cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Defining the role of paclitaxel in lung cancer: summary of recent studies and implications for future directions

Paclitaxel (Taxol; Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Princeton, NJ) was first reported to have activity in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in 1993 and in advanced small cell lung cancer (SCLC) in 1995. Since these original reports, single-agent activity has been confirmed in both NSCLC and SCLC. In NSCLC, the 20% to 25% response rate and median survival times (approximately 40 weeks) are superior to previously reported single-agent therapy. In SCLC, the response rate (> or =50%) and median survival (10 months) are similar to the best previously reported agents. Paclitaxel can be combined safely with both cisplatin and carboplatin. In advanced NSCLC, these two drug combinations produce higher response rates (39% to 42%) than either drug alone. The median survival times reported with the combinations (39 to 45 weeks) are slightly longer than with single-agent paclitaxel. Paclitaxel and cisplatin combinations were shown to be superior to cisplatin and podophyllotoxin combinations in randomized trials. Paclitaxel and paclitaxel plus carboplatin combinations can be safely combined with chest radiotherapy in patients with stage III NSCLC. Response rates and survival times are at least as good as prior best therapies and the results of randomized trials are eagerly awaited. Similarly, paclitaxel and carboplatin combinations produce high response rates when given before surgery for operable patients, and the results of randomized trials are needed to confirm the value of this approach. Paclitaxel-based combinations in advanced SCLC can be administered safely and provide high response rates and relatively long survival times. Randomized trials comparing these combinations to older etoposide/cisplatin combinations are in progress.
Monolithically, widely tunable quantum cascade lasers based on a heterogeneous active region design

Quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) have become important laser sources for accessing the mid-infrared (mid-IR) spectral range, achieving watt-level continuous wave operation in a compact package at room temperature. However, up to now, wavelength tuning, which is desirable for most applications, has relied on external cavity feedback or exhibited a limited monolithic tuning range. Here we demonstrate a widely tunable QCL source over the 6.2 to 9.1 μm wavelength range with a single emitting aperture by integrating an eight-laser sampled grating distributed feedback laser array with an on-chip beam combiner. The laser gain medium is based on a five-core heterogeneous QCL wafer. A compact tunable laser system was built to drive the individual lasers within the array and produce any desired wavelength within the available spectral range. A rapid, broadband spectral measurement (520 cm−1) of methane using the tunable laser source shows excellent agreement to a measurement made using a standard low-speed infrared spectrometer. This monolithic, widely tunable laser technology is compact, with no moving parts and will open new opportunities for MIR spectroscopy and chemical sensing.
Beyond nodes and edges: multiresolution algorithms for network data

Networks are a fundamental tool for understanding and modeling complex systems in physics, biology, neuroscience, engineering, and social science. Many networks are known to exhibit rich, lower-order connectivity patterns that can be captured at the level of individual nodes and edges. However, higher-order organization of complex networks -- at the level of small network subgraphs -- remains largely unknown. Here, we develop a generalized framework for clustering networks on the basis of higher-order connectivity patterns. This framework provides mathematical guarantees on the optimality of obtained clusters and scales to networks with billions of edges. The framework reveals higher-order organization in a number of networks, including information propagation units in neuronal networks and hub structure in transportation networks. Results show that networks exhibit rich higher-order organizational structures that are exposed by clustering based on higher-order connectivity patterns.Prediction tasks over nodes and edges in networks require careful effort in engineering features used by learning algorithms. Recent research in the broader field of representation learning has led to significant progress in automating prediction by learning the features themselves. However, present feature learning approaches are not expressive enough to capture the diversity of connectivity patterns observed in networks. Here we propose node2vec, an algorithmic framework for learning continuous feature representations for nodes in networks. In node2vec, we learn a mapping of nodes to a low-dimensional space of features that maximizes the likelihood of preserving network neighborhoods of nodes. We define a flexible notion of a node's network neighborhood and design a biased random walk procedure, which efficiently explores diverse neighborhoods. Our algorithm generalizes prior work which is based on rigid notions of network neighborhoods, and we argue that the added flexibility in exploring neighborhoods is the key to learning richer representations. We demonstrate the efficacy of node2vec over existing state-of-the-art techniques on multi-label classification and link prediction in several real-world networks from diverse domains. Taken together, our work represents a new way for efficiently learning state-of-the-art task-independent representations in complex networks.
Quantitative Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Immunoassay

The quantitative bioassay technique for human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) discussed by Dr. Roy Hertz, is a sensitive, accurate and well tested method. “We have employed it in our clinic for the past seven years. It is, however, a procedure which is expensive, time consuming and not always adaptable to clinics with little or no laboratory facilities. On the other hand, the immunologic techniques now commonly employed for diagnosis of pregnancy, take little time and are relatively inexpensive. When performed on non-processed urine, however, they are not sensitive enough for quantitative gonadotropin assay.
The Contribution of Temperamental and Cognitive Factors to Childhood Anxiety Disorder Symptoms: A Closer Look at Negative Affect, Behavioral Inhibition, and Anxiety Sensitivity

This study examined the role of anxiety sensitivity as an explanatory variable in the link between two temperamental dimensions (i.e., behavioral inhibition and negative affect) and anxiety disorder symptom severity in a sample of children with anxiety disorders. Forty-four children (52 % African American) between 8 and 12 years of age and their mothers participated in this study. An assessment battery consisting of diagnostic interviews, questionnaires, and behavioral assessment of behavioral inhibition was administered. Findings revealed that anxiety sensitivity was a significant explanatory variable linking child self-reports of behavioral inhibition and negative affect to anxiety disorder symptom severity. For parent-completed measures, only direct effects of behavioral inhibition on anxiety disorder symptom severity were found. The clinical implications of our findings, including the importance and feasibility of anxiety sensitivity and behavioral inhibition assessments as part of routine clinical care of children with anxiety disorders are discussed, along with the limitations of our study.
Failure analysis of three 230kV XLPE cables

This paper presents a case study on the failures of three 230kV XLPE cables. These cables failed after only 4 years of service. It was found that the copper woven fibre glass (CWFG) tape and the water swellable tape had many burnt stains. The causes of these stains were analysed. It was proved from theoretical analysis and experimental investigations that there was a problem of bad contact between the outer semi-conductive screen and the aluminum sheath. During operation, the charging current from system ac voltage damaged the semi-conductive layer and caused the insulation breakdown. The lessons learnt from these failures are also discussed in the paper.
Selective Mineralization of Tough Hydrogel Lumens for Simulating Arterial Plaque

This paper demonstrates progress of fabricating artificial arteries (phantoms) that mimic plaque buildup. Hydrogel lumens are molded using tough polyacrylamide with regions selectively mineralized with calcium phosphate. By tuning the degree of mineralization such as calcium concentration ([Ca2+], 0.4–2 M), and crystallization time (tc, 1–4 weeks), the authors control the extent of lumen occlusion. These occluded lumens significantly reduce pressure (ΔP ≈ 7.79 kPa) during fluid flow compared to the non-calcified lumens (ΔP ≈ 1.24 kPa). Additionally, image, chemical analysis, and compressive mechanical tests are performed to determine the effect of synthesis conditions on the composite's mechanical properties. For comparison to real arteries, the authors also present dynamic mechanical analysis of human aortic tissue.
Complicated Acute Gastric Emergencies

Although seemingly disparate problems, patients with perforated peptic ulcers (PPU) and dislodged percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomies (PEGs) share several common features and the successful management of these patients requires considerable thought and attention to detail. Despite the development of potent medications to suppress gastric acid production and an appreciation of the critical role Helicobacter pylori plays in peptic ulcer disease as well as effective therapies to treat it, PPU remain a highly lethal condition particularly in the elderly. Patients with PEGs tend to be acutely ill or debilitated with limited physiologic reserves which may render them poor surgical candidates. Thus, patients with PPU and dislodged PEGS are both increased risk for peritonitis, complications, and death. In selected patients with either of these conditions, non-operative management may be successful but it is imperative that clinicians approach these patients cautiously since the risk of serious complications is so high. Advances in technology have created opportunities to manage patients with PPU or dislodged PEGs through minimally invasive, endoscopic, and other modalities but the best outcomes can only be realized when the right technology is employed in the right patient at the right time. Younger patients, those with minimal medical comorbidities and those without signs of systemic toxicity, are appropriate candidates for non-operative or minimally invasive techniques but the elderly those with established peritonitis or sepsis belong in the operating theater. Our understanding of H. Pylori and its role in peptic ulcer disease had dramatically impacted surgical care, altering the types of operations performed for PPU, and mandating detection and eradication of this organism in order to successfully treat the patient with complications due to this organism. The clinical presentation of an acute incarcerated paraesophageal hernia is a serious condition. There are clear clinical and radiographic signs that help in the diagnosis. The surgeon must quickly be able to determine whether the patient is sick or septic. The initial step should be to decompress the stomach with a nasogastric tube. The next step is to determine whether the patient requires emergent/urgent surgery or a semi-elective repair. Once the decision is made to go to the OR and there is no evidence of gastric perforation, an initial diagnostic laparoscopic approach can be used. If full thickness gastric necrosis or perforation is encountered, a staged resection and reconstruction should be considered if the patient is critically ill.
Rainer Maria Rilke’s “Spätherbst in Venedig”, an Interpretation

(1941). Rainer Maria Rilke’s “Spatherbst in Venedig”, an Interpretation. The Germanic Review: Literature, Culture, Theory: Vol. 16, No. 1, pp. 68-71.
Bacterial Cell Characteristics and Conditions Influencing Their Adhesion to Poultry Skin

Conflicting reports appear in the literature regarding attachment of flagellated and nonflagellated bacteria to poultry skin. The following parameters which may influence bacterial attachment were examined: (a) sample type and size; (b) skin from fully processed and scalded but uneviscerated broilers; (c) skin from hard- and soft-scalded broilers; and (d) potentially variable tap rinse and constant pressure spray wash (50 psi). Gram-positive and gram-negative, flagellated and nonflagellated bacteria were used in suspension fluids ( Salmonella typhimurium , Salmonella gallinarum , Proteus vulgaris , Pseudomonas fluoresces , Clostridium perfringens , Staphylococcus aureus and a nonflagellated species of Micrococcus ). Results showed that none of the variables tested affected the ability of bacteria to adhere to poultry skin in 0.25 min. All species tested adhered to skin, and there was a generally linear increase in rate of attachment with time (0.25 to 60 min) following exposure of poultry skin to suspending fluid. It was concluded that nonflagellated bacteria attach as readily as flagellated bacteria under the same controlled conditions.
Cost savings through innovative and LEAN engineering approach for wireless modules

One of the wireless module required additional Thermal Interface Material (TIM) and Electro Magnetic Interference (EMI) absorber in order for the product to function per requirement. In order to place these two items onto the module, the one piece shield will need to be replaced by 2 pieces shield — shield fence & shield lid. All these additional BOM items will need to be assembled and inspected manually by operators. This resulted in significant increase of cycle time needed for the assembly and inspection process which causes ODM to increase their Manufacturing Value Adder (MVA). Total BOM cost also increased significantly for those three additional items. As the results, Instead of achieving generation product cost reduction, the cost for that generation of wireless products actually went up. This presentation will illustrate the key challenges faced and the approach that we have taken mainly through Process Automation, LEAN waste elimination and Process Shift Left to supplier. These innovative and holistic three phases approach enable huge cycle time reduction (91%) for the additional processes in ODM and achieve significant cost savings across the life cycle of the product.
The effect of the affordable care act dependent coverage provision on patients with cystic fibrosis

SummaryBackground The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), enacted in 2010, expanded private insurance coverage of young adults through the dependent coverage provision. This policy's implications for patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) are unknown. Methods The CF Foundation Patient Registry was used to identify patients seen at CF centers, 3 years before and after ACA implementation. Patients were grouped according to eligibility for the dependent care provision (18–25 years old in 2010) or ineligibility (26–35 years old). Year-level difference-in-difference logistic regressions evaluated the association between ACA enactment and insurance status (private, public, or no insurance). Routine annual care consistent with CF Foundation guidelines (≥4 clinic visits, ≥4 respiratory cultures, and ≥2 pulmonary function tests/year) was a secondary outcome. Results The analysis included 4,024 and 3,132 patients in the eligible and ineligible groups, respectively (35,353 patient-years). In the eligible group, 62% had private insurance before and after ACA; 18% had public insurance before and after ACA; and 5% switched from public to private insurance. In the eligible group, lack of insurance coverage became more common in the post-ACA period (relative risk ratio vs. private insurance [RRR] = 1.95; 95%CI: 1.57, 2.43; P < 0.001). Public insurance coverage also became more common (RRR = 1.50; 95%CI: 1.39, 1.62; P < 0.001). Use of routine care increased post-ACA, but more strongly in the ineligible group than in the eligible group. Conclusions The ACA dependent coverage provision did not increase private insurance coverage or use of routine care among CF patients who were potentially affected by this policy. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2016; 9999:XX–XX. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Certain properties related to well posedness of switching diffusions

Abstract This work is devoted to switching diffusions that have two components (a continuous component and a discrete component). Different from the so-called Markovian switching diffusions, in the setup, the discrete component (the switching) depends on the continuous component (the diffusion process). The objective of this paper is to provide a number of properties related to the well posedness. First, the differentiability with respect to initial data of the continuous component is established. Then, further properties including uniform continuity with respect to initial data, and smoothness of certain functionals are obtained. Moreover, Feller property is obtained under only local Lipschitz continuity. Finally, an example of Lotka–Volterra model under regime switching is provided as an illustration.
Standardized Attending Rounds to Improve the Patient Experience: A Pragmatic Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background At academic medical centers, attending rounds (AR) serve to coordinate patient care and educate trainees, yet variably involve patients. Objective To determine the impact of standardized bedside AR on patient satisfaction with rounds. Design Cluster randomized controlled trial. Setting 500-bed urban, quaternary care hospital. Patients 1200 patients admitted to the medicine service. Intervention Teams in the intervention arm received training to adhere to 5 AR practices: 1) pre-rounds huddle; 2) bedside rounds; 3) nurse integration; 4) real-time order entry; 5) whiteboard updates. Control arm teams continued usual rounding practices. Measurements Trained observers audited rounds to assess adherence to recommended AR practices and surveyed patients following AR. The primary outcome was patient satisfaction with AR. Secondary outcomes were perceived and actual AR duration, and attending and trainee satisfaction. Results We observed 241 (70.1%) and 264 (76.7%) AR in the intervention and control arms, respectively, which included 1855 and 1903 patient rounding encounters. Using a 5-point Likert scale, patients in the intervention arm reported increased satisfaction with AR (4.49 vs 4.25; P = 0.01) and felt more cared for by their medicine team (4.54 vs 4.36; P = 0.03). Although the intervention shortened the duration of AR by 8 minutes on average (143 vs 151 minutes; P = 0.052), trainees perceived intervention AR as lasting longer and reported lower satisfaction with intervention AR. Conclusions Medicine teams can adopt a standardized, patient-centered, time-saving rounding model that leads to increased patient satisfaction with AR and the perception that patients are more cared for by their medicine team. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2017;12:143-149.
Towards automated calculation of evidence-based clinical scores

AIM To determine clinical scores important for automated calculation in the inpatient setting. METHODS A modified Delphi methodology was used to create consensus of important clinical scores for inpatient practice. A list of 176 externally validated clinical scores were identified from freely available internet-based services frequently used by clinicians. Scores were categorized based on pertinent specialty and a customized survey was created for each clinician specialty group. Clinicians were asked to rank each score based on importance of automated calculation to their clinical practice in three categories - "not important", "nice to have", or "very important". Surveys were solicited via specialty-group listserv over a 3-mo interval. Respondents must have been practicing physicians with more than 20% clinical time spent in the inpatient setting. Within each specialty, consensus was established for any clinical score with greater than 70% of responses in a single category and a minimum of 10 responses. Logistic regression was performed to determine predictors of automation importance. RESULTS Seventy-nine divided by one hundred and forty-four (54.9%) surveys were completed and 72/144 (50%) surveys were completed by eligible respondents. Only the critical care and internal medicine specialties surpassed the 10-respondent threshold (14 respondents each). For internists, 2/110 (1.8%) of scores were "very important" and 73/110 (66.4%) were "nice to have". For intensivists, no scores were "very important" and 26/76 (34.2%) were "nice to have". Only the number of medical history (OR = 2.34; 95%CI: 1.26-4.67; P < 0.05) and vital sign (OR = 1.88; 95%CI: 1.03-3.68; P < 0.05) variables for clinical scores used by internists was predictive of desire for automation. CONCLUSION Few clinical scores were deemed "very important" for automated calculation. Future efforts towards score calculator automation should focus on technically feasible "nice to have" scores.
DNA methylation of a novel PAK4 locus influences ototoxicity susceptibility following cisplatin and radiation therapy for pediatric embryonal tumors

Background Ototoxicity is a common adverse side effect of platinum chemotherapy and cranial radiation therapy; however, individual susceptibility is highly variable. Therefore, our objective was to conduct an epigenome-wide association study to identify differentially methylated cytosine-phosphate-guanine (CpG) sites associated with ototoxicity susceptibility among cisplatin-treated pediatric patients with embryonal tumors. Methods Samples were collected for a discovery cohort (n = 62) and a replication cohort (n = 18) of medulloblastoma and primitive neuroectodermal tumor patients. Posttreatment audiograms were evaluated using the International Society of Paediatric Oncology (SIOP) Boston Ototoxicity Scale. Genome-wide associations between CpG methylation and ototoxicity were examined using multiple linear regression, controlling for demographic and treatment factors. Results The mean cumulative dose of cisplatin was 330 mg/m2 and the mean time from end of therapy to the last available audiogram was 6.9 years. In the discovery analysis of 435233 CpG sites, 6 sites were associated with ototoxicity grade (P < 5 × 10-5) after adjusting for confounders. Differential methylation at the top CpG site identified in the discovery cohort (cg14010619, PAK4 gene) was replicated (P = 0.029) and reached genome-wide significance (P = 2.73 × 10-8) in a combined analysis. These findings were robust to a sensitivity analysis evaluating other potential confounders. Conclusions We identified and replicated a novel CpG methylation loci (cg14010619) associated with ototoxicity severity. Methylation at cg14010619 may modify PAK4 activity, which has been implicated in cisplatin resistance in malignant cell lines.
Head-mounted sensors and wearable computing for automatic tunnel vision assessment

As the second leading cause of blindness worldwide, glaucoma impacts a large population of individuals over 40. Although visual acuity often remains unaffected in early stages of the disease, visual field loss, expressed by tunnel vision condition, gradually increases. Glaucoma often remains undetected until it has moved into advanced stages. In this paper, we introduce a wearable system for automatic tunnel vision detection using head-mounted sensors and machine learning techniques. We develop several tasks, including reading and observation, and estimate visual field loss by analyzing user's head movements while performing the tasks. An integrated computational module takes sensor signals as input, passes the data through several automatic data processing phases, and returns a final result by merging task-level predictions. For validation purposes, a series of experiments is conducted with 10 participants using tunnel vision simulators. Our results demonstrate that the proposed system can detect mild and moderate tunnel visions with an accuracy of 93.3% using a leave-one-subject-out analysis.
Gaussian Prototypical Networks for Few-Shot Learning on Omniglot

We propose a novel architecture for k-shot classification on the Omniglot dataset. Building on prototypical networks, we extend their architecture to what we call Gaussian prototypical networks. Prototypical networks learn a map between images and embedding vectors, and use their clustering for classification. In our model, a part of the encoder output is interpreted as a confidence region estimate about the embedding point, and expressed as a Gaussian covariance matrix. Our network then constructs a direction and class dependent distance metric on the embedding space, using uncertainties of individual data points as weights. We show that Gaussian prototypical networks are a preferred architecture over vanilla prototypical networks with an equivalent number of parameters. We report results consistent with state-of-the-art performance in 1-shot and 5-shot classification both in 5-way and 20-way regime on the Omniglot dataset. We explore artificially down-sampling a fraction of images in the training set, which improves our performance. Our experiments therefore lead us to hypothesize that Gaussian prototypical networks might perform better in less homogeneous, noisier datasets, which are commonplace in real world applications.
Fingerprinting of Weathered Oil Residues from the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill: The Importance of Multiple Lines of Investigation

ABSTRACT 2017-189 The crude oil released from the Macondo Well, also known for its location in Mississippi Canyon area as the MC252 well during the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, entered an environme...
Widespread optogenetic expression in macaque cortex obtained with MR-guided, convection enhanced delivery (CED) of AAV vector to the thalamus.

Abstract Background In non-human primate (NHP) optogenetics, infecting large cortical areas with viral vectors is often a difficult and time-consuming task. Previous work has shown that parenchymal delivery of adeno-associated virus (AAV) in the thalamus by convection-enhanced delivery (CED) can lead to large-scale transduction via axonal transport in distal areas including cortex. We used this approach to obtain widespread cortical expression of light-sensitive ion channels. New method AAV vectors co-expressing channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) and yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) genes were infused into thalamus of three rhesus macaques under MR-guided CED. After six to twelve weeks recovery, in vivo optical stimulation and single cell recording in the cortex was carried out using an optrode in anesthetized animals. Post-mortem immunostaining against YFP was used to estimate the distribution and level of expression of ChR2 in thalamus and cortex. Results Histological analysis revealed high levels of transduction in cortical layers. The patterns of expression were consistent with known thalamo-cortico-thalamic circuits. Dense expression was seen in thalamocortiocal axonal fibers in layers III , IV and VI and in pyramidal neurons in layers V and VI, presumably corticothalamic neurons. In addition we obtained reliable in vivo light-evoked responses in cortical areas with high levels of expression. Comparison with existing methods Thalamic CED is very efficient in achieving large expressing areas in comparison to convectional techniques both in minimizing infusion time and in minimizing damage to the brain. Conclusion MR-guided CED infusion into thalamus provides a simplified approach to transduce large cortical areas by thalamo-cortico-thalamic projections in primate brain.
Lateral habenular norepinephrine contributes to states of arousal and anxiety in male rats.

Abstract Recent research has identified the lateral habenula (LHb) as a brain region playing an important role in the production of stressful and anxiogenic states. Additionally, norepinephrine (NE) has long been known to be involved in arousal, stress and anxiety, and NE projections to the LHb have been identified emanating from the locus coeruleus (LC). The current research was devised to test the hypothesis that NE release within the LHb contributes to the occurrence of anxiogenic behaviors. Male rats were implanted with bilateral guide cannula aimed at the LHb and subsequently treated with intracranial (IC) infusions of the selective α 2 adrenergic autoreceptor agonist, dexmedetomidine (DEX) (0, 0.5, 1.0 μg/side), prior to assessment of ambulatory and anxiogenic behavior in tests of spontaneous locomotion, open field behavior, and acoustic startle-response . Results demonstrated that DEX administration significantly reduced the overall locomotor behavior of subjects at both doses indicating that infusion of even small doses of this α 2 agonist into the LHb can have profound effects on the subjects’ general levels of alertness and activity. DEX was also found to attenuate anxiety as evidenced by a reduction in the magnitude of a startle-response to an acoustic 110 dB stimulus. Taken together, these results identify a role for NE release within the LHb in both arousal and anxiety.
Comorbidity of Disorders in Children and Adolescents

Since the advent of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Third Edition and Third Edition, Revised (DSM-III and DSM-III-R), clinicians and investigators have shown increasing interest in the significance of comorbid disorders in children and adolescents. Coincident with a sharpened focus on comorbidity, some investigators have developed detailed data on child and adolescent comorbid diagnoses in clinical and epidemiological studies (e.g., Bird, Gould, & Staghezza, 1993; Cohen, 1993; Pfeffer & Plutchik, 1989); and comorbidity has been the subject of recent reviews of child and adolescent disorders research (e.g., Biederman, New-corn, & Sprich, 1991; Zoccolillo, 1992). Accumulating evidence suggests that comorbidity is pervasive. Concerns about weaknesses of the nosological system are being advanced to account for the high rates of comorbidity in general (Achenbach, 1990/1991; Caron & Rutter, 1991; Pfeffer & Plutchik, 1989; Rutter, 1989), as well as for the co-occurrence of specific disorders (e.g., Biederman et al., 1991; Carlson, 1990). With respect to children and adolescents, these concerns intersect with developmental and methodological issues. For the advancement of knowledge about child and adolescent disorders, it is essential that comorbidity patterns be identified and examined, not only for their implications for prognosis and treatment, but also for evaluation of the classification system on which they are based.
Association between Sex, Race/Ethnicity, Season, Day of Week, and Alcohol Use and Related Risks in College Student Athletes and Nonathletes.

Objective: To examine personal and social constructs (eg, sex, race) and external influences (ie, competition schedules) that are associated with the pattern and amount of alcohol consumption by st...
Dynamic Intermolecular Interactions Control Adsorption from Mixtures of Natural Organic Matter and Protein onto Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles

Engineered nanoparticles (NPs) will obtain macromolecular coatings in environmental systems, changing their subsequent interactions. The matrix complexity inherent in natural waters and wastewaters greatly complicates prediction of the corona formation. Here, we investigate corona formation on titanium dioxide (TiO2) NPs from mixtures of natural organic matter (NOM) and a protein, bovine serum albumin (BSA), to thoroughly probe the role of mixture interactions in the adsorption process. Fundamentally different coronas were observed under different NP exposure conditions and time scales. In mixtures of NOM and protein, the corona composition was kinetically determined, and the species initially coadsorbed but were ultimately limited to monolayers. On the contrary, sequential exposure of the NPs to pure solutions of NOM and protein resulted in extensive multilayer formation. The intermolecular complexation between NOM and BSA in solution and at the NP surface was the key mechanism controlling these distinctive adsorption behaviors, as determined by size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and in situ attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy. Overall, this study demonstrates that dynamic intermolecular interactions and the history of the NP surface must be considered together to predict corona formation on NPs in complex environmental media.
Building a better blast-trap.

In this issue of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology two groups describe studies that analyze safety and efficacy of novel therapeutic strategies for pediatric leukemia. Dr. Ronsley and the TACL T200...
Structural and transport properties of Cu/Ta(N)/Cu interfaces in vertical interconnects

We use first-principles calculations to investigate the structural and transport properties of various Cu/Ta(N)/Cu interface stacks, which are representative of the metal interfaces located at the bottom of vertical interconnects in state-of-the-art back-end-of-line technology. In particular, we consider approximately 2-nm thick layers of several different Ta-based barrier layers sandwiched between two Cu(111) layers, including TaN, α-Ta, β-Ta, and a bilayer TaN/ α-Ta structure. Our results highlight that the bilayer Cu/TaN/ α-Ta/Cu structure shows both an attractive combination of low electrical resistance and superior dielectric adhesion. We also find that inelastic phonon transport across the interface structures is largely determined by the frequency overlap of the bulk-like phonon density of states of each metal layer. Our results are fed into a simple interconnect performance benchmarking model based on a single-driver signal wire, where we find that metal barrier optimization can result in a net 2.5% stage delay reduction without comprising reliability.
Pixasso: A Development Stage-Based Learning Application for Children

This paper describes an educational tool developed to teach coding and computational thinking to children. We designed and implemented an adaptive, interactive learning game application (mobile and web) called "Pixasso". In this application, children will write a simple program to color the 'pixels' of an image. Through the game application, they will learn programming commands, sequencing and debugging. This educational application was built using prevailing research on child centered design knowledge regarding child user interface and experience and aims to help scale initiatives dedicated towards introducing children to computer science at an early age.
A Rare Presentation of Multi-System Inflammatory Disease in Children Associated With Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

Management of multi-system inflammatory disease in children (MIS-C) remains a challenge due to the evolving nature of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This article reports a rare presentation of multi-system inflammatory disease in a previously healthy 16-month-old male who fully recovered with minimal residual cardiac insufficiency upon discharge. Our case is unique due to patient's young age, cardiac findings, and his response to our treatment protocol. A multi-disciplinary team in a tertiary center was involved with care.
Shifting Focus from Burnout and Wellness toward Individual and Organizational Resilience.

Burnout is reported to be epidemic among physicians and medical trainees, and wellness has been the predominant target for intervention in academic medicine over the past several years. However, bo...
Soil thermal conductivity estimated using a semi-analytical approach

Abstract Estimation of soil thermal conductivity is important for many practical geotechnical and civil engineering applications including the thermal performance of buried pipelines, geothermal heat pumps, ground freezing, etc. A significant number of empirical-fit methods to estimate the thermal conductivity of sands exist in the existing literature. This paper provides a semi-analytical approach to estimating the thermal conductivity of soils. The analytical model was developed and validated using existing databases of thermal conductivity. The new model was then compared to select existing models using a new database of thermal conductivity measurements collected for this study on a wide range of soils.
Reporting Distortion is Like Lying, But Operating Distortion is Like Stealing

In three studies totaling almost 5000 subjects, we present respondents with scenarios in which employees manage performance measures by distorting how they report performance or how they operate their organizations. We measure respondents’ judgments about the scenarios and their broader moral values, and interpret statistical associations in light of Moral Foundations Theory (Graham, Nosek, et al 2011) to draw inferences on how respondents view the ‘moral terrain’ of morally-relevant features depicted by the scenarios we present. In our business, public school and hospital settings, we conclude that respondents see reporting distortion as a more appropriate remedy than operating distortion to inequity, and see operational distortions as improving underlying performance more effectively when measures capture true performance more accurately. In our public school and hospital settings, we also conclude that respondents see the organization, (i.e. school or hospital), rather than outside stakeholders, (i.e. students or patients), as representing the in-group to which managers owe loyalty. Respondents also see a sacred element both in reporting and in supporting a school or hospital.
Dendritic cells in cancer immunology.

The clinical success of immune checkpoint therapy (ICT) has produced explosive growth in tumor immunology research because ICT was discovered through basic studies of immune regulation. Much of the current translational efforts are aimed at enhancing ICT by identifying therapeutic targets that synergize with CTLA4 or PD1/PD-L1 blockade and are solidly developed on the basis of currently accepted principles. Expanding these principles through continuous basic research may help broaden translational efforts. With this mindset, we focused this review on three threads of basic research directly relating to mechanisms underlying ICT. Specifically, this review covers three aspects of dendritic cell (DC) biology connected with antitumor immune responses but are not specifically oriented toward therapeutic use. First, we review recent advances in the development of the cDC1 subset of DCs, identifying important features distinguishing these cells from other types of DCs. Second, we review the antigen-processing pathway called cross-presentation, which was discovered in the mid-1970s and remains an enigma. This pathway serves an essential in vivo function unique to cDC1s and may be both a physiologic bottleneck and therapeutic target. Finally, we review the longstanding field of helper cells and the related area of DC licensing, in which CD4 T cells influence the strength or quality of CD8 T cell responses. Each topic is connected with ICT in some manner but is also a fundamental aspect of cell-mediated immunity directed toward intracellular pathogens.
Impact of Body Mass Index on Clinical and Financial Outcomes of Benign Minimally Invasive Hysterectomy

Study Objective To evaluate the impact of obesity on clinical and financial outcomes of minimally invasive hysterectomy (MIH) for benign indications. Design This is a retrospective cohort study of women who underwent MIH for benign indications. We obtained demographic, operative, and surgeon characteristics to analyze the impact of obesity on various outcomes by hysterectomy approach including operating room (OR) time, estimated blood loss (EBL), length of stay (LOS), adverse perioperative events, and procedure costs. Setting N/A. Patients or Participants All women who underwent MIH for benign indications between 2013-2019 at five affiliated hospitals. Interventions N/A. Measurements and Main Results We identified 2,494 women who underwent MIH for benign indications. Laparoscopic approach was most commonly performed (78.5%) followed by robotic (13.5%) then vaginal (8.0%). Mean total cost was $13,928 (± $5,954), age was 48.04 years (± 9.62), and BMI was 30.13 (± 6.99). OR time and EBL were higher among patients with obesity (BMI 30-39) and highest among patients with class III obesity (BMI > 40) (p 40) was a significant predictor of hysterectomy charges, patients with obesity (BMI of 30-39) had a lower laparoscopic hysterectomy cost by $702.2 compared with non-obese patients. Logistic regression analysis showed no significant impact of obesity on LOS or occurrence of adverse perioperative events. Conclusion Obesity appears to have a significant impact on several clinical and financial outcomes of benign hysterectomy that is approach-dependent and most notable among morbidly obese patients. Increased awareness of this impact should guide gynecologists towards approaches that optimize care of high-risk patients while decreasing procedure costs.
Introduction and General Overview

A recent newspaper advertisement showed a large photograph of a human brain and underneath it the boldface caption, “INCREASE THE SIZE OF YOUR ORGAN” (San Francisco Examiner, September 13, 1986, page B26). The accompanying text urged readers to subscribe to the paper in order to exercise their brains and thus increase the size and capacity of this organ. Apparently the advertisers think that the public is willing to entertain, at least speculatively, the idea that stimulating the brain has beneficial effects, both anatomically and intellectually.
Alternatively Spliced Variants of Prostate-specific Membrane Antigen RNA: Ratio of Expression as a Potential Measurement of Progression

Abstract We examined expression of prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSM) mRNA in normal prostate using reverse transcription-PCR and sequencing. An alternatively spliced variant, PSM′, along with the previously described PSM form, was found in normal prostate. PSM′ cDNA is shorter (2387 nucleotides) than PSM (2653 nucleotides). The cDNAs are identical except for a 266-nucleotide region near the 5′ end of PSM cDNA (nucleotides 114–380) that is absent from PSM′. This deleted region includes the translation initiation codon and codons for the putative transmembrane domain of PSM. Thus, PSM′ RNA codes for a protein that has no apparent signal sequence. We verified the existence of spliced mRNA variants in human primary tissue specimens by RNase protection assay. In LNCaP human prostatic cancer cells and in primary prostate tumors, PSM is the dominant form. In contrast, normal human prostate expressed more PSM′ than PSM. Benign prostatic hypertrophy samples showed about equal expression of both variants. We quantified the relative expression of each variant by densitometry and compiled a tumor index, which is the ratio of PSM:PSM′ level. LNCaP has an index ranging from 9–11, carcinoma of the prostate from 3–6, benign prostatic hypertrophy from 0.75–1.6, and normal prostate from 0.075–0.45. The index reflects the increased expression of PSM over PSM′ following the progression from normal to tumor state. This tumor index may be a useful indicator for the measurement of tumor progression. PSM and PSM′ may be functionally different proteins as a result of differences in structure or cellular location. We are investigating the prevalence of one form over the other and how it may influence tumor progression.
Cops, Teachers, and the Art of the Impossible: Explaining the lack of diffusion of impossible job innovations

Abstract In their now classic Impossible Jobs in Public Management , Hargrove and Glidewell (1990) argue that public agencies with limited legitimacy, high conflict, low professional authority, and weak "agency myths" have essentially impossible jobs. Leaders of such agencies can do little more than "cope," which is also a theme of James Q. Wilson (1989), among others. Yet in the years since publication of Impossible Jobs , one such position, that of police commissioner has proven possible. Over a sustained 17-year period, the New York City Police Department has achieved dramatic reductions in crime with relatively few political repercussions, as described by Kelling and Sousa (2001). A second impossible job discussed by Wilson and also by Frederick Hess (1999), city school superintendent, has also proven possible, with Houston and Edmonton having considerable academic success educating disadvantaged children. In addition, Atlanta and Pittsburgh enjoyed significant success in elementary schooling, though the gains were short-lived for reasons we will describe. More recently, under Michelle Rhee, Washington D.C. schools have made the most dramatic gains among city school systems. These successes in urban crime control and public schooling have not been widely copied. Accordingly, we argue that the real conundrum of impossible jobs is why agency leaders fail to copy successful innovations. Building on the work of Teodoro (2009), we will discuss how the relative illegitimacy of clients and inflexibility of personnel systems combine with the professional norms, job mobility and progressive ambition of agency leaders to limit the diffusion of innovations in law enforcement and schooling. We will conclude with ideas about how to overcome these barriers.
UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNEMPLOYMENT PROTECTION IN TRANSITION ECONOMIES

Nearly twenty years have passed since the transition from a centrally-planned towards a market-oriented economy in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe and the Former Soviet Union (CEE-FSU). This paper documents the differing patterns of unemployment during the period 1990 to 2006 in the 28 countries that constitute the CEE-FSU group and outlines how unemployment protection programs developed in response. We also suggest some tentative explanations for the observed trends in unemployment and unemployment compensation. Our approach is novel in that we compare the performance of the CEE-FSU group to the worldwide average and to other major economies. In addition, we demonstrate important contrasts across the CEE-FSU sub-regions. Similar to other research in the area, this paper demonstrates significantly below-average income growth between 1990 and 1995 but then significantly above-average growth in the years since 1995 when compared with the worldwide average. We also show a significant link between output growth and employment growth for many individual countries from the region. The transition economies developed new institutions to measure and offset the effects of the new phenomenon of open unemployment. The majority instituted labor force surveys to measure unemployment and all but one (Tajikistan) established unemployment compensation (UC) programs. Our analysis of unemployment rates finds that they have been high in many of these countries but, when placed within a global context, the CEE-FSU averages during 1994-1996 and again during 2004-2006 were only somewhat higher than the average unemployment rates in other major countries with labor surveys.
Regulation of De Novo Purine Biosynthesis in Chinese Hamster Cells

It has been proposed that in mammalian cells (1), as in the case of E. coli (2), de novo purine biosynthesis is controlled by both feedback inhibition by the end products of the pathway and by repression. In procaryotes, repression appears to involve an interaction between a specific nucleotide (ATP or GTP) and a repressor protein binding to the operator region of the early purine genes (2). We have recently isolated a series of PurR− mutants in E. coli, in which repression of the de novo pathway is abolished (3). However such mutants are still subject to feedback inhibition.
Presenting Creative Dance Activities to Children: Guidelines for the Nondancer

Abstract Movement is an evocative language. It fills a gap often found in the education of our youngsters. In a system where discursive language is the primary mode of communication, the creative movement experience provides the possibility for an alternative expressive medium…