cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Student Grading Policies: Legal Issues and Administrative Review

This case study focuses on the legal aspects of school district grading policies. Given parental and student challenges to assigned grades, a school district and its employees must be prepared to respond appropriately to substantive and procedural claims. Moreover, when these claims cannot be resolved at the building level, administrative reviews, case law and collective bargaining may enter the arena to ensure equity and fairness to all parties.
The National Cancer Institute Silicone Implant/Multiple Myeloma Registry

Following the initial report that the intraperitoneal injection of silicone gels leads to plasmacytoma formation in genetically susceptible strains of mice [1], clinical case-reports have appeared of multiple myeloma and monoclonal gammopathy of 0undetermined significance (MGUS) in people with silicone-implants. To characterize the cases identified to date, the National Cancer Institute has established a Silicone Implant/Multiple Myeloma Registry. The Registry also includes patients with MGUS and is not restricted to females, but only female patients with multiple myeloma are included in this report. Several individual series of cases have been reported earlier [2] (and see also other chapters in this volume), and some of these cases are also included herein.
Certified Nursing Assistants’ Explanatory Models of Nursing Home Resident Depression

In this study, the authors describe certified nursing assistants' (CNA) Explanatory Models (EMs) of depression and aspects of their EMs that may contribute to the underdetection of depression in nursing homes. Interviews with 18 CNAs working in two nursing homes are guided by Kleinman's Explanatory Models of Illness framework. Interview data are content analyzed and CNAs' descriptions of depression are compared to the MDS 2.0 Mood Screening criteria and to the DSM-IV-TR diagnostic criteria for depression. The result is that the CNAs are unsure about the duration and normalcy of depression in residents. Although they have no formal training, CNAs feel responsible for observing for signs of depression and describe verbal and nonverbal ways of interacting when providing emotional care to residents. CNAs hold potential to improve the detection of depression and contribute to the emotional care of residents. Attention to staff knowledge deficits and facility barriers may enhance this potential.
A genome-wide genetic signature of Jewish ancestry perfectly separates individuals with and without full Jewish ancestry in a large random sample of European Americans

Background: It was recently shown that the genetic distinction between self-identified Ashkenazi Jewish and non-Jewish individuals is a prominent component of genome-wide patterns of genetic variation in European Americans. No study however has yet assessed how accurately self-identified (Ashkenazi) Jewish ancestry can be inferred from genomic information, nor whether the degree of Jewish ancestry can be inferred among individuals with fewer than four Jewish grandparents. Results: Using a principal components analysis, we found that the individuals with full Jewish ancestry formed a clearly distinct cluster from those individuals with no Jewish ancestry. Using the position on the first principal component axis, every single individual with self-reported full Jewish ancestry had a higher score than any individual with no Jewish ancestry. Conclusions: Here we show that within Americans of European ancestry there is a perfect genetic corollary of Jewish ancestry which, in principle, would permit near perfect genetic inference of Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry. In fact, even subjects with a single Jewish grandparent can be statistically distinguished from those without Jewish ancestry. We also found that subjects with Jewish ancestry were slightly more heterozygous than the subjects with no Jewish ancestry, suggesting that the genetic distinction between Jews and non-Jews may be more attributable to a Near-Eastern origin for Jewish populations than to population bottlenecks.
Between gluckman and foucault: Historicizing rumour and gossip

(1994). Between gluckman and foucault: Historicizing rumour and gossip. Social Dynamics: Vol. 20, No. 1, pp. 75-92.
A NEW SPECIES OF TREEFROG OF THE GENUS LITORIA (HYLIDAE) FROM THE LOUISIADE ISLANDS, PAPUA NEW GUINEA

I describe a new species of treefrog of the genus Litoria from Sudest Island, in the Louisiade Islands, off the southeastern tip of New Guinea. The new species is readily distinguishable from all other Papuan species of the genus except L. prora and L. humboldtorum in its possession of fully webbed hands and a fleshy rostral spike. It is distinguished from these species by its larger size, reduced crenelated fringes on arms and legs, absence of heel lappets, reduced papillae on the mandibular margin, and details of color pattern. I describe the tadpole for the new species and show that it differs from that of L. humboldtorum in morphology and color pattern. All three species form cohesive, distinct clusters in multivariate morphometric space. Morphologically, the new species most closely resembles L. humboldtorum, known from Yapen Island and the nearby New Guinea mainland 2000 km to the northwest. The new species was not found in recent surveys of nearby Rossel and Misima islands, the other large islands of the Louisiade group, and it may be restricted to Sudest Island.
Klebsiella pneumonia: An unusual cause of ophthalmia neonatorum in a healthy newborn

Ophthalmia neonatorum is one of the most common infections during the neonatal period. Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoea must be ruled out, given their high virulence and systemic complications. We describe a case of ophthalmia neonatroum from Klebsiella pneumonia. Gram-negative organisms have been reported in hospital-acquired conjunctivitis (HAC), but we are unaware of any published reports of K. pneumonia conjunctivitis in an otherwise healthy full-term infant born in the United States who has received prophylaxis. It is important to promptly identify and treat Klebsiella conjunctivitis because it can lead to severe complications.
Rapid communication: development of in vitro resistance to macrophage-tropic- and T-cell-line-adapted HIV-1 strains among HIV-positive volunteers treated with highly active antiretroviral therapy.

We have described a peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) culture system in which control of endogenous virus and resistance to exogenous HIV-1 correlates with low viremia among HIV-1-positive people. Nineteen patients remained consistently resistant or susceptible for more than 5 years of follow-up. On the fifth year, 5 consistently susceptible volunteers with high viral loads began receiving highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART). After >6 months on HAART, 5 of 5 became completely or predominantly resistant on four visits over the next 6 months. Among HIV-1-positive donors, we had never observed reversal of PBMC phenotype from consistently susceptible to consistently resistant. Resistance correlated with suppression of plasma viremia and rebound in CD4 + T-cell counts and percentages. When resistant PBMCs were challenged after CD8 + T-cell depletion, 38 of 41 and 40 of 59 cultures became susceptible to HIV-1 MN and HIV-1 BaL , respectively. After combined CD8 + T-cell depletion and antibody neutralization of β-chemokines, 16 of 18 cultures became susceptible to HIV-1 BaL . Overall, the finding that >90% of these cultures depleted of relevant antiviral effector arms could become infected indicates resistance was not due to residual antiretroviral drug metabolites in vitro. For 2 volunteers who discontinued therapy because of side effects, pretreatment viral load correlated with loss of in vitro resistance and viral rebound. In addition to resistance to laboratory strains of HIV-1, all patients developed resistance to at least one of two CCR5-tropic, clade B primary isolates: HIV-1 P15 and HIV-1 P27 .
The Klein Paradox: An Example from the History of Negative Energy State Difficulties: The Positron Interpretation

One of the simplest problems, first solved in the earliest days of the Dirac theory, is the 1-D motion of a free particle reflected or transmitted at a discrete potential step.
The MSCT Diagnosis of Nontraumatic Testicular Emergency in Children (A Report of 17 Cases)

Objective To investigate the value of MSCT in the diagnosis of nontraumatic testicular emergency in children.Methods MSCT findings of 17 patients with nontraumatic testicular emergency confirmed by clinical,surgery and pathology were analyzed retrospectively.Results There were 13 cases of testicular epididymitis manifested as the enlargement of testis companied with inhomogenerous density,hydrocele obviously and significantly heterogeneous enhancement of testis and sheath;the ipsilateral spermatic cord was thickened and significantly enhanced compared with the contralateral.There were 4 cases of testicular torsion presented with the enlargement of testis,inhomogeneros density,testis could be heterogeneously enhanced slightly,spermatic cord could be enlarged and enhanced which the degree was less than the contralateral normal spermatic cord.Conclusion The image features of nontraumatic testicular emergency in children are complicated at different stages,which can be accurately manifested by MSCT,MSCT has an important value in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of nontraumatic testicular emergency in children.
A Phase 1 Study of Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy Dose Escalation for Borderline Resectable Pancreatic Cancer After Modified FOLFIRINOX (NCT01446458).

Purpose A challenge in borderline resectable pancreatic cancer (BRPC) management is the high rate of positive posterior margins (PM). Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) allows for higher radiation delivery dose with conformity. This study evaluated the maximal tolerated dose with a dose escalation plan level up to 45 Gy using SBRT in BRPC. Methods and Materials A single-institution, 3 + 3 phase 1 clinical trial design was used to evaluate 4 dose levels of SBRT delivered in 3 fractions to the planning target volume (PTV) with a simultaneous in-field boost (SIB) to the PM. Dose level (DL) 1 was 30 Gy to the PTV, and for dose levels 2 through 4 (DL2-DL4) the dose was 36 Gy. The SIB dose to the PM was 6, 6, 7.5, and 9 Gy for DL-1, DL-2, DL-3, and DL-4, respectively. All patients received 4 treatments of modified FOLFIRINOX (fluorouracil, leucovorin, irinotecan, oxaliplatin) before SBRT. Results Thirteen patients with a median age of 64 years were enrolled. The median follow-up time was 18 months. The locations of the cancer were head (n=12) and uncinate/neck (n=1). One patient did not undergo SBRT. There were no grade 3 or 4 toxicities. Five patients did not undergo resection because of disease progression (1 local, 4 distant); 8 had R0 resection in the PM, and 5 of 8 had vessel reconstruction. Two patients had disease downstaged to T1 and T2 from T3 disease. Four patients are still alive, and 3 are disease free. The median overall survival for resected patients was not reached (9.3: not reached). Conclusion The SBRT dose of 36 Gy with a 9-Gy SIB to the PM (total 45 Gy) delivered in 3 fractions is safe and well tolerated. The dose-limiting toxicity for a 45-Gy dose was not reached, and further dose escalations are needed in future trials.
An Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence Analysis of a Resharpened Obsidian Clovis Projectile Point from the Hartley Mammoth Site, Northern New Mexico

www.escholarship.org/uc/item/4321j9cs GEOARCHAEOLOGICAL X-RAY FLUORESCENCE SPECTROMETRY LABORATORY 8100 Wyoming Blvd., Ste M4-158 Albuquerque, NM 87113 USA LETTER REPORT AN ENERGY-DISPERSIVE X-RAY FLUORESCENCE ANALYSIS OF A RESHARPENED OBSIDIAN CLOVIS PROJECTILE POINT FROM THE HARTLEY MAMMOTH SITE, NORTHERN NEW MEXICO 16 May 2014 Dr. Bruce Huckell Department of Anthropology University of New Mexico Albuquerque, NM 87131 Dear Bruce: As we suspected, the resharpened Clovis point was produced from pre-caldera El Rechuelos Rhyolite obsidian of the Polvadera Member in the southern Jemez Mountains, northern New Mexico. This is the nearest obsidian source to the site. Specific instrumental methods can be found at http://www.swxrflab.net/anlysis.htm, and Shackley (2005). Source assignment was made by comparison to data in Shackley (1995, 2005), also found at http://swxrflab.net/swobsrcs.htm. Analysis of the USGS RGM-1 standard indicates high machine precision for the elements of interest (Table 1 here). VOICE: 510-393-3931
Collaborative Study of a Method for the Extraction of Light Filth from Crushed Red Peppers

A new method was developed for the extraction of light filth from crushed red peppers. The method utilizes an isoprapanol defatting of the product followed by separation of light filth elements with mineral oil and n-heptane (85+15) in a 2 L trap flask. Collaborative studies resulted in good recoveries of light filth spike elements and clean extration papers. The method has been adopted as official first action.
Radionuclide Kidney Function Evaluation in the Management of Urolithiasis

Renal and ureteral stones may cause asymmetrical renal damage that is not measured accurately by serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen studies, excretory urography, nephrotomography and arteriography. We evaluated with a renal scintillation camera study 77 patients who had renal or ureteral calculi. The radionuclide procedure provided an accurate measure of total effective renal plasma flow and differential effective renal plasma flow. It had the additional advantages of being a non-invasive procedure, causing no allergic reactions, requiring no patient preparation and producing low radiation exposure.
Strengths and Deficiencies in the Content of US Radiology Private Practices' Websites.

Abstract Purpose The Internet provides a potentially valuable mechanism for radiology practices to communicate with patients and enhance the patient experience. The aim of this study was to assess the websites of US radiology private practices, with attention to the frequency of content of potential patient interest. Methods The 50 largest private practice radiology facilities in the United States were identified from RadiologyBusiness.com . Websites were reviewed for information content and functionality. Results Content regarding radiologists’ names, medical schools, residencies, fellowships, photographs, and board certification status; contact for billing questions; and ability to make online payments was present on 80% to 98% of sites. Content regarding examination preparation, contrast use, examination duration, description of examination experience, scheduling information, directions, privacy policy, radiologists’ role in interpretation, and ACR accreditation was present on 60% to 78%. Content regarding accepted insurers, delivery of results to referrers, report turnaround times, radiologists’ years of experience, radiation safety, and facility hours was present on 40% to 58%. Content regarding technologist certification, registration forms, instructions for requesting a study on disc, educational videos, and patient testimonials was present on 20% to 38%. Content regarding examination prices, patient satisfaction scores, peer review, online scheduling, online report and image access, and parking was present on Conclusions Radiology practices’ websites most frequently provided information regarding their radiologists’ credentials, as well as billing and payment options. Information regarding quality, safety, and the examination experience, as well as non-payment-related online functionality, was less common. These findings regarding the most common deficiencies may be useful for radiology practices in expanding their websites’ content, thereby improving communication and potentially the patient experience.
The NCAA Cartel, Monopsonistic Restrictions, and Antitrust Policy:

NCAA members behave like a buyer cartel and use the bylaws of the NCAA to maintain their collusive agreement. We model the NCAA as a collusive monopsony and demonstrate the impact on compensation a...
Abstract 263: Isotopic Labeling and Chemical Cross-Linking Reveals Intermolecular Contacts and Dynamics of Apolipoprotein A-I Structure in Reconstituted HDL Particles

Apolipoprotein (apo)A-I has been proposed to adopt a number of different, but related, structures when in contact with lipid. The technique of chemical cross-linking has recently been used to determine the spatial relationships between two molecules of apoA-I in reconstituted high density lipoprotein (rHDL) particles. However, this technique is limited in that it cannot unequivocally distinguish between intramolecular and intermolecular contacts. To address this issue, we have produced two forms of recombinant apoA-I that contain the naturally occurring isotope of nitrogen (N14) or a stable isotope (N15). These forms were mixed 1:1 and then used to produce reconstituted HDL particles with synthetic lipids. The resulting mass shifts (readily detectable in the mass spectrometer) were exploited to unambiguously distinguish between intramolecular (N14 to N14 or N15 to N15) and intermolecular (N14 to N15) cross-linked peptides. An additional benefit of this approach was the ability to identify cross-links with high certainty without the need for peptide fragmentation, allowing for dramatic increases in method sensitivity. We studied highly homogeneous rHDL particles made with the fully saturated phospholipid palmitoyl steroyl phosphatidylcholine (PSPC) to minimize apoA-I conformational dynamics. These particles were 98A in diameter, contained two molecules of apoA-I, approximately 155 molecules of PC, and were discoidal in shape by cryo EM. We identified 30 cross-links (17 intramolecular, 13 intermolecular) that were overall consistent with the double belt model in which both apoA-I molecules wrap around a bilayer of lipids in an antiparallel orientation. Unambiguous intramolecular linkages between the N- and C-terminal regions of apoA-I were inconsistent with the ‘double super helix’ variant of the belt model. We identified several low abundance cross-links that suggest that the N-terminus may be conformationally dynamic and may spend some time folded back across the molecule as proposed for the ‘belt and buckle’ belt model.
Patterns of Oxygenation, Mortality, and Growth Status in the Surfactant Positive Pressure and Oxygen Trial Cohort.

Objective To characterize actual achieved patterns of oxygenation in infants born appropriate vs small for gestational age (SGA) randomized to a lower (85-89%) vs higher (91%-95%) oxygen saturation target in the Surfactant Positive Pressure and Oxygen Trial. To determine the association between achieved oxygen saturation levels and survival in infants born appropriate vs SGA enrolled in the Surfactant Positive Pressure and Oxygen Trial. Study design Median oxygen saturation and intermittent hypoxemia events ( 0/7 -27 6/7 weeks of gestation while receiving supplemental oxygen during the first 3 days of life. Results Lower target infants who were small for gestational age had the lowest oxygen saturation and highest incidence of intermittent hypoxemia during the first 3 days of life. The lowest quartile of oxygen saturation (≤92%) during the first 3 days of life was associated with lower 90-day survival for both infants born appropriate and SGA. An increased incidence of intermittent hypoxemia events during the first 3 days of life was associated with lower 90-day survival only in infants born SGA. Conclusion Lower achieved oxygen saturation during the first 3 days of life was associated with lower 90-day survival in extremely preterm infants. Infants born SGA had enhanced vulnerability to lower oxygen saturation targets as evidenced by lower achieved oxygen saturation and an association between increased intermittent hypoxemia events and lower survival. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00233324.
An Organizational Model of Cooperation between Terrorism and Transnational Crime

This study examines the question of organization structure in Crime-Terror relationships. It utilizes a logistical regression analysis to predict the probability of cooperation with criminal groups. To help account for competing explanations the model also includes structural and ideological controls that are commonly cited within the literature. The results of the analysis show that cooperation becomes more likely as terrorist organizations increase in organizational capability in the form of territory and membership while accounting for competing explanations. The results represent a first attempt to find empirical answers on the causation of crime-terror relationships and helps give insights for future empirical studies to build off of.
From Reproductive Responsibility to Reproductive Autonomy

That procreation is a basic human right, with which the state has no business meddling, is today the dominant view among Western genetics professionals, bioethicists, and journalists. In their perspective, reproductive genetic services should aim at increasing the choices available to women. Since no reproductive choice is right or wrong, clinicians should be scrupulously neutral in their dealings with clients. Any other approach constitutes “eugenics.”
Psychoanalysis at the Millennium

This article explains and discusses the immense complexity of the psychoanalytic process as it is becoming increasingly understood at the millennium, and offers the possibility that it can be viewe...
Mapping and interpretation of satellite magnetic anomalies from POGO data over the Antarctic region

A satellite magnetic anomaly map made using the POGO magnetic field data is compared to three maps made using Magsat data. A total of 14 anomalies with magnitudes greater than 3 nT can be identified in all four of the maps poleward of 60°S latitude. Forward models of the Antarctic continental and oceanic lithosphere are produced which use magnetic crustal thickness based on seismic and heat flow data, and which also use the distribution of the Cretaceous Quiet Zone from marine geophysics. These simple models can explain significant parts of eight of the 14 identified anomalies. The remaining anomalies may be caused by lateral variations of magnetization, inadequate models of the magnetic crustal thickness, or remanent magnetizations in directions other than the present field. In addition, contamination of the magnetic anomaly maps by fields of time-varying external origin (and their corresponding internal parts) is still a significant problem in the Antarctic region.
Computational optical imaging systems for spectroscopy and wide field-of-view gigapixel photography

This dissertation explores computational optical imaging methods to circumvent the physical limitations of classical sensing. An ideal imaging system would maximize resolution in time, spectral bandwidth, three-dimensional object space, and polarization. Practically, increasing any one parameter will correspondingly decrease the others. Spectrometers strive to measure the power spectral density of the object scene. Traditional pushbroom spectral imagers acquire high resolution spectral and spatial resolution at the expense of acquisition time. Multiplexed spectral imagers acquire spectral and spatial information at each instant of time. Using a coded aperture and dispersive element, the coded aperture snapshot spectral imagers (CASSI) here described leverage correlations between voxels in the spatial-spectral data cube to compressively sample the power spectral density with minimal loss in spatial-spectral resolution while maintaining high temporal resolution. Photography is limited by similar physical constraints. Low f/# systems are required for high spatial resolution to circumvent diffraction limits and allow for more photon transfer to the film plain, but require larger optical volumes and more optical elements. Wide field systems similarly suffer from increasing complexity and optical volume. Incorporating a multi-scale optical system, the f/#, resolving power, optical volume and wide field of view become much less coupled. This system uses a single objective lens that images onto a curved spherical focal plane which is relayed by small micro-optics to discrete focal planes. Using this design methodology allows for gigapixel designs at low f/# that are only a few pounds and smaller than a one-foot hemisphere. Computational imaging systems add the necessary step of forward modeling and calibration. Since the mapping from object space to image space is no longer directly readable, post-processing is required to display the required data. The CASSI system uses an undersampled measurement matrix that requires inversion while the multi-scale camera requires image stitching and compositing methods for billions of pixels in the image. Calibration methods and a testbed are demonstrated that were developed specifically for these computational imaging systems.
Rheological and heat transfer effects in fused filament fabrication

The fused filament fabrication (FFF) process is similar to classic extrusion operations; solid polymer is melted, pressurized, and extruded to produce an object. At this level of investigation, it appears no new science or engineering is required. However, FFF has heat transfer limitations that are unique to it, due to its small throughput, not encountered in contemporary polymer processing, negating the use of present-day correlations or heuristics. Here, we quantify heat transfer by rheological modeling of the pressure drop data in the process to generate a general Nusselt number–Graetz number correlation. This is the first time the pressure has been measured in the die (nozzle) during normal printing that we accomplished by monitoring the power used to drive the hot end. Ultimately, we find that fouling within the region used to melt/soften the polymer significantly reduces the heat transfer rate.
Psychological inflexibility as it relates to stress, worry, generalized anxiety, and somatization in an ethnically diverse sample of college students

Abstract Introduction Psychological inflexibility is conceptualized as rigid attempts to control psychological reactions to discomfort at the expense of values-guided actions. This construct has recently started to be examined in college students, who experience considerable psychological distress. This study examined whether psychological inflexibility was related to anxious symptomatology in an ethnically diverse sample of college students Method Students (N = 538) completed a web-based survey that included questions regarding their psychological distress and well-being. Multiple regressions were used to examine the associations between psychological inflexibility and stress, worry, generalized anxiety, and somatization while adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, and perception of socioeconomic status. The interaction between psychological inflexibility and race/ethnicity in predicting outcomes was also examined Results The sample included individuals identifying as males (21.4%) and females (78.3%) between the ages of 18 and 74. The majority of participants were Hispanic-Americans (31.2%), followed by Asian-Americans (30.0%), European-Americans (21.3%), African-Americans (13.2%), and "Other" (4.3%). There was a significant association of psychological inflexibility on all four outcomes. High psychological inflexibility was positively associated with the presence of stress, worry, generalized anxiety, and somatization, even after controlling for demographic covariates. These associations were the same across race/ethnicities, except for the link between psychological inflexibility and worry being lower for Hispanics-American compared to European- Americans Conclusion An individual's attempt to control and minimize experiencing unwanted feelings, thoughts, or events is an important factor to consider in understanding college students’ anxious symptomatology. Teaching psychological flexibility techniques through interventions such as acceptance and commitment therapy may help students to better respond to psychologically distressing situations. Intervention research among diverse ethnic groups is needed to further confirm and expand these findings.
A gaze bias in the mind's eye.

Can the eye movements we make when there is nothing to look at shed light on our cognitive processes? A new study shows that tiny gaze shifts reveal people’s attended locations in memorized—rather than visual—space. The discovery indicates that the oculomotor system is engaged in the focusing of attention within the internal space of memory.
Flexible Sigmoidoscopy Rather than Colonoscopy Is Adequate for the Diagnosis of Ipilimumab-Associated Colitis.

Objectives Treatment with ipilimumab, a cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 approved for metastatic melanoma can result in clinically significant immune-mediated drug injury in the form of colitis. Timely diagnosis and response are essential for optimal management. The aims of our study were to determine the percentage of our patients with ipilimumab-associated colitis in which the colitis could be diagnosed by flexible sigmoidoscopy only and to describe the variations in endoscopic and histologic findings as well as the patients' clinical courses. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 244 patients with metastatic melanoma, treated them with ipilimumab, and characterized the endoscopic and histologic features for those who developed colitis. Results Of the 68 patients who presented with diarrhea, 33 were diagnosed as having ipilimumab-associated colitis. Endoscopically, all of them had involvement of the left side of the colon; none of the patients were noted to have isolated right colon involvement. Conclusions Ipilimumab-associated colitis can be diagnosed with a flexible sigmoidoscopy alone, obviating the need for full colonoscopy.
What Is Telecoupling

The authors provide an overview of the telecoupling concept and framework as well as their applications to land system science. First, the authors clarify different interpretations of the framework such as it being structured versus processual, active versus passive roles of sending and receiving systems, comprehensiveness and flexibility, feasibility and entry points, system dynamics and boundaries, and scale dependencies. Second, they illustrate the framework’s utility for systematically understanding and managing telecoupled land use. Third, they highlight ongoing efforts to operationalise the framework and apply it to telecoupled governance by shifting from place-based to flow-based approaches. In conclusion, the authors present a glimpse of an extended framework (metacoupling) that is applicable across local-to-global scales for systematic analysis to address Sustainable Development Goals and other global challenges.
A Review of Machine Learning Techniques for Keratoconus Detection and Refractive Surgery Screening

Various machine learning techniques have been developed for keratoconus detection and refractive surgery screening. These techniques utilize inputs from a range of corneal imaging devices and are built with automated decision trees, support vector machines, and various types of neural networks. In general, these techniques demonstrate very good differentiation of normal and keratoconic eyes, as well as good differentiation of normal and form fruste keratoconus. However, it is difficult to directly compare these studies, as keratoconus represents a wide spectrum of disease. More importantly, no public dataset exists for research purposes. Despite these challenges, machine learning in keratoconus detection and refractive surgery screening is a burgeoning field of study, with significant potential for continued advancement as imaging devices and techniques become more sophisticated.
Merging parallel-plate and levitation actuators to enable linearity and tunability in electrostatic MEMS

In this study, a linear electrostatic MEMS actuator is introduced. The system consists of a MEMS cantilever beam with combined parallel-plate and electrostatic levitation forces. By using these two forcing methods simultaneously, the static response and natural frequency can be made to vary linearly with the voltage. The static response shows a linear increase of 90 nm/V and is maintained for more than 12μm of the tip displacement. The natural frequency shows a linear increase of 16 Hz/V and is maintained throughout a 2.9 kHz shift in the natural frequency. This wide range of linear displacement and frequency tunability is extremely useful for MEMS sensors and actuators, which suffer from the inherent nonlinearity of electrostatic forces. A theoretical model of the system is derived and validated with experimental data. Static response, natural frequency, and frequency response calculations are performed. Merging these two mechanisms enables high oscillation branches for a wide range of frequencies with potential applications in MEMS filters, oscillators, and sensors.
Stability and flexibility in chromatin structure and transcription underlies memory CD8 T-cell differentiation

The process by which naive CD8 T cells become activated, accumulate, and terminally differentiate as well as develop into memory cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) is central to the development of potent and durable immunity to intracellular infections and tumors. In this review, we discuss recent studies that have elucidated ancestries of short-lived and memory CTLs during infection, others that have shed light on gene expression programs manifest in individual responding cells and chromatin remodeling events, remodeling factors, and conventional DNA-binding transcription factors that stabilize the differentiated states after activation of naive CD8 T cells. Several models have been proposed to conceptualize how naive cells become memory CD8 T cells. A parsimonious solution is that initial naive cell activation induces metastable gene expression in nascent CTLs, which act as progenitor cells that stochastically diverge along pathways that are self-reinforcing and result in shorter- versus longer-lived CTL progeny. Deciphering how regulatory factors establish and reinforce these pathways in CD8 T cells could potentially guide their use in immunotherapeutic contexts.
KSHV-encoded LANA protects the cellular replication machinery from hypoxia induced degradation

Kaposi’s sarcoma associated herpesvirus (KSHV), like all herpesviruses maintains lifelong persistence with its host genome in latently infected cells with only a small fraction of cells showing signatures of productive lytic replication. Modulation of cellular signaling pathways by KSHV-encoded latent antigens, and microRNAs, as well as some level of spontaneous reactivation are important requirements for establishment of viral-associated diseases. Hypoxia, a prominent characteristic of the microenvironment of cancers, can exert specific effects on cell cycle control, and DNA replication through HIF1α-dependent pathways. Furthermore, hypoxia can induce lytic replication of KSHV. The mechanism by which KSHV-encoded RNAs and antigens regulate cellular and viral replication in the hypoxic microenvironment has yet to be fully elucidated. We investigated replication-associated events in the isogenic background of KSHV positive and negative cells grown under normoxic or hypoxic conditions and discovered an indispensable role of KSHV for sustained cellular and viral replication, through protection of critical components of the replication machinery from degradation at different stages of the process. These include proteins involved in origin recognition, pre-initiation, initiation and elongation of replicating genomes. Our results demonstrate that KSHV-encoded LANA inhibits hypoxia-mediated degradation of these proteins to sustain continued replication of both host and KSHV DNA. The present study provides a new dimension to our understanding of the role of KSHV in survival and growth of viral infected cells growing under hypoxic conditions and suggests potential new strategies for targeted treatment of KSHV-associated cancer.
The economics of the hematopoietic growth factors.

The last two decades have seen a dramatic increase in overall healthcare costs. Cancer treatment cost in the United States has increased by about 75% between 1995 and 2008, accounting for $93.2 billion in direct medical costs [1, 2]. Spending on cancer drugs has increased faster than spending on other areas of treatment (such as hospitalization), due to both increases in prices and in the rates of use. Of particular concern is that the magnitude of increase in prices exceeds the magnitude of their improvement in treatment efficacy [3].
Control Problems: An Existence Theory

Note that, as we have defined step-functions, the value at the points of the partition is not defined!
Novel 4-Transistors Ternary Inverter Circuit Using Carbon-Nanotube Field -Effect Transistors

One of the possible ways to continue the improvement in performances in the beyond Moore era is multi-valued logic. This paper present a new design for a standard ternary inverter that uses carbon-nanotube field-effect transistors. The circuit demonstrate an improvement in power-delay product of 94 % compared to the previous 4-transistors design.
Association Between Sleep Deficiencies with Behavioral Problems in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Subtle Sex Differences

Sleep problems are prevalent in people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Several studies have shown an association between sleep problems and severity of ASD-related behaviors. Most of these studies have not addressed potential sex differences either in the prevalence of the sleep problems or in their association with the manifestation of other behavioral issues in ASD. Given the strong prevalence of ASD in males, we thought it important to address whether sex differences exist in this realm. We examined the association of sleep problems with the severity of ASD-behavioral measures in a large data set collected from an online phenotyping project: Simons Foundation Powering Autism Research for Knowledge. We confirmed a high prevalence of sleep problems in ASD and a strong association between sleep problems and severity of other ASD-related behaviors. Furthermore, we were able to detect sex differences in these associations. In children with ASD, there was a slightly stronger association between repetitive behaviors and diagnosed sleep problems in females compared to males. In children without diagnosed ASD (undiagnosed siblings), there was a stronger association between sleep problems and impairments in social communication in males compared to females. These data highlight potential sex differences in the association of sleep problems and behavioral problems in ASD. LAY SUMMARY: We tested for sex differences in the association between sleep deficiencies and behavior in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In children with ASD, we found the association between sleep problems and repetitive behaviors was slightly stronger in females. In siblings without diagnosed ASD, the association between sleep problems and social communication scores was stronger in males. These data suggest that sex might play a role in an association between sleep deficiencies and behavioral impairments.
Intralymphatic drug delivery for treatment of breast cancer: Synthesis, characterization, pharmacokinetics and anti-cancer activity in rodents

2285 Breast cancers spread initially to regional lymph nodes prior to systemic spread, adequate evaluation and treatment of the axillary lymph nodes is paramount to treatment of early stage disease. An intralymphatically-targeted chemotherapy treating metastatic breast cancer was developed, which may significantly reduce side effects and increase the effectivity of doxorubicin (DOX) and cisplatin based chemotherapy. Doxorubicin and cisplatin were covalently conjugated to hyaluronan(HA) which is a highly biocompatible and nonimmunogenic polymer with a conjugation degree of 5-10% and 20-30%, respectively. Doxorubicin-HA and cisplatin-HA conjugates demonstrate antiproliferative efficacy similar to standard doxorubicin and cisplatin formulations in breast cancer models in vitro. IC50 values of DOX-HA and cisplatin-HA were determined to be 0.1 µg/mL, 0.5 µg/mL, 1 µg/mL and 3 µg/mL, 7 µg/mL, 7 µg/mL, respectively, using cell lines of MDA-MB-468LN, MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7. Drug-release characteristics of DOX-HA and cisplatin-HA were determined using gel permeation chromatography coupled with fluorescent or atomic absorption spectrometry, respectively; demonstrating sustained release of DOX (t1/2 of 172 hours at pH 7.4, 45 hours at pH 5.0) and cisplatin (t1/2 of 10 hours at pH 7.4) from the HA carriers. Pharmacokinetics of DOX and cisplatin were studied using female Sprague-Dawley rats. Distribution of DOX in liver, spleen, kidney, heart, lung, brain, muscle, bladder, lymph nodes, plasma and urine was determined by spectrofluorophotometry. Distribution of cisplatin was determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. Localization of conjugates in lymph nodes was determined by magnetic resonance imaging using gadolinium-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (Gd-DTPA) tagged HA carrier, demonstrating concentration in draining nodes after 12 hours with no liver enhancement. A lymphatic metastasis model was established by orthotopic implantation of MDA-MB-468LN, a human breast cancer cell line with extensive lymph node metastasis in female athymic nude mice. On-going studies are determining tumor response to lymphatic chemotherapy compared to conventional intravenous treatment.
Rates and Predictors of Undergoing Different Hepatocellular Carcinoma Screening Tests in Patients With Cirrhosis.

Introduction We aimed to assess rates and predictors of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) screening among patients with cirrhosis. Methods We reviewed electronic health records of 11,361 patients with cirrhosis from 11 U.S. Veterans Health Administration facilities for receipt of HCC screening in the 6 months preceding October 1, 2019. Results Nearly half of the cohort (46%) received HCC screening over a 6-month period. Screening rates and modalities (ultrasound, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, serum alpha fetoprotein) varied by facility. Screening was associated with race/ethnicity, body mass index ≥ 25, cirrhosis etiology, thrombocytopenia, Fibrosis-4 ≥ 3.25, and lower Model for End-Stage Liver Disease-Sodium. Discussion HCC screening rates varied by facility. Higher risk patients were more likely to receive screening.
Modeling Joint Pain on a Chip: integrating sensory neurons in the microJoint to model osteoarthritis

The development of safe and effective methods for the treatment of osteoarthritis(OA)-associated pain is a critical need. Recently, our team successfully modeled OA-like pathology in an in vitro multi-component joint-on-a-chip (microJoint), which integrates engineered osteochondral complex, synovium, adipose tissue and given their crucial role in joint pain, macrophages. In the present project, we introduce the sensory neurons into the established microJoint to generate the neu-microJoint, enabling the dynamic interplay between the peripheral nervous system and joint tissues. By recording activity in sensory neurons, joint integrity as well as therapeutic efficacy can be monitored in real time. The neu-microJoint is a hybrid PDMS/3D printed system where microchannels establish a diffusion barrier but enable sensory neuron innervation of joint tissues. Neural activity is assessed with micro electrode arrays (MEAs) and fura2-based calcium imaging. With the use of L4 and L5 dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons recovered from organ donors, the neu-microJoint can be fully humanized. DRG neurons cultured for 4 days were screened with increasing concentrations of KCl (10, 30, and 50mM) to detect spiking in the MEAs. There was little to no spontaneous activity under baseline conditions, but activity was detected in response to 30mM KCl. Rodent and human DRG neurons plated in the neu-microJoint cultured between 10 – 28 days showed substantial axonal growth through the microchannels as visualized through DiI or fura2 labeling. Moreover, electrical stimulation applied to the neurites evoked an increase in calcium in the corresponding soma. Conditioned media from the OA-modeled microJoint applied to the neurons caused an increase in calcium in a subpopulation of neurons. These data suggest the potential to apply an in vitro microphysiological system to study OA pain. These results also indicate that a subset of neurons, now undergoing specific characterization, is potentially responsible for OA pain modeled in the neu-microJoint. F32 1F32NS110148-01A1, UG3TR003090.
I Hate to Be So Bold

“This class was scary for me at first, I hated having my papers read during class when I was younger. My dad teased me for spelling errors my sister mocked me for being “stupid.” So I thought English 101 online, how great I can submit my papers to the teacher and move on. When I saw that we had to post EVERYTHING for the whole class to read I was scared.” This chapter features an online follow-up posting from Catherine Piper, an English 101: Composition student, as part of an online conversation about reading, writing, and learning. Catherine’s response suggests she may be crossing a key developmental threshold. She is no longer willing to accept what teachers present as absolute “truth”—something unassailable and monolithic. This is an approach to authority, certainty, and meaning-making that learning theorists have characterized as essential for advanced learning and development, where authority is no longer absolute, knowledge is constructed collaboratively, and contingencies abound.
What information do parents facing extremely preterm birth really need?: A bioethicist’s perspective

Physicians who counsel expectant parents about the needs for resuscitation and intensive care for an extremely preterm infant must be able to address many clinical facts and be prepared to face several ethical considerations. Such counseling is generally more than an acquisition of informed consent. It must be guided by ethical principles, values held dear by parents, relational priorities and directed toward an informed and shared decision-making process. Parents may come with a need for clinical facts, a desire that they be heard as they express their values, and to help physicians realize that many are determined to follow a certain path well before such counseling occurs. They may well not be moved by counseling of the physician but still desire to be heard, respected, and allowed to contribute to their newborn’s care plans. Realizing this, the physician can be accepting and develop a trusting relationship with the parents that will be of value throughout the hospitalization regardless of outcome.
A data-centric approach to insider attack detection in database systems

The insider threat against database management systems is a dangerous security problem. Authorized users may abuse legitimate privileges to masquerade as other users or to maliciously harvest data. We propose a new direction to address this problem. We model users' access patterns by profiling the data points that users access, in contrast to analyzing the query expressions in prior approaches. Our data-centric approach is based on the key observation that query syntax alone is a poor discriminator of user intent, which is much better rendered by what is accessed. We present a feature-extraction method to model users' access patterns. Statistical learning algorithms are trained and tested using data from a real Graduate Admission database. Experimental results indicate that the technique is very effective, accurate, and is promising in complementing existing database security solutions. Practical performance issues are also addressed.