cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Implementing Student-Centered Learning Practices in a Large Enrollment, Introductory Food Science and Human Nutrition Course

Informed by the latest research on how people learn, effective teachers address both aspects of the teaching–learning equation—they engage students in the course material by implementing best teaching practices and they prepare students for learning by sharing best learning practices. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of student-centered learning practices on students’ perceptions of their ability to learn, specifically in a large enrollment, introductory food science and human nutrition course. Featured student-centered learning practices included required assignments, optional study tools, and supplemental learning resources. A mixed method survey instrument with 5-point Likert scales and qualitative, open-ended questions was used to determine students’ (1) use of optional study tools and supplemental learning resources; (2) perceptions as to the quality and impact of required assignments, optional study tools, and supplemental learning resources to enhance their ability to learn; (3) perceptions as to the usefulness of required assignments, optional study tools, and supplemental learning resources to help them perform better in this course; and (4) overall satisfaction, as a learner, in this course. Overall, students identified study guides (developed using Bloom's taxonomy action verbs) (Mean = 4.34), microthemes (Mean = 4.27), and quizzes (Mean = 4.11) as the most beneficial resources to enhance their learning of the course material. Overall, 85% of students said they were extremely or very satisfied as learners in the course and nearly 75% of the students said the student-centered learning practices should be offered to future FSHN 101 students. Practical Application The terms teaching and learning are often used interchangeably. However, it is important to recognize that, ultimately, teaching is the responsibility of the teacher and learning is the responsibility of the student, since from a biological perspective, learning takes place via physical changes in the learner's brain. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of student-centered learning practices on students’ perceptions of their ability to learn. Helping students learn how to learn will not only enhance their effectiveness as students, but should also enhance their effectiveness as future food industry employees.
Elucidating the Phase Transformation of Li4Ti5O12 Lithiation at the Nanoscale

This work provides insight regarding the fundamental lithiation and delithiation mechanism of the popular lithium ion battery anode material, Li4Ti5O12 (LTO). Our results quantify the extent of reaction between Li4Ti5O12 and Li7Ti5O12 at the nanoscale, during the first cycle. Lithium titanate’s discharge (lithiation) and charge (delithiation) reactions are notoriously difficult to characterize due to the zero-strain transition occurring between the end members Li4Ti5O12 and Li7Ti5O12. Interestingly, however, the latter compound is electronically conductive, while the former is an insulator. We take advantage of this critical property difference by using conductive atomic force microscopy (c-AFM) to locally monitor the phase transition between the two structures at various states of charge. To do so, we perform ex situ characterization on electrochemically cycled LTO thin-films that are never exposed to air. We provide direct confirmation of the manner in which the reaction occurs, which proceeds via perco...
Obserbations on Hypera brunneipennis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and Certain of Its Natural Enemies in the Near East

Hypera brunneipennis (Boheman) appears to have its population center in the Nile Valley and Delta where it occurs in goodly abundance on a variety of leguminous hosts. It was not found east of Egypt. Southerly limits of distribution appear to lie north of Central Sudan (Khartoum). The westerly limits of distribution are not known. Eggs of the weevil are attacked by a mymarid, Patasson sp., but this parasite is of little significance. Weevil larvae are attacked by the ichneumonid Bathyplectes curculionis (Thomson). B. curculionis is double brooded, with the second larval brood passing into aestival diapause. In limited samples maximum parasitization rates of 26.7% and 44.0% were recorded for first and second broods, respectively. No evidence of H. brunneipennis immunity to B. curculionis attack was noted in Egypt. Testing in California revealed considerable encapsulation of wasp eggs, however. Arthropod parasites of prepupal and pupal stages and weevil adults were not encountered. A fungus, Entomophthora sp., commonly attacked pre-pupae.
Analysis of Two-Phase Stratified Flow and Liquid Hold Up at Dead Ends of T-Sectioned Natural Gas Pipelines

T-sectioned configurations with a deadleg at the stopple are present in natural gas pipelines, where liquid water may accumulate, increasing the potential for internal corrosion. The objectives of the present study are to explore the pipeline operating conditions under which water enters the deadleg and define an operating protocol to prevent water accumulation in deadlegs. A combined computational fluid dynamics (CFD) experimental and analytical study was conducted to understand the behavior of liquid slugs at the T-junctions with dead ends. The flow equations were solved as an unsteady multiphase (gas and water) incompressible flow problem using the Volume of Fluid (VoF) Method. The analytical calculations were based on a modified form of the macroscopic mechanical energy balance equation. In order to computationally simulate the critical velocity at which water enters the deadleg, the inlet gas flow rate was specified to be a fixed value, while the water flow rate was gradually increased. The liquid entirely bypasses the deadleg until the liquid water velocity exceeds a critical value, which was noted as the critical superficial liquid velocity. The experimental study was conducted using a flow loop to understand the behavior of liquid water at the T-junction and determine the condition when liquid enters the deadleg. The analytical and computed solutions were compared with experimental observations. The computed results follow the same pattern as the experimental and analytical data. Solutions indicate that critical superficial liquid velocity is linearly dependent on superficial inlet gas velocity.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
THE VALUE OF ADDITIONAL TESTING AFTER NON-DIAGNOSTIC STRESS ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY IN PATIENTS PRESENTING WITH CHEST PAIN: A SINGLE-CENTER ANALYSIS

Stress echocardiography (SE) is an important tool in the risk stratification and prognosis of patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). Data regarding outcomes of patients with non-diagnostic SE are mixed. There is significant downstream resource utilization with additional testing in
Effects of stress on cracks in Westerly granite

abstract Cracks produced in several samples of Westerly (RI) granite by uniaxial stress have been examined by measuring high-precision strain as a function of hydrostatic pressure over several pressure cycles to 2 kbars. These new data show: (1) Uniaxial stressing to 85 per cent of failure strength increases total crack porosity by 30 to 45 per cent. Most of this increase is due to the formation of cracks in the rift plane (which in our experiments was parallel to the stress direction). (2) The closure pressure of most of the new cracks is 100 bars. (3) Stressing decreases the closure pressure (aspect ratio) of some pre-existing cracks. (4) Scanning electron microscope observations show that some cracks are elongated by stress in a direction parallel to maximum compression. (5) Hydrostatic pressure cycling of virgin and stressed rocks decreases total crack porosity by 20 to 60 per cent between the first and second cycles, but less than 20 per cent between the second and third cycles. (6) Stressing reopens cracks closed by hydrostatic pressure. (7) Repeated stressing increases the total crack porosity after each stress cycle.
Link Between Perceived Body Weight and Smoking Behavior Among Adolescents

Introduction This study investigates a relationship between overweight perception and smoking among adolescents. Methods Data were retrieved from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), a biennial survey of a nationally representative sample of students in grades 9 through 12 in the United States. We analyze five waves of repeated cross-sections (N = 73 376) for the years 2005-2013. We estimate a recursive simultaneous-equations system in which body weight perception, which is a function of actual weight, influences smoking status. Outcome measures are binary indicators for current smoking and frequent current smoking. Perceived weight is categorized into very overweight perception, slightly overweight perception, and about the right weight/underweight perception. Results In comparison to adolescents who perceive themselves to be the right weight or underweight, adolescents who perceive themselves to be very overweight are 6.1 percentage points (pp) (standard error [SE] = 1.6pp) more likely to currently smoking and 3.3pp (SE = 1.2pp) more likely to frequently smoke. Adolescents with slightly overweight perception are 7.9pp (SE = 1.0pp) and 2.5pp (SE = 0.6pp) more likely to currently smoke and frequently smoke, respectively, as compared to those with the right weight/underweight perception. The relationships are larger for females, and appear to be mediated by weight-loss activity. Discussion In an era of tight budgets, it is crucial to address both obesity and smoking in manners that do not work at cross purposes. Strategies to combat youth smoking may be more effective if the perception of being overweight is considered an important risk factor, especially among female adolescents. Implications We find that perception of being overweight is an important causal risk factor for adolescent smoking. Main findings of this study imply that even a slight change in the perception of body weight may lead to a significant change in smoking behavior among adolescents, especially among females and that the perception of being overweight induces adolescents to smoke regularly. Unlike most prior studies, we discovered a positive effect of slight overweight perception on smoking for adolescent males. Our findings emphasize the importance of addressing both obesity and smoking in manners that do not work at cross purposes.
Oncology Patient Perceptions of the Use of Ionizing Radiation in Diagnostic Imaging.

Abstract Purpose To measure the knowledge of oncology patients regarding use and potential risks of ionizing radiation in diagnostic imaging. Methods A 30-question survey was developed and e-mailed to 48,736 randomly selected patients who had undergone a diagnostic imaging study at a comprehensive cancer center between November 1, 2013 and January 31, 2014. The survey was designed to measure patients' knowledge about use of ionizing radiation in diagnostic imaging and attitudes about radiation. Nonresponse bias was quantified by sending an abbreviated survey to patients who did not respond to the original survey. Results Of the 48,736 individuals who were sent the initial survey, 9,098 (18.7%) opened it, and 5,462 (11.2%) completed it. A total of 21.7% of respondents reported knowing the definition of ionizing radiation; 35.1% stated correctly that CT used ionizing radiation; and 29.4% stated incorrectly that MRI used ionizing radiation. Many respondents did not understand risks from exposure to diagnostic doses of ionizing radiation: Of 3,139 respondents who believed that an abdominopelvic CT scan carried risk, 1,283 (40.9%) believed sterility was a risk; 669 (21.3%) believed heritable mutations were a risk; 657 (20.9%) believed acute radiation sickness was a risk; and 135 (4.3%) believed cataracts were a risk. Conclusions Most patients and caregivers do not possess basic knowledge regarding the use of ionizing radiation in oncologic diagnostic imaging. To ensure health literacy and high-quality patient decision making, efforts to educate patients and caregivers should be increased. Such education might begin with information about effects that are not risks of diagnostic imaging.
Together, the IFT81 and IFT74 N-termini form the main module for intraflagellar transport of tubulin

The assembly and maintenance of most cilia and flagella rely on intraflagellar transport (IFT). Recent in vitro studies have suggested that, together, the calponin-homology domain within the IFT81 N-terminus and the highly basic N-terminus of IFT74 form a module for IFT of tubulin. By using Chlamydomonas mutants for IFT81 and IFT74, we tested this hypothesis in vivo. Modification of the predicted tubulin-binding residues in IFT81 did not significantly affect basic anterograde IFT and length of steady-state flagella but slowed down flagellar regeneration, a phenotype similar to that seen in a strain that lacks the IFT74 N-terminus. In both mutants, the frequency of tubulin transport by IFT was greatly reduced. A double mutant that combined the modifications to IFT81 and IFT74 was able to form only very short flagella. These results indicate that, together, the IFT81 and IFT74 N-termini are crucial for flagellar assembly, and are likely to function as the main module for IFT of tubulin.
Abstract 037: A Role for IL-17 to Activate Cytolytic Natural Killer Cells in Response to Placental Ischemia

Women with preeclampsia (PE), newly developed hypertension and renal dysfunction during pregnancy, have small-for-gestational-age babies and demonstrate an increase in the inflammatory cytokine IL-17, placental oxidative stress, and cytolytic natural killer (NK) cell activation. The stimulus of the cytolytic NK cell phenotype during PE is currently unknown. Moreover, the specific role of cytolytic NK cells in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia has not been clearly defined. The reduced uterine perfusion pressure (RUPP) model of placental ischemia exhibits many of the characteristics of preeclampsia including hypertension, renal dysfunction, chronic inflammation and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). In this study, we tested the hypothesis that placental ischemia results in cytolytic activation of NK cells, and examined a role for the increased IL-17, in response to placental ischemia, to activate cytolytic NK cells. In this study, blood pressure (MAP) and pup weight were measured, and PBMCs and placental lymphocytes were examined via flow cytometry for surface makers of cytolytic NK cell activation. MAP significantly increased in response to placental ischemia from 103±4.1 mmHg in NP (n=6) to 129.1±3.1 mmHg (n=8) in RUPP rats (p<0.001). Neutralization of IL-17 with a soluble receptor attenuated the blood pressure response to 106.3±2.3 mmHg in RUPP+IL-17RC rats (n=3). Pup weight is significantly decreased in RUPP rats (2.52±0.18g in NP vs 2.03±0.05g in RUPP (p<0.05)), which increased to 2.54±0.36g in RUPP+IL-17RC. Cytolytic activation of circulating NK cells was not significantly changed among any of the groups (NP: 2.49±1.1%; RUPP: 7.74±3.2%; RUPP+IL-17RC:5.50±2.8%). However, cytolytic activation of placental NK cells increased in response to placental ischemia (NP: 3.4±1.1% vs RUPP 10.0±3.4%), and was completely attenuated after treatment with the soluble IL-17 receptor (RUPP+IL-17RC: 0.33±0.17%). These results suggest a role for placental ischemia and increased IL-17 to stimulate cytolytic NK cells. Furthermore, this study links the IL-17 pathway with cytolytic NK cell activation and IUGR in response to placental ischemia, potentially identifying new therapeutic targets to improve maternal and fetal outcomes of PE.
Optimizing pharmacologic management of inflammatory bowel disease

ABSTRACTIntroduction: As our medical armamentarium for IBD continues to expand, it is essential that clinicians understand both optimizing and sequencing of individual and combination therapeutic approaches with available medications.Areas covered: This review summarizes dosing strategies and therapeutic drug monitoring for pharmacologic optimization in IBD. Aminosalicylates remain first-line therapies for mild-to-moderate UC but have limited evidence of efficacy in CD. Budesonide provides an alternative to aminosalicylates when targeted to appropriate sites in the distal small bowel and colon, as do conventional corticosteroids when applied rectally. Systemic steroids are highly efficacious but burdened by toxicity. Thiopurines or methotrexate can be utilized as steroid-sparing agents. Biologic agents targeting TNF remain important for steroid-sparing therapy in moderate-to-severe UC and CD. Newer biologics targeting lymphocyte trafficking and lymphocyte activation are also efficacious for moderate-to-se...
Interposition Ankle Arthroplasty Using Acellular Dermal Matrix: A Small Series.

Although ankle arthrodesis is the reference standard for end-stage ankle arthritis, loss of mobility and adjacent joint arthritis are consequences that alternatives to arthrodesis attempt to avoid. The purpose of the present study was to report the clinical results of interpositional arthroplasty using acellular dermal matrix in 4 patients (age 32 to 42 years) for the treatment of advanced ankle osteoarthritis. The primary findings included relief of pain, with improvement in tibiotalar joint range of motion from a mean of 16.5° (range 0° to 24°) preoperatively to a mean of 31° (range 25° to 40°) postoperatively. All 4 patients underwent open arthrotomy of the anterior and posterior tibiotalar capsule with plafond exostectomy and debridement of all deleterious tissue within the ankle capsule. The articular surface of the talar dome was denuded down to smooth subchondral bone, and microfracture was performed. Autologous calcaneal bone marrow aspirate was applied, and talar resurfacing was achieved using an acellular dermal matrix. Knotless anchors placed medially and laterally within the anterior and posterior dome were used to affix the dermal matrix. The follow-up period ranged from 12 to 18 (mean 14) months. The mean pre- and 12-month postoperative Association of Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society hindfoot-ankle scale scores were 35 and 88.5, respectively. These outcomes suggest that interpositional tibiotalar arthroplasty using an acellular dermal matrix is successful in improving function and range of motion and decreasing pain. As an alternative to tibiotalar arthrodesis, interpositional tibiotalar arthroplasty might be the procedure of choice for young patients with end-stage ankle arthritis. Longer follow-up periods, histologic testing, and arthroscopic evaluations would be advantageous to further assess the durability of this procedure.
A Framework for Multiobjective Decision Management with Diverse Stakeholders

Today's society faces increasingly “Big Decisions,” including those related to strategy, policy, and system of systems lifecycle design. As corporate and governmental “Big Decisions” increase in complexity over time, they affect larger numbers, and more diverse groups, of stakeholders. This paper proposes a framework for decision making, based on the INCOSE Decision Management Process, that adds the perspectives of multiple stakeholder views. Using this framework, the views of diverse stakeholder groups, such as senior leaders, users, competitors, suppliers, civic organizations, and environmental organizations, are combined to facilitate stakeholder-centric perspectives on tradeoffs. The Group Decision Analysis Theorem is applied to combine stakeholder perspectives. Visualizations are utilized to improve stakeholder understanding, clarify relationships, and provide views into tradeoffs. The framework is demonstrated through an example based on space exploration policy.
Biotic homogenization of regional wetland plant communities within short time-scales in the presence of an aggressive invader

1.Biotic homogenization (BH), a process by which β-diversity erodes, represents a severe threat to biodiversity. Wetland plant communities may be especially susceptible to BH; however, this process has rarely been quantified and represents just one of many possible outcomes of compositional change. Likewise, few studies have used more than two timepoints to investigate BH as a dynamic temporal process. 2.To address these issues, we quantified changes in β-diversity amongst 48 herbaceous emergent wetlands across a landscape over four timepoints from 1997 to 2015. Pairwise occurrence- and abundance-based dissimilarity metrics were used to quantify β-diversity. Nonmetric multidimensional scaling was used to map these changes in compositional similarity through time, and repeated measures ANOVA via randomization was used to test for a significant effect of time on β-diversity. 3.Results indicated that herbaceous emergent wetlands homogenized in Illinois over 15 years due to the increased presence and abundance of Phalaris arundinacea and the decline of several other species. Temporal dynamics of β-diversity differed between occurrence- and abundance-based analyses. 4.Synthesis Using both presence-absence and abundance data to investigate BH helped avoid underestimating the impact of BH on β-diversity, and drew attention to different temporal dynamics in β-diversity at these two resolutions of community structure. This study highlights challenges associated with investigating BH, such as problems documenting the process where homogenization is not occurring in every site in a region, or where sites are converging towards more than one homogenized state. Incorporating concepts like alternative stable states may be helpful in resolving these issues, and present a more realistic picture of ecological change. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Genetic and epigenetic regulation of major histocompatibility complex class I gene expression in bovine trophoblast cells.

Problem The regulatory mechanisms governing differential expression of classical major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I (MHC-Ia) and non-classical MHC class I (MHC-Ib) genes are poorly understood. Method of study Quantitative reverse transcription- polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to compare the abundance of MHC-I transcripts and related transcription factors in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and placental trophoblast cells (PTC). Methylation of MHC-I CpG islands was detected by bisulfite treatment and next-generation sequencing. Demethylation of PBMC and PTC with 5'-aza-deoxycytidine was used to assess the role of methylation in gene regulation. Results MHC-I expression was higher in PBMC than PTC and was correlated with expression of IRF1, class II MHC transactivator (CIITA), and STAT1. The MHC-Ia genes and BoLA-NC1 were devoid of CpG methylation in PBMC and PTC. In contrast, CpG sites in the gene body of BoLA-NC2, -NC3, and -NC4 were highly methylated in PBMC but largely unmethylated in normal PTC and moderately methylated in somatic cell nuclear transfer PTC. In PBMC, demethylation resulted in upregulation of MHC-Ib by 2.8- to 6-fold, whereas MHC-Ia transcripts were elevated less than 2-fold. Conclusion DNA methylation regulates bovine MHC-Ib expression and is likely responsible for the different relative levels of MHC-Ib to MHC-Ia transcripts in PBMC and PTC.
Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder with Brainstem Presentation

Though neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) has been traditionally characterized by recurrent attacks of optic neuritis and myelitis, the phenotype of this disorder has expanded in recent years, and patients may present with brain lesions in regions where aquaporin 4 is highly expressed, such as the hypothalamus and area postrema. When the area postrema is involved, patients can develop intractable nausea and vomiting or hiccups. These patients should be evaluated with complete neuroimaging of the brain and spinal cord to determine the presence of other areas of inflammation, and anti-aquaporin 4 immunoglobulin should be measured. If a diagnosis of NMOSD is confirmed, additional autoantibodies should be tested as these patients often have comorbid autoimmune disorders. Additionally, preventative treatment options should be discussed and implemented expediently as attacks in NMOSD can be severe and disabling with poor recovery.
Direct fitness benefits and kinship of social foraging groups in an Old World tropical babbler

The tropical gray-throated babbler exhibits an unusual social system in which individuals form social foraging groups that live together year-round. Groups are composed of one or 2 breeding pairs accompanied by nonbreeding males and females that are mostly unrelated and rarely help in breeding. We show that some male group members gained paternity within groups, independent of their relatedness to the breeding pair. We found little evidence for brood parasitism by female group members.
Exploring Multicultural and Social Justice Counseling Training Outcomes on School Counselor and Youth Development

ABSTRACTThis study qualitatively explored how multicultural and social justice counseling training affected self-development during field work. Nine high school students and 15 school counselor tra...
Defining Hepatic Modifiers Of ATTR Amyloidosis Through Therapeutic Gene Editing In Patient iPSCs

Hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR amyloidosis) is a multi-system, autosomal dominant protein folding disorder that results from over 100 described mutations in the transthyretin (TTR) gene. Here, we employed a universal gene editing strategy in patient-specific, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) that allows for the amelioration of all TTR genetic lesions, thereby eliminating the production of destabilized, disease-causing variants. Mass spectrometric analysis of corrected iPSC-derived hepatic supernatants revealed elimination of mutant TTR, resulting in diminished neuronal target cell toxicity. This procedure also allowed for the interrogation of global transcriptomic differences between control iPSC-derived hepatocyte-like cells (HLCs) and those expressing the most proteotoxic disease-causing TTR mutation. By employing single cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) to compare syngeneic corrected and uncorrected ATTR amyloidosis iPSC-derived HLCs, we found distinct transcriptional changes in cells expressing the disease-associated TTR mutant, including activation of unfolded protein response (UPR)-associated signaling pathways shown to protect the extracellular space from proteotoxic TTR aggregation. Results from these studies represent a potential cell-based therapeutic strategy for treating all forms of ATTR amyloidosis and challenge the notion that ATTR livers are unaffected in disease pathogenesis, highlighting possible biomarkers for this notoriously difficult to diagnose disease.
Bilateral medial rectus recession in convergence excess esotropia, with and without distance orthophoria.

Purpose To evaluate the effectivity and safety of bilateral medial rectus recession for the correction of acquired convergence excess esotropia, with and without distance orthophoria. Methods Thirty-five pediatric patients with acquired convergence excess esotropia were operated with bilateral medial rectus recessions based on the near angle measured through the distance correction. Preoperatively, in 26 patients, full hypermetropic correction did not fully correct the distance angle; these patients were operated for the residual angle for distance and near. In nine patients full hypermetropic correction produced distance orthophoria and these cases also had near orthophoria through a near add; these patients could have used bifocals, but surgery was chosen instead. Results Postoperatively, 19 of the 26 patients with distance esotropia (73%) and 6 of the 9 with distance orthophoria (66.6%) were successfully aligned. Consecutive exotropia developed in two patients (7.6%) in the distance esotropia group and one (11.1%) in the distance orthophoria group. Conclusions These results suggest that bilateral recession of the medial recti based on the near deviation is effective in eliminating the near angle in convergence excess esotropia. In patients with distance orthophoria this operation can be used as an initial treatment instead of bifocals. Although the risk of consecutive exotropia was low in this series, a larger number of patients would determine its actual rate more accurately.
Gene Expression Profiling and PRAME Status Versus Tumor-Node-Metastasis Staging for Prognostication in Uveal Melanoma.

Purpose To compare the prognostic accuracy of gene expression profiling (GEP) combined with PRAME status vs the clinical Tumor-Node-Metastasis (TNM) staging in patients with uveal melanoma (UM). Design Retrospective cohort study. Methods The study included 240 consecutive patients with UM. Tumors were assessed for GEP status (Class 1 or Class 2) using a validated 15-gene assay and PRAME expression status using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. TNM staging was according to the American Joint Committee on Cancer 8th edition. Statistical analysis included univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard models. Metastasis was the primary endpoint. Results GEP was Class 1 in 128 (53.3%) cases and Class 2 in 112 (46.7%) cases. PRAME status was negative in 157 (65.4%) cases and positive in 83 (34.6%) cases. TNM was stage I in 26 (10.8%) cases, IIA in 67 (27.9%) cases, IIB in 50 (20.8%) cases, IIIA in 59 (24.6%) cases, and IIIB in 38 (15.8%) cases. Metastatic disease was detected in 59 (24.6%) cases after median follow-up of 29 months (mean 42 months; range 1-195 months). Variables associated with metastasis included (in order of decreasing significance): GEP class (P = 1.5 × 10−8), largest basal tumor diameter (P = 2.5 × 10−6), PRAME status (P = 2.6 × 10−6), and TNM stage (P = 3.7 × 10−6). The prognostic accuracy of an optimized 3-category GEP/PRAME model (P = 8.6 × 10−14) was superior to an optimized TNM model (P = 1.3 × 10−5). Conclusions In UM, molecular prognostic testing using GEP and PRAME provides prognostic accuracy that is superior to TNM staging.
Spatial frequency domain imaging for in vivo bone healing monitoring in a murine graft model (Conference Presentation)

Revascularization is required to deliver the factors necessary for bone injury healing to the injury site. Therefore, vascularization is usually monitored to assess the bone healing outcome in preclinical settings. Previously, blood flow changes measured by diffuse correlation tomography have shown the potential to predict the healing outcome of the mouse femoral graft in vivo. To obtain more comprehensive hemodynamic information in addition to blood flow, we adapted spatial frequency domain imaging (SFDI) method to quantify the total hemoglobin concentration and oxygen saturation in the mouse bone graft model. An in-house SFDI system was built based on a Texas Instrument digital micromirror device (DMD) and a near-infrared camera. The system was tested using a simplified tissue phantom mimicking the mouse hindlimb with a femoral allograft (avascular) implanted. A single time-point measurement for mouse hindlimbs with and without allograft was performed. The SFDI results were compared with traditional contrast agent-mediated micro-CT for validation. Longitudinal measurements are being performed before and weekly after the allograft surgery. The SFDI-derived properties will be related to the biomechanical outcomes of the healed bones. Preliminary results of tissue phantom experiments showed the capability of SFDI for mapping the absorption and scattering properties of the graft mimicking tube at a 2 mm depth. Since the mouse femur is usually ~1-2 mm under the skin surface, the SFDI technique has the potential for monitoring the vascularization in healing bone grafts.
Comparative genomics and phylogenetic analysis of Bacillus anthracis strains isolated from domestic animals in Japan

Anthrax, caused by Bacillus anthracis, is a severe zoonosis with a great impact on both human and animal health. In the present study, we identified the phylogenetic relationships among 16 Japanese strains of B. anthracis, including eight bovine strains, two equine strains, five swine strains, and one former vaccine strain, using in silico canonical single nucleotide polymorphism (canSNP) and core genome SNP analyses. The results of our in silico canSNP analysis suggest that these 16 Japanese strains could be divided into four lineages: i) one equine strain in A.Br.Ames, ii) one equine and six bovine strains in A.Br.001/002, iii) five swine and one bovine strain in A.Br.Aust94, and iv) one bovine and one vaccine strain in A.Br.008/011. A comparison with non-Japanese B. anthracis strains revealed a total of 3787 SNPs identified from the whole genome sequences of the Japanese strains; these SNP data were subjected to a phylogenetic analysis using the maximum parsimony (MP) method. Our core genome SNP analysis was also able to detect differences of a few chromosomal SNPs across clonal strains from the same cases that had different storage and passage histories. Additionally, our whole genome SNP analysis clearly indicated that the Japanese swine anthrax cases of 1982 were caused by at least three independent strains; however, their phylogeny revealed no clear relationship with swine strains from other countries. The bovine strain belonging to the A.Br.008/011 lineage differed from a former Japanese vaccine strain by only 12 SNPs. Together with the phylogenic results and epidemiological circumstances, the diversity of strains reveals that the B. anthracis available in Japan probably resulted from multiple relatively recent import events, rather than reflecting the persistence of a more ancient ecologically established group.
Correcting Supreme Court 'Errors': American Indian Response to Lyng v. Northwest Indian Cemetery Protective Association

In 1988, the United States Supreme Court refused to protect American Indian and tribal religious interests in the Six Rivers National Forest in northern California in Lyng v. Northwest Indian Cemetery Protective Association. The author addresses this case at length and demonstrates how the Court avoided using its usual strict scrutiny test to examine the Free Exercise Clause claim made in this case. The author also highlights the American Indian Religious Freedom Act, Indian religions, sacred sites, and attempts to counteract the Lyng decision. The author predicted that Lyng would have a far-reaching impact on all religious claims, and the Court fulfilled that prediction in 1990 in Employment Division, Department of Human Resources of Oregon v. Smith, 494 U.S. 872, when the religious rights of all Americans were lessened.
Use of pulmonoplegia and delivery system during recipient surgery in lung transplantation

Lung transplantation in the United States has steadily grown over the last decade. Major attention has been with the understanding of lung ischemia-reperfusion injury and how it relates to primary graft dysfunction. In 2015, our institution implemented the use of a pulmonoplegia solution during recipient surgery of lung transplantation. A unique circuit utilizing the heart lung machine is used to deliver the pulmonoplegia solution. This system is considered to be a key contributing factor to the success of our lung transplant program.
mSphere of Influence: Predicting Immune Responses and Susceptibility to Influenza Virus-May the Data Be with You.

ABSTRACT Irene Ramos works in the field of immunology to viral infections. In this mSphere of Influence article, she reflects on how “Global analyses of human immune variation reveal baseline predictors of postvaccination responses” by Tsang et al. (Cell 157:499–513, 2014, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2014.03.031) and “A crowdsourced analysis to identify ab initio molecular signatures predictive of susceptibility to viral infection” by Fourati et al. (Nat Commun 9:4418, 2018, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-018-06735-8) made an impact on her by highlighting the importance of data science methods to understand virus-host interactions.
Computer simulation of Mermin's quantum device

Quantum entanglement is a phenomenon that has no classical counterpart; it is not only difficult to learn but also difficult to teach. It is often an omitted or underrepresented topic in the syllabus of an introductory quantum mechanics or modern physics course. Nearly 40 years ago Mermin published a thought experiment to analyze a device consisting of a transmitter and two receivers. The receivers each had a three-position switch and two lights, one red and one green. Analysis of the operation of the device follows the predictions of quantum mechanics but only simple mathematics is employed to demonstrate the peculiar nature of quantum entanglement. A few years later he reintroduced his quantum device to a more general audience in a Physics Today article and provided another interesting interpretation. In the current paper, we make use of the recently published work in quantum information theory by Candela to have students write code to simulate the operation of the device in that article. Analysis of the device has significant pedagogical value—a fact recognized by Feynman—and simulation of its operation provides students a unique window into quantum mechanics without prior knowledge of the theory.
Swipe Right?: Experimental Analyses of App-Based Dating in the Age of Criminal Stigma

Stigma associated with prior incarceration could make dating difficult. To test this in online dating, an experimental audit used constructed dating app profiles of Black, Latinx, and White males a...
Exchange rate predictability, common factors, and applications in carry trade

In this paper, we investigate the predictive ability of foreign exchange rate models with macroeconomic fundamentals and common risk factors on the returns to the carry trade. We simulated trading strategies against target currencies of both developed and emerging market currencies using the Japanese Yen as the funding currency. These strategies are constructed by predicting exchange rates with macroeconomic fundamentals and common risk factors. The returns of carry trade strategies are compared against the benchmark models of Random Walk and AR (1) models. We argue that the trading strategy with the carry factor outperforms the benchmark models for emerging market currencies by all measures, and both the carry factor and carry factor augmented Taylor rule models outperform the benchmark models for developed countries' currencies in terms of mean returns and Sharpe ratios. The results are robust to different trading periods and transaction costs.
Computing a Global Degree of Rate Control for Catalytic Systems

In this paper, we discuss the concept and properties of variance-based global sensitivity analysis, as an expansion of local sensitivity metrics (such as the degree of rate control), for modeling a...
Fc γ receptor compositional heterogeneity: Considerations for immunotherapy development.

The antibody-binding crystallizable fragment (Fc) γ receptors (FcγRs) are expressed by leukocytes and activate or suppress a cellular response once engaged with an antibody-coated target. Therapeutic mAbs that require FcγR binding for therapeutic efficacy are now frontline treatments for multiple diseases. However, substantially fewer development efforts are focused on the FcγRs, despite accounting for half of the antibody–receptor complex. The recent success of engineered cell-based immunotherapies now provides a mechanism to introduce modified FcγRs into the clinic. FcγRs are highly heterogeneous because of multiple functionally distinct alleles for many genes, the presence of membrane-tethered and soluble forms, and a high degree of post-translational modification, notably asparagine-linked glycans. One significant factor limiting FcγR improvement is the fundamental lack of knowledge regarding endogenous receptor forms present in the human body. This review describes the composition of FcγRs isolated from primary human leukocytes, summarizes recent efforts to engineer FcγRs, and concludes with a description of potential FcγR features to enrich for enhanced function. Further understanding FcγR biology could accelerate the development of new clinical therapies targeting immune-related disease.
Distinguishing Among High Activity Electrocatalysts: Regression vs Classification

Computational design of high-functioning electrocatalysts is an integral part of catalyst discovery. However, as we approach the limits of performance imposed by scaling relations, finding active c...
Germanium response to sub-keV nuclear recoils: a multipronged experimental characterization

Germanium is the detector material of choice in many rare-event searches looking for low-energy nuclear recoils induced by dark matter particles or neutrinos. We perform a systematic exploration of its quenching factor for sub-keV nuclear recoils, using multiple techniques: photo-neutron sources, recoils from gamma-emission following thermal neutron capture, and a monochromatic filtered neutron beam. Our results point to a marked deviation from the predictions of the Lindhard model in this mostly unexplored energy range. We comment on the compatibility of our data with low-energy processes such as the Migdal effect, and on the impact of our measurements on upcoming searches.
Income Inequality, Banking Competition, and Monetary Policy

In recent years, there has been increasing interest in understanding the determinants of income inequality across countries. There have also been concerns about the degree of concentration in the banking system on economic activity. Yet, there has not been any work which focuses on the level of development of the banking system for income inequality. Notably, we ask the the fundamental question: "Does the concentration of assets in the banking system contribute to the concentration of income in society?" In particular, we develop a rigorous general equilibrium model of banking concentration with heterogeneous agents and microeconomic functions for financial intermediaries. The model predicts that concentrated banks contribute to inequality by holding large amounts of liquid assets in order to raise private -- but not social -- returns from capital investment. In turn, the degree of income inequality is adversely affected by the strategic incentives of banks in the financial system. Next, we provide valuable empirical evidence in support of the predictions of our model using recently assembled data on income inequality and banking concentration across countries. We also control for other aspects of financial development such as the size of the stock market and find that the role of banking concentration may be more important for inequality. Consequently, the concentration of assets in the banking system has a profound impact on the concentration of income in society.
Multicast 4×20 silicon photonic MEMS switches

We report on monolithic 4×20 silicon photonic MEMS switches capable of multicast functions. The switch has small footprint (1.2×4.5mm2), low optical insertion loss (<4.0dB), fast switching (9.6μs). 1×2 and 1×4 multicasts were successfully demonstrated.
Deformable 3D CAD models in mobile augmented reality for tele-assistance

Tele-assistance facilitated by Mobile Augmented Reality (MAR) has been suggested as a powerful way to interact and collaborate while providing remote services. In such scenarios, one has to cater for uncontrolled environments with little or no prior information about the scene is available. This poses significant challenges towards rendering accurate augmented graphics. In this paper, we propose a framework, where the necessary scene information extracted from a single image of the scene, is used for tracking and augmenting the graphics. We have focused on the use of deformable models for object detection and tracking with a particular case of vehicles as objects of interest. The proposed framework is demonstrated with the help of a fully functioning prototype for interaction between user and remote expert. Apart from providing the relevant technical details, the paper also presents some promising and useful results achieved during the process.
Democratic Reason: The Mechanisms of Collective Intelligence in Politics

This paper argues that democracy can be seen as a way to channel “democratic reason,” or the collective political intelligence of the many. The paper hypothesizes that two main democratic mechanisms - the practice of inclusive deliberation (in its direct and indirect versions) and the institution of majority rule with universal suffrage - combine their epistemic properties to maximize the chances that the group pick the “better” political answer within a given context and a set of values. The paper further argues that under the conditions of a liberal society, characterized among other things by sufficient cognitive diversity, these two mechanisms give democracy an epistemic edge over versions of the rule of the few.
A Needs-Assessment Process for Designing Geospatial Data Management Systems within Federal Agencies

Many federal agencies face challenges with designing geospatial data management systems. This paper presents and documents a needs-assessment process that can be employed to prioritize agencies’ geospatial information needs; identify agencies’ capacity to manage a centralized geodatabase; determine agencies’ capacity to deliver Web-mapping services to the public; and identify barriers, such as data security and limited financial resources, that constrain agencies’ ability to design and manage a geospatial data management system. The paper details the needs-assessment process and documents its application to the National Park Service (NPS) Conservation and Outdoor Recreation (COR) Branch programs. The NPS COR Branch is comprised of nine disparate programs, such as the National Trails System and the Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance program, each of which has specific geospatial data management and delivery needs. The needs-assessment process, tested through its application to the NPS COR Branch p...
Complete continuity of kernel in generalized potential scattering: II. Generalized fourier series expansion

The complete continuity of the kernel, which allows the approximation of a given potential by a sum of separable potentials, is established by a simple method, when the potential is free from a long range tail and a strong singularity as defined in Part I of this paper. Through the eigenfunction expansion, this completes the analytic continuation of the Born series required when the potential is strong. The use of the Pade approximant which has been proposed recently is discussed in detail concerning its theoretical basis and we find a solid base for its validity, if its rank is suitably large; the relation of such an approximation with the Fredholm method is discussed. The possibility of unambiguous identification of the passage of the phase shift through 12π (modulo π) with a particular form factor (which causes a “resonance”) is pointed out using the standing wave solution; and the analytic properties of the partial wave amplitude, derived by Weinberg for a local potential, are rederived for a generalized potential.
Dependence on mating type for the overproduction of iso-2-cytochrome c in the yeast mutant CYC7-H2.

The CYC7–H2 mutation causes an approximately 20-fold overproduction of iso–2–cytochromo c in a and α haploid strains of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae due to an alteration in the nontranslated regulatory region that is presumably contiguous with the structural region. In this investigation, we demonstrated that heterozygosity at the mating type locus, a/α or a/a/α/α, prevents expression of the overproduction, while homozygosity, a/a and α/α, and hemizygosity, a/0 and α/0, allow full expression of the CYC7–H2 mutation, equivalent to the expression observed in a and α haploid strains. There is no decrease in the overproduction of iso-2-cytochrome c in a/α diploid strains containing either of the other two similar mutations, CYC7–H1 and CYC7–H3. It appears as if active expression of one or another of the mating-type alleles is required for the overproduction of iso-2-cytochrome c in CYC7–H2 mutants.