cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Structure of the chicken's inner ear: SEM and TEM study

The inner ears of 35 adult chickens were studied by TEM, SEM and light microscopy. Two well differentiated hair cell/nerve ending units were present: tall hair cells with small vesiculated nerve endings were located on the attached part of the basilar membrane; short hair cells with large vesiculated nerve endings were located on the free basilar membrane except for the distal tip. In this respect the chicken ear is similar to that of the pigeon. The chickens examined did have some unique features. Sensory cells of lenticular and hemispheric shape were also present at the proximal end. Bundles of long dense tubules were seen frequently within the sensory cell cytoplasm. Kinocilia were absent from the hair bundles of many of the sensory cells. The internal structure of the kinocilia which were present was atypical and consisted of a variable number of doublets. Eight peripheral plus one central doublet were found most frequently.
Relational Uncertainty and Relational Information Processing Questions without Answers

This article seeks to understand how relational uncertainty coincides with people’s ability to process relational information. The general premise is that individuals experiencing relational uncertainty should have difficulty deriving inferences because they lack the knowledge necessary to identify and interpret relational cues. The authors use this reasoning to deduce hypotheses about how relational uncertainty may correspond with people’s perceptions of relationship talk, judgments of relational messages, and evaluations of the difficulty of interaction. They conducted a study of conversations between romantic partners (N = 120 couples). As predicted, relational uncertainty was negatively associated with people’s perceptions of relationship talk after controlling for the perceptions of third-party observers. Relational uncertainty was negatively associated with the extremity of people’s judgments about relational messages. Furthermore, relational uncertainty was positively associated with people’s perce...
Compiling issues for supercomputers

Accurate and fast methods for computing data dependencies are vital to the efficiency of vectorizing and parallelizing compilers. Program transformations employed by these compilers are effective only if dependencies are computed as accurately as possible. In this paper we consider two issues for supercomputer compilers. First, we discuss in detail exact and inexact tests for computing data dependencies and focus on the linearization scheme. We then discuss a program transformation call loop spreading which allows us to execute in parallel adjacent loops with interloop dependencies.
The Influence of Client Risks and Treatment Engagement on Recidivism

The current study modeled 12 month post-release re-arrest (recidivism) in terms of pretreatment risk factors (i.e., criminal history, criminal thinking,) and during-treatment engagement in a sample of 653 subjects admitted to four prison-based substance treatment programs. Structural Equation Modeling was used to test during-treatment engagement as a mediator variable in explaining the relationship between the pretreatment risk factors and recidivism. Results indicated that (1) a long history of criminal conduct correlated with criminal thinking, which in turn had a significantly negative relationship with engagement in treatment; (2) the level of criminal involvement had a significant relationship with re-arrest, whereas the level of criminal thinking did not influence being re-arrested directly; (3) the relationship between criminal history and re-arrest was partially mediated by criminal thinking and treatment engagement, whereas the relationship between criminal thinking and re-arrest was fully mediated by treatment engagement. The findings suggest that it is important to design interventions targeting criminal thinking and monitor treatment engagement as an indicator of treatment performance. Clinical implications also include the importance of facilitating treatment engagement and the utility of conducting prognostic assessment to inform treatment.
Genetic effects on the biomass partitioning and growth of Pisum and Lycopersicon.

We examined a series of eight pea genotypes differing in three naturally occurring allelic mutations, i.e., af ( afi la ), st ( stipules reduced ), and tl ( tendril-less ) and three species, fi ve cultivars, and one interspecifi c hybrid of tomato differing in SP ( SELF- PRUNING ) allele composition to determine whether different phenotypes ontogenetically express different biomass partitioning patterns compared to the isometric partitioning pattern and an interspecifi c 3/4 scaling " rule " governing annual growth with re- spect to body mass. The slopes and " elevations " (i.e., α and log β , respectively) of log-log linear regression curves of bivariate plots of leaf, stem, and root dry mass and of annual growth vs. total body mass were used to assess pattern homogeneity. The an- nual growth of all pea and tomato phenotypes complied with the 3/4 growth rule. The biomass partitioning patterns of all tomato phenotypes were statistically indistinguishable from the isometric pattern as were those of the pea wild type and three single- mutant genotypes. However, signifi cant departures from the isometric (and pea wild type) biomass allocation pattern were ob- served for three genotypes, all of which were homozygous for the af allele. These results open the door to explore the heritability and genetics underlying the allometry of biomass partitioning patterns and growth.
Multisite Mechanisms for Ultrasensitivity in Signal Transduction

One of the key aspects in the study of cellular communication is understanding how cells receive a continuous input and transform it into a discrete, all-or-none output. Such so-called ultrasensitive dose responses can also be used in a variety of other contexts, from the efficient transport of oxygen in the blood to the regulation of the cell cycle and gene expression. This chapter provides a self contained mathematical review of the most important molecular models of ultrasensitivity in the literature, with an emphasis on mechanisms involving multisite modifications. The models described include two deeply influential systems based on allosteric behavior, the MWC and the KNF models. Also included is a description of more recent work by the author and colleagues of novel mechanisms using alternative hypotheses to create ultrasensitive behavior.
Antioxidant Prevention of Birth Defects and Cancer

Metabolism, like other aspects of life, involves trade-offs. Damage to DNA and protein by oxidant by-products of normal metabolism is massive. We argue that this damage (the same as that produced by radiation) is a major contributor to aging, to degenerative diseases of aging, such as cancer, heart disease, cataracts, and brain dysfunction, and to DNA damage in sperm. Antioxidant defenses against this damage include vitamins C and E and carotenoids, the main sources of which are dietary fruits and vegetables. Low dietary intake of fruits and vegetables doubles the risk of most types of cancer as compared to high intake (about four or five portions per day); it also markedly increases the risk of heart disease and cataracts. We will argue also that this deficiency is a major cause of childhood cancer and birth defects.
Facilitating operator interaction with quality of surveillance multi-robot systems

Robotic systems are becoming more practical in military applications. In fact, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are being used for surveillance and reconnaissance missions. Using UAVs for surveying a region of interest can increase situational awareness and decrease human casualty by allowing the operator to view the video feeds from the UAVs. However, current systems utilize complex one (or multiple) operator/one robot interfaces. In addition, human-in-the-loop models create issues because human operators tend to intervene more frequently if they do not trust the system or their expectations of the autonomy are not met. As a result, excessive or inept human intervention could negatively affect workload, situational awareness, and performance. This dissertation is aimed at allowing a single operator to efficiently manage multiple UAVs and interact effectively with higher levels of autonomy. By providing the operator with a mechanism to interact with the autonomy and aid in decision making, the operator becomes a part of the autonomous team. Contributions of this dissertation related to facilitating operator interaction with multi-robot surveillance systems include: (1) knowledge that trust is more than an understanding that the actions of an autonomous team are rational, but related to experiencing the actions' rationale; (2) a novel approach to teaming based on spatial and temporal environmental cues; and (3) the design and implementation of a testbed to measure the effect of the operator teaming with an autonomous system. Studies are used to evaluate the system and elucidate factors that affect operator trust. Results suggest that a human operator can team with multiple robots and effectively interact with higher levels of autonomy by experiencing the autonomous team's rationale using environmental cues. This approach using the spatial and temporal environmental cues was also found to promote trust, lower workload, and increase situational awareness while not degrading task performance.
Effect of General Anaesthesia on Renal Haemodynamics in the Rat

1. The effect of sodium pentobarbital and Inactin anaesthesia on renal haemodynamics in the rat was evaluated with radioactive microspheres 15 micrometer in diameter. 2. Both anaesthetic agents caused substantial decrements in total renal blood flow (sodium pentobarbital, -34%; Inactin, -24%) compared with unanaesthetized animals. 3. Measurements of renal function obtained in rats anaesthetized with either of these anaesthetic agents should be interpreted with caution.
Individual differences in frontolimbic circuitry and anxiety emerge with adolescent changes in endocannabinoid signaling across species

Anxiety disorders peak in incidence during adolescence, a developmental window that is marked by dynamic changes in gene expression, endocannabinoid signaling, and frontolimbic circuitry. We tested whether genetic alterations in endocannabinoid signaling related to a common polymorphism in fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), which alters endocannabinoid anandamide (AEA) levels, would impact the development of frontolimbic circuitry implicated in anxiety disorders. In a pediatric imaging sample of over 1,000 3- to 21-y-olds, we show effects of the FAAH genotype specific to frontolimbic connectivity that emerge by ∼12 y of age and are paralleled by changes in anxiety-related behavior. Using a knock-in mouse model of the FAAH polymorphism that controls for genetic and environmental backgrounds, we confirm phenotypic differences in frontoamygdala circuitry and anxiety-related behavior by postnatal day 45 (P45), when AEA levels begin to decrease, and also, at P75 but not before. These results, which converge across species and level of analysis, highlight the importance of underlying developmental neurobiology in the emergence of genetic effects on brain circuitry and function. Moreover, the results have important implications for the identification of risk for disease and precise targeting of treatments to the biological state of the developing brain as a function of developmental changes in gene expression and neural circuit maturation.
Analysis on food microbial testing results in Pingguo county from 2011 to 2013

Objective To monitor the status of microbial contamination of each type of food in Pingguo county and provide scientific basis for prevention of foodborne disease. Method The collection and analysis of detected sample were conducted according to the national foodborne disease monitoring handbook from 2011 to 2013. Results We have tested 326 samples from 2011 to 2013,with a qualified rate of 66.67%.16 pathogenic bacteria strains were isolated from 319 food samples(5.02%),including 8 Staphylococcus aureus strains,5 Vibrio parahaemolyticus strains and 3 Bacillus cereus strains. Conclusions The random checks of food in Pingguo were of poor quality.Relevant departments should strengthen the supervision and management in every process of food production and market,in order to secure the food safety.
ANALYTICAL MODEL OF DEFORMED PROJECTILE PENETRATING INTO CONCRETE WITH CORUNDUM-BOULDER MATRIX

Based on the disfeaturement of the projectile measured in experiments and in virtue of Taylor theory, a simplified analytical model of a deformed projectile penetrating into concrete target with corundum-boulder matrix was put forward. The deformation of the target was taken into account. The predicton formula for penetration depth, and displacement and velocity time history of projectile tails were deducted. The calculaton results by using Runge-Kutta numerical method are in good correspondence with the high-speed camera test data.
Abstract 4643: Effect of resveratrol-zinc combination on prostate tumor growth in transgenic adenocarcinoma of mouse prostate (TRAMP) model

Prostate cancer (PCa) is a major cancer of males globally and is associated with significant mortality and morbidity across the globe. The trace element zinc (Zn) plays a critical role in a variety of prostatic functions and normal prostate accumulates Zn at up to ten-fold higher concentration than other soft tissues in the body. However, the cancerous prostate lose the ability to accumulate Zn and lower levels of prostatic Zn has been associated with development and progression of PCa. Studies have suggested that a dysregulation in the transport machinery of Zn, possibly mediated via ZIP and ZnT families of Zn transporters, may be associated with this neoplastic transformation of prostate. Thus, re-tuning of Zn transport machinery via pharmacological means could be useful in PCa management. We have previously demonstrated that the grape antioxidant resveratrol (RSV) enhances the anti-proliferative response of Zn by increasing Zn-transporter protein ZIP1 in prostate cancer cells in vitro (Cancer Res 2012; 72(8 Suppl): Abstract nr 3729. doi: 1538-7445.AM2012-3729). Here, we extended our study to determine the in vivo relevance of our in vitro findings. We assessed the effect of RSV (600 mg/kg in diet) in combination with Zn (15 and 30 ppm ZnSO4.7H2O in drinking water) against prostate cancer progression in TRAMP mice, employing two experimental protocols, which represent prevention and intervention settings, respectively. We found that RSV-Zn combination, when given prior to tumor initiation (4 weeks of age), showed superior anti-tumor efficacy than either of the agents alone. However, we did not find a significant anti-tumor response of RSV and/or Zn in the intervention protocol. We also determined the effect of RSV and/or treatments on markers of proliferation and apoptosis in tumor tissues obtained from TRAMP mice. Interestingly, we found that lower dose of Zn (15 ppm) was most consistent in imparting anti-proliferative response; resulting in a significant i) decrease in tumor weight/volume, ii) decrease in proliferative marker PCNA, iii) increase of pro-apoptotic Bax, and iv) decrease of the pro-survival Bcl2. In addition, the observed response of RSV-Zn combination was associated with an increase in ZIP4 protein. Further experiments are ongoing to dissect the mechanism of the PCa chemoprevention effects of RSV-Zn combination. Outcome of this study may provide a foundation for the use of RSV-Zn combination for PCa management. Citation Format: Chandra K. Singh, Minakshi Nihal, Jasmine George, Imtiaz A. Siddiqui, Hasan Mukhtar, Nihal Ahmad. Effect of resveratrol-zinc combination on prostate tumor growth in transgenic adenocarcinoma of mouse prostate (TRAMP) model. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 4643. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-4643
Clues to the nature of ultradiffuse galaxies from estimated galaxy velocity dispersions

We describe how to estimate the velocity dispersions of ultra diffuse galaxies, UDGs, using a previously defined galaxy scaling relationship. The method is accurate for the two UDGs with spectroscopically measured dispersions, as well as for ultra compact galaxies, ultra faint galaxies, and stellar systems with little or no dark matter. This universality means that the relationship can be applied without further knowledge or prejudice regarding the structure of a galaxy. We then estimate the velocity dispersions of UDGs drawn from two published samples and examine the distribution of total masses. We find, in agreement with the previous studies of two individual UDGs, that these systems are dark matter dominated systems, and that they span a range of at least $10^{10} < M_{200}/M_\odot < 10^{12} $. These galaxies are not, as an entire class, either all dwarfs or all failed $L_*$ galaxies. Estimates of the velocity dispersions can also help identify interesting subsets of UDGs, such as those that are likely to have the largest mass-to-light ratios, for subsequent spectroscopic study.
Polymer-Stabilized Perfluorobutane Nanodroplets for Ultrasound Imaging Agents

In this paper, we describe a method for the stabilization of low-boiling point (low-bp) perfluorocarbons (PFCs) at physiological temperatures by an amphiphilic triblock copolymer which can emulsify PFCs and be cross-linked. After UV-induced thiol–ene cross-linking, the core of the PFC emulsion remains in liquid form even at temperatures exceeding their boiling points. Critically, the formulation permits vaporization at rarefactional pressures relevant for clinical ultrasound.
Probing the interaction of the potassium channel modulating KCNE1 in lipid bilayers via solid-state NMR spectroscopy.

Abstract KCNE1 is known to modulate the voltage-gated potassium channel α subunit KCNQ1 to generate slowly activating potassium currents. This potassium channel is essential for the cardiac action potential that mediates a heartbeat as well as the potassium ion homeostasis in the inner ear. Therefore, it is important to know the structure and dynamics of KCNE1 to better understand its modulatory role. Previously, the Sanders group solved the three-dimensional structure of KCNE1 in LMPG micelles, which yielded a better understanding of this KCNQ1/KCNE1 channel activity. However, research in the Lorigan group showed different structural properties of KCNE1 when incorporated into POPC/POPG lipid bilayers as opposed to LMPG micelles. It is hence necessary to study the structure of KCNE1 in a more native-like environment such as multi-lamellar vesicles. In this study, the dynamics of lipid bilayers upon incorporation of the membrane protein KCNE1 were investigated using (31) P solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Specifically, the protein/lipid interaction was studied at varying molar ratios of protein to lipid content. The static (31) P NMR and T1 relaxation time were investigated. The (31) P NMR powder spectra indicated significant perturbations of KCNE1 on the phospholipid headgroups of multi-lamellar vesicles as shown from the changes in the (31) P spectral line shape and the chemical shift anisotropy line width. (31) P T1 relaxation times were shown to be reversely proportional to the molar ratios of KCNE1 incorporated. The (31) P NMR data clearly indicate that KCNE1 interacts with the membrane. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Risk Factors for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

As discussed in Chapters 4, 5, and 13, a large body of evidence has accumulated about impairments in cognitive, social, and school functioning in children with Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)t (Cantwell, 1996), which has generated increased interest in research on risk factors for this disorder. Risk factors are defined as variables that increase the probability of any form of psychopathology. In contrast, protective factors modify an individual’s response to risk factors and thus reduce the chance of disorder or of a maladaptive outcome. Resilience is defined as successful adaptation despite exposure to risk or adversity (Masten, 1994).
Mode of conception does not appear to affect placental volume in the first trimester.

Objective To study whether infertility treatments, including IVF and non-IVF fertility treatments, are associated with diseases of placental insufficiency in early gestation. First trimester placental volumes by ultrasound and chorionic villi weight during sampling (CVS) were performed to detect differences between pregnancies conceived spontaneously versus with fertility treatments. Design Retrospective cohort. Setting Academic tertiary center. Patient(s) Women with singleton pregnancies undergoing CVS and first trimester ultrasound from April 2007 to November 2015. Intervention(s) Estimated placental volume (EPV) was calculated from ultrasound images using a validated computation and CVS estimated tissue weight was performed using a validated visual analogue scale. Main Outcome Measure(s) Adjusted linear regression was used to compare EPV and CVS weight based on mode of conception. Result(s) A total of 1,977 spontaneous and 334 conceived with fertility treatments (133 non-IVF and 201 IVF) pregnancies were included. Significant differences in maternal age, gravidity, hypertension, and smoking status were identified. EPV and CVS weight were correlated with maternal age, gestational age, and maternal hypertension. Adjusted linear regression showed no difference in EPV in pregnancies conceived with fertility treatments versus spontaneously. The CVS weight was significantly lower in the IVF conceptions in unadjusted univariate analyses. However, after adjusted regression, this was no longer significant. Conclusion(s) Mode of conception does not appear to affect first trimester placental size. As differences in maternal age, hypertension, and smoking status differ among the groups and are correlated to placental size, it may be the underlying patient population leading to abnormal placentation and insufficiency, not the fertility treatments used.
Velopharyngeal Dystonia: An Unusual Focal Task-specific Dystonia?

Background: Velopharyngeal dysfunction produces a nasal speech pattern because of the inability to close the nasal airway during speech, most often associated with anatomical abnormalities of the palate. Case Report: We describe two cases of possible velopharyngeal dystonia, a task-specific movement disorder causing a speech pattern similar to velopharyngeal dysfunction. Both patients experienced treatment response with anticholinergic medication. Discussion: Dystonia affecting speech via involvement of the pharyngeal musculature may be an unrecognized etiology of voice disorders.
The PD-1 and PD-L1 pathway in recurrent respiratory papillomatosis.

Objectives/Hypothesis Generation of an immunosuppressive microenvironment may enable a persistent human papillomavirus infection in the setting of an otherwise normal immune system. We hypothesized that expression of the T-lymphocyte co-inhibitory receptor programmed death 1 (PD-1) and its ligand PD-L1 would be increased in the recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) microenvironment compared to normal controls. Study Design Case-control study. Methods Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded respiratory papilloma and normal controls were obtained under institutional review board approval, stained for CD4, CD8, FoxP3, and PD-1, and scored by automated cell count. PD-L1 staining was scored by a blinded pathologist using an adjusted inflammation score that accounted for epithelial and immune infiltrate. Results Thirty-nine RRP cases and seven controls were studied. All immunologic markers demonstrated significantly increased staining in RRP specimens compared to normal controls (all P < .01). PD-1 correlated with both CD4 (P < .0001) and CD8 (P < .001) cell counts. Epithelial staining for PD-L1 (68%) and PD-L1+ infiltrating immune cells (76%) were observed in the majority of papilloma samples. The strongest staining for PD-L1 was usually observed in the basal papilloma layer adjacent to the immunologic infiltrate in the vascular core. Disease severity inversely correlated with CD8 cell counts (P = .01). A correlation between disease severity and other immunologic markers was not observed. Conclusions Most RRP specimens demonstrate PD-1 T-lymphocyte infiltration and PD-L1 expression on both papilloma and infiltrating immune cells. This study suggests that this checkpoint pathway may be contributing to local immunosuppression in RRP, and opens the door for clinical trials utilizing PD-blocking monoclonal antibodies. Level of Evidence NA Laryngoscope, 2017
Moving beyond Moody

Thakkar et al. (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 837, 2018, R1) represents a significant advancement in the ability to computationally model rough wall flows. Direct numerical solution (DNS) of turbulent boundary layer flow over an industrial grit blasted surface at relevant roughness Reynolds numbers, from hydraulically smooth to fully rough regimes, is a path forward to parametrically study a wide range of surface roughness. The methodology described in this paper, coupled with validation experiments, ultimately should lead to improved frictional drag predictions.
Rapid Homoglyph Prediction and Detection

As technology permeates the globe, it is becoming necessary to support an increasing number of languages, and hence character sets. Many character sets contain characters that look similar or identical to characters from other character sets (known as homoglyph characters). This poses a number of unique problems, such as the homoglyph URL attacks frequently used in phishing scams. The previously proposed solutions to these problems have mostly focused on restricting the characters available to users. This paper proposes a new approach which can predict and detect homoglyphs with a high level of accuracy. This methodology simulates the human behavior of "visual scanning" and allows large amounts of visual data to be represented in a format that is easily and quickly searchable. Additionally, it employs a pre-processing time-memory trade-off to enable the detection and prediction of homoglyphs in fractions of a second.
The FinFET: A Tutorial

Ever since Intel launched its successful 22-nm Ivy Bridge CPU chip, establishing nonplanar finFET technology as a viable means of extending Moore’s law, variations of the basic finFET or the nanowire transistor have been introduced into nanoelectronics research and manufacturing efforts at an unprecedented rate.
Staphylococcus aureus Biofilm Growth on Cystic Fibrosis Airway Epithelial Cells Is Enhanced during Respiratory Syncytial Virus Coinfection.

ABSTRACT Staphylococcus aureus is a major cause of chronic respiratory infection in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). We recently showed that Pseudomonas aeruginosa exhibits enhanced biofilm formation during respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) coinfection on human CF airway epithelial cells (AECs). The impact of respiratory viruses on other bacterial pathogens during polymicrobial infections in CF remains largely unknown. To investigate if S. aureus biofilm growth in the CF airways is impacted by virus coinfection, we evaluated S. aureus growth on CF AECs. Initial studies showed an increase in S. aureus growth over 24 h, and microscopy revealed biofilm-like clusters of bacteria on CF AECs. Biofilm growth was enhanced when CF AECs were coinfected with RSV, and this observation was confirmed with S. aureus CF clinical isolates. Apical conditioned medium from RSV-infected cells promoted S. aureus biofilms in the absence of the host epithelium, suggesting that a secreted factor produced during virus infection benefits S. aureus biofilms. Exogenous iron addition did not significantly alter biofilm formation, suggesting that it is not likely the secreted factor. We further characterized S. aureus-RSV coinfection in our model using dual host-pathogen RNA sequencing, allowing us to observe specific contributions of S. aureus and RSV to the host response during coinfection. Using the dual host-pathogen RNA sequencing approach, we observed increased availability of nutrients from the host and upregulation of S. aureus genes involved in growth, protein translation and export, and amino acid metabolism during RSV coinfection. IMPORTANCE The airways of individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF) are commonly chronically infected, and Staphylococcus aureus is the dominant bacterial respiratory pathogen in CF children. CF patients also experience frequent respiratory virus infections, and it has been hypothesized that virus coinfection increases the severity of S. aureus lung infections in CF. We investigated the relationship between S. aureus and the CF airway epithelium and observed that coinfection with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) enhances S. aureus biofilm growth. However, iron, which was previously found to be a significant factor influencing Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms during virus coinfection, plays a minor role in S. aureus coinfections. Transcriptomic analyses provided new insight into how bacterial and viral pathogens alter host defense and suggest potential pathways by which dampening of host responses to one pathogen may favor persistence of another in the CF airways, highlighting complex interactions occurring between bacteria, viruses, and the host during polymicrobial infections.
Long-term dysphagia resolution following POEM versus Heller myotomy for achalasia patients

Heller myotomy (HM) has historically been considered the gold standard treatment for achalasia. Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is a less-invasive procedure and offers a quicker recovery. Although some studies have compared short-term outcomes of HM and POEM, predictors of long-term dysphagia resolution remain unclear. The objective of this study was to evaluate patient-reported outcomes for achalasia patients who underwent either POEM or HM over a 9-year period. Data from our single academic institutional foregut database were used to identify achalasia patients who underwent HM or POEM from 2009 to 2018. Electronic health record data were reviewed to obtain patient characteristics and operative data. Achalasia severity stages were established for each patient using esophagram findings from an attending radiologist blinded to the procedure type. Postoperative outcomes were assessed via telephone for patients with at least 9 months of follow-up using Eckardt dysphagia scores. Patient age, sex, type of operation, and duration of follow-up were included in a multivariable linear regression model with Eckardt score as the outcome. Our cohort included 141 patients (97 HM and 44 POEM). Eighty-two patients completed a phone survey at the 9 months or greater time interval (response rate = 58%). Mean Eckardt scores were 2.98 and 2.53 at a median follow-up of 3 years and 1 year for HM and POEM patients, respectively (an Eckardt score ≤ 3 is considered a successful myotomy). Lower stages of achalasia on esophagram (e.g., Stage 0 vs. Stage 4) were associated with greater dysphagia improvement. On multivariable analysis, operative approach was not associated with a statistically significant difference in dysphagia outcomes. POEM and HM were associated with similar rates of dysphagia resolution for achalasia patients at a median of 2 years of follow-up. Both procedures appear to be durable options for achalasia treatment.
Outcomes of transcarotid artery revascularization with dynamic flow reversal in patients with contralateral carotid artery occlusion.

Abstract Background The outcomes of carotid revascularization in patients with contralateral carotid artery occlusion (CCO) are controversial. CCO has been defined by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services as a high-risk criterion and is used as an indication for transfemoral carotid artery stenting. With the promising outcomes associated with transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR), we aimed to study the perioperative outcomes of TCAR in patients with CCO and to assess the feasibility of TCAR in these high-risk patients. Methods All patients in the Vascular Quality Initiative database who underwent TCAR with flow reversal between September 2016 and May 2019 were included. Patients with trauma, dissection, or more than two treated lesions were excluded. Univariable and multivariable logistic analyses were used to compare the primary outcome of in-hospital stroke or death after TCAR in patients with CCO and those without CCO (patent and Results A total of 5485 TCAR cases were included, of which 593 (10.8%) had CCO. In patients with CCO, mean flow reversal time was shorter (10.1 ± 6.7 minutes vs 11.1 ± 7.8 minutes; P Conclusions In this analysis, TCAR seems to be safe in patients with CCO. Caution should be taken in symptomatic patients with CCO and a history of prior stroke as they might have worse outcomes compared with patients with patent contralateral carotid arteries. Studies with larger sample size and longer follow-up are needed to assess the perioperative and long-term outcomes of TCAR in patients with CCO in comparison to other procedures.
SparkCruise: handsfree computation reuse in Spark

Interactive data analytics is often inundated with common computations across multiple queries. These redundancies result in poor query performance and higher overall cost for the interactive query sessions. Obviously, reusing these common computations could lead to cost savings. However, it is difficult for the users to manually detect and reuse the common computations in their fast moving interactive sessions. In the paper, we propose to demonstrate SparkCruise, a computation reuse system that automatically selects the most useful common computations to materialize based on the past query workload. SparkCruise materializes these computations as part of query processing, so the users can continue with their query processing just as before and computation reuse is automatically applied in the background --- all without any modifications to the Spark code. We will invite the audience to play with several scenarios, such as workload redundancy insights and pay-as-you-go materialization, highlighting the utility of SparkCruise.
Bragging and humblebragging in online reviews

Abstract Tourists often brag about their exclusive vacations, preferential treatments, and extraordinary adventures on social media. However, the existing digital marketing literature offers little guidance on whether bragging is an effective communication strategy. The current research investigates the joint effect of bragging type (bragging vs. humblebragging) and reviewer expertise (low vs. high) on brand evaluation in the online review setting. The results show that when reviewer expertise is high, humblebragging leads to more favorable brand evaluation compared to bragging. However, the opposite is true when the review is posted by a non-expert. We further reveal that the impact of bragging type on brand evaluation is serially mediated through reviewer likability and benign envy. Implications for managing travel platforms are discussed.
High surface area mesoporous tungsten oxide for fast, green oxidation of organosulfur compounds in crude oil

Abstract Mesoporous, multi-valent tungsten oxide with high surface area (209 m2/g) is synthesized via a novel metal dissolution coupled with reverse micelle formation approach. Mesoporous tungsten oxide with highest surface area reported is obtained by this method. The material is used as an excellent heterogeneous catalyst for the oxidation of organosulfur compounds present in crude oil. The complete oxidation of dibenzothiophene was observed with excellent yield (>99%) within 15 min at room temperature (20 °C). The catalyst is reusable up to 5 reaction cycles without losing significant activity. A green oxidant, H2O2 is used and the reaction mechanism involves the activation of peroxo species by W6+. The oxidation activity decreases in the order of DBT > 4,6-DMDBT > 1-BT due to the changes in the electronic environment of sulfur and steric effects.
Ancistrothyrsus scopae (Passifloraceae), a new species from Amazonian Brazil and Guyana, with keys to the genus and species

A third species is described in Ancistrothyrsus (Passifloraceae) from Amazonas (Brazil) and Guyana. The new species, A. scopae, is characterized by young stem trichomes of two kinds, the longer ones being up to 5 mm long and branched like bottlebrushes. The two previously described species do not have bottlebrush trichomes. A key to the South American genera of tribe Passifloraceae s. str. and a key to the species of Ancistrothyrsus are presented.
Electrochemical Ring Expansion to Synthesize Medium-Sized Lactams Through C–C Bond Cleavage

Medium-sized nitrogen heterocycles are prevalent motifs in many kinds of bioactive molecules and natural products. Owing to the unfavorable enthalpic and entropic barriers during the transition sta...
The night out task and scoring application: an ill-structured, open-ended clinic-based test representing cognitive capacities used in everyday situations.

Objective The night out task (NOT) was developed as a naturalistic, open-ended, multitasking measure that requires individuals to complete eight subtasks comparable to those encountered during real-world functioning (e.g., pack travel bag, prepare tea). We examined psychometric properties and administration feasibility of this direct observation measure within a clinic-like setting using a tablet-based coding application. Method A sample of 148 community-dwelling older adults (82% cognitively healthy; 18% mild cognitive impairment) and 57 younger adults completed the NOT along with other neurocognitive tests and questionnaires. Results Inter-rater reliability across NOT primary (i.e., time, accuracy, efficiency) and process-related (e.g., error-types, self-corrections) variables was mostly excellent. NOT primary measures showed expected patterns of convergent and discriminant validity with measures of cognition, demographics, and well-being. External validity was established by the NOT ability to distinguish between age and diagnostic (cognitively healthy vs. mild cognitive impairment) groups. Demonstrating incremental validity, the NOT primary variables (execution time in particular) were predictive of self-reported functional abilities and completion quality of in-home everyday tasks over and earlier variables such as demographics, cognition, and mobility. Conclusions These findings suggest that the NOT and its app interface, which allows for continuous logging of observations, are a feasible in-clinic measure to assess cognitive capacities important for real-world functioning. With further validation, the NOT may allow for earlier detection of functional difficulties. Understanding errors and strategies used during NOT performance could also have implications for individualized interventions.
Defining the Deficit in US Surgical Training: The Trainee's Perspective.

BACKGROUND Self-efficacy is the personal judgment of how well one can successfully complete a task. The goal of this study was to assess self-efficacy of PGY5 residents for common general surgery operations. We hypothesized there are deficits in self-efficacy of PGY5 residents, and self-efficacy of a given operation correlates with experience performing the operation without attending assistance (independently) and teaching the operation from start to finish. METHODS A survey was linked to the 2020 American Board of Surgery In-Training Examination. From the ACGME case log's 15 most commonly performed surgeon-chief operations and AHRQ's 15 most common operations, 10 operations were selected. Residents evaluated their ability to perform these operations independently using a 5-point self-efficacy scale. Residents were asked whether they had experience performing these operations independently or teaching the operation from start to finish. Descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation were used to examine the relationship between self-efficacy and operative experience. RESULTS In all, 1,145 of 1,367 PGY5 residents (84%) responded. Highest self-efficacy was in performing wide-local excision (90.24%) and lowest was in performing open thyroidectomy (19.58%). Eighty-eight (7.7%) reported self-efficacy in all procedures. Statistically significant positive correlations were identified between experience and self-efficacy for cases performed without assistance (r = 0.98, p < 0.01) and cases taught (r = 0.91, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS With 5 months left in training, 92.3% of residents report deficits in preparation for practice, as defined by self-efficacy to complete common procedures independently. Resident self-efficacy increased in direct relation to performed cases and cases taught.
Efficacy of Cover Crops for Pollinator Habitat Provision and Weed Suppression

Pollinator declines have been documented globally, but little information is available about native bee ecology in Midwestern U.S. agriculture. This project seeks to optimize pollinator support and weed suppression in a 3-yr crop rotation with a fallow growing season. During fallow, one of five cover crop treatments (T1: crimson, red, and ladino clover and Bob oats [Fabales: Fabaceae - Trifolium incarnatum L., Trifolium pratense L., Trifolium repens L., and Cyperales: Poaceae - Avena sativa]; T2: crimson clover and oats; T3: red clover and oats; T4: ladino clover and oats; T5: no cover crop;T6/control: winter wheat [Cyperales: Poaceae - Triticum aestivum] L.) was seeded in one-half of 25 agricultural fields, whereas wheat was left unharvested in the other half as a comparison. Treatments that provide season-long floral resources support the greatest bee diversity and abundance (T1), and treatments with red clover support declining (Hymenoptera: Apidae) Bombus species (T1 and T3). Late-season floral resources may be important, yet limited (T1 and T4), and some species of agricultural weeds provide floral resources. Floral diversity may be less important than flower abundance or timing for pollinator diversity (T1–T4). Weed diversity was greatest in the no cover crop treatment (T5), least in winter wheat (T6), and intermediate in cover crop treatments (T1–T4) with no differences in weeds of economic concern. Wheat suppresses weeds but does not provide floral resources for pollinators. These results may also be applicable to marginal lands taken out of cultivation or field margin pollinator plantings in a typical corn–soybean rotation. Floral resource availability across the landscape is critical to maintain pollinator diversity.
Valuable Robotic Teammates: Algorithms That Reason About the Multiple Dimensions of Human-Robot Teamwork

As robots enter our homes and work places, one of the roles they will have to fulfill is being a teammate. Prior approaches in human-robot teamwork enabled robots to reason about intent, decide when and how to help, and allocate tasks to achieve efficiency. However, these existing algorithms mostly focused on understanding intent and providing help and assumed that teamwork is always present. Overall, effective robotic teammates must be able to reason about the multi-dimensional aspects of teamwork. Working towards this challenge, we present empirical findings and an algorithm that enables robots to understand the human's intent, communicate their own intent, display effortful behavior, and provide help to optimize the team's task performance. In addition to task performance, people also care about being treated fairly. As part of future work, we propose an algorithm that reasons about task performance and fairness to achieve lasting human-robot partnerships.
24for24: A Virtual Summer Bridge Program in Multiple 24- Minute Sessions for the Collegiate Class of 2024

The vast outbreak of COVID-19 in early 2020 precipitated many changes worldwide, including the sudden shift to online and remote learning across institutions of higher education in the United States. Those sudden shifts yielded ill-prepared remote learning experiences - dubbed pandemic teaching - that contributed to a growing fear of a drastic reduction in student enrollment in the forthcoming 2020–2021 academic year if the quality of remote engagement did not substantially improve. Institutions worldwide rapidly pivoted and sought to explore new means of effectively engaging their student populations, including incoming students, to shore up retention and matriculation in the face of a new and persisting remote learning environment. The authors of this study created a new virtual summer bridge program, named 24for24, to shore up their institution's engagement with its students. 24for24 was targeted at the incoming class of 2024 engineering majors at a primarily undergraduate institution in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. The summer bridge program was intentionally designed to generate excitement for the engineering major and to promote early community-building, which defines our paper's two objectives, as a means of shoring up matriculation and provide the authors a metaphorical sandbox to explore online pedagogical practices emphasizing student engagement. The quality of the program's two objectives was assessed using aggregated survey results and through qualitative observations of the matriculated cohort at the start of the 2020–2021 academic year. The authors found no measurable change in excitement for the major, yet the authors found that the summer bridge program fostered a small community made up of about 30 students who actively participated throughout the 8-week long program and continued to engage intimately with each other in the first-year engineering course at the start of the new academic year. The authors discuss perceived benefits and shortcomings of the program and speculate on means of strengthening it in a post-COVID-19 era where the threat of reduced student enrollment is ever-present due to demographic changes in the United States. The authors' inaugural execution of 24for24 revealed that there is value in engaging with students in a virtual summer bridge program remotely as a cost-efficient means of fostering enthusiasm for engineering studies, fostering a sense of belonging through community-building, and priming student mindset for success.
Tibiotalocalcaneal Arthrodesis After Failed Total Ankle Replacement: Metallic 3D Printed Custom Cages

Total ankle replacement failure continues to occur and there are limited choices for revision ankle replacement. Severe loss of bone stock of the talus, and sometimes the tibia or both bones, is the most important indication for salvage tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis with a custom metallic 3D implant. The use of a custom implant affords several advantages over traditional approaches, such as a femoral head allograft, including infinite geometry, almost boundless sizes to accommodate bone loss, and custom design features. However, there is limited data on the use of custom 3D printed implants. Therefore, caution must be taken when entertaining the use of this new technology. Careful planning involving the surgeon and design engineers should occur. Consultation with a surgeon who has performed the technique will also be helpful.
Going to Law School: Preparing for a Transformative Experience

Chapters on why law school, what is law school, who will help you in law school, what is the education's value, how legal analysis proceeds, the structure of government, and the delivery of legal services.