cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Assessing the predictive value of clinical complete response to neoadjuvant therapy for rectal cancer: an analysis of 488 patients.

Abstract BACKGROUND: Patients with transmural or node-positive rectal cancer benefit from the addition of chemoradiation to surgical resection. Administration of the chemoradiation (combined modality therapy) preoperatively has gained popularity in recent years. Some patients undergo apparent complete tumor regression after preoperative combined modality therapy, and controversy exists about the proper management of these patients. Some investigators have proposed that such patients should simply be observed and not undergo resection. STUDY DESIGN: The purpose of this study was to determine the significance of clinical complete response to preoperative combined modality therapy. Specifically, we have attempted to determine the frequency with which a clinical complete response (based on the absence of detectable tumor on preoperative digital rectal examination and proctoscopy) correlates with a pathologic complete response (based on the absence of cancer cells in the resected specimen). A retrospective review of the clinical and pathologic characteristics of 488 patients from the Memorial Sloan-Kettering prospective colorectal database who received preoperative chemoradiation followed by resection for primary rectal cancer was performed. The indications for preoperative therapy included clinical or ultrasound T3 or T4 tumors or node-positive disease. RESULTS: The clinical complete response rate to preoperative therapy was 19%. All patients underwent resection subsequent to preoperative therapy regardless of response. The pathologic complete response rate among all patients was 10%. The pathologic complete response rate among clinical complete responders was 25%. Clinical complete response was a significant predictive factor for pathologic complete response, but the majority (75%) of clinical complete responders had persistent foci of tumor that were not detectable on preoperative examination or proctoscopy. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical complete response to preoperative therapy as determined by preoperative digital rectal examination and proctoscopy or EUA is not an accurate predictor of pathologic complete response. A significant percentage of clinical complete responders have persistent deep tumors or nodal involvement. We do not recommend making treatment decisions based solely on the absence of clinically palpable or visible tumor after chemoradiation. Our data suggest that all acceptable-risk patients with a diagnosis of primary rectal cancer should undergo resection, regardless of their response to preoperative therapy.
Affirmative Action Support in an Organization: A Test of Three Demographic Models

Underpinned by the assumption that people would support affirmative action based on self-interests, and/or when they have high job security not to be threatened by the policy, this study investigat...
Identification and Estimation of Stochastic Bargaining Models

Stochastic sequential bargaining models (Merlo and Wilson (1995, 1998)) have found wide applications in different fields including political economy and macroeconomics due to their flexibility in explaining delays in reaching an agreement. This paper presents new results in nonparametric identification and estimation of such models under different data scenarios.
Innateness and the instinct to learn

Concepts of innateness were at the heart of Darwin's approach to behavior and central to the ethological theorizing of Lorenz and, at least to start with, of Tinbergen. Then Tinbergen did an about face, and for some twenty years the term 'innate' became highly suspect. He attributed the change to Lehrman's famous 1953 critique in which he asserted that classifying behaviors as innate tells us nothing about how they develop. Although Lehrman made many valid points, I will argue that this exchange also led to profound misunderstandings that were ultimately damaging to progress in research on the development of behavior. The concept of 'instincts to learn', receiving renewed support from current theorizing among geneticists about phenotypic plasticity, provides a potential resolution of some of the controversies that Lehrman created. Bioacoustical studies, particularly on song learning in birds, serve both to confirm some of Lehrman's anxieties about the term 'innate', but also to make a case that he threw out the genetic baby with the bathwater. The breathtaking progress in molecular and developmental genetics has prepared the way for a fuller understanding of the complexities underlying even the simplest notions of innate behavior, necessary before we can begin to comprehend the ontogeny of behavior.
Formation of L Amino Acids and D Sugars, and Amplification of their Enantioexcesses in Aqueous Solutions, Under Simulated Prebiotic Conditions

The Murchison meteorite delivered five a-methyl amino acids to Earth with small excesses of the L enantio- mer; later, additional examples were found and such com- pounds were also found in other meteorites. I describe our work using them under prebiotic conditions to form normal proteinogenic amino acids with an excess of the L enantio- mers, and to amplify such excesses to dominant concentra- tion in solution. I also extend this work to show how D sugars, such as d-ribose, can have been formed and ampli- fied in solution. I also show the high concentration amplifi- cations of d-nucleosides that can be obtained under credible prebiotic conditions. The simple theory of such amplifica- tions, and corrections resulting from solvation effects, are described along with modern ideas of the source of such a- methyl amino acids in meteorites.
Mutual information regularized Bayesian framework for multiple image restoration

Bayesian methods have been extensively used in various applications. However, there are two intrinsic issues rarely addressed, namely generalization and validity, in the context of multiple image restoration, we show that traditional Bayesian methods are sensitive to model errors and cannot guarantee valid results satisfying the underlying prior knowledge, e.g. independent noise property. To improve the Bayesian framework's generalization, we propose to explicitly enforce the validity of the result. Independent noise prior is very important but largely under-utilized in previous literature. In this paper, we use mutual information (MI) to explicitly enforce the independence. Efficient approximations based on Taylor expansion are proposed to adapt MI into standard energy forms to regularize the Bayesian methods. The new regularized Bayesian framework effectively utilizes the traditional generative signal/noise models but is much more robust to various model errors, as demonstrated in experiments on some demanding imaging applications.
VARIABLE-LIFT RE-ENTRY AT SUPERORBITAL AND ORBITAL SPEEDS

Analytical solutions have been obtained for a type of variable-lift modulation applicable to a lifting body entering the atmosphere from superorbital and orbital speeds. The variablelift modulation analyzed here results in nonoscillatory trajectories and achieves a smooth transition into a nominal glide phase such as constant flight path angle, constant altitude, constant dynamic pressure, or any other glide desired. Simple closed-form formulas were derived which permit quick estimation of 1) the peak deceleration and the altitude where it occurs, and 2) the required lift modulation necessary for any set of prescribed transition conditions. These approximate formulas show the explicit dependence of trajectory quantities in terms of re-entry conditions, vehicle aerodynamic characteristics, and parameters defining the lift modulation. It can be shown that the analytical solutions obtained in this report include the constant lift-drag solutions obtained by Lees, Hartwig, and Cohen in the orbital case and by Ting and Wang in the superorbital case. Furthermore, in the case of variable lift, this report deals with a continuous lift modulation program instead of a stepwise change of lift-drag considered by Lees, Hartwig, and Cohen.
Automated system design for availability

Large-scale systems experience frequent failures which can result in unacceptably high service downtime or application execution time. To meet performance and availability requirements, the user must perform a complex design task including the selection and configuration of hardware and software components and mechanisms for handling failures. We believe users should be relieved of this burden by automating the design process in order to generate cost-effective solutions from high-level application requirements. In this paper, we present Aved, a proof of concept design automation engine which is a first step toward this goal. We describe how infrastructure choices, application models, and user requirements are represented with Aved to automate design space search and reason about design alternatives. We additionally present examples to illustrate how Aved can generate a complete picture of the cost-availability and cost-performance tradeoffs for the infrastructure design.
Pattern and Kinetics of Mouse Donor Spermatogonial Stem Cell Colonization in Recipient Testes

Recently a system was developed in which transplanted donor spermatogonial stem cells establish complete spermatogenesis in the testes of an infertile recipient. To obtain insight into stem cell activity and the behavior of donor germ cells, the pattern and kinetics of mouse spermatogonial colonization in recipient seminiferous tubules were analyzed during the 4 mo following transplantation. The colonization process can be divided into three continuous phases. First, during the initial week, transplanted cells were randomly distributed throughout the tubules, and a small number reached the basement membrane. Second, from 1 wk to 1 mo, donor cells on the basement membrane divided and formed a monolayer network. Third, beginning at about 1 mo and continuing throughout the observation period, cells in the center of the network differentiated extensively and established a colony of spermatogenesis, which expanded laterally by repeating phase two and then three. An average of 19 donor cell-derived colonies developed from 10(6) cells transplanted to the seminiferous tubules of a recipient testis; the number of colonized sites did not change between 1 and 4 mo. However, the length of the colonies increased from 0.73 to 5.78 mm between 1 and 4 mo. These experiments establish the feasibility of studying in a systematic and quantitative manner the pattern and kinetics of the colonization process. Using spermatogonial transplantation as a functional assay, it should be possible to assess the effects of various treatments on stem cells and on recipient seminiferous tubules to provide unique insight into the process of spermatogenesis.
Integrating genetics and epigenetics in breast cancer: biological insights, experimental, computational methods and therapeutic potential

Development of human cancer can proceed through the accumulation of different genetic changes affecting the structure and function of the genome. Combined analyses of molecular data at multiple levels, such as DNA copy-number alteration, mRNA and miRNA expression, can clarify biological functions and pathways deregulated in cancer. The integrative methods that are used to investigate these data involve different fields, including biology, bioinformatics, and statistics. These methodologies are presented in this review, and their implementation in breast cancer is discussed with a focus on integration strategies. We report current applications, recent studies and interesting results leading to the identification of candidate biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy in breast cancer by using both individual and combined analyses. This review presents a state of art of the role of different technologies in breast cancer based on the integration of genetics and epigenetics, and shares some issues related to the new opportunities and challenges offered by the application of such integrative approaches.
Personality, temperament and ADHD : a review of the literature

Abstract Despite the wealth of research on the etiology, assessment and treatment of Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder, comparatively few studies have examined personality variables associated with the disorder. This review examines the evidence of a relationship between ADHD and extraversion, neuroticism, openness to experience, agreeableness and conscientiousness, as well as temperament factors, biological correlates, and situational/environmental factors related to the development of the disorder. Assessment and treatment planning of ADHD are discussed, with attention to the biopsychosocial nature of the disorder.
Revisiting Risk and Rationality: a reply to Pettigrew and Briggs

I have claimed that risk-weighted expected utility (REU) maximizers are rational, and that their preferences cannot be captured by expected utility (EU) theory. Richard Pettigrew and Rachael Briggs have recently challenged these claims. Both authors argue that only EU-maximizers are rational. In addition, Pettigrew argues that the preferences of REU-maximizers can indeed be captured by EU theory, and Briggs argues that REU-maximizers lose a valuable tool for simplifying their decision problems. I hold that their arguments do not succeed and that my original claims still stand. However, their arguments do highlight some costs of REU theory.
Fast simulated annealing and adaptive Monte Carlo sampling based parameter optimization for dense optical-flow deformable image registration of 4DCT lung anatomy

Deformable image registration (DIR) is an important step in radiotherapy treatment planning. An optimal input registration parameter set is critical to achieve the best registration performance with the specific algorithm. Methods In this paper, we investigated a parameter optimization strategy for Optical-flow based DIR of the 4DCT lung anatomy. A novel fast simulated annealing with adaptive Monte Carlo sampling algorithm (FSA-AMC) was investigated for solving the complex non-convex parameter optimization problem. The metric for registration error for a given parameter set was computed using landmark-based mean target registration error (mTRE) between a given volumetric image pair. To reduce the computational time in the parameter optimization process, a GPU based 3D dense optical-flow algorithm was employed for registering the lung volumes. Numerical analyses on the parameter optimization for the DIR were performed using 4DCT datasets generated with breathing motion models and open-source 4DCT datasets. Results showed that the proposed method efficiently estimated the optimum parameters for optical-flow and closely matched the best registration parameters obtained using an exhaustive parameter search method.
Some Predacious Mites of the Subfamilies Phytoseiinae and Aceosejinae (Acarina: Phytoseiidae, Aceosejidae) from Central California with Descriptions of New Species

A key is given to the species of these subfamilies found on strawberries in central California, the Phytoseiinae being represented by nine species in three genera, the Aceosejinae by two species in two genera. Two new species are described in Amblyseius, two in Typhlodromus, and one in Lasioseius, and Phytoseiulus speyeri Evans is placed in synonymy under P. macropilis (Banks). Some earlier specific misidentifications are corrected, and several erroneous interpretations of the chaetotaxy of Amblyseius are rectified.
Mixing and combustion of an underexpanded H2 jet in supersonic flow

Theoretical calculations are compared with experimental data in an investigation of the injection, mixing, and combustion of an underexpanded hydrogen jet in a supersonic test stream. The experimental tests in reacting and nonreacting flows were conducted by use of air and nitrogen as test media. Tests were conducted in a free jet and a ducted mode. Theoretical calculations were performed with a modified viscous characteristics analysis. The computer program employs finite rate chemistry and a turbulent viscosity model which varies radially and axially; it handles exit shock waves, expansion fans, and thermal compressions generated in the reacting flow fields. Comparison of the theory and experimental data indicates good agreement for the near flow field; this agreement is directly related to the explicit handling of the near-field shock and expansion waves. Less satisfactory agreement at downstream locations for both free jet and ducted flows is attributed to the lack of continued computation of the shocks and expansions in the far field.
The Analgesic Effect of Morphine Alone and in Combination with Dextro-Amphetamine.

SummaryExperiments have been made on mice which demonstrate that dextroamphetamine increases the analgesic effects of morphine while counteracting its narcotic action. Although a different method has been used in these studies the results agree with those obtained in dog experiments.
Is Popular More Likeable? Choice Status by Intrinsic Appeal in an Experimental Music Market:

There is widespread agreement from many areas of status research that evaluators’ judgments of performances can be distorted by the status of the performer. The question arises as to whether status...
Enteric neuropathology: Recent advances and implications for clinical practice

Because of their high prevalence in clinical practice, the field of gastrointestinal motility has tended to focus its clinical and research efforts on such functional disorders as nonulcer dyspepsia, the irritable bowel syndrome, and functional constipation. Because these disorders are difficult to define and their diagnosis remains exclusively symptomatic, progress has been difficult in these areas, and advances in clinical gastrointestinal motility generally have been hampered. This review attempts to emphasize the prevalence and importance of "organic" motility disorders, ie, those disorders of gastrointestinal motor dysfunction that are to a greater or lesser extent based on defined pathology and pathophysiology. Although some of these disorders are rare, recent dramatic progress has important lessons for motility in general and should point the way toward a greater understanding of the more common motor disorders.
Supersymmetric Sneutrino-Higgs Inflation

Abstract It is shown that in the phenomenologically realistic supersymmetric B − L MSSM theory, a linear combination of the neutral, up Higgs field with the third family left- and right-handed sneutrinos can play the role of the cosmological inflaton. Assuming that supersymmetry is softly broken at a mass scale of order 10 13 GeV , the potential energy associated with this field allows for 60 e-foldings of inflation with the cosmological parameters being consistent with all Planck2015 data. The theory does not require any non-standard coupling to gravity and the physical fields are all sub-Planckian during the inflationary epoch. It will be shown that there is a “robust” set of initial conditions which, in addition to satisfying the Planck data, simultaneously are consistent with all present LHC phenomenological requirements.
Feasibility of using haptic directions through maps with a tablet and smart watch for people who are blind and visually impaired

In order to navigate through the world, people who are blind and visually impaired typically use maps through either textual directions or tactile printouts. However, visual maps on a touchscreen are not accessible to this population. Two prototypes were designed to test users' ability to trace graphical lines and directions through maps on a touchscreen using haptic feedback from an Android smart watch and tablet. With the first prototype, we show that blind and visually impaired users had lower threshold than sighted users for determining the distance between two lines on a touchscreen, suggesting their enhanced ability to form representations of spatial distance from tactile vibrational cues. With the second prototype, we show that it is feasible for blind and visually impaired users to follow directions through graphical maps based on vibrational cues. We believe these results show that our prototypes have the potential to be effective in real-world applications.
Arbitrary Optical Waveform Generation in Temporal, Spectral, and Spatial Domains for Future Free-Space Optical Communications

We discuss dynamic optical waveform generation using line-by-line coherent modulation of optical frequency combs, and arbitrary spatial beam forming utilizing 2D/3D photonic integrated circuits. Free-space optical communications and electronic warfare applications will also be discussed.
Idiopathic Bilateral Profound Hypotony in an Unknown Progressive Neurodegenerative Disorder.

Purpose To present a unique case of idiopathic bilateral hypotony in a patient with progressive, undiagnosed neurological decline, possibly due to mitochondrial disease, and to explore mechanisms of disease and potential treatment options. Methods This is a case report. Patient A 17-year-old boy with a history of chronic progressive bilateral vision loss and hypotony in the setting of progressive gait abnormalities, lower extremity spasticity, nystagmus, and urinary retention starting around age 8. Despite extensive biochemical and genetic evaluation, no systemic etiology has been identified. He had no history of ocular trauma or surgery. Results Examination confirmed the above history as well as decreased vision, significant bilateral astigmatism (7 D), short axial-eye-lengths, and disc edema with chorioretinal folds in the left eye. There was no inflammation or ciliary body detachment. We propose the etiology is similar to hypotony in myotonic dystrophy, in which low intraocular pressure may result from aqueous egress across the ciliary body face. The best treatment remains unclear, but surgical closure of the iridocorneal angle is under careful consideration. This may halt nonconventional (suprachoroidal) outflow. Conclusions Management of ocular hypotony is typically directed at the underlying etiology. Idiopathic hypotony poses a unique treatment challenge. If excess aqueous flow across the ciliary body face is responsible, intentional closure of the iridocorneal angle may preserve vision.
Helical Nanoribbons for Ultra-Narrowband Photodetectors

This Communication describes a new molecular design that yields ultranarrowband organic photodetectors. The design is based on a series of helically twisted molecular ribbons as the optoelectronic material. We fabricate charge collection narrowing photodetectors based on four different helical ribbons that differ in the wavelength of their response. The photodetectors made from these materials have narrow spectral response with full-width at half maxima of <20 nm. The devices reported here are superior by approximately a factor of 5 to those from traditional organic materials due to the narrowness of their response. Moreover, the active layers for the helical ribbon-based photodetectors are solution-cast but have performance that is comparable to the state-of-the-art narrowband photodetectors made from methylammonium lead trihalide perovskite single crystals. The ultranarrow bandwidth for detection results from the helical ribbons’ high absorption coefficient, good electron mobility, and sharp absorption ...
Move to a different beat

The March for Science will be over in a flash, but its message is all about taking the long-term view, says Dave Levitan
CWB at the Unit Level: A Meta-Analytic Examination of Construct Validity and Impact on Effectiveness

Counterproductive work behaviors (CWB) have been demonstrated to exist at the unit-level, but little is known about the relationship between unit-level CWB and important unit-level outcomes or the ...
Fuzzy Control of Multi-Spectral Imaging Sensor for Detecting Crop Nitrogen Stress

Abstract A multi-spectral imaging sensor has been proposed for nitrogen assessment of a corn crop. In order for robust performance under changes in ambient illumination, the image pixel distribution is controlled to fall within the digital value by adjusting camera parameters to compensate varying ambient illumination. With no dynamic model available for camera performance, a fuzzy logic controller was applied to control exposure and gain to maintain the desired image quality. An experimental study showed that the fuzzy controller performed well in adapting the vision based spectral sensor to the changing environment for consistent performance. This will provide the framework for a robust image-based field-crop sensing system
Rethinking Traditional Methods of Survey Validation.

ABSTRACTIt is commonly believed that self-report, survey-based instruments can be used to measure a wide range of psychological attributes, such as self-control, growth mindsets, and grit. Increasingly, such instruments are being used not only for basic research but also for supporting decisions regarding educational policy and accountability. The validity of such instruments is typically investigated using a classic set of methods, including the examination of reliability coefficients, factor or principal components analyses, and correlations between scores on the instrument and other variables. However, these techniques may fall short of providing the kinds of rigorous, potentially falsifying tests of relevant hypotheses commonly expected in scientific research. This point is illustrated via a series of studies in which respondents were presented with survey items deliberately constructed to be uninterpretable, but the application of the aforementioned validation procedures nonetheless returned favorabl...
Large-eddy simulation of the impact of urban trees on momentum and heat fluxes

Abstract Trees in urban environment have a profound impact on the microclimate and environmental sustainability. Realistically representing them in urban models is an ongoing area of research in urban environmental study. In this paper, we develop a novel large-eddy simulation (LES) model (LES-UrbanTree) that resolves the buildings and parameterizes urban trees by accounting for their aerodynamic impact. The shading effect of trees is explicitly taken into account in LES-UrbanTree by a subsurface conduction model coupled to LES. Two-dimensional street canyons with trees in the middle of the street are used as a prototype for case studies. It is found that under moderate canyon aspect ratio (i.e. height/width being 0.5 and 1), trees taller than the mean building height leads to the strongest modification of the flow and temperature fields. Tall trees strongly impact the downward transport of high momentum (i.e. sweeping events) and therefore alter the momentum and heat fluxes most significantly through direct interaction with the strong shear layer near the roof top. Simulations of street canyons of different aspect ratios also produce physically consistent results, thus demonstrating the application potential of LES-UrbanTree. The study overall highlights the importance of representing both the aerodynamic and thermodynamic changes due to trees in urban models.
Specimen Handling: Cleaning and Processing

When surface-sensitive analytical techniques are used, proper handling of specimens will improve efficiency and interpretation of data. Whenever possible, minimize handling of a specimen, and especially do not touch the surface area that will be analyzed. In addition to general rules for specimen handling, many specialized procedures have been developed that allow analyses which would otherwise be difficult or impossible. The list of specialized procedures is constantly expanding. The methods of specimen handling are similar for all surface analysis techniques, but there are occasional differences, determined by either the analytical technique or the type of analytical system. When a method of handling is especially well suited, or ill suited, to a technique or system, this will be noted in the text. The analytical techniques to which this chapter is applicable are Auger electron spectroscopy (Auger), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS or ESCA), secondaryion mass spectrometry (SIMS), time-of-flight SIMS (TOF SIMS), ion scattering spectrometry (ISS), and other similar techniques.
Germline mutations as potential causes of childhood solid tumours: comments on the Norwegian childhood cancer cohort study

Some cancer predisposing germline mutations cause overt birth defects and congenital anomalies. Others are clinically silent and can only be suspected by the presence of increased cancer incidence in family members. A new study shows that long-term monitoring of families may be needed to discover previously unsuspected underlying cancer predisposing mutations.
Exploratory Cluster Analysis to Identify Patterns of Chronic Kidney Disease in the 500 Cities Project

Chronic kidney disease is a leading cause of death in the United States. We used cluster analysis to explore patterns of chronic kidney disease in 500 of the largest US cities. After adjusting for socio-demographic characteristics, we found that unhealthy behaviors, prevention measures, and health outcomes related to chronic kidney disease differ between cities in Utah and those in the rest of the United States. Cluster analysis can be useful for identifying geographic regions that may have important policy implications for preventing chronic kidney disease.
Design and Implementation of Systems for Monitoring Lifetime Data

We discuss the problem of monitoring data streams corresponding to a sequence of lifetime tests with censoring. The parameters of the lifetime distribution undergo abrupt changes of unknown magnitude at some unknown points in time. Situations of this type are common in the areas of ongoing reliability tests (ORT) and analysis of warranty data. The main technical difficulty of the detection problem is related to the dynamic nature of the data acquisition process, as the information collected at consecutive points in time generally affects data for a broad range of lifetime tests in progress. We discuss issues and approaches related to monitoring such types of data and give examples related to reliability monitoring of computer components. The emphasis is on a Cusum – based approach and issues related to its implementation in systems for warranty data monitoring deployed in the IBM Personal Systems Division.
Combining dynamical-decoupling pulses with optimal control theory for improved quantum gates

Department of Photonic Microsystem Technologies (01725),Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM 87185(Dated: May 13, 2011)Constructing high- delity control pulses that are robust to control and sys-tem/environment uctuations is a crucial objective for quantum information process-ing. Using the two-state Landau-Zener model for simulations of a double quantumdot qubit, we generate optimal controls for ˇ- and ˇ=2-pulses, and investigate theirinherent robustness. We nd enhanced robustness through a novel combination ofrecent results from dynamical-decoupling and optimal control of unitary operations.Previous work has shown that general errors up to (but not including) third ordercan be removed from ˇ- and ˇ=2-pulses without concatenation. By systematicallyintegrating methods from dynamical-decoupling and optimal control, and incorpo-rating system parameter estimates, we demonstrate, via a numerical example, thatgate delity may further be improved.
Transformations without finite invariant measure have finite strong generators

The following theorem is proved: If T is a nonsingular invertible transformation in a separable probability space (Ω, F, μ) and there exists no T-invariant probability measure μo << μ, then the system of sets A for which ζ ={A,AC} is a strong generator (i.e. for which A, TA, T2A, … generates F mod μ) is dense in every increasing exhaustive subalgebra S of F (i.e. in every S ⊑ F with TkS ↑ F). In particular for S=F it follows that nonsingular transformations without finite invariant measure have finite strong generators (of size 2).
Encounter Opportunity Browsing: A New Approach to Opportunistic Social Matching

Opportunistic social matching is the concept of introducing individuals for various social interests when user-contexts are conducive to impromptu face-to-face meetings. Early prototypes have received positive feedback, yet they are susceptible to inaccurately reported match preferences and false-negative match recognition. This paper presents an alternative design for opportunistic social matching called the encounter opportunity browsing interface. The interface lets users indiscriminately browse and react to opportunities for social encounters nearby, which enables the gradual learning of users' match preferences. A preliminary qualitative assessment of the interface indicates that users seek trusted signals regarding the enjoyability of social encounter opportunities displayed.
EXPERIMENTAL AND THEORETICAL INVESTIGATION OF VORTEX SHEDDING FROM SQUARE AND SHARP LEADING EDGE OF OSCILLATING FLAT PLATE.

ABSTRACTThis paper investigates experimentally and numerically : the vortex shedding and dynamic stall for an oscillating flat plate with sharp and square leading edge at different angles of attack. Experiments showed a drastic and different flow pattern even if the flow is laminar. Flow visualization using hydrogen bubble technique yieldes an insight into not only in the vortex generation but also it showed a reverse flow and a unique succession of vortical development over the sharp leading-edge of the oscillating plate at different frequencies and amplitudes , even at a constant Strouhal number. Pressure field has been determined experimently.A numerical solution for flow over a pitching flat plate on the basis of a finite difference analysis of the two-dimensional Navier-Stokes equations has been employed. Numerical computation confirms that vortex shedding from flat plate with square leading-edge is caused by the impinging shear layer instability, and provides some crucial information on the vortical flow occuring near the leading-edge in conjunction with the vortex shedding mechanism. Pressure field was determined too. Comparison between experimental and computational results has been considered.
Opioid use disorder is associated with increased mortality and morbidity in patients with gastroparesis.

Background Opioid use disorder (OUD) epidemic has been declared a nationwide public health emergency by the Department of Health and Human Services. There are limited data regarding OUD in patients with gastroparesis. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of OUD on the outcomes in patients hospitalized with gastroparesis and to delineate the trends associated with OUD and gastroparesis using a nationally representative sample. Methods We used the National (Nationwide) Inpatient Sample database from 2005-2014 to identify patients hospitalized with a primary diagnosis of gastroparesis (ICD 9 Code: 536.3) and a concurrent diagnosis of OUD. We used Pearson chi-square analysis to compare demographics, the independent samples t-test to assess differences in length of stay and cost of care, and multivariate regression analysis to adjust for confounders. Results Between 2005 and 2014, a total of 145,700 patients with a primary diagnosis of gastroparesis were hospitalized in the United States, of whom 4519 (3.1%) had a concurrent diagnosis of OUD. The prevalence of OUD in gastroparesis doubled from 2.1% in 2005 to 4.3% in 2014. After adjusting for confounders, patients with OUD had greater in-hospital mortality (adjusted odds ratio 2.7, 95% confidence interval: 2.1-3.5). Patients with OUD also had significantly longer hospital stays and higher costs. Independent predictors of OUD in patients with gastroparesis were younger age, female sex, alcohol use, depression, and Medicaid insurance. Conclusion OUD in patients with gastroparesis is associated with greater mortality and healthcare resource utilization.
Die Zitronen-Kette

Mit seiner beruhmten Arbeit “The Market for Lemons” hat Akerlof [1970] gezeigt, das die Existenz von „Zitronen” (Produkten minderer Qualitat) auf Markten mit qualitativer Unsicherheit zum volligen Marktzusammenbruch fuhren kann. Auf dieser Basis diskutiert er institutionelle Moglichkeiten, welche uber eine Verringerung der qualitativen Unsicherheiten wohlfahrt­steigernd Handel auf solchen Markten zulassen.
The potential for material circularity and independence in the U.S. steel sector

Achieving a U.S. circular economy would reduce environmental impacts and increase material independence. This article calculates maximum recycled contents (RCs) and recycling rates (RRs) in an independent U.S. steel sector, and estimates the potential to displace current imports with recycled scrap that is currently destined for landfill, hibernating stocks, or export (LHSE). A U.S. dynamic material flow analysis (1880–2100) is conducted to estimate annual steel consumption and scrap generation. The results are coupled with a linear optimization model that minimizes primary steel demand while satisfying the volumetric and compositional demands of new consumption. The compositional analysis examines only copper content because it is of greatest concern to recyclers. The best estimate is that the maximum independent RR is already constrained by copper contamination. Without interventions, this maximum RR will gradually decline throughout the century. The annual consumption to scrap availability ratio (C2SR) will decrease from around 1.4 today. Concurrently, the maximum RC rises but then plateaus below 75% as the RR falls. This highlights a conflict in the conditions for a circular economy: a C2SR approaching unity is a necessary condition for a high RC but leads to fewer opportunities for scrap contaminant dilution, which decreases the RR. Improved product design for recycling and deployment of scrap refining technologies will be needed to reach higher RCs. In 2017, the mass of U.S. scrap destined for LHSE exceeded direct steel imports. Domestic recycling of scrap exports alone could have displaced 36% of direct steel imports, reducing the U.S. deficit by $5.5 billion.
Validity of a nonspeech dynamic assessment of the alphabetic principle in preschool and school-aged children.

Learning to read and spell is an important but difficult achievement for children who have complex communication needs. Given that assessment is a vital part of any intervention program, one major ...
Visualizing Webpage Changes Over Time

We report on the development of TMVis, a web service to provide visualizations of how individual webpages have changed over time. We leverage past research on summarizing collections of webpages with thumbnail-sized screenshots and on choosing a small number of representative past archived webpages from a large collection. We offer four visualizations: image grid, image slider, timeline, and animated GIF. Embed codes for the image grid and image slider can be produced to include these on separate webpages. The animated GIF can be downloaded as an image file for the same purpose. This tool can be used to allow scholars from various disciplines, as well as the general public, to explore the temporal nature of web archives. We hope that these visualizations will just be the beginning and will provide a starting point for others to expand these types of offerings for users of web archives.
The Search for Principles of Physiological Organization in Vertebrate Circadian Systems

It is only within the last 15 years that a few favorable experimental situations have been identified that have made it possible to study the physiology of circadian systems in some vertebrates (Aschoff 1981). Given the complexity of the systems under study, the long time constants of experimentation, and the relatively small number of scientists engaged in the work, it is not surprising that I must address the search for principles rather than the principles themselves. Insofar as documented principles exist, they are disturbingly vague. However, in discussing them it becomes clear that at least we know where we should be looking further. A few principles, proto-principles and pseudoprinciples are discussed below.
Vénus Noire: Black Women and Colonial Fantasies in Nineteenth-century France: by Robin Mitchell, Athens, University of Georgia Press, 2020, 208 pp., $34.95 (paperback), ISBN 9780820354316, $99.95 (hardcover), ISBN 9780820354323

The cover of Robin Mitchell’s Venus Noire: Black Women and Colonial Fantasies in Nineteenth-Century France features a sculpture of a woman’s bust in sumptuous tones of copper, bronze, and cream. Ve...
Flight to Liquidity Due to Heterogeneity in Investment Horizon

This paper provides some rational perspective for the flight-to-liquidity event. My model highlights the inherent difference in investors' investment horizon, and thus their sensitivity to changes in transaction costs in the stock and bond markets. When stock market deterioration results in higher trading costs, the existing marginal investor shifts wealth to bonds instead of remaining indifferent between stocks and bonds. At the new equilibrium, there is a higher fraction of bond ownership and a longer average investment horizon among stock holders. I demonstrate empirical evidence in strong support of the theoretical predictions and make the case for the flight-to-liquidity event as a result of investor heterogeneity in investment horizon.
Update on Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Replacement Therapies

Severe tricuspid regurgitation is relatively common, especially in the elderly, and portends poor survival. Neither medical therapy nor conventional surgery is efficacious for most patients. In contrast, transcatheter tricuspid valve interventions are showing promise to improve quality of life and mortality. Although there is more clinical experience with transcatheter tricuspid valve repair, there are many patients for which repair is either not possible or cannot optimally reduce the severity of tricuspid regurgitation. Transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement is rapidly emerging and may ultimately become the preferred treatment option. In this review, we discuss transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement, analyze the devices in development and in clinical trials, and highlight the advantages and drawbacks of transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement vs. repair.
Assisted Reproductive Technologies and Their Association With Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes and Long-Term Cardiovascular Disease: Implications for Counseling Patients

Assisted reproductive technology (ART) has continued to emerge as a treatment option for infertility, a condition that affects a significant proportion of couples of reproductive age. The goal of this review is to provide information on the link between adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs) and ART and long-term cardiovascular consequences associated with these therapies. Increasing use and advancing maternal age have raised concerns regarding the short- and long-term use of such technologies. ART and associated hormonal therapies are known to cause potential vascular effects and have an association with APOs and cardiovascular disease. Our review highlights potential risks associated with ART and the need for pre-treatment awareness and counseling of short-term APO risk and long-term cardiovascular disease.
Impact of African ancestry on the relationship between BMI and survival in early stage breast cancer: Retrospective analysis from E5103.

1010Background: Both Black race and obesity are associated with worse survival in early stage breast cancer. Obesity disproportionately affects Black women; however, the degree this contributes to ...
Road to becoming Y-90 authorized user as an integrated vascular and interventional radiology resident (NRC alternate pathway)

Yttrium-90 (Y-90) radioembolization, also called transarterial radioembolization (TARE), is a catheter-directed therapy for direct delivery of internal radiation to tumors in the form of microspheres. It is currently available in two forms, either as a constituent of glass microspheres called TheraSphere® (BTG Ltd., London, UK [now Boston Scientific, Marlborough, MA, USA]) or as a biocompatible resin-based microsphere called SIR-Spheres® (Sirtex Medical Ltd., Woburn, MA, USA). Once these microspheres are delivered to the tumor through an arterial pathway, they are embedded within the tumor microcirculation and emit β-radiation at therapeutic levels. TARE is a commonly used treatment for unresectable primary or secondary hepatic malignancies and has led to improved survival rates and increased success rates in downstaging patients before liver resection or transplantation. Immediately following the pre-treatment angiogram, each patient undergoes a nuclear medicine study, otherwise known as technetium (99mTc) macroaggregated albumin scan, to determine the amount of radiotracer that has accumulated in the lungs (lung shunt fraction). Finally, after several calculations, the appropriate radiation dose to be delivered to the tumor is determined. While the technical aspects of radioembolization are quite complex, the collective clinical experience presented in the literature supports the use of Y-90 radioembolization for unresectable hepatic malignancies. Those ordering and administering radioembolization particles must be deemed an authorized user (AU) by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). The NRC defines an AU as the individual responsible for ensuring that radioactive materials are handled and used safely and following NRC regulations and the terms and conditions of the NRC license. The NRC has published licensing guidance on Y-90 brachytherapy with the 10th revision released on November 8, 2019. This guidance has outlined specific requirements for obtaining a license for the use of TheraSphere and SIR-Spheres. Following the revised licensure guidelines from the NRC on Y-90 usage, a conditional authorization has been obtained at our institution by the PGY-6 interventional radiology/diagnostic radiology (IR/DR) resident. While the full guidelines and extensive alternative requirements can be found online, we will highlight the specific guidelines applicable to and fulfilled by IR/DR residents. The traditional ABR pathway takes approximately 18 months after graduation, including passing the ABR certification examination to become an AU. With the proposed alternate pathway, trainees will potentially become AU immediately after graduation. The primary aim of this submission is to describe the process for obtaining conditional authorization for Y-90 microspheres for PGY-6 IR/DR residents.
Natural Killer cell division regulates FcεRIγ expression downstream of mTOR activity

The expansion of human FceRIγ-/low (FcRγ-/low) natural killer (NK) cells accrues during viral infections; however, the molecular mechanisms regulating FcRγ expression is not well defined and can have implications for host protection and NK cell immunotherapy. Our analysis of NK cell subsets in lung transplant patients during rapamycin treatment revealed significantly lower FcRγ levels in the NK cell population. Moreover, lower FcRγ levels in healthy donors were associated with low mTORC1/C2 activity and low T-bet expression. Cell division suppression by rapamycin or TGFβ suppressed FcRγ upregulation during IL-2 receptor stimulation, whereas promoting NK cell division by co-inhibiting FOXO1 activity restored FcRγ upregulation. These results suggest that the human FcRγ-/low NK cell phenotype is associated with cell division suppression and reduced mTOR activity.