cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Waveguide photonic choke joint with wide out-of-band rejection

A photonic choke joint structure with a wide- stop-band is proposed for use as a waveguide flange interface. The structure consists of arrays of square metal pillars arranged in a periodic pattern to suppress the dominant-mode wave propagation in parallel-plate waveguide over a wide frequency bandwidth. The measurement results at microwave frequencies confirm the structure can provide broadband suppression, more than 56 dB over 6.25 times its operating frequency. Applications at millimeter wavelength are discussed.
Isolation of IgG by DEAE Cellulose

Weakly basic cellulose ion exchanges, such as DEAE cellulose, can be used for the separation of serum proteins according to the procedure of Sober and co-workers (1956). This procedure is especially useful for isolation of IgG antibodies, which leave the column in a relatively pure form right after the void volume. This method is slightly modified as described here in Part A, using a continuous gradient elution.
Review of 'Tocqueville's Nightmare: The Administrative State Emerges in America, 1900-1940'

Review of "Tocqueville's Nightmare" by Daniel Ernst: Modern introductions to administrative law can be dry and technical, because they must account for decades of modern statute and case law. By contrast, Tocqueville's Nightmare illustrates why it all matters. It shows vividly what was perceived to be at stake as the United States entered the age of regulation, and describes the fundamental ways in which law was adjusted to meet the new realities of government.
The Mucoid Phase in Dissociation of the Gonococcus

According to a recent report of the Committee for Survey of Research on the Gonococcus and Gonococcal Infections,' definite proof of the presence of capsules on gonococci is lacking although some workers have expressed the opinion that such structures do occur. The status of the problem at the time of the report is shown by the following quotation from that report: "The opinion of the majority is that the gonococcus does not form a capsule . . . Too much heat in the fixation of smears may produce the appearance of encapsulation. "This question is not one of minor importance. Encapsulation, if it occurs, may be related to pathogenic properties and to antigenic constitution through the carbohydrates contained in capsular material. Further work on this problem should be advantageous." The following study on the dissociation of the gonococcus furnishes, I believe, evidence that this organism does form a capsule under proper conditions of cultivation.
Solvable Lie algebras and graphs

Abstract We define a solvable extension of the graph 2-step nilpotent Lie algebras of [5] by adding elements corresponding to the 3-cliques of the graph. We study some of their basic properties and we prove that two such Lie algebras are isomorphic if and only if their graphs are isomorphic. We also briefly discuss some metric properties, providing examples of homogeneous spaces with nonpositive curvature operator and solvsolitons.
Chondroma of skull base:CT and MR imaging

Objective:To evaluate the value of CT and MR in diagnosing skull base chondroma.Ma terials and Meth-ods:We retrospectively analysed the CT and MRI of 12patients.MR were performed in9patients with administration of Gd-DTPA.Seven patients underwent CT scan,and three of them were enhanced.Results:All skull base chondromas showed as epidural paramedian masses.The parasellar chondromas were round,while the tumors involving both middle and posterior or anterior fossae were dumbbell or irregular in shape.All tumors have clear margins.The skull base surrounding the tumor was destructed(n=5).The others had erosion of the skull bases.The tumors displayed as mixed iso-and hyper-dense in85%(6?7)or homogeneous isodense in15%.The calcification appeared as patchy,globular and curviliness in shape.The masses were hy-pointensity on T 1 ,78%(7?9)of masses were mixed hypo-and hyperintensity on T 2 ,and the rest were homogeneous hyperin-tense on T 2 .The lateral aspects of masses clearly separated from brains by hypointense lines on T 2 WI (n=6).There were vary-ing degree of the cavernous sinuse involvement in all cases on MR coronal sections.The masses were enhanced heteroge-neously on CT and MRI.Conclusion:Most of the tumors are located in epidural paramedian region,especially the parasellae area.The chondromas in anterior or posterior skull bases are usually connected with tumors in central skull bases,and the sizes of the masses are bigger.The correct imging diagnosis is possible based on the tumor locations and CT or MRI findings.
Effect of Liver Disease Special-Purpose Enteral Nutrition Preparation on Protein Metabolism and Liver Function in Children with Liver Injury

Objective To observe the effect of liver disease special-purpose enteral nutrition preparation on protein metabolism and liver function in children with liver injury.Methods Sixty cases of severe ill with liver injury in hospital,with mean age of (7.8±6.3) years old.All patients were randomly divided into experimental group (n=30) and control group(n=30).The experimental group was treated by adding the liver disease special-purpose enteral nutrition preparation homogenized diet and control group was treated by adding entire protein entire nutrition type enteral nutrition preparation.All patients in both 2 groups were nasally fed with intestinal nutrition,which contained 418-628 kJ/(kg·d).One day before nutritional support and 14 days after nutritional support,the liver function,total serum protein,albumin,hemoglobin were recorded.SPSS 11.5 software was used to analyze the data.Results The baseline indicators were similar before nutritional supports.Fourteen days after nutritional support,alanine aminotransferase(ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase(AST) were all significantly lower in experimental group than in control group(Pa0.05).Total serum protein,albumin,hemoglobin were all significantly improve before and after treatment in 2 groups (Pa0.05),however,comparision between 2 groups such differences had no statistical significance.Conclusion The liver disease special-purpose enteral nutrition preparation have a beneficial effect on children with liver injury.
Distribution and drug resistance of the pathogenic bacteria from sputum specimens of 1 125 children with tracheo bronchial foreign bodies

Objective To analyze the distribution and drug susceptibility of the pathogenic bacteria in the airway secretions in children with tracheobronchial foreign bodies so as to assist physicians in clinical prescription. Methods Sputum specimens of 1 125 children with tracheobronchial foreign bodies were collected in removal of the foreign bodies by rigid bronchoscope, and the drug susceptibility test was performed. Results Pathogenic bacteria were detected in 218 (19.4%) of 1 125 sputum specimens. Among the pathogenic bacteria, 126 (57.79%) strains were gram-negative bacilli, consisting of 76 (34.86%) strains of Haemophilus influenzae, 10 (4.59%) strains of Escherichia coli, 7 (3.21%) strains of Sewer enterobacter, 7 (3.21%) strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and 6 (2.75%) strains of Klebsiella bacillus; and 92 (42.21%) strains were gram-positive bacilli, consisting of 80 (36.69%) strains of Streptococcus pneumonia and 10 (4.59%) strains of Escherichia coli. Most of detected gram-negative bacilli were highly sensitive to cefepime, ceftazidine, imipenem and amikacin, no strains were resistant to meropenem and ciprofloxacin. None of the detected gram-positive bacilli were resistant to cefepime, vancomycin, levofloxacin and teicoplanin. Conclusions The Haemophilus influenzae of gram-negative bacilli and the Streptococcus pneumonia of gram-positive bacilli are the main pathogenic bacteria existing in the airway secretions of children with tracheobronchial foreign bodies. The Haemophilus influenzae were highly sensitive to cephalosporin, imipenem and amikacin, and the Streptococcus pneumonia to cefepime, vancomycin, levofloxacin and teicoplanin. Key words: Foreign bodies; Trachea; Bronchi; Microbial sensitivity tests
Outcomes of abdominoperineal resection for management of anal cancer in HIV-positive patients: a national case review

The incidence of anal cancer in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive individuals is increasing, and how co-infection affects outcomes is not fully understood. This study sought to describe the current outcome disparities between anal cancer patients with and without HIV undergoing abdominoperineal resection (APR). A retrospective review of all US patients diagnosed with anal squamous cell carcinoma, undergoing an APR, was performed. Cases were identified using a weighted derivative of the Healthcare Utilization Project’s National Inpatient Sample (2000–2011). Patients greater than 60 years old were excluded after finding a skewed population distribution between those with and without HIV infection. Multivariable logistic regression and generalized linear modeling analysis examined factors associated with postoperative outcomes and cost. Perioperative complications, in-hospital mortality, length of hospital stay, and hospital costs were compared for those undergoing APR with and without HIV infection. A total of 1725 patients diagnosed with anal squamous cell cancer undergoing APR were identified, of whom 308 (17.9 %) were HIV-positive. HIV-positive patients were younger than HIV-negative patients undergoing APR for anal cancer (median age 47 years old versus 51 years old, p < 0.001) and were more likely to be male (95.1 versus 30.6 %, p < 0.001). Postoperative hemorrhage was more frequent in the HIV-positive group (5.1 versus 1.5 %, p = 0.05). Mortality was low in both groups (0 % in HIV-positive versus 1.49 % in HIV-negative, p = 0.355), and length of stay (LOS) (10+ days; 75th percentile of patient data) was similar (36.9 % with HIV versus 29.8 % without HIV, p = 0.262). Greater hospitalization costs were associated with patients who experienced a complication. However, there was no difference in hospitalization costs seen between HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients (p = 0.66). HIV status is not associated with worse postoperative recovery after APR for anal cancer as measured by length of stay or hospitalization cost. Further study may support APRs to be used more aggressively in HIV-positive patients with anal cancer.
Floating Skeleton Concept

The fetal skeleton floats, entirely immersed in fluid contained inside of a flexible shell. As the fetus develops, the periosteum tightens around the bones, and the joints are covered by capsules filled with synovial fluid.
Good patriarchs, uncommon families

First I do declare and call God to witness that I am married to Punna Purree, a native of Hindostan who since the said marriage is become Punna Purree Pearse and I do firmly believe that our marriage tho' for many years kept secret was in every respect lawfull, and if it were not so I most assuredly would have gone thro' every possible form to have made it so. Last will and testament of Col. Thomas Pearse, d. 1789 When Col. Thomas Deane Pearse, a high-ranking officer in the East India Company died in 1789, his lengthy will left numerous instructions about how he wanted his estate managed after his death. His will and its many codicils supplemented his military memoir, serving as an autobiographical account of his familial attachments. Like many other men, from high-ranking military and civil servants to ordinary merchants and rank-and-file soldiers, Pearse's bequests focused on the household and family he had with a native female companion. In making financial arrangements for their families, British men like Pearse acknowledged their paternal obligations, while remaining savvy about protecting their estates and maintaining their social standing. Negotiating between expressions of familial sentiment while carefully calculating the bequest that each family member deserved, British men were able to act as good patriarchs, providing for their families, and enforcing the household hierarchies that put them at the head of the table.
OPINIONS OF USERS OF PHARMACY SERVICE PROVIDED TO PICU

Background Pressures to open pharmacy services 7 days a week, with no financial input for these extra resources, has knock on effects that may dilute accessibility to clinical pharmacists in specialist areas. Aims The aim of this survey was to assess opinions of the users of the current pharmacy services to PICU and the planned extended hours provision. Method An e-survey was sent to PIC Consultants, Advanced Nurse Practitioners, and Senior Nursing Staff following a six month period of increased clinical pharmacists time allocation to PIC. Free-text area was added to each multiple choice question. Results Twenty-four staff responded, 14 prescribers and 10 senior nurses Presence of PICU trained clinical pharmacist on morning ward rounds was considered essential by 19 (79%) respondents and desirable by 4 (17%). Attendance on the afternoon round was deemed essential by 14 (59%) and desirable by 8 (33%) of respondents. Comments on the benefits of pharmacists on ward rounds included: “Enabling a second professional review of the patient overall—it prevents forced direction from the consultant and the pharmacists are empowered to ask us to reconsider. Very useful to have this safety and reality check.” “Essential for the guidance of drug usage and drug chart review which improves safety, benefit of advice for use with specialist patients, best cost approach, multiple benefits.” Roles expected as routine from the clinical pharmacist included patient safety (100%), managing parenteral nutrition (80%), advice on intravenous therapy e.g. compatibility (100%), education of the multidisciplinary team (96%), management of long term medicines e.g. sedation withdrawal (83%), and therapeutic drug monitoring control (83%). Only 6 respondents felt the PICU patient would benefit from extending access to dispensary only over weekends, 11 felt that there was no benefit, and 6 respondent unsure. Provision of the pharmacy on call service which involves both supply and clinical advice, was felt sufficient to the requirements of the PICU patient by less than a third of repondents,56% feeling the current service insufficient. Comments on the on call service included. “difficult to get experienced advice on weekends” “need access to pic pharmacists officially.” “we may direct queries to the on call pharmacy staff but 9 times out of 10 theses queries are redirected to our PICU pharmacists. Our questions are answered at any time of the weekend” Ninety one percent answered positively to the final question asked about extending the current clinical pharmacy service from 5 to 7 days per week. Comments included. “PICU is a 24 hr, 7 day a week service…how we can provide adequate care to children if this valuable service is only provided 5 days a week.” Conclusion Pharmacy is a valued service on PICU, where the service users support increased access and attendance on certain ward rounds by specifically PICU trained pharmacist.
Differences in Pediatric Non-Interventional Radiology Procedural Sedation Practices and Adverse Events by Registered Nurses and Physicians

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine differences in sedation-related adverse events according to the type of provider monitoring and delivering sedation. Design and Methods A retrospective, cross-sectional, correlational design using secondary data from the Pediatric Sedation Research Consortium database was used for this study. Results A sample of 36,352 cases (0–14 years of age) sedated and monitored for diagnostic radiology procedures by three types of providers (registered nurses [RNs] alone, physicians (MDs) alone, or registered nurse + physician [RN + MD sedation teams]) were compared. Patients sedated by RNs alone or MDs alone had lower odds of unanticipated adverse events (odds ratios 0.46 and 0.53, respectively; p Conclusions Team skills may be an important competency for RN + MD sedation teams in the non-interventional radiology setting. Practice Implications This study can inform clinicians, administrators, and quality-improvement managers of the differences in adverse event outcomes of pediatric radiology procedures when RN + MD teams provide sedation compared with RNs or MDs alone.
Development of a freeze-dried, heat-stable influenza subunit vaccine formulation

An influenza pandemic remains a major public health concern. A key strategy to prevent a pandemic is to stockpile and pre-position stable influenza vaccine to allow rapid deployment in response to an outbreak. However, most influenza vaccines today are formulated as liquids that are stable only within a temperature range of 2°C to 8°C and require use of a cold chain, making vaccine transportation, distribution, and storage complicated and expensive, particularly for developing countries. To support the National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza preparedness in the United States and internationally, we developed two lead dry formulations of stable H1N1 influenza subunit vaccines using freeze-drying technology. The stable formulations contain an excipient combination of a disaccharide, such as sucrose or trehalose, and glycine, in addition to a surfactant and phosphate buffer. The freeze-dried vaccines were shown to be safe and remained immunogenic in an in vivo study in mice. Moreover, the lead formulations demonstrated no significant loss of activity after 40 months at storage temperatures of 25°C and 37°C. This stability can be particularly attractive as it could eliminate the need to use a cold chain for vaccine deployment and facilitate integration of vaccine distribution with general drug distribution where appropriate. These freeze-dried thermostable influenza subunit vaccines could also reduce the frequency of vaccine stockpile turnover, offering a cost-effective option for pandemic preparedness.
Who Will Bell the Cat

As the New Year began, Pomponne hoped at last for a respite from his ambassadorial career—”unless His Majesty orders otherwise,” he told Lionne, “for as soon as I know his will, all other reasons become silent.” His mission at The Hague had become burdensome and “useless.” Even his friends no longer came to see him, “as if it were suspicious to converse with me.” He put himself at Lionne’s command, “to determine, if you please, my fate.”1
Iatrogenic Female Bladder Outlet Obstruction

Iatrogenic bladder outlet obstruction is more common than one may believe. The diagnosis can be rather elusive; however, one must keep a heightened sense of awareness for this condition after patients have undergone sling or any other form of outlet obstructive procedure. Typical symptoms of bladder outlet obstruction are hesitancy and weak or diminished stream; however more often patients present with irritative complaints such as urgency or frequency. Especially important is the temporal relationship of the de novo symptoms to the sling procedure as this may indicate that the problem is the sling.
Participant Diversity in Special Education Research: Parent-Implemented Behavior Interventions for Children with Autism.

Evidence-based practices for children with disabilities have empirical support for their effectiveness; however, the demographics of participants making up the evidence base are generally unknown, leaving generalizability of the evidence unclear. This study presents a systematic literature review of participant racial and socioeconomic demographics in one area of special education research, parent-implemented interventions for reducing problem behavior in children with autism, to examine demographic reporting practices, participant characteristics, and their similarity to the general population. Participant race, income, education level, and marital status were aggregated across 23 studies and compared with population-level demographics using chi-square analyses. Results indicated (a) these demographics were infrequently reported; (b) participants with reported demographics were overwhelmingly from White, well-educated, two-parent families; and (c) participants were significantly different from the U.S. p...
What Legal Writers Can Learn from Paint Nite

Paint Nite activities and adult coloring have captured the nation’s interest and gone mainstream. Creating something on our own is what drives similar trends like the popular Do It Yourself movement and the resurgence of knitting after 9/11. At the same time, these fun, creative activities can provide us with a window into the process of legal writing. Using Paint Nite as a reference point throughout a legal writing course allows faculty to present a holistic view of the writing process and provides a useful analogy for faculty as well as an accessible context for students. Legal writing instructors share many techniques learned through their own writing experience to help inform the novice writer. Useful tips and empathy with beginning legal writers are also found in many of our other life experiences as well, even Paint Nites.
Prognostic characteristics of 492 newly diagnosed breast cancer patients by serum vitamin D levels.

e12619 Background: Studies have linked lower 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25-OH Vit D) levels to increased risk of breast cancer incidence and mortality, but there is a lack of research on the link betwee...
Provider confidence in opioid prescribing and chronic pain management: results of the Opioid Therapy Provider Survey.

INTRODUCTION Many providers report lack of confidence in managing patients with chronic pain. Thus, the primary aim of this study was to investigate the associations of provider confidence in managing chronic pain with their practice behaviors and demographics. MATERIALS AND METHODS The primary outcome measure was the results of the Opioid Therapy Provider Survey, which was administered to clinicians attending a pain-focused continuing medical education conference. Nonparametric correlations were assessed using Spearman's rho. RESULTS Of the respondents, 55.0% were women, 92.8% were white, and 56.5% were physicians. Primary care providers accounted for 56.5% of the total respondents. The majority of respondents (60.8%) did not feel confident managing patients with chronic pain. Provider confidence in managing chronic pain was positively correlated with 1) following an opioid therapy protocol (P=0.001), 2) the perceived ability to identify patients at risk for opioid misuse (P=0.006), and 3) using a consistent practice-based approach to improve their comfort level with prescribing opioids (P<0.001). Provider confidence was negatively correlated with the perception that treating pain patients was a "problem in my practice" (P=0.005). CONCLUSION In this study, the majority of providers did not feel confident managing chronic pain. However, provider confidence was associated with a protocolized and consistent practice-based approach toward managing opioids and the perceived ability to identify patients at risk for opioid misuse. Future studies should investigate whether provider confidence is associated with measurable competence in managing chronic pain and explore approaches to enhance appropriate levels of confidence in caring for patients with chronic pain.
Issues of Inclusion and Exclusion

Most, if not all, faith traditions establish boundaries, some more subtle than others, to distinguish those who are within their community and those who are outside or “Other”. This chapter explores the nature and purpose of such boundaries and implications for social work professionals in working with communities and their religious leaders. The marginalization and/or exclusion of self-identified gay/homosexual individuals and those perceived to be gay/homosexual provides an example of how scripture may be used to justify or rationalize the exclusion of an identified group from faith communities, and potential interventions at the individual, family, and community levels.
Hepatocyte CYP2B6 Can Be Expressed in Cell Culture Systems by Exerting Physiological Levels of Shear: Implications for ADME Testing.

Cytochrome 2B6 (CYP2B6) has substantial clinical effects on morbidity and mortality and its effects on drug metabolism should be part of hepatotoxicity screening. Examples of CYP2B6’s impacts include its linkage to mortality during cyclophosphamide therapy and its role in determining hepatotoxicity and CNS toxicity during efavirenz therapy for HIV infection. CYP2B6 is key to metabolism of many common drugs from opioids to antidepressants, anesthetics, and anticonvulsants. But CYP2B6 has been extremely difficult to express in cell culture, and as a result, it has been largely deemphasized in preclinical toxicity studies. It has now been shown that CYP2B6 expression can be supported for extended periods of time using suspension culture techniques that exert physiological levels of shear. New understanding of CYP2B6 has identified five clinically significant genetic polymorphisms that have a high incidence in many populations and that convey a substantial dynamic range of activity. We propose that, with the use of culture devices exerting physiological shear levels, CYP2B6 dependent drug testing, including definition of polymorphisms and application of specific inhibitors, should be a standard part of preclinical absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) testing.
Long term electroencephalography in preterm neonates: Safety and quality of electrode types

Abstract Objectives The objective of this study was to compare gold cup and hydrogel electrodes for frequency of electrode replacement, longevity of the original electrodes after initial placement, recording quality, and skin safety issues in long-term EEG studies in preterm neonates. Methods We performed a prospective trial with newborns born at ≥23 weeks and ≤30 weeks of gestational age (GA). Two mirror image EEG electrode arrays were utilized on consecutive subjects, where gold cup electrodes alternated with hydrogel electrodes. Results Our sample included 50 neonates with mean GA of 27 (±1) weeks. The mean recording time was 84 (±15) hours. No difference was present in the frequency of replacement of either type across the total recording time ( p = 0.8). We collected the time at which electrodes were first replaced, and found that hydrogel electrodes showed a longer uninterrupted recording time of 28(±2) hours vs. 20(±2) hours for gold cup electrodes ( p = 0.01). Recording quality was similar in either type ( p = 0.2). None of the patients experienced significant skin irritation from a discrete electrode. Conclusion Long-term EEG studies can be performed with either gold cup or hydrogel electrodes, validating the safety and quality of both electrode types. Significance Hydrogel electrodes are a reasonable alternative for use in long-term EEG studies in preterm neonates.
Ethanol actions on the ventral tegmental area: novel potential targets on reward pathway neurons

The ventral tegmental area (VTA) evaluates salience of environmental stimuli and provides dopaminergic innervation to many brain areas affected by acute and chronic ethanol exposure. While primarily associated with rewarding and reinforcing stimuli, recent evidence indicates a role for the VTA in aversion as well. Ethanol actions in the VTA may trigger neuroadaptation resulting in reduction of the aversive responses to alcohol and a relative increase in the rewarding responses. In searching for effective pharmacotherapies for the treatment of alcohol abuse and alcoholism, recognition of this imbalance may reveal novel strategies. In addition to conventional receptor/ion channel pharmacotherapies, epigenetic factors that control neuroadaptation to chronic ethanol treatment can be targeted as an avenue for development of therapeutic approaches to restore the balance. Furthermore, when exploring therapies to address reward/aversion imbalance in the action of alcohol in the VTA, sex differences have to be taken into account to ensure effective treatment for both men and women. These principles apply to a VTA-centric approach to therapies, but should hold true when thinking about the overall approach in the development of neuroactive drugs to treat alcohol use disorders. Although the functions of the VTA itself are complex, it is a useful model system to evaluate the reward/aversion imbalance that occurs with ethanol exposure and could be used to provide new leads in the efforts to develop novel drugs to treat alcoholism.
When Cancer Returns: Survivors, Caregivers, and the Family System

Despite the progress made in early detection and treatment of cancer resulting in 5-year survival rates of 66%, cancer relapse may occur, even years later. The fear of recurrence is a persistent reality among both survivors and their caregivers. This chapter examines the needs of caregivers and the importance of the family system perspective in navigating cancer care for survivors across a long trajectory of survivorship and uncertainty, including cancer relapse or recurrence and end-of-life care.
Japanese Spirituality and Music Practice: Art as Self-cultivation

This chapter illustrates a Japanese view of spirituality and its prevailing influences on Japanese musical practices. Studies on Japanese spirituality and aesthetics are scant, due in part to the fact that the concept of spirituality has not provided an accessible way for Japanese people to explain their spiritual experiences (Nishiwaki, 2004). Japanese scholars find it difficult to translate the term “spirituality” into Japanese, acknowledging that the word needs many explanations for most people to understand what spirituality means on their own terms (Nishihira, 2003). However, this should not lead to the conclusion that there is no aesthetic philosophy or spiritual frame of reference in Japan. Arts already exist, as they do throughout the world; the practice of art reflects people’s aesthetic sensitivities and captures their spiritual experiences. It may thus be helpful here to have a contextual understanding of what spirituality means to Japanese ways of being. One notable feature of Japanese spirituality is that it is assumed to bear little religious meaning without the absolute existence of a transcendental god. Tazaki, Matsuda, and Nakane (2001) investigate Japanese notions of spirituality from an international perspective using the WHO’s proposal of health and spirituality. The results of their focus group interviews indicate that, while individual variations are reported, key characteristics of Japanese spirituality include: (a) an insignificance of human existence in contrast with the natural environment; (b) a feeling of awe toward nature; (c) a connectedness with ancestors; (d) a reference to individuals’ inner strength; and (e) a sense of absolute power without reference to a particular religion. Similarly, Nishiwaki (2004) reports that while precollege students show a strong aversion to religion, they tend to refer to “animals and plants striving for life” when it comes to their spiritual worldviews. These studies suggest that Japanese spiritual experience often derives from one’s interactions with nature, even though it is impossible to reduce these experiences to such simple terms.
Benchmarks for Science Literacy

Benchmarks emerged after a three year research study sponsored by the AAAS called Project 2061. This name is inspired by Halley’s Comet which was last seen in 1985 when work began on the project. It relates to the scientific and technological changes children entering school in 1985 might expect to see before the comet returns in 2061.
Postnatal Development of Auditory Nerve Projections to the Cochlear Nucleus in Monodelphis Domestica

The external world is represented in the central nervous system by a series of topographic maps or graphs (Changeux,’ 86; Udin and Fawcett,’ 88). These maps are composed of precisely ordered sets of neurons whose organization is a function of the distribution of sensory receptors in the skin, eyes, or ears. Understanding the development of these patterned relationships between the receptor organ and its central pathway is critical to the knowledge of sensory system ontogeny.
Polarimeters and Spectropolarimeters. The Measurement of Optical Activity

Ordinary light coming from the sun or a lamp is polychromatic,i.e. of different wavelengths, and the waves oscillate in different planes perpendicular to the direction of propagation. A monochromator separates the waves of certain definite length from the polychromatic multitude. A polarizer separates out the waves which oscillate only in one plane. A monochromatic unpolarized ray can be compared with a bottle brush in which the bristles point out in various directions, and a polarizer works like a slicer cutting off the bristles at the sides, leaving only those which point “up” and “down”. Since the uniformity of the light is achieved not by “transforming” but by separation, the polarized beam is always of lesser intensity than that generated by a source.
Calculating the Loss of Stability by Transient Methods, with Application to Parabolic Partial Differential Equations

The calculation of Hopf bifurcations in systems of parabolic PDEs (one space variable) is considered. By semidiscretization via method of lines one obtains ODE systems, thereby enabling the usage of ODE methods. Some novel results are presented dealing with transient methods, i.e. methods that handle the steady state as a special periodic solution with amplidude zero. The results include the calculation of stability of periodic orbits as well as the computation of points of loss of stability.
DNA damage repair enzyme APE1 is a non-classical secretory protein and acts as a mediator of IL6 dependent inflammatory responses (IRM11P.626)

Apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1 (APE1) is a pleiotropic nuclear protein with roles in DNA base excision repair (BER) pathway as well as in transcriptional regulation. APE1 has been found to be systematically released in blood plasma during endotoxemia in rats. However, the physiological importance of this secretion remains elusive. Here, we show that both normal human monocytes and monocytic cell line THP-1 secrete APE1 upon inflammatory challenges. This secretion follows a non-classical route of transportation and requires ATP-binding cassette transporters. Challenging the THP-1 cells with purified recombinant APE1 (recAPE1) in culture media shows increased expression and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokine IL6. Phosphorylation of transcription factor NFҡB-p65 upon recAPE1 treatment precedes increased occupancy to IL6 promoter resulting in induced expression of the cytokine. Extracellular IL6 further promotes the secretion of APE1 thus working in a positive feedback loop. Moreover, release of APE1 by necrotic cells indicates stress responsive behavior of this secretion. Together, our study demonstrates a novel role of extracellular APE1 and identifies secretory APE1 as a mediator of IL6 dependent inflammatory responses.
Do non-daily smokers compensate for reduced cigarette consumption when smoking very-low-nicotine-content cigarettes?

The Food and Drug Administration is considering severely restricting the nicotine in cigarettes, to reduce smoking. A study showed that non-daily, intermittent smokers (ITS) randomized to very-low-nicotine-content cigarettes (VLNCCs) reduced their cigarette consumption. To assess whether increased smoking intensity of VLNCCs compensated for some of the reduced cigarette consumption. After a 2-week baseline smoking their own-brand cigarettes, 118 ITS were randomized to VLNCCs (~ 1 mg nicotine/g tobacco), and 120 to normal-nicotine-content cigarettes (NNCCs; ~ 16 mg/g) for 10 weeks. Laboratory measures of smoking intensity—total puff volume and carbon monoxide (CO) boost—assessed single cigarettes smoked in up to three laboratory topography sessions. Field measures assessed returned cigarette butts, averaged over up to five 2-week intervals: the mass of tobacco burned (computed from residual mass of butts) and the intensity of smoking (by scanning of returned filters). Analysis was by mixed model random effects models using baseline values as covariates. ITS in the VLNCC group puffed less smoke in topography sessions (−38.50 mL [−75.21, −1.78]; p < 0.04), but showed no difference in CO boost. Participants in the VLNCC group burned 0.02 [0.04, 0.002] grams less tobacco per cigarette (p < 0.03). Analysis of filters showed their smoking intensity declined over time, compared to NNCC participants (p < 0.04). “Cheating” by smoking normal cigarettes did not moderate these effects. ITS did not increase their smoking intensity when switched to VLNCCs; indeed, their smoking intensity decreased. Reductions in cigarette consumption seen when ITS are switched to VLNCCs were not compensated by increased smoking intensity.
Predicting post-fire attack of red turpentine or western pine beetle on ponderosa pine and its impact on mortality probability in Pacific Northwest forests

Abstract In ponderosa pine forests of western North America, wildfires are becoming more frequent and affecting larger areas, while prescribed fire is increasingly used to reduce fuels and mitigate potential wildfire severity. Both fire types leave trees that initially survive their burn injuries, but will eventually die. Predicting delayed tree mortality has received considerable research attention to aid in post-fire planning and management. The amount of crown scorched is recognized as the most useful variable for discriminating between trees that live or die, but models gain discrimination with additional variables such as bole scorch, bud or cambium necrosis, and post-fire bark beetle attack (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae). Here, logistic regression was used to determine what fire-injury variables are most associated with red turpentine beetle (RTB; Dendroctonus valens LeConte), or western pine beetle (WPB; D. brevicomis LeConte) attack within three years post-fire. This was tested on 7343 ponderosa pine representing a wide diameter range from 18 wild and prescribed fires in Oregon and Washington, and repeated on a subset of 884 large trees >53.3 cm diameter. Bole scorch height was most associated with RTB or WPB attack on trees across all diameters, but model predictive ability was poor, whereas for pines >53.3 cm, the models provided moderate discrimination for predicting attack by each beetle. In addition, mortality models using crown scorch proportion and bole scorch proportion were compared to models with an additional variable for RTB, or WPB attack in year one, or attack by either beetle in year one, or year three. Models including any one of these beetle variables outperformed the models using just bole scorch and crown scorch proportions. For both tree diameter groups, the models including RTB year one performed similar to, or better than models with any other beetle variable, and are preferred for predicting delayed mortality because the RTB attack functions as an additional tree injury indicator similar to cambium kill, not captured by the bole scorch proportion, or crown scorch proportion variables. Furthermore, RTB attack can be assessed within the first year post-fire, and is much faster and easier to evaluate than direct sampling of cambium necrosis.
Learning Structured Neural Dynamics From Single Trial Population Recording

To understand the complex nonlinear dynamics of neural circuits, we fit a structured state-space model called tree-structured recurrent switching linear dynamical system (TrSLDS) to noisy high-dimensional neural time series. TrSLDS is a multi-scale hierarchical generative model for the state-space dynamics where each node of the latent tree captures locally linear dynamics. TrSLDS can be learned efficiently and in a fully Bayesian manner using Gibbs sampling. We showcase TrSLDS’ potential of inferring low-dimensional interpretable dynamical systems on a variety of examples.
Understanding decision processes in guessing games: a protocol analysis approach

Protocol analysis, in the form of concurrent verbal ‘thinking aloud’ reports, is a method of collecting and analyzing data about cognitive processes. This approach can help economists in evaluating competing theories of behavior and in categorizing heterogeneity of thinking patterns. As a proof of concept, I tested this method in the context of a guessing game. I found that concurrent think aloud protocols can inform us about individual’s thought processes without affecting decisions. The method allowed me to identify game theoretic thinking and heterogeneous approaches to unravelling the guessing game. The think aloud protocol is inexpensive and scalable, and it is a useful tool for identifying empirical regularities regarding decision processes.
Protocol of early lumen apposing metal stent removal for pseudocysts and walled off necrosis avoids bleeding complications.

Background: EUS-guided drainage of pancreatic fluid collections (PFCs; pancreatic pseudocyst (PPC) or walled-off necrosis (WON)) using lumen apposing metal stents (LAMSs) is now standard of care. W...
The COVID-19 experiment: Pandemic planning and preparedness lessons we must remember.

It is apropos that this issue of American Journal of Disaster Medicine be dedicated to the past and current efforts of the many people concerned about our nation’s preparedness and its ability to itiate and sustain an effective and robust response. As we enter the recovery phase of this current COVID-19 crisis, we must be ever mindful that we, as a people, easily forget devastating hardships of our past, which forces us to reinvent and relearn history...
Disentangled Intensive Triplet Autoencoder for Infant Functional Connectome Fingerprinting.

Functional connectome “fingerprint” is a highly characterized brain pattern that distinguishes one individual from others. Although its existence has been demonstrated in adults, an unanswered but fundamental question is whether such individualized pattern emerges since infancy. This problem is barely investigated despites its importance in identifying the origin of the intrinsic connectome patterns that mirror distinct behavioral phenotypes. However, addressing this knowledge gap is challenging because the conventional methods are only applicable to developed brains with subtle longitudinal changes and typically fail on the dramatically developing infant brains. To tackle this challenge, we invent a novel model, namely, disentangled intensive triplet autoencoder (DI-TAE). First, we introduce the triplet autoencoder to embed the original connectivity into a latent space with higher discriminative capability among infant individuals. Then, a disentanglement strategy is proposed to separate the latent variables into identity-code, age-code, and noise-code, which not only restrains the interference from age-related developmental variance, but also captures the identity-related invariance. Next, a cross-reconstruction loss and an intensive triplet loss are designed to guarantee the effectiveness of the disentanglement and enhance the inter-subject dissimilarity for better discrimination. Finally, a variance-guided bootstrap aggregating is developed for DI-TAE to further improve the performance of identification. DI-TAE is validated on three longitudinal resting-state fMRI datasets with 394 infant scans aged 16 to 874 days. Our proposed model outperforms other state-of-the-art methods by increasing the identification rate by more than 50%, and for the first time suggests the plausible existence of brain functional connectome “fingerprint” since early infancy.
Impact of Polypharmacy Prior to Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Older Adults.

Abstract Polypharmacy is common in older adults with cancer, but there is little evidence evaluating the impact of polypharmacy and other medication hazards on allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHCT) outcomes. A small number of prior studies have evaluated the impact of potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) use in the setting of alloHCT, with mixed results. We evaluated the effects of pre-alloHCT polypharmacy, PIM use, and drug–drug interactions (DDIs) on post-alloHCT outcomes, including overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), non-relapse mortality (NRM), hospital length of stay (LOS), number of non-hematologic grade ≥3 adverse events (AEs) within 100 days after alloHCT, and number of readmissions within the first 100 days after alloHCT. The study population was a single-center prospective cohort of 148 patients ≥ 50 years of age. Pre-alloHCT medication lists were retrospectively collected from the electronic medical record, including both scheduled and as-needed medications. PIMs were defined by a modified 2019 American Geriatrics Society Beers Criteria. DDIs were analyzed using Lexi-Interact. Polypharmacy was common in this population; the median number of medications was seven (range, 0 to 23). Fifty-two patients (35%) were prescribed nine or more medications, and 73 patients (49%) had at least one PIM prescribed. The median number of DDIs was three (range, 0 to 31), and the most common severity was major (48%). After adjusting for age and Hematopoietic Cell Transplant Comorbidity Index (HCTCI), both the number of all medications and number of scheduled medications were associated with inferior OS, with hazard ratios (HRs) of 1.07 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01 to 1.12; P = .02) and 1.08 (95% CI, 1.00 to 1.15; P = .04), respectively. Receipt of nine or more scheduled medications was associated with inferior OS (HR, 1.92; 95% CI, 1.11 to 3.32; P = .02). The number of PIMs was also significantly associated with OS (HR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.00 to 1.54, P = .05). After adjusting for age, HCTCI, and total number of medications, a greater number of DDIs were significantly associated with longer hospital length of stay (difference, 0.74 days; 95% CI, 0.09 to 1.40, P = .03). In adjusted analyses, there were no significant polypharmacy-related predictors of NRM, LOS, or non-hematologic grade ≥3 AEs. These data demonstrate the utility of pre-alloHCT polypharmacy, PIM use, and DDIs as important prognostic factors and support routine pre-alloHCT medication review by physicians and pharmacists with a goal of appropriate de-prescribing where possible.
Roles of Culture on Casino Gambling among Laotian Immigrants in the U.S.

The popularity of gambling among the Asian American population, including Southeast Asian immigrants, is well documented. Compared to other forms of gambling, Asians appear to primarily prefer casi...
How to create a faculty‐centered curriculum support system: Launching the Academic Support Center (ASC) to inspire excellence in curriculum change

Purpose To define faculty needs and services requested for the implementation of a faculty-centered curriculum support system (i.e., Academic Support Center [ASC]) to assist curriculum redesign. Methods Faculty and students were invited to participate in 60-min, one-on-one interviews to describe pain points in teaching and identify possible support services needed. Benchmarking through surveys of academic deans was also conducted to determine what services other institutions offer. Qualitative memos from interviews and survey data were analyzed to identify salient challenges and outline possible services that could benefit the school. This information was used to create a strategic plan for the ASC. Full-time faculty were requested to evaluate the ASC 6 and 12 months following the launch of the center in 2019. Results Fifty interviews were conducted with department chairs (n = 10), full-time faculty (n = 36), and students (n = 4). Six pain points identified by participants were time, resources, knowledge, confidence, organizational structure, and organizational culture. Participants generated solutions related to supporting teaching and learning, enhancing faculty experience, and assisting educational evaluation. Twenty-two schools responded to the benchmarking survey-approximately half acknowledged a centralized curriculum support service (n = 12, 54.5% of respondents). Services often focused on instructional design, education technology, and faculty onboarding to education. Faculty feedback following the ASC launch was generally positive and demonstrating progress toward the three priorities. Conclusion Needs assessment and benchmarking data can inform the design and implementation of centers that offer faculty-centered support structures around teaching, educational scholarship, and curriculum change.