cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
In vivo labeling of fission yeast DNA with thymidine and thymidine analogs

In vivo labeling of DNA with thymidine and thymidine analogs has long been a cornerstone of replication studies. Unfortunately, yeast lack a thymidine salvage pathway and thus do not incorporate exogenous thymidine. Specifically, yeast neither efficiently take up exogenous thymidine from their growth media nor phosphorylate it to thymidylate, the precursor of dTTP. We have overcome these problems in fission yeast by expressing the human equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 (hENT1) along with herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (tk). hENT1 tk cells are healthy and efficiently incorporate exogenous thymidine and thymidine analogs. We present protocols for labeling DNA with tritiated thymidine, for in situ detection of incorporated BrdU by immunofluorescence, for double labeling with CldU and IdU, for CsCl gradient separation of IdU-labeled DNA, and for using hENT1 and tk as both positive and negative selection markers.
Individual Differences in Auditory and Visual Attention Among Fetal Alcohol-Affected Adults

Background:Deficits in attention are commonly identified among patients who have been prenatally exposed to alcohol, and they often affect the ability of the patients to function appropriately in society. Methods:Eleven adult patients with fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) or fetal alcohol effects (FAE) were compared with nine adult subjects with no history of prenatal alcohol exposure, using four tests of visually and auditorially mediated attention. Results:In relation to the comparison group, patients with FAS/FAE exhibited substantial deficits in both auditory and visual attention; the auditory deficits were greater. We observed two predominant patterns of deficits among patients with FAS/FAE, one involving both auditory and visual attention problems and the other involving less severe auditory problems and even fewer visual problems. Most subjects with FAS or FAE had some manifestations of attention problems in at least one of the tests of attention used in this study. We present a new graphical representation of individual auditory Continuous Performance Test data across a 6-min period, which, compared with conventional scores, more clearly reveals the markedly disrupted and variable attention patterns displayed by some individuals with FAS or FAE. Conclusions:These findings suggest that detailed analysis of the pattern of individual performance for each subject is an important aspect of Continuous Performance Test assessment. Our findings further suggest that intellectual performance (intelligence quotient score) alone is not sufficient to account for the patterns of disrupted attention for individuals with FAS/FAE. Assessment of individuals with FAS or FAE should include measurement of attentional functioning in both the visual and auditory modalities.
A Framework for Bridging Cultural Barriers in Suicide Risk Assessment The Role of Compatibility Heuristics

The incidence and prevalence of death by suicide and nonlethal suicidal behaviors such as suicide attempts, thoughts, and feelings are increasing in the United States and throughout the world. Efforts to prevent suicide deaths and suicide attempts, and reduce the likelihood that suicidal thoughts and feelings will lead to those outcomes, rest on the accuracy of suicide risk assessments primarily conducted in the context of clinical interviews. Despite being armed with lists of empirically derived “correlates” of suicide (i.e., risk factors), suicide risk assessment continues to be a challenging task faced by counseling psychologists and other mental health professionals on a daily basis. As Shea (1999) has suggested, this challenge in a large part is a function of differing values and beliefs regarding suicide between the clinician and the client that create barriers to accurate assessment. The thesis of this contribution to the Major Contribution is that the barriers to suicide risk assessment are much b...
'A Dangerous Undertaking': The Problem of Intentionalism and Promise of Expert Testimony in Appropriation Art Infringement Cases

This Note deals with copyright infringement actions aimed at appropriation art, the genre of contemporary visual art that incorporates preexisting images into new works. Because courts are unwilling to make aesthetic judgments, they require defendants claiming fair use to verbally justify their appropriations. I argue that this requirement is contrary to current trends in art theory and has serious First Amendment consequences. I propose that courts should invite expert testimony on fair use, thus avoiding problems of “intentionalism” and broadening the First Amendment safeguard of fair use to include transformations in meaning that trained critics, though not necessarily uneducated observers, can recognize.
Efficient Algorithm for Computing Einstein Integrals

Analytical approximations to Einstein integrals are proposed. The approximations represented by two fast-converging series are valid for all values of their arguments. Accordingly, the algorithm can be easily incorporated into professional software like HEC-RAS or HEC-6 with minimum computational effort.
Phylogenetic and Biogeographic Patterns in Gaylussacia (Ericaceae) based on Morphological, Nuclear DNA, and Chloroplast DNA Variation

Gaylussacia includes 49 species of understory shrubs in the heath family (Ericaceae) with a disjunct distri- bution in North and South America. Little is known about evolutionary relationships among the species. To investigate phylogenetic and biogeographic relationships in Gaylussacia, three data sets were constructed and analyzed cladistically using parsimony: morphology, nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer DNA sequences, and chloroplast trnL intron-trnF spacer DNA sequences. Molecular data sets were analyzed in two ways to determine the phylogenetic informativeness of insertion/deletion events. Comparison of results from separate analyses of each data set showed some incongruencies be- tween the nuclear and chloroplast data sets, indicating possible past hybridization or lineage sorting. Combined analyses were conducted for ITS and morphology, and for trnL-trnF and morphology. The monophyly of the genus including G. brachycera was not strongly supported. In addition, the traditional sectional divisions of Gaylussacia were not supported in the morphological and nuclear DNA analyses. Finally, a broader perspective on the disjunct distribution of Gaylussacia includes the possibility of a North American origin for the genus, rather than a South American origin as previously hy- pothesized.
Actinomyces viscosus in a branchial cyst.

Actinomyces viscosus was isolated in pure culture from a branchial cyst in a 19-year-old youth. The histologic features suggest that it was pathogenic in this instance, and the authors believe this is the first such report in the literature.
Network burst dynamics under heterogeneous cholinergic modulation of neural firing properties and heterogeneous synaptic connectivity

The characteristics of neural network activity depend on intrinsic neural properties and synaptic connectivity in the network. In brain networks, both of these properties are critically affected by the type and levels of neuromodulators present. The expression of many of the most powerful neuromodulators, including acetylcholine (ACh), varies tonically and phasically with behavioural state, leading to dynamic, heterogeneous changes in intrinsic neural properties and synaptic connectivity properties. Namely, ACh significantly alters neural firing properties as measured by the phase response curve in a manner that has been shown to alter the propensity for network synchronization. The aim of this simulation study was to build an understanding of how heterogeneity in cholinergic modulation of neural firing properties and heterogeneity in synaptic connectivity affect the initiation and maintenance of synchronous network bursting in excitatory networks. We show that cells that display different levels of ACh modulation have differential roles in generating network activity: weakly modulated cells are necessary for burst initiation and provide synchronizing drive to the rest of the network, whereas strongly modulated cells provide the overall activity level necessary to sustain burst firing. By applying several quantitative measures of network activity, we further show that the existence of network bursting and its characteristics, such as burst duration and intraburst synchrony, are dependent on the fraction of cell types providing the synaptic connections in the network. These results suggest mechanisms underlying ACh modulation of brain oscillations and the modulation of seizure activity during sleep states.
Minimal example of non-isocategorical groups that are categorically Morita equivalent

We exhibit two groups of order 16 that are categorically Morita equivalent, but not Grothendieck equivalent, and therefore not isocategorical. These groups are the smallest such examples.
Robot-like dexterity without computers and motors: a review of hand-held laparoscopic instruments with wrist-like tip articulation.

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Conventional manual laparoscopic instruments for minimally invasive surgery have limited dexterity within the patient, making procedures challenging. Surgical robotic systems offer enhanced articulation, but at substantial financial costs. This has motivated the development of high-dexterity, low-cost laparoscopic instruments.Areas covered: This article reviews both commercial and academic results on creating fully mechanical (i.e. non-robotic) laparoscopic instruments that provide wrists or wrist-like dexterity within the patient. We review the state of the art in the development of these mechanical instruments, focusing on the surgeon interface, wrist mechanism, and the kinematic mapping between the two.Expert commentary: Current articulated mechanical laparoscopic instruments exhibit a wide range of designs, with no clear consensus on what makes such devices easy to use. As these technologies mature, user studies are needed to determine surgeon preferences. Articulated, low-cost i...
Health information technology in VA quality improvement research overview.

This supplement focuses on the use and impact of health information technology (HIT) in quality improvement (QI) research conducted in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). Articles in this supplement highlight a range of specific HIT approaches, including innovative and interactive uses of the
Design of Servo Stamping Motion Considering Constraints of Different Orders and Actuation Capability

The design of stamping motion is one of the key technologies to make the servo press performing stamping operation perfectly. An interpolation method considering constraints of different orders is proposed based on NURBS motion curve that any one or all constraints of position, velocity and acceleration can be defined at desired key points of the stamping motion in order to satisfy both accuracy and flexibility requirements. An algorithm is presented to generate the dwell section of stamping motion curve with given time span quickly. A reasonable solution is given to define the derivative magnitudes in construction of the interpolation equation to avoid stamping motion curve's distortion. A method to amend proper velocity or acceleration constraint is proposed to improve the performance of stamping motion curve. Following above discussion, a general process of servo stamping motion design is proposed and an interactive stamping motion design software is developed considering constraints from metal forming operation and actuation capability of the servomotors. Finally, the proposed stamping motion design method is demonstrated by a forming case of automobile wing workpiece.
6.8 Cartilage Regeneration in Reconstructive Surgery

This chapter describes the current state of cartilage tissue engineering and its application in reconstructive and cosmetic plastic surgery. It explains why tissue engineering is a promising approach to solving the problem of tissue deficit for reconstructive procedures, the desired properties of the created neotissue, and the advances that have been made in the field to date. It then outlines important considerations in the selection of cell sources and scaffolding materials, including donor morbidity and recipient compatibility. The results of using different scaffolding materials in both in vitro and in vivo studies are presented. Finally, some of the current challenges in the field of cartilage tissue engineering, as well as considerations for its future trajectory, are discussed.
The Escherichia coli rhaSR-PrhaBAD Inducible Promoter System Allows Tightly Controlled Gene Expression over a Wide Range in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

The araC-ParaBAD inducible promoter system is tightly controlled and allows gene expression to be modulated over a wide range in Escherichia coli, which has led to its widespread use in other bacteria. Although anecdotal evidence suggests that araC-ParaBAD is leaky in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, neither a thorough analysis of this inducible promoter system in P. aeruginosa nor a concerted effort to identify alternatives with improved functionality has been reported. Here, we evaluated the functionality of the araC-ParaBAD system in P. aeruginosa Using transcriptional fusions to a lacZ reporter gene, we determined that the noninduced expression from araC-ParaBAD is high and cannot be reduced by carbon catabolite repression as it can in E. coli Modulating translational initiation by altering ribosome-binding site strength reduced the noninduced activity but also decreased the maximal induced activity and narrowed the induction range. Integrating the inducible promoter system into the posttranscriptional regulatory network that controls catabolite repression in P. aeruginosa significantly decreased the noninduced activity and increased the induction range. In addition to these improvements in the functionality of the araC-ParaBAD system, we found that the lacIq-Ptac and rhaSR-PrhaBAD inducible promoter systems had significantly lower noninduced expression and were inducible over a broader range than araC-ParaBAD We demonstrated that noninduced expression from the araC-ParaBAD system supported the function of genes involved in antibiotic resistance and tryptophan biosynthesis in P. aeruginosa, problems that were avoided with rhaSR-PrhaBAD. rhaSR-PrhaBAD is tightly controlled, allows gene expression over a wide range, and represents a significant improvement over araC-ParaBAD in P. aeruginosa IMPORTANCE: We report the shortcomings of the commonly used Escherichia coli araC-ParaBAD inducible promoter system in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, successfully reengineered it to improve its functionality, and show that the E. coli rhaSR-PrhaBAD system is tightly controlled and allows inducible gene expression over a wide range in P. aeruginosa.
Characterizing successful packet transmission in a Vehicular Ad Hoc Network

This paper studies the probability of packets being successfully delivered to their intended receivers (vehicles) on a highway by taking multi-user interference, path loss, and fading into account. This probability affects the efficiency of V2V communications for safety purposes in vehicular networks. The presented mathematical framework can be employed in designing the safety applications of VANETs. This has been shown in our simulation results which compare the vehicle collision probability of different models on highways.
Live from the pastures: Maasai YouTube protest videos:

While much attention has turned to new and social media as tools to facilitate democratic participation, little attention has been paid to the ways that these tools are used by rural and nomadic communities. In this article, I examine the ways that Maasai pastoral-nomads are utilizing YouTube to present evidence of eviction, hunger, and other threats to their communities. I explore how the Maasai are using new and social media to engage and create communicative networks which both advance their protests and enrich our study of international communication.
The addition of bevacizumab to temozolomide and radiation therapy followed by bevacizumab, temozolomide, and oral topotecan for newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme (GBM).

2090^ Background: The prognosis for newly-diagnosed GBM is dismal. The addition of temozolomide to radiation therapy improved the median overall survival (OS) to 14.6 months (mos). GBM’s have the h...
Correlative Rights and Limited Common Property in the Pore Space: A Response to the Challenge of Subsurface Trespass in Carbon Capture and Sequestration

Carbon dioxide and other substances injected as part of carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) have the potential to migrate beyond the confines of the injection project, creating the potential for trespass. In order for CCS to be viable, legal clarity on the issue of subsurface trespass is required. This Article argues that the challenge of subsurface trespass associated with CCS can be overcome by conceptualizing pore space rights in the storage complex as limited common property with rights of proportionate use. The traditional oil and gas framework of correlative rights can be a valuable model to promote investment, encourage private ordering, and discourage the underutilization of subsurface property for CCS.
Spatial outage capacity of poisson bipolar networks

We introduce a new notion of capacity, termed spatial outage capacity (SOC), which is defined as the maximum density of concurrently active links that have a success probability greater than a predefined threshold. For Poisson bipolar networks, we provide exact analytical and approximate expressions for the density of concurrently active links satisfying an outage constraint. In the high-reliability regime, we obtain an exact closed-form expression of the SOC, which gives its asymptotic scaling behavior.
Determination of Prostate Volume: A Comparison of Contemporary Methods.

Rationale and Objectives Prostate volume (PV) determination provides important clinical information. We compared PVs determined by digital rectal examination (DRE), transrectal ultrasound (TRUS), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with or without three-dimensional (3D) segmentation software, and surgical prostatectomy weight (SPW) and volume (SPV). Materials and Methods This retrospective review from 2010 to 2016 included patients who underwent radical prostatectomy ≤1 year after multiparametric prostate MRI. PVs from DRE and TRUS were obtained from urology clinic notes. MRI-based PVs were calculated using bullet and ellipsoid formulas, automated 3D segmentation software (MRI-A3D), manual segmentation by a radiologist (MRI-R3D), and a third-year medical student (MRI-S3D). SPW and SPV were derived from pathology reports. Intraclass correlation coefficients compared the relative accuracy of each volume measurement. Results Ninety-nine patients were analyzed. Median PVs were DRE 35 mL, TRUS 35 mL, MRI-bullet 49 mL, MRI-ellipsoid 39 mL, MRI-A3D 37 mL, MRI-R3D 36 mL, MRI-S3D 36 mL, SPW 54 mL, SPV-bullet 47 mL, and SPV-ellipsoid 37 mL. SPW and bullet formulas had consistently large PV, and formula-based PV had a wider spread than PV based on segmentation. Compared to MRI-R3D, the intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.91 for MRI-S3D, 0.90 for MRI-ellipsoid, 0.73 for SPV-ellipsoid, 0.72 for MRI-bullet, 0.71 for TRUS, 0.70 for SPW, 0.66 for SPV-bullet, 0.38 for MRI-A3D, and 0.33 for DRE. Conclusions With MRI-R3D measurement as the reference, the most reliable methods for PV estimation were MRI-S3D and MRI-ellipsoid formula. Automated segmentations must be individually assessed for accuracy, as they are not always truly representative of the prostate anatomy. Manual segmentation of the prostate does not require expert training.
Neuronal Model Predicts Reponses of the Rat Baroreflex

Computer models were constructed for neurons recorded in vitro in the cardiorespiratory NTS of the rat. Experimental results for many of these neurons showed time- and voltage-dependent transient responses to sustained inputs. Neuron models following the Hodgkin-Huxley formalism were constructed and used to produce and match this dynamic behavior. Both experimental and modeling results point to the importance of large transient potassium conductances in many of these neurons. Network models composed of one class of these neurons were synaptically driven with patterns of baroreceptor input to explore systems level computation by these neurons. Highly nonlinear integration of inputs was observed in simulations. Experiments inspired by these simulation results have subsequently shown partially similar nonlinear processing of baroreceptor inputs.
Flow-law hypotheses for ice-sheet modeling

Ice-flow modeling requires a flow law relating strain rates to stresses in situ, but a flow law cannot be measured directly in ice sheets. Microscopic processes such as dislocation glide and boundary diffusion control both the flow law for ice and the development of physical properties such as grain-size and c-axis fabric. These microscopic processes can be inferred from observations of the physical properties, and the flow law can then be estimated from the microscopic processes. A review of available literature shows that this approach can be imperfectly successful. Interior regions of large ice sheets probably have depth-varying flow-law “constants”, with the stress exponent, n, for power-law creep less than 3 in upper regions and equal to 3 only in deep ice; n probably equals 3 through most of the thickness of ice shelves and ice streams.
The Crowd on the Assembly Line: Designing Tasks for a Better Crowdsourcing Experience

Leveraging crowd potentials through low paid crowdsourcing micro-tasks has attracted great attention in the last decade as it proves to be a powerful new paradigm to get large amounts of work done quickly. A main challenge for crowdsourcers has been to design tasks that trigger optimum outputs from the crowd while providing crowdsourcees with an experience that would attract them to the platform in the future. Drawing mainly from expectancy theory and the motivation through design of work model, we develop and test a theoretical framework to explore the impact of extrinsic reward valence and perceived task characteristics on perceived output measures in crowdsourcing contexts. We specifically focus on the impact of three crowdsourcing task dimensions: autonomy, skill use, and meaningfulness. Our findings provide support for our model and suggest ways to improve task design, use extrinsic rewards, and provide an enhanced crowdsourcing experience for participants.
Young Children's Structure Production: A Revision of the Index of Productive Syntax

Purpose The Index of Productive Syntax (IPSyn; Scarborough, 1990) is widely used to measure syntax production in young children. The goal of this article is to promote greater clarity and consisten...
Protections for Transgender Inmates Under PREA: a Comparison of State Correctional Policies in the United States

The Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) contains several protections for transgender inmates; specifically, that prison administration understands key definitions of “transgender,” that inmates are provided with the appropriate classification and housing, and they are kept safe from victimization by other inmates and staff. A total of ten states were found to be fully compliant by the Department of Justice deadline in 2015, but these policies are changing rapidly in the USA. This analysis aims to determine the status of each state’s protections using publicly available information about correctional policies. We find that approximately half of the states in the USA have published policies consistent with PREA, but several maintain policies regarding transgender inmates that are in direct conflict with federal law. Recommendations for compliance are provided.
Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) Showcase

This session is a series of "lightning talks" that are ~5 minutes each followed by a roundtable discussion about the projects and SoTL in general. This is a great session for those interested in learning the outcomes of SoTL efforts, those interested in how to start their own SoTL project, and for experienced researchers who are interested in learning about other approaches and methodologies. Talk 1: Campus Challenges as a Catalyst for Creative Curriculum Revision Melissa Broeckelman-Post Talk 2: Connecting Strengths and Communication Skills to Enhance Well-Being Melissa Broeckelman-Post Talk 3: SPARKING STEM Education: Collective Faculty Self Study Jennifer Suh Talk 4: Test Early, Test Often, Test Small, Test Twice Jeff Offutt Talk 5: Adopting the AACU "Value Rubrics" to develop habits of mind Steve Brown
Inequalities for the hyperbolic metric and applications to geometric function theory

INEQUALITIES FOR THE HYPERBOLIC METRIC AND APPLICATIONS TO GEOMETRIC FUNCTION THEORY David Minda i. Introduction. In [ii] we derived a reflection principle for the hyperbolic metric on Riemann surfaces and presented various applications. This paper is partly an expository version of [ii]. Here, we shall restrict our attention to plane regions and establish the reflection principle only in the special case of reflecting across a straight line or circle. This streamlines the presentation and lets us emphasize the purely aeometric aspects of the reflection principle. The reflection Principle itself is a simnle consequence of a slight modification o6 Ahlfors' Lem~a. The geometric applications of the reflection nrinciDle are clear, esnecially when one does not care about establishing the sharpness of the results. Analytic tools, which can obscure the simple geometric ideas involved, seem to be needed to obtain the sharpness of the results. The reader is referred to [ii] for the analytic details needed to establish the sharpness of various results. Our first appli- cation of the reflection principle is the derivation of various mono- tenicity properties of the hyperbolic metric. One of these, in con- junction with our modified version of Ahlfors' Lemma, leads to a short proof of the sharp form of Landau's Theorem. There is also an inter- pretation of the reflection principle in terms of convexity relative to hyperbolic geometry. This leads to a number of interesting applications for euclidean convex regions. 2. A Modified Version of Ahlfors' Lemma. We reouire a variant of the usual form of Ahlfors' Lemma ([2], [3, p. 13]). Pommerenke ([14],[15]) established a similar result and used it to study normal meromorphic functions. However, he expressed his result in functiontheoretic terms rather than the differential-geometric language which is more suitable for our purposes.
Detection of foreclosure-related landscape management changes using Landsat

Abstract The volume of properties affected by foreclosure over the past decade suggests the potential for dramatic change in vegetation cover due to changes in management. Yet, the specific pathology of each foreclosure, the temporal asynchrony among foreclosures, and differences in the area available for vegetation growth across properties presents challenges to observing and measuring change. This paper develops and tests a difference in deviations approach that compares the parcel NDVI to a neighborhood norm before and after foreclosure. The difference in deviations approach addresses the challenges of separating parcel-level change corresponding to foreclosure and identifies changes on both small and large parcels. The method relies on a time series of Landsat Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) data, individual home foreclosure records and property tax assessment data for Maricopa County, Arizona from 2002 to 2012. To establish the level of difference associated with observable landscape change, we use a probit regression model, coding Google Earth images for properties across the range of observed deviations of difference. The basic assumption underlying the approach is that if foreclosure coincides with a change in management, it will lead to changes in vegetation structure and thus, NDVI values. We estimate that 13% of home foreclosures in Maricopa County over the period from 2002 to 2012 resulted in declines in vegetation whereas 6.5% resulted in vegetation increases. Future uses of this method for understanding landscape management in residential landscapes are discussed.
Abstract 3712: Proliferative and invasive colorectal tumors in pet dogs provide unique insights into human colorectal cancer

Spontaneous tumors in pet dogs represent a valuable but undercharacterized cancer model. To better use this resource, we performed an initial global comparison between proliferative and invasive colorectal tumors from 20 canine cases and evaluated their molecular homology to human colorectal cancer (CRC). We sequenced 15 canine intestinal samples for WGS and 26 for RNA-seq. We investigated alterations in the genome and transcriptome, using state-of-the-art analysis tools. We aslso investigated their microbiome, by mapping WGS and RNA-seq read pairs that could not be placed onto the canine genome to two microbial genome databases: The Human Microbiome Project database and all bacterial genomic sequences. We performed the same analysis with TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas) colon cancer data. Based on our analysis, proliferative canine tumors harbor overactivated WNT/β-catenin pathways and recurrent CTNNB1 (β-catenin) mutations S45F/P, D32Y and G34E. Invasive canine tumors harbor prominent fibroblast proliferation and overactivated stroma. Both groups have recurrent TP53 mutations. We observed three invasion patterns in canine tumors: collective, crypt-like and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). We detected enriched Helicobacter bilis and Alistipes finegoldii in proliferative and crypt-like tumors, but depleted mucosa-microbes in the EMT tumor. Additionally, guided by our canine findings, we classified 79% of 478 human colon cancers from TCGA into four subtypes: primarily proliferative, or with collective, crypt-like or EMT invasion features. Their molecular characteristics match those of canine tumors. We showed that consensus molecular subtype 4 (mesenchymal) of human CRC should be further divided into EMT and crypt-like subtypes, which differ in TGF-β activation and mucosa-microbe content. Our canine tumors share the same pathogenic pathway as human CRCs. Dog-human integration identifies three CRC invasion patterns and improves CRC subtyping. Citation Format: Jin Wang, Tianfang Wang, Yanfang Sun, Yuan Feng, William C. Kisseberth, Carolyn J. Henry, Irene Mok, Susan E. Lana, Kevin Dobbin, Nicole Northrup, Elizabeth W. Howerth, Shaying Zhao, Houjian Cai. Proliferative and invasive colorectal tumors in pet dogs provide unique insights into human colorectal cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3712.
Spectral CT metal artifact reduction using weighted masking and a one step direct inversion reconstruction algorithm

This work investigates a metal artifact reduction technique that combines weighted masking of projection data corrupted by metal, improved photon-counting detector modeling, and the constrained ‘one-step’ spectral CT image reconstruction (cOSSCIR) algorithm. The cOSSCIR algorithm directly estimates the basis material maps from the photon counts data using an optimization algorithm that places constraints on the basis maps. The improved photon-counting detector spectral modeling improves the accuracy of the polyenergetic forward model, which is expected to reduce beam hardening artifacts due to metal. This study also explores weighting schemes to reduce the contribution of counts measurements corrupted by metal during reconstruction, including selective masking across energy window. Unlike two-step decomposition approaches, cOSSCIR does not require energy windows to be registered, thus enabling energy-selective masking of data corrupted by metal. Preliminary feasibility of the proposed methods was investigated through experimental photon-counting CT acquisition of a tissue specimen with metal inserts. The cOSSCIR algorithm estimated acrylic and aluminum basis maps which were combined to form a 50 keV effective monoenergetic image. The effective monoenergetic image reconstructed by cOSSCIR from all counts data demonstrated reduced streak and view aliasing artifacts compared to the reference filtered backprojection image. Weighting of the data corrupted by metal further reduced the remaining beam hardening artifacts, with weighted masking further reducing the streak artifacts.
Stories from the field: locating and cultivating computational thinking in spaces of learning

There is considerable debate and ambiguity around what constitutes “computational thinking” (CT). In contrast to Computer Science which is generally treated as a distinct field of study, CT as a co...
Leiomyosarcoma Breast with Extensive Metastasis: a Case Report

Leiomyosarcoma is one of the rarest breast sarcomas which accounts for less than 1% of all breast tumours. Due to paucity of literature on this subject, the knowledge regarding this tumour is limited. Here we wish to report a case of leiomyosarcoma breast with extensive metastases managed and followed up at our institute and further the understanding of this rare condition.
A Data-Driven Deployment and Planning Approach for Underactuated Vehicles in Marine Environments

The study of a marine environment is a challenging task because of the spatio–temporal variations of ocean phenomena and the disturbances caused by ocean currents. As such, we must collect data over long time periods to better assess and understand marine environments. To achieve this, we investigate the long-term trajectories of inexpensive and underactuated drifting vehicles called drifters . These vehicles drift passively with ambient ocean currents. Vertical actuation (buoyancy) enables them to alter their depth and achieve controllability by the use of different current layers in the ocean. We aim to utilize these persistent assets to explore oceanic regions exhaustively; patrolling the surface, covering a 3-D phenomenon (e.g., algal bloom), or examining the seafloor with downward-facing cameras. In this article, we present a data-driven deployment and planning approach for the drifters. We extract the generalized flow pattern within a given region from ocean model predictions, develop a Markov chain-based motion model, and analyze the water flow behavior. Given an initial deployment location of the drifter on the water surface and the flow patterns within the region, our approach finds attractors and their transient groups at different depths as the persistent behavior of the environment. We then determine a minimum number of deployment locations for the drifters using these attractors and their transient groups. All possible reachable locations from the initial deployment location of the drifter are determined as its planned, long-term drifter trajectory based on the computed attractors and transient groups. An optimal navigation policy is developed to demonstrate the best possible action from any location to a goal location in the environment. Our simulation results based on data from ocean model predictions validate the variability in the persistent behavior of the environment and the long-term trajectory of the drifter over space and time. Preliminary results from field trials also validate the practical application of our approach for persistent, large-scale ocean monitoring.
An Investigation of a Balanced Hybrid Active-Passive Actuator for Physical Human-Robot Interaction

Cooperative robots or “cobots” promise to allow humans and robots to work together more closely while maintaining safety. However, to date the capabilities of cobots are greatly diminished compared to industrial robots in terms of the force and power they are able to safely produce. This is in part due to the actuation choices of cobots. Low impedance robotic actuators aim to solve this problem by attempting to provide an actuator with a combination of low output impedance and a large bandwidth of force control. In short the ideal actuator has a large dynamic range. Existing actuators success and performance has been limited. We propose a high force and high power balanced hybrid active-passive actuator which aims to increase the actuation capability of low impedance actuators and to safely enable high performance larger force and workspace robots. Our balanced hybrid actuator does so, by combining and controlling a series elastic actuator, a small DC motor, and a particle brake in parallel. The actuator provides low and high frequency power producing active torques, along with power absorbing passive torques. Control challenges and advantages of hybrid actuators are discussed and overcome through the use of trajectory optimization, and the safety of the new actuator is evaluated.
Selective removal of astrocytic APOE4 strongly protects against tau-mediated neurodegeneration and decreases synaptic phagocytosis by microglia

Summary The apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene is the strongest genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease and directly influences tauopathy and tau-mediated neurodegeneration. ApoE4 has strong deleterious effects on both parameters. In the brain, apoE is produced and secreted primarily by astrocytes and by activated microglia. The cell-specific role of each form of apoE in the setting of neurodegeneration has not been determined. We generated P301S Tau/Aldh1l1-CreERT2/apoE3flox/flox or Tau/Aldh1l1-CreERT2/apoE4flox/flox mice. At 5.5 months of age, after the onset of tau pathology, we administered tamoxifen or vehicle and compared mice at 9.5 months of age. Removing astrocytic APOE4 markedly reduced tau-mediated neurodegeneration and decreased phosphorylated tau (pTau) pathology. Single-nucleus RNA sequencing analysis revealed striking gene expression changes in all cell types, with astrocytic APOE4 removal decreasing disease-associated gene signatures in neurons, oligodendrocytes, astrocytes, and microglia. Removal of astrocytic APOE4 decreased tau-induced synaptic loss and microglial phagocytosis of synaptic elements, suggesting a key role for astrocytic apoE in synaptic degeneration.
“This Ruins Lives”: Using Monopoly© to Understand the Prison Industrial Complex

Monopoly©, the classic board game that celebrates capitalism, has been used in a variety of classes to help students understand concepts such as the impact of systemic racism on generational wealth...
Joint modeling of multivariate nonparametric longitudinal data and survival data: A local smoothing approach

In many clinical studies, evaluating the association between longitudinal and survival outcomes is of primary concern. For analyzing data from such studies, joint modeling of longitudinal and survival data becomes an appealing approach. In some applications, there are multiple longitudinal outcomes whose longitudinal pattern is difficult to describe by a parametric form. For such applications, existing research on joint modeling is limited. In this article, we develop a novel joint modeling method to fill the gap. In the new method, a local polynomial mixed-effects model is used for describing the nonparametric longitudinal pattern of the multiple longitudinal outcomes. Two model estimation procedures, that is, the local EM algorithm and the local penalized quasi-likelihood estimation, are explored. Practical guidelines for choosing tuning parameters and for variable selection are provided. The new method is justified by some theoretical arguments and numerical studies.
Glaucoma Screening Using an iPad-Based Visual Field Test in a West African Population.

Purpose To investigate the performance of the Melbourne Rapid Fields (MRF) for use in clinic-based visual field testing in a low-resource setting. Design Prospective cross-sectional study. Participants One hundred and three participants (66 patients with glaucoma and 37 control participants) attending a clinical appointment at the Tema Eye Center, Tema, Ghana. Methods Patients with glaucoma and control participants underwent MRF and Humphrey Field Analyzer (HFA) testing. Main Outcome Measures Mean deviation (MD), pattern standard deviation (PSD), reliability parameters, sensitivity, specificity, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve. Results Mean MD was less negative and mean PSD was more positive on the MRF than the HFA in both groups (all P Conclusions The MRF underestimated MD and overestimated PSD values compared with the HFA. Agreement biases were significant, suggesting a weak agreement between the 2 devices. However, the MRF showed potential for screening in a low-resource setting, particularly for detecting moderate to advanced glaucoma.
ARC-LfD: Using Augmented Reality for Interactive Long-Term Robot Skill Maintenance via Constrained Learning from Demonstration

Learning from Demonstration (LfD) enables novice users to teach robots new skills. However, many LfD methods do not facilitate skill maintenance and adaptation. Changes in task requirements or in the environment often reveal the lack of resiliency and adaptability in the skill model. To overcome these limitations, we introduce ARC-LfD: an Augmented Reality (AR) interface for constrained Learning from Demonstration that allows users to maintain, update, and adapt learned skills. This is accomplished through in-situ visualizations of learned skills and constraint-based editing of existing skills without requiring further demonstration. We describe the existing algorithmic basis for this system as well as our Augmented Reality interface and the novel capabilities it provides. Finally, we provide three case studies that demonstrate how ARC-LfD enables users to adapt to changes in the environment or task which require a skill to be altered after initial teaching has taken place.
Labor Rights and Multinational Production

1. Working in the global economy 2. Producing globally 3. Inside and out: the determinants of labor rights 4. Conceptualizing workers' rights 5. The overall picture: economic globalization and workers' rights 6. Varieties of capitalists? The diversity of multinational production 7. Labor rights, economic development, and domestic politics: a case study 8. Conclusions and issues for the future.
Interspecies scaling: role of protein binding in the prediction of clearance from animals to humans

The objective of this study is to evaluate whether unbound clearance of a drug can be predicted more accurately than total clearance using the allometric approach and if there is any real advantage of predicting unbound clearance over total clearance. The total and unbound clearance of 20 randomly selected drugs were scaled up from the animal data (at least three animal species) obtained from the literature. Three methods were used to generate plots to scale up the clearance values: (1) total or unbound clearance versus body weight (simple allometric equation), (2) the product of total or unbound clearance and maximum life span potential (MLP) versus body weight, and (3) the product of total or unbound clearance and brain weight versus body weight. The results of this study indicate that there will be instances when unbound clearance can be predicted better than total clearance or vice versa. In conclusion, unbound clearance cannot be predicted any better than total clearance.
T Cell–B Cell Thymic Cross-Talk: Maintenance and Function of Thymic B Cells Requires Cognate CD40–CD40 Ligand Interaction

Thymic development requires bidirectional interaction or cross-talk between developing T cells and thymic stromal cells, a relationship that has been best characterized for the interaction between thymocytes and thymic epithelial cells. We have characterized in this article the requirement for similar cross-talk in the maintenance and function of thymic B cells, another population that plays a role in selection of developing thymic T cells. We found that maintenance of thymic B cells is strongly dependent on the presence of mature single-positive thymocytes and on the interactions of these T cells with specific Ag ligand. Maintenance of thymic B cell number is strongly dependent on B cell-autonomous expression of CD40, but not MHC class II, indicating that direct engagement of CD40 on thymic B cells is necessary to support their maintenance and proliferation. Thymic B cells can mediate negative selection of superantigen-specific, self-reactive, single-positive thymocytes, and we show that CD40 expression on B cells is critical for this negative selection. Cross-talk with thymic T cells is thus required to support the thymic B cell population through a pathway that requires cell-autonomous expression of CD40, and that reciprocally functions in negative selection of autoreactive T cells.
An Interactive Attack Graph Cascade and Reachability Display

Attack graphs for large enterprise networks improve security by revealing critical paths used by adversaries to capture network assets. Even with simplification, current attack graph displays are complex and difficult to relate to the underlying physical networks. We have developed a new interactive tool intended to provide a simplified and more intuitive understanding of key weaknesses discovered by attack graph analysis. Separate treemaps are used to display host groups in each subnet and hosts within each treemap are grouped based on reachability, attacker privilege level, and prerequisites. Users position subnets themselves to reflect their own intuitive grasp of network topology. Users can also single-step the attack graph to successively add edges that cascade to show how attackers progress through a network and learn what vulnerabilities or trust relationships allow critical steps. Finally, an integrated reachability display demonstrates how filtering devices affect host-to-host network reachability and influence attacker actions. This display scales to networks with thousands of hosts and many subnets. Rapid interactivity has been achieved because of an efficient C++ computation engine (a program named NetSPA) that performs attack graph and reachability computations, while a Java application manages the display and user interface.
Nutrition and Infection

Though global (protein/calorie) malnutrition is rare in the United States outside of those with wasting illnesses (e.g., cancer), macro- and micro-nutrient deficiencies (i.e., specific vitamins or minerals) are common in older adults, particularly those with multiple comorbidities or who live in long-term care facilities.
Successfully Teaching Ethics For Effective Learning

This paper is concerned with identifying keys to successfully teach ethics. The keys are: addressing the relevance challenge; striving to achieve a balance between the active engagement of students with issues and a critical analysis of choices in to be made in real-life situations; attending to or managing the learning process to include learning styles and experiential learning; debriefing experientially-oriented learning activities; and institutionalizing outcomes of ethics education objectives. The paper discusses results of a study that attempted to answer the question “What is required to successfully deliver experientially-oriented ethics education