cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Euconnus octosetosus Franz transferred to Plaumanniola Costa Lima: implications for the systematics of Scydmaeninae (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae).

Euconnus octosetosus Franz (Brazil) is demonstrated to show diagnostic characters of the enigmatic genus Plaumanniola Costa Lima. Although this intriguing beetle is much more slender than previously known Plaumanniolini, it differs from Plaumanniola merely in the hypostomal ridges connected mesally and a loose structure of the antennal club. Euconnus octosetosus is transferred to Plaumanniola , resulting in P. octosetosa (Franz) comb. n. Comparative study shows gradual transformations of presumably defensive structural adaptations in Plaumanniola , suggesting evolution from a slender Euconnus -like ancestor to species with a strongly broadened body. Plaumanniola octosetosa is most slender of all species, with long and loosely assembled antennae and weakly flattened legs, whereas P. sanctaecatharinae Costa Lima and P. regina Jaloszynski show most derived characters; these beetles are morphologically adapted to curl in a ball. Plaumanniola simplicisima Jaloszynski represents an intermediary body form. Plaumanniolini Costa Lima is placed as a junior synonym of Glandulariini Schaufuss (= Cyrtoscydmini Schaufuss). A revised diagnosis of Plaumanniola and an overview of the current systematics of Scydmaeninae are given.
Chocolate Frogs for My Betas!: Practicing Literacy at One Online Fanfiction Website

Abstract In the past decade, digital technologies have become more and more ubiquitous and accessible, making them seem seductively “democratic.” This cultural moment evokes Yancey's (2004) call for a re-evaluation of the work of rhetoric and composition, because “this moment right now... is like none other” (p. 297) as it marks a major shift in reading, writing, and participation in new, digitized economies. I argue that online fanfiction practices demonstrate to us, as literacy scholars and teachers, how digital tools have affected one writing community. These tools have allowed fans to develop an alternative to the “commodity culture” that we live in, a “gift economy,” where affect and emotion play integral roles. In this article, I explore “good writing” and community features at one Harry Potter fanfiction website, Sycophant Hex . In addition, I explore some tensions of Sycophant Hex 's literacy practices in depth through a case study of one prolific fanwriter, Chivalric . I argue that investigation of these kinds of online writing spaces is especially valuable for literacy scholars and compositionists because they highlight how writing is a deeply embodied and emotional, life-long process.
Retrospection and Reflection of Literary Research into Xie's Clan in the Six Dynasty in the Last Decade

The first decade of the 21st century witnessed the thorough and profou nd change in the literary research into Xie's clan in the Six Dynasty.Compared with the research in the 20th century,the literary research into Xie's clan in the Six Dynasty has made great achievements in the following four aspects: the i ncrease in the number of papers,the extension of research contents,the innovat ion of research methodology and the profundity of some issues,thus opening new fields of research.However,the literary research into Xie's clan in the Six Dy nasty has not lived up to our expectation due to the absence of academic researc h works into the clan literature and the narrow research perspectives.What's mo re,the literature review works has not formed a continuous link and most resear ch papers lack high quality.
84 Cases of Chronic Nephritis of the Syndrome of Deficiency of both Qi and Yin Treated with the Method of Nourishing both Qi and Yin

Objective :To observe the therapeutic effect for chronic nephritis of the syndrome of deficiency of both qi and yin with the method of nourishing both qi and yin. Methods :84 cases treated with Shenqi Dihuang decoction and its modified formulas. Results :By comparing,the main symptoms and the common indices such as the quantity of protein,Cr,BUN,C 3,IgA,IgG,IgM all had significant changes. Conclusions :The method of nourishing both qi and yin had a comparatively good therapeutic effect on the chronic nephritis of the syndrome of deficiency of both qi and yin.
Responding to AIDS: rural community strategies.

Small towns and rural communities often react with fear and misunderstanding toward persons with AIDS. The author discusses factors that influence how rural communities respond to AIDS and proposes...
Regulation of CFTR Cl- conductance in secretion by cellular energy levels.

Recent studies suggested dual regulation of the Cl- conductance (GCl) affected in cystic fibrosis, one by protein kinase A-dependent phosphorylation and a second by low-affinity ATP binding. We pro...
Financial globalization takes off: the spread of sterling and the rise of the gold standard, 1848–1879

With hindsight, economic historians now acknowledge that 1848 divides the economic and financial history of the world into separate epochs. Before 1848, international trade was rising faster than ever before and was connecting all regions of the world into new patterns of trade. But it was only after 1848 that enough price competition arose for the same international commodities around the world that a truly global market emerged (O'Rourke and Williamson 1999; Williamson 2011). Financial innovations appeared hand in hand with the revolutionary adoption of steam power for both land and water transport systems combined with the new information technology of the telegraph. The exclamations made in the 1850 edition of Fortune's Epitome of the Stocks and Public Funds about the rise of securities marketed on the London Stock Exchange over the 1840s, dominated by the railroad booms in Britain and the US, were modest compared to the ecstatic remarks made by his successor, R. L. Nash, in the 1876 edition of Fenn's Compendium of the English and Foreign Funds : Upon this question of indebtedness hangs a world of vitality and progress with which the future well-being of mankind is signally identified; and it would be a very narrow view of a very mighty question if we could regard it in any other light. Humanly speaking, we are only at the commencement of a new era … [T]here can be no question – that with this modernized system of credit the world has acquired light, health, progress, and prosperity; that every man has more of the world's goods than could have been boasted of a century ago; that every man is better educated; that every man is a better citizen; and that if these are the results of indebtedness, we may fairly leave the solution of the problem to the future with that confidence which experience well earned amply justifies. (Nash 1876, p. xiv) Essential features of the international crises, 1847–1849 The financial crisis of 1847 helped initiate a number of far-reaching policy changes in Britain especially, and then in Europe generally, with repercussions that were even more important in the future for the rest of the world as modern capitalism spread globally.
Data-driven large scale network-layer Internet simulation

Internet is a spontaneously growing complex system whose large scale structure is affected by many interacting units aimed at optimizing local communication efficiency without a central authority. Very large number of nodes; wide-spread geographical distribution; predominant role of wireless access; mobility; strong presence of internet enabled smart devices, and heterogeneity increases the complexity of the internet tremendously. This immense global entity has not been precisely characterized, even though the building blocks of the Internet as well as the protocols and individual components have been subject to intensive studies for more than two decades. In the absence of accurate maps, researchers rely on a general strategy that consists of acquiring local views of the network from several vantage points and merging these views. Such local views are obtained by measuring a certain number of paths to different destinations, through the use of probes or the analysis of routing tables. Size of the output data after running the simulations on these several vantage points can reach up to terabytes in each simulation. The merging of several of these views provides a sample of a map of the internet [1].
When Courts Plan: The Greening of Delhi's Autorickshaws

Implementing municipal-scale policies is challenging in megacities. Despite this, between 1986 and 2006, Delhi converted its entire public transportation network of nearly 100,000 vehicles to use Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) instead of diesel and petrol. The use of CNG is widely assumed to have been ordered by the Supreme Court of India. But this overlooks how autorickshaws, privately owned and making up three-fourths of these vehicles, came to use CNG even though the court did not order it. Using two new sources of data, I show that the conversion of autos was jointly led by the largest private manufacturer together with the city government. The court facilitated coordination between several other actors, allowed them to experiment, and monitored progress over two decades leading up to the auto conversion. After capping the total number of autos, it ultimately refrained from passing judgment on two consequential aspects of greening them: vehicle ownership and fuel type. As a result, auto owners were buffeted by decades of incremental policy experimentation. Eventually, these experiments reconfigured auto ownership as some sold their operating permits to become renters, while state institutions remained indifferent to this shadow conversion underfoot.
Inferring Atmospheric Particulate Matter Concentrations from Chinese Social Media Data

Although studies have increasingly linked air pollution to specific health outcomes, less well understood is how public perceptions of air quality respond to changing pollutant levels. The growing availability of air pollution measurements and the proliferation of social media provide an opportunity to gauge public discussion of air quality conditions. In this paper, we consider particulate matter (PM) measurements from four Chinese megacities (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Chengdu) together with 112 million posts on Weibo (a popular Chinese microblogging system) from corresponding days in 2011–2013 to identify terms whose frequency was most correlated with PM levels. These correlations are used to construct an Air Discussion Index (ADI) for estimating daily PM based on the content of Weibo posts. In Beijing, the Chinese city with the most PM as measured by U.S. Embassy monitor stations, we found a strong correlation (R = 0.88) between the ADI and measured PM. In other Chinese cities with lower pollution levels, the correlation was weaker. Nonetheless, our results show that social media may be a useful proxy measurement for pollution, particularly when traditional measurement stations are unavailable, censored or misreported.
Characterization of Chemical Suicides in the United States and Its Adverse Impact on Responders and Bystanders.

ABSTRACT Introduction: A suicide trend that involves mixing household chemicals to produce hydrogen sulfide or hydrogen cyanide, commonly referred to as a detergent, hydrogen sulfide, or chemical suicide is a continuing problem in the United States (US). Because there is not one database responsible for tracking chemical suicides, the actual number of incidents in the US is unknown. To prevent morbidity and mortality associated with chemical suicides, it is important to characterize the incidents that have occurred in the United States. Methods: Data from 2011-2013 from state health departments participating in the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry’s National Toxic Substance Incidents Program (NTSIP) were analyzed. NTSIP is a web-based chemical incident surveillance system that tracks the public health consequences (e.g., morbidity, mortality) from acute chemical releases. Reporting sources for NTSIP incidents typically include first responders, hospitals, state environmental agencies, and media outlets. To find chemical suicide incidents in NTSIP’s database, open text fields were queried in the comment, synopsis, and contributing factors variables for potential incidents. Results: Five of the nine states participating in NTSIP reported a total of 22 chemical suicide incidents or attempted suicides during 2011-2013. These states reported a total of 43 victims: 15 suicide victims who died, 7 people who attempted suicide but survived, 8 responders, and 4 employees working at a coroner’s office; the remainder were members of the general public. None of the injured responders reported receiving HazMat technician level training, and none had documented appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). Conclusion: Chemical suicides produce lethal gases that can pose a threat to responders and bystanders. Describing the characteristics of these incidents can help raise awareness among responders and the public about the dangers of chemical suicides. Along with increased awareness education is also needed on how to protect themselves.
A numerical model for metabolism, metabolite transport and edema in the human cornea

Abstract When metabolic function in tissues such as brain, intervertebral disc and cornea is modified by disease processes or surgical intervention, the tissue may respond by swelling, a condition with significant clinical implications. A swelling response to metabolic change also signifies a change in the biomechanical behavior of the tissue. The connection between the metabolic and biomechanical states of the tissue is a complex and open problem. In this work we propose a multiphasic theory applicable to the human cornea. The model has three principal elements. The first is a diffusion–reaction model for cellular metabolism with reactions modeling aerobic respiration and anaerobic fermentation. The second element describes how metabolism-based ion production in the corneal stroma and active ion transport in the corneal endothelium modify the tissue osmotic pressure. Finally, the coupling between osmotic pressure and mechanical expansion of the tissue is described. The proposed model is assessed by predicting oxygen depletion and corneal edema due to contact lens wear, and by comparing the results with direct clinical measurements. To illustrate the interactions between metabolism and biomechanics under more extreme metabolic conditions, the model is used to predict the hypoxia and consequent swelling response of the cornea resulting from the introduction of an impermeable lamellar inlay (implant). The results confirm the importance of maintaining unhindered transport of metabolic species in the human cornea.
Simulation of oxygen transfer in liquid lead under influence of nanoparticles by using lattice Boltzmann method

Abstract Oxygen transfer presents a serious challenge in the application of liquid lead as a nuclear coolant in advanced reactors. To mitigate corrosion by liquid lead in contact with steel, carefully controlling the oxygen concentration has been used as an effective way. Oxygen needs to mix in liquid lead uniformly and quickly. To enhance oxygen transport in liquid lead, nanoparticles are added to the liquid metal. In the current study, a lattice Boltzmann method is applied to investigate natural convection of copper/lead and aluminum oxide/lead in two-dimensional simplified container. Two thermal boundary cases are evaluated in order to check the effect of different natural convection flow patterns on oxygen transport. Some useful information are obtained such as improvement in natural convection and reduction in oxygen equilibrium time.
Modeling regenerative processes with membrane computing

A model in membrane computing is proposed to explain regeneration in planarians.The model recapitulates the outcomes of a set of planarian surgical experiments.Membrane computing represents a novel paradigm to model regeneration mechanisms. Understanding the remarkable ability of some organisms to restore their anatomical shape following the amputation of large parts of their bodies is currently a major unsolved question in regenerative biology and biomedicine. Despite rapid advances in the molecular processes required for regeneration, a systems level, algorithmic understanding of this process has remained elusive. For this reason, the field needs new computational paradigms to help model the flow of information during regeneration. Membrane computing is a branch of natural computing that studies the properties and applications of theoretical computing devices known as P systems. These systems are an abstraction of the structure and functioning of a living cell, as well as its organization in tissues. Here, we propose a model of regenerative processes in planarian worms based on P systems, which recapitulates several aspects of regenerative pattern regulation. Our results demonstrate that it is possible to apply a novel computational framework to help understand pattern regulation in regenerative biology.
Supporting Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Families in Early Intervention

This report examines two central themes of providing family-centered early intervention services to culturally and linguistically diverse families, including: (a) viewing home language use as a fam...
Rechargeable membraneless glucose biobattery: Towards solid-state cathodes for implantable enzymatic devices

Abstract Enzymatic biobatteries can be implanted in living organisms to exploit the chemical energy stored in physiological fluids. Generally, commonly-used electron donors (such as sugars) are ubiquitous in physiological environments, while electron acceptors such as oxygen are limited due to many factors including solubility, temperature, and pressure. The wide range of solid-state cathodes, however, may replace the need for oxygen breathing electrodes and serve in enzymatic biobatteries for implantable devices. Here, we have fabricated a glucose biobattery suitable for in vivo applications employing a glucose oxidase (GOx) anode coupled to a solid-state Prussian Blue (PB) thin-film cathode. PB is a non-toxic material and its electrochemistry enables fast regeneration if used in a secondary cell. This novel biobattery can effectively operate in a membraneless architecture as PB can reduce the peroxide produced by some oxidase enzymes. The resulting biobattery delivers a maximum power and current density of 44 μW cm − 2 and 0.9 mA cm − 2 , respectively, which is ca. 37% and 180% higher than an equivalent enzymatic fuel cell equipped with a bilirubin oxidase cathode. Moreover, the biobattery demonstrated a stable performance over 20 cycles of charging and discharging periods with only ca. 3% loss of operating voltage.
A 66-Year-Old Woman With Sudden Onset of Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation, Lactic Acidosis, and Hypoglycemia

A 66-year-old woman presented to an urgent care clinic for 2 to 3 weeks of general malaise, nausea/vomiting, night sweats, and dyspnea. On examination, she was tachycardic, and her laboratory evaluation was normal except for a lactate level of 4.4 mmol/L and platelet count of 118 × 109/L. CT imaging was performed. Two days later in the follow-up clinic, the patient's international normalized ratio (INR) was elevated, and she was hospitalized with initial findings of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) (ie, INR > 10, platelets 97 × 109/L, fibrinogen
The effects of genome duplications in a community context

Contents 57 I. 57 II. 59 III. 59 IV. 63 V. 64 VI. 64 VII. 66 66 References 66 SUMMARY: Whole-genome duplication (WGD), or polyploidy, has important effects on the genotype and phenotype of plants, potentially altering ecological interactions with other organisms. Even though the connections between polyploidy and species interactions have been recognized for some time, we are only just beginning to test whether WGD affects community context. Here I review the sparse information on polyploidy and community context and then present a set of hypotheses for future work. Thus far, community-level studies of polyploids suggest an array of outcomes, from no changes in community context to shifts in the abundance and composition of interacting species. I propose a number of mechanisms for how WGD could alter community context and how the emergence of polyploids in populations could also alter the community context of parental diploids and other plant species. Resolving how and when these changes are expected to occur will require a deeper understanding of the connections among WGD, phenotypic changes, and the direct and indirect effects of species interactions.
Eyelid: External Levator Resection

Blepharoptosis is an unpleasant complaint of the patients referring to oculoplastic clinics. Following a thorough medical and neurologic work-up, the surgical correction is the main treatment strategy in many cases. Levator muscle function is a measure of maximal lid excursion and crucial for selecting the best surgical approach. Once the levator muscle function is measured as reasonable, along with a good Bell’s phenomenon, the strengthening of the muscle by the shortening or resection techniques through an external approach can favorably elevate the eyelid.
Contact-less near-field measurement of RF phased array antenna mismatches

Future RF transceivers are expected to integrate the entire system, from baseband to antenna. Many emerging applications use beam forming, which necessitates RF phased arrays and multiple antennas integrated on the same die. Integration of antennas onto the same die as the phased array and other electronics presents a test challenge since the output is combined in the air and no longer can be separated by physically connecting to the test equipment. This paper presents a novel contact-less test method for measuring the gain and phase mismatch of RF phased array antennas. The proposed method is based on using fully characterized receiver antennas to capture the combined EM output of the transmitter antennas. Near-field analysis is applied with a decoupling approach to determine both gain and phase mismatches so they can be calibrated in the baseband. Near-field measurements are preferable in the production test environment since they do not require large physical distances to be implemented on the load board. A phased array consisting of two elements is modeled and evaluated in near field to verify our test method.
Methods in Teaching Basketball Skills

(1935). Methods in Teaching Basketball Skills. The Journal of Health and Physical Education: Vol. 6, No. 9, pp. 37-43.
Evaluating integrated pest management tactics for onion thrips and pathogens they transmit to onion

Abstract Onion thrips (Thrips tabaci) is a significant pest of onion worldwide, causing both direct and indirect damage to the crop. Integrated pest management of onion thrips should improve profitability and sustainability of onion production. Promising management approaches include reducing nitrogen application rates, using thrips-resistant cultivars and implementing action threshold-based insecticide programs. However, the impact of these integrated pest management approaches on thrips densities and damage, crop yield, and thrips-associated plant diseases like iris yellow spot (IYS) (caused by Iris yellow spot virus) and bacterial center rot (caused by Pantoea agglomerans and P. ananatis) remains largely unknown. In a two-year field trial in New York, combinations of varying levels of nitrogen applied at planting (67, 101 and 140 kg ha−1) and different insecticide programs (standard weekly insecticide program and action threshold-based insecticide program) were evaluated for onion thrips management in onion cultivars that had moderate resistance (‘Avalon’), low resistance (‘Delgado’) and no resistance (‘Bradley’) to onion thrips. Results indicated that regardless of cultivar, nitrogen did not affect larval thrips densities, onion yields, IYS or bacterial center rot. Across all cultivars, insecticide use (both programs) significantly reduced larval thrips densities and damage, IYS severity and incidence, and increased onion yield. Insecticide use did not consistently affect the incidence of bacterial center rot. Both insecticide programs reduced onion thrips larval densities by 60–81% relative to the untreated control, but the action threshold-based application program used 2.8 fewer applications than the standard program. ‘Avalon’ had low thrips densities and IYS disease, but required the same number of insecticide applications as ‘Bradley’. Onion yields in both insecticide programs were statistically similar in both years, and bulb weights averaged 10–54% more than those in the untreated control. Our results indicated that growers can reduce nitrogen levels at planting and insecticide use without compromising control of either onion thrips or IYS disease or onion bulb yields.
Assessments of variable-speed equipment for packaged rooftop units (RTUs) in the United States

Abstract Packaged air-conditioning systems, such as rooftop units (RTUs), are widely used in small commercial buildings in the United States. Although new regulations and standards require new air-conditioning equipment to have multi-speed supply fan operation, most of the installed units employ fixed-speed supply fans. The electrical energy usage associated with constant volumetric air delivery fan systems is on the order of half the total RTU electrical energy usage because supply fans operate continuously during the occupied periods in commercial buildings for ventilation. In addition, compressors within RTUs typically feature single- or two-stage capacity controls leading to frequent unit cycling and thus, deteriorated performance in energy efficiency. This paper presents relatively comprehensive assessment results for three RTU variable-speed retrofit options: 1) retrofits of fixed-speed supply fans with variable-speed fans for single-compressor-speed units, 2) replacement of existing fixed-speed RTUs with RTUs having two-speed compressors with variable-speed supply fans and 3) retrofits of RTUs with new RTUs that incorporate variable-speed compressors and fans (indoor and outdoor). The assessment study involves parametric simulations across different building types and locations in the U.S. to understand the performance variation with respect to location and building use. Performance improvements in terms of energy efficiency, operation cost and indoor comfort delivery for the various retrofit options are demonstrated compared to conventional single-stage RTUs with constant speed supply fans. The assessment results show that all three retrofit options offer significant fan energy savings, but much smaller savings potential for compressor and condenser fan electricity consumption. The variable-speed-unit retrofit provides the highest cost savings potentials, ranging from 40 to 250 $ per rated cooling ton per year depending on the building type and location. In addition to efficiency and economic benefits, the two-stage-unit and variable-speed-unit retrofits also lead to improved indoor humidity regulation performance due to reduced unit cycling.
This Changes Everything: A Call for a Directive, Goal-Oriented Principle to Guide the Discretion of Federal Prosecutors

The breadth of discretion enjoyed by federal prosecutors has been widely noted and often criticized, but few realistic proposals have been made to limit or channel that discretion. This article suggests the articulation of an over-arching principle by the Attorney General to focus that often-troubling discretion.
Quilted News: Creating a New Definition of News

The mix of traditional and progressive news in the women’s pages led to a new kind of quilted news. The sections would weave serious topics among the traditional softer approaches to news, in much the same way women would use quilts as an art form to showcase important causes. Women were still reading about the four Fs and they were also reading about a variety of other news. There were stories about politics, education, and healthcare. In addition, stories about women in the black community and questions about both racism and sexism were addressed.
Boreal canopy surfaces from spaceborne stereogrammetry

Abstract Surface elevation estimates from high resolution spaceborne image (HRSI) stereogrammetry are used to examine fine-scaled structure of boreal forest canopies. These data can depict detailed spatial patterns of vertical forest structure at remote sites across the circumpolar domain where these estimates would otherwise be unavailable. This work examines where these estimates are most effective at describing vertical forest structure to explain which canopy surfaces they represent. We evaluated the variation in canopy surface estimates captured from four general types of HRSI digital surface models (DSMs) across the full range of boreal canopy cover. These DSMs, classified into 4 types by grouping them according to the acquisition's (1) sun elevation angle (low or high) and (2) seasonality-driven ground surface condition (snow presence/absence), vary with acquisition characteristics and the details of this variation continues to be studied. We explored some of this variation by comparing the distributions of differences in boreal canopy percentile heights derived from reference small footprint lidar in Tanana Valley, Alaska with canopy surface elevations derived from these 4 types of HRSI DSMs. We examined how canopy surface estimates from HRSI DSMs differ according to acquisition characteristics and canopy cover, and ultimately which canopy surfaces are represented in these DSMs. Our results help clarify which boreal canopy surfaces are representative of those captured with HRSI DSMs. They show that in the Tanana Valley (1) DSMs grouped by sun elevation angle and ground surface condition provide different surface estimates of boreal canopies; (2) the two DSM types that appear to most differently capture boreal forest canopy surfaces are DSMs from snow-free images acquired at sun elevation angles 60% cover, 70th–80th percentile heights); and (5) in the most dense forests (>80% cover) where canopy gaps are least likely to bias downward the average surface estimates, the snow-free DSM types are representative of 70th - 80th percentile heights (“Low sun elev. & snow-free”) and 60th–70th percentile heights (“High sun elev. & snow-free”). The combination of horizontal structure (canopy cover) and acquisition characteristics affect the boreal vertical structure (canopy surface height) estimates from spaceborne stereogrammetry. These effects should be considered when analyzing products derived from HRSI DSMs, and as part of a comprehensive approach to spaceborne remote sensing of circumpolar boreal forests.
Salivary Gland-Type Tumors

Salivary gland-type tumors of the thymus represent a subgroup of tumors and a subject that for the most part has been ignored in the literature. The attention that salivary gland-type tumors in the thorax get is essentially due to those tumors that occur in the lung. The tumoral conditions that will be discussed in this chapter include benign tumors (thymic hyperplasia with lymphoepithelial sialadenitis (LESA)-like features, sebaceous lymphadenoma, mixed tumor (pleomorphic adenoma) and malignant tumors (mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC), epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma, adenoid cystic carcinoma and basaloid carcinoma. This chapter will be presented from the practical point of view for the practicing pathologist who may be called upon to interpret these tumors. Clinical, pathological, histopathological, immunohistochemical, radiological, gross, molecular features will be discussed, as well as differential diagnoses and staging.
Immune checkpoint inhibitors for the treatment of glioblastoma: Where we are

Despite a history of frequent challenges and roadblocks, there has been recent excitement in the treatment of human cancer, specifically regarding the remarkable efficacy of various immune checkpoint inhibitors including programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1), programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) and cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) blockers in treating metastatic melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer, and other malignant growths. However, treatment of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) with immune checkpoint inhibitors so far has not been shown to be as successful in several randomized clinical trials as in other cancer with the exception of one pilot study that found promising results by neoadjuvant administration of Pembrolizimab for the treatment of recurrent GBM. Our article will review the current status of immune checkpoint inhibitors for the treatment of GBM.
Cultivating the International Criminal Court’s Legitimacy and the Use of Constructivism to Prepare for Head-of-State Aggression Prosecutions

There is cause to celebrate activation of the Court’s power to prosecute the crime of aggression. At the same time, prosecuting the leadership crime of aggression could be seen as further opening Pandora’s Box regarding one of the Court’s most difficult chapters: Head-of-State or Head-of-Government (HOS) prosecutions. To avoid this result, this period between activation and the first HOS prosecution should be treated as a strategic opportunity to cultivate the Court’s legitimacy and to develop a normative framework to maintain it. Indeed, it will take a powerful Court, imbued with unquestioned legitimacy, to pursue HOS aggression cases, especially when the aggressor State and her leaders are likely to argue that the use of force was not aggression but the lawful act of a sovereign State exercising one of its most fundamental rights.
Dilated Coronary Sinus: An Indicator of Persistent Left Superior Vena Cava

An 88-year-old male presented for a routine transthoracic echocardiogram. Dilated coronary sinus was noted, raising the suspicion for persistent left superior venous cava (PLSVC). An agitated saline study from the left upper extremity demonstrated a flow through the coronary sinus into the right ventricle in a parasternal long-axis view. A venogram from the right internal jugular vein showed the PLSVC drained into a much dilated coronary sinus (CS) that connected to the right atrium. The right superior vena cava was absent. PLSVC along with absent right superior vena cava is rare and the inadvertent CS cannulation may result in vessel perforation.
Adaptive Bike Share: Expanding Bike Share to People with Disabilities and Older Adults

Bike share systems are expanding efforts to be more equitable and accessible to everyone by offering adaptive bicycle options to people who might otherwise be unable to ride. These systems tend to ...
A Cross-Linguistic Preference For Torso Stability In The Lexicon: Evidence From 24 Sign Languages

When the arms move in certain ways, they can cause the torso to twist or rock. Such extraneous torso movement is undesirable, especially during sign language communication, when torso position may carry linguistic significance, so we expend effort to resist it when it is not intended. This so-called “reactive effort” has only recently been identified by Sanders and Napoli (2016), but their preliminary work on three genetically unrelated languages suggests that the effects of reactive effort can be observed cross-linguistically by examination of sign language lexicons. In particular, the frequency of different kinds of manual movements in the lexicon correlates with the amount of reactive effort needed to resist movement of the torso. Following this line of research, we present evidence from 24 sign languages confirming that there is a cross-linguistic preference for minimizing the reactive effort needed to keep the torso stable.
Frequency of Allopurinol Dose Reduction in Hospitalized Patients With Gout Flares.

To the Editor: The risk of subsequent flares after the initial diagnosis of gout remains high, according to the recent study, “Changes in the Presentation of Incident Gout and the Risk of Subsequent Flares: A Population-based Study Over 20 Years” by Elfishawi, et al 1. This study found 60% of the patients have at least 1 subsequent flare episode within 5 years of their initial gout diagnosis. Despite an improved understanding of gout pathophysiology and treatment options, the prevalence of subsequent flares in the 2009–2010 cohort has not significantly improved compared to the 1989–1992 cohort. One of the identified risk factors was the persistently elevated serum uric acid (SUA). This finding highlights the importance of adequately treating gout to their target SUA. Limitations in their dataset may have precluded the authors from studying urate-lowering therapy (ULT) changes or discontinuation as a risk factor for subsequent flare. We report the results of our study below, in which we evaluated the frequency of inpatient adjustment of ULT in hospitalized … Address correspondence to Dr. I.J. Huang, 1959 NE Pacific St., BB561, Seattle, WA 98195, USA. Email: ijhuang{at}uw.edu.
Introduction: Why Make Astronomical Observations at Radio Frequencies?

A brief history of radio astronomy is presented, with an emphasis given on the pioneering work of Karl Jansky and Grote Reber in initially detecting emission from astronomical sources at radio wavelengths and then generating the first radio maps of the sky. Discussions are then given of how radio astronomy grew and developed after the World War II with descriptions given about some of the most prominent radio telescopes employed in modern astronomy. Recent developments in the field—such as new ground-based observatories like ALMA and orbiting observatories like RadioAstron—are described as well, along with a discussion about the types of sources detected by radio telescopes along with the unique insights about the physical properties of these sources that have been realized by these radio observations. These realizations help answer the question about why astronomers make observations at radio frequencies, which is also discussed.
A constructivist examination of using photovoice as a teaching method with MSW students and involving the larger community

Although scholars identify critical consciousness as an outcome of photovoice research, few studies specify the form in which the critical consciousness takes shape. This study analyzes the coursew...
Bateman Oscillators: Caldirola-Kanai and Null Lagrangians and Gauge Functions

The Lagrange formalism is developed for Bateman oscillators, which includes both damped and amplified systems, and a novel method to derive the Caldirola-Kanai and null Lagrangians is presented. For the null Lagrangians, the corresponding gauge functions are obtained. It is shown that the gauge functions can be used to convert the undriven Bateman oscillators into the driven ones. Applications of the obtained results to quantizatation of the Bateman oscillators are briefly discussed.
Desmoplastic Small Round-cell Tumor: Retrospective Review of Institutional Data and Literature Review.

Background Desmoplastic small round-cell tumor (DSCRT) in adults is an extremely rare (age-adjusted incidence 0.3 per million) and aggressive sarcoma with limited data for optimal management. Patients and methods Retrospective analysis of patients with DSCRT diagnosis (2010-2020) was performed following Institutional Review Board approval. The follow-up period was from pathological diagnosis to the last patient contact. Endpoints were type of response and duration of response. Results In the current analysis, first-line treatment in all cases was vincristine, anthracycline, and cyclophosphamide alternating with ifosfamide and etoposide (VAC-IE) with 100% response for a mean duration of 9.8 (range=5-12) months. Patients received 1-4 subsequent lines of therapy. All patients received temozolomide with irinotecan (50% partial response, duration 8-9 months). Two patients that underwent consolidative cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy had a longer survival (30.6 vs. 11.2 months). Patients suffered 100% mortality with a median survival was 17.8 (range=11.2-30.6) months. Conclusion While aggressive multimodality treatment is always warranted for DSCRT, the options are limited by the multicentric presentation, short-lived initial response and lack of established subsequent therapy portending a poor prognosis. Consolidative cytoreductive surgery following first-line therapy may improve survival.
Morphine-sensitive synaptic transmission emerges in embryonic rat microphysiological model of lower afferent nociceptive signaling.

Debilitating chronic pain resulting from genetic predisposition, injury, or acquired neuropathy is becoming increasingly pervasive. Opioid analgesics remain the gold standard for intractable pain, but overprescription of increasingly powerful and addictive opioids has contributed to the current prescription drug abuse epidemic. There is a pressing need to screen experimental compounds more efficiently for analgesic potential that remains unmet by conventional research models. The spinal cord dorsal horn is a common target for analgesic intervention, where peripheral nociceptive signals are relayed to the central nervous system through synaptic transmission. Here, we demonstrate that coculturing peripheral and dorsal spinal cord nerve cells in a novel bioengineered microphysiological system facilitates self-directed emergence of native nerve tissue macrostructure and concerted synaptic function. The mechanistically distinct analgesics—morphine, lidocaine, and clonidine—differentially and predictably modulate this microphysiological synaptic transmission. Screening drug candidates for similar microphysiological profiles will efficiently identify therapeutics with analgesic potential.
Efficient Estimation of Distributional Tail Shape and the Extremal IndexWith Applications to Risk Management

Abundant evidence indicates that financial asset returns are thicker-tailed than a normal distribution would suggest. The most negative outcomes which carry the potential to wreak financial disaster also tend to be the most rare and may fall outside the scope of empirical observation. The difficulty of modelling these rare but extreme events has been greatly reduced by recent advances in extreme value theory (EVT). The tail shape parameter and the extremal index are the fundamental parameters governing the extreme behavior of the distribution, and the effectiveness of EVT in forecasting depends upon their reliable, accurate estimation. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the performance of estimators of both key parameters. Five tail shape estimators are examined within a Monte Carlo setting along the dimensions of bias, variability, and probability prediction performance. Five estimators of the extremal index are also examined using Monte Carlo simulation. A recommended best estimator is selected in each case and applied within a Value at Risk context to the Wilshire 5000 index to illustrate its usefulness for risk measurement.
Gold Nanostars: A Novel Platform for Developing 211 At-Labeled Agents for Targeted Alpha-Particle Therapy.

Aim To develop an innovative 211At nanoplatform with high radiolabeling efficiency and low in vivo deastatination for future targeted alpha-particle therapy (TAT) to treat cancer. Methods Star-shaped gold nanoparticles, gold nanostars (GNS), were used as the platform for 211At radiolabeling. Radiolabeling efficiency under different reaction conditions was tested. Uptake in the thyroid and stomach after systemic administration was used to evaluate the in vivo stability of 211At-labeled GNS. A subcutaneous U87MG human glioma xenograft murine model was used to preliminarily evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of 211At-labeled GNS after intratumoral administration. Results The efficiency of labeling GNS with 211At was almost 100% using a simple and rapid synthesis process that was completed in only 1 min. In vitro stability test in serum showed that more than 99% of the 211At activity remained on the GNS after 24 h incubation at 37°C. In vivo biodistribution results showed low uptake in the thyroid (0.44-0.64%ID) and stomach (0.21-0.49%ID) between 0.5 and 21 h after intravenous injection, thus indicating excellent in vivo stability of 211At-labeled GNS. The preliminary therapeutic efficacy study demonstrated that 211At labeled GNS substantially reduced tumor growth (P Conclusion The new 211At radiolabeling strategy based on GNS has the advantages of a simple process, high labeling efficiency, and minimal in vivo dissociation, making it an attractive potential platform for developing TAT agents that warrants further evaluation in future preclinical studies directed to evaluating prospects for clinical translation.
Application of atomic force probing on the polysilicon patterning issue

As the semiconductor technology keeps scaling down, Poly silicon gate pattern becomes more and more critical. If the Poly silicon variation is too big or some mismatch, it will induce severe logic parametric fail or even functional fail, whi ch is difficult for the failure analysis. For the analog device, it ca n induce functional fail. In this case, a function related failure was analyzed an d the level shift circuit was identified. No visible defect was found until contact level by physical FA (PFA) on the structure. Atomic force probing was applied on the device level analysis. After the preliminary probing, an in-depth nanoprobing experiment was designed in order to narrow down the root cause of defect. Based on the electrical analysis, PFA was performed and systematic Poly shrink was found in the specific location which correlates with the process issue.
Innershell photoionized x-ray laser schemes

Current x-ray lasers operate in the 35 to 500 angstroms wavelength regimes with 21.5 angstroms being the limit for the successful collisional excitation approach using Nickel-like ions. In this paper, we discuss an x-ray laser scheme in the 5 to 15 angstroms regime. The scheme uses an ultra-short (100 fsec FWHM) intense (1017 Watts/cm2) laser pulse to produce a hot plasma at a laser line focus. This plasma serves as an x-ray source that photo- ionizes the K shell of a nearby concentration of lasant atoms. This produces a population inversion, and resulting positive gain for an allowed 2p-1s radiative transition in the singly charged ion.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Comparison and Benchmarks for Import of VPF Geographic Data from Object-Oriented and Relational Database Files

This paper presents some of the advantages accrued from adopting an object-oriented (OO) data model versus the relational data model when representing and managing a Vector Product Format (VPF) database, specifically the Digital Nautical Chart (DNC) for Norfolk Harbor, Virginia. An OO-DNC prototype viewer capable of importing, displaying and editing DNC feature data both from relational-format and from object-format files was developed using the Smalltalk language. The differences in performance between the relational import and the object import were then compared across several DNC coverages. The results indicate a significant increase in performance when adopting the OO paradigm; specifically the OO-DNC viewer imported feature data from object-format files from 6 to 15 times faster than from the relational-format files. It should be noted that these figures are NOT the result of comparing a commercial object-oriented database managment system (ODBMS) against a commercial relational database management system (RDBMS), but rather the result of reading both relational-oriented and object-oriented data file formats using an object-oriented program written in Smalltalk. Nevertheless, we feel these results indicate a significant functionality and performance improvement can be obtained by using an OO framework for the data and software.