cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Queer Children, Crooked Houses

A great deal of rhetoric following the Second World War concerned the sanctity of the nuclear family. Agatha Christie’s post-war detective fiction, however, suggests a need to radically reconceptualize the family if it is to survive in changing times. Families in Sleeping Murder, Crooked House and They Do it with Mirrors are all downsized and shaken up. Like many subsequent anti-family queer theorists, such as Lee Edelman, Christie confronts the rhetorical image of the innocent child to mount an attack on cultural constructions of family. This chapter explores incestuous desire, children who kill and adoption to assess Christie’s contribution to post-war discussions.
Large Extinct Animals, Practically Unknown

(1970). Large Extinct Animals, Practically Unknown. Rocks & Minerals: Vol. 45, No. 11, pp. 687-687.
Rule Encoding in Orbitofrontal Cortex and Striatum Guides Selection

Active maintenance of rules, like other executive functions, is often thought to be the domain of a discrete executive system. An alternative view is that rule maintenance is a broadly distributed function relying on widespread cortical and subcortical circuits. Tentative evidence supporting this view comes from research showing some rule selectivity in the orbitofrontal cortex and dorsal striatum. We recorded in these regions and in the ventral striatum, which has not been associated previously with rule representation, as macaques performed a Wisconsin Card Sorting Task. We found robust encoding of rule category (color vs shape) and rule identity (six possible rules) in all three regions. Rule identity modulated responses to potential choice targets, suggesting that rule information guides behavior by highlighting choice targets. The effects that we observed were not explained by differences in behavioral performance across rules and thus cannot be attributed to reward expectation. Our results suggest that rule maintenance and rule-guided selection of options are distributed processes and provide new insight into orbital and striatal contributions to executive control. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Rule maintenance, an important executive function, is generally thought to rely on dorsolateral brain regions. In this study, we examined activity of single neurons in orbitofrontal cortex and in ventral and dorsal striatum of macaques in a Wisconsin Card Sorting Task. Neurons in all three areas encoded rules and rule categories robustly. Rule identity also affected neural responses to potential choice options, suggesting that stored information is used to influence decisions. These results endorse the hypothesis that rule maintenance is a broadly distributed mental operation.
Aberrant left vertebral artery transposition and concomitant carotid-subclavian bypass for treatment of acute intramural hematoma with thoracic endovascular aortic repair

Aberrant left vertebral artery (LVA) origin off the aortic arch is an uncommon anatomic variant. Treatment of the thoracic aortic pathology that necessitates its coverage has not been described. We present a patient with an acute intramural hematoma with a dominant LVA originating from the aortic arch. A LVA-to-carotid artery transposition with shunt placement, carotid-to-subclavian bypass, and thoracic endovascular aortic repair were performed. The patient recovered uneventfully, without any evidence of stroke. This case study shows that aberrant left vertebral anatomy presents a unique and interesting challenge and that vertebral shunt techniques during revascularization can be performed without stroke.
Automatic Equatorial GPS Amplitude Scintillation Detection Using a Machine Learning Algorithm

This paper presents a machine learning algorithm to detect ionospheric scintillation and classify scintillation events based on training data in the frequency domain. The detector input is the signal intensity. Validation using data from Ascension Island, Hong Kong, and Peru shows 91–96% accuracy of scintillation detection. Different combinations of training data, observation matrices, and learning algorithms are investigated to obtain performance measures. Testing results on data from Singapore demonstrate the general capabilities of the detector.
Standardized Parameters in Misspecified Structural Equation Models: Empirical Performance in Point Estimates, Standard Errors, and Confidence Intervals

In practice, models always have misfit, and it is not well known in what situations methods that provide point estimates, standard errors (SEs), or confidence intervals (CIs) of standardized structural equation modeling (SEM) parameters are trustworthy. In this article we carried out simulations to evaluate the empirical performance of currently available methods. We studied maximum likelihood point estimates, as well as SE estimators based on the delta method, nonparametric bootstrap (NP-B), and semiparametric bootstrap (SP-B). For CIs we studied Wald CI based on delta, and percentile and BCa intervals based on NP-B and SP-B. We conducted simulation studies using both confirmatory factor analysis and SEM models. Depending on (a) whether point estimate, SE, or CI is of interest; (b) amount of model misfit; (c) sample size; and (d) model complexity, different methods can be the one that renders best performance. Based on the simulation results, we discuss how to choose proper methods in practice.
Unmanned Aircraft System traffic management: Concept of operation and system architecture

Abstract Within the past few years, civilian demand for small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS), commonly referred to as drones, has skyrocketed. The passage of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Modernization and Reform Act in 2012 acknowledged this fact, and has since prompted expedited research and development for civilian sUAS. As proposed at a recent National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Convention, central to the safe and efficient operations of sUAS will be an unmanned aircraft system traffic management (UTM) system. Such a UTM system will borrow fundamental ideas from large-scale air-traffic control, albeit with several key differences that provide for sUAS which vary in method of control, maneuverability, function, range, and operational constraints. Ultimately, an expansion of UTM infrastructure, a decentralization of governing authority over sUAS operations, and the establishment of a web-interface for pilots to submit flight plans and access crucial data will allow for sUAS operations to shift from being a science-fiction gimmick to an element of daily life. The major objectives of this paper are to: (1) define what a UTM system is; (2) review current UTM practice from industry partners; (3) describe how sUAS pilots would use a typical UTM system, and who has authority over UTM; and (4) determine what physical architecture is required in a UTM system which handles a large variety of sUAS.
Exposure to 1,2-Propanediol Impacts Early Development of Zebrafish (Danio rerio) and Induces Hyperactivity.

Abstract The use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) is increasing as an alternative to tobacco burning cigarettes; however, their safety remains to be fully determined. The long-term effects of e-cigarettes are unknown, including the effects of maternal e-cigarette use on pre- and postnatal development. Additional research on the safety of e-cigarettes is needed. Especially useful would be information from high- and moderate-throughput economic model systems. This study investigates the effects of 1,2-propanediol, which was identified as the main component of e-cigarette liquid, on early development of zebrafish (an in vivo high-throughput model system that was recently proposed for the study of tobacco cigarette and e-cigarette toxicity). Zebrafish embryos were exposed to 1.25% or 2.5% 1,2-propanediol from 6 to 72 h post-fertilization (hpf). We show that exposure to 1,2-propanediol did not significantly affect mortality. Hatching success was significantly lower in 2.5% 1,2-propanediol-exposed embryo...
Management of Ventricular Arrhythmias in Patients With Advanced Heart Failure.

Advanced heart failure (A-HF) is characterized by progressive symptoms of heart failure despite optimal therapy. In patients with A-HF, ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) are common. Clinical studies evaluating different therapies to prevent VAs had very limited representation of patients with A-HF. Among antiarrhythmic drugs, only amiodarone reduces VAs, although its use may be associated with increased mortality. Catheter ablation with substrate modification is effective to achieve VA suppression in patients with A-HF, including those with left ventricular assist devices. In high-risk cases, temporary mechanical hemodynamic support tailored to the individual patient on the basis of presentation and hemodynamic conditions may be beneficial. Advanced therapies for pump failure or refractory VAs, including heart transplantation and durable mechanical circulatory support, may be required in high-risk patients who are reasonable candidates for these surgical therapies. In this review, the authors discuss important management considerations in patients with VAs and A-HF.
Constraint Tree Analysis: A Method to Evaluate Threats to Technology Policy Goals

There is always a risk that a public policy will be unsuccessful. Policy failure can be the result of poorly written policy whose implementation measures are not aligned with the intended goals. It can also be a result of unexpected constraints that impede policy implementation. There are many guides offering advice on how to write good policy and establish policy goals, yet there is no established preemptive method for anticipating policy implementation constraints or other barriers to policy success. This article proposes a new method called constraint tree analysis for evaluating the obstacles to policy implementation before a policy is enacted. The method builds on an established mechanism in aerospace engineering and computer science that enumerates possible failure points or attack vectors of systems. Constraint tree analysis is illustrated in this article by using it to identify possible implementation obstacles of U.S. Executive Order 13636 – Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity.
Breaking Ties in Weighted Interactomes

Automatic signaling pathway reconstruction methods using protein-protein interactomes are hindered by the unit/coarsely-weighted edges that lead to many paths sharing the same cost. We propose to use gene expression as an orthologous dataset from the pathway of interest to re-prioritize tied paths. The proposed method promotes/demotes paths based on the number of inferred true pathway edges. In general, it can be applied to any signaling pathway reconstruction method that outputs an ordered list of paths, trees, or other subgraphs.
U.S. sociology and the Iraq War

The 2003 U.S. invasion and subsequent occupation of Iraq had profound consequences for the people living in that nation. In this essay, I provide a brief overview of the dramatic changes that transpired in Iraq due to the war. I then move on to highlight the contributions U.S. sociologists have made in studies regarding the conflict, based on a review of articles published from 2003–2016 in ten generalist U.S.-based journals. My review shows that while U.S. sociology has made significant contributions to further collective knowledge about American aspects of the Iraq War, U.S. sociologists have paid very little attention to the actual impacts of the invasion and occupation on Iraqi social organizations, Iraqi culture, and on the lives of individual Iraqis. I make the case that these historically significant events deserve more scholarly attention than they have been given so far. I further argue that U.S. sociologists have a special responsibility to document, study, and explain the consequences of their government's behavior when it causes extensive harm to people living in another land.
Exploring cross-lagged associations between spiritual struggles and risk for suicidal behavior in a community sample of military veterans.

Abstract Background There is consensus that struggles with religious faith and/or spirituality likely contribute to risk for suicidal behavior in military populations. However, a lack of longitudinal information has limited the ability to clarify the temporal associations between these variables. Methods This study examined cross-lagged associations between key types of spiritual struggles (divine, morality, ultimate meaning, interpersonal relations, and doubting) and indices of risk for suicidal behavior (suicidal ideation and probability of future attempt) in a community sample of veterans who completed assessments spaced apart by six months. Results Greater severity of all forms of spiritual struggles was generally concurrently associated with indices of suicidal behavior at both time points. Of the possible models for predicting suicide risk, structural equation modeling analyses revealed that a cross-lagged option with spiritual struggles predicting risk provided the best-fitting solution for veterans’ responses on study measures. In addition to PTSD and MDD symptomatology, issues with ultimate meaning at Time 1 were uniquely predictive of veterans’ perceived likelihood of making a suicide attempt beyond the second assessment, after accounting for autoregressive effects and other variables in this model. Limitations This sample was recruited from a single geographic region with disproportionate ties to Christian religious traditions. In addition, reliance on self-report instrumentation potentially limited the accuracy of gauging suicide risk in some cases. Conclusions Findings highlight the prognostic value of spiritually integrated models for assessing suicide risk in military veterans that account for mental health conditions along with possible expressions of suffering in the spiritual domain.
Use of Multiple Perspectives and Decision Modeling for Solar Photovoltaic Technology Assessment

As global warming and foreign oil dependence debates grow, more organizations are evaluating renewable energy. Renewable energy generation technologies are complex systems that have wide-ranging implications in their production and deployment. Using multiple perspectives such as social, technological, economic, environmental, and political (STEEP) and their decomposition into multiple criteria or indicators provide a broader yet explicit assessment of the technology under consideration. An effective method of determining the relative importance of a criterion with respect to others is by hierarchical decision modeling and expert judgment quantification instruments. These combined approaches can improve decision making for technology assessment and selection. This paper describes the approach through an example for photovoltaic solar technologies.
Precision oncology experience at a tertiary care center.

e18118Background: Precision oncology – use of tumor genomic profiling to guide therapies – is widely discussed but with limited real-world data. We have previously reported our prospective study on...
Preoperative Assessment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in the Ambulatory Anesthesia Patient: A Survey of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Providers.

Purpose Oral and maxillofacial surgeons often treat patients with both diagnosed and undiagnosed obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Patients with OSA are at substantial risk of perioperative and postoperative complications after receiving intravenous sedation, general anesthesia, or postoperative opiate analgesia. The purpose of this study was to determine whether oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMS) providers are screening patients for perioperative and postoperative risks related to OSA before office-based ambulatory anesthesia. Materials and Methods SurveyMonkey software (SurveyMonkey, San Mateo, CA) was used to distribute a survey to 1,658 community- and hospital-based OMS providers in the United States. A response rate of 17.4% (n = 288) was achieved. The 27-question survey was created to obtain demographic information and to assess the preoperative anesthesia routine of the OMS providers. The questions were developed based on American Society of Anesthesiologists guidelines and the STOP-Bang questionnaire to determine the quality and rate of screening for OSA before office-based ambulatory anesthesia procedures. Results All incomplete survey responses were excluded from analysis. Demographic analysis showed that 73.61% of the 288 respondents were in private practice only, with no hospital affiliation. Of the respondents, 81.88% reported performing fewer than 50 hospital operating room procedures per year, 81.60% reported performing more than 200 office-based ambulatory anesthesia cases per year, and 96.19% reported performing their own office-based ambulatory anesthesia. In this cohort, only 34.7% of OMS providers stated that they asked patients OSA-specific screening questions, whereas 74.3% reported asking other preoperative anesthesia questions (χ2 = 91.0, df = 1, P Conclusions Most of the surveyed OMS providers are not screening pre-anesthesia patients for OSA with a quantifiable method such as the STOP-Bang questionnaire. These findings identify a need to investigate the rate of undiagnosed OSA syndrome in the OMS office-based ambulatory anesthesia patient population. The STOP-Bang questionnaire may be a useful tool to better assess for anesthesia risk and modify management accordingly.
Designing Visual Communication of Everyday Illness Experiences in Pediatric Care

In complex chronic care, patients' ongoing awareness of their health status and ability to articulate health needs are vital to active participation in care, yet they face various challenges that could thwart their potential to engage in such participation. My research explores how design methods in HCI can evolve to meet these challenges by engaging both adolescents and family caregivers throughout the process of tracking the patients' illness experiences and co-designing rich representations that are expected to support adolescents' communication of these experiences in care. This thesis will contribute 1) a critical understanding of the ways in which human-centered design can address primary challenges that adolescents face when engaging in care, 2) a novel method for conducting co-design research with chronically ill patient families, and a 3) family-centered mobile health technology that demonstrates the feasibility of engaging pediatric patient families.
Measurement of blood lactate as a function of vocal loading and neuromuscular electrical stimulation: Proof of concept

The goal of the current investigation was to establish proof of concept regarding measurement of blood lactate levels as an indicator of laryngeal muscle activity and fatigue, as well as to examine the relationship between blood lactate levels and NMES intensity. Fifteen participants completed a vocal loading exercise while blood lactate was measured prior to, during, and upon completion of the exercise. Acoustic measures of voice production and subjective reports of fatigue/soreness were obtained pre- and post-vocal loading task. The participants were divided into three groups: those who did not receive laryngeal neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), those who received laryngeal NMES at a minimally perceivable level of intensity, and those who received laryngeal NMES at a maximum tolerable level of intensity. Changes in blood lactate levels were observed during the vocal loading task, thus indicating that blood lactate measurements are sensitive enough to reflect laryngeal muscle activity. No consistent pattern between blood lactate levels and NMES intensity or fatigue emerged. Several factors may account for these findings.
Substitution of cysteic acid for the seven phosphorylated residues in bovine rhodopsin C-terminal peptide

We have previously synthesized peptide 330-348 from the carboxyl terminal region of bovine rhodopsin containing 4 pThr and 3 pSer residues [1]. This peptide activated arrestin, causing arrestin to bind to non-phosphorylated, light-activated rhodopsin (R*) [2] and inhibited the light-induced phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity in rod outer segments [3]. We have synthesized a new analog substituting cysteic acid for all of the phosphorylated residues, DDEAXXXVXKXEXXQVAPA where X = cysteic acid (7 Cya peptide), to test whether cysteic acid would substitute for the phosphorylated residues and activate arrestin.
Violence and epilepsy

A 16-year-old right-handed male with a 1-year history of aggressive behavior associated with coprolalia was seen for a second opinion regarding possible seizures. He was diagnosed with complex-partial seizures starting at age 6. During his seizure he would appear to be pointing at people with his hands. This was followed by flailing movements of the arms for brief periods of time followed by post-event fatigue and amnesia. He was suspected to have focal seizures, though a behavioral disorder was also considered. Carbamazepine was begun, which led to complete resolution of the episodes. He remained in control of the attacks and medication was withdrawn at age 9. He was well until 14 years of age when he began having brief episodes of uttering profanities while he would point at people. Seizures were considered, though he was tried on lamotrigine without success. Video-EEG monitoring was performed at age 15 (Fig. 28.1). During the monitoring session, multiple episodes were captured, though none were associated with any EEG changes. He was felt to manifest motor tics with coprolalia and was diagnosed with Tourette’s syndrome. Clonidine was ineffective. A brain MRI was normal, as was a complete neurological examination. He had an episode at school in which he cursed and made threatening gestures to his teacher. She described his movements as though he was holding a gun. He was suspended from school and brought by his parents for a second opinion. A diagnostic study was performed.
Economic Thought in Modern China: Market and Consumption, c.1500–1937

In this major new study, Margherita Zanasi argues that basic notions of a free market economy emerged in China a century and half earlier than in Europe. In response to the commercial revolutions of the late 1500s, Chinese intellectuals and officials called for the end of state intervention in the market, recognizing its power to self-regulate. They also noted the elasticity of domestic demand and production, arguing in favour of ending long-standing rules against luxury consumption, an idea that emerged in Europe in the late seventeenth and early nineteenth centuries. Zanasi challenges Eurocentric theories of economic modernization as well as the assumption that European Enlightenment thought was unique in its ability to produce innovative economic ideas. She instead establishes a direct connection between observations of local economic conditions and the formulation of new theories, revealing the unexpected flexibility of the Confucian tradition and its accommodation of seemingly unorthodox ideas.
Pseudoaneurysm rupture presenting as bleeding from the cannulation site in a paediatric patient with dilated cardiomyopathy and congenital skin lesions requiring EXCOR® Paediatric ventricular assist device: a case report.

Background EXCOR® Paediatric is used worldwide as a bridge-to-transplant treatment. It provides improved patient stability during the waiting period compared with previous ventricular assist device (VAD). However, investigations into complications which may occur among the paediatric population during long waiting periods are still sparse. Case summary We describe the case of a 7-year-old girl who presented with severe heart failure due to dilated cardiomyopathy. She also had a skin lesion which appeared soon after birth. She had received an EXCOR® implant and was waiting for heart transplant. Her skin lesion worsened after implantation and she suffered recurrent infections. Multiple bleeding episodes from the cannulation site occurred; therefore, surgical exploration of the bleeding was performed. She passed away during the procedure due to massive bleeding caused by rupture of a pseudoaneurysm caused by blood-stream infection. Discussion Patients with skin disease may be at increased risk of infection when on a VAD. Infections that occur during VAD therapy may cause serious complications such as pseudoaneurysm. The possibility of pseudoaneurysm should be considered when bleeding occurs in a patient on VAD.
HFetch: Hierarchical Data Prefetching for Scientific Workflows in Multi-Tiered Storage Environments

In the era of data-intensive computing, accessing data with a high-throughput and low-latency is more imperative than ever. Data prefetching is a well-known technique for hiding read latency. However, existing solutions do not consider the new deep memory and storage hierarchy and also suffer from under-utilization of prefetching resources and unnecessary evictions. Additionally, existing approaches implement a client-pull model where understanding the application’s I/O behavior drives prefetching decisions. Moving towards exascale, where machines run multiple applications concurrently by accessing files in a workflow, a more data-centric approach can resolve challenges such as cache pollution and redundancy. In this study, we present HFetch, a truly hierarchical data prefetcher that adopts a server-push approach to data prefetching. We demonstrate the benefits of such an approach. Results show 10-35% performance gains over existing prefetchers and over 50% when compared to systems with no prefetching.
Transition From Population III to Population II Stars

The transition from Population III to Population II stars is determined by the presence of a sufficient amount of metals, in particular, oxygen and carbon. The vastly different yields of these relevant metals between different initial stellar mass functions would then cause such a transition to occur at different times. We show that the transition from Pop III to Pop II stars is likely to occur before the universe can be reionized, if the IMF is entirely very massive stars (M > 140 M_sun). A factor of about 10 more ionizing photons would be produced in the case with normal top-heavy IMF (e.g., M ~ 10-100 M_sun), when such a transition occurs. Thus, a high Thomson optical depth (tau_e >= 0.11-0.14) may be indication that the Population III stars possess a more conventional top-heavy IMF.
Combination Therapies for Precision Oncology: The Ultimate Whack-A-Mole Game.

The single agent activity of MEK inhibitors in MAP kinase or CDK4/6 inhibitors in cyclin pathway aberrant tumors has been limited. The combination of trametinib and palbociclib demonstrates safety, tolerability, and clinical activity in a histology independent manner, representing a therapeutic approach for patients harboring cooccurring aberrations.
Effects of interruption of care during COVID-19 pandemic on sinus and skull base surgery patients

Objective: Due to COVID-19, patients who had sinus or skull base surgery in February and early March 2020 were unable toreceive standard postoperative care. Currently, there is a lack of data on the short- and long-term impacts of this. Wesought to examine the effects of the interruption of care due to COVID-19 on sinus and skull base surgery patientoutcomes. Study Design: Retrospective chart review. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted examining outcomes and healthcare utilization of patients at our institutionwho underwent sinus or skull base surgery in February and March of 2020, and who experienced an interruption inpostoperative care due to the pandemic. We then compared these measures with those of patients from the same timeperiod in 2019, who did not experience an interruption in care. Patient characteristics including age, indication for surgery,extent of surgery, polyps, preoperative Lund-Mackay and sinonasal outcome (SNOT22) scores and history of prior sinus orskull base surgery were recorded. Study outcomes included 3 and 6 month postoperative SNOT22 and Modified Lund-Kennedy endoscopy scores, antibiotic usage, sinonasal debridements performed, and number of telephone calls andtelehealth visits in the postoperative period. Results: A total of 107 patients were included. Of the SNOT22 scores available, the average change between preoperativeand 3 month postoperative SNOT22 scores for 2020 ( n = 15) compared to 2019 patients ( n = 30) was not significantlydifferent (a decrease of 17.27 and 19.93, respectively;p = 0.68). The average change between preoperative and 6-monthpostoperative SNOT22 scores for 2020 ( n = 13) compared to 2019 patients ( n = 26) was also not significantly different (adecrease of 18.69 and 20.77, respectively;p = 0.75). The average number of oral postoperative antibiotics received did notsignificantly differ between 2020 ( n = 52) and 2019 ( n = 55) cohorts (0.18 vs. 0.09, respectively;p = 0.53). The averagenumber of postoperative telephone calls did not significantly differ between 2020 and 2019 patients (1.51 vs. 1.19;p = 0.95). Patients in 2019 received an average of 2.35 postoperative sinonasal debridements compared to 1.90 in 2020 ( p =0.03). The average number of postoperative telehealth visits for 2020 patients was 0.72. Of the 2020 patients, 50% werelost to follow-up at 3 months postoperatively compared to 18% in 2019 ( p = 0.0005) and 71% were lost to follow-up at 6months postoperatively in 2020 compared to 36% in 2019 ( p = 0.0003). Conclusion: Although there was an interruption in postoperative care due to COVID-19, patients in 2020 who returned forfollow-up 3 and 6 months after surgery did not report significantly different subjective sinonasal outcomes compared topatients in 2019. A significantly greater number of patients have been lost to follow-up in 2020 compared to 2019 and havenot received routine postoperative care. Further study is required to determine the impact of the interruption of care due toCOVID-19 on sinus and skull base surgery outcomes.
A phase II clinical trial of talazoparib monotherapy for PALB2 mutation-associated advanced breast cancer.

TPS1109Background: PALB2 (Partner and Localizer of BRCA2) plays a critical role in the maintenance of genomic integrity through its role in the Fanconi anemia and homologous recombination DNA repai...
Using 3D perfusion bioreactor system to studying cell biology of ovarian cancer.

e17558Background: Epithelial Ovarian Cancer (EOC) is the most common cause of death among gynecological malignancies. This is a result of the high rate of recurrence and chemo-resistance in EOC pat...
Autism and General Developmental Screening Practices Among Primary Care Providers.

OBJECTIVE Using standardized screening tools increases accuracy in early identification of autism. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends systematic developmental screening at all 9-, 18-, and 24- or 30-month well-child visits (WCVs) and autism-specific screening at all 18- and 24-month WCVs. The study objectives were to examine the extent to which these guidelines have been adopted in practice among primary care providers (PCPs) and to identify potential provider-level factors associated with screening practices. METHOD Participants included 94 PCPs (79% pediatricians) from 13 states enrolled in a study of an autism training program. Self-report and chart-review data collected before training were examined. Screening practices were assessed through chart review of all 9-, 18-, and 24-month WCVs within a 30-day window. RESULTS Sixty-four percent of PCPs administered developmental screening tools at all 9-month WCVs, and 62% at all 18-month WCVs. Fifty-one percent administered autism screening tools at all 18-month WCVs, and 41% at all 24-month WCVs. Screening practices varied by provider type (pediatrician vs other PCP), self-efficacy in screening and identification, and previous autism training (autism screening only), but not by years of experience. CONCLUSION Overall, general developmental and autism-specific screenings are not being consistently administered across recommended WCVs in primary care practices. Provider self-efficacy in autism identification and screening and previous autism training were associated with increased autism screening. As such, these results suggest a need for increased training and dissemination of information on screening implementation for practicing PCPs.
High-Performance Radio Telescope Array Data Processing Framework

As radio telescope projects grow larger with more antennas observing wider bandwidths, data rates are rapidly increasing. The Square Kilometer Array and other next generation observatories will usher in an era of exascale data and beyond [1]. This necessitates an equivalent increase in data transfers, processing speeds, and emphasis on real-time analysis. Reducing the performance gap between high-level science algorithm development (frequently in Python) and real-time, production code would allow astronomers to better utilize the hardware available to them. To enable this, we create a high-level array data processing pipeline framework in the Julia programming language, featuring templates for modular data processing algorithms. We demonstrate its performance with a spectral kurtosis algorithm and show that the new interface does not introduce significant processing overhead. In future work, we will explore the signal processing potential of new hardware accelerators present in modern GPUs. Such accelerators promise improved performance along with new programming challenges.
A Systematic Method to Explore Radio Frequency Non-Thermal Effect on the Growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Radio frequency (RF) non-thermal (NT) bio-effects have been a subject of debate and attracted significant interests due to potential health risks or beneficial applications. In this work, we report a systematic method for broadband investigation of RF NT effects on Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast growth. The method includes a transverse electro-magnetic (TEM) device and a dielectric spectroscopy technique for RF frequency selection. Frequency regions, where large permittivity differences between the medium and yeast cultures were obtained and used to select RF testing frequencies, e.g., 1.0 MHz, 3.162 MHz, 10 MHz. Additionally, RF at 905 MHz is tested for comparison purpose. Yeast cells in the exponential growth phase were examined at four RF frequencies and compared with two controls. One control device held at the same temperature as the test device, while the other control was held at a temperature 1C higher. The results showed that the RF fields at 3.162 MHz reduced yeast growth rates by 15.1%; however, the RF fields at 1.0 MHz enhanced cell growth by 13.7%, while the observed 4.3% growth rate increase at 10 MHz is insignificant and the RF fields at 905 MHz had no effects on the cell growth. These results showed a clear RF NT effects on S. cerevisiae growth that was frequency dependent.
The Poetics of Conversion in Early Modern English Literature: Verse and Change from Donne to Dryden

Christians in post-Reformation England inhabited a culture of conversion. Required to choose among rival forms of worship, many would cross - and often recross - the boundary between Protestantism and Catholicism. This study considers the poetry written by such converts, from the reign of Elizabeth I to that of James II, concentrating on four figures: John Donne, William Alabaster, Richard Crashaw, and John Dryden. Murray offers a context for each poet's conversion within the era's polemical and controversial literature. She also elaborates on the formal features of the poems themselves, demonstrating how the language of poetry could express both spiritual and ecclesiastical change with particular vividness and power. Proposing conversion as a catalyst for some of the most innovative devotional poetry of the period, both canonical and uncanonical, this study will be of interest to all specialists in early modern English literature.
How do neurones secrete peptides? Exocytosis and its consequences, including "synaptic vesicle" formation, in the hypothalamo-neurohypophyseal system.

Publisher Summary This chapter addresses problem of how neurones secrete peptides by discussing the hypothalamo-neurohypophyseal system secreting the octapeptide hormones oxytocin and vasopressin (ADH). The secretory elements of this system are the archetypical “peptidergic” nerves, and more is known of their function than that of all other such neurones combined. It has long been suspected that these hypothalamo-neurohypophyseal cells possessing neuronal as well as glandular morphological characteristics generate impulses in response to osmotic or reflex synaptic activation and propagate them to their terminals in the neurohypophysis. The chapter also explores the following questions: (1) whether impulses provide the adequate stimulus for release of the posterior pituitary hormones, (2) if so, how these impulses act, and (3) what kind of secretory process is set in motion. The peptide-secreting nerves of the hypothalamo-neurohypophyseal tract possess the essential electrophysiological attributes of neurones: generation and propagation of impulses by means of the familiar regenerative sodium mechanism sensitive to tetrodotoxin (TTX). In neurohypophyseal terminals, granule membrane retrieved in this way is probably destroyed by lysosomes but a comparable mechanism in conventional neurones could permit recycling of synaptic vesicles.
Purification and Properties of 4-Hydroxy-4-methyl-2-oxoglutarate Aldolase

Abstract 4-Hydroxy-4-methyl-2-oxoglutarate aldolase was purified to a state of apparent homogeneity from Pseudomonas putida. The molecular weight of the enzyme was estimated to be around 150,000 from sedimentation equilibrium and sedimentation velocity data. The physicochemical properties described include: sedimentation coefficient (s20, w0 = 7.98 S), frictional ratio (f:f0 = 1.15) and apparent partial specific volume (v = 0.742 ml g-1). The low mobility of the protein in sodium dodecyl sulfate electrophoresis greatly increased after reduction with mercaptoethanol. One main band was then observed, with the mobility expected for a protein of molecular weight about 27,000, and it appears that before reduction, six polypeptide chains of similar size were joined through disulfide linkages. In urea-acetic acid gels, electrophoresis of the enzyme before reduction revealed heterogeneity attributable to disulfide bond interchange; this may have occurred during purification. 4-Carboxy-4-hydroxy-2-oxoadipate was a substrate for the enzyme, but other hydroxyoxoacid intermediates in aromatic catabolism were not. The aldolase attacked only one enantiomer of 4-hydroxy-4-methyl-2-oxoglutarate, the reaction was inhibited competitively by oxaloacetate and the enzyme required Mn++ or Mg++ (Km = 0.17 mm MgCl2) for activity.
Natural Killer Dendritic Cells Have Both Antigen Presenting and Lytic Function and in Response to CpG Produce IFN-γ via Autocrine IL-12

We have isolated rare cells bearing the NK cell surface marker NK1.1, as well as the dendritic cell (DC) marker CD11c, from the spleen, liver, lymph nodes, and thymus of normal mice. These cells possess both NK cell and DC function because they can lyse tumor cells and subsequently present Ags to naive Ag-specific T cells. Interestingly, in response to IL-4 plus either IL-2 or CpG, NKDC produce more IFN-γ than do DC, or even NK cells. We determined that CpG, but not IL-2, induces NKDC to secrete IFN-γ via the autocrine effects of IL-12. In vivo, CpG dramatically increases the number of NKDC. Furthermore, NKDC induce greater Ag-specific T cell activation than do DC after adoptive transfer. Their unique ability to lyse tumor cells, present Ags, and secrete inflammatory cytokines suggests that NKDC may play a crucial role in linking innate and adaptive immunity.
Stepwise development of biomarkers for angiogenic activity with standardized assays for circulating molecules in human subjects

B84 Numerous molecules are necessary for tumor angiogenesis and standardized assays for determining the concentrations of such molecules in body fluids are readily available. It is unclear which assays, upon which fluid samples, will be useful biomarkers to guide anticancer therapy. In this study we: 1) selected angiopoietin-2 (Ang2) and soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR2) for further investigation based on parameters of assay performance in population samples, 2) estimated the intraindividual and interindividual variability in measurements on serially collected serum and plasma samples from 6 healthy adult subjects, and 3) applied these findings to the pilot analysis of these same markers in a group of advanced cancer patients receiving treatment with the c-Raf/VEGFR2/VEGFR3/PDGFRβ kinase inhibitor sorafenib. Ang2 and VEGFR2 shared properties of primary synthesis by endothelial cells and ELISAs (R&D Systems, Minneapolis, MN) detecting a broad population distribution with no sample below the limits of detection. The six healthy subjects provided 13 concurrent serum and plasma samples each over the course of 14-24 days Variance component analysis revealed 86% of plasma Ang2 and 91% of plasma VEGFR2 variability to be interindividual, with sex and a standardized exercise session having no obvious measurable effect. (For serum samples, interindividual variation accounted for 89% and 87% of the total variance for Ang2 and VEGFR2, respectively.) For Ang2, serum and plasma samples yielded nearly identical results while VEGFR2 serum samples had slightly greater intra individual variability than plasma samples. Therefore single time-point plasma samples were collected from 15 advanced solid tumor patients, before, and approximately 10 and 40 days after commencing treatment with the orally available kinase inhibitor sorafenib. Using a repeated measures linear model of Ang2 and VEGFR2 concentrations, a univariate test of the time on sorafenib effect was statistically significant (Greenhouse-Geisser p value= 0.046 and
The star makers: A history of the theories of stellar structure and evolution

1 . I n t r o d u c t i o n O u r u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f s t e l l a r e v o l u t i o n i s b e l i e v e d t o b e on s o u n d o b s e r v a t i o n a l a n d t h e o r e t i c a l g r o u n d . Y e t o n l y 80 y e a r s a g o , t h e e v o l u t i o n a r y b e h a v i o r attributed to stars was almost the exact opposite of what we assume today. Even as recently as the 1940's some astronomers believed that stars evolved up the main sequence and that red giants and cepheids were young stars. How ideas about stellar evolution have changed is not as well known as, say, the debate on the nature of external galaxies, or the discovery of interstellar obscuration. But it is quite as filled with controversies, false leads, and overlooked triumphs. The story begins with Anaxagoras who described stars as flaming stones. It was taken a step further by Aristotle who offered a mechanism for the heating of stars by appealing to the "observation" that a lead projectile is melted as a result of its passage through the air. Thus, it should be no surprise that stars are so heated. Moving nearer to the present, Kant discussed the energy supply of the sun in his nebular hypothesis, arguing that there was tendency for the "lighter and volatile portions [of the solar nebula to be] wholly thrown down to the central body. And because these lighter and volatile portions are also the most active in maintaining fire, we see that...the body which is the centre of the system thus obtains the advantage of becoming a flaming ball, or in a word, a sun." Kant went on to explain that the sun is fiery in the sense of burning and is not merely a liquid molten ball cooling off. Otherwise it would not be able to maintain itself. However, Kant offered no real explanation for the energy source apart from analogy to a fire.
ℝ-Trees in Topology, Geometry, and Group Theory

This paper is intended as a survey of the theory and applications of real trees from a topol-ogist's point of view. The idea of an all-inclusive historical account was quickly abandoned at the start of this undertaking, but I hope to describe the main ideasin the subject with emphasis on applications outside the theory of ℝ-trees. The “Rips machine”, i.e., the classification of measured laminations on 2-complexes, is the key ingredient. Roughly speaking, the Rips machine is an algorithm that takes as input a finite 2-complex equipped with a transversely measured lamination (more precisely, a band complex), and puts it in a “normal form”.
Neurobiology of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

In the general population, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has a 1% lifetime prevalence (Heizer et al., 1987). Estimates among war veterans are much higher, with 15% of Vietnam veterans currently meeting criteria for PTSD and 30% meeting lifetime criteria. Since their tour in Vietnam, another 20% of veterans have suffered from partial PTSD, having at least some symptoms disruptive of normal social functioning (Kulka et al., 1990).
The Academic Health Center and the Public Agenda: Whose Three-legged Stool?

Abstract ▪ The American academic health center has emerged from a tradition that bound research, teaching, and patient care. In recent decades major changes in its faculty array and activities have...
Differential effect of radiation on endothelial cell function in rectal cancer and normal rectum.

Background: Chronic radiation injury of the intestine is associated with significant underexpression of a potent physiological anticoagulant, endothelial cell thrombomodulin (TM). This study compared early and late radiation-induced changes in endothelial TM, urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA), and transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) in normal rectum and tumors. Methods: Rectal resection specimens from 27 patients were analyzed: Nine patients underwent primary resection of rectal cancer, 11 tumors were resected after neo-adjuvant radiotherapy, and 7 because of local recurrence after prior resection and adjuvant radiotherapy. TM, uPA, and extracellular matrix-associated TGF-β immunoreactivity were assessed using computerized image analysis. Results: Multivariate analysis revealed that tumors had more TM-positive vessels (P = 0.003), more uPA-positive cells (P <0.001), and higher TGF-β immunoreactivity levels (P <0.001) than normal rectum. Preoperative irradiation was associated with decreased proportions of TM-positive vessels in tumors (P = 0.003) and normal rectum (P <0.001). Irradiated tumors had fewer uPA-positive cells (P = 0.003) and less TGF-β immunoreactivity (P = 0.001) than unirradiated tumors. The proportion of TM-positive vessels in irradiated rectum from patients with recurrence was decreased (P = 0.03), whereas the recurrent (ie, unirradiated) tumors did not differ from primary tumors in terms of TM, TGF-β, or uPA immunoreactivity. Conclusions: The results support a role for endothelial dysfunction in the pathogenesis of radiation proctitis. Maintaining endothelial cell anticoagulant function may be a potential method to optimize the therapeutic ratio of adjuvant radiotherapy of rectal cancer.
Solar and supernova neutrino physics with Sudbury Neutrino Observatory.

The salient features of solar and supernova neutrino physics at the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory are examined. The possibility of detecting a solar-antineutrino flux, predicted as a result of resonant spin-flavor conversion, is emphasized. The antineutrino flux at Sudbury due to the commercial power reactors is calculated. Simplified, analytical expressions for the expected galactic supernova count rates are given.