cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The selective impairment of phonological processing: A case study☆

A case study is reported of an aphasic patient with fluent speech and markedly superior comprehension of written vs. spoken words. Results of extensive testing supported the hypothesis that the patient suffers from a phonological processing deficit that affects performance in all tasks that require the generation of a phonological code. This selective deficit is interpreted as the underlying cause of diverse symptoms such as asyntactic comprehension of written sentences, the commission of spelling errors in writing, and the production of literal paraphasias and neologisms in spontaneous speech. Alternative possibilities for the classification of this patient are discussed.
The significance of grafting collagen on polycaprolactone composite scaffolds: Processing–structure–functional property relationship

The study concerns processing–structure–functional property relationship in organic–inorganic hybrid scaffolds based on grafted collagen for bone tissue engineering. Biodegradable polyester, polycaprolactone (PCL) and nanohydroxyapatite were used to fabricate three-dimensional porous scaffolds by adopting a combination of solvent casting, particulate leaching, and polymer leaching approaches. The PCL scaffold was subsequently surface modified by chemical bonding of 1,6-hexanediamine to the ester groups of PCL to introduce free NH2 groups. The introduction of NH2 groups as active sites enabled immobilization of biocompatible macromolecule, collagen, on the aminolyzed PCL via a cross-linking agent, glutaraldehyde. The osteoblasts' functions, notably cell adhesion, proliferation, and mineralization, were favorably modulated because of the chemical interaction between Arg-Gly-Asp domains in collagen molecule and integrin receptor in the cell membrane. The study underscores the significance of grafting collagen on PCL-nHA scaffold in modulating cellular activity and biological functions expanding its current use in soft tissue engineering to hard tissue regeneration. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 103A: 2919–2931, 2015.
Sodium Transport in Capillaries Isolated from Rat Brain

: Brain capillary endothelial cells form a bloodbrain barrier (BBB) that appears to play a role in fluid and ion homeostasis in brain. One important transport system that may be involved in this regulatory function is the Na+,K+-ATPase that was previously demonstrated to be present in isolated brain capillaries. The goal of the present study was to identify additional Na+ transport systems in brain capillaries that might contribute to BBB function. Microvessels were isolated from rat brains and 22Na + uptake by and efflux from the cells were studied. Total 22Na + uptake was increased and the rate of 22Na + efflux was decreased by ouabain, confirming the presence of Na+,K+-ATPase in capillary cells. After inhibition of Na+,K+-ATPase activity, another saturable Na + transport mechanism became apparent. Capillary uptake of 22Na + was stimulated by an elevated concentration of Na +or H+ inside the cells and inhibited by extracellular Na+, H+, Li+, and NH4+. Amiloride inhibited 22Na + uptake with a Ki between 10−5 and 10−6M but there was no effect of 1 mM furosemide on 22Na+ uptake by the isolated microvessels. These results indicate the presence in brain capillaries of a transport system capable of mediating Na +/ Na + and Na +/H + exchange. As a similar transport system does not appear to be present on the luminal membrane of the brain capillary endothelial cell, it is proposed that Na +/H + exchange occurs primarily across the antiluminal membrane.
Utilizing parametric modeling design software in the motor manufacturing industry

In today's global economy, every advantage must be utilized to remain competitive. Reduced product development times have become a critical component in the matrix of bringing quality consumer goods to market. This paper suggests the implementation of 3 dimensional mechanical computer aided design (MCAD) software (specifically parametric packages) as well as other technologies that are shaping the way we will do business in the new millennium. In addition to MCAD tools, collaborative design environments (not based on geographical constraints) are rapidly becoming the standard corporate model. Namely, collaborative Internet environments. It should be obvious that the Internet is merely in its infancy stage at this point and is poised to weave itself into every corner of the business sector (and much of our personal lives as well). An additional focus of this paper is to provide background information on several new technologies that should be considered for use in virtually all design and manufacturing facilities.
Using semantic feature analysis to improve contextual discourse in adults with aphasia.

Purpose Semantic feature analysis (SFA) was used to determine whether training contextually related words would improve the discourse of individuals with nonfluent aphasia in preselected contexts. ...
Punishment Regimes and the Multilevel Effects of Parental Incarceration: Intergenerational, Intersectional, and Interinstitutional Models of Social Inequality and Systemic Exclusion

The US prison boom has resulted in the mass incarceration of parents in the United States. We review recent scholarship on the relationship between parental incarceration and child inequality and social exclusion over the life course. We develop a multilevel social exclusion framework to stimulate future research on the effects of paternal and maternal incarceration. This framework is intergenerational in its focus on incarcerated parents and their children, interinstitutional in its attention to state and school regimes, and intersectional in its consideration of the role of gender and race and ethnic contingencies. It is also systemic in its focus on multiple chosen and overlapping institutional policy domains of exclusion. We address both mediators and moderators of the effects of parental incarceration on child outcomes. We emphasize the underresearched importance of meso-level (e.g., school) and macro-level (e.g., state and cross-national) exclusionary and inclusionary regimes in understanding the ef...
Luminal and basolateral membrane transport of glutathione in isolated perfused S(1), S(2), and S(3) segments of the rabbit proximal tubule.

Abstract . Lumen-to-bath and bath-to-lumen transport rates of glutathione (GSH) were measured in isolated perfused S 1 , S 2 , and S 3 segments of the rabbit proximal tubule. In lumen-to-bath experiments, the perfusion solution contained 4.6 μM 3 H-GSH with or without 1.0 mM acivicin. In all three segments perfused without acivicin, luminal disappearance rate ( J DL ) and bath appearance rate ( J AB ) of 3 H-GSH were 14.5 ± 0.5 and 2.2 ± 0.8 fmol/min per mm tubule length, respectively. With acivicin present, J DL and J AB were reduced to 1.3 ± 0.4 and 0.5 ± 0.3, respectively, with no differences among segments. Cellular concentrations of 3 H-GSH in S 1 , S 2 , and S 3 segments when acivicin was absent were 23.1 ± 2.0, 31.7 ± 11.4, and 143.5 ± 17.9 μM, respectively. With acivicin in perfusate, cellular concentrations were reduced but there was no change in the heterogeneity profile. In bath-to-lumen transport experiments (S 2 segments only), the bathing solution contained 2.3 μM 3 H-GSH. 3 H-GSH appearance in the lumen ( J AL , fmol/min per mm) and cellular accumulation from the bath were studied with and without acivicin in the perfusate. J AL values were 3.0 ± 0.2 and 0.2 ± 0.03 while cellular concentrations were 9.5 ± 1.0 and 6.1 ± 0.5 μM, respectively. It is concluded that: ( 1 ) GSH is primarily removed from the luminal fluid after degradation to glycine, cysteine, and glutamate, which are absorbed; ( 2 ) GSH can be absorbed intact at the luminal membrane; ( 3 ) the S 3 segment has the greatest GSH cellular concentration because its basolateral membrane has less capacity for cell-to-bath transport of GSH; and ( 4 ) GSH can be secreted intact from the peritubular compartment into the tubular lumen.
TRANSIENT CHANGES IN EEG SLEEP PATTERNS OF MARRIED GOOD SLEEPERS: THE EFFECTS OF ALTERING SLEEPING ARRANGEMENT

The major purposes of this study were to test the effects of altering the typical home sleeping arrangement on subsequent laboratory sleep, to determine the nature of transient disturbances in EEG sleep patterns of habitual good sleepers, and to explore sex differences in sleep patterns of married couples. Twenty-eight married good sleepers slept three consecutive nights in the laboratory under both sleep-with-spouse and sleep-alone conditions. Continuous EEG and eye movement recordings were obtained throughout the seven hour bed period. Analyses of variance showed a significant increase in the amount of Stage 4 sleep and a significant decrease in REM sleep under the sleep-alone condition. Transient changes in sleep patterns of good sleepers were not associated with the usual correlates of poor sleep. Sex differences showed females with significantly more Stage 4 sleep, more total sleep, and fewer awakenings. It was concluded that the typical home sleeping arrangement may be a significant subject-selection variable in sleep and dream research. The major findings were discussed within the framework of a cortical homeostasis hypothesis.
Divisibility in the Integers

We will begin our study with a very concrete set of objects, the integers, that is, the set {0, 1, −1, 2, −2, ...}. This set is traditionally denoted ℤ and is very familiar to us-in fact, we were introduced to this set so early in our lives that we think of ourselves as having grown up with the integers! Moreover, we view ourselves as having completely absorbed the process of integer division; we unhesitatingly describe 3 as dividing 99 and equally unhesitatingly describe 5 as not dividing 101.
PENILE PROSTHESIS IMPLANTATION

Urologists did not develop a significant interest in the treatment of erectile dysfunction until the introduction of the inflatable penile prosthesis in 1973. 27 For the next 10 years, the treatment of erectile dysfunction was fairly straightforward, that is, sex therapy for potentially reversible erectile dysfunction and penile prosthesis implantation for almost every other form. Currently, a variety of treatment options are available for erectile dysfunction, including systemic therapy, sex therapy, vacuum erection devices, intraurethral medication, penile injection therapy, penile revascularization, and penile prosthesis implantation. Topics discussed in this article include the role of penile prosthesis implantation in the treatment of erectile dysfunction, the selection of candidates for prosthesis implantation, the types of devices available and their indications, and the methods of implantation and the results.
The cerci and abdominal giant fibres of the house cricket, Acheta domesticus. II. Regeneration and effects of chronic deprivation

The abdominal cerci of immature crickets are regenerated repeatedly after loss. The developmental sequence of cercal regeneration depends on the instar and the time within the instar that cerci are removed. Initial regenerates in early instars lack sensilla, which appear at the second moult, and subsequently increase in number in a definite order as in normal development, with filiform hairs appearing first, followed by large numbers of appressed hairs. Initial regenerates of later instars may bear filiform hairs. If one of the cerci is removed at hatching and all subsequent regenerates are removed as soon as they appear, a maximally asymmetric animal is produced. The general dimensions of the giant interneurons carrying cercal information anteriorly are not altered, but the volume of the terminal abdominal ganglion neuropile on the deprived side is reduced by 30%. At least three important changes in connectivity accompany unilateral deprivation: (a) responses to air puffs in the largest interneurons (l.g.i. and m.g.i.) contralateral to the intact cercus are 20 times greater than in control animals, where responses are virtually completely ipsilateral; (b) responses to substrate vibration, detected by non-cercal receptors, are about 10 times greater than normal on the deprived side; and (c) contralaterally projecting axons from cercal receptors are found, which is never the case in normal animals. Responses on the intact side are normal. Animals which are deprived of both cerci for six instars and then regenerate only one show all these changes but to a lesser degree. In particular, the non-cercal, vibration sensitive input to the continuously deprived side is not enhanced as much as with the former treatment. Animals permanently deprived of both their cerci similarly do not acquire as greatly enhanced a vibration input as does the deprived side of continuously asymmetric animals. None of these rearrangements occur in animals which are deprived of both their cerci for six instars and then regenerate both; these symmetrically deprived and symmetrically regenerating animals resemble normals in all measured respects even though a period of deprivation lasting for two thirds of postembryonic development has intervened between the initial amputation and regeneration. We conclude that the capacity for correct neuronal circuit assembly is maintained throughout postembryonic development; that removal of a major input to the giant interneurons leads to a relative strengthening of the remaining inputs; and that additional rearrangements, beyond the effects of simple deprivation, occur as a result of asymmetry during cercal development.
Effect of monensin on growth, reproductive performance, and estimated body composition in Holstein heifers.

Abstract The objective was to determine the effect of feeding monensin on growth performance, average age at breeding, and body composition of Holstein heifers. Forty heifers were divided by weight into two groups, averaging 330 kg (heavy) and 217 kg (light) at the begenning of the trial. Within each weight group, heifers were assigned randomly to either of two treatments: without or with monensin feeding (200 mg per head daily). All heifers were fed diets containing either corn silage at 2% BW or ad libitum grass pasture supplemented with concentrates (1 to 1.5 kg per head daily). Monensin had no effect on BW, average daily gain, height at withers, heart girth, length, coccae width, or body condition score, Feeding monensin significantly decreased the age at breeding by 15 and 24 d and age at calving by 36 and 61 d for heavy and light heifers, respectively. Estimated empty body water, protein, or fat percentages determined by urea space were not affected by monensin. Heavy heifers contained a smaller percentage of empty body water but higher percentages of empty body protein and fat than light ones. The results from this study indicate that monensin can reduce age at puberty in Holstein heifers without affecting BW and composition.
A Review of Distance Learning Influences on Adult Learners: Advantages and Disadvantages

This paper discussed the advantages and disadvantages of distance learning influences on adult learners. Distance learning has become popular in higher institutions because of its flexibility and availability to learners and teachers at anytime, regardless of geographic location. With so many definitions and phases of distance education, this paper only focuses on the delivery mode of distance education (the use of information technology), background, and its disadvantages and advantages for today’s adult learners. Overall, distance learning is increasingly becoming an alternative in education, industry, large corporation, and various government entities, by and large when students, employees are far and wide spread geographically within and outside that region in which the course has been taken place. As a result of this success, the benefits of distance learning have led many higher educational institutions to implement some distance learning classes, even if on an experimental basis. As a consequence, society in general may benefit from an overall increase in literacy through greater access to education (Belanger & Jordan, 2004). In the United States alone, 62% of public 4-year institutions offered some courses over the Internet in 1995, an increase of 150% over 1992 (National Center for Educational Statistics, 1997).
Problems of provenance for digital libraries (transcript of discussion)

I’m Michael Roe from Microsoft Research. I’m going to talk about the problems of putting library books online. This isn’t a crypto protocols talk in the usual sense. There’s going to be absolutely no cryptography in this talk, so I hope you’ll forgive me for that
Foreign Aid for Civil Society in Post-Socialist Serbia: a Comparative Study of the Impact of Norms on Public Acceptance

Even though Western democracies have for over 20 years provided assistance to facilitate development of the civil societies of the countries of the former Yugoslavia, research suggests that many local civic organizations lack strong bases in their societies. Our field-based study of comparable towns in Serbia seeks to determine why Western-aided civil society organizations, particularly women’s organizations, have often not been able to develop broad-based support among their populations. We also examine factors that explain variation in public support, including by investigating Sundstrom’s (2005) findings in Russia that Western-supported NGOs must pursue locally resonant norms in order to be successful. Our research aims to fill a gap in the literature by doing what studies of civil society aid rarely do: focus on the views of the ultimate recipients of this aid and those who will influence NGOs’ sustainability: ordinary citizens. Interview testimony from ordinary people and activists from four Serbian towns suggests that women’s NGOs have failed to connect with the local population on broad basis. Norms only partly explain this failure. We find that NGOs’ activities’ responsiveness to local priorities, the resonance of the norms NGOs pursue, and the openness of NGOs in terms of membership, activities, citizen feedback, and spending decisions significantly determine their level of public acceptance by local communities.
Protecting the world's most persecuted: the responsibility to protect and Burma's Rohingya minority

The Rohingya in Burma have been called ‘the world's most persecuted minority' and subjected to pervasive human rights violations, including ethnic cleansing, statelessness and possibly genocide. Despite the international community's commitment to the responsibility to protect (R2P), which includes violence prevention, the plight of vulnerable populations such as the Rohingya has been relatively ignored. This article encourages dialogue about the R2P's potential for preventing direct and structural violence, building on its foundation of sovereignty as responsibility. While preventative action to assist the Rohingya comes with an array of challenges, the normative foundations of R2P – including connections to combatting internal displacement and ‘unbundling' protection to challenge structural inequalities – provide a toolkit of responses apart from military force. It is imperative that scholars and practitioners alike critically consider the practical value of R2P, as well as re-examine glaring and overloo...
Do School Discipline Policies Treat Students Fairly? A Second Look at School Discipline Rate Disparities

According to a 2014 report from the US Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, Black students represent only 15% of students across the nation, but 35% of students suspended once are Black, 44% of students suspended more than once are Black, and 36% of expelled students are Black. While these disparate disciplinary outcomes at the aggregate level are troubling, more information is needed if we are to develop a full understanding of the problem of disproportionate discipline. In particular, consequences should be attached to specific infractions and school level data are necessary to help us decipher the extent to which students in the same schools are being treated differently for the same ostensible infractions. In this study, we exploit three years of student-level discipline data from Arkansas and find that Black students received more severe punishments than White students for the same infractions across the state. These differences were due, in large part, to school-level differences in disciplinary patterns. However, even after controlling for infraction and school-fixed effects, Black students received slightly longer punishments than their White peers in the same schools.
Spinal Cord Tumors-Report of Four Cases-

Four cases of spinal cord tumor were treated surgically from 1980 to 1982. Complete cure was obtained in a case of extradural schwannoma and in two cases of intraduralextramedullary tumors (schwannoma and meningioma). One case of intramedullary ependymoma resulted in spastic gait with one crutch. A Nine-year-old girl with intradural-extramedullary schwannoma showed radiological instability after extensive laminectomy.
Silicon Wafer Bonding for Use in Fuel Cells

Wafer bonding can be adapted from the silicon processing industry and applied to assembly of fuel cells, which traditionally suffer from low manufacturability readiness and lack of high-volume production methods. The requirements for the bond when used in fuel cells are different than for typical electronic products and new evaluation standards have to be developed. In response, a comprehensive methodology has been proposed for assessing suitability of wafer bonding techniques for use in silicon-based fuel cell. The first part of this protocol, which includes electrical measurements of the quality of the wafer bond using Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy, is presented here, while the complete testing methodology will be reported elsewhere. Five different bonding compounds were tested at room temperature and atmospheric relative humidity conditions. Subsequent testing steps will examine behavior of these bonds under typical fuel cell voltage, elevated temperature and pressure, high relative humidity, and presence of electrolyte.
A Multi-Level Approach to Concept Selection in Sustainable Design

The motivation behind this work is to integrate economic and environmental sustainability into decision making at the early phases of design through the development of a hierarchical concept selection method. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a frequently implemented technique used to assess the environmental impacts of products, but it does not provide a simple means for including preference at different levels that can be used for comparison across design alternatives. A method is proposed to accommodate this issue expanding the Hypothetical Equivalents and Inequivalents Method (HEIM) to handle multi-level and multi-attribute trade-offs. The selection of a coffee maker design is used as an example to illustrate the implementation of the method with actual LCA results. The example provides valuable insights into how preferences may be elicited at different hierarchical levels and then combined to create a single utility score that represents to what extent each design alternative is preferred by the decision maker.© 2014 ASME
Autofluorescence as a measure of senescence in C. elegans : look to red, not blue or green

In C. elegans, intestinal autofluorescence (sometimes referred to as lipofuscin or "age pigment") accumulates with age and is often used as a marker of health or the rate of aging. We show that this autofluorescent material is spectrally heterogeneous, and that materials that fluoresce under different excitation wavelengths have distinct biological properties. Red autofluorescence (visible with a TRITC filter set) correlates well with an individual's remaining days of life, and is therefore a candidate marker of health. In contrast, blue autofluorescence (via a DAPI filter set) is chiefly an indicator of an individual's incipient or recent demise. Thus, population averages of blue fluorescence essentially measure the fraction of dead or near-dead individuals. This is related to but distinct from the health of the living population. Green autofluorescence (via a FITC or GFP filter set) combines both properties, and is therefore ill suited as a marker of either death or health. Moreover, our results show that care must be taken to distinguish GFP expression near the time of death from full-body green autofluorescence. Finally, none of this autofluorescence increases after oxidative stress, suggesting that the material, or its biology in C. elegans, is distinct from lipofuscin as reported in the mammalian literature.
EPSP Amplitude Modulation at the Rat Ia-Alpha Motoneuron Synapse: Effects of GABAB Receptor Agonists and Antagonists

Peshori, Kavita R., William F. Collins III, and Lorne M. Mendell. EPSP amplitude modulation at the rat Ia-alpha motoneuron synapse: effects of GABAB receptor agonists and antagonists. J. Neurophysi...
The clinical analysis of ten pediatric patients with endocardial fibroelastosis combined with non-compaction of the ventricular myocardium

Objective To investigate the clinical manifestations,diagnosis and treatment of pediatric endocardial fibroelastosis(EFE)combined with non-compaction of the ventricular myocardium(NVM)for improvment of the recognization and management in clinical.Methods The clinical manifestations,chest X-ray imaging,electrocardiogram,ultrasound cardiography,and treatment outcome from 10 pediatric patients with EFE combined with NVM hospitalized from April 2005 to April 2008 were retrospectively analyzed.Results The treatment protocol was based on EFE management.In 10 patients,2 patients gave up on treatment by their parents because of the serious heart failure and 8 patients were discharged when clinical state had been controlled and improved.Three patients with congenital heart diseases accepted surgical treatment(one patient was patent ductus arteriosus ligature;two patients were aortic arch plasty).Conclusions The clinical states in children with EFE combined with NVM will improve by effective treatment.However,the long term prognosis is poor.
Applying branched-DNA technology testing high-risk human papillomavirus E6/E7 mRNA in liquid-based cytology for cervical cancer screening

Objective To investigate the role of testing E6 / E7 mRNA of high risk human papilloma virus( HPV) for cervical cancer screening by branched DNA( b DNA) technology. Methods Branched DNA( b DNA) technology was used to detect high- risk HPV E6 / E7 mRNA and DNA directly from 335 liquid cytologic test( LCT) samples( 91 samples were recognized by histopathology). Both of mRNA and DNA were detected in 93 samples. The data according to cytological grades or pathology were statistically analyzed. Results The expression level of HPV E6 / E7 mRNA transcripts elevated corresponding to the degree of cervical dysplasia. Receiver operating characteristic( ROC) curve was analyzed for predicting CIN2 +, the optimal operating point value was 530. 53copies·m L- 1. Conclusion b DNA technology can be used to detect HPV E6 / E7 mRNA well in LCT samples. HPV E6 / E7 mRNA test could be a useful tool for cervical cancer screening for its positive likelihood ratio. The copies of mRNA may be used to pool out high- risk patient in cervical cancer screening.
The relative importance of English versus Spanish language skills for low-income Latino English language learners’ early language and literacy development

ABSTRACTThe association between monolingual children’s early language abilities and their later reading performance is well established. However, for English language learners, the pattern of associations between early language skills and later literacy is much less well understood for English language learners. This study examined language predictors of preschool, low-income Latino English language learners’ (N = 112) spring vocabulary and literacy skills. Only children’s English language skills at the start of preschool, not Spanish or conceptual vocabulary (child received credit for knowledge of word in either English or Spanish), were significant predictors of subsequent vocabulary and literacy scores. In addition, vocabulary and language comprehension together accounted for more variance in spring performance than vocabulary alone. Finally, data from a small subset of parents (N = 21) suggested that the children’s Spanish skills were being maintained through activities at home. Discussion focuses on ...
Transitory Cognitive Deficit with Epilepsy Paroxysm

The EEGs and cognitive responses during a go-no go Continuous Performance Test (CPT) were studied in two groups of 58 epileptic and 20 healthy control chiuldren, ages 8 to 12 years, at the Hospital Civil de Guadalajara, Mexico.
A benchtop NMR spectrometer as a tool for monitoring mesoscale continuous-flow organic synthesis: equipment interface and assessment in four organic transformations

An approach is reported for monitoring continuous-flow reactions by means of a low-field benchtop NMR spectrometer. The spectrometer is interfaced with a mesofluidic reactor and used as a tool for optimising four organic transformations, namely an acid-catalysed esterification, a Knoevenagel condensation, a Diels–Alder reaction, and an alkylation. Reactions need to be performed either solvent-free or at relatively high concentration in order to monitor them effectively using the NMR spectrometer, but this allows for the leveraging of one of the key advantages of flow processing, namely process intensification.
Application of an Adaptive COMET Method to a PWR Benchmark Problem with Gadolinium

Coarse Mesh Radiation Transport (COMET) is a reactor physics method and code that has been used to solve reactor core problems. The method has been shown to be accurate in both its calculation of core eigenvalue as well as its calculation of fission density for every pin in the core. COMET solutions also enjoy excellent computational efficiency, as calculations are performed in a runtime that is several orders of magnitude less than Monte Carlo techniques. The method is a response-based, decomposing the problem domain into subvolumes, called coarse meshes, which allows for the global eigenvalue problem to be converted into a system of fixed-source problems. This produces no approximation if fluxes on coarse mesh interfaces are known. However, these are not known a priori, so an approximation is made in the form of a flux expansion. Responses to an assumed incoming boundary flux using an assumed expansion function are computed for each unique coarse mesh in a precalculation and stored in a response library. A deterministic iterative algorithm uses these precomputed responses to solve the coupled system of fixed-source problems, resulting in a full-core solution. In an effort to improve the computational efficiency of the code, a method has been developed that allows for automated adaptive selection of flux expansion orders in a COMET solution. An ideal flux expansion should be low in order to ensure computational efficiency but still ensure satisfactory accuracy in a calculation. In previous implementations of the COMET method, this flux expansion has been held constant throughout a problem and has been dependent upon user input and numerical experimentation. The method described in this paper allows the flux expansion to vary based upon both mesh-dependent (e.g., mean free path) and problem-dependent (e.g., imposition of boundary conditions and loading patterns in a reactor core) factors. Previous work with the method has shown that it has selected flux expansions that maintain accuracy in COMET calculations while increasing computational efficiency as compared to a COMET calculation employing maximum expansions in the response library for both small problems as well as a full-core PWR benchmark problem. This work extends the method to another benchmark problem that is larger in size with different material composition. The benchmark problem selected in this paper is a 4-loop PWR core with gadolinium. The adaptive method will select expansion orders to obtain an accurate solution for this problem relative to the benchmark COMET solution, and its performance in terms of both accuracy and computational efficiency will be assessed. Results will be provided in the full paper.
Meta-analysis of tumor PD-L1 expression as a predictive biomarker of benefit from PD-1/PD-L1 axis inhibitors in solid tumors.

11603Background: Drugs targeting the PD1/PD-L1 pathway show significant clinical activity across several tumors. However, a majority of patients (pts) do not respond to these agents. Biomarker assays to predict response is an active area of research however the predictive value of PD-L1 IHC assays is inconsistent across clinical trials. In this meta-analysis of clinical trials with PD1/PD-L1 targeted agents we evaluate the predictive value of PD-L1 IHC. Methods: We searched databases (PubMed, Medline, Cochrane) and major conference proceedings up until 01/2015 for clinical trials using PD1/PD-L1 inhibitors with reported PD-L1 biomarker data. Objective response rates (primary endpoint) from all phase I-III trials investigating Nivolumab, Pembrolizumab, Atezolimumab, Durvalumab and Avelumab for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), melanoma and genitourinary cancers were collected. Odds ratios (OR) for response in PD-L1 (+) pts compared to PD-L1 (-) pts were calculated using the DerSimonian-Laird random effec...
Accelerated Hypofractionated Radiotherapy in the Era of Concurrent Temozolomide Chemotherapy in Elderly Patients with Glioblastoma Multiforme.

Introduction Patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) over age 65 represent nearly half of those diagnosed per annum. They have a different tumor markers profile, physiologic reserve, and a median survival as low as three to four months. An optimal treatment strategy in older GBM patients remains undefined, with many patients receiving radiation in 30 treatments over six weeks, a regimen based on trials originally excluding patients over age 70. Recent studies have suggested reducing the number of treatments to 10-15 over two to three weeks with similar efficacy. We present an elderly population of patients treated with six radiation treatments. Methods After IRB approval, we reviewed the electronic medical records of 20 consecutive patients over the age 60 at diagnosis with GBM, treated with maximally safe neurosurgical resection, and adjuvant hypofractionated radiation (HFRT) and temozolomide (TMZ) between 2012 and 2015. HFRT was given every other weekday for two weeks, in a total of six fractions (6 × 6 Gy to contrast-enhancing tumor +5 mm and 6 × 4 Gy to fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) +2 cm) with concurrent TMZ (75 mg/m2 daily), followed by adjuvant TMZ (150-200 mg/m2 in 5/28 days). The response was assessed using the Macdonald and Revised Assessment in Neuro-Oncology (RANO) criteria, radiology reports, physician notes, and tumor board consensus notes. Descriptive statistics, overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), toxicity, and steroid use were calculated and compared to the historical controls of patients treated with a six-week radiation regimen of 60 Gy in 30 fractions with TMZ. Results The median age at diagnosis was 70.5 years (range: 61 - 82 years). Median pre-radiation Karnofsky performance scale (KPS) was 60 (range: 40 - 90). The median preoperative maximum gross tumor diameter on MRI was 3.6 cm (range: 1.8 - 6 cm). Six patients (30%) had a gross total resection (GTR), eight (40%) had a subtotal resection (STR), and six (30%) had biopsy only. The median progression-free survival was five months (95% (confidence interval) CI: 2.8, 16.4) and median OS of 14 months (95% CI: 5.0, upper limit not estimable). Of the 19 patients tested for isocitrate dehydrogenase-1 (IDH), 100% were negative. Of the eight patients who had MGMT methylation status results, four (50%) were positive for O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) methylation. In the 18 patients who completed radiation, the HFRT treatment was well tolerated without any Grade 3/4 acute toxicities. Conclusions The accelerated adjuvant course of HFRT with TMZ used for the elderly with GBM decreases radiation treatment days to six. It was well tolerated in patients over 60 years of age and provided similar OS, PFS, minimal toxicity, and decreased steroid usage compared to historical controls treated with six or even two to three weeks of radiotherapy.
Investment Timing with Costly Search for Financing

I develop a dynamic model of investment timing in which firms must first choose when to search for external financing. Search is costly and the arrival of investors is uncertain, leading to delay in financing and investment. Depending on parameters, my model can predict simultaneous financing and investment or early financing prior to investment. Additionally, the supply of financing has a nonmonotonic effect on search behavior. This realistic generalization of the investment timing problem is straightforward to extend. I find that subjecting firms to insolvency shocks reduces the value of the option to finance later, and taxes increase the impact of such shocks. When I introduce time varying financial conditions, the model predicts investment waves, financing waves, market timing, and IPO withdrawals consistent with empirical evidence. Finally, adding heterogeneous investors produces empirical predictions on investor-firm matching.
RNA Interference and RNA Editing

RNA interference (RNAi) is a naturally occurring mechanism for gene silencing induced by the presence of short interfering RNA (siRNA). RNAi is an endogenous catalytic pathway that is triggered by double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). The trigger can occur naturally, as in the case of a cellular infection by a dsRNA virus, or by the intentional introduction of dsRNA to induce user-directed degradation of the cognate transcript(s). RNAi is fundamentally a two-step process. The first step involves the master enzyme in the RNAi process, a type III endoribonuclease aptly named Dicer. This enzyme is involved in the ATP-dependent digestion of longer dsRNA into 21–23 bp siRNA molecules with characteristic 3′ dinucleotide overhangs on both strands. In the second step, siRNA, regardless of the source, becomes part of a multicomponent RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC). The use of RNAi as a means of studying the effects of gene expression in a cell or in an organism is occasionally called reverse genetics, the goal of which is to determine the consequences for a cell when a protein is not produced. In other words, the function of a gene can often be discovered by silencing it. The overall RNAi efficiency in an experiment is also a function of the abundance and the stability of both the target mRNA and the encoded protein, and the precise region of the mRNA targeted for scission. CRISPR (clustered regular interspersed short palindromic repeats) is a natural defense mechanism that evolved in prokaryotes to protect themselves against viral DNA. From a contemporary molecular biology perspective, there are two useful things that the CRISPR–Cas9 system can be programmed to do in this regard: silence a gene or edit a gene. In the case of the former, the guide RNA leads the CRISPR–Cas9 complex to the target gene and then mediates cutting the gene on both strands. Although cells attempt to repair the gene, including re-ligation, the process is error-prone and introduces mutations. The net result is that the gene becomes nonfunctional and is effectively silenced. In contrast, when a repair template is made available during the attempted gene repair process, the new information that the repair template carries becomes incorporated into the DNA such that the target gene is either repaired (if it was defective) or acquires a new function.
NMR study of the new magnetic superconductor CaK ( Fe 0.951 Ni 0.049 ) 4 As 4 : Microscopic coexistence of the hedgehog spin-vortex crystal and superconductivity

The coexistence of a new-type antiferromagnetic (AFM) state, the so-called hedgehog spin-vortex crystal (SVC), and superconductivity (SC) is evidenced by an $^{75}\mathrm{As}$ nuclear magnetic resonance study on single-crystalline $\mathrm{CaK}{({\mathrm{Fe}}_{0.951}{\mathrm{Ni}}_{0.049})}_{4}{\mathrm{As}}_{4}$. The hedgehog SVC order is clearly demonstrated by the direct observation of internal magnetic induction along the $c$ axis at the As1 site (close to K) and a zero net internal magnetic induction at the As2 site (close to Ca) below an AFM ordering temperature ${T}_{\mathrm{N}}\ensuremath{\sim}52$ K. The nuclear spin-lattice relaxation rate $1/{T}_{1}$ shows a distinct decrease below ${T}_{\mathrm{c}}\ensuremath{\sim}10$ K, providing also unambiguous evidence for the microscopic coexistence. Furthermore, based on the analysis of the $1/{T}_{1}$ data, the hedgehog SVC-type spin correlations are found to be enhanced below $T\ensuremath{\sim}150$ K in the paramagnetic state. These results indicate the hedgehog SVC-type spin correlations play an important role for the appearance of SC in the new magnetic superconductor.
Biomarkers for acute kidney injury in decompensated cirrhosis: A prospective study.

Aim Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a frequent complication in cirrhotic patients. As serum creatinine is a poor marker of renal function in this population, we aimed to study the utility of several biomarkers in this context. Methods A prospective study was conducted in hospitalized patients with decompensated cirrhosis. Serum creatinine (SCr), Cystatin C (CystC), NGAL and urinary NGAL, KIM-1, protein, albumin and sodium were measured on three separate occasions. Renal resistive index (RRI) was obtained. We analyzed the value of these biomarkers to determine the presence of AKI, its aetiology [prerenal, acute tubular necrosis (ATN), or hepatorenal (HRS)], its severity and a composite clinical outcome at 30 days (death, dialysis and intensive care admission). Results We included 105 patients, of which 55 had AKI. SCr, CystC, NGAL (plasma and urinary), urinary sodium and RRI at inclusion were independently associated with the presence of AKI. SCr, CystC and plasma NGAL were able to predict the subsequent development of AKI. Pre-renal state showed lower levels of SCr, NGAL (plasma and urinary) and RRI. ATN patients had high levels of NGAL (plasma and urinary) as well as urinary protein and sodium. HRS patients presented an intermediate pattern. All biomarkers paralleled the severity of AKI. SCr, CystC and plasma NGAL predicted the development of the composite clinical outcome with the same performance as the MELD score. Conclusions In patients with decompensated cirrhosis, early measurement of renal biomarkers provides valuable information on AKI aetiology. It could also improve AKI diagnosis and prognosis.
Healthcare Workforce in Saudi Arabia under Saudi Vision 2030

Background: Saudization achieved limited success in private Saudi firms; nevertheless, it can achieve great success in the healthcare sector if there is sustainable graduation and training of Saudi healthcare-providers. Objectives: This study analyzed the structure of the healthcare workforce of some healthcare institutions in Najran city to know the rate of Saudization in the healthcare sector, the healthcare-workers qualification, healthcare-workers mean age, healthcare-workers years of expertise and the rate of hiring of Saudi female healthcare-givers. Methods: Cross sectional data of healthcare-workers from some health institutions in Najran city were collected by a simple questionnaire composed of personal data (such as age, gender, nationality, religion, qualification, major specialization and expertise in years). The questionnaire was distributed to 700 health working staff and the response rate was 73.6% (515 correctly filled questionnaire). Results: This study revealed that the number of Saudi healthcare-givers in the surveyed sample was only 88 (17%); staff with PhD was only 20 (4%); the mean staff's age was 35.89 ± 10.17; females were 348 (68%); of which, the Saudi females were only 38 (10.9%). Conclusion: The rate of hiring Saudi healthcare-givers is very low and expatriates with basic healthcare qualification dominate the surveyed sample. In line with the Saudi vision 2030, the study suggests endorsement of hiring polices to ensure hiring of more Saudi healthcare-givers, empower Saudi females in healthcare-sector and hire only highly skilled foreign healthcare-providers with rare specialties and certified practical experience.
Radial Nerve Entrapment

The manifestations of radial nerve injury are dependent upon the level at which the injury occurs. The tricipital branches originate at the lower level of the axilla, and most involvement of the nerve is below this level. The nerve, being closely approximated to the humerus, is frequently involved in fractures of the humerus. The present section deals with neuropathy distal to the tricipital innervation, but proximal to the elbow. In most instances, the nerve damage is one of continuity. Involvement of the posterior interosseous nerve has been dealt with separately.
Social and economic impact of infectious diseases--United States.

Despite major strides in the prevention and control of infectious diseases, they continue to take a significant economic and social toll in the United States. While progress toward meeting the Healthy People (HP) 2000 goals related to infections is generally on target, major disparities among certain groups (e.g., low-income, racial and ethnic minorities) still exist with regard to indicators such as immunization rates and rates of preventable infections. Preventable services for infectious diseases are among the most cost-effective. Progress toward meeting and sustaining the HP 2000 goals would be improved by universal entitlement for certain prevention services; reducing inconvenience as well as economic costs; appropriate utilization of all healthcare professionals and lay experts, as well as physicians; reducing inappropriate and costly use of resources such as antibiotics and specialist time; and engagement of the public and providers in national dialogue about risk benefit decision making, prioritization of use resources, and a focus on prevention rather than cure.
Recent advances in forensic anthropology: decomposition research

Decomposition research is still in its infancy, but significant advances have occurred within forensic anthropology and other disciplines in the past several decades. Decomposition research in forensic anthropology has primarily focused on estimating the postmortem interval (PMI), detecting clandestine remains, and interpreting the context of the scene. Additionally, while much of the work has focused on forensic-related questions, an interdisciplinary focus on the ecology of decomposition has also advanced our knowledge. The purpose of this article is to highlight some of the fundamental shifts that have occurred to advance decomposition research, such as the role of primary extrinsic factors, the application of decomposition research to the detection of clandestine remains and the estimation of the PMI in forensic anthropology casework. Future research in decomposition should focus on the collection of standardized data, the incorporation of ecological and evolutionary theory, more rigorous statistical analyses, examination of extended PMIs, greater emphasis on aquatic decomposition and interdisciplinary or transdisciplinary research, and the use of human cadavers to get forensically reliable data.