cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Moisture absorption phenomena in green composite printed circuit board prototypes

This research developed the moisture-resistance of printed circuit board (PCB) laminate prototypes based on the non-toxic composite materials made from epoxidized linseed oil, melamine polyphosphate, and flax fibers. One of the key issues associated with using renewable base materials in composites is their sensitivity to moisture. A characterization of the properties of the dasiagreenpsila printed circuit boards developed in the present study showed that moisture absorption for untreated fiber laminates (4.87% vs. established limit Lt0.8% for FR4 boards over a 24 hour submersion period) compromised electrical resistance and decreased dielectric breakdown to an unacceptable level. A theoretical model was used to target methods for reducing moisture absorption. Based on this model, we found that reductions in fiber diffusivity and fiber volume fraction substantially reduce composite diffusivity. Through the use of chemical treatment, moisture absorption over a 24 hour time period was reduced from 4.87% to 1.15%, which improved electrical properties. At the end of this study, 15 of 18 PCB property requirements were met, while 3 moisture-critical property targets were narrowly missed.
Endoscopic management of erosion after banded bariatric procedures

Abstract Background Prosthetic materials wrapped around a portion of the stomach have been used to provide gastric restriction in bariatric surgery for many years. Intraluminal erosion of adjustable and nonadjustable gastric bands typically occurs many years after placement and results in various symptoms. Endoscopic management of gastric band erosion has been described and allows for optimal patient outcomes. Objectives We will describe our methods and experience with endoscopic management of intraluminal gastric band erosions after bariatric procedures. Setting University hospital in the United States. Methods A retrospective review of our bariatric surgery database identified patients undergoing removal of gastric bands. A chart review was then undertaken to confirm erosion of prosthetic material into the gastrointestinal tract. Baseline characteristics, operative reports, and follow-up data were analyzed. Results Sixteen patients were identified with an eroded gastric band: 11 after banded gastric bypass, 3 after laparoscopic adjustable gastric band (LAGB), and 2 after vertical banded gastroplasty. All patients were successfully treated with endoscopic removal of the prosthetic materials using either endoscopic scissors or ligation of the banding material with off-label use of a mechanical lithotripter device. Complications included a postoperative gastrointestinal bleed requiring repeat endoscopy, 1 patient with asymptomatic pneumoperitoneum requiring observation, and 1 with seroma at the site of LAGB port removal. Conclusions Endoscopic management of intraluminal prosthetic erosion after gastric banded bariatric procedures can be safe and effective and should be considered when treating this complication. Erosion of the prosthetic materials inside the gastric lumen allows for potential endoscopic removal without free intraabdominal perforation. Endoscopic devices designed for dividing eroded LAGBs may help standardize and increase utilization of this approach.
Rotational manipulation of single cells and organisms using acoustic waves

The precise rotational manipulation of single cells or organisms is invaluable to many applications in biology, chemistry, physics and medicine. In this article, we describe an acoustic-based, on-chip manipulation method that can rotate single microparticles, cells and organisms. To achieve this, we trapped microbubbles within predefined sidewall microcavities inside a microchannel. In an acoustic field, trapped microbubbles were driven into oscillatory motion generating steady microvortices which were utilized to precisely rotate colloids, cells and entire organisms (that is, C. elegans). We have tested the capabilities of our method by analysing reproductive system pathologies and nervous system morphology in C. elegans. Using our device, we revealed the underlying abnormal cell fusion causing defective vulval morphology in mutant worms. Our acoustofluidic rotational manipulation (ARM) technique is an easy-to-use, compact, and biocompatible method, permitting rotation regardless of optical, magnetic or electrical properties of the sample under investigation.
ENHANCING THE RETRDEVABILITY OF POPULATION GENETIC SURVEY DATA? AN ASSESSMENT OF ANIMAL MITOCHONDRIAL DNA STUDIES.

Surveys of genetic variation in natural populations represent a valuable and often irreplaceable resource. It may be desirable to reanalyze data as new methods are developed for comparisons with other populations or for comparisons with the same populations at different times. We evaluated existing mechanisms of data preservation in a survey of 627 published surveys of mitochondrial DNA variation in animal and found that over half of the datasets (56%) contained insufficient information for reanalysis. In many cases, publication of complete data would not have added excessively to the length of the publication. Because at present, publications represent the main archive of population genetic data, we offer recommendations for how the essential data from mtDNA surveys can be presented in a form that is complete and concise.
MANAGING THE PLAYBACK AND RECORDING OF SIMULATION MODELS IN AN OBJECT-ORIENTED SIMULATION

Flight simulation often uses playback as a means to replay the movement of vehicles in a simulation environment. Playback vehicles must be absolutely repeatable and computationally efficient. This paper presents an object-orient ed design for playing back vehicle behavior using a direct vehicle-state playback, controlsurface playback, or pilot input playback. The design was added to the Langley Standard Simulation in C++ (LaSRS++) where it supports a number of current experiments. The design provides an accurate means to
Study on protective function of royal jelly acid on radiation hazards

Objective To study the radioprotective effects of royal jelly acid.Methods Mice were treated with 37,73,220 mg/kg/d of royal jelly acid for 30days,followed by exposure to one time radiation by 60 Co-γ-ray.White bloods cell count, quantification of DNA in marrow cells and serum hemolysin were performed.Results Compared to control group,the weight of each dose group exposed to radiation showed no significant difference(P0.05).After exposure,the total number of white blood cells in control group was decreased significantly.Radiation damage model was established.The 3rd day after exposure, white blood cell count in each dose group were higher than that in control group,with significant differences(low dose group vs.control,P0.01;high dose group vs.control,P0.05);for high dose group,quantity of DNA in marrow cells was much higher than that of control group,with significant difference(P0.05).Half values of hemolysin in serum(HC50)in all dose groups were higher than that of control group.No significant differences(P0.05)were observed.Conclusion Royal jelly acid has good auxiliary protective function for 60 Co-γ-induced radiation damage under the experimental conditions.
Coming of age: ten years of next-generation sequencing technologies

Since the completion of the human genome project in 2003, extraordinary progress has been made in genome sequencing technologies, which has led to a decreased cost per megabase and an increase in the number and diversity of sequenced genomes. An astonishing complexity of genome architecture has been revealed, bringing these sequencing technologies to even greater advancements. Some approaches maximize the number of bases sequenced in the least amount of time, generating a wealth of data that can be used to understand increasingly complex phenotypes. Alternatively, other approaches now aim to sequence longer contiguous pieces of DNA, which are essential for resolving structurally complex regions. These and other strategies are providing researchers and clinicians a variety of tools to probe genomes in greater depth, leading to an enhanced understanding of how genome sequence variants underlie phenotype and disease.
Restructuring pharmacy services to reduce expenses without eliminating services.

The manner in which pharmaceutical services in a 719-bed teaching institution were restructured to reduce expenses without eliminating services is described. Before the department was restructured, the labor-intensive nature of the drug distribution system and high personnel costs hindered the introduction of upgraded services. Drugs were dispensed from a central pharmacy and 14 pharmacy satellites located throughout the hospital campus. A traditional floor stock system was used in the critical-care units, the operating suites, and the pediatric facility; i.v. admixture services were provided to only two patient-care units. Under a three-year strategic plan, the organizational structure of the department was changed to regroup existing functions and to give more autonomy to the managers. The 12 small pharmacy satellites in the main hospital building were replaced by two larger and more efficiently designed satellites. An automated medication order entry system with bar-code-reading capabilities was installed; automation was also used to increase the efficiency of the nutritional support and oncology services and to create an online file of all statistical, fiscal, and purchasing records. Fax machines that were installed on five critical-care units and the oncology unit decreased turnaround time for new medication orders. These changes enabled the department to eliminate 17 positions while adding 5 clinical pharmacist specialist positions and 6 technician group leader positions. By integrating automation technology with controlled downsizing and restructuring of drug distribution services, the department was able to reduce expenses while improving existing pharmaceutical services.
SU-F-T-290: Modeling MLC Penumbra Within the Eclipse TPS - A Major Mode of IMRT QA Failure

Purpose: To illustrate how inaccurate modeling of the MLC penumbra within the Eclipse TPS can lead to dosimetric differences and decreased IMRT QA passing rates. Methods: Gafchromic film was used to compare 6 MV measured profiles from 2×2 cm2 MLC-defined fields to profiles calculated by the Eclipse TPS (v13.6) under two different scenarios. The first scenario involved calculations using the original MLC opening (original Eclipse). In the second, we selectively broadened the penumbra by summing two appropriately weighted fields: One with 95% of MUs delivered using the original MLC opening, and a second with the remaining MUs delivered with all MLCs opened an additional 5 mm (modified Eclipse). MATLAB code was written to generate MLC patterns and MU weighting in this manner and used to calculate modified Eclipse doses for 25 different clinical IMRT and VMAT plans. Patient specific QA measurements were made with film and compared to both original and modified Eclipse calculations. Results: For the 2×2 cm2 fields, agreement was observed between measured and original Eclipse profiles everywhere except in the penumbral region 5–10 mm from the end of the MLC where doses 10–30% higher than expected were measured. Near perfect agreement throughout the entire profile was observed when comparing measurement to the modified Eclipse calculation with the broadened penumbra. For the 25 clinical treatment plans, the average 2%/0 mm gamma passing rate using the original Eclipse calculations was 82.3%, while for the modified Eclipse calculations it improved to 90.1%. Conclusion: The approximation used by the Eclipse TPS to model the rounded end of the MLC is a failure mode that could lead to poor quality and/or failing QA for IMRT and VMAT plans. Improved modeling of the penumbra in the region 5–10 mm from the end of the MLC is required to completely correct this discrepancy.
MacIntyre against the Manager

MacIntyre both describes and criticizes a certain type of manager, that is, the modern office executive. Why? What are his precise objections? Seven criticisms are identified and explained. MacIntyre accuses this type of manager of being a manipulator, a sham expert, an amoral technician, a disengaged ghost, a person who is fragmented, a cultivator of acquisitiveness, and a destroyer of communities of virtue. Examining these criticisms gives rise to a series of questions. Can moral philosophy play a role in transforming our understanding of the character of the manager? If so, how? Answering these questions suggests a response that moves beyond “business ethics” or an applied-ethics approach that offers side constraints to an otherwise unbridled pursuit of profit.
Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors: Preoperative factors that predict lymph node metastases to guide operative strategy

Background Enucleation and anatomic resection (central, distal, or pancreaticoduodenectomy) are surgical options for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. Depending on nodal-status, enucleation alone may not be oncologically appropriate. Preoperative factors predictive of nodal-involvement are not well defined. Methods Patients who underwent curative-intent enucleation or resection of non-metastatic, well/moderately differentiated tumors at a single institution (2000–2014) were included. The aim was to determine factors associated with nodal-metastases and recurrence-free survival. Results Of 195 patients undergoing resection, 164 met inclusion-criteria. Lymphadenectomy was performed in 131 (80%), and 32 (24%) had nodal-metastases. Receiver-operative-characteristics analysis revealed tumor size ≥2 cm was associated with nodal-involvement (AUC: 0.689; Sensitivity: 90%; Specificity: 53%). On multivariable analysis, male gender (OR: 3.16; 95%CI: 1.18–8.46; P = 0.02), head/uncinate location (HR: 5.37; 95%CI: 2.07–13.96; P = 0.001), and size ≥2 cm (HR: 6.52; 95%CI: 1.75–24.30; P = 0.005) were associated with nodal-positivity. Nodal-metastases (HR: 3.04; 95%CI: 1.04–8.91; P = 0.043) and advanced T-stage (HR: 5.39; 95%CI: 1.46–19.95; P = 0.012) were independently associated with decreased recurrence-free survival. Enucleation (n = 17; 10%) had more positive margins and similar complication rates, pancreatic fistula rates, and lengths of stay as anatomic resections. Conclusion For pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, male gender, head/uncinate location, and size ≥2 cm are associated with nodal-metastases. Nodal involvement is associated with decreased recurrence-free survival. Anatomic resection may be preferred in patients with these characteristics, as enucleation alone may under-stage patients and does not appear to be associated with an improved complication profile. J. Surg. Oncol. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Development of Electric Vehicle Charging Corridor for South Carolina

ABSTRACT We apply a flow-based location model, called Multipath Refueling Location Model (MPRLM), to develop an electric vehicle (EV) public charging infrastructure network for enabling long-haul inter-city EV trips. The model considers multiple deviation paths between every origin-destination (O-D) pairs and relaxes the commonly adopted assumption that travelers only take a shortest path between O-D pairs. This model is a mixed-integer linear program, which is intrinsically difficult to solve. With greedy-adding based heuristics, the MPRLM is applied to optimally deploy EV fast charging stations along major highway corridors in South Carolina. Compared to engineering methods, the optimization model reduces the capital cost of establishing a fast charging network by two thirds. We also explore the interplay between the spatial distributions of cities, vehicle range, and routing deviation tolerance as well as their impacts on the locational strategies.
Abstract A42: Combination immunotherapy of an autochthonous murine lung cancer model expressing human CEA as a tumor-associated self-antigen

While cancer immunotherapies like checkpoint inhibitors have resulted in unprecedented clinical success, they only benefit a subset of patients. To improve therapeutic outcomes for greater numbers of patients, one strategy is to rationally combine different immunotherapy modalities. We recently demonstrated that attaching albumin-binding lipophilic tails to peptide antigens or molecular adjuvants (creating amphiphile vaccines) results in enhanced T-cell responses. Additionally, we observed significant tumor regression upon combining tumor-antigen targeting antibodies with extended half-life IL-2 (exPK-IL-2) in mouse models of melanoma and prostate cancer. In the present work, we combined both approaches to treat a spontaneous model of lung adenocarcinoma expressing carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), an oncofetal protein expressed in some human lung cancers. KrasLSL-G12D/+;;p53fl/fl mice were crossed with transgenic mice expressing human-CEA to generate a CEA-tolerant background. Lung tumors were induced by infection with a lentivirus expressing Cre recombinase and human CEA. Due to the extended latency of tumor initiation in this model, we also generated a CEA-expressing cell line from these mice to test the efficacy of different combination immunotherapy regimens. We discovered that weekly treatments combining a CEA-targeting amphiphile-vaccine, exPK-IL-2, and an anti-CEA antibody with checkpoint inhibitors (anti-PD-1 and -CTLA4) resulted in sustained tumor regression in 50% of mice bearing established tumors. We are currently testing this combination immunotherapy on autochthonous lung tumors. Our results suggest that breaking tolerance to a tumor-associated self-antigen (CEA) and combining immunotherapies to recruit both innate and adaptive immune effectors can have a potent therapeutic effect in intractable tumors like lung cancer. Citation Format: Kavya Rakhra, Eric F. Zhu, Wuhbet Abraham, Kelly D. Moynihan, Naveen Mehta, Karl D. Wittrup, Darrell J. Irvine. Combination immunotherapy of an autochthonous murine lung cancer model expressing human CEA as a tumor-associated self-antigen. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy; 2016 Oct 20-23; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2017;5(3 Suppl):Abstract nr A42.
Continent Cutaneous Urinary Diversion

Continent cutaneous urinary diversion (CCUD) utilizes an intestinal segment to create a low-pressure urinary reservoir and a catheterizable continence mechanism. It provides a urinary tract reconstruction option for patients who are not candidates for continent orthotopic urinary diversion and in patients with whom an ileal conduit is not desirable. The ideal candidate for a CCUD is the same patient who would be considered for orthotopic neobladder but may not have a usable urethra. In this chapter, we describe the surgical technique used for the most commonly used CCUDs.
Anaximander and other Ionians

After our survey of secondary literature on Anaximander since 1947 and after outlining the methodology for studying his successors, it is now time to set forth our own version of his position.
Transport Across Heterointerfaces of Amorphous Niobium Oxide and Crystallographically Oriented Epitaxial Germanium

Because of the high carrier mobility of germanium (Ge) and high dielectric permittivity of amorphous niobium pentoxide (a-Nb2O5), Ge/a-Nb2O5 heterostructures offer several advantages for the rapidly developing field of oxide-semiconductor-based multifunctional devices. To this end, we investigate the growth, structural, band alignment, and metal–insulator–semiconductor (MIS) electrical properties of physical vapor-deposited Nb2O5 on crystallographically oriented (100), (110), and (111)Ge epilayers. The as-deposited Nb2O5 dielectrics were found to be in the amorphous state, demonstrating an abrupt oxide/semiconductor heterointerface with respect to Ge, when examined via low- and high-magnification cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy. Additionally, variable-angle spectroscopic ellipsometry and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used to independently determine the a-Nb2O5 band gap, yielding a direct gap value of 4.30 eV. Moreover, analysis of the heterointerfacial energy band alignment ...
Formation of [UVOF4]− by collision-induced dissociation of a [UVIO2(O2)(O2C-CF3)2]− precursor

Abstract Developing a comprehensive understanding of the reactivity of uranium species remains an important goal in areas ranging from the development of nuclear fuel processing methods to studies of the migration and fate of the element in the environment. Electrospray ionization (ESI) can provide relatively easy access to gas-phase complexes containing uranium in high oxidation states for subsequent studies of intrinsic structure and reactivity. We report here the formation of a superoxo- complex, [UVIO2(O2)(O2C-CF3)2]−, which is created by ESI using “gentle” conditions (low sheath gas flow rate and low desolvation temperature). CID of [UVIO2(O2)(O2C-CF3)2]− causes elimination of O2, presumably with concomitant reduction of UVIO22+ to UVO2+. Remarkably, subsequent CID of [UVO2(O2C-CF3)2]− creates a species at m/z 330, which is attributed to formation of [UVO(F)4]−. A similar species is generated by multiple-stage CID in a linear ion trap, and collision-cell CID in a Fourier-transform ion-cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR) mass spectrometer, when initiated with the tris-trifluoroacetato complex [UVIO2(O2C-CF3)3]−. High accuracy mass measurement using the FT-ICR instrument confirms the composition assignment for the species at m/z 330.
Effect of Ca substitution on the electrochemical properties of the Ruddlesden-Popper oxides Sr3.2-xCaxLn0.8Fe1.5Co1.5O10-δ

Abstract The Ruddlesden-Popper (R-P) oxides Sr3.2-xCaxLn0.8Fe1.5Co1.5O10-δ with x = 0 and 0.4 and Ln = La, Pr, and Nd, have been synthesized and the effect of Ca on their electrochemical properties as cathodes in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) has been investigated. The substitution of Ca for Sr in Sr3.2-xCaxLn0.8Fe1.5Co1.5O10-δ decreases the amount of oxygen loss on heating and the thermal expansion coefficient (TEC). The phase instability of these materials at high temperature is a significant issue that restricts their application as SOFC cathodes, and the substitution of Ca effectively stabilizes the Sr3.2-xCaxLn0.8Fe1.5Co1.5O10-δ phase at 800 °C. Among the different lanthanides with and without Ca in Sr3.2-xCaxLn0.8Fe1.5Co1.5O10-δ, the Ln = Nd samples exhibit an enhancement in cathode performance in SOFC compared to Ln = La and Pr samples, which may be attributed to the higher concentration of oxygen vacancies in the Ln = Nd samples. Comparing the various compositions studied, the Sr2.8Ca0.4Nd0.8Fe1.5Co1.5O10-δ cathode material exhibits superior performance in SOFC with good phase stability.
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Program Websites Under-Report Content Related to Resident Recruitment and Education.

Purpose Prospective applicants use residency program websites (PWs) to evaluate programs when deciding where to apply, interview, and rank. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the content of oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMS) PWs. Materials and Methods This is a cross-sectional study of all OMS programs accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. PWs were identified through the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Program Directory (AAOMS-PD) and a secondary internet search. The predictor variables were program characteristics (federal service, medical school curriculum, program size, and viability of AAOMS-PD link). The outcome variables were 22 content items related to resident recruitment and resident education and 4 content items related to medical school commitment. Content was recorded as present or absent without judgment on the quality or accuracy. Descriptive statistics were calculated for all outcome variables, and Student t tests were used to compare program characteristics with the amount of content reported. Results Ninety-six of 101 programs had dedicated PWs. On average, programs included 39% (range, 0 to 77%) of the recruitment and education items assessed. Most programs did not address crucial aspects of training, such as faculty research interests (22%), resident selection criteria (22%), alumni rosters (19%), surgical case load (13%), and dedicated scholarly time (8.8%). Less than half the 6-year programs discussed a tuition responsibility (44%) or tuition assistance (21%). Four-year programs provided significantly less recruitment content (P Conclusions As a whole, OMS PWs are under-reporting content related to resident recruitment and resident education. Program directors should update their PWs to provide adequate information for prospective applicants.
Planning Institutions: China

Cities around the world have developed a wide range of plans to guide urban development, provide future infrastructure, and accommodate growing housing needs. This article draws on the literature of planning institutions to help understand issues of planning and implementation in Asian countries. In this article, planning institutions at different levels of governance and by different sectors are discussed. Specifically, those institutions at the national, provincial, and local levels are discussed in detail to demonstrate how different levels of governments manage urban developments. In addition, institutions by different sectors, including social and economic planning, land use and urban planning, transportation planning, and environmental planning, are described in turn to illustrate their responsibilities and the efforts made to coordinate planning activities across the institutions.
Polytobacco Use Among a Nationally Representative Sample of Adolescent and Young Adult E-Cigarette Users

Abstract Purpose Electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) are adolescents’ most commonly used tobacco product and young adults’ second most used. Little is known about ENDS use alongside other tobacco products (polytobacco use) and whether exclusive ENDS users differ from polytobacco ENDS users. Methods In spring 2016, we surveyed a nationally representative sample of 3,517 13–25-year olds (36.9% 13–17-year olds), and examined sociodemographic and relative risk perceptions between two groups of past 30-day ENDS users: exclusive (only ENDS) and polytobacco (ENDS and at least one other tobacco product). Results 4.5% of adolescents and 10% of young adults reported past 30-day ENDS use (n = 281; analytic sample). ENDS users were 38.8% female and 70.6% white. Over half (55.9%) were polytobacco ENDS users. The most common patterns of polytobacco ENDS use were ENDS and cigarettes (11.5%), ENDS and cigars (7.7%), and ENDS, cigars, and waterpipe (5.2%). Those who perceived ENDS to be less harmful than cigarettes were more likely to be exclusive ENDS users than those who perceived ENDS to be as or more harmful than cigarettes (adjusted odds ratio = 2.6, confidence interval = 1.2, 5.7). There were no differences between ENDS groups on age, race, sex, parental education, sexual orientation, or ENDS use frequency. Conclusions Just over half of ENDS users also used other tobacco products, increasing their risk for nicotine addiction and other health harms. The Food and Drug Administration is responsible for communicating product risk to consumers and should consider common patterns of use and relative risk perceptions in its ENDS public education efforts.
Associations between job supports and job retention among working patients with colorectal cancer.

6508Background: Serious illness may cause substantial economic hardship, exacerbated by illness- or treatment-related job loss. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common, serious illness with a rising in...
Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Clinical Factors Associated With Ischemic Stroke in Patients Suspected of Cervical Artery Dissection.

Background and Purpose— Cervical artery dissection is a major cause of ischemic stroke in the young and presents with various imaging findings, including stenosis and intramural hematoma (IMH). Our...
Design and System Validation of Rassle: A Novel Active Socially Assistive Robot for Elderly with Dementia

The population around the globe is aging rapidly. People are living longer due to an increase in life expectancy and less young people become available to help the elderly population. Therefore, elderly people are facing functional and mental declines that affect their everyday activities and quality of life. Emergence of Socially Assistive Robots (SAR) in recent years and application of animal-like SARs in particular for elder care have shown positive effects including reduced stress, improved communication and social interaction among older adults. However, the existing animal-like SARs are generally passive and limited in terms of gesture-based interaction while the existing humanoid SARs have hard exteriors that prevent them from being in close proximity to the people to have touch-based interaction. In this paper, we have designed and developed a novel active SAR, Rassle, with whole body tactile sensing and movable limbs to take full advantage of touch-based interactions with older adults. Touching can create social bonding and it involves upper limb movement. We believe Rassle can encourage gross motor activity and deliver mental stimuli during interaction. In addition, we have conducted a system validation study with twelve unimpaired adults. Experimental results demonstrate Rassle's ability to deliver mental stimuli with a variety of difficulty levels and show that subjects enjoyed interacting with Rassle.
Enhanced dermatologic toxicity following concurrent treatment with palbociclib and radiation therapy: A case report

Abstract Background Cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4/6 inhibitors represent a new class of targeted therapy options for the treatment of estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) human epidermal growth factor 2-negative (HER2-) metastatic breast cancer. There are currently no published prospective data on the safety of use of radiation treatment with palbociclib. Case We describe the case of a patient with metastatic breast cancer who received radiation treatment to a metastatic supraclavicular lymph node to planned 60 Gy in 30 fractions while on palbociclib, a selective inhibitor of CDK4/6. The patient developed early radiation toxicities including esophagitis and dermatitis that progressed to a severe left neck skin breakdown in the radiation field, resulting in the need for hospitalization. She had a break in treatment but was able to finish the radiation without palbociclib. Her tumor responded well to the treatment and her side effects healed. Discussion To our knowledge this is the first case to report on concurrent palbociclib and radiation use, with resultant enhanced radiation effects that required hospitalization for symptom management. Several preclinical studies have shown synergistic effects of radiation and both in vivo and in vitro experiments resulting in improved survival and decreased cell proliferation, respectively, through enhanced G1 cell cycle arrest. Conclusion This case highlights the importance of using caution when combining radiation with the new targeted therapies. Until more data becomes available, physicians are recommended to exercise clinical judgment when deciding on whether to continue or discontinue a CDK4/6 inhibitor in a patient who may need radiation.
Measurements of Optical Nonlinearities at Mid-IR Wavelengths Using a Modified Z-Scan Technique

We measure the effective optical nonlinearity of polycrystalline zinc selenide and undoped silicon at mid-IR wavelengths using a variant of Z-scan technique that employs a quadrant photodiode to simnlify alignment and enhance sensitivity. © 2019 The Author(s)
Hawaii's Inservice Metric Program.

In 1972 and 1973 the legislature of the State of Hawaii mandated the development of a program for teaching the metric system and for its implementation in the schools of Hawaii. In response to this mandate, a program of inservice education has been developed by the College of Education of the University of Hawaii and the State Department of Education. The program consisted of a series of workshops. The content of these workshops was developed by Mildred Shimizu of the State Department of Education and the author in consultation with Irvin King, Director of the Hawaii Metric Project, and Frederick Braun of the Curriculum
Evaluation of Stuart et al.: Distinct Molecular Trajectories Converge to Induce Naive Pluripotency.

An example of the peer review process for "Distinct molecular trajectories converge to induce naive pluripotency" (Stuart et al., 2019) is presented here.
Flanagan v. Mt. Eden General Hospital

This article is a review of the New York Court of Appeals case Flanagan v. Mount Eden General Hospital (1969). The plaintiff underwent an operation in which surgical clamps were used but were not removed. However, she did not discover that they remained inside here for 8 years. She sued the doctor for malpractice but was initially denied based on the statute of limitations. The Court of Appeals then created what is known as the foreign body exception to the medical malpractice statute of limitation.The case involved the conflict between the law’s policy of discouraging stale claims and the policy of allowing meritorious claimants an opportunity to present their claims. This article reviews the history of the statute of limitations and the exception to understand the importance of this case.
The Microbiome and Its Potential for Pharmacology.

The human microbiota (the microscopic organisms that inhabit us) and microbiome (their genes) hold considerable potential for improving pharmacological practice. Recent advances in multi-“omics” techniques have dramatically improved our understanding of the constituents of the microbiome and their functions. The implications of this research for human health, including microbiome links to obesity, drug metabolism, neurological diseases, cancer, and many other health conditions, have sparked considerable interest in exploiting the microbiome for targeted therapeutics. Links between microbial pathways and disease states further highlight a rich potential for companion diagnostics and precision medicine approaches. For example, the success of fecal microbiota transplantation to treat Clostridium difficile infection has already started to redefine standard of care with a microbiome-directed therapy. In this review we briefly discuss the nature of human microbial ecosystems and with pathologies and biological processes linked to the microbiome. We then review emerging computational metagenomic, metabolomic, and wet lab techniques researchers are using today to learn about the roles host-microbial interactions have with respect to pharmacological purposes and vice versa. Finally, we describe how drugs affect the microbiome, how the microbiome can impact drug response in different people, and the potential of the microbiome itself as a source of new therapeutics.
An Introduction to Data Property Ownership Rights and Data Protection Responsibilities

This paper examines data property with an eye toward offering definitions that distinguish this type of property interest from that available for conventional intellectual property. The paper also will identify the legal rights vested in data creators as well as data protection rights for individuals whose online activities generate data that can be collected, collated, analyzed and sold. The paper identifies the interests of various constituencies and stakeholders including governments, commercial ventures, civil society and individuals. It will report on objectives, strategies and work products generated by national governments, trade associations, companies and public interest groups offering legislative, policy and regulatory recommendations. More broadly, the paper identifies current best practices in data property protection by examining proposed and existing safeguards in specific countries and regions.
On classes of Bitcoin-inspired infinite-server queueing systems

We analyze the time-dependent behavior of various types of infinite-server queueing systems, where, within each system we consider, jobs interact with one another in ways that induce batch departures from the system. One example of such a queue was introduced in the recent paper of Frolkova and Mandjes (Stochastic Models, 2019) in order to model a type of one-sided communication between two users in the Bitcoin network: here we show that a time-dependent version of the distributional Little’s law can be used to study the time-dependent behavior of this model, as well as a related model where blocks are communicated to a user at a rate that is allowed to vary with time. We also show that the time-dependent behavior of analogous infinite-server queueing systems with batch arrivals and exponentially distributed services can be analyzed just as thoroughly.
Risk of fall and clinical fracture associated with androgen receptor inhibitors: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

71Background: Patients treated with androgen receptor inhibitors (ARIs) report a higher incidence of falls; although a potential mechanism of action is unknown. This systematic review evaluates the...
Selective Monofunctionalization Enabled by Reaction-History-Dependent Communication in Catalytic Rotaxanes

Selective monofunctionalization of substrates with distant, yet equally reactive functional groups is difficult to achieve, as it requires the second functional group to selectively modulate its reactivity once the first functional group has reacted. We now show that mechanically interlocked catalytic rings can effectively regulate the reactivity of stoppering groups in rotaxanes over a distance of about 2 nm. Our mechanism of communication is enabled by a unique interlocked design, which effectively removes the catalytic rings from the substrates by fast dethreading as soon as the first reaction has taken place. Our method not only led to a rare example of selective monofunctionalization, but also to a "molecular if function". Overall, the study presents a way to get distant functional groups to communicate with each other in a reaction-history-dependent manner by creating linkers that can ultimately perform logical operations at the molecular level.
Chop suey surplus: Chinese food, sex, and the political economy of Afro-Asia

This essay traces the forgotten hemispheric Afro-Chinese political economy of race and desire in the Americas through chop suey as an analytic during the nineteenth and early twentieth century. Pos...
Corrigendum: Differential Expression Analysis Revealing CLCA1 to Be a Prognostic and Diagnostic Biomarker for Colorectal Cancer.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common malignant tumor of the digestive tract and lacks specific diagnostic markers. In this study, we utilized 10 public datasets from the NCBI Gene Expression Omnibus (NCBI-GEO) database to identify a set of significantly differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between tumor and control samples and WGCNA (Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis) to construct gene co-expression networks incorporating the DEGs from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and then identify genes shared between the GEO datasets and key modules. Then, these genes were screened via MCC to identify 20 hub genes. We utilized regression analyses to develop a prognostic model and utilized the random forest method to validate. All hub genes had good diagnostic value for CRC, but only CLCA1 was related to prognosis. Thus, we explored the potential biological value of CLCA1. The results of gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) and immune infiltration analysis showed that CLCA1 was closely related to tumor metabolism and immune invasion of CRC. These analysis results revealed that CLCA1 may be a candidate diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for CRC.
Receipt of palliative care (PC) in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) using data from the National Cancer Database (NCDB).

12087Background: AML is an aggressive disease with high mortality and significant impact on quality of life. Palliative care (PC) services have become integral in managing patient’s symptoms during...
ContinuityLearner: Geometric Continuity Feature Learning for Lane Segmentation.

Lane segmentation is a challenging issue in autonomous driving system designing because lane marks show weak textural consistency due to occlusion or extreme illumination but strong geometric continuity in traffic images, from which general convolution neural networks (CNNs) are not capable of learning semantic objects. To empower conventional CNNs in learning geometric clues of lanes, we propose a deep network named ContinuityLearner to better learn geometric prior within lane. Specifically, our proposed CNN-based paradigm involves a novel Context-encoding image feature learning network to generate class-dependent image feature maps and a new encoding layer to exploit the geometric continuity feature representation by fusing both spatial and visual information of lane together. The ContinuityLearner, performing on the geometric continuity feature of lanes, is trained to directly predict the lane in traffic scenarios with integrated and continuous instance semantic. The experimental results on the CULane dataset and the Tusimple benchmark demonstrate that our ContinuityLearner has superior performance over other state-of-the-art techniques in lane segmentation.
People, policy, history: citizenship and black urban communities in South Africa

State-led efforts to limit the presence of black South Africans in urban areas during the colonial and apartheid eras led to recurrent attempts at self-governance within black urban areas, which pr...
THE NEW SELFIE STANDARD: FACETUNE AND THE SHIFT TOWARD EAST ASIAN SELFIE AESTHETICS

Since its release in 2013, Facetune has risen to become the top paid photo and video app in the US. In this study, we document that the types of retouching tools Facetune make available mark a more significant shift in the American cultural practice of image editing, signaling an adoption of East Asian attitudes toward beauty standards and the plasticity of the image. Working within the Critical Technocultural Discourse Analysis (CTDA) framework, we track this shift by undertaking a Walkthrough Analysis of the Facetune app. This combination of methods allowed us to examine not only cultural beliefs around the self-image but also the affordances and materiality of the app by directly engaging the interface and technical functions of the app. We found evidence of Facetune pushing certain East Asian beauty ideals that may fall outside of American standards such as the Face resizing features that allow users to adjust nose, eyes, forehead, and lips by size and position. Furthermore, Facetune uses the photo not in its traditional role as a vessel for depicting a certain scene in time, but as a blank canvas on which to produce an ideal digital self. These findings offer a significant contribution in understanding shifting image editing practices online, particularly by highlighting the new technological tools and cultural beliefs that are leading this shift.
Do Black-Owned Banks Substitute for Payday Lenders? An Exploratory Study

The annualized interest rate charged on payday loans can reach 1,950 percent, whereas similar rates charged by banks are typically less than 25 percent. Also, persons borrowing from payday lenders and paying the higher interest rates are disproportionately lower-income Blacks. This provides an incentive for Blacks seeking loans to turn to banks rather than payday lenders. This may be more likely to happen when there are Black-owned banks in communities with greater percentages of Blacks. Indeed, offices of such banks may substitute for payday loan stores, providing a greater opportunity for Blacks to avoid the higher interest rates associated with payday lenders. We hypothesize that to the extent Black-owned banks substitute for payday there is a greater opportunity for lower-income Blacks to substitute/switch firms and thereby seek lower-cost loans. We do find that there are significantly fewer payday loan stores in counties where there are more Black bank offices.
Multimodal Radiation Based Tomography and Diffraction of Granular Materials Using Neutrons and Photons and Instrumented Penetration Mechanics

This chapter summarizes recent work on noninvasive damage diagnostics using radiation-based imaging in three dimensions to evaluate the geometric arrangement of granular assembly with three phases corresponding to solid (silica), liquid (water), and gas (air) phases. The sand phase is precisely identified by using X-ray imaging and water phase by using neutron imaging. Using suitable image registration techniques at homogenized scale, combined imaging modalities (X-ray and neutron) are used to distinguish the three phases. In addition, a novel measurement technique which uses the measurement of changes in crystal spacing of polycrystalline granular materials (in this study, crystalline sand with varying morphology) under applied stress using thermal neutron diffraction and scattering is introduced. Novel imaging in three dimensions is implemented which utilizes neutron attenuation and phase contrast using currently evolving tomography techniques. A significant benefit of imaging with thermal or cold neutrons is that the radiation does not induce any damage to the granular materials and can penetrate large depths of silica-based materials, metallic, or glass confining chambers, thus giving unique access to imaging changes in microstructure at resolutions on the order of 10 μm. Neutrons are also highly sensitive to hydrogen and can show small amounts of water precisely. For an example, application of imaging a partially saturated sand sample subjected to a lead projectile at 375 m/s is included that shows many interesting features related to cavity formation, extent of particle damage, water redistribution toward the cavity containing the lead-based projectile, and morphological changes including particle breakage. Such quantitative three-dimensional damage identification will provide new opportunities to evaluate mesoscale modeling techniques to realistically capture energy transfer and material damage using realistic numerical/analytical modeling techniques for solving complex aspects associated with the penetration mechanics of granular materials.
The Metabolism of Ceramide Trihexosides I. PURIFICATION AND PROPERTIES OF AN ENZYME THAT CLEAVES THE TERMINAL GALACTOSE MOLECULE OF GALACTOSYLGALACTOSYLGLUCOSYLCERAMIDE

An enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of the terminal galactose molecule of galactosylgalactosylglucosylceramide has been demonstrated in brain, liver, kidney, spleen, and small intestine of the rat. The enzyme has been obtained in a highly enriched form from subcellular particles of small intestinal tissue. The purified enzyme is specific for galactosylgalactosylglucosylceramide and does not catalyze the hydrolysis of a number of related sphingolipids such as lactosylceramide, galactosylceramide, or glucosylceramide. The products of the reaction are galactose and lactosylceramide. The enzyme is noncompetitively inhibited by glucosylsphingosine (psychosine).
Fields of Wheat, Hills of Blood: Passages to Nationhood in Greek Macedonia, 1870‐1990

Fields of Wheat, Hills of Blood: Passages to Nationhood in Greek Macedonia, 1870-1990. Anastasia N. Karakasidou. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1997.334 pp.