cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Accountability Forums and Dispute System Design

ABSTRACTThe accountability literature refers to forums of accountability, including judicial and quasi-judicial forums. Administrative agencies enforce law and manage conflict, in part, through quasi-judicial processes, such as adjudication and dispute resolution. This is an arena of public management largely missing in the accountability literature. How is accountability defined, designed, and assessed for the quasi-judicial systems that manage conflicts or resolve disputes in public agencies? This article applies theories of accountability and justice to understand accountability as a mechanism and a virtue in quasi-judicial agency settings. Drawing from the Dispute System Design literature to introduce design principles that enhance accountability to these forums, it provides a framework to assess the accountability promise of justice in these forums and suggests a program for further research on accountability using theories of justice.
“It just made me look at language in a different way:” ESOL teacher candidates’ identity negotiation through teacher education coursework

Abstract Research on language teacher identities is burgeoning, yet there is relatively little empirical evidence about preservice teachers’ identity development during teacher education coursework experiences. Therefore, this study investigates the cases of three preservice ESOL teachers in a 13-month MATESOL program. Focusing on discursive, experiential, negotiated, contested, and positional construction of identity, it conceptualizes identity development as integral component of teacher learning, practice and growth. The findings suggest that the teacher candidates subjectively negotiated their teacher identities during teacher education coursework experiences as (a) they positioned themselves as an ESOL teacher through asynchronous online and face-to-face course discussions, assignments, and activities, (b) they engaged in professional interaction with teacher educators and other emerging teachers, and (c) the professors and other TCs capitalized on their simultaneous school experience as a valuable resource in the teacher-learning community. The findings implicate that language teacher education programs should integrate identity as an explicit pursuit in its practices.
Abstract 4443: SPARC overexpression alters microRNA expression profiles involved in tumor progression

Medulloblastoma is the most common of malignant brain tumor in children. SPARC (secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine), a multicellular non-structural glycoprotein is known to be involved in multiple processes in various cancers. Previously, we reported that SPARC expression significantly impairs medulloblastoma tumor growth in vivo and alters chemo sensitivity. MicroRNAs are a class of post-transcriptional gene regulators with critical functions in tumor progression. In addition, they also play role in regulation of vital genes that control mechanisms of chemo-resistance. Herein, we assessed microRNA (miRNA) profiling to identify the functional network and biological pathways altered in SPARC-overexpressed medulloblastoma cells. A total of 27 differentially expressed miRNAs were identified between the control and SPARC-overexpressed samples. Potential messenger RNA (mRNA) targets of the differentially expressed miRNA were identified using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA). Network-based functional analyses were performed on the available human protein interaction and miRNA-gene association data to highlight versatile miRNAs among the significantly deregulated miRNAs using the IPA, and the biological pathway analysis using the PANTHER web-based tool. We identified six miRNAs (miR-125b1*, miR-146a-5p, miR-181a-5p, miR-204-5p, miR-219-5p and miR-509-3p) which are differentially regulated with SPARC expression in medulloblastoma cells. Furthermore, pathway enrichment analysis outline that these six microRNAs mainly belong to biological processes related to cancer related signaling pathways. Collectively, these results suggest that a perturbed expression for these six miRNAs and their complex regulatory loops contribute to tumor suppressive effects in SPARC overexpressed medulloblastoma cells. Citation Format: Bhavesh K. Ahir, Sajani Lakka. SPARC overexpression alters microRNA expression profiles involved in tumor progression [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 4443. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-4443
Automated X-ray diffraction of irradiated materials

Synchrotron-based X-ray diffraction (XRD) and small-angle Xray scattering (SAXS) characterization techniques used on unirradiated and irradiated reactor pressure vessel steels yield large amounts of data. Machine learning techniques, including PCA, offer a novel method of analyzing and visualizing these large data sets in order to determine the effects of chemistry and irradiation conditions on the formation of radiation induced precipitates. In order to run analysis on these data sets, preprocessing must be carried out to convert the data to a usable format and mask the 2-D detector images to account for experimental variations. Once the data has been preprocessed, it can be organized and visualized using principal component analysis (PCA), multi-dimensional scaling, and k-means clustering. From these techniques, it is shown that sample chemistry has a notable effect on the formation of the radiation induced precipitates in reactor pressure vessel steels.
From safe spaces to precarious moments: teaching sexuality and violence in the American higher education classroom

Critics of safe spaces in campus teaching often fail to understand the complexity of instructors’ practices in teaching controversial topics. Beginning with recent controversy regarding safe spaces...
Analysis of vehicle accident-injury severities: A comparison of segment- versus accident-based latent class ordered probit models with class-probability functions

Abstract Using information from 1990 single-vehicle accidents that occurred between 2011 and 2013 in the state of Washington, the injury severity level of the most severely injured vehicle occupant is studied using two latent class modeling approaches: segment-based and accident-based latent class ordered probit model with class-probability functions. The segment-based latent class ordered probit framework allows explanatory parameters to vary across unobserved groups (classes) of the highway segment population, while the modeling structure treats all segment-specific injury observations homogeneously (grouped). The accident-based latent class ordered probit framework allows for the explanatory parameters to vary across unobserved groups of the accident population, and the modeling structure treats all accident injury-severity observations individually (ungrouped). To further address heterogeneity arising from the probabilistic assignment of the highway segments or accident observations in the latent classes, the class probabilities are allowed to vary as a function of explanatory parameters, respectively. For both modeling approaches, the proposed latent class approach with class-probability functions is compared to its latent class counterpart with fixed class probabilities, and the results support the statistical superiority of the former, in terms of statistical fit and explanatory power. The empirical findings show the potential of both modeling approaches to unmask driver-, vehicle-, collision- and weather-specific sources of heterogeneity and, specifically, the capability of the segment-based approach to account for segment-specific heterogeneity. The comparative evaluation between the two modeling approaches shows that the segment-based approach provides better overall statistical fit. Furthermore, the forecasting accuracy of both approaches is explored through probability- and error-based measures demonstrating the forecasting accuracy benefits of the segment-based approach.
The First Wave: Latin American Science Fiction Discovers Its Roots

This essay examines three of the earliest works of Latin American sf together for the first time: "Mexico en el ano 1970" [Mexico in the Year 1970, 1844, Mexico], Pdginas da historia do Brasil escripta no anno de 2000 [Pages from the History of Brazil Written in the Year 2000, 1868-72, Brazil], and Viaje maravilloso del Senor Nic-Nac al planeta Marte [The Marvelous Journey of Mr. Nic-Nac to the Planet Mars, 1875-76, Argentina]. Nineteenth-century works such as these have been added to the genealogical tree of Latin American sf in recent years. The addition of pre-space-age texts to the corpus of Latin American sf does more than provide its writers and readers with local roots: it broadens our understanding of the genre in Latin America and the periphery; it extends our perceptions of the role of science in Latin American literature and culture; and, together with later Latin American sf, it contributes new perspectives and new narrative possibilities to the genre as a whole. This content downloaded from 129.186.176.122 on Thu, 10 Oct 2013 17:08:09 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions
Nepheline crystallization behavior in simulated high-level waste glasses

Abstract The U.S. Department of Energy immobilizes legacy nuclear high-level waste (HLW) in borosilicate glass. HLW glass with elevated Na2O and Al2O3 concentrations have a demonstrated propensity for precipitating nepheline (NaAlSiO4) during cooling, which adversely affects the waste form performance. Currently, nepheline is suppressed by controlling the HLW glass composition, but this can limit the waste loading and result in longer mission life and cost. Correlation between composition and thermal history experienced during processing with time-temperature relationships that enable nepheline crystal growth would facilitate a more realistic prediction of nepheline crystallization in HLW glass and allow for a wider range of compositions to be accessed. In this work, crystallization behavior in simulated HLW glass was investigated to identify key attributes that lead to nepheline formation, with results indicating that the rate of diffusion for crystal growth may be controlled by glass structure connectivity.
Place of Percutaneous Fistula Devices in Contemporary Management of Vascular Access.

Half a century ago, the surgically created dialysis arteriovenous fistula (AVF) was conceived. Although the useable AVF is considered the preferred form of hemodialysis vascular access, assuming it matures sufficiently for use, persistently poor maturation rates and early failure have long signaled
Qualitative study of implementation of patient self-reported measures in a consultation-liaison psychiatry practice.

Rational, aims, and objectives Understanding of barriers and successes associated with the implementation of electronic patient self-reported measures (ePSRMs) within clinical settings are limited and have not been pursued utilizing implementation science frameworks. This qualitative study is designed to assess staff perceptions of an ePSRM implementation. Methods The study took place in an academic hospital's Consultation Liaison Psychiatry practice. Qualitative interviews were conducted with the staff and clinicians from the practice. Participants were directly involved with the implementation and use of the ePSRM system within the Psychiatry practice. Interviews were structured around the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, Maintenance (RE-AIM) framework. Results Participants reported increased patient engagement as well as efficiency and time savings. The intervention was perceived to be more challenging for older patients. Facilitators include communicating the ePSRM to patients prior to the care visit, having enough trained staff or super-users who can assist with technical problems, and having a shorter questionnaire. Conclusions Overall, assessment of the ePSRM implementation was positive. Staff and clinicians indicated benefits in time, effectiveness, and improvements in patient treatment. Results indicate that defining how the system would fit within the clinical workflow was key, as was a flexible and user-friendly technology platform. The ePSRM implementation was dependent upon clinical involvement and interest in adoption, while barriers were associated with technical challenges as well as some patient difficulties, such as cognitive impairment. The use of the RE-AIM framework is valuable as it allows for systematic assessment of the implementation and identifies areas in that implementation has succeeded or is lacking.
The Development and Validation of a New Measure of Adolescent Purpose

This goal of this study was to develop a quantitative measure that captures the dimensions of youth purpose (intention, engagement, and prosocial reasoning; Damon, Menon, and Bronk, 2003), focusing...
A review of US wildland firefighter entrapments: Trends, important environmental factors and research needs

Wildland firefighters in the United States are exposed to a variety of hazards while performing their jobs. Although vehicle accidents and aircraft mishaps claim the most lives, situations where firefighters are caught in a life-threatening, fire behaviour-related event (i.e. an entrapment) constitute a considerable danger because each instance can affect many individuals. In an attempt to advance our understanding of the causes of firefighter entrapments, a review of the pertinent literature and a synthesis of existing data were undertaken. Examination of the historical literature indicated that entrapment potential peaks when fire behaviour rapidly deviates from an assumed trajectory, becomes extreme and compromises the use of escape routes, safety zones or both. Additionally, despite the numerous safety guidelines that have been developed as a result of analysing past entrapments, we found issues with the way factual information from these incidents is reported, recorded and stored that make quantitative investigations difficult. To address this, a fire entrapment database was assembled that revealed when details about the location and time of entrapments are included in analyses, it becomes possible to ascertain trends in space and time and assess the relative influence of various environmental variables on the likelihood of an entrapment. Several research needs were also identified, which highlight the necessity for improvements in both fundamental knowledge and the tools used to disseminate that knowledge.
Late first-case of the day starts do not cause greater minutes of over-utilized time at an endoscopy suite with 8-hour workdays and late running rooms. A historical cohort study

Abstract Study objective We consider the influence of the tardiness of first-case of the day start times on the minutes that rooms finish late for procedural suites with relatively interchangeable rooms and mean workloads ≅ 7 h per room, thus regularly filling 8-hour of allocated time. Design Historical cohort of N = 331 workdays of data. Setting Gastrointestinal endoscopy suite. Main results By unadjusted analyses, reductions in the number of first-cases of the day starting ≥5 min late were associated with less minutes that the day's cases ended beyond the allocated 8 h. However, there were no significant relationships in adjusted analyses, controlling for the daily total hours of cases and turnovers (“workload”) or the daily caseload of elective cases. There also were no significant relationships in adjusted analyses between the minutes of cases ending beyond the allocated 8 h and either the count of cases starting ≥15 min late or the mean minutes of case tardiness. The differences between unadjusted and adjusted results were explained by slight positive associations between the count of first-cases starting ≥5 min late and both the daily workload and caseload. Days with less hours of cases had significantly fewer cases starting near simultaneously at the beginning of the day; the same was true for days with fewer total cases. Conclusions For procedural suites with relatively interchangeable rooms and mean workloads ≅ 7 h per room, reducing tardiness of first-case of the day start times does not result in beneficial reductions in over-utilized time. The focus of improving on-time starts for the first-cases of the day should be on services with mean workloads that exceed the minimum scheduled duration of the workday.
An Experimental Vignette Study of School Psychology Students’ Attitudes Toward Transgender Youth

This study used an experimental vignette design to examine whether school psychology students’ attitudes toward a teenager in a case vignette varied based on whether or not they believed the teen to be transgender. Transgender status was conveyed indirectly through names (e.g., by indicating that the student with the legal name “Anthony” had requested to be called “Alyssa”). It also examined whether attitudes toward transgender boys and transgender girls differed, and the degree to which transgender-related training and experience affected attitudes. A 2 (Gender Status: cisgender vs. transgender) × 2 (Gender Identity: male vs. female) ANOVA indicated that participants had more supportive attitudes toward a transgender teen experiencing issues in school related to a name change and a behavior concern than toward a cisgender teen with the same issues, F(1, 421) = 121.59, p < .001. Gender Status and Gender Identity significantly interacted to affect attitudes, F(1, 417) = 10.83, p = .001. A test of simple effects indicated that participants were more supportive of transgender girls than transgender boys, p = < .001. However, participants’ attitudes regarding cisgender boys versus girls did not differ significantly. Having had training about transgender issues, professional experiences with transgender individuals, or personal experience with transgender individuals correlated significantly with attitudes. School psychology programs are advised to add required training in this area and to focus on increasing supportive attitudes toward transgender boys in particular.
Analysis of the Complete Genome of the Alkaliphilic and Phototrophic Firmicute Heliorestis convoluta Strain HHT

Despite significant interest and past work to elucidate the phylogeny and photochemistry of species of the Heliobacteriaceae, genomic analyses of heliobacteria to date have been limited to just one published genome, that of the thermophilic species Heliobacterium (Hbt.) modesticaldum str. Ice1T. Here we present an analysis of the complete genome of a second heliobacterium, Heliorestis (Hrs.) convoluta str. HHT, an alkaliphilic, mesophilic, and morphologically distinct heliobacterium isolated from an Egyptian soda lake. The genome of Hrs. convoluta is a single circular chromosome of 3.22 Mb with a GC content of 43.1% and 3263 protein-encoding genes. In addition to culture-based observations and insights gleaned from the Hbt. modesticaldum genome, an analysis of enzyme-encoding genes from key metabolic pathways supports an obligately photoheterotrophic lifestyle for Hrs. convoluta. A complete set of genes encoding enzymes for propionate and butyrate catabolism and the absence of a gene encoding lactate dehydrogenase distinguishes the carbon metabolism of Hrs. convoluta from its close relatives. Comparative analyses of key proteins in Hrs. convoluta, including cytochrome c553 and the Fo alpha subunit of ATP synthase, with those of related species reveal variations in specific amino acid residues that likely contribute to the success of Hrs. convoluta in its highly alkaline environment.
Understanding the Acceptability of Subdermal Implants as a Possible New HIV Prevention Method: Multi-Stage Mixed Methods Study

Background: A long-acting implant for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is in development in the Sustained Long-Action Prevention Against HIV (SLAP-HIV) trial. This could provide an alternative to oral PrEP. Objective: Our mixed methods study aimed to understand (1) users’ experiences with a similar subdermal implant for contraception and (2) factors influencing the likelihood that gay and bisexual men (GBM) would use a proposed PrEP implant. Methods: Work was completed in 4 stages. In stage 1, we conducted a scientific literature review on existing subdermal implants, focusing on users’ experiences with implant devices. In stage 2, we reviewed videos on YouTube, focusing on the experiences of current or former contraceptive implant users (as these implants are similar to those in development in SLAP-HIV). In stage 3, individuals who indicated use of a subdermal implant for contraception in the last 5 years were recruited via a web-based questionnaire. Eligible participants (n=12 individuals who liked implants a lot and n=12 individuals who disliked implants a lot) completed in-depth phone interviews (IDIs) about their experiences. In stage 4, results from IDIs were used to develop a web-based survey for HIV-negative GBM to rate their likelihood of using a PrEP implant on a scale (1=very unlikely and 5=very likely) based on likely device characteristics and implant concerns identified in the IDIs. Results: In the scientific literature review (stage 1), concerns about contraceptive implants that could apply to the PrEP implants in development included potential side effects (eg, headache), anticipated high cost of the device, misconceptions about PrEP implants (eg, specific contraindications), and difficulty accessing PrEP implants. In the stage 2 YouTube review, individuals who had used contraceptive implants reported mild side effects related to their device. In stage 3, implant users reported that devices were comfortable, unintrusive, and presented only minor discomfort (eg, bruising) before or after insertion and removal. They mainly reported removing or disliking the device due to contraceptive-related side effects (eg, prolonged menstruation). Participants in the stage 4 quantitative survey (N=304) were mainly gay (204/238, 85.7%), white (125/238, 52.5%), cisgender men (231/238, 97.1%), and 42.0% (73/174) of them were on oral PrEP. Not having to take a daily pill increased the likelihood of using PrEP implants (mean 4.13). Requiring >1 device to achieve 1 year of protection (mean range 1.79-2.94) mildly discouraged PrEP implant use. Participants did not mind moderate bruising, a small scar, tenderness, or bleeding after insertion or removal, and an implant with a size slightly larger than a matchstick (mean ratings 3.18-3.69). Conclusions: PrEP implants are promising among GBM. Implant features and insertion or removal-related concerns do not seem to discourage potential users. To ensure acceptability, PrEP implants should require the fewest possible implants for the greatest protection duration.
Vertical differentiation, product innovation, and dynamic competition

This paper presents an infinite horizon dynamic model in which two firms compete in a market vertically differentiated by the qualities of their products and consumers have heterogeneous preferences for quality. Given the product qualities offered, the firms engage in price competition that segments the market. In each period each firm can spend on product innovation that if successful increases the quality of its product. Three types of Markov perfect equilibria are identified. A running–coasting equilibrium exhibits increasing quality dominance with one firm undertaking innovation and the other coasting to free ride on the innovation by the first firm. The firm that coasts can have the larger dynamic payoff, so quality dominance does not imply payoff dominance. A second is a leap‐frog equilibrium in which the trailing firm undertakes innovation to leap into the lead. The trailing firm never innovates solely to narrow the gap with the leader, so catch up strategies are never used. In the third both firms undertake innovation, but if both have innovation successes, product differentiation remains the same and profits are reduced by the cost of innovation. The rivalry between Intel and AMD in microprocessors for personal computers provides a motivating example.
Internal Medicine Residents’ Perceptions of Nephrology as a Career: A Focus Group Study

Background Interest in nephrology as a career has declined dramatically over the past several years. Only 62% of nephrology fellowship positions are filled for the upcoming 2020 appointment year. The purpose of this study was to identify perceptions, attitudes, motivators, and barriers to a career in nephrology among internal medicine residents. Methods We recruited focus groups of internal medicine residents (N=25) from the University of Colorado, and asked questions aimed at exploring perceptions, attitudes, and barriers to a career in nephrology, and ways to increase interest in nephrology. All focus groups were conducted on the University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus. Focus group sessions were recorded and transcribed. Thematic analysis was used to identify key concepts and themes. Results Residents described many barriers to a career in nephrology, including lack of exposure, lack of advances in the field, low monetary compensation, high complexity, lack of role models/mentors, and low-prestige/noncompetitive nature of the field. Most residents had no exposure to outpatient nephrology. Lack of new therapeutics was a significant deterrent to nephrology. Nephrology teaching in medical school was described as not clinically relevant and too complicated. Several residents felt they were not smart enough for nephrology. Only three residents had a role model within nephrology. Residents used the word “stigmatized” to describe nephrology, and discussed how low prestige decreased their interest in a field. Participants expressed suggestions to increase interest in nephrology through earlier and more outpatient nephrology exposure, enhanced interactions with nephrologists, and research and advancements in the field. Conclusions Residents identified several modifiable barriers to a career in nephrology. Changing how nephrology is taught in medical school, enhancing interactions with nephrologists through increased exposure, and highlighting research and advancements in nephrology may change the perception of nephrology and increase the number of residents entering the field.
Performance across WorldView-2 and RapidEye for reproducible seagrass mapping

Abstract Satellite remote sensing offers an effective remedy to challenges in ground-based and aerial mapping that have previously impeded quantitative assessments of global seagrass extent. Commercial satellite platforms offer fine spatial resolution, an important consideration in patchy seagrass ecosystems. Currently, no consistent protocol exists for image processing of commercial data, limiting reproducibility and comparison across space and time. Additionally, the radiometric performance of commercial satellite sensors has not been assessed against the dark and variable targets characteristic of coastal waters. This study compared data products derived from two commercial satellites: DigitalGlobe's WorldView-2 and Planet's RapidEye. A single scene from each platform was obtained at St. Joseph Bay in Florida, USA, corresponding to a November 2010 field campaign. A reproducible processing regime was developed to transform imagery from basic products, as delivered from each company, into analysis-ready data usable for various scientific applications. Satellite-derived surface reflectances were compared against field measurements. WorldView-2 imagery exhibited high disagreement in the coastal blue and blue spectral bands, chronically overpredicting. RapidEye exhibited better agreement than WorldView-2, but overpredicted slightly across all spectral bands. A deep convolutional neural network was used to classify imagery into deep water, land, submerged sand, seagrass, and intertidal classes. Classification results were compared to seagrass maps derived from photointerpreted aerial imagery. This study offers the first radiometric assessment of WorldView-2 and RapidEye over a coastal system, revealing inherent calibration issues in shorter wavelengths of WorldView-2. Both platforms demonstrated as much as 97% agreement with aerial estimates, despite differing resolutions. Thus, calibration issues in WorldView-2 did not appear to interfere with classification accuracy, but could be problematic if estimating biomass. The image processing routine developed here offers a reproducible workflow for WorldView-2 and RapidEye imagery, which was tested in two additional coastal systems. This approach may become platform independent as more sensors become available.
Hybrid Robotic Hernia Repair for Incisional Hernias: Perioperative and Patient-Reported Outcomes.

Background: Minimally invasive abdominal wall reconstruction, utilizing transversus abdominis release (TAR), has been described and shown to be beneficial for ventral hernia repair (VHR). Limited literature is available surrounding the hybrid robotic TAR (h-rTAR) approach, which combines robotic dissection and component separation with open fascial defect closure and mesh deployment. In this study, we describe our h-rTAR technique and present our center's postoperative and patient-reported outcomes (PROs). Methods: h-rTAR VHRs performed between 2013 and 2018 were examined. The h-rTAR technique was described. Patient characteristics and operative variables were analyzed. Perioperative results were presented according to European Hernia Society (EHS) classifications. Pre- and post-operative hernia-specific quality-of-life (QoL) assessments were conducted. Results: Twenty patients who underwent an h-rTAR were included in this study. All hernias were incisional. A bilateral TAR needed in 90% of patients. The average hospital stay was 1.8 days. Two patients experienced medical complications and 5 patients experienced surgical site events. None of the patients experienced a hernia recurrence throughout a mean postoperative follow-up period of 319 days. PROs showed improvement in all domains, especially cosmetic. Conclusion: The h-rTAR technique combines the benefits of robotic and open techniques when used for large incisional VHR with improvement in patient-reported QoL.
Supporting Sociodramatic Play at the Individual Level

High-quality sociodramatic play helps children develop executive function skills which bolster their performance in school. Technology supports can scaffold social play for children who struggle to engage otherwise. This case study examines the impact of a specific system, StoryCarnival, on one 3-year-old child's engagement in sociodramatic play with his peers.comparing this child's participation in sessions using either StoryCarnival or a traditional intervention over eight weeks, StoryCarnival appeared to lower barriers to this child's physical and verbal engagement in social play. Future research could identify whether this pattern may hold for other children who have trouble entering social play with peers.
Lessons Learned—Aluminum Waste Container Rupture

Researchers generally pay close attention to the hazards of highly reactive chemicals with which they are working for both the reaction and the quenching phases of an experiment. This is particular...
The impact of pathologic staging of the hilar/mediastinal nodes on outcomes in patients with early-stage NSCLC receiving stereotactic body radiotherapy.

Background The importance of invasive mediastinal nodal staging in early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in the PET/CT era is dependent on tumor factors that increase risk of nodal metastasis. At our institution, patients undergo biopsy via either CT-guidance (without nodal staging) or navigational bronchoscopy with endobronchial ultrasound transbronchial needle aspiration for nodal staging. This study aims to compare outcomes after stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) stratified by receipt of invasive mediastinal nodal staging. Methods In this retrospective study, records of all consecutive patients undergoing SBRT for early-stage NSCLC between 2010 and 2017 were analyzed. The association between time-to event outcomes (recurrence and survival) were evaluated with covariates of interest including tumor size, location, histology, smoking history, prior lung cancer history, radiation dose and receipt of nodal staging. Both univariable and multivariable analyses were used to examine these comparisons. Results Overall, 158 patients were treated with SBRT. One hundred forty-nine out of one hundred fifty-eight patients (94%) underwent PET/CT staging, and all patients underwent tumor-directed biopsy. Seventy-nine patients underwent navigational bronchoscopy with nodal staging and 79 patients underwent CT-guided biopsy without nodal staging. Receipt of nodal staging was not associated with tumor size (P=0.35), yet was associated with central tumor location (P<0.001). There was no statistically significant association between receipt of nodal staging and time-to-event recurrence or survival outcomes; for example 3-year overall survival (OS) was 65% vs. 67% (P=0.65) and 3-year freedom from nodal failure was 84% vs. 69% (P=0.1) for those with and without nodal staging, respectively. Conclusions Similar recurrence and survival outcomes were observed after SBRT regardless of receipt of invasive mediastinal nodal staging. Further prospective evaluation can help identify which patients might derive greatest benefit from invasive staging of the mediastinum in the PET/CT era.
QTL mapping of biomass and forage quality traits measured using near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) in switchgrass

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) is a perennial warm-season grass that can serve dual purposes, forage and biofuel feedstock. Because the cell wall accounts for more than half the dry matter weight, breeding for both objectives will largely depend on cell wall components which include cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. We used NIRS to measure crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, hemicellulose, cellulose, and Klason lignin to conduct QTL mapping in an F1 population derived from a cross between tetraploid lowlands AP13 and B6 with 285 progenies. Of the three major cell wall components of the dry matter, cellulose was the highest (34.51–41.40%), followed by hemicellulose (25.48–33.55%), and Klason lignin (9.70–13.23%). Mapping of biomass and forage quality traits was done using two linkage maps with 2772 SNP markers. We identified 37 significant QTL for all six traits with the highest percentage variance explained by individual QTL in all traits ranging from 4.89 to 8.57%. There are 9 chromosome regions with colocalized QTL of different traits, indicating either pleiotropic gene action or tight linkage between the genes. Improvement of switchgrass for forage and biofuel feedstock quality would benefit from the selection of QTL that contribute directly to the target phenotypes. The frequency of favorable QTL alleles can be enhanced through Genomic Selection.
On a conjecture for the university timetabling problem

Abstract The University timetabling is a generalization of the well-known class-teacher timetabling model, where in addition to lectures given by a single teacher to a single class, there are some lectures given by a single teacher to a group of classes simultaneously. One looks for a minimum number of periods in which to complete all lectures without conflicts. The problem is NP-hard in the strong sense even if the number of groups is three, but it is polynomially solvable for two groups. In the latter case, it has been conjectured that the minimum number of periods in which to complete all lectures without conflicts equals ⌈ T ⌉ , where T is the optimal value of an L P -relaxation. The L P -relaxation permits fractions of periods in feasible solutions. We prove this conjecture in this paper.
Simulation of expected areal density gain for heat assisted magnetic recording

Areal density increases in conventional perpendicular magnetic recording are becoming increasingly difficult to achieve. Heat assisted magnetic recording is viewed as a potential technique to extend magnetic recording into the multiple-terabit range. Over the last 5 years, we have performed extensive simulations of Heat Assisted Magnetic Recording on both granular and bit-patterned media. For this purpose, we represent [1] the behavior of granular media near the Curie temperature with renormalized blocks of spins of order 1 nm3. The change in magnetization of these blocks can then be evaluated using the Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equation. The behavior of bit patterned media is typically evaluated [2] using an atomistic approach. Optical spots are calculated using a finite difference time domain technique and heat flow is evaluated using the usual Fourier differential equation.
Residential Energy (and Water) Expenditure and the City-Suburb Dichotomy: A Case Study of the Puget Sound Region, WA

Compared with cities, suburbs have often been assumed to consume more energy, and thus, generate more greenhouse gases. However, research about variations in residential energy consumption within metropolitan areas is inconclusive. In this research paper, I tried to explore possibilities of variations in energy consumption between the city and the suburb. In a case study of the Puget Sound region, Washington state, I constructed three classes of logit models on data from the 2011 Integrated Public Use Microdata Sample (IPUMS, n=73,895) with selected housing units in the city and the suburb. Results showed that, in general, the likelihood of living in a housing unit with high energy (and water) cost is higher in the suburb and slightly lower in the city. Compared to urban areas and the entire region, suburban renters are more likely to live in housing units with high energy and water costs. In all three classes of models, the effect of the number of children in the suburbs was greater on the estimated odds of living in a high-expenditure housing unit than in the city. In general, ownership (vs. rentership), number of rooms, and number of children have positive effects on the estimated odds of a housing unit having high energy and water costs. In contrast, building density, the resident householders’ education level, and duration of residence decrease the odds of residing in such residential units.
Ehlers‐Danlos Syndromes

The Ehlers-Danlos syndromes are a genetically, biochemically, and clinically diverse group of heritable connective tissue conditions. Once classified as 11 separate disorders, a new nomenclature has significantly reduced this number. The Ehlers-Danlos syndromes have a combined estimated prevalence of 1 in 5000. Features common to all forms include joint laxity and dermal findings. Keywords: Ehlers-Danlos; connective tissue; hypermobility; vascular; aorta; aneurysm; kyphoscoliosis; arthrochalasia; dermatospraxis
Nondeterminism in Abstract Data Types

A nondeterministic operation is characterized by the fact that its application to a given set of parameters can yield any one of several possible outcomes. This paper discusses ways to specify, implement, and reason about nondeterministic operations in the context of abstract (algebraic) data types. The notion of an implementation of a data type that includes nondeterministic operations is formalized, and the criteria for judging the "correctness" of such implementations are specified. The formalism developed allows implementations of nondeterministic operations to embody varying degrees of the full extent of nondeterminism allowed by the semantics of a type; in particular, deterministic implementations of nondeterministic operations are allowed.
A Nested FGMRES Method for Parallel Calculation of Nuclear Reactor Transients

A semi-iterative method based on a nested application of Flexible Generalized Minimum Residual)FGMRES) was developed to solve the linear systems resulting from the application of the discretized two-phase hydrodynamics equations to nuclear reactor transient problems. The complex three-dimensional reactor problem is decomposed into simpler, more manageable problems which are then recombined sequentially by GMRES algorithms. Mathematically, the method consists of using an “inner” level GMRES to solve the preconditioner equation for an “outer” level GMRES. Applications were performed on practical, three-dimensional models of operating Pressurized Water Reactors (PWR). Serial and parallel applications were performed for a reactor model with two different details in the core representation. When appropriately tight convergence was enforced at each GMRES level, the results of the semi-iterative solver were in agreement with existing direct solution methods. For the larger model tested, the serial performance of GMRES was about a factor of 3 better than the direct solver and the parallel speedups were about 4 using 13 processors of the INTEL Paragon. Thus, for the larger problem over an order of magnitude reduction in the execution time was achieved indicating that the use of semi-iterative solvers and parallel computing can considerably reduce the computational load for practical PWR transient calculations.
Isolation of Meiotic Recombinants from Mouse Sperm

Homologous recombination during meiosis is critical for the formation of gametes. Recombination is initiated by programmed DNA double-strand breaks which preferentially occur at hotspots dispersed throughout the genome. These double-strand breaks are repaired from the homolog, resulting in either a crossover or noncrossover product. Multiple noncrossover events are required for homolog pairing, and at least one crossover is critical for proper chromosome segregation at the first meiotic division. Consequently, homologous recombination in meiosis occurs at high frequencies. This chapter describes how to characterize crossovers and noncrossovers at a hotspot in mice using allele-specific PCR. Amplification of recombinant products directly from sperm DNA is a powerful approach to determine recombination frequencies and map recombination breakpoints, providing insight into homologous recombination mechanisms.
Feed intake is related to changes in plasma nonesterified fatty acid concentration and hepatic acetyl CoA content following feeding in lactating dairy cows

The relationship between hepatic acetyl CoA (AcCoA) content and dry matter intake (DMI) was evaluated using 28 multiparous Holstein cows; 14 were early postpartum (PP; 12.6 ± 3.8 d in milk) and 14 were late-lactation cows (LL; 269 ± 30 d in milk). Cows were fed once daily, and DMI was determined for the first 4h after feeding. Liver and blood samples were collected before feeding and 4h after feeding. Feed intake over the 4-h period ranged from 3.7 to 9.6 kg of dry matter and was similar for the 2 stages of lactation. Before feeding, hepatic AcCoA content was greater for PP compared with LL cows (34.4 vs. 12.5 nmol/g), and decreased over the 4h after feeding for PP only (28.7 vs. 34.4 nmol/g). The range for change in AcCoA over the 4-h period was wide for both PP (-24.3 to 10.4 nmol/g) and LL (-5.7 to 16.1 nmol/g), and was related negatively to DMI at 4h for both PP (R(2) = 0.55) and LL (R(2) = 0.31). The reduction in plasma NEFA concentration over the 4-h period was greater for PP than LL cows (-681 vs. -47 µEq/L), and was related to DMI at 4h for both PP and LL (both R(2) = 0.38). Greater DMI among cows over the first 4h after feeding might have been from a sharper reduction in supply of AcCoA in the liver for oxidation during meals because of the reduction in plasma NEFA concentration. Consistent with this is that the change in AcCoA was positively related to the reduction in plasma NEFA concentration for PP cows (R(2) = 0.31). However, change in plasma NEFA concentration was not related to change in hepatic AcCoA in LL cows, indicating that the pool of AcCoA in LL cows is not as dependent on NEFA flux to the liver as that of PP cows. Further research is required to determine production and fate of AcCoA within the timeframe of meals and the effects of feeding on energy charge in hepatic tissue.
Effect of Acute Alteratioris in Small Bowel Transit Time upon the Biliary Excretion Rate of Bile Acids

Abstract The rate of biliary bile acid excretion is a product of bile acid pool size and enterohepatic cycling frequency. Cycling frequency, in turn, is determined by the time necessary for bile acid to travel from the ampulla of Vater to its small bowel absorptive site, from its absorptive site to the liver, and from the liver to the duodenum. In 10 subjects receiving constant intraduodenal infusion of an isocaloric formula containing the nonabsorbable markers polyethylene glycol and β-sitosterol, the authors altered small intestinal treinsit time and measured the effect upon biliary bile acid excretion rate. Sorbitol (15% formula) shortened transit time by 38% and increased hourly bile acid excretion rate by 31%. Atropine (0.04 mg i.m. q 2 hr) increased transit time by 38% and decreased hourly bile acid excretion rate by 38%. Biliary excretion rates of cholesterol and of bilirubin, substances excreted in bile but not subject to enterohepatic circulation, did not change with changes in transit time. This suggests that sorbitol and atropine were not acting upon the biliary limb of the enterohepatic circulation but rather on the intestinal limb. The authors conclude that small bowel transit time is a major determinant of enterohepatic cycling frequency.
Intimate partner violence and infant feeding practices in India: a cross-sectional study.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is widespread; yet research is thin and equivocal regarding its potential adverse effects on infant feeding practices. With a national sample of 3552 mothers and infants aged 180 days or younger from the 2005-2006 National Family Health Survey for India, we used logistic regression to estimate the unadjusted and adjusted associations of maternal reported lifetime exposure to any IPV and to physical or sexual IPV with feeding practices at birth and in the prior 24 h. Compared with their unexposed counterparts, mothers exposed to any IPV and to any physical or sexual IPV had higher adjusted odds of giving their infant liquids [aOR 1.32, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.04-1.66; aOR 1.37, 95% CI 1.08-1.75, respectively], and thus lower adjusted odds of exclusively breastfeeding their infant in the prior 24 h (aOR 0.78, 95% CI 0.62-0.98; aOR 0.74, 95% CI 0.58-0.95). Mothers exposed to physical or sexual IPV also had higher adjusted odds of feeding their infant solids in the prior 24 h (aOR 1.50, 95% CI 1.01-2.23). Exposure to IPV was not significantly associated with breastfeeding immediately after birth or with bottle feeding in the prior 24 h. Perinatal screening for IPV, and addressing IPV and feeding practices in exposed mothers, may improve maternal health and infant nutrition in similar settings. Language: en
Diffusionism and open access

Purpose – This article aims to explore the geographic distribution of open access practices in the world from a diffusionist perspective.Design/methodology/approach – The article applies a tempo‐spatial analysis to examine the diffusion movement of open access practices from the West to the entire world during the past several decades. Both maps and tables are used to support the analysis. The diffusionist theory is reviewed and applied to the understanding of open access.Findings – The paper discovers that technology is not the only factor determining the diffusion pattern of information systems as discussed in the literature. Cultural dissimilarities across countries have played a significant role in open access development. Open access can only be effectively established after it meets local standards.Practical implications – The findings help understanding of why open access has a disproportionate growth among developing countries, and even among developed countries, where the ICT infrastructure has b...