cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SU-F-J-102: Lower Esophagus Margin Implications Based On Rapid Computational Algorithm for SBRT

Purpose: To quantify inter-fraction esophagus-variation. Methods: Computed tomography and daily on-treatment 0.3-T MRI data sets for 7 patients were analyzed using a novel Matlab-based (Mathworks, Natick, MA) rapid computational method. Rigid registration was performed from the cricoid to the gastro-esophageal junction. CT and MR-based contours were compared at slice intervals of 3mm. Variation was quantified by “expansion,” defined as additional length in any radial direction from CT contour to MR contour. Expansion computations were performed with 360° of freedom in each axial slice. We partitioned expansions into left anterior, right anterior, right posterior, and left posterior quadrants (LA, RA, RP, and LP, respectively). Sample means were compared by analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Fisher's Protected Least Significant Difference test. Results: Fifteen fractions and 1121 axial slices from 7 patients undergoing SBRT for primary lung cancer (3) and metastatic lung disease (4) were analyzed, generating 41,970 measurements. Mean LA, RA, RP, and LP expansions were 4.30±0.05 mm, 3.71±0.05mm, 3.17±0.07, and 3.98±0.06mm, respectively. 50.13% of all axial slices showed variation > 5 mm in one or more directions. Variation was greatest in lower esophagus with mean LA, RA, RP, and LP expansion (5.98±0.09 mm, 4.59±0.09 mm, 4.04±0.16 mm, and 5.41±0.16 mm, respectively). The difference was significant compared to mid and upper esophagus (p<.0001). The 95th percentiles of expansion for LA, RA, RP, LP were 13.36 mm, 9.97 mm, 11.29 mm, and 12.19 mm, respectively. Conclusion: Analysis of on-treatment MR imaging of the lower esophagus during thoracic SBRT suggests margin expansions of 13.36 mm LA, 9.97 mm RA, 11.29 mm RP, 12.19 mm LP would account for 95% of measurements. Our novel algorithm for rapid assessment of margin expansion for critical structures with 360° of freedom in each axial slice enables continuously adaptive patient-specific margins which may reduce overlap with high-dose regions.
Stem Cells in Tissue Engineering

Growing stem cells in the laboratory is valuable for investigating their molecular characteristics and differentiation ability; however, long-term goals of making whole human organs for transplant into patients require some different approaches. A cell source for tissue engineering must be safe, abundant, non-invasive/easily harvested, and will result in long term. Cell source candidates include embryonic stem cells (ESCs), induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), and postnatal adult stem cells. ESCs are capable of extensive self-renewal and expansion and have the potential to differentiate into any type of somatic tissue. While these traits may make human ESCs seem promising for future use in regenerative medicine, it must be remembered that these are not autologous cells and consequently they will be rejected. iPSCs are derived from differentiated cells such as skin fibroblasts, and appear to have the same potential and properties to ES cells. Although the therapeutic potential of both ESCs and iPSCs is enormous due to their proliferative potential and pluripotentiality, there are still some limitations to their practical use because of cellular regulation of teratoma formation, ethical considerations, immune concerns regarding ESCs, and difficulties with genetic manipulation with respect to iPSCs. In contrast, postnatal adult stem cells are, by their nature, immunocompatible, and there are no ethical concerns related to their use. However, not all postnatal adult stem cells can be useful for tissue engineering because the number of cells that can be obtained is limited. In this chapter, the stem cells which are used as cell sources for tissue engineering are introduced.
The EEG in Chronic Headache Evaluation

A retrospective analysis of records of 312 children with chronic headache and review of EEGs in 257 are reported from the Tel Aviv Medical Center and University, Israel.
The Activating Protein-1 Transcriptional Complex: Essential and Multifaceted Roles in Bone

The activating protein-1 (AP-1) family of transcriptional mediators is composed of dimers of Jun and Fos family members that have other potential partners such as the activating transcription factor (ATF) and musculoaponeurotic fibrosarcoma (Maf) protein families as well. AP-1 is one of the first and most well-characterized transcriptional mediators known with noted impact described in the literature for most tissues in the body. The skeletal impact of AP-1 has been intensively investigated, and extensive information exists for the role of various AP-1 proteins in osteoblast and chondrocyte activities in vitro. Numerous genes important in skeletal biology such as the receptor activator of nuclear factor (NF)-ϰB-ligand (RANKL), osteocalcin (OCN), runx2, collagens, and bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) contain AP-1 sites in their promoters, and key hormonal controls of skeletogenesis rely on AP-1 for their activities. Gene-targeted murine models with loss and gain of function for the various AP-1 family members have been particularly informational in the understanding of AP-1 in bone. The complex signaling network that is emerging for osteoclast differentiation reveals a critical role for AP-1. The context of the AP-1, the composition of the dimerizations and the temporal presentation of the downstream activities of AP-1 are integral to the balance of osteoblast and osteoclast function.
Cost Effectiveness of a Novel Attempt to Reduce Readmission after Ileostomy Creation.

Background and objectives Dehydration is a common complication after ileostomy creation and is the most frequent reason for postoperative readmission to the hospital. We sought to determine the clinical and economic impact of an outpatient intervention to decrease readmissions for dehydration after ileostomy creation. Methods All new ileostomates from 09/2011 through 10/2012 at the University of Florida were enrolled to receive an ileostomy education and management protocol and a daily telephone call for 3 weeks after discharge. Counseling and medication adjustments were provided, with a satisfaction survey at the end. Outcomes of these patients were compared to those in a historical control cohort. A cost analysis was conducted to calculate the savings to the hospital. Results Thirty-eight patients were enrolled. All patients required telephone counseling, and the mean satisfaction score rating was 4.69, on a scale of 1 to 5. The readmission rate for dehydration within 30 days of discharge decreased significantly from 65% before intervention to 16% (5/32 patients) after intervention (P = .002). The length of readmission hospital stay decreased from a mean of 4.2 days before the introduction of the intervention to 3 days after. Cost analysis revealed that the actual total hospital cost of dehydration-specific readmission decreased from $88,858 to $25,037, a saving of $63,821. Conclusion A standardized ileostomy pathway with comprehensive patient education and outpatient telephone follow-up is cost effective, has a positive influence on patient satisfaction, and reduces dehydration-related readmission rates.
Newborn Mice Lacking the Gene for Cyp1a1 Are More Susceptible to Oxygen-Mediated Lung Injury, and Are Rescued by Postnatal β-Naphthoflavone Administration: Implications for Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia in Premature Infants.

Prolonged hyperoxia contributes to bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in preterm infants. β-Naphthoflavone (BNF) is a potent inducer of cytochrome P450 (CYP)1A enzymes, which have been implicated in hyperoxic injuries in adult mice. In this investigation, we tested the hypothesis that newborn mice lacking the Cyp1a1 gene would be more susceptible to hyperoxic lung injury than wild-type (WT) mice and that postnatal BNF treatment would rescue this phenotype by mechanisms involving CYP1A and/or NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1) enzymes. Newborn WT or Cyp1a1-null mice were treated with BNF (10 mg/kg) or the vehicle corn oil (CO) i.p., from postnatal day (PND) 2 to 14 once every other day, while being maintained in room air or hyperoxia (85% O2) for 14 days. Both genotypes showed lung injury, inflammation, and alveolar simplification in hyperoxia, with Cyp1a1-null mice displaying increased susceptibility compared to WT mice. BNF treatment resulted in significant attenuation of lung injury and inflammation, with improved alveolarization in both WT and Cyp1a1-null mice. BNF exposed normoxic or hyperoxic WT mice showed increased expression of hepatic CYP1A1/1A2, pulmonary CYP1A1, and NQO1 expression at both mRNA and protein levels, compared with vehicle controls. However, BNF caused greater induction of hepatic CYP1A2 and pulmonary NQO1 enzymes in the Cyp1a1-null mice, suggesting that BNF protects against hyperoxic lung injury in WT and Cyp1a1-null mice through the induction of CYP1A and NQO1 enzymes. Further studies on the protective role of flavonoids against hyperoxic lung injury in newborns could lead to novel strategies for the prevention and/or treatment of BPD.
The Anthropological Context of Euskaro-Caucasian

The hypothesis that the Basque language is genetically related to languages in the Caucasus region was developed in the 20th century by respected scholars including C. C. Uhlenbeck, Georges Dumezil, and Rene Lafon, but has recently fallen into disfavour. The author defends the Euskaro-Caucasian hypothesis in a refined model in which Basque (Euskara) is most closely related to the North Caucasian language family (but not “South Caucasian” = Kartvelian). It is maintained that this hypothesis is not only linguistically convincing, supported by hundreds of basic etymologies, sound correspondences, and shared morphology, but is also consistent with recent results in archaeology and human genetics. Among the Euskaro-Caucasian etymologies is a significant number involving small and large cattle, swine, dairying, grain and pulse crops, and tools and methods of processing crops. These lexical fields are consistent with the spread of agriculture and animal husbandry to Western Europe by means of colonisation by bearers of the Cardial (Impressed Ware) Culture who came from the Anatolian (or possibly Balkan) region, and spoke a language related to Proto-North Caucasian. The well-known genetic distinctiveness of the Basques is a result of centuries of low population size, genetic drift and endogamy, rather than purely Paleolithic ancestry. The present-day Basque people represent a genetic amalgam of the Cardial colonists with indigenous hunter-gatherers, but their Euskaro-Caucasian language is colonial, not indigenous, in origin. Basque is the sole remaining descendant of the Euskaro-Caucasian family in Western Europe, but there is evidence (in the form of substratum words) that this colonial language was formerly more widely spread in other nearby regions (Sardinia, parts of Iberia, France, the Alps, Italy, the Balkans, and perhaps beyond).
Reframing positive and negative: a qualitative exploration of how white students make meaning of cross-racial interaction

AbstractThis qualitative study explores how white students make meaning of positive and negative cross-racial interaction, and how these interactions contribute to growth and learning. Utilising the theoretical frameworks of Critical Race Theory and intercultural maturity, this study provides evidence that cross-racial interactions reflect both positive and negative attributes that contribute to growth and learning. How this manifests is outlined in three overarching themes, including: ‘Net-positive’, ‘Awkward, Uncomfortable, Tense’ and ‘The Nature of Positive Interactions’.
Place, Space, and Racially Unequal Exposures to Pollution at Home and Work:

Research on racial inequalities in exposure to industrial pollution in U.S. metropolitan areas typically focuses on places of residence, ignoring the fact that most people work and commute to other...
Towards total energy shaping control of lower-limb exoskeletons

Current robotic exoskeletons enforce fixed reference joint patterns during gait rehabilitation. These control methods aim to replicate normative joint kinematics but do not facilitate learning patient-specific kinematics. Trajectory-free control methods for exoskeletons are required to promote user control over joint kinematics. Our prior work on potential energy shaping provides virtual body-weight support through a trajectory-free control law, but altering only the gravitational forces does not assist the subject in accelerating/decelerating the body forward. Kinetic energy is velocity dependent and thus shaping the kinetic energy in addition to potential energy can yield greater dynamical changes in closed loop. In this paper, we generalize our previous work to achieve underactuated total energy shaping of the human body through a lower-limb exoskeleton. By shaping the fully-actuated part of the body's mass matrix, we satisfy the matching condition for different contact phases and obtain trajectory-free control laws. Simulations of a human-like biped demonstrate speed regulation in addition to body-weight support, indicating the potential clinical value of this control approach.
Acedia and student life: Ancient Christian wisdom for addressing boredom, distraction, and over-commitment in undergraduates:

Although the deadly vice of acedia is prevalent in contemporary student culture, it is often misunderstood as mere carelessness. This article reconstructs the ancient meaning of acedia, highlighting its outward markers and arguing for a complex account of its internal motivations grounded in the work of John Cassian. These insights are then applied to the experience of contemporary educators with students who are listless or distracted. Students who manifest acedia ought to be understood as not merely careless, but possibly suffering from a kind of paralysis brought on by anxiety or despair. Finally, Cassian suggests some remedies available to educators.
Evaluating instrument responsiveness in joint function: The HOOS JR, the KOOS JR, and the PROMIS PF CAT.

Responsiveness is the ability to detect change over time and is an important aspect of measures used to detect treatment effects. The purpose of this study was to assess the responsiveness of the HOOS JR, the KOOS JR, and the PROMIS Physical Function (PF) computerized adaptive test (CAT) in a joint reconstruction practice. 983 patients were evaluated for joint conditions between 2014 and 2017 in an orthopaedic clinic and completed the three instruments at baseline and three and/or six-month follow-up visits. Average age was 61.03 years (SD = 12.33, Range = 18–90 years) and the majority of the patients were White (n=875, 89.0%). Three-month responsiveness was calculated two ways, as between 80 to 100 days and as 90 days and beyond. Six-month responsiveness was calculated as 170–190 days and as 180 days and beyond. All changes from baseline scores were significant at the 3-month, >3-month, and >6-month follow-up (p<0.05). All three measures showed large effect sizes, ranging from 0.80–1.20 at each time-point. The standardized response mean was large for each measure and at each time-point (Range = 1.06–1.53). This study demonstrated the responsiveness of the HOOS JR, KOOS JR, and the PROMIS PF in adult reconstruction patients. The PROMIS PF was consistently the most responsive instrument in this analysis. Clinical Significance: The HOOS JR, KOOS JR and PROMIS PF are useful clinical instruments for assessing treatment change and may be selected as relevant to the specific needs and conditions of the adult joint reconstruction patient population. This article is protected by copyright.All rights reserved
Linking physician attitudes to their breast cancer screening practices: A survey of US primary care providers and gynecologists

Despite changes to breast cancer screening guidelines intended to decrease screening in younger and older women, mammography rates remain high. We investigated physician attitudes towards screening younger and older women. Surveys were mailed to US primary care providers and gynecologists between May and September 2016 (871/1665, 52.3% adjusted response rate). We assessed physician (1) attitudes towards screening younger (45-49years) and older (75+ years) women and (2) recommendations for routine mammography. We used exploratory factor analysis to identify underlying themes among physician attitudes and created measures standardized to a 5-point scale. Using multivariable logistic regression models, we examined associations between physician attitudes and screening recommendations. Attitudes identified with factor analysis included: potential regret, expectations, and discordant guidelines (referred to as potential regret), patient-related hazards due to screening, physician limitations and uncertainty, and concerns about rationing care. Gynecologists had higher levels of potential regret compared to internists. In adjusted analyses, physicians with increasing potential regret (1-point increment on 5-point scale) had higher odds of recommending mammography to younger (OR 8.68; 95% CI 5.25-14.36) and older women (OR 4.62; 95% CI 3.50-6.11). Increasing concern for patient-related hazards was associated with decreased odds of recommending screening to older women (OR 0.68; 95% CI 0.56-0.83). Physicians were more motivated by potential regret in recommending screening for younger and older women than by concerns for patient-related hazards in screening. Addressing physicians' most salient concerns, such as fear of missing cancer diagnoses and malpractice, may present an important opportunity to improving delivery of guideline-concordant cancer screening.
Auction off the farm: signaling, politics, and economic development

Local public officials rely on tax and non-tax incentive packages to develop their economies. No conclusive evidence supports the economic improvement incentives afford. We investigate, with an experimental approach, the political reasons public officials use tax incentives. The experiment uses simulation gaming to model local economic development as an auction, in that way permitting us to compare the impact that motives, goals, and contexts have on outcomes. Our findings suggest that the majority of economic development competitors fall victim to the “winner’s curse”-overestimating and overbidding the potential payoff for business development.
A modeling study of the sensitivity of urban heat islands to precipitation at climate scales

Abstract The impacts of urban surface characteristics on urban heat islands have been extensively studied. However, the influence of local climate on the urban heat island intensity remains elusive. This study aims to quantify the influence of precipitation on the urban heat island intensity over the Continental United States (CONUS) at climate scales. Results from numerical experiments show that across the CONUS, the urban heat island intensities are positively correlated with the precipitation amounts in summer but not in winter. The sensitivity of urban heat island intensity to precipitation varies spatially and seasonally. In summer, the urban heat island intensity in mid-south CONUS is particularly sensitive to changes in precipitation and the sensitivity shows a generally negative correlation with the precipitation amount. The sensitivity is found to largely come from the rural temperature rather than the urban temperature, and is mostly controlled by the partition of available energy to sensible and latent heat fluxes. In winter the albedo effect is also important. This study highlights the climatic conditions as important controls on the urban heat island intensity, and thus climate change has significant implications for the urban thermal environment even if urban surface characteristics remain the same.
C-18: Zebrafish cryobiology: Sperm, oocytes, embryos and stem cells

Cryopreservation is a proven method for long-term maintenance of genetic material, nevertheless current protocols for fish are not standardized and yield inconsistent results, threatening the efficacy of large-scale genetic screening and stock centers. Previous reports have dealt with sperm cryopreservation in >200 fish species from marine and freshwater species with the most common observation from these publications being the inconsistency in the post-thaw results. Consortia are working to identify processes in zebrafish protocols to try and improve post-thaw variability. Although a great deal of work has been done examining the cryobiology of zebrafish oocytes at various stages of maturation, the successful cryopreservation, maturation and subsequent fertilization of these oocytes has not been proven. Similarly, zebrafish embryo cryopreservation has been extensively examined for the past 25 years, and several aspects of standard cryopreservation methods have made it a challenging system to develop successful protocols for. These problems include: (1) a large overall size resulting in a low surface to volume ratio that can slow water cryoprotectant efflux and influx; (2) the presence of compartments, such as the blastoderm and yolk; with different permeability properties, (3) susceptibility to chilling injury; and (4) extreme chilling sensitivity at early relatively undifferentiated developmental stages necessitating vitrification. New laser-warming protocols may help change how we understand this complex suite of challenges in zebrafish embryo cryopreservation, especially the relative need for cryoprotectant and the potential for prevention of damaging intracellular ice crystal formation. To diversify and expand our resource collections, however, cryopreserved zebrafish spermatogonial stem cells may provide one of the most important strategies for resource centers. Researchers have successfully developed simple effective cryopreservation methods for zebrafish testes, allowing the rapid and effective preservation of mutant and transgenic lines.
The Effects of Alcohol on the Central Nervous System in Humans

Although gross changes in personality and behavior are readily apparent during acute alcoholic intoxication, these changes have only become the subject of systematic study within the past 100 years. Miles (1932) has summarized the different stages of clinical intoxication in the form of a scale relating the subjective states and typical behavioral changes seen with increasing blood alcohol levels. The earliest effects, tingling sensations in the mucous membrane of the mouth and throat, may appear with a blood alcohol level as low as 10 mg%. At the upper extreme (300 mg%) the subject passes into a stuporous condition, and at still higher levels (400 mg%) falls into a state of deep anesthesia which may end in death. This description of successive stages in clinical intoxication represents the typical or modal response commonly seen with a given blood alcohol level. The association between blood alcohol concentration and stages of clinical intoxication is not a clear one-to-one relationship. As with other psychotropic drugs, there are large individual differences in response to a given dosage as well as considerable variability in the subject’s response at different times or in different settings.
Rumination and Its Relationship with Thought Suppression in Unipolar Depression and Comorbid PTSD

Despite research suggesting that rumination may function as a cognitive avoidance strategy, few studies have examined the presence of rumination or its relationship with other cognitive avoidance strategies (e.g., thought suppression) in individuals with comorbid posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. In the current study, 80 veterans with unipolar depression were categorized into two groups: those with and without a comorbid PTSD diagnosis (PTSD+ and PTSD− groups, respectively). Participants completed a clinician-administered diagnostic interview and measures of clinical symptoms, rumination (brooding, reflection, depressive rumination), and thought suppression. No group differences emerged for the measures of rumination, though the PTSD+ group did report greater use of thought suppression. Diagnostic status moderated the associations between thought suppression and brooding and reflection. Specifically, thought suppression was significantly associated with brooding and reflection for individuals with comorbid depression and PTSD, but not for those with depression alone. Though the presence of rumination did not differ between the two groups, results suggest that the function of rumination may differ across depressed individuals with comorbid PTSD compared to those with depression alone.
Cardiac structure and function with and without metabolic syndrome: the Echocardiographic Study of Latinos (Echo-SOL).

Objective We assessed the hypothesis that metabolic syndrome is associated with adverse changes in cardiac structure and function in participants of the Echocardiographic Study of Latinos (Echo-SOL). Methods Non-diabetic Echo-SOL participants were included in this cross-sectional analysis. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the American Heart Association/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute 2009 Joint Scientific Statement. Survey multivariable linear regression analyses using sampling weights were used adjusting for multiple potential confounding variables. Additional analysis was stratified according to the presence/absence of obesity (body mass index (BMI) ≥25 kg/m2) and the presence/absence of metabolic syndrome. Results Within Echo-SOL, 1260 individuals met inclusion criteria (59% female; mean age 55.2 years). Compared with individuals without metabolic syndrome, those with metabolic syndrome had lower medial and lateral E′ velocities (−0.4 cm/s, (SE 0.1), p=0.0002; −0.5 cm/s (0.2), p=0.02, respectively), greater E/E′ (0.5(0.2), p=0.01) and worse two-chamber left ventricular longitudinal strain (0.9%(0.3), p=0.009), after adjusting for potential confounding variables. Increased left ventricular mass index (9.8 g/m2 (1.9), p Conclusions In a sample of US Hispanics/Latinos metabolic syndrome was associated with worse left ventricular systolic and diastolic function. Adverse changes in left ventricular size and function were observed in obese individuals with and without metabolic syndrome but decreased left ventricular function was also present in normal-weight individuals with metabolic syndrome.
Reverse Low-Power Broadside Tests

This paper defines a new type of a low-power broadside test, called a reverse low-power broadside test, whose application requires design-for-testability logic. The unique feature of a reverse low-power broadside test is that it duplicates the switching activity during the second functional capture cycle of a given low-power broadside test, except that signal-transitions are reversed. Thus, the switching activity of a reverse low-power broadside test duplicates that of a low-power broadside test in every subcircuit and on every line individually. In addition, the reversed test detects different faults, and can thus increase the fault coverage of a low-power broadside test set. This paper studies the ability of reverse low-power broadside tests to increase the transition fault coverage in benchmark circuits considering functional broadside tests as well as low-power broadside tests that are not functional.
Time-restricted Feeding Attenuates High-fat Diet-enhanced Spontaneous Metastasis of Lewis Lung Carcinoma in Mice.

Background/aim Obesity is a risk factor for cancer. Disruption of the daily feeding and fasting rhythm can contribute to obesity. This study tested the hypothesis that time-restricted feeding (TRF) attenuates obesity-enhanced metastasis. Materials and methods In a spontaneous metastasis model of Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC), male C57BL/6 mice were fed the standard AIN93G diet or a high-fat diet (HFD) with or without dark-phase restricted feeding (12 h per day) for 10 weeks. Pulmonary metastases from a subcutaneous tumor were quantified. Results The number and size of lung metastases were greater in the HFD group than in the AIN93G group, but did not differ between the TRF and AIN93G groups. TRF prevented HFD-induced increases in plasma concentrations of glucose, insulin, proinflammatory cytokines (leptin, monocyte chemotactic protein-1, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1), and angiogenic factors (angiopoietin-2, hepatic growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor). Conclusion TRF attenuates the HFD-enhanced spontaneous metastasis of LLC in mice.
Development and validation of machine learning models to predict gastrointestinal leak and venous thromboembolism after weight loss surgery: an analysis of the MBSAQIP database

Postoperative gastrointestinal leak and venous thromboembolism (VTE) are devastating complications of bariatric surgery. The performance of currently available predictive models for these complications remains wanting, while machine learning has shown promise to improve on traditional modeling approaches. The purpose of this study was to compare the ability of two machine learning strategies, artificial neural networks (ANNs), and gradient boosting machines (XGBs) to conventional models using logistic regression (LR) in predicting leak and VTE after bariatric surgery. ANN, XGB, and LR prediction models for leak and VTE among adults undergoing initial elective weight loss surgery were trained and validated using preoperative data from 2015 to 2017 from Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program database. Data were randomly split into training, validation, and testing populations. Model performance was measured by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) on the testing data for each model. The study cohort contained 436,807 patients. The incidences of leak and VTE were 0.70% and 0.46%. ANN (AUC 0.75, 95% CI 0.73–0.78) was the best-performing model for predicting leak, followed by XGB (AUC 0.70, 95% CI 0.68–0.72) and then LR (AUC 0.63, 95% CI 0.61–0.65, p < 0.001 for all comparisons). In detecting VTE, ANN, and XGB, LR achieved similar AUCs of 0.65 (95% CI 0.63–0.68), 0.67 (95% CI 0.64–0.70), and 0.64 (95% CI 0.61–0.66), respectively; the performance difference between XGB and LR was statistically significant (p = 0.001). ANN and XGB outperformed traditional LR in predicting leak. These results suggest that ML has the potential to improve risk stratification for bariatric surgery, especially as techniques to extract more granular data from medical records improve. Further studies investigating the merits of machine learning to improve patient selection and risk management in bariatric surgery are warranted.
Fibroblast growth factor receptors as therapeutic targets in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas

Abstract The fibroblast growth factor receptor family and their ligands regulate cell proliferation, invasion, and numerous other pathways essential for tumorigenesis. Aberrations in FGFRs have been reported to activate signaling pathways involved in cell survival and therapy resistance in tumors, thereby making FGFRs notable therapeutic targets. In head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) FGFR expression and FGFR1 amplification are associated with invasive disease, increased aggressiveness of disease, and poor overall survival. FGFR inhibition in HNSCC has demonstrated strong in vitro efficacy. The few clinical trials that have been reported suggest that FGFR inhibition can lead to tumor shrinkage. Multiple studies have found that FGFR-inhibition helps overcome therapeutic resistance to current standard of care therapies. The role of the FGFRs as therapeutic targets and biomarkers in HNSCC will be discussed in this chapter. We will highlight pre-clinical and clinical studies that investigate FGFR inhibition as a means for enhancing antitumor effects in HNSCC.
Oscillatory brain dynamics of pronoun processing in native Spanish speakers and in late second language learners of Spanish

A longstanding question in the second language acquisition literature is whether late second language (L2) learners process grammatical structures in a native-like manner. Here, we use Time Frequency Representation (TFR) analysis to test morpho-syntactic processing of clitic pronouns in native and late L2 learners of Spanish. The TFR results show overall similar power decreases in theta, alpha, and beta frequencies in both groups. Critically, the observed oscillatory effects persisted in time for native Spanish speakers, but declined earlier for L2 learners. We discuss the results using cell-assembly theory models for language processing (e.g., Pulvermuller, 1999) that posit a biphasic time-course for neural assemblies consisting of an early ignition (recognition) and a later reverberation (re-processing) phase. We propose a working hypothesis for L2 processing in tune with a cell-assembly theory suggesting that the length of the reverberation phase could be a distinguishing feature between native and L2 processing.
Critical-Care Nurses' Perceptions of Hope: Original Qualitative Research

Background Nurses can be a source of inspiring hope in patients and families. There is limited investigation of hope-inspiring actions of critical-care nurses, particularly in the United States. Objective The aim of this study was to explore critical-care nurses' perceptions of hope-inspiring strategies in adult patients and families. Methods Qualitative description was used to explore perceptions. Results A convenience sample of critical-care nurses participated (n = 14) in one-on-one interviews. Themes were identified from transcripts of audiotapes. Participants described hope as something to "hang on to" and "move" you forward or toward something. Assessment of hope was identified as a "verbal and nonverbal connection," often done subconsciously. Hope was inspired through "communication." Patient and/or family behaviors signified that hope-inspiring strategies may be working. Discussion Nurses have the power to assess, inspire, and evaluate hope. Nurses use similar hope-inspiring strategies regardless of their specialty area of critical-care practice. Findings from this qualitative study added to knowledge on hope-inspiring strategies of critical-care nurses.
Butyltin Keggin Ion with a Rare Four-Coordinate Ca Center.

Alkyltin clusters are exploited in nanolithography for the fabrication of microelectronics. The alkyltin Keggin family is unique among Keggin clusters across the periodic table; its members appear to favor the lower-symmetry β and γ isomers rather than the highly symmetrical α and e isomers. Therefore, the alkyltin Keggin family may provide important fundamental information about the formation and isomerization of Keggin clusters. We have synthesized and structurally characterized a new butyltin Keggin cluster with a tetrahedral Ca2+ center, fully formulated [(BuSn)12(CaO4)(OCH3)12(O)4(OH)8]2+ (β-CaSn12). The synthesis is a simple one-step process. Extensive solution characterization including electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, small-angle X-ray scattering, and multinuclear (1H, 13C, and 119Sn) nuclear magnetic resonance shows β-CaSn12 is essentially phase-pure and stable. This differs from the previously reported Na-centered analogues that always form a mixture of β and γ isomers, with facile interconversion. Therefore, this study has clarified prior confusion over complex spectroscopic and crystallographic characterization of the Na-centered analogues. Density functional theory calculations showed the following stability order: γ-CaSn12 < γ-NaSn12 < β-CaSn12 < β-NaSn12. The β analogue is always more stable than the γ analogue, consistent with experiment. Notable outcomes of this study include a rare tetrahedral Ca coordination, a Na-free alkyltin cluster (important for microelectronics manufacturing), and a better understanding of Keggin families built of different metal cations.
Hyper-local sustainable assortment planning.

Assortment planning, an important seasonal activity for any retailer, involves choosing the right subset of products to stock in each store.While existing approaches only maximize the expected revenue, we propose including the environmental impact too, through the Higg Material Sustainability Index. The trade-off between revenue and environmental impact is balanced through a multi-objective optimization approach, that yields a Pareto-front of optimal assortments for merchandisers to choose from. Using the proposed approach on a few product categories of a leading fashion retailer shows that choosing assortments with lower environmental impact with a minimal impact on revenue is possible.
Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Vestibular Schwannoma Outcomes in Patients With Perfect Word Recognition-A Retrospective Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVES To investigate tumor control rate and hearing outcomes following stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for vestibular schwannoma (VS) cases with perfect (100%) word recognition score (WRS). STUDY DESIGN A retrospective cohort study. SETTING Tertiary referral center. PATIENTS Inclusion criteria were receiving primary SRS, a pretreatment WRS of 100%, and availability of both pre- and posttreatment audiometric data for evaluation. INTERVENTION SRS delivered by Cyberknife. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Tumor growth rates and audiological outcomes after SRS. RESULTS The cohort consisted of 139 patients, with more than 1-year follow-up (mean 6.1 yrs). SRS tumor control rate was 87% for the whole cohort. Growth before SRS was documented in 24% (n = 34 of 139). The proportion of sporadic VS cases who maintained hearing (decline <10 dB of pure-tone audiometry or <20% of WRS) at 3 years was 50%, at 5 years was 45%, and at 10 years was 42%. In multivariate analysis, increased age was found to be predictive of increased hearing loss (p = 0.03), while the following factors were shown not to be significant: sex (p = 0.5), tumor size (p = 0.2), pre-SRS tumor growth (p = 0.5), and target volume (p = 0.42). CONCLUSIONS Among patients with VS who had perfect WRS and underwent SRS, the overall tumor control rate was 87% comparable to observation. Hearing maintenance and preservation of "serviceable" hearing rates after 5 years in VS patients with perfect WRS treated by SRS is less than that when comparing to similar observation cohorts. Given this finding we do not advocate using SRS to preserve hearing, over observation, in tumors with perfect WRS.
Restore the Personal Casualty and Theft Loss Deduction Now

IRS Statistics of Income data suggest that some 88,000 taxpayers suffered personal casualties in 2018, which would have been deductible under prior law, but were nondeductible pursuant to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA). Those casualties significantly affected these taxpayers' ability to pay taxes, and should have been taken into account. The expanded standard deduction under TCJA, which benefited not only those who suffered casualty losses, but those who didn't, did not help these taxpayers with their individual situations. Any concerns about the complexity of the system are far outweighed by considerations of fairness to these taxpayers. The personal casualty and theft loss should be fully restored, immediately.
Karl Marx, Literary Landlord

This essay describes Karl Marx's assertion of copyright and plagiarism claims, as well as his responses to plagiarism accusations. It reflects on his willingness to claim private ownership of his works and ideas, and what that means in relation to communist ideals.
Interferon Lambda Signaling in Macrophages Is Necessary for the Antiviral Response to Influenza

Interferon lambda (IFNλ) signaling is a promising therapeutic target against viral infection in murine models, yet little is known about its molecular regulation and its cognate receptor, interferon lambda receptor 1 (IFNLR1) in human lung. We hypothesized that the IFNλ signaling axis was active in human lung macrophages. In human alveolar macrophages (HAMs), we observed increased IFNLR1 expression and robust increase in interferon-stimulated gene (ISG) expression in response to IFNλ ligand. While human monocytes express minimal IFNLR1, differentiation of monocytes into macrophages with macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) or granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) increased IFNLR1 mRNA, IFNLR1 protein expression, and cellular response to IFNλ ligation. Conversely, in mice, M-CSF or GM-CSF stimulated macrophages failed to produce ISGs in response to related ligands, IFNL2 or IFNL3, suggesting that IFNLR1 signaling in macrophages is species-specific. We next hypothesized that IFNλ signaling was critical in influenza antiviral responses. In primary human airway epithelial cells and precision-cut human lung slices, influenza infection substantially increased IFNλ levels. Pretreatment of both HAMs and differentiated human monocytes with IFNL1 significantly inhibited influenza infection. IFNLR1 knockout in the myeloid cell line, THP-1, exhibited reduced interferon responses to either direct or indirect exposure to influenza infection suggesting the indispensability of IFNLR1 for antiviral responses. These data demonstrate the presence of IFNλ - IFNLR1 signaling axis in human lung macrophages and a critical role of IFNλ signaling in combating influenza infection.
REGIONAL INEQUITY AND SOVIET CONCERN FOR RURAL AND SMALL-TOWN INDUSTRALIZATION

Regional inequity has been an important national issue in most industrial societies. Measures to reduce inequity usually include the location of more industries in rural and small-town areas. The USSR has always possessed a strong ideologically based concern for regional inequity, but it was not until the 1960's that the matter was given serious attention. The last three five-year plans have called for more industry in small towns and rural villages. Life in these areas is to be made more attractive, labor resources more fully utilized, local economies improved, and the out- migration of people reduced. However, there are obvious barriers to industrialization in rural and small-town areas, and as in most industrial nations, the reduction of regional inequity is a slow and difficult process.
A Brief Survey of Possible Mechanisms in Information Processing

I shall try to give an outsider’s view of what invertebrate studies may contribute to learning research. Although I have not conducted studies on invertebrates, I have been interested in them for a long time. When I was with the Atomic Energy Commission, one of the first proposals which came across my desk was from Jim McConnell on planarian research. Considering the trouble that I had getting that proposal approved, I have had an interest in this field ever since, mainly to see whether half of what he proposed back in 1958 has been feasible or not.
Ambient Vibration of Two Suspension Bridges

The dynamic characteristics (i.e., normal mode natural frequencies, damping, and shapes) of two suspension bridges are estimated from experimentally measured ambient motion time histories. These characteristics were estimated using random vibration theory and the power spectral densities of ambient time histories. Twenty normal modes of vibration were observed in the 0 cycle per min-60 cycle per min frequency range for the Newport Bridge in Rhode Island. These modes include nine vertical, six lateral, and two torsional deck modes, plus three longitudinal tower modes. For each mode, estimates are obtained of natural frequency of vibration, damping, and shape. For the other suspension bridge, the William Preston Lane Memorial Bridge, 13 normal modes of vibration were observed. These modes are six vertical, six lateral, and one torsional deck mode. No tower modes were observed in the 0 cycle per min-60 cycle per min frequency range.
Facing the challenge of mammalian neural microcircuits: taking a few breaths may help

Breathing in mammals is a seemingly straightforward behaviour controlled by the brain. A brainstem nucleus called the preBotzinger Complex sits at the core of the neural circuit generating respiratory rhythm. Despite the discovery of this microcircuit almost 25 years ago, the mechanisms controlling breathing remain elusive. Given the apparent simplicity and well-defined nature of regulatory breathing behaviour, the identification of much of the circuitry, and the ability to study breathing in vitro as well as in vivo, many neuroscientists and physiologists are surprised that respiratory rhythm generation is still not well understood. Our view is that conventional rhythmogenic mechanisms involving pacemakers, inhibition or bursting are problematic and that simplifying assumptions commonly made for many vertebrate neural circuits ignore consequential detail. We propose that novel emergent mechanisms govern the generation of respiratory rhythm. That a mammalian function as basic as rhythm generation arises from complex and dynamic molecular, synaptic and neuronal interactions within a diverse neural microcircuit highlights the challenges in understanding neural control of mammalian behaviours, many (considerably) more elaborate than breathing. We suggest that the neural circuit controlling breathing is inimitably tractable and may inspire general strategies for elucidating other neural microcircuits.
Large-scale precipitation estimates using satellite data; Application to the Indian Monsoon

Thirty months of continuous low resolution statellite measurements of albedo and emitted longwave radiation are used to study precipitation associated with the Indian Monsoon. Combined with rainfall data for the Indian subcontinent, the satellite data are employed to develop a precipitation intensity index. It is postulated that such an index must first adequately depict the extreme monsoon rainfall regime before it can be applied to the study of rainfall over other regions, especially those devoid of conventional precipitation measurements.
Pairwise Document Classification for Relevance Feedback

In this paper we present Carnegie Mellon University’s submission to the TREC 2009 Relevance Feedback Track. In this submission we take a classication approach on document pairs to using relevance feedback information. We explore using textual and non-textual document-pair features to classify unjudged documents as relevant or non-relevant, and use this prediction to re-rank a baseline document retrieval. These features include co-citation measures, URL similarities, as well as features often used in machine learning systems for document ranking such as the dierence in scores assigned by the baseline retrieval system.