cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Robust Matrix Decomposition With Sparse Corruptions

Suppose a given observation matrix can be decomposed as the sum of a low-rank matrix and a sparse matrix, and the goal is to recover these individual components from the observed sum. Such additive decompositions have applications in a variety of numerical problems including system identification, latent variable graphical modeling, and principal components analysis. We study conditions under which recovering such a decomposition is possible via a combination of l1 norm and trace norm minimization. We are specifically interested in the question of how many sparse corruptions are allowed so that convex programming can still achieve accurate recovery, and we obtain stronger recovery guarantees than previous studies. Moreover, we do not assume that the spatial pattern of corruptions is random, which stands in contrast to related analyses under such assumptions via matrix completion.
Bridging the Strategic Outcome Measurement Gap in Manufacturing Organizations

Research in manufacturing strategy is necessary to build knowledge about how to compete in a global economy. Many new techniques and technologies are being touted in the literature as cures for industrial performance inertia. However, these techniques and technologies cannot be properly evaluated because of strategic performance measurement problems. This article describes problems with measuring strategic outcomes. A method is then presented for conducting research that requires strategic outcome measurements. One of the major themes is that this method should be temporary; it is far more important for university-industry ties to become closer, and for efforts to be directed at finding practical, standardized methods for measuring strategic outcomes.
Second Culture, Good Vibrations, and Writings on the Wall: Hip-Hop in the GDR as a Case of Afro-Americanophilia

This essay examines Afro-Americanophilia in the German Democratic Republic by analyzing the cultural transfer of hip-hop between 1983 and 1990. It argues that the individuals who participated in this transfer from the United States into East Germany shared an appreciation of African Americans and Black culture and thus facilitated the import, growth, and dissemination of breakdance, graffiti, rap, and deejaying. Focusing on three individuals, it details the specific characteristics of their Afro-Americanophilia and scrutinizes their roles for the hip-hop scene in state socialism. While a cultural critic interpreted hip-hop as ‘second culture,’ which, according to Marxist-Leninist ideology, was to be endorsed as international working-class culture, a radio host from East Berlin spread information and music throughout the country, equipping the teenage audience with what they needed for their own practice of hip-hop. Finally, a look at a graffiti writer from Dresden shows how hip-hop artists imagined themselves into the community of hip-hop in New York City and fashioned themselves as Black youth living in the Bronx.
A conceptual model integrating trust into planned change activities to enhance technology adoption behavior

Trillions of dollars are annually spent on the development and implementation of information technology within the United States and around the world. On average, roughly 50% of such systems are considered failures or fall short of meeting the expectations set forth by management. The lost productivity and high costs associated with these shortcomings necessitate the identification of alternative frameworks for facilitating the successful acceptance and continued internalization of new technologies. Internalization is defined as the effective and continued use of a technology over time. As such, this paper introduces a conceptual model for examining the effect of trust and planned change initiatives on technology adoption behavior. We propose that technology trust and interpersonal trust, when coupled with planned change initiatives, lead to greater technology adoption and internalization. A series of propositions are introduced and examined between trust, planned change, technology adoption, and internalization. Implications and recommendations for future explorations and development are presented.
PATTERN IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF A MARINE COMMUNITY1

ADSTRACT The development of a community on experimental l-m cubes of asbestos board on iron frames placed at 12-14-m depth off La Jolla has bocn examined in terms of the processes leading to patterns of distribution. Differences between the cubes in vectorial factors were kept to a minimum. However, vectorial processes affecting them all, especially water movement, were important in forming and maintaining the community. Only one pattern was clearly ascribable to reproductive processes: spread of a budding anemone. Patterns due to social action were seen in the schools of fish that fed around the cubes. There was competition for space between the anemone and a bushy bryozoan. Competition was not evident within several congeneric pairs that were prominent components of the community. Chance processes appeared to be the causes of differences between the cubes in species composition and size of the large brown algae and in the occurrence and abundance of small fish and nudibranchs. The algae were major contributors to the physical structure of the community; the fish and nudibranchs were important in the food web. The similarities of this community with other more complex ones wore considerable: the key role of “detritus,” the constant flnx of individuals ancl species, the stability of numbers of many species, and the qualitative and quantitative variations on a basic species list.
Managers’ Perceptions of Illegal Marijuana Cultivation on U.S. Federal Lands

Illegal marijuana cultivation on public lands is a complex social and ecological concern increasingly encountered by managers and federal officials. The negative ecological impacts of remote marijuana grow sites are in the nascent stages of scientific understanding; therefore, systematic inquiry into management perspectives about this issue lacks examination. Using purposive sampling, researchers interviewed a diversity of administrators, ecologists, and law enforcement professionals (n = 29) from U.S. federal agencies involved in preventing and responding to illegal marijuana cultivation on public lands. Interview data were analyzed using common pool resource design principles (Ostrom 1990) to (a) understand managers’ challenges, successes, ideas, and experiences regarding illegal marijuana cultivation, and (b) highlight specific drivers that prohibit, assist, and influence the prevention, mitigation, and response to this issue. Salient themes from the interviews include management complexity, adequate f...
Tiempo presente, tiempo pasado. Las raíces históricas y filosóficas del periodismo cívico

The author goes over the objectives and events that gave meaning to a journalism that seeks participation and compromise from the community. Civic Journalism is defined not as "an old wine in a new bottle" but as an expression of its time, as a result of an historical development that demands to journalism the recovery of its ideals.
Estimation of signal characteristics during electrolocation from video analysis of prey capture behavior in weakly electric fish

Weakly electric fish can actively influence the strength and spatiotemporal patterns of incoming electrosensory signals by controlling the velocity and orientation of their body and by adjusting the gain and filtering properties of neurons in the electrosensory lateral line lobe (ELL) via descending control (review: Bastian 1995). To better understand the signal conditions under which the active electric sense normally operates, we have undertaken a set of behavioral studies aimed at characterizing how electric fish use their electrosensory system to locate and capture small prey. Key questions we are pursuing include the range of detectability for small prey; the typical signal magnitude of prey within this range; the typical velocity of the prey relative to the receptor array; the movement strategies of the fish during prey search, localization, and strike phases of behavior; and the spatiotemporal patterns of receptor activation during prey capture behavior and how these patterns relate to the filtering properties of sensory neurons in the ELL. Answers to these questions will be used to guide and constrain our electrophysiological and neural modeling studies.
169 : Direct in vitro generation of antigen specific, memory phenotype, Cd8+ T cells using a cocktail of small molecules and gamma-chain cytokines

Adoptive T cell transfer is an emerging cancer immunotherapy that has yielded complete responses in solid tumors such as B cell lymphoma and melanoma that are incurable by standard therapies. Prior studies have demonstrated that transfer of less differentiated T cells with greater proliferative capacity is associated with better clinical responses. Conventional expansion of antigen specific CD8 T cells uses high dose IL-2 and generates effector cells with high cytolytic and little proliferative capacity. We hypothesized that altering culture conditions by adding known cytokines and small molecules that inhibit acquisition of effector function and encourage memory formation would be associated with greater efficacy of transferred cells. We have used peptide antigen pulsed dendritic cells combined with a cocktail of homeostatic and memory-inducing cytokines that bind to the common gamma chain (IL-7 and IL-21) along with small molecules that inhibit glycolysis and enhance Wnt signaling to rapidly generate tumor specific, less-differentiated CD8 T cells with memory properties. Cells grown by this method are highly antigen specific (>90%) and are ∼50% central memory (CD62L+CD44+) or naive (CD62L+CD44−) phenotype versus virtually undetectable levels of these cells in cultures grown under standard conditions (i.e. with large amounts of IL-2). Compared to highly activated effector cells grown in IL-2, these memory-like cells engraft more efficiently into lymphopenic tumor bearing mice, maintain memory (CD62L+) phenotype for several weeks, and have greater anti-tumor efficacy in vivo. This approach is particularly useful since rapid advances in bioinformatics will soon make practical the identification of CD8 T cell epitopes derived from patient specific mutations. Since this method represents a way to generate more effective T cells that target tumor specific mutations, these results have significant implications for extending the usefulness of adoptive transfer to non-immunogenic (i.e. non-TIL bearing) solid tumors that could be targeted with personalized immunotherapy.
On the Statistical Combination of Time-Varying Loads

Often, the total responses experienced by a system are due to distinct and independent contributors. For example, during atmospheric flight, a launch vehicle and its spacecraft will experience loads from sources such as dynamic pressure, turbulence/gust, buffet, and thrust oscillation and vectoring. Because of the complexity of the phenomena, each contributor must be established in separate analyses. To obtain a total, the separate results must be combined. There are several combination equations, and three of these are assessed herein by means of Monte Carlo simulations and mathematical analysis. It will be demonstrated that the equation based on the envelope functions of Gaussian response time histories provides a reasonable bound, and that the form of the equation in which all contributors are root sum squared will frequently under predict the correct total.
The Brain Bases of Phantom Auditory Phenomena: From Tinnitus to Hearing Voices

The phenomenology and neural bases of phantom auditory perceptions are reviewed. A variety of phantom auditory phenomena are discussed, from tinnitus to hearing voices. It is claimed that the phenomenology or qualia of the hallucinatory experience may correspond to how the auditory system is organized into functional regions (neural architecture) and how auditory percepts are represented at the single neuron level within this system. There may be a one-to-one correspondence between the type of experience (e.g., hearing a tone versus hearing a voice) and the representational qualities or aspects of sound representation in different parts of the auditory and speech processing stream or system. The literature does not support the supposition that certain features of auditory hallucinations correspond to either neurological or psychiatric disease. Clinical aspects of auditory hallucinations also are discussed that may be of interest to clinical practitioners with patients who have auditory hallucinations.
RT-29CONDUCTING VIRTUAL CLINICAL TRIALS TO EVALUATE HYPOFRACTIONATED RADIOTHERAPY FOR NEWLY DIAGNOSED GLIOBLASTOMA

PURPOSE: Fractionated photon irradiation is an integral part of the standard-of-care for newly diagnosed glioblastoma (GBM). Radiotherapy (RT) remains an area of active research, as 42 of 56 open interventional clinical trials for newly diagnosed GBMs involve RT. Hingorani et al reviewed several studies involving hypofractionated radiotherapy (HFRT) that suggested improved outcomes with reduced treatment times and neurological complications. However, these studies, along with many others for GBM, suffer from having a small cohort of patients. In this setting, inter-tumoral heterogeneity presents a significant challenge to evaluating therapeutic response and the interpretation of trial outcomes. METHODS: We present a method for conducting virtual clinical trials (VCT) for glioblastoma in the context of HFRT, although the method is applicable to a variety of therapies. For each VCT, we generate multiple virtual small cohorts of GBM patients by sampling tumor growth and response rates from a distribution created from a previously studied population of 63 GBM patients. The virtual cohorts are characterized by growth and response rates with mathematical models which can be determined through clinical imaging. These models are used to simulate four HFRT clinical trial protocols as well as the standard-of-care. Overall survival and dose to non-involved brain were compared for all protocols for each cohort while the standard-of-care is compared to a population-level control. RESULTS: We found that this approach can be used to differentiate experimental treatments in silico. The ability to conduct repeated VCTs for a variety of cohorts is valuable with the limited availability of patients with newly diagnosed GBM for new trials. This method can be viewed as an additional layer to meta-analysis of published trials, or as a preclinical tool to test hypotheses regarding treatment protocols prior to the proposal of a phase II trial, with the goal of selecting more cost-and time-efficient trials.
Survey on Rural Drinking Water Project in Deyang,2009

Objective To understand the general situation of the rural drinking water project in Deyang and explore the effective way to insure the security of drinking water.Method The questionnaire was designed to survey the general situation of the drinking water project at 119 site in Deyang in 2009,and Excel was used to analyze the data.Results Up to 83.65% of the drinking water was taken from wells,and 54.78% of the water sources were without signs indicating the water source should be protected,65.17% of the water source keepers had no health certificates,43.48% of the source water was without water conditioning and only 30.43% of the source water was disinfected as required.Conclusion The water quality in Deyang after the implementation of rural drinking water project was not satisfied.
Application research of PSS on central power system

The present status of power grid and the necessity and reliability of PSS(Power System Stabilizer) to power grid safety are demonstrated.Moreover,The PSS on damping LFO(Low Frequency Oscillation) combining 8th generator in power plant is analyzed.
Fabp‐1 gene ablation impacts brain endocannabinoid system in male mice

Liver fatty acid-binding protein (FABP1, L-FABP) has high affinity for and enhances uptake of arachidonic acid (ARA, C20:4, n-6) which, when esterified to phospholipids, is the requisite precursor for synthesis of endocannabinoids (EC) such as arachidonoylethanolamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG). The brain derives most of its ARA from plasma, taking up ARA and transporting it intracellularly via cytosolic fatty acid-binding proteins (FABPs 3,5, and 7) localized within the brain. In contrast, the much more prevalent cytosolic FABP1 is not detectable in the brain but is instead highly expressed in the liver. Therefore, the possibility that FABP1 outside the central nervous system may regulate brain AEA and 2-AG was examined in wild-type (WT) and FABP1 null (LKO) male mice. LKO increased brain levels of AA-containing EC (AEA, 2-AG), correlating with increased free and total ARA in brain and serum. LKO also increased brain levels of non-ARA that contain potentiating endocannabinoids (EC*) such as oleoyl ethanolamide (OEA), PEA, 2-OG, and 2-PG. Concomitantly, LKO decreased serum total ARA-containing EC, but not non-ARA endocannabinoids. LKO did not elicit these changes in the brain EC and EC* as a result of compensatory up-regulation of brain protein levels of enzymes in EC synthesis (NAPEPLD, DAGLα) or cytosolic EC chaperone proteins (FABPs 3, 5, 7, SCP-2, HSP70), or cannabinoid receptors (CB1, TRVP1). These data show for the first time that the non-CNS fatty acid-binding protein FABP1 markedly affected brain levels of both ARA-containing endocannabinoids (AEA, 2-AG) as well as their non-ARA potentiating endocannabinoids. Fatty acid-binding protein-1 (FABP-1) is not detectable in brain but instead is highly expressed in liver. The possibility that FABP1 outside the central nervous system may regulate brain endocannabinoids arachidonoylethanolamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) was examined in wild-type (WT) and FABP-1 null (LKO) male mice. LKO increased brain levels of arachidonic acid-containing endocannabinoids (AEA, 2-AG), correlating with increased free and total arachidonic acid in brain and serum. Read the Editorial Highlight for this article on page 371.
Critical intracellular O2 in myocardium as determined by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance signal of myoglobin.

The 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) signal of tissue myoglobin has provided an opportunity to determine the critical O2 level in saline-perfused myocardium at room temperature. Above the intrac...
Patterned epidermal cell death in wild-type and segment polarity mutant Drosophila embryos

Programmed cell death plays an essential role in the normal embryonic development of Drosophila melanogaster. One region of the embryo where cell death occurs, but has not been studied in detail, is the abdominal epidermis. Because cell death is a fleeting process, we have used time-lapse, fluorescence microscopy to map epidermal apoptosis throughout embryonic development. Cell death occurs in a stereotypically striped pattern near both sides of the segment border and to a lesser extent in the middle of the segment. This map of wild-type cell death was used to determine how cell death patterns change in response to genetic perturbations that affect epidermal patterning. Previous studies have suggested that segment polarity mutant phenotypes are partially the result of increased cell death. Mutations in wingless, armadillo, and gooseberry led to dramatic increases in apoptosis in the anterior of the segment while a naked mutation resulted in a dramatic increase in the death of engrailed cells in the posterior of the segment. These results show that segment polarity gene expression is necessary for the survival of specific rows of epidermal cells and may provide insight into the establishment of the wild-type epidermal cell death pattern.
Does the Shoe Fit? Ethical, Legal, and Policy Considerations of Global Positioning System Shoes for Individuals with Alzheimer's Disease

As the overall incidence of Alzheimer's disease rises, the burden on caregivers and law enforcement institutions will increase to find individuals who wander. As such, technological innovations that could reduce this burden will become increasingly important. One such innovation is the GPS Shoe. As with any innovation involving the transfer of personal data to third parties, potential pitfalls with respect to loss of privacy and inadequate consent counterbalance the substantial promise of GPS shoes. To some extent, advance planning can mitigate these concerns, wherein individuals willingly elect to be monitored before their impairments progress to a stage that makes such authorization impractical. Nonetheless, tension may arise between the peace of mind of caregivers and family members and other important considerations at the intersection of autonomy, privacy, dignity, and consent. Ultimately, confronting ethical, legal, and policy considerations at the front end of product development and deployment will help ensure that new technologies are used wisely and that their lifesaving potential is realized.
Extending semi-numeric reionization models to the first stars and galaxies

Semi-numeric methods have made it possible to efficiently model the epoch of reionization (EoR). While most implementations involve a reduction to a simple three-parameter model, we introduce a new mass-dependent ionizing efficiency parameter that folds in physical parameters that are constrained by the latest numerical simulations. This new parametrization enables the effective modelling of a broad range of host halo masses containing ionizing sources, extending from the smallest Population III host haloes with M ∼ 10^6 M_⊙, which are often ignored, to the rarest cosmic peaks with M ∼ 10^12 M_⊙ during EoR. We compare the resulting ionizing histories with a typical three-parameter model and also compare with the latest constraints from the Planck mission. Our model results in an optical depth due to Thomson scattering, τ_e = 0.057, that is consistent with Planck. The largest difference in our model is shown in the resulting bubble size distributions that peak at lower characteristic sizes and are broadened. We also consider the uncertainties of the various physical parameters, and comparing the resulting ionizing histories broadly disfavours a small contribution from galaxies. The smallest haloes cease a meaningful contribution to the ionizing photon budget after z = 10, implying that they play a role in determining the start of EoR and little else.
Interconnect quality and reliability of 3D packaging

Quality and reliability aspects of 3D IC and packages are discussed in this chapter. The main focuses are interconnects-related quality and reliability issues. For the 3D packages, interconnects may include microbump, TSV, UBM, copper traces, etc. We compare them to the quality and reliability concerns observed in the existing interconnects, as well as the methodology to predict the field performances. We shall cover microstructure changes and failures driven by mechanical stressing, electromigration (EM), and thermomigration (TM). This way we can see how the transition, for example, from C-4 joints to microbumps may affect the failure modes. On mechanical stressing, we emphasize the brittle nature as well as microvoid formation, especially Kirkendall void formation in microbumps. A string of voids in a brittle material can easily lead to fracture damage. The interest in mechanical failures is because for mobile and wearable devices, the frequency of impact and dropping to the ground is high. On EM and TM in microbumps and TSV, we emphasize the enhanced failure mode due to Joule heating.
Molecular predictors of response to sorafenib in patients with radioactive iodine-resistant advanced thyroid cancer.

6088 Background: Sorafenib has demonstrated significant antitumor activity in patients with advanced iodine-refractory thyroid carcinoma. In order to identify molecular predictors of response to so...
"A Plea for the West": Elizur Wright, Jr. and the American Tract Society in Western Pennsylvania, 1828-1829

During the first third of the nineteenth century, American cul ture underwent significan changes. The republic was be coming an urban, industrialized society with a larger and less homog enous population spread over a much wider geographical area. The organic, deferential society of the late eighteenth century was becoming the more equalitarian, participatory democracy of the Jacksonian period.1 The examples of change in the early nineteenth century are numerous. Politically, the poor showing of the Federalists in the presidential election of 1816 led to a realignment of the political party system. By the 1820s, universal manhood suffrage for white adult males had become a reality in most states. Economically, iron production, textile manufacturing, and the number of banks had increased dramatically. Trade unions were appearing in the growing urban centers of the East. The Abbots and Astors, the Coopers and Lawrences represented a new monied elite based on the nascent industrialization. In 1818, the standing order was dises tablished in Connecticut while in Massachusetts the orthodox Con
Gaussian process-based surrogate modeling framework for process planning in laser powder-bed fusion additive manufacturing of 316L stainless steel

Laser Powder-Bed Fusion (L-PBF) metal-based additive manufacturing (AM) is complex and not fully understood. Successful processing for one material, might not necessarily apply to a different material. This paper describes a workflow process that aims at creating a material data sheet standard that describes regimes where the process can be expected to be robust. The procedure consists of building a Gaussian process-based surrogate model of the L-PBF process that predicts melt pool depth in single-track experiments given a laser power, scan speed, and laser beam size combination. The predictions are then mapped onto a power versus scan speed diagram delimiting the conduction from the keyhole melting controlled regimes. This statistical framework is shown to be robust even for cases where experimental training data might be suboptimal in quality, if appropriate physics-based filters are applied. Additionally, it is demonstrated that a high-fidelity simulation model of L-PBF can equally be successfully used for building a surrogate model, which is beneficial since simulations are getting more efficient and are more practical to study the response of different materials, than to re-tool an AM machine for new material powder.
Abstract 17066: Intracoronary Delivery of Recombinant TIMP-3 Following Myocardial Infarction: Effects of Myocardial Remodeling and Function

Background and Significance: Ischemia-reperfusion (IR) and myocardial infarction (MI) are causes of adverse LV remodeling and heart failure (HF) and are facilitated by an imbalance in matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activation and the endogenous tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMPs). We have identified that myocardial injections of a recombinant TIMP-3 (rTIMP-3; human full length) can interrupt post-MI remodeling. However, whether and to what degree intracoronary delivery of rTIMP-3 post-IR is feasible and effective remained to be established. Methods and Results: Pigs (25 kg) underwent coronary catheterization and balloon occlusion of the left anterior descending (LAD) for 90 minutes, whereby at the final 4 minutes, rTIMP-3 (n=9; 30 mg) or saline was infused in the distal LAD. LV echocardiography was performed at 3-28 days post-IR and LV ejection fraction (EF) and LV end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) measured. LV EF fell and LVEDV increased from Baseline (pre-IR) values (66±1%, 40±1 mL, respectively) in both groups, but the extent of LV dilation was reduced in the rTIMP-3 group (Table). Despite equivalent plasma troponin levels (14±3 ng/mL), computed MI size (planimetry) at 28 days was reduced by over 45% in the rTIMP-3 group (p Summary: While the imbalance between MMPs and TIMPs has been recognized as a contributory factor for post-MI remodeling, therapeutic strategies targeting this imbalance have not been forthcoming. This study is the first to demonstrate that a relevant delivery approach (intracoronary) using a recombinant TIMP can alter the course of post-MI remodeling.
Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the parotid gland: A National Cancer Database study.

Abstract Objective To describe the demographics, tumor characteristics, and prognostic features of mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the parotid gland. Materials and methods A retrospective study of the National Cancer Database was reviewed for all mucoepidermoid carcinomas of the parotid gland between 2004 and 2012). Patient demographics and tumor characteristics were abstracted and analyzed. Univariate and multivariate Cox multivariate regression models were used to identify predictors of survival. Results A total of 4431 patients met inclusion criteria. Average age at diagnosis was 57 years (median 62, SD 19), with no overall sex preference (52% female), and majority white (78%). The 1-year overall survival was 92.9% (95% CI [92.1–93.6]) and 5-year overall survival was 75.2% (95% CI [73.8–76.7%]). Median overall survival was not reached at 5 years. Factors associated with decreased survival were increasing age, comorbidities, high tumor grade, advanced pathologic group stage, and positive surgical margins. Female sex was the only factor associated with improved survival. Controlling for either histopathologic grade or pathologic stage to determine how patient demographics and tumor characteristics affected overall survival yielded similar results. Of note, intermediate grade tumors, although not independently associated with worse survival, when seen in conjunction with tumors ≥T2 and/or ≥N2, a negative impact on overall survival was seen. Conclusion Although mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the parotid gland is the most common parotid gland malignancy, it is still a rare tumor with a lack of large population-based studies. Advanced stage and high-grade tumors are significant predictors of decreased survival. Females have improved survival compared to males.
The Brain Health Assessment for Detecting and Diagnosing Neurocognitive Disorders.

Background/Objectives Brief cognitive screens lack the sensitivity to detect mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or support differential diagnoses. The objective of this study was to validate the 10-minute, tablet-based University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Brain Health Assessment (BHA) to overcome these limitations. Design Cross-sectional. Setting UCSF Memory and Aging Center. Participants Older adults (N = 347) (neurologically healthy controls (n = 185), and individuals diagnosed with MCI (n = 99), dementia (n = 42), and as normal with concerns (n = 21)). Measurements The BHA includes subtests of memory, executive function and speed, visuospatial skills, and language and an optional informant survey. Participants completed the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and criterion-standard neuropsychological tests. Standardized structural 3T brain magnetic resonance imaging was performed in 145 participants. Results At a fixed 85% specificity rate, the BHA had 100% sensitivity to dementia and 84% to MCI; the MoCA had 75% sensitivity to dementia and 25% to MCI. The BHA had 83% sensitivity to MCI likely due to AD and 88% to MCI unlikely due to AD, and the MoCA had 58% sensitivity to MCI likely AD and 24% to MCI unlikely AD. The BHA subtests demonstrated moderate to high correlations with the criterion-standard tests from their respective cognitive domains. Memory test performance correlated with medial temporal lobe volumes; executive and speed with frontal, parietal, and basal ganglia volumes; and visuospatial with right parietal volumes. Conclusion The BHA had excellent combined sensitivity and specificity to detect dementia and MCI, including MCI due to diverse etiologies. The subtests provide efficient, valid measures of neurocognition that are critical in making a differential diagnosis.
THE COMPUTER SIMULATION OF SUPER WINDOW GLAZING SYSTEMS WHICH INCORPORATE TEFLON (FEP) INNER GLAZINGS

ABSTRACT The solar and thermal characteristics of various glazing systems incorporating Teflon (FEP) films as inner glazings are examined. Teflon film was chosen because of its excellent chemical and UV stability, very high solar and visible transmissivity, low weight and off-the-shelf availability. Variables include number of glazings, inter-pane spacing, Teflon film thickness, fill gas type and the placement of low emissivity coatings. It is shown that the long-wave (λ>3μm) optical properties of thin Teflon films make them well suited for use as inner glazings when used in conjunction with a low emissivity coating. For example, two panes of conventional window glass plus one low emissivity coating and one Teflon film have more than 50% greater thermal resistance than the same glazing system without the Teflon film (and more than double that of conventional double glazed). The shading coefficients of these two windows are essentially equal.
The concepts of Ludwik Fleck and their application to the eukaryotic cell cycle

The concepts of Ludwik Fleck (1896–1961), a microbiologist, historian, and philosopher of medicine, can be used to analyze the conservative nature of scientific ideas. This is discussed and applied to ideas dominant in the understanding of the eukaryotic cell cycle. These are (a) the G1-phase restriction point as a regulatory element of the mammalian cell cycle, (b) the Rate Change Point proposed to exist in fission yeast, and (c) the proposal that a large number of genes are expressed in a cell-cycle-dependent manner. Fleck proposed that scientific ideas become fixed and difficult to change because criticisms of current and dominant models are either ignored or turned to support of the current model. The idea of a thought-collective leading to the stability of scientific ideas is a central theme of the theory of Ludwik Fleck.
Use of prophylactic percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (pPEG) tube in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients and correlation of weight loss with treatment interruptions.

e17509Background: HNC patients are at risk for weight loss which can cause treatment interruptions, and poorer outcomes. There is no consensus on optimal timing of PEG tube placement in HNC patient...
STEREOSELECTIVE FORMATION OF FORMAL EXO DIELS-ALDER ADDUCTS OF SILYLOXYDIENES AND ALLENECARBOXYLATES

stereochemical features of the desired natural products and thereby perhaps simplify its total synthesis.3 However, all attempts at carrying out such a cycloaddition with 2 using Fisher carbene complexes4 3 [Z ) C(OMe)dCr(CO)5], which would have given the exo adducts, or the simple acid chloride 3 (Z ) COCl), which would have given more of the endo adducts, unfortunately gave only starting material, presumably due to the steric hindrance of these dienophiles. We proposed using R-methyl allenecarboxylates as the dienophiles in order to decrease this steric hindrance with a subsequent reduction of the exocyclic double bond to give compounds such as 4. We report herein the thermal cycloaddition of silyloxydienes 2 (X ) OSiR3) and allenecarboxylates which ultimately afford the formal exo Diels-Alder adducts 4. Heating a solution of E-4-methyl-2-silyloxybutadiene 55 with ethyl 2-methylbuta-2,3-dienoate 6 in toluene at 120 °C (sealed tube) for 14 h afforded, after chromatographic separation, a mixture of three compounds, the endo Diels-Alder product 7n (18%), the exo Diels-Alder product 7x (28%), and the [2 + 2] cycloadduct 8 (22%) (Scheme 1). The isolation of [2 + 2] cycloadducts from dienes and allenes was precedented in our own work and that of others.6 However, we have now shown that thermolysis of the purified cyclobutane 8 in toluene at 120 °C for 4 d gave only the exo cycloadduct 7x. Thus heating the diene 5 and dienophile 6 in toluene for 4 d gave only the two [4 + 2] cycloadducts 7n and 7x in 14 and 58% yields, respectively. Although we had observed the thermal rearrangement of a [2 + 2] cycloadduct into a [4 + 2] cycloadduct before,6ab this is the first case where the stereochemical course of this process could be determined. The mechanism of the rearrangement of simple 3-ethenylmethylenecyclobutanes I has been proposed to involve an initial bond homolysis to give a bis(allylic) diradical II which then recombines at the termini to give the 4-methylenecyclohexene III.7 Indeed it was shown that the divinyl compound I (R ) CHdCH2) had a lower activation energy for this reaction (Ea ) 27.3 kcal/mol) than did the parent I (R ) H) (Ea ) 35.7 kcal/mol).7a We believe that the substitution in our case may cause the reaction to proceed through a zwitterionic rather than a diradical pathway although the latter can certainly not be ruled out.
Safety Analysis for Advanced Separation Concepts

This paper describes a fault-based approach that can be used in analyzing the safety of advanced separation systems. Fault-tree analysis is used to analyze the capabilities of the Advanced Airspace Concept (AAC). This method uses automation, rather than human controllers, to provide separation assurance in certain en route airspace. The paper examines whether computer-based separation can achieve an acceptable level of safety in the presence of high traffic density and potential subsystem failures.
Emergency Diagnosis and Management of Genitourinary Trauma

Genitourinary trauma often occurs concomitantly with other abdominopelvic trauma, but nevertheless is important to master in diagnosis, management, and treatment. There are subtleties to diagnosis and important steps that should not be missed to properly manage patients.
Deletion of a Critical Internalization Domain in the G-CSFR in Acute Myelogenous Leukemia Preceded by Severe Congenital Neutropenia

Acquired mutations in the granulocyte colony-stimulating factor receptor (G-CSFR) occur in a subset of patients with severe congenital neutropenia (SCN) who develop acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). These mutations affect one allele and result in hyperproliferative responses to G-CSF, presumably through a dominant-negative mechanism. Here we show that a critical domain in the G-CSFR that mediates ligand internalization is deleted in mutant G-CSFR forms from patients with SCN/AML. Deletion of this domain results in impaired ligand internalization, defective receptor downmodulation, and enhanced growth signaling. These results explain the molecular basis for G-CSFR mutations in the pathogenesis of the dominant-negative phenotype and hypersensitivity to G-CSF in SCN/AML.
Environmental education research notes (USA)

The Commission's efforts are currently in a second phase directed toward identification and additional of more research papers and higher levels of analysis. Funding support is provided from the operating budget of the National Association for Environmental Education. Persons interested in additional information concerning the activities of the NCEER may contact Professor Iozzi at The Institute for Science, Technology, and Social Science Education, Rutgers—The State University of New Jersey, Doolittle Hall, New Brunswick, NJ 08903 USA. Copies ofResearch in Environmental Education 1971–1980 may be obtained from the publisher, SMEAC Information Reference Center, The Ohio State University, 1200 Chambers Road, Columbus, OH 43212 USA, for $15.
Evaluation of a smart activatable MRI nanoprobe to target matrix metalloproteinases in the early-stages of abdominal aortic aneurysms

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) activation contributes to abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) growth and rupture. The study was to evaluate the ability of a novel activatable magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) nanoprobe, to target MMPs in an Angiotensin II (ANG II)-induced AAA model. The activatable nanoprobe is composed of a hydrophilic polyethylene glycol coating layer immobilized on the external surface of core/shell Fe/iron oxide nanoparticles; between them, there was grafted the MMP peptide substrate. In the ANG II infusion mice model of AAAs, MRI was performed to characterize the progression of model. The contrast-to-noise ratio was lower in the aneurysm of the mice injected with activatable nanoprobe. Histological studies revealed the presence of MMPs and iron-oxide in regions of MR signal decrease. MRI combined with nanoprobe allows the detection of MMP activity within the wall of AAA, thus representing a potential noninvasive method to predict the rupture risk of AAA.
Mortality after drug-eluting stents vs. coronary artery bypass grafting for left main coronary artery disease: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

AIMS The optimal method of revascularization for patients with left main coronary artery disease (LMCAD) is controversial. Coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) has traditionally been considered the gold standard therapy, and recent randomized trials comparing CABG with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with drug-eluting stents (DES) have reported conflicting outcomes. We, therefore, performed a systematic review and updated meta-analysis comparing CABG to PCI with DES for the treatment of LMCAD. METHODS AND RESULTS We systematically identified all randomized trials comparing PCI with DES vs. CABG in patients with LMCAD. The primary efficacy endpoint was all-cause mortality. Secondary endpoints included cardiac death, myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, and unplanned revascularization. All analyses were by intention-to-treat. There were five eligible trials in which 4612 patients were randomized. The weighted mean follow-up duration was 67.1 months. There were no significant differences between PCI and CABG for the risk of all-cause mortality [relative risk (RR) 1.03, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.81-1.32; P = 0.779] or cardiac death (RR 1.03, 95% CI 0.79-1.34; P = 0.817). There were also no significant differences in the risk of stroke (RR 0.74, 95% CI 0.35-1.50; P = 0.400) or MI (RR 1.22, 95% CI 0.96-1.56; P = 0.110). Percutaneous coronary intervention was associated with an increased risk of unplanned revascularization (RR 1.73, 95% CI 1.49-2.02; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION The totality of randomized clinical trial evidence demonstrated similar long-term mortality after PCI with DES compared with CABG in patients with LMCAD. Nor were there significant differences in cardiac death, stroke, or MI between PCI and CABG. Unplanned revascularization procedures were less common after CABG compared with PCI. These findings may inform clinical decision-making between cardiologists, surgeons, and patients with LMCAD.
The Warburg hypothesis and weak ELF biointeractions

The Warburg observation concerning ATP generation in cancer cells is analyzed with regard to the likely involvement of H+ resonance effects on the angular velocity of the ATP synthase rotor. It is ...
New frontiers in esophageal radiology

Esophageal cancer is the sixth most common cause of cancer related mortality worldwide. Advances in treatment have translated into steadily improving survival rates. Accurate preoperative staging of esophageal cancer is imperative in order to provide an accurate prognosis and direct patients to the most appropriate treatment. Current preoperative staging relies on imaging, most commonly endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), computed tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography (PET). A combination of these modalities should be used in preoperative staging, as each has advantages over another. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has always shown promise in its ability to accurately stage esophageal cancer, though it has not been consistently adopted as a common tool for this purpose. Recent research has demonstrated that MRI can become an integral part of esophageal cancer clinical staging. Advances in MR technology that utilize radial sampling allow for shorter, free breathing techniques without degradation of image quality, resulting in improved capability for T and N staging of esophageal cancer. MRI enhanced with superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) and ultrasmall SPIO (USPIO) nanoparticles has been shown to be useful for the detection of metastatic disease in lymph nodes. This article will review the current evidence in the role that imaging plays in staging esophageal cancer.
A reinforcer pathology model of health behaviors in individuals with obesity.

Objective: Research concerning trans-disease processes aims to ascertain an underlying mechanism of several seemingly dissonant behaviors, pathological conditions, or both. The theory of reinforcer pathology posits that excessive delay discounting and the maladaptive overvaluation of a particular commodity underlie a variety of dysfunctional health behavior ranging from substance abuse to overeating and financial responsibility. The present study extends recent health behavior research by examining the extent delay discounting and food valuation correlate with engagement in a latent factor model of health and financial behaviors among healthy-weight participants and participants with obesity using the Health Behaviors Questionnaire. Method: A total of 700 participants (n = 340, body mass index [BMI] 30 kg/m2) were recruited using Amazon Mechanical Turk. Participants completed a monetary delay discounting assessment, the Health Behaviors Questionnaire, and 2 measures of food valuation: Behavioral economic demand and the Power of Food Scale (PFS). Results: Utilizing structural equation modeling, both delay discounting and food valuation significantly correlated with engagement in health and financial behavior for both groups. The comparison of latent factors between groups indicated that participants with obesity were less likely to engage in multiple health behaviors and that these differences can be partially attributed to differences in delay discounting and food valuation. Conclusion: These results replicate previous research and further support the role of delay discounting as a trans-disease process. Given these results, trans-disease interventions, such as episodic future thinking, designed to specifically target reinforcer pathology may have a profound effect on overall functioning. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).
Intravenous self-administration of delta-9-THC in adolescent rats produces long-lasting alterations in behavior and receptor protein expression

Initial exposure to cannabinoids, including Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), often occurs during adolescence. Considerable neurodevelopmental alterations occur throughout adolescence, and the environmental insult posed by exogenous cannabinoid exposure may alter natural developmental trajectories. Multiple studies suggest that long-lasting deficits in cognitive function occur as a result of adolescent cannabis use, but considerable variability exists in the magnitude of these effects. We sought to establish a novel procedure for achieving intravenous THC self-administration in adolescent rats in order to determine if volitional THC intake in adolescence produced indices of addiction-related behavior, altered working memory performance in adulthood, or altered the expression of proteins associated with these behaviors across several brain regions. Male and female adolescent rats learned to operantly self-administer escalating doses of THC intravenously from PD 32–51. Upon reaching adulthood they were tested in abstinence for cued reinstatement of THC-seeking and working memory performance on a delayed-match-to-sample task. In a separate cohort, glutamatergic, GABAergic, and cannabinoid receptor protein expression was measured in multiple brain regions. Both male and female adolescents self-administered THC and exhibited cue-induced lever pressing throughout abstinence. THC-exposed males exhibited slightly enhanced working memory performance in adulthood, and better performance positively correlated with total THC self-administered during adolescence. Adolescent THC-exposed rats exhibited reductions in CB1, GABA, and glutamate receptor protein, primarily in the prefrontal cortex, dorsal hippocampus, and ventral tegmental area. These results suggest that THC exposure at self-administered doses can produce moderate behavioral and molecular alterations, including sex-dependent effects on working memory performance in adulthood.