cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Geographic footprint of electricity use for water services in the Western U.S.

A significant fraction of our nation’s electricity use goes to lift, convey, and treat water, while the resulting expenditures on electricity represent a key budgetary consideration for water service providers. To improve understanding of the electricity-for-water interdependency, electricity used in providing water services is mapped at the regional, state and county level for the 17-conterminous states in the Western U.S. This study is unique in estimating electricity use for large-scale conveyance and agricultural pumping as well as mapping these electricity uses along with that for drinking and wastewater services at a state and county level. Results indicate that drinking and wastewater account for roughly 2% of total West-wide electricity use, while an additional 1.2% is consumed by large-scale conveyance projects and 2.6% is consumed by agricultural pumping. The percent of electricity used for water services varies strongly by state with some as high as 34%, while other states expend less than 1%. ...
Biosynthesis of nicotinamide in man.

Summary(1) Four subjects subsisted for a period of 3 months on a diet of purified vitamin-free foods furnishing a daily intake of 1.5-2.0 mg nicotinamide. (2) There were no symptoms or signs of nicotinic acid deficiency observed during this period.(3) The urinary output expressed as N-methylnicotinamide chloride showed no reduction suggestive of depletion of nicotinamide stores, a finding which suggests synthesis of the vitamin by the intestinal bacteria.(4) An attempt to inhibit bacterial synthesis of nicotinamide in the intestinal tract was not reflected by a drop in the urinary excretion of N-methylnicotinamide (F2). (5) This suggests that nicotinamide synthesis in the intestinal tract was accomplished by bacteria which were not sensitive to sulfasuxidine in the doses used.
Changes in the 13C/12C Ratio of Atmospheric CO2 1977-2014

Data for the 13C fraction in atmospheric CO2 from six different measurement stations in the sample period 1977-2014 are studied to estimate its dilution by fossil fuel emissions. No correlation between the annual rate of fossil fuel emissions and annual change in the 13C fraction of atmospheric CO2 is found. We conclude that the 13C data for atmospheric CO2 do not serve as empirical evidence that changes in atmospheric CO2 since the Industrial Revolution can be attributed to fossil fuel emissions.
Abstract 2741: A novel branched DNA-based multiplex method for telomere analysis at the single-cell level by flow cytometry

Telomeres are protective structures at the ends of chromosomes, containing multiple repeats of the repetitive sequence (TTAGGG) in vertebrates. It undergoes progressive shortening during normal aging. Abnormalities in the regulation of telomere length are implicated in various diseases including cancers. Current methods for telomere analysis are tedious and lack the flexibility to allow identification of unique cell subsets in a heterogeneous sample. Here we describe a novel flow cytometric method for analyzing relative telomere length at the single-cell level based on the branched DNA technology. This method, named PrimeFlow Assay can be combined with antibody staining and mRNA detection enabling simultaneous analysis of telomere length as well as protein and RNA for a comprehensive view in any specific cell subset. With this method, we investigated various cell lines and primary cells of human and mouse origin. Our results indicate that transformed cell lines possess longer telomeres than primary cells. In human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, we observed that lymphocytes had longer telomeres compared to monocytes, consistent with previously published results by another flow cytometric method. These data demonstrate that the PrimeFlow assay is a valuable method for high-throughput analysis of relative telomere length that may be combined with the analysis of protein and gene targets and, thus, provides data at the single-cell level for a more complete understanding of sample heterogeneity. Citation Format: Steve Lai, Leslie Sias, Castle Funatake. A novel branched DNA-based multiplex method for telomere analysis at the single-cell level by flow cytometry. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 2741.
Many important language universals are not reducible to processing or cognition

Christiansen & Chater (C&C) ignore the many linguistic universals that cannot be reduced to processing or cognitive constraints, some of which we present. Their claim that grammar is merely acquired language processing skill cannot account for such universals. Their claim that all other universal properties are historically and culturally based is a nonsequitur about language evolution, lacking data.
Dynamic Programming Using Polar Variance for Image Segmentation

When using polar dynamic programming (PDP) for image segmentation, the object size is one of the main features used. This is because if size is left unconstrained the final segmentation may include high-gradient regions that are not associated with the object. In this paper, we propose a new feature, polar variance, which allows the algorithm to segment the objects of different sizes without the need for training data. The polar variance is the variance in a polar region between a user-selected origin and a pixel we want to analyze. We also incorporate a new technique that allows PDP to segment complex shapes by finding low-gradient regions and growing them. The experimental analysis consisted on comparing our technique with different active contour segmentation techniques on a series of tests. The tests consisted on robustness to additive Gaussian noise, segmentation accuracy with different grayscale images and finally robustness to algorithm-specific parameters. Experimental results show that our technique performs favorably when compared with other segmentation techniques.
Differential Effects of High Atmospheric N and S Deposition on Bog Plant/Lichen Tissue and Porewater Chemistry across the Athabasca Oil Sands Region.

Oil extraction and development activities in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region of northern Alberta, Canada, release NOx, SOx, and NHy to the atmosphere, ultimately resulting in increasing N and S inputs to surrounding ecosystems through atmospheric deposition. Peatlands are a major feature of the northern Alberta landscape, with bogs covering 6–10% of the land area, and fens covering 21–53%. Bulk deposition of NH4+–N, NO3––N, dissolved inorganic N (DIN), and SO42––S, was quantified using ion-exchange resin collectors deployed at 23 locations, over 1–6 years. The results reveal maximum N and S deposition of 9.3 and 12.0 kg ha–1 yr–1, respectively, near the oil sands industrial center (the midpoint between the Syncrude and Suncor upgrader stacks), decreasing with distance to a background deposition of 0.9 and 1.1 kg ha–1 yr–1, respectively. To assess potential influences of high N and S deposition on bogs, we quantified N and S concentrations in tissues of two Sphagnum species, two lichen species, and four vas...
Quiste hidatídico cerebral: caso clínico y revisión de la literatura

Hydatid disease is an accidental parasitosis, with brain location being rare. The case is reported of a 33year-old male, with no history of note, who was admitted to hospital with intracranial hypertension syndrome and right hemiparesis. Computed tomography showed a cystic lesion in the left frontal-parietal lobule. Surgery was performed by complete excision of the lesion, with a good outcome. Hydatid disease is a rare condition in the brain. Clinical suspicion is important for an early diagnosis. A review is presented on the pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of cerebral hydatid disease.
Improving the utility, performance, and durability of wood- and bio-based composites

This paper briefly reviews the state of the art in various types of wood- and bio-based composites, summarizes recent advances, and then discusses future possibilities for improving the durability of wood- and bio-based composites. Wood can be processed and reformed into a number of different biocomposites. We aimed at reviewing the state of the art in various types of wood- and bio-based composites. Review of utility, performance and durability of wood- and bio-based composites. The advanced biocomposites will: Combine wood, natural biofibers, and non-biomaterials to create synergistic hybrid materials that far exceed performance capabilities of current biocomposites Be renewable, recyclable, and totally sustainable Provide superior performance and serviceability exceeding performance of current biocomposites Be more durable, dimensionally stable, moisture proof, and fire resistant Be less expensive to produce and use (over the life cycle of use) than the materials they replace The next generation of advanced wood- and bio-based composites must provide high-performance construction and specialty products that simultaneously promote resource and environmental sustainability and provide advanced performance, long-term performance, enhanced durability, and value.
Coherence: The Measurement and Application of Brain Connectivity

While much knowledge has been gained by the endeavor to link specific brain sites with specific cognitive functions, modern conceptualizations of brain activity focus much more on the function of networks of brain regions. A key construct in defining these networks has been the study of connectivity across regions. In this review, we discuss several methods of measuring connectivity and focus primarily on the utility of electroencephalographic (EEG) coherence. While over- and under-connectivity have been related to numerous clinical phenomena, we focus our discussion on the role of connectivity in reading and language disorders, and present a Neurocognitive Connectivity (NCC) framework for understanding these disorders. We argue that EEG coherence presents a unique target for treatment of these and other populations, in that the ability to modulate connectivity via EEG neurofeedback has been shown to be of significant clinical utility.
Behavioral Aspects and Collaboration Technologies for Process Innovation: A Grounded Theory Approach

The objective of this paper is to develop a framework for an understanding of process innovation (PI) in teams with collaborative technologies (CT’s) using a grounded theory (GT) approach. The scope of this paper is limited to teams within firms where goals are clearly mandated and constraints explicitly defined. Critical team functions such as communication, coordination and awareness are facilitated by the CT. A GT approach is proposed as a means of formulating a framework of behavioral aspects of such teams in order to capture the full range of interaction issues of people and information systems. The framework that is generated as a result of this study will contribute to an understating of team use of CTs as well as clarify the strategic value of information systems as a vehicle for constant improvement.
Characterizing the Potential for Injection-Induced Fault Reactivation Through Subsurface Structural Mapping and Stress Field Analysis, Wellington Field, Sumner County, Kansas

Kansas, like other parts of the central U.S., has experienced a recent increase in seismicity. Correlation of these events with brine disposal operations suggests pore fluid pressure increases are reactivating preexisting faults, but rigorous evaluation at injection sites is lacking. Here we determine the suitability of CO2 injection into the Cambrian-Ordovician Arbuckle Group for long-term storage and into a Mississippian reservoir for enhanced oil recovery in Wellington Field, Sumner County, Kansas. To determine the potential for injection-induced earthquakes, we map subsurface faults and estimate in situ stresses, perform slip and dilation tendency analyses to identify well-oriented faults relative to the estimated stress field, and determine the pressure changes required to induce slip at reservoir and basement depths. Three-dimensional seismic reflection data reveal 12 near-vertical faults, mostly striking NNE, consistent with nodal planes from moment tensor solutions from recent earthquakes in the region. Most of the faults cut both reservoirs and several clearly penetrate the Precambrian basement. Drilling-induced fractures (N = 40) identified from image logs and inversion of earthquake moment tensor solutions (N = 65) indicate that the maximum horizontal stress is approximately EW. Slip tendency analysis indicates that faults striking <020° are stable under current reservoir conditions, whereas faults striking 020°–049° may be prone to reactivation with increasing pore fluid pressure. Although the proposed injection volume (40,000 t) is unlikely to reactive faults at reservoir depths, high-rate injection operations could reach pressures beyond the critical threshold for slip within the basement, as demonstrated by the large number of injection-induced earthquakes west of the study area.
Robotics education online flipping a traditional mobile robotics classroom

The goal of this paper is to describe the motivation, process and results of converting a traditional mobile robotics classroom into a flipped one. Mobile robotics has been taught at this university for 10 years and the course has proven to be very successful. The challenge with this success is that there is only one instructor, one section, once per year with an enrollment cap of 24 students. These constraints are due to faculty workload, classroom size as well as available robots. Although more robots can be purchased, it is not possible to add more faculty to teach the course or change the classroom. The other challenges are the need to elevate the laboratory assignments to focus on high level technical aspects of mobile robotics control and provide more student assistance. In order to resolve this dilemma, the author feels that there must be more time in class to focus on the laboratory recitation and assignments while emphasizing background theory both online and in class. Therefore, in winter quarter 2016 the mobile robotics course was flipped to resolve some of these challenges. The lectures were moved online and the classroom time was spent on lab recitation, implementation, and demonstration. This paper will summarize the process of designing the flipped mobile robotics course as well as a presentation of the preliminary results of the first offering as compared to the traditional course.
The impact of the Eden Alternative on hope

Hopelessness is a major problem in the psychological wellbeing of care home residents. This study aimed to determine if the Eden Alternative, a model designed to reduce loneliness, boredom and helplessness, could also combat hopelessness
Intraerythrocytic adaptation (2,3 DPG,P50) in thalassemia minor

P50 and 2,3 DPG content of erythrocytes were determined in 25 patients with heterozygous beta thalassemia minor to assess the adaptive mechanisms to anemia. 2,3 DPG levels were appropriately elevated for the degree of anemia. However, P50 values were not proportionately increased. No correlations were noted between hemoglobin level, 2,3 DPG, or P50 and the presence of symptomatic complaints of fatigue or weakness in these heterozygous patients.
Establishment of a clinical gestational carrier program: medical, ethical, legal and policy issues

Pressures to expand, advancing technologies, and increased public exposure of in vitro fertilization (IVF) compels ongoing evaluation of the medical, ethical, and legal proprietary of this high tech infertility treatment, especially when used to build nontraditional families. Recently, the University of Iowa’s Center for Advanced Reproductive Care considered the possibility of adding gestational carrier (popularly known as “surrogacy”) services to our program. The IVF Ethics Committee considered practical realities and inherent ethical issues including the number of invested parties, significant economic costs, risks taken on by the gestational carrier, and the potential for free market exploitation. The Committee resolved that efforts to combat these concerns should include a push for industry self-regulation with restrictions on reimbursement, better professional guidance on this topic from professional organizations, collaborative research on program development, trends, and outcomes, and uniform laws to protect all parties involved. With this in mind, the Committee and program physicians approved moving forward with careful institution of this program in collaboration with handpicked surrogacy agencies.
Linear fitting of non-linear functions in optimization. A case study: Air pollution problems

A problem on mathematical programming is the linear approximation of nonlinearities in the constraints or in the objective function of a linear programming problem. In this paper, we compare the representation of nonlinear functions of a single argument by approximations based on piecewise constant, piecewise adjacent, piecewise non-adjacent additional and piecewise non-adjacent segmented functions. In each modelization we show the problem size and the results of the following techniques: separable programming, mixed integer programming with Special Order Sets of type 1, linear programming with Special Order Sets of type 2 and mixed integer programming.
Alcoholics Anonymous and Contemporary Psychodynamic Theory

AA’s success rests on its ability to establish and maintain abstinence. This basic and essential accomplishment has tended to detract from the fact that AA is successful in good part because it is a sophisticated psychosocial form of treatment that addresses human psychological vulnerabilities that alcoholics and others share related to problems of self-regulation. The “character defects” that AA addresses are related to attitudes about self and others that are embodied in character traits and styles that make interdependence, experience, and expression of feelings and self-care problematical and difficult. AA confronts these “defects” by effectively advocating surrender, acceptance of a Higher Power, and challenging human self-centeredness. In its insistence on openness, support, sharing of experiences, and mutual concerns, AA imaginatively employs group psychology to address vulnerabilities in self-governance and problems in regulating feelings and self-care. After a successful psychoanalytic treatment a patient is definitely less neurotic (or psychotic) but perhaps not necessarily more mature. On the other hand after a successful treatment by group methods the patient is not necessarily less neurotic but inevitably more mature. Enid and Michael Balint (1972)
Nadie se pregunta de dónde viene la luna

This poem is a meditation on the mystical powers of the moon and her ability to transmutate elements, as well as her ability to facilitate feminine creative cycles and reproduction. The refrain--No one asks where the moon comes from, but she is guided by gravity--is both a call to the mysterious origins of the moon as well as her deep connectedness to earth and its inhabitants. I call the moon the first Shamaness, because she is the ancient one who transforms light, guides our path in the dark, and facilitates creative cycles. This poem emerged during an academic project in Ecuador, during which I researched miraculous cults and images. Although my research focuses on the colonial period, I also studied local cults, pre-Hispanic religious influences, and other folk practices as they relate to the phenomenology of religious imagery. These local, spiritual practices have continued to influence Ecuadorian culture, even after the transplantation of European Catholicism in those lands.
PTSD in U.S. Veterans: The Role of Social Connectedness, Combat Experience and Discharge

Service members who transition out of the military often face substantial challenges during their transition to civilian life. Leaving military service requires establishing a new community as well as sense of connectedness to that community. Little is known about how social connectedness may be related to other prominent transition outcomes, particularly symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The purpose of this study was to explore the role of social connectedness in the development of PTSD, as well as its relationship to the known risk factors of combat exposure and discharge status. Data used were drawn from a needs assessment survey of 722 veterans. A path model was specified to test direct and indirect effects of combat experiences, non-honorable discharge status, and social connectedness on PTSD symptoms. Results demonstrated positive direct effects for combat experiences and non-honorable discharge status on PTSD symptoms while social connectedness demonstrated a negative direct effect. Both combat experiences and non-honorable discharge status demonstrated negative direct effects on social connectedness and indirect on PTSD through the social connectedness pathway. Study findings indicate social connectedness may be an important factor related to PTSD in veterans as well as an intervention point for mitigating risk related to combat exposure and discharge status.
AnIn-SilicoMammalian Whole-Cell Model Reveals the Influence of Spatial Organization on RNA Splicing Efficiency

Spatial organization is a characteristic of eukaryotic cells, achieved by utilizing both membrane-bound and non-bound organelles. We model the effects of this organization and of organelle heterogeneity on RNA splicing (the process of making translationally-ready messenger RNA) and on splicing particles (the building blocks of splicing machinery) in mammalian cells. We constructed a spatially-resolved whole HeLa cell model from various experimental data and developed reaction networks to describe the RNA splicing processes. We incorporated these networks into our whole-cell model and performed stochastic simulations for up to 15 minutes of biological time. We find that the number of nuclear pore complexes affects the number of assembled splicing particles; that a slight increase of splicing particle localization in nuclear speckles (non-membrane-bound or- ganelles) leads to disproportionate enhancement in the mRNA splicing and reduction in the transcript noise; and that compartmentalization is critical for a correctly-assembled particle yield. Our model also predicts that the distance between genes and speckles has a considerable effect on effective mRNA production rate, further emphasizing the importance of genome organization around speckles. The HeLa cell model, including organelles and subcompartments, provides an adaptable foundation to study other cellular processes which are strongly modulated by spatio-temporal heterogeneity. Significance Statement The spliceosome is one of the most complex cellular machineries that cuts and splices the RNA code in eukaryotic cells. It dynamically assembles, disassembles, and its components are formed in multiple compartments. The efficiency of splicing process depends on localization of its components in nuclear membrane-less organelles. Therefore, a computational model of spliceosomal function must contain a spatial model of the entire cell. However, building such a model is a challenging task, mainly due to the lack of homogeneous experimental data and a suitable computational framework. Here, we overcome these challenges and present a whole HeLa cell model, with nuclear, subnuclear, and extensive cytoplasmic structures. The three-dimensional model is supplemented by reaction-diffusion processes to shed light on the function of the spliceosome.
High Birth Weight, Early UV Exposure, and Melanoma Risk in Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults

Background:Melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, is the second most common cancer diagnosed before age 30. Little is known about potentially modifiable or intervenable risk factors specific to developing melanoma at a young age. The objective was to determine if high birth weight or higher ea
A New Era of Cardiac Cell Therapy: Opportunities and Challenges

Myocardial infarction (MI), caused by coronary heart disease (CHD), remains one of the most common causes of death in the United States. Over the last few decades, scientists have invested considerable resources on the study and development of cell therapies for myocardial regeneration after MI. However, due to a number of limitations, they are not yet readily available for clinical applications. Mounting evidence supports the theory that paracrine products are the main contributors to the regenerative effects attributed to these cell therapies. The next generation of cell-based MI therapies will identify and isolate cell products and derivatives, integrate them with biocompatible materials and technologies, and use them for the regeneration of damaged myocardial tissue. This review discusses the progress made thus far in pursuit of this new generation of cell therapies. Their fundamental regenerative mechanisms, their potential to combine with other therapeutic products, and their role in shaping new clinical approaches for heart tissue engineering, are addressed.
Multi-Scale Spatial Context Features Using 3-D Recurrent Neural Networks for Pedestrian Detection

Successful detection of pedestrians in an autonomous driving scene is challenging because of the high variation in pedestrian scales and the cluttered background which requires context information. In this paper, we propose to use 3-D recurrent neural networks (RNN) to extract rich spatial context information of different resolutions to improve the accuracy of pedestrian detection. Recurrent neural networks have been shown to improve the performance for many tasks like speech recognition by exploiting the dependency between inputs at different time steps. However, the chain structure in conventional RNN is not very suitable for 2-D image tasks. The proposed 3-D RNN has a multi-path structure that enables the context aggregation between not only the neighboring cells but also feature map of different resolutions and abstraction levels. The context extracted in this way is rich because both the spatial dependency on the same feature map and the information across different feature maps are taken into account. By combining the 3-D RNN with skip-pooling, this method can detect multi-scale pedestrians under complex driving scenarios. Performance evaluation shows that the proposed method has a competitive performance, with an average precision of 73.04% on KITTI dataset, and a miss rate of 9.31% on Caltech dataset.
Strategizing personality traits: an acculturation approach to person–environment fit and expatriate adjustment

Models of expatriate adjustment grounded in person–environment fit theory argue expatriate adjustment occurs when the expatriate’s abilities meet the demands of the cultural context and when the cu...
Current state of biologic pharmacovigilance in the European Union: improvements are needed.

Introduction Pharmacovigilance is essential to monitoring the safety profiles of authorized medicines. Compared with small-molecule drugs, biological drugs are more complex, more susceptible to structural variability due to manufacturing processes, and have the potential to induce immune-related reactions, underscoring the importance of safety monitoring for these products. Although highly similar to reference products, biosimilars are not expected to be structurally identical. For these reasons, proper reporting of potential adverse drug reactions (ADRs) using distinguishable names and batch numbers is essential for accurate tracing of all biological drugs. To address the need for robust pharmacovigilance, the European Parliament and Council of the European Union provided legislation regarding pharmacovigilance of biologics in 2010. Areas covered This narrative review examines the current state of pharmacovigilance for biologics in the European Union (EU) and discusses relevant information on pharmacovigilance of biosimilars, the current EU pharmacovigilance system, and areas that could be improved. Expert opinion Although steps have been taken to improve pharmacovigilance of biologics in the EU, several enhancements can still be made, including additional training for healthcare professionals on ADR reporting, the use of 2D barcodes that enhance traceability, and an open discussion of potentially missed opportunities in the pharmacovigilance of biosimilars.
Long-Term Follow-up or Lost to Follow-up? Driving Distance and Continuity of Follow-up Care after Allogeneic Transplantation

Introduction Long-term follow-up (LTFU) clinics overcome any potential survival disadvantage from long driving distances in hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HCT) recipients (Ragon et al, 2014; Khera et al, 2017). However, omitting pts who are lost to follow-up (f/u) – defined as no phone/electronic communication or appointment requests in 12+ mos – may introduce selection bias. We hypothesized that long driving distances lead to higher ‘lost' rates in HCT survivors. Methods We conducted a landmark analysis of HCT survivors > 12 mos after allogeneic HCT seen at least once in our clinic between 1/1/02 & 6/30/18. We identified each pt's last point of contact with our institution (including admissions & death notifications). For pts not known to have died, we calculated ‘no-contact' intervals since last points of contact. No-contact intervals of 12+ mos constituted being lost to f/u. We used the 75th percentile of driving distance (as done by Ragon et al) to delineate closer-living vs. furthest-living groups, calculating percentiles within f/u cohorts (1-4.9 yrs, 5-9.9 yrs, or 10+ yrs after HCT) to account for catchment area changes over time. Results We analyzed 437 pts, of whom 22 (5%) had received HCTs at other centers. Compared to the closer-living group (median distance 24.1 mi, interquartile range [IQR] 13.9-33.3), the furthest-living group (median distance 78.4 mi, IQR 66.2-117.0) was more likely to be white but was otherwise comparable by age, gender, insurance, HCT indication, & GVHD distribution. The two groups had similar overall survival (median 32.0 vs. 31.0 mos, p = 0.94). Among patients not known to have died (n = 272), lost to f/u rates were almost 2x as high (17% vs. 9%) in the furthest-living group; however, this difference did not reach significance (p = 0.13). Only 1/4 of lost pts (n = 30) had documented reasons for ceasing contact, e.g. preference for local care or transfer to another center. The furthest-living group had significantly longer no-contact intervals than the closer-living group (p Discussion Our sample size was relatively small, and we were unable to assess HCT recipients not seen in our ambulatory LTFU clinic. Nevertheless, our single-center study suggests that long-distance pts may disproportionately become lost to f/u. LTFU clinics should ensure adequate inclusion, e.g. via telehealth, of long-distance HCT survivors in clinical care and research.
A phase 1 trial of the oral DNA methyltransferase inhibitor CC-486 and the histone deacetylase inhibitor romidepsin in advanced solid tumors

BACKGROUND Epigenetic abnormalities are manifold in all solid tumors and include changes in chromatin configuration and DNA methylation. The authors designed a phase 1 study to evaluate the oral DNA methyltransferase inhibitor CC-486 combined with the histone deacetylase inhibitor romidepsin in advanced solid tumors with dose expansion to further evaluate pharmacodynamics and possible clinical benefit of the recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D). METHODS This was a phase 1 study with a 3 + 3 dose-escalation design and an expansion phase for patients with virally mediated cancers. The disease control rate (DCR) was the primary outcome for the expansion cohort. Correlative studies included long interspersed nucleotide element 1 (LINE-1) methylation and drug exposure in blood samples (clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT01537744). RESULTS Fourteen patients were enrolled in the dose-escalation portion at 3 dose levels. Three patients experienced dose-limiting toxicities; the RP2D was oral CC-486 300 mg daily on days 1 through 14 and romidepsin 8 mg/m2 on days 8 and 15. Because of slow accrual into the expansion phase, the trial was closed after 4 patients enrolled. Common toxicities of the combination included nausea (83.3%), anorexia (72.2%), fatigue (61.1%), and constipation (55.6%). There were 12 patients evaluable for response, 5 with stable disease, of whom 2 received >4 cycles; there were no responses. Exposure to CC-486 and romidepsin was consistent with prior data. LINE-1 methylation on C1D8 was significantly reduced (mean, -6.23; 95% CI, -12.23, -0.24; P = .04). CONCLUSIONS Although, at the RP2D, the combination of CC-486 and romidepsin was tolerable, no significant anticancer activity was observed. Significant demethylation in post-treatment circulating tumor DNA and biopsies provided proof of target acquisition.
DYNAMIC ACCOMMODATION MEASUREMENTS FOR OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT OF EYESTRAIN AND VISUAL FATIGUE

A high-precision optometer system has been developed for dynamic measurement of the refractive power of the eye. With the use of individually chosen stimulus steps, a subject's accommodation performance can be unobtrusively assessed in about 3 min. The area under the plotted response curve is used as an integrated measure of dynamic accommodation performance
‘See me as i see myself’: A phenomenological analysis of grade bump requests

At the end of every semester, some students will boldly email me asking for their grade to be bumped. These requests and their motives seem closely tied to academic entitlement, which has mostly been studied quantitatively. Creating a dialogue with this published literature, this research seeks to uncover the lived meanings of a grade perceived as unjust. Using a Heideggerian life-world approach, I analyzed an email archive to explore how students are projecting lived understandings of themselves that are at odds with their grades. In their plaintive plea to change their grades, the students are seeking affirmation of their self-understanding, demanding to be seen and valued as they see themselves. These results are discussed in light of the literature reviewed and directions for future research are proffered.
Dose and Risk Characterization in CT

Computed tomography is an indispensable modality for obtaining critical diagnostic information regarding healthy and diseased tissues of the patient. It is widely accepted that the medical benefit of computed tomography imaging vastly exceeds any harm incurred to the patient following x-ray exposure. Nevertheless, CT imaging exams should be medical justified, and the CT imaging protocols applied should be optimized to balance image quality and patient dose. In this chapter, we review various forms of patient dose metrics and discuss methods by which individual organ doses to patients of both genders, of all ages, and of varying body morphometries may be assessed using computational human phantoms and Monte Carlo radiation transport simulation. These values of individual organ dose may then be used to report nominal values of risk through either radiation detriment, as determined by the quantity effective dose, or the lifetime attributable risk (LAR) of cancer. The former averages population-based risks across both sexes, all ages, and several populations, while the latter retains these individual features of the risk profile. The radiation epidemiological models that underpin these risk estimates are based on dose-response data obtained from long-term follow-up of exposed populations and thus may only be applied, at best, at the population level – such as cohorts of young female patients or those of older male patients – and never at the level of an individual patient. These population-based nominal risks, however, are needed for CT imaging protocol optimization. The chapter concludes with a numerical example of organ doses and risks – both radiation detriment and cancer incidence/mortality – for an age-dependent series of reference patients undergoing 18FDG PE/CT imaging.
Augustine’s Eschatological Vision: The Dynamism of Seeing and Seeking God in Heaven:

Many modern theologians interpret Augustine’s conception of the afterlife in contrast to that of Gregory of Nyssa as a static, passive, and individualistic vision of God that is utterly discontinuo...
Before Anarchy: Hobbes and His Critics in Modern International Thought

The title of this book does not quite give away the rich variety of knowledge it contains. There is a hidden gem which I will get to in the second half of this review. The book covers Thomas Hobbes...
[Investigation of pesticides residues in vegetables in the central Shaanxi area, 2012-2018].

OBJECTIVE To investigate the status of pesticides residues in vegetables in the central Shaanxi area. METHODS The vegetables collected from central Shaanxi area and the pesticides residues in vegetables were detected by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry during 2012 to 2018. RESULTS In 1049 samples, the total detection rate of 50 kinds of pesticides residues was 14. 11%, the over standard rate was 1. 91%. The detection rates of pyrethroid, organophosphate, carbamate, organochlorine were 7. 98%, 5. 89%, 3. 30% and 0. 68%, and the over standard rates were 0. 66%, 0. 90%, 0. 70% and 0. 00%, respectively. The highest detection of pyrethroid was cyhalothrin(3. 61%), the highest detection of organophosphate was chlorpyrifos(2. 70%), the highest detection of carbamate was carbofuran(1. 80%), the highest detection rate of organochlorine was endosulfan(0. 68%). The vegetables with higher detection rates were bulbs, fresh beans and stems. The vegetables with higher over standard rates were Chinese chives, cowpeas and celery. CONCLUSION The pesticides in vegetables are detected in the central Shaanxi area, but the total of exceeding standard is low.
Toward a Research Agenda on Political Misinformation and Corrective Information

Truth and falsehood are central subjects in philosophical, political science and mass communication scholarship as an informed citizenry is regarded as a necessity for a well-functioning democracy....
The Quantum Katas: Learning Quantum Computing using Programming Exercises

Quantum computing harnesses quantum laws of nature to enable new types of algorithms, not efficiently possible on traditional computers, that may lead to breakthroughs in crucial areas like materials science and chemistry. There is rapidly growing demand for a quantum workforce educated in the basics of quantum computing. However, there have been very few offerings that help the learner to bridge the gap between the theoretical quantum computing knowledge and applying it to solving real-world problems. The Quantum Katas project has been designed specifically to reduce that gap. Each kata is a sequence of programming exercises that walk the learner through one or several closely related topics in quantum computing. The learner turns to the kata once they have studied the theory on this topic, to internalize their new knowledge. Each exercise requires writing a fragment of code in Q# - a quantum programming language. Most importantly, each kata includes a testing framework that provides immediate feedback for the attempted solutions, allowing the learner to study at their own pace even without access to instructor. This makes the project beneficial both for instructor-led studies and for self-learning. The Quantum Katas are an open-source project available at https://github.com/microsoft/QuantumKatas. In this demo I will showcase the Quantum Katas and talk about our experience using them in a variety of learning environments, from guided university courses to workshops and study groups to self-paced learning.
Intergenerational Engagement Through Experiential Learning

Intergenerational learning and experiential learning are powerful modes of education within themselves. Combining the two creates a unique opportunity to bring theory in to practice while engaging community adult learners in the learning process. This chapter provides a description of an intergenerational and experiential learning program designed for pre-service educators and incorporated within the required curriculum. Demonstrating a sustainable EL program, this 20-year-old EL curricular element incorporates lesson plan development, hands-on teaching, and reflection for university undergraduate education students, while offering a community adult music education program sponsored by the university. The chapter explains the concept of the New Horizons Music Program (senior adult music education program) and the connectivity to music education majors’ training. Logistical aspects are described to include start-up funding, curricular adjustments, off-campus instructional space, and other organizational considerations. University students’ and community adult participants’ perceptions as a result of this EL component are presented, demonstrating numerous benefits of this intergenerational EL program. Students cite increased confidence and instructional skills as well as less anxiety working with older adults. Adult participants marvel at the progress the student instructors demonstrate over the semester and take pride that they can assist in the university students’ education.
Predicting Poor Outcome of COVID-19 Patients on the Day of Admission with the COVID-19 Score

Background. COVID-19 may result in multiorgan failure and death. Early detection of patients at risk may allow triage and more intense monitoring. The aim of this study was to develop a simple, objective admission score, based on laboratory tests, that identifies patients who are likely going to deteriorate. Methods. This is a retrospective cohort study of all COVID-19 patients admitted to a tertiary academic medical center in New York City during the COVID-19 crisis in spring 2020. The primary combined endpoint included intubation, stage 3 acute kidney injury (AKI), or death. Laboratory tests available on admission in at least 70% of patients (and age) were included for univariate analysis. Tests that were statistically or clinically significant were then included in a multivariate binary logistic regression model using stepwise exclusion. 70% of all patients were used to train the model, and 30% were used as an internal validation cohort. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a model for COVID-19 severity based on biomarkers. Results. Out of 2545 patients, 833 (32.7%) experienced the primary endpoint. 53 laboratory tests were analyzed, and of these, 47 tests (and age) were significantly different between patients with and without the endpoint. The final multivariate model included age, albumin, creatinine, C-reactive protein, and lactate dehydrogenase. The area under the ROC curve was 0.850 (CI [95%]: 0.813, 0.889), with a sensitivity of 0.800 and specificity of 0.761. The probability of experiencing the primary endpoint can be calculated as p = e − 2.4475 + 0.02492 age − 0.6503 albumin + 0.81926 creat + 0.00388 CRP + 0.00143 LDH / 1 + e − 2.4475 + 0.02492 age − 0.6503 albumin + 0.81926 creat + 0.00388 CRP + 0.00143 LDH . Conclusions. Our study demonstrated that poor outcome in COVID-19 patients can be predicted with good sensitivity and specificity using a few laboratory tests. This is useful for identifying patients at risk during admission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Critical Care Research & Practice is the property of Hindawi Limited and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Measurement, coordination, and the relativized a priori

Abstract The problem of measurement is a central issue in the epistemology and methodology of the physical sciences. In recent literature on scientific representation, large emphasis has been put on the “constitutive role” played by measurement procedures as forms of representation. Despite its importance, this issue hardly finds any mention in writings on constitutive principles, viz. in Michael Friedman׳s account of relativized a priori principles. This issue, instead, was at the heart of Reichenbach׳s analysis of coordinating principles that has inspired Friedman׳s interpretation. This paper suggests that these procedures should have a part in an account of constitutive principles of science, and that they could be interpreted following the intuition originally present (but ultimately not fully developed) in Reichenbach׳s early work.
4. Quantitative acoustic microscopy

Abstract This chapter deals with the elastic characterization of solid media by acoustic microscopy. Three types of microscopy are considered. The first type is conventional acoustic microscopy, which uses monochromatic illumination for measuring elastic properties. The use of conventional acoustic microscopes for evaluating the elastic properties of layered anisotropic solids exploits the fact that this technique is able to measure the velocity of surface acoustic waves (SAWs). In conventional acoustic microscopy, the velocity of the surface acoustic wave is determined from the so-called V(z) curve, the variation of the voltage signal that is measured when the lens of the microscope is translated toward the sample. For isotropic layered materials, the SAW velocity is dependent on the frequency; i.e., there is dispersion. For anisotropic solids, the SAW velocity also exhibits a variation with the direction of propagation, called angular dispersion. The elastic properties of anisotropic solids can be extracted from measured dispersion curves. Acoustic microscopes usually operate within the frequency range of 100 MHz to 2 GHz. At such frequencies the elastic properties of thin layers from several hundred nanometers up to a few tens of microns can be determined. The second type is time-resolved microscopy, which uses pulses for material characterization. This type of microscopy provides an opportunity to measure velocities of bulk waves inside solid layers. A new (third type) type of microscopy, where two lenses are used for quantitative measurements, will be reviewed briefly. The chapter is organized into six sections. A short history of acoustic microscopy is presented in the Introduction (Section 4.1). The basic principles of quantitative acoustic microscopy and the accuracy of measuring SAW velocities by acoustic microscopy are described in Section 4.2. Sections 4.3 and 4.4 concern the acoustic microscopy measurement of dispersion curves of different types of materials and the extraction of the elastic properties from experimental acoustic data. The application of acoustic microscopy to elastic characterization of nonplane bodies is reviewed in Section 4.5. Finally, acoustic microscopy is compared to other techniques in Section 4.6.