cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Late Effects After Radiotherapy for Prostate Cancer in a Randomized Dose-Response Study: Results of a Self-Assessment Questionnaire

Abstract Objectives. To evaluate the late effects more than 2 years after radiotherapy using a patient-reported questionnaire in patients with prostate cancer enrolled in a randomized dose-response study comparing 70 Gy (conventional) and 78 Gy (conformal) radiotherapy (RT). Methods. The first 112 patients in the study were sent questionnaires to evaluate late bladder, rectal, and sexual function. There were 101 evaluable responses, with 50 in the conventional (Conven-RT) arm and 51 in the conformal (3DCRT) arm. Results. The overall rate of persistent incontinence was 29%, with 36% reporting urgency-related and 8% stress-related incontinence at some time after radiation. Use of a urinary protective device was required in 2%. The majority noticed leakage less than once per day (52%). In comparing the Conven-RT group with the 3DCRT group, similar incontinence rates were seen. However, fewer of those who received 3DCRT reported daily leakage of urine (33% versus 63%, P = 0.044). The majority (78%) of patients experienced no or mild change in bowel function after RT. Urgency of bowel movements (BMs) was of concern for 27% of patients; however, 90% reported their BMs were controlled without accidents, and 1% were taking antidiarrheal medications once a week or daily. The Conven-RT group had more moderate or major changes in bowel function than the 3DCRT group (34% versus 10%), more frequent BMs (47% versus 27%), and more urgent BMs (37% versus 18%) (P ≤0.040 for all three comparisons). Hematochezia was uncommon, occurring once a week in 7% and daily in 4% of patients. Before RT, 80% of patients were potent, with erections adequate for intercourse at least a few times over the prior year. After RT, potency was decreased to 51%, with erections adequate for intercourse at least a few times since the completion of RT. Conclusions. The overall rates of significant complications were extremely low. Although 30% reported incontinence, relatively few patients (2%) required pads. This rate compares favorably with the 31% of patients requiring protection after radical prostatectomy reported previously. Despite the higher treatment doses in the 3DCRT arm, slightly fewer long-term bowel side effects were noted. These data indicate that 78 Gy may safely be delivered using the conformal RT boost treatment technique described.
Homeostatic imbalance and colon cancer: the dynamic epigenetic interplay of inflammation, environmental toxins, and chemopreventive plant compounds.

The advent of modern medicine has allowed for significant advances within the fields of emergency care, surgery, and infectious disease control. Health threats that were historically responsible for immeasurable tolls on human life are now all but eradicated within certain populations, specifically those that enjoy higher degrees of socio-economic status and access to healthcare. However, modernization and its resulting lifestyle trends have ushered in a new era of chronic illness; one in which an unprecedented number of people are estimated to contract cancer and other inflammatory diseases. Here, we explore the idea that homeostasis has been redefined within just a few generations, and that diseases such as colorectal cancer are the result of fluctuating physiological and molecular imbalances. Phytochemical-deprived, pro-inflammatory diets combined with low-dose exposures to environmental toxins, including bisphenol-A (BPA) and other endocrine disruptors, are now linked to increasing incidences of cancer in westernized societies and developing countries. There is recent evidence that disease determinants are likely set in utero and further perpetuated into adulthood dependent upon the innate and environmentally-acquired phenotype unique to each individual. In order to address a disease as multi-factorial, case-specific, and remarkably adaptive as cancer, research must focus on its root causes in order to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which they can be prevented or counteracted via plant-derived compounds such as epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) and resveratrol. The significant role of epigenetics in the regulation of these complex processes is emphasized here to form a comprehensive view of the dynamic interactions that influence modern-day carcinogenesis, and how sensibly restoring homeostatic balance may be the key to the cancer riddle.
Antiepileptic drug treatment in children

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders of childhood, and antiepileptic drugs represent the main component of its treatment. The current emphasis in epilepsy treatment is to improve quality of life, not only by suppressing seizure, but also by minimizing the side effects of medications. The last 15 years have been characterized by significant advances in the development of new agents that have helped us to get closer to this goal. Knowledge of the essential properties, key indications and interactions of each antiepileptic drug will help to optimize efficacy and reduce adverse reactions. Age is also a determining factor of the epilepsy phenotype and its treatment. This review addresses the principles of pediatric epilepsy treatment, summarizes the profile of each of the commonly used antiepileptic drugs, and provides a treatment paradigm for particular seizures and epilepsy syndromes of childhood.
Childhood adversity and anxiety versus dysthymia co-morbidity in major depression.

BACKGROUND: Childhood adversity places individuals with major depression at risk for anxiety and dysthymia co-morbidity. The goal of the present paper is to broaden this area of research by examining specificity between the type of adversity (e.g. abuse versus neglect/indifference) and the resulting co-morbid disorder (e.g. anxiety versus dysthymia co-morbidity). METHOD: The volunteer sample consisted of 76 women meeting Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-IV) criteria for major depression. Of these, 28 were diagnosed with a co-morbid anxiety disorder and 21 were diagnosed with co-morbid dysthymia. Childhood physical abuse, sexual abuse, psychological abuse, antipathy and indifference were assessed using a contextual interview and rating system. RESULTS: Severe sexual abuse and psychological abuse were significantly and preferentially associated with co-morbid anxiety, while severe physical abuse was significantly and preferentially associated with co-morbid dysthymia. Indifference and antipathy were significantly associated with both co-morbid anxiety and dysthymia. Multivariate analyses revealed that severe sexual abuse was the adverse childhood experience most strongly associated with co-morbid anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that particular adverse experiences in childhood do set up specific vulnerabilities to the expression of anxiety versus dysthymia co-morbidity in adulthood major depression. Cognitive mediators of these associations are discussed as avenues of future research. Language: en
Computer aided design tool for PWM converters

A user friendly program which integrates schematic capture, simulation, analysis and measurement of PWM DC-to-DC power converters in one package is described. It provides several alternatives to obtaining the frequency response of PWM and current programmed power converters, which include a model that accounts for the effect of sampling in current programmed converters, and models that provide exact small-signal responses for both PWM and current programmed converters. Design aspects of the package are also discussed. The analysis part of the program is designed using the Model-View-Controller framework for which it is well suited. The program is written in C++ which supports object-oriented programming. A multiple models approach is used to identify and define the appropriate objects for data management, user interface and program control. >
Can a back pain screening tool help classify patients with acute pain into risk levels for chronic pain

Background: The 9-item STarT-Back screening tool was developed in primary care patients with low back pain (LBP) to identify those at greatest risk for chronic pain and requiring targeted treatment. We conducted a secondary data analysis study to examine the performance of comparable questionnaire items in a sample of primary care patients with well-defined acute LBP. Methods: In a prospective cohort study, 605 primary care patients with LBPoflessthan30daysansweredaquestionnairewith6itemsidenticaland 3 items analogous to the 9-item STarT-Back. Participants were followed up at 6 months and 2 years. STarT-Back rules were applied to classify participant’s risk of chronic LBP, and the performance of the screening items in predicting outcomes was assessed using likelihood ratios. Results: The proportion of patients with chronic pain at follow-up was considerably lower (6 months: 22%; 2 years: 25%) than in the STarT-Back validation cohort (40%) of patients with pain of any duration. The probability of developing chronic pain given a high-risk designation by items similar to the STarT-Back increased the pre-test probability to 31% and 35%. Likelihood ratios were close to 1. Conclusions: A risk classification schema using the recommended cut-off scores with items similar to the STarT-Back in a primary care population with strictly defined acute LBP had limited ability to identify persons who progressed to chronic pain. The results suggest caution when applying the STarT-Back in patients with acute LBP and a need to consider a modification of its cut-offs.
Multiple person and speaker activity tracking with a particle filter

In this paper, we present a system that combines sound and vision to track multiple people. In a cluttered or noisy scene, multi-person tracking estimates have a distinctly non-Gaussian distribution. We apply a particle filter with audio and video state components, and derive observation likelihood methods based on both audio and video measurements. Our state includes the number of people present, their positions, and whether each person is talking. We show experiments in an environment with sparse microphones and monocular cameras. Our results show that our system can accurately track the locations and speech activity of a varying number of people.
Kinetic analysis of steps in the repair of damaged DNA by human O6-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase.

Rates of individual steps in the removal of alkyl groups from O6-methyl (Me) and -benzyl (Bz) guanine in oligonucleotides by human O6-alkylguanine DNA alkyltransferase (AGT) were estimated using rapid reaction kinetic methods. The overall reaction yields hyperbolic plots of rate versus AGT concentration for O6-MeG but linear plots for the O6-BzG reaction, which is ∼100-fold faster. The binding of AGT and DNA (double-stranded 30-mer/36-mer complex) appears to be diffusion-limited. The rate of dissociation of the complex is ∼25-fold slower (∼1 s–1) for DNA containing O6-MeG or O6-BzG than unmodified DNA. The fluorescent dC-analog 6-methylpyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine-2(3H) one deoxyribonucleoside (pyrrolo dC), which pairs with G, was positioned opposite G, O6-MeG, or O6-BzG and used as a probe of the rate of base flipping. A rapid increase of fluorescence (k ∼200 s–1) was observed with O6-MeG and O6-BzG and AGT but not with a Gly mutation at Arg128, which has been implicated in base flipping with crystal structures. Only weak and slower fluorescence changes were observed with G:pyrrolo dC or T:2-aminopurine pairs. These rate estimates were used in a kinetic model in which AGT binds and scans DNA rapidly, flips O6-alkylG residues, transfers the alkyl group in a chemical step that is rate-limiting in the case of O6-MeG but not O6-BzG, and releases the dealkylated DNA. The results explain the overall patterns of rates of alkyl group removal versus AGT concentration and the effects of the mutations, as well as the greater affinity of AGT for DNA with O6-alkylG lesions.
Derivation and validation of a binomial sequential decision plan for managing pea aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae) as direct pests of dry pea (Fabales: Fabaceae) in the Pacific Northwest.

ABSTRACT We developed a binomial sequential decision plan that classifies the economic status of nonviruliferous pea aphids, Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), in commercial dry peas, Pisum sativum L. (Fabales: Fabaceae), in the Palouse region of northern Idaho and eastern Washington state. Relationships between mean pea aphid density per plant (x) and the proportion of aphid-infested plants (Pi) were determined by in situ visual counts of 100 plants on each of 27 seasonal dates during 2011 from early vegetative plant growth (stage V105) to late reproductive growth (stage R207) at two field sites near Moscow, ID. The best-fit Nachman model Pi = 1 - exp(-0.3616 x0.808) was used to restate the limits of noneconomic and economic infestations from one and three aphids per plant to 30 and 58% aphid-infested plants, respectively. Sequential decision plans were computed using the stop-line formulas of Waters for Wald's Sequential Probability Ratio Test. Validation of the sequential decision pla...
Metformin-Associated Lactic Acidosis in a Patient With Normal Renal Function

S.S. was a 53-year-old woman with a history of type 2 diabetes and asthma who presented to the emergency department with coughing and shortness of breath. Five days before this visit, she developed wheezing and a cough productive of yellow sputum. Her primary care physician started her on amoxicillin for possible bacterial bronchitis, but her symptoms persisted. Three days later, she became acutely short of breath and presented to the emergency department. At that time, a chest X-ray was obtained, revealing a linear opacity questionable for pneumonia. She was treated with a nebulizer in the emergency department, started on prednisone 60 mg for 5 days, and switched from amoxicillin to levofloxacin. However, despite these interventions, she continued to cough and experience dyspnea, prompting her return to the emergency department. At this visit, S.S. denied any fever, chills, anorexia, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Her presenting vital signs included a temperature of 97.7°F, pulse of 118 bpm, blood pressure of 149/91 mmHg, respiratory rate of 24 breaths per minute, and O2 saturation of 100% on room air. On physical examination, she had end-expiratory wheezes in the lower posterior lung fields. Her heart was tachycardic without any murmurs, rubs, or gallops. Otherwise, the physical examination was unremarkable. Initial chemistry values included sodium of 129 mEq/L, potassium of 4.9 mEq/L, chloride of 93 mmol/L, bicarbonate of 18 mmol/L, glucose of 207 …
Rapid Continuous Synthesis of 5′-Deoxyribonucleosides in Flow via Brønsted Acid Catalyzed Glycosylation

A general, green, and efficient Bronsted acid-catalyzed glycosylation serves as a key step in the one-flow, multistep syntheses of several important 5′-deoxyribonucleoside pharmaceuticals.
Two Notes on the Archaeology of Qumran

The first part of this article focuses on an installation in a room on the eastern side of the site of Qumran which appears to be correctly identified in R. de Vaux's recently published field notes as a toilet. The presence of a toilet at Qumran is discussed in relation to the community's rules and regulations regarding purity and sanitary practices. The second part of the article focuses on the hoard of 561 silver coins from three pots in Locus 120 at Qumran. The composition and character of the hoard may best be understood in connection with the sect's interpretation of the Temple tax as a one-time payment made when a man reached adulthood and his name was recorded for the first time in the census registers. It is also possible, however, that the hoard represents the collected wealth of the community at the end of Period Ib, with no connection to the Temple tax.
ENZYMATIC HYPOGLYCEMIA IN ALLOXAN DIABETIC RATS.

SummaryTrypsin and chymotrypsin, administered intraperitoneally as single doses of 146 mg/kg to fed diabetic rats, are able to lower blood sugar. Covalent derivatives of active-site serine in both enzymes, and of active-site histidine in chymotrypsin, are hypoglycemically inactive. Trypsin and chymotrypsin produce hypoglycemia as a result of their actions in stimulating cellular uptake of sugar and conversion of glucose to glycogen in muscle. The recent demonstration of the proteolytic nature of insulin, and the complete elucidation of the amino acid sequence of chymotrypsin allow the formulation of predictions concerning the mechanism of action of insulin.
The Impact of Demographic Variables on Perception of Importance and Continued Usage of Facebook in the US

Many firms have started investing in social media, hoping to reach and to engage their customers. However, results from social media initiatives have been inconsistent, underscoring the need to und...
Overvoltage and Insulation Coordination of 220kV Urban Cable and Hybrid Lines

The development of urban power grid requires the in-depth research of the overvoltage of high-voltage cable lines in cities.This paper elaborates the various arrangement modes of cables,as well as the overvoltage calculation analysis methods for hybrid lines.And the research results indicate as follows: when the cable length is over 20km,the high-voltage reactor is needed to restrict the overvoltage in switch fractures after switch restriking;when the cable length is less than 50km,the line-closing overvoltage is within the prescribed limits;when cable length is about 20% or 40%~60% of the whole line,for power frequency overvoltage,the biggest problem of overhead line and hybrid line,it is necessary to restrict the overvoltage in the case of interrupted empty line restriking.
Bradykinin increases cytosolic free [Ca2+) in proximal tubule cells

The role of bradykinin (BK) as a calcium-mobilizing agonist in cells of renal proximal tubule origin was examined. Experiments were performed on confluent cultures of rabbit proximal tubule cells in primary culture and changes in cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration, [Cai2+], were monitored by use of the Ca2+-sensitive fluorescent probe fura-2. Under steady-state conditions, [Cai2+] was 210 +/- 7 nM in a Ca2+-replete medium vs. 135 +/- 5 nM in a medium devoid of Ca2+. Acute challenge with BK resulted in a transient increment in [Cai2+], which peaked at 150% the resting value within 10 s and was independent of medium [Ca2+]. The K0.5 for the process was 2.5 X 10(-10) M. The BK receptor displayed properties of the beta 2-variety. In a Ca2+-free medium 8-(N,N-diethylamino)octyl-3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate (TMB-8) blocked the BK-elicited Ca2+ transient in a time- and dose-dependent manner. In contrast to TMB-8, the Ca2+-channel inhibitor, verapamil, was without effect. Prior exposure of cells to ionomycin completely obviated the BK-induced Ca2+ transient. Cells challenged with BK were nonresponsive to subsequent challenge by a second Ca2+-mobilizing agonist, angiotensin II (ANG II). In summary, these data suggest that BK is an extremely sensitive activator of the phosphoinositol transduction pathway in rabbit proximal tubule cells. Furthermore, the heterologous desensitization between BK and ANG II, in terms of elevating [Cai2+], suggests that these two agonists release Ca2+ from a common intracellular store.
Direct Composite or Bonded Porcelain: A Clinical Choice for Anterior Aesthetics

Choosing between direct composite resins and bonded porcelain veneers to restore permanent anterior teeth requires the dentist to evaluate both the aesthetic potential and the functional reliability of available bonding procedures. Direct composites are aesthetic, conservative and reliable, but demand technical and artistic skills, and have limited longevity. Bonded porcelain veneers can have excellent aesthetics, but require additional tooth preparation, exacting technique and laboratory support, and have an unknown life expectancy.
The Complexity Paradigm for Studying Human Communication: A Summary and Integration of Two Fields

This popular quote from Hamlet might be recast for the field of communication as “There are more things in science than are dreamt of in our philosophies”. This article will review several new and strange ideas from complexity science about how the natural world is organized and how we can go about researching it. These strange ideas, (e.g., deterministic, but unpredictable systems) resonate with many communication phenomena that our field has traditionally had difficulty studying. By reviewing these areas, we hope to add a new, compelling and useful way to think about science that goes beyond the current dominant philosophy of science employed in communication. Though the concepts reviewed here are difficult and often appear at odds with the dominant paradigm; they are not. Instead, this approach will facilitate research on problems of communication process and interaction that the dominant paradigm has struggled to study. Specifically, this article explores the question of process research in communication by reviewing three major paradigms of science and then delving more deeply into the most recent: complexity science. The article provides a broad overview of many of the major ideas in complexity science and how these ideas can be used to study many of the most difficult questions in communication science. It concludes with suggestions going forward for incorporating complexity science into communication.
Flow Scales of Influence on the Settling Velocities of Particles with Varying Characteristics

The settling velocities of natural, synthetic, and industrial particles were measured in a grid turbulence facility using optical measurement techniques. Particle image velocimetry and 2D particle tracking were used to measure the instantaneous velocities of the flow and the particles’ trajectories simultaneously. We find that for particles examined in this study (Rep = 0.4–123), settling velocity is either enhanced or unchanged relative to stagnant flow for the range of investigated turbulence conditions. The smallest particles’ normalized settling velocities exhibited the most consistent trends when plotted versus the Kolmogorov-based Stokes numbers suggesting that the dissipative scales influence their dynamics. In contrast, the mid-sized particles were better characterized with a Stokes number based on the integral time scale. The largest particles were largely unaffected by the flow conditions. Using proper orthogonal decomposition (POD), the flow pattern scales are compared to particle trajectory curvature to complement results obtained through dimensional analysis using Stokes numbers. The smallest particles are found to have trajectories with curvatures of similar scale as the small flow scales (higher POD modes) whilst mid-sized particle trajectories had curvatures that were similar to the larger flow patterns (lower POD modes). The curvature trajectories of the largest particles did not correspond to any particular flow pattern scale suggesting that their trajectories were more random. These results provide experimental evidence of the “fast tracking” theory of settling velocity enhancement in turbulence and demonstrate that particles align themselves with flow scales in proportion to their size.
The Way that PEGyl-DSPC Liposomal Doxorubicin Particles Penetrate into Solid Tumor Tissue

Background: For enhancement of drug effectiveness and reduction of drug toxicity, liposomal drugs have been studied in laboratories and clinics for decades. Although the results obtained from in vitro are encouraging, but the results from in vivo tests were not satisfactory. The main reasons for this situation were that we do not have enough information about the way how liposomal particles penetrating into solid tumor tissue, and what happening to the liposome particles after they got into the tumor tissue. In this paper, we are going to report the results from our observations on the way folic acid targeted and non-targeted PEGyl-DSPC liposomal doxorubicin particles penetrate into solid tumor tissue. Methods: Subcutaneous transplanted murine L1210JF solid tumors in mice were used as a model. PEGyl liposomal doxorubicins were injected through tail venue, and tumor tissue samples were collected at special time points. Cryosections were cut and dried by a fl owing of air after mounted on the slides right away. Then the dried cryosections were stained in water systems; the blood vessel cells were stained with green fluorescent FITC labeled antibody against CD31 antigen; the nuclei of the living cells were stained with a blue fluorescent dye DAPI. Since the whole procedure was carried out in aquatic system, the red color fluorescent liposomal doxorubicin particles remain visible under fl uorescence microscope. Results: Both folate conjugated and non-conjugated PEGyl-DSPC liposomal doxorubicin particles were only leaking out from the broken holes of blood vessels with a special direction and spread out for a limited distance, which was similar to the results showed before, in that observation a latex microsphere sample was used as a model. Abbreviations: DSPC:1, 2-Distearoyl-sn-Glycero-3-phosphatylcholine; PEG2000-DSPC:1, 2-Distearoyl-sn-Glycero 3-phosphatidylethanolamine-N-[methoxy(polyethylene glycol)-2000]; Folate-PEG3400-DSPE:1, 2-Distearoyl-sn-Glycero- 3-phosphatidylethanolamine-N-[polyethylene glycol-3400]-folate.
Einstein in Berlin

(2004). Einstein in Berlin. Gifted and Talented International: Vol. 19, No. 2, pp. 112-113.
A three-invariant cap-plasticity damage model for cementitious materials

Abstract We present a new continuum elastoplastic damage model for cementitious materials which captures their distinct behavior in tension and compression due to crack-induced damage and irreversible plastic deformation. It also describes their response under multi-axial loading with low to high confining pressures. A smooth, closed-convex three stress-invariant yield surface is developed which perpendicularly intersects the negative hydrostatic axis and is composed of a shear loading surface and an elliptical cap. It incorporates a plastic internal state variable (ISV) characterizing non-uniform hardening of both shear loading surface and elliptical cap, while the flow rule is considered to have volumetric non-associativity. Damage evolution laws incorporate two ISVs describing crack growth at the macroscale under tensile and compressive stresses separately. Overall damage under multiaxial loading explicitly considers the effect of confining stresses on damage evolution and stiffness recovery effects under cyclic loading. Model predictions are compared against several experimental results on various concretes and also against responses of recently reported models. The proposed model predicts distinctive features of concrete very well including hardening behavior in triaxial-compression and both pre- and post-peak volumetric behavior.
Harnessing process variations for optimizing wafer-level probe-test flow

We propose a methodology for dynamically selecting an optimal probe-test flow which reduces test cost without jeopardizing test quality. The granularity of this decision is at the wafer-level and is made before the wafer reaches the probe station, based on an e-test signature which reflects how process variations have affected this particular wafer. The proposed method offers flexibility by optimizing test flow per process signature and its implementation is simple and compatible with most commonly used Automatic Test Equipment. Furthermore, unlike static test elimination approaches, whose agility is limited by the relative importance of the permanently dropped tests, the proposed method is capable of exploring test cost reduction solutions which achieve very low test escape rates. Decisions are made by an intelligent system which maps every point in the e-test signature space to the most appropriate probe-test flow. Training of the system seeks to optimize the test flow of each process signature in order to maximize test cost reduction for a given target of test escapes, thereby enabling exploration of the trade-off between test cost reduction and test quality. The proposed method is demonstrated on an industrial dataset of a million devices from a 65nm Texas Instruments RF transceiver.
Simulating Non-Darcy Flow through Porous Media using Sundance

A non-Darcy partial differential equation (PDE) model for flow through porous media is presented. The focus is on the numerical implementation of the model using Sandia National Laboratories PDE simulation framework, Sundance. In particular, the discussion will include the finite element discretization and how parallelism is accomplished.
An Evaluation of the Effects of Very Difficult Goals

ABSTRACTIn 1968 the first cohesive theory on goal setting proposed that difficult goals produce higher levels of performance than easy goals and that specific goals produce a higher level of performance than “do your best” goals. While over 40 years of research supports this theory, there has been some discrepancy regarding the use of very difficult goals. This study was designed to examine the effects on performance of different levels of performance improvement goals and two different types of feedback, as feedback is often used in conjunction with goal setting. A group design was used with participants receiving one of two goal levels, and two different types of feedback. While no significant effects were found between the two types of feedback, goal level produced significant results in terms of performance and accuracy.
Review on Atrial Fibrillation

The year 2017 has been filled with news, controversy, and turmoil on many stages, in the realms of politics, entertainment, and economics—both around the world and locally. While original investigation regarding atrial fibrillation (AF) may not be one of these areas, nevertheless, this year was still filled with very significant contributions to our field. AF is still the largest area of investigation in the field of clinical cardiac electrophysiology. At the time of this writing, if one enters the term “atrial fibrillation” into the search field of PubMed and limits their search to publications in the year 2017, there are 4,867 results. This is compared with only 1,394 entries that appear when using the term “sudden cardiac death” and the same search criteria. Even if one limits their interest to data from clinical trials, there is a mountain of literature published annually. Thus, the following should be viewed as only a limited representation rather than a comprehensive review of the literature published surrounding AF.
Bibliometric analysis across eight years 2008–2015 of Intelligence articles: An updating of

Abstract I update and expand upon Wicherts' (2009) editorial in Intelligence. He reported citation counts of papers published in this journal from 1977 to 2007. All these papers are now at least a decade old, and many more new articles have been published since Wichert's analysis. An updated study is needed to help (1) quantify the journal's more recent impact on the scientific study of intelligence, and (2) alert researchers and educators to highly-cited articles; especially newer ones. Thus, I conducted a bibliometric analysis of all articles published here from 2008 to 2015. Data sources included both the Web of Science (WOS), and Google Scholar (GS). The eight-year set comprised 619 articles, published by 1897 authors. The average article had 17.0 (WOS), and 32.9 (GS) citations overall (2.75, and 5.33 citations per year, respectively). These metrics compare favorably with those from other psychology journals. In addition, a list of the most prolific authors is provided. Also reported is a list showing many articles in this set with counts greater than one hundred, and an updated top 25 list for the history of this journal.
Image Processing SIMS

One of the potentially most useful capabilities of SIMS, which has been somewhat underutilized in the past, is imaging. The ability to quantitatively map the distribution of elements on the micron scale with high sensitivity and isotopic discrimination is unique to SIMS. This capability is a powerful tool for investigation of the solid state, where properties correlate not only with chemical composition, but also with the degree of chemical heterogeneity. SIMS images give information on both the composition and morphology of the sample. To date, SIMS imaging has been mostly used in a qualitative manner to solve problems. With the advent of digital image processing techniques, more quantitative information can be extracted from image data, which in turn will improve the problem-solving capabilities of SIMS.
Boundedness and Stability

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses a brief account of two such methods that seem particularly suited to the questions of conditional stability and of the boundedness of some solution of a differential equation. The chapter outlines in each case the general approach and indicates only in passing various old and new results that should be obtained in a unified manner. The chapter discusses the special case when the coefficient matrix is constant and has no Eigen values with zero real part in a fairly simple way, particularly under stronger assumptions on h guaranteeing the uniqueness of a solution of equation. However, the general case in which no considerations of Eigen values are available requires an entirely different approach. The chapter generalizes the situation that occurs if the coefficient matrix in equation is a constant matrix A none of whose Eigen values has zero real part. In this case, the dimension of the linear subspace that induces an exponential dichotomy equals the number of Eigen values of A having negative real part.
EXAPTATION, ADAPTATION, AND HOMOPLASY: EVOLUTION OF ECOLOGICAL TRAITS IN DALECHAMPIA VINES

This chapter examines homoplastic evolution from an ecological perspective with the help of the Dalechampia vines. In particular, it focuses on the evolution of plant-animal relationships. The complexity of the interactions between plants and animals might suggest that they would be evolutionarily conservative. Recent analysis of three different plant-pollinator systems (Dalechampia [Euphorbiaceae], Lapeirousia [Iridaceae], Disa [Orchidaceae]) indicates that plant-animal interactions may often be evolutionarily labile and exhibit considerable homoplasy. The biological properties and processes that contribute to high homoplasy of ecological characters are also discussed in the chapter. Historical analysis of Dalechampia evolution suggests that homoplasy is common in characters with ecological significance. Three reasons seem to be responsible for this: strong selective pressures, character reversals, and parallelisms. It appears that natural selection interacts with the “internal” factors that influence the generation of novel phenotypes, and they act together to generate “biases” in the pattern of diversification. Another conclusion is that characters of ecological importance are often of little systematic utility. Although homoplasy is problematic in phylogeny estimation, it is obviously an important part of the evolutionary process. It remains particularly important to identify the processes that cause homoplasy and to analyze them in conjunction with determining the roles of genetic and developmental constraint, natural selection, and chance in evolution.
Recent developments in the design of conceptual fusion reactors

Since the first round of conceptual fusion reactor designs in 1973 - 1974, there has been considerable progress in design improvement. Two recent tokamak designs of the Wisconsin and Culham groups, with increased plasma beta and wall loading (power density), lead to more compact reactors with easier maintenance. The Reference Theta-Pinch Reactor has undergone considerable upgrading in the design of the first wall insulator and blanket. In addition, a conceptual homopolar energy storage and transfer system has been designed. In the case of the mirror reactor, there are design changes toward improved modular construction and ease of handling, as well as improved direct converters. Conceptual designs of toroidal-multiple-mirror, liner-compression, and reverse-field pinch reactors are also discussed. A design is presented of a toroidal multiple-mirror reactor that combines the advantages of steady-state operation and high-aspect ratio. The liner-compression reactor eliminates a major problem of radiation damage by using a liquid-metal first wall that also serves as a neutron-thermalizing blanket. The reverse-field pinch reactor operates at higher beta, larger current density and larger aspect ratio than a tokamak reactor. These properties allow the possibility of ignition by ohmic heating alone and greater ease of maintenance.
Left bundle branch block and the evolving role of QRS morphology in selection of patients for cardiac resynchronization

The clinical significance of left bundle branch block (LBBB) has recently expanded with the discovery of a strong association with better outcomes in patients receiving cardiac resynchronization therapy. Several milestones have contributed to the current understanding on the role of LBBB in clinical practice. Sunao Tawara described the arrangement of components of what he called the cardiac conduction system from the atrioventricular node to the terminal Purkinje fibers that connect to the working myocardium, and his hypotheses on how it functions remain current. Mauricio Rosenbaum and colleagues developed the bifascicular model of the left-sided conduction system that explains the characteristic electrocardiographic changes associated with propagation disturbances in its components. Andres Ricardo Perez-Riera and others have disputed the bifascicular model as oversimplified and have emphasized the role of the left septal fascicle. Marcelo Elizari and colleagues have explained the importance of masquerading bundle branch block. Elena Sgarbossa and colleagues developed a scheme to recognize ST elevation myocardial infarction in patients with left bundle branch block which remains current after more than 20 years. Enrique Cabrera and others identified electrocardiographic signs of remote myocardial infarction. Substantial progress has been made in the understanding of LBBB, yet its role in clinical practice continues to evolve and important gaps remain to which research should be directed.
Morphology, rheology, and physical properties of polymer-modified asphalt binders

Abstract Asphalt binders play an integral role in the performance and properties of asphalt mixtures. Increased traffic-related factors on the roadways such as heavier loads, higher traffic volume, and higher tire pressure combined with substantial variation in daily and seasonal temperatures of the pavement have been responsible for the asphalt pavements failure. To prevent or mitigate these failures, many attempts have been made by polymer scientists and civil engineers to improve the performance of asphalt pavements by modifying the properties of asphalt binders. A good modifier changes the failure properties such that binder yields more stresses and strains before failure. Modification of asphalt binders through the addition of a polymer to improve their rheological and physical properties has a long history in asphalt industry. Once the polymer is properly mixed with the asphalt binder, a swallowed polymer network is formed, which contributes to the changes in viscoelastic behavior. However, polymer-modified asphalt binders may have some drawbacks related to the poor solubility of polymers. Understanding the internal structure of polymer-modified asphalt binders has been the subject of numerous research studies. Available studies regarding the affecting parameters on the properties of the polymer-modified asphalt binders are reviewed here. Various types of polymers used in asphalt industry and their effects on the rheological, morphological, physical and mechanical properties of polymer-modified asphalt binders are also discussed in this paper. In addition, this paper provides a review on the techniques used to overcome/mitigate the shortcomings of conventional polymer-modified asphalt binders.
Constructing the Architect: An Introduction to Design, Research, Planning, and Education

Unlike books that concentrate on the monuments and other artefacts that architects produce, Constructing the Architect focuses on architecture as a disciplinary and professional process, an institution of society, and a career of learning and mastery. In doing so, it offers a lens into the architecture of architecture. Mapping architecture as a coherent whole, Leonard Bachman shows that the field must be understood as four mutually reinforcing modes of inquiry: design, research, strategy, and education. Within this framework, he explains how institutions and actors hold differing perspectives on the critical discourse that advances architecture and identifies the various tensions and leverage points for change within the discipline. Featuring over 100 illustrations to support understanding of this highly visual subject, this is an essential introduction for any student seeking to understand what it means to be an architect and to enter the professional discourse.
Rindenerregung (Auslösung epileptiformer Anfälle) durch Labyrinthreizung: Versuch einer Lokalisation der corticalen Labyrinthzentren.

Es wurde die Methode der umschriebenen Strychninvergiftung verwendet, um das Einstromungsgebiet labyrintharer Erregungen in den Cortex zu finden. Es gelang bei Hunden und Katzen, nach Vergiftung der oberen (dorsalen) Abschnitte der 2. und 3. hinteren Bogenwindung durch Drehung der Versuchstiere epileptiforme Krampfe (Klonismen) auszulosen, die gewohnlich im Bereich der Lidoder Ohrmuskulatur ihren Ausgang nahmen, in einzelnen Fallen auch in einen Status epilepticus ubergingen. Vergiftung der mittleren oder vorderen Abschnitte der Bogenwindungen, resp. des Stirnhirns hatte keinen derartigen Einflus, auch verhinderte Exstirpation des Stirnhirns vor der motorischen Region nicht das Auftreten der geschilderten epileptiformen Krampfe. Dieselben waren nach Vergiftung der 2. und 3. hinteren Bogenwindung auch durch starke akustische Reize auslosbar, nicht aber durch Schmerzreize, heftige Erschutterung, Reizung des zentralen Vagusstumpfes oder passive Augenbewegungen. Sie kamen auch noch trotz fast kompletter Kleinhirnexstirpation zustande. Die Versuche weisen darauf hin, das labyrinthare Erregungen mittels extracerebellarer Bahnen in den Temporallappen (Ubergangsregion der temporalen zur Parieto-Occipitalregion?) einstrahlen und das es gelingt, bei Ubererregbarkeit dieser Region durch Labyrinthreize epileptiforme Krampfe auszulosen.
Oncolytic Viruses: Priming Time for Cancer Immunotherapy

New immuno-oncology therapies are improving cancer treatments beyond the former standard of care, as evidenced by the recent and continuing clinical approvals for immunotherapies in a broad range of indications. However, a majority of patients (particularly those with immunologically cold tumors) still do not benefit, highlighting the need for rational combination approaches. Oncolytic viruses (OV) both directly kill tumor cells and inflame the tumor microenvironment. While OV spread can be limited by the generation of antiviral immune responses, the initial local tumor cell killing can reverse the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, resulting in more effective release of tumor-associated antigens (TAAs), cross-presentation, and antitumoral effector T cell recruitment. Moreover, many OVs can be engineered to express immunomodulatory genes. Rational combination approaches to cancer immunotherapy include the use of OVs in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) or adoptive T cell therapy (ACT) to promote sustained antitumoral immune responses. OV combinations have additive or synergistic efficacy in preclinical tumor models with ICIs or ACT. Several preclinical studies have confirmed systemic reactivation and proliferation of adoptively transferred antitumoral T cells in conjunction with oncolytic OVs (expressing cytokines or TAAs) resulting from the specific tumor cell killing and immunostimulation of the tumor microenvironment which leads to increased tumor trafficking, activity, and survival. Recent clinical trials combining OVs with ICIs have shown additive effects in melanoma. Additional clinical data in an expanded range of patient indications are eagerly awaited. The relative timings of OV and ICI combination remains under-studied and is an area for continued exploration. Studies systematically exploring the effects of systemic ICIs prior to, concomitantly with, or following OV therapy will aid in the future design of clinical trials to enhance efficacy and increase patient response rates.
Predicting Overall Survival in Patients with Metastatic Rectal Cancer: a Machine Learning Approach

A significant proportion of patients with rectal cancer will present with synchronous metastasis at the time of diagnosis. Overall survival (OS) for these patients are highly variable and previous attempts to build predictive models often have low predictive power, with concordance indexes (c-index) less than 0.70. Using the National Cancer Database (2010–2014), we identified patients with synchronous metastatic rectal cancer. The data was split into a training dataset (diagnosis years 2010–2012), which was used to build the machine learning model, and a testing dataset (diagnosis years 2013–2014), which was used to externally validate the model. A nomogram predicting 3-year OS was created using Cox proportional hazard regression with lasso penalization. Predictors were selected based on clinical significance and availability in NCDB. Performance of the machine learning model was assessed by c-index. A total of 4098 and 3107 patients were used to construct and validate the nomogram, respectively. Internally validated c-indexes at 1, 2, and 3 years were 0.816 (95% CI 0.813–0.818), 0.789 (95% CI 0.786–0.790), and 0.778 (95% CI 0.775–0.780), respectively. External validated c-indexes at 1, 2, and 3 years were 0.811, 0.779, and 0.778, respectively. There is wide variability in the OS for patients with metastatic rectal cancer, making accurate predictions difficult. However, using machine learning techniques, more accurate models can be built. This will aid patients and clinicians in setting expectations and making clinical decisions in this group of challenging patients.
Effect of Low-Temperature Plasma Treatment on Surface Modification of Polycaprolactone Pellets and Thermal Properties of Extruded Filaments

Polycaprolactone (PCL) polymer has been surface modified using oxygen low-temperature plasma and melt extruded into single filaments. Oxygen plasma was generated using a radiofrequency source with power of 150 W. The PCL polymer samples were treated with plasma for various durations of 5 min, 10 min, and 20 min. Water contact angle measurements were carried out to assess the wettability, revealing that the treatments reduced the contact angle by up to 11°. Changes in the chemical bonding and surface compositions were characterized by using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, revealing a high concentration of oxygen functionalities on the surface. Crystallinity changes were studied by using x-ray diffraction analysis. The surface morphology of the polymer was investigated using field-emission scanning electron microscopy. The thermal degradation and melting behavior was studied using thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry, respectively.