cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ambulance need at mass gatherings.

Introduction: Scant evidence exists to guide policy-making around public health needs during mass gatherings. In 2006, the City and County of San Francisco began requiring standby ambulances at all mass gatherings with attendance of >15,500 people. The objectives were to evaluate needs for ambulances at mass gatherings, and to make evidence-based recommendations for public health policy-makers. The hypothesis was that the needs for ambulances at mass gatherings can be estimated using community baseline data. Methods: Emergency medical services plans were reviewed for all public events with an anticipated attendance of >1,000 people in San Francisco County during the 12-month period 01 August 2006 through 31 July 2007. Ambulance transport data were confirmed by event coordinators and ambulance company records, and the rate was calculated by dividing ambulance transports by event attendance. Baseline ambulance transport rate was calculated by dividing the annual ambulance transports in the county's computer-aided dispatch system by the census population estimate. The risk ratio was calculated using the risk of transport from a mass gathering compared with the baseline risk of ambulance transport for the local community. Significance testing and confidence intervals were calculated. Results: Descriptive information was available for 100% of events and ambulance transport data available for 97% of events. The majority of the mass gatherings (47 unique events; 59 event days) were outdoor, weekend festivals, parades, or concerts, though a large proportion were athletic events. The ambulance transport rate from mass gatherings was 1 per 59,000 people every six hours. Baseline ambulance transport rate in San Francisco was 1 per 20,000 people every six hours. The transport rate from mass gatherings was significantly lower than the community baseline (risk ratio [RR] = 0.15, 95% CI = 0.10-0.22, p Language: en
Timing of Determining Axillary Lymph Node Status When Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy is Used

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is the standard of care for patients with locally advanced breast cancer and is a reasonable alternative to adjuvant chemotherapy for those with large operable disease. Potential clinical advantages of neoadjuvant chemotherapy include the conversion of some patients requiring mastectomy to candidates for breast-conserving surgery, the potential for downstaging axillary nodes and thus reducing the extent of axillary surgery, and the ability to correlate clinical and pathologic response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy with improved long-term outcomes. An important and controversial locoregional therapy issue in patients who are candidates for neoadjuvant chemotherapy relates to the timing of sentinel lymph node biopsy - i.e., either before or after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. This review will focus on the performance characteristics of sentinel lymph node biopsy before vs. after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and on the pros and cons of each approach.
Transition of Care in Patients With Heart Failure

Heart failure (HF) affects 6 million Americans, has an expected increasing prevalence in the next 20 years, and has a 5-year mortality rate of 50%. It represents the number one reason for hospitalization in patients older than 65 years. Recent legislation has increased the accountability of care of patients with HF, specifically readmission rates for HF in less than 30 days. This increased focus on HF readmission rates has led many health care organizations to reassess transition-of-care issues (i.e., from home to hospital, from hospital to home) and possible interventions to positively impact these readmission rates. During this process, home health care providers play an integral role and should be aware of possible issues to ensure optimum care for patients.
Multidimensional comparison of anxiety direction and burnout over time.

Summary The purpose of this study was to assess if athletes who perceived their trait anxiety to be debilitative to performance also experienced higher burnout over a competitive season. Volunteers were 53 NCAA Division I and II male (n = 14) and female (n = 39) athletes, ages 18 to 23 years. Participants completed a trait version of the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2D once and the Athlete Burnout Questionnaire three times during the season. A 2 (anxiety direction group) × 3 (time of season) multivariate analysis of variance indicated no significant interaction and no main effect for time of season. A significant main effect for anxiety direction group did emerge, with the Facilitative group reporting significantly lower Burnout scores overall on the Reduced Sense of Accomplishment scale than the Debilitative group. There were no differences found on the other two subscales, Emotional/Physical Exhaustion and Devaluation.
Structure Based Prediction of Binding Residues on DNA-binding Proteins

Annotation of the functional sites on the surface of a protein has been the subject of many studies. In this regard, the search for attributes and features characterizing these sites is of prime consequence. Here, we present an implementation of a kernel-based machine learning protocol for identifying residues on a DNA-binding protein form the interface with the DNA. Sequence and structural features including solvent accessibility, local composition, net charge and electrostatic potentials are examined. These features are then fed into support vector machines (SVM) to predict the DNA-binding residues on the surface of the protein. In order to compare with published work, we predict binding residues by training on other binding and non-binding residues in the same protein for which we achieved an accuracy of 79%. The sensitivity and specificity are 59% and 89%. We also consider a more realistic approach, predicting the binding residues of proteins entirely withheld from the training set achieving values of 66%, 43% and 81%, respectively. Performances reported here are better than other published results. Moreover, since our protocol does not lean on sequence or structural homology, it can be used to annotate unclassified proteins and more generally to identify novel binding sites with no similarity to the known cases
The Era of Digital Activism

Since the advent of the internet, the world has undergone a digital revolution. The new tools of social media have reinvented social activism, heralding the era of digital activism. This paper provides a framework and terminology for understanding digital activism. It describes the fundamental differences between traditional activism, as it existed before internet-driven social media, and as it manifests itself now using the tools of digital technology. The paper analyses the potential risks and benefits of digital activism, both of which are amplified with the use of internet-based social media. The paper sets a framework that explains how the use of activism can have a positive impact and bring about the activists’ desired effect. On the other hand, activism can have a negative result in terms of friction in the public domain. The digital aspect of activism amplifies the entire process. Activism has become a higher risk/higher benefit activity.
The evolution of photosynthesis in chromist algae through serial endosymbioses

Chromist algae include diverse photosynthetic organisms of great ecological and social importance. Despite vigorous research efforts, a clear understanding of how various chromists acquired photosynthetic organelles has been complicated by conflicting phylogenetic results, along with an undetermined number and pattern of endosymbioses, and the horizontal movement of genes that accompany them. We apply novel statistical approaches to assess impacts of endosymbiotic gene transfer on three principal chromist groups at the heart of long-standing controversies. Our results provide robust support for acquisitions of photosynthesis through serial endosymbioses, beginning with the adoption of a red alga by cryptophytes, then a cryptophyte by the ancestor of ochrophytes, and finally an ochrophyte by the ancestor of haptophytes. Resolution of how chromist algae are related through endosymbioses provides a framework for unravelling the further reticulate history of red algal-derived plastids, and for clarifying evolutionary processes that gave rise to eukaryotic photosynthetic diversity.
How upstream collocation works

Les effets de lissage de la collocation amont dans les problemes convectifs sont attribuables a un terme d'erreur dissipatif analogue a celui rencontre dans les differences finies a ponderation amont
PS-132 Impact Of Standardised Concentrations On Drug Infusion Process In Nicu/picu: A Simulation Study From Prescription To Administration

Background and aims Transition to standardised concentrations (StdC) is advised to reduce risks with IV infusions in PICU/NICU. In our unit, infusion rate is standardised and concentration varies (VarC). We performed a simulation study to evaluate the impact of StdC on prescription, preparation and administration. Methods Simulation of electronic prescription (10 physicians), preparation/administration (10 paediatric/8 adult intensive care nurses) of 5 drugs (midazolam, fentanyl, noradrenaline, ketamine, furosemide) for 15 fictive patients (different dosage/weight). Two-sessions study (VarC vs StdC, each 150 prescriptions/270 preparations). Issues: time (mean ± SD in seconds); precision (target deviation in%, mediane [IQR]) of drug concentration (quantitative analysis), dose and rate (calculated by nurses). Results With StdC, prescription time was significantly longer (72 ± 36 vs 86 ± 32, p 20% (44/270 (16.3%) vs 23/270 (8.5%), p = 0.005). Precision of dose was decreased 4.4% [2.0 to 11.1] vs 11.8% [5.1 to 23.3], p 20% (42/270 (15.6%) vs 83/270 (30.7%), p Conclusions Preparation time and drug concentration precision was strongly improved with StdC. Strategies to deal with prescription time and poor dose and rate precision should be considered before moving to StdC.
The Hillary Clinton effect: When the same role model inspires or fails to inspire improved performance under stereotype threat.

If successful role models undo stereotype threat effects by providing reassurance that group members can “take care of themselves,” then the same real-world role model might inspire those who think she deserved success, but fail to inspire those who think she did not. In a pilot study, some women participants listed Hillary Clinton high among women who deserved their success; others listed her high among women who did not deserve their success. The former participants, but not the latter, claimed her success came from internal and stable causes and would inspire them in difficult situations. In the main study, women rated how much Hillary Clinton deserved her success. One month later, they were placed under mathematics stereotype threat, read a factual biography of Hillary Clinton, and took a GRE-Q test. Those who had earlier claimed Clinton deserved her success scored as well as a test-only control group; those who had earlier claimed she did not deserve her success scored as poorly as a threat-only cont...
A review of the efficacy and safety of oral antidiabetic drugs

Introduction: Additional oral antidiabetic agents to metformin, sulfonylureas (SU) and thiazolidinediones (TZD) are approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Areas covered: The efficacy and safety of metformin, SUs, TZDs, dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-4) inhibitors, meglitinide analogs, α-glucosidase inhibitors (AGIs), bile-acid sequestrants (BAS) and bromocriptine will be reviewed. Expert opinion: Several new oral agents have been approved for type 2 diabetes management in recent years. It is important to understand the efficacy and safety of these medications in addition to the older agents to best maximize oral drug therapy for diabetes. Of the recently introduced oral hypoglycemic/antihyperglycemic agents, the DPP-4 inhibitors are moderately efficacious compared with mainstay treatment with metformin with a low side-effect profile and have good efficacy in combination with other oral agents and insulin. They are a recommended alternative when metformin use is limited by gastrointestinal (GI) side ...
Effects of built environments on vehicle miles traveled: evidence from 370 US urbanized areas

Concerns over rising fuel prices and greenhouse-gas emissions have prompted research into the influences of built environments on travel, notably vehicle miles traveled (VMT). On the basis of data from 370 US urbanized areas and using structural equation modeling, population densities are shown to be strongly and positively associated with VMT per capita (direct effect elasticity = ⊟0.604); however, this effect is moderated by the traffic-inducing effects of denser urban settings having denser road networks and better local-retail accessibility (indirect effect elasticity = 0.223, yielding a net effect elasticity = ⊟0.381). Accessibility to basic employment has comparatively modest effects, as do size of urbanized area, and rail-transit supplies and usage. Nevertheless, urban planning and city design should be part of any strategic effort to shrink the environmental footprint of the urban transportation sector.
Effects of Virus Infection of Mimulus guttatus (Phrymaceae) on Host Plant Quality for Meadow Spittlebugs, Philaenus spumarius (Hemiptera: Cercopidae)

Herbivorous insects often feed on pathogen-infected plants in nature, and it is likely that pathogen infection alters host plant quality. We documented the effects of plant infection by a widespread plant virus on host plant quality for a generalist insect herbivore and tested the hypothesis that these effects vary among plant genotypes. We found that infection by Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) altered the host plant quality of Mimulus guttatus (Phrymaceae) for meadow spittlebugs, Philaenus spumarius (Hemiptera: Cercopidae). The effects of CMV infection on host plant quality, however, varied among full-sib M. guttatus families, suggesting that these effects vary among plant genotypes. In most full-sib families, CMV infection either had no effect on host plant quality or increased host plant quality as measured by spittlebug size and development time. In a few M. guttatus families, however, CMV infection decreased host plant quality. There was no relationship between the effect of CMV infection on plant growth and the subsequent effect of CMV infection on spittlebug performance, suggesting that broad changes in host plant performance (e.g., growth rate) were not responsible for the effects of CMV infection on host plant quality for spittlebugs. We suggest that future studies of the effects of pathogen infection of plants on insect herbivores consider variation among plant genotypes in the mechanisms and ecological consequences associated with these effects.
Further Topics: Analysis

At this point we have achieved the major goals of our course — the detailed study of the topics in Chapters 1 through 9. This chapter and the next are devoted to broadening and deepening our background by considering a number of additional topics. Our approach will be that of a technical overview, stressing the main ideas and technical machinery, with a somewhat reduced emphasis on formal demonstrations.
Amelioration of effects of hypertension and diabetes on myocardium by cardiac glycoside

To determine whether digoxin protects the myocardium during the initial phases of hypertension and diabetes combined, adult male Wistar rats with two-kidney, one-clip renal hypertension and streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus were treated with digoxin (500 micrograms.kg-1.day-1) by gavage for 10 wk immediately after the onset of hypertension and diabetes. Systemic arterial blood pressures, ventricular pressures, the first time derivative of left ventricular pressure, diastolic wall stress, and the quantitative analysis of the number and distribution of myocardial lesions and capillary density of the myocardium were measured. In comparison to untreated hypertensive-diabetic animals, digoxin-treated rats showed a lesser elevation in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure and diastolic and systolic wall stress despite comparable degrees of hypertension and blood glucose levels. In addition, chamber diameter was smaller and the diffusion distance for oxygen was within normal values in animals treated with this glycoside. However, the numerical density of the foci of replacement fibrosis was similar to that found in untreated hypertensive-diabetic animals. In conclusion, digoxin reduces the magnitude of ventricular remodeling and diastolic wall stress in this model of hypertension and diabetes.
Plane Wave Functions

This chapter contains sections titled: The Wave Functions Plane Waves The Rectangular Waveguide Alternative Mode Sets The Rectangular Cavity Partially Filled Waveguide The Dielectric-slab Guide Surface-guided Waves Modal Expansions of Fields Currents in Waveguides Apertures in Ground Planes Plane Current Sheets This chapter contains sections titled: Problems
EXPERIENCE OF COMBINED SPINAL AND EPIDURAL ANESTHESIA IN CHILDREN UNDERGOING LOWER LIMB OPERATION

Objective To evaluate the feasibility of combined spinal and epidural anesthesia in children undergoing lower limb operation. Methods 80 children with lower limb operation, aged from 4 to 11, were randomly divided into combined spinal and epidural anesthesia(CSEA) group and epidural anesthesia(EA) group, 40 cases in each group. Circulation index, anesthesia effect, volume of local anesthetic, volume of ancillary drug, and adverse effect were observed in both two groups. Results Anesthesia effect in CSEA group was better than that in EA group, volume of local anesthetic and ancillary drug in CSEA group were not so many as that in EA group. There was no significant adverse effect in both two groups. Conclusion Combined spinal and epidural anesthesia is a ideal way for children with lower limb operation.
Seven-week continuous-infusion paclitaxel plus concurrent radiation therapy for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer: A phase I study

The goal of this National Cancer Institute-sponsored phase I trial is to determine the feasibility, toxicity, and pharmacokinetics of continuous-infusion (24 hr/d, 7 d/wk, 7 weeks total) intravenous paclitaxel (Taxol; Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Princeton, NJ) when combined with standard, curative-intent radiation therapy (RT) for previously untreated, locally advanced non-small cell lung cancers. Eligible patients have locally advanced (T4NXM0 or TXN2-3M0) non-small cell cancer ineligible for potentially curative surgical resection, a good performance status, adequate hematologic, hepatic, and renal functions, and no distant metastases. All patients receive a total tumor dose of 64.8 Gy megavoltage RT in 7 weeks at 1.8 Gy once daily, 5 d/wk. Paclitaxel is delivered by continuous intravenous infusion starting 48 hours before RT and continuing for its duration. The dose of paclitaxel is escalated in cohorts of three patients in a standard phase I design. To date, 16 patients have entered the trial, and 15 are evaluable for toxicity in this ongoing study. Paclitaxel dose is currently at a 6.5 mg/m2/d dose level, with no dose-limiting toxicity recorded thus far. One patient at the highest dose level has had grade 2 pneumonitis. With the exception of anemia, toxicities are those that would be expected from RT alone. A slowly progressive normocytic anemia with no renal dysfunction was found to be associated with an acquired hypoerythropoietin state. These findings indicate that this therapy is feasible and well tolerated through current dose levels, with no dose-limiting toxicity. Dose escalation is ongoing.
Role of Developmental Morphogens in Liver Regeneration

Hedgehog is a morphogen that regulates tissue patterning during development. In the fetal liver, the Hedgehog pathway is active in progenitor cells, arresting such cells in an immature phenotype. Hence, the pathway must be inhibited for progenitors to differentiate into more mature epithelial-type cells. In the normal liver, the Hedgehog pathway is dormant, but it reactivates during liver regeneration and during a wound-healing response elicited by chronic liver injury. Because of its crucial role in the physiological processes that occur after liver injury or when liver mass is lost, the Hedgehog pathway is a strong candidate target for treatment of liver disease. In this chapter, we will describe the Hedgehog pathway and its regulation, as well as the evidence demonstrating its major role in liver regeneration.
From Face-To-Face to Online and Back Again: How Mason’s Online Course Development Institute Can Help You!

Over the last decade many faculty members have taken their traditional face-to-face class and created a version that is offered in a purely on-line environment. This practice has created a need to implement faculty development initiatives that help develop the skills, experience, and confidence to successfully teach online. In response, George Mason University has implemented a multifaceted approach to support faculty members’ online teaching practice. One component of Mason’s approach is the Online Course Development Institute (OCDI), a cohort-based program implemented by the Mason instructional design team. The OCDI incorporates evidence-based practices for technology-enhanced teaching and focuses on helping faculty members’ build competencies that enable them to enhance the quality and delivery of their courses. During this session, a faculty member and two instructional designers will outline the best practices for online teaching and discuss how the OCDI can help support faculty in implementing these practices. Creative strategies for effectively using these practices in blended or traditional face-to-face courses will also be discussed. The target audience for this presentation are faculty, and others, who want to learn about using online elements in their teaching and how OCDI can help them in online teaching--whether they intend to transition their class to a 100% online format, or to adapt online techniques to their traditional face-to-face class.
A Probabilistic Assessment for Failure Prediction of Buried Cracked Spread Foundations

A failure prediction of cracking possibilities of buried foundation sections is studied basing on databases issued from stochastic modeling of soil geomechanical properties, which represents the support of a part of foundation system. The mechanical behavior of cracked foundation sections resting on soil of random geomechanical properties is well described using Line Spring Model. Numerical model is solved by the method of exact series solutions in structural mechanics for the computation of foundation structural responses at the crack tip and normalized stress intensity factors (SIF) within reasonable accuracy. The effects of the crack position, crack length and probabilistic assessment of soil geomechanical properties are discussed in this present a paper, especially on the evolution of normalized stress intensity factors and foundation structural responses. A parametric study based on the obtained numerical results of SIF of cracked foundation has been carried out in order to have a suitable prediction of failure occurrences at critical sections. These structural predictions can be very useful to direct engineers and researchers to take optimal solutions to improve the structural reliability of cracked foundations especially the ones of strategic parts of industrial and petrochemical infrastructures.
Healing Images and Narratives: Undocumented Chicana/Latina Pedagogies of Resistance.

ABSTRACTThis article draws from a longitudinal study of 38 in-depth testimonio interviews with 10 undocumented Chicanas/Latinas from 2008 to 2014, first as college students and then as professionals. A Chicana feminist theoretical perspective in education was utilized to explore how undocumented Chicana/Latina ways of knowing emerged in the ways they worked with and for immigrant communities as professionals. The study found that participants drew from their multiple identities, social locations, and life experiences as undocumented Chicana/Latina women to engage in pedagogies of resistance—everyday forms of teaching and learning that challenge the subjugation of undocumented communities, and are shaped by personal and collective experiences, knowledge, and identities. The study found that participants utilized mestiza consciousness, convivencia, and bodymindspirit to employ these pedagogies of resistance in their professional work with and for immigrant communities.
Bortezomib and Thalidomide Treatment of Newly Diagnosed Patients with Multiple Myeloma - Efficacy and Neurotoxicity.

Abstract Introduction: As single agents, Bortezomib (V) and thalidomide (T) have activity in less than 50% of newly diagnosed myeloma (MM) patients whereas combinations with dexamethasone (D) with T (TD) and V (VD) demonstrated response rates of 63% and 85%, respectively. We sought to examine the anti-myeloma activity of VT, a steroid-free regimen. Considering the neurotoxicity of both agents, we examined the baseline neuropathy and progression of neurotoxicity post-VT. Methods: Eligible patients had untreated Salmon-Durie Stage II/III MM and an ECOG performance status ≤2. V was given 1.3mg/m2 i.v. on days 1, 4, 8, 11 every 21 days. T was started at 50mg daily and increased weekly to 150mg. Patients were treated for a minimum of 4 (evaluable), but to a maximum of 8 cycles. The neurologic evaluation utilized the reduced Total Neuropathy Score (rTNS), a validated scoring system combining symptoms, signs and nerve conduction studies. The rTNS was measured at baseline and after every 2 cycles. rTNS scores range between 0 to 32. Results: 30 patients have been enrolled and 27 are evaluable for response. Median age is 59 (37–83), b2-microglobulin 3.3 (1.2–36.9), and albumin 3.6 (2.3–5.2). The mean dose of V was 1.11mg/m2 and of T 110 mg/d. A dose reduction for ≥1 agent was required in all patients. Treatment was discontinued in 5 patients due to neurotoxicity, and 1 due to disease progression. A ≥ 50% reduction in M-spikes was observed in 82% of patients with 31% achieving undetectable levels. Median time to best response was 5 cycles (range 2–8). Clinical evidence of baseline peripheral neuropathy (PN) was noted in 15%, whereas 67% had abnormal baseline skin biopsies. By cycle 5 all patients developed PN: rTNS 2–8, (grade 1) 50%; rTNS 9–16 (grade 2) 31%; rTNS 17–24 (grade 3) 15%; and rTNS 25–32 (grade 4) 4%. There was no correlation between severity of PN and the cumulative V/T doses. Neuropathic symptoms improved with T/V dose reductions. Additional common adverse events (≥ grade 2) included fatigue 57%, constipation 52%, generalized pain 44%, and leg cramps 23%. Although the incidence of thromboembolic events with steroid-containing regimens ranges between 15–20%, no deep vein thromboses occurred in this study. Conclusions: The VT combination achieved an 82% response rate in previously untreated multiple myeloma patients. No DVTs occurred with this steroid-free combination. This study established the baseline PN in newly diagnosed, untreated myeloma patients and demonstrated progression of neuropathy post-VT therapy. Future studies utilizing neuropathic preventive agents, lower doses of VT, or V in combination with other agents may yield similar disease responses with reduced neuropathic toxicities.
A phase I/II study of radiation therapy, paclitaxel poliglumex, and cetuximab in locally advanced head and neck cancer.

e16047 Background: In patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer (LA-HNC), radiotherapy (RT) + cisplatin showed survival benefit over RT alone, but with significant toxicity. The addition of cetuximab to RT demonstrated survival benefit without increased RT-related toxicity. Paclitaxel poliglumex (PPX) is a novel conjugate consisting of paclitaxel linked to a biodegradable, water-soluble polymer of glutamic acid. PPX has a radiation enhancement factor of ≈8 and improved curability in a murine carcinoma model. In a phase I study of PPX + RT in esophageal cancer, no dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) occurred at PPX doses up to 70 mg/m2/week and an encouraging rate of pathological CRs was observed. This phase I/II study addresses the combined use of intensity modulated RT (IMRT), PPX, and cetuximab in patients with LA-HNC. Methods: Eligible patients had untreated stage III or IV squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx, or larynx; ECOG PS 0-1; and adequate bone marrow functi...
Evolution of Student Leadership Following the Introduction of Well-Being: A Case Study from the Student’s Perspective

In 2012 St Peter’s College – Adelaide, introduced a well-being strategy and over seven positive education programs to its students. These positive education programs cover a wide range of important topics, including positive mindsets, strength based self-discovery, and developing realistic, tangible and achievable goal setting. From a student’s perspective, as a direct result of the implementation of these programs, there has been a visible evolution in the way in which other students lead at the School. This evolution has had a discernable effect on other schools and student leaders, not only those people within the St Peter’s College community. The importance of this shift in mindset towards deliberately developing positive relationships, strength-based approaches to leadership in the management styles, greater diversity within our student leadership body at the School and greater risk taking rather than seeing challenge in opportunity has emerged. How then does this correlate with a change or even improvement in student leadership? From the perspective of our roles as Captain and Vice-Captain of the School, what has been most noticeable in the evolution of student leadership is a transformation in language. Young leaders have always been able to discuss areas in which they feel they are strongest, but their language has changed. Today, students are more self-reflective. They can now discuss why they are passionate about specific areas, and how they can use their particular strengths to work more effectively with others. This enables them to build more meaningful relationships and have lasting impact. From our perspective this is one of the most apparent changes in leadership.
Tutorial: Integrated-photonic switching structures

Recent developments in waveguided 2 × 2 and N × M photonic switches are reviewed, including both broadband and narrowband resonant devices for the Si, InP, and AlN platforms. Practical actuation of switches by electro-optical and thermo-optical techniques is discussed. Present datacom-and-computing applications are reviewed, and potential applications are proposed for chip-scale photonic and optoelectronic integrated switching networks. Potential is found in the reconfigurable, programmable “mesh” switches that enable a promising group of applications in new areas beyond those in data centers and cloud servers. Many important matrix switches use gated semiconductor optical amplifiers. The family of broadband, directional-coupler 2 × 2 switches featuring two or three side-coupled waveguides deserves future experimentation, including devices that employ phase-change materials. The newer 2 × 2 resonant switches include standing-wave resonators, different from the micro-ring traveling-wave resonators. The res...
Atom Conversion Efficiency: A New Sustainability Metric Applied to Nitrogen and Phosphorus Use in Agriculture

Agriculture fertilization suffers from inefficiencies that carry significant environmental and economic consequences. These consequences include high fertilizer production energy demand, on-field greenhouse gas emissions, and eutrophication. Additionally, inefficient fertilizer use is responsible for billions of dollars in annual economic losses in the form of resource loss as well as environmental burdens. Furthermore, the unsustainability of current fertilization practices and the reliance upon finite resources calls into question the ability of agriculture to meet projected increases in global demand. Herein, critical fertilizer system inefficiencies are highlighted and quantified with a new proposed metric, atom conversion efficiency (ACE), which captures inefficiencies of primary nutrient atoms (N and P) at each stage of the fertilizer life cycle, from synthesis to farm gate, for the model crop, corn. Conversion efficiencies for the most common forms of N and P used in conventional fertilizers range ...
EDF Casting for Early-Onset Scoliosis

Casting as a potentially curative treatment option for early-onset scoliosis (EOS) was popularized by the work of Mehta, which is based on growth modulation using the technique of elongation-derotation-(lateral) flexion casting (EDF) originally described by Cotrel and Morel. In order to describe the technique of EDF casting, we present the case of an 8-month-old girl with an initial curve of 54° that was successfully treated using this technique.
Distinct macrophage populations direct inflammatory versus physiological changes in adipose tissue

Obesity is characterized by an accumulation of macrophages in adipose, some of which form distinct crown-like structures (CLS) around fat cells. While multiple discrete adipose tissue macrophage (ATM) subsets are thought to exist, their respective effects on adipose tissue, and the transcriptional mechanisms that underlie the functional differences between ATM subsets, are not well understood. We report that obese fat tissue of mice and humans contain multiple distinct populations of ATMs with unique tissue distributions, transcriptomes, chromatin landscapes, and functions. Mouse Ly6c ATMs reside outside of CLS and are adipogenic, while CD9 ATMs reside within CLS, are lipid-laden, and are proinflammatory. Adoptive transfer of Ly6c ATMs into lean mice activates gene programs typical of normal adipocyte physiology. By contrast, adoptive transfer of CD9 ATMs drives gene expression that is characteristic of obesity. Importantly, human adipose tissue contains similar ATM populations, including lipid-laden CD9 ATMs that increase with body mass. These results provide a higher resolution of the cellular and functional heterogeneity within ATMs and provide a framework within which to develop new immune-directed therapies for the treatment of obesity and related sequela.
IMPROVING GEOTECHNICAL INVESTIGATIONS FOR UNDERGROUND TRANSMISSION LINES

ABSTRACT An evaluation of the thermal properties of the soils that surround underground transmission lines is an important part of existing design procedures for underground power cables. Geotechnical investigations consisting of in-situ and laboratory thermal probe tests, soil sampling and determinations of moisture and density are frequently performed to evaluate the thermal resistivity of soils encountered along proposed transmission line routes. These investigations often are based on routine procedures adopted over the years but not necessarily reflecting all the information and techniques now available in the fields of agronomy and geotechnical engineering. The paper demonstrates how information and techniques used by agronomists and geotechnical engineers can be correlated and then used to improve our capability of predicting in-situ thermal soil properties. Also, suggestions for improving existing procedures for evaluating the thermal resistivity of soils are provided.
Introduction: Browning upon Arabia

Browning, although he never claimed to be an ‘Easternist’ or Orientalist, wrote extensively about the East, both as a Romantic and as a Victorian poet and dramatist. Browning derived his knowledge of the East through research and wide-ranging readings, steeped in mythology and classical knowledge, yet filtered by the lens of his own modernity. While Browning shared his contemporaries’ fascination with the East, he avoided the usual associational axes of ‘West and South’ and ‘North and South’ in favor of ‘North and East.’ In Browning’s work, the North-East dynamic is a dialogue between equal interlocutors: an intercultural, multilingual conversation. Browning’s writings are arabesque-like, interwoven with thematic and aesthetic threads. The figure of the arabesque, used by several Browning critics, is a metaphor for his work’s elaborate structure.
Effects of cigarette smoking on bicarbonate and volume of duodenal contents.

The effect of smoking on bicarbonate and volume of duodenal juice was studied. It was found that in the basal condition smoking produced significant decreases in bicarbonate content and volume of duodenal samples. On the contrary, during pancreatic stimulation with secretin at approximately 50% of maximal secretion, smoking resulted in significant increases in bicarbonate output and volume. Decrease in buffering power of duodenal juice in the basal condition can, at least partially, explain the causative relation of smoking and peptic ulcer disease.
New Investments in Argentina and Colombia: CSR, Regulatory Regime Centrality, and Openness

While Chinese companies in Colombia were often criticized for their poor labor and environmental records, their operations in Argentina reflected mixed receptions. Again, host governments’ energy governance structures were found to directly determine social commitments. Two important findings deepen our understanding on CSR in a holistic context. First, without stability in governing its hydrocarbons sector (as in the case of Colombia), a liberal-minded host government does not necessarily reward CSR. Second, the extent to which the regulatory framework encourages CSR depends on the level of decentralization in the framework. A bureaucratically and financially decentralized energy sector organization empowers local and provincial authorities to steer oil firms toward CSR (the case of Argentina). Civil society capacity was weak in both countries due to different constraints. In Argentina, the civic space was politicized and deinstitutionalized since the Peron era as a result of a dual legacy of Peronist class-based citizenship and neoliberal reforms. In Colombia, civil society organizations failed to coordinate with oil companies because of the decades-long internal violence.
Stimulus-Response Compatibility and Psychophysiology

Psychophysiological measures can be used to illuminate the role of motor system activity in chronometric paradigms and, in particular, in studies of stimulus-response compatibility. These measures provide more or less direct access to those covert response processes that are proposed in various theories of stimulus-response compatibility (e.g., Kornblum, Hasbroucq, & Osman, 1990).
Single Agent Irinotecan for The Treatment of Metastatic or Recurrent Squamous Carcinoma of the Head and Neck (SCCHN)

Background: Patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancer (HNC) have a poor response and survival with currently available chemotherapy agents. Thus new agents are needed. We report the results of a phase II trial of irinotecan in patients with metastatic or recurrent HNC. Patients and Methods: Chemonaive patients were treated with irinotecan 125 mg/m2 on a weekly schedule for four weeks, followed by a two week rest. However, due to excessive toxicity, the dose and schedule of irinotecan was changed to 75 mg/m2 on days 1 and 8 of a 21 day cycle. All previously treated patients received 75 mg/m2 on days 1 and 8 of a 21 day cycle. Results: Forty-nine patients were enrolled on study. The response rate was 20% in the chemonaive patients treated at the 125 mg/m2 dose. The response rate decreased to 12.5% at the 75 mg/m2 dose. In the previously treated cohort, the response rate was 20%. Median survival for the chemonaive and previously treated cohorts were 6.7 months and 5.0 months, respectively. Conclusions: Irinotecan has modest activity in chemonaive and previously treated HNC, thus it merits further study in this advanced disease population.
A Message's Persuasive Features in Wikipedia's Article for Deletion Discussions

In this study, we examine indicators of an OOC comment's persuasive power in the context of Wikipedia's Article for Deletion (AfD) discussions. Our preliminary results are in general consistent with the previous persuasion studies in Reddit discussion. Compared to non-persuasive comments, persuasive comments used less pronouns, impersonal pronouns, had lower sentiment level, and scored higher on analytical thinking and lower on authentic category. We also have different findings from the Reddit studies. Specifically, length of a comment and the use of complicated words are not strong indicators of an AfD comment's persuasive power. Also, in the AfD discussions, persuasive comments scored higher on the use of power (relevant to status, dominance, social hierarchies) and risk categories (related to dangers, concerns, and things to avoid). We consider that the different discussion contexts, that is, Wikipedia AfD versus Reddit discussions, contribute to this observed difference.
MTurk Participants Have Substantially Lower Evaluative Subjective Well-Being Than Other Survey Participants.

Abstract Amazon's MTurk platform has become a popular site for obtaining relatively inexpensive and convenient adult samples for use in behavioral research. Concerns have been raised about selection issues, because MTurk workers chose to participate in the platform and select the tasks they perform (of many offered to them). Prior studies have documented demographic and psychological differences with national samples. In this paper we studied evaluative subjective well-being (the Cantril Ladder) in an MTurk sample, a national Internet panel sample, and a national telephone survey conducted by Gallup-Sharecare. A surprising finding was that MTurk participants' Ladder scores were substantial lower than the other two samples. Analyses controlling for six demographic differences among the samples only slightly reduced the mean differences. However, patterns of demographic—well-being associations were similar within the samples. To corroborate these results, we conducted a secondary analysis on another three samples, one MTurk sample and two Internet panel samples. The same group differences in Ladder scores were observed. These findings add to the growing literature documenting the characteristics of MTurk samples and we discuss the implications for future research with such samples.
EFFECT OF DIAGNOSTIC INTERMITTENT HIGH MECHANICAL INDEX IMPULSES ON GLOBAL LONGITUDINAL STRAIN IN PATIENTS BEING EVALUATED FOR SIGNIFICANT CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE

Intermittent high (IH) mechanical index (MI) impulses from a transcutaneous diagnostic transducer are used to improve endocardial border delineation and analyze myocardial perfusion during infusion of ultrasound enhancing agents (UEAs) These high MI impulses have also been shown to augment skeletal
Copper and Immunity

The concept that nutritional status influences the susceptibility of a host to infectious disease is well established. However, elucidation of the roles of specific nutrients in the immune system represents a more recent endeavor. Archaeological data indicate that copper has been used by humans for multiple purposes for thousands of years. Egyptians and Chinese used copper salts therapeutically more than 2000 years ago (Owen, 1981). Davis and Mertz (1987) noted that copper compounds were frequently used in the 19th century to treat various diseases. Toxic properties of copper were also appreciated early on as cupric sulfate was used as a murder weapon and a suicidal agent. The biological reactivity of this metal ion is the basis for both its essentiality and toxicity.
Spatiotemporal Modeling of Influenza: Partial Differential Equation Analysis in R

Abstract This book has a two-fold purpose: (1) An introduction to the computer-based modeling of influenza, a continuing major worldwide communicable disease. (2) The use of (1) as an illustration ...
THE EFFECT OF STRUCTURE ON THE PERFORMANCE OF SYNTHETIC MEMBRANES

Abstract Membranes and membrane related processes play an important role in solving many ecological problems. Good examples are their extensive use for water purification and the reduction in the amounts needed of herbicides, insecticides and fungicides by the use of diffusion controlled slow release devices. Although porous membranes have an important place in the field, most of the developments are concerned with intact pore-free polymer membranes. The so-called solution-diffusion model first introduced by Thomas Graham in 1866 is, in variously modified forms, still the most effective way of considering membrane behaviour. This paper will consider the ways in which the structure of the polymer itself can change the properties and performance of synthetic membranes. The effects of certain structural features such as anisotropy, crystallinity, morphology and crosslinking on properties will be reviewed in a general way. Correlations with membrane behaviour with physicochemical properties including cohesive energy density, free volume, chain flexibility and other parameters will be presented in more detail.
Outcomes Associated With the Adjunctive Use of Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Inhibitors With Insulin Versus Other Antihyperglycemic Medications in Patients With Prediabetes or Diabetes After Cardiac Surgery.

Background:Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4i) plus basal insulin is noninferior to insulin monotherapy for glycemic control in medical–surgical patients, but data in postoperative cardiac s...
Adsorption of tracer gases in geological media: experimental benchmarking

The interaction of xenon with containment barriers can play a crucial role in the detection of underground nuclear explosions. Independent field experiments and laboratory-derived models have observed depressed surface level xenon concentrations and subsequently predicted geological capture rates. This work sought to experimentally verify those predictions by analyzing xenon transport though a two-bulb diffusion apparatus adapted for the study of geologic media. Novel to this work is the timescale over which these experiments were carried out, allowing the system to reach equilibrium, rather than relying on numerical models to treat the equilibrium concentration of each gas as a fit coefficient.
Taste, politics, and identities in Mexican food

The edited volume, Taste, Politics, and Identities in Mexican Food by Steffan Igor Ayora-Diaz and contributing authors, illustrates how what people eat and why they like it matters to the study of ...
Anogenital Dermatitis in Men Who Have Sex with Men

Evaluation of anogenital dermatitis requires a detailed history, including a sexual history. Men who have sex with men have different risk of certain infectious causes compared with men who have sex with women. Infectious causes of balanitis and anal dermatitis are easily treatable once identified. Irritant contact dermatitis is a common cause of balanitis, and avoidance of irritants, including decreased soap washing, helps many patients improve. Detailed histories of the personal products used by the patient and partner(s), including soaps, lotions, perfumes, lubricants, condoms, topical medications, hygiene sprays, personal wipes, and laundry detergent, may reveal possible irritants or contact allergens.