cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Indomethacin Treatment of Mice with Premalignant Oral Lesions Sustains Cytokine Production and Slows Progression to Cancer.

Current treatment options for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients are often ineffective due to tumor localized and systemic immunosuppression. Using the 4-NQO mouse model of oral carcinogenesis, this study showed that premalignant oral lesion cells produce higher levels of the immune modulator, PGE2, compared to HNSCC cells. Inhibiting prostaglandin production of premalignant lesion cells with the pan-cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin stimulated their induction of spleen cell cytokine production. In contrast, inhibiting HNSCC prostaglandin production did not stimulate their induction of spleen cell cytokine production. Treatment of mice bearing premalignant oral lesions with indomethacin slowed progression of premalignant oral lesions to HNSCC. Flow cytometric analysis of T cells in the regional lymph nodes of lesion-bearing mice receiving indomethacin treatment showed an increase in lymph node cellularity and in the absolute number of CD8+ T cells expressing IFN-γ compared to levels in lesion-bearing mice receiving diluent control treatment. The cytokine-stimulatory effect of indomethacin treatment was not localized to regional lymph nodes but was also seen in the spleen of mice with premalignant oral lesions. Together, these data suggest that inhibiting prostaglandin production at the premalignant lesion stage boosts immune capability and improves clinical outcomes.
Nanoconfinement's Dramatic Impact on Proton Exchange between Glucose and Water.

Glucose nanoconfined by solubilization in water-containing AOT (sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate) reverse micelles has been investigated using 1H NMR. NMR spectra reveal well-defined signals for the glucose hydroxyl groups that suggest slow chemical exchange between them and the water hydroxyl groups. Using the EXSY (ZZ-exchange) method, the chemical exchange rate from water to glucose hydroxyl groups was measured for glucose in reverse micelles as a function of size (water pool diameter of ∼1–5 nm) at 25 °C. The chemical exchange rates observed in the nanoconfined interior are dramatically slower (5–20 times) than those observed for glucose in bulk aqueous solution at the same concentration as the micelle interior. Exchange rate constants are calculated via a mechanism that accounts for these observations, and implications of these results are presented and discussed.
Evaluation of thin film nanocomposite reverse osmosis membranes for long-term brackish water desalination performance

Abstract Nanoparticle addition in the currently widely used thin film composite (TFC) membranes is a promising technology to advance separation performance and bring novel functionality in membrane desalination processes. These thin film nanocomposite (TFN) membranes boast many advantages over their TFC counterparts such as increased water flux without compromising salt rejection and bacterial resistance. However, the stability of TFN membranes is unknown in industrial, long-term applications. Via interfacial polymerization, we synthesized a series of polyamide TFC and TFN membranes with different nanoparticle content, 0 wt%, 0.15 wt%, 0.30 wt%, in the casting solutions. At the United States Bureau of Reclamation's Water Quality Improvement Center in Yuma, AZ, the membranes were tested for ~ 3000 h in a lab-scale testing system. We characterized the physico-chemical nature and morphology of the membranes before and after the testing. All membranes exhibited relatively stable long-term separation performances. At the highest zeolite loading tested, in comparison with the TFC membrane, water permeance increased from 3.7 ± 0.6 μm MPa− 1 s− 1 to 5.3 ± 0.5 μm MPa− 1 s− 1 and solute rejection slightly increased from 97.4 ± 0.3% to 97.9 ± 0.1%. In this study, TFN membranes exhibited long-term desalination stability and improved separation performance compared to TFC membranes.
The effect of surgeon and hospital volume on mortality after open and endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms

Abstract Background Higher hospital and surgeon volumes are independently associated with improved mortality after open repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) in the era before endovascular AAA repair (EVAR). The effects of both surgeon and hospital volume on mortality after EVAR and open repair in the current era are less well defined. Methods We studied Medicare beneficiaries who underwent elective AAA repair from 2001 to 2008. Volume was measured by procedure type during the 1-year period preceding each procedure and was further categorized into quintiles of volume for surgeon and hospital. Multilevel logistic regression models were used to evaluate the effect of surgeon volume, accounting for hospital volume, on mortality after adjusting for patient demographic and comorbid conditions as well as the analogous effect of hospital volume adjusting for surgeon volume. The multilevel models included random effects for surgeon and hospital to account for the clustering of multiple patients within the same surgeon and within the same hospital. Results We studied 122,495 patients who underwent AAA repair (open: 45,451; EVAR: 77,044). After EVAR, perioperative mortality did not differ by surgeon volume (quintile 1 [0-6 EVARs]: 1.8%; quintile 5 [28-151 EVARs]: 1.6%; P = .29), but decreased with greater hospital volume (quintile 1 [0-9 EVARs]: 1.9%; quintile 5 [49-198 EVARs]: 1.4%; P P P Conclusions After EVAR, hospital volume is minimally associated with perioperative mortality, with no such association for surgeon volume. After open AAA repair, surgeon and hospital volume are both strongly associated with mortality. These findings suggest that open surgery should be concentrated in hospitals and surgeons with high volume.
Plausible Roles for RAGE in Conditions Exacerbated by Direct and Indirect (Secondhand) Smoke Exposure

Approximately 1 billion people smoke worldwide, and the burden placed on society by primary and secondhand smokers is expected to increase. Smoking is the leading risk factor for myriad health complications stemming from diverse pathogenic programs. First- and second-hand cigarette smoke contains thousands of constituents, including several carcinogens and cytotoxic chemicals that orchestrate chronic inflammatory responses and destructive remodeling events. In the current review, we outline details related to compromised pulmonary and systemic conditions related to smoke exposure. Specifically, data are discussed relative to impaired lung physiology, cancer mechanisms, maternal-fetal complications, cardiometabolic, and joint disorders in the context of smoke exposure exacerbations. As a general unifying mechanism, the receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) and its signaling axis is increasingly considered central to smoke-related pathogenesis. RAGE is a multi-ligand cell surface receptor whose expression increases following cigarette smoke exposure. RAGE signaling participates in the underpinning of inflammatory mechanisms mediated by requisite cytokines, chemokines, and remodeling enzymes. Understanding the biological contributions of RAGE during cigarette smoke-induced inflammation may provide critically important insight into the pathology of lung disease and systemic complications that combine during the demise of those exposed.
Biosynthesis of proresolving lipid mediators by vascular cells and tissues

Recent evidence suggests that specialized proresolving lipid mediators (SPMs) generated from docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) can modulate the vascular injury response. However, cellular sources for these autacoids within the vessel wall remain unclear. Here, we investigated whether isolated vascular cells and tissues can produce SPMs and assessed expression and subcellular localization of the key SPM biosynthetic enzyme 5-lipoxygenase (LOX) in vascular cells. Intact human arteries incubated with DHA ex vivo produced 17-hydroxy DHA (17-HDHA) and D-series resolvins, as assessed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Addition of 17-HDHA to human arteries similarly increased resolvin production. Primary cultures of human saphenous vein endothelial cells (ECs) and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) converted 17-HDHA to SPMs, including resolvin D1 (RvD1) and other D-series resolvins and protectins. This was accompanied by a rapid translocation of 5-LOX from nucleus to cytoplasm in both ECs and VSMCs, potentially facilitating SPM biosynthesis. Conditioned medium from cells exposed to 17-HDHA inhibited monocyte adhesion to TNF-α-stimulated EC monolayers. These downstream effects were partially reversed by antibodies against the RvD1 receptors ALX/FPR2 and GPR32. These results suggest that autocrine and/or paracrine signaling via locally generated SPMs in the vasculature may represent a novel homeostatic mechanism of relevance to vascular health and disease.-Chatterjee, A., Komshian, S., Sansbury, B. E., Wu, B., Mottola, G., Chen, M., Spite, M., Conte, M. S. Biosynthesis of proresolving lipid mediators by vascular cells and tissues.
A GaN-based modular multilevel DC-DC converter for high-density anode discharge power modules

This paper proposes a DC-DC Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC) as an alternative to traditional isolated and non-isolated converter topologies for the purpose of achieving high voltage and power density in Anode Discharge Power Modules (ADPMs) for Solar Electric Propulsion (SEP) systems. The paper presents the background for the use of GaN HFETs in multilevel topologies at high frequency and makes the case for GaN HFETs in spacecraft power systems. It then presents an analytical model, simulation results, and initial hardware evaluation of the proposed topology. The result is a 2 kW converter system operating at 600 V output at a power density of 110 W/in3, achieving 83% full load efficiency at 1 MHz. The proposed topology is scalable to higher voltage and power ratings.
The Ongoing Quest to Predict Plaque Rupture.

Many plant ion channels have been identified, but little is known about how these transporters are regulated. We have investigated the regulation of a slow vacuolar (SV) ion channel in the tonoplast of barley aleurone storage protein vacuoles (SPV) using the patch-clamp technique. SPV were isolated from barley aleurone protoplasts incubated with CaCl2 in the presence or absence of gibberellic acid (GA) or abscisic acid (ABA). A slowly activating, voltage-dependent ion channel was identified in the SPV membrane. Mean channel conductance was 26 pS when 100 mM KCl was on both sides of the membrane, and reversal potential measurements indicated that most of the current was carried by K+. Treatment of protoplasts with GA3 increased whole-vacuole current density compared to SPV isolated from ABA- or CaCl2-treated cells. The opening of the SV channel was sensitive to cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) between 600 nM and 100 [mu]M, with higher [Ca2+]i resulting in a greater probability of channel opening. SV channel activity was reduced greater than 90% by the calmodulin (CaM) inhibitors W7 and trifluoperazine, suggesting that Ca2+ activates endogenous CaM tightly associated with the membrane. Exogenous CaM partially reversed the inhibitory effects of W7 on SV channel opening. CaM also sensitized the SV channel to Ca2+. In the presence of ~3.5 [mu]M CaM, specific current increased by approximately threefold at 2.5 [mu]M Ca2+ and by more than 13-fold at 10 [mu]M Ca2+. Since [Ca2+]i and the level of CaM increase in barley aleurone cells following exposure to GA, we suggest that Ca2+ and CaM act as signal transduction elements mediating hormone-induced changes in ion channel activity.
Recovering Question Answering Errors via Query Revision

The existing factoid QA systems often lack a post-inspection component that can help models recover from their own mistakes. In this work, we propose to crosscheck the corresponding KB relations behind the predicted answers and identify potential inconsistencies. Instead of developing a new model that accepts evidences collected from these relations, we choose to plug them back to the original questions directly and check if the revised question makes sense or not. A bidirectional LSTM is applied to encode revised questions. We develop a scoring mechanism over the revised question encodings to refine the predictions of a base QA system. This approach can improve the F1 score of STAGG (Yih et al., 2015), one of the leading QA systems, from 52.5% to 53.9% on WEBQUESTIONS data.
Comparison of lung tumor motion measured using a model-based 4DCT technique and a commercial protocol ☆ ☆☆

Abstract Purpose To compare lung tumor motion measured with a model-based technique to commercial 4-dimensional computed tomography (4DCT) scans and describe a workflow for using model-based 4DCT as a clinical simulation protocol. Methods and materials Twenty patients were imaged using a model-based technique and commercial 4DCT. Tumor motion was measured on each commercial 4DCT dataset and was calculated on model-based datasets for 3 breathing amplitude percentile intervals: 5th to 85th, 5th to 95th, and 0th to 100th. Internal target volumes (ITVs) were defined on the 4DCT and 5th to 85th interval datasets and compared using Dice similarity. Images were evaluated for noise and rated by 2 radiation oncologists for artifacts. Results Mean differences in tumor motion magnitude between commercial and model-based images were 0.47 ± 3.0, 1.63 ± 3.17, and 5.16 ± 4.90 mm for the 5th to 85th, 5th to 95th, and 0th to 100th amplitude intervals, respectively. Dice coefficients between ITVs defined on commercial and 5th to 85th model-based images had a mean value of 0.77 ± 0.09. Single standard deviation image noise was 11.6 ± 9.6 HU in the liver and 6.8 ± 4.7 HU in the aorta for the model-based images compared with 57.7 ± 30 and 33.7 ± 15.4 for commercial 4DCT. Mean model error within the ITV regions was 1.71 ± 0.81 mm. Model-based images exhibited reduced presence of artifacts at the tumor compared with commercial images. Conclusion Tumor motion measured with the model-based technique using the 5th to 85th percentile breathing amplitude interval corresponded more closely to commercial 4DCT than the 5th to 95th or 0th to 100th intervals, which showed greater motion on average. The model-based technique tended to display increased tumor motion when breathing amplitude intervals wider than 5th to 85th were used because of the influence of unusually deep inhalations. These results suggest that care must be taken in selecting the appropriate interval during image generation when using model-based 4DCT methods.
Anti-inflammatory role of cannabinoid receptor type 1 antagonist AM251 in high fat diet-induced obesity— a focus on microRNAs.

Obesity is a major health problem in the U.S. that continues to increase in prevalence. Excessive calorie consumption leads to expansion of adipose tissue through both hypertrophy and hyperplasia. As a result, adipocytes die and macrophages infiltrate into the adipose tissue to repair damage. Activation and infiltration of immune cells contribute to the chronic low-grade inflammation present in obesity. Immune cells express cannabinoid receptors that regulate inflammation. In this study, a mouse model of high fat diet-induced obesity was used to determine the effect the CB 1 receptor antagonist AM251 has on adipose tissue inflammation. C57BL6 mice were fed a high fat diet (HFD) for twelve weeks to induce obesity and then given AM251 (10mg/kg/day) oral gavage for four weeks while continuing HFD. Treatment improved metabolic parameters while reducing fat mass and pro-inflammatory cytokine production. To further investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of AM251, infiltrating F4/80 + cells were isolated from epididymal fat and used for microRNA microarray. Nine miRNAs were differentially expressed as a result of AM251 treatment. These miRNAs were analyzed using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis software (Qiagen) and were found to significantly affect the “Inflammatory Disease and Inflammatory Response” pathways. Upregulated miRNAs such as miR-466i-3p were found to target macrophage polarization genes including Pik3r1. The current study suggests that CB 1 antagonists may mediate anti-inflammatory effects and amelioration of obesity through regulation of miRNA expression. (Supported in parts by NIH grants P01AT003961, R01AT006888, R01ES019313, R01MH094755, P20GM103641, and Veterans Affairs Merit Award BX001357.)
Free speech as a cultural value in the United States

Political orientation influences support for free speech, with liberals often reporting greater support for free speech than conservatives. We hypothesized that this effect should be moderated by cultural context: individualist cultures value individual self-expression and self-determination, and collectivist cultures value group harmony and conformity. These different foci should differently influence liberals and conservatives’ support for free speech within these cultures. Two studies evaluated the joint influence of political orientation and cultural context on support for free speech. Study 1, using a multilevel analysis of data from 37 U.S. states (n = 1,001), showed that conservatives report stronger support for free speech in collectivist states, whereas there were no differences between conservatives and liberals in support for free speech in individualist states. Study 2 (n = 90) confirmed this pattern by priming independent and interdependent self-construals in liberals and conservatives. Results demonstrate the importance of cultural context for free speech. Findings suggest that in the U.S. support for free speech might be embraced for different reasons: conservatives’ support for free speech appears to be motivated by a focus on collectively held values favoring free speech, while liberals’ support for free speech might be motivated by a focus on individualist self-expression.
The Importance of Biomechanics

When neuroscientists gather to discuss “Movement and Sensation”, they tend to discuss neurons rather than muscles and bones. Neurons may be more interesting, but their roles in motor control depend on the mechanical properties of the system to be controlled. Understanding of those properties has been surprisingly elusive, despite the well-developed disciplines of biomechanics and muscle physiology. Each experimental field has its favorite, often unique preparation. Mathematical models range in scale from individual cross-bridges to articulated limbs, usually written in different computer languages. The shortcomings of such fragmented knowledge become particularly apparent when biomedical engineers must design safe and effective control systems for real limbs, such as for functional electrical stimulation (FES) of reach and grasp in quadriplegic patients. We are addressing the question of how to model neuromusculoskeletal systems so that they are sufficiently complete, valid and accessible to be useful in both basic and applied sensorimotor research.
Computerized material management, inventory control, and purchase orders in the clinical laboratory

The management of supplies, purchase orders, and equipment is of critical importance to the operation of the clinical laboratory. The InvMan software program has reduced hands-on time for performing the counting of inventory and the time required to generate purchase orders. These changes save the laboratory about $11,170 per year in personnel costs. While the use of a structured system does impose some constraints on the user, the program has helped the laboratory organize all of its supply, vendor, location, PO, and equipment data. It has allowed the laboratory to respond more rapidly and accurately to inquiries related to inventory. The varied functions of InvMan provide flexibility to the laboratory and permit it to define the inventory as best fits a particular situation. The application is well suited to its target audience. The program has performed well, allowing the laboratory to make significant improvements to its material management system.
Proteoglycan synthesis in organ cultures from regions of bovine tendon subjected to different mechanical forces

Synthesis of proteoglycans by morphologically and chemically distinct regions of bovine flexor tendon was investigated in explant cultures. Proximal regions of the flexor tendon which experience only tensile forces and have low contents of proteoglycans initially exhibited relatively low rates of proteoglycan synthesis but high rates of collagen synthesis. The predominant proteoglycan produced by all proximal explants was of small hydrodynamic size and appeared similar to that extracted from proximal tissue. In contrast, explants derived from the distal tendon region, which experiences frictional and compressive forces in addition to tensile forces, and has a high content of proteoglycans, showed relatively high initial rates of proteoglycan synthesis and lower rates of collagen synthesis. These distal explants produced primarily large proteoglycans on the first day in culture. Turnover of newly synthesized proteoglycans was not detectable in proximal tissue, and was low in distal tissue. Loss of unlabelled proteoglycan from proximal and distal explants was not detected during the 12 days of culture. These observations suggest that the increase in specific types of proteoglycans in regions of tendon subjected to frictional and compressive forces is the result of elevated synthesis rates in this tissue. Two alterations in proteoglycan synthesis occurred during the 12-day culture period. (1) The rate of proteoglycan synthesis by all explants increased with time in culture. (2) The proportion of small proteoglycans synthesized by distal explants increased from 32% of the total proteoglycan produced on day 1, to 80% of that produced on day 12. Explants from proximal tendon continued to produce only small proteoglycans throughout the 12 days in culture. This switch in proteoglycan phenotype, resulting in decreased synthesis of large proteoglycans by the distal tissue, may be due to a lack of compressive forces on the cultured explants.
Mechanisms involved in penetration of spermatozoa through the vestments of the mammalian egg.

In the past, the mammal has been something of a poor relation among the various metazoa used by students of fertilization. Failure to recognize the need for capacitation of spermatozoa and the complicating factors of the internal site of fertilization, the somewhat rigorous environmental requirement for consistent success in fertilization in vitro, and the very few eggs ovulated at one time have all been at least partly responsible for our relatively poor knowledge of the physiology of mammalian fertilization. The last aspect-egg numbers-still presents a problem for many who are interested in pursuing the biochemistry of egg activation and early development in mammals.
The World as Manifestation of Spirit: Mysticism and Metaphysics in West African Religions

This paper focuses on the concept of the world as interpreted by Amadou Hampate Bâ, an initiated scholar, from his experience with Fulani and Bamana religions. It examines the meaning of the world as a manifestation of spirit through Bâ’s mystical concept of the ‘living tradition’. Bâ looks at the complex interaction of the material and spiritual dimensions of the universe as it manifests itself in the physical world through symbols, and as it is informed through invisible forces communicated by the Supreme Being. Based on his understanding of Fulani and Bamana traditions, Bâ uses notions of history and art to better highlight the specific relationship between the spiritual and material realms that illustrate this sacred connection. I argue that Bâ’s mystical approach to understanding this metaphysics offers another method of thinking about some of the diverse African indigenous religions through their underlying esoteric connections.
A Bayesian two-part quantile regression model for count data with excess zeros:

Quantile regression (QR) allows one to model the effect of covariates across the entire response distribution, rather than only at the mean, but QR methods have been almost exclusively applied to c...
Glomerular and tubulointerstitial eQTLs for genomic discovery.

A new study discovered thousands of expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) in the renal glomerular and tubulointerstitial compartments and integrated these data with other omics data sets to identify genes with roles in the pathogenesis of chronic kidney disease. This report reinforces the necessity of using compartment-derived eQTLs to advance kidney genomic discovery.
Digital Modulation of Coherently-Coupled $2\times1$ Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser Arrays

We experimentally demonstrated enhanced digital modulation of coherently coupled vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser arrays. Mutually coherent behavior of $2\times 1$ proton-implanted index-confined photonic crystal vertical-cavity phased laser arrays is characterized using a novel digital modulation scheme. Far-field interference fringe visibility is used to estimate the degree of coherence between two coherently coupled laser cavities, and a visibility map is created to visualize the dependence of laser array coherence on the injection current bias. The visibility map indicates that a dual-channel in-phase modulation scheme can preserve the laser array in mutual coherence while under digital modulation. Experimentally, the high-speed digital modulation signal up to 36 Gb/s is supplied to both laser elements simultaneously. The resulting eye diagram is shown to be improved under coherent-coupling conditions.
Micromechanics and Engineered Cementitious Composites (ECC) Design Basis

One of the unique features behind the high ductility of Engineered Cementitious Composites (ECC) is a design basis that is distinctly different from that of high strength concrete. For high strength concrete or members of this family of concrete materials, high compressive strength is reached by particle tight packing. The design basis of ECC, however, is based on synergizing the mechanical interactions between fiber, matrix, and interfaces of the composite so that multiple cracking in tension is attained. This design basis is embodied in a body of knowledge known as the micromechanics of ECC.
alpha-Effect with Substituted N-Methylbenzohydroxamates and Substituted Phenyldimethylsulfonium Salts: Toward Understanding of an Intrinsic alpha-Effect.

Increasing electron demand in the reactions of G-NMBH anions with substituted phenyldimethylsulfonium ions decreases the α-effect for the methyl transfers toward 1.0 (zero effect). An extrapolation...
Development of a liquid chromatography atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry method for determining off-flavor compounds and its application toward marine recirculating aquaculture system monitoring and evaluation of aeration as a depuration approach

Abstract The off-flavor compounds geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol (2-MIB) are well-known to impact the quality of farmed freshwater fish species, but little is known about off-flavors in marine aquaculture. To begin addressing this knowledge gap, a method for determining geosmin and 2-MIB using LC with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) MS detection was developed. While 2-MIB was readily detected using LC-APCI/MS, geosmin exhibited on-column degradation that was independent of column chemistry and could not be eliminated. Optimized conditions were identified that balanced the separation and ionization efficiency of 2-MIB and geosmin while minimizing geosmin degradation, but the overall method sensitivity for geosmin was reduced by the on-column losses. The method was used with direct aqueous injections to determine the volatilization rates of geosmin and 2-MIB at ppb levels during aeration under laboratory conditions in both salt water and pure water to simulate marine and fresh water aquaculture, respectively. The volatilization rates of both compounds were 30% faster in salt water than in fresh water with or without aeration, but aeration was found to enhance the rate by a factor of 2.5 in both water types. The LC-APCI/MS method was combined with stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE) to achieve greater sensitivity for determining off-flavors in recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) water. Using SBSE-LC-APCI/MS, the LODs for geosmin and 2-MIB were 70 ng/kg (part per trillion) and 6 ng/kg, respectively. The on-column losses resulted in a relatively high LOD for geosmin that renders this method unsuitable for determining geosmin at the low ng/kg levels expected in RAS. SBSE using both grab water samples and an in-situ diving unit were used to evaluate 2-MIB levels in the culture water of two separate marine RAS that were supporting the growth of European sea bass but had differing levels of water treatment. 2-MIB was readily detected using both SBSE approaches in the RAS with less sophisticated treatment when the animal stocking density was at its highest (50 kg/m3) but was not detected in the more sophisticated RAS regardless of stocking density. Geosmin was not detected in either system, but the results were inconclusive given its higher LOD. These limited results suggest that the anaerobic water treatment components, present only in the more sophisticated RAS, maintained the level of 2-MIB below the LOD.
A tale of two explanations: Enhancing human trust by explaining robot behavior

The ability to provide comprehensive explanations of chosen actions is a hallmark of intelligence. Lack of this ability impedes the general acceptance of AI and robot systems in critical tasks. This paper examines what forms of explanations best foster human trust in machines and proposes a framework in which explanations are generated from both functional and mechanistic perspectives. The robot system learns from human demonstrations to open medicine bottles using (i) an embodied haptic prediction model to extract knowledge from sensory feedback, (ii) a stochastic grammar model induced to capture the compositional structure of a multistep task, and (iii) an improved Earley parsing algorithm to jointly leverage both the haptic and grammar models. The robot system not only shows the ability to learn from human demonstrators but also succeeds in opening new, unseen bottles. Using different forms of explanations generated by the robot system, we conducted a psychological experiment to examine what forms of explanations best foster human trust in the robot. We found that comprehensive and real-time visualizations of the robot’s internal decisions were more effective in promoting human trust than explanations based on summary text descriptions. In addition, forms of explanation that are best suited to foster trust do not necessarily correspond to the model components contributing to the best task performance. This divergence shows a need for the robotics community to integrate model components to enhance both task execution and human trust in machines.
Changes in emergency department dental visits after Medicaid expansion.

Objectives To estimate the effect of Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) on the frequency and payment source for Emergency Department (ED) visits for dental care. Study design Retrospective, quasi-experimental study. Data sources/study setting We used the State Emergency Department Database to compare changes in ED visit rates and payment source for dental conditions among patients from 33 states. These states represent four distinct policy environments, based on whether they expanded Medicaid and whether their Medicaid programs provide dental benefits. We first assessed the number of ED dental visits before (2012) and after (2014) the ACA. Then, we used differences-in-differences regression to estimate changes in insurance for dental visits by nonelderly adults. Principal findings Our sample contained 375 944 dental ED visits. In states that expanded Medicaid and offered dental coverage, dental ED visits decreased by 14.1 percent (from 19 443 to 16 709, for a net difference of 2734). By contrast, in the remaining three state groups, dental ED visits rose. Meanwhile, the expansion significantly increased Medicaid coverage and decreased the rate of self-pay for ED dental visits. Conclusions Medicaid expansion, combined with adult dental coverage in Medicaid, was associated with a reduction in ED utilization for dental visits.
Automated Measurement of Plasma Cell-Free Hemoglobin Using the Hemolysis Index Check Function.

BACKGROUND The Roche Cobas chemistry analyzer's hemolysis index (HI) check function can directly report hemoglobin (Hb) concentrations. We aimed to validate the HI check function for the measurement of plasma cell-free Hb. METHODS Plasma samples (6 μl) were taken by the analyzer and diluted in normal saline to measure the absorbance for Hb at 570 and 600 nm. Hb concentrations were calculated based on the molar extinction coefficient. Imprecision, lower limit of quantification (LLOQ), and analytical measurement range (AMR) of the assay were evaluated. The accuracy was determined by comparing the results between the new method and an existing spectrophotometric method. We further studied interference of icterus and lipemia and carryover. The performance of the assay in proficiency testing was also evaluated. The reference range was transferred from the existing method. RESULTS Within-run and total CVs were 1.7%-4.2% and 2.1%-7.0%, respectively (n = 20). The LLOQ was 11 mg/dL (CV = 8.1%) with the upper limit of AMR of 506 mg/dL. The results of the new method correlated well with the existing reference assay: Y (new method) = 0.974 x (reference method) + 4.9, r = 0.9990, n = 52. Bilirubin with a concentration up to 60 mg/dL and lipemic index up to 389 did not show significant interference. No significant carryover was detected. The average standard deviation index in proficiency testing was 0.03 ± 0.29. The reference range was <22 mg/dL. CONCLUSIONS Plasma cell-free Hb measurement using the HI check function meets the analytical requirements of the plasma cell-free Hb assays. It is simple and cost-effective.
On the Use of Option Grants as a Retention Tool

We report that when states adopt a doctrine that reduces the risk that employees transfer to rival firms, affected firms respond by cutting option grants to both executives and rank-and-file (R&F) employees, especially if the firms have high R&D and nearby rivals. The reverse occurs if the states later reject the same doctrine. Our results suggest that firms actively use options to retain employees who are at risk of transferring proprietary intellectual capital to rival firms. The results further suggest that the firms’ decision-makers view the labor markets for both executives and R&F employees to be geographically segmented.
PD-1 Blockade in Chinese versus Western Patients with Melanoma

In this trial of programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) blockade with toripalimab in previously treated Chinese patients with melanoma, unique histologic and molecular features may explain why the objective response rate is lower than those defined in Western populations. This work suggests future avenues for investigating mechanisms of melanoma formation and resistance to PD-1 blockade.See related article by Tang et al., p. 4250.
A comparison of the participation levels of Taiwanese children with autism spectrum disorders in inclusive vs. segregated settings

The aim of this study was to help educators and clinicians better identify and understand the various participation levels of Taiwanese children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) in two differe...
Tetralogy of fallot going too fast

We present a case of a 36-year-old man with tetralogy of Fallot status post repair who developed wide complex tachycardia at a rate of 210 bpm during cardiopulmonary exercise tolerance test. During electrophysiology study, rapid atrial stimulation induced sustained atrial flutter with an atrial cycle length of 240 ms. Atrial flutter was successfully eliminated by creating a complete line of block between the tricuspid annulus and the Eustachian ridge.
Closed-Form Optimal Impulsive Control of Spacecraft Formations Using Reachable Set Theory

This paper addresses the spacecraft relative orbit reconfiguration problem of minimizing the delta-v cost of impulsive control actions while achieving a desired state in fixed time. The problem is ...
Social Capital and Its Impacts on Prison Life: Is Visitation a Conduit?:

This paper examines how social capital prior to incarceration may contribute to experiences during incarceration and whether visitation allows social capital to have protective effects. We investig...
Weighing benefit and risk of using plasma exchange for treatment of refractory demyelination

Researchers from the National Pediatric Hospital in Buenos Aires, Argentina, describe their experience with therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) for refractory inflammatory central nervous system (CNS) attacks in children over the course of nearly 15 years.
Populism Is Always Gendered and Dangerous.

This article argues that populism is always gendered and dangerous to women and democracy. The distinctive reliance on the polarization of ‘us” and ‘them” in populism draws on nationalist notions of exclusive belonging, the need for closure to protect the “us” from would be infiltrators, and observance of proscribed gendered roles to ensure the continued rule of the majority (race/ethno-nation). The reproduction of the “us” is too crucial to leave unregulated, and gendered bodies are too vulnerable to violation and occupation to go without vigilance, that is, without surveillance and demographic policing. Gendered narratives support the anti-immigration features of populism and its curbs on democratic institutions, both in the service of national recovery and in its identification of potentially disloyal, suspect voices from within the demos.
The dynamics of dental nursing

Charlotte Mercer dropped out of school after failing her first year of A levels, found an advert in the newspaper for an apprentice dental nurse position and, nine years later, she is still doing it…
Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and risk for genitourinary infections in older adults with type 2 diabetes.

Background and aims:Although landmark clinical trials have demonstrated an increased risk for genitourinary infection (GUI) after initiation of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) the...
A Snapshot of FOIA Administration: Examining Recent Trends to Inform Future Research

This article provides a snapshot of the administration of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) in the U.S. federal government. Specifically, using data from all federal government agencies from 2008 to 2016, the article examines indicators of FOIA caseloads, including requests, exemptions, denials, appeals, and backlogs, and FOIA management capacity, including staff, financial issues, and processing times. The snapshot not only highlights recent trends in the administration of FOIA but also informs future research by identifying areas that deserve additional attention, revealing potential sampling or case identification strategies for empirical work, and shedding light on variables that may have implications for theory building.
Myeloid PTEN deficiency aggravates renal inflammation and fibrosis in angiotensin II-induced hypertension

Hypertension is a major cause of chronic kidney disease. However, the pathogenesis of hypertensive kidney disease is not fully understood. Recently, we have shown that CXCL16/phosphoinositide-3 kinase γ (PI3Kγ) plays an important role in the development of renal inflammation and fibrosis in angiotensin II (AngII) induced hypertensive nephropathy. In the present study, we examined the role of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), a major regulator of PI3K signaling, in the pathogenesis of renal inflammation and fibrosis in an experimental model of hypertension induced by AngII. We generated myeloid PTEN conditional knockout mice by crossing PTENflox/flox mice with LysM-driven Cre mice. Littermate LysM-Cre- / - PTENflox/flox mice were used as a control. Both myeloid PTEN knockout mice and their littermate control mice exhibited similar blood pressure at baseline. AngII treatment resulted in an increase in blood pressure that was comparable between myeloid PTEN knockout mice and littermate control mice. Compared with littermate control mice, myeloid PTEN knockout mice developed more severe kidney dysfunction, proteinuria, and fibrosis following AngII treatment. Furthermore, myeloid PTEN deficiency exacerbated total collagen deposition and extracellular matrix protein production and enhanced myeloid fibroblast accumulation and myofibroblast formation in the kidney following AngII treatment. Finally, myeloid PTEN deficiency markedly augmented infiltration of F4/80+ macrophages and CD3+ T cells into the kidneys of AngII-treated mice. Taken together, these results indicate that PTEN plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of renal inflammation and fibrosis through the regulation of infiltration of myeloid fibroblasts, macrophages, and T lymphocytes into the kidney.
Energy Cost of Isometric Exercise

Abstract The metabolic cost of static exercise was studied in relation to work load. The exercise consisted of the subjects holding 50-, 35-, and 20-lb. weights with the knees partially flexed. Rather sizable oxygen requirements and oxygen debts were obtained, which seemed to increase linearly as the size of the weight increased. When compared with available data on dynamic work of equivalent metabolic cost, the results showed significantly smaller oxygen income and larger oxygen debt for the static exercise. These findings supported the theory that the local circulation was being occluded by the muscle tension during this type of exercise.
Differentiated Intellectual Property Regimes for Environmental and Climate Technologies

Prior to the Copenhagen meeting on developing a new framework for climate-change policy there were sharp differences between the positions of developed and developing countries regarding the role of intellectual property rights (IPRs) in fostering international technology transfer (ITT). Expanding effective ITT is central to meeting needs for acquiring and adapting environmentally sound technologies (ESTs) in poor nations. Policymakers in developed economies generally view IPRs, particularly patents and trade secrets, as positive and critical inducements to ITT, while those in developing countries often describe them as sources of market power that impede access to new technology. This report reviews the economic logic of these positions and reviews available empirical evidence. The relationships among IPRs, innovation, ITT and local adaptation are complex and neither of the basic views described captures them well. Policy should be based on a more nuanced view. In that regard, to date there is little systematic evidence that patents and other IPRs restrict access to ESTs, which largely exist in sectors based on mature technologies in which there are numerous substitutes among global competitors. This situation may change as new technologies based on biotechnologies and synthetic fuels, which are likely to be more dependent on patent protection, become more prominent. At present, however, there is little evidence to support significant limitations on the issuance and use of IPRs in this area. In particular, it is unlikely that an international agreement on a compulsory licensing regime could achieve significant ITT benefits, while it may raise considerable costs. However, there may be scope for beneficial differentiation in patent rights, which is the primary subject of the report. Among these elements include ex ante extensions of patent terms tied to licensing commitments, expedited patent examinations in ESTs, investments in patent transparency and landscaping efforts, and facilitation of voluntary patent pools. The report argues that such changes are unlikely to achieve significant gains in innovation and ITT unless they are accompanied by broader policy approaches, including publicly financed fiscal supports for local technology needs and adaptation. Perhaps most important are finding means to raise the global costs of using carbon-based energy resources and improving the climate for investments in poor countries.
Studies on 4-aminopyrazolo(3, 4-d)pyrimidine: growth inhibition and relief in Neurospora crassa.

An analogue of adenine, 4-aminopyrazolo(3,4d)pyrimidine (4-APP), has recently been shown to be a potential antineoplastic agent. Skipper, Robins, and Thomson (1955) demonstrated that the growth of an adenocarcinoma and two leukemias of the mouse was inhibited or retarded by the administration of 4-APP. Hsu, Robins and Cheng (1956) showed that 4-aminopyrazolo(3,4d)pyrimidine exerts differential damage to malignant and nonmalignant tissues in vitro. In our laboratories adenocarcinoma E-0771 of the mouse was also found to be significantly inhibited by this agent, even after the tumor transplants had taken for seven days. Recent microbiological studies of the effect of 6-mercaptopurine on Lactobacillus casei (Elion, Singer, and Hitchings, 1954) and on Streptococcus faecalU (Hutchison, 1954) indicated that investigations of potential cancer chemotherapeutic agents with microorganisms are highly desirable, and constitute a useful system for primary screening. The ascomycete, Neurospora, seems to offer a good test system for screening because it grows fast and requires only inorganic salts, a carbon source, and a trace of biotin for growth, which can be easily measured by its dry mycelial weight. Since organic substances are not essential in the medium of Neurospora, their effects on the action of analogues in question can be eliminated whereas in Lactobacillus and Streptococcus, which require more complex media for growth, the problem is actually more complicated. Furthermore, Neurospora has been used extensively in genetic studies, and a large number of
Analysis of multiple-foil XRL targets using X-ray spectroscopy

Multiple-foil collisional excitation X-ray laser targets have been studies spectroscopically. Using spatially resolved 3d-2p X-ray spectra, the temperatures and densities obtained in single- and double-foil geometries have been compared. The ratio of the dipole transitions to the electric quadrupole transitions in the neonlike species has been used as a density diagnostic. An average-ion atomic physics model has been used to describe the ionization process, and a relativistic atomic physics code has been used for calculation of the level energies, populations, and gain calculations. The results confirm that the double-foils provide higher densities and in some cases concave density profiles. The extreme ultraviolet spectra in the range of 20-300 AA show the effect of target geometry and incident laser intensity on the laser lines and the ionization balance. >
PROBLEMS REAL AND IMPOSED IN THE DISCIPLINE OF SOCIOLOGY

According to some, sociology is in deep trouble (Cole 1994; Coughlin 1992; Horowitz 1993; Kantrowitz 1992; Marsland 1988). While the dtscipline has undergone metamorphoses offonn and substance in the past decade, many sociologists and nonsociologista are concerned that sociology is endangered as an academic discipline, or, at the very least, is declining in quality of scholarship, graduate reauitment and training, and inpact on policy. At first glance, the current state of sociology seems a rather confusing mixture of good and bad news. Some measures Indicate that the discipline is thriving while other accounts say that sociology has serious problems. The mixture of messages can be understood in light of sociologists having been convtnced by anti-sociologists the we are doing a poor job. Moreover, a false negative imagery comes from a comparason of sociology to other academic disciplines tn which sociology is described as comtng up short and in which sociologists are described as nonscientists. The authorscontendthatmanyofthe criticismsofsocio~ are not valid and are not different from those that could be levied against any scientific discipline. Recommendations to abrogate criticisms of sociology are offered.