cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Stencil computation optimization and auto-tuning on state-of-the-art multicore architectures

Understanding the most efficient design and utilization of emerging multicore systems is one of the most challenging questions faced by the mainstream and scientific computing industries in several decades. Our work explores multicore stencil (nearest-neighbor) computations --- a class of algorithms at the heart of many structured grid codes, including PDF solvers. We develop a number of effective optimization strategies, and build an auto-tuning environment that searches over our optimizations and their parameters to minimize runtime, while maximizing performance portability. To evaluate the effectiveness of these strategies we explore the broadest set of multicore architectures in the current HPC literature, including the Intel Clovertown, AMD Barcelona, Sun Victoria Falls, IBM QS22 PowerXCell 8i, and NVIDIA GTX280. Overall, our auto-tuning optimization methodology results in the fastest multicore stencil performance to date. Finally, we present several key insights into the architectural tradeoffs of emerging multicore designs and their implications on scientific algorithm development.
Like a Loaded Weapon: The Rehnquist Court, Indian Rights, and the Legal History of Racism in America

Exposes the U.S. Supreme Court's history of racism against American Indians. Robert A. Williams Jr. boldly exposes the ongoing legal force of the racist language directed at Indians in American society. Fueled by well-known negative racial stereotypes of Indian savagery and cultural inferiority, this language, Williams contends, has functioned "like a loaded weapon" in the Supreme Court's Indian law decisions. Beginning with Chief Justice John Marshall's foundational opinions in the early nineteenth century and continuing today in the judgments of the Rehnquist Court, Williams shows how undeniably racist language and precedent are still used in Indian law to justify the denial of important rights of property, self-government, and cultural survival to Indians. Building on the insights of Malcolm X, Thurgood Marshall, and Frantz Fanon, Williams argues that racist language has been employed by the courts to legalize a uniquely American form of racial dictatorship over Indian tribes by the U.S. government. Williams concludes with a revolutionary proposal for reimagining the rights of American Indians in International Law, as well as strategies for compelling the current Supreme Court to confront the racist origins of Indian law and for challenging bigoted ways of talking, thinking, and writing about American Indians.
Chronic opioid antagonist treatment dose-dependently regulates μ-opioid receptors and trafficking proteins in vivo

Abstract Chronic opioid antagonist treatment increases the density of μ-opioid receptors (μOR) in many model systems. In previous studies, naltrexone treatment produced an increase in μOR density accompanied by decreases in GRK-2 and DYN-2 protein abundance. To examine the relationship between changes in receptor density and proteins involved in receptor trafficking, the dose-dependent effect of chronic naloxone infusion was determined. Dose-dependent antagonism of morphine analgesia was also examined. Mice were infused with naloxone (0.1, 1.0, 5.0 mg/kg/day sc) for 7 days via osmotic pump. Controls were treated with placebo pellets. On the 7th day, morphine dose–response studies were determined using the tail flick. Other mice were sacrificed at the end of the treatment and spinal cords were collected for determination of μOR density and GRK-2 and DYN-2 protein abundance. Naloxone infusion dose-dependently increased spinal μOR density with no change in affinity. The increases in μ-receptor density were proportional to dose-dependent decreases in GRK-2 and DYN-2 protein levels. Furthermore, naloxone dose-dependently antagonized morphine. These data suggest that opioid antagonist-induced μOR up-regulation in mouse spinal cord is associated with regulation of proteins involved in receptor trafficking and support suggestions that opioid antagonist-induced receptor up-regulation is due to reduced constitutive internalization of opioid receptors.
American Society of Clinical Oncology Third Quality Care Symposium

An introduction to the issue, which includes summaries provided by symposium speakers, and full-length manuscripts that describe several research presentations.
Immature myeloid cells induced by a high fat diet contribute to liver inflammation

Chronic inflammation plays a critical role in promoting obesity-related disorders, such as fatty liver disease. The inflammatory cells that mediate these effects remain unknown. This study investigated the accumulation of immature myeloid cells in the liver and their role in liver inflammation. We found that the accumulation of immature myeloid cells, i.e., CD11b+Ly6ChiLy6G− cells, in the liver of B6 mice fed a high-fat diet contribute to liver inflammation. Adoptive transfer of CD11b+Ly6ChiLy6G− cells isolated from the liver of obese B6 mice, but not from lean B6 mice, resulted in liver damage that was evident by an increase in the activity of liver transferases in serum. CD11b+Ly6ChiLy6G− cells isolated from the liver of obese mice are more easily activated via toll-like receptor (TLR) stimulation resulting in interleukin 12 and other inflammatory cytokine expression in a MyD88 dependent fashion. TLR7 activated CD11b+Ly6ChiLy6G− cells also enhance liver NKT cell death in a Fas dependent manner. Experiments using mice depleted of Gr-1+ immature myeloid cells demonstrated the important role of CD11b+Ly6ChiLy6G− in liver inflammation. Repeated injection of exosome-like particles causes CD11b+ cell activation and subsequent homing to and accumulation of the cells in the liver. In conclusion, consumption of a high-fat diet by B6 mice triggers an accumulation of immature myeloid cells in the liver. The immature myeloid cells release proinflammatory cytokines and induce NKT cell apoptosis. Activation induced NKT apoptosis further promotes excessive production of Th-1 cytokines. This diet-induced accumulation of immature myeloid cells may contribute to obesity-related liver disease.
Trap Height and Orientation of Yellow Sticky Traps Affect Capture of Chaetocnema pulicaria (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Field studies were conducted in Iowa during 2001 and 2002 to determine the optimal sampling height and orientation for using yellow sticky cards to monitor populations of Chaetocnema pulicaria Melsheimer, the vector of the bacterial pathogen Pantoea stewartii subsp, stewartii, the causal organism of Stewart's disease of corn, Zea mays L.. Sticky cards were placed at five different heights (0.15, 0.30, 0.45, 0.60, and 0.90 m) and three orientations (horizontal, vertical, and 30 degree angle) at three locations (Ames, Crawfordsville, and Sutherland) in 2001 and two locations (Crawfordsville and Johnston) in 2002. No statistical differences were observed among the placement combinations for individual sampling periods or for the total number of C. pulicaria captured in 2001. In 2002, the 0.30 m and vertical cards captured significantly (1.1-35 times) more C. pulicaria than any other placement combination during sampling throughout August at both Crawfordsville and Johnston. Also, the cumulative number of C. pulicaria captured by the 0.30 m and vertical cards was significantly higher than all other placement combinations. This information is important in the development of sampling protocols to aid growers in making management decisions. These management decisions include where and when to apply foliar insecticides during the corn growing season to control C. pulicaria populations, thereby reducing the risk for Stewart's disease of corn.
Extending Joins Testing to Second Nearest Neighbors, and More Distant Neighbors, in Ecological Studies of Regular Lattices

Abstract Sequences of alternate, second nearest neighbors, in rows and columns, effect an exhaustive decomposition of an initial lattice into four smaller lattices with no points in common. The expected second neighbor joins count, and the second neighbor variance, for the initial lattice are found by simple addition of these values from Krishna-Iyer joins tests performed separately upon each of the four smaller, independent lattices. The same principle extends to decompositions into nine independent lattices by third nearest neighbors, 16 independent lattices by fourth nearest neighbors, and so on. A simplifying feature is that the same sets of nearest neighbor decompositions invariably arise regardless of the starting point. Example calculations and results from a 19 × 28 = 532-tree lattice of 17 y (postplanting age) red pine (Pinus resinosa) are presented for first nearest neighbors (the standard Krishna-Iyer test), and for second and third nearest neighbors. In this example analysis, pockets of soils ...
A Phylogenetic Analysis within Tribes Gloxinieae and Gesnerieae (Gesnerioideae: Gesneriaceae)

The evolution of floral symmetry in Asteridae has been of recent interest. Three genera with full or partial radial floral symmetry are found within tribes Gesnerieae and Gloxinieae of Gesneriaceae where the remaining taxa have bilaterally symmetrical flowers. These tribes have been shown to each be monophyletic and to be sister to each other, but a full analysis within each tribe has not demonstrated strongly supported sister group relationships among genera, especially those with radially symmetrical flowers. To assess sister group relationships more accurately, a phylogenetic analysis using GCYC (a Gesneriaceae homolog of CYCLOIDEA) sequences as well as four regions from the chloroplast genome (ndhF, trnL intron, trnF-trnL spacer, rpl20-rps12 spacer), ITS, and two paralogues of the nuclear encoded chloroplast expressed glutamine synthetase was conducted. The analyses for the most part resolved sister group relationships between radial and bilateral taxa with strong support as well as provided support for several clades within Gloxinieae and indicated that Phinaea is not a monophyletic genus.
From the man on the moon to 2001 and beyond: the evolving social and ethical impact of computers a session to commemorate SIGCSE' 40 anniversary

1. SUMMARY The session, which is being held on the occasion of SIGCAS’ 40 Anniversary, will provide a historical perspective on curricular efforts to address the profound social and ethical impact of the rapid development of computer technology since its widespread deployment in the 1960’s. Presenters, who represent veteran and newer members of SIGCAS, are in the process of developing a variety of innovative approaches to incorporating computer ethics and social impact issues into their computer science curricula, and will discuss their efforts to engage students in the study of the larger context of computing. Audience members will be encouraged to contribute experiences and ideas, and to learn how their involvement in SIGCAS can further the development of curriculum in this area.
Abstract 123: Yield of Lipid Screening for Primary Prevention in a Young Cohort of Non-diabetic Patients Using the 2013 ACC/AHA ASCVD Risk Calculator

Background/Aim: The 2013 ACC/AHA cholesterol management guidelines advise checking lipids in all adults aged > 20 years and repeating it every 4-6 years to identify individuals at high risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) because they may benefit from treatment. Statins can be considered in young adults with elevated ten year risk (defined as >5%) or LDL cholesterol >190 mg/dl. We aimed to assess the yield of lipid screening in this population. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study of patients aged 30-49 years who had lipid screening at their first primary care visit at a large health system from 2003-2012. Patients with known ASCVD and diabetes were excluded. We calculated 10-yr ASCVD risk by extrapolating the 2013 ACC/AHA ASCVD risk calculator to this population. Patients were subdivided by age in 5 year intervals, gender and history of smoking and hypertension. We calculated the percentage of patients with risk >5% and patients or LDL >190 mg/dl in each subgroup. Results: A total of 47,495 patients were included. The total number in each subgroup and the percentage with 10-yr estimated ASCVD risk >5% are shown in Table 1. Approximately half (49.2%, 23,388/47,495) the population had very low risk with only 18/ 23,388 (0.08%) non-smoking, non-hypertensive patients having an elevated risk. Only 1/15,618 (0.006%) non-smoking non-hypertensive females 5%. From 1% to >75% of population in other subgroups had an elevated risk depending on risk factors. Only 667/ 47,495 (1.4%) patients had LDL cholesterol >190 mg/dl. Conclusion: Yield of lipid screening is very low in non-smokers, especially in normotensive females 190 mg/dl. Guidelines for lipid screening should be reassessed for healthy non-smoking normotensive adults under 50 years of age. ![][1] [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif
Students' views of cooperative learning and group testing.

CONTEXT Today's radiologic technology students must learn to collaborate and communicate to function as part of the health care team. Innovative educational techniques such as cooperative learning (working collectively in small groups) and group testing (collaborating on tests) can foster these skills. OBJECTIVE Assess students' familiarity with and opinions about cooperative learning and group testing before and after participation in a semester-long course incorporating these methods. METHODS Twenty-eight students enrolled in a baccalaureate-level radiologic technology program in Louisiana were surveyed at the beginning and end of the semester. RESULTS Results showed that students were more knowledgeable about and more accepting of cooperative learning and group testing after participating in the course. However, some students continued to prefer independent learning. SUMMARY Students are open to new learning methods such as cooperative learning and group testing. These techniques can help them develop the skills they will need to function collaboratively in the workplace.
A Rational Strategy for the Use of Amniotic Epithelial Stem Cell Therapy for Liver Diseases

Summary Stem cell-based therapies hold the potential to alleviate the burden of many serious diseases, including those of the liver. Among the different types of stem cells, human placenta-derived stem cells are potentially one of the most clinically applicable stem cells because of their tissue-specific advantages. They are a readily available cell source that can be procured in a noninvasive manner, and there are few ethical concerns regarding their use. Recent studies have demonstrated that the amniotic epithelium contains stem cells that possess four unique and advantageous properties; human amniotic epithelial cells (hAECs) have low immunogenicity, secrete several immune regulatory molecules, possess the potential to differentiate into all three germ layers, and contain abundant lysosomes allowing them to secrete lysosomal enzymes. This perspective article provides an overview of the beneficial properties of hAECs and proposes a rational strategy for translating placental stem cells toward clinical application for various liver diseases. Significance This article provides an overview of the beneficial properties of one type of human placental stem cell and proposes a rational strategy for translating placental stem cells toward clinical application for various liver diseases.
Development of a novel optical fibre-based instrument for the on-line measurement of calcium for smart and domestic appliances: preliminary investigations

Preliminary work on a novel fibre optic sensor system for the determination of calcium concentration in water and its performance investigated, with a target of monitoring the operation of the wash cycle of domestic appliances
Gold-catalyzed formation of oxonium ions from enynes and their intra- and intermolecular trapping with allylsilanes.

Gold-catalyzed ring closure of 1,5-enyne containing a silyl ether at the allylic position induces a skeletal rearrangement to form an oxonium intermediate, which then undergoes a smooth allylation in both an intra- and intermolecular manner. In the intramolecular allyl transfer, the additive alcohol becomes positioned on the silicon of the silyl ether by forming a new Si–OR bond, whereas, in the intermolecular allylation, the alcohol is incorporated in the homoallylic carbon by forming a C–OR bond.
High-resolution, real-time to superfast 3D imaging techniques

This paper overviews the high-resolution, real-time to superfast 3D optical imaging techniques that have been developed in the optical metrology community. These technologies could substantially benefit the advanced intelligent mechatroinics community as another sensing tool. Specifically, we will focus on one special method of 3D optical imaging techniques, digital fringe projection (DFP) method, that has proven to have numerous advantageous features than other 3D optical imaging methods in terms of accuracy, resolution, speed, and flexibility. This paper discusses technologies that enables 3D data acquisition, reconstruction, and display at 30 Hz or higher with over 250,000 measurement points per frame. This paper discusses methods permits tens of kHz 3D imaging rate at the camera pixel resolution. This paper introduces the basic principles of each technology, and presents some applications that might be interesting to the mechatronics community.
Severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome after combined GnRH-agonist and low-dose human chorionic gonadotropin trigger in a patient with a single kidney.

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) following gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) trigger is rare. Here, we report a case of severe OHSS after combined GnRH-a and low-dose human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) trigger in a patient with a single kidney. The patient is a 32-year-old women with a two-year history of infertility. The patient's history was significant for a single kidney, that is, she had donated a kidney to a family member three years ago. The patient underwent controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) for in vitro fertilization (IVF) and received a combined 2 mg GnRH-a and 1500 IU hCG ovulatory trigger. Estradiol (E2) levels on the day of and after the trigger were 3800 pg/mL and 4001 pg/mL, respectively. Four days after the trigger, the patient began experiencing nausea, abdominal distention and dyspnea, and her blood testing revealed hemoconcentration (hemoglobin: 16.9 g/dL; hematocrit: 51.0%) and an elevated creatinine level (1.16 mg/dL). Fresh embryo transfer was deferred. The patient was admitted to the hospital for fluid monitoring and prophylactic anticoagulation. Following inpatient management, her hemoglobin, hematocrit and creatinine levels normalized. The current report highlights that the systemic effects of OHSS can be accentuated in patients with preexisting renal disease or a single kidney.
All species are important, but some species are more important than others

Foundation species control biodiversity and ecosystem processes, but are difficult to identify. In this issue of Journal of Vegetation Science, Elumeeva et al. show that Festuca varia and Nardus stricta act as foundation species in the Caucasus’ alpine. This paper augments the piecemeal literature on foundation species while highlighting the need for more comprehensive approaches to their identification and conservation. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Dictyosporium wuyiense sp. nov. from Wuyi Mountain China

Dictyosporium wuyiense , a new anamorphic fungus collected on a dead branch of bamboo in Tongmugou, Wuyi Mountain, China, is described and illustrated. It is characterised by being cheiroid, septate, complanate, and yellow, with two types of conidia composed mostly of five parallel compact rows of cells, sometimes with variable hyaline apical vesical appendages. Type 1 conidia are longer and the three central rows are protruding with swollen apical cells; type 2 conidia are wider and fan-shaped, with rows of apical cells approximately the same length. The conidial morphology on potato dextrose agar plates was variable, most with 2–3 vesical appendages. In phylogenetic analyses of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of rDNA, Dictyosporium wuyiense clustered with most Dictyosporium species in Dictyosporiaceae, but was a distinct species. Both morphological and molecular evidence support its description as a new species. A brief review of Dictyosporium and allied species is provided.
Evaluation of Glass, Nylon Fabric and Filter Paper as Substrates in Insecticide Bioassays of Cat Fleas (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae)

Four bioassays for use in detecting and measuring insecticide resistance in newly-emerged, unfed adult cat fleas, Ctenocephalides felis (Bouche), were evaluated: horizontal glass, horizontal Nylon 6,6 fabric disk, horizontal cellulose filter paper disk, and vertical cellulose filter paper strip (WHO bioassay). Each bioassay was evaluated using five insecticides: carbaryl, chlorpyrifos, malathion, permethrin, and pyrethrum. LC50s, LC90s, probit line slopes, and slope standard errors were compared. The LC50s on glass were lower than those obtained with the other substrates. This difference was at least an order of magnitude with carbaryl, malathion, permethrin, and pyrethrum. The paper disk and paper strip bioassays produced the highest LC50s and LC90s for fleas treated with carbaryl, malathion, and pyrethrum. With chlorpyrifos and permethrin, the paper strip resulted in the highest LC50s. The nylon disk tended to produce LC50s intermediate between glass and filter paper. On glass, chlorpyrifos generated hi...
A Practical Solution to the Multiple-Testing Crisis in Financial Research (Presentation Slides)

Most discoveries in empirical finance are false, as a consequence of selection bias under multiple testing. This may explain why so many hedge funds fail to perform as advertised or as expected, particularly in the quantitative space. These false discoveries may have been prevented if academic journals and investors demanded that any reported investment performance incorporates the false positive probability, adjusted for selection bias under multiple testing. In this presentation, we demonstrate how this adjusted false positive probability can be computed and reported for public consumption. The full paper can be downloaded at http://ssrn.com/abstract=3177057
Dynamic equations for a periodic set of edge dislocations

A closed finite-dimensional system of dynamical equations for an unbounded periodic set of edge dislocations obtained previously from homogenization reasoning (Berdichevsky in J Mech Phys Solids 106:95–132, 2017) is rederived in this paper using some elementary means.
“Volunteering” Well Children

“I’ll take just a minute of your time, doctor. I represent the Dandy Diaper Co., and we’re lining up a number of pediatricians in town who are willing to enlist parents of their infant patients to take part in a study of the toxicity and effectiveness of a new kind of diaper. It’s impregnated with a new compound that we hope will decrease the incidence of severe diaper rash. The parents will be given free diapers plus a small monetary sum weekly in exchange for using our diapers regularly and keeping a record of rashes. The pediatricians will be given payment for their time and effort, of course. They will keep records and examine and treat any serious rashes that occur, and their names will be listed on any scientific publications that result.”
Development and quality evaluation of ready-to-serve (RTS) functional beverage prepared from Bael ( Aegle marmelos L.) fruit

A research study was carried out to develop a RTS functional beverage by exploiting the medicinal, nutritional and organoleptic properties of bael fruit pulp. Six treatments of bael RTS beverage such as 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 % (w/w) of pulp concentration were prepared with sugar, citric acid, distilled water and 70ppm of potassium metabisulphite (KMS), considering the findings of preliminary studies and Sri Lankan Standards (SLS 729) for RTS fruit beverage. The prepared RTS were assessed to determine the physico-chemical properties, organoleptic characteristics and microbial safety. The results of the physico-chemical analysis revealed that ascorbic acid and total sugar contents increased from 3.63 to 11.9 mg/100 ml and 11.92 to 15.04 % respectively while the titratable acidity and total soluble solids remained constant; at 0.5 %, 10° Brix, respectively with the increase in the pulp concentration from 2 to 12 %. Results of the sensory evaluation showed that there were significant differences (p
Online Symptom Checker Applications: Syndromic Surveillance for International Health.

Patient demand continues to outpace healthcare access globally, particularly in resource-limited regions, so finding nontraditional strategies to mitigate this healthcare challenge is imperative.[1][1] In addition, healthcare facilities can become dangerous places for disease amplification and
Theories of Timing Behavior

This chapter focuses on timing in the range of seconds to minutes. Timing behavior refers both to time perception and time production. Three types of explanations are considered: behavioristic, biological, and psychological. Time perception refers to the ability of animals to discriminate the duration of an event. The recognition that a time interval can be a conditioned stimulus has been attributed to research in I. Pavlov’s laboratory conducted between 1907 and 1916. A temporal regularity in the duration of a response and a subject-controlled reinforcement also leads to accurate time production. Studies of time perception and production demonstrate that animals are sensitive to the durations of stimuli and to the time intervals between stimuli, responses, and outcomes. A behavioristic explanation, as the term is used, is the application of input-output analysis to the study of behavior. This approach has been essential for progress in all the empirical sciences.
Channel from bacterial virus T7 DNA packaging motor for the differentiation of peptides composed of a mixture of acidic and basic amino acids.

Abstract Protein mutations can result in dysfunctional cell signaling pathways; therefore it is of significance to develop a robust platform for the detection of protein mutations. Here, we report that the channel of bacterial virus T7 DNA packaging motor is able to discriminate peptides containing a mixture of acidic (negatively charged) and basic (positively charged) amino acids. Peptides were differentiated based on their current signatures created by their unique charge compositions. In combination with protease digestion, peptides with the locational differences of single amino acid were also identified. The results suggest that the T7 motor channel has the potential for peptide differentiation, mutation verification, and analysis of protein sequence.
Programming and Coding

Chapter 5 discusses some fundamentals of object-oriented programming languages (Section 5.1) and distributed programming languages (Section 5.4). It also specifically summarizes the major features of two object-oriented programming languages: c++ (Section 5.2) and SMALLTALK (Section 5.3), and one distributed programming language, namely, OCCAM and its predecessor CSP (Section 5.5). Although there are other object-oriented languages (e.g., ACTOR 1 and EFFEL 2 and distributed programming languages (see Section 5.4), these three languages are chosen to illustrate some basic ideas behind object-oriented programming and distributed programming. It is assumed that the reader is familiar with c.
Impact of age on morbidity and mortality following bariatric surgery

Bariatric surgery is the most effective modality to treat obesity and obesity-related comorbidities. This study sought to utilize the MBASQIP® Data Registry to analyze the impact of age at time of surgery on outcomes following sleeve gastrectomy (SG) or Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) procedures. The MBSAQIP® Data Registry for patients undergoing SG or RYGB procedures between 2015 and 2016 was reviewed. Patients were divided into 4 age groups [18–44; 45–54; 55–64; > 65 years]. Minimal exclusions for revisional and/or emergency surgery were selected and combination variables created to classify complications as major or minor. A comorbidity index was constructed to include diabetes, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and prior cardiac surgery. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to compare age stratifications to the young adult (18–45 years) cohort. Of 301,605 cases, 279,419 cases (71.2% SG) remained after applying exclusion criteria (79.2% female, mean BMI 45.5 ± 8.1 kg/m2, 8.9% insulin-dependent diabetics). Mean age was 44.7 ± 12.0 years (51.3% 18–44 years; 26.9% 45–54 years; 16.3% 55–64 years; 5.5% > 65 years). A univariate analysis demonstrated preoperative differences of lower BMI with increasing age concomitant with increasing frequency of RYGB and a higher comorbidity index (p 45 years, major complications and 30-day mortality increased independent of procedure type (p 45 years) increased risk for major complications and mortality. Overall, bariatric surgery (SG or RYGB) remains a low mortality risk procedure for all age groups. However, all age group classifications > 45 years had higher incidence of major complications and mortality compared to patients 18–45 years (despite older individuals having lower preoperative BMI) indicating delaying surgery is detrimental.
Primary localized amyloidosis presenting as urethral stricture: An important differential diagnosis on frozen section

Abstract Primary localized amyloidosis of the urethra is a rare but benign condition with fewer than 50 cases reported in the literature. Because its clinical presentation mimics urologic malignancy, this condition is of particular interest to pathologists and urologists. We present a case of primary localized amyloidosis of the urethra that presented as a urethral stricture and was subsequently diagnosed on frozen section. This paper serves as a reminder to pathologists to consider this rare entity in the differential diagnosis of a urethral stricture, even in an intra-operative setting.
Simulation-Based Course Improves Resident Comfort, Knowledge, and Ability to Manage Surgical Intensive Care Unit Patients.

Abstract Background Simulation-based education can augment residents' skills and knowledge. We assessed the effectiveness of a simulation-based course for surgery interns designed to improve their comfort, knowledge, and ability to manage common surgical critical care (SCC) conditions. Materials and methods For 2 y, all first year residents (n = 31) in general surgery, urology, interventional radiology, and the integrated plastics, vascular, and cardiothoracic surgery training programs at our institution participated in a simulation-based course emphasizing evidence-based management of SCC conditions. Precourse and postcourse surveys and multiple-choice tests, as well as summative simulation tests, assessed interns' comfort, knowledge, and ability to manage SCC conditions. Changes in these measures were assessed with Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed rank tests. Factors associated with summative performance were determined by linear regression. Results The course consisted of four simulation-based teaching sessions in year 1 and six in year 2. The course taught seven of the 18 core SCC conditions in the Surgical Council on Resident Education general surgery curriculum in year 1 and 10 in year 2. Interns' self-reported comfort, knowledge, and ability to manage each condition taught in the course increased (P Conclusions A simulation-based SCC training course for surgery interns that emphasizes evidence-based management of SCC conditions improves interns' comfort, knowledge, and ability to manage these conditions.
Staged total arch replacement, followed by fenestrated-branched endovascular aortic repair, for patients with mega aortic syndrome.

Abstract Objective The aim of the present study was to review the clinical outcomes of a staged approach using total arch replacement (TAR) with an elephant trunk or a frozen elephant trunk, followed by fenestrated-branched endovascular aortic repair (F-BEVAR) for patients with mega aortic syndrome. Methods We reviewed the clinical data and outcomes of 11 consecutive patients (8 men; mean age, 71 ± 7 years) treated by staged TAR and F-BEVAR from January 2014 to December 2018. The F-BEVAR procedures were performed under a prospective, nonrandomized, physician-sponsored investigational device exemption protocol. All patients had had mega aortic syndrome, defined by an ascending aorta, arch, and extent I-II thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm. The endpoints were 30-day mortality, major adverse events (MAE), patient survival, freedom from reintervention, and freedom from target vessel instability. Results Of the 11 patients, 6 had developed chronic postdissection aneurysms after previous Stanford A (three A11, two A10, one A9) dissection repair and 5 had had degenerative aneurysms with no suitable landing zone in the aortic arch. The thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms were classified as extent I in four patients and extent II in seven. One patient had died within 30 days after TAR (9.0%). However, none of the remaining 10 patients who had undergone F-BEVAR had died. First-stage TAR resulted in MAE in three patients (27%), including one spinal cord injury. The mean length of stay was 12 ± 6 days. The mean interval between TAR and F-BEVAR was 245 ± 138 days with no aneurysm rupture during the interval. Second-stage F-BEVAR was associated with MAE in two patients (20%), including spinal cord injury in one patient from spinal hematoma due to placement of a cerebrospinal fluid drain. The mean follow-up period was 14 ± 10 months. At 2 years postoperatively, patient survival, primary patency, secondary patency, and freedom from renal–mesenteric target vessel instability was 80% ± 9%, 94% ± 6%, 100%, and 86% ± 8%, respectively. No aortic-related deaths occurred during the follow-up period. Four patients had required reintervention, all performed using an endovascular approach. Conclusions A staged approach to treatment of mega aortic syndrome using TAR and F-BEVAR is a feasible alternative for selected high-risk patients. Larger clinical experience and longer follow-up are needed.
Early repair of traumatic rotator cuff tears improves functional outcomes.

Background The impact of surgical timing on outcomes involving traumatic rotator cuff tears (RCTs) remains uncertain. The purpose of this study was to determine how functional outcomes are affected by surgical timing in traumatic RCTs. Methods We performed a retrospective review of patients with repair of traumatic full-thickness RCTs. Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging scans were evaluated by 2 blinded reviewers to measure RCT area and muscular atrophy. Functional outcomes were assessed via the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE) score, Simple Shoulder Test score, and visual analog scale (VAS) pain score. Patients were divided into 4 groups based on the time from injury to surgery: 0-2 months (group 1), 2-4 months (group 2), 4-6 months (group 3), and 6-12 months (group 4). Multivariate analysis was performed to assess the impact of surgical timing on functional outcomes. A subanalysis was performed to assess outcomes in patients who underwent surgery within 3 weeks of injury. Results The study included 206 patients (150 men and 56 women) with a mean age of 60.0 ± 9.7 years and a minimum of 24 months’ clinical follow-up (mean, 35.5 months; range, 24-54.4 months). The average tear area was 8.4 ± 6.3 cm2 in group 1 (66 patients), 5.8 ± 5.1 cm2 in group 2 (76 patients), 5.1 ± 4.6 cm2 in group 3 (29 patients), and 3.7 ± 3.1 cm2 in group 4 (35 patients) (P Conclusions This study demonstrates that surgical repair of traumatic RCTs results in significant improvements in functional outcomes for all patients; however, patients who undergo surgery within 3 weeks can expect the best functional outcomes, with a drop in function in patients who undergo surgery >4 months after injury.
Society of Critical Care Medicine Presidential Address−50th Annual Congress, February 2021

To address the need for critically ill patients around the world to receive high quality critical care from trained professionals, SCCM created the Fundamentals of Critical Care Support, or FCCS, course THRIVE was instrumental in characterizing the post-intensive care syndrome, and SCCM has made PICS a common expression in the critical care lexicon and helped to develop strategies that may one day eliminate PICS as a consequence of critical illness These, and other remarkable women leaders at SCCM, laid the groundwork for our Women in Critical Care KEG-one of the first and most active groups of its kind in critical care medicine I am a better intensivist and a better person for having met all of the incredibly talented critical care colleagues who volunteer their time to serve on the SCCM Council, and so many of our leaders on SCCM committees and within our regional SCCM chapters as well as our international collaborators and colleagues [Extracted from the article] Copyright of Critical Care Medicine is the property of Lippincott Williams & Wilkins and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use This abstract may be abridged No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract (Copyright applies to all Abstracts )
An interactive pipeline for quantitative histopathological analysis of spatially defined drug effects in tumors

Background: Tumor heterogeneity is increasingly being recognized as a major source of variability in the histopathological assessment of drug responses. Quantitative analysis of immunohistochemistry (IHC) and immunofluorescence (IF) images using biomarkers that capture spatialpatterns of distinct tumor biology and drug concentration in tumors is of high interest to the field. Methods: We have developed an image analysis pipeline to measure drug response using IF and IHC images along spatial gradients of local drug release from a tumor-implantable drug delivery microdevice. The pipeline utilizes a series of user-interactive python scripts and CellProfiler pipelines with custom modules to perform image and spatial analysis of regions of interest within whole-slide images. Results: Worked examples demonstrate that intratumor measurements such as apoptosis, cell proliferation, and immune cell population density can be quantitated in a spatially and drug concentration-dependent manner, establishing in vivo profiles of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics in tumors. Conclusions: Spatial image analysis of tumor response along gradients of local drug release is achievable in high throughput. The major advantage of this approach is the use of spatially aware annotation tools to correlate drug gradients with drug effects in tumors in vivo.
Normal Oral and Pharyngeal Phase Fluoroscopy

Deglutition is traditionally divided into four phases, beginning with oral preparatory and continuing through oral, pharyngeal, and esophageal phases. The traveling bolus is propelled by highly specialized anatomy that produces a series of chambers and valves that delineate the phases of swallowing. All phases may be captured during videofluoroscopic swallow study (VFSS). The purpose of this chapter is to describe the expected fluoroscopic findings during the normal oral and pharyngeal phases of deglutition.
Conservation Payments to Reduce Wildlife Habitat Fragmentation and Disease Risks

We investigate the challenges of using payments for environmental services (PES) to protect endangered species given habitat fragmentation in conjunction with disease risks from neighboring livestock. Using a bioeconomic model, we show how greater connectivity of habitat creates an endogenous trade-off. More connectedness both (1) increases growth of endangered species populations, while (2) simultaneously increasing the likelihood diseases will spread more quickly. We examine payments for habitat connectedness, livestock vaccination, and reduced movement of infected livestock. We find the cost-effective policy to first use subsidies to promote habitat contiguousness. Once habitat is sufficiently connected, disease risks increase to the point where disease-related subsidies become worthwhile. Highly connected habitat requires nearly all the government budget be devoted to disease prevention and control. The conservation payments result in significantly increased wildlife abundance, increased livestock health and abundance, and increased development opportunities.
FAST: a simulation testbed for ATM networks

Simulation of ATM switches and networks is a computationally demanding problem as compared to simulation of conventional packet-based networks, owing to the large number of cell events that need to be simulated in the former. To address this problem, we are developing a flexible hardware simulation testbed in the High-Speed Networks Laboratory at the University of California, Santa Cruz. The testbed, called FAST (FPGA-based ATM simulation testbed), uses high-density field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) to allow implementation of the key simulation components such as traffic generators, switching fabric, buffer management, traffic scheduling, congestion control mechanisms, and statistics recording in hardware. In the first version of the testbed (FAST-1), each board consists of 13 Altera FLEX devices (including 4 multichip modules), providing a total of 336,000 usable gates. Each board can be used to simulate an ATM switch. Multiple boards may be interconnected to simulate large ATM networks. Software tools are being developed for specifying the components of the underlying simulation model, such as the switch structure, traffic arrival process, traffic scheduling algorithm, and congestion control algorithm; synthesizing the specifications into the individual FPGAs; controlling and monitoring the simulation; and collecting and reporting statistics. The paper provides an overview of the architecture of the FAST-1 board, describes its key components, and discusses an example simulation of a traffic scheduling algorithm using the board.
Blood lactate in newborn infants.

The interesting paper by Graven, et al. on changes in serum lactate with activity in neonates1 is confusing in one respect. The authors indicate that measurements of pCO2 and pH were performed on the umbilical venous blood samples and yet no data are presented. This is of more than passing interest because it has been shown that blood lactate may rise quite rapidly as a consequence of hyperventilation.2 Furthermore, we have shown that the response to arousal as measured by changes9 in oxygen tension in the descending aorta below the ductus arteriosus is quite variable and must be due to a varying response of ventilation as well as to changes in shunting through the foramen ovale or the ductus arteriosus.3
Optimization of Spacecraft Trajectories Using Nonlinear Programming

This paper describes a recently developed method for the determination of optimal, e g minimum-fuel or minimum-time, trajectories for spacecraft. The method will be introduced after a brief discussion of methods previously used by researchers for trajectory optimization. However, the objective here is not to discuss all such methods or provide a comprehensive description of them but rather to provide sufficient information regarding extant methods that what is novel and beneficial about the solution method we have developed may be recognized. Several example optimal trajectories for spacecraft using lowthrust propulsion will be presented.
Cerebral Infarct/Intracranial Cerebrovascular Disease

Imaging goals for intracranial cerebral vascular disease are (1) to assess the degree of parenchymal injury and identify intraparenchymal hemorrhage; (2) to determine if there are areas of altered perfusion that may be at risk for future injury; and (3) to assess the intracranial arteries (patency as well as direction of flow). This unit describes a Basic Protocol that can be used to evaluate stable patients with acute, subacute, or chronic cerebrovascular symptoms. An Alternate Protocol is also given for cases of hyperacute strokes or cerebrovascular symptoms in an unstable patient.
Negative regulation of defence signalling pathways by the EDR1 protein kinase.

SUMMARY The enhanced disease resistance 1 (edr1) mutant of Arabidopsis confers enhanced resistance to bacterial and fungal pathogens. To better understand how edr1-mediated resistance occurs, we performed transcriptome analyses on wild-type and edr1 plants inoculated with the fungal pathogen Golovinomyces cichoracearum (powdery mildew). The expression of many known and putative defence-associated genes was more rapidly induced, and to higher levels, in edr1 plants relative to the wild-type. Many of the genes with elevated expression encoded WRKY transcription factors and there was enrichment for their binding sites in promoters of the genes upregulated in edr1. Confocal microscopy of transiently expressed EDR1 protein showed that a significant fraction of EDR1 was localized to the nucleus, suggesting that EDR1 could potentially interact with transcription factors in the nucleus. Analysis of gene ontology annotations revealed that genes associated with the endomembrane system, defence, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and protein kinases were induced early in the edr1 mutant, and that elevated expression of the endomembrane system, defence and ROS-related genes was maintained for at least 4 days after infection.
Up to 9-day survival and control of thrombocytopenia following alpha1,3-galactosyl transferase knockout swine liver xenotransplantation in baboons.

Kim K, Schuetz C, Elias N, Veillette GR, Wamala I, Varma M, Smith RN, Robson SC, Cosimi AB, Sachs DH, Hertl M. Up to 9-day survival and control of thrombocytopenia following GalT-KO swine liver xenotransplantation in baboons. Xenotransplantation 2012; 19: 256–264.. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Abstract: Background: With standard miniature swine donors, survivals of only 3 days have been achieved in primate liver-transplant recipients. The recent production of alpha1,3-galactosyl transferase knockout (GalT-KO) miniature swine has made it possible to evaluate xenotransplantation of pig organs in clinically relevant pig-to-non-human primate models in the absence of the effects of natural anti-Gal antibodies. We are reporting our results using GalT-KO liver grafts. Methods: We performed GalT-KO liver transplants in baboons using an immunosuppressive regimen previously used by our group in xeno heart and kidney transplantation. Post-operative liver function was assessed by laboratory function tests, coagulation parameters and histology. Results: In two hepatectomized recipients of GalT-KO grafts, post-transplant liver function returned rapidly to normal. Over the first few days, the synthetic products of the donor swine graft appeared to replace those of the baboon. The first recipient survived for 6 days and showed no histopathological evidence of rejection at the time of death from uncontrolled bleeding, probably caused by transfusion-refractory thrombocytopenia. Amicar treatment of the second and third recipients led to maintenance of platelet counts of over 40 000 per μl throughout their 9- and 8-day survivals, which represents the longest reported survival of pig-to-primate liver transplants to date. Both of the last two animals nevertheless succumbed to bleeding and enterococcal infection, without evidence of rejection. Conclusions: These observations suggest that thrombocytopenia after liver xenotransplantation may be overcome by Amicar therapy. The coagulopathy and sepsis that nevertheless occurred suggest that additional causes of coagulation disturbance must be addressed, along with better prevention of infection, to achieve long-term survival.