cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Mouse, Touchpad and Multitouch Input Technologies

Twelve subjects used fixed-angle split keyboards with a conventional mouse, an integrated touchpad, or an integrated MultiTouch surface. Three tasks were tested in each condition: data entry, text ...
Diurese durch Bedingten Reflex

Die mitgeteilten Versuche scheinen uns eine zweifache Bedeutung zu haben. Sie zeigen einmal, das es auch beim Tier gelingt, auf psychischem Wege eine Diurese hervorzurufen. Damit liefern sie einen neuen Beweis fur die Bedeutung der cerebralen Regulation fur die Diurese. Weiter aber scheint uns die durch bedingte Reflexe erhaltene Diurese eine wertvolle Methode, um gewisse psychische Mechanismen beim Tier zu studieren, da es hier zum erstenmal moglich ist, quantitative Angaben uber die Starke des erzielten Effektes zu machen.
A Bayesian approach to mitigation of publication bias

The reliability of published research findings in psychology has been a topic of rising concern. Publication bias, or treating positive findings differently from negative findings, is a contributing factor to this "crisis of confidence," in that it likely inflates the number of false-positive effects in the literature. We demonstrate a Bayesian model averaging approach that takes into account the possibility of publication bias and allows for a better estimate of true underlying effect size. Accounting for the possibility of bias leads to a more conservative interpretation of published studies as well as meta-analyses. We provide mathematical details of the method and examples.
FCAP2: Parasitic Capacitance/Resistance Simulator

To simulate the parasitic capacitance/resistance, it is necessary to solve the Poisson (or Laplace) equation in at least two dimensions with arbitrary input geometry.
Negative work events reported online precede job loss in multiple sclerosis.

Abstract Purpose Determine if a recently validated online survey of negative work events can predict future job loss among multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Method Evaluated were 284 employed individuals (63 healthy controls, 221 MS patients), every three months, using an online vocational monitoring tool. Job loss rates in MS patients were compared with the healthy controls. Survey responses from MS patients suffering job loss (n = 23) were then compared to those maintaining employment. Analyses focused on the frequency of negative work events. Results While 23 (10%) of MS patients lost their job after baseline, there was no job loss among the healthy controls. Compared to stably employed patients, those suffering job loss had been diagnosed with MS later in life, were more likely to report a progressive disease course, and had greater physical disability as measured by the Patient Derived Disease Steps (PDDS). Declining patients were also more likely to report negative work events within three months of job loss (e.g., verbal criticism for errors or removal of responsibilities). Stepwise logistic regression predicting MS job loss retained the PDDS, age at diagnosis, years working for employer and reporting a negative work event. Conclusions The results show that physical disability and patient reported risk factors for job loss can be monitored using an online survey tool. The tool can trigger clinical assessments to help prevent unemployment and assist patients in procuring disability benefits.
The epidemiology of hepatitis E virus infections in developed countries and among immunocompromised patients

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an important cause of acute hepatitis in humans worldwide, both as epidemic and sporadic disease. Since the virus was identified in 1983, epidemics have occurred regularly in many countries across South and Southeast Asia when seasonal floods have contaminated drinking water supplies and in Africa during humanitarian crises among refugee populations without access to clean water. In addition, sporadic cases and small clusters of HEV infections have been recognized throughout the world in developed countries over the past couple of decades. This review will focus on emerging evidence of HEV infection as an under-recognized pathogen in Europe, the USA and other industrialized countries. We will discuss some of the issues associated with the recognition, diagnosis and treatment of these sporadic cases. We will also summarize the recent literature on autochthonous HEV infection among populations in developed countries in industrialized Europe, the USA, Japan and other industrialized Asian countries. We will review recent reports of acute and chronic HEV infections among transplant recipients and other immunocompromised individuals including HIV/AIDS patients.
Evolutionary pursuit and its application to face recognition

Introduces evolutionary pursuit (EP) as an adaptive representation method for image encoding and classification. In analogy to projection pursuit, EP seeks to learn an optimal basis for the dual purpose of data compression and pattern classification. It should increase the generalization ability of the learning machine as a result of seeking the trade-off between minimizing the empirical risk encountered during training and narrowing the confidence interval for reducing the guaranteed risk during testing. It therefore implements strategies characteristic of GA for searching the space of possible solutions to determine the optimal basis. It projects the original data into a lower dimensional whitened principal component analysis (PCA) space. Directed random rotations of the basis vectors in this space are searched by GA where evolution is driven by a fitness function defined by performance accuracy (empirical risk) and class separation (confidence interval). Accuracy indicates the extent to which learning has been successful, while separation gives an indication of expected fitness. The method has been tested on face recognition using a greedy search algorithm. To assess both accuracy and generalization capability, the data includes for each subject images acquired at different times or under different illumination conditions. EP has better recognition performance than PCA (eigenfaces) and better generalization abilities than the Fisher linear discriminant (Fisherfaces).
Phase Error Characteristics of a Second-Order Phase-Lock Loop

An analytical expression for the phase error characteristics of a second-order phase-lock loop (PLL) is determined using the results of a previous nonlinear analysis. The characteristics determined are for sinusoidal FM in the absence of noise. Theoretical and experimental results are compared and are in close agreement. The theoretical results are useful as a design aid and in determining the proper parameters for the operation of a second-order PLL.
0.25 μm CMOS resistive ring subthreshold mixer

This paper describes 0.25 mum CMOS resistive ring mixer operating in the subthreshold region. By applying a small gate bias, the conversion loss under low LO conditions has been improved tremendously, while the DC power dissipation is negligible. This mixer has been designed in 0.25-mum CMOS TSMC process, with a chip size of 1.24 times 0.8 mm2. It exhibits good matching characteristics and relatively low conversion loss over a wide band of 2 - 3 GHz. This mixer can be driven by LO power as low as -10 dBm, while increasing conversion loss by less than 3 dB.
Constraining the axion-photon coupling with massive stars.

We point out that stars in the mass window $\ensuremath{\sim}8--12{M}_{\ensuremath{\bigodot}}$ can serve as sensitive probes of the axion-photon interaction, ${g}_{A\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{\gamma}}$. Specifically, for these stars axion energy losses from the helium-burning core would shorten and eventually eliminate the blue loop phase of the evolution. This would contradict observational data, since the blue loops are required, e.g., to account for the existence of Cepheid stars. Using the MESA stellar evolution code, modified to include the extra cooling, we conservatively find ${g}_{A\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{\gamma}}\ensuremath{\lesssim}0.8\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}10}\text{ }\text{ }{\mathrm{GeV}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$, which compares favorably with the existing bounds.
Teaching Child Development Via the Internet: Opportunities and Pitfalls

National trends suggest that the demand for distance education will continue to rise. In this article, I describe the development, implementation, and evaluation of a cross-listed undergraduate and graduate-level child development course on the Internet. In addition, I discuss the content and pedagogical goals for the class in the context of technological constraints. Finally, I address the future directions of distance education.
The Origins of the Second Anglo-Burmese War (1852–53)

Historical accounts of the Second Anglo-Burmese War (1852–53) emphasize national bias, monocausality and events immediately preceding the outbreak of hostilities. Asian historians find Europeans culpable. Governor-General Dalhousie ‘was an imperialist of the deepest dye, who longed to extend his Indian empire at the cost of the Burmese.’ The East India Company in its unquenchable ‘thirst for conquest’ coveted Burma. ‘There was a desire for war on the part of the British trading community in Burma … as it would permanently safeguard commercial interests in the country.’ Anglophile historians blame the Burmese. The ‘intransigence and xenophobia which radiated from the court of Ava… drove [Dalhousie] into war.’ Dalhousie himself blamed an unrestrained military officer whom he labeled the ‘combustible commodore.’ Despite imperial apologetics, critical Englishmen felt unease at the ‘double government's’ Blue Book coverup and sought with mixed success to disclose the ‘whole ugly truth.’
Application of neural networks to radar image classification

A number of methods have been developed to classify ground terrain types from fully polarimetric synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images, and these techniques are often grouped into supervised and unsupervised approaches. Supervised methods have yielded higher accuracy than unsupervised techniques, but suffer from the need for human interaction to determine classes and training regions. In contrast, unsupervised methods determine classes automatically, but generally show limited ability to accurately divide terrain into natural classes. In this paper, a new terrain classification technique is introduced to determine terrain classes in polarimetric SAR images, utilizing unsupervised neural networks to provide automatic classification, and employing an iterative algorithm to improve the performance. Several types of unsupervised neural networks are first applied to the classification of SAR images, and the results are compared to those of more conventional unsupervised methods. Results show that one neural network method-Learning Vector Quantization (LVQ)-outperforms the conventional unsupervised classifiers, but is still inferior to supervised methods. To overcome this poor accuracy, an iterative algorithm is proposed where the SAR image is reclassified using a maximum likelihood (ML) classifier. It is shown that this algorithm converges, and significantly improves classification accuracy. >
COG-2, a sox domain protein necessary for establishing a functional vulval-uterine connection in Caenorhabditis elegans

In screens for mutants defective in vulval morphogenesis, multiple mutants were isolated in which the uterus and the vulva fail to make a proper connection. We describe five alleles that define the gene cog-2, for connection of gonad defective. To form a functional connection between the vulva and the uterus, the anchor cell must fuse with the multinucleate uterine seam cell, derived from uterine cells that adopt a (pi) lineage. In cog-2 mutants, the anchor cell does not fuse to the uterine seam cell and, instead, remains at the apex of the vulva, blocking the connection between the vulval and uterine lumens, resulting in an egg-laying defective phenotype. According to lineage analysis and expression assays for two (pi)-cell-specific markers, induction of the (pi) fate occurs normally in cog-2 mutants. We have cloned cog-2 and shown that it encodes a Sox family transcription factor that is expressed in the (pi) lineage. Thus, it appears that COG-2 is a transcription factor that regulates a late-stage aspect of uterine seam cell differentiation that specifically affects anchor cell-uterine seam cell fusion.
The significance of pain in cervical cancer and its treatment by interstitial infiltration with colloidal radiogold.

Abstract Two hundred and sixty-two patients with cervical cancer were reviewed with reference to symptoms of pain. The incidence of pain was found to be 59 per cent. 1. The 3 to 8 year “cure” rate was 37 per cent in patients with pain localized to the abdomen, pelvis, and back as compared to 88 per cent in patients without pain. 2. The 3 to 8 year “cure” rate in patients with pain in the lower extremities was 16 per cent. With the exclusion of those in whom the pain was probably due to conditions other than cervical carcinoma, the “corrected cure” was 6 per cent. 3. Varying degrees of leg edema were found in 42 per cent of patients with lower extremity pain. They all died of their disease. 4. Whereas the preliminary course of radiotherapy relieved 20 per cent of patients with pain, reirradiation gave only temporary relief. 5. Radical surgery was of no benefit in terms of cure in patients with lower extremity pain in whom a viable tumor was found on the pelvic wall. Of 22 patients so treated, all died of their disease. 6. A technique of direct infiltration of colloidal radiogold into residual tumor has been employed with some success. In 7 patients the relief obtained was marked, in 4 moderate, and in 3 only minimal. No improvement was noted in 3 patients.
The effects of two triphasic oral contraceptives on carbohydrate metabolism in women during 1 year of use

Sixty-one women were randomly assigned to use one of two different triphasic oral contraceptives (OCs), for one year's time (Ortho Novum 777, Ortho Pharmaceutical Corp., Raritan, NJ, and Triphasil, Wyeth Laboratories, Philadelphia, PA), containing the progestins norethindrone and levonorgestrel, respectively. The carbohydrate metabolism was evaluated using the oral glucose tolerance test before OC use and at the end of the 12th month. Both plasma glucose and insulin levels were measured. The fasting glucose value in the norethindrone-containing OC group (777) was significantly lower at the 1-year testing. All other values were unchanged. These data demonstrate that the triphasic oral contraceptive preparations currently in use have minimal effects on carbohydrate metabolism.
Oxyfunctionalization with Cp*IrIII(NHC)(Me)L Complexes

A series of monomethyl Cp*IrIII complexes were synthesized and studied for the formation of methanol in water. Methanol yields of 75(4)% in the presence of O2 were obtained. From isotope labeling studies, it was determined that O2 is the source of the oxygen atom in the product. From kinetic studies, oxyfunctionalization appears to proceed by dissociation of an L-type ligand followed by O2 binding and insertion.
New boletes from Costa Rica

Boletus flavoniger, B. lychnipes, B. neore- gius, and B. quercophilus are newly described from Quercus dominated forests of Costa Rica. Boletus fir- mus, a misunderstood taxon from eastern North America, is reported for the first time in Costa Rica. Boletus neoregius and B. quercophilus have been found in a number of sites throughout the country, while B. flavoniger, B. lychnipes, and B. firmus appear re- stricted to unique localities. Their exact distribution outside of Costa Rica is unknown, but they may be expected in other oak-dominated forests in Central America and northern South America.
Young adults' exposure to alcohol- and marijuana-related content on Twitter

Objective:Twitter is among the most popular social media platforms used by young adults, yet it has been underutilized in substance use research compared with older platforms (e.g., MySpace and Facebook). We took a first step toward studying the associations between exposure to pro–alcohol- and marijuana-related content among young adults via Twitter and current heavy episodic drinking and current marijuana use, respectively.Method:We conducted an online survey of 587 (254 men, 333 women) Twitter users between ages 18 and 25 years in February 2014 using an online survey system that has been previously used in research on health behaviors and attitudes.Results:Current heavy episodic drinking was significantly associated with higher levels of exposure to pro-alcohol content. Similarly, current marijuana use was significantly associated with higher levels of exposure to pro-marijuana content.Conclusions:Our findings suggest that in-depth research regarding young adults’ exposure to pro–alcohol- and marijuana...
Transcatheter aortic valve replacement versus surgical aortic valve replacement in patients with previous coronary artery bypass surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Background Patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) and previous coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery have increased risk for aortic valve replacement. Whether surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) or transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) offers better outcomes in this population is unclear. We aimed to assess outcomes of TAVR and SAVR in patients with previous CABG. Methods A systematic literature search of Medline, EMBASE and Cochrane library was conducted. Studies that reported clinical outcomes (perioperative or mid-term all-cause-mortality, cardiovascular mortality, pacemaker implantation, hospital duration and stroke) were included. Random-effect modeling was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results Five cohort studies including a total of 872 patients (423 in TAVR, 449 in SAVR) were analyzed. STS scores were comparable between the two groups. No difference in all-cause-mortality, cardiovascular mortality and stroke at 30days, 1year and total follow-up period was seen between the two groups. TAVR patients had higher pacemaker implantation rates (OR 3.41, 95% CI 1.66–6.38, p 2 =21%) and shorter hospital stay (−2.63days, 95% CI −5.20 to −0.04, p=0.05, I 2 =43%). Conclusions Patients with previous CABG who underwent TAVR had similar perioperative and long-term survival while experiencing more pacemaker implantations and shorter hospital stay compared to those who had SAVR making TAVR a safe and efficacious alternative to SAVR.
Where is the Future? Power Transition and Social Awakening in China

Following the US Presidential election, China went through a one week meeting of the 18th National Congress starting on November 8, 2012. Without much surprise, Xi replaced Hu, becoming the core of Chinese communist power. The power transition seems to be smooth in Chinese media coverage. However, anecdotes, rumors, unofficial reports and foreign news exposed the political battle behind the stage. President Xi is now facing a stark different situation compared to Hu. Today, China is the world’s second largest economy. At the same time, China is experiencing rising mass disturbance every year. As a non-democracy, leaders’ past experience, network and personality can greatly influence state policies. With more people getting rich and educated, the mass claim the mismatch between Chinese politics and economy. This paper investigates the status quo of Xi’s China and analyzes how Xi’s experience and personal life will shape China for the coming decade.
Woody expansion facilitates liana expansion and affects physical structure in temperate coastal communities

Coastal ecosystems in general, and barrier islands in particular, offer unique opportunities to observe ecological patterns and processes in spatially and temporally compressed settings. Harsh abiotic conditions and frequent disturbances limit the number of resident species, and highly dynamic geomorphology may result in a space-for-time substitution as young shoreward communities give way to more developed later-successional interior communities. We investigated relationships between lianas and woody plants at barrier island sites in Virginia (Hog Island) and North Carolina (Duck FRF), to evaluate whether liana proliferation accelerates or delays succession from the dominant woody community, Morella shrub thicket, to the historic climax community, maritime forest. Using aerial imagery, Lidar data, community surveys, and edaphic sampling, we found a correlative relationship between abiotic environmental variables and woody community structure, and also between woody community distribution and liana success. Environmental variables demonstrated little predictive ability for liana distribution, but there was evidence of an association between lianas and the prominent woody species at Hog Island, though patchiness of the community and abiotic homogeneity prevented these associations from establishing at Duck FRF. We suggest that trends of woody plant expansion, compounded with current and predicted global change effects on growth and success of lianas, may contribute to a delay or prevention of further successional development at these and other temperate coastal sites.
Green Algae (Chlorophyta and Streptophyta) in Rivers

The green algae represent one of the most diverse and abundant algal lineages in river systems around the world, and their evolutionary diversification led to two major lineages, the Chlorophyta and Streptophyta (with the latter including the land plants). Macroscopic and microscopic forms of green algae are common in streams, as are those living on hard substrata, epiphytically on aquatic plants or other algae, and a few free-floating forms. This chapter treats the most common genera from stream habitats, with an emphasis on the benthic forms, the macroscopic taxa, and those that are widespread in distribution. Basic descriptions of 42 genera are provided, along with illustrations and information on the habitat and phylogeny of each genus, where known.
O-013 Hypertension Decreases the Number and Duration of Collateral Openings during Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion (MCAO) and Impairs Reperfusion

Introduction Hypertension is associated with large ischemic cores and little penumbral tissue that is thought to contribute to poor outcome from ischemic stroke. Pial collaterals (leptomeningeal anastomoses; LMA) are thought to perfuse the penumbra during MCAO by promoting retrograde flow from the anterior cerebral artery (ACA) to the MCA territory. We recently demonstrated that pial collaterals are vasoconstricted in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) that likely contributes to poor collateral flow and increased infarction. Here, we developed methodology to measure collateral openings in SHR (n = 6) compared to normotensive Wistar (n = 6) rats during MCAO. We hypothesized that SHR have fewer collateral openings and/or shorter duration openings during MCAO, and impaired reperfusion. Materials and methods Dual laser Doppler probes were used to simultaneously measure changes in relative cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in the MCA (probe 1: Bregma −2, lateral +4) and ACA collateral (probe 2: Bregma +2, lateral +3) vascular territories during 2 hours of MCAO by filament occlusion (Figure 1). Collateral openings were defined as increased collateral flow that did not correspond to changes in blood pressure. The number and duration of collateral openings were quantified off rCBF tracings blinded to group. Animals were mechanically ventilated during MCAO to maintain blood gases within physiologic ranges and body temperature at 37°C. Chloral hydrate anesthesia was used. Data are presented as mean ± SEM. Results The overall drop in CBF during ischemia was similar between Wistar and SHR (−73 ± 1% and −78 ± 4%; p > 0.05). The average number collateral openings during 2 hours of ischemia was decreased in SHR compared to Wistar (0.8 ± 0.6 vs. 2.2 ± 0.3; p = 0.06), as was the total duration of collateral opening (4 ± 4 vs. 26 ± 8 min; p Conclusions These results demonstrate that collateral flow during ischemia, and reperfusion, was impaired in hypertension likely due to vasoconstriction of LMAs. Understanding the function of pial collaterals under conditions such as hypertension, that is associated with little penumbral tissue, may provide targeted therapies to prevent collateral failure and extend the time window for treatment in these patients. Disclosures M. Cipolla: 1; C; NIH grants. J. Sweet: None. K. Chan: None.
Effect of a single bout of aerobic exercise on high-fat meal-induced inflammation.

Abstract Background and aims Chronic low-grade inflammation is involved in the development of metabolic disorders including atherosclerosis, type 2 diabetes (T2D) and metabolic syndrome. Aerobic exercise has been shown to be anti-inflammatory and attenuate postprandial blood lipids, however, the effect of exercise on postprandial inflammation remains unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the protective effect of a single bout of aerobic exercise against postprandial lipemia and peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) inflammation and to evaluate associations with changes in the energy-sensing enzyme, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Materials and methods Healthy male subjects (n = 12, age = 23 ± 2, %Fat = 19 ± 2) reported to the laboratory following an overnight fast (12–14 h) on two separate occasions for consumption of a high-fat meal (HFM). Participants completed an acute bout of aerobic exercise the afternoon prior to one of the HFM visits. Results and conclusion Results indicate that the single bout of moderate aerobic exercise increased AMPK signaling in PBMCs, as shown by increased phosphorylated acetyl-CoA carboxylase (p-ACC). This may be due to decreases in the AMPK inhibitory kinases PKD and GSK3β. Additionally, prior moderate intensity exercise decreased postprandial lipemia (PPL) and some mediators of the inflammatory pathway, such as p-NF-κB. These findings that acute aerobic exercise improves AMPK and NF-κB signaling in human PBMCs contribute support to the anti-inflammatory roles of exercise.
Stranger Searching in a Strange Land: The Impact of Familiarity on Local Search

Local search entails looking for places, such as restaurants or hotels, in a geographically-constrained region. Within local search, it has been observed that an individual's familiarity with their environment (i.e. how well they know the area in a query of the form "{places} in {area}") impacts which places they are most interested in visiting. Less well-understood though is how people's information preferences differ during 1) different phases of the search process and 2) based on their level of familiarity. Through a series of surveys in the domain of dining, we explore how familiarity moderates what level of information is useful to an individual about restaurant location when choosing a place to visit. We further examine how these preferences vary between regions and phases of local search (deciding on a restaurant or determining how to go). We contribute an understanding of people's information preferences during search, building on prior research of how offline context impacts online needs.
Aging in Puerto Rico: A Comparison of Health Status Among Island Puerto Rican and Mainland U.S. Older Adults:

Objective: To characterize the health status of older island Puerto Ricans, a segment of the U.S. population that has been largely overlooked in aging research. Method: Data from the 2002 Puerto Rican Elderly Health Conditions Project and the 2002 Health and Retirement Study are used to examine differences in disease, disability, and self-rated health among island Puerto Ricans and the mainland U.S.-born older adult population. Differences are further examined by gender. Results: Island Puerto Ricans were less likely to have heart disease, stroke, lung disease, cancer, activities of daily living (ADL) limitations, and poor self-rated health, but more likely to have hypertension and diabetes. Island Puerto Rican women had worse health relative to island Puerto Rican men. Discussion: Recent challenges in the funding and provision of health care in Puerto Rico are worrisome given the large number of aging island adults, many of whom have hypertension and diabetes, two conditions that require long-term medica...
Growth Response of Umbrella Pine as Influenced by Temperature, Photoperiod and Chilling

Two experiments were conducted to accelerate growth of umbrella pine [Sciadopitys verticillata (Thunb.) Siebe & Zucc.]. Seedlings were grown in controlled-environment chambers at 22°/18°C (71.6°/64.4°F), 26°/22°C (78.8°/71.6°F) and 30 °/26 °C (86.0 °/78.8 °F) under short day (SD) and long day (LD) photoperiods. By 28 weeks, LD seedlings at 22 °/18 °C (71.6°/64.4°F) and 26°/22°C (78.8°/71.6°F) exhibited slightly greater growth. At this time, all plants except 30 °/26°C (86.0°/78.8 °F) SD were chilled 8 weeks at 4°C (39.2 °F) and returned to their respective growth chambers. Chilling substantially increased growth. At 22°/18°C (71.6°/64.4°F) and 26°/22°C (78.8°/71.6°F), the LD photoperiod produced more growth than the SD treatment. In the second experiment, plants from the first study grown at 22 °/18 °C (71.6 °/64.4 °F) SD and LD and 26 °/22 °C (78.8°/71.6°F) LD were divided into 2 groups. One group was placed back in the growth chambers in which they had been maintained during the first experiment. Remain...
Environmental Impacts from the North Cave Hills Abandoned Uranium Mines, South Dakota

This study evaluated environmental impacts from historical uranium mining to soil, water, and air resources occurring on private lands surrounding the North Cave Hills complex within Custer National Forest, northwest South Dakota. Surface water concentrations of As, Cu, Mo, U, and V exceeded established background concentrations within approximately 27 km of stream length flowing below abandoned mines. Uranium concentrations in soils were mostly below the background value of 22 mg/kg and had a generally decreasing trend with increasing distance from the source areas, with higher values were associated with washover deposits and channeling of sediments.
Comparative Analysis of Clinical, Treatment, and Survival Characteristics of Basaloid and Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Esophagus.

Background Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma (BSC) is a rare variant of squamous cell carcinoma (SqCC) of the esophagus. Even though pathologically thought to be more aggressive than SqCC, there is discrepancy in the literature regarding the outcomes of BSC compared with those of SqCC. Study Design We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database. All patients with a histologic diagnosis of BSC and SqCC between 2004 and 2013 were included. We compared treatment and survival characteristics of patients with BSC and SqCC. Results There were 16,158 patients included in this study; 173 patients (1.1%) had BSC. There were no significant differences between the 2 groups based on age, sex, marital status, insurance, or geographic region of diagnosis, but patients with BSC were more likely to be Caucasian (73.4% vs 64.7%; p = 0.017). Among staged patients, baseline tumor stage was similar in both groups. However, BSC tumors were more likely to be of high pathologic grade (56.8% vs 38.2%; p Conclusions Even though more likely to be poorly differentiated at presentation, BSC of the esophagus seems to have similar clinical features and survival outcomes when compared with SqCC. Patients with BSC and SqCC should undergo stage-specific treatment to achieve optimal outcomes.
The Elusive Notion of “Argument Quality”

We all seem to have a sense of what good and bad arguments are, and there is a long history—focusing on fallacies—of trying to provide objective standards that would allow a clear separation of good and bad arguments. This contribution discusses the limits of attempts to determine the quality of arguments. It begins with defining bad arguments as those that deviate from an established standard of good arguments. Since there are different conceptualizations of “argument”—as controversy, as debate, and as justification—and since arguments in each of these senses can be used for different purposes, a first problem is that we would need a large variety of standards for “good” arguments. After this, the contribution focuses in particular on proposals made in the literature on how to assess the quality of arguments in the sense of justification. It distinguishes three problems of assessment: How to determine (1) whether reasons are acceptable, (2) whether reasons are sufficient to justify the conclusion, and (3) how to identify arguments in real-world speech acts and texts? It is argued that limitations of argument assessment result from unavoidable relativism: The assessment of many—if not most—arguments depends on the epistemic situation of the evaluator.
A Healthy Beverage Consumption Pattern Is Inversely Associated with the Risk of Obesity and Metabolic Abnormalities in Korean Adults.

Abstract As the use of beverages in diets is increasing, several studies have examined the effect of beverage consumption in human health. Thus, we aimed at identifying specific beverage patterns and determining their associations with obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS) risk factors in Korean adults. Based on the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2008–2012 data, 19,800 Korean adults (≥20 years) with a single 24-h dietary recall and health examination data were investigated. All beverage items consumed by participants were categorized into 15 beverage groups based on the KNHANES coding system. Three major beverage consumption patterns were identified according to factor analysis: (1) the “healthy beverage” (high intake of dairy products, 100% fruit/vegetable juices and low intake of alcoholic beverages); (2) the “sugar-sweetened beverage” (high intake of soda, sweetened coffee/tea, and fruit drink); and (3) the “unsweetened beverage” (high intake of unsweetened coffee) pat...
Case Report: My lung broke my heart! Takotsubo cardiomyopathy due to pneumonia

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC), also known as stress-induced cardiomyopathy, is a cardiac syndrome that often mimics acute myocardial infarction. TTC is commonly triggered by physical or emotional stress; however, acute infection is a rarer etiology. This report concerns the case of an 82-year-old female who presented with non-positional and non-pleuritic chest pain, with an associated fever and cough and chest x-ray findings consistent with pneumonia. Cardiac enzymes and ECG findings were consistent with acute coronary syndrome (ACS); however, during coronary angiography, no coronary artery disease could explain the patient’s ACS. A post-catheterization echocardiogram revealed an ejection fraction of 25%, with apical akinesis. A repeat echocardiogram 4 weeks after presentation showed a normal EF and normal wall motion, confirming a diagnosis of TTC.
Parametric Statistical Estimation with Artificial Neural Networks: A Condensed Discussion

Learning in artificial neural networks is a process by which experience arising from exposure to measurements of empirical phenomena is converted to knowledge, embodied in network weights. This process can be viewed formally as statistical estimation of the parameters of a parametrized probability model. We exploit this formal viewpoint to give a unified theory of learng in artificial neural networks. The theory encompasses both supervised and unsupervised learning in either feedforward or recurrent networks. We begin by describing various objects appropriate for learning, such as conditional means, variances or quantiles, or conditional densities. We then show how artificial neural networks can be viewed as parametric statistical models directed toward these objects of interest. We show how a probability density can be associated with the output of any network, and use this density to define network weights indexing an information-theoretically optimal approximation to the object of interest. We next study statistical properties of quasi-maximum likelihood estimators consistent for the optimal weights, including issues associated with statistical inference about the optimal weights. Finally, we consider computational methods for obtaining these estimators, with special attention to extensions of the method of back-propagation.
DECISION-THEORETIC REGRESSION DIAGNOSTICS

Publisher Summary This chapter explains how results from decision theory (in particular, minimax theorems) can produce tools for data analysis (in particular, regression analysis). It discusses the question what does decision theory have to say to data analysis? As a by-product of certain minimax theorems, one can obtain regression diagnostics that are particularly well-suited to some problems of importance to data analysts. Moreover, certain diagnostic procedures that are currently used can be seen to arise naturally in the context of certain minimax problems. Consequently, these diagnostics implicitly treat certain situations as least favorable, worst cases, and understanding these cases can help the data analyst to make even better use of a particular diagnostic tool.
Influence of Diet and Inflammation on Serum Copper Enzymes

Copper is believed to function primarily as a catalyst in copper metalloenzymes. A number of these enzymes perform functions which in principle should protect against tissue injury caused by stress such as inflammation. Three types of observations support the notion that copper enzymes work against stress induced tissue damage. First, dietary copper restriction reduces activity levels of several copper metalloenzymes while increasing susceptibility to injury (1). For instance, copper deficient rats show especially high sensitivity to CC1, hepatoxicity (2) and adjuvant arthritis stimulated footpaw swelling (3). A second set of observations implying a protective role for copper enzymes is the linking of many stress states with elevated serum levels of the copper protein ceruloplasmin (4). These elevations have been hypothesized to represent an attempt to minimize stress-induced tissue damage.
Functionally Driven Brain Networks Using Multi-layer Graph Clustering

Connectivity analysis of resting state brain has provided a novel means of investigating brain networks in the study of neurodevelopmental disorders. The study of functional networks, often represented by high dimensional graphs, predicates on the ability of methods in succinctly extracting meaningful representative connectivity information at the subject and population level. This need motivates the development of techniques that can extract underlying network modules that characterize the connectivity in a population, while capturing variations of these modules at the individual level. In this paper, we propose a multi-layer graph clustering technique that fuses the information from a collection of connectivity networks of a population to extract the underlying common network modules that serve as network hubs for the population. These hubs form a functional network atlas. In addition, our technique provides subject-specific factors designed to characterize and quantify the degree of intra- and inter- connectivity between hubs, thereby providing a representation that is amenable to group level statistical analyses. We demonstrate the utility of the technique by creating a population network atlas of connectivity by examining MEG based functional connectivity in typically developing children, and using this to describe the individualized variation in those diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.
Relations of Environmental Change to Angiosperm Evolution During the Late Cretaceous and Tertiary

That morphology of the vegetative body of plants has been—and is continuing to be—shaped by environmental factors is a generally accepted concept. If so, then environmental change must be a significant factor in morphological change in plants. Morphological (used here in the broad sense to include anatomical) change can be equated to evolutionary change, at least relative to the vegetative body of plants.
Not Just Funny After All: Sarcasm as a Catalyst for Public Engagement With Climate Change:

Sarcastic content is prevalent in online social media, although little research has explored its effects. In this study, we examine how exposure to one-sided versus two-sided sarcastic perspectives...
Sub-Doppler rovibrational spectroscopy of the ν1 fundamental band of D2H+

Abstract The molecular ion D 2 H + is an important species in cold interstellar environments and a key benchmark for ab initio calculations. We have measured 37 transitions in the ν 1 fundamental band using the sub-Doppler technique Noise Immune Cavity Enhanced Optical Heterodyne Velocity Modulation Spectroscopy. Using an optical frequency comb for accurate frequency calibration, the uncertainties for most transitions were improved by more than an order of magnitude. These new measurements lead to improved predictions of pure rotational transition frequencies which have not been observed by THz observatories or laboratory spectrometers.
Violence and Social Structure in the Mimbres Region of Southwest New Mexico: Interpretations from Bioarchaeological Data

A comprehensive bioarchaeological assessment of health and interpersonal violence was completed using data from a sample of 247 adult burials from Late Pithouse (AD 550–1000) and Pueblo (AD 1000–13...
Language Heightens the Political Salience of Ethnic Divisions

What makes people take ethnic divisions into account when judging politics? We consider here the possible effect of language. We hypothesize that speaking a minority tongue primes ethnic divisions, leading people to interpret politics more heavily through this prism. In two survey experiments with bilingual adults, we demonstrate that subjects assigned to interview in a minority language are indeed more likely to evaluate politics based on ethnic considerations: they rank ethnic relations as a more important political issue and they are more likely to correctly identify the anti-minority party in their political system. These results suggest that people may think about politics differently depending on the language they use.
Inhibition of Aberrant IGF-I Signaling in Diabetic Male Rat Retina Prevents and Reverses Changes of Diabetic Retinopathy.

Hyperglycemia results in inhibition of cleavage of integrin-associated protein (IAP) thereby allowing it to bind to SHPS-1 which results in pathophysiologic changes in endothelial function. This study determined if an anti-rat IAP antibody directed against the SHPS-1 binding site which disrupts IAP/SHPS-1 association could inhibit these pathophysiologic changes. The anti-IAP antibody inhibited IGF-I-stimulated SHPS-1, p52Shc, MAP kinase phosphorylation, and proliferation in endothelial cells. To determine if it could reverse established pathophysiologic changes in vivo, this antibody or normal rat IgG F(ab)2 was injected intraperitoneally for 6 weeks into rats that had diabetes for 4 weeks. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) showed that retinal thickness increased at 4 weeks and this increase was maintained in rats treated with the control antibody for an additional 6 weeks. The increase was reversed by anti-IAP antibody treatment (84.6 ± 2.0 compared to 92.3 ± 2.5 μm, p < 0.01). This value was similar to nondiabetic animals (82.2 ± 1.6 μm, p, NS). The anti-IAP antibody also decreased retinal vascular permeability (0.62 ± 0.12 vs. 0.96 ± 0.25%/g/h, p < 0.001). To determine if it was effective after local injection, this antibody or control was administered via intravitreal injection. After 3 weeks, retinal thickness increased to 6.4 ± 2.8% in diabetic rats, and IAP antibody treatment prevented this increase (0.8 ± 2.5%, p < 0.01). It also prevented the increase of retinal vascular permeability (0.92 ± 0.62 vs. 1.63 ± 0.99%/g/h, p < 0.001). Biochemical analyses of retinal extracts showed that the anti-IAP antibody inhibited IAP/SHPS-1 association and SHPS-1 phosphorylation. This resulted in inhibition of AKT activation and VEGF synthesis in the retina: changes associated with increased vascular permeability. We conclude the anti-rat IAP antibody disrupts IAP/SHPS-1 association and attenuates aberrant IGF-I signaling thereby preventing or reversing the progression of retinal pathophysiological changes.
Organic syntheses by means of metal complexes—VII

Abstract Benzylamine and its derivatives react with carbon tetrachloride in the presence of a catalytic amount of metal carbonyls and their derivatives to form triarylimidazoles and triarylimidazolines.
A review of specialized and automated features in implantable cardiac devices

Automated features available in cardiac implantable electronic devices continue to increase in number and complexity. These features are frequently confused with device malfunction and often result in unnecessary clinical attention. This review will serve as an update to some of the more commonly-encountered features discussed in terms of the behavior they exhibit.
Use of Thrombopoietin Receptor Agonists in Prolonged Thrombocytopenia after Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation.

ABSTRACT Prolonged thrombocytopenia after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a strong risk factor for transplantation-related morbidity and mortality, and no standard treatment guideline exists. Thrombopoietin receptor agonists (TPO-RAs), eltrombopag and romiplostim, increases the platelet production, and are being increasingly used in various conditions with thrombocytopenia. In this review, we present an overview of these TPO-RAs and review their efficacy and safety in prolonged post-HSCT thrombocytopenia. Through a systematic literature search, we identified 25 reports describing their use for this indication. Thirteen reports (8 case series and 5 case reports) described the use of eltrombopag in 78 patients with prolonged isolated thrombocytopenia (PIT) and 43 patients with secondary failure of platelet recovery (SFPR). A consistent and durable response with a rise in platelet counts >50 × 10 9/L for 7 consecutive days without platelet transfusion was seen in 85 of 121 patients (overall response rate [ORR], 70%). The responders included 56 patients with PIT (ORR for PIT, 72%) and 29 patients with SFPR (ORR for SFPR, 67%). No serious grade 3 or 4 adverse effects were reported. Similarly, 12 reports (6 case series and 6 case reports) described the use of romiplostim in prolonged post-HSCT thrombocytopenia (in 17 patients with PIT and 32 patients with SFPR). Response with the increment of platelet count was described in 40 out of 49 patients (ORR, 82%). Among the responders, 10 patients had PIT (ORR for PIT, 59%) and 30 patients had SFPR (ORR for SFPR, 94%). Our data show that TPO-RAs have an overall favorable response rate for both PIT and SFPR with a reasonable safety profile. However, given the lack of control groups, study heterogeneity, and the potential publication bias, these results should be interpreted with caution.
Statistical learning of governing equations of dynamics from in-situ electron microscopy imaging data

Abstract Recent developments in (scanning) transmission electron microscopy (S)TEM have enabled in-situ investigations of nanoscale transformations. However, understanding the physical and chemical process defining matter transformations via the analysis of large-scale in-situ (S)TEM imaging data remains challenging. Here, we experimentally investigated a reaction-convection-diffusion model to track spatial-temporal patterns in (S)TEM videos of Pt nanoparticle formation and graphene contamination. Model parameters are pursued by statistical model selection algorithms that balance descriptive capability and model parsimony to aid interpretability and suppress overfitting. Besides conventional bottom-up analysis from individual entities, the integrated mathematical model based on partial differential equations (PDE) utilizing pixel level information provides complementary system status that may serve as a feedback for optimizing experiment setting.