cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Emergency Surgery After Previous Radiation Therapy

In the treatment of cancer, radiation therapy continues to be a valuable and widely used tool. Although radiation therapy can be a very effective component in both curative and palliative treatments, radiation therapy does have potential downsides, including the possibility of increased risk of surgical complications. For surgeons evaluating previously irradiated patients, particularly in the case of emergency surgery, it is both important and prudent to understand the issues surrounding radiation therapy, especially considering the increasing complexity of radiation therapy treatments.
Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3: Abnormalities and Therapeutic Potential in Fragile X Syndrome

Abstract Recent advances in understanding the pathophysiological mechanisms contributing to fragile X syndrome (FXS) have increased optimism that drug interventions can provide significant therapeutic benefits. Based on evidence that glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3) is abnormally active in brain regions in the Fmr1 knockout mouse, there is substantial evidence that inhibitors of GSK3 reverse many abnormalities in Fmr1 knockout mice. GSK3 inhibitors that have been tested include lithium, a drug approved for use in human patients, as well as several more selective inhibitors of GSK3. Lithium was first found to improve behaviors in the Drosophila model of FXS. In Fmr1 knockout mice, administration of lithium or other GSK3 inhibitors significantly improved heightened audiogenic seizure susceptibility, hyperactive locomotor behavior, passive avoidance learning, sociability behaviors, macroorchidism, neuronal spine morphology, protein synthesis, astrogliosis, neural plasticity measured electrophysiologically as long-term depression or long-term potentiation, adult hippocampal neurogenesis, novel object recognition, temporal ordering cognition, and spatial processing. A pilot clinical trial of lithium in patients with FXS also found improvements in several behaviors. Taken together, these findings indicate that lithium and other inhibitors of GSK3 are promising candidate therapeutic agents for treating FXS.
Awake Craniotomy vs Craniotomy Under General Anesthesia for Perirolandic Gliomas: Evaluating Perioperative Complications and Extent of Resection.

Background A craniotomy with direct cortical/subcortical stimulation either awake or under general anesthesia (GA) present 2 approaches for removing eloquent region tumors. With a reported higher prevalence of intraoperative seizures occurring during awake resections of perirolandic lesions, oftentimes, surgery under GA is chosen for these lesions. Objective To evaluate a single-surgeon's experience with awake craniotomies (AC) vs surgery under GA for resecting perirolandic, eloquent, motor-region gliomas. Methods Between 2005 and 2015, a retrospective analysis of 27 patients with perirolandic, eloquent, motor-area gliomas that underwent an AC were case-control matched with 31 patients who underwent surgery under GA for gliomas in the same location. All patients underwent direct brain stimulation with neuromonitoring and perioperative risk factors, extent of resection, complications, and discharge status were assessed. Results The postoperative Karnofsky Performance Score (KPS) was significantly lower for the GA patients at 81.1 compared to the AC patients at 93.3 ( P = .040). The extent of resection for GA patients was 79.6% while the AC patients had an 86.3% resection ( P = .136). There were significantly more 100% total resections in the AC patients 25.9% compared to the GA group (6.5%; P = .041). Patients in the GA group had a longer mean length of hospitalization of 7.9 days compared to the AC group at 4.2 days ( P = .049). Conclusion We show that AC can be performed with more frequent total resections, better postoperative KPS, shorter hospitalizations, as well as similar perioperative complication rates compared to surgery under GA for perirolandic, eloquent motor-region glioma.
Data-driven reachability analysis for human-in-the-loop systems

In order to design safe and effective human-in-the-loop systems, developing robust and useful models of human behavior is absolutely vital. However, this problem is highly difficult to address, given that humans often act unpredictably. We investigate the problem of determining prediction sets for human-driven vehicles using Hamilton-Jacobi reachability analysis and empirical observations from driving datasets. Given evaluation metrics of accuracy, precision, and risk, we optimize disturbance bounds to construct forward reachable sets with high precision that satisfy accuracy and risk constraints. To demonstrate the approach, we apply our framework to a lane changing scenario to provide set predictions that provide safety guarantees without being over-conservative. We show an example of this method that allows us to construct a reachable set with over 85% accuracy and under 25% risk.
Deep Feature Alignment Neural Networks for Domain Adaptation of Hyperspectral Data

Deep neural networks have been shown to be useful for the classification of hyperspectral images, particularly when a large amount of labeled data is available. However, we may not have enough reference data to train a deep neural network for many practical geospatial image analysis applications. To address this issue, in this paper, we propose to use a deep feature alignment neural network to carry out the domain adaptation, where the labeled data from a supplementary data source can be utilized to improve the classification performance in a domain where otherwise limited labeled data are available. In the proposed model, discriminative features for the source and target domains are first extracted using deep convolutional recurrent neural networks and then aligned with each other layer-by-layer by mapping features from each layer to transformed common subspaces at each layer. Experimental results are presented with two data sets. One of these data sets represents domain adaptation between images acquired at different times, while the other data set represents a very unique and challenging domain adaptation problem, representing source and target images that are acquired using different hyperspectral imagers that collect data from different viewpoints and platforms (a ground-based forward-looking street view of objects acquired at the close range and an aerial hyperspectral image). We demonstrate that the proposed deep learning framework enables the robust classification of the target domain data by leveraging information from the source domain.
The world looks at the Baltic: South Indian perspectives, spring 1991

(1991). The world looks at the Baltic: South Indian perspectives, spring 1991. Journal of Baltic Studies: Vol. 22, No. 2, pp. 183-186.
Assignment of Labor Arbitration

An individual employee is not a party to the collective bargaining agreement between a union and an employer. Additionally, under the terms of most collective bargaining agreements, the union owns the arbitration procedure, and therefore, it is entirely up to the union whether it will proceed with the arbitration. As a party to the arbitration, it is also the union's decision whether to appeal any adverse arbitration award. Stated another way, the grievant simply does not have standing to proceed without the support of his or her union. Under existing law, if the union does not agree that an arbitration case has merit, there is very little an individual employee can do other than to sue the union for breach of the duty of fair representation. This Article argues, however, that there is a way to avoid hostility and unnecessary litigation in a way which will satisfy the grievant, his or her union, and perhaps even the employer. It is submitted that in certain cases the union could assign its right to proceed with the arbitration to the grievant. The grievant would have his day in court, and the union would not have to bear the time and considerable expense of arbitration with respect to a claim it believed either lacked merit or which should be presented by the individual grievant. To this commentator's astonishment, there is no academic commentary addressing the important issue of whether or not unions can assign their right to arbitrate or their right to appeal to an individual grievant. Additionally, there are only three judicial decisions on this issue, and all three opinions arose in the public sector. In all three of these decisions, the courts held that the union could not make the assignment. As explained in this Article, a close examination of these decisions demonstrates that all three of these decisions were wrongly decided.
Transfer Factor Therapy in a Patient with an Isolated T-cell Deficiency

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses a case study undertaken to study effect of transfer factor (TF) therapy in patient with an isolated T-cell deficiency. The chapter states that treatment of patients with immunodeficiencies with TF is not only important therapeutically but may also be useful in the classification of T-cell diseases which overlap in the spectrum of immunodeficiency disorders. In the case study, a lung biopsy showed mild interstitial fibrosis and a moderate mononuclear cell infiltrate into the alveolar septa which was interpreted as bronchiolitis obliterans. It was observed that the humoral immune or B-cell system appeared to be completely normal. The tests revealedthat the success of TF therapy in immunodeficiency diseases seems to correlate with a certain critical level of T-cell differentiation. The results showed that in the case study patient, the response to TF therapy favors a defect in T-cell maturation beyond that of the defect in Nezelof's syndrome.
Pathogenesis of aneurysms on major vessels in moyamoya disease and management outcome.

Abstract Patients with moyamoya disease develop intracranial aneurysms at a higher rate than the general population. The authors aimed to test the hypothesis for development of aneurysms on large arteries in such patients using quantitative vessel imaging. Twenty-six patients representing 3.7% of moyamoya disease patients in our database were retrospectively analyzed with respect to aneurysm characteristics, management modalities, and outcome. Quantitative arterial flow data in patients with and without aneurysms were obtained using noninvasive quantitative vessel imaging technology and microflow-probe in moyamoya. Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis of variance was used for case-control comparison. Twelve aneurysms were managed surgically, seven using the endovascular route, and eight were observed on follow-up to the primary revascularization procedure. The mean modified Rankin score after aneurysm and disease management was 1.29 at follow-up. The mean quantitative blood flow (ml/min) in the posterior cerebral artery was 98.4 and 133.5 (p = 0.04) in moyamoya disease patients with and without aneurysms. In moyamoya disease, aneurysm development can potentially occur in the anterior circulation due to robust blood flow across communicating arteries from the posterior circulation.
Consideration of scales in offshore wind environmental impact assessments

Abstract Quality of environmental impact assessments (EIAs) has been criticized, in part due to a lack of accounting in these tools for differing spatial and temporal scales inherent in ecological data. In the United States, leases of outer continental shelf blocks for offshore wind projects and their construction and operation plans require EIAs in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and the 1978 Council on Environmental Quality Regulations for Implementing the Procedural Provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act. This study evaluated consideration of spatiotemporal scales of stressors, receptors (specifically cetaceans), and effects in eight federal offshore wind energy EIAs against 26 criteria extracted from federal regulations. The criteria analysis determined that EIAs do not consistently or comprehensively address spatiotemporal scales with respect to federal requirements. Deficiencies in addressing spatiotemporal scales may result from imprecise regulations, intent to simplify encyclopedic documents, or lack of data resulting in incomplete assessments, inappropriate mitigation actions, and projects delays. Recommendations to improve compliance with federal regulations include making federal guidance binding, focusing on non-trivial impacts of species, tiering information, and incorporating outcomes of marine spatial planning.
Status of the $${\mathbf {\Lambda (1405)}}$$ Λ ( 1405 )

I give an overview of the current status of the lowest s-wave baryon resonance in the strangeness ( $$S=-1$$ ) channel, the $$\varLambda (1405)$$ . Recent results from Lattice QCD calculations and new high-precision data from photoproduction experiments are highlighted in this talk. On the theoretical side various directions have been explored over the last two decades on the basis of coupled-channel chiral unitary models. New photoproduction data can be used to reduce statistical uncertainty of the predictions of such models. As for the systematic uncertainties, a recent comparative analysis of modern approaches exhibits many similarities but also large ambiguities in some of the predicted properties of the antikaon-nucleon scattering amplitudes. Some possible ways to reduce such a model dependence are discussed at the end of this manuscript.
Reverse Geolocation of Images Taken from the International Space Station Utilizing Various Lightning Datasets

The crew aboard the International Space Station capture many images of the Earth's surface and atmosphere with handheld digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) cameras. These images can contain interesting lightning and meteorological phenomena, however contain little metadata past basic parameters; camera angles are generally unknown and timing is not known to high precision. As a result, the scientific potential of many of these images goes unrealized. Current lightning sensing technologies used to produce the datasets referenced for geolocation have high sample rates – in the millisecond range; but comparatively poor spatial resolution to standard high-resolution imagery attained by DSLR cameras. Cross-referencing Lightning Locating Systems (LLSs) sensor data and high-resolution imagery the orientation of the image can be determined, allowing for the calculation of latitude and longitude at each pixel. The process for stand-alone images was then extended to video of severe storms. Observations of the Chiba University Meteor Camera (METEOR) project containing high frame-rate video severe storms were segmented following standard image processing methods. Lightning flashes were identified with high accuracy. The video was orientated using ground control points; allowing for computationally inexpensive approximations. Accurate timing allowed for the matching of geometries between datasets and the subsequent conversion of individual frames to highly accurate latitude/longitude-coordinate-space. Lightning flashes were measured up to the pixel, or ∼30-meter accuracy level. This geolocation effort now provides Marshall Space Flight Center's Earth Science Branch and Johnson Space Center's Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit with tools for analysis of images and video from the International Space Station for scientific analysis of severe thunderstorms and fundamental processes associated with lightning propagation.
Unidirectional lasing emerging from frozen light in nonreciprocal cavities

We introduce a class of unidirectional lasing modes associated with the frozen mode regime of non-reciprocal slow-wave structures. 1 Such asymmetric modes can only exist in cavities with broken time-reversal and space inversion symmetries. The lasing frequency coincides with a spectral stationary inflection point of the underlying passive structure and it is virtually independent of the size of the cavity. These unidirectional lasers can be indispensable components of photonic integrated circuitry.
The Psychologist's Companion for Undergraduates: A Guide to Success for College Students

Tailored specifically for undergraduate students, this Companion offers uniquely comprehensive coverage of the topics necessary for successful communication in psychology, making it a valuable resource for research methods and introductory psychology courses. Readers will learn how to effectively plan and write papers in accordance with the latest style guidelines from the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, Sixth Edition; present data in posters and talks; and evaluate their own and others' work. The clear writing style and reader-friendly format, meanwhile, allow students to absorb information easily, even when reading chapters selectively or out of order. The book includes numerous up-to-date examples drawn from career experiences to engage students and help them apply what they've learned to forward their own careers, while questions encourage them to think more deeply about larger issues in the field, preparing them for future research.
Age differences in cancer-related stress, spontaneous emotion regulation, and emotional distress

AbstractObjectives: Cancer risk increases with age, cancer-related stress is common and devastating to mental health of patients, yet little work has explored age differences in cancer-related stre...
ELECTROCONVULSIVE THERAPY INDUCED TAKOTSUBO CARDIOMYOPATHY DESPITE ANGIOTENSIN CONVERTING ENZYME INHIBITOR USE: AN INCREASING PHENOMENA

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM) occurs after an emotional or physical stressor. There have been case reports of patients undergoing electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) who have developed TCM. Prior reports were mainly female patients who developed TCM after their first treatment. This is a report of a
Predictors of inpatient admission in the setting of anterior lumbar interbody fusion: a Minimally Invasive Spine Study Group (MISSG) investigation

Objective While the anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) procedure may be amenable to ambulatory surgery, it has been hypothesized that limitations such as the risk of postoperative ileus and vascular complications have hindered transition of this procedure to the outpatient setting. Identification of independent risk factors predisposing patients to inpatient stays of ≥ 24 hours after ALIF may facilitate better postsurgical outcomes, target modifiable risk factors, and assist in the development of screening tools to transition appropriate patients to the ambulatory surgery center (ASC) setting for this procedure. The purpose of this study was to identify the most relevant risk factors that predispose patients to ≥ 24-hour admission following ALIF. Methods A prospectively maintained surgical registry was reviewed for patients undergoing single ALIF between May 2006 and December 2019. Demographics, preoperative diagnosis, perioperative variables, and postoperative complications were evaluated according to their relative risk (RR) elevation for an inpatient stay of ≥ 24 hours. A Poisson regression model was used to evaluate predictors of inpatient stays of ≥ 24 hours. Risk factors for inpatient admission of ≥ 24 hours were identified with a stepwise backward regression model. Results A total of 111 patients underwent single-level ALIF (50.9% female and 52.6% male, ≤ 50 years old). Eleven (9.5%) patients were discharged in 2 days (53.7 hours). The most common postoperative complications were fever (body temperature ≥ 100.4°F; n = 4, 3.5%) and blood transfusions (n = 4, 3.5%). Bivariate analysis revealed a preoperative diagnosis of retrolisthesis or lateral listhesis to elevate the RR for an inpatient stay of ≥ 24 hours (RR 1.11, p = 0.001, both diagnoses). Stepwise multivariate analysis demonstrated significant predictors for inpatient stays of ≥ 24 hours to be an operation on L4-5, coexisting degenerative disc disease (DDD) with foraminal stenosis, and herniated nucleus pulposus (RR 1.11, 95% CI 1.03-1.20, p = 0.009, all covariates). Conclusions This study provides data regarding the incidence of demographic and perioperative characteristics and postoperative complications as they pertain to patients undergoing single-level ALIF. This preliminary investigation identified the most relevant risk factors to be considered before appropriately transitioning ALIF procedures to the ASC. Further studies of preoperative characteristics are needed to elucidate ideal ASC ALIF patients.
Evidence-Based Endocrinology

Evidence-based medicine is the judicious, conscientious, and explicit use of the best available evidence from clinical research in making clinical decisions. This definition recognizes a hierarchy of evidence that arranges study designs by their susceptibility to bias. The top of the hierarchy includes n-of-1 trials, systematic reviews of randomized trials, and single randomized trials reporting patient-important outcomes. The bottom of the hierarchy includes physiologic studies and unsystematic clinical observations. The definition posits that evidence alone is never enough to guide clinical decisions. In addition to evidence from clinical research, decision making requires careful and expert assessment of the patient’s circumstances and elicitation of the patient’s values and preferences. The latter should drive decisions, particularly when the trade-offs (of benefit and risk) are close or unclear. The evidence-based medicine process involves: (i) asking an answerable question; (ii) acquiring the best available evidence; (iii) appraising the evidence to judge the strength of inference of its results; and (iv) applying the results to the individual patient. Evidence-based endocrinology is hindered by limited high-level evidence assessing patient-important outcomes, limited systematic summaries of this evidence, lack of time, and lack of systematic training of endocrinologists in evidence-based medicine. Current endocrine practice may require a redesign to enhance the role of endocrinologists as information brokers for colleagues and patients. In the last 10 years, evidence-based medicine has matured as a philosophy of clinical care and medical education. An appraisal of its role in endocrinology awaits the pervasion of its principles into all of endocrine practice.
Routine use of FLAIR-negative MRI in the treatment of unknown onset stroke.

Abstract Background Treatment of FLAIR-negative stroke in patients presenting in an unknown time window has been shown to be safe and effective. However, implementation can be challenging due to the need for hyper-acute MRI screening. The purpose of this study was to review the routine application of this practice outside of a clinical trial. Methods Patients presenting from 3/1/16 to 8/22/18 in a time window 4.5 h from last known normal were included if they had a hyper-acute MRI performed. Quantitative assessment based on the MR WITNESS trial and qualitative assessment based on the WAKE-UP trial were used to grade the FLAIR images. The MR WITNESS trial used a quantitative assessment of FLAIR change where the fractional increase in signal change had to be Results During the study period, 136 stroke patients presented and were imaged in the specified time window. Of these, 17 (12.5%) received IV tPA. Three patients had hemorrhage on 24-h MRI follow up; none had an increase in NIHSS ≥4. Of the 119 patients who were screened but not treated, 18 (15%) were eligible based on FLAIR quantitative assessment and 55 (46%) were eligible based on qualitative assessment. In all cases where patients were not treated, there was an identifiable exclusion based on trial criteria. During the study period, IV tPA utilization was increased by 5.6% due to screening and treating patients with unknown onset stroke. Conclusions Screening stroke patients in an unknown time window with MRI is practical in a real-world setting and increases IV tPA utilization.
A Comparison of Fixed-Time Food Schedules and Shaping Involving a Clicker for Halter Behavior in a Petting Zoo Goat

This study examined two procedures for establishing halter behavior (i.e., acceptance of wearing and being led via a halter) and decreasing undesired behavior in three petting zoo goats: a fixed-time 15-s (FT-15-s) schedule and shaping involving a clicker. The FT schedule was successful in training initial approximations, but over a longer period for the one goat presented in this article. The shaping procedure rapidly advanced the final approximations to the target behavior and resulted in a large reduction in undesired responses once the target response was reached. The procedures were also equally effective at reaching the target response and greatly reducing undesired responses for the other two goats not presented in this article. This study is one example of an effective way to experimentally examine shaping procedures, as well as promote the use of force-free halter training and behavior in goats.
Performance of fabrics for home-made masks against the spread of COVID-19 through droplets: A quantitative mechanistic study

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) may spread through respiratory droplets released by infected individuals during coughing, sneezing, or speaking. Given the limited supply of professional respirators and face masks, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended home-made cloth face coverings for use by the general public. While there have been several studies on aerosol filtration performance of household fabrics, their effectiveness at blocking larger droplets has not been investigated. Here, we ascertained the performance of 11 common household fabrics at blocking large, high-velocity droplets, using a commercial medical mask as a benchmark. We also assessed the breathability (air permeability), texture, fiber composition, and water absorption properties of the fabrics. We found that most fabrics have substantial blocking efficiency (median values >70%). In particular, two layers of highly permeable fabric, such as T-shirt cloth, blocks droplets with an efficiency (>94%) similar to that of medical masks, while being approximately twice as breathable. The first layer allows about 17% of the droplet volume to transmit, but it significantly reduces their velocity. This allows the second layer to trap the transmitted droplets resulting in high blocking efficacy. Overall, our study suggests that cloth face coverings, especially with multiple layers, may help reduce droplet transmission of respiratory infections. Furthermore, face coverings made from materials such as cotton fabrics allow washing and reusing, and can help reduce the adverse environmental effects of widespread use of commercial disposable and non-biodegradable facemasks.
Synthesis, structural variation, and magnetic properties of two polynuclear Mn-based complexes derived from 4,5-Bis(hydroxymethyl)-2-methylpyridin-3-ol

Abstract The syntheses, crystal structures and magnetochemical characterization are reported for two novel high-valent manganese complexes, (NMe4)2(Mn3O(PNH)3(PN)3) (1) and, (NH4)[Mn7(PN)6(PNH)2(MeO)2(O)2(CMe3CH2CO2)2] (2) incorporating the anion of 4,5-Bis(hydroxymethyl)-2-methylpyridin-3-ol. Complexes were characterized by elemental and thermogravimetric analyses, FT-IR spectroscopy, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. Variable temperature, solid-state direct current (dc) magnetization studies were carried out on both the complexes 1 and 2 in the 5.0–315 K range, and they established that both complexes to have ground state spin values of S = 5.
A national study of personal accomplishment, burnout, and satisfaction with work-life integration among advance practice nurses relative to other workers.

BACKGROUND There is a high prevalence of burnout among health care professionals, but little remains known about burnout and satisfaction with work-life integration (WLI) among advance practice nurses (APNs). PURPOSE To evaluate burnout and satisfaction with WLI among APNs compared with other US workers. METHODS A national sample of APNs and a probability-based sample of US workers completed a survey that measured burnout and satisfaction with WLI. RESULTS Of the 976 (47%) APNs who completed the survey 64% had high personal accomplishment, 36.6% had symptoms of overall burnout, and 60.6% were satisfied with their WLI. In multivariable analysis, work hours (for each additional hour odds ratio [OR] 1.03, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02-1.04, p < .001) and working in an outpatient setting (overall p = .03; referent hospital: outpatient, OR 1.80, 95% CI 1.17-2.18; other/unknown, OR 1.41, 95% CI 0.90-2.22, p = .13) were independently associated with having higher odds of burnout. Work hours were also independently associated with lower odds of satisfaction with WLI (for each additional hour OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.94-0.95, p < .001). Advance practice nurses were not more likely to have burnout or have greater struggles with WLI than other workers. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Findings from this study suggest APNs have high levels of personal accomplishment and a favorable occupational health profile. Advance practice nurses do not appear at higher risk of burnout or dissatisfaction with WLI than other US workers.
Gradable Zero Waste Skirt and Blouse

This outfit represents a unique way to achieve multiple sizes within zero waste garments without using traditional grading methods. Instead, the pattern shapes remain constant across the size range while different garment sizes are achieved by varying the width of narrow trims inserted at strategic points. This works builds on my previous research focusing on zero waste pattern cutting.
Modeling advective transport of radiation belt electrons

Abstract The relativistic electron dynamics in the radiation belts falls into two categories: diffusive processes, in which particles are scattered randomly, and advective processes, in which particles are collectively driven in one direction in energy or space. In this work, we focus on advection which can occur on a timescale faster than diffusion for CME shock compressions of the dayside magnetosphere. Test-particle simulations are done in the electric and magnetic fields generated by the LFM global MHD model, and the advection coefficient is calculated. Then, the advection coefficient is applied to the transport equation with advection term included and solved for phase space density time evolution. The calculation is done for 17 March 2015 and 6–7 September 2017 CME-shock events, using realistic initial conditions measured by Van Allen Probes, all showing inward motion of electrons on the time scale of minutes. The result is compared with the phase space density calculated based on full test-particle simulations in MHD fields. The inward shift in phase space density is found to be comparable for both methods, while solving the transport equation is much faster once advection coefficients are modeled.
Identifying systematic errors in a power spectral analysis of simulated lipid membranes.

The elastic properties of lipid membranes can be measured by monitoring their thermal fluctuations. For instance, comparing the power spectra of membrane shape or lipid director fluctuations with predictions based on suitable continuum theories gives access to bending-, tilt-, and twist-moduli. However, to do so in a computer simulation, we must first define a continuum surface shape and lipid director field from the discrete configurations of lipid molecules in a typically fairly small box. Here, we show that the required mapping choices, as well as the details of the subsequent data analysis, can shift the measured values of these moduli by far more than their statistical uncertainties. We investigate the resulting systematic errors on the basis of atomistic simulation trajectories for 13 different lipids, previously published by Venable et al. [Chem. Phys. Lipids 192, 60–74 (2015)]. Specifically, we examine mapping choices for surface- and tilt-field definitions, normalizing and averaging lipid directors, accounting for wave vector dependent time autocorrelations, error propagation, and finding the right fitting range. We propose a set of criteria that may help to decide upon a particular combination of choices underlying the fluctuation analysis, and we make several recommendations based on these. While systematic shifts in observables that are extracted from large-wavelength limits vanish, in principle, for sufficiently large system size, no such exact limit exists for intrinsically local parameters, such as the twist modulus or the splay-tilt coupling, and so not all potential choices can be trivially verified.
Pattern of disease and response to pembrolizumab in recurrent cervical cancer.

Abstract Objective Since the approval of pembrolizumab for advanced or recurrent PD-L1 positive (CPS > 1%) cervical cancer, the clinical characteristics associated with response have remained undefined. We sought to characterize the clinicopathologic features of patients with advanced cervical cancer at our institution who derived durable clinical benefit from treatment with pembrolizumab. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 14 patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer who received pembrolizumab monotherapy from August 2017 to November 2019 and were followed until November 1, 2020. Reviewed clinical data included age, histology, tumor molecular profiling results, stage at diagnosis, treatment history, baseline pattern of metastatic disease at initiation of anti-PD-1 therapy, and outcomes. Treatment response was evaluated by computed tomography using RECIST v1.1 criteria. Results The objective response rate was 21% (n = 3), including two partial responses and one complete response. Two patients (14%) had stable disease of six months or greater, for an observed durable clinical benefit rate of 36%. When stratified by those who derived clinical benefit, metastatic spread to lung and/or lymph node only at baseline was associated with improved response to pembrolizumab (n = 7, p = 0.02) and associated with significantly improved PFS and OS. Tumor mutational burden was higher in those with durable clinical benefit compared to non-responders (median 12.7 vs. 3.5 mutations/megabase, p = 0.03). Conclusions Our findings highlight clinical features that may select for a population most likely to benefit from pembrolizumab monotherapy and underscores the need for identification of additional biomarkers of response.
Noninvasive Ventilation and Outcomes in Bronchiolitis.

OBJECTIVES Evaluation of potential benefits of noninvasive ventilation for bronchiolitis has been precluded in part by the absence of large, adequately powered studies. The objectives of this study were to characterize temporal trends in and associations between the use of noninvasive ventilation in bronchiolitis and two clinical outcomes, invasive ventilation, and cardiac arrest. DESIGN Multicenter retrospective cross-sectional study. SETTING Forty-nine U.S. children's hospitals participating in the Pediatric Health Information System database. PATIENTS Infants under 12 months old who were admitted from the emergency department with bronchiolitis between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2018. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Primary outcomes were rates of noninvasive ventilation, invasive ventilation, and cardiac arrest. Trends over time were assessed with univariate logistic regression. In the main analysis, hospital-level multivariable logistic regression evaluated rates of outcomes including invasive ventilation and cardiac arrest among hospitals with high and low utilization of noninvasive ventilation. The study included 147,288 hospitalizations of infants with bronchiolitis. Across the entire study population, noninvasive and invasive ventilation increased between 2010 and 2018 (2.9-8.7%, 2.1-4.0%, respectively; p < 0·001). After adjustment for markers of severity of illness, hospital-level noninvasive ventilation (high vs low utilization) was not associated with differences in invasive ventilation (5.0%, 1.8%, respectively, adjusted odds ratio, 1.8; 95% CI, 0·7-4·6) but was associated with increased cardiac arrest (0.36%, 0.02%, respectively, adjusted odds ratio, 25.4; 95% CI, 4.9-131.0). CONCLUSIONS In a large cohort of infants at children's hospitals, noninvasive and invasive ventilation increased significantly from 2010 to 2018. Hospital-level noninvasive ventilation utilization was not associated with a reduction in invasive ventilation but was associated with higher rates of cardiac arrest even after controlling for severity. Noninvasive ventilation in bronchiolitis may incur an unintended higher risk of cardiac arrest, and this requires further investigation.
Cardiovascular reactivity as a measure of irritability in a transdiagnostic sample of youth: Preliminary associations.

OBJECTIVES Irritability is a transdiagnostic symptom in developmental psychopathology, conceptualized as a low threshold for frustration and increased proneness to anger. While central to emotion regulation, there is a vital need for empirical studies to explore the relationship between irritability and underlying physiological mechanisms of cardiovascular arousal. METHODS We examined the relationship between irritability and cardiovascular arousal (i.e., heart rate [HR] and heart rate variability [HRV]) in a transdiagnostic sample of 51 youth (M = 12.63 years, SD = 2.25; 62.7% male). Data was collected using the Empatica E4 during a laboratory stop-signal task. In addition, the impact of motion activity, age, medication, and sleep on cardiovascular responses was explored. RESULTS Main findings showed that irritability was associated with increased HR and decreased HRV during task performance. CONCLUSIONS Findings support the role of peripheral physiological dysregulation in youth with emotion regulation problems and suggest the potential use of available wearable consumer electronics as an objective measure of irritability and physiological arousal in a transdiagnostic sample of youth.
Incorporation of freshman engineering projects

Hands-on projects have been incorporated into the freshmen engineering courses. The topics of the projects were selected to correspond to the material being presented in the math, science, and engineering courses. The major goals were to provide the freshmen students with hands-on experiences early in the freshmen year as well as applying math and science fundamentals to engineering problems. Even though not all of the projects were entirely successful in accomplishing the desired outcome, some of the projects required too much time or did not effectively illustrate the concept intended; the response of the students was encouraging. Changes being considered for the upcoming year include incorporating a material balance project, and including additional writing opportunities for the students.
Cytometric Detection of DNA Amplified With Fluorescent Primers: Applications to Analysis of Clonal bcl-2 and IgH Gene Rearrangements in Malignant Lymphomas

Follicular lymphomas comprise almost two thirds of the US adult non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL) and are the most common malignancy of B-lineage lymphocytes. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) protocols have been developed to detect the t(14;18) translocation, which juxtaposes the bcl-2 proto-oncogene to the Ig heavy-chain (IgH) gene in 85% of follicular lymphomas and monoclonal rearrangements of the IgH gene in B-cell NHL that lack bcl-2 rearrangements. We used PCR to amplify bcl-2 and IgH rearrangements in DNA from patients with lymphoproliferative disorders and analyzed the products in parallel by gel electrophoresis and flow cytometry, which detected PCR products incorporating fluoresceinated oligonucleotide primers by sequence-specific capture to oligonucleotide-coated magnetic beads. Overall, flow cytometry was superior to electrophoresis of ethidium-bromide-stained agarose gels for detection of products of nested PCR to detect intergenic rearrangements involving bcl-2 and single primer-pair amplification of clonal rearrangement of IgH. Flow cytometric analysis detected bcl-2 translocations in 12 of 13 CD10+ B-cell lymphomas and clonal IgH rearrangements in 14 of 17 monoclonal B-cell populations. In contrast, analysis by gel electrophoresis detected bcl-2 translocations in only 10 of 13 CD10+ and clonal IgH gene rearrangements in only 9 of 17 monoclonal B-cell populations. Flow cytometric analysis was more sensitive than gel electrophoresis and could detect a 16-fold greater dilution of a bcl-2-amplified product than gel electrophoresis. Similarly, flow cytometry could detect an amplification product when template DNA was diluted 10,000-fold, whereas gel electrophoresis only detected amplification products when template was subjected to dilution between 100- and 1,000-fold. This shows the utility of flow cytometry for the analysis of DNA amplification products incorporating fluorochrome-labeled primers as a rapid, objective alternative to conventional strategies. Because current-generation clinical laboratories emphasize automation, flow cytometric analysis of PCR-amplified products shows increased analytic sensitivity and offers a vehicle for automation of DNA amplification tests.
Materials and Process Characterization to Determine the Effect of High Intensity Infrared Laser Radiation on a Composite Material

A wide variety of characterization methods have been used to determine the effect of irradiating a specific composite material with high intensity infrared laser radiation. The material, being a metal-doped carbon/carbon composite, was intractable to the usual methods of analysis; the behavior under intense radiation was unexpected and, at the time, unexplained; and the desirability of computer modeling required knowledge of the principal mechanisms of radiant energy absorption and redistribution.
A Grammar of Kham

1. The people and their language 2. Segmental phonology 3. Tonology 4. Nouns and noun morphology 5. Verbs and verb morphology 6. Modifiers and adjectivals 7. Locatives, dimensionals and temporal adverbs 8. Adverbs and adverbials 9. Minor word classes 10. Noun phrases, nominalizations and relative clauses 11. Simple clauses, transitivity and voice 12. Tense, aspect and modality 13. The modality of certainty, obligation, unexpected information 14. Non-declarative speech acts 15. Interclausal relations and sentence structure 16. Nominalized verb forms in discourse 17. The Kham verb in historical perspective 18. Texts 19. Vocabulary References.
The photodissociation of the vinyl radical (C2H3) at 243 nm studied by velocity map imaging

The technique of velocity map imaging (VELMI) has been applied to study the photodissociation of the vinyl radical (C2H3) at 243.2 nm in a molecular beam. Using momentum conservation, we show that the primary product is singlet vinylidene [H2CC(X 2A′)], or singlet acetylene at energies where interconversion between the H2CC and HCCH geometries is facile. In addition, a minor contribution is seen which is assigned to triplet acetylene [C2H2(a 3B2)]. We argue that out-of-plane motion of the third H atom is necessary to bring the excited states, of A″ symmetry, to an A′ symmetry leading to products, and the observed tranlsational energy distribution may show evidence of the barrier to this process. The heat of formation of vinylidene is derived to be 100.3±4.0 kcal/mol, in agreement with literature values. From the translational energy release, we derive the T0 for triplet acetylene C2H2(a 3B2) to be 28 900 cm−1, which does not agree well with recent ab initio calculations. Possible reasons for the disagreement are discussed.
Mycorrhizae: Arbuscular Mycorrhizae

What is an Arbuscular Mycorrhiza? Basic Structure/Functioning for an Individual Plant Scaling and Community and Ecosystem Effects Mycorrhizae and Other Soil Organisms Keywords: arbuscular mycorrhizae; fungi; mycorrhizae
ALIGNING THE MEASUREMENT OF TANGIBLES WITH INTANGIBLES AND NOT THE CONVERSE

It is known in the AHP that when dealing with intangible alternatives they are compared with respect to the criteria and the resulting priorities are multiplied by the priorities of the respective criteria and then synthesized in either the distributive or the ideal mode. When the criteria are tangible the alternatives need to be measured on ratio scales. Since ratio scales of measurement differ, they must be standardized and then weighted by the priorities of the criteria to trade off a unit of one scale against a unit of another. Of course ratio scales suffer from the defect that they use a unit of \measurement uniformly whether the measurements are large or small. But the meaning and significance of these measurements may not reflect our actual preference for them because our ability to appreciate values differs when they are very large or very small. We need to obtain these measurements in relative form through prioritization and comparisons. If we insist on using them as they are, we must convert them to relative priorities by dividing each value by the total values. But we cannot do that without noting that the weights of the criteria in this case depend on the measurements of the alternatives with respect to these criteria.http://dx.doi.org/10.13033/ijahp.v3i1.91
Comparative analysis of 14-3-3 isoform expression and epigenetic alterations in colorectal cancer

The 14-3-3 family is a group of intracellular proteins found in all eukaryotic organisms. Humans have seven isoforms that serve as scaffolds to promote interactions of regulatory phospho-proteins involved in many vital cellular processes and previous studies have shown that disturbances in native 14-3-3 levels can contribute significantly to the development of various cancers. DNA and RNA was extracted from frozen tissue samples collected by the Human Cooperative Tissue Network. RNA samples were reverse transcribed and subjected to qRT-PCR analysis using fluorescently labelled probes. Genomic DNA was treated with bisulfite and cloned into bacterial vectors for subsequent high-resolution sequencing. Mammalian NIH3T3 cells were transformed with 14-3-3 eta and Ras expression vectors synthesized from cDNA. Colonies were counted and transforming capability assessed after 21 days of growth. Cell lysates were analyzed by western blot to verify protein expression. Here we examined normal and cancerous 14-3-3 expression levels of all seven isoforms in a cohort of sporadic colorectal adenocarcinomas and in a group of tumors and their matched normals using qRT-PCR analysis. We found a statistically significant decrease in the levels of 14-3-3 sigma, eta, and zeta observed among adenocarcinomas compared to normal tissue. A parallel analysis of microarray data from the TCGA dataset confirmed that expression of sigma and eta were down-regulated in colon tumors. To explore the mechanisms behind 14-3-3 expression changes, we examined the methylation status of the sigma, eta, and zeta gene promoters in selected samples. Our data identified novel CpG methylation sites in the eta promoter consistent with epigenetic silencing of both 14-3-3 sigma and eta isoforms during colon tumorigenesis. Because epigenetic silencing is the hallmark of a tumor suppressor we tested eta in focus formation assays and found that it is capable of suppressing ras-induced transformation of NIH3T3 cells. To our knowledge, this is the first study to identify the 14-3-3 eta gene as a tumor suppressor and that its expression is suppressed in colon tumors by DNA hypermethylation. These data suggest a link between 14-3-3 expression levels and the development of colon cancers.