cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The effect of graded monetary reward on cognitive event-related potentials and behavior in young healthy adults

Temporal correlates of the brain circuit underlying reward processing in healthy adults remain unclear. The current study investigated the P3 and contingent negative variation (CNV) as putative reward-related temporal markers. The effect of sustained monetary reward on these eventrelated potentials and on behavior was assessed using a warned reaction-time paradigm in 16 young healthy subjects. Monetary reward (0, 1 and 45 cents) varied across blocks of trials. While the CNV was unaffected by money, P3 amplitude was significantly larger for 45 than the 1 and 0 cent conditions. This effect corresponded to the monotonically positive subjective ratings of interest and excitement on the task (45>1>0). These findings suggest a difference between the P3 and CNV; the P3 is sensitive to the sustained effect of relative reward value, while the CNV does not vary with reward magnitude.
Use of monoclonal antibodies to refine flow cytometric differential cell counting of canine bone marrow cells

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate use of monoclonal antibodies to increase accuracy of flow cytometric differential cell counting of canine bone marrow cells. SAMPLE POPULATION: Bone marrow specimens from 15 dogs. PROCEDURES: Specimens were labeled with monoclonal antibodies that detected CD18, major histocompatability antigen class-II (MHC class-II), CD14, and Thy-1. Location of fluorescent and nonfluorescent cells within gates of a template developed for canine bone marrow differential cell counting was determined, the template was revised, and 10 specimens were analyzed by use of the old and revised templates and by labeling cells with anti-MHC class-II and anti-CD14. RESULTS: Data confirmed the presumptive location of marrow subpopulations in scatter plots, permitted detection of lymphocytes and monocytemacrophages, and was used to revise the analysis template used for differential cell counting. When differential cells counts determined by the original and revised templates were compared with results of manual differential cell counts, the revised template had higher correlation coefficients and more similar mean values. Labeling cells with anti-MHC class-II and anti-CD14 permitted identification of lymphoid and monocyte-macrophages cells in bone marrow specimens. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Use of the revised flow cytometric analysis template combined with anti-CD14 and anti-MHC class-II antibody labeling provides reliable differential cell counts for clinical bone marrow specimens in dogs. These techniques have potential applications to clinical bone marrow examination and preclinical toxicity studies.
Response to Bandera et al

To the Editor—We thank Bandera et al for their interesting exploration of the relationship between innate immune activation phenotypes and the failure of immunologic reconstitution after initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART), in response to our published findings [1]. They demonstrate an intriguing association between immunologic nonresponse (INR, CD4 < 350 cells/µL) and increased frequency of cellular markers of innate immune activation, particularly higher levels of intermediate (CD14++CD16+) monocytes, lower expression of CD163 on total and classical (CD14++CD16−) monocytes, and a higher proportion of intermediate monocytes expressing CD11b, all of which support a shift of monocyte phenotype away from classical monocytes and toward intermediate and nonclassical monocyte subtypes. Although their comparisons are unadjusted and the observed differences are small, their investigation is one of the first to examine the role of innate immune activation, and monocytes in particular, in INR.
Ultrafast measurements of thermal transport in Graphene

We present results from measurements of ultrafast thermal transport in Graphene. We find that on picosecond time scales and 5–20 micron length scales hot carriers, instead of the phonons, are the dominant carriers of thermal energy. The thermal transport is found to be diffusive with a diffusivity of ∼500 cm2/s.
‘Someone Needs to Carry on the Legacy of My Family’: Childbearing Perceptions Among Adolescents and Young Adults with Perinatally Acquired Hiv

ABSTRACTObjectives: This qualitative project explored perceptions of adolescents and young adults (AYA) with perinatally acquired HIV (PHIV) regarding childbearing motivations and parenting. Methods: In-depth interviews were conducted with 35 AYA with PHIV (Mage = 20.5 years). Results: Primary childbearing motivations included the desire to experience parenthood, a wish to leave a legacy, and the chance to offer/receive unconditional love. Anticipated challenges included normative concerns (e.g., cost of parenting) and such HIV-specific concerns as parental disclosure/risk for transmission. Conclusions: Information is needed to tailor developmentally and culturally sensitive interventions to promote healthy development across the life span among the 3rd generation of HIV-affected families.
External shocks and the demand for adjustment finance

When a country experiences a long-term adverse external shock, resulting in a balance of payments deficit unsustainable in the medium term, how quickly should it adjust? Because time is required for movement of productive factors and consumptive patterns, the short-term effect of the shock will be a large increase in the value of foreign exchange. It then pays to borrow abroad during the first years of the transition against those years when full resource and demand reallocations have taken place. To allow this adjustment path, the market exchange rate should follow the shadow exchange rate. This article uses a simple traded/nontraded sector model with lagged responses and optimal borrowing theory to derive a quantitative relationship between the magnitude of the shock and the optimal amount of borrowing, the speed at which the original shortfall of foreign currency should be closed, and the required currency depreciation during the borrowing and repayment period.
Cell division regulation by BIR1, a member of the inhibitor of apoptosis family in yeast.

Abstract The inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) gene family comprises molecules that block the activity of pro-apoptotic caspase proteases. Paradoxically, yeasts contain IAP proteins but no caspases and no apoptotic program. To determine the function of these proteinsin vivo, we disrupted the BIR1 gene, encoding the only known IAP in yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Sporulation of heterozygous diploids yielded no viable mutant haploids, indicating that BIR1 is an essential gene. By flow cytometry, some heterozygous mutants were polyploid accumulating >4n DNA content. These cells exhibited a 20–40% reduction in growth rate, which was rescued by plasmid-borne over-expression ofBIR1 but not by its human counterpart, survivin. Deletion analysis revealed that the N-terminal domain of Bir1, containing the conserved baculovirus IAP repeat, was able to partially complement the cell growth defect caused by BIR1 deletion. Moreover, the full-length and truncated forms of Bir1 accelerated cell division in wild-type cells. Finally, BIR1 heterozygous mutants exhibited grossly altered cell morphology with mis-shapen or abnormally long buds connected to an unusually large mother cell. These findings identify a novel function of IAP proteins in the pleiotropic control of cell division, in addition to their role in the suppression of apoptosis.
Determination of mercury in fish otoliths by cold vapor generation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (CVG-ICP-MS)

A method based on cold vapor generation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (CVG-ICP-MS) has been developed for determination of inorganic mercury, Hg(II), and total mercury in fish otoliths. Sodium borohydride (NaBH(4)) was used as the only reducing agent and its concentration was optimized across an acidity gradient to selectively reduce Hg(II) without affecting methylmercury, CH(3)Hg(I). Inorganic Hg was quantitatively reduced to elemental mercury (Hg(0)) with 1 × 10(-4)% (m/v) NaBH(4). CH(3)Hg(I) required a minimum of 0.5% (m/v) NaBH(4) for complete reduction. Increasing the HCl concentration of solution to 5% (v/v) improved the selectivity toward Hg(II) as it decreased the signals from CH(3)Hg(I) to baseline levels. Potassium ferricyanide solution was the most effective in eliminating the memory effects of Hg compared with a number of chelating and oxidizing agents, including EDTA, gold chloride, thiourea, cerium ammonium nitrate and 2-mercaptoethylamine chloride. The relative standard deviation (RSD) was less than 5% for 1.0 μg L(-1) Hg(II) solution. The detection limits were 4.2 and 6.4 ng L(-1) (ppt) for Hg(II) and total Hg, respectively. Sample dissolution conditions and recoveries were examined with ultra-pure CaCO(3) (99.99%) spiked with Hg(II) and CH(3)HgCl. Methylmercury was stable when dissolution was performed with up to 20% (v/v) HCl at 100°C. Recoveries from spiked solutions were higher than 95% for both Hg(II) and CH(3)Hg(I). The method was applied to the determination of Hg(II) and total Hg concentrations in the otoliths of red emperor (CRM 22) and Pacific halibut. Total Hg concentration in the otoliths was 0.038 ± 0.004 μg g(-1) for the red emperor and 0.021 ± 0.003 μg g(-1) for the Pacific halibut. Inorganic Hg accounted for about 25% of total Hg indicating that Hg in the otoliths was predominantly organic mercury (e.g., methylmercury). However, as opposed to the bioaccumulation in tissues, methylmercury levels in otoliths was very low suggesting a different route of uptake, most likely through the deposition of methylmercury available in the water.
Decision-Centric Active Learning of Binary-Outcome Models

It can be expensive to acquire the data required for businesses to employ data-driven predictive modeling---for example, to model consumer preferences to optimize targeting. Prior research has introduced “active-learning” policies for identifying data that are particularly useful for model induction, with the goal of decreasing the statistical error for a given acquisition cost (error-centric approaches). However, predictive models are used as part of a decision-making process, and costly improvements in model accuracy do not always result in better decisions. This paper introduces a new approach for active data acquisition that specifically targets decision making. The new decision-centric approach departs from traditional active learning by placing emphasis on acquisitions that are more likely to affect decision making. We describe two different types of decision-centric techniques. Next, using direct-marketing data, we compare various data-acquisition techniques. We demonstrate that strategies for reducing statistical error can be wasteful in a decision-making context, and show that one decision-centric technique in particular can improve targeting decisions significantly. We also show that this method is robust in the face of decreasing quality of utility estimations, eventually converging to uniform random sampling, and that it can be extended to situations where different data acquisitions have different costs. The results suggest that businesses should consider modifying their strategies for acquiring information through normal business transactions. For example, a firm such as Amazon.com that models consumer preferences for customized marketing may accelerate learning by proactively offering recommendations---not merely to induce immediate sales, but for improving recommendations in the future.
System function adoption of an open source digital repository system: A global view

This poster reports a project that examines the adoption of system functions of an open source digital repository, DSpace. It also identifies the factors which have influenced the functions’ adoption. The data were collected from DSpace user registry from September 2013 to March 2014. A total of 545 repositories in the registry contained system function customizations, representing 533 unique institutions from 95 countries. The preliminary findings indicate that 10 of the 32 available system functions are adopted by over 10% of its members; the majority of repositories are from academia; academic repositories also offer most system functions; and the U.S. and India each comprises over 10% of DSpace repositories that have DSpace system function customizations. Additionally, repositories from India utilize most system functions. About two-thirds of institutions are using DSpace as their institutional repositories and the two major (over 50%) content types are conference publications and technical reports.
Passing years, changing fears? Conceptualizing and measuring risk perceptions for chronic disease in younger and middle-aged women.

As is true for many behavioral theory constructs, no consensus exists on how best to measure perceived risk; therefore, it is unclear whether different measures of disease risk perception are conceptually equivalent and whether such measures are equally appropriate for people with different objective disease risk. To investigate these issues, we used four commonly utilized risk perception items (measuring beliefs about personal risk, others’ risk, disease prevalence, and mortality) to assess susceptibility to cardiovascular disease, breast cancer, and lung cancer among 454 younger (ages 18–25) and 169 middle-aged (40–64) women. We examined age- and ethnicity-related differences in participants’ responses to the items. We also used structural equation modeling to test whether these items reflect a multidimensional, disease-specific latent construct of risk perception; and to test whether consistency exists in participants’ disease-specific risk perceptions. Despite differences in responses to individual items, hypothesized models of perceived risk fit both age groups, suggesting that risk perception can be conceptualized in younger and middle-aged women as a multidimensional construct that is specific to disease yet reflective of global risk-related beliefs.
Major histocompatibility complex class I evolution in songbirds: universal primers, rapid evolution and base compositional shifts in exon 3

Genes of the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) have become an important marker for the investigation of adaptive genetic variation in vertebrates because of their critical role in pathogen resistance. However, despite significant advances in the last few years the characterization of MHC variation in non-model species still remains a challenging task due to the redundancy and high variation of this gene complex. Here we report the utility of a single pair of primers for the cross-amplification of the third exon of MHC class I genes, which encodes the more polymorphic half of the peptide-binding region (PBR), in oscine passerines (songbirds; Aves: Passeriformes), a group especially challenging for MHC characterization due to the presence of large and complex MHC multigene families. In our survey, although the primers failed to amplify exon 3 from two suboscine passerine birds, they amplified exon 3 of multiple MHC class I genes in all 16 species of oscine songbirds tested, yielding a total of 120 sequences. The 16 songbird species belong to 14 different families, primarily within the Passerida, but also in the Corvida. Using a conservative approach based on the analysis of cloned amplicons (n = 16) from each species, we found between 3 and 10 MHC sequences per individual. Each allele repertoire was highly divergent, with the overall number of polymorphic sites per species ranging from 33 to 108 (out of 264 sites) and the average number of nucleotide differences between alleles ranging from 14.67 to 43.67. Our survey in songbirds allowed us to compare macroevolutionary dynamics of exon 3 between songbirds and non-passerine birds. We found compelling evidence of positive selection acting specifically upon peptide-binding codons across birds, and we estimate the strength of diversifying selection in songbirds to be about twice that in non-passerines. Analysis using comparative methods suggest weaker evidence for a higher GC content in the 3rd codon position of exon 3 in non-passerine birds, a pattern that contrasts with among-clade GC patterns found in other avian studies and may suggests different mutational mechanisms. Our primers represent a useful tool for the characterization of functional and evolutionarily relevant MHC variation across the hyperdiverse songbirds.
Parkinsonism associated with autosomal dominant bilateral striopallidodentate calcinosis

Bilateral striopallidodentate calcinosis (BSPDC, also known as Fahr's disease, a misnomer), is a rare disorder where bilateral, almost symmetric, calcium and other mineral deposits occur in subcortical nuclei and white matter. Neurological manifestations vary but movement disorders are the most common. Of the movement disorders, parkinsonism predominates. We describe 6 patients with BSPDC associated with parkinsonism. Of the 6 patients, one patient from an autosomal dominantly inherited family who responded to levodopa, showed Lewy bodies in substantia nigra neurons and changes consistent with BSPDC. Another patient, from the same family with clinical evidence of parkinsonism and radiological and neuropathological evidence of BSPDC, did not show Lewy bodies. Ten patients with BSPDC and parkinsonism (without evidence of parathyroid dysfunction) were found in the literature. When parkinsonism is associated with dementia and cerebellar signs, obtaining a CT scan may be helpful as BSPDC often presents with the above three conditions.
Digital speckle interferometry: some developments and applications for vibration measurement in the automotive industry

This paper presents an overview of some recent progress in digital speckle interferometry and its application for vibration measurement in the automotive industry. It describes three methods to generate raw vibration fringe patterns with better quality; provides speckle averaging, phase shifting, and phase reconstruction iteration procedures to produce a high-quality and noise-free fringe pattern; illustrates one single setup for measuring both vibration deformation and geometric shape of an object; and demonstrates how powerful this tool is for whole vehicle modal survey, interactive design optimization, CAE model correlation, and nondestructive testing. Finally, areas for further development are suggested.
Work-nonwork conflict and job stress among virtual workers

A primary objective of organizational virtual work programs (e.g., providing the option to employees to work from home) is the reduction of employees'work-nonwork conflict and job stress. In this study, we find some preliminary evidence suggesting that virtual work is negatively related to work-nonwork conflict and job stress. We identify the work factors (clarity of appraisal criteria, interpersonal trust, and organizational connectedness) and individual factors (self-efficacy and ability to structure the workday) associated with work-nonwork conflict and find that these associations are moderated by the extent of virtual work. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Towards Sub-10 -16 Transcontinental GPS Carrier-Phase Frequency Transfer: a Simulation Study

A simulation study is performed using GIPSY software in order to determine the impact of site-based and satellite-based systematic errors on the accuracy of between-site GPS carrier-phase frequency comparisons. The data are analyzed using both the precise point positioning (ppp) and network methods: in the former, the time differences between the satellite clocks and system time are fixed to predetermined values. In the latter, the time differences of both the satellite clocks and the receiver clocks are estimated relative to some reference clock (usually a ground-based receiver clock). We also analyze data both with and without the added constraint of double-difference ambiguity fixing. We find that between-site frequency comparisons are largely unaffected by site-based and satellite-based systematic errors when 100% of the double-difference ambiguities are fixed. We also find that in the ppp method, although fixing ambiguities removes between-site frequency errors, it can cause errors in the values of the individual receiver clocks relative to system time. Finally, we find that when a network solution is performed and ambiguities are not fixed, an error made at site A may adversely affect frequency comparisons between sites B and C
Maestro: A cloud computing framework with automated locking

Concurrent execution is a big challenge for distributed systems programming and cloud computing. Using locks is the most common technique for developing distributed applications that require tight synchronization. Unfortunately, locking is manual, error-prone, and unscalable. To address this issue, we propose a scalable automated locking framework called Maestro. Maestro consists of a master and several workers, which can be dynamically instantiated on demand. Maestro examines the program actions of the workers before deployment and automatically decides which worker actions can be executed locally (without contacting the master) and which actions require synchronization through the master. Maestro has applications in graph processing, real-time enterprise analysis, and web-services domains. By enabling the developers to write code at a higher-level of abstraction (shared-memory), Maestro improves productivity and lowers the cost of entry to cloud computing backend development.
Teaching Our Own Racism Incorporating Personal Narratives of Whiteness Into Anti-Racist Practice

Anti-racist pedagogy typically focuses on helping learners identify and counter racist ideas and actions they detect in themselves and others. Sympathetically and skillfully, the leader of this act...
Comparison of bolus electron conformal therapy plans to traditional electron and proton therapy to treat melanoma in the medial canthus.

Electrons can be used to treat superficial skin lesions given their finite depth; however, treating irregular surfaces with varying depths may be challenging. Traditionally a machinist can design customized devices to improve the dose coverage and shield nearby organs; however, the precision of handmade devices can be worrisome when treating nearby critical structures. Bolus electron conformal therapy (BolusECT) was introduced in the 1990s using an automated process of computer numerical control (CNC) milling machines to form a variable-thickness bolus from machinable wax using coordinate specification from computed tomography (CT) scans.1,2 The increased speed of CNC milling technology and advent of 3-dimensional (3D) printing have expanded the number of options for treating superficial lesions.1–4 Proton therapy can also treat variable depth lesions, but is not widely available. We present 3 treatment options available at our institution to treat a challenging case involving the medial canthus: handmade uniform bolus with skin collimator, automated variable-thickness bolus with skin collimator, and proton therapy.
The Effect of the Ketogenic Diet on the Vascular Structure and Functions in Children With Intractable Epilepsy

Abstract Objective We aimed to determine the midterm effect of a ketogenic diet on serum lipid levels, carotid intima-media thickness, and the elastic properties of the carotid artery and the aorta in patients with intractable epilepsy. Methods A total of 52 children aged between 12 months and 18 years with intractable epilepsy who started the ketogenic diet from September 2014 to September 2015 were included into this prospective study. Carotid intima-media thickness and the elastic properties of the carotid artery and the aorta were assessed by echocardiography in all cases before beginning of the ketogenic diet and after at least 12 months on the ketogenic diet. Results Twenty-one patients at the third month and 25 patients at the first year of the ketogenic diet were seizure free. A reduction of greater than 90% in the seizure frequency was achieved in three patients at the sixth month and in five patients at the first year of the treatment. The serum levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, and triglyceride were increased significantly at a median of 12.6 months (range: 12 to 13.5 months) of the ketogenic diet treatment, whereas serum levels of high-density lipoprotein did not change. Carotid intima-media thickness, aortic and carotid strain, the stiffness index, distensibility, and elastic modulus did not change after 12 months of the ketogenic diet therapy. Conclusion Olive oil–based ketogenic diet appears to have no disturbing effect on the carotid intima-media thickness and the elastic properties of the aorta and the carotid artery in epileptic children, although it may be associated with increased concentrations of serum lipids.
Bayesian Networks for Modeling Cortical Integration

This chapter contains sections titled: Introduction Problem of Cortical Integration Cortical Circuitry Bayesian Inference in Networks Simulation Results Conclusion Acknowledgments References
CALCIMEDINS: NOVEL CALCIUM-BINDING PROTEINS

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews about phenothiazines, which are antipsychotic agents commonly used as affinity ligands for calmodulin. Immunoblots and peptide maps have revealed that the 67 and the 35 kDa calcimedins are immunologically related, and share a number of common peptides. Similar experiments with the 30 and the 33 kDa calcimedins have indicated that they are immunologically unrelated to the other calcimedins. Synexin is also related to the calcimedins but does not correspond directly to any of the calcimedins. Calregulins, p35 and pp36, were found to be immunologically unrelated to the calcimedins. The calcimedins and the immunologically related proteins appear to represent a new family of proteins, distinct from calmodulin, which respond to the calcium signal by developing a functional hydrophobic domain. A single mechanism can result in multiple independent paths of regulation using each individual calcimedin. Tisssue or cell specific expression of both the calcimedins and their target proteins would then provide an additional level of physiological control.
Under siege: International humanitarian law and Security Council practice concerning siege operations

This paper demonstrates that while siege operations, as traditionally practiced, are not technically prohibited, they are now significantly limited by IHL in both international armed conflict and non-international armed conflict, and that international political opinion seems to have increasingly little patience, at least in connection to some contexts, for the human suffering and deprivation involved in urban sieges.
Employment Division v. Smith at the Supreme Court: The Justices, the Litigants, and the Doctrinal Discourse

Since it was decided twenty years ago, many commentators, both scholarly and otherwise, have characterized Employment Division v. Smith as a dramatic, unjustified departure from previous free exercise cases. This interpretation of the case is so prevalent that it is treated by many within and outside the field as obvious truth. The oft-stated premise is that Smith was on all fours with previous, obviously controlling case law, which mandated that the plaintiffs should have won. This reading treats a very small number of cases as determinative of free exercise doctrine, ignores the facts in Smith that distinguished it from those earlier cases, and also suffers from a failure to take into account how the case was treated at the Supreme Court by the parties and the Justices.
The Glutamine/Glutamate Couplet and Cellular Function

All cells require glutamine as a nitrogen donor as well as an energy source for cell-specific functions. Understanding how glutamine utilization is metered to these demands is fundamental to basic cell processes as well as to therapeutic manipulation of regulatory mechanisms. The regulatory role of the glutamine/glutamate couplet in cellular function is illustrated for acid-base homeostasis and for production of the extracellular matrix.
ARF : an Automated Real-Time Fuzzy Logic Threat Evaluation System.

Intrusion Detection has emerged as a powerful component of network security systems. A wide range of hardware and software components exist to meet most basic security needs on all platforms. These systems log system usage that could be considered as a breach of security in many networks. However, signature based intrusion detection systems have one catastrophic downfall, in that the number of alerts being logged can quickly outgrow the amount of resources necessary to investigate this anomalous behavior. This thesis explores the use of a fuzzy logic based analysis engine that gives an overall threat level of an intrusion detection sensor, prioritizing alerts that are the most threatening. This application gives security personnel a launching point to determine where security holes exist and a snapshot of the threats that exist in a system. The fuzzy logic system is based on a set of membership functions that define certain metrics from an alert dataset and a set of rules that determine a threat level based on the defined metrics. This application functions as a proof of concept prototype for an administrative tool that can analyze multiple sensors across multiple networks and give a reasonable output of the threat level across a series of intrusion detection sensors on a network. Initial testing indicates promising performance results for testing the threat level of a remote sensor using this methodology.
Site-specific Fault Rupture Hazard Assessment—Fluorspar Area Fault Complex, Western Kentucky

We evaluated post-Paleozoic sediments overlying a southerly projection of the Fluorspar area fault complex and coincident with an area of diffuse microseismicity for Quaternary deformation. Nearly 1 km of seismic reflection data were collected and interpreted for evidence of late Quaternary deformation. Five significant high-angle geophysical anomalies were interpreted to extend within approximately 7 m of the ground surface, near the upper limit of the seismic sampling. We subsequently collected 86 closely spaced, 9.1-m-deep, continuous cores above these anomalous features. We performed stratigraphic and chronological analyses on the cores to determine the presence or absence of structure above the geophysical anomalies and define the near-surface extent and age of deformation. Optical stimulated luminescence dates showed the sampled sediment age ranged between nearly 16 ka and greater than 125 ka. Interpretation of the resultant geologic cross-sections indicates identified stratigraphic anomalies were generally constrained to post-date a 53.6 to 75.5 ka loess deposit; however, no perceptible displacement was found at the base of younger loess dated between 16.6 and 23.5 ka.
Does concomitant thyroidectomy increase risks of parathyroidectomy

Abstract Background Concomitant thyroid pathology in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism is common. This study compares complications of patients who underwent parathyroidectomy to those who underwent parathyroidectomy with a concomitant thyroidectomy. Methods A retrospective review of prospectively collected data on 709 patients who underwent parathyroidectomy was performed. Patients who had prior thyroid or parathyroid procedures were excluded. Chi-square, Fisher's exact, Student's t-test, and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests were used to compare cohorts. Results Of the 641 patients included, 90% underwent parathyroidectomy alone and 10% underwent parathyroidectomy with a concomitant thyroidectomy. Overall, 49% had preoperative thyroid disease and 22% of patients with thyroid disease had a thyroid procedure. When compared with parathyroidectomy alone, parathyroidectomy with a concomitant thyroidectomy was associated with longer operative times (91 min versus 57 min, P Conclusions Parathyroidectomy with a concomitant thyroidectomy is associated with longer operative times, increased rate of overnight stay, and increased transient hypocalcemia.
Persistence of Attitudinal Changes Induced By A Confrontation Design: A research note

The use of a brief “confrontation design” had significant short-run effects on attitudes toward interdepartmental relations in a complex organization, as an article previously published in this jou...
The leak channel NALCN controls tonic firing and glycolytic sensitivity of substantia nigra pars reticulata neurons

Some neurons in the brain produce electrical signals (or “fire”) spontaneously, without receiving any other signals from the senses or from other neurons. This spontaneous activity has a number of important roles. For example, in a part of the brain known as the substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr), spontaneously active neurons frequently produce electrical signals that reduce electrical activity in other brain areas. A current of positively charged ions constantly flows into the spontaneously active SNr neurons and enables them to fire constantly. Ions enter neurons through proteins called ion channels that are embedded in the surface of the neuron. Like all proteins, ion channels are made by “transcribing” genes to form molecules of RNA that are then “translated” to produce the basic sequence of the protein. Lutas et al. have now used single-cell RNA sequencing to study SNr neurons from mice and investigate which ion channel the positive ion current flows through. The RNA sequences revealed that the neurons have the gene for an ion channel known as NALCN. Recordings of the firing rate of neurons in slices of mouse brain showed that SNr neurons without this channel did not fire as often as SNr neurons with the channel. In addition, neurotransmitters (chemicals that alter the ability of neurons to fire) and changes in cell metabolism had less of an effect on the firing rate of SNr neurons that lacked the NALCN channel than they do on normal neurons. These findings may help explain why people with mutations in the NALCN gene have movement disorders, as the substantia nigra pars reticulata plays an important role in orchestrating complex movements. Future work is now needed to understand how a change in NALCN activity affects the other brain areas that SNr neurons connect to.
Risk Stratification in Patients with Stage II Colon Cancer

The decision to receive adjuvant chemotherapy is far from evident and remains controversial in patients with American Joint Committee on Cancer stage II colon cancer. This study analyzes several pathological characteristics in order to assess their (combined) predictive value for outcomes in stage II colon cancer. All stage II patients treated surgically for colon cancer at our tertiary care center (2004–2011) were extracted from a prospectively maintained, Institutional Review Board-approved data repository (n = 313). Mortality and metastasis were compared, including multivariable Cox regression adjusted for stage subdivisions (IIA/IIB/IIC) and potential confounders. Colon cancer-specific mortality was substage independently increased in patients with baseline carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) >5 ng/L [hazard ratio (HR) 2.88; p = 0.022], large vessel invasion (LVI; HR 4.59; p 5 ng/L (HR 2.37; p = 0.046), LVI (HR 3.07; p = 0.001), perineural invasion (HR 2.57; p = 0.010), and EMVI (HR 2.83; p = 0.002). The number of high-risk features (0, 1, 2–3, 4+) was associated with a clear incremental increase in overall and disease-specific mortality and recurrence (p ≤ 0.001). The major inflection point is at two high-risk characteristics or more, whereas 5-year survival is almost halved from 77.4 % to 31.7 % (p < 0.001). The risk score introduced provides a prognostic tool based on readily available data extracted from baseline pathology and preoperative CEA, which provides an easy method to stratify risks of mortality and recurrence and may therefore help in treatment decisions after surgery in stage II patients.
Did a "lucky shot" sink the submarine H.L. Hunley?

The H.L. Hunley was the first submarine to be successful in combat, sinking the Union vessel Housatonic outside Charleston Harbor in 1864 during the Civil War. However, despite marking a milestone in military history, little is known about this vessel or why it sank. One popular theory is the “lucky shot” theory: the hypothesis that small arms fire from the crew of the Housatonic may have sufficiently damaged the submarine to sink it. However, ballistic experiments with cast iron samples, analysis of historical experiments firing Civil War-era projectiles at cast iron samples, and calculation of the tidal currents and sinking trajectory of the submarine indicate that this theory is not likely. Based on our results, the “lucky shot” theory does not explain the sinking of the world’s first successful combat submarine.
Complement Component 3 Adapts the Cerebrospinal Fluid for Leptomeningeal Metastasis

We molecularly dissected leptomeningeal metastasis, or spread of cancer to the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which is a frequent and fatal condition mediated by unknown mechanisms. We selected lung and breast cancer cell lines for the ability to infiltrate and grow in CSF, a remarkably acellular, mitogen-poor metastasis microenvironment. Complement component 3 (C3) was upregulated in four leptomeningeal metastatic models and proved necessary for cancer growth within the leptomeningeal space. In human disease, cancer cells within the CSF produced C3 in correlation with clinical course. C3 expression in primary tumors was predictive of leptomeningeal relapse. Mechanistically, we found that cancer-cell-derived C3 activates the C3a receptor in the choroid plexus epithelium to disrupt the blood-CSF barrier. This effect allows plasma components, including amphiregulin, and other mitogens to enter the CSF and promote cancer cell growth. Pharmacologic interference with C3 signaling proved therapeutically beneficial in suppressing leptomeningeal metastasis in these preclinical models.
Diazirines as Potential Molecular Imaging Tags: Probing the Requirements for Efficient and Long-Lived SABRE-Induced Hyperpolarization

Diazirines are an attractive class of potential molecular tags for magnetic resonance imaging owing to their biocompatibility and ease of incorporation into a large variety of molecules. As recently reported, 15 N2 -diazirine can be hyperpolarized by the SABRE-SHEATH method, sustaining both singlet and magnetization states, thus offering a path to long-lived polarization storage. Herein, we show the generality of this approach by illustrating that the diazirine tag alone is sufficient for achieving excellent signal enhancements with long-lasting polarization. Our investigations reveal the critical role of Lewis basic additives, including water, on achieving SABRE-promoted hyperpolarization. The application of this strategy to a 15 N2 -diazirine-containing choline derivative demonstrates the potential of 15 N2 -diazirines as molecular imaging tags for biomedical applications.
Reproducing ParConnect for SC16

Abstract This paper describes our SC16 Student Cluster Competition team’s efforts to reproduce the results of an SC15 paper for an application called ParConnect. This application finds connected components in graphs, specifically for De Bruijn graphs used in metagenomic assembly. We performed experiments running this application on a Dell PowerEdge cluster with Nvidia P100 GPUs and an Intel Omni-Path interconnect. Our results demonstrated that we could reproduce some but not all of the performance claims in the original publication. We expect that small data set sizes and differences in our cluster configuration account for the variation in results.
Professionalism, Golf Coaching and a Master of Science Degree: A commentary

As a point of reference I congratulate Simon Jenkins on tackling the issue of professionalism in coaching. As he points out coaching is not a profession, but this does not mean that coaching would not benefit from going through a professionalization process. As things stand I find that the stimulus article unpacks some critically important issues of professionalism, broadly within the context of golf coaching. However, I am not sure enough is made of understanding what professional (golf) coaching actually is nor how the development of a professional golf coach can be facilitated by a Master of Science Degree (M.Sc.). I will focus my commentary on these two issues.
The Development of Hand-Assist Laparoscopy

Urologic surgery has experienced many technologic breakthroughs throughout history, however, one of the most significant in recent years was the development of laparoscopic surgery. The transition from open surgery to laparoscopic surgery had many challenges including the loss of tactile feedback and the lack of manual dexterity which was helpful for many complex surgical maneuvers. The development of hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery (HALS) mitigated many of these challenges and allowed the surgeon to utilize a hand during the operation. HALS allowed urologists to more easily adapt to laparoscopic techniques, perform more complex surgeries, and remove whole specimens. In this chapter, we will review the history of the development of HALS and the early challenges and the techniques and technologic innovation that led to the approach it is today.
Mid-Infrared Dual Comb Spectroscopy of Propane

Using a dual-comb spectrometer, we measure the optical spectrum of propane in the carbon stretch region. A broad-band spectrum is obtained from 3300–3500 nm, showing good agreement with FTS.
Symmetry-adapted order parameters and free energies for solids undergoing order-disorder phase transitions

Order-disorder phase transitions are common in a wide range of materials and are exploited in many technological applications. A key challenge in developing predictive mesoscale models for these materials lies in constructing rigorous first-principles based thermodynamic descriptions. In this study, the authors develop a general formalism to generate order parameters for any crystal structure and alloy ordering. Furthermore, they describe a thermodynamic and statistical mechanics framework to determine the free energy as a function of order parameters. The methods described here are broadly applicable to any multicomponent crystalline solid and provide the first step in generating truly $a\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}b\phantom{\rule{0.333em}{0ex}}i\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}n\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}i\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}t\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}i\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}o$ multiscale models.
Dielectric barrier layers by low-temperature plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition of silicon dioxide

Abstract Electrothermal measurement techniques often require thin dielectric barriers to isolate active electrical test structures from samples of interest. The combined need for electrical passivation but thermal proximity necessitates the use of an electrically thick but thermally thin barrier layer. Here, we demonstrate a hybrid approach toward constructing sub-300 nm SiO2 multilayer barriers based upon low-temperature plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition and high density plasma chemical vapor deposition. Using pairs of buried metal test structures, we quantify changes in device resistance and cross-talk after covering the dielectric barrier with thin evaporated gold films and thick electroplated copper films. We show that a hybrid approach to passivating electrothermal measurement devices outperforms individual homogenous barriers formed by either deposition technique.
Energy-resolved attosecond interferometric photoemission from Ag(111) and Au(111) surfaces

Photoelectron emission from solid surfaces induced by attosecond pulse trains into the electric field of delayed phase-coherent infrared (IR) pulses allows the surface-specific observation of energy-resolved electronic phase accumulations and photoemission delays. We quantum-mechanically modeled interferometric photoemission spectra from the (111) surfaces of Au and Ag, including background contributions from secondary electrons and direct emission by the IR pulse, and adjusted parameters of our model to energy-resolved photoelectron spectra recently measured at a synchrotron light source by Roth et al. [J. Electron Spectrosc. 224, 84 (2018)]. Our calculated spectra and photoelectron phase shifts are in fair agreement with the experimental data of Locher et al. [Optica 2, 405 (2015)]. Our model's not reproducing the measured energy-dependent oscillations of the Ag(111) photoemission phases may be interpreted as evidence for subtle band-structure effects on the final-state photoelectron-surface interaction not accounted for in our simulation.
The transmembrane domain of the infectious bronchitis virus e protein is required for efficient virus release

The infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) E protein is a small protein that spans the membrane once, with its C-terminus in the cytoplasm. We previously showed that the cytoplasmic tail of the IBV E protein mediated its targeting to Golgi membranes, as well as its interaction with the IBV M protein. Mutations in the cytoplasmic domain of IBV E reduced Golgi retention and blocked E-M association and production of VLPs. By contrast, complete replacement of the transmembrane domain of the IBV E protein with a heterologous membrane-spanning domain had no effect on the Golgi targeting of E, the association of M with E, or the production of VLPs. We concluded that the sequence of the transmembrane domain of the protein was unimportant for its function. Some enveloped viruses including influenza and human immunodeficiency virus encode small membrane proteins that form ion channels in infected cells. The E protein of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus has recently been shown to form a cation-specific ion channel in synthetic membranes. This observation suggested that we reevaluate the IBV E mutant with a substituted transmembrane domain. Because the pore for ion movement forms from the transmembrane segments of ion channels, replacing the sequence would be expected to block channel function. After replacing the wild-type E protein sequence for that of the transmembranesubstituted E protein in an infectious clone for IBV, we recovered and characterized the
Authentication and Biometrics

Biometrics is often used for establishing trusted communication between two parties to negotiate access to an application. This is also a topic that has been studied in the field of information security for quite a while now. Therefore, in the next sections we introduce some security terms and tools that can be found, for example, in [109,162,208]. Indeed we take the liberty of following Chapter 4 of [162] fairly closely.
Narcolepsy and Disorders of Excessive Sleepiness

Narcolepsy is often considered to be an illness of excessive sleep; more precisely, it is a disorder manifested by brief, inappropriate episodes of sleep, in association with other “auxiliary” symptoms. Sleep attacks have been described by a number of nineteenth-century physicians, among whom the best known is Westphal (1877). Gelineau, in 1880, gave the name narcolepsy to a disturbance “characterized by an imperative need to sleep of sudden onset and short duration, recurring at more or less close intervals.” As Zarcone (1973) points out, characters with symptoms suggestive of narcolepsy have appeared in many famous works of fiction, including Eliot’s Silas Marner, Poe’s “The Premature Burial,” and Melville’s Moby Dick.
Stress Neuropeptides and Addiction

When the first living organism appeared on earth it already possessed the ability to feed, reproduce and defend itself against the environment. More and more species appeared, so they had to develop methods of defense against each other. Antibiotics were probably the first weapons of defense, a capacity that was lost in the higher organisms. Poisons and plant movements helped survival, but fast motor reactions in the first animals were a quantum leap in the genesis of defense. With the development of emotions and memory, vertebrates were able to learn. Add to this human intelligence so that we talk to each other even over distances. In spite of all these wonderful developments we still puzzle over ESP and we do not understand how the salmon knows, from the genetic blueprint, how to return to its river of origin.