cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Non-thermal mechanisms in the removal of portwine stains

Current thermal models for destruction of the unwanted skin blood vessels in a port wine stain (telangiectasia) are all based on achieving a critical time-temperature profile in the blood vessel. The major consideration is to maximize the blood vessel destruction and minimize damage to surrounding tissue.
Detecting Difficult Minor Elements in Particle Samples by SEM-EDS

One empirical way to develop confidence in detection limits is to run samples consisting of challenging materials. One class of challenging materials includes the series of NIST glasses containing varying amounts of Ti in a Ba, Si oxide matrix. Barium and titanium have a particularly challenging overlap in the characteristic line families that are typically used to quantify these elements, the Ti K and Ba L line families. The NIST glasses contain between 1.7 % and 16.2 % Ti by mass, 43.0 % Ba by mass with the remaining mass fraction consisting of Si and O.
On the Usefulness of Automatic Water Spraying Fire System in Preventing Massive Burnt Injuries and Deaths

It is always a challenge for fire force to prevent massive burnt injuries and deaths in fire disasters.This paper expounds the usefulness of automatic water spraying fire system in rescuing fires of this kind.The paper offers some suggestions and references concerning this field.
Periprocedural Anticoagulation Management of Patients with Thrombophilia.

Abstract Background Appropriate periprocedural management of the chronically anticoagulated patient with an inherited or acquired thrombophilia is uncertain. The objective of this study was to test "thrombophilia" as a potential predictor of the 3-month cumulative incidence of thromboembolism and major bleeding among chronically anticoagulated patients undergoing an invasive procedure. Methods In a prospective cohort study, consecutive chronically anticoagulated patients referred to the Mayo Thrombophilia Center for standardized periprocedural anticoagulation management who had venous thromboembolism and complete thrombophilia testing were categorized as "severe," "non-severe," or "no identifiable" thrombophilia. The 3-month cumulative incidence rates of thromboembolism, bleeding, and death were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier product limit method. Results Among 362 patients with complete thrombophilia testing, 165 (46%) had a defined thrombophilia; 76 patients had severe thrombophilia, mainly due to antiphospholipid syndrome (66%). Half of the patients in each of the 3 groups received pre- and postprocedure heparin. During follow-up, there were no thromboembolic events, rare major bleeding events (1% for each group), and 4 deaths. Due to the very low event rates for each of these outcomes, Cox proportional hazard modeling could not be performed. Conclusions Periprocedural event rates were low irrespective of thrombophilia status. Inherited or acquired thrombophilia was not a predictor of thromboembolism, major bleeding, or mortality after temporary interruption of chronic anticoagulation for an invasive procedure.
Protection of cattle against experimentally induced salmonellosis by intradermal injection of heat-killed Salmonella dublin.

A single intradermal dose (7 · 5 mg) of heat-killed Salmonella dublin protected two out of three cattle against intravenous challenge with live S dublin. A second dose of 8 mg increased the protection rate to six out of seven. Four of the survivors had transient diarrhoea and S dublin was recovered from the carcases of four killed at four to 21 weeks after infection. Protected animals had elevated serum antibody titres and their serum passively protected rats against intraperitoneal challenge. The resistance of vaccinated cattle, presumably immunological in character, was not associated with leucocyte migration inhibition by salmonella antigen, depression of serum iron levels or haematological changes.
Soft Nanostructured Films for Actuated Surface-Based siRNA Delivery

Substrate-mediated gene delivery is an emerging technology that enables spatial control of gene expression and localized delivery. This is of particular interest for siRNA where surface-based release can greatly impact the fields of stem-cell reprograming, wound healing, and medical device coatings in general. However, reports on the use of siRNA for substrate-mediated delivery are scarce and have suffered from low efficiency. Here, an alternative strategy is reported by designing self-assembled substrates that experience stimuli-responsive topological transformations. Specifically, a methodology is established to promote the molecular organization of lipid films having 3D-bicontinuous cubic, 2D-inverted hexagonal, or 1D-lamellar nanostructures encapsulating siRNA. In response to a compositional, temperature, or humidity stimulus, the nanostructures evolve from 1D-lamellar or 2D-hexagonal to 3D-cubic resulting in efficient siRNA release to human cell cultures. Grazing incidence X-ray diffraction reveals that film nanostructures are highly ordered and preferentially aligned. The results indicate that film structure substantially affects siRNA delivery, with the supported 3D-bicontinuous cubic phase yielding the most effective reduction of gene expression. Subsequent studies suggest this enhanced performance arises due to the ability of this phase to cross cell membranes, particularly those of endocytic compartments. This work underpins that nanostructure tuning is decisive to the performance of therapeutic films.
The Polemics of Exile in Jeremiah 26–45: The Standards of Faith and Intermediation: Jeremiah 34–36

jeremiah 34–36 are generally not categorized together as a unit; the larger unit is typically formed via the connections already observed in chs. 26 and 36. It is clear from the shape of Jeremiah 27–32:15 (and even from the subsequent material added in Jeremiah 33), however, that a new category begins in Jeremiah 34, as the tone shifts dramatically from the promise of redemption to harsh castigation. That critical tone appears to stop in Jeremiah 35 and then resurfaces in Jeremiah 36. However, the purpose of Jeremiah 35 contributes to the overall criticism in Jeremiah 34–36, and as we shall see, there is a reason why Jeremiah 35 appears between these two chapters, both of which have more in common than commentators have generally noticed. THE ANTICIPATION OF THINGS TO COME: JEREMIAH 34:1–7 Jeremiah 34 turns attention from the possibilities of covenantal life in exile to the vapidity of life in Judah. Unlike the community of Babylon, which now holds the promise of redemption, the reader is reminded of the alternative embodied by the desperate and dire circumstances of what is left of Judah.
Abstract LB-290: UCSC TumorMap: Exploring cancer signatures on an interactive dynamic landscape

Cancer is caused by accumulated changes in a cell9s DNA sequence that disrupt the regulation of genetic networks. Mutation type, cell of origin, and tissue microenvironment all influence the initiation and progression of disease. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) catalogues the molecular changes of thousands of tumor samples of various tumor types using different data modalities including genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, and epigenomic views. The goal is to find similarities amongst cancers of different tissues and to reveal clinically-relevant subtypes sharing common molecular abnormalities. While various analyses for interpreting these rich datasets exist, few methods are available to enable intuitive global overviews of these rich compendia. There is a need for methods that can tap the statistical power of large cohorts, to aid in analysis of smaller cohorts and of individual patient samples. Patterns present in many tumors may reveal driving genomic aberrations and pathway signatures that inform therapy. Here, we present a TumorMap, a tool that generates a map of cancer samples for interactive exploration, data overlay visualization, and statistical analysis. TumorMap arranges samples on a hexagonal 2-dimensional grid based on sample similarity. Different maps can be made for each distinct platform of data. Herein we demonstrate the utility of TumorMap for revealing commonalities between cancers of different tissue types, and its ability to aid in pan-cancer hypothesis generation. TumorMap maps for various cancer cohorts are available for free online at http://tumormap.ucsc.edu. Citation Format: Yulia Newton, Adam Novak, Teresa Swatlowski, Sahil Chopra, Sofie Salama, Olena Morozova, David Haussler, Joshua Stuart. UCSC TumorMap: Exploring cancer signatures on an interactive dynamic landscape. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-290.
From intravenous to enteral ketogenic diet in PICU: A potential treatment strategy for refractory status epilepticus.

Abstract Background Ketogenic diet (KD) has been used to treat refractory status epilepticus (RSE). KD is a high-fat, restricted-carbohydrate regimen that may be administered with different fat to protein and carbohydrate ratios (3:1 and 4:1 fat to protein and carbohydrate ratios). Other ketogenic regimens have a lower fat and higher protein and carbohydrate ratio to improve taste and thus compliance to treatment. We describe a case of RSE treated with intravenous KD in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). Case report An 8-year-old boy was referred to the PICU because of continuous tonic-clonic and myoclonic generalized seizures despite several antiepileptic treatments. After admission he was intubated and treated with intravenous thiopental followed by ketamine. Seizures continued with frequent myoclonic jerks localized on the face and upper arms. EEG showed seizure activity with spikes on rhythmic continuous waves. Thus we decided to begin KD. The concomitant ileus contraindicated KD by the enteral route and we therefore began IV KD. The ketogenic regimen consisted of conventional intravenous fat emulsion, plus dextrose and amino-acid hyperalimentation in a 2:1 then 3:1 fat to protein and carbohydrate ratio. Exclusive IV ketogenic treatment, well tolerated, was maintained for 3 days; peristalsis then reappeared so KD was continued by the enteral route at 3:1 ratio. Finally, after 8 days and no seizure improvement, KD was deemed unsuccessful and was discontinued. Conclusions Our experience indicates that IV KD may be considered as a temporary “bridge” towards enteral KD in patients with partial or total intestinal failure who need to start KD. It allows a prompt initiation of KD, when indicated for the treatment of severe diseases such as RSE.
Biotransformation of 6:2 polyfluoroalkyl phosphates (6:2 PAPs): Effects of degradative bacteria and co-substrates

Polyfluoroalkyl phosphates (PAPs), a group of fluorotelomer alcohol (FTOH)-based surfactants commonly used in water- and grease-proof food contact paper, have been suggested as a direct source of human exposure to health-concerned perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs). This study investigated factors affecting biotranformation of 6:2 polyfluoroalkyl phosphates (6:2 PAPs) by three known FTOH-degrading Pseudomonas strains (Pseudomonas butanovora, P. oleovorans, and P. fluorescens DSM 8341) under different co-substrate conditions and compared to that by activated sludge samples. The three pure strains transformed 6:2 PAPs into eight different per- and poly-fluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) and/or PFCA precursors. P. fluorescens DSM 8341 produced 5:2 sFTOH [CF3(CF2)4CH(OH)CH3] and P. oleovorans produced 5:2 ketone [CF3(CF2)4C(O)CH3] as the primary transformation product, respectively, with citrate having a minimal impact on the transformation. P. butanovora with lactate produced more diverse transformation products than those by any two strains. Activated sludge was more efficient at transforming 6:2 PAPs and produced more transformation products including PFHpA [CF3(CF2)5COOH] and PFPeA [CF3(CF2)3COOH], with 5:2 sFTOH as the most abundant product on day 30. The abundance of the alkane hydroxylase (alkB) gene related to alkane oxidation, the changes of total microbial population as well as their community structure in activated sludge during 6:2 PAPs biotransformation were also investigated.
Sensor Node Coverage and Connectivity for Random Deployment

A comprehensive sensor node (SN) has been developed by the University of California at Berkeley and marketed by Crossbow, and the resulting product Mica mote (www.memsic.com/wireless-sensor-networks/, [1]) is shown in Fig. 9.1. Open image in new window Fig. 9.1 Mica mote SN unit [2]
Mobile web page characteristics: Delivery and stability considerations

The consideration of mobile web page and service access for optimization schemes requires a detailed interpretation that goes beyond the commonplace evaluations of HTTP-delivered objects. Evaluating mobile browser interactions with popular web sites, we note that a non-negligible amount of data is delivered with HTTPS and web site interactions could almost exclusively rely on HTTPS delivery of their content. This increasingly popular approach is currently not widely regarded for performance evaluation and modeling purposes and can result in significant deviations between a model and the real mobile web. We find significant amounts of data are delivered in web site interaction by employing HTTPS and there is an additionally non-significant amount of this data that can be cached. Additionally, we find that the same interactions on the same web site could exhibit fairly large variations over time, which results in considerable measurement bias if individual points in time were used. In turn, our findings indicate that the adequate capturing of the mobile web's characteristics as input for modeling and simulation-driven approaches needs to be reconsidered.
Theoretical Foundation of TIARA

This chapter presents the theory of dual-mode information processing as well as reviews various measures of implicit attitudes that have shaped the current research on this topic. Given this theoretical discussion and review of prior implicit measures, the chapter introduces a new method: the Test of Implicit Associations in Relationship Attitudes (TIARA).
Who Goes to Inpatient Rehabilitation or Skilled Nursing Facilities Unexpectedly Following Total Knee Arthroplasty

Abstract Background Inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs) and skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) represent a significant portion of post-operative expenses of bundled payments for total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Although many surgeons no longer routinely send patients to IRFs or SNFs, some patients are unable to be discharged directly home. This study identified patient factors for discharge to post-acute care facilities with an institutional protocol of discharging TKA patients home. Methods A retrospective review of patients undergoing primary unilateral TKA at a single institution from 2012 to 2017 was performed. All surgeons discharged patients home as a routine protocol. An electronic query followed by manual review identified discharge disposition, demographic factors, co-morbidities, and other patient factors. In total, 2281 patients were identified, with 9.6% discharged to SNFs or IRFs and 90.4% discharged home. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to create 2 predictive models for patient discharge: pre-operative visit and hospital course. Results Among 43 variables studied, 6 were found to be significant pre-operative risk factors for a discharge disposition other than home. In descending order, age 75 or greater, female, non-Caucasian race, Medicare status, history of depression, and Charlson Comorbidity Index were predictors for patients going to IRFs. In addition, any in-hospital complications led to a higher likelihood of being discharged to IRFs and SNFs. Both models had excellent predictive assessments with area under curve values of 0.79 and 0.80 for pre-operative visit and hospital course. Conclusion This study identifies pre-operative and in-hospital factors that predispose patients to non-routine discharges, which allow surgeons to better predict patient post-operative disposition.
Two-Dimensional Paradox

ABSTRACTTwo-dimensional accounts of speech and thought make use of so-called ‘diagonal’ propositions. If diagonals are indeed propositions, they can be negated: an ‘anti-diagonal’ is the negation o...
Sensitivity analysis in Markov networks

This paper explores the topic of sensitivity analysis in Markov networks, by tackling questions similar to those arising in the context of Bayesian networks: the tuning of parameters to satisfy query constraints, and the bounding of query changes when perturbing network parameters. Even though the distribution induced by a Markov network corresponds to ratios of multi-linear functions, whereas the distribution induced by a Bayesian network corresponds to multi-linear functions, the results we obtain for Markov networks are as effective computationally as those obtained for Bayesian networks. This similarity is due to the fact that conditional probabilities have the same functional form in both Bayesian and Markov networks, which turns out to be the more influential factor. The major difference we found, however, is in how changes in parameter values should be quantified, as such parameters are interpreted differently in Bayesian networks and Markov networks.
Ionizing radiations and congenital anomalies of the nervous system.

There is no longer any doubt that penetrating ionizing radiations can so interfere with development that congenital anomalies may result from exposures at any time from fertilization of the ovum until after birth, and the majority of such anomalies involve the nervous system. The effects of ionizing radiations at different stages of embryonic development are related hoth to tissues and organs actively differertiating at the time, and the level of exposure. The earliest cleavage stages are the most radiosensitive in terms of lethality and no threshold has been established. Irradiation during organogenesis is most likely to produce gross congenital anomalies, particularly of the certral nervous system. Exposures during the later stages of pregnancy show better survival but are more likely to respond in terms of functional rather than gross structural anomalies. Such late fetuses possess gonads and germ cells which can accumulate the mutations induced by ionizing radiations, for which no mutational threshold has been established. Ionizing radiations produce their effects by killing or maiming cells, or producing mutations. When cells are killed the resultant fetus will be proportionately deficient. When maimed cells persist, they may so interfere with morphogenesis that either or both structural and functional defects follow. Themore » terms survival, recovery, and normality have been confused in radiobiological literature. They are not synonymous. It is becoming clearer that an irradiated embryo may indeed survive, appear to be recovered but in fact exhibit morphological and/or functional deviations from the normal at various periods during the post-natal life of the individual. In view of animal experiments showing deleterious effects of 10 rads delivered to the embryo, and the probability that the human embryo of comparable developmental stage is similarly radiosensitive, it is suggested that this dose be the limit allowed to the early human embryo or duing its first 6 weeks of developmert. This dose is more than that esttmated as the 30 year accumulated gonad exposure from natural, medical and fallout sources. A suggestion is made relative to the mechanism of embryonic damage by ionizing radiations, affecting the DNA--- specific differentiation protein chain reaction. (auth)« less
Biofuel Technologies and Potential

In many cases, the term “biofuels” has been used loosely to include liquid organic fuels that have potential to replace fossil fuels. However, biofuels are classified into different types, such as ethanol, methanol, and biodiesel.
Desensitization of β-adrenergic receptor-coupled adenylate cyclase activity: differences following exposure of cells to two full agonists

Abstract The effects on the β-adrenergic receptors of intact L6 muscle cells of exposure to agonists were investigated. Treatment of cells with isoproterenol decreased GTP-, isoproterenol-, and zinterol-stimulated adenylate cyclase activities, whereas exposure of cells to zinterol decreased only isoproterenol- and zinterol-stimulated activities. Although the effects of these two full agonists on GTP-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity were different, the time courses for development and reversal of the effects were similar. The decrease in agonist-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity observed in membranes prepared from cells previously exposed to isoproterenol or zinterol was due to both an increase in the concentration of agonist required for half-maximal activation and a decrease in the maximum level of activation. No effects on fluoride- or manganese-stimulated activities were observed following exposure of cells to either agonist. Decreases in GTP-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity were also observed following exposure of cells to epinephrine, Cc-25, fenoterol, norepinephrine, terbutaline, or metaproterenol, but not following incubation of cells with dobutamine or salmefamol. The results suggest that full agonists interacting with the same receptor can induce different changes in the components of the adenylate cyclase system. Desensitization following exposure to zinterol may result from modification of the receptor, whereas that following exposure to isoproterenol may be due to alterations in both the guanine nucleotide-binding protein and the receptor.
An expert system kernel for the analysis of strategies over time

Abstract An expert system Kernel in Prolog has been developed aiming at the analysis of time dependent strategies, as encountered in economic/business planning, policy analysis, etc. The inference engine of this Kernel is based on the notion of transactions among asset types, with different settlement terms and constraints. General asset types accounted for include: physical, monetary, policy and information assets. The user only adds his domain dependent assets, transaction classes and constraints. The Kernel implementation allows for the interaction with external data bases, tables and econometric/ simulation models. The examples to be introduced cover: planning an information campaign, currency rate adjustements.
Projecting Nature: Agostino Scilla's Seventeenth-Century Fossil Drawings.

In 1670 the Sicilian painter Agostino Scilla (1629–1700) devised an entirely new way of depicting fossils when he wrote and illustrated his Vain Speculation Undeceived by Sense (1670–1671), which argued that fossils were the remains of once living creatures and not mimetic stones. This essay explores the nature of Scilla’s graphic innovations, comparing his fossils drawings and Pietro Santi Bartoli’s engravings of them to earlier and contemporary images of fossils. Scilla captured the effect of time on nature by infusing his style of drawing with his philosophical understanding of what it means to see and to know. He made his drawing less rich in detail to focus on those which served his purpose. In particular, he made the first use of dotted lines in paleontological illustration to render his images dynamic theoretical interpretations rather than static depictions.
X60: A Programmable Testbed for Wideband 60 GHz WLANs with Phased Arrays

Abstract This paper introduces X60, the first SDR-based testbed for 60 GHz WLANs, featuring fully programmable MAC/PHY/Network layers, multi-Gbps rates, and a user-configurable 12-element phased antenna array. Combined these features provide an unprecedented opportunity to re-examine the most important aspects of signal propagation and performance expected from practical 60 GHz systems. Leveraging the testbed’s capabilities, we conduct an extensive measurement study, looking at different aspects of indoor 60 GHz links. We find that the presence of reflective surfaces and imperfect beams generated by practical phased arrays together can result in multiple NLoS paths supporting Gbps rates. Additionally, our comparison of different beam adaptation strategies reveals how beam steering even at one end of the link can often be sufficient to restore link quality. Finally, contrary to a common assumption in recent works, we find that a one-to-one MCS to SNR mapping is hard to obtain in typical indoor environments, and probing of more than one MCS index is often required to discover the optimal MCS for a given SNR.
Map of the underworld

A chemically distinct region separates the Indian and Pacific mantle domains as revealed by isotope analyses on rare samples from the Australian–Antarctic Ridge.
Designing Age-Friendly Workplaces: An Occupational Health Perspective

The graying of the workforce has fostered a burgeoning interest in the design of age-friendly workplaces. This chapter provides an occupational health perspective on workplace design with the ultimate goal of maximizing worker safety, health, and well-being. To set the stage for this perspective, the burden of occupational injuries and illnesses is discussed, as well as changes in occupational health outcomes (both positive and negative) that will likely occur as the workforce grows older. Four guiding principles of an occupational health perspective on aging are also described. The concept of age-friendly environments is examined through the lens of well-established efforts in two domains outside of the workplace (aging in place, age-friendly communities/cities). Next, drawing on case studies and current research findings, strategies for designing age-friendly workplaces are presented. These strategies include modifications of the work environment, changes in human resource policy, expanding flexible work practices, encouraging lifelong learning, and adopting a comprehensive, multi-level approach. The chapter concludes with ten practical steps organizations should consider in designing and implementing age-friendly improvements.
The Promise of Contemporary Primatology

This book argues for a contemporary primatology that recognizes humans as integral components in the ecologies of primates. This contemporary primatology uses a broadened theoretical lens and methodological toolkit to study primate behavior and ecology in increasingly anthropogenic contexts and seeks points of intersection and spaces for collaborative exchange across the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities. The book begins by exploring the American tradition of anthropology, providing historical and disciplinary context for the emergence of field primatology and how it became a part of this tradition. It then examines how primatology transformed into a field dominated by evolutionary approaches and highlights how the increasingly anthropogenic environments in which primates live present opportunities to understand primate adaptability at work. In doing so, it explores how an extended evolutionary approach can help explain behavioral variation in these contemporary environments. Focus is then given to the ethnoprimatological approach, a contemporary approach that provides a pluralistic framework, drawing from the natural and social sciences and humanities, needed to study human-primate coexistence in the Anthropocene. Finally, the book considers how such a crossing of disciplines can inform primate conservation in the future. An important interdisciplinary reassessment, this book will be of significant interest to primatologists, biological anthropologists, and scholars of anthropology more generally, as well as evolutionary and conservation biologists.
Not by the same token: A female orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) is selectively prosocial.

Studies of prosocial behavior in nonhumans have focused on group-living social animals. Despite being highly social and closely related to humans, chimpanzees have rarely exhibited prosocial preferences in experimental tasks. Fewer studies have provided their non group-living relatives—orangutans—with the opportunity to express prosocial preferences. Here, we allowed a single female orangutan to provide rewards for herself and for her mother, sister, or both, across various phases, using a token economy task. The orangutan was more likely to choose prosocially when she could provide rewards to her sister and herself compared to when she could provide rewards to her mother and herself. However, when presented with the simultaneous options of providing rewards for self, self and mother, or self and sister, she chose prosocially equally often to her mother and sister. She made the largest number of prosocial choices in a phase when she could provide rewards to all participants (herself, her sister, and her mother) rather than providing rewards only to herself or only to herself and one other participant. Despite the obvious limitations of a single case study, the study adds to the limited information on prosocial preferences in less social primate species, particularly when given the chance to share food items with different kin.
Crowd and Procession Hypothesis Testing for Large-Scale Archaeological Sites

Our goal is to construct parameterized, spatially and temporally situated simulations of large-scale public ceremonies. Especially in pre-historic contexts, these activities lack precise records and must be hypothesized from material remains, documentary sources, and cultural context. Given the number of possible variables, we are building a computational system SPACES (Spatialized Performance And Ceremonial Event Simulations), that rapidly creates variations that may be both visually (qualitatively) and quantitatively assessed. Of particular interest are processional movements of crowds through a large-scale, navigationally complex, and semantically meaningful site, while exhibiting individual contextual emotional, performative, and ceremonially realistic behaviors.
Impact of Marital Status on Survival in Patients with Ocular and Periocular Malignancies: A Retrospective Analysis of 3159 Patients from the SEER Database

Background An ocular or periocular malignancy can profoundly impact patients' lives as they cope with the challenges of a potentially life-threatening diagnosis and the exhaustive treatment process it entails. An amalgam of biopsychosocial factors can influence prognosis. This study aims to determine whether marital status impacts the long-term survival of patients with these malignancies. Methods A retrospective analysis of the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database was performed. Patients with ocular and periocular malignancies diagnosed between 1973 and 2015 were included. The association between survival and marital status was assessed using univariate and multivariate Cox regression. Adjusted covariates included demographic, tumor, and treatment data. Results A total of 3159 patients with a mean±SD follow-up period of 6.47±4.62 (range 0-17.9) years were studied. At the time of diagnosis, 63.4% (2004/3159) of the cohort were married, 12.9% (409/3159) were single, 16.3% (514/3159) were widowed, and 7.3% (232/3159) were divorced. The mean±SD age of the cohort was 64.4±15.17 (range 26-100) years, with histology distributed as 14.6% (462/3159) melanoma, 84.5% (2669/3159) lymphoma, and 0.9% (28/3159) plasmacytoma. Adjusted all-cause mortality risk was higher in single (HR, 1.885, 95% CI 1.535 to 2.314; P<0.001), widowed (HR, 1.382, 95% CI 1.169 to 1.635; P<0.001), and divorced (HR, 1.637, 95% CI 1.271 to 2.109; P<0.001) individuals compared to married individuals. Similarly, adjusted cause-specific mortality risk was higher in single (HR, 1.835, 95% CI 1.332 to 2.528; P<0.001), widowed (HR, 1.376, 95% CI 1.025 to 1.847; P=0.033), and divorced (HR, 1.873, 95% CI 1.272 to 2.758; P=0.001) individuals compared to married individuals. Conclusion Unmarried (single, widowed, and divorced) individuals with ocular or periocular malignancies have unmet social support needs resulting in poorer long-term outcomes. Understanding the prognostic role of such psychosocial factors is necessary to improve the identification of and care for patients with inadequate support.
Inhibiting thrombin improves motor function and decreases oxidative stress in the LRRK2 transgenic Drosophila melanogaster model of Parkinson’s disease

Abstract Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a complex neurodegenerative disease characterized by the presence of tremors, loss of dopaminergic neurons and accumulation of α-synuclein. While there is no single direct cause of PD, genetic mutations, exposure to pesticides, diet and traumatic brain injury have been identified as risk factors. Increasing evidence suggests that oxidative stress and neuroinflammation contribute to the pathogenesis of neuronal injury in neurodegenerative diseases such as PD and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We have previously documented that the multifunctional inflammatory mediator thrombin contributes to oxidative stress and neuroinflammation in AD. Here, for the first time, we explore the role of thrombin in a transgenic PD model, the LRRK2 mutant Drosophila melanogaster. Transgenic flies were treated with the direct thrombin inhibitor dabigatran for 7 days and locomotor activity and indices of oxidative stress evaluated. Our data show that dabigatran treatment significantly (p
Chronic Disease Counseling and Screening by Dental Professionals: Results From NHANES, 2011-2016.

INTRODUCTION Dental visits may provide an opportunity to counsel and screen for chronic disease prevention. However, few studies have used nationally representative data to assess the potential role of dental professionals in chronic disease prevention. We examined the percentage of US adults who reported chronic disease counseling and screening by dental professionals. METHODS We analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011-2016 for 5,541 participants aged 30 or older who reported seeing a dental professional in the past year and estimated the percentage who reported receiving counseling about selected chronic disease prevention during the visit. We used logistic regressions to examine associations between risk factors and counseling. RESULTS Overall, 4.0% (standard error [SE], 0.3) of adults were told by a dental professional about the benefits of checking blood glucose, 42.4% (SE, 2.9) giving up tobacco (among tobacco users), 26.6% (SE, 1.2) about checking for oral cancer, and 43.0% (SE, 1.8) had an oral cancer examination. Groups with risk factors were more likely to receive health behavior counseling than those without (eg, those previously told they had diabetes risk factors were more likely to receive blood glucose counseling than those without [8.1% vs 3.3%, P < .05]). The pattern for oral cancer counseling and receiving an oral cancer examination was different: adults without oral cancer risk factors (no tobacco use, normal/underweight, and/or excellent/very good health) were more likely to receive oral cancer counseling or screening. Adjusted analyses did not change these associations. CONCLUSION Most adults were not counseled about chronic disease prevention during a visit with a dental professional. Current tobacco users and those with overweight or obesity were more likely to report receiving counseling.
AACR Cancer Progress Report 2020: Turning Science into Lifesaving Care

The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) is proud to announce the release of the AACR Cancer Progress Report 2020 . This 10th edition of the annual report details how research is the backbone of progress across the spectrum of lifesaving cancer care. The full report, and all nine prior
Mutagenomics: The Future of Genetic Screens.

Genetic screens are a remarkable way of identifying mutations affecting various aspects of plant growth and development. Arabidopsis ( Arabidopsis thaliana ) (T)-DNA insertion lines enable rapid identification of mutant genes but are tedious to create in a mutant background of choice. Chemical
Assisted feeding techniques in hospitalised felines

Both dogs and cats continue to be important family and household members. However, because felines are obligate carnivores, they have complicated, and unique nutritional requirements compared with ...
Working Twice as Hard to Get Half as Far, Presentation to the International Arbitration Club of New York, August 13, 2020

It is a pleasure to speak with you today after 38 odd years in this arena. Having handed in my final class grades on Tuesday as a law professor (retiring on January 31, 2021) I am a has been or fast on my way to being one. I think of this as my farewell speech to international commercial arbitration and, upon the suggestion of my wife, have dressed accordingly in the tuxedo I wore yesterday to celebrate our fourth wedding anniversary. I speak to you out of my deep and abiding respect for international commercial arbitration. I have known this field’s promise and limitations, the good and the bad in it, and the best and the worst in it. So I appreciate your time today to discuss this topic. I will attempt to shed some heat but I also hope to bring some light on this arena. You will be the judge of whether I succeed. The presentation will be on the way forward for the New List - Arbitrators of African Descent with a US Connection (https://www.simpsonadr.net/files/NewList2020.07.30Edited.pdf). The bottom line will be you should hire, promote, and appoint these people in international arbitration practice. It is in the best interest of your clients, your firms, and yourselves – and for international commercial arbitration. The durability of international arbitration as the world’s dispute resolution mechanism may depend on it.
Modulators of immunoregulatory exonucleases PLD3 and PLD4 identified by high-throughput screen.

Abstract PLD3 and PLD4 have recently been revealed to be endosomal exonucleases that regulate the innate immune response by digesting the ligands of nucleic acid sensors. These enzymes can suppress RNA and DNA innate immune sensors like toll-like receptor 9, and PLD4-deficent mice exhibit inflammatory disease. Targeting these immunoregulatory enzymes presents an opportunity to indirectly regulate innate immune nucleic acid sensors that could yield immunotherapies, adjuvants, and nucleic acid drug stabilizers. To aid in delineating the therapeutic potential of these targets, we have developed a high-throughput fluorescence enzymatic assay to identify modulators of PLD3 and PLD4. Screening of a diversity library (N = 17952) yielded preferential inhibitors of PLD3 and PLD4 in addition to a PLD3 selective activator. The modulation models of these compounds were delineated by kinetic analysis. This work presents an inexpensive and simple method to identify modulators of these immunoregulatory exonucleases.
Dynamics of Alopex Process: Application to Optimization Problems

The Alopex process has been applied to a variety of problems in which maxima or minima of functions of many parameters are to be determined. We present here different forms of the algorithm and a simple theory of the dynamics of the process. Computer simulations of several applications are presented to illustrate the versatility of the method. An artificial visual system is described in which partial stimuli are completed and patterns are created out of noise with only a scalar cost function to guide the process.
The Personal Property Secured Financing System of Venezuela: A Comparative Study and the Case for Harmonization

* Corporate Attorney, Microsoft Corporation; Adjunct Professor, University of Miami School of Law. The auth r thanks Professor Ri hard Hausler, University of Miami School of Law, or his guidance in the preparation of t is article; Carlos F. Perez Castro of Caracas, Venezuela, for his help in th research of the Venezuelan materials; and Professor Boris Kozolchyk and the Na ional Law Center for Int r-American Free Trade for their m al supp rt and encouragement.
Prenatal protein malnutrition impairs visual discrimination learning in adult rats

Developing rats were either malnourished or adequately nourished during the prenatal period by feeding their dams diets containing low (6% casein) or adequate (25% casein) amounts of protein for 5 weeks prior to mating and throughout pregnancy. All pups received adequate nutrition from the day of birth onwards. Male offspring were tested on the Lashley jump stand in three visual discrimination problems, beginning at 91 days of age. The previously malnourished rats made significantly more errors overall and took significantly longer to learn the three discrimination problems than did the controls. This was due primarily to inferior performance on a verticalversus horizontal-stripe discrimination task. No significant difference between the two groups was found in brightness discrimination or in the discrimination of a square and a circle. Our results are consistent with the view that malnutrition and its associated stresses during prenatal life significantly disrupt later performance of certain complex visual learning tests.
Mechanical and surface coagulation: V. The role of the solid-liquid interface and of turbulence in mechanical coagulation

Abstract A series of experiments of widely differing techniques showed that the solid-liquid interface is a locus of coagulation in “mechanical” coagulation, provided flow at or near this interface is turbulent. This type of surface coagulation is, however, overshadowed by that taking place at a nonquiescent liquid-air interface. A certain minimum amount of turbulence is recognized as being necessary to obtain a well measurable degree of coagulation at either interface.
The Creativity Challenge

ABSTRACTThe advertising landscape has experienced dramatic change over the past several years, as consumers spend more time online, have more control over traditional advertising vehicles, and chose to create and share their own content. As a result, some advertisers are evolving to a confluence culture where traditional methods of work must adapt to embrace the new reality of interactive content, emerging media, and production/consumption methods. In this essay, we show how agencies like 22squared and advertisers like CNN are finding new ways to connect with consumers and build their brands. Implications for professionals and educators are provided.
Metabolism of Exogenous and Endogenous Arachidonic Acid in Cancer

Epidemiologic evidence in humans and controlled trials in animal models indicate that total dietary fat increases the risk of cancer. The animal evidence indicates that the greatest efficacy in promoting carcinogenesis is achieved with omega-6 fatty acids with little or no effect from either the omega-3 or monounsaturated fatty acid families. Epidemiologic studies in humans indicate a positive association between meat intake and colon cancer, but a negative association with chicken and fish. There is also a negative association between non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) intake and colon cancer. Red meat is a potentially significant source of dietary arachidonic acid, which is the primary substrate for the eicosanoids whose production is blocked by NSAIDs. Thus there is a positive association between carcinogenesis and dietary intake of both the omega-6 fatty acid precursor linoleic acid and its product arachidonic acid, and a negative association with use of a drug blocking its metabolism to eicosanoids. Another potentially important factor in arachidonate metabo¬lism is variation in its endogenous distribution. We have recently reported abnormal distribution of arachidonic acid between lipid fractions in human obesity, and parallel abnormalities in animal models of genetic obesity. This implies a potential role for variation in the endogenous distribution of arachidonic acid in the etiology of cancers which have increased incidence in human obesity. This paper addresses the role of arachidonate intake, its endogenous production, and its distribution within lipid fractions in carcinogenesis.
A visual-programming environment for a temporal logic language

In this paper a visual programming environment, aimed for creating temporal logic sentences, rules and facts files using an object-oriented environment is presented. A graphical user interface allows the programmer to activate graphical symbols through a menu selection. The graphical symbols are grouped into classes: logical connectiveness, temporal logic operators, predicates, temporal logic models, etc. which are eventually correctly parsed and mapped into a source code written in the temporal logic language. A data base of library items allows the user to use and add, if required, other items in the language as soon as they are created. A knowledge data base is created using this tool to verify a computer communication protocol. >
More Than Telemonitoring: Health Provider Use and Nonuse of Life-Log Data in Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Weight Management.

Background: The quantified self, self-monitoring or life-logging movement is a trend to incorporate technology into data acquisition on aspects of a person's daily life in terms of inputs (eg food consumed), states (eg mood), and performance (mental and physical). Consumer self-monitoring mobile phone apps have been widely studied and used to promote healthy behavior changes. Data collected through life-logging apps also have the potential to support clinical care. Objective: We sought to develop an in-depth understanding of providers’ facilitators and barriers to successfully integrating life-log data into their practices and creating better experiences. We specifically investigated three research questions: How do providers currently use patient-collected life-log data in clinical practice? What are provider concerns and needs with respect to this data? What are the constraints for providers to integrate this type of data into their workflows? Methods: We interviewed 21 health care providers—physicians, dietitians, a nurse practitioner, and a behavioral psychologist—who work with obese and irritable bowel syndrome patients. We transcribed and analyzed interviews according to thematic analysis and an affinity diagramming process. Results: Providers reported using self-monitoring data to enhance provider-patient communication, develop personalized treatment plans, and to motivate and educate patients, in addition to using them as diagnostic and adherence tools. However, limitations associated with current systems and workflows create barriers to regular and effective review of this data. These barriers include a lack of time to review detailed records, questions about providers' expertise to review it, and skepticism about additional benefits offered by reviewing data. Current self-monitoring tools also often lack flexibility, standardized formats, and mechanisms to share data with providers. Conclusions: Variations in provider needs affect tracking and reviewing needs. Systems to support diagnosis might require better reliability and resolution, while systems to support interaction should support collaborative reflection and communication. Automatic synthesis of data logs could help providers focus on educational goals while communication of contextual information might help providers better understand patient values. We also discuss how current mobile apps and provider systems do, and do not, support these goals, and future design opportunities to realize the potential benefits of using life-logging tools in clinical care. [J Med Internet Res 2015;17(8):e203]