cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Utility of screening questionnaire and polysomnography to predict postoperative outcomes in children.

Abstract Introduction The prevalence of pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has increased concurrently with the increasing prevalence of obesity. We have previously validated a short questionnaire predicting the occurrence of OSA on polysomnography (PSG). This follow-up study assessed the utility of the questionnaire in predicting postoperative outcomes. Methods Children undergoing surgery and completing a sleep study were prospectively screened for OSA using a short questionnaire. Procedures within 1 year of PSG were included in the analysis. Questionnaires were scored according to a cutoff previously deemed optimal for predicting OSA (apnea-hypopnea index ≥ 5) on the sleep study. Postoperative outcomes included prolonged (>60 min) length of stay (LOS) in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) and oxygen requirement in the PACU. Results The study cohort included 185 patients (100/85 male/female) age 8 ± 4 years, undergoing adenotonsillectomy (n = 109), other ear, nose, and throat (ENT) procedures (n = 18), or non-ENT procedures (n = 58). There were 45 patients with OSA documented by PSG and 122 patients identified as likely to have OSA according to questionnaire responses (89% sensitivity, 41% specificity). PACU LOS was prolonged in 55/181 (30%) cases and supplemental oxygen was used in the PACU in 29/181 (16%) cases. In separate multivariable models, supplemental oxygen use in the PACU was more common if a patient scored ≥2/6 points on the short questionnaire scale (OR = 5.0; 95% CI: 1.3, 19.9; p = 0.023) or if the patient was diagnosed with OSA on PSG (OR = 4.6; 95% CI: 1.6, 13.5; p = 0.005). Neither OSA on PSG nor questionnaire score ≥2/6 were associated with prolonged PACU stay. Conclusion Both OSA diagnosis based on the AHI and the questionnaire scale achieved comparable predictive value for the need for oxygen use in the PACU. The utility of the questionnaire in predicting rare adverse events (e.g., unplanned admission or rapid response team activation) remains to be determined. Our preliminary results support using a brief questionnaire scale for preoperative risk stratification among children with suspected OSA who have not had a formal sleep study.
Wildland recreation disturbance: broad-scale spatial analysis and management

Wildland recreation that does not involve animal harvests (non-consumptive recreation) often influences various components of natural systems, including soils, water, air, soundscapes, vegetation, and wildlife. The effects of non-consumptive recreation on wildlife have typically been assessed at spatial scales that are not only much smaller than the overall distributions of this disturbance but also much smaller than the areas that species use during a season or year. This disparity in scales has prevented effective assessment and management of broad-scale recreation disturbance for many species, especially wildlife. We applied three software systems (ArcGIS, FRAGSTATS, and Conefor) to demonstrate how metrics commonly measured by landscape ecologists can be used to quantify broad-scale patterns of non-consumptive recreation. Analysts can employ such metrics to develop predictive models of how recreation disturbance – by itself and in additive or interactive combinations with other landscape characteristics – may affect wildlife responses across large areas. In turn, these models can inform decision making in broad-scale recreation management.
Posterior Ciliary Artery Occlusion.

Purpose To compare the severity of ischemic damage after posterior ciliary artery (PCA) occlusion in old, atherosclerotic, hypertensive monkeys with that in young monkeys. Design Experimental study. Participants Seven eyes of normal, healthy rhesus monkeys and 8 eyes of old, atherosclerotic, hypertensive monkeys. Methods By lateral orbitotomy, all PCAs were cut behind the eyeball in both groups of animals. The fundus and the optic disc were evaluated by repeated ophthalmoscopy, color fundus photography, and fluorescein fundus angiography before and immediately after cutting the PCAs and serially thereafter during the follow-up period. Main Outcome Measures Severity of acute ischemic damage to the choroid, outer retina, and optic nerve head. Results Cutting all the PCAs resulted in the development of ischemic infarction of the choroid, retinal pigment epithelium, outer part of the retina, and optic nerve head within 24 hours in both groups of animals. The severity of the various ischemic fundus and retinal lesions and of the optic disc during the acute phase showed no statistically significant differences between the 2 groups of animals. Fluorescein fundus angiography performed soon after cutting the PCAs showed no filling of the entire choroid and the optic disc in both groups of animals. On follow-up until approximately 3 months in both groups, the white opacity of the infarct in the fundus seen during the acute phase gradually resolved in approximately 2 to 3 weeks, leaving greyish, granular, depigmented fundus, unmasking of the large choroidal vessels, and optic atrophy; fluorescein angiography revealed gradual restoration of the choroidal blood flow and unmasking of the big choroidal vessels. Conclusions The study showed that the severity of ischemic damage after occlusion of all the PCAs was similar in both the young, healthy monkeys and the old, atherosclerotic, hypertensive monkeys. This is in contrast to the findings of our similar study dealing with central retinal artery occlusion, where the young demonstrated much more severe ischemic damage than the old.
Using technology to differentiate and accommodate students with disabilities

Improving the abilities of students with disabilities is a difficult task. Students with disabilities strive to be successful academically in the content areas of reading, writing, and mathematical concepts. Teachers can use technology to individualize and differentiate instruction for students who need the assistance and support. Vocaroo, Quick Response codes, Plickers, Screencast-O-Matic, Padlet, Storybird, Bookshare, Bubbl.us, Kahoot, and Newsela are differentiated technological instructional tools available for teachers to use to assist students with disabilities in multiple areas of learning difficulty. Vocaroo and Quick Response codes provide reading alternatives, interactivity, and engaging options. Plickers and Kahoot are assessment tools. Screencast-O-Matic digitally videos the lesson for student review at later times. Storybird, Bookshare, and Newsela are online, leveled reading options. Padlet helps students create and collaborate to demonstrate their knowledge in an alternative manner. Bubbl.u...
Somatic diversification of the B cell repertoire requires two cell subsets.

Evolution found itself in a Catch-22 situation when selecting for the somatically derived paratopic repertoire of the humoral immune system. The B cell BCR repertoire can only be somatically diversified from a substrate of paratopes that is encoded in the germline. In order for the cells expressing that substrate to also be a target of germline selection, their BCRs must, independently, be of selective value by being expressed in a functionally important way in each individual. A somatically derived repertoire scrambles this substrate so that its specificities are lost, making it unselectable in the germline. Consequently, evolution faced an incompatibility. Here, we explore what it takes to resolve it.
An exploration of the impact of macro-level governing structure on local public sector employment in the United States

AbstractThis research investigates how characteristics of the macro-level governing structure affect local public sector employment. The empirical model is tested using fixed effects with panel data that consist of 3031 county-type areas in the United States for five-year intervals from 1992 to 2012. We find that an increased level of fiscal decentralization is associated with larger labor input in the production of public services. Our statistical results also show that interjurisdictional competition leads to the growth of local public sector employment. Nevertheless, we do not find that spatial fragmentation and jurisdictional overlap have any significant relationship with the level of public sector employment.
Marjory Stephenson: An Early Voice for Bacterial Biochemical Experimenters

Marjory Stephenson was a biochemist who studied microbial metabolism from the 1920s through the 1940s at Cambridge University. She received a strong education in the sciences while attending Newnham College, affiliated with Cambridge. After service in World War I as a Red Cross dietitian, she joined the Biochemistry Institute at Cambridge, overseen by Sir F. G. Howland, a Nobel Prize-winning biochemist who supported many promising young scientists regardless of gender or origin. There she established a program studying the biochemistry of bacteria, especially anaerobes. Her research included naming and characterizing hydrogenase and formate hydrogen lyase enzyme complexes in Escherichia coli. She also studied the regulation of adaptive enzymes in bacteria, and her work was an early influence on Jacques Monod and his own studies on regulation of gene expression. Stephenson wrote three editions of an influential textbook on bacterial metabolism, renowned for its rigor and clarity. She was a founder of the Society for General Microbiology (now the Microbiology Society), served as its second president, and now has a biennial lecture/prize named in her honor. Finally, in 1945 Stephenson was one of the first two women (along with crystallographer Kathleen Lonsdale) elected into the Royal Society of London. Stephenson mentored several successful microbial physiologists, had a lively and critical intellect, and was fondly remembered by many who worked with her.
High Dynamic Range CMOS Imager for Colorimetric Gas Sensors

This paper presents a high dynamic range CMOS imager for colorimetric gas sensors. In such sensors there is a need to detect change in intensity from color change in the presence of strong background illumination. The designed imager utilizes a dual linear-logarithmic readout architecture to achieve 165dB of dynamic range and contains pixel level event detection. For proof-of-concept, the high dynamic range CMOS imager is interfaced with a flexible gas-sensing textile. We use the inherent spectral response of the textile to detect a chromatic change in the dye in the presence of hydrogen chloride and ammonia, two volatile organic compound (VOC) vapors.
Exercise Assessment in Clinical Practice

The health benefits of exercise are probably among the best publicized medical facts in the late twentieth century. These benefits have not escaped the attention of health care providers; the advice to lose weight and increase exercise is ubiquitous in health care settings. Nevertheless, compliance rates with home exercise programs are dismally low. This article goes beyond this common wisdom by providing some strategies for determining if an individual patient really needs to exercise, and if so, what the patient΄s individual needs are.
Production and action of interferons: New insights into molecular mechanisms of gene regulation and expression

The discovery of interferon (IFN) by Isaacs and Lindenmann [1] almost 40 years ago initiated a long and arduous course of scientific investigation that has culminated in its therapeutic use today for a variety of diseases. IFN, originally described on the basis of its capacity for inducing in cells a relatively nonspecific resistance to viruses, is now known to be composed of a large family of related proteins with similarities in structure and/or biological activity. Members of this family were initially distinguished on the basis of reactivity with specific antibodies, by their susceptibility to acid treatment, and by their cellular origin [2–5]. cDNA and genomic cloning of the IFN genes revealed the existence of a complex superfamily composed of numerous genes and pseudogenes [6, 7]. The most current classification of IFNs defines an IFN-alpha (IFN-α) family of at least 13 functional genes, unique genes for IFN-beta (IFN-β) and IFN-gamma (IFN-γ), one functional IFN-omega (IFN-ω), also referred to as IFN-α||1) gene, a number of pseudogenes placed in the α or ω families, and a few unclassified pseudo-genes [7]. Emphasis in this review will be placed on human IFN-α and IFN-γ, with references to the others as necessary. The reader is also referred to many excellent reviews of the subject [6, 8–10].
Emerging Black Scholars: Critical Reflections on the Impact of the Association of Black Psychologists:

This article highlights two Student Circle members’ reflections on how the Association of Black Psychologists (ABPsi) has had an impact on their development as emerging scholars, clinicians, and ad...
Power flow algorithm of DC distribution network with distributed energy access

Compared with AC distribution network, DC distribution network has advantage in less line loss, large power supply capacity, good power quality, etc., but in the acceptance of distributed energy storage and energy storage also has certain advantages. This paper established a DC/AC converter steady-state model, which can access the photovoltaic, wind power and other distributed energy; and also established other DC element model like DC energy storage and DC load. On the basis of steady-state DC distribution network model, this paper applies VSC based MHVDC power flow algorithm to DC distribution network, and improve the original algorithm for the access of distributed energy, DC energy storage and DC load forming the DC distribution network power flow algorithm. Finally, the proposed algorithm is applied to an altered IEEE33 bus example to verify the correctness of the algorithm.
Heterogeneous Patterns of Marijuana Use Motives Using Latent Profile Analysis.

Background: Given that marijuana use is often associated with detrimental physical and mental health problems, research examining motives for its use is critical for effective remedial and preventive treatment. To date, the majority of research on marijuana use motives has used variable-centered analyses, which overlooks potentially meaningful heterogeneous response patterns and the associations of those patterns with other risk/protective factors. Methods: To address this gap, in the current study, we conducted a person-centered analysis (latent profile analysis) to identify subgroups of participants based on endorsed marijuana use motives, and examined the construct validity of the optimal class solution (covariates included sociodemographic (e.g., age), psychiatric (e.g., depression), and marijuana-use indices (e.g., use-frequency, use-related problems). Participants were 898 college students (Mage = 20.93, SDage = 3.10; 68.9% female) who completed an anonymous online survey examining substance use and psychological well-being, were 18 years or older, and endorsed lifetime marijuana use. Data were collected November 2016 through February 2018. Results: Results identified four unique classes of coping, conformity, social, and enhancement marijuana use motives: (a) "Low Motives" (37.6%), (b) "High Conformity" (4.9%), (c) "Low Conformity" (45.8%), and (d) "High Motives" (11.7%). In terms of covariates, higher motive classes tended to report more frequent and problematic use. The two classes uniquely characterized by conformity motives only differed on past-month marijuana use frequency. Conclusions/Importance: The current findings provide evidence that specific classes of motives were not only associated with marijuana use frequency and problems but other risk and protective factors, such as anxiety sensitivity and social support.
Early Effects of Starting Doses of Enalapril in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure in the SOLVD Treatment Trial

Abstract Background In the Studies of Left Ventricular Dysfunction (SOLVD) treatment trial, similar clinical benefits were observed between starting doses of enalapril and the target dose achieved by postrandomization up-titration. In our current analysis, protecting the randomization, we examined the early effects of starting doses of enalapril. Methods There were 2569 patients with mild-to-moderate chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (ejection fraction ≤ 35%) randomized to receive starting doses (5-10 mg/day) of placebo (n = 1284) or enalapril (n = 1285). At day 14, both study drugs were blindly up-titrated to the target dose (20 mg/day). Overall, 96% (2458/2569) of the patients returned for dose up-titration, which was achieved in 59% (1444/2458), 48% (696/1444) of whom were in the enalapril group. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for outcomes in the enalapril group were estimated. Results HRs (95% CIs) for all-cause mortality, heart failure hospitalization, and the combined endpoint of heart failure hospitalization or all-cause mortality at 14 days after randomization were 0.80 (0.32-2.03), 0.63 (0.35-1.12), and 0.65 (0.39-1.06), respectively. Corresponding HRs (95% CIs) at 30 days were 0.82 (0.41-1.67), 0.43 (0.27-0.68), and 0.43 (0.27-0.68), respectively. The magnitude of these early effects of starting doses of enalapril is similar to its previously reported long-term effects at the target dose. Conclusion These data suggest that in stable ambulatory patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, the magnitude of the early effect of starting doses of enalapril is similar to that observed during longer-term therapy with the target doses of the drug.
An Enriched Immersed Finite Element Method for Interface Problems with Nonhomogeneous Jump Conditions.

This article presents and analyzes a $p^{th}$-degree immersed finite element (IFE) method for elliptic interface problems with nonhomogeneous jump conditions. In this method, jump conditions are approximated optimally by basic IFE and enrichment IFE piecewise polynomial functions constructed by solving local Cauchy problems on interface elements. The proposed IFE method is based on a discontinuous Galerkin formulation on interface elements and a continuous Galerkin formulation on non-interface elements. This $p^{th}$-degree IFE method is proved to converge optimally under mesh refinement. In addition, this article addresses the stability of this IFE method and has established upper bounds for its condition numbers which are optimal with respect to the mesh size but suboptimal with respect to the contrast of the discontinuous coefficient.
Compliance of self-measured HRV using smartphone applications in collegiate athletes

Abstract Purpose With the continued rise of technology in sports, many innovations have been made with smartphone applications designed to measure physiological fatigue and recovery. However, the proper methodology and potential pitfalls for long-term monitoring have not been fully explored. Therefore, this study aimed to observe compliance rates of self-measured daily heart rate variability (HRV) recordings in collegiate athletes from two different sports teams throughout their competitive seasons. Methods Sixteen male hockey players and forty-seven female rowers participated in this study. Daily HRV measurements were collected over 17 weeks. Athletes were categorized as Compliant or Non-compliant based on a 43% compliance rate threshold. Results Of the 16 hockey players, all were above the 43% threshold and considered Compliant. As a team, weekly compliance rates varied throughout the data collection reaching a high of 99.11% and a low of 37.50%. Of the 47 rowers, 26 athletes were categorized as Compliant while the remaining 21 athletes were categorized as Non-compliant, falling below the 43% threshold. As a team, weekly compliance rates varied throughout the data collection reaching a high of 70.81% and a low of 8.70%. Conclusions Smartphone-derived measures of HRV are valid and reliable tools for assessing training status and recovery in athletes. New applications provide a practical means for obtaining daily recordings. However, longitudinal monitoring of team-sport athletes may be difficult due to decreases in compliance. Coaches and practitioners should have plans in place to keep athletes actively involved in data collection with effective communication and proper explanation of the importance of the measures being taken.
The effect of speaker gender on Cantonese tone perception

This paper presents three experiments on the integration of speaker gender cues in Cantonese tone perception. Experiment 1 compared tone identification of F0-matched stimuli between different gender voices and showed that listeners tended to hear lower tones for stimuli with female-sounding voices and higher tones for stimuli with male-sounding voices. Experiment 2 investigated whether a similar voice gender normalization effect would occur in pitch perception. The results showed that unlike tone categorization shifting with voice gender systematically, voice gender interfered with pitch perception in listener-specific ways. In particular, musicians who were not affected by voice gender in pitch perception still showed a tone boundary shift induced by voice gender. Experiment 3 evaluated the influence of non-voice gender cues on tone identification with the guises of gendered names. The result shows that gendered names barely induced any shift on their own as guises of an identical set of gender-ambiguous stimuli; however, gendered names enhanced the shift when patterned with gender-prototypical voices of their gender. These findings support an additional phonological normalization process on top of psychoacoustic sensation. They also suggest that speaker normalization involves fine-grained processing of rich social cues conveyed by acoustic signals rather than merely abstract social labels.
Tracing the auditory object: data and emergent presence

The proposed topic of this conference presentation is the use of audio and spatial data as a means to discover, analyze, and represent the spatial and temporal boundaries of the auditory object, and the implications of this form of data visualization for ideas of urban subjectivity, particularly as opposed to ideas of an objectively defined universal subject, positioned within a rationalized framing of space and time. This topic is part of an ongoing project dealing with the visual representation of the dynamic urban soundscape, as approached from an interdisciplinary perspective utilizing audio and spatial data in combination with architectural theory, architectural forms of semiotics and spatial representation, psychoacoustics, and audio technology. The overall concern of this research is the translation of auditory phenomena, as perceived at the scale of the individual, to an aggregated representation of larger patterns which can describe the soundscape at the scale of the collective, neighborhood, or city. Of specific relevance to the theme of this conference is the potential for data, in this context, to reveal, trace, or give agency to a form of diffuse, particular, co-existing multiplicitous urban subjectivity, as focused around representation of the auditory object. The "auditory object" is a term used by psychoacousticians (and others dealing with auditory perception) to describe a discrete unit within the auditory environment, as defined perceptually, from the position of the subject. The auditory object is constructed through an evolving form of presence, one defined more in terms of patterns, tendencies, and emergences than hard binaries. This presents significant semiotic challenges, particularly for the forms of visual, spatial representation typically employed within the fields of architecture and urban design. This presentation will discuss the ways in which techniques of data analysis and visualization is uniquely suited to address these challenges.
A systematized review of research with adaptive comparative judgment (ACJ) in higher education

Adaptive Comparative Judgment (ACJ), an approach to the assessment of open-ended problems which utilizes a series of comparisons to produce a standardized score, rank order, and a variety of other statistical measures, has demonstrated high levels of reliability and validity and the potential for application in a wide variety of areas. Further, research into using ACJ, both as a formative and summative assessment tool, has been conducted in multiple contexts across higher education. This systematized review of ACJ research outlines our approach to identifying, classifying, and organizing findings from research with ACJ in higher education settings as well as overarching themes and questions that remain. The intent of this work is to provide readers with an understanding of the current state of the field and several areas of potential further inquiry related to ACJ in higher education.
Pulsed Broad-Spectrum UV Light Effectively Inactivates SARS-CoV-2 on Multiple Surfaces and N95 Material

The ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has resulted in an increased need for technologies capable of efficiently disinfecting public spaces as well as personal protective equipment. UV light disinfection is a well-established method for inactivating respiratory viruses. Here, we have determined that broad-spectrum, pulsed UV light is effective at inactivating SARS-CoV-2 on multiple surfaces in vitro. For hard, non-porous surfaces, we observed that SARS-CoV-2 was inactivated to undetectable levels on plastic and glass with a UV dose of 34.9 mJ/cm2 and stainless steel with a dose of 52.5 mJ/cm2. We also observed that broad-spectrum, pulsed UV light is effective at reducing SARS-CoV-2 on N95 respirator material to undetectable levels with a dose of 103 mJ/cm2. We included UV dosimeter cards that provide a colorimetric readout of UV dose and demonstrated their utility as a means to confirm desired levels of exposure were reached. Together, the results presented here demonstrate that broad-spectrum, pulsed UV light is an effective technology for the in vitro inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 on multiple surfaces.
Establishing human rights standards

It is quite remarkable that the notion of human rights has played such a large role in western history, and now in international relations since 1945, and yet no one has been able to definitively settle questions about the origins and “true” nature of these rights. Despite continuing debate over such philosophical matters, the international community – mostly through the United Nations – has agreed on a modern version of human rights. States, the most important actors in that community, who supposedly follow “realist” principles of harsh self-interest, have used international law and organization to adopt “liberal” standards requiring attention to individual and collective human rights. Internationally recognized human rights, as social construct, are a fact of international relations. A philosophy of rights? We do not lack for differing theories about human rights. Even among western philosophers there is great variation. For Edmund Burke, the concept of human rights was a monstrous fiction. For Jeremy Bentham, it was absurd to base human rights on natural rights, because “ Natural rights is simple nonsense…nonsense upon stilts.” The contemporary philosopher Alasdair MacIntyre tells us there are no such things as human rights; they are similar to witches and unicorns and other figments of the imagination. Karl Marx, for that matter, was not born in Beijing. He too was western, both by birth and by principal area of concern. At the risk of oversimplifying his many and not always consistent writings, one can say that he regarded many civil rights as inherently good and tactically helpful in achieving socialism, while regarding property rights as contributing to the social ills of the modern world.
Predicting antibiotic resistance gene abundance in activated sludge using shotgun metagenomics and machine learning.

Abstract While the microbiome of activated sludge (AS) in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) plays a vital role in shaping the resistome, identifying the potential bacterial hosts of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in WWTPs remains challenging. The objective of this study is to explore the feasibility of using a machine learning approach, random forests (RF's), to identify the strength of associations between ARGs and bacterial taxa in metagenomic datasets from the activated sludge of WWTPs. Our results show that the abundance of select ARGs can be predicted by RF's using abundant genera (Candidatus Accumulibacter, Dechloromonas, Pesudomonas, and Thauera, etc.), (opportunistic) pathogens and indicators (Bacteroides, Clostridium, and Streptococcus, etc.), and nitrifiers (Nitrosomonas and Nitrospira, etc.) as explanatory variables. The correlations between predicted and observed abundance of ARGs (erm(B), tet(O), tet(Q), etc.) ranged from medium (0.400 0.600) when validated on testing datasets. Compared to those belonging to the other two groups, individual genera in the group of (opportunistic) pathogens and indicator bacteria had more positive functional relationships with select ARGs, suggesting genera in this group (e.g., Bacteroides, Clostridium, and Streptococcus) may be hosts of select ARGs. Furthermore, RF's with (opportunistic) pathogens and indicators as explanatory variables were used to predict the abundance of select ARGs in a full-scale WWTP successfully. Machine learning approaches such as RF's can potentially identify bacterial hosts of ARGs and reveal possible functional relationships between the ARGs and microbial community in the AS of WWTPs.
Clinical and molecular features of adenosquamous pancreatic cancer (ASQ): A distinct histological subtype.

426Background: Adenosquamous pancreatic cancers (ASQ) constitute 1-5% of all pancreatic cancers. The clinical and molecular understanding of this aggressive variant, along with potential differenti...
Investigating statistical analysis for network motifs

Network motifs are frequent and statistically significant subgraph patterns in a network. Its statistical uniqueness is generally determined by an explicit generation of many random graphs followed by subgraph sampling, and computation of P-value or Z-score, which is called EXPLICIT. It absorbs most computational time in detection of network motifs as typically 1,000 number of random graphs are generated and analyzed. Here, we investigated a DIRECT method which was introduced as an alternative to EXPLICIT, to speed up the process by removing the need of the explicit generation of random graphs. Although DIRECT's efficiency was described in theory, it was never adapted to detection of network motifs in practice. Therefore, we investigated, implemented, and applied DIRECT with a different statistical measurement to determine network motifs. Experimental results demonstrate that DIRECT is a good alternative to EXPLICIT, because it is much faster than EXPLICIT in detection of small size of network motifs, and the results are generally consistent with those by EXPLICIT.
Targeted Intraoperative Molecular Imaging for Localizing Nonpalpable Tumors and Quantifying Resection Margin Distances

Importance Complete (R0) resection is the dominant prognostic factor for survival across solid tumor types. Achieving adequate tumor clearance with appropriate margins is particularly difficult in nonpalpable tumors or in situ disease. Previous methods to address this problem have proven time consumptive, impractical, or ineffective. Objective To assess the capability of intraoperative molecular imaging (IMI), a novel technology using a fluorescent tracer targeted to malignant cells, to localize visually occult, nonpalpable tumors and quantify margin distances during resection. Design, setting, and participants This nonrandomized open-label trial of IMI using a folate receptor-targeted fluorescent tracer enrolled patients between May 2017 and June 2020 at a single referral center. Eligible patients included those with a small (T1) lung lesion suspicious for malignant neoplasms and with radiographic features suggestive of a nonpalpable lesion. Interventions Patients were preoperatively infused with a folate receptor-targeted near-infrared tracer. Intraoperatively, surgeons used thoracoscopic visualization and palpation to identify lesions. IMI was performed to detect the lesion in situ, and lesions were imaged ex vivo. Margins were assessed by IMI before comparison with those reported on final histopathologic analysis. Main outcomes and measures The main outcomes were whether IMI could (1) localize nonpalpable lung lesions in situ and (2) quantify margin distance with comparison with final pathology as the criterion standard. Patient demographic information and lesion characteristics were prospectively recorded. Results Of 40 patients, 26 (65%) were female, and the median (interquartile range) age was 66.5 (62-72) years. Conventional surgical methods localized 22 of 40 lesions (55%), while IMI localized 36 of 40 (90%). Of 18 nonpalpable lesions, 15 (83.3%) were identified by IMI. Both palpable and nonpalpable lesions demonstrated mean signal-to-background ratio more than 2. An IMI margin was able to be calculated for 39 of 40 patients (95%). IMI margins were nearly identical to margins reported on final pathology (R2 = 0.9593), with median (interquartile range) difference of 1.3 (0.7-2.0) mm. IMI detected 2 margins in nonpalpable tumors that were clinically unacceptable and would have had a high probability of recurrence. Conclusions and relevance To our knowledge, this study presents the first clinical use of IMI for nonpalpable tumors and provides proof of principle for the utility of IMI across the field of surgical oncology in identifying occult disease and tumor-positive margins.
Isolating Endosymbiotic Algae from Hydra viridis

To isolate endosymbiotic algae from host tissue in order to examine the characteristics and properties of those algae free of host tissue and to use the isolated algae in reinfection studies.
Neuroendocrine Systems: the Need for Precise Identification and Rigorous Description of their Operations

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews the past of neuroendocrinology and summarize its present status. In doing so, the chapter can restate some old questions that are in need of answers. For example, if neuroendocrinology is the science dealing with neuroendocrine systems, what precisely is a neuroendocrine system? Do neuroendocrine systems possess properties and characteristics that are unique and distinguishable from those of other endocrine systems? The chapter begins its search for answers to these questions by reviewing some of the well-known, general characteristics of endocrine systems. It also deals with the question: How does a neuroendocrine system differ from a typical endocrine system? An essential characteristic of a neuroendocrine system is that the secretory cells are neural cells. Vasopressin, oxytocin, and adrenaline are examples of hormones which are synthesized, stored, and released by neural cells. These hormones, which are secreted by well-defined neuroendocrine systems, for example, the neurohypophysial system and adrenomedullary system, are transported via plasma of blood to effector cells. These particular neuroendocrine systems differ little from such well-recognized endocrine systems as the adrenocortical system, thyroidal system, parathyroidal system, etc.
A Computational, Tissue-Realistic Model of Pressure Ulcer Formation in Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury.

People with spinal cord injury (SCI) are predisposed to pressure ulcers (PU). PU remain a significant burden in cost of care and quality of life despite improved mechanistic understanding and advanced interventions. An agent-based model (ABM) of ischemia/reperfusion-induced inflammation and PU (the PUABM) was created, calibrated to serial images of post-SCI PU, and used to investigate potential treatments in silico. Tissue-level features of the PUABM recapitulated visual patterns of ulcer formation in individuals with SCI. These morphological features, along with simulated cell counts and mediator concentrations, suggested that the influence of inflammatory dynamics caused simulations to be committed to “better” vs. “worse” outcomes by 4 days of simulated time and prior to ulcer formation. Sensitivity analysis of model parameters suggested that increasing oxygen availability would reduce PU incidence. Using the PUABM, in silico trials of anti-inflammatory treatments such as corticosteroids and a neutralizing antibody targeted at Damage-Associated Molecular Pattern molecules (DAMPs) suggested that, at best, early application at a sufficiently high dose could attenuate local inflammation and reduce pressure-associated tissue damage, but could not reduce PU incidence. The PUABM thus shows promise as an adjunct for mechanistic understanding, diagnosis, and design of therapies in the setting of PU.
Mathematics and beauty—VIII: Tesselation automata derived from a single defect

Abstract To help characterize complicated physical and mathematical structures and phenomena, computers with graphics can be used to produce visual representations with a spectrum of perspectives. In this paper, unusual “tesselation automata” (TA) are presented which grow according to certain symmetrical recursive rules. TA are a class of simple mathematical systems which exhibit complex behavior and which are becoming important as models for a variety of physical processes. This paper differs from others in that its focuses on symmetrical TA derived from a single defect, and reader involvement is encouraged by giving “recipes” for the various chaotic forms which represent a visually striking and intricate class of shapes.
A Comparative View of Standards of Proof

In common-law systems, the standard of proof for ordinary civil cases requires the party who bears the burden of proof to establish by a preponderance of the evidence that the facts alleged are true. In contrast, the prevailing standard of proof for civil cases in civil-law systems is indistinguishable from the standard for criminal cases: the judge must be firmly convinced that the facts alleged true. This striking difference in common-law and civil-law procedures has received very little attention from either civilian or comparative scholars. The preponderance standard applied in common-law systems is openly probabilistic and produces, on average, more accurate results. This makes continued civilian adherence to a standard of virtual certainty mysterious. The article offers both historical reasons for the divergence between common-law and civil-law standards of proof and tentative explanations for the modern persistence of a high standard of proof in civil-law countries. The most plausible of these explanations is that the high civil-law standard conveys an impression of accuracy and certainty, and thus enhances the perceived legitimacy of judicial decisions. Increasing public confidence in adjudication is a valid procedural objective, but in this case carries costs in terms of accuracy and informed development of evidentiary doctrine.
A Hybrid Cloud Framework for Scientific Computing

Cloud services are transforming many computing tasks, but the unique requirements of scientific computing have caused it to lag behind in cloud adoption because of the performance variation of cloud resources. Based on our experience with the Organic Grid, we propose a framework for a hybrid cloud that will intelligently distribute work to appropriate computing resources to mitigate the impact of performance variation. We describe a cloud framework that integrates with specialized hardware and distributes work intelligently among heterogeneous computing resources. Our approach is to organize a set of computing nodes in an overlay network, to allow each node as an individual agent to position itself within the network to maximize its productivity. An application finds the resources and decides which task to run on which cloud nodes. Our simulations demonstrate that our methods can significantly reduce communication burdens of the most overworked nodes, especially on networks with the highest task to node ratios.
Chapter 18 - Molecular Regulation of Insect Diapause

The recent isolation of several diapause up regulated and down regulated genes suggests two key features of diapause that are likely to prevail across species. First, far fewer genes are being expressed during diapause, thus suggesting that diapause does represent a shut-down in gene expression. Second, the fact that certain genes are expressed uniquely in diapause indicates that diapause is more than a shut-down in gene expression and represents a distinct developmental pathway. Only few diapause down regulated and up regulated genes have so far been identified, and among them are potentially important genes coding for cell cycle regulators and stress proteins. It should then be possible to determine whether common patterns of gene expression dictate diapause in different species and different developmental stages.
Electron Correlation in Oxygen Vacancy in SrTiO 3

Oxygen vacancies are an important type of defect in transition metal oxides. In ${\mathrm{SrTiO}}_{3}$ they are believed to be the main donors in an otherwise intrinsic crystal. At the same time, a relatively deep gap state associated with the vacancy is widely reported. To explain this inconsistency we investigate the effect of electron correlation in an oxygen vacancy (OV) in ${\mathrm{SrTiO}}_{3}$. When taking correlation into account, we find that the OV-induced localized level can at most trap one electron, while the second electron occupies the conduction band. Our results offer a natural explanation of how the OV in ${\mathrm{SrTiO}}_{3}$ can produce a deep in-gap level (about 1 eV below the conduction band bottom) in photoemission, and at the same time be an electron donor. Our analysis implies that an OV in ${\mathrm{SrTiO}}_{3}$ should be fundamentally regarded as a magnetic impurity, whose deep level is always partially occupied due to the strong Coulomb repulsion. An OV-based Anderson impurity model is derived, and its implications are discussed.
Computing the Lead Term of an Abelian L-function

We describe the extension of the techniques implemented in [DSS] to the computation of provably accurate values for the lead term at s = 0 of abelian L-functions having higher order zeros, and provide some explicit examples. In particular we raise the question of applying the higher order extensions of the abelian Stark Conjecture to the explicit construction of an interesting field extension in a manner analogous to the applications here and in [DSS], [Ro] in the case of zeros of rank one.
Non-linear crystals for tunable coherent sources

High-efficiency non-linear crystals suitable for the generation of coherent sources ranging from the deep ultraviolet to mid-infrared (0.16 to 5 µm) are explored. The key parameters for frequency conversion techniques (second-harmonic-generation, sumfrequency mixing, difference-frequency mixing, optical parametric oscillation (OPO) and stimulated Raman scattering) including tunability, beam quality, beam walk-off and the effective figure-of-merit are analysed. Materials selection rules for non-linear crystals (for wide transparency, high damage threshold, stability, low absorption and large figure-of-merit) are presented. Techniques using non-critical phase-matching, quasi-phase-matching, waveguided doubling and self-frequency doubling are explored. Features and applications of the new non-linear crystals ofβ-barium borate, lithium triborate (LBO), potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP), KNbO3 and MgO:LiNbO3 are presented and compared with other crystals. In addition to a critical review, this paper also presents some new results for the analysis of frequency-conversion efficiency, experimental data of OPO in KTP, LBO for frequency conversion using temperature-tuned non-critical phase-matching and green lasers from the diode-pumped self-frequency-doubling crystal of neodymium yttrium aluminium borate.
Dissecting the Molecular Basis of the Role of the O‐Mannosylation Pathway in Disease: α‐Dystroglycan and Forms of Muscular Dystrophy

Dystroglycanopathies form a subgroup of muscular dystrophies that arise from defects in enzymes that are implicated in the recently elucidated O-mannosylation pathway, thereby resulting in underglycosylation of α-dystroglycan. The emerging identification of additional brain proteins modified by O-mannosylation provides a broader context for interpreting the range of neurological consequences associated with dystroglycanopathies. This form of glycosylation is associated with protein mucin-like domains that present numerous serine and threonine residues as possible sites for modification. Furthermore, the O-Man glycans coexist in this region with O-GalNAc glycans (conventionally associated with such protein sequences), thus resulting in a complex glycoconjugate landscape. Sorting out the relationships between the various molecular defects in glycosylation and the modes of disease presentation, as well as the regulatory interplay among the O-Man glycans and the effects on other modes of glycosylation in the same domain, is challenging. Here we provide a perspective on chemical biology approaches employing synthetic and analytical methods to address these questions.
234 PROSTAGLANDINS (PGs) SYNTHESIS IN THE ISOLATED HUMAN UMBILICAL ARTERY (UA)

The role of PGs in the maintenance and the control of fetal and placental hemodynamics was suggested. Umbilical vessels having smooth muscle that is not innervated may be particularly responsive to vasoactive agents such as PGs. Six UA were freshly obtained from normal term pregnancies. Biosynthesis of PGE2, PGF2α, thromboxane A2 (analyzed as TxB2) and prostacyclin (PGI2) (Measured as 6-keto PGF1α) was studied by incubating UA microsomes with (14C) arachidonic acid (AA) and with (14C) cyclic PG endoperoxide (PGH2), separation by thin layer chromatography and scintillation counting. Percent recovery of (14C) AA and (14C) PGH2 as PGs was 1.73 and 36.4 respectively. The relative percent PGs recovered was (x ± SEM): In addition, PGI2 synthesis by UA microsomes was determined by the degree of inhibition of platelet aggregation compared with inhibition by known PGI2 standards and was 7μg/mg protein. Azo analog I inhibited PGs biosynthesis in duplicate incubations. The results suggest that PGs synthesis by the vascular wall of the UA may contribute to the regulation of vascular tone and platelet vessel wall interaction, thus, modulating fetoplacental blood flow. PGs inhibitors may alter balanced homeostasis in the fetus and the placenta.
Comparison of the Gene-Tox and RTECS data bases as predictors of carcinogenic potency.

Travis et al. (1990a,b) developed a method to predict thq carcinogenic potency of known mouse carcinogens using different classes of short-term toxicologic data. The method is based on a relative potency analysis of toxicological data from the Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances (RTECS) data base (Sweet, 1987) developed by the National Institute of OccupationJ Safety and Health (NIOSH). Rather than rely solely on genotoxicity data to predict carcinogenic potency as has been done in the past (McCann et al., 1988; Piegorsch and Hoel, 19881, Travis et al. (1990a,b) make use of all available toxicologic information in RTECS (e.g. genotoxicity, cytotoxicity, reproductive effects, and chronic and subchronic tumorigenicity). The methodology em-