cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Long-term outcome of epilepsy surgery among 399 patients with nonlesional seizure foci including mesial temporal lobe sclerosis.

Object The authors reviewed the long-term outcome of focal resection in a large group of patients who had intractable partial nonlesional epilepsy, including mesial temporal lobe sclerosis (MTS), and who were treated consecutively at a single institution. The goal of this study was to evaluate the long-term efficacy of epilepsy surgery and the preoperative factors associated with seizure outcome. Methods This retrospective analysis included 399 consecutive patients who underwent epilepsy surgery at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, between 1988 and 1996. The mean age of the patients at surgery was 32 ± 12 years (range 3–69 years), and the mean age at seizure onset was 12 ± 11 years (range 0–55 years). There were 214 female (54%) and 185 male (46%) patients. The mean duration of epilepsy was 20 ±12 years (range 1–56 years). The preceding values are given as the mean ± standard deviation. Of the 399 patients, 237 (59%) had a history of complex partial seizures, 119 (30%) had generalized seizures, 26 (6%)...
Multiple myeloma in cosmetologists

In an hypothesis-generating activity, data in a population-based cancer registry were analyzed according to occupation and industry. The number of cases of multiple myeloma was found to be excessive for females in the occupation "cosmetologists, hairdressers and manicurists." Race did not explain the excess. People in this occupation have potential exposure to a number of chemicals that produce mutations in bacteria. Studies should be done to investigate the hypothesis that these chemicals cause multiple myeloma in cosmetologists.
Expression of GFP and Bt transgenes in Brassica napus and hybridization with Brassica rapa

It is possible to monitor the movement of transgenes by tagging them with green fluorescent pro- tein (GFP). In order to develop a model to study trans- gene flow, canola (Brassica napus cv Westar) was trans- formed with two GFP constructs, mGFP5er (GFP only) and pSAM 12 (GFP linked to a synthetic Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) cry1Ac endotoxin gene). Transformed callus sectors that fluoresced green were preferentially selected in the tissue culture process. Four independent GFP canola events and 12 events of GFP/Bt canola were regenerated through tissue culture. GFP fluorescence was macroscopically detectable throughout the entire life cycle of canola. The GFP/Bt events were insecticidal to neonate corn earworm (Helicoverpa zea) larvae and prevented herbivory damage. Fluorescence intensity at 508 nm varied between the independent transformation events, and ranged from 7.6× 10 5 to 13.8× 10 5 (counts per second) in contrast with the wild-type at 5.3 × 105 cps. Nine GFP/Bt and three GFP events were hybridized with three wild accessions of B. rapa. The resultant hybrids fluoresced green and were insecticidal to neonate corn earworm larvae to the same degree as the transgenic ca- nola parents. However, fluorescence intensities of the hemizygous F 1 hybrid lines were lower than the respec- tive original homozygous canola parents. Each F 1 hybrid line was backcrossed by hand onto the B. rapa parent, and transgenic backcrosses were produced at rates rang- ing from 15% to 34%. These data suggest that GFP can be used as a tool to monitor transgene flow from crop species to wild relatives.
Visualization of 3D Objects in Scattering Medium Using Axially Distributed Sensing

We present a method to visualize 3D objects in scattering media using the axially distributed sensing method. The scattered elemental images of the 3D objects in scattering media are obtained by moving the camera along the common optical axis. To reduce the scattering effect of the recorded elemental images, a statistical image processing algorithm is applied to the scattering elemental images and the estimated elemental images with the reduced scattering effects are obtained. The estimated elemental images of the objects are used to visualize the 3D scene using the computational reconstruction algorithm based on ray back-projection. We present preliminary experimental results to illustrate how the scattering effects may be reduced by the proposed method.
Civic Education and the Mobilization of Political Participation in Developing Democracies

This article examines the effect of adult civic education programs on political participation in two developing democracies, the Dominican Republic and South Africa. I first develop hypotheses about the effects of civic education on participation from theories of political culture and recent work on recruitment and group mobilization. Using survey data collected on participants in numerous civic education programs as well as control groups in both countries, I then show that civic education has significant and substantively meaningful effects on local-level political participation in four of the seven programs studied in South Africa and the Dominican Republic and that the results hold after controlling for potential biases related to the individual's self-selection into the programs. The effects of civic education on participation are largely conditional in nature, dependent on the frequency and nature of the civic education "treatment," and the individual's store of prior political and participatory res...
Comparison of Planetary Boundary Layer Model Winds with Dropsonde Observations in Tropical Cyclones

The values of surface winds simulated by the University of Washington (UW) two-layer similarity planetary boundary layer (PBL) model are compared with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Hurricane Research Division global positioning system dropsonde observations and the surface wind analyses of a numerical weather prediction model. These three wind products compare fairly well at moderate wind speeds, away from the center of the storms where the coarse resolution of the numerical model is not a major factor. In the very high wind regime, the UW PBL model winds match the dropsonde observations fairly well, which is consistent with the unique characteristic of the PBL model being able to account for the nonlinear effects of organized large eddies. These eddies transport momentum and heat fluxes more efficiently than the smaller-scale, local turbulence can, leading to simulations of higher winds with mesoscale variability.
In Situ Plasma Characterization of Laser-Ablated BaxSr1-xTiO3

High speed imaging and emission spectroscopy are used to characterize the plumes generated from the ablation of bulk barium strontium titanium oxide material in vacuum and 30–60 mTorr of O 2 using a pulsed 248-nm laser with fluences ranging from 5–8 J/cm 2 . High speed imaging reveals that in vacuum the leading edge of the plume expands normal to the substrate surface with a velocity of 19.7 km/sec. The ratio of distance traveled to the plume's radius is ˜ 2 at the early stages of the expansion and 3.2 at the later stages near the substrate. Similar observations are observed when the plume expands in 30 mTorr of O 2 for times less than 2.0 μsec. However, at times greater than 2.0 μsec the plume's expansion is retarded due to collisional momentum transfer and reactions with the background gas. This effect is more pronounced when the plume expands in 60 mTorr of O 2 . Blast wave theory is used to model these results. Time-resolved emission spectroscopy of Ba(I) lines in the 735–770 nm region reveals that the plume' electron temperatures, T e , in a vacuum expansion range from 18000±2000 K at 0.1 μsec to 15000±1500 K at 2.0 /μsec. In contrast, in 30 mTorr of O 2 the values of T e range from 17000±2000 K at 0.1 μsec to 4000±500 K at 8.0 μsec. At 0.1 μsec the plume's electron density is estimated as 1.7±0.4 × 10 17 cm −3 in both vacuum and 30 mTorr of O 2 . We also determine the Stark broadening of the Ba(I) line at 746 nm to be 0.5±0.1 Aat an electron temperature of 1 eV and an electron density of 10 17 cm −3 .
Contribution of pertussis toxin to the pathogenesis of pertussis disease

Pertussis toxin (PT) is a multisubunit protein toxin secreted by Bordetella pertussis, the bacterial agent of the disease pertussis or whooping cough. PT in detoxified form is a component of all licensed acellular pertussis vaccines, since it is considered to be an important virulence factor for this pathogen. PT inhibits G protein-coupled receptor signaling through Gi proteins in mammalian cells, an activity that has led to its widespread use as a cell biology tool. But how does this activity of PT contribute to pertussis, including the severe respiratory symptoms of this disease? In this minireview, the contribution of PT to the pathogenesis of pertussis disease will be considered based on evidence from both human infections and animal model studies. Although definitive proof of the role of PT in humans is lacking, substantial evidence supports the idea that PT is a major contributor to pertussis pathology, including the severe respiratory symptoms associated with this disease.
Reconciling discordant myocardial perfusion imaging and coronary angiography

A common clinical conundrum presents itself in the discordance between nuclear stress testing and invasive coronary angiography (ICA) in the patient presenting with angina. A patient with an abnormal perfusion scan and “normal coronary angiography” may result in the patient’s symptoms being dismissed as “non-cardiac.” Alternatively, a patient with a “normal perfusion study,” who nonetheless undergoes ICA and is found to have significant coronary artery disease may confound efforts to risk stratify and potentially treat patients with angina. This paper will review the current evidence to explain these apparent paradoxical scenarios.
CNS autoimmune disease after Streptococcus pyogenes infections: animal models, cellular mechanisms and genetic factors

Streptococcus pyogenes infections have been associated with two autoimmune diseases of the CNS: Sydenham's chorea (SC) and pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcus infections (PANDAS). Despite the high frequency of pharyngeal streptococcus infections among children, only a small fraction develops SC or PANDAS. This suggests that several factors in combination are necessary to trigger autoimmune complications: specific S. pyogenes strains that induce a strong immune response toward the host nervous system; genetic susceptibility that predispose children toward an autoimmune response involving movement or tic symptoms; and multiple infections of the throat or tonsils that lead to a robust Th17 cellular and humoral immune response when untreated. In this review, we summarize the evidence for each factor and propose that all must be met for the requisite neurovascular pathology and behavioral deficits found in SC/PANDAS.
Worker participation in health and safety in the Newfoundland and Labrador offshore oil industry: a comparison of current and proposed legislation

Although it is generally recognised that worker participation in health and safety is important, its effectiveness has been questioned onshore and offshore, especially in view of international developments such as the decline of unionisation and changes in the organization of work. In Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, the federal and provincial governments are consolidating legislation governing offshore industry and proposing amendments that cover offshore safety representation. This paper compares the existing framework with the new language being proposed, with the intention of assessing how the rights of workers to participate may be affected by the reform. After a brief section on the historical, political and industrial relations context, the paper's comparative analysis is subdivided into the duties of the employer; the establishment and composition of committees and the appointment of representatives; the duties of committees and representatives; the right to refuse dangerous work; and protection from discrimination. It concludes that although the proposed legislative changes may appear on the surface to be similar to the current framework, the legal provisions for worker participation are likely to be weakened if the reform is enacted. The main reason for this is that the rights of the health and safety committee have been reduced by the exclusion of progressive clauses in the current legislation concerning threshold levels for establishing committees, committee training and training standards. Also, the committee's right to investigate any exercise of the right to refuse dangerous work is weakened significantly.
Dietary vitamin A and prevalence of bronchial metaplasia in asbestos-exposed workers.

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the association between dietary intake of vitamin A in the form of retinol and provitamin A carotenoids and the prevalence of bronchial squamous metaplasia in a sample of asbestos workers from an industrial clinic. Bronchial biopsies were obtained from 49 asbestos workers. Pulmonary function testing was done and in-person interviews were conducted to estimate dietary intake of retinol and provitamin A carotenoids, tobacco exposure, and asbestos exposure. Results indicated that workers with metaplasia reported consuming a significantly lower intake of total vitamin A [2000 retinol equivalents (RE)/d] than did subjects without metaplasia (2710 RE/d, P = 0.02). Logistic regression analyses showed that higher intakes of retinol [odds ratio (OR): 0.31; 95% CI: 0.04, 2.44], provitamin A carotenoids (OR: 0.31; 95% Cl: 0.03, 2.84), and total vitamin A (OR: 0.29; 95% CI: 0.03, 2.49) were associated with a nonsignificant reduction in the OR for metaplasia (highest quartile compared with lowest quartile, adjusted ORs). Current smoking (OR: 5.25; 95% Cl: 0.50, 55.1) and former smoking (OR: 2.95: 95% Cl: 0.31, 28.1) were associated with a nonsignificant increase in the OR for bronchial metaplasia compared with never smoking. Greater airway obstruction [decreased forced expiratory volume in I s (FEV 1 )/forced vital capacity (FVC)] was associated with an increased OR for metaplasia (OR: 2.86; 95% CI: 1.09. 7.69). These results suggest that a higher (ie. above the median) intake of vitamin A from foods decreases the risk of bronchial metaplasia in workers occupationally exposed to asbestos.
Computing Acoustic Transmission Loss Using 3D Gaussian Ray Bundles in Geodetic Coordinates

This paper defines a new three-dimensional (3D) Gaussian ray bundling model in geodetic coordinates: latitude, longitude, and altitude. Derivations are provided for 3D refraction, 3D interface reflection, 3D eigenray detection, and a 3D variant of the Comprehensive Acoustic System Simulation (CASS)/Gaussian Ray Bundling (GRAB) model. This approach allows environmental parameters and their derivatives are computed directly in latitude, longitude, and depth directions without reducing the problem to a series of N ×2D Cartesian projections. Our model supports 3D effects such as great circle routes and horizontal refraction in sloped environments. Key test results are included for ray path refraction accuracy using a Munk profile, Gaussian beam projection into the shadow zone for an n2 linear profile, and horizontal refraction from a 3D analytic wedge. Testing to date indicates that this approach has accuracy at least as good as CASS/GRAB, but with improved execution speed benefits for large numbers of target...
Acceleration and Magnitude

Palmer Seismological Observatory has primary responsibility for tsunami warning in Alaska for Alaskan earthquakes. Large earthquakes can occur anywhere along the 2300 miles of coastline from Shemya to Sitka. The measurement of large earthquakes occurring in the net has prompted the development of several schemes for determining magnitude. Acceleration is considered here as a tool in the measuring of large earthquakes near Palmer. The ML method is related to acceleration graphically and mathematically. The largest earthquake available in this study is M 7.7 and it is barely in the range of events under consideration in this study. It is felt that acceleration eventually may be used in magnitude determination.
Little Bighorn on the Scioto: The Rocky Mountain Connection to Ohio Hopewell

Identification of probable bighorn sheep representations at Mound City prompts reconsideration of the Rocky Mountain connection to Ohio Hopewell. Following James Griffin's "one-shot" hypothesis, it is argued that the bighorn finds, along with the imported bulk of obsidian from the Hopewell site, are likely to pertain to a single expedition taking place about A.D. 200.
Coordination of Multiple Micro Air Vehicles Using Consensus Schemes

Micro Air Vehicles (MAVs) will provide a low-cost, redundant means to perform reconnaissance missions in urban or traditional battlefleld environments. These miniaturized vehicles, however, will have extremely limited capacity for onboard navigation sensors, processors, and inter-vehicle communication. This paper explores the application of emerging consensus algorithms to the problem of distributed MAV coordination and control. Through the use of local information exchange (sensing or communication) links, MAV teams are able to initialize and maintain controlled formation geometries, efiectively forming a sensor web despite the lack of centralized leadership. Results demonstrate the ability of a twenty-MAV team to accurately assemble in a grid formation when all vehicles are initialized in su‐cient proximity to enable a (directed) information exchange topology that spans the MAV network. Without such connectivity, MAV sub-groups form, each of which assembles a smaller version of the original grid formation.
Analysis on Health Service Utilization and Influencing Factors of Floating Pregnant Women in Minhang District of Shanghai

OBJECTIVE To learn the utilization status of maternal health service utilization for floating pregnant women,and explore the major influencing factors in Minhang District of Shanghai.METHODS To investigate the general situation and maternal health services utilization of floating pregnant women by questionnaire.RESULTS 60.89% floating pregnant women owned " maternal health handbook",the average antenatal check-up was(6.02±2.53),and 70.84% took antenatal care more than 5 times.Multivariate logistic regression analysis shows that the major influencing factors are the rates of registration,per capita income,number of children,the attitude and knowledge of prenatal care.CONCLUSION To strengthen the health care for floating pregnant women and enhance the health education.
Somatic cell genetics and the development of the immune system.

Publisher Summary This chapter summarizes the available data concerning the genetics of the immune system, focusing especially on its development. It describes the techniques of somatic cell genetics, concentrating on several recent developments that allow the analysis of the fine structure of eukaryotic genome. It discusses two specific problems—(1) the mapping of genes coding for immunoglobulin molecules and (2) the definition and analysis of antigen-specific functions of T cells. Both of these problems are of considerable importance in the development of the immune system and they provide excellent models for the ways in which somatic cell genetics can be applied to the analysis of specialized cell types and their development. The most straightforward approach to the genetic analysis of lymphocyte development and lymphocyte-specific markers is to generate hybrid cells that retain the phenotypic properties of lymphocytes and then to analyze them. Using the techniques of somatic cell hybridization and genetic analysis, clonal populations of functioning antigen-specific cells can be obtained and manipulated in culture. Preliminary evidence indicates that these cell populations are an excellent source of relatively homogeneous T-cell factors, and potentially also of the T-cell antigen-binding receptor, so that the chemical characterization of these molecules may be possible, together with systematic functional and genetic analyses of their production.
Direct Computation of Influence Functional Coefficients from Numerical Correlation Functions

Influence functional methods provide a powerful approach for simulating the dynamics of a system embedded in a harmonic bath, which may be parametrized to reflect a variety of environments and chemical processes. In this work, we develop a procedure for calculating the coefficients of the discretized influence functional using the classical approximation to the time correlation function, which is usually available through molecular dynamics simulations. This procedure circumvents the calculation of a spectral density via Fourier inversion of the correlation function. When the correlation function is available with high precision, we find that the direct procedure yields results just as accurate as those obtained using the spectral density expressions. However, when statistical noise is present, the direct procedure produces more accurate results. The direct procedure is efficient and easy to implement.
Prognostic Modeling and Analysis of Tumor Response to Fractionated Radiotherapy for Patients with Squamous Cell Lung Cancer

The efficacy of radiotherapy depends on tumor response to radiation. The purpose of this study is to derive three basic tumor-response parameters from a sequence of measured tumor volumes, and then use these parameters to predict treatment outcome for patients with squamous cell lung cancer. 43 patients were investigated in this study. A tumor kinetic model was iterated daily, following the fractionation scheme of radiation treatment for each patient. By minimizing the difference between the model-predicted tumor regression and the measured changes in tumor volumes, three parameters were calibrated and then used to calculate tumor control probability (TCP). The results showed that the major portion of the patients have tumor doubling time (DT) less than 183 days and half time (HT) for dead cell resolving less than 50 days. The modeling differences from measured tumor volumes were summated over the 43 patients, and the sum reaches its minimum with DT at 90 days and HT at 30 days. The behavior of the kinetic model is stable to DT and HT as the modeling difference has only one minimum within the clinically meaningful ranges for the two parameters. One third of these patients have the cell survival fraction at 12 Gy (SF12) less than 0.1, and 80% of them with SF12 less than 0.6. In summary, kinetic modeling of tumor response may help quantify radiobiological parameters which can be used to predict treatment outcomes for individual patients.
The prognostic role of tumor volume in the outcome of patients with single brain metastasis after stereotactic radiosurgery

Background Patients with single brain metastasis (SBM) have better outcomes after stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). We analyzed our SRS database to evaluate possible prognostic factors in patients with SBM. Methods A total of 584 patients with SBM were treated with SRS at our institution (2000–2012). Study end points were overall survival (OS), and distant and local intracranial progression-free survival (DPFS and LPFS, respectively). Multivariable analysis was performed to develop prognostic models. Results Median OS was 10.8 months. A total of 196 patients (36.7%) had distant progression and 102 patients (19.2%) had local progression. New SBM prognostic indices (SPIs) were devised for OS, DPFS, and LPFS. Graded prognostic assessment, neurologic symptoms ( P = 0.01), and tumor volume ( P = 0.02) were independently associated with OS. The SPI for OS was defined: unfavorable (OS, 7.3 months), intermediate (OS, 10.6 months), and favorable (OS, 19.8 months). For DPFS, age ( P = 0.0029), tumor volume ( P = 0.0002), and previous whole-brain radiotherapy ( P = 0.027) were prognostic and were used to define SPI for DPFS: favorable (6-month cumulative incidence failure [CIF], 10.9%), intermediate (6-month CIF, 16.7%), and unfavorable (6-month CIF, 26.0%) ( P P = 0.0012) and tumor volume ( P = 0.0004) were significant, and defined 2 groups in the LPFS SPI: unfavorable (6-month CIF, 12.3%) and favorable (6-month CIF, 6%) ( P Conclusions This is the largest series of patients with SBM treated with SRS analyzed for OS, LPFS, and DPFS. SPI was devised for end points. Tumor volume had a significant association with all 3 end points. Neurologic symptoms, age, and previous whole-brain radiotherapy were also found to be prognostic.
Global analysis of gully composition using manual and automated exploration of CRISM imagery

Abstract Gully formations on Mars have been the focus of many morphological and mineralogical studies aimed at inferring the mechanisms of their formation and evolution. In this paper we have analyzed 354 globally distributed gully-bearing Full Resolution Targeted (FRT) Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer for Mars (CRISM) images. The primary goal of the analysis was to identify all spectrally distinct deposits in these images (if any) and to classify them into hydrated and non-hydrated categories using only CRISM summary parameters (Viviano-Beck et al., 2014). Such approach makes possible to analyze a very large set of all distinct deposits in 354 images. We found that 68% of these images lack any distinct deposits, 8% of images contain non-hydrated deposits which coincide with the gullies and 24% of images contain hydrated deposits which coincide with the gullies. These results are compared with the recent analysis of 110 CRISM images by Nunez et al. (2016) who also found that most gullies coincide with indistinct deposits, but, contrary to our findings, they found a predominance of non-hydrated minerals among distinct deposits. We attribute this discrepancy in part to their smaller and geographically biased sample of images, and in part to differing protocols of categorizing images. The discrepancy between the two surveys is further increased if we count all deposits in FRT gully-bearing images, not just deposits directly coinciding with the gullies, obtaining 44% indistinct, 15% non-hydrated, and 41% hydrated images. The secondary goal of this study was to perform the same image survey using a recently developed automated method in order to assess its accuracy and thus its feasibility for performing future surveys. We found the overall accuracy of the auto-mapper to be 76.2% but its accuracy for discovering distinct deposits, and in particular, distinct hydrated deposits was lower. We attributed the deficiencies of the auto-mapper primarily to its sensitivity to presence of noise in images and especially to presence of speckle noise. It is however worth noting that qualitatively both manual and automatic surveys arrived at the same overall conclusion.
The Lemonade Stand: An Elementary Case for Introducing Data Analytics

Accounting education has been encouraged to increase the business knowledge, analytical skills, and data analytic skills of accounting students. This case blends these areas in a single, multi-part...
Tuning green-to-red ratio of Ho3+/Yb3+ activated GdPO4 upconversion luminescence through Eu3+ doping

Abstract The upconverison photoluminescence of co-doped Ho and Eu in GdPO4:Yb was studied. GdPO4:Ho3+(1%),Yb3+(10%) phosphors with varying Eu3+ fractions from 0% to 5% were synthesized using solid-state reaction and characterized using X-ray diffraction, diffuse reflectance, and upconversion (UC) photoluminescence. The co-doped Ho and Eu showed negligible energy transfer between their visible emission states (Ho 5F4/5S2 and Eu 5D0) so the two luminophores can be selectively excited. However, the presence of 5% Eu in the host lattice enhances the green-to-red emission ratio by 25 times from 0.04 to 1.0 under near infrared (NIR) excitation. It is suggested that the energy transfer from Ho intermediates states to Eu ground state (from Ho 5I6 and 5I7 to Eu 7F6) tunes the Ho emission G/R ratio. These phosphor particles are suitable for long-term single particle tracking and fluorescent labels.
Behavior Analysts Accept Gifts During Practice: So Now What?

No data exist on whether behavior analysts accept gifts during their practice, an act considered to be an ethical violation. Sixty behavior analysts from around the globe provided answers to a survey regarding their gift-related practices and views. Results show that many behavior analysts do accept
Preserving Meat, Fowl, and Seafood

There are different methods of preserving meats, such as freezing, curing, drying, smoking, and canning. Freezing is the most popular means by which families can store their food supply. It is a practical and desirable way to preserve meats and by far the easiest method. Freezing, however, is not the only way to preserve meats for family meals. Some of the other methods are still quite popular, for they produce an entirely different product such as corned beef, hickory smoked ham, and canned meat products that many families will enjoy for quick meals and variety. Freezing is best used to supplement other methods of meat preservation.
Social Justice Education In Higher Education: A Conversation With Dr. Susana Muñoz

The following is an interview with Dr. Susana Munoz, an Assistant professor of Higher Education at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Her dissertation, entitled “Understanding college persistence issues for undocumented Mexican immigrant women from the New Latino Diaspora: A case study,” was funded through the Association for the Study of Higher Education/Lumina Foundation dissertation fellowship. She was also awarded the Iowa State Research Excellence award for her dissertation research. Through this interview she shared how she came to doing social justice work, and specifically how her work in student affairs drove her research interest on the experiences of undocumented Latino/a students and how they navigate higher education. Through this conversation Dr. Munoz argues that Higher Education policy makers and administrators could/should be doing more to influence federal and state policy regarding undocumented students.
Left Sylvian Fissure Epidermoid Cyst Presenting with Progressive Aphasia

Introduction Epidermoid cysts within the sylvian fissure are extremely rare. Expressive aphasia and neurocognitive dysfunction because of mass effect have never been reported previously. Case Presentation We discuss the case of a 53-year-old male who presented with an acute episode of expressive aphasia and vision changes along with progressive headaches and cognitive slowing over the 2.5 years prior to presentation. A detailed neurologic examination revealed subtle conductive aphasia, as well as mild short-term memory dysfunction. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a cystic mass consistent with epidermoid cyst within the left sylvian fissure. High-definition fiber tractography showed that the arcuate fasciculus was stretched by the tumor. A left frontotemporal craniotomy allowed for near-total excision of the cyst and led to rapid and complete resolution of symptoms. Conclusion Although rare, epidermoid cysts of the dominant sylvian fissure can present with progressive aphasia due to mass effect on the arcuate fasciculus. Despite the long-standing symptoms, surgical resection can lead to their complete resolution.
Transnational strategies and lifelong learning in the shadow of citizenship: Chinese migrants in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg

The Chinese are one of the oldest immigrant communities in Europe, and in some countries among the most economically successful. Media portraits of immigrant Chinese, however, are often filtered th...
Distinguishing User Experience When Customizing in a User-Generated Content Advertising Campaign and Subsequent Effects on Product Attitudes, Reactance, and Source Credibility

Advertising campaigns with user-generated content (UGC) vary in the extent to which they guide or allow user freedom when creating content. It is possible that providing preexisting content that us...
5 Manufacturing Systems Evaluation

This chapter discusses several techniques for assessing and evaluating environmentally conscious manufacturing (ECM) performance of manufacturing systems. There are three parts to assessment: data collection, evaluation, and reporting. The chapter emphasises on improving the manufacturing systems; however, the benefits occur in production. It focuses on very practical and fundamental issues in manufacturing. Many manufacturing activities required well-defined, systematic approaches to ensure efficiency. Manufacturing requires close coordination of labor, tools, materials, and information. Manufacturing systems are used to plan manufacturing, develop all of the subsystems, and then control the activities of manufacturing. The chapter also discusses illustrations of systematic effects on ECM. Manufacturing system evaluation for ECM is based on three overriding goals: reduce waste; reduce hazardous materials and processes and reduce energy. These goals not only improve the responsiveness of the manufacturing unit to the environment but also result in significant cost savings and a better product when performed properly. Keywords: assessment planning; data collection; environmentally conscious manufacturing (ECM); manufacturing systems evaluation; system effects
A Public Health Crisis: Electronic Cigarettes, Vape, and JUUL

Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and vape devices have rapidly become the most common tobacco products used by youth, driven in large part by marketing and advertising by e-cigarette companies. There is substantial evidence that adolescent e-cigarette use leads to use of combustible tobacco products. E-cigarette companies commonly advertise that e-cigarettes contain nicotine, flavoring chemicals, and humectants (propylene glycol and/or vegetable glycerin), but toxicants, ultrafine particles, and carcinogens have also been found in e-cigarette solutions and emissions, many of which are known to cause adverse health effects. Most major e-cigarette brands are owned by big tobacco companies that use similar marketing and advertising strategies to attract youth users as they did with traditional tobacco products. In this review, we provide an overview of e-cigarettes and vape devices with an emphasis on the impact for the pediatric population. We describe the vast array of e-cigarette devices and solutions, concern for nicotine addiction, and the scientific background on the known health harms. There are accompanying visual depictions to assist in identifying these products, including newer e-cigarette products and JUUL. Because current federal regulations are insufficient to protect youth from e-cigarette use, exposure, and nicotine addiction, there are recommendations for pediatricians and pediatric health care providers to counsel and advocate for a tobacco-free lifestyle for patients and families.
Deep Sparse Band Selection for Hyperspectral Face Recognition

Hyperspectral imaging systems collect and process information from specific wavelengths across the electromagnetic spectrum. The fusion of multi-spectral bands in the visible spectrum has been exploited to improve face recognition performance over all the conventional broadband face images. In this chapter, we propose a new Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) framework which adopts a structural sparsity learning technique to select the optimal spectral bands to obtain the best face recognition performance over all of the spectral bands. Specifically, in this method, images from all bands are fed to a CNN, and the convolutional filters in the first layer of the CNN are then regularized by employing a group Lasso algorithm to zero out the redundant bands during the training of the network. Contrary to other methods which usually select the useful bands manually or in a greedy fashion, our method selects the optimal spectral bands automatically to achieve the best face recognition performance over all spectral bands. Moreover, experimental results demonstrate that our method outperforms state-of-the-art band selection methods for face recognition on several publicly available hyperspectral face image datasets.
Taurine Regulation of Peripheral Hemodynamics.

Taurine plays an important role in the modulation of cardiovascular function by acting not only within the brain but also within peripheral tissues. We found that IV injection of taurine to male rats caused hypotension and tachycardia. A single injection of taurine significantly lowered the systolic, diastolic and mean arterial pressure blood pressure in freely moving long Evans control rats. Previousely, we found that the endothelial cells express high levels of taurine transporters and GABAA receptors and showed that taurine activates GABAA receptors. Thus we suggest that the functional implication of GABAA receptors activation is the relaxation of the arterial muscularis, vasodilation and a decrease in blood pressure. Interestingly however, the effects of acute taurine injection were very different that chronic supplementation of taurine. When rats were supplemented taurine (0.05%, 4 weeks) in their drinking water, taurine has significant hypertensive properties. The increase in blood pressure was observed however only in females, males supplemented with taurine did not show an increase in systolic, diastolic or mean arterial pressure. In both genders however, taurine supplementation caused a significant tachycardia. Thus, we suggest that acute administration of taurine may be beneficial to lowering blood pressure. However, our data indicate that supplementation of taurine to females caused a significant increase in blood pressure. It remains to be seen the effect of taurine supplementation on hypertensive rats.
The effect of self-interaction error on electrostatic dipoles calculated using density functional theory

Spurious electron self-interaction in density functional approximations (DFAs) can lead to inaccurate predictions of charge transfer in heteronuclear molecules that manifest as errors in calculated electrostatic dipoles. Here, we show the magnitude of these errors on dipoles computed for a diverse set of 47 molecules taken from the recent benchmark study of Hait and Head-Gordon [J. Chem. Theory Comput. 14, 1969 (2018)]. We compare the results of Perdew-Wang local spin density approximation (PW92), Perdew-Burke-Ernzerhof (PBE) generalized gradient approximation (GGA), and strongly constrained and appropriately normed (SCAN) meta-GGA dipole calculations, along with those of their respective self-interaction-corrected (SIC) counterparts, to reference values from accurate wave function-based methods. The SIC calculations were carried out using the Fermi-Lowdin orbital (FLO-SIC) approach. We find that correcting for self-interaction generally increases the degree of charge transfer, thereby increasing the size of calculated dipole moments. The FLO-SIC-PW92 and FLO-SIC-PBE dipoles are in better agreement with reference values than their uncorrected DFA counterparts, particularly for strongly ionic molecules where significant improvement is seen. Applying FLO-SIC to SCAN does not improve dipole values overall. We also show that removing self-interaction improves the description of the dipole for stretched-bond geometries and recovers the physically correct separated atom limit of zero dipole. Finally, we find that the best agreement between the FLO-SIC-DFA and reference dipoles occurs when the molecular geometries are optimized using the FLO-SIC-DFA.
Dissolved Organic Matter Interactions with Mercury in the Florida Everglades

The purpose of this chapter is to review the interactions of mercury with dissolved organic matter (DOM) in the Florida Everglades. Attention is given to the role of DOM to the complexation of inorganic Hg and methylmercury (MeHg), microbial Hg methylation, Hg and MeHg photochemistry, and MeHg bioaccumulation. This review shows that substantive changes in both DOM concentration and quality can be traced to land and water management practices in the northern Everglades, and that these perturbations to carbon cycling have likely impacted Hg biogeochemical cycling in the Everglades. The impact of sulfur enrichment on DOM quality, and its corresponding impact on microbial Hg methylation, is a special emphasis of the chapter.
What drives climate policy adoption in the U.S. states

Abstract: Climate advocates increasingly view state policy as a crucial tool to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. However, the literature lacks systematic empirical analysis of which, when, and why states adopt policies mitigating climate change. While traditional climate federalism highlights the co-benefits to climate policies in driving subnational policy decisions, more recent work emphasizes the powerful role of partisan control of office. I collect and analyze panel data measuring the strength of state policy from 2007 to 2014 in four areas: renewable portfolio standards, distributed generation, energy efficiency, and severance taxes on oil and gas extraction. While renewable portfolio standards and distributed generation policies were driven primarily by Democratic partisanship in state electorates, energy efficiency policies were less responsive to Democratic partisanship but marginally responsive to unified Democratic control of state government. Finally, these political factors did not measurably influence state severance taxes.
Morphologic and molecular analysis of early-onset gastroesophageal adenocarcinomas.

4547Background: The incidence of early-onset gastroesophageal adenocarcinomas (EO-GEA) is increasing, and these tumors now constitute > 30% of all gastroesophageal cancers. Besides hereditary gastr...
The Feminist Ethic of Care: Mothering Among Sex Workers in Mumbai:

The majority of sex workers are mothers. Although participation in sex work is primarily driven by the prioritization of their children’s needs over their own, mothers are stigmatized, subject to p...
Variation in plutonium dioxide sputter yields for 1-5 keV Ar+ ions

An oxide layer with a known thickness and chemistry was grown on delta stabilized Pu and sputtered with 1–5 keV Ar+ ions over a range of incident ion angle between 22° and 72°. From the time required to remove the oxide layer, sputter yields of PuO2 were calculated. The sputter yields appear to increase with higher Ar+ ion beam energy in the range of 1–5 keV at an incident sputter ion angle of 42° and were found to increase with a decreasing angle of incidence up to 62°. The degree of oxide reduction induced during the sputter process was found to vary with the incident sputter ion angle.
“‘Swimming in Money’ and John Cheever’s ‘The Swimmer’”

– “It’s quite a good story. It was a terribly difficult story to write. Because I couldn’t ever show my hand” (Cheever on writing “The Swimmer”)1John Cheever’s “The Swimmer” has rightfully received...
Managing uncertainty in demand through inventory and workforce development

This paper studies whether and how a manufacturer can mitigate the effects of demand uncertainty during production ramp up by jointly managing inventory and capacity development, determined by the ...
Combining transcranial direct current stimulation with aerobic exercise to optimize cortical priming in stroke.

Aerobic exercise (AE) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) are priming techniques that have been studied for their potential neuromodulatory effects on corticomotor excitability (CME)...
RIOK2 drives glioblastoma cell proliferation by modulating MYC through the RNA-binding protein IMP3

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary malignant brain tumor and is resistant to current therapies. Here, using a combination of proteomic and genetic approaches in both Drosophila and human GBM models, we identify novel signaling effectors that act downstream of EGFR and PI3K signaling pathways, which drive GBM. Our results indicate that RIOK2, an atypical serine/threonine kinase, forms a complex with the RNA-binding protein, IMP3 (Imp in Drosophila), and that the dRIOK2/RIOK-Imp/IMP3 pathway is necessary for tumorigenesis. Furthermore, our results indicate that RIOK2 catalytic activity is important for neoplasia and recruits TORC2 to phosphorylate IMP3. Finally, the dRIOK2-Imp pathway regulates protein levels of dMyc, a known Imp target mRNA, and these key findings were recapitulated in human GBM models. Collectively, our data indicates that RIOK2 catalytic activity promotes the activation of TORC2 and recruitment of IMP3, which in turn, modulates MYC mRNA and protein levels to promote tumorigenesis.
Profile of subjective-objective sleep discrepancy in patients with insomnia and sleep apnea.

Study Objectives:Although subjective-objective sleep discrepancy has long been observed in patients with insomnia, the profiles of this discrepancy are poorly understood. Further, sleep discrepancy...
Machine Learning-Based Profit Modeling for Credit Card Underwriting - Implications for Credit Risk

Retail credit issuers traditionally rely on cutoffs derived from risk-based scorecards for acquisition and account management purposes. However, in recent years, advances in data and increased comfort with advanced modeling practices such as machine learning have given rise to more sophisticated behavioral and profit-based modeling approaches, which attempt to estimate the projected NPV of a customer instead of their likelihood of going delinquent or charging-off. Financial institutions can potentially adopt these profit-based models for underwriting and loan management purposes to more precisely target profitable but potentially risky consumers. Using a unique proprietary panel dataset of credit cards combining data from many major banks, I construct both traditional risk and ML-based profit models and find that, using only information known at customer acquisition, these models can rank-order customers according to their risk and profit reasonably well. I find that profit score cutoffs generally target wealthy, high spending, "revolving" customers, while risk score cutoffs target low-activity "transacting" customers. Absent risk-based guardrails, profit-based underwriting could potentially cause an increase in riskiness in a card portfolio. However, this is highly dependent on portfolio composition and increased risk would mostly be for portfolios concentrating on "revolvers" in the lower end of the credit spectrum, reinforcing the importance of risk guardrails in these portfolios for institutions utilizing such new modeling techniques.
Femtosecond photodecarbonylation of photo-ODIBO studied by stimulated Raman spectroscopy and density functional theory.

Photo-oxa-dibenzocyclooctyne (Photo-ODIBO) undergoes photodecarbonylation under UV excitation to its bright S2 state, forming a highly reactive cyclooctyne, ODIBO. Following 321 nm excitation with sub-50 fs actinic pulses, the excited state evolution and cyclopropenone bond cleavage with CO release were characterized using femtosecond stimulated Raman spectroscopy and time-dependent density functional theory Raman calculations. Analysis of the photo-ODIBO S2 CO Raman band revealed multi-exponential intensity, peak splitting and frequency-shift dynamics. This suggests a stepwise cleavage of the two C–C bonds in the cyclopropenone structure that is completed within <300 fs after excitation. Evidence of intramolecular vibrational relaxation on the S2 state, concurrent with photodecarbonylation, with dynamics matching previous electronic transient absorption spectroscopy, was also observed. This confirms an excited state, as opposed to ground state, photodecarbonylation mechanism resulting in a vibronically excited photoproduct, ODIBO.