cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
WORLD SPATIOTEMPORAL ANALYTICS AND MAPPING PROJECT (WSTAMP): DISCOVERING, EXPLORING, AND MAPPING SPATIOTEMPORAL PATTERNS ACROSS THE WORLD'S LARGEST OPEN SORUCE DATA SETS

The application of spatiotemporal (ST) analytics to integrated data from major sources such as the World Bank, United Nations, and dozens of others holds tremendous potential for shedding new light on the evolution of cultural, health, economic, and geopolitical landscapes on a global level. Realizing this potential first requires an ST data model that addresses challenges in properly merging data from multiple authors, with evolving ontological perspectives, semantical differences, and changing attributes, as well as content that is textual, numeric, categorical, and hierarchical. Equally challenging is the development of analytical and visualization approaches that provide a serious exploration of this integrated data while remaining accessible to practitioners with varied backgrounds. The WSTAMP project at Oak Ridge National Laboratory has yielded two major results in addressing these challenges: 1) development of the WSTAMP database, a significant advance in ST data modeling that integrates 10,000+ attributes covering over 200 nation states spanning over 50 years from over 30 major sources and 2) a novel online ST exploratory and analysis tool providing an array of modern statistical and visualization techniques for analyzing these data temporally, spatially, and spatiotemporally under a standard analytic workflow. We discuss the status of this work and report on major findings.
MEMS Cell for Dynamical Orientation of Bio Molecules in Solution

We have developed a micro electro mechanical cell capable of aligning bio molecules, in order to enhance mode specific absorptions, by the application of an external electric field.
Myosin light chain phosphorylation, novel targets to repair a broken heart?

This editorial refers to ‘Acute heart failure with cardiomyocyte atrophy induced in adult mice by ablation of cardiac myosin light chain kinase’, by M.T. Massengill et al ., pp. 34–43. This editorial refers to ‘Essential light chain S195 phosphorylation is required for cardiac adaptation under physical stress’, by L.-M. Scheid et al ., pp. 44–55. The process of ATP-dependent cyclic attachments and detachments of the myosin cross-bridges to actin-containing thin filaments forms the basis of muscle contraction.1 As such, the myosin cross-bridge is the molecular motor of the heart. It binds ATP and actin and myosin's lever arm region, supported by the regulatory light chain (RLC) and essential light chain (ELC) ( Figure 1A and B ), amplifies small conformational changes generated in the motor domain into the large movements needed to produce force and sarcomere shortening.2 As an EF-hand Ca2+-binding protein, the RLC contains a Ca2+–Mg2+ binding site that can be occupied by either Ca2+ or Mg2+, and a Ser15 phosphorylation site, a target for cardiac myosin light chain kinase (cMLCK) encoded by the MYLK3 gene. The ELC is also an EF-hand-like protein; however, cardiac muscle ELC has developmentally lost its ability to bind calcium. Proteomic analysis by the Van Eyk's group revealed that residue Ser195 of ELC can be phosphorylated in pharmacologically preconditioned cardiomyocytes, although no specific kinase responsible for Ser195-ELC phosphorylation has yet been identified.3 Two new articles, published in this issue of Cardiovascular Research by Massengill et al. 4 and Scheid et al. ,5 focus on the functional impacts of myosin RLC and ELC phosphorylation on heart function in a mouse model of …
Visualization of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation: Impact of devices and anatomy

Endocardial access to the left atrium is commonly achieved to treat patients with atrial fibrillation, using different device delivery systems for cardiac ablation. But the large variation in human anatomy presses the limits of existing medical devices. In this unique study, we directly visualized the device-tissue interface in fresh reanimated human hearts using Visible Heart(®) methodologies. Our goal was to better understand any opportunities to improve therapeutic approaches. The visual images obtained in this study (also featured in this article) allow a more intimate grasp of the key steps required in various ablation procedures, as well as some limitations of current device designs. These images show the potential risks of conducting transseptal punctures and the difficulties of placing catheter tips in certain scenarios (e.g., when creating circumferential lesions); they also demonstrate potential problems that could occur while attempting to place catheter tips on such anatomies like the mitral isthmus. In our analysis of these images, we focus on where enhancements are needed to refine device functionality.
La Falta De Lógica Del Nuevo Término Prescriptivo Para Acciones Disciplinarias (The Lack of Logic in the New Statute of Limitations for Disciplinary Actions in Puerto Rico)

Spanish Abstract: El Gobernador de Puerto Rico recientemente convirtio en ley un proyecto que crea un termino prescriptivo para la radicacion de querellas disciplinarias contra abogados. El proyecto se aprobo no empece a la oposicion de la Oficina de la Admistracion de Tribunales y, por las razones que se discuten en este ensayo, es forzoso concluir que tanto la Legislatura como el Gobernador cometieron un error al aprobarlo. Aunque enmiendas recientes mejoraron el proyecto desde que fue propuesto originalmente, al fin y al cabo es inadecuado, contrario a la doctrina prevaleciente sobre el tema y contrario al interes publico. English Abstract: The Governor of Puerto Rico recently signed into law a bill that creates a statute of limitations for disciplinary actions against lawyers. This short article discusses the reasons why this decision was a mistake. Statutes of limitation are inappropriate in lawyer disciplinary proceedings, and only a minority of states recognize them. In addition, in Puerto Rico's specific case, the Legislature and the Governor should have deferred to the Supreme Court which is currently considering a comprehensive new set of rules for disciplinary actions which includes alternative proposals on the question of a possible statute of limitations.
SU-G-201-15: Nomogram as an Efficient Dosimetric Verification Tool in HDR Prostate Brachytherapy

Purpose: Nomogram as a simple QA tool for HDR prostate brachytherapy treatment planning has been developed and validated clinically. Reproducibility including patient-to-patient and physician-to-physician variability was assessed. Methods: The study was performed on HDR prostate implants from physician A (n=34) and B (n=15) using different implant techniques and planning methodologies. A nomogram was implemented as an independent QA of computer-based treatment planning before plan execution. Normalized implant strength (total air kerma strength Sk*t in cGy cm2 divided by prescribed dose in cGy) was plotted as a function of PTV volume and total V100. A quadratic equation was used to fit the data with R2 denoting the model predictive power. Results: All plans showed good target coverage while OARs met the dose constraint guidelines. Vastly different implant and planning styles were reflected on conformity index (entire dose matrix V100/PTV volume, physician A implants: 1.27±0.14, physician B: 1.47±0.17) and PTV V150/PTV volume ratio (physician A: 0.34±0.09, physician B: 0.24±0.07). The quadratic model provided a better fit for the curved relationship between normalized implant strength and total V100 (or PTV volume) than a simple linear function. Unlike the normalized implant strength versus PTV volume nomogram which differed between physicians, a unique quadratic model based nomogram (Sk*t)/D=−0.0008V2+0.0542V+1.1185 (R2=0.9977) described the dependence of normalized implant strength on total V100 over all the patients from both physicians despite two different implant and planning philosophies. Normalized implant strength - total V100 model also generated less deviant points distorting the smoothed ones with a significantly higher correlation. Conclusion: A simple and universal, excel-based nomogram was created as an independent calculation tool for HDR prostate brachytherapy. Unlike similar attempts, our nomogram is insensitive to implant style and does not rely on reproducing dose calculations using TG-43 formalism, thus making it a truly independent check.
ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPACT OF NUC ACCREDITATION EXERCISE ON ACADEMIC CONTENT IN BUSINESS EDUCATION PROGRAMMES OF UNIVERSITIES

The paper sought to determine the impact of National Universities Commission accreditation exercise on academic content in the business education programmes of the universities in the south-east geopolitical zone of Nigeria. One research question and one null hypothesis guided the study. The survey research design was used for the study. The population comprised 66 respondents made up of 6 directors of academic planning and 60 academic staff of the departments of business education of the six universities in the zone. There was no sampling since the population was not too large. A researcher-developed instrument duly validated by three experts was used for data collection. Test re-test method was used for testing the reliability of the instrument. With the use of the Pearson Product Moment, the reliability co-efficient correlation was found to be 0.86 which was considered adequate for the study. The mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research question while t-test was used to test the null hypothesis. The findings of the study indicated that NUC accreditation exercise had high extent of impact on the relevant academic content in business education programmes of the universities in the south-east geopolitical zone. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended that NUC should continue to pay closer attention to academic content of business education programmes. NUC needs to undertake periodic reviews of business education curricula; it should ensure that business education curricula consistently meet the needs of industry and society.
Functional capacity in heart failure: Comparison of methods for assessment and their relation to other indexes of heart failure

Background. Left ventricular (LV) dysfunction plays a primary role in the pathogenesis of congestive heart failure and correlates with prognosis, hut a strong quantitative relation between exercise performance and indexes of LV function has not been demonstrated. We examined the relation between LV ejection fraction at rest, oxygen consumption at peak exercise (VO 2 ), patient and physician assessments of clinical severity, and other clinical attributes in 804 patients with moderate heart failure. Methods and Results. Ejection fraction correlated weakly with VO 2 , and mean ejection fraction was related to severity of symptoms
Segmental Absence of Intestinal Musculature in a 64-Year-Old Female: Case Report and Literature Review

BACKGROUND Segmental absence of intestinal musculature is a well described entity in premature infants. It presents with peritonitis, bowel perforation, and obstruction. The diagnosis is based on pathologic observation of absence of intestinal musculature. Researchers hypothesized that this entity is a result of a vascular accident during embryogenesis. However, segmental absence of intestinal musculature is no longer limited to the pediatric population. Recently, a few cases have been described in adults with and without significant vascular diseases. This change in the age of the affected population with segmental absence of intestinal musculature makes the understanding of the pathogenesis of this entity even more challenging. CASE REPORT Here, we report a case of segmental absence of intestinal musculature in a 64-year-old female. The patient presented to the emergency room with sudden onset of abdominal pain and signs of peritonitis. Abdominal computed tomography showed free air in the abdomen. Laparotomy was performed, and a perforation involving the descending colon was identified. Left hemicolectomy was performed. Pathologic examination of the resected colon showed segmental absence of intestinal musculature. CONCLUSIONS Although the pathologic diagnosis of segmental absence of intestinal musculature is straightforward, the assumption that this condition is limited to the pediatric population is a major player in overlooking this diagnosis in adults. Pathologists should be aware that this condition can present in adults and is segmental. Gross and microscopic examination of perforated intestine is required to reach the correct diagnosis. To our knowledge, twelve cases of this entity have been described in adults. Here we present the thirteenth case of segmental absence of intestinal musculature in an adult, and we discuss the clinical and pathologic findings of this entity as well as its pathogenesis.
Dark repair of UV induction in K12 (λ)

Abstract UV induction of K12(λ) is increased when proflavine (5 μg/ml or caffeine (1 mg/ml) is added to the medium in which bacteria are grown after irradiation. These substances prevent intracellular repair of UV damage that occurs in the dark (DR). They do not prevent photoreactivation of induction, but they interfere with the increased dark repair that is made possible by PhR.
A phase I study of perifosine with temsirolimus for recurrent pediatric solid tumors

Background The PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway is aberrantly activated in many pediatric solid tumors including gliomas and medulloblastomas. Preclinical data in a pediatric glioma model demonstrated that the combination of perifosine (AKT inhibitor) and temsirolimus (mTOR inhibitor) is more potent at inhibiting the axis than either agent alone. We conducted this study to assess pharmacokinetics and identify the maximum tolerated dose for the combination. Procedure We performed a standard 3+3 phase I, open-label, dose-escalation study in patients with recurrent/refractory pediatric solid tumors. Four dose levels of perifosine (25–75 mg/m2/day) and temsirolimus (25–75 mg/m2 IV weekly) were investigated. Results Twenty-three patients (median age 8.5 years) with brain tumors (diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma [DIPG] n = 8, high-grade glioma n = 6, medulloblastoma n = 2, ependymoma n = 1), neuroblastoma (n = 4), or rhabdomyosarcoma (n = 2) were treated. The combination was generally well tolerated and no dose-limiting toxicity was encountered. The most common grade 3 or 4 toxicities (at least possibly related) were thrombocytopenia (38.1%), neutropenia (23.8%), lymphopenia (23.8%), and hypercholesterolemia (19.0%). Pharmacokinetic findings for temsirolimus were similar to those observed in the temsirolimus single-agent phase II pediatric study and pharmacokinetic findings for perifosine were similar to those in adults. Stable disease was seen in 9 of 11 subjects with DIPG or high-grade glioma; no partial or complete responses were achieved. Conclusions The combination of these AKT and mTOR inhibitors was safe and feasible in patients with recurrent/refractory pediatric solid tumors.
Flying vs. Jump Kicks: Defining Ordinary Action in Sport

Megenty was injured while holding a standing padded bag when a fellow karate participant performed a jump kick instead of a flying kick into the bag. The Megenity v. Dunn ruling supports the genera...
Calcium/calmodulin-stimulated adenylyl cyclases 1 and 8 regulate reward-related brain activity and ethanol consumption.

Evidence suggests a predictive link between elevated basal activity within reward-related networks (e.g., cortico-basal ganglia-thalamic networks) and vulnerability for alcoholism. Both calcium channel function and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)/protein kinase A-mediated signaling are critical modulators of reward neurocircuitry and reward-related behaviors. Calcium/calmodulin-stimulated adenylyl cyclases (AC) 1 and 8 are sensitive to activity-dependent increases in intracellular calcium and catalyze cAMP production. Therefore, we hypothesized AC1 and 8 regulate brain activity in reward regions of the cortico-basal ganglia-thalamic circuit and that this regulatory influence predicts voluntary ethanol drinking responses. This hypothesis was evaluated by manganese-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging and chronic, intermittent ethanol access procedures. Ethanol-naive mice with genetic deletion of both AC1 and 8 (DKO mice) exhibited bilateral reductions in baseline activity within cortico-basal ganglia-thalamic regions associated with reward processing compared to wild-type controls (WT, C57BL/6 mice). Significant activity changes were not evident in regions either outside of the cortico-basal ganglia-thalamic network or within the network that are not associated with reward processing. Parallel studies demonstrated that reward network hypoactivity in DKO mice predicted a significant attenuation in consumption and preference levels to escalating ethanol concentrations (12, 20 and 30%) compared to WT mice, an effect that was maintained over extended access (14 sessions) to 20% ethanol. Summarizing, these data support a contribution of AC1 and 8 in cortico-basal ganglia-thalamic activity and the predictive value of this regulatory influence on ethanol drinking behavior, which merits the future evaluation of calcium-stimulated ACs in the neural processes that engender vulnerability to maladaptive alcohol drinking.
In Search of an Ideal Closure Method: A Randomized, Controlled Trial of Octyl-2-Cyanoacrylate and Adhesive Mesh versus Subcuticular Suture in Reduction Mammaplasty

BACKGROUND An ideal wound closure system is one that is effective, consistent, and efficient. Recent studies have demonstrated the efficacy of octyl-2-cyanoacrylate and mesh (Dermabond Prineo) in the closure of surgical wounds. This study compared the use of Prineo to use of subcuticular suture closure in reduction mammaplasty. METHODS A prospective, randomized, controlled, single-blind study of patients undergoing bilateral reduction mammaplasty was performed. Each breast per patient was randomized to layered closure with Prineo or subcuticular sutures. Incisions were assessed at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 6 months, and 1 year. Subjects completed the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale for each breast, and two blinded plastic surgeons evaluated scar quality using the Vancouver Scar Scale at each time point. RESULTS Twenty-one patients participated in the study. On average, Prineo closure took 58.38 seconds (2.50 seconds/cm) and subcuticular closure took 444.76 seconds (18.94 seconds/cm). Prineo closure was approximately 6.8 times faster (p < 0.001) than subcuticular closure, saving an average of 6.4 minutes per incision. Vancouver Scar Scale scores were significantly better in patients with Prineo closure at 2 weeks (p = 0.026), although there was no difference in Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale and Vancouver Scar Scale scores at all other time points. CONCLUSIONS In reduction mammaplasty, Prineo closure results in similar scar quality and lower operative cost without increased complications when compared to subcuticular closure. Prineo is faster than subcuticular closure and represents an effective, consistent, and efficient alternative to subcuticular suture techniques. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic, II.
An In-Reactor Temperature Monitor

A passive temperature monitor, based on an indirect determination of vapor pressure of selected elements, was developed for and tested in irradiation experiments in Experimental Breeder Reactor II....
Biographical Methodology: Psychological Perspectives

Although personology has progressed onsiderably during the past decade, the scientific writing of individual lives has not kept pace. A nagging irony arises because understanding individual lives constitutes one of the four tasks of personality psychology. Despite exhortations, ambivalence continues to plague the implementation of scientific biography. Academic training to pursue biographical science remains limited, and personality psychology receives a less-than-generous share of available funding. Moreover, detailed study of an individual life poses daunting conceptual and technical challenges. The problem consists of multiple elements, running the gamut from data, theory, and methodology, to the unit of analysis and the reward structure of academic institutions. Considering the specific challenges may clarify the impediments to conducting scientific biography. The potential generalizability of the current analysis owes to the strategic location of personality and personology vis-a-vis adjoining disciplines (e.g., anthropology, history, psychological subfields other than personology, sociology, and even neurology). Insights from personology may also elucidate the difficulties of biographical endeavors that follow the artistic, rather than scientific, path. The nature and scope of each challenge, as well as solutions emerging in personology, are examined more extensively. The organism consists of an infinitely complex series of temporarily related activities extending from birth to death. Because of the meaningful connection of sequences the life cycle of a single individual should be taken as a unit, the long unit for psychology … . The history of the organism is the organism. This proposition calls for biographical studies. (Murray et al. 1938, p. 39) Biographers write lives. (Edel 1984, p. 13)
ParMap, an Algorithm for the Identification of Complex Genomic Variations in Nextgen Sequencing Data

Next-generation sequencing produces high-throughput data, albeit with greater error and shorter reads than traditional Sanger sequencing methods. This complicates the detection of genomic variations, especially, small insertions and deletions. Here we describe ParMap, a statistical algorithm for the identification of complex genetic variants using partially mapped reads in nextgen sequencing data. We also report ParMap’s successful application to the mutation analysis of chromosome X exome-captured leukemia DNA samples.
The Effects of Dynamic-range Automatic Gain Control on Sentence Intelligibility With a Speech Masker in Simulated Cochlear Implant Listening.

Objectives "Channel-linked" and "multi-band" front-end automatic gain control (AGC) were examined as alternatives to single-band, channel-unlinked AGC in simulated bilateral cochlear implant (CI) processing. In channel-linked AGC, the same gain control signal was applied to the input signals to both of the two CIs ("channels"). In multi-band AGC, gain control acted independently on each of a number of narrow frequency regions per channel. Design Speech intelligibility performance was measured with a single target (to the left, at -15 or -30°) and a single, symmetrically-opposed masker (to the right) at a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of -2 decibels. Binaural sentence intelligibility was measured as a function of whether channel linking was present and of the number of AGC bands. Analysis of variance was performed to assess condition effects on percent correct across the two spatial arrangements, both at a high and a low AGC threshold. Acoustic analysis was conducted to compare postcompressed better-ear SNR, interaural differences, and monaural within-band envelope levels across processing conditions. Results Analyses of variance indicated significant main effects of both channel linking and number of bands at low threshold, and of channel linking at high threshold. These improvements were accompanied by several acoustic changes. Linked AGC produced a more favorable better-ear SNR and better preserved broadband interaural level difference statistics, but did not reduce dynamic range as much as unlinked AGC. Multi-band AGC sometimes improved better-ear SNR statistics and always improved broadband interaural level difference statistics whenever the AGC channels were unlinked. Multi-band AGC produced output envelope levels that were higher than single-band AGC. Conclusions These results favor strategies that incorporate channel-linked AGC and multi-band AGC for bilateral CIs. Linked AGC aids speech intelligibility in spatially separated speech, but reduces the degree to which dynamic range is compressed. Combining multi-band and channel-linked AGC offsets the potential impact of diminished dynamic range with linked AGC without sacrificing the intelligibility gains observed with linked AGC.
An Introduction to Assessment

Within the field of psychology, assessment is the process of evaluating individuals’ thinking, learning, behavior, and emotional functioning through the use of assessment tools and behavioral observations. This chapter will review information necessary for understanding the assessment process to aid in making appropriate referrals and consuming assessment reports. It will include a review of the types of assessments that a psychiatrist may encounter, principles behind standardized assessment and norm-referenced measures, how scores for tests are calculated and interpreted, typical procedures for an assessment, and information/issues to consider when consuming an assessment report. With this background knowledge in assessment, readers should be better equipped to read and interpret assessment reports and use those reports to inform treatment and consultation with patients and their families.
Computerized technique in organic microelemental analysis

Abstract A computerized on-line system for elemental analyses of C, H, N, and O is described. Four elemental analyzers and two electronic microbalances were interfaced to the computer via scanner and DVM. Calculations of percentage composition found and theoretical were collected on two teletypes. Two technicians operated the two stations. The daily output of analyses is approximately 75 CHN analyses and 25 oxygen analyses (including standards).
Severe Adverse Maternal Outcomes Associated with Chorioamnionitis

Abstract Background Chorioamnionitis complicates 1-5% of all pregnancies and is associated with substantial neonatal morbidity. Prolonged labor and increased utilization of labor induction may lead to increased rates of chorioamnionitis. Objective We sought to quantify serious adverse maternal outcomes associated with chorioamnionitis in a contemporary population of live births in the state of Ohio. Study Design Population-based retrospective cohort study of all live births in Ohio (2006–2015). Maternal demographic and obstetric outcomes as reported on the US birth certificate were compared between women with and without chorioamnionitis. Primary study outcomes were maternal intensive care unit (ICU) admission and composite adverse maternal outcome (ICU admission, blood product transfusion, unplanned hysterectomy, unplanned operation after delivery, or ruptured uterus). Multivariate logistic regression estimated the relative association of chorioamnionitis with maternal adverse outcomes. Results Of 1,393,054 live births in Ohio over 10 years, 17,430 live births (1.3%) had chorioamnionitis (chorio). Women with chorio had significantly higher rates of maternal ICU admission (0.5 vs 0.1%, p Conclusions The frequency of severe adverse outcomes in pregnancies complicated with chorioamnionitis is high, with one in every 20 cases affected, including an almost 3-fold increased risk for maternal ICU admission compared to patients without chorioaminionitis. Efforts to prevent and treat chorioamnionitis to minimize maternal risk could be an important area of focus in reducing the rate of severe maternal morbidity in the US.
A structural equation model linking past and present plant diversity in Alaska: a framework for evaluating future change

Recent findings of peak plant species diversity occurring in alpine tundra in Alaska may reflect the filtering of the regional species pool during Pleistocene Epoch cold periods. Specifically, herbaceous plant groups and those with far northern geographic distributions centered in Beringia may have persisted coincident with repeated diminution of tall‐statured and southern continental plant groups during cold intervals, thus potentially structuring current diversity patterns in relation to elevation. Numerous biotic and abiotic drivers of plant species distributions vary with elevation, raising questions concerning which of these drivers are responsible for these surprising diversity patterns. We used structural equation modeling to investigate relationships among a suite of biotic and abiotic covariates and the richness of species groups based on growth form (GF) and biogeographic affinity across interior Alaska. Our results confirm the primary importance of microclimate in controlling the distribution, abundance, and richness of woody plants, which increased in warm, south‐exposed plots. In contrast, the suite of other site factors had considerably stronger combined direct influences on richness of forbs, graminoids, and dwarf shrubs as compared to microclimate. Thus, species groups with negative richness responses to increasing temperature and potential solar radiation may have a competitive disadvantage to woody species, suggesting competitive displacement as one mechanism for these patterns. Our findings reveal that conditions associated with the high plant diversity (including cooler air temperatures, ground disturbance, and weakly acidic soil pH) are spatially restricted as compared to widespread conditions associated with low species diversity (warm lowlands with acidic soil reaction). Our results confirm a strong correspondence between localized richness patterns and variation in the overall fractions of the GF and biogeographic groups within the regional species pool. Our work suggests important links between current and historical drivers of plant diversity that help explain the apparent contradictions suggested by the relatively limited spatial extent of species‐rich habitats in Alaska. By elucidating the relationships among biotic and abiotic site characteristics and between these characteristics and richness, our findings provide a useful framework within which to evaluate possible changes to vegetation structure and species richness patterns caused by rapid warming.
Biologics Targeting B- and T-Cell Activation

The off-label use of biologic agents offers an alternative therapeutic approach for the patient with uveitis who has failed or poorly tolerated traditional immunosuppressive agents. Many of the more commonly used biologics target specific cytokines that play a key role in the inflammatory process. An alternative approach focuses on preventing B- or T-cell activation. Rituximab is a chimeric mouse–human IgG1κ monoclonal antibody directed against the extracellular domain of CD20 antigen on B cells, binding of which results in targeted B-cell destruction. Abatacept, a fully human fusion protein comprising the extracellular portion of CTLA4 and the Fc fragment of IgG1, binds to a receptor target on the antigen-presenting cell preventing proper interaction with the T cell, and therefore, proper T-cell activation. The use of these agents in the treatment of inflammatory eye disease will be reviewed in this chapter.
On an Finite-Difference Time-Domain Model for Silicon Photonic Modulators

A second-order finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) large signal model for silicon phonics (SiP) modulators is compared against a first-order large signal model, via studies of both electrical RF driving signals and optical modulated signals.
Outcomes and survivorship after conversion of failed hip hemiarthroplasty to total hip arthroplasty

Background:Arthroplasty is the treatment of choice for elderly patients with displaced femoral neck fractures. When compared to total hip arthroplasty (THA), higher revision rates have been reporte...
Ghost Fleet Awakened: Lake George's sunken bateaux of 1758 JOSEPH W.ZARZYNSKI 284 pp., 108 b&w illustrations, State University of New York Press, $32.95 (sbk), ISBN 978‐1438476728

As a lifelong student of North American inland waterway archaeology who had his first professional underwater archaeology experiences just north of Lake George, I was excited to read Joseph Zarzyns...
Severe Hyperphosphatemia in a Patient with Mild Acute Kidney Injury

Hyperphosphatemia may arise from various conditions including exogenous ingestion, extracellular shifts due to cell death or alterations in acid-base status, increased bone resorption, hormonal dysregulations leading to reduced renal excretion, reduced kidney function, or faulty measurement techniques. We herein present a case of a young pregnant woman who presented with mild acute kidney injury (AKI), invasive mucormycosis receiving liposomal amphotericin, and hyperphosphatemia out of proportion to the degree of kidney injury. While the patient was given routine phosphate-binding agent by her primary care team for presumed AKI-associated hyperphosphatemia, a full investigation by the renal consulting team for contributing factors other than kidney injury revealed that she actually had pseudohyperphosphatemia associated with the use of liposomal amphotericin. Erroneous treatment of pseudohyperphosphatemia may have been detrimental to this pregnant patient. A literature review for conditions associated with pseudohyperphosphatemia other than the use of liposomal amphotericin will be discussed.
Cardiac Computed Tomography in Evaluation of Ventricular Function

Echocardiography is the first-line imaging modality for evaluation of ventricular function in patients with congenital heart disease; however, some patients may have poor acoustic window which may limit utility of echocardiography in evaluation of ventricular function. Ventricular function imaging in congenital heart disease is commonly performed by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), but cardiac CT is being increasingly used in those patients with metallic artifact concern on MRI or devices contraindicated for MRI. A retrospectively ECG-gated CT scan with radiation delivered throughout the cardiac cycle can be reconstructed in multiple phases to allow estimation of end-systolic and end-diastolic volumes and calculation of ejection fraction.
Insights into fear: A phenomenological study of Black mothers.

Aim The aim of the study was to explore the lived experience of stress as described by Black childbearing women. Design A phenomenological approach was used. Methods Seven mothers who met inclusion criteria participated in both individual and group interviews between August 2018 and August 2019. Each session was audio recorded and professionally transcribed. Consistent with van Manen's phenomenological approach, three rounds of reflective transcript analysis were conducted over several months. Results Several stress themes were identified from the data. However, the most pervasive theme was the fear of having a son and keeping him safe. In this paper, the themes of Living in Fear and Living with Fear are detailed. Conclusion Previous research has found that Black populations in America fear for their safety. This study identified a pervasive and profound fear for their children, specifically sons who are at a higher risk of being killed in normal daily activities. Mothers also expressed fears about their responsibility to keep them safe by providing the right tools. Impact Although scientists have long studied poor pregnancy outcomes for Black American women, the disparity persists. This study sought to identify stressors acknowledged by Black mothers themselves. For the first time, Black mothers stated that their primary stress is fear for their children's lives. The role this fear has in adverse pregnancy outcomes, if any, is yet to be determined.
Arrow pushing in RNA modification sequencing

Methods to accurately determine the location and abundance of RNA modifications are critical to understanding their functional role. In this review, we describe recent efforts in which chemical reactivity and next-generation sequencing have been integrated to detect modified nucleotides in RNA. For eleven exemplary modifications, we detail chemical, enzymatic, and metabolic labeling protocols that can be used to differentiate them from canonical nucleobases. By emphasizing the molecular rationale underlying these detection methods, our survey highlights new opportunities for chemistry to define the role of RNA modifications in disease.
EUS-guided blood patch delivery during liver biopsy: nature's gel foam.

Video 1Case 1 EUS liver biopsy with FNA needle complicated by persistent blood flow within biopsy tract, which is successfully treated with blood patch technique. Case 2 EUS liver biopsy with FNA needle complicated by persistent blood flow within biopsy tract, which is successfully treated with blood patch technique.
A Student's Guide to Waves: The wave equation

There are many equations that describe wave behavior and the relationship between wave parameters, and you may well find such equations referred to as “the wave equation”. In this chapter, you can read about the most common form of the wave equation, which is a linear, second-order, homogeneous partial differential equation (the meaning of each of these adjectives is explained in Section 2.3 of this chapter). That equation relates the spatial (distance-based) variation of the wavefunction to the temporal (time-based) variation through the wave speed, as described in Section 2.2. Other partial differential equations that are related to the wave equation are discussed in Section 2.4. If you hope to understand the wave equation (and all other partial differential equations), a good place to begin is to make sure you have a solid understanding of partial derivatives. To help with that, Section 2.1 provides a review of first- and second-order partial derivatives – if you're confident in your understanding of partial derivatives, you can skip that section and jump right into Section 2.2. Partial derivatives If you've taken any course in calculus or college-level physics, you almost certainly encountered ordinary derivatives when you learned how to find the slope of a line ( m = dy/dx ) or how to determine the speed of an object given its position as a function of time ( v x = dx/dt ). As you probably learned, there are many functions in mathematics and physics that depend on only one independent variable, and ordinary derivatives are all you'll ever need to analyze the changes in such functions. But, as described in Section 1.6 of Chapter 1, wavefunctions ( y ) generally depend on two or more independent variables, such as distance ( x ) and time ( t ): y = f ( x, t ). Just as in the case of functions of a single variable, the process of differentiation is very useful in analyzing changes in functions of multiple variables.
SU‐E‐T‐01: (In)dependence of Plan Quality On Treatment Modalities and Target‐To‐Critical Structure Geometry for Brain Tumor

Purpose: To evaluate and test the hypothesis that plan quality may be systematically affected by treatment delivery techniques and target-tocritical structure geometric relationship in radiotherapy for brain tumor. Methods: Thirty-four consecutive brain tumor patients treated between 2011–2014 were analyzed. Among this cohort, 10 were planned with 3DCRT, 11 with RadipArc, and 13 with helical IMRT on TomoTherapy. The selected dosimetric endpoints (i.e., PTV V100, maximum brainstem/chiasm/ optic nerve doses) were considered as a vector in a highdimensional space. A Pareto analysis was performed to identify the subset of Pareto-efficient plans.The geometric relationships, specifically the overlapping volume and centroid-of-mass distance between each critical structure to the PTV were extracted as potential geometric features. The classification-tree analyses were repeated using these geometric features with and without the treatment modality as an additional categorical predictor. In both scenarios, the dominant features to prognosticate the Pareto membership were identified and the tree structures to provide optimal inference were recorded. The classification performance was further analyzed to determine the role of treatment modality in affecting plan quality. Results: Seven Pareto-efficient plans were identified based on dosimetric endpoints (3 from 3DCRT, 3 from RapicArc, 1 from Tomo), which implies that the evaluated treatment modality may have a minor influence on plan quality. Classification trees with/without the treatment modality as a predictor both achieved accuracy of 88.2%: with 100% sensitivity and 87.1% specificity for the former, and 66.7% sensitivity and 96.0% specificity for the latter. The coincidence of accuracy from both analyses further indicates no-to-weak dependence of plan quality on treatment modality. Both analyses have identified the brainstem to PTV distance as the primary predictive feature for Pareto-efficiency. Conclusion: Pareto evaluation and classification-tree analyses have indicated that plan quality depends strongly on geometry for brain tumor, specifically PTV-tobrain-stem-distance but minimally on treatment modality.
How Juryphobia and Fears of Fraudulent Claims Disserve Medical Malpractice Reform Efforts

The concern about a medical malpractice ‘‘crisis’’ has led to a great deal of debate and legislation (see chapter by Bornstein and Robicheaux, this volume; Marder, 2005; Peters, 2007). Much of this alarm is due to what Landsman (this volume) calls ‘‘juryphobia’’ and a phenomenon that Hans (this volume) describes as excessive or fraudulent use of the civil justice system. Simply put, lawmakers are concerned that juries award excessive monetary awards and that plaintiffs are too eager to sue. Thus, lawmakers have attempted to address the medical malpractice crisis by focusing on tort reform, which in many respects makes it harder for plaintiffs to access the courts. By using the Landsman and Hans chapters and supporting research as springboards, this chapter suggests that the most positive solution to the medical malpractice crisis is not tort reform, but a reformation of the medical profession. First, this article will discuss the medical malpractice crisis as it has been framed by politicians, researchers, and the media. This includes a discussion of the reforms that have been proposed or implemented. Second, an analysis of research reveals whether there is sound reason for the medical profession’s juryphobia. The chapter concludes with a proposed method of dealing with medical mistakes outside the legal system. By preventing malpractice and changing the way the medical profession deals with medical mistakes, the medical profession could handle the crisis itself and, in many cases, avoid the juries it fears.
World War II never ended in my house: interviews of 12 Office of Strategic Services veterans of wartime espionage on the 50th anniversary of WW II.

Abstract: The author conducted sociological interviews of 12 OSS spies (7 male, 5 female) who were operatives in France during World War II (WW II). The Office of Strategic Services (OSS) existed from 1941 to 1945 and was later renamed the CIA in 1947. This paper includes family studies of six close relatives of OSS vets and observation of 400 OSS veterans at the 50th anniversary of WW II. Three of the 12 OSS veterans who had been tortured by the Gestapo still suffered from PTSD-startle symptoms after 50 years; those three also suffered massive strokes in later life. The majority of OSS vets, regardless of gender, exhibited “war excitement” when talking about the war 50 years later. Most saw the war as the highpoint of their lives. War excitement needs more careful study within PTSD circles.
Observations of maser RRLs from the star MWC 349A

Observations of H29α, H30α, and H31α radio recombination lines (RRLs) with rest frequencies 256 GHz, 232 GHz, and 210 GHz, respectively, from the star MWC 349A show variations in intensity and radial velocity over a period of 2.5 yrs. The data are consistent with a model of a star with a circumstellar disk embedded within an expanding, ionized atmosphere. Presumably, outbursts on the surface of the the star itself would cause changes in the circumstellar disk, which would affect the intensities of the RRLs. In this model the double-peaked profiles seen at mmwave frequencies would originate from 2 regions on opposite sides of a circumstellar disk in Keplerian motion, each region lying at a radius of ≈ 30 AU from the star. The separation of the emitting regions would then be ≈ 60 AU. The average radial velocity of the 2 peaks marks the radial velocity of the central star MWC 349A. At lower frequencies, the masing would subside. The increased opacity of the ionized wind would absorb the weakened RRLs from the disk and, correspondingly, generate increasingly visible RRLs from the stellar wind.
Evaluation of the splitting tensile strength in plain and steel fiber-reinforced concrete based on the compressive strength

Abstract Compressive strength (fc) and splitting tensile strength (fspt) of concrete are two important parameters in structural design. Due to the complexity, cost, and time-consuming nature of performing tensile tests, many researchers are interested to predict the value of this property in a simplified but accurate manner. This paper presents non-linear regression (NLR) analysis, artificial neural network (ANN), support vector machine (SVM) and M5′ model tree (MT) techniques to predict the tensile strength (fspt) of concretes made with and without steel fiber reinforcement. Error measures were used to compare the performance of different models including the models developed in this study and those developed by other researchers. Results indicated that non-linear regression analysis, artificial neural network, support vector machine, and model tree algorithms can predict the splitting tensile strength of concretes made with and without steel fiber reinforcement with satisfactory accuracy. However, machine learning techniques such as ANN, M5′ model tree and SVM provided superior models compared to NLR analysis.
Studies of Enzyme Polymorphism in the Kamuela Population of DROSOPHILA MERCATORUM. III. Effects of Variation at the αGPD Locus and Subflight Stress on the Energy Charge and Glycolytic Intermediate Concentrations

We have employed a "level crossing" strategy to study the primary effects of an enzyme polymorphism in Drosophila mercatorum. This strategy consists of following genetic differences across intervening phenotypes to possible fitness effects. In this paper, we report the steady state concentrations of the glycolytic intermediates and the adenylates (intervening phenotypes) in two genotypes (αGPD-F, αGPD-S) at two stress levels (rest, subflight). We did not detect a genotype or a genotype by stress interaction effect on glycolytic intermediate or adenylate concentrations despite the ability of the experimental design to detect a 20 to 50% difference from the mean of a control. The flux of glycolysis is adequate to maintain the energy charge in both strains under the stress levels considered. If there is a fitness difference between these αGPD variants, it is unlikely to be a result of modifications of glycolysis. Subflight stress, however, resulted in an increase in metabolic flux. The observed pattern of intermediate concentration differences is consistent with the modulation of glycolysis by the ratio of the ATP and AMP concentrations acting on phosphofructokinase activity.
Management of Human Service Programs (5th ed.), by Judith A. Lewis, Thomas R. Packard, and Michael D. Lewis

My bookshelf has become crowded in recent months with review copies of new general management textbooks for the human services. Given the fragile state of the human service industry, it seems many ...