cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Infection and Encephalitis

Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) serves as a powerful tool in narrowing the differential diagnosis in pediatric brain disorders. Unfortunately, the literature provides only a limited number of case reports and larger patient series employing this technique in the diagnosis and monitoring of infectious and inflammatory conditions. For these conditions producing encephalitis, MRS often demonstrates a more benign spectral appearance, with minor changes in metabolite levels, which contrasts to the typically more dramatic and often aggressive spectral features recognized in neoplasms and metabolic disorders. One key exception is frank abscess, as this process depletes the metabolites found in normal brain parenchyma and replaces them with distinct amino acids. This chapter first describes some practical and technical concerns associated with conducting neurological MRS studies in the pediatric patients to confirm the diagnosis of an infectious and/or inflammatory process. A brief description of infectious disorders and inflammatory conditions with illustrative imaging and spectroscopy examples from our center and the literature will provide important information in diagnosing these conditions.
Lipoprotein composition in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus: Impact of lipases and adipokines.

Abstract Objective High cardiovascular mortality in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1DM) is widely recognized. Paradoxically, these patients have been shown to have elevated HDL-C and reduced apoB-containing lipoproteins. The purpose of this investigation was to further characterize the lipoprotein composition in T1DM and to assess the role that lipases and adipokines may play in these differences. Methods T1DM patients (89) attending the Diabetes Clinic at the University of Miami and 42 healthy controls were recruited. Clinical characteristics, lipoprotein composition (by ultracentrifugation and HPLC), leptin, and adiponectin were measured in the full cohort, while a subgroup had LPL and hepatic lipase measured. Results Subjects were predominately Caucasian and Hispanic. HgbA1c's were above goal while their mean duration of diabetes was > 20 years. LPL was 2-fold elevated in diabetic women versus controls (+ 107%{p = 0.001}) with no difference in men. Hepatic lipase was reduced 50% {p LDL-C was reduced in both diabetic men (− 33%{p HDL-L lipids (except triglycerides) (men: + 45 → 74%; women: + 49 → 77%{p LPL activity correlated primarily with IDL(−), LDL(−), HDL-L(+), and HDL-D(−) only in the women. HL correlated weakly with VLDL(+), LDL(+), HDL-L(−), and HDL-D(+) in women but had much stronger correlations with VLDL(−), IDL(−), and HDL-L(+). Adiponectin correlated with VLDL(−), IDL(−), LDL(−), HDL-L(+), and HDL-D(−) in women but only HDL-L(+) and HDL-D(−) in men. Leptin correlated with very few parameters in women but did correlate weakly with several HDL-L(−) and HDL-M(−) parameters. Conclusion Lipoprotein composition and adipokine concentrations in both genders as well as lipase activities in the women would be expected to reduce the atherosclerotic risk in these patients with T1DM. These data suggest that there are functional lipoprotein abnormalities responsible for their CV risk that are not reflected in their plasma concentrations.
The Endless Campaign: How the Tort Reformers Successfully and Incessantly Market Their Groupthink to the Rest of Us

Neo-conservatives often employ the theme of personal responsibility to marginalize plaintiffs seeking compensation for mass torts. For example, the tort reformers use techniques of blaming the victim successfully in defending tobacco products liability claims. This groupthink about corporate victimhood deflects attention away from the true victims of defective products, negligent medicine, or unreasonably risky activities. Similarly, neo-conservatives redefined the term "reform" to signify caps and other limitations on recovery for injured plaintiffs in an effort to improve the functioning of the American civil justice system. Tort law's remarkable ability to continually adapt to old causes of action to new threats and dangers makes it an important institution of social control. A strong regime of tort law ensures that not even multi-billion dollar industries, such as those represented by the tort reform movement, are beyond the reach of the law. Tort law is, as it has always been, forward-looking with the ability to confront new social problems and conditions. The tort reformers endless campaign of misinformation threaten to diminish the ability of our civil justice system to evolve to meet the emergent hazards of the twenty-first century.
Analysis of tow placed, parallel fiber, variable stiffness laminates

Using advanced manufacturing techniques it is possible to create laminates, composed of plies' with spatially varying fiber orientation, which have stiffness properties that vary as a function of position. Previous work had modeled such variable stiffness laminae by taking a reference fiber path and creating subsequent paths by shifting the reference path. This paper introduces a method where subsequent paths are truly parallel to the reference fiber path. The primary manufacturing constraint considered in the analysis of variable stiffness laminates was limits on fiber curvature which proved to be more restrictive for parallel fiber laminae than for shifted fiber. The in-plane responses of shifted and parallel fiber variable stiffness laminates to applied uniform end shortening were determined. Both shifted and parallel fiber variable stiffness laminates can redistribute the applied load thereby increasing critical buckling loads compared to traditional straight fiber laminates. The primary differences between the two methods is that parallel fiber laminates are not able to redistribute the loading to the degree of the shifted fiber. This significantly reduces the increase in critical buckling load for parallel fiber variable stiffness laminates over straight fiber laminates.
Fast Nuclear Spin Conversion in Water Clusters and Ices: A Matrix Isolation Study

Single water molecules have been isolated in solid Ar matrices at 4 K and studied by rovibrational spectroscopy using FTIR in the regions of the ν(1), ν(2), and ν(3) modes. Upon nuclear spin conversion at 4 K, essentially pure para-H(2)O was prepared, followed by subsequent fast annealing generating ice particles. FTIR studies of the vapor above the condensed water upon annealing to T ≥ 250 K indicate fast reconversion of nuclear spin to equilibrium conditions. Our results indicate that nuclear spin conversion is fast in water dimers and larger clusters, which preclude preparation of concentrated samples of para-H(2)O, such as in ice or vapor.
Pain and emotion.

When one considers the responses to pain, it appears that there is an emotion of pain as well as a sensation of pain. Sorrow or depression, anger and fear are evoked as well as motor, autonomic and sensory responses. Pain can occur as a primary or secondary manifestation in affective disorders and also occurs in neurosis and schizophrenia.
Bubble formation in additive manufacturing of glass

Bubble formation is a common problem in glass manufacturing. The spatial density of bubbles in a piece of glass is a key limiting factor to the optical quality of the glass. Bubble formation is also a common problem in additive manufacturing, leading to anisotropic material properties. In glass Additive Manufacturing (AM) two separate types of bubbles have been observed: a foam layer caused by the reboil of the glass melt and a periodic pattern of bubbles which appears to be unique to glass additive manufacturing. This paper presents a series of studies to relate the periodicity of bubble formation to part scan speed, laser power, and filament feed rate. These experiments suggest that bubbles are formed by the reboil phenomena why periodic bubbles result from air being trapped between the glass filament and the substrate. Reboil can be detected using spectroscopy and avoided by minimizing the laser power while periodic bubbles can be avoided by a two-step laser melting process to first establish good contact between the filament and substrate before reflowing the track with higher laser power.
Stimulation by thyroid hormone of Na+-H+ exchange activity in cultured opossum kidney cells

Cultured opossum kidney (OK) cells were used to determine whether thyroid hormone has a direct stimulatory effect on Na(+)-H+ exchange activity in an intact cellular preparation. Na+ uptake or intracellular pH recovery was measured in confluent monolayer cells following acid loading with NH4Cl. Triiodo-L-thyronine (T3) had no effect on cell number or protein and DNA contents but stimulated amiloride-sensitive Na+ uptake in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Maximal stimulation of Na+ uptake was observed at 10(-7) M T3 and 10(-6) M L-thyroxine (T4) with half-maximal effects at 10(-9) M T3 and 3 x 10(-8) M T4. The T3 specific binding capacity of OK cells was 96 +/- 15 fmol/mg DNA with a KD of 1.1 +/- 0.2 x 10(-9) M T3. Neither T3 nor T4 had any effect on amiloride-insensitive Na+ uptake. In kinetic studies of Na+ uptake, T3 increased the Vmax from 123 +/- 22 to 157 +/- 24 nmol.mg-1.min-1 without changing the Michaelis-Menten kinetics (Km) for Na+ (21 +/- 1 in control and 22 +/- 4 mM in T3-treated cells). Studies of intracellular pH (pHi) showed that the resting pHi and the buffering capacity were unaffected by T3. However, after an acid load, OK cells treated with T3 exhibited a greater rate of Na(+)-dependent pH recovery than untreated control cells. These results indicate that thyroid hormone can stimulate Na(+)-H+ exchange activity directly in renal cell line without apparent changes in pHi, cellular hypertrophy, or hyperplasia.
Mechanisms of electrolyte transport across the endometrium. II. Regulation by GRP and substance P

The purpose of this study was to investigate the regulation of electrolyte transport across the porcine endometrium by gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) and substance P (SP). Luminal addition of GRP, neuromedin B (NMB), SP, or neurokinin A(NKA) to mucosal tissues mounted in Ussing chambers produced a multiphasic change in short-circuit current (Isc) characterized by an initial rapid increase and subsequent decrease in current. A similar response was obtained after addition of ionomycin or thapsigargin to the tissues. The Isc response to the peptides or Ca ionophore was inhibited by pretreatment of the tissues with luminal amiloride or benzamil. GRP and SP were more potent [50% effective concentration (EC50) of 3 nM] than NMB or NKA (EC50 values of 46 and 26 nM, respectively) in producing the decrease in Isc. Pretreatment with the GRP receptor antagonist 3-Phe-His-Trp-Ala-Val-D-Ala-His-D-Pro-psi Phe-NH2 blocked the Isc response to GRP and NMB but not to SP or NKA, whereas the NMB receptor antagonist D-Nal-[Cys-Try-D-Trp-Orn-Val-Cys]-Nal-NH2 was ineffective in inhibiting the Isc response to any of the peptides. In contrast, pretreatment of the tissue with the nonpeptide SP receptor antagonist CP-99,994 blocked the Isc response to SP and NKA but not to GRP or NMB. Experiments with amphotericin B-permeabilized tissues showed that GRP, SP, ionomycin, and thapsigargin increased current through an outwardly rectifying K conductance located on the apical membrane of the cells. The K-to-Na selectivity ratio of this conductance was calculated to be 2.5:1. These experiments showed that GRP and SP, acting through different receptors, produced an increase in K efflux through a Ca-dependent K conductance present in the apical membrane of surface endometrial epithelial cells. In addition, immunohistochemistry data showed that GRP-like immunoreactivity was localized to surface and glandular epithelial cells, whereas GRP receptor antibody labeling was observed in both epithelial and stromal cells. These results suggest that GRP functions as both an autocrine and paracrine regulatory peptide in the endometrium.
Feynman-Dlagram Approach to Wave Diffraction by Media Having Multiple Periodicities

Problems requiring the accurate determination of waves diffracted by periodically modulated media have been treated most recently by using coupled-wave techniques. By developing a field representation in terms of multiply scattered waves, we provide here an alternative approach which is particularly effective for situations involving two or more superposed volume gratings. An advantage of this approach is that the diffracted fields can be described by modified Feynman diagrams in the form of flow charts. These diagrams provide a phenomenological description of the scattering process, and they also serve as a powerful and systematic tool for the rapid evaluation of any diffracted grating orders.
Is biotin deficiency teratogenic in mice

En reponse a un article affirmant que les effets teratogenes d'une deficience en biotine varient en fonction de l'espece et des lignees (souris et rodentia), les auteurs avancent une explication alternative, affirmant que les teneurs en vitamine A sont trop elevees dans les regimes alimentaires testes
Laurence Sterne and the Experience of Reading Fiction

The extent of Fielding’s influence on Sterne remains a matter of debate. Prominent Sterneans including John Traugott and Melvyn New have preferred to keep the term “novel” away from discussions of Tristram Shandy, to avoid suggesting a genealogy where Sterne saw none. More recently, Tom Keymer and Robert Folkenflik resituated Sterne within the discourse on the novel, without denying his affiliation with the secular and religious traditions stressed by Traugott and New.
Staging User Feedback toward Rapid Conflict Resolution in Data Fusion

In domains such as the Web, sensor networks and social media, sources often provide conflicting information for the same data item. Several data fusion techniques have been proposed recently to resolve conflicts and identify correct data. The performance of these fusion systems, while quite accurate, is far from perfect. In this paper, we propose to leverage user feedback for validating data conflicts and rapidly improving the performance of fusion. To present the most beneficial data items for the user to validate, we take advantage of the level of consensus among sources, and the output of fusion to generate an effective ordering of items. We first evaluate data items individually, and then define a novel decision-theoretic framework based on the concept of value of perfect information (VPI) to order items by their ability to boost the performance of fusion. We further derive approximate formulae to scale up the decision-theoretic framework to large-scale data. We empirically evaluate our algorithms on three real-world datasets with different characteristics, and show that the accuracy of fusion can be significantly improved even while requesting feedback on a few data items. We also show that the performance of the proposed methods depends on the characteristics of data, and assess the trade-off between the amount of feedback acquired, and the effectiveness and efficiency of the methods.
Digital urbanism in a transitional economy – a review of India’s municipal e-governance policy

The basic premise of India’s new urban agenda rests on widespread application Information Technology (IT) tools to improve the quality of data infrastructure, services delivery and citizen interfac...
Washable thread based strain sensor for smart textile

Here we report fabrication of a facile stretchable and washable thread-based strain/force sensor, which can be sewn into wearable textiles and is capable of measuring human physiological motion. The sensor fabrication is simple and low cost. The sensor has a gauge factor of ∼2.5 and can measure displacement up to 50% of its initial length. The fabricated sensor is also unidirectional. Overall, the sensors show promise toward realization of smart textile for human motion and physiological monitoring in real-time.
Malignant glioma-primitive neuroectodermal tumor recurring as PNET-like only subdural collection: Case report.

Background Histologic variants of conventional glioblastoma are rare clinical entities. In recent years, an aggressive variant termed malignant glioma with primitive neuroectodermal tumor components (MG-PNET) has been described in adults. In addition to the rarity of supratentorial primitive neuroectdoermal tumors (sPNET) in adults, MG-PNET can present with unique radiographic features. Case Description We report the case of a 42-year-old male who presented with headaches and vision changes. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain revealed a large right frontal lesion. He underwent craniotomy with pathology demonstrating glioblastoma WHO grade IV, with primitive neuroectodermal tumor-like components (MG-PNET). Seven weeks later the patient represented with worsening headaches and left-hand weakness. MRI brain revealed a diffusion restricting subdural collection overlying the prior craniotomy site. Biopsy revealed PNET-like recurrence of the previously treated MG-PNET. Conclusion In addition to histologic deviation, MG-PNET can present with variable radiographic findings on MRI and a clinical course distinctive from traditional glioblastoma. The hypercellular nature of this lesion can present as a diffusion-restricting lesion.
Rayleigh Scattering Density Measurements from Ultrafast Lasers in High-Pressure, Cryogenic Wind Tunnels

The Rayleigh scattering signal from femtosecond laser pulses is examined for its utility at making instantaneous density measurements in the NASA Langley 0.3-m Transonic Cryogenic Tunnel. An electron-multiplying CCD camera is used to visualize Rayleigh scattering signal taken concurrently with velocity measurements utilizing the femtosecond laser tagging velocimetry technique (FLEET). The results indicate a strong potential for making instantaneous measurements. Viable single-shot images are obtained over the full operational envelope of the facility, and shot-to-shot variations are found to be on average 6 percent (at 95 percent confidence level) and tend to decrease as the facility density is increased. The Rayleigh scattering signals observed before the optical focus exhibit a characteristically linear dependence on the mass-density of the gas, while signals after the focus exhibit a nonlinear (sublinear) density dependence, indicative of stronger absorption at higher densities. The measured Rayleigh scattering signals compare favorably to theoretical assessments made at the tunnel operating conditions.
Probing Spatiotemporal Stability of Optical Matter by Polarization Modulation

Light-driven self-organization of plasmonic nanoparticles via optical binding interactions offers a unique route to assemble mesoscale photonic clusters and chains. However, stability becomes an issue when more nanoparticles are added into the clusters and chains, since the theoretical optical binding strength is inhomogeneous and anisotropic in optical matter systems. Here we study the spatiotemporal stability of optical matter chains self-organized by two to eight ultrauniform gold nanospheres in a linearly polarized optical line trap. Perturbations are introduced into the nanosphere chains by periodically switching the polarization to be either parallel or perpendicular to the orientation of the chains, where the spatial and temporal variation of optical binding strength has been revealed. In addition, we found that the average oscillation amplitude and stability of the particles can be tuned by the frequency of polarization modulation. These results demonstrate a new way to study and improve the stability of optical matter and provide a promising strategy in engineering optical forces at the mesoscale.
Effects of long-term recycled wastewater irrigation on visual quality and ion concentrations of Ponderosa pine.

Abstract Recycled wastewater (RWW) has become a common water source for irrigating golf courses and urban landscapes. Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) is commonly used in urban landscape settings in the Rocky Mountain West. To evaluate the effects of RWW irrigation on quality and needle ion accumulations of ponderosa pine, eight landscape facilities near metropolitan Denver, CO, were selected for the experiment. Among these sites, four had been irrigated exclusively with domestic RWW [electrical conductivity (EC) = 0.84 dS/m] for 5, 6, 15, and 20 years, respectively. The other four with similar turf species, age ranges, and soil textures had been irrigated with surface water (EC = 0.23 dS/m). Ponderosa pines grown on sites irrigated with RWW exhibited 10 times higher needle burn symptoms than those grown on sites irrigated with surface water (33% vs. 3%). Tissue analysis indicated that ponderosa pine needles collected from sites receiving RWW exhibited 11 times greater Na+ concentration, 2 times greater C...
Disease progression of a lethal decline caused by the 16SrIV-D phytoplasma in Florida palms

Recently, a new phytoplasma was discovered in Hillsborough County in the state of Florida, USA. This phytoplasma belongs to the 16SrIV taxonomic group and is classified as subgroup D. It is the causal agent of lethal bronzing disease (LBD) of palm. Since the discovery of LBD in 2006, the disease has spread throughout much of the state. In 2014 and 2015, stands of cabbage palm and queen palms that had been present at the University of Florida's Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center in Davie, FL began showing symptoms of LBD. After confirming the presence of the LBD phytoplasma in initially infected palms by nested PCR and RFLP analysis, all palms were systematically sampled over the period of 1 year to monitor and quantify disease spread. A total of 30 cabbage palms were tested monthly by qPCR, with five testing positive on the first sample date. By the end of the study period, 16 cabbage palms had died from the infection. A total of 16 queen palms were surveyed, with three palms initially testing positive. By the end of the study, four queen palms had tested positive and died from the infection. To the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to document and quantify spread of palm‐infecting phytoplasmas. This data provides important insights into the ecology of palm‐infecting phytoplasmas and highlights the impact that the movement of infective insects can pose to established stands of palms.
Animal Models for Surgical Research

As a surgeon, you will be the best equipped to conceptualize and construct a unique animal model that closely mimics the human clinical presentation. When beginning your basic science research career, establishing your own, novel animal model is one of the very first things you must do. After you decide what field of interest and what specific clinical problem or disease you wish to study, you must validate and establish an animal model. This model will define your research and associate it with your body of work such that even when a surgery technician or resident in your lab or anyone is presenting data from your lab, because your animal model is recognized as your ‘signature’ the audience will know you are the principal investigator. The animal model you choose should be easy to visualize the effects on a daily basis, easily reproducible and chosen specifically to highlight your disease of interest. In this chapter, we will explore several different animal models and several different ways to study human disease in animals. This is in no way comprehensive, but covers some of the more frequently used models.
A Concept Analysis of Disturbed Body Image in Bariatric Surgery Patients.

PURPOSE This article describes the concept of disturbed body image in bariatric surgery patients. METHOD Walker and Avant's (2011) method of concept analysis is used in this study. FINDINGS After bariatric surgery, the patient's body may change more rapidly than their allocentric ("inside, lived") view of themselves, leading to physical and psychosocial sequelae. CONCLUSION If not prepared physically and psychologically for body image challenges after bariatric surgery, patients may experience disturbed body image in the postoperative phase. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE Understanding the concept of disturbed body image in postoperative bariatric surgery patients may allow health providers to provide preoperative teaching and preparation, as well as postoperative interventions to create congruence between the patient's internal and external selves.
Subject-Specific, Helmet-Restraint, RF Coils for Awake, Non-Human Primate MR Imaging

In non-human primate [NHP] neuroimaging, the head needs to be immobilized. This is currently achieved via surgical implants; however, this method is invasive with risks of medical complications and limits the number of subjects that can enroll in a study due to the long waiting time after surgery for the implant area to heal and high cost. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate a non-invasive, subject-specific, restraint helmet with an integrated MRI RF coil. This system removes the need for invasive head post implantation and can be designed and implemented quickly at a low cost. Low dose computed tomography (CT) images were processed to create a subject-specific restraint helmet and structure of an RF coil. The helmet coil was 3D-printed from polylactic acid (PLA) plastic. The measured S 11 of the fabricated coil is −32 dB indicating a good match at 127.8 MHz (the frequency corresponding to 3T MRI). Imaging was performed on a MR spherical phantom, and a high signal- to- noise ratio of 924 in the region of interest was measured.
Precursors to probation and parole agent intent to send informational, emotional, and esteem social support messages to female clients

Supervising agents serve as sources of social support for over one million women in the US on probation and parole who strive to avoid recidivism. Little is known about the supportive messages agen...
Long-term follow-up of intensive glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes.

In a 15-year follow-up of the VADT study, no differences in major cardiovascular outcomes were found among individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus who underwent either intensive or standard glucose control. These results indicate that intensification of glycaemic control might not be expected to mitigate the risk of cardiovascular events.
Optimized Jumping on the MIT Cheetah 3 Robot

This paper presents a novel methodology for implementing optimized jumping behavior on quadruped robots. Our method includes efficient trajectory optimization, precise high-frequency tracking controller and robust landing controller for stabilizing the robot body position and orientation after impact. Experimental validation was successfully conducted on the MIT Cheetah 3, enabling the robot to repeatably jump onto and jump down from a desk with the height of 30″ (0.76 m). The result demonstrates the advantages of the approach as well as the capability of the robot hardware itself.
Preconception and Prenatal Predictors of Early Experiences of Risk and Protection Among Alaska Children.

Our objective was to identify preconception and prenatal predictors of early experiences of co-occurring risk and protective factors to help target prevention efforts to the highest-need families prior to the birth of the child. Data were from the Alaska Longitudinal Child Abuse and Neglect Linkage project and the 2012–2014 Alaska Child Understanding Behaviors Survey. We used latent class analysis and Vermunt’s three-step approach to examine predictors of latent classes of risk and protective factors among Alaska children. Among children of Alaska Native/American Indian mothers, financial (OR 2.02, 95% CI 1.04, 3.90) and partner stress (OR 2.06, 95% CI 1.02, 4.10) prior to childbirth, maternal education < 12 years (OR 2.29, 95% CI 1.05, 4.96), and maternal substance use (OR 2.52, 95% CI 1.30, 4.89) were associated with a higher likelihood of membership in a high risk/moderate protection class as compared to a low socioeconomic status/high protection class. Among children of non-Native mothers, partner stress prior to childbirth (OR 3.92, 95% CI 1.08, 14.19), maternal education < 12 years (OR 2.69, 95% CI 1.24, 5.81), maternal substance use (OR 2.69, 95% CI 1.24, 5.81), younger maternal age (OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.80, 0.95), and a greater number of children (OR 1.62, 95% CI 1.09, 2.41) were associated with a higher likelihood of membership in a moderate risk/high protection class as compared to a low risk/moderate protection class. Results can inform eligibility criteria for prenatal home visiting programs and prenatal screening in Alaska to ensure prevention programming and referrals are directed to families most in need of additional support.
Disturbances in the Sm–Nd isotope system of the Acasta Gneiss Complex—Implications for the Nd isotope record of the early Earth

Abstract The whole rock 143Nd isotope record of the Acasta Gneiss Complex (AGC) has been used to argue for the development of both depleted mantle and enriched crustal reservoirs during the Hadean. The 147Sm–143Nd isotope compositions of rocks from AGC, however, fall on an array with an errorchron date of ∼3.3 Ga, despite the majority of samples yielding substantially older zircon U–Pb ages. This has led to the suggestion of a major Sm–Nd “resetting” event at this time in the AGC. To better understand the Sm–Nd bulk-rock systematics of the AGC, we investigate the U–Pb age and Sm–Nd isotope compositions of apatite and titanite from the AGC, using the laser ablation split stream (LASS) method. Apatite from all samples yield broadly similar U–Pb dates of ∼1.89 to 1.83 Ga, in agreement with resetting during the 1.9 Ga Wopmay orogen. The Sm–Nd isotope compositions of the apatite, however, lie off the WR errorchron and show a high degree of initial Nd isotope heterogeneity. Conversely, titanite Sm–Nd systematics are consistent with the ∼3.3 Ga whole rock errorchron further supporting Sm–Nd modification at ∼3.3 Ga. Taken together, these show that the oldest rocks in the AGC underwent at least two post-crystallization events (at 3.3 and 1.9 Ga) that modified the Sm–Nd isotope system. These results also demonstrate the relative mobility of the Sm–Nd isotope system during orogenic events, which may compromise the ability to determine robust bulk-rock 143Nd isotope signatures.
Activation of G-Protein Coupled Receptor-Gαi Signaling Increases Keratinocyte Proliferation and Reduces Differentiation, Leading to Epidermal Hyperplasia.

G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) and their associated heterotrimeric G proteins impinge on pathways that control epithelial cell self-renewal and differentiation. Although it is known that Gαs protein signaling regulates skin homeostasis in vivo, the role of GPCR-coupled Gαi proteins in the skin is unclear. Here, by using a chemogenetic approach, we demonstrate that GPCR-Gαi activation can regulate keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation and that overactivation of Gαi-signaling in the basal compartment of the mouse skin can lead to epidermal hyperplasia. Our results expand our understanding of the role of GPCR-cAMP signaling in skin homeostasis and reveal overlapping and divergent roles of the cAMP-regulating heterotrimeric Gαs and Gαi proteins in keratinocytes.
Example of the Decay Λ 0 → p + μ − + ν ¯

The decay LAMBDA /sup 0/ yields p + Rmm/sup -/ + nu -bar was found in an exposure taken in the 20 inch BNL hydrogen bubble chamber. The theoretically predicted rate was 2.4 x 10-3. A photodiagram and a table of data are given. (L.N.N.)
An explicit third-order one-step method for autonomous scalar initial value problems of first order based on quadratic Taylor approximation

We present an explicit one-step numerical method of third order that is error-free on autonomous scalar Riccati equations such as the logistic equation. The method replaces the differential equation by its quadratic Taylor polynomial in each step and utilizes the exact solution of that equation for the calculation of the next approximation.
Online adaptive planning for prostate stereotactic body radiotherapy using a 1.5 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging-guided linear accelerator.

Recent advances in integrating 1.5 Tesla magnetic resonance (MR) imaging with a linear accelerator (MR-Linac) allow MR-guided stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for prostate cancer. Choosing an optimal strategy for daily online plan adaptation is particularly important for MR-guided radiotherapy. We analyzed deformable dose accumulation on scans from four patients and found that daily anatomy changes had little impact on the delivered dose, with the dose to the prostate within 0.5% and dose to the rectum/bladder mostly less than 0.5 Gy. These findings could help in the choice of an optimal strategy for online plan adaptation for MR-guided prostate SBRT.
Computational framework for investigating predictive processing in auditory perception.

Abstract Background The brain tracks sound sources as they evolve in time, collecting contextual information to predict future sensory inputs. Previous work in predictive coding typically focuses on the perception of predictable stimuli, leaving the implementation of these same neural processes in more complex, real-world environments containing randomness and uncertainty up for debate. New Method To facilitate investigation into the perception of less tightly-controlled listening scenarios, we present a computational model as a tool to ask targeted questions about the underlying predictive processes that connect complex sensory inputs to listener behavior and neural responses. In the modeling framework, observed sound features (e.g. pitch) are tracked sequentially using Bayesian inference. Sufficient statistics are inferred from past observations at multiple time scales and used to make predictions about future observation while tracking the statistical structure of the sensory input. Results Facets of the model are discussed in terms of their application to perceptual research, and examples taken from real-world audio demonstrate the model's flexibility to capture a variety of statistical structures along various perceptual dimensions. Comparison with Existing Methods Previous models are often targeted toward interpreting a particular experimental paradigm (e.g., oddball paradigm), perceptual dimension (e.g., pitch processing), or task (e.g., speech segregation), thus limiting their ability to generalize to other domains. The presented model is designed as a flexible and practical tool for broad application. Conclusion The model is presented as a general framework for generating new hypotheses and guiding investigation into the neural processes underlying predictive coding of complex scenes.
Association of Tumor Molecular Subtype and Stage with Breast and Axillary Pathologic Complete Response After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer.

Axillary pathologic complete response (pCR) confers higher overall and recurrence-free survival than residual axillary disease. Although breast pCR (ypT0) is associated with a pathologically negative axilla (ypN0) in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive (HER2+) and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), how clinical T (cT) and N (cN) staging are associated with ypN0 in other tumor subtypes is incompletely understood. A single-institution cancer registry was retrospectively reviewed for patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) followed by surgery from 2010 to 2018. Fisher’s exact tests compared proportion of breast and axillary pCR by tumor subtype (hormone receptor [HR]-positive /HER2–,HR+/HER2+,HR–/HER2+,HR–/HER2–). Logistic regression determined factors associated with ypN0. Sensitivity analyses determined how cN status affected ypN status by tumor subtype. The study enrolled 1348 patients. The median age was 54 years (interquartile range [IQR], 44–63 years), and 55% of the patients (n = 736) were postmenopausal. The tumor subtypes were HR+/HER2– (12%, n = 155), HR+/HER2+ (48%, n = 653), HR–/HER2+ (25%, n = 343), and TNBC (15%, n = 197). In the study, cT included T0 (1%, n = 18), T1 (20%, n = 272), T2 (53%, n = 713), T3 (17%, n = 230), and T4 (9%, n = 111), and cN included cN0 (51%, n = 687), cN1 (41%, n = 549), cN2 (5%, n = 61), and cN3 (3%, n = 43). Breast pCR and ypN0 occurred most in the HER2+ and TNBC subtypes. A negative association was found between ypN0 and age at diagnosis (odds ratio [OR], 0.98; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.97–0.99; p < 0.001), cT4 stage (OR, 0.29; 95% CI, 0.09–0.91; p = 0.034), and HR+ subtypes (HR+/HER2–: OR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.31–0.94; p = 0.028; HR+/HER2+: OR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.39–0.93; p = 0.024). The HR–/HER2+ subtype was associated with ypN0 (OR, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.05–2.73; p = 0.030), and cN2/cN3 was negatively associated with ypN0 in HR+/HER2+ disease (OR, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.11–0.61; p = 0.002), HR–/HER2+ disease (OR, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.22–0.77; p = 0.005), and TNBC (OR, 0.11; 95% CI, 0.03–0.40; p = 0.001). Tumor subtype, clinical stage, and age at diagnosis may be important in consideration of de-escalation of axillary staging.
Whole-genome sequencing-based phylogeny, antibiotic resistance, and invasive phenotype of Escherichia coli strains colonizing the cervix of women in preterm labor.

Escherichia coli is a major neonatal pathogen and the leading cause of early-onset sepsis in preterm newborns. Maternal E. coli strains are transmitted to the newborn causing invasive neonatal disease. However, there is a lack of data regarding the phenotypic and genotypic characterization of E. coli strains colonizing pregnant women during labor. This prospective study performed at the University of Oklahoma Medical Center (OUHSC) from March 2014 to December 2015, aimed to investigate the colonization rate, and the phylogeny, antibiotic resistance traits, and invasive properties of E. coli strains colonizing the cervix of fifty pregnant women diagnosed with preterm labor (PTL). Molecular analyses including bacterial whole-genome sequencing (WGS), were performed to examine phylogenetic relationships among the colonizing strains and compare them with WGS data of representative invasive neonatal E. coli isolates. Phenotypic and genotypic antibiotic resistance traits were investigated. The bacteria’s ability to invade epithelial cells in vitro was determined. We recruited fifty women in PTL. Cervical samples yielded E. coli in 12 % (n=6). The mean gestational age was 32.5 (SD±3.19) weeks. None delivered an infant with E. coli disease. Phenotypic and genotypic antibiotic resistance testing did not overall demonstrate extensive drug resistance traits among the cervical E. coli isolates, however, one isolate was multi-drug resistant. The isolates belonged to five different phylogroups, and WGS analyses assigned each to individual multi-locus sequence types. Single nucleotide polymorphism-based comparisons of cervical E. coli strains with six representative neonatal E. coli bacteremia isolates demonstrated that only half of the cervical E. coli isolates were phylogenetically related to these neonatal invasive strains. Moreover, WGS comparisons showed that each cervical E. coli isolate had distinct genomic regions that were not shared with neonatal E. coli isolates. Cervical and neonatal E. coli isolates that were most closely related at the phylogenetic level had similar invasion capacity into intestinal epithelial cells. In contrast, phylogenetically dissimilar cervical E. coli strains were the least invasive among all isolates. This pilot study showed that a minority of women in PTL were colonized in the cervix with E. coli, and colonizing strains were not phylogenetically uniformly representative of E. coli strains that commonly cause invasive disease in newborns. Larger studies are needed to determine the molecular characteristics of E. coli strains colonizing pregnant women associated with an increased risk of neonatal septicemia.
UW-NOAA Relationships

When the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) was created in 1970 I hoped that the Pacific Ocean Laboratory could be developed into a stronger unit that would work together with the Departments of Atmospheric Sciences and Oceanography, especially strengthening our capabilities for observational research. These ambitions were discussed with Bob White, who was receptive; and I recommended that Joshua Holland, who had gotten his Ph.D. under Frank Badgley in 1968 and had been scientific director of the Barbados Oceanographic and Meteorological Experiment (BOMEX), be appointed to direct a NOAA laboratory focusing on problems of atmosphere-ocean interaction. Josh was offered the position, but due to family circumstances felt he could not leave the Washington, D.C., area. That was a major setback to my hopes to form a stronger permanent link with NOAA, one of my biggest disappointments as chair of the department. When disposition of the Sand Point Naval Station was being considered, I testified at a public hearing in favor of establishing a major NOAA center and laboratory to collaborate with the UW. When the Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory was being created, I recommended Norbert Untersteiner and later D. James Baker, then a research professor of oceanography, for appointment as the first PMEL director; but the appointment went to John Apel, whom I did not know at the time. Still later, in 1975 or 1976, Jim Baker and I together proposed creation of a joint UW-NOAA research unit similar to the University of Colorado-NOAA Cooperative Institute. The proposal was endorsed by the UW administration and by NOAA, and the Joint Institute for Study of the Atmosphere and Ocean (JISAO) was established in 1977 with Norbert Untersteiner as director. A year later Norbert accepted an appointment with the Office of Naval Research (ONR), and Mike Wallace was appointed as director of JISAO where, as noted in chapter 8, he developed it into a strong research unit and a major contributor to the department’s program. So the objective of a permanent UW-NOAA linkage was achieved through a structure somewhat different from that originally visualized.
Studying the Sunk Cost Effect in Engineering Decision Making with Serious Gaming

One potential cause of project cost overrun is due to sunk costs. The sunk cost effect is a behavioral phenomenon where decision makers tend to continue a course of action, even an inferior one, if there has been a prior investment of resources in that course of action. In this paper, we study the sunk cost effect and the influence of decision framing on outcomes in an engineering decision-making context. We adopt an approach to human-studies by utilizing computer-enabled serious gaming as a platform to immerse subjects into a design scenario. Through an exploratory study encompassing two experiments, we find that decision framing as well as game mechanics influence subjects’ susceptibility to the sunk cost effect. Decisions framed as either-or type questions and allowing subjects to test stated claims seem to mitigate the sunk cost effect.
The Seeds of Mistrust: The Relationship between Perceived Racism, HIV Conspiracy Theoriesand HIV Testing Attitudes

THE SEEDS OF MISTRUST: THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PERCEIVED RACISM, HIV CONSPIRACY THEORIES, AND HIV TESTING ATTITUDES By Joshua Kyle Brevard, B.S. A thesis proposal submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2013 Major Director: Faye Z. Belgrave Professor of Psychology Department of Psychology Although the number of HIV infected peaked in the late 1980’s, HIV remains a major concern within the African American community (CDC, 2008). African Americans are disproportionately affected, comprising 14% of the U.S. population but representing 44% of new HIV infections in 2009 (CDC, 2011). It is vital to identify barriers to positive health behaviors like consistent condom use and HIV testing. This study focus on factors impacting attitudes towards HIV testing, including mistrust of the healthcare system, measured by support for HIV conspiracy theories (Thomas & Quinn, 1991). It also examined the prevalence of HIV conspiracy beliefs among African American college students, along with their perceptions of racism. The first goal of this study was to determine if perceived racism and HIV conspiracy theories are predictors of HIV testing attitudes. The second goal was to examine if perceived racism moderates the relationship between conspiracy beliefs and HIV testing attitudes. The findings indicated that higher levels of HIV conspiracy beliefs were associated with more negative attitudes towards HIV testing. The association between perceived racism and testing attitudes was marginally significant, while the interaction between perceived racism and testing was not significant. Implications for research and HIV interventions are discussed.
From Border Control to Border Care: The Political and Ethical Potential of Surveillance.

This paper analyzes the use of surveillance by activist groups opposed to the extensive securitization of the US-Mexico border and examines the implications of their activities for scholarship on borders, surveillance, and empowerment. The work of three organizations—the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), No More Deaths, and Humane Borders—is covered. While there is some overlap in their practices, these three organizations, respectively, have concentrated on (1) the use of digital photography and video recording equipment to monitor state agents and vigilante organizations; (2) the coordination of citizen-organized foot patrols to locate and assist migrants in danger; and (3) the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to support the provision of water and high-resolution border maps to migrants. In documenting the practical use and symbolic framing of surveillance by secular and faith-based activists, this article adds necessary complexity to prevailing conceptualizations of observational strategies and practices. It demonstrates that, while they may enhance and extend state control over bounded territories and populations, watching, monitoring, and rendering visible are not inherently exclusionary or repressive acts and can, in fact, be used in the service of undermining borders and their attendant consequences. The groups examined herein have applied surveillance towards contesting official gatekeeping strategies and creating alternative moral geographies where the imperatives of sovereignty and national security are subordinated to social justice and global hospitality.
Postcards from the Middle West: A Photo Essay

WHY THEY REFER TO IT as the (Mid)West is a mystery that long ago expired. With its small towns steepled with white-washed churches and downtowns made of locally quarried stone, this region resembles more closely the East coast. Only its ocean disappeared millions of years ago. Now the waveless sky, which is mostly a crucible of clouds, takes its place. It is a location that is neither here nor there. A land whose timelessness is altogether rooted in the eternity of the cycle. The changing seasons. Smell of leaves burning in October. Decem ber's wind chill freezing your spit into glass. The floating sex of pollen and cut grass in the spring. The Reaper's solemn duty of the Harvest. A place of slow-running rivers; the half-made gesture of hills that barely promise distance and can only mimic the stance of mountains. Limestone cliffs break apart on either side of the Mississippi: the guts of the tabletop checkerboard of farmland that stretches out for what might as well be for ever. There are caves that lead to nowhere. Deer and fox use the cities at night as wilderness crossings. Metropolises evacuated after five o'clock reign over the prairie as monu ments to stillness. Chicago is at ease as the rival of New York. St. Louis at the same odds with Philadelphia. It's almost as if the people don't want anything here to get too big. Or out of hand. The countryside carved into geometric gridlock attests to some fact of matter. A gothic Victorian house surrounded by spruce and pine occupies a hill top. A field of cows. The choking ether of near ninety percent humidity. Weeds spawn weeds. A stave silo in a fallow field buckles to its knees. A red-tailed hawk's cry pierces the silence while it circles within a thermal overhead. A crude two by four-ed sign off the highway reads Time Ends Eternity Where. It makes sense in the rearview. Just so many words.