cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Lungenrundherde unklarer Dignität und Stadien: verbesserte Diagnostik und Therapie mittels thorakoskopischer Resektion

The indeterminate pulmonary nodule: improved diagnosis and therapy with thoracoscopic resection. Since 1990, thoracoscopic resections (or video-assisted thoracic surgery — VATS) were performed for 255 pulmonary nodules on 193 patients, 33 of which had undergone preoperative CT-guided needle localization for intraoperative guidance. All thoracoscopic resections were well tolerated with minor operative morbidity and improved postoperative pain and shoulder mobility, and all pulmonary nodules were successfully identified by TR with a conversion rate to open thoracotomy of 6%. TR is an accurate and reliable diagnostic means for pulmonary nodules not amenable to less invasive diagnostic techniques, and has therapeutic potential for primary lung cancer in cases of limited pulmonary reserve.
Prior Knowledge Base Of Constellations And Bright Stars Among Non-Science Majoring Undergraduates And 14-15 Year Old Students

As part of an effort to improve students’ knowledge of constellations and bright stars in an introductory level descriptive astronomy survey course, we measured the baseline knowledge that students bring to the class and how their score evolve over the course of the semester. This baseline is needed by the broader astronomy education research community for future comparisons about which strategies and environments are the best for learning the stars and constellations. As a comparison group, we also examined the baseline knowledge of 14-15 year old, 9 th grade students from the United States. 664 university students averaged 2.04±0.08 on a constellation knowledge survey, while 46 additional students averaged higher at 8.23±0.23. The large, lower scoring group is found to have the same knowledge level as the 14-15 year old 9 th grade students which scored 1.79±0.13. The constellations most often identified correctly were Orion and Ursa Major. For the star portion of the survey, which was only given to the university students, we found essentially no statistically significant prior knowledge for the 17 brightest stars surveyed. The average score for the stars was 1.05±0.05, as expected for guessing, although Polaris and Betelgeuse are labeled correctly more often than any other stars.
Laparoscopic splenectomy in the management of immune thrombocytopenia purpura

The role of splenectomy in the management of immune thrombocytopenia purpura is well known. Recent improvements in laparoscopic technology have significantly expanded the variety of general surgical procedures amenable to a minimally invasive approach. An initial experience of four cases of immune thrombocytopenic purpura managed by laparoscopic splenectomy is presented. The entire procedure was completed under laparoscopic guidance in three of four cases, and a counterincision was required to control bleeding in one patient. The procedure is performed with five operating ports including a camera port, two retraction ports, and two dissection ports. Dissection begins at the lower pole of the spleen and progresses cephalad to the hilum where major vessels are individually ligated and divided. The short gastric vessels are divided with a linear laparoscopic stapler. The lateral peritoneal attachments are divided, and the spleen is removed intact through a 6 cm fascial incision at the umbilicus. Laparoscopic splenectomy appears to be a safe and efficacious procedure that is useful in the management of certain hematologic diseases and may ultimately be performed for a variety of pathologic conditions involving the spleen.
Sexual knowledge acquisition and retention for individuals with autism

Healthy Relationships & Autism is a developmentally sequenced, manualized intervention intended for children and adolescents with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The curriculum is designed to facilitate healthy interpersonal relationships; three modules cover personal hygiene, sexual knowledge, and a variety of productive interpersonal relations. The current study investigates the effectiveness of the strategies used to increase sexual knowledge for individuals with ASD. Specifically, short step-by-step concrete explanations that are paired with visual modeling and repeated practice accompanied by corrective feedback were delivered to six adolescents who showed a wide range of functional abilities. Pre, post, and one month follow-up measures show that the HR curriculum was effective in increasing sexual knowledge acquisition and retention regardless of the child's level of difficulties.
Effect of Poly vinyl Pyrrolidone on Plasma Coagulation Factors.

SummaryAddition of poly vinyl pyrroli-done to plasma in concentrations optimal for preservation of red blood cells in the frozen state results in formation of a gross precipitate. Removal of this precipitate by centrifu-gation takes with it almost all of the plasma nbrinogen and antihemophilic factor and variable amounts of other coagulation factors. Prior to centrifugation, the precipitate demonstrates far less interference with coagulation factor activity.
Synthesis and Defect Investigation of Two-Dimensional Molybdenum Disulfide Atomic Layers

ConspectusThe unique physical properties of two-dimensional (2D) molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) and its promising applications in future optoelectronics have motivated an extensive study of its physical properties. However, a major limiting factor in investigation of 2D MoS2 is its large area and high quality preparation. The existence of various types of defects in MoS2 also makes the characterization of defect types and the understanding of their roles in the physical properties of this material of critical importance.In this Account, we review the progress in the development of synthetic approaches for preparation of 2D MoS2 and the understanding of the role of defects in its electronic and optical properties. We first examine our research efforts in understanding exfoliation, direct sulfurization, and chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of MoS2 monolayers as main approaches for preparation of such atomic layers. Recognizing that a natural consequence of the synthetic approaches is the addition of sources of ...
Ristocetin-lnduced Platelet Aggregate Formation and Adherence to the Probe of an Impedance Aggregometer

The examination of the interaction between ristocetin and platelets generally is performed in an optical aggregometer where aggregate formation is detected by a change in turbidity. Ristocetin also will induce conductivity changes in an impedance aggregometer with either fresh whole blood or fresh plateletrich plasma due to aggregate attachment to the electrical probe. Formaldehyde-fixed platelets, however, do not attach, and although fresh platelets agglutinate at extremes of pH, probe adhesion does not occur unless the pH is within a certain range. Incubation of platelet preparations with neuraminidase, colchicine, or cytochalasin-b affects neither aggregate formation nor probe adherence. Incubation of platelet preparations with a fibronectin tetrapeptide inhibitor eliminates aggregate formation in response to collagen but is without effect on ristocetin-inducedattachment of aggregates to the impedance probe. It is suggested that the ability of platelet aggregates to attach to an impedance probe in response to ristocetin is dependent on additional aspects of the functional integrity of platelet preparations and that these changes required for probe adherence may have in vivo significance.
Laser-assisted Spectroscopy and Spectrometry

Laser-based spectroscopy and spectrometry were extensively investigated in nanoscience, materials science, biomedical science, and others. Different lasers with wavelengths from ultraviolet to infrared, and with duration from continuous-wave (CW) to femtoseconds have been employed in various spectroscopic techniques to investigate the properties of materials and nanostructures. However, the sensitivity, spectral resolution, and spatial resolution of these techniques still need to be improved to better serve the purposes of detecting and analyzing various materials. The objective of our research was to improve the sensitivity, spectral resolution, and spatial resolution of different laser-based spectroscopy and spectrometry techniques, such as tip- and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS and SERS), coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy (CARS), optical emission spectroscopy (OES), laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), and laser-assisted mass spectrometry (LAMS).
Metal Complexes of Polyoxyethylene Alkyloylamide as Antistatic Agents for PVC

Several metal complexes were sythesized by the reaction of polyoxyethylene alkylamine with chlorides of some metals, such as calcium, barium, magnecium, zinc, tin, manganees, copper, nickel, cobalt, iron.Another metal complexes were prepared from some inorganic and organic acid salts. These salts used were sulfate, nitrate, perchlorate, p-toluene sulfonate, benzoate, phthalate, maleate, sebacate and several fatty carboxylates.The properties of these metal complexes as internal antistatic agents for PVC were evaluated by measuring the frictional charge generated and charge decay by Rotary Static Tester, and these were found to be effective antistatic agents with good thermal stability. The most effective range of the moles of ethylene oxide added was about 10 to 15.Metal complexes made from metallic chloride were generally good antistatic agents, and among the fatty acid salts, calcium and cupric acetate gave the most effective complexes. Organic acid metal complexes, except p-toluene sulfonic acid salt, were less effective.
The Locomotion of the Cockroach Periplaneta Americana

1. The locomotion of free, intact cockroaches, Periplaneta americana , was studied with the aid of high speed motion pictures. 2. The insects used a single gait, alternating triangle, at all speeds of locomotion 5-80 cm/s) except the very lowest ones (below 5 cm/s). 3. Both forward (protraction) and rearward (retraction) movements of the legs relative to the body decreased in duration as the insect9s rate of forward progression increased, but at different rates. In addition, protraction was usually shorter for the two middle legs than for the remaining four. 4. The ratio of protraction to retraction increased as the locomotor rate increased. The rate of change of this ratio was the same for each of the legs. 5. Phase relationships between adjacent ipsilateral legs were constant at about 0.5 at all walking speeds above about 5 cm/s. Phase between legs in a single segment (i.e. contralateral pairs) was constant at about 0.5 at all speeds. 6. The locomotion of Periplaneta was compared to that of other insects. Despite the differences, a single mechanism could account for walking in each.
A distributed timing analysis framework for large designs

Given ever-increasing circuit complexities, recent trends are driving the requirement for distributed timing analysis (DTA) in electronic design automation (EDA) tools. However, DTA has received little research attention so far and remains a critical problem. In this paper, we introduce a DTA framework for large designs. Our framework supports (1) general design partitions in distributed file systems, (2) non-blocking IO with event-driven loop for effective communication and computation overlap, and (3) an efficient messaging interface between application and network layers. The effectiveness and scalability of our framework has been evaluated on large hierarchical industry designs over a cluster with hundreds of machines.
P03.03 Seroprevalence of chlamydia trachomatis (ct) in american children and adolescents – implications for vaccine development

Background CT remains the most prevalent sexually transmitted infection in developed and developing countries. Prevention of infection is an ideal application for a vaccine program. Similar to the HPV vaccine, the timing of immunisation for a future CT vaccine should optimally precede sexual debut. However, there are limited epidemiologic studies of CT infection in an unselected paediatric and adolescent population since universal screening and treatment of pregnant women was implemented in the US in 1993. Objective To determine current seroepidemiology of CT infection in children in a US inner city population. Design/methods Anonymized serum samples were obtained from children in 2 hospitals in Brooklyn, NY from 2012–2015. CT IgG was determined using EIA (Ani Labsystems). The following age strata were used: 11–12, 13–14, 15–16, 17–18, 19–20 y. Results 512 sera were included in the final analysis. Mean age 17 y. There were 192 (37.5%) males and 320 (62.5%) females. CT antibody was first detected at 16 y and 18 y for females and males, respectively. The prevalence per age-cohort were: Females: 11–14 y-0, 15–16 y- 3.64%, 17–18 y -15.9%, 19–20 y -14.75%; Males: 11–16 y- 0, 17–18 y- 8.51%, 18–20 y- 9.33%. Conclusions The prevalence of antibody was higher in girls than their male counterparts, mirroring national trends based on NAATs. Antibody was first detected in females at 16 y and males at 17 y, reflecting sexual debut. Prior data from this cohort found antibody in% infants
TH-CD-BRA-11: Implementation and Evaluation of a New 3D Dosimetry Protocol for Validating MRI Guided Radiation Therapy Treatments

Purpose: To develop, evaluate and apply a novel high-resolution 3D remote dosimetry protocol for validation of MRI guided radiation therapy treatments (MRIdian by ViewRay™). We demonstrate the first application of the protocol (including two small but required new correction terms) utilizing radiochromic 3D plastic PRESAGE™ with optical-CT readout. Methods: A detailed study of PRESAGE™ dosimeters (2kg) was conducted to investigate the temporal and spatial stability of radiation induced optical density change (ΔOD) over 8 days. Temporal stability was investigated on 3 dosimeters irradiated with four equally-spaced square 6MV fields delivering doses between 10cGy and 300cGy. Doses were imaged (read-out) by optical-CT at multiple intervals. Spatial stability of ΔOD response was investigated on 3 other dosimeters irradiated uniformly with 15MV extended-SSD fields with doses of 15cGy, 30cGy and 60cGy. Temporal and spatial (radial) changes were investigated using CERR and MATLAB's Curve Fitting Tool-box. A protocol was developed to extrapolate measured ΔOD readings at t=48hr (the typical shipment time in remote dosimetry) to time t=1hr. Results: All dosimeters were observed to gradually darken with time (<5% per day). Consistent intra-batch sensitivity (0.0930±0.002 ΔOD/cm/Gy) and linearity (R2=0.9996) was observed at t=1hr. A small radial effect (<3%) was observed, attributed to curing thermodynamics during manufacture. The refined remote dosimetry protocol (including polynomial correction terms for temporal and spatial effects, CT and CR) was then applied to independent dosimeters irradiated with MR-IGRT treatments. Excellent line profile agreement and 3D-gamma results for 3%/3mm, 10% threshold were observed, with an average passing rate 96.5%± 3.43%. Conclusion: A novel 3D remote dosimetry protocol is presented capable of validation of advanced radiation treatments (including MR-IGRT). The protocol uses 2kg radiochromic plastic dosimeters read-out by optical-CT within a week of treatment. The protocol requires small corrections for temporal and spatially-dependent behaviors observed between irradiation and readout.
Making Virtue of Necessity (1939–1943)

The two years between the expiration of the 1935 ECN Agreement and the conclusion of the 1940 CN Treaty were marked by general international crises of one kind or another, culminating in the start of World War II in September 1939.
Immunoproteasome β5i-Selective Dipeptidomimetic Inhibitors.

N,C-capped dipeptides belong to a class of noncovalent proteasome inhibitors. Herein we report that the insertion of a β-amino acid into N,C-capped dipeptides markedly decreases their inhibitory potency against human constitutive proteasome β5c, while maintaining potent inhibitory activity against human immunoproteasome β5i, thereby achieving thousands-fold selectivity for β5i over β5c. Structure-activity relationship studies revealed that β5c does not tolerate the β-amino acid based dipeptidomimetics as does β5i. In vitro, one such compound was found to inhibit human T cell proliferation. Compounds of this class may have potential as therapeutics for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases with less mechanism-based cytotoxicity than agents that also inhibit the constitutive proteasome.
Abstract 4868: CODEX: a normalization and copy number variation detection method for whole-exome sequencing

Background: High throughput sequencing of DNA coding regions has become a common way of assaying genomic variation in the study of cancer. Copy number aberration (CNA) is an important type of genomic change, but detecting and characterizing CNA from whole-exome sequencing (WES) is challenging due to the high level of biases and artifacts. Methods: We propose CODEX, a normalization and CNA calling procedure for WES data. The Poisson latent factor model in CODEX includes terms that specifically remove biases due to GC content, exon capture and amplification efficiency, and latent systemic artifacts. CODEX also includes a Poisson likelihood-based recursive segmentation procedure that explicitly models the count-based WES data. CODEX can be used to detect both germline and somatic CNAs in cancer samples with or without matched normal. Results: Compared to existing approaches, CODEX is shown to be more effective in removing the biases in WES, and attains better sensitivity and specificity in detecting copy number aberrations by in silico spike-in studies. We further evaluate performance on 222 neuroblastoma samples with matched normal from the Therapeutically Applicable Research to Generate Effective Treatments (TARGET) Project. We carry out systematic genome-wide analysis and detailed characterization of both germline and somatic copy number events. With a focus on a well-studied rare somatic CNV within the ATRX gene, we show that the cross-sample normalization procedure of CODEX is more effective in removing noise than the standard pipeline of normalizing the tumor against the matched normal, and that the segmentation procedure performs well in detecting CNVs with recurrent complex nested structures. For detecting germline mutations, CODEX is compared to existing methods on a population analysis of HapMap samples from the 1000 Genomes Project, and shown to be perform well on three microarray-based validation data sets. Conclusions: The cross-sample normalization procedure of CODEX, when applied to the matrix of tumor and normal samples, is more effective in reducing noise than normalizing each tumor to its matched normal. The somatic deletions in the ATRX region have a nested structure, which CODEX was able to recover. Through multiple types of validation, CODEX is shown to be applicable to a wide range of study designs for copy number estimation using WES data. Citation Format: Yuchao Jiang, Derek A. Oldridge, Sharon J. Diskin, Nancy R. Zhang. CODEX: a normalization and copy number variation detection method for whole-exome sequencing. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 4868. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-4868
Disruption of the epithelial barrier during intestinal inflammation: Quest for new molecules and mechanisms

The intestinal epithelium forms a key protective barrier that separates internal organs from the harmful environment of the gut lumen. Increased permeability of the gut barrier is a common manifestation of different inflammatory disorders contributing to the severity of disease. Barrier permeability is controlled by epithelial adherens junctions and tight junctions. Junctional assembly and integrity depend on fundamental homeostatic processes such as cell differentiation, rearrangements of the cytoskeleton, and vesicle trafficking. Alterations of intestinal epithelial homeostasis during mucosal inflammation may impair structure and remodeling of apical junctions, resulting in increased permeability of the gut barrier. In this review, we summarize recent advances in our understanding of how altered epithelial homeostasis affects the structure and function of adherens junctions and tight junctions in the inflamed gut. Specifically, we focus on the transcription reprogramming of the cell, alterations in the actin cytoskeleton, and junctional endocytosis and exocytosis. We pay special attention to knockout mouse model studies and discuss the relevance of these mechanisms to human gastrointestinal disorders.
Using unmanned aerial vehicles and structure-from-motion photogrammetry to characterize sedimentary outcrops: An example from the Morrison Formation, Utah, USA

Abstract Recently developed data collection techniques allow for improved characterization of sedimentary outcrops. Here, we outline a workflow that utilizes unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and structure-from-motion (SfM) photogrammetry to produce sub-meter-scale outcrop reconstructions in 3-D. SfM photogrammetry uses multiple overlapping images and an image-based terrain extraction algorithm to reconstruct the location of individual points from the photographs in 3-D space. The results of this technique can be used to construct point clouds, orthomosaics, and digital surface models that can be imported into GIS and related software for further study. The accuracy of the reconstructed outcrops, with respect to an absolute framework, is improved with geotagged images or independently gathered ground control points, and the internal accuracy of 3-D reconstructions is sufficient for sub-meter scale measurements. We demonstrate this approach with a case study from central Utah, USA, where UAV-SfM data can help delineate complex features within Jurassic fluvial sandstones.
Validation of overactive bladder questionnaire (1-week recall version) in medically complex elderly patients with overactive bladder.

Introduction The 33-item Overactive Bladder questionnaire (OAB-q; 1-week recall version) has been psychometrically validated in middle-aged, generally healthy patients with overactive bladder. The present analysis was conducted to determine the psychometric validity of the OAB-q in medically complex elderly patients.
A Novel Method for Estimating Three-Dimensional Apical Vertebral Rotation Using Two-Dimensional Coronal Cobb Angle and Thoracic Kyphosis.

Abstract Study Design Retrospective cohort analysis. Objectives To use a large cohort of three-dimensional (3D) spinal reconstructions to create a simple mathematical formula capable of estimating 3D apical vertebral rotation (AVR) based on the correlation with routinely obtained two-dimensional (2D) measurements of scoliosis. Summary of Background Data Quantification of vertebral rotation in AIS using 2-dimensional (2D) imaging is inherently challenging as the axial plane cannot be directly visualized. Methods A database of 279 3D spinal reconstructions was queried for patients with thoracic major adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). 2D thoracic Cobb angle, T5–T12 thoracic kyphosis, pelvic incidence, sacral slope, and pelvic tilt were recorded. 3D AVR was calculated for each patient from 3D reconstructions. Patients were divided into development (n = 186) and validation (n = 93) cohorts. Within the development cohort, univariate analysis was performed between 2D measurements and 3D AVR with significance set at p Results Only 2D thoracic Cobb and T5–T12 thoracic kyphosis had significance in univariate (p R = 0.739, r 2 = 0.54). In testing with the validation cohort, the model proved generalizability ( R = 0.703) and had a mean absolute error Conclusions This model is capable of estimating 3D AVR given 2D thoracic Cobb and T5–T12 kyphosis. The accuracy of this method is comparable to previously reported methods of 2D axial rotation measurement. However, this model provides 3D axial rotation and requires no physical instruments, non-standard measurements, or software programs. Such a model is valuable for both routine evaluation of AIS and operative preparation. Level of Evidence Level II, diagnostic.
The Medical Home Model and Pediatric Asthma Symptom Severity: Evidence from a National Health Survey.

Abstract The objective was to investigate the association between receiving care under the medical home model and parental assessment of the severity of asthma symptoms. It was hypothesized that parents of children who received care under the medical home model reported less severe asthma symptoms compared with their counterparts, whose care did not meet the medical home criteria. Secondary analyses were conducted using cross-sectional data from the 2011–2012 National Survey of Children's Health. Children with asthma aged 0–17 years were included and classified as receiving care from the medical home if their care contained 5 components: a personal doctor, a usual source of sick care, family-centered care, no problems getting referrals, and effective care coordination. Ordinal logistic regression was used to examine the relationship between parent-rated severity of asthma symptoms (mild, moderate, and severe symptoms) and the medical home. Approximately 52% of 8229 children who reported having asthma rece...
Translating evidence-based treatments into child welfare services through community-university partnerships: A case example of parent-child interaction therapy

Abstract Children served by the child welfare system count among society's most vulnerable members given their history of abuse, neglect, and other potentially traumatic experiences. Once they enter the system, however, these children seldom receive empirically validated interventions to mitigate the effects of trauma. This article highlights the promise of parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT), an evidence-based treatment (EBT) for trauma-exposed children in the child welfare system. Barriers to implementing PCIT and other EBTs in child welfare are discussed along with ways that community-university partnerships can help to navigate these barriers. Preliminary supporting evidence from a community-university partnership in Wisconsin is presented, followed by a set of recommendations for future work aimed at translating science into practice.
Cancelling pesticide registrations and revoking tolerances: The case of chlorpyrifos.

Abstract Petitions submitted to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have sought to cancel registrations of chlorpyrifos and to revoke chlorpyrifos tolerances in or on food due to adverse health effects on people. Under federal law, tolerances for pesticide chemical residues in or on food must provide with reasonable certainty that no harm will result from a person's aggregate exposure. Petitioners’ claims are analyzed under the legal requirements to discern whether the EPA had a rational basis for issuing its 2017 Chlorpyrifos Order denying the requests for cancellation of registrations and revocation of tolerances. The scientific evidence considered by the EPA indicated that existing tolerances do not protect people from unsafe levels of chlorpyrifos. Under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, tolerances need to be revoked if they do not protect human health. In refusing to recognize that chlorpyrifos tolerances do not comply with federal law, the EPA’s 2017 Chlorpyrifos Order appears to be arbitrary and capricious.
Energy dissipation analysis of elastic-plastic materials

Abstract Presented is an energy dissipation analysis framework for granular material that is based on thermodynamics. Theoretical formulations are derived from the second law of thermodynamics, in conjunction with a few plausible assumptions on energy transformation and dissipation. The role of plastic free energy is emphasized by a conceptual experiment showing its physical nature. Theoretical formulation is adapted in order to be applied in elastic–plastic finite element method (FEM) simulations. Developed methodology is verified through comparison of input work, stored energy, and energy dissipation of the system. Separation of plastic work into plastic free energy and energy dissipation removes a common mistake, made in a number of publications, where energy dissipation can attain negative values (energy production) which is impossible.
Technology and the Transformation of Persons

Christian educators need proactive criteria to explore the nature of personal transformation in conversation with new insights from science and technology. Many current approaches treat technology ...
Differential effects of the retinopathy of prematurity exam on the physiology of premature infants.

OBJECTIVE To compare the differential effects of the retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) examination on the physiology of premature infants with and without oxygen support. STUDY DESIGN We collected data from 42 premature infants (room air = 19, oxygen support = 23) and compared physiological metrics including heart rate (HR), systemic peripheral saturation (SpO2), mesenteric tissue oxygen saturation (StO2) and clinical events (oxygen desaturation episodes, bradycardia events, and gastric residuals). RESULTS We found significant differences between groups in HR during and briefly after the exam, and in mesenteric StO2, during eye drop administration, eye exam, and up to 8 min after the exam. SpO2 was significantly different between the groups at all time points. Gastric residuals were higher after the exam in infants on oxygen support, compared to baseline. CONCLUSION Premature infants on oxygen support may be at a higher risk of adverse physiologic effects in response to the ROP exam.
Another Look at the Enclave Economy Thesis: Chinese Immigrants in the Ethnic Labor Market

(1991). Another Look at the Enclave Economy Thesis: Chinese Immigrants in the Ethnic Labor Market. Amerasia Journal: Vol. 17, No. 3, pp. 5-21.
Crystallographic and compositional analysis of impurity phase U2MoSi2C in UMo alloys

Abstract Impurity phases in metallic nuclear materials can critically influence the microstructural evolution and mechanical properties, making it crucial to understand their structure, composition, and distribution. Using transmission electron microscopy, atom probe tomography, and ab initio calculations, we provide the atomic-scale crystallographic structural and compositional analysis of an impurity phase, U2MoSi2C, in an important nuclear fuel U 10Mo alloy. We identify this phase as having tetragonal symmetry with lattice parameters of a = 6.67 A and c = 4.33 A, and space group P4/mbm (No.127). Ab initio calculations were performed to verify structural stability and to perform atom position refinement.
The psychological and aesthetic impact of age-related hair changes in females.

Background While dermatologists focus on practices to promote anti-aging, thinning hair that frames a more rejuvenated face can affect age perception and cosmesis. Objectives To characterize the effects of age-related hair changes on age determination and perceived attractiveness. Methods A search was conducted for articles on intrinsic and extrinsic aging as it relates to hair. Key studies on the hair aging process and its effects on self-perception, confidence, and anti-aging were reviewed. Results According to several studies, hair density peaks about 27 years of age or earlier and then decreases from the mid-thirties onward. This serves as an opportunity to prevent or treat hair loss in a similar way we treat aging skin. Without optimizing appearance of hair, overall cosmesis to foster self-perception can be curtailed despite multiple efforts to rejuvenate and restore the aging face. Conclusion The discrepancy between rejuvenated faces and thinner appearing hair that frames the face highlights the importance of a holistic approach to the anti-aging consultation. To more comprehensively address the aesthetic patient, we need to promote awareness of the onset of these hair changes in order to incorporate prevention and therapeutic strategies to preserve hair to complement overall appearance.
Population Management: A Tool to Improve Timely Care in Pediatric and Young Adult Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Background. Maintenance of health leads to better outcomes in patients with chronic illness. ImproveCareNow, an international inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) quality improvement (QI) network, recommends maintenance-of-health visits twice a year. We identified a gap in care, with only 64% of IBD patients having documented visits within 200 days. Therefore, we sought to improve our follow-up rate to a goal of 80%. Methods. Using population management (PM) reports, we identified patient-, data-, and treatment-related reasons for no documented visit within 200 days. We used the Pareto chart, key drivers, and process flow mapping and implemented changes using Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles to improve follow-up visit rates. Outcomes were presented using a control run chart with pre- and post- intervention data. Results. The most common reasons for no visits were patient nonadherence with appointments (50%) and relocation/transition to an adult provider (25%). The median percentage of documented visits within 200 days increased from 64% to 83% ( ), and this increase has been sustained for one year. Conclusions. Using the PM tool and focused QI interventions improved data quality and the percentage of patients with a documented visit within 200 days. The process is simple and can be applied to patients with other chronic illnesses.
Soil and stand structure explain shrub mortality patterns following global change type-drought and extreme precipitation.

The probability of extreme weather events is increasing, with the potential for widespread impacts to plants, plant communities, and ecosystems. Reports of drought-related tree mortality are becoming more frequent, and there is increasing evidence that drought accompanied by high temperatures is especially detrimental. Simultaneously, extreme large precipitation events have become more frequent over the past century. Water-limited ecosystems may be more vulnerable to these extreme events than other ecosystems, especially when pushed outside of their historical range of variability. However, drought-related mortality of shrubs-an important component of dryland vegetation-remains understudied relative to tree mortality. In 2014, a landscape-scale die-off of the widespread shrub, big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata Nutt.), was reported in southwest Wyoming, following extreme hot and dry conditions in 2012 and extremely high precipitation in September of 2013. Here we examine how severe drought, extreme precipitation, soil texture and salinity, and shrub-stand characteristics contributed to this die-off event. At 98 plots within and around the die-off, we quantified big sagebrush mortality, characterized soil texture and salinity, and simulated soil-water conditions from 1916 to 2016 using an ecosystem water-balance model. We found that the extreme weather conditions alone did not explain patterns of big sagebrush mortality and did not result in extreme (historically unprecedented) soil-water conditions during the drought. Instead, plots with chronically dry soil conditions experienced greatest mortality following the global change-type (hot) drought in 2012. Furthermore, mortality was greater in locations with high potential run-on and low potential run-off where saturated soil conditions were simulated in September 2013, suggesting that extreme precipitation also played an important role in the die-off in these locations. In locations where drought alone contributed to mortality, stem density negatively impacted big sagebrush. In locations that may have been affected by both drought and saturation, however, mortality was greatest where stem density was lowest, suggesting that these locations may have already been less favorable to big sagebrush. Paradoxically, vulnerability to both extreme events (drought and saturation) was associated with finer-textured soils, and our results highlight the importance of soils in determining local variation of the vulnerability of dryland plants to extreme events.
Cosmological Arguments by Michael Almeida

The book discusses the structure, content, and evaluation of cosmological arguments. The introductory chapter investigates features essential to cosmological arguments. Traditionally, cosmological arguments are distinguished by their appeal to change, causation, contingency or objective becoming in the world. But none of these is in fact essential to the formulation of cosmological arguments. Chapters 1-3 present a critical discussion of traditional Thomistic, Kalam, and Leibnizian cosmological arguments, noting various advantages and disadvantages of these approaches. Chapter 4 offers an entirely new approach to the cosmological argument - the approach of theistic modal realism. The proper explananda of cosmological arguments on this approach is not change, causation, contingency or objective becoming in the world. The proper explananda is the totality of metaphysical reality - all actualia and all possibilia. The result is the most compelling and least objectionable version of the cosmological argument.
The Eﬀects of Physician and Hospital Integration on Medicare Beneﬁciaries’ Health Outcomes

We consider whether hospital acquisitions of physicians lead to improved clinical outcomes for Medicare patients aged 65 and older. The analysis combines 2005-2012 Medicare fee-for-service and enrollment data with merger and physician aﬃliation information from the Levin Reports and SK&A, respectively. The analysis uses propensity score matching and a discrete-time hazard model to determine the eﬀect of acquisitions on several health outcomes: mortality, acute myocardial infarctions, acute circulatory conditions, ischemic heart disease, glaucoma, symptomatic diabetes complications, and asymptomatic diabetes complications. These outcomes represent the progression of hypertension and diabetes into worse health states. Our results indicate that hospital acquisitions of existing physician practices have no statistically signiﬁcant clinical beneﬁts for the health outcomes we consider.
A Generalized Statistics-Based Model for Predicting Network-Induced Variability

Shared network topologies, such as dragonfly, subject applications to unavoidable inter-job interference arising from congestion on shared network links. Quantifying the impact of congestion is essential for effectively assessing and comparing the application runtimes. We use network performance counter-based metrics for this quantification. We claim and demonstrate that by using a local view of congestion captured through the counters monitored during a given application run, we can accurately determine the run conditions and thereby estimate the impact on the application's performance. We construct a predictive model that is trained using several applications with distinctive communication characteristics run under production system conditions with a 91% accuracy for predicting congestion effects.
Synergy of Immunotherapy and Radiosurgery

Metastatic brain tumors pose a clinical challenge with a high risk of morbidity and mortality for patients. Standard treatment options include surgery, whole-brain radiotherapy, and stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). Few biologic agents have shown efficacy for brain metastases. However, immunotherapy drugs are expanding the repertoire of treatment options for advanced stage cancers, including metastatic melanoma within the brain. Most of the progress with immunotherapy for cancer has been achieved with use of checkpoint inhibitors, which are monoclonal antibodies that target regulatory molecules on T cells. Blocking checkpoint signaling lowers the barrier for host T cell activation, including exhausted T cells in the tumor microenvironment, which unleashes anti-tumor immune responses. At the same time, radiation therapy promotes release of immunogenic signals that can promote anti-tumor immunity. This chapter will examine the function of T cells in tumor immunosurveillance, highlight features of CNS immunity and properties of the tumor immune microenvironment, evaluate the emerging role of radiation therapy as an adjuvant treatment with immunotherapy, and examine the rationale of combining modalities for brain metastases.
Cell therapy can enable minimization of immunosuppression.

Long-term immunosuppression in transplant recipients is associated with important adverse effects including increased risk of infection and malignancy. New data from the ONE Study suggests that use of cell-based medicinal products containing regulatory immune cells is a potentially useful therapeutic strategy to enable minimization of immunosuppression in these patients.
Managing pediatric chronic myeloid leukemia in Africa: the Botswana experience with two cases.

Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) is exceedingly rare in pediatric populations, accounting for 2 percent of cases of leukemia in children less than 15 years of age, and 9 percent of leukemias in adole...
A capabilities-based perspective on target selection in acquisitions

We develop a capabilities-based theory of acquirer target selection, arguing that acquirers will pursue both low capability targets in existing contexts to deploy existing capabilities, and high capability targets in new contexts to acquire new capabilities. These arguments are formalized in an analytical model that jointly considers the benefits and costs of acquisition as a function of target capability level and context. The predictions from this model are tested in the Chinese brewing industry (1998–2007), with results showing that acquirers strongly prefer inferior targets in existing geographic markets, but are relatively more likely to choose superior targets in new markets, especially if they have strong acquisition capabilities. Our study provides insight into the factors driving target selection, and contributes to a capabilities-based understanding of acquisitions.
HIV Disease in Pregnancy

This essay focuses on the concerns related to HIV that both health care consumers and health care providers bring to the gynecologic or obstetric setting. It begins with a recognition of the shared goals of consumers and providers, focusing on the role of trust that “must lie at the foundation of any successful provider-patient relationship”. It continues by noting the importance of the provider raising HIV-related issues and concerns with all sexually active patients, and not trying to perceive whether a particular patient might be at risk. The piece also provides some guidance to how providers should manage situations when a woman tests positive or negative, as well as when a patient chooses not to be tested for HIV. It explicitly rejects mandatory testing as a vehicle for facilitating access to HIV-related care. The essay concludes with the recommendation that all HIV-related public health policies be adapted as scientific information and medical treatment advances.
Compressive Features in Offline Reinforcement Learning for Recommender Systems.

In this paper, we develop a recommender system for a game that suggests potential items to players based on their interactive behaviors to maximize revenue for the game provider. Our approach is built on a reinforcement learning-based technique and is trained on an offline data set that is publicly available on an IEEE Big Data Cup challenge. The limitation of the offline data set and the curse of high dimensionality pose significant obstacles to solving this problem. Our proposed method focuses on improving the total rewards and performance by tackling these main difficulties. More specifically, we utilized sparse PCA to extract important features of user behaviors. Our Q-learning-based system is then trained from the processed offline data set. To exploit all possible information from the provided data set, we cluster user features to different groups and build an independent Q-table for each group. Furthermore, to tackle the challenge of unknown formula for evaluation metrics, we design a metric to self-evaluate our system's performance based on the potential value the game provider might achieve and a small collection of actual evaluation metrics that we obtain from the live scoring environment. Our experiments show that our proposed metric is consistent with the results published by the challenge organizers. We have implemented the proposed training pipeline, and the results show that our method outperforms current state-of-the-art methods in terms of both total rewards and training speed. By addressing the main challenges and leveraging the state-of-the-art techniques, we have achieved the best public leaderboard result in the challenge. Furthermore, our proposed method achieved an estimated score of approximately 20% better and can be trained faster by 30 times than the best of the current state-of-the-art methods.
Bo's'n's Whistle: Representing “Rosie the Riveter” on the Job

Abstract When the United States entered World War II, industrialist Henry J. Kaiser built three large shipyards on the Columbia River at Portland, Oregon, and nearby Vancouver, Washington. Like similar plants across America, the Kaiser shipyards employed a high number of female workers—collectively known as “Rosie the Riveter.” Kaiser also published a magazine for shipyard workers, Bo's'n's Whistle— an early example of an in-house employee publication. This article looks at the portrayal of female workers in this industrial magazine. While many researchers have examined mainstream media efforts to recruit women for wartime work, none have looked at how they were portrayed while on the job in a publication put out by the industry itself. The article argues that framing women in sexual language and as oddities on male turf may have been aimed at boosting male workers′ morale and that it ultimately furthered the goals of mainstream propaganda urging women to become housewives at war's end.
Mechanisms of regulation and functions of guanylyl cyclases.

Although enormous progress in understanding guanylyl cyclase structure and regulation has been recently made, many questions remain. There are now numerous guanylyl cyclase sequences, and signature sequences for discrete domains within these molecules can be identified. The majority of the guanylyl cyclases identified, however are orphan receptors. A primary goal, therefore, is the identification of ligands for the numerous orphan receptor guanylyl cyclases. Identification of these molecules may provide insight into systems such as vision and olfaction among others. In addition, it will be of interest to identify guanylyl cyclase regulatory proteins. These molecules may provide insight into guanylyl cyclase regulation and provide targets for other signaling pathways to modulate guanylyl cyclase activity. Finally, the information gained from structural studies of adenylyl cyclase has shed new light on the guanylyl cyclase catalytic domain, and raised the possibility of a previously unidentified regulatory pocket within the catalytic domain. Understanding the role of this potential regulatory region may provide new insight into not only guanylyl cyclase regulation, but numerous physiological processes.
The Relevance of Various Neutron Sources to Fusion-Reactor Radiation Effects

Primary-recoil spectra, damage-energy spectra, and rates for (n,2n), (n,p), and (n,α) reactions were calculated for niobium exposed to several neutron environments. Neutrons from the 9Be(d,n) react...