward greater complexity were selected across aeons to use energy and resources efficiently. Efficiency depended on prediction at every stage: first a clock to predict the planet’s statistical regularities; then a brain to predict bodily needs and compute commands that dynamically adjust the flows of energy and nutrients. Predictive regulation (allostasis) frugally matches resources to needs and thus forms a core principle of our design. Humans, reaching a pinnacle of cognitive complexity, eventually produced a device (the steam engine) that converted thermal energy to work and were suddenly awash in resources. Today boundless consumption in many nations challenges all our regulatory mechanisms, causing obesity, diabetes, drug addiction and their sequelae. So far we have sought technical solutions, such as drugs, to treat complex circuits for metabolism, appetites and mood. Here I argue for a different approach which starts by asking: why does our regulatory system, which evolution tuned for small satisfactions, now constantly demand 'more'?
Thrombus generation within the artificial heart.

The sites of thrombus formation in the Jarvik III artificial heart were studied in 20 consecutive calf experiments. Identical design and implantation procedures were used with two different surfaces. The 10 anticoagulated calves receiving Dacron-fibrilized silicone rubber surfaces survived an average of 296 hours. In contrast, the 10 nonanticoagulated calves with smooth polyurethane hearts survived 545 hours. The polyurethane surfaces were constantly clean. However, the rough surfaces were coated with variable amounts of thrombi. The sharp angle between the diaphragm and housing contained varying amounts of thrombi deposits in 75 per cent of the cases. Thrombi deposition occurred on 41 per cent of the valves. These thrombi were the source of emboli into the kidney, brain, and lungs. Turbulences and stagnation areas generated thrombus formation. Anticoagulation did not prevent thrombus formation. It would appear that hearts free of turbulence and stagnation areas must be designed to eliminate thromboembolism.
Image Tile Creation

This chapter discusses the processing raw imagery into tiles. It builds upon the techniques discussed in the previous image processing chapter.
(S)-(+)-Ketamine hydro-chloride.

The crystal structure of the title compound {systematic name: (S)-(+)-N-[1-(2-chloro­phen­yl)-2-oxocyclo­hexyl]meth­anam­in­ium chloride}, C13H17ClNO+·Cl−, was determined at 90 (2) K. The (S)-(+)-ketamine hydro­chloride salt is a well known anesthetic compound and is dramatically more potent than its R isomer. In the title compound, the cyclo­hexa­none ring adopts a chair conformation with the oxo group in the equatorial orientation. The methyl­amino and 2-chloro­phenyl groups at the 2-position have an equatorial and an axial orientation, respectively. The packing of ions is stabilized by an infinite one-dimensional ⋯Cl⋯H—N—H⋯Cl⋯ hydrogen-bonding network, involving NH2+ groups as donors and chloride anions as acceptors.
Parametric Models for AN: Splitting Processes and Mixtures

A class of parametric models, called splitting processes, is defined, by using de Finetti's concept of adherent mass. Such splitting processes give rise to complex mixtures of distributions. It is proved that the nonparametric Bayesian predictive procedure A n , of Hill, holds exactly for a member of this class called a nested splitting process. The connection between A n and the Dirichlet process is stated and proved. A multivariate version of A n , based on splitting processes, is proposed
Cost-effectiveness of treating infantile haemangioma with propranolol in an outpatient setting.

BACKGROUND Infantile haemangioma is one of the most commonly known benign vascular tumours of infancy and childhood, having an incidence of 3-10%. Most lesions regress spontaneously; however, some may require treatment owing to their clinical and cosmetic effects. Propranolol has become the treatment of choice for infantile haemangioma, but treatment protocols are largely institutional based without any specific consensus guidelines. Our aim was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of propranolol use as inpatient versus outpatient therapy. METHODS A decision tree model was created depicting alternate strategies for initiating propranolol treatment on an inpatient versus outpatient basis combined with the option of a pretreatment echocardiogram applied to both strategies. Cost analysis was assumed to be based on treatment of haemangioma in patients who were born at term, had no chronic illnesses, a non-life-threatening location of the haemangioma, and those who were not taking any other medications that could potentiate the side effects of propranolol. A sensitivity analysis was performed to evaluate the probability of side effects. RESULTS The average cost incurred for inpatient treatment of infantile haemangioma was approximately $2603 for a single hospital day and increased to $2843 with the addition of an echocardiogram. The expected cost of treatment in the outpatient setting was $138, which increased to $828 after the addition of an echocardiogram. CONCLUSION Treating infantile haemangioma with propranolol is more cost-effective when initiated on an outpatient basis.
Examining the Effects of Couples' Real-Time Stress and Coping Processes on Interaction Quality: Language Use as a Mediator.

Stress in romantic relationships is an all-too-common phenomenon that has detrimental effects on relationship well-being. Specifically, stress can lead to negative interactions between partners and ultimately decrease relationship functioning. The systemic-transactional model of dyadic coping posits that by effectively communicating stress and coping with one another, couples can mitigate the deleterious effects of stress. Specifically, partners can engage in positive dyadic coping by helping each other cope with his/her respective stress, which may foster couples’ sense of “we-ness,” strengthen their emotional connection, and facilitate their understanding of each other’s stressful experiences. However, these associations have not yet been examined during partners’ interactions about stress. When assessing dyadic coping, a particular aspect of interest is partners’ language use (i.e., pronouns, emotion words, cognition words) as it may reflect the types of support they communicate to one another. Using real-time interaction data from 41 heterosexual couples, this study examined how couples’ stress and coping processes affect perceived interaction quality following discussions of stress. Specifically, language use (i.e., pronouns, emotion words, cognition words) was assessed as mediator in the association between observed stress communication and perceived interaction quality. Overall, results supported our hypotheses; when one partner communicated stress, the other partner responded with language use indicative of different types of dyadic coping (i.e., more you-talk and use of emotion words, less we-talk, I-talk, and use of cognition words), which were in turn associated with interaction quality in mixed directions. Implications of these findings for romantic couples are discussed.
Scoping review on the epidemiology, diagnostics, and clinical significance of porcine astroviruses

Porcine astroviruses (PoAstVs) have been reported globally and are divided into at least five distinct lineages (PoAstV1-PoAsV5). The primary objective of this study was to summarize the scientific literature about the frequency of detection, associated clinical presentations, and type of samples and diagnostic tools used for the detection of porcine astroviruses. The secondary objective was to summarize the body of knowledge about the causal role in disease of PoAstVs using the Bradford Hill framework. A search was conducted using Centre for Biosciences and Agriculture International (CABI), MEDLINE, American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV) Swine Information Library (SIL) abstracts, swine conferences including American College of Veterinary Pathologists (ACVP), and American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD). From 168 studies identified by the search, 29 studies were eligible. Results indicated that 69% (20/29) of the literature on PoAstVs has been published between 2011 and 2018. Of 29 papers, 52% were detection studies (15 of 29) and 48% (14 of 29) were case-control studies. Seventy-two percent (21 of 29) reported differential diagnosis and 10% (3 of 29) reported histologic lesions, out of which 67% (2 of 3) associated the detection of PoAstV3 with development of polioencephalomyelitis. PCR-based assays were the most common diagnostic tools. Keywords: Swine, Astrovirus, Scoping review, Bradford Hill, PoAstV detection
Fibroblast growth factor receptor facilitates recurrence of minimal residual disease following trastuzumab emtansine therapy

Abstract Trastuzumab-emtansine (T-DM1) is an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) that efficiently delivers a potent microtubule inhibitor into HER2 overexpressing tumor cells. However, resistance to T-DM1 is emerging as a significant clinical problem. Continuous in vitro treatment of HER2-transformed mammary epithelial cells with T-DM1 did not elicit spontaneously resistant cells. However, induction of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) via pretreatment with TGF-β1 facilitated acquisition of T-DM1 resistance. Flow cytometric analyses indicated that induction of EMT decreased trastuzumab binding, prior to overt loss of HER2 expression. Kinome analyses of T-DM1 resistant cells indicated increased phosphorylation of ErbB1, ErbB4, and fibroblast blast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1). T-DM1 resistant cells failed to respond to the ErbB kinase inhibitors lapatinib and afatinib, but they acquired sensitivity to FIIN4, a covalent FGFR kinase inhibitor. In vivo, T-DM1 treatment led to robust regression of HER2-transformed tumors, but minimal residual disease (MRD) was still detectable via bioluminescent imaging. Upon cessation of the ADC relapse occurred and secondary tumors were resistant to additional rounds of T-DM1, but this recurrent tumor growth could be inhibited by FIIN4. Expression of FGFR1 was upregulated in T-DM1 resistant tumors, and ectopic overexpression of FGFR1 was sufficient to enhance tumor growth, diminish trastuzumab binding, and promote recurrence following T-DM1-induced MRD. Finally, patient-derived xenografts from a HER2+ breast cancer patient who had progressed on trastuzumab failed to respond to T-DM1, but tumor growth was significantly inhibited by FIIN4. Overall, our studies strongly support therapeutic combination of TDM1 and FGFR targeted agents in HER2+ breast cancer.
Quasi Structured Codes for Multi-Terminal Communications

A new class of structured codes called quasi group codes (QGCs) is introduced. A QGC is a subset of a group code. In contrast with the group codes, QGCs are not closed under group addition. The parameters of the QGC can be chosen, such that the size of $\mathcal {C}+\mathcal {C}$ is equal to any number between $|\mathcal {C}|$ and $|\mathcal {C}|^{2}$ . We analyze the performance of a specific class of QGCs. This class of QGCs is constructed by assigning single-letter distributions to the indices of the codewords in a group code. Then, the QGC is defined as the set of codewords whose index is in the typical set corresponding to these single-letter distributions. The asymptotic performance limits of this class of QGCs are characterized using single-letter information quantities. Corresponding covering and packing bounds are derived. It is shown that the point-to-point channel capacity and optimal rate-distortion function are achievable using QGCs. Coding strategies based on QGCs are introduced for three fundamental multi-terminal problems: the Korner-Marton problem for modulo prime-power sums, computation over the multiple access channel (MAC), and MAC with distributed states. For each problem, a single-letter achievable rate-region is derived. It is shown, through examples, that the coding strategies improve upon the previous strategies based on the unstructured codes, linear codes, and group codes.
«Los empeños de una casa» de Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, Compañía Nacional de Teatro Clásico, 6 de diciembre de 2018, Teatro de La Comedia, Sala Tirso de Molina (Madrid). Dirección: Pepa Gamboa y Yayo Cáceres. Versión: Antonio Álamo

Los empenos de una casa de Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz, Compania Nacional de Teatro Clasico, 6 de diciembre de 2018, Teatro de La Comedia, Sala Tirso de Molina (Madrid). Direccion: Pepa Gamboa y Yayo Caceres. Version: Antonio Alamo
Introducing the IEEE Virtual Reality 2020 Special Issue

Welcome to the 9th IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics (TVCG ) special issue on IEEE Virtual Reality and 3D User Interfaces. This volume contains a total of 29 full papers selected for and presented at the IEEE Conference on Virtual Reality and 3D User Interfaces (IEEE VR 2020) held in Atlanta, United States on March 22–26, 2020. Founded in 1993, IEEE VR has a long tradition as the premier venue where new research results in the field of Virtual Reality (VR) are presented. With the emergence of VR as a major technology in a diverse set of fields, such as entertainment, education, data analytics, artificial intelligence, medicine, construction, training, and many others, the papers presented at IEEE VR and published in the IEEE TVCG VR special issue mark a major highlight of the year.
Evaluation of advocacy projects in undergraduate and graduate dental hygiene leadership courses.

Purpose The intent of this investigation was to describe learners' outcomes regarding a Legislative Advocacy Project and Health Policy Advocacy Project in required leadership courses in dental hygiene curricula. Methods The 7-week legislative project was completed by Bachelor of Science (BS) in a traditional classroom setting and Master of Science (MS) degree dental hygiene students in an online course. The course requirement was a written paper all enrolled students completed, which comprised a significant portion of the final grade. Objectives were developed for topics presented and active learning strategies engaged students to extend learning to a higher level. Weekly activities provided a mechanism for formative assessment, and a rubric determined whether the objectives were met for the summative assessment. In 2016, the BS course was revised to include health policy, and the policy project was implemented. Results The majority of students earned A or B grades on the assignments. The overall mean for the BS legislative projects based on 4 years was 89.1 (n = 104); the MS mean based on 12 years was 92 (n = 81). The mean for the BS policy projects, based on 4 years, was 91.9 (n = 111). Conclusions The instructional design of both advocacy projects' objectives, active learning strategies, and summative assessment were strategically aligned and created an effective environment for learning. Oral health practitioners who are empowered to engage in advocacy initiatives are needed in the next generation. Administrators and faculty are called to action to become leaders and advocates for advocacy education in all oral healthcare programs.
Toni Morrison and the Culture of Poverty.

Author Toni Morrison used fictional narratives to make readers uncomfortably aware of their collective role in perpetuating the culture of poverty and pitying its victims. In her first novel, The B...
Low-cost high-efficiency solar membrane distillation for treatment of oil produced waters

Abstract Produced waters generated in oil industries are a significant issue of environmental concerns. Various physical, chemical, and biological methods are applied to treat produced waters. Membrane Distillation (MD) is a thermal-driven and vaporization-based technology that could be an ideal process for purifying produced water due to ~100% dissolved solids rejection, chemical-free mechanism, and low-energy requirements. Nanophotonics-Enhanced Solar Membrane Distillation (NESMD) is a novel type of MD operation which integrates photothermally active nanoparticles to provide localized water heating. The NESMD was investigated to treat oil produced waters. Commercial nanophotonics Polytetrafluoroethylene membranes containing polypropylene support layer were used. The experiments were carried out under different thermal and hydrodynamic conditions. In all the executed experiments, membrane hydrophobicity, measured as the contact angle and liquid entry pressure, was used to infer possible fouling of the membrane. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis were then employed to observe any morphological changes to the membrane, visualize possible organic fouling, and characterize the composition of mineral scales. The results showed that NESMD is a potential solution for the treatment of the produced water, with the overall dissolved organic carbon rejection ranging between 72.5% and 96%, and overall dissolved solid rejection higher than 99%.
Abstract 6078: Suppression of tumor-intrinsic IFNγ signaling in ARF6-mediated metastatic progression of melanoma

ARF6 is a small GTPase that controls the subcellular location of proteins to regulate invasion, proliferation and tumor microvesicle shedding. ARF6 is aberrantly activated in cutaneous melanoma and stimulates invasion in BRAFV600E-melanoma by controlling localization and activation of beta-catenin and PI3K/AKT. In uveal melanoma, ARF6 facilitates GNAQQ209L signaling to drive tumor growth by trafficking GNAQ to cytoplasmic vesicles. Although distinct diseases, pharmacologic inhibition of ARF6 reduces disease progression in both uveal and cutaneous melanoma models. These data underscore the importance of intracellular trafficking mechanisms in cancer and highlight the potential clinical utility of targeting this machinery by inhibiting ARF6. In order to genetically dissect the role of ARF6 in melanomagenesis, we utilized RCAS-mediated delivery of Cre recombinase, with or without constitutively activated ARF6 (Arf6Q67L), specifically to melanocytic cells to induce constitutive activation of BRAFV600E (BrafCA), deletion of Cdkn2a (Cdkn2af/f) and (Arf6f/f). Activation of ARF6 accelerates spontaneous metastasis while loss of Arf6 delays tumor onset and reduces tumor incidence and growth, dramatically improving survival of BrafCA;Cdkn2af/f mice, including in the presence of Pten loss. Unexpectedly, tumors expressing ARF6Q67L show significantly reduced expression of interferon-gamma (IFNγ) response genes, reduced CD8 (T cell) transcripts and an anti-apoptotic proteomics profile. Knockdown of Arf6 sensitizes BRAFV600E melanoma cells to IFNγ treatment reducing cell viability in vitro. Together these data demonstrate that ARF6 modulates BRAFV600E-driven tumor progression and suggest that ARF6 activation suppresses tumor intrinsic IFNγ signaling to evade the anti-tumor immune response during metastatic progression. Our in vivo models provide a new paradigm for understanding vulnerabilities in BRAF-mediated oncogenesis and implicate intracellular trafficking mechanisms as potentially actionable machinery in melanoma development, immune evasion and disease progression. Citation Format: Coulson P. Rich, Aaron Rogers, Jae Hyuk Yoo, Roger Wolff, Shannon J. Odelberg, Sheri L. Holmen, Allie H. Grossmann. Suppression of tumor-intrinsic IFNγ signaling in ARF6-mediated metastatic progression of melanoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr 6078.
An Imaging and Spectroscopic Study of Four Strong MgII Absorbers Revealed By GRB060418

We present results from an imaging and spectroscopic study of four strong MgII absorbers of W(2796) >~ 1 Ang revealed by the afterglow of GRB060418 at z_GRB=1.491. These absorbers, at z=0.603,0.656,1.107 and z_GRB, exhibit large ion abundances that suggest neutral gas column densities characteristic of damped Lya systems. The imaging data include optical images obtained using LRIS on the Keck I telescope and using ACS on board HST, and near-infrared H-band images obtained using PANIC on the Magellan Baade Telescope and K'-band images obtained using NIRC2 with LGSAO on the Keck II telescope. These images reveal six distinct objects at <~ 3.5'' of the afterglow's position, two of which exhibit well-resolved mature disk morphology, one shows red colors, and three are blue compact sources. Follow-up spectroscopic observations using LRIS confirm that one of the disk galaxies coincides with the MgII absorber at z=0.656. The observed broad-band spectral energy distributions of the second disk galaxy and the red source indicate that they are associated with the absorbers at z=0.603 and z=1.107, respectively. These results show that strong MgII absorbers identified in GRB afterglow spectra are associated with typical galaxies of luminosity ~ (0.1-1) L* at impact parameter <~ 10 h^-1 kpc. The close angular separation would preclude easy detections toward a bright quasar. Finally, we associate the remaining three blue compact sources with the GRB host galaxy, noting that they are likely star-forming knots located at projected distances 2-12 h^-1 kpc from the afterglow. At the afterglow's position, we derive a 2-sigma upper limit to the underlying SFR intensity of 0.0074 M_sun yr^-1 kpc^-2.