cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mechanical Properties of the Tibiotarsus of Broilers and Poults Loaded with Artificial Weight and Fed Various Dietary Protein Levels

Abstract Bone strength comparisons were made on tibiotarsi of chicks and poults fed various levels of dietary protein and either loaded or not loaded with artificial weights. Stress and modulus of elasticity were evaluated for their ability to measure strength and rigidity differences in bones while accounting for various bone size. Often comparisons between birds of different ages and body weights are attempted despite various bone size and dimension. These terms identified the weaker, less rigid bones in a comparison between chicks fed a low calcium, low phosphorus diet and a control group matched for age, weight, and bone size. Stress values were not significantly different when ad libitum-fed controls and restriction-fed controls were compared even though body weights were significantly different. This suggests that bone strength comparisons can be made on bones that differ in size. Artificial weight loading of chicks or poults had no consistent effect on stress or modulus of elasticity. This would suggest that this type of exercise had no influence on bone strength. Turkey poults fed 28% dietary protein appeared to have stronger bones than those fed lower protein levels; however, when bone size and dimension are accounted for, no differences in bone strength resulted from the feeding of various protein levels. These findings suggest that stress and modulus of elasticity are better terms to use than force in making bone strength comparisons between groups of birds which may differ in body size and bone dimension.
U.S. Pacific Northwest Coastal Hazards: Tectonic and Climate Controls

The coast of the U.S. Pacific Northwest (PNW), the ocean shores of Washington, Oregon and Northern California, experience property impacts ranging from the erosion and flooding that occur during the hours to days of an extreme winter storm, on a decadal time scale with the erosion processes enhanced by strong El Ninos, and with the expectation of future increased hazards associated with the global rise in sea level and the possibility that storm intensities and their generated waves will continue in the future. The PNW is noted for its extreme waves, with measured significant wave heights during winter storms having reached 15 m, combining with tides elevated by a surge to erode both foredunes and sea cliffs. The beach morphology plays an important role, particularly rip current embayments that act to localize the sites of maximum property impacts. Of concern, wave buoy measurements have documented that the storm-generated wave heights have been increasing since at least the 1980s, and research underway has found climate controls on the levels of storm surges. The impacts of rising sea levels are variable along this shore, in that while the entire PNW coast is tectonically rising, the local rate of rise in the land varies in comparison with the eustatic rise in sea level, with some stretches of shore being submergent while others are emergent. Projections of accelerated rates of global sea-level rise indicate that by the end of this century the entire PNW coast will be submergent, experiencing significantly increased hazards from erosion and flooding. In recent decades the most extreme erosion impacts have occurred during strong El Ninos, specifically those in 1982–1983 and 1997–1998 when measured tides were elevated by 25–50 cm throughout the winter, caused by warmer water temperatures and ocean currents. During those El Ninos there was also a diversion of the storm tracks with waves arriving more from the southwest, producing northward displacements of sand on the beaches, resulting in extreme “hot-spot” erosion north of headlands and tidal inlets. With these multiple climate controls on the processes, it is certain that during this century there will be far more erosion and flooding problems along the U.S. PNW than in the past. The ultimate hazard, however, are the predictions by seismologists that there will be another major subduction earthquake like that which occurred on 26 January 1700, with the land along this coast abruptly dropping by 1–2 m, followed minutes later by the arrival of immense tsunami waves, producing devastating impacts comparable to those recently experienced in Sumatra and Japan.
Approximate Reanalysis Techniques with Substructuring

A simple approximate reanalysis technique is presented for use in the automated (optimum) design of large and complex structures. The technique is based on the use of the reduced basis method in conjunction with substructuring approach. The displacement vector of the modified structure is approximated by a linear combination of a normalized set of s first-order sensitivity analysis vectors, where s is the number of design variables. Consideration is focused on the potential advantages of the reduced basis - substructuring technique for use in automated design systems. The high accuracy of the proposed technique for sizable changes in the design variables is demonstrated by means of a numerical example of a large transmission tower. Also, comparison is made with Taylor expansion method based on the reciprocal variables.
A general prediction of visibility during night driving: The Twilight Envelope

This paper develops an approach to predicting nighttime visibility, which is based on the concept of civil twilight.
Takeover! 1997 (C): The Lbo Firm: Lanza and Company

The C case, part of a series of cases that simulate a hostile-takeover attempt involving four companies in January 1997 (see also the A [UVA-F-1170], B [UVA-F-1171], and D [UVA-F-1173] cases), focuses on the LBO firm, which has ample equity and lines of credit with which to finance a buyout. The exercise organizes students into teams representing the four companies, and each team must negotiate an outcome that is most advantageous to its firm. The parties are motivated to act because the expiration of the raider's tender offer will occur soon, and if there is no higher offer outstanding, the arbitrageurs will tender their shares and the raider will tender its control. All parties know that the target company's board of directors is meeting in a few hours to settle on a course of action. This exercise is ideally suited to (1) hone students' valuation and negotiation skills, (2) train students in the unusual dynamics of hostile takeovers, and (3) develop an understanding of some fundamental points of corporate governance, including the responsibilities of a board of directors and the agency problems that can arise when managers' jobs are threatened.
Histamine Release in the Allergic Skin Reaction.

SummaryCantharides blisters were produced on the skin of allergic human subjects. After removing the stratum corneum over the blisters, the denuded areas were covered with saline, and the release of histamine and protein into the saline was determined before and after production of local allergic reactions by injection of antigen. Both the histamine and the protein content of the saline rose sharply within a few minutes after injection of the allergen and fell to the original level within 60 minutes. An increase in exudation of fluid and the appearance of a substance similar to the “slow reacting substance” were also observed.
GROWTH OF PIKAS (OCHOTONA PRINCEPS) IN COLORADO

Pikas (Ochotona princeps) are small lagomorphs that occupy talus slopes in western North America. During the summer they gather and store vegetation in haypiles that are actively defended, resulting in a territorial spacing system (Broadbooks, 1965; Kawamichi, 1976). Pikas do not hibernate and haypiles probably serve as a major food source during the winter. Breeding occurs in early spring (April-June) with gestation averaging 30 days (Millar, 1972; Severaid, 1950) and weaning requiring approximately the same length of time (Severaid, 1950; Whitworth, 1982). Once weaned, juveniles need to establish territories and begin storing vegetation in preparation for winter (Conner, 1983). Because tundra environments are typified by a short growing season, selection pressures would likely favor high growth rates in pikas. Whitworth and Southwick (1981) reported that captive pikas reach minimum adult weight (150 g) at approximately 3 months of age and are among the fastest growing lagomorphs. They found that growth rates of pikas corresponded well with growth rates calculated from natural populations of the tundra hare, Lepus othus (Anderson and Lent, 1977). Anderson and Lent postulated that the high growth rates of L. othus were the result of selective pressures which affect both plant and animal species in tundra environments. The purpose of this study was to compare the growth rates of wild pikas in Colorado with those of captive pikas and to develop an equation that could be used to age animals accurately in the field. Such an equation has been developed for pikas in Alberta (Millar and Tapper, 1973). Growth data on captive pikas include data from Whitworth and Southwick (1981) and additional data collected during the spring and summer of 1981. From 1979-1981, 36 pregnant females (as determined by weight and palpation) 9 were captured from two sites in Summit Co., Colorado (Monte Cristo and Mt. Evans; elev. 3,960 and 3,450 m, respectively). Pikas were transported to animal-care facilities at the University of Colorado, Boulder. Female pikas and their captive-born litters were housed in large galvanized bins (0.6 by 1.5 by 0.6 m) equipped with metallic nest boxes (30 by 20 by 15 cm). A detailed description of husbandry was provided elsewhere (Whitworth, 1982). Of the 36 pregnant females captured, 26 gave birth in the laboratory. Weights of pups were recorded on an O'haus triple-beam balance every other day from day one (day of birth) through day 60. Beyond day 60, weights were recorded weekly. Instantaneous growth rates (Kg) were calculated from the formula Kg = (In M2 - In M1)/(t2 - t)
Permeability of Normal and Cataractous Rabbit Lenses to Glutathione

SummaryRabbit lenses were made cataractous by incubating in culture medium with added tyrosine and tyrosinase. The content of GSH was drastically lowered in the cataractous lens. The GSH which was lost from the lens could be partially recovered as GSSG in the medium. This finding may explain the fate of lens GSH, both normally and in cataract formation.
Plasticity, not genetic variation, drives infection success of a fungal parasite

Hosts strongly influence parasite fitness. However, it is challenging to disentangle host effects on genetic vs plasticity-driven traits of parasites, since parasites can evolve quickly. It remains especially difficult to determine the causes and magnitude of parasite plasticity. In successive generations, parasites may respond plastically to better infect their current type of host, or hosts may produce generally 'good' or 'bad' quality parasites. Here, we characterized parasite plasticity by taking advantage of a system in which the parasite (the yeast Metschnikowia bicuspidata, which infects Daphnia) has no detectable heritable variation, preventing rapid evolution. In experimental infection assays, we found an effect of rearing host genotype on parasite infectivity, where host genotypes produced overall high or low quality parasite spores. Additionally, these plastically induced differences were gained or lost in just a single host generation. Together, these results demonstrate phenotypic plasticity in infectivity driven by the within-host rearing environment. Such plasticity is rarely investigated in parasites, but could shape epidemiologically important traits.
Further developments of a robust absolute calibration method utilizing beta/gamma coincidence techniques

Performing accurate and verifiable measurements is often the most challenging goal for any radiation detector and is especially challenging for the radio-xenon detectors deployed by the International Monitoring System (IMS) of the Preparatory Commission of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO). Often the accuracy of the measurement is directly tied to how well the detector is calibrated, in both energy and efficiency. Standard methods often rely on using certified sealed sources to determine the absolute efficiency. Similarly, efforts to calibrate the absolute efficiency of radioactive gas cell detectors utilize a number of methodologies which allow adequate calibration but are time consuming and prone to a host of difficulties to determine uncertainties (McIntyre et al, J Radioanal Nucl Chem 282(3):755–759, 2009; Anderson et al, Stat Probab Lett 77(88):769–773, 2007). Utilizing methods developed in the 1960s for absolute measurements of activity with beta–gamma detector systems it has become clear that it is possible to achieve higher precision results that are consistent across a range of isotopes and activities (National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurement, A handbook of radioactivity measurements procedure NCPR report, 1985). Even more compelling is the ease with which this process can be used on routine samples to determine the total activity present in the detector. Additionally, recent advances in the generation of isotopically pure radio-xenon samples of 131mXe, 133Xe, and 135Xe allow these measurement techniques to achieve much better results than have previously been possible when using mixed isotopic radio-xenon sources (Haas et al, J Radioanal Nucl Chem 282(3):677–680, 2009). This paper will discuss the beta/gamma absolute detection efficiency techniques of direct measurement of the efficiencies and the extrapolation method and compare the results using modeled and measured pure sources of 133Xe and 135Xe.
A Brief Discussion on Heritage and Protection of Andai Culture

Andai is local culture in Khorchin,is representative of community culture.Andai is heritage covers a variety of categories of the intangible cultural,and is cultural populations of non-integration of body survived.They possess the basic characteristics of the basic values are also diverse,multi-directional.For scientific development,rational utilization and effective protection,and consciously pass andai the cultural heritage,it is necessary to re-examine andai and it is a need for andai cultural heritage of the main human ecology,natural ecology in depth to discuss.Furthermore,the scientific development concept to guide andai cultural heritage protection,the establishment of a suitable andai cultural prosperity and development ecosystem,to ensure the transmission of the main co-ordination and stability and eco-environmental interactions.
Effects of Autoprothrombin II-A on Epinephrine-Induced Platelet Aggregation of Normal- and Coumadin-Treated Dogs

Platelet-rich plasma from dogs and from coumadin-treated dogs aggregated at the same optimum concentration of epinephrine. Neither protein C nor its active form called autoprothrombin II-A was necessary for aggregation of dog platelets with epinephrine. For platelet aggregation, suboptimal concentrations of epinephrine were potentiated by addition of purified autoprothrombin II-A. The latter, by itself, induced platelet aggregation in high concentration.
Word Learning and Story Comprehension From Digital Storybooks: Does Interaction Make a Difference?

An emerging body of research examines language learning of young children from experiences with digital storybooks, but little is known about the ways in which specific components of digital storybooks, including interactive elements, may influence language learning. The purpose of the study was to examine the incidental word learning and story comprehension of preschool children after interactions with interactive and noninteractive versions of a digital storybook. Thirty preschool children were randomly assigned to one of two experimental conditions: interactive in which the story text was presented aloud and interactive features were present and not interactive in which the story text was presented aloud with no interactive features. After three sessions with the digital storybook, no group differences were observed between conditions on measures of word learning or story comprehension. Children in both groups demonstrated some learning of new words; however, gains were minimal, approximately one new w...
Introduction: Solving the General Quadratic Congruence Modulo a Prime

The purpose of this chapter is to define quadratic residues and non-residues and to use the solution of the general quadratic congruence modulo a prime to indicate one reason why the study of quadratic residues and non-residues is interesting and important. This is done in Sect. 1.1. The primary source for essential information about quadratic residues is the Disquisitiones Arithmeticae of Carl Friedrich Gauss, one of the most important books about number theory ever written. Because of its singular prominence for number theory and also for what we will do in these lecture notes, the contents of the Disquisitiones are discussed briefly in Sect. 1.2, and some biographical facts about Gauss are also presented. Notation and terminology that will be employed throughout the sequel are recorded in Sect. 1.3, as well as a few basic facts from elementary number theory that will be used frequently in subsequent work.
Backlash: The Politics and Real-World Consequences of Minority Group Dehumanization

Research suggests that members of advantaged groups who feel dehumanized by other groups respond aggressively. But little is known about how meta-dehumanization affects disadvantaged minority group...
Changes in teaching strategies to accommodate a new generation of learner: A case study

Generational diversity is found throughout the classrooms of higher education. The differences in generational characteristics may affect the educational experience and how one approaches learning and teaching. Faculty should be aware of these characteristics and may need to adapt their learning environment to fit the needs of today’s learner. The millennial learner is accustomed to the assimilation of technology in the classroom and how it may facilitate learning. The purpose of the study was to incorporate technology and active learning in the classroom. An interactive computer- based case video scenario was created on the topic of pain management. The interactive computer-based case was compared to our standard paper case-based approach in third-year student pharmacy students. Pre- and post-tests, delivered via a survey, were used to assess the impact of video technology on student pharmacist’s knowledge of pain. The pre- and post-tests were completed by 103 students, which was a 99% response rate. Analysis of covariance was conducted and showed there were no significant differences in post-test scores between video and paper groups. The majority of students (96%) perceived the video as equivalent to or better than the paper case in usefulness for their learning and student feedback suggested providing both the video and paper handout to aid in learning. Pharmacy educators should consider the incorporation of technology as a conduit for interactive learning. The addition of a computerised-case may allow millennial students to relate learning to their own generation and previous learning experiences.
Hematologic Findings in Mycobacterial Infections Among Immunosuppressed and Immunocompetent Patients

The relationship between hematologic abnormalities and mycobacterial infections dates back to the beginning of the 20th Century. Flinn and his colleagues suggested at that time that the change in hematologic parameters is the earliest finding of tuberculosis (TB) (Flinn and Finn 1929). The authors said ’In connection with the above studies we have formed the impression that an extension of the pathologic process in a tuberculosis lung usually manifests itself first in the blood picture, later by physical signs and x-ray, and often last of all by Symptoms.’ Before embarking upon a general discussion of hematologic manifestations of mycobacterial infections, I would like to present two cases that were previously discussed at the Medical Staff Conference in the University of San Francisco, California, USA, in 1967. These cases have certain features of the history and clinical findings of TB, in particular, the striking difference in the hematological manifestations between the two cases. A brief summary about the demographics and clinical presentation of Mycobacterium TB infection is included thereafter.
Impact of a dedicated palliative radiation oncology service on the use of single fraction and hypofractionated radiation therapy among patients with bone metastases.

Background: Radiation therapy (RT) is frequently used to palliate symptomatic bone metastases. While high quality literature has shown that for uncomplicated bone metastases, shorter radiotherapy courses are just as effective as longer courses for the treatment of pain, shorter courses remain under-utilized. We aimed to assess the impact of a dedicated palliative radiation oncology service on the frequency of single fraction RT (SF-RT) and hypofractionated radiation (hypo-RT) (≤5 fractions) among patients with bone metastases. Methods: We identified 2,086 instances of palliative radiation (RT) for complicated and uncomplicated bone metastases between April 10, 2008 and September 17, 2014. We used multivariable logistic regression analysis (MVA) to estimate the association of the Supportive and Palliative Radiation Oncology (SPRO) service with the likelihood of receiving SF-RT or hypo-RT after controlling for age, sex, tumor type, and treatment site. Results: Prior to SPRO’s implementation on July 1, 2011, the proportion of SF-RT and hypo-RT for bone metastases was 6.4% and 27.6% respectively. After SPRO’s implementation, the proportion of SF-RT and hypo-RT increased to 22.3% (P Conclusions: Implementation of a dedicated palliative radiation oncology service was associated with increased use of SF and hypo-RT and with greater courses of RT delivered for bone metastases.
Bleeding Complications After Percutaneous Liver Biopsy: Do Subcapsular Lesions Pose a Higher Risk?

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study is to determine the incidence of moderate and severe bleeding complications after subcapsular liver mass biopsy and compare it with the incidences of such compl...
The story of bithalamic gliomas: A special emphasis on mass intermedia (P5.162)

Objective: To describe the pattern of spread of bithalamic tumors and possibly tailor the existing treatment modalities. Background: Bilateral thalamic tumors are different from their counterparts presenting as unilateral thalamic gliomas. These are known to have poor prognosis, irrespective of their histopathology. There are two views regarding the origin. According to one view, bithalamic tumors arise on one side of thalamic nuclei and spread to the other side with time, while according to another view they arise by sprouting of tumors from the subependymal region of the third ventricle. Design/Methods: We retrospectively studied the MR Imaging of 9 patients with gliomas involving thalamus bilaterally. We used FLAIR sequence in all 9 cases, in order to select a point of origin and locate massa intermedia. Additional data such as demographic details, the presence of obstructive hydrocephalus and tumoral enhancement patterns were also noted. Results: The median age of the patients (3F, 6M) was 16 y/o. Six out of 9 patients had hydrocephalus, with massa intermedia noted in 6 cases whereas it was not appreciated in 3 cases due to the tumor size. Bilateral involvement of the thalamus was noted in 7 patients on their initial scan, 1 patient had tumor confined to the cavum velum interpositum, which caused the abnormal signal in the thalamus bilaterally and 1 patient had left sided unilateral glioma which later progressed to the right side. Conclusions: Bithalamic tumors share a poor prognosis. Massa intermedia seems to be a possible route of spread of tumor from one thalamus to the other and subependymal region of the third ventricle may be contributing. These views open a newer channel for prophylactic radiation covering MI and third ventricle to prevent the intact thalamus and hence improve the prognosis of the patients. Disclosure: Dr. Gogia has nothing to disclose. Dr. Kumar has nothing to disclose. Dr. Hayman has nothing to disclose.
The relationship between aqueous humor flow and anterior chamber protein concentration in rabbits.

Purpose Protein concentration in the anterior chamber of noninflamed eyes is determined by three factors: the rate of protein entry into the aqueous humor (AH), the removal rate by bulk flow of AH, and the anterior chamber volume. On the basis of observations by previous investigators and the authors' computational modeling, it was hypothesized that a direct reciprocal relationship exists between aqueous flare and AH flow. This relationship was studied in pigmented rabbits, under several conditions, to determine the validity of the hypothesis that changes in aqueous flare intensity reflect variations in AH flow rate. Methods Aqueous flare and AH flow were measured in rabbits entrained to a 12 hr light: 12 hr dark cycle, starting at 6 AM, which subsequently was phase-shifted 6 hr earlier to allow measurements over the light-to-dark transition period. AH flow rates were determined fluorophotometrically using the clearance method after corneal deposition of fluorescein. A Kowa FC1000 cell/flare meter was used to measure aqueous flare. Predictions of anterior chamber protein concentration were made using a computer model of plasma-derived protein diffusion into AH. The response to changes primarily of AH flow were evaluated by concurrently determining flare and flow before and after administration of intravenous acetazolamide. Results Aqueous flare decreased 40% during constant light and 47% over the light-dark transition in a parallel, monophasic manner. AH flow did not change significantly under either condition. In contrast, acetazolamide-induced changes in AH flow resulted in reciprocal changes in flare that could be simulated with the computer model through flow parameter changes alone. Conclusions Anterior chamber protein concentration in rabbits appears to be modulated both by factors affecting AH flow and protein entry into the aqueous. Thus, in rabbits, changes in aqueous flare do not necessarily reflect AH flow changes.
Antibacterial – Acinetobacter baumannii – Activity of Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate (EGCG)

Infections caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) microbes have recently become commonplace. The treatment of MDR infections can be complicated by the lack of effective antibiotics. (–)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) and related tea catechins are compounds with extensive antimicrobial and antipathogenic activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, yeasts, and viruses. EGCG is particularly effective against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Acinetobacter baumannii is an opportunistic bacterium that is a common nosocomial infection. MDR strains of A. baumannii occur with troubling frequency, and treatment is often limited to last-resort antibiotics. We have shown in vitro that EGCG is an effective bactericidal agent against clinical isolates of A. baumannii . However, the effective doses are higher than can likely be achieved systemically and therefore EGCG may be better suited for topical application to treat infections of burns and other superficial wounds. In support of this, bactericidal doses of EGCG did not negatively affect closure/contraction of the wound in a murine surgical wound model. Taken together, EGCG has widespread antimicrobial activity against clinically significant drug-resistant organisms without negative impacts on healing and recovery. The antimicrobial properties of EGCG have been explored extensively in the laboratory and should be further investigated in more clinically relevant settings.
Downlink Channel Estimation with Limited Feedback for FDD Multi-User Massive MIMO with Spatial Channel Correlation

Massive multiple input multiple output (MIMO) systems are a promising technology for next generation wireless communications due to their ability to increase capacity and enhance both spectrum and energy efficiency. To utilize the benefit of massive MIMO systems, accurate downlink channel state information at the transmitter (CSIT) is essential. Conventional approaches to obtain CSIT for frequency-division duplex (FDD) multi-user massive MIMO systems require downlink training and uplink CSI feedback. However, such training results in large overhead for massive MIMO systems because of the large dimensionality of the channel matrix. In this paper, we investigate the channel estimation problem in FDD multi-user massive MIMO systems with spatially correlated channels and develop an efficient channel estimation algorithm that exploits the sparsity structure of the downlink channel matrix. The proposed algorithm selects the best features from the measurement matrix to obtain efficient CSI acquisition that can reduce the downlink training overhead compared with the conventional LS/MMSE channel estimators. We compare the performance of our proposed channel estimation method with traditional ones in terms of normalized mean square error (MSE). Simulation results verify that the proposed algorithm can significantly reduce the pilot overhead and has better performance compared with the traditional channel estimation methods.
Landslide Susceptibility and Soil Loss Estimates Impacting Streams in the Drift Creek/Siletz Watershed, Lincoln County, Oregon

This study models landslide susceptibility on a watershed scale and estimates soil loss resulting from landslide derived sediment within 30 m of Strahler 3rd order or higher streams in the Drift Creek/Siletz watershed. Landslide derived sediment has been suspected of decreasing water quality, suspending water treatment plant operations, and degrading ecology in the Drift Creek/Siletz watershed by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). The watershed has been designated as “Impaired by Unknown Stressors” by the MidCoast Watersheds Council Biological Monitoring Results Survey (2013). Logistic regression was used to determine the most significant variables contributing to landslide occurrence and to create a watershed scale landslide susceptibility map with area under the ROC curve of 0.8761. The most significant variables are slope angle, terrain elevation, soil erodibility factor, and plan curvature (curvature perpendicular to slope direction). Soil loss estimates were made by using the U.S. Department of Agriculture RUSLE 2 equation in ArcGIS to accommodate the many different spatial factors in the calculation. The watershed wide average annual soil loss estimate agrees with published findings for watersheds of similar size and physiographical location. Four Upper Drift Creek landslide deposits within 30 m of the stream network showed the highest average annual soil loss estimates (281.5 tons/acre/year combined). These landslide deposits coincide with recent logging activity. Logging activity and the time for forest re-growth appears to substantially influence soil loss in the Drift Creek/Siletz watershed.
An action of the free product Z2⋆Z2⋆Z2 on the q-Onsager algebra and its current algebra

Abstract Recently Pascal Baseilhac and Stefan Kolb introduced some automorphisms T 0 , T 1 of the q-Onsager algebra O q , that are roughly analogous to the Lusztig automorphisms of U q ( sl ˆ 2 ) . We use T 0 , T 1 and a certain antiautomorphism of O q to obtain an action of the free product Z 2 ⋆ Z 2 ⋆ Z 2 on O q as a group of (auto/antiauto)-morphisms. The action forms a pattern much more symmetric than expected. We show that a similar phenomenon occurs for the associated current algebra A q . We give some conjectures and problems concerning O q and A q .
Carbon monoxide emission rates from roasted whole bean and ground coffee

ABSTRACTCarbon monoxide (CO) emitted from roasted coffee is a potential occupational respiratory exposure hazard to workers within the coffee industry. The current study objective was to estimate C...
Topographic controls on a phreatomagmatic maar-diatreme eruption: field and numerical results from the Holocene Dotsero volcano (Colorado, USA)

We analyze the eruptive products of Holocene Dotsero volcano (Colorado, USA; ~ 4.15 ka), which record evidence of a progression from effusive magmatic activity through explosive phreatomagmatic maar-forming activity to a final explosive magmatic phase. The nature of the deposits suggests that the irregular and mountainous pre-eruptive topography strongly influenced the formation of directed pyroclastic density currents (PDCs) during the phreatomagmatic phase, where the topographically high northern crater rim acted as a barrier and promoted transport to the south. Furthermore, the crater shape strongly controlled the grain size of the final deposits, providing further evidence that deposit grain size can be a misleading proxy for fragmentation or explosion intensity. We test these hypotheses, as gleaned from fieldwork, by implementing a multiphase numerical model to simulate discrete explosions and their resulting PDCs at maar-diatreme volcanoes. We confirm that a crater shape where one rim is higher than the other promotes multiple pulses of particle transport in the direction of the lower rim. The initial PDCs contain both coarse and fine particles, whereas PDCs generated by later pulses contain, predominately, finer particles. This mechanism provides an alternative explanation to the formation of lapilli tuff/tuff couplets often found at maar-diatreme tephra rings (including Dotsero volcano). Additional modeling shows how the crater depth can control grain size of the resulting PDC deposits. In the case of a deep crater and a relatively weak explosion, it is possible that only the fine particles escape following collapse of the eruptive column, resulting in a fine-grained deposit. This work allows us to improve models developed to describe emplacement of PDCs for different crater geometries and informs on the dynamics of maar-diatreme eruptions, but also highlights the limitations of our knowledge of key parameters, especially those related to the processes of magma-water interaction and syn-eruptive hydrogeology, during such events.
Leadership, Vision, & Reflection: Applying Ignatian Concepts to Develop Transformational Leaders with a Select Application to Sustainability

Jesuit business schools have an obligation to develop ethical transformational leaders who seek a just and humane world. Whether it is addressing the needs of social justice or leading change to advance sustainability, these institutions have a unique ability to apply Ignatian concepts in developing responsible leaders. This article examines these concepts, including the insight of reflection, the gift from empowering others, the strength from building trust, and the rewards of silent servant leadership to help others rise. In examining the “modeling” of successful leaders, we will look at how the transparency of leadership is essential to lead change in areas such as social justice and sustainability. We will consider, for example, how Jesuitvalued education can fill the void of effective environmental leadership with regard to sustainability. We will establish the case that Jesuit schools are in a unique position to develop these leadership skills to facilitate this necessary environmental dialogue. Thus, in reflecting on the philosophy of developing leadership, we will see how Ignatian principles can form the core foundation for building great leaders. Finally, this article looks to the future of Jesuit business school education. What are the changes necessary in teaching leadership to advance social justice and lead sustainability change? What reflection on Ignatian concepts must faculty and administration pursue so that Jesuit business schools are at the forefront of leadership? We will conclude the “modeling” of leaders with how our institutions can foster principled leadership within every student through the application of Ignatian concepts.
Predicting Risk Perception: New Insights from Data Science

We outline computational techniques for predicting perceptions of risk. Our approach uses the structure of word distribution in natural language data to uncover rich representations for a very larg...
Teaching and assessing engineering design thinking with virtual internships and epistemic network analysis

An engineering workforce of sufficient size and quality is essential for addressing significant global challenges such asclimate change, world hunger, and energy demand. Future generations of engineers will need to identify challenging issuesand design innovative solutions. To prepare young people to solve big and increasingly global problems, researchers andeducators need to understand how we can best educate young people to use engineering design thinking. In this paper, weexplore virtual internships, online simulations of 21st-century engineering design practice, as one method for teachingengineering design thinking. To assess the engineering design thinking, we use epistemic network analysis (ENA), a tool formeasuring complex thinking as it develops over time based on discourse analysis. The combination of virtual internshipsand ENA provides opportunities for students to engage in authentic engineering design, potentially receive concurrentfeedback on their engineering design thinking, and develop the identity, values, and ways of thinking of professionalengineers.
CXCR4S338X clonality is an important determinant of ibrutinib outcomes in patients with Waldenström macroglobulinemia.

Key Points CXCR4S338X clonality ≥25% is associated with lower very good partial response and shorter progression-free survival to ibrutinib. CXCR4S338X clonality assessment represents a novel biomarker to predict outcomes to ibrutinib in Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia patients.
Enhanced Rotary Transformer-Based Field Excitation System for Wound Rotor Synchronous Motor

Wound rotor synchronous motors are being increasingly considered for electric vehicle traction applications. In this regard, the rotary transformer-based field excitation system is considered one of the most viable option for the rotor winding excitation. For such applications, key performance indicators for the rotary transformer-based field excitation system include: maximum speed, power transfer capability, size and weight, manufacturing cost and ease of control. These indicators on the other hand are affected by design choices such as mechanical and magnetic air-gap lengths, use of ferrites in the rotor of the rotary transformer and reactive power compensation. This paper evaluates the performance of the field excitation system based on two different designs of the rotary transformer: a conventional design and a proposed design. Particularly, the effect of various compensation types on the power transfer capability of the two design types is evaluated. It is shown that unlike the conventional design, the proposed design can take advantage of resonant compensation circuits both to enhance its power transfer capability and to ease the control. Taking the same space constraints, winding window areas, and number of turns for the two types of design, the condition necessary for compensation to enhance the performance of the field excitation system is established.
Introduction and Scope of the Problem

Acetabular fractures in the elderly represent a difficult management challenge, with nonoperative management or surgery with either fracture fixation and/or arthroplasty all being acceptable options. This introductory chapter defines the problems that these injuries present to clinicians who care for these patients and provides a brief introduction to treatment options.
Evaluating the role of sentinel lymph node biopsy in patients with DCIS treated with breast conserving surgery.

Abstract Introduction The role of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) for patients with ductal carcinoma in-situ (DCIS) is limited given the rarity of nodal metastasis in non-invasive disease. Although SLNB is typically a safe procedure, there are potential complications and associated costs. The purpose of this study is to assess national surgical practice patterns and clinical outcomes with respect to the use of SLNB for DCIS in patients undergoing breast conserving surgery (BCS). Methods Case-level data from the National Cancer Data Base (NCDB) was assessed to identify adult patients ≥ 18 with DCIS, who underwent BCS and SLNB. Patient demographics and hospital characteristics were grouped for analytic purposes. A multivariate analysis was performed for patient and hospital characteristics. Results We identified 15,422 patients with DCIS undergoing BCS in 2015, of which 2,698 (18%) underwent SLNB. A multivariate analysis demonstrated a significant association between greater frequency of SLNB in patients age range of 60–69, receipt of care at a community facility, and higher nuclear grade DCIS. Positive sentinel nodes metastasis was identified in 0.9% patients undergoing BCS and SLNB for DCIS. Conclusion The role of SLNB in patients with DCIS undergoing BCS is limited and does not routinely provide meaningful information or benefit to clinical management. Despite this, nearly one in five patients undergoing BCS for DCIS had lymph node sampling performed. Given the potential increased morbidity and financial implications, this finding represents an opportunity for further education and improvement in patient selection for SLNB.
US-based risk stratification "guidelines" for thyroid nodules: Quō Vādis?

PURPOSE This rapid scoping review addresses the commentary titled the ACR TI-RADS™: An Advance in the Management of Thyroid Nodules or Pandora's Box of Surveillance? suggesting that the 2017 American College of Radiology Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (ACR TI-RADS™-2017) adds to a plethora of existing guidelines, incorporates an inconsistent lexicon, and potentially contradicts recommendations. MATERIALS AND METHODS The author performed a rapid scoping review using a combination of English keywords to identify and review peer reviewed articles contained in electronic databases (e-databases) comparing 2 or more guidelines for managing adult thyroid nodules (GMTNs) with (UGMTNs) and without (non-UGMTNs) ultrasound. E-databases included Medline (PubMed), EBSCO, Google, and Google Scholar published (2010-2019). RESULTS The search returned 28 articles, where the author identified 12 different guidelines. Most articles evaluated diagnostic performance (N = 26), not quality (N = 2) measures. The most commonly reviewed UGMTNs were in descending order ATA-2015, ACR TI-RADS™-2017, South Korean, and EU TI-RADS. No article reviewed all GMTNs or identified a generally accepted UGMTNs or non-UGMTNs. Primary origin continents were: North America (U.S.A), Asia (Japan, South Korea, Thailand), Europe (France, Italy, U.K.), and South America (Chile). CONCLUSION A plethora of UGMTNs may exist. No guideline enjoys general acceptance and evaluations of performance and quality vary.
Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis-like reactions to checkpoint inhibitors: a systematic review.

The use of checkpoint inhibitors for treatment of advanced malignancies is increasing. Rashes, pruritus, and more rarely, reactions resembling Stevens-Johnsons syndrome (SJS) or toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) may occur secondary to checkpoint inhibitors. To characterize existing literature on these reports, we queried the PubMed/MEDLINE database for cases of SJS or TEN associated with checkpoint inhibitors. We identified 18 cases of SJS or TEN-like reactions to checkpoint inhibitors in the literature. There were 12 cases of SJS-like rashes with median time to onset of 5.6 weeks (average of 8.9 weeks), of which five were delayed to week 8 or later from checkpoint inhibitor initiation. The five TEN-like reactions had a median time to onset of 4 weeks (average of 5.38 weeks), of which two were delayed to week 6 or later. SJS/TEN-like reactions to nivolumab (seven cases) had median onset time of 3 weeks, whereas five cases secondary to pembrolizumab had median onset time of 11 weeks. Seven cases in this study described prodromal rashes, which varied from localized papular rashes to generalized morbilliform rashes, prior to evolution into SJS or TEN-like patterns. SJS-like patterns generally improved well on systemic treatment/supportive care and no cases of death were identified, but mortality occurred in three of five patients with TEN-like reactions. Dermatologists should consider the possibility for unique features of SJS/TEN in response to checkpoint inhibitors. Additional studies will be necessary to further characterize SJS/TEN-like eruptions on checkpoint inhibitors and determine the optimal management of these cases.
Comparative Performance of Insulinoma-associated protein 1 (INSM1) and Routine Immunohistochemical Markers of Neuroendocrine Differentiation in the Diagnosis of Endocrine Mucin-Producing Sweat Gland Carcinoma.

Endocrine Mucin-Producing Sweat Gland Carcinoma (EMPSGC) is a rare cutaneous adnexal malignancy with predilection for the eyelids of older adults. It must be distinguished from metastatic adenocarcinomas of extracutaneous origin and from benign adnexal proliferations on partial samples when a solid growth component and mucin production are not evident. Thus, demonstration of neuroendocrine differentiation can help to ensure a correct diagnosis. Insulinoma-associated protein 1 (INSM1) is a novel neuroendocrine marker that has recently shown greater sensitivity than synaptophysin (SYN) and chromogranin (CHR) in the diagnosis of various neuroendocrine neoplasms. We compared the performance of these three markers across ten examples of EMPSGC. All EMPSGC expressed INSM1. Eight of ten were also immunoreactive for SYN; however, INSM1 staining was generally more intense and stained a greater proportion of the tumor cells. CHR staining was weak and focal in most cases. INSM1 staining was present in hidrocystoma-like components of cystic EMPSGC. These findings suggest that INSM1 may be more sensitive than SYN and CHR and thus valuable for establishing a diagnosis of EMPSGC. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Improving inference with matrix elements and machine learning

Particle physics processes bring together a high-energy amplitude described by quantum field theory and nonperturbative effects and detector interactions described by complex computer simulations. ...
Comparing patient OOP spending for specialty drugs in Medicare Part D and employer-sponsored insurance.

OBJECTIVES Per capita spending on specialty drugs increased 55% between 2014 and 2018. Individuals aged 55 to 75 years using specialty drugs make the transition from employer-sponsored insurance (ESI) to Medicare Part D coverage. We compared out-of-pocket (OOP) spending across ESI, Medicare fee-for-service (FFS), and Medicare Advantage (MA) prescription drug plans to examine the impact of benefit design on OOP spending. STUDY DESIGN Analyses consisted of Truven MarketScan and Medicare Part D prescription drug claims from 2013 to 2017 for individuals enrolled in ESI, FFS, and MA drug plans taking at least 1 drug among the top 4 specialty drug classes: rheumatoid arthritis (RA), multiple sclerosis (MS), cancer, and hepatitis C. METHODS Multivariate regression analyses with fixed effects were used to assess whether there are differences in OOP spending by insurance type and the impact of benefit design differences. A secondary outcome was drug choice within a therapeutic class. RESULTS There were small differences in drug choice between Medicare and ESI but significant differences in OOP spending. Monthly OOP spending for ESI relative to FFS was $108 less for RA drugs, $288 less for MS drugs, $504 less for cancer drugs, and $1437 less for hepatitis C drugs. Spending was slightly greater for beneficiaries in MA plans compared with FFS. Higher Medicare spending was driven by gaps in coverage in the Part D benefit phases because beneficiaries pay a percentage of list price. CONCLUSIONS OOP spending was substantially higher for Medicare enrollees compared with ESI enrollees as a result of the Part D benefit structure.