cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A BRIEF SUMMARY OF OUR PRESENT DAY UNDERSTANDING OF THE EFFECT OF VOLATILES AND PARTIAL MELT ON THE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF THE UPPER MANTLE

The attenuation and velocity in the LVZ are linked through the approximate dispersion relation 1Q≃π2.dln(modulus)dln(frequence) which holds for all linear attenuation effects regardless of mechanism. The attenuation level alone cannot be used to predict the depression in velocity, but it is reasonable to seek a common explanation for both. Models based on liquid melt pockets in an elastic solid predict attenuation/modulus effects which range widely in magnitude and characteristic frequency, depending critically on the melt geometry. This geometry is at present not known. There is therefore at present no hope of inverting the seismic data to yield melt fraction. Ubiquitous and substantial subsolidus attenuation/modulus effects have been documented for many metals, salts and ceramics; however, it is not possible at present to predict the attenuation level due to this source under upper mantle conditions. The seismic data alone do not permit a choice between a melt or subsolidus explanation for the LVZ. The creep properties of mantle material are certain to be affected by partial melt only if the melt fraction exceeds about 25–30%. Extrapolated laboratory creep data on unmelted olivines are compatible with geophysical evidence of the rheology of the upper mantle. Evidence has accumulated that hydrogen within the olivine lattice (“wet olivine”) leads to mechanical softening. If enough hydrogen can be accommodated in the lattice, it will further complicate the line of reasoning proposed by Wyllie and other petrologists about the melt fraction in the LVZ based on the crystallographic site of mantle water. It appears to this author that no reasonable case can be made at present for any correlation other than empirical between regions of high attenuation, regions of partial melt, and the zone of decoupling of the continents.
Overrepresentation of Adopted Adolescents at a Hospital-Based Gender Dysphoria Clinic

Purpose: We have noted a greater than expected prevalence of adopted children presenting to our multidisciplinary gender program for evaluation of gender dysphoria. Methods: A retrospective review of 184 patient charts was conducted to assess the prevalence of adopted children presenting to gender clinic. Results: Fifteen of 184 patients seen were living with adoptive families (8.2%). This is significantly higher than expected based on U.S. census data. Conclusion: Adopted children are referred to our gender program more than would be expected based on the percentage of adopted children in our state and the United States at large. This may be due to a true increased risk of gender dysphoria in adopted children, or could represent presentation bias. Gender programs should be prepared to provide assessments for adopted children. Further work is needed to understand the relationship between adopted status and gender development.
Astrophysical neutrinos and atmospheric leptons

IceCube measurements of the neutrino flux from TeV to PeV show the signal of astrophysical neutrinos standing out at high energy well above the steeply falling foreground of atmospheric neutrinos. The astrophysical signal appears both in measurements of neutrino-induced muons and in the starting event sample, which responds preferentially to electron and tau neutrinos, but which also includes muon neutrinos. Searches for point sources of astrophysical neutrinos have, however, not yet identified a single source or class of sources for the astrophysical component. Some constraints on astrophysical sources implied by the current observations will be described in this talk. Uncertainties in the fluxes of atmospheric leptons resulting from an incomplete knowledge of the primary cosmic-ray spectrum and from a limited understanding of meson production, including charm will also be reviewed. The ultimate goal is to improve the understanding of the astrophysical spectrum in the transition to lower energy where atmospheric neutrinos dominate. The main aspects of this presentation will be included in the author's Review Talk at the end of the Symposium.
pH-dependent general base catalyzed activation rather than isocyanate liberation may explain the superior anticancer efficacy of laromustine compared to related 1,2-bis(methylsulfonyl)-1-(2-chloroethyl)hydrazine prodrugs

Laromustine (also known as cloretazine, onrigin, VNP40101M, 101M) is a prodrug of 90CE, a short-lived chloroethylating agent with anticancer activity. The short half-life of 90CE necessitates the use of latentiated prodrug forms for in vivo treatments. Alkylaminocarbonyl based prodrugs such as laromustine exhibit significantly superior in vivo activity in several murine tumor models compared to analogs utilizing acyl, and alkoxycarbonyl latentiating groups. The alkylaminocarbonyl prodrugs possess two exclusive characteristics: (i) they are primarily unmasked by spontaneous base catalyzed elimination; and (ii) they liberate a reactive carbamoylating species. Previous speculations as to the therapeutic superiority of laromustine have focused upon the inhibition of enzymes by carbamoylation. We have investigated the therapeutic interactions of analogs with segregated chloroethylating and carbamoylating activities (singly and in combination) in the in vivo murine L1210 leukemia model. The combined treatment with chloroethylating and carbamoylating prodrugs failed to result in any synergism and produced a reduction in the therapeutic efficacy compared to the chloroethylating prodrug alone. Evidence supporting an alternative explanation for the superior tumor selectivity of laromustine is presented that is centered upon the high pH sensitivity of its base catalyzed activation, and the more alkaline intracellular pH values commonly found within tumor cells. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Viability of permanent PMMA spacer with combined free fasciocutaneous tissue transfer for failed charcot reconstruction: A 38 month prospective case report.

Abstract Introduction Charcot Neuroarthropathy is a complex lower extremity pathology which predisposes the afflicted limb to ulcerations, osteomyelitis, and risk of major amputation. Charcot Neuroarthropathy often requires osseous reconstruction, which can be complicated with osteomyelitis and hardware infection. When soft tissue and osseous deficits must be concomitantly addressed, the use of PMMA spacers can be combined with free tissue transfers. Presentation of case 71 year old Caucasian male with Diabetic Charcot Neuroarthopathy underwent osseous reconstruction with internal hardware. The surgical site was complicated by acute infection, osteomyelitis, exposed hardware requiring removal, and multiple surgical debridement. The degree of soft tissue and osseous deficit post-debridement required complex reconstruction. Discussion The osseous deficit was addressed with the use of a permanent PMMA cement spacer. The soft tissue deficit was reconstructed with a free tissue transfer. This case report demonstrates the long term viability and utility of the use of permanent cement spacers when combined with free tissue transfer for closure of complex diabetic foot wounds. This case is an example of a multidisciplinary team approach to limb salvage with successful long term outcome; a plantigrade stable functional foot in an ambulatory highly active patient. Follow up time since initial intervention was 38 months. Conclusion The use of a permanent PMMA cement spacer does not preclude free tissue transfer in complex host lower extremity reconstruction. A multidisciplinary team approach is a vital component to successful salvage outcomes.
Hypertension associated with atrial fibrillation.

Hypertension (1) and atrial fibrillation (2,3) both increase with age. Both hypertension and atrial fibrillation are associated with an increased incidence of stroke, heart failure, and mortality (1-3).
Comparative Histopathologic Lesions of the Male Reproductive Tract during Acute Infection of Zika Virus in AG129 and Ifnar-/- Mice.

An understanding of the pathogenesis of infection with the Zika virus in the male reproductive tract is vital for the development of vaccines and antivirals that will limit or prevent sexual transmission. Two common immunocompromised mouse strains used in transmission studies—male with genes encoding interferon types I and II receptor gene knockout (IFNAR/IFNGR; AG129) and with interferon type 1 receptor knockout (Ifnar −/− ) were infected with a Puerto Rican Zika virus isolate (PRVABC59), and pathology was assessed 5 to 11 days after infection. Virus was detected by immunohistochemistry and quantitative RT-PCR in the testicle and epididymis of AG129 and Ifnar −/− mice, and by immunohistochemistry in the prostate and seminal vesicle of infected AG129 mice. Severe disease manifestations initiating as epididymitis and progressing to orchitis were observed in both models, with more severe inflammation noted in the AG129 mouse strain. Significant inflammation was not observed in any evaluated accessory sex gland at any point during infection. Time–course analysis of infection revealed an increase in the severity of disease within the epididymis of both strains, indicating a potential route of sexual transmission. Male mice with Ifnar −/− may better recapitulate Zika virus in humans and provide insight into the mechanism of sexual transmission, due to milder histopathologic lesions, the presence of histologically normal sperm in epididymal tubules, and an ability to survive the acute phase of disease.
Effect of MAK-4 and MAK-5 on endothelial cell and soyabean lipoxygenase-induced LDL oxidation.

Excessive free radical formation is the biochemical basis for oxidant injury to cells. Free radicals have been implicated in the pathogenesis of a wide variety of diseases. MAK-4 and MAK-5 are herbal antioxidant mixtures1,2. In this study, we investigated the antioxidant effect of MAK-4 and MAK-5 on endothelial cell (EC)- and soyabean lipoxygenase (SLP)-induced LDL oxidation and SLP-induced linoleic acid oxidation.
EVOLUTIONARY CONSERVATION OF INFLUENZA NUCLEOPROTEIN GENES IN HOST SPECIES

Publisher Summary Influenza viruses commonly infect swine, horses, and numerous species of birds as well as humans. The surface antigens of these viruses have been studied extensively and are classified into 13 hemagglutinin subtypes and 9 neuraminidase subtypes at present. The representatives of each hemagglutinin and neuraminidase subtypes have been found among the avian influenza strains. This chapter discusses a study for comparing the NP genes of a large panel of influenza isolates from human and non-human hosts by RNA–RNA hybridization to determine the extent of genetic diversity of this protein. The mammalian virus isolates analyzed included the equine viruses of the H3 and H7 serotypes, the swine viruses of the HI and H3 subtypes, and the representatives of the human HI, H2, and H3 subtypes. Genetic homologies were measured using a competitive RNA–RNA hybridization assay in which individual RNA segments were isolated from selected reference strains and labeled with 125I. The efficiency with which the added RNA competes with the annealing of the labeled RNA with its cRNA provides a measure of relative homology between the strains being compared.
Chemical Reactions: The Negentropic Perspective

The results advanced by the negentropic formulation of the second law of thermodynamics are here applied to determine the entropy change for the universe of an electrochemical cell reaction, taking place with varying degrees of reversibility.
Hunting for hematopoietic transcriptional networks.

Each day an adult human produces roughly 2.5 × 1011 erythrocytes, 1 × 1011 leukocytes, and 1 × 1011 platelets, numbers that can increase 10- to 20-fold in times of heightened demand. Blood cell production, termed hematopoiesis, occurs in the red marrow found mostly in the skull, spine, and proximal ends of the long bones of the body. Within the marrow resides a small number of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), the origin of all blood cells, which undergo a series of proliferative and differentiation steps eventuating in the near half a trillion or more cells produced each day. The molecular “wiring diagram” that regulates the production of mature blood cells from HSCs is both cell intrinsic (gene transcription factors and epigenetic changes) and cell extrinsic (growth factors and microenvironmental soluble and cell surface proteins), although whether lineage decisions are stochastic or directed by external factors remains a controversial topic. Much is known about the HSC niche and the cells, hormones, and soluble mediators that affect hematopoiesis, but less well known are the transcription factors that regulate the lineage fate choices made by HSCs and their developmental progeny. The study by Zhu et al. (1) in PNAS has the potential to greatly expand our understanding of this latter aspect of hematopoiesis and provides a roadmap for further discovery. Blood platelets derive from the tips of elongated cytoplasmic processes of a large, polyploid marrow cell, termed a megakaryocyte, with each megakaryocyte delivering about 1,000 platelets into the marrow vascular sinusoids. Megakaryocytes, like all marrow cells, are derived from HSCs through a series of expansion and differentiation steps that generate a group of intermediately differentiated cells, including common myeloid progenitors (CMPs), which can ultimately give rise to erythrocytes, granulocytic leukocytes, and megakaryocytes; megakaryocyte-erythroid progenitors (MEPs), which can ultimately give rise … [↵][1]1Email: kenneth.kaushansky{at}stonybrookmedicine.edu. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
Baseline Alligator Nesting Data in Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge to Inform Monitoring

Abstract Monitoring key ecological attributes helps land managers understand the current state of the resource and decide if management action is necessary. Baseline data on spatial and temporal va...
CaNOP 3U CubeSat Electrical Power System: Power Tests

The Canopy Near Infrared Observing Project (CaNOP) consists of a 3U CubeSat nanosatellite funded through WSGC. Its mission objective is to capture multispectral images across global forests, similar to that of the Landsat missions. In order to ensure the missionâ€™s success, battery power must be managed efficiently. With newly working code for components in the â€œheader stackâ€, operating and power tests were conducted and results were recorded. These results were fairly consistent with power and current data given within component manuals. This data will be critical in the next stages of testing, where battery life will be limited and actions will need to be taken to ensure the CubeSat does not drain its battery in space.
Sex differences in GABAergic neurotransmission to rat DMV neurons.

GABAergic neurotransmission to the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMV) plays a pivotal role in the modulation of gastric tone and motility. Gastric motility is reduced in women and may contribu...
Multiversioned Page Overlays: Enabling Faster Serializable Hardware Transactional Memory

Practical and efficient support for multiversioning memory systems would offer a number of potential advantages, including improving the performance and functionality of hardware transactional memory (HTM). This paper presents a new approach to multiversioning support (Multiversioned Page Overlays) along with a new HTM design that it enables: OverlayTM. Compared with existing HTM designs, OverlayTM takes advantage of multiversioning to reduce unnecessary transaction aborts while providing full serializable semantics (in contrast with multiversioning HTMs that improve performance at the expense of being vulnerable to write skew anomalies). Our performance results demonstrate that OverlayTM is especially advantageous in read-heavy workloads.
Mathematical knowledge for teaching and the mathematical quality of instruction: a study of novice elementary school teachers

This study examines the association between mathematical knowledge for teaching and instructional quality in a sample of first-year elementary school teachers. Ten teachers completed the mathematical knowledge for teaching (MKT) survey at the end of teacher preparation. Three mathematics lessons taught during their first year of teaching were videotaped and scored using the Mathematical Quality of Instruction. Findings replicate prior studies that were conducted with more experienced teachers. A strong, positive and statistically significant association was found between teacher knowledge and the mathematics is clear and not distorted dimension of instructional quality. In addition, associations of moderate strength were found between MKT and other dimensions of instructional quality centered on the mathematics taught in the lesson. Analyses also revealed individual differences among teachers and raised the question of what other factors might impact instructional quality. Three cases studies highlight the role of lesson design, mathematics tasks, and participation structures that support or inhibit instructional quality and the use of knowledge during teaching. Conclusions suggest that preparation and induction programs should include a focus on individual teachers’ mathematical knowledge for teaching, the development of a student-centered vision of mathematics instruction, and tailored support during the first year of teaching.
Nicotine instigates podocyte injury via NLRP3 inflammasomes activation

Background/Aims: Recent studies have shown that nicotine induces podocyte damage. However, it remains unknown how nicotine induces podocyte injury. The present study tested whether nicotine induces NLRP3 inflammasomes activation and thereby contributes to podocyte injury. Results: Nicotine treatment significantly increased the colocalization of NLRP3 with Asc, caspase-1 activity, IL-β production, cell permeability in podocytes compared to control cells. Pretreatment with caspase-1 inhibitor, WEHD significantly abolished the nicotine-induced colocalization of NLRP3 with Asc, caspase-1 activity, IL-1β production and cell permeability in podocytes. Immunofluorescence analysis showed that nicotine treatment significantly decreased the podocin and nephrin expression compared to control cells. However, prior treatment with WEHD attenuated the nicotine-induced podocin and nephrin reduction. In addition, we found that nicotine treatment significantly increased the O2.- production compared to control cells. However, prior treatment with WEHD did not alter the nicotine-induced O2.- production. Furthermore, prior treatment with ROS scavenger, NAC significantly attenuated the nicotine-induced caspase-1 activity, IL-1β production, podocin and nephrin reduction in podocytes. Conclusions: Nicotine-induced the NLRP3 inflammasome activation in podocytes and thereby results in podocyte injury. Methods: Inflammasome formation and immunofluorescence expressions were quantified by confocal microscopy. Caspase-1 activity, IL-1β production and O2.- production were measured by ELISA and ESR.
The European model versus the American model of medical education as it relates to burn out.

Dear EditorWith great interest, I read the article by Hariharan and Griffin (2019) and the letter to the editor by Chauhan et al. (2019) discussing burn out in the early phases of a medical career....
Ad-Blockers and Limited Ad-Blocking

Ad-blockers enable consumers to block ads on websites. While ad-blockers began as user-oriented initiatives promising to block all ads, many now allow limited display of ads. Much of the ensuing debate has questioned the role and intent of the ad-blocker, viewing ad-blocking as a zero-sum game between consumers and the website publisher. We show limited ad-blocking (LAB) can transform ad-blocking to a win-win for all. In fact, even a user-oriented ad-blocker may offer LAB, while also benefiting the publisher and leading to better website content than in the absence of ad-blocking. Specifically, LAB can be used to incentivize content provision in two distinct ways: not just by enabling a publisher monetize website visits from ad-blocker users, but also by limiting the publisher’s ability to attract ad-blocker users if website content quality is low; since, by not blocking all ads, LAB can make a low-quality website less attractive for ad-blocker users. From the publisher’s perspective, although the publisher faces pressure to lower its website ad intensity to counter ad-blocking, LAB can emerge as an indirect means to discriminate ad intensity across consumers since they sort themselves according to their tolerance for ads through adopting the ad-blocker. We show beneficial discrimination can occur if consumers with higher valuation of content quality also find ads more disruptive and are less tolerant of ads. Interestingly, the ad-blocker may be more widely adopted when it employs LAB than when it does not. Furthermore, even a user-oriented ad-blocker may charge its users a fee.
Tuning the Copper(II)/Copper(I) Redox Potential for More Robust Copper-Catalyzed C–N Bond Forming Reactions

Complexes of copper and 1,10-phenanthroline have been utilized for organic transformations over the last 50 years. In many cases these systems are impacted by reaction conditions and perform best under an inert atmosphere. Here we explore the role the 1,10-phenanthroline ligand plays on the electronic structure and redox properties of copper coordination complexes, and what benefit related ligands may provide to enhance copper-based coupling reactions. Copper(II) triflate complexes bearing 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), ([Cu(phen)2(OTf)]OTf, 1) and oxidized derivatives of phen including [Cu(edhp)2](OTf)2 (2), [Cu(pdo)2](OTf)2 (3), [Cu(dafo)2](OTf)2 (4) were prepared and characterized. X-ray crystallographic data show these related ligands subtly impacted the coordination geometry of the copper(II) ion. Complexes 1-3 had only incremental changes to the redox properties of the copper ions, complex 4 showed a drastically different redox potential affording a remarkably air stable copper(I) complex. These complexes 1-4 were then used to catalyze the C-N bond forming cross coupling between imidazole and various boronic acid substrates, where the increased stability of the copper(I) species in complex 4 appears to better support these CEL cross couplings.
Deep Learning Models For Aggregated Network Traffic Prediction

The ability to generate network traffic predictions at short time scales is crucial for many network management tasks such as traffic engineering, anomaly detection, and traffic matrix estimation. However, building models that are able to predict the traffic from modern networks at short time scales is not a trivial task due to the diversity of the network traffic sources. In this paper, we present a framework for network-wide link-level traffic prediction using Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) neural networks. Our proposed framework leverages link statistics that can be easily collected either by the controller of a Software Defined Network (SDN), or by SNMP measurements in a legacy network, in order to predict future link throughputs. We implement several variations of LSTMs and compare their performance with traditional baseline models. Our evaluation study using real network traces from a Tier-1 ISP illustrates that LSTMs can predict link throughputs with very high accuracy outperforming the baselines for various traffic aggregation levels and time scales.
Rhabdomyolysis as a manifestation of a severe case of COVID-19: A case report

Since the outbreak of the ongoing pandemic of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Wuhan, China, from December 2019, we have learned that multiple organs can be affected with the potential for various complications. Although myalgia is a frequent symptom in COVID-19 patients, no imaging findings of rhabdomyolysis have been featured in the literature. We report a case of presumed rhabdomyolysis in a 38-year-old male with COVID-19 based on the clinical presentation, laboratory results and radiological findings. By discussing the diagnostic rationale and reviewing the relevant literature we hope to advance the existing understanding of this disease and its effects on the musculoskeletal system.
Zigator: analyzing the security of zigbee-enabled smart homes

As the popularity of Internet-connected devices for residential use increases, it is important to ensure that they meet appropriate security goals, given that they interact with the physical world through sensors and actuators. Zigbee is a wireless communication protocol that is commonly used in smart home environments, which builds on top of the IEEE 802.15.4 standard. In this work we present a security analysis tool, called Zigator, that enables in-depth study of Zigbee networks. In particular, we study the security consequences of the design choice to disable MAC-layer security in centralized Zigbee networks. We show that valuable information can be gained from passive inspection of Zigbee traffic, including the identification of certain encrypted NWK commands, which we then use to develop selective jamming and spoofing attacks. An attacker may launch these attacks in order to force the end user to factory reset targeted devices and eventually expose the network key. We validated our attacks by setting up a testbed, using open-source tools, that incorporates commercial Zigbee devices. Finally, we publicly release the software tools that we developed and the Zigbee packets that we captured, to contribute back to the research community.
The Death of the Genus Claim

The central feature of patent law in the chemical, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical industries is the genus claim – a patent that covers not just one specific chemical but a group of related chemicals. Genus claims are everywhere, and any patent lawyer will tell you they are critical to effective patent protection. But as we show in this article, the law has changed dramatically in the last twenty-five years, to the point where it is no longer possible to have a valid genus claim. Courts almost always hold them invalid. Remarkably, they do this without having acknowledged that they have fundamentally changed an important area of law. More remarkably, patent lawyers and patent owners don’t seem to have noticed. Invention, investment, patenting, and patent litigation continue much as they had before. It’s just that the patents that are the basis of all that activity are invalid. We document this surprising shift in the law. We explain why we think it represents both bad law and bad policy. We also explain why it hasn’t seemed to matter, and what that fact says about the relevance of law more generally in governing business behavior.
Predictors of Outcomes of COVID-19 in Patients with Chronic Liver Disease: US Multi-center Study.

Background & Aims Chronic liver disease (CLD) represents a major global health burden. We undertook this study to identify the factors associated with adverse outcomes in patients with CLD who acquire the novel coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19). Methods We conducted a multi-center, observational cohort study across 21 institutions in the United States (US) of adult patients with CLD and laboratory-confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 between March 1, 2020 and May 30, 2020. We performed survival analysis to identify independent predictors of all-cause mortality and COVID-19 related mortality, and multivariate logistic regression to determine the risk of severe COVID-19 in patients with CLD. Results Of the 978 patients in our cohort, 867 patients (mean age 56.9 ± 14.5 years, 55% male) met inclusion criteria. The overall all-cause mortality was 14.0% (n = 121), and 61.7% (n = 535) had severe COVID-19. Patients presenting with diarrhea or nausea/vomiting were more likely to have severe COVID-19. The liver-specific factors associated with independent risk of higher overall mortality were alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) (hazard ratio [HR] 2.42, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.29–4.55), decompensated cirrhosis (HR 2.91 [1.70–5.00]) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (HR 3.31 [1.53–7.16]). Other factors were increasing age, diabetes, hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and current smoker. Hispanic ethnicity (odds ratio [OR] 2.33 [1.47–3.70]) and decompensated cirrhosis (OR 2.50 [1.20–5.21]) were independently associated with risk for severe COVID-19. Conclusions The risk factors which predict higher overall mortality among patients with CLD and COVID-19 are ALD, decompensated cirrhosis and HCC. Hispanic ethnicity and decompensated cirrhosis are associated with severe COVID-19. Our results will enable risk stratification and personalization of the management of patients with CLD and COVID-19. Clinicaltrials.gov number NCT04439084
Willingness to Buy Genetically Modified Foods: An Analysis of Plant and Animal Origins in the US

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) invoke emotions ranging from outright refusal to lukewarm acceptance within and across nations. In order to gauge the perception of and attitude toward GMOs in the US, a random sample of 1,201 adults was interviewed using Computer-Assisted Telephone Interview (CATI) system between May 4, 2004 and June 14, 2004. The computational framework of this interview was to capture the relationship between sociocultural-demographic and knowledge factors determining acceptance of GMOs based on both plant and animal origin. There is a widespread acceptance of plant-based biotechnology in comparison to genetic modification of animal-based food products.
Estimating the risk of conversion from video-assisted thoracoscopic lung surgery to thoracotomy-a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background Understanding the risk of conversion from video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) to thoracotomy is important when considering patient selection and preoperative surgical risk assessment. This review aims to estimate the rate of intraoperative conversions to thoracotomy, predictive factors, and associated outcomes for VATS anatomic lung resections. Methods PubMed/MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched systematically in May of 2020. Observational studies examining conversions of VATS anatomic resections to thoracotomy were included. Conversion rates, causes, risk factors, and post-operative outcomes were reviewed and analyzed in aggregate. Results Twenty retrospective studies were reviewed, with a total of 72,932 patients undergoing VATS anatomic lung resection. The median conversion rate was 9.6% (95% CI: 6.6-13.9%). Nine studies reported a total of 114 emergency conversions, with a median incidence rate of 1.3% (95% CI: 0.6-2.8%). The most common reasons for thoracotomy were vascular injury/bleeding, difficulty lymph node dissection, and adhesions, accounting for 27.9%, 26.2% and 19% of conversions, respectively. Risk factors for conversion varied, but frequently included nodal disease, large tumors, and induction therapy. The risk of complications (OR 2.06; 95% CI: 1.77-2.40) and mortality (OR 4.11; 95% CI: 1.59-10.61) were significantly increased following conversions. There was also a significant increase in chest tube duration and length of stay following conversion. Conclusions The risk of conversion to thoracotomy may be as high as one in ten patients undergoing VATS anatomic lung resections, but may vary significantly based on patient selection. Although emergent conversions are rare, the need for thoracotomy may significantly increase postoperative morbidity and mortality.
Iraqi-British Relations After 2003

The British knew the importance of Iraq strategy since the beginning of the seventeenth century, so they planned to control it, and it became a big influence them there until 1914, when British forces occupied Iraq. Although Iraq's entry into the League of Nations and declared an independent state in 1932, but it remained under British influence until the 1958 revolution.Relations between the two countries had not stabilized after 1958, and in 1991 Britain participated Gulf War against Iraq and the severance of diplomatic relations. In 2003, Britain entered into an alliance with the United States to occupy Iraq, and after this date restored diplomatic relations between the two countries. And developed relations politically, economically and culturally after 2003.
A focus on accuracy in misinformed mothers puts young children at risk for false memories.

Abstract This research examined how mothers’ goal orientation and exposure to misinformation can shape how mothers engage their children in conversation about past experiences and consequently affect the accuracy of children’s memory reports. To investigate this question, 169 mothers were asked to talk with their preschool-age children (Mage = 55 months, SD = 6.15; 90 female) about an earlier nonshared event. Some mothers were instructed to focus on eliciting an accurate account, whereas others were told to talk naturally as in everyday life. Before this conversation, some mothers in each goal condition were exposed to misleading information about what their children experienced. Mothers focused on accuracy exhibited more bias in their conversations than those centered on talking naturally. When later interviewed, children with accuracy-focused mothers made more false reports and recalled less correct details than those with natural-focused mothers. These trends were found even when mothers were not misinformed. The implications of these results for children’s eyewitness memory and suggestibility are discussed.
Effect of Shear Displacement and Stress Changes on Fracture Hydraulic Aperture and Flow Anisotropy

Fluid flow in fractures has the potential to drastically change the economic, environmental, and safety risks associated with a subsurface operation. This work focuses on the analysis of experimental shear fracturing and subsequent shear displacement of a shale specimen that contains multiple pre-existing natural fractures. A triaxial direct shear apparatus with concurrent µCT imaging allowed continuous monitoring of sample permeability and changes in fracture geometry during fracture creation, displacement, and changes in stress. Steady-state, low Reynolds number fluid flow simulations were used to determine the changes of each individual fracture’s hydraulic aperture due to displacement and effective stress. The development of anisotropy in the hydraulic aperture of a generated shear fracture was determined for shear displacements of 0.38, 0.74, and 2.04 mm. At high confining stress (30 MPa), shear displacement significantly reduced the hydraulic aperture of the shear fracture to below flow detectable limits and X-ray imaging resolution (23 × 23 × 23 µm3). The shear generated fracture was found to be more sensitive to changes in effective stress compared to the pre-existing natural fractures. Existing models derived from fluid flow equations accounting for stochastic fracture roughness were able to partially fit the simulated flow properties of the pre-existing fractures, but no model was found to fit the flow properties of the newly formed shear fracture. These results are the first report of simultaneous changes in the geometry and flow properties of surrounding, parallel natural fractures as a shear fracture is generated with varying stress and shear displacement conditions.
Empire and Power in the Reign of Süleyman: Narrating the Sixteenth-Century Ottoman World

1. The formative years (1490-1523) 2. The secretary's progress (1523-34) 3. The empire and its chancellor (1534-53) 4. Toward the end (1553-67) 5. Narrating the empire: history-writing between imperial advocacy and personal testimony 6. Imagining the empire: the sultan, the realm, the enemies 7. Managing the empire: institutionalization and bureaucratic consciousness.
Biological Activity of the Various Vitamin K Forms

Publisher Summary This chapter evaluates the biological activity of several vitamin K forms. The discovery of vitamin K, as well as practically all the early biological work with this vitamin, was based on experimentation. There was little activity in the development of new forms, although other improvements made vitamin K more available and more stable. The chapter describes the development of aqueous suspensions of the fat-soluble phylloquinone for intravenous use and the preparation of stabilized phylloquinone beadlets used as a vitamin K standard. Recently, a new water soluble derivative of menadione, menadione dimethyl pyrimidinol bisulfite, was developed; this compound, which appears to have a higher biological activity than does menadione sodium bisulfite, is discussed in the chapter. The present knowledge of the differences in biological activity of the various forms of vitamin K is based mainly on observation not on a thorough understanding of the underlying metabolic processes. Efforts toward a better understanding of these processes should occupy workers in this field during the years ahead.
Global positioning technology in the intelligent transportation space

Publisher Summary This chapter provides an overview of the global positioning system (GPS), and how it can be leveraged in intelligent vehicle applications. It describes the history of space-based positioning projects that have led to the current GPS, followed by a detailed description of the system as it exists and operates today. A discussion of the science behind the GPS, and the techniques and components required for determining a user's position accurately and cost-effectively are also described. Some applications where GPS is used in the intelligent vehicle and related spaces, and services that can be made possible because of GPS-based positioning capabilities are discussed. NAVSTAR GPS system and GPS system characteristics are described. The chapter also discusses satellite based positioning and positioning techniques—namely, autonomous GPS positioning, differential GPS positioning, inverse differential GPS positioning, server-assisted GPS positioning, enhanced client-assisted GPS positioning, and dead reckoning.
Transverse x-ray scattering on random rough surfaces

This paper presents a new method to model the transverse scattering from random rough surfaces. It uses the same approach as our 2003 SPIE paper – PZ and LVS, 1 but considers the scattering in the direction perpendicular to the incident plane. For a given Power Spectral Density, a model surface is constructed by assigning a random phase to each spectral component. The incident wave is reflected from the model rough surface and then projected to an outgoing wavefront, which is then redistributed onto an even grid in the transverse direction, with corrections for the wave densities and the phase shifts. Fast Fourier transforms are used to calculate the transverse scattering pattern. This method provides the exact solution to the transverse scattering without small angle approximation. This solution is generally applicable to any transverse wave scatterings on random rough surfaces and is not limited to small scattering angles. This paper together with PZ and LVS 1 provide a complete solution for wave scattering on random rough surfaces in all directions. Examples are given for the Chandra X-ray Observatory optics. This method is also useful for the next generation X-ray astronomy missions.
Prospects for a lattice gas computer

A two-day workshop was held in June of 1988, to discuss the feasibility of designing and building a large computer dedicated to lattice gas cellular automata. The primary emphasis was on applications for modeling Navier-Stokes hydrodynamics. The meeting had two goals: 1) To identify those theoretical issues which would have to be addressed before the hardware implementation of a lattice-gas machine would be possible; and 2) To begin to evaluate alternative architectures for a dedicated lattice-gas computer. This brief paper contains a summary of the main issues and conclusions discussed at the workshop.
Collagen-factor VIII/von Willebrand factor protein interaction.

Factor VIII/von Willebrand factor (FVIII/vWF) protein interaction with collagen was studied by incubating plasma or purified FVIII/vWF with purified type I fibrillar collagen. Collagen adsorbed FVIII/vWF activities in a similar time and concentration-dependent manner from normal plasma, plasmas from classical and variant type von Willebrand9s disease (vWD), and from purified FVIII/vWF. Incubation with denatured collagen or fibrin, produced in the presence or absence of fibronectin, showed no adsorption of FVIII/vWF. Examination of the multimeric structure of the remaining unadsorbed FVIII/vWF protein by agarose gel electrophoresis and autoradiography showed that the largest multimers had been adsorbed to the collagen. Studies of the adsorbed FVIII/vWF protein when eluted from collagen showed that it complemented the alterations in multimeric structure observed in the supernatants following collagen exposure. The multimeric structure of normal plasma following collagen adsorption resembled that of unadsorbed type IIb plasma; however, the collagen-adsorbed normal plasma did not produce enhanced ristocetin-induced platelet aggregation ( RIPA ). This phenomenon, therefore, must not be due solely to absence of large multimers from type IIb FVIII/vWF protein. The adsorbed multimers of FVIII/vWF protein may act as a subendothelial collagen-platelet bridge to promote primary hemostasis.
Analysis of calcium channels in single spines using optical fluctuation analysis

Most synapses form on small, specialized postsynaptic structures known as dendritic spines1. The influx of Ca2+ ions into such spines—through synaptic receptors and voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channels (VSCCs)—triggers diverse processes that underlie synaptic plasticity2. Using two-photon laser scanning microscopy3, we imaged action-potential-induced transient changes in Ca2+ concentration in spines and dendrites of CA1 pyramidal neurons in rat hippocampal slices4. Through analysis of the large trial-to-trial fluctuations in these transients, we have determined the number and properties of VSCCs in single spines. Here we report that each spine contains 1–20 VSCCs, and that this number increases with spine volume. We are able to detect the opening of a single VSCC on a spine. In spines located on the proximal dendritic tree, VSCCs normally open with high probability (∼0.5) following dendritic action potentials. Activation of GABAB receptors reduced this probability in apical spines to ∼0.3 but had no effect on VSCCs in dendrites or basal spines. Our studies show that the spatial distribution of VSCC subtypes and their modulatory potential is regulated with submicrometre precision.
The Small Community: Foundation of Democratic Life, by Arthur E. Morgan with forewords by Baker Brownell and Donald Szantho Harrington

This book is a classic to be treasured by those dedicated to community practice, as well as those committed to rural social work. Thanks to Transaction Publishers, it has now been printed for the t...
Maximun entropy Leuven estimators and multicollinearity

A novel class of estimators, called maximum entropy Leuven (MEL) estimators, is pre-sented and its performance is illustrated by Monte Carlo experiments. These estimators are inspired by the theory of light. The MEL estimators are consistent and asymptotically normal. They rival the generalized maximum entropy estimator (GME). Based on the mean squared error criterion, the MEL estimators outperform the ordinary least-squares estimator in the presence of multicollinerity.
A Review of “Fraud Casebook: Lessons From the Bad Side of Business”

Since the unveiling of corporate scandals such as Enron, the United State's government has aggressively prosecuted fraud cases and has established tougher laws in an effort to prevent fraud. For th...
G-Networks: Multiple Classes of Positive Customers, Signals, and Product Form Results

The purpose of this tutorial presentation is to introduce G-Networks, or Gelenbe Networks, which are product form queueing networks which include normal or positive customers, as well as negative customers which destroy other customers, and triggers which displace other customers from one queue to another. We derive the balance equations for these models in the context of multiple customer classes, show the product form results, and exhibit the traffic equations which - in this case, contrary to BCMP and Jackson networks - are non-linear. This leads to interesting issues of existence and uniqueness of the steady-state solution. Gelenbe Network can be used to model large scale computer systems and networks in which signaling functions represented by negative customers and triggers are used to achieve flow and congestion control.
Forkhead Genes in Transcriptional Silencing, Cell Morphology and the Cell Cycle: Overlapping and Distinct Functions for FKH1 and FKH2 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The SIR1 gene is one of four specialized genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae required for repressing transcription at the silent mating-type cassettes, HMLalpha and HMRa, by a mechanism known as silencing. Silencing requires the assembly of a specialized chromatin structure analogous to heterochromatin. FKH1 was isolated as a gene that, when expressed in multiple copies, could substitute for the function of SIR1 in silencing HMRa. FKH1 (Forkhead Homologue One) was named for its homology to the forkhead family of eukaryotic transcription factors classified on the basis of a conserved DNA binding domain. Deletion of FKH1 caused a defect in silencing HMRa, indicating that FKH1 has a positive role in silencing. Significantly, deletion of both FKH1 and its closest homologue in yeast, FKH2, caused a form of yeast pseudohyphal growth, indicating that the two genes have redundant functions in controlling yeast cell morphology. By several criteria, fkh1Delta fkh2Delta-induced pseudohyphal growth was distinct from the nutritionally induced form of pseudohyphal growth observed in some strains of S. cerevisiae. Although FKH2 is redundant with FKH1 in controlling pseudohyphal growth, the two genes have different functions in silencing HMRa. High-copy expression of CLB2, a G2/M-phase cyclin, prevented fkh1Delta fkh2Delta-induced pseudohyphal growth and modulated some of the fkhDelta-induced silencing phenotypes. Interestingly, deletions in either FKH1 or FKH2 alone caused subtle but opposite effects on cell-cycle progression and CLB2 mRNA expression, consistent with a role for each of these genes in modulating the cell cycle and having opposing effects on silencing. The differences between Fkh1p and Fkh2p in vivo were not attributable to differences in their DNA binding domains.
Correction for the T1 Effect Incorporating Flip Angle Estimated by Kalman Filter in Cardiac-Gated Functional MRI

Purpose To develop an improved and generalized technique for correcting T1-related signal fluctuations (T1 effect) in cardiac-gated functional magnetie resonance imaging (fMRI) data with flip angle estimation. Theory and Methods Spatial maps of flip angle and T1 are jointly estimated from cardiac-gated time series using a Kalman filter. These maps are subsequently used for removing the T1 effect in the presence of B1 inhomogeneity. The new technique was compared with a prior technique that uses T1 only while assuming a homogeneous flip angle of 90°. The robustness of the new technique is demonstrated with simulated and experimental data. Results Simulation results revealed that the new method led to increased temporal signal-to-noise ratio across a large range of flip angles, T1s, and stimulus onset asynchrony means compared to the T1 only approach. With the experimental data, the new approach resulted in higher average gray matter temporal signal-to-noise ratio of seven subjects (84 vs. 48). The new approach also led to a higher statistical score of activation in the lateral geniculate nucleus (P < 0.002). Conclusion The new technique is able to remove the T1 effect robustly and is a promising tool for improving the ability to map activation in fMRI, especially in subcortical regions. Magn Reson Med 70:1626–1633, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.