cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tea and Cancer

Tea is one of the most popular beverages consumed worldwide. The relationship between tea consumption and human cancer incidence is an important concern. This topic has been studied in different populations by many investigators, but no clear-cut conclusion can be drawn. Whereas some studies have shown a protective effect of tea consumption against certain types of cancers, other studies have indicated an opposite effect. Our purpose is to provide a critical review of this topic, covering basic chemistry and biochemical activity of tea, epidemiologic investigations, and laboratory studies, as well as possible directions for future research. Studies have demonstrated either a lack of association between tea consumption and cancer incidence at specific organ sites or inconsistent results. On the other hand, many laboratory studies have demonstrated inhibitory effects of tea preparations and tea polyphenols against tumor formation and growth. This inhibitory activity is believed to be mainly due to the antioxidative and possible antiproliferative effects of polyphenolic compounds in green and black tea. These polyphenolics may also inhibit carcinogenesis by blocking the endogenous formation of N-nitroso compounds, suppressing the activation of carcinogens, and trapping of genotoxic agents. The effect of tea consumption on cancer is likely to depend on the causative factors of the specific cancer. Therefore, a protective effect observed on a certain cancer with a specific population may not be observable with a cancer of a different etiology. On the basis of this concept, we suggest future laboratory and epidemiologic studies to elucidate the relationship between tea consumption and human cancer risk.
Algebraic-integer quantization an residue number system processing

The algebraic-integer number representation, in which the signal sample is represented by a set of (typically four to eight) small integers, combines with residue number system (RNS) processing to produce processors composed of simple parallel channels. The analog samples must first be quantized into the algebraic-integer representation, and the final algebraic-integer result converted back to an analog or digital form. In between these two conversions, the algebraic-integer representation must be converted into and out of two levels of RNS parallelism. The authors address these quantization and conversion problems and demonstrate their solution by implementing a 128-tap algebraic-integer filter using the moduli 17 and 31, with four parallel channels per modulus. This processor performs equivalently to an integer processor with 19 bits of dynamic range. It is concluded that the algebraic-integer representation is best suited to control the dynamic range requirements of integer processors in situations where there is a high sensitivity to quantization and roundoff errors, especially when there is a matching nonuniform input distribution. >
Evaluating the Life Cycles of Education-Supporting Lotteries

This article examines the history of total lottery sales for eleven education-supporting lottery states. Controlling for the influence of multistate games, state income differentials, and unemploym...
Identification and quantification of soil redoximorphic features by digital image processing

Abstract Soil redoximorphic features (SRFs) have provided scientists and land managers with insight into relative soil moisture for approximately 60 years. The overall objective of this study was to develop a new method of SRF identification and quantification from soil cores using a digital camera and image classification software. Additional objectives included a determination of soil moisture effects on quantified SRFs and image processing effects on interpretation of SRF metrics. Eighteen horizons from selected landscapes in the Central Claypan Area, northcentral Missouri, USA were photographed from exposed soil cores under controlled light conditions. A 20 cm 2 area was used for SRF quantification following a determination of the initial gravimetric water content of horizon faces. Overall color determination accuracy was 99.6% based on Munsell soil color groupings used for SRF identification. Rewetting of air-dry horizon faces by successive application of 1 mL of deionized water demonstrated little change in identified SRFs after seven applications. Mean change in identified Low Chroma and High Chroma SRFs between the seventh and tenth rewetting sequences was 2% (SD ± 4) and 0.03% (SD ± 0.3), respectively. However, ten of eighteen horizons contained a greater area of Low Chroma after ten rewetting sequences compared to the same horizon at the initial moisture state. Metrics characterizing SRF boundaries, shapes, number of SRFs, and mean area of SRFs were sensitive to post-classification image smoothing. Methods demonstrated by this study provide an opportunity to better integrate pedology with other related earth sciences by allowing standardized quantification of SRFs as well as a determination of human error associated with current visual estimates.
Modulation of θ/α frequency profiles of slow auditory-evoked responses in the songbird zebra finch

Abstract Spatiotemporal patterns of forebrain neural activity associated with auditory perception of biologically relevant complex acoustic stimuli can be conveniently studied in the songbird zebra finch. Here we present a time-frequency analysis of averaged slow auditory-evoked potentials (sAEPs) obtained at electrode locations overlying the main song control nucleus, high vocal center. Gabor spectrograms of these sAEPs show a prolonged response time course consisting of unimodal frequency peaks in the θ/α range (4–17 Hz). There is a stimulus-dependent modulation of the duration of the response and of the total number of its constituent frequency peaks, an effect that is bilateral in 75% of the birds and lateralized to the left side in the remaining 25%. Since the state of alertness of birds modulates these parameters along a similar continuum, these findings suggest that modulation of sAEP frequency profile may be dependent on attentional mechanisms. The presence and modulation of neurobiologically ubiquitous dominant frequency components also implicate the possible role of induced cerebral neuronal circuit oscillations in songbird auditory perception.
Midterm results for endovascular repair of complicated acute and chronic type B aortic dissection.

Background Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for the management of type B aortic dissections has become more commonplace despite some controversy. Results of endovascular management of complicated acute ( 2 weeks) type B aortic dissection with a view towards determining safety, efficacy, and requirement for secondary procedures are reviewed. Methods Between June 2005 and November 2008, 55 patients (41 men) with a mean age of 59 ± 12 years (range, 31 to 77 years) underwent TEVAR for the management of complicated acute (n = 22) or chronic (n = 33) type B dissection. Indications in acute dissection included impending or frank rupture in 11 and malperfusion syndromes in 11; the indication in chronic dissections was aneurysmal degeneration in 33. Results Primary technical success was 100%. In-hospital and 30-day rates of death, stroke, and permanent paraplegia/paresis were 2% (n = 1), 0%, and 2% (n = 1), respectively. Median follow-up was 7.1 months (range, 1 to 38 months). Overall actuarial midterm survival was 63% at 38 months, with an aorta-specific actuarial survival of 94%. Two patients (4%) required late conversion to open repair. Postoperative type I or III endoleak occurred in 3 (6%) and type II endoleak in 7 (15%). Two patients underwent subsequent endovascular occlusion. The composite reintervention rate in follow-up was 23.4% (n = 13). Conclusions Endovascular repair for complicated acute and chronic type B dissection is safe and effective at early midterm follow-up. TEVAR for type B dissection requires more secondary interventions and imaging surveillance than conventional open reconstruction. Longer-term follow-up is needed to determine the durability of this approach.
Review Article: A modest proposal for a reorientation in literary studies

This essay offers a review of Literature, Science and the New Humanities by Jonathan Gottschall. The author challenges the field of literary studies to rethink long-held assumptions about the nature of knowledge and human nature. In particular, what appear to be dominant tendencies in the field have strongly resisted the inclusion of findings from biology and genetics specifically. This resistance is tied to a view that scientific methods do not apply to the study of literature, and that radical social-constructivist theory presents a general alternative to the traditional methods of scientific inquiry. A proposal is made to incorporate recent advances in the cognitive sciences into the analysis of literature. Specifically, concepts drawn from evolutionary psychology might be especially useful in the analysis of narrative themes.
Does phylogeny matter? Assessing the impact of phylogenetic information in ecological meta‐analysis

Meta-analysis is increasingly used in ecology and evolutionary biology. Yet, in these fields this technique has an important limitation: phylogenetic non-independence exists among taxa, violating the statistical assumptions underlying traditional meta-analytic models. Recently, meta-analytical techniques incorporating phylogenetic information have been developed to address this issue. However, no syntheses have evaluated how often including phylogenetic information changes meta-analytic results. To address this gap, we built phylogenies for and re-analysed 30 published meta-analyses, comparing results for traditional vs. phylogenetic approaches and assessing which characteristics of phylogenies best explained changes in meta-analytic results and relative model fit. Accounting for phylogeny significantly changed estimates of the overall pooled effect size in 47% of datasets for fixed-effects analyses and 7% of datasets for random-effects analyses. Accounting for phylogeny also changed whether those effect sizes were significantly different from zero in 23 and 40% of our datasets (for fixed- and random-effects models, respectively). Across datasets, decreases in pooled effect size magnitudes after incorporating phylogenetic information were associated with larger phylogenies and those with stronger phylogenetic signal. We conclude that incorporating phylogenetic information in ecological meta-analyses is important, and we provide practical recommendations for doing so.
Glomerular filtration rate equations do not accurately predict vancomycin trough concentrations in pediatric patients.

Background: The Bedside Chronic Kidney Disease in Children (CKiD) equation was developed using data from children with chronic kidney disease. Some institutions are using this equation in all pediatric patients, regardless of renal function, to adjust medications. No data have shown that the Bedside CKiD equation is equivalent or better than the Schwartz equation in estimating glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in pediatric patients with normal renal function. Objective: To compare GFR estimates using the Bedside CKiD and Schwartz equations and determine if either offers sufficient vancomycin dosing guidance in hospitalized pediatric patients. Methods: This retrospective review at a single-center, academic, pediatric hospital included patients 2 to 12 years old with a steady-state vancomycin trough collected between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2011. Patients with acute kidney injury or lacking essential data (e.g., height and serum creatinine), were excluded. An estimated GFR (eGFR) was calculated usin...
Thiol in Liver and Kidneys of Chickens: Effect of Injection of Three Mercury Compounds or Starvation,

Abstract MILLER et al. (1959a, b, 1967) have investigated the retention of mercury by two strains of chicks, selected by Bearse et al. (1963) for resistance (R) and susceptibility (S) to avian leukosis. The R strain of chicks retained larger amounts of mercury in liver and kidneys than the S strain after dosing with several mercurials over a wide range. Mercury is usually believed to be attached to protein thiol groups in the animal body (Hughes, 1957). Therefore, the effect of injection of three mercurials on the liver and kidney thiol was investigated as a possible cause of the difference in retention observed. Also, starvation and protein depletion were found to increase the retention of mercury in both strains of chicks (Larkin et al., 1965). Therefore, the effect of feed deprivation or protein depletion on liver and kidney thiol was investigated. The differences in the normal thiol in the organs of…
Effect of Seasonality and Perisulfakinin on Engorgement by Tabanus nigrovittatus (Diptera: Tabanidae) in the Laboratory

The horse fly Tabanus nigrovittatus Macquart (Diptera: Tabanidae), a hematophagous insect, is a nuisance pest along the Atlantic Coast. A description of the engorgement pattern throughout the season is lacking in the literature for this species. The percentage of flies engorging a bloodmeal in the laboratory throughout the season was recorded, and here we demonstrate that the percentage of flies that are blood feeding fluctuates, leading to a decrease in flies engorging as the season ends. Additionally, three recent nonhematophagous insect studies demonstrated that sulfakinins, a vertebrate homologue of cholecystokinin, function in feeding inhibition as a satiety factor. We found that groups of flies injected with one nanomole of perisulfakinin were inhibited from blood feeding by 45–60%. The satiation of feeding reported here is in agreement with the previous research by using nonhematophagous species. When groups of flies were injected with 10 nmol of perisulfakinin, the percentage of flies engorging was increased relative to the sham-injected flies, although not significantly. The stimulation of engorgement by sulfakinin has not previously been demonstrated, and its mode of action remains unclear.
Racism and discrimination versus advantage and favoritism: Bias for versus bias against

Abstract Almost all academic literature across disciplines and most of the news media explain racial inequality as the result of the discrimination and racism of whites toward nonwhites. In contrast, I argue that it is the favoritism or advantages that whites provide to other whites that is the primary mechanism by which racial inequality is reproduced in the post-civil rights period in the U.S. I provide evidence for my argument with data at the individual, organizational, and societal levels. I also discuss how my argument accords with management theory about diversity and inequality, considering the literature on anti-racism, implicit or unconscious bias, micro-inequities (or micro-aggressions), the need for mentors, and white privilege. I end with a discussion of objections that might be raised with regard to my framing of racial inequality as the result of whites providing advantages to other whites, including concerns about egregious negative acts toward nonwhites. Overall, I argue that my argument that favoritism takes precedence over racism and discrimination is consistent with the research evidence in the field.
Fiber Bragg-Grating Sensor Array for Health Monitoring of Bonded Composite Lap-Joints

The detection and characterization of defects in adhesively bonded composite joints is of special interest for determining the load carrying capacity and structural integrity of resulting components for automobile, marine and aerospace applications. Embedded fiber Bragg-grating (FBG) sensors are being increasingly used to monitor the bonded region in adhesive joints as they do not affect the intrinsic bonding properties. This paper presents a highly reliable system that uses embedded FBG sensors for health monitoring in glass-fiber composite joints. Particularly, an array of strategically placed FBG sensors characterizes the extent and location of defects in the joints studied. Experimental data from the embedded FBGs can be further used to develop experimentally validated simulations (EVS) which can be used as a design tool and also to evaluate residual capacity of damaged joints. Preliminary results demonstrate potential of the developed technique for a wide variety of bonded joints with similar and dissimilar adherends.
Improving the Effectiveness of Medication Review: Guidance from the Health Literacy Universal Precautions Toolkit

Background: Although routine medication reviews in primary care practice are recommended to identify drug therapy problems, it is often difficult to get patients to bring all their medications to office visits. The objective of this study was to determine whether the medication review tool in the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Health Literacy Universal Precautions Toolkit can help to improve medication reviews in primary care practices. Methods: The toolkit9s “Brown Bag Medication Review” was implemented in a rural private practice in Missouri and an urban teaching practice in California. Practices recorded outcomes of medication reviews with 45 patients before toolkit implementation and then changed their medication review processes based on guidance in the toolkit. Six months later we conducted interviews with practice staff to identify changes made as a result of implementing the tool, and practices recorded outcomes of medication reviews with 41 additional patients. Data analyses compared differences in whether all medications were brought to visits, the number of medications reviewed, drug therapy problems identified, and changes in medication regimens before and after implementation. Results: Interviews revealed that practices made the changes recommended in the toolkit to encourage patients to bring medications to office visits. Evaluation before and after implementation revealed a 3-fold increase in the percentage of patients who brought all their prescription medications and a 6-fold increase in the number of prescription medications brought to office visits. The percentage of reviews in which drug therapy problems were identified doubled, as did the percentage of medication regimens revised. Conclusions: Use of the Health Literacy Universal Precautions Toolkit can help to identify drug therapy problems.
A Maya Dam in the Copan Valley, Honduras

Barrage situe dans les vallonnements dominant le lit de la riviere, sur le cours superieur d'un petit affluent, le Quebrada Petapilla. Pierres taillees et mortier. Creation d'une petite surface de retenue. Fonction incertaine. Periode classique finale (650-800 apr.J.-C.).
Sudden Cardiac Death Triggered by an Earthquake

Background The earthquake that struck the Los Angeles area at 4:31 a.m. on January 17, 1994, was one of the strongest earthquakes ever recorded in a major city in North America. Once the life-threatening situation was over, the Northridge earthquake, so called because its epicenter was near Northridge, California, just north of Los Angeles, provided investigators an unusual opportunity to examine the relation between emotional stress and sudden cardiac death. Methods We reviewed the records of the Department of Coroner of Los Angeles County for the week before the earthquake, the day of the earthquake, the six days after the earthquake, and corresponding control periods in 1991, 1992, and 1993. Results On the day of the earthquake, there was a sharp increase in the number of sudden deaths from cardiac causes that were related to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, from a daily average (±SD) of 4.6±2.1 in the preceding week to 24 on the day of the earthquake (z = 4.41, P<0.001). Sixteen victims of sudd...
A frequency domain approach for designing filters for Norm-Optimal Iterative Learning Control and its fundamental tradeoff between robustness, convergence speed and steady state error

This paper focuses on Norm-Optimal Iterative Learning Control (NO-ILC) framework for Single-Input-Single-Output (SISO) Linear Time Invariant (LTI) systems and considers the filter design problem in frequency domain. Modeling uncertainty, in general, degrades the performance of NO-ILC. Hence, ensuring Robust Monotonic Convergence (RMC) against modeling uncertainty is important, but the state-of-art filter design techniques lead to a conservative performance. To ensure a more aggressive performance, a new modeling uncertainty formulation is proposed in this paper and a frequency dependent filter design is proposed. Through a frequency domain analysis, an equation characterizing the fundamental trade-off of NO-ILC with respect to robustness, convergence speed and steady state error at each frequency is presented, which allows the design of NO-ILC to achieve different performance requirements at different frequencies. Simulation examples are given to confirm the analysis and demonstrate the utility of the developed filter design technique.
When homelessness becomes a “luxury”: Neutrality as an obstacle to counterpublic rights claims

ABSTRACTRhetorical scholars have consistently demonstrated the value of engaging with difference in processes of public deliberation, yet publics still regularly make arguments on the basis of neutrality. Using a case study of advocacy for homeless bills of rights, I employ rhetorical field methods to assess vernacular responses to counterpublic rights claims. By attending to neutrality’s rhetorical force in practice, I examine how it enables publics to deny counterpublic assertions of inequality and obstruct counterpublic rights claims. I argue that neutrality allows publics to deny counterpublics’ needs, define counterpublics’ identities, and disguise their own self-interest. The theory of neutrality I offer here pushes rhetoricians beyond questions of its (un)desirability and (im)possibility to an understanding of how it operates.
Ixazomib, Dexamethasone and Rituximab in Previously Untreated Patients with Waldenström Macroglobulinemia

Abstract Introduction: Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia (WM) is an incurable B-cell lymphoma characterized by the accumulation of IgM-secreting lymphoplasmacytic cells in the bone marrow and other organs. Bortezomib in combination with rituximab and dexamethasone (BDR) is highly active as primary therapy in WM, though treatment-related neuropathy is common with BDR in WM, and often leads to premature treatment discontinuation. Ixazomib is an orally administered proteasome inhibitor with limited neuropathy that is active in myeloma, but has not been previously evaluated in WM Methods: Symptomatic, previously untreated patients with a clinicopathological diagnosis of WM were included in this prospective, single-arm phase II study evaluating ixazomib 4 mg PO on days 1, 8 and 15 + dexamethasone 20 mg PO/IV on days 1, 8 and 15 + rituximab 375 mg/m2 IV on day 1 (IDR) were administered for six 4-week cycles (induction) followed by six 8-week cycles (maintenance). Rituximab was held for the first two cycles of therapy to minimize risk of IgM flare. Zoster prophylaxis and proton pump inhibitors were administered throughout IDR therapy. The study was approved by the institutional review board at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and registered under Clinicaltrials.gov ID NCT02400437. Results: Twenty-six WM patients were enrolled and were exposed to IDR therapy. The median age at WM diagnosis was 63 years (range 46-81 years) and the median age at initiation of therapy was 65 years (range 46-82 years). Baseline median hemoglobin was 10.2 g/dl (range 6.9-13.2 g/dL), median serum IgM level was 5,068 mg/dl (range 653-7,650 mg/dL), 46% of patients had lymphadenopathy and 12% had splenomegaly. The median bone marrow involvement was 55% (range 5-95%). The MYD88 L265P gene mutation was identified in all cases. CXCR4 gene mutations were identified in 15 patients (58%), of whom 10 (67%) had nonsense, and 5 (33%) frameshift mutations. Sixteen patients have completed the induction phase of therapy at this time. Following induction therapy, the median serum IgM level decreased to 2,316 mg/dl (range 287-5,820 mg/dL), median hemoglobin increased to 13.1 mg/dl (range 10.4-14.6 g/dL), and median bone marrow involvement decreased to 23% (range 0-76%). P-value Conclusion: These preliminary data suggest that the combination of IDR is an active and well-tolerated, neuropathy-sparing regimen in symptomatic untreated WM patients. Disclosures Castillo: Biogen: Consultancy; Otsuka: Consultancy; Abbvie: Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Honoraria; Millennium: Research Funding; Janssen: Honoraria.
Implications of Sperm Source on ICSI Outcome: Assessment of TESE and Other Surgical Sperm Retrieval Methods

This chapter addresses the options for sperm origin for couples requiring intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) for advanced fertility treatment. Sperm from various sources have been shown to have differing properties, which are thought to affect ICSI outcomes. One of these key differences is in the DNA fragmentation index (DFI). It has been postulated that sperm DFI increases during transit through the male genital tract and that this may impact fertilization and pregnancy rates. Sperm may be either ejaculated or surgically retrieved from the testicle, vas deferens, or epididymis. Various retrieval methods exist. In men with azoospermia, epididymal and testicular sperm have been utilized for ICSI with varied results; therefore, a conclusive superior source cannot be identified. In men with cryptozoospermia, ejaculated sperm or surgically retrieved sperm can be used. Comparing testicular and ejaculated sperm, combining all studies no statistically significant difference in pregnancy or fertilization rates have been seen.
Antioxidant Effect of Extracts from the Coffee Residue in Raw and Cooked Meat

This study evaluated the antioxidant activity of ethanol or hot water extracts from the residues of coffee after brewing. The extraction experiment was carried out using conventional solid–liquid methods, including ethanol and water as the extraction media at different temperatures and liquid/solid ratios. The antioxidant activity of extracts was tested for total phenolic compounds (TPC), 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and 2-thiobariburic acid reactive substances (TBARS) using oil emulsion and raw/cooked meat systems. The DPPH radical scavenging activity of the ethanol extracts with heating (HEE) and without heating (CEE) were higher than that of the hot water extracts (WE). The highest DPPH value of HEE and CEE at 1000 ppm was 91.22% and 90.21%, respectively. In oil emulsion and raw/cooked meat systems, both of water and ethanol extracts had similar antioxidant effects to the positive control (BHA), but HEE and CEE extracts showed stronger antioxidant activities than WE extract. The ethanol extracts of coffee residue had a strong antioxidant activity, and thus have potential to be used as a natural antioxidant in meat.
Activity Coefficients of Individual Ions from Titration Data

It is shown that the activity coefficients of the anions resulting from the dissociation of a weak polyprotic acid can be obtained from titration data. Activity coefficients are determined in terms of the activity coefficient of the undissociated acid. The extracted activity coefficients are also dependent on the pH scale adopted in the titration process and are considered as operational coefficients. The computational procedure uses an exact equation representing the titration curve and a nonlinear least-squares fitting procedure. As an illustration, the activity coefficients of the anions of succinic acid are determined. The method also allows study of the variation of the activity coefficients with the ionic strength in a straightforward manner.
Determination of 56 Trace Elements in Three Aquifer- Type Rocks by ICP-MS and Approximation of the Relative Solubilities for These Elements in a Carbonate System by Water-Rock Concentration Ratios

Rock digestion methods, including lithium metaborate fusion and three microwave digestion procedures, are evaluated for the analysis of the rare earth elements (REEs) and 42 other trace elements in samples of Paleozoic carbonate, Paleozoic quartzite and shale from southern Nevada, and the U.S. Geological Survey standard for diabase, W-2. The trace elements were determined in the dissolved rock samples by low resolution inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The lithium metaborate fusion method gave excellent recoveries of the REEs and most other trace elements for W-2. However, the method yielded relatively poor recoveries for some trace elements such as Cr, Zn, and Pb. Two of the three microwave digestion procedures performed better overall than the fusion method. Potential interference from the suspected major components (Si, Cl, Fe, Sr, and Ba) and interference of the light rare earth element oxides on the heavy REEs are discussed. Since the rock type may determine the chemical composition of the associated groundwater, the relative solubilities for the elements under study were approximated for a carbonate system by water-rock concentration ratios.
Robust adaptive control of robotic manipulators

Robustness issues arising in the adaptive control of robotic manipulators are analyzed. Modeling errors are specifically accounted for and addressed by the design and analysis of the robust adaptive manipulator system. First, instability examples for two typical adaptive manipulator controllers in the literature demonstrate how instability can occur. The detailed core stability analysis results of two robust adaptive controllers is then presented. In the most general case, local stability of the robust adaptive system is ensured in that all signals remain bounded and the tracking errors converge to a residual mean tracking error set whose size depends upon the strength/bound of the unmodeled dynamics/bounded disturbances. The size of the region for which the local stability holds is inversely proportional to the strength of the unmodeled dynamics and global stability without unmodeled dynamics is shown. A robustness analysis with respect to time-varying plant parameters consisting of both smooth but not necessarily slow variations and jump plant parameter changes is also given. The adaptive laws are then recapitulated by minimizing specific cost criterion. Next, a stability analysis is performed on a flexible link manipulator model. By treating the flexible link dynamics as unmodeled dynamics, local stability of the closed-loop adaptive system is shown where the inverse of the size of the residual mean tracking error set and the size of the local stability region is proportional to the flexural rigidity. Excitation conditions for parameter convergence with the adaptive laws are generated which specifically address and depend upon the severity of the modeling errors. Robust adaptive controller structures consisting of a discrete-time adaptive controller in hybrid with the continuous-time manipulator plant are presented and analyzed. The stability of the adaptive system with bounded disturbances/noise on the required measurements of the manipulator joint angle positions and rates is also obtained. Performance is demonstrated in simulation results of both a commercial PUMA manipulator and an experimental direct-drive manipulator. (Copies available exclusively from Micrographics Department, Doheny Library, USC, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0182.)
The Geographic Nature of Wikipedia Authorship

The efficacy and use of volunteered geographic information (VGI) is an active research area, but the geography of VGI authorship is largely unknown. Wikipedia is an online collaborative encyclopedia where anyone can edit articles, including those about place. Moreover, Wikipedia’s editorial transparency facilitates in situ observations of collective authorship. The empirical study described in this chapter collects 32 million contributions to Wikipedia’s geographic articles over 7 years. It finds exponential decay in the spatial patterns of Wikipedia’s authorship processes, which is consistent with other sociospatial phenomena, like innovation diffusion. As global information infrastructures continue to reduce communication and coordination costs, this study may provide insight into whether geographic distance ultimately matters in information peer production. This chapter begins by discussing core concepts behind collective authorship; then provides an overview of Wikipedia, its contributors, and their production processes; discusses the results and implications from spatial modeling of geotagged Wikipedia article contributions; and concludes with future research issues.
Reasonable adjustments for everyone: Exploring a paradigm change for nurse educators

The number of students with learning difficulties enrolled in nursing programs has increased. Under the current educational paradigm, nurse educators grant requests for reasonable adjustments from students with diverse learning needs in an attempt to promote equity and inclusivity in nursing programs. This system has fundamental flaws which reduce its effectiveness and perpetuates the differences between students with learning difficulties and their peers. A new educational paradigm based on Universal Design principles is proposed. Comparisons are made between Universal Design classroom teaching and management strategies and current evidence-based pedagogy. The first steps toward adopting a new paradigm are discussed and examples offered. Reasonable adjustments which support the diverse learning needs of all students are feasible and practical. This paradigm change can be implemented by individual nurse educators or as a campus-wide initiative.
Sample Entropy of Speed Power Spectrum as a Measure of Laparoscopic Surgical Instrument Trajectory Smoothness

In this study the complexity of the speed power spectrum is assessed as a metric for measuring trajectory smoothness. There are a variety of published methods for analyzing trajectory smoothness but many lack validity. This preliminary study took an information theoretic approach to assess trajectory smoothness by applying the sample entropy measure to the speed power spectrum of simulated and experimental trajectories. The complexity measurements of the speed power spectrum were compared to a traditional jerk-based measure of trajectory smoothness, namely $\log $-dimensionless jerk. The approach was first tested on basic simulated shape tracings with varying locations of sporadic movement, simulated as Gaussian noise. This method was duplicated in an experimental setting with the same shapes and locations of sporadic movement by capturing the trace trajectories using an electromagnetic motion tracking system. Finally, this approach was applied to kinematic data of laparoscopic surgical instrument tips, captured over 105 iterations of a basic surgical task. Analysis from all three testing scenarios showed that there is a statistically significant linear correlation between $\log $-dimensionless jerk and the sample entropy of speed power spectra.
A Test Case for Published Corrections: The Discipline of Philosophy

Individuals discovered to have engaged in wide-scale serial plagiarism in philosophy are relatively few, but the academic publishers falling victim to them are many. Some of the most respected publishing houses in philosophy have recently faced the issue of having published plagiarized material. The chapter uses a specific context of serial plagiarism involving 43 articles and book chapters by one author of record as a test case. The various responses by these publishers to this instance of serial plagiarism provide a real-time snapshot of the practices for correcting the scholarly record in the discipline of philosophy. I propose a new rubric for evaluating published corrections of the scholarly record for cases of demonstrated plagiarism. On this rubric, the highest-scoring corrections are those that: (1) unambiguously declare that a plagiarized work is plagiarized, (2) clearly credit the original source material misappropriated in the act of plagiarism, and (3) are easily accessible to the scholarly community without registration barriers or paywalls. This analysis yields a twofold conclusion: first, relatively little uniformity exists among publishers in philosophy for responding to plagiarism; and second, the discipline of philosophy often falls short of the accepted practices for correcting the scholarly record in contrast to the natural sciences. This chapter considers only public, documented cases of academic plagiarism in philosophy and makes no new allegations of plagiarism.
Bilinear Hörmander classes of critical order and Leibniz-type rules in Besov and local Hardy spaces

Abstract Boundedness properties for bilinear pseudodifferential operators that go beyond the Calderon–Zygmund theory and whose symbols belong to the bilinear Hormander classes of critical order are established. Such operators are shown to satisfy Leibniz-type rules in the setting of Besov and local Hardy spaces.
Metallothionein mRNA expression in spawning and non-spawning Fundulus heteroclitus following acute exposure to starvation and waterborne cadmium

Metallothionein (MT), a ubiquitously distributed cysteine-rich metal binding protein, is considered to play an essential role in the regulation of intracellular metals. MT is also induced in tissues following heavy metal exposure and may serve as a defense mechanism as well as a bioindicator of environmental exposure to toxic metals. MT mRNA expression was characterized in non-spawning and spawning killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus) following an eight day starvation, or waterborne Cd (CdCl2) and starvation exposure. Hepatic, gill, and intestinal MT mRNA, expressed as copy number per μg total RNA, was assessed by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and electrochemiluminescence. While no significant difference in liver, gill or intestine MT mRNA expression was observed in starved killifish compared to fed killifish during either reproductive season, a significant (p<0.05) increase in gill MT mRNA expression was observed in killifish exposed to starvation and waterborne Cd compared to killifish exposed to starvation alone during the non-spawning season.
Macro- and Micronutrient Dietary Quality in Patients with Advanced Systolic Heart Failure Receiving Left Ventricular Assist Devices

Introduction Macro- and micronutrient insufficiencies are common in patients with ambulatory systolic heart failure (HF) and are associated with adverse clinical outcomes. Less is known about dietary quality in advanced systolic HF, particularly the adequacy of protein intake. It is also unknown if dietary quality improves during mechanical support and so we sought to determine nutrient intake changes early after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. Methods We recruited adults with advanced systolic HF ±21 days from LVAD implantation. Weight and appendicular lean mass (ALM) were assessed by whole-body dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Food intake was assessed with 3-day facilitated food records and entered into the Food Processor Nutrition Analysis Software. Study procedures were repeated after 3 months ±14 days of LVAD support. The Institute of Medicine's Estimated Average Requirement values (EARs, age and sex-specific ranges) were tabulated beside the median (quartile 1-3) results from the baseline and 3-month food records.Comparisons were made between baseline and 3-month intakes using Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed rank tests. Results The cohort (n=18) was 78% male, with median age 60 years, weight 77.5 kg, BMI 25.2 kg/m2 and serum albumin 3.4 g/dL. Baseline dietary quality was poor as compared to general population EARs (Table 1), with a high prevalence of vitamin A, B1, B6, D, E, folate, calcium, magnesium, zinc and selenium insufficiencies. Protein supplementation products were used by 78% at baseline and 39% at 3 months. Despite no changes in average daily calorie or carbohydrate intake from baseline to 3 months, and only a non-significant upward trend in protein and fat intake, there was an increase in total body weight and appendicular lean mass (Table). Micronutrient intakes did not significantly improve at 3 months, and intake of calcium and vitamin D decreased. Conclusions Baseline micronutrient dietary quality was poor amongst patients with systolic HF undergoing LVAD implantation. Micronutrient changes at 3 months were variable, with some intakes including calcium and vitamin D decreasing, possibly secondary to reduced use of supplementation products after the LVAD implantation hospitalization. Protein intake was sufficient per estimated average requirements and non-significantly trended upwards during the first 3 months of LVAD support.
Potentiation of Kras peptide cancer vaccine by avasimibe, a cholesterol modulator.

Abstract Background No effective approaches to target mutant Kras have yet been developed. Immunoprevention using KRAS-specific antigenic peptides to trigger T cells capable of targeting tumor cells relies heavily on lipid metabolism. To facilitate better TCR/peptide/MHC interactions that result in better cancer preventive efficacy, we combined KVax with avasimibe, a specific ACAT1 inhibitor, tested their anti-cancer efficacy in mouse lung cancer models, where Kras mutation was induced before vaccination. Methods Control of tumor growth utilizing a multi-peptide Kras vaccine was tested in combination with avasimibe in a syngeneic lung cancer mouse model and a genetically engineered mouse model (GEMM). Activation of immune responses after administration of Kras vaccine and avasimibe was also assessed by flow cytometry, ELISpot and IHC. Findings We found that Kras vaccine combined with avasimibe significantly decreased the presence of regulatory T cells in the tumor microenvironment and facilitated CD8+ T cell infiltration in tumor sites. Avasimibe also enhanced the efficacy of Kras vaccines target mutant Kras. Whereas the Kras vaccine significantly increased antigen-specific intracellular IFN-γ and granzyme B levels in CD8+ T cells, avasimibe significantly increased the number of tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells. Additionally, modulation of cholesterol metabolism was found to specifically impact in T cells, and not in cancer cells. Interpretation Avasimibe complements the efficacy of a multi-peptide Kras vaccine in controlling lung cancer development and growth. This treatment regimen represents a novel immunoprevention approach to prevent lung cancer.
Emphasizing one leg facilitates single-leg training using standard cycling equipment

PURPOSE Single-leg cycling exercise is one of the most potent, but underutilized, stimuli for promoting peripheral muscle respiratory capacity. Special ergometers used to facilitate single-leg cycling, while maintaining biomechanics similar to double-leg cycling, are not widely available. This lack of availability of specialized ergometers may explain why single-leg cycling has not been widely implemented as standard clinical practice. Therefore, we explored the extent to which participants could emphasize one leg and de-emphasize the other to perform "single-leg emphasis cycling" using standard cycle ergometers. METHODS Sixteen athletic participants performed single-leg emphasis cycling, emphasizing each leg in separate trials, and double-leg cycling. Pedal forces and limb kinematics were collected and used to calculate joint-specific work and power at the ankle, knee, and hip. RESULTS Study participants were able to produce approximately three times as much power with their emphasized leg compared to the de-emphasized leg during single-leg emphasis cycling. Ankle plantar flexion, dorsiflexion, knee extension, and hip extension work produced during single-leg emphasis cycling did not differ from those during double-leg cycling (all P > .60). Hip and knee flexion work during single-leg emphasis cycling exhibited small but significant differences (both P < .05) from double-leg cycling. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate that single-leg emphasis cycling provides a convenient alternative to single-leg cycling requiring specialized ergometers, therefore, facilitating improved training in clinical and athletic populations using commonly available equipment. Further, biomechanics during single-leg emphasis cycling closely approximated double-leg cycling ensuring that training adaptations are highly applicable to double-leg cycling.
ABO phenotype and death in critically ill patients with COVID-19.

Blood groups are inherited traits that vary across populations, likely due to both founder effects and natural selection. A link between blood groups and susceptibility to infectious disease has been well‐described, with notable examples being H. Pylori and Plasmodium falciparum infection. Blood group antigens may influence disease susceptibility by several mechanisms, including serving as receptors or decoys for infectious organisms and modifying immune response in the form of anti‐ABO antibodies.
A Disintegrin and Metalloprotease with Thrombospondin Type I Motif 7: A New Protease for Connective Tissue Growth Factor in Hepatic Progenitor/Oval Cell Niche

Hepatic progenitor/oval cell (OC) activation occurs when hepatocyte proliferation is inhibited and is tightly associated with the fibrogenic response during severe liver damage. Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is important for OC activation and contributes to the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis. By using the Yeast Two-Hybrid approach, we identified a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin repeat 7 (ADAMTS7) as a CTGF binding protein. In vitro characterization demonstrated CTGF binding and processing by ADAMTS7. Moreover, Adamts7 mRNA was induced during OC activation, after the implantation of 2-acetylaminofluorene with partial hepatectomy in rats or on feeding a 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydrocollidine (DDC) diet in mice. X-Gal staining showed Adamts7 expression in hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α+ hepatocytes and desmin+ myofibroblasts surrounding reactive ducts in DDC-treated Adamts7−/− mice carrying a knocked-in LacZ gene. Adamts7 deficiency was associated with higher transcriptional levels of Ctgf and OC markers and enhanced OC proliferation compared to Adamts7+/+ controls during DDC-induced liver injury. We also observed increased α-smooth muscle actin and procollagen type I mRNAs, large fibrotic areas in α-smooth muscle actin and Sirius red staining, and increased production of hepatic collagen by hydroxyproline measurement. These results suggest that ADAMTS7 is a new protease for CTGF protein and a novel regulator in the OC compartment, where its absence causes CTGF accumulation, leading to increased OC activation and biliary fibrosis.
Social Learning Under Platform Influence: Extreme Consensus and Persistent Disagreement

Individuals increasingly rely on social networking platforms to find information and form opinions. However, there are concerns on whether or how these platforms lead to extremism and polarization, especially since they typically aim to maximize engagement which may not align with other social objectives. In this work, we introduce an opinion dynamics model where agents are connected in a social network, and repeatedly update their opinions based on the content shown to them by the platform's personalized recommendation and their neighbors' opinions. We prove that agents always converge to some limiting opinion, which can be categorized into two groups: extreme consensus where all agents agree on an extreme opinion, and persistent disagreement where agents disagree. Extreme consensus is more likely when the platform's influence is weak and connections between agents with differing opinions are strong. The platform increases the extremism of opinions when its influence is either weak or strong, but for different reasons: agents reach an extreme consensus in the former, while agents disagree with opposing extreme opinions in the latter. In contrast, an intermediate level of the platform's influence yields less extreme opinions relative to the other two cases. Lastly, more balanced and less polarized initial opinions are more likely to lead to persistent disagreement rather than extreme consensus.
Assessing oncology patient and provider telehealth experience.

284Background: Due to COVID-19, telehealth volume at our comprehensive cancer center rose from less than 5% of exam visits to over 25% in April 2020. We sought to understand the experience of teleh...