cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Probing Complexity using the LCLS and the ALS

The goal of our research program is to investigate fundamental interactions between photons and molecular/nano-systems to advance our quantitative understanding of electron correlations, charge transfer and many body phenomena. Our research projects focus on probing, on a femtosecond time-scale, multi-electron interactions and tracing nuclear motion in order to understand, and ultimately control energy flow and charge transfer processes from electromagnetic radiation to matter. The experiments will be carried out with state of the art instrumentation built by the P.I. team with funds from a DoE "Single Investigator and Small Group Research" (SISGR) grant. The research projects carried out the past three years consisted of first experiments using the linac coherent light source (LCLS) x-ray free electron laser (FEL) facility at the SLAC National Laboratory, as well as the study of correlated processes in select anions using the ALS. A report for the past cycle is described in section II. These studies have paved the way for our renewal application for the next three years. Our research interests for the next three years extend our past and present research by carrying out time-resolved measurements described in section III. They will consist of: a) The study of molecular dynamics that happen onmore » ultrafast time scales, using pump-probe schemes and the study of non-linear physics in the x-ray regime via multi-photon absorption from the LCLS. This will be achieved by measuring and examining both electronic and nuclear dynamics subsequent to the interaction of molecules and nano-systems with LCLS pulses of various wavelength, intensity and pulse duration as described in section III.A. b) The study of molecular dynamics and correlated processes via absorption of vuv-soft x-rays from the Advanced Light Source (ALS) at Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory to provide single-photon ionization baseline results for LCLS studies. In addition, we will study the photodetachment of anions using the ALS as described in section III. B. The PI has an ALS approved program (AP) thus has guaranteed beamtime. Our research underpins several aspects of the DOE mission since our investigations of the formation and evolution of energized states in molecules and nanostructures provides a fundamental basis for understanding elementary processes in solar energy conversion and radiation-induced chemistry. Most of our work is carried out in a strong partnership with theorists. Our proposed work falls in the class of research reported to be timely and necessary by the 2013 DoE Basic Energy Sciences Advisory Committee (BESAC) Subcommittee report on Future X-ray Light Sources. Specifically, our proposed experiments fall in the category labeled class II, “Spectroscopy and Dynamics with FELs”.« less
Experimental Investigation of Dynamic Stall in a Wide Range of Mach Numbers by Plasma Actuators with Combined Energy/Momentum Action

Increased interest in plasma assisted flow control is reflected by a dramatic increase in publication rate over the past decade, including numerous demonstrations of plasma-assisted flow control. Many of these have been summarized in several topical reviews published recently. For example, possibilities of supersonic flow control (including shock wave attenuation and shock configuration change) by plasma were discussed in [1]. Drag reduction at high speed by energy deposition was discussed in paper [2]. Boundary layer separation control by nonequilibrium non-thermal plasma was reviewed in [3] and [4]. In addition, the recent reviews [5,6] includes many results of all mechanisms (thermal, electrostatic and MHD) related to applications for flow control in the subsonic and supersonic regimes. Conventional plasma actuators are based on applying AC sinusoidal voltages to induce dielectric barrier discharges. Such devices affect flows via induced velocities, or ion wind, that are typically less than 10 m/s. Due to the limited induced velocities produced by AC driven surface plasma devices, the primary focus of AC driven plasma based flow control has been on low freestream velocity (< 30 m/s) and low Reynolds number flows (Re 10). AC driven dielectric barrier devices have not yet been shown to exert sufficient control authority for alleviating helicopter retreating blade stall (RBS), which is characterized by free stream velocities on the order of 100 m/s (Mach 0.30) and Reynolds numbers on the order of 10 6 [6]. As an alternative to AC voltage inputs, nanosecond pulse driven plasma actuators in which voltage is applied in pulses at a specific frequency and with a specific on-time have been proposed for separated flow control [7-9]. Nanosecond pulsed periodic dielectric barrier devices have been experimentally demonstrated to affect separated flows over a range of Mach numbers (0.03 M 0.85) and Reynolds numbers (10 Re 2 10) that are consistent with retreating blade flows. Furthermore, the nanosecond pulsed actuators tested to date have required less than 10 Watt per cm. of wing span [9], and therefore are energy efficient.
Reproducibility in Computational Neuroscience Models and Simulations

Objective: Like all scientific research, computational neuroscience research must be reproducible. Big data science, including simulation research, cannot depend exclusively on journal articles as the method to provide the sharing and transparency required for reproducibility. Methods: Ensuring model reproducibility requires the use of multiple standard software practices and tools, including version control, strong commenting and documentation, and code modularity. Results: Building on these standard practices, model-sharing sites and tools have been developed that fit into several categories: 1) standardized neural simulators; 2) shared computational resources; 3) declarative model descriptors, ontologies, and standardized annotations; and 4) model-sharing repositories and sharing standards. Conclusion: A number of complementary innovations have been proposed to enhance sharing, transparency, and reproducibility. The individual user can be encouraged to make use of version control, commenting, documentation, and modularity in development of models. The community can help by requiring model sharing as a condition of publication and funding. Significance: Model management will become increasingly important as multiscale models become larger, more detailed, and correspondingly more difficult to manage by any single investigator or single laboratory. Additional big data management complexity will come as the models become more useful in interpreting experiments, thus increasing the need to ensure clear alignment between modeling data, both parameters and results, and experiment.
Fluorescent antibody technic as a routine procedure in the diagnosis of lupus erythematosus using stored tissue culture cells.

A great deal of work has been published since Hargraves and associates 8 demon­ strated that serums of patients with lupus erythematosus (L.E.) contain accessory factors essential to the L.E. phenomenon. For some time the "L.E. preparation" has been the only method of diagnosis of L.E. in the clinical laboratory. Recently, the la­ tex agglutination procedure and the fluores­ cent spot test have been developed. The identification of the "L.E. factor" in the patient's serum and the localization of the reaction when the positive serum was allowed to act upon nuclear proteins of a cell or tissue has been aptly accomplished by using the fluorescent-labeled antibodies in the Coons' indirect technic. 5 ' 16 The purpose of this paper is to demon­ strate the feasibility of using tissue culture (TC) cells and the fluorescent antibody (FA) technic as a definitive procedure in most clin­ ical laboratories for the diagnosis of L.E. MATERIALS AND METHODS
Decreased insulin content and secretion in RIN 1046-38 cells overexpressing α2-Adrenergic receptorsreceptors

Several Gi-protein-coupled receptors normally expressed in islet β-cells inhibit insulin secretion on binding of their respective agonists. To study the effect of supraphysiologic expression of such a receptor in insulin-secreting β-cells, we stably transfected cDNA encoding the mouse α2a-adrenergic receptor into RIN 1046-38 cells. Four different cell lines were selected, each overexpressing the α2a-adrenergic receptor to varying degrees. Cell lines showing the highest level of receptor expression showed significantly reduced insulin content, and reduced basal and stimulated insulin secretion. Pertussis toxin (PTX) treatment of cells was able to reverse partially the reduced insulin secretory response. Our results suggest that overexpression of a Gi-protein-coupled receptor in β-cells causes tonic inhibition of both insulin synthesis and secretion. Abnormalities in expression or function of such receptors could be a contributory factor in the impaired insulin secretion present in type II diabetes.
Effect of Cortin on the Nervous System in Adrenal Insufficiency.20

The outstanding symptom in adrenal insufficiency is asthenia. It has been shown experimentally by Gans and Miley,1 who used a nerve muscle preparation, that only 1/16th of the work done in normal rats could be performed in adrenalectomized rats. They did not show whether the seat of this fatigue was in the myoneural junction or in the muscle itself. Certain clinical observations which we have made recently indicate that the nervous system, even the higher centers, may be involved in the fatigue of adrenal insufficiency.In the present investigation, we have studied the effect of cortin on the reflex as well as the peripheral structures. Albino rats of the same strain were adrenalectomized and kept under identical conditions. These were divided into 2 series and matched according to weight and sex. The first series was injected twice daily with 1/2 cc. of cortical extract (40 gm. per cc), while the other series was injected at the same times with the same volumes of isotonic saline. Beginning 2 days after o...
Clinical guidelines from the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition: best practice recommendations for patient care

The American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (A.S.P.E.N.) is an interdisciplinary society whose vision is to ensure that every patient receives safe, efficacious, and high-quality nutrition care. The society has produced clinical guidelines to assist practitioners in enteral and parenteral nutrition decision making. A.S.P.E.N. clinical guideline development has evolved through the years, and recently has incorporated a rigorous and transparent development process using the Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) process. This article will examine A.S.P.E.N.'s guideline development process, discuss current population- and disease-specific practice guidelines, and highlight recommendations useful for the clinician involved in nutrition therapy decision making.
Models of remote laboratories and collaborative roles for learning environments

One of the main concerns in development of remote laboratories in academic settings has been the lack of standardization in terms of technology, processes, operation and aspects related to their integration with formal educational environments. Remote laboratories are used in a variety of educational situations, for instance, when the equipment is not available in the physical laboratory, when physically laboratory space available is not sufficient to either set up the experiments or permit access to all students in the course, or when the teacher wants to provide laboratory experiences to students taking courses via distance education. Centers have been forming platforms that provide remote access to a collection of physical experiments that provide alternatives to educational institutions to reduce budgets of not only equipment purchases but also in other expenses such as: people, space, maintenance, and electricity consumption. This paper explains the different types of laboratories and hybrid combinations, and presents Unified Modeling Language (UML) models for remote laboratories in the educational context incorporating learning environments, as well as a model of the user roles that defines user interactions with remote laboratories.
Field evaluations of potential aggregation inhibitors for the southern pine beetle, Dendroctonus frontalis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Semiochemicals that inhibit the response of the southern pine beetle, Dendroctonus frontalis Zimmermann, to its aggregation pheromone have been used with varying degrees of success to protect indiv...
Artifacts Resembling Cardiac Arrhythmias

Extracardiac body movements and electrical or mechanical interference may produce electrocardiographic findings resembling cardiac arrhythmias. However, unlike true arrhythmias, these artifacts do not disturb the patient's basic heart rhythm.
Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation for acute nonlymphocytic leukemia in first remission.

Seventy-three patients with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia in first complete remission (CR) have received allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) with non-T-lymphocyte-depleted marrow obtained from matched sibling donors. The first 36 patients received a preparative regimen consisting of cyclophosphamide, 60 mg/kg/d (days -6 and -5), and 750 cGy single-dose total-body irradiation (TBI) (day -1). Subsequently, 37 patients received cyclophosphamide 60 mg/kg/d (days -6 and -5), and 165 cGy fractionated TBI administered twice daily for a total dose of 1,320 cGy (days -4, -3, -2, and -1). Survivors have been followed from 9 to 124 months (median, 40 months). The 61% (95% confidence interval [CI], 45% to 77%) projected disease-free survival (DFS) of 41 children less than 18 years old does not differ significantly from the 62% (95% CI, 49% to 73%) projected DFS of 32 adults at 84 months (P = .89). Similarly, the 15% (95% CI, 1% to 29%) projected relapse rate seen in children does not differ from the 9% (95% CI, 0% to 21%) seen in adults (P = .69). Multivariate Cox regression analysis of presenting features demonstrates that a presenting WBC count greater than 20,000/m3 is associated with decreased DFS (P = .01). When compared with other French-American- British (FAB) subtypes, presentation with FAB M4 or M5 morphology is significantly associated with relapse in multivariate analysis (P = .014). Other presenting features such as preparation with single-dose or fractionated TBI, interval from diagnosis to CR or CR to BMT, donor or recipient sex, and donor or recipient cytomegalovirus serology do not correlate independently with either DFS or relapse. When included in the stepwise multivariate analysis of presenting patient features, two posttransplant events, development of grades 2 to 4 acute graft-v- host disease (GVHD) (P less than .03) and development of interstitial pneumonitis (P less than .001), also correlate independently with poor DFS. Allogeneic BMT provides equivalent, prolonged DFS in both children and young adults when performed in first CR and should be considered the therapy of choice for all first CR patients under 45 years of age with a suitable donor. Continued efforts to prevent and treat acute GVHD and pneumonitis as well as efforts designed to prevent relapse in patients presenting with FAB M4 and M5 morphology should further improve outcome.
Plant–Insect Interactions

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses plant and insect intratoion. Insect – plant interactions involve a wide array of biotic and abiotic environmental influences as well as geographical and temporal variations built upon the diverse genetic foundations and inducible phenotypic plasticity of species, populations, and individuals. It, therefore, seems very appealing when theories arise that seem to have predictive power for these complex interactions. Such complexity is amplified when the variety of insect-feeding guilds and variations in response of different plant parts and tissues are considered. The relationships between normal phenological changes in plant leaf (or part) composition throughout the growing season, carbonnutrient stress, mineral nutrition, plant vigor, phytochemical induction of resistance in damaged/diseased leaves, increases in certain atmospheric gases, global warming, metabolism of different forms of carbon, and annual vs. perennial growth forms need coordinated biocomplexity studies. With such knowledge, the suitability of such plant tissues for insect and other herbivores (or the resistance of plants to their enemies) may become much more predictable, both in ecological and evolutionary time.
Nonlinear Wave Equation for Decaying States

Normalizable wave functions ϕ describing initial wave packets for a decaying particle, as well as their complex resonance energies z, can be determined from the variational principle δ[Z-λ ]=0 where z i s the appropriate pole of , λ is a Lagrange multiplier for the normalization constraint =1 and the variation is with respect to the functional form of λ . This yields a nonhermitian, nonlinear eigenvalue — eigenfunction equation for ϕ , λ , and hence z. In the limit of a stable state it reduces to the usual linear Schrodinger equation.
Jay Gould, the Union Pacific Railroad and Financial Strategy

This is the first paper that profiles the financial strategy of the late Jay Gould, the legendary 19th Century financial and business titan, and applies it to modern executive management. It proposes a financial strategy framework based on Mr. Gould’s various financial and business activities, which will be shown to have significant implications to modern executive management particularly the assessment and formulation of corporate strategic initiatives such as mergers and acquisitions, corporate financing (including share buy-backs), performance management, and risk management. The findings of this paper are that a financial strategy approach, consistently applied, could result in returns that, at times, materially exceed market returns in all market environments (i.e., during both normal times as well as periods of distress, including macroeconomic distress). The research for this paper follows that undertaken for a historical biography of Mr. Gould, the official history of the Union Pacific Railroad, a 2013 documentary on Mr. Gould (which won an Emmy Award), and various papers on financial strategy. Note: this paper is a profile of Jay Gould and financial strategy in general; more detailed information on both Mr. Gould and financial strategy can be found in the cited references.
Draft Genome Sequence of Gordonia sp. Strain UCD-TK1 (Phylum Actinobacteria)

Here, we present the draft genome of Gordonia sp. strain UCD-TK1. The assembly contains 5,470,576 bp in 98 contigs. This strain was isolated from a disinfected ambulatory surgery center.
Deactivation of Ceria Supported Palladium through C–C Scission during Transfer Hydrogenation of Phenol with Alcohols

The stability of palladium supported on ceria (Pd/CeO2) was studied during liquid flow transfer hydrogenation using primary and secondary alcohols as hydrogen donors. For primary alcohols, the ceria support was reduced to cerium hydroxy carbonate within 14 h and was a contributing factor toward catalyst deactivation. For secondary alcohols, cerium hydroxy carbonate was not observed during the same time period and the catalyst was stable upon prolonged reaction. Regeneration through oxidation/reduction does not restore initial activity likely due to irreversible catalyst restructuring. A deactivation mechanism involving C–C scission of acyl and carboxylate intermediates is proposed.
Computationally Efficient Variable Resolution Depth Estimation

Abstract A new algorithm for data-adaptive, large-scale, computationally efficient estimation of bathymetry is proposed. The algorithm uses a first pass over the observations to construct a spatially varying estimate of data density, which is then used to predict achievable estimate sample spacing for robust depth estimation across the area of interest. A low-resolution estimate of depth is also constructed during the first pass as a guide for further work. A piecewise-regular grid is then constructed following the sample spacing estimates, and accurate depth is finally estimated using the composite refined grid and an extended and re-implemented version of the cube algorithm. Resource-efficient data structures allow for the algorithm to operate over large areas and large datasets without excessive compute resources; modular design allows for more complex spatial representations to be included if required. The proposed system is demonstrated on a pair of hydrographic datasets, illustrating the adaptation of the algorithm to different depth- and sensor-driven data densities. Although the algorithm was designed for bathymetric estimation, it could be readily used on other two dimensional scalar fields where variable data density is a driver.
I'll Have the Rigor, but Hold the Mortis.

> There is no rigorous definition of rigor > > —Morris Kline, 20th century mathematician Much has been written about a perceived lack of rigor in biomedical research,1 and this deficiency is implicated in the inability to replicate results from one laboratory in another. Such discussions may often be based more on anecdotal information rather than systematic studies; however, it is becoming accepted that clearer methodologies could benefit the scientific community. More importantly, this perceived lack of rigor supposedly underlies, in part, the failure to translate laboratory findings to the clinic. But what does such rigor look like? There are multiple elements of experimental design that can be affected by rigor, including how a study was designed, conducted, analyzed, and interpreted. Whether and how such elements are made evident in published studies is the subject of Ramirez et al,2 which stimulates a broader discussion on topics related to transparency, rigor, and reproducibility, all of which could ultimately relate to a common theme: bias. Article, see p 1916 There are several salient features of Ramirez et al.2 Not surprisingly, the authors found that 4 of 5 publications they evaluated did not report blinding. If the literature is replete with studies in which blinding was not used for the purpose of promoting experimental bias (which, I hope, it is not), it would erode one’s confidence in the literature. Although it is safe to say that many of these unblinded studies were indeed unblinded for unknown reasons, I am not convinced that not reporting blinding equates to not blinding. That is, many authors may not have reported blinding although they incorporated blinding into their study execution. For some investigators, blinding has been a natural but unpublicized practice, like calibrating pH meters, pipets, and analytic balances—all things (some) experimentalists do, but do not …
Abstract 390: End-stage Human Heart Failure is Characterized by a Deficit in Energetic Lipids in Both Diabetic and Non-diabetic Patients

Introduction: Animal models and human studies have identified increased intramyocardial lipid accumulation and a lipotoxicity hypothesis has been emerging as a mechanism of myocardial dysfunction i...
Brain abscesses: an overview in children.

Brain abscesses in infants and children might be life threatening if not managed properly. They occur more frequently in the first two decades of life despite the reduced incidence of sinus and ear infections in pediatrics. The features of brain abscess in terms of location, pathogens, and symptoms depend on age and thus on predisposing factors. In infants and toddlers, bacterial meningitis or bacteremia is the major cause, and in older children, immunosuppression and cyanotic congenital heart diseases are common predisposing factors. The therapeutic management of brain abscesses involves a multidisciplinary team, including infectious disease specialist, neurosurgery, neuroradiology, and neurology. A prompt and long-term antimicrobial therapy is the mainstay of treatment, often associated with surgical drainage. These changes in the management have significantly improved the prognosis of patients with brain abscesses over the past 50 years.
Coefficient of variation for use in crop area classification across multiple climates

Abstract In this study, the coefficient of variation (CV) is introduced as a unitless statistical measurement for the classification of croplands using synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data. As a measurement of change, the CV is able to capture changing backscatter responses caused by cycles of planting, growing, and harvesting, and thus is able to differentiate these areas from a more static forest or urban area. Pixels with CV values above a given threshold are classified as crops, and below the threshold are non-crops. This paper uses cross-polarized L-band SAR data from the ALOS PALSAR satellite to classify eleven regions across the United States, covering a wide range of major crops and climates. Two separate sets of classification were done, with the first targeting the optimum classification thresholds for each dataset, and the second using a generalized threshold for all datasets to simulate a large-scale operationalized situation. Overall accuracies for the first phase of classification ranged from 66%–81%, and 62%–84% for the second phase. Visual inspection of the results shows numerous possibilities for improving the classifications while still using the same classification method, including increasing the number and temporal frequency of input images in order to better capture phenological events and mitigate the effects of major precipitation events, as well as more accurate ground truth data. These improvements would make the CV method a viable tool for monitoring agriculture throughout the year on a global scale.
Disposal of Cattle in the Exclusion Zone

This chapter “Disposal of Cattle in the Exclusion Zone” analyzes the policy of the Japanese government on cattle in the exclusion zone. The government not only abandoned livestock animals but also ordered the cattle ranchers to dispose of their animals. Several ranchers refused to comply with the order and kept their cattle alive, bitterly splitting the ranchers’ community. Scientific studies of the surviving cattle thus far are inconclusive regarding the effects of low-level, long-term radiation on their health.
Potential for U sequestration with select minerals and sediments via base treatment.

Abstract Temporary base treatment is a potential remediation technique for heavy metals through adsorption, precipitation, and co-precipitation with minerals. Manipulation of pH with ammonia gas injection may be especially useful for vadose zone environments as it does not require addition of liquids that would increase the flux towards groundwater. In this research, we conducted laboratory batch experiments to evaluate the changes in uranium mobility and mineral dissolution with base treatments including sodium hydroxide, ammonium hydroxide, and ammonia gas. Our data show that partitioning of uranium to the solid phase increases by several orders of magnitude following base treatment in the presence of different minerals and natural sediments from the Hanford site. The presence of dissolved calcium and carbonate play an important role in precipitation and co-precipitation of uranium at elevated pH. In addition, significant incongruent dissolution of bulk mineral phases occurs and likely leads to precipitation of secondary mineral phases. These secondary phases may remove uranium via adsorption, precipitation, and co-precipitation processes and may coat uranium phases with low solubility minerals as the pH returns to natural conditions.
Analysis of Internet Review Site Comments for Spine Surgeons: How Office Staff, Physician Likeability, and Patient Outcome Are Associated With Online Evaluations.

STUDY DESIGN Observational study. OBJECTIVE To evaluate how online patient comments will affect website ratings for spine surgeons. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA With the ever-growing utilization of physician review websites, healthcare consumers are assuming more control over whom they choose for care. We evaluated patient feedback and satisfaction scores of spine surgeons using comments from three leading physician rating websites: Healthgrades.com, Vitals.com, Google.com. This is the largest review of online comments and the largest review of spine surgeon comments. METHODS From the North American Spine Society (NASS) membership directory, 210 spine surgeons practicing in Florida (133 orthopedic trained; 77 neurosurgery trained) with online comments available for review were identified, yielding 4701 patient comments. These were categorized according to subject: (1) surgeon competence, (2) surgeon likeability/character, (3) office staff, ease of scheduling, office environment. Type 1 and 2 comments were surgeon-dependent factors whereas type 3 comments were surgeon-independent factors. Patient comments also reported a score (1-5), 5 being the most favorable and 1 being the least favorable. RESULTS There were 1214 (25.8%) comments from Healthgrades, 2839 (60.4%) from Vitals, and 648 (13.8%) from Google. 89.9% (4225) of comments pertained to surgeon outcomes and likeability (comment type 1 and 2), compared with 10.1% (476) surgeon-independent comments (comment type 3) (P < 0.0001). There was a significantly higher number of favorable ratings associated with surgeon-dependent comments (types 1 and 2) compared with surgeon-independent comments (type 3). Surgeon-independent comments were associated with significantly lower scores compared with comments regarding surgeon-dependent factors on all review sites. CONCLUSION Spine surgeons are more likely to receive favorable reviews for factors pertaining to outcomes, likeability/character, and negative reviews based on ancillary staff interactions, billing, and office environment. Surgeons should continue to take an active role in modifying factors patients perceive as negative, even if not directly related to the physician. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 3.
Pre- and Post-Operative Diastolic Dysfunction in Patients With Valvular Heart Disease: Diagnosis and Therapeutic Implications

Patients with valvular heart disease often have left ventricular diastolic dysfunction. This review summarizes the underlying mechanisms for diastolic dysfunction in patients with mitral and aortic valve disease. In addition to load, intrinsic myocardial abnormalities occur related to changes in sarcomeric proteins, abnormal calcium handling, and fibrosis. Echocardiography is the initial modality for the diagnosis of left ventricular diastolic function. Although there are challenges to conventional Doppler parameters of diastolic function, it is often possible to arrive at a clinically useful assessment of left ventricular filling pressures using a comprehensive approach. When needed, cardiac magnetic resonance and cardiac catheterization can be obtained. Medical therapy can be of value for the treatment of diastolic dysfunction, but there is a paucity of data evaluating its clinical utility. More importantly, diastolic dysfunction usually improves with timely surgical intervention, although surgery does not always lead to normalization of function.
Protease Inhibitor Suppression of ras Oncogene-Induced Transformation

As discussed in several chapters of this book, support for an active role of proteases and protease inhibitors in carcinogenesis and anticarcinogenesis has come from multiple observations that protease inhibitors suppress transformation in vitro and in several animal models (Belman and Garte, 1985; Troll and Wiesner, 1984; Corasanti et al., 1982; Kennedy and Little, 1978; Yavelow et al., 1983). Treatment of various cells and tissues with phorbol ester tumor promoters induces proteases including plasminogen activator (Quigley, 1979), and the promoting activity of phorbol ester is inhibited by protease inhibitors in vivo and in vitro (see Belman and Garte, 1985, for review). The mechanism of action of protease inhibitors as anticarcinogens is not well understood, and is probably complex. We thought it would be of interest to determine whether such agents could affect transformation of cells caused by a single purified activated oncogene, as opposed to radiation or chemical carcinogens. We therefore adapted the standard NIH3T3 transfection focus assay with an activated human H-ras oncogene to assess the effects of protease inhibitors (and other chemopreventive agents) on oncogene-induced cell transformation.
Volition and learning in primate vocal behaviour

Investigating nonhuman primate vocal communication is often with the intention of elucidating their similarities with human speech and thus reconstructing the evolutionary history of this important behaviour. However, putative parallels between primate and human vocal behaviours have, in some respects, remained elusive. Here, we review two lines of research in marmoset monkeys on volitional vocal control and vocal learning during development that could bridge our understanding of the relationship between primate vocalizations and human speech. Regarding volitional control, we review how changes in vocal output are not solely due to changes in arousal levels and their effect on the vocal apparatus; extrinsic factors like the vocalizations from other conspecifics also have an important influence. With regard to vocal learning, we describe not only how infant marmoset vocalizations undergo dramatic acoustic changes during development that are not wholly explained by physical growth, but also how, as in humans, contingent vocal responses from parents influence the rate of vocal development. We argue that the similarities in the vocal systems of marmoset monkeys and humans may be due to their shared cooperative breeding strategy and prosociality.
« La seule constance… c’est l’inconstance » : les répercussions des faux positifs des scanneurs à ions sur les familles des détenus canadiens

La presente etude se penche sur l’experience d’individus qui visitent leurs proches dans les penitenciers federaux au Canada, notamment sur les repercussions de l’utilisation d’un appareil de detection de drogues, le scanneur a ions, qui sert d’etape de controle des visiteurs des detenus. A partir de donnees tirees de huit entretiens non diriges avec des personnes ayant connu des faux positifs sur le scanneur a ions lors de visites en prison, j’etudie les consequences negatives de ce type de resultats, qui peuvent etre assez frequents, sur la vie des detenus et de leur famille. Meme s’ils sont presentes comme des instruments objectifs et non biaises, la maniere dont les scanneurs a ions sont utilises est empreinte de jugements moraux envers les individus qui visitent leurs proches detenus. J’aborde deux themes tires de l’analyse : l’interaction entre le personnel carceral et les familles des prisonniers ainsi que l’irregularite et l’imprevisibilite des scanneurs a ions. L’analyse montre qu’il s’agit d’une technologie a risque d’erreurs qui participe a la stigmatisation – et meme a la punition – des familles des detenus. En m’appuyant sur la litterature portant sur les consequences collaterales de l’incarceration et sur les technologies du risque et de surveillance, je reflechis a la maniere dont les scanneurs a ions participent a l’extension des souffrances de l’incarceration aux visites en prison.
Posterior Sagittal Anorectoplasty: Female

This chapter describes the posterior sagittal/laparoscopic/surgical procedure for posterior sagittal anorectoplasty (including laparoscopic ligation of __fistula) if anatomically appropriate, as performed by the following approaches: open and laparoscopic. The text includes an introduction that outlines the indications, risks, alternatives, essential steps, needed equipment, and variations in technique for the procedure in question. This is followed by a template operative dictation, which provides the reader with an operative report, such as is found in a patient chart or electronic medical record. A description is provided of the following critical concepts for this procedure: identification of the fistula, marking the limits of the sphincter mechanism, dissection of the fistula/rectum from urethra/prostatic urethra or bladder neck, mobilization of rectum, and performing the anoplasty.
Survey of the US Surgeon Workforce: Practice Characteristics, Job Satisfaction, and Reasons for Leaving Surgery

Background An impending surgeon shortage looms in the US due to increasing demand and a stagnant number of surgeons entering practice. We sought to evaluate the state of our surgical workforce by exploring current practice patterns, job satisfaction, and reasons why surgeons consider leaving surgery. Study Design In 2018, a link to a detailed survey was distributed by email to Fellows of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) who actively practice in the US and have completed a general surgery residency or integrated cardiothoracic, vascular, or plastic surgery fellowship. Detailed questions regarding practice attributes, surgical training, professional choices, and career satisfaction were included. Nonresponse weights were adjusted for respondent sex, age, and presence of subspecialty training between respondents and the total surveyed ACS population. All estimates and analyses were weighted to account for potential nonresponse bias. Results There were 3,807 surgeons who responded (15% response rate). Overall, 81% reported career satisfaction and 80% would choose surgery over again. Twenty-six percent were considering leaving surgery within the next 2 years. Stratified by age groups 40 to 49, 50 to 59, and 60 to 69 years, the survey found that 9%, 17%, and 45% of respondents were considering leaving surgery within the next 2 years, respectively. Thirteen percent of surgeons less than 60 years old were considering leaving surgery, and only 49% of these surgeons reported career satisfaction. Among surgeons less than 60 years old who were considering leaving surgery, the top 3 reasons rated as very important were overall stress (79%), work time demands (77%), and personal time requirements (73%). Conclusions Reported surgeon job satisfaction was high, but a surprising number of surgeons reported that they were considering leaving surgery. Work time requirements and lack of personal time are leading factors contributing to surgeons leaving practice.
Fine-Grained Visual Recognition in Mobile Augmented Reality for Technical Support

Augmented Reality is increasingly explored as the new medium for two-way remote collaboration applications to guide the participants more effectively and efficiently via visual instructions. As users strive for more natural interaction and automation in augmented reality applications, new visual recognition techniques are needed to enhance the user experience. Although simple object recognition is often used in augmented reality towards this goal, most collaboration tasks are too complex for such recognition algorithms to suffice. In this paper, we propose a fine-grained visual recognition approach for mobile augmented reality, which leverages RGB video frames and sparse depth feature points identified in real-time, as well as camera pose data to detect various visual states of an object. We demonstrate the value of our approach through a mobile application designed for hardware support, which automatically detects the state of an object to present the right set of information in the right context.
Pregnancy-induced humoral sensitization overrides T cell tolerance to fetus-matched allografts in mice

Immunological tolerance to semiallogeneic fetuses is necessary to achieving successful first pregnancy and permitting subsequent pregnancies with the same father. Paradoxically, pregnancy is an important cause of sensitization, resulting in the accelerated rejection of offspring-matched allografts. The underlying basis for divergent outcomes following reencounter of the same alloantigens on transplanted organs versus fetuses in postpartum females is incompletely understood. Using a mouse model that allows concurrent tracking of endogenous fetus-specific T and B cell responses in a single recipient, we show that semiallogeneic pregnancies simultaneously induce fetus-specific T cell tolerance and humoral sensitization. Pregnancy-induced antibodies, but not B cells, impeded transplantation tolerance elicited by costimulation blockade to offspring-matched cardiac grafts. Remarkably, in B cell-deficient mice, allogeneic pregnancy enabled the spontaneous acceptance of fetus-matched allografts. The presence of pregnancy-sensitized B cells that cannot secrete antibodies at the time of heart transplantation was sufficient to precipitate rejection and override pregnancy-established T cell tolerance. Thus, while induction of memory B cells and alloantibodies by pregnancies establishes formidable barriers to transplant success for multigravid women, our observations raise the possibility that humoral desensitization will not only improve transplantation outcomes, but also reveal an unexpected propensity of multiparous recipients to achieve tolerance to offspring-matched allografts.
Congenital Melanocytic Nevi

Melanocytic nevi with features of congenital onset may display several distinct patterns of growth. Congenital nevi are usually compound or dermal and characteristically involve the reticular dermis.
TAM-ping down amyloid in Alzheimer’s disease

The TAM receptor kinases Axl and Mer are critical for microglial recognition and clearance of accumulating amyloid in transgenic models of Alzheimer’s disease.
THE RESTRICTED CODE OF HOUSE MADE OF DAWN

Ethnosemantic fields appealing to the semiotics of local knowledge by circumventing translations and explanations obvious to cultural insiders created a restricted code and an ethnic boundary in N. Scott Momaday’s novel House Made of Dawn. Article visualizations:
Experimental Design & Pilot Testing for ECLSS Anomaly Resolution using Daphne-AT Virtual Assistant

The Global Exploration Roadmap provides a pathway for humans to leave lower Earth orbit and develop a sustained presence in cislunar space as well as the lunar surface before embarking on a long journey to Mars. During these crewed Long Duration Exploration Missions (LDEM), communication delays will limit mission control availability to support the crew during critical in-flight anomalies. In order to address this challenge, future human spaceflight operations will benefit from intelligent Virtual Assistants (VAs) capable of assisting the crew in detecting, diagnosing, and resolving emergency anomalies. This intelligent technology could increase the probability of mission success and crew safety in emergency scenarios and could improve overall crew performance while operating in the hostile environment of deep space. Daphne-AT is a VA to support crewed LDEM in the context of diagnosing and resolving in-flight anomalies related to the Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) of a spacecraft. The overall research objective is to investigate the effect of Daphne-AT on human performance, cognitive workload, situational awareness, and trust in autonomous systems. Daphne-AT will be validated using controlled laboratory experiments, and further evaluation will occur during the Human Exploration Research Analog (HERA) C6 research campaign, consisting of four 45-day missions in 2020–21. In this paper, we provide an overview of our first version of Daphne-AT (i.e., baseline version), and discuss the design of anomaly scenarios using NASA's ECLSS simulator and the experimental set up for laboratory experiments. A preliminary within-subjects (i.e., with and without Daphne-AT) experiment was conducted with five human subjects, and preliminary results indicate that the use of Daphne-AT increases performance and decreases cognitive workload in the context of ECLSS anomaly scenarios. The data also show that subjects exhibited trust in using Daphne-AT, while it improved certain aspects of their situational awareness. Our work is part of the Human Capabilities Assessments for Autonomous Missions (HCAAM) Virtual NASA Science Center of Research (VNSCOR) within the NASA Human Research Program, and the ultimate goal is to generate standards and guidelines about how to design such VAs for future LDEMs.
Redefining tissue specificity of genetic regulation of gene expression in the presence of allelic heterogeneity

Understanding the mechanisms that underlie genetic regulation of gene expression is crucial to explaining the diversity that governs complex traits. Large scale expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) studies have been instrumental in identifying genetic variants that influence the expression of target genes. However, a large fraction of disease-associated genetic variants have not been clearly explained by current eQTL data, frustrating attempts to use these data to comprehensively characterize disease loci. One notable observation from recent studies is that cis-eQTL effects are often shared across different cell types and tissues. This would suggest that common genetic variants impacting steady-state, adult gene expression are largely tolerated, shared across tissues, and less relevant to disease. However, allelic heterogeneity and complex patterns of linkage disequilibrium (LD) within each locus may skew the quantification of sharing of genetic effects between tissues, impede our ability to identify causal variants, and hinder the identification of regulatory effects for disease-associated genetic variants. Indeed, recent research suggests that multiple causal variants are often present in many eQTL and complex trait associated loci. Here, we re-analyze tissue-specificity of genetic effects in the presence of LD and allelic heterogeneity, proposing a novel method, CAFEH, that improves the identification of causal regulatory variants across tissues and their relationship to disease loci.
Deep learning network optimization and hyperparameter tuning for seismic lithofacies classification

Abstract Deep learning is increasingly being applied in many aspects of seismic processing and interpretation. Here, we look at a deep convolutional neural network approach to multiclass seismic li...
9 – Factors at More Than Two Levels

Factorials at three or more levels are necessary to trace the relation between the independent variables acting together and the response—the dependent variable. Starting with a two-factor, four-level experiment, the chapter graphically demonstrates how to identify the interactions. Measuring the main effects and interactions by means of two-way tables is shown in the chapter. A practical problem is taken from the metal-casting industry as an example. Selecting four out of many factors, using the Quality Circle procedure, and adapting a three-level fractional factorial—the steps taken toward the solution—are also discussed in detail. The effect of two factors acting together at three levels on a dependent variable is the simplest form in this category of factorial design. When dealing with more than two factors, each at more than two levels, the significance of the main effects and interactions remains unchanged.