cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Typical Time to Treatment of Patients With Lung Cancer in a Multisite, US-Based Study

Introduction:The importance of high-quality, timely lung cancer care and the need to have indicators to measure timeliness are increasingly discussed in the United States. This study explored when and why delays occur in lung cancer care and compared timeliness between two states with divergent disease incidence.Methods:Patients with small-cell or non–small-cell lung cancer were recruited through cancer centers, outpatient clinics, and community approaches, and interviewed over the phone. Statistical analysis of patient-reported dates included descriptive statistics and comparing time intervals between states and across the sites with Mann-Whitney U tests. Additionally, data from patients with longer timelines were qualitatively analyzed to identify possible reasons for delays.Results:On the basis of the dates reported by 275 patients, the median time from first presentation to a clinician to treatment was 52 days; 29% of patients experienced a wait of 90 days or more. Median times for key intervals were ...
Tp-e/QT ratio as a predictive index of sudden cardiac death in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

Objective To detect Tp-e/QT ratio in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and explore its clinical significance. Methods Healthy individuals and patients with acute STEMI were recruited in this study. Their first QTc,QTd and Tp-e were measured within 24 h after admission to hospital,and Tp-e/QT ratio was calculated so as to analyze the relation between Tp-Te/QT ratio and malignant ventricular arrhythmia. Results Compared with those of the healthy individuals,the intervals of QTd,Tp-e and QTc were significantly lengthened \[(33.66±16.76)ms vs. (55.29±31.12)ms,(89.55±12.61)ms vs. (142.65±39.33)ms,and (426.57±65.03)ms vs. (482.26±48.03)ms,P0.001\]. Moreover,Tp-e/QT ratio was notably increased (0.21±0.03 vs. 0.29±0.07,P0.001). There were 34 cases of malignant ventricular arrhythmia in 120 cases of STEMI,whose intervals of QTd,Tp-e and QTc were prolonged compared with those without malignant ventricular arrhythmia. However,only the interval of Tp-e/QT ratio was significantly increased (0.32±0.07 vs. 0.26±0.05,P0.000). Conclusion Tp-e/QT ratio in patients with acute myocardial infarction is obviously longer than that in healthy individuals and has a notable association with malignant ventricular arrhythmia. It may serve as an important predictive index of sudden cardiac death.
Biopolitics in Roberto Bolaño’s 2666, “The Part About the Crimes”

Starting from Agamben’s theories of state of exception, and sovereignty and subalternity, this article looks at Roberto Bolano’s 2004 novel, 2666 , as a critique of neoliberal capitalism, where the law is predicated on violence and exploitation of surplus humanity—in this case, the poor female maquiladora workers at the U.S./Mexico border. Narco-trafficking and misogyny are symptomatic of a juridical and economic order that revolves around exploitation as central to the workings of transnational capitalism. As the boundary between legality and illegality breaks down, an aporetic state of exception forms, in which the transnational corporation acts as sovereign power by introducing a space of exception in the law. This force of law without law obscures the politicization of bare life, while maintaining traditional means of exploitation. The maquiladora workers emerge as docile bodies imprinted by the biopolitical power of sovereign financial capital. Powerless victims of overwork, displacement, destitution, and ultimately rape and slaughter, they objectify the violence of low wage labour in the global exchange of power and capital.
Imaging Plume Dynamics with Ultrafast Hard X-rays

Results on plume dynamics of laser ablation of metal films in helium at ambient pressure studied with ultrafast hard x-ray imaging are presented. The speed of the x-ray absorbing plume was measured at 1×102 m/sec.
Biology and Diseases of Rabbits

Beginning in 1931, an inbred rabbit colony was developed at the Phipps Institute for the Study, Treatment and Prevention of Tuberculosis at the University of Pennsylvania. This colony was used to study natural resistance to infection with tuberculosis (Robertson et al., 1966). Other inbred colonies or well-defined breeding colonies were also developed at the University of Illinois College of Medicine Center for Genetics, the Laboratories of the International Health Division of The Rockefeller Foundation, the University of Utrecht in the Netherlands, and Jackson Laboratories. These colonies were moved or closed in the years to follow. Since 1973, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has reported the total number of certain species of animals used by registered research facilities (1997). In 1973, 447,570 rabbits were used in research. There has been an overall decrease in numbers of rabbits used. This decreasing trend started in the mid-1990s. In 2010, 210,172 rabbits were used in research. Despite the overall drop in the number used in research, the rabbit is still a valuable model and tool for many disciplines.
Mammography decision making: Trends and predictors of provider communication in the Health Information National Trends Survey, 2011 to 2014.

BACKGROUND In 2009, the US Preventive Services Task Force recommended that the decision to initiate screening mammography before age 50 years should be individualized. Herein, the authors examined whether health care providers are communicating regarding mammography decision making with women and whether communication is associated with screening behavior. METHODS Data were drawn from the 2011 to 2014 Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS). A total of 5915 female respondents aged ≥ 40 years who responded to the following question were included: “Has a doctor or other health professional ever told you that you could choose whether or not to have a mammogram?” We used logistic regression to generate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for predictors of provider communication and assessed whether provider communication was associated with mammography in the previous 2 years overall and stratified by age. RESULTS Fewer than 50% of the women reported provider communication regarding mammogram choice. Women who reported provider communication were not found to be more likely to report no mammogram within the past 2 years (OR, 1.07; 95% CI, 0.87-1.31) compared with those who did not. When stratified by 10-year age group, provider communication was associated with a higher likelihood of no mammogram only among women age ≥70 years (OR, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.15-2.34), and was associated with a lower likelihood of no mammogram only among women aged 40 to 49 years (OR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.43-0.92). CONCLUSIONS Between 2011 and 2014, less than one-half of women received communication regarding mammogram choice despite recommendations from the US Preventive Services Task Force. Provider communication regarding mammogram choice can influence screening behavior, particularly for younger and older women. Cancer 2017;123:401–409. © 2016 American Cancer Society.
Blueprints of Termite and Ant Nests

The present review on extant termite and ant nests is an attempt to synthesize useful characters to employ in the distinction of both nests and also to provide an overview of termite and ant architecture in a single chapter. Types of termite and ant nests, particularly those in soils, are described. The different components of termite architecture, such as endoecie, paraecie, periecie, exoecie, calie, habitacle, royal cell, hive, and others are explained, as well as, recognized types of nest growth. The typical architecture of different families and subfamilies of termites is reviewed. The different types of ant nests in soil are described. Blueprint-style plates depict many of the typical nests produced by termites and ants in soils. Color plates on some producers and their nests are provided, along with some of the historical pictures by Carlos Bruch. Different digging and building behaviors are explained.
Context and cognitive state triggered interventions for mobile MOOC learning

We present Context and Cognitive State triggered Feed-Forward (C2F2), an intelligent tutoring system and algorithm, to improve both student engagement and learning efficacy in mobile Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs). C2F2 infers and responds to learners' boredom and disengagement events in real time via a combination of camera-based photoplethysmography (PPG) sensing and learning topic importance monitoring. It proactively reminds a learner of upcoming important content (feed-forward interventions) when disengagement is detected. C2F2 runs on unmodified smartphones and is compatible with courses offered by major MOOC providers. In a 48-participant user study, we found that C2F2 on average improved learning gains by 20.2% when compared with a baseline system without the feed-forward intervention. C2F2 was especially effective for the bottom performers and improved their learning gains by 41.6%. This study demonstrates the feasibility and potential of using the PPG signals implicitly recorded by the built-in camera of smartphones to facilitate mobile MOOC learning.
Parallel distributed, GPU-accelerated, advanced lighting calculations for large-scale volume visualization

The benefits of applying advanced illumination models to volume visualization have been demonstrated by many researchers. For a parallel distributed, GPU computing environment, however, there is no efficient algorithm for scalable global illumination calculations. This paper presents a parallel, data-distributed and GPU-accelerated algorithm for volume rendering with advanced lighting. Our approach features tunable soft shadows for enhancing perception of complex spatial structures and relationships. For lighting calculations, our design effectively avoids data exchange among GPUs. Performance evaluation on a GPU cluster using up to 128 GPUs shows scalable rendering performance, with both the number of GPUs and volume data size.
Incidence of chemotherapy-induced amenorrhea in premenopausal women treated with adjuvant FOLFOX for colorectal cancer.

e14112 Background: The gonadotoxicity of oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy is largely unknown. Studies indicate that the incidence of young women diagnosed with colorectal cancer is rising, thus there is an increasing number of female colorectal cancer (crc) survivors of premenopausal and child-bearing age. Adjuvant FOLFOX chemotherapy is the most widely used standard treatment for stage III and high-risk stage II colon cancer. The objective of this analysis was to evaluate the incidence of FOLFOX induced amenorrhea in women age 50 or younger treated with adjuvant therapy for colorectal cancer. Methods: A search of computerized pharmacy records identified 119 women age 50 or younger who received adjuvant FOLFOX chemotherapy at Memorial Sloan-Kettering for stage II or III colorectal cancer from January 2002 and January 2011 . Eligible patients were mailed an anonymous questionnaire. The returned surveys were reviewed and the results tallied. Results: Seventy three patients returned the questionnaire. Twenty f...
Anorectal Fistula Surgery: Sphincter Sparing Operations

Fistulotomy remains the most commonly performed operation to treat anal fistula. It has remained the most popular choice for decades primarily due to the high rate of successful fistula closure. Healing rates are commonly documented to be greater than 90–95%. In addition, fistulotomy is technically straightforward to perform, does not require specialized instrumentation, and is usually performed on an outpatient basis. However, fistulotomy is widely recognized to cause postoperative fecal incontinence. There are many risk factors, which have been associated with fecal incontinence including Crohn’s disease, HIV, diabetes, obstetric injuries, chronic diarrhea, multiple fistulas, etc. Perhaps most importantly, the anatomy of the fistula itself influences the risk of postoperative incontinence. Clearly the amount of sphincter divided by a fistulotomy will influence postoperative function. However, this relationship is neither direct nor predictable. There are no firm guidelines regarding the amount of sphincter that is safe to divide in a particular patient. Intersphincteric and low transsphincteric fistulas are generally safe to treat with simple fistulotomy, however, higher transsphincteric, suprasphincteric, and extrasphincteric fistulas present a risk for postoperative incontinence due to the quantity of sphincter muscle divided with fistulotomy.
IL-4 Signal Regulates IL-9-producing Mucosal Mast Cell Differentiation And Function During The Development of Experimental Food Allergy

The prevalence of food allergy is increasing significantly in developed nations. Accumulating evidences suggest a pivotal role of intestinal mast cells (MCs), TH2 cytokines, and IgE in the pathophysiology of food allergy. We have recently identified the novel IL-9 producing mucosal mast cells (MMC9s), which can produce high levels of IL-9, IL-13, and mast cells mediators. Mice deficient of IL-4 signals fail to develop MMC9s and become resistant to IgE-mediated food allergy. However, it remains unclear whether IL-4 can directly regulate the development and function of MMC9s. In a skin sensitization induced food allergy model, Il4Ra F709 mice which have gain-of-function mutations in IL-4Ra were found to produce much higher levels of ovalbumin (OVA) specific IgE and mast cell protease-1 in blood and became more susceptible to experimental food allergy. While the occurrence of MMC9s and type-2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) were comparable between wild type (WT) and Il4Ra F709 mice, repeated OVA ingestions induced significant increase of CD4 + TH2 cell occurrence and MC numbers in the small intestine of Il4Ra F709 mice than those in WT mice. Furthermore, IL-4 treatments induced bone marrow derived mast cells (BMMCs) from Il4Ra F709 mice to produce much more IL-13 and TNF-α than those by WT BMMCs. These results suggest that IL-4 signal provided by CD4 + TH2 cells may directly potentiate TH2 effector function of MMC9s and promote the differentiation of MMC9s into intestinal mature MCs, resulting in the increased intestinal hypersensitivity to ingested food allergens. Detailed mechanistic studies of IL-4 signaling in MMC9 development and function may provide therapeutic insights into the preventions and treatments of food allergy.
Perioperative Retinal Artery Occlusion: Incidence and Risk Factors in Spinal Fusion Surgery From the US National Inpatient Sample 1998-2013.

BACKGROUND Retinal artery occlusion (RAO) is a rare but devastating complication of spinal fusion surgery. We aimed to determine its incidence and associated risk factors. METHODS Hospitalizations involving spinal fusion surgery were identified by searching the National Inpatient Sample, a database of hospital discharges, from 1998 to 2013. RAO cases were identified using ICD-9-CM codes. Using the STROBE guidelines, postulated risk factors were chosen based on literature review and identified using ICD-9-CM codes. Multivariate logistic models with RAO as outcome, and risk factors, race, age, admission, and surgery type evaluated associations. RESULTS Of an estimated 4,784,275 spine fusions in the United States from 1998 to 2013, there were 363 (CI: 291-460) instances of RAO (0.76/10,000 spine fusions, CI: 0.61-0.96). Incidence ranged from 0.35/10,000 (CI: 0.11-1.73) in 2001-2002 to 1.29 (CI: 0.85-2.08) in 2012-2013, with no significant trend over time (P = 0.39). Most strongly associated with RAO were stroke, unidentified type (odds ratio, OR: 14.33, CI: 4.54-45.28, P < 0.001), diabetic retinopathy (DR) (OR: 7.00, CI: 1.18-41.66, P = 0.032), carotid stenosis (OR: 4.94, CI: 1.22-19.94, P = 0.025), aging (OR for age 71-80 years vs 41-50 years referent: 4.07, CI: 1.69-10.84, P = 0.002), and hyperlipidemia (OR: 2.96, CI: 1.85-4.73, P < 0.001). There was an association between RAO and transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (OR: 2.95, CI: 1.29-6.75, P = 0.010). RAO was more likely to occur with spinal surgery performed urgently or emergently compared with being done electively (OR: 0.40, CI: 0.23-0.68, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Patient-specific associations with RAO in spinal fusion include aging, carotid stenosis, DR, hyperlipidemia, stroke, and specific types of surgery. DR may serve as an observable biomarker of heightened risk of RAO in patients undergoing spine fusion.
Pharmacogenomics of Antidepressant Induced Mania

Abstract Identifying clinical and genetic risk factors associated with antidepressant-induced mania (AIM) may improve individualized treatment strategies for bipolar depression. Several small studies have investigated the association of variation in the serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4) with AIM. Here we extend these studies using a new sample from the Mayo Clinic Bipolar Disorder Biobank, and perform the first genome wide association study (GWAS) of AIM. Bipolar patients, confirmed by structured interview were retrospectively screened for AIM. AIM cases reported a manic/hypomanic episode within 60 days of starting or changing dose of antidepressant, while control had an adequate (≥60 days) exposure to an antidepressant with no associated manic/hypomanic episode. The sample with genome-wide genotyping included 525 Caucasian bipolar patients (174 AIM cases and 351 controls). No genome-wide significant associations were observed in our GWAS of AIM. The SNP with strongest evidence of association (rs10093489; p=5.79E-07) maps to an intron of ZMAT4. Another top signal represents a cluster of SNPs that map to the DVL1 (Dishevelled -1) gene region (top SNP rs307364; P = 1.25E-06). A set of candidate variants selected based on association with treatment response in prior antidepressant pharmacogenomics studies in major depressive disorder did not show evidence of association in the AIM GWAS, suggesting that different variants may contribute to antidepressant response in unipolar and bipolar depression. Ongoing analyses using polygenic methods are being used to further investigate this question. The potential role of DVL1 warrants further investigation, as the gene encodes a cytoplasmic scaffolding protein involved in Wnt signaling, which has been implicated in antidepressant effects in rodents. Further work is encouraged to better delineate the potential role of Wnt signaling in antidepressant response in mood disorders.
An investigation about natural radioactivity, hydrochemistry, and metal pollution in groundwater from Calabrian selected areas, southern Italy

The increasing interest in radioactivity has brought about the need for an assessment of human exposure to radiation. It is, therefore, necessary to examine naturally occurring radioactivity in the environment, especially its occurrence in groundwater. The aim of this work was then to study the levels and behavior of the most significant natural radionuclides, also in order to improve the knowledge of the hydrochemical processes involved in the selected groundwater systems. Natural radioactivity in fifteen Calabrian groundwaters for human use was investigated through high-resolution gamma spectrometry (with a negative-biased Ortec HPGe detector) and liquid scintillation measurements. Particular attention was given on those radionuclides (3H, 238U, 226Ra, and 228Ra), which contribute in a significant way to the overall effective dose received by members of the public due to the intake of drinking water originating from groundwater systems. The activity concentration of 238U varied from 1 to 51 mBq/L, as a result of the geology of the investigated area and of the oxidizing conditions that favored U dissolution. 226Ra presented a broad range of activity concentrations (0.011–0.14 mBq/L), lower than uranium ones because radium occurs in groundwater under reducing conditions. Some heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Be, Hg, Ag, As, Tl, Sb, Se, and Ni) were also investigated through ICP-MS measurements and compared with the limits set by the Italian Legislation. Metals are released into the environment by both natural and anthropogenic sources; they leach into underground waters, moving along water pathways and eventually depositing in the aquifer.
Attracting the interprofessional collaboration between physical therapy, speech therapy and ABSN nursing students working with patients diagnosed with stroke during simulation

The purpose of this mixed methods interprofessional simulation was to assess health science university students in physical therapy, speech therapy, and nursing to the positive role of interprofessional collaboration by means of a live actor stroke simulation. The interprofessional simulation was divided into two segments which was comprised of: 1) the application of various teaching methods and orientation to the simulation lab, and 2) taking part in the organized simulated interprofessional care plan and subsequently participating in the debriefing and self-reflective exercises learning experiences. Logistic regression was used to measure quantitative outcomes including the Simulation Evaluation Survey questionnaire. The results were statistically significant. Qualitative data was obtained during simulation debriefing sessions, and was coded and analyzed. Incorporating the importance of inter-professional collaboration in professional program students helps promote team work, leadership, problem solving, critical thinking, and communication. The authors recommend incorporating interprofessional simulation in the curriculum for health care educational programs.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 in the Premature Infant

Prematurity and low birthweight are seen frequently in infants with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 infection, adding significant comorbidities and complicating the approach to treatment. HIV disease progression accelerates in the setting of an immature immune system. Recent cases have underscored the unique opportunity to not only limit progression, but also limit the establishment of HIV reservoirs that impede viral clearance by starting antiretroviral treatment (ART) early in the neonatal period. Although pediatric ART alternatives are increasing, there are still only few available agents for the treatment of neonates, especially premature and low-birthweight infants. Zidovudine is the only agent for which there is sufficient experience in premature infants, while being an intravenous alternative for infants in whom enteric administration is not possible. Nevirapine has been studied for prophylactic dosing in preterm infants. It is imperative that resources are devoted to the study of the safety and efficacy of ARTs for use during the neonatal period.
Phase1 clinical trial of high doses of Seleno-L-methionine (SLM), in sequential combination with axitinib in previously treated and relapsed clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) patients.

630Background: The overexpression of hypoxia induced factor (HIF) 1a/2a in ccRCC leads to up-regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) that results in increased angiogenesis, tumor metastasis, and treatment resistance. Using several preclinical xenograft models, it has been demonstrated that therapeutic doses and schedules of the selenium-containing molecules, seleno-L-methionine (SLM) and methylselenocysteine (MSC) caused enhanced degradation of HIF1α/2α, down-regulation of oncogenic miRNA-210 and 155, up-regulation tumor suppressor miRNA-664 and LET-7b, and stabilization of tumor vasculature, yielding higher tumor drug uptake and protection from toxic side effects when combined with chemotherapeutic and VEGF-targeted agents. Methods: This is a phase I (3+3 design) dose finding trial of SLM (2500, 3000 or 4000 µg) given orally twice daily for 14 days, followed by once a day in combination with the standard dose of axitinib to patients with metastatic RCC. Primary endpoint is safety, seconda...
Language Choice Matters: When Profanity Affects How People Are Judged:

Swearing is prevalent in our society, but the influence of such language choices on judgments of others is not well understood. This study examines how the composition of conversational dyads, spea...
Artificial logic-based personality

In this paper, we suggest a methodology that builds personality ‘quirks’ into A.I. using Lukasiewicz-like three (or more) valued logic. In multi-valued logic, the expanding set of operators provide an opportunity for representing nearly consistent logic, but with a personal preference; we present a suite of nearly logical operators that reflect individual preferences, provide a machine with an artificial logic-based personality (ALP).
Proto-Derivatives and the Geometry of Solution Mappings in Nonlinear Programming

We quantify the sensitivity of KKT pairs associated with a parameterized family of nonlinear programming problems. Our approach involves proto-derivatives, which are generalized derivatives appropriate even in cases when the KKT pairs are not unique; we investigate what the theory of such derivatives yields in the special case when the KKT pairs are unique (locally). We demonstrate that the graph of the KKT multifunction is just a reoriented graph of a Lipschitz mapping, and use proto-differentiability to show that the graph of the KKT multifunction actually has the stronger property of being a reorientation of the graph of a B-differentiable mapping. Our results indicate that proto-derivatives provide the same kind of information for possibly set-valued mappings (like the KKT multifunction) that B-derivatives provide for single-valued mappings.
Considerations of natural history and pathophysiology in the psychopharmacology of Tourette's syndrome.

Background : The increasing recognition of Tourette's syndrome is probably responsible for the broadening range of symptom severities seen in clinic patients. Greater clinical diversity also brings greater treatment challenges, particularly for children in whom the risks and benefits of medication for the developing central nervous system must be weighed against the long-term risks associated with the disorder itself. Knowledge of the natural history and pathophysiology of Tourette's syndrome is vitally important for informed clinical decision making. Method : A MEDLINE literature search was undertaken to identify studies of the natural history and pathophysiology of Tourette's syndrome that would be relevant to clinical psychopharmacology. Results : Although impossible to predict with certainty for any given patient, the natural history of Tourette's syndrome is typically characterized by an early childhood onset, a prepubertal exacerbation, postpubertal attenuation, and an adult stabilization of symptoms. Symptoms fluctuate in all phases of the illness, often in response to stress. The natural history and clinical phenotype of Tourette's syndrome are thought to have both genetic and nongenetic determinants that are mediated through their effects on basal ganglia nuclei and related neural systems. Medications used in the treatment of Tourette's syndrome are thought to modulate the functioning of these neural systems. Conclusion : Although medication decisions must consider tic symptom severity, expectations of the disorder's natural history, and the child's adaptive capacities-his or her comorbid illnesses, coping mechanisms, interpersonal relatedness, impulse control, affect regulation, and family and social supports-are the most important determinants of well-being and outcome. These therefore are the most important considerations when making treatment decisions, as well.
Exploring matrix and tensor factorization for discovering latent structures in large echosounder datasets

Moored autonomous echosounders are increasingly popular as an integrated component in ocean observing systems for measuring biological response to environmental changes. Different from ship-based observations, these large echo datasets often lack concurrent ground truth information from net or optical samples and reliable calibration, both of which are required for conventional analysis routines. However, even though accurate inference of organism abundance is not possible in such scenarios, rich spatio-temporal structures exist in the data and may be exploited to capture variation of migration patterns of different animal groups in the water column. Here, we explore the use of unsupervised matrix and tensor factorization approaches to analyze the long-term echo data sets from the Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI) network. The data stretch in multiple dimensions, including time, space, and frequency. We restructure the echo data to explore latent structures at different temporal scales using different factorization formulations. Outputs from different methods are compared among one another and with those from conventional echo analysis routines. The results show the importance of augmenting generic factorization formulations with temporal and spatial continuity constraints for biologically meaningful analysis of large echosounder datasets.
Neuropsychological functioning in early and chronic stages of schizophrenia and psychotic bipolar disorder.

Abstract Background Neuropsychological impairment is common in schizophrenia and psychotic bipolar disorder. It has been hypothesized that the pathways leading to impairment differ between disorders. Cognitive impairment in schizophrenia is believed to result largely from atypical neurodevelopment, whereas bipolar disorder is increasingly conceptualized as a neuroprogressive disorder. The current investigation tested several key predictions of this hypothesis. Methods Current neuropsychological functioning and estimated premorbid intellectual ability were assessed in healthy individuals (n = 260) and a large, cross-sectional sample of individuals in the early and chronic stages of psychosis (n = 410). We tested the following hypotheses: 1) cognitive impairment is more severe in schizophrenia in the early stage of psychosis; and 2) cognitive decline between early and chronic stages is relatively greater in psychotic bipolar disorder. Additionally, individuals with psychosis were classified as neuropsychologically normal, deteriorated, and compromised (i.e. below average intellectual functioning) to determine if the frequencies of neuropsychologically compromised and deteriorated patients were higher in schizophrenia and psychotic bipolar disorder, respectively. Results Neuropsychological impairment in the early stage of psychosis was more severe in schizophrenia. Psychotic bipolar disorder was not associated with relatively greater cognitive decline between illness stages. The frequency of neuropsychologically compromised patients was higher in schizophrenia; however, substantial portions of both schizophrenia and psychotic bipolar disorder patients were classified as neuropsychologically compromised and deteriorated. Conclusions While schizophrenia is associated with relatively greater neurodevelopmental involvement, psychotic bipolar disorder and schizophrenia cannot be strictly dichotomized into purely neuroprogressive and neurodevelopmental illness trajectories; there is evidence of both processes in each disorder.
Panel: Student Self-Perceptions Regarding Their First Position After Graduation: What Are They and How Do We Help?

This panel session will provide findings from the Professional Engineering Pathways Study (PEPS) followed by an interactive discussion between the panel members and attendees. The interactive forum is intended for stakeholders interested in understanding undergraduate engineering students career choice pathways. The process of engineering graduates pursuing their first position after graduation has become an increasingly complex process. Understanding the ever-increasing number of career options, discerning the specific engineering skills employees desire for a position, and the variety of methods resulting in successfully receiving a job offer may be daunting for students. PEPS, a multi institutional longitudinal mixed methods study, studied factors such as career options, the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for those options, and student career expectations, values, and goals from both university influencer and student perspectives. The panel will highlight salient results anticipated to be of interest to academic advisors, career counselors, faculty, and students pursing their first position after graduation and act as a catalyst to an interactive discussion with attendees.
Cutaneous Toxicology of Arsenic

It is estimated that 200 million people worldwide are at risk of toxic arsenic exposure with an alarmingly higher number of individuals in developing countries already suffering from chronic arsenicosis. The International Agency for Research on Cancer categorized arsenic as a class I human carcinogen. In this chapter, we have summarized several aspects of arsenicosis. This review focuses on the history, epidemiology, clinical findings, histopathology, molecular pathogenesis, and treatment options related to chronic arsenic ingestion. Arsenic is a metalloid found in great abundance within the earth’s crust, which easily enters the groundwater following subtle changes in soil pH, temperature, etc. Chronic arsenic ingestion is the most common cause of arsenicosis, which may occur through environmental, occupational, or accidental exposure. Historically, arsenic was used as a medicine for various maladies such as eczema, furuncles, leprosy, lichen rubor, lupus, molluscum contagiosum, pemphigus, psoriasis, syphilis, urticaria, and warts. In modern medicine, arsenic compounds are still used, but only for the treatment of tropical diseases such as African trypanosomiasis and hematologic malignancies including promyelocytic leukemia. Although chronic arsenic poisoning damages many organ systems, it usually first presents in the skin with manifestations including hyperpigmentation, hyperkeratoses, Bowen’s disease, squamous cell carcinoma, and basal cell carcinoma. Although there is no reliable histopathological method to distinguish arsenical keratoses from actinic keratoses, some cases of arsenical keratoses demonstrate unique vacuolization of epithelial cells, keratin horn formation, absent solar elastosis, and a chronic dermal lymphocytic infiltrate. An accumulating body of evidence suggests that arsenic causes many of its deleterious health impacts through oxidative and nitrosative stress. The metalloid disrupts multiple signal transduction pathways and effectively promotes carcinogenesis by activating oncogenes, inhibiting tumor suppressors, and upregulating pathways that may invoke cutaneous inflammatory signaling. Currently, there are no standard guidelines for the treatment of chronic arsenicosis. However, symptomatic treatments are based on the assessment of skin biopsies. In summary, the global reach of arsenicosis and its serious threat to human health signal the need for ongoing study and future planning to prevent exposure and improve the health of populations at risk.
Redox Sensing by PecS from the Plant Pathogen Pectobacterium atrosepticum and Its Effect on Gene Expression and the Conformation of PecS-Bound Promoter DNA.

The plant pathogen Pectobacterium atrosepticum encounters a stressful environment when it colonizes the plant apoplast. Chief among the stressors are the reactive oxygen species (ROS) that are produced by the host as a first line of defense. Bacterial transcription factors in turn use these signals as cues to upregulate expression of virulence-associated genes. We have previously shown that the transcription factor PecS from P. atrosepticum binds the promoters that drive expression of pecS and pecM, which encodes an efflux pump, to repress gene expression. We show here that addition of oxidant relieves repression in vivo and in vitro. While reduced PecS distorts promoter DNA on binding, oxidized PecS does not, as evidenced by DNaseI footprinting. PecS oxidation is reversible, as shown by an oxidant-dependent quenching of the intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence that is completely reversed upon addition of a reducing agent. Cysteine 45 positioned at the PecS dimer interface is the redox sensor. Reduced PecS-C...
Strong Effect of B-Site Substitution on the Reactivity of Layered Perovskite Oxides Probed via Isopropanol Conversion

Perovskite oxides have exhibited promising catalytic performance in photocatalysis, electrocatalysis, and thermocatalysis, and the performance can be potentially enhanced by tuning their flexible e...
Interpreting Convolutional Neural Networks for Device-Free Wi-Fi Fingerprinting Indoor Localization via Information Visualization

In this paper, we propose a convolutional neural network (CNN) model for device-free fingerprinting indoor localization based on Wi-Fi channel state information (CSI). Besides, we develop an interpretation framework to understand the representations learned by the model. By quantifying and visualizing CNN in comparison with the fully-connected feedforward deep neural network (DNN) (or multilayer perceptron), we observe that each model can automatically identify location-specific patterns, which are however different across models and are linked to the respective performance of each model. Furthermore, we quantify how features, relevant or otherwise, as deemed by the adopted quantifying metrics (i.e., relevance scores, calculated by relevance propagation techniques), determine or affect the performance results. Interpretation of learning models for wireless applications is challenging due to the lack of human sensory intuition and reference. The results presented in this paper provide visually perceivable evidence and plausible explanations for the performance advantages of CNN in this important application.
Using the CVS version management system in a software engineering course

A number of the knowledge areas in the joint ACM IEEE-CS software engineering computing curricula involve learning about or using a version management system. A version management system can also address several important topics in a software engineering course not covered in the computing curricula. Such a system can facilitate the logistics of a team-based software engineering course project to enhance the realism and efficacy of the project. An argument is made for a specific version management system, CVS. Details of how CVS can be configured for use in a software engineering course to achieve these benefits are presented.
Effects of Electrical Stimulation, Chilling Rate, and Carcass Size on Rates of Temperature Decline and pH Decline, and Beef Quality

ObjectivesGrowing carcass size and increased carcass mass makes it difficult for packers to appropriately chill beef carcasses, resulting in issues associated with tenderness and color. Beef processors are struggling to meet requirements for acceptable deep tissue (center of the round or chuck) temperatures in heavier carcasses prior to fabrication. Additionally, foodservice and retail customers expressed concerns relative to inconsistencies in tenderness among muscles of the round and color of the tenderloin. Furthermore, challenges of temperature induced toughening long considered resolved have resurfaced. To our knowledge, few studies have looked at the impact of the combination of chilling and electrical stimulation on tenderness, juiciness and color among current beef carcasses. Hence, this study aimed at determining the effects of carcass size, chill rate, and electrical stimulation on tenderness, juiciness, and color of beef.Materials and MethodsCattle (N = 81, ≤ 30 mo) were randomly selected at a local plant and grouped into weight categories (Light, n = 38; Heavy, n = 43). The left or right side of each carcass was electrically stimulated (ES) and the opposite side was not stimulated (NS). Each carcass was assigned to a conventional rate of chilling (CC) or delayed chilling (DC). Both chilling protocols involved spray-chilling. Temperature and pH were measured for the Semimembranosus (SM), Psoas major (PM), and Longissimus dorsi (LD) at 45 min., 6 h, 12 h, and 32 h postmortem. Color measurements were taken from PM steaks. Loin steaks (2.5 cm) were aged for 14, 21, and 28 d and evaluated for tenderness using Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF) and slice force (SSF). Six trained panelists appraised tenderness, juiciness, and flavor intensity on 14 d steaks. The data were analyzed as repeated measures design using PROC MIXED of SAS (SAS Inst. Inc., Cary, NC). Chilling treatment served as a fixed effect (ɑ = 0.05).ResultsCarcass weight affected WBSF (P = 0.001) and tended to affect SSF values (P = 0.055). Heavy carcasses had lower WBSF values (P 0.05). Electrical stimulation decreased L*(P = 0.04) and b* (P = 0.04) values but did not affect a* values (P = 0.14). Carcass size influenced temperature decline in SM and PM (P 0.05). The LD temperature dropped more rapidly in CC light carcasses than DC light carcasses (P 0.05) for CC and DC treatments. Carcass weight influenced pH decline in SM, PM, and LD (P < 0.0001), with pH decline occurring more rapidly in heavier weight carcasses (P < 0.05).ConclusionHeavier carcasses chilled more slowly, had a more rapid pH decline, and were more tender. The electrical stimulation and chilling regime investigated in this study did not affect sensory attributes, but did significantly impact color parameters.
Martin, Samuel (b. 1924)

Samuel E. Martin, who received the B.A. and M.A. degrees in Oriental languages from the University of California at Berkeley, and a Ph.D. in linguistics from Yale University, is one of the leading Western authorities on the phonology, morphology, and syntax of the Japanese and Korean languages. He is well known for a series of practical language-learning resources such as Essential Japanese: an introduction to the standard colloquial language (1954), Reference grammar of Japanese (1975), and A reference grammar of Korean: a complete guide to the grammar and history of the Korean language (1992). Martin's The Japanese language through time (1987) is a diachronic study of the Japanese language, primarily focused on phonological and morphological development. Having spent a half century on the faculty of Yale University, Martin is now an emeritus professor of linguistics and east Asian languages at Yale.
Chapter 1 – Concepts of Normality in Clinical Biochemistry

Publisher Summary A population is a collection of individuals or items having something in common. Populations may be finite or infinite in size. A population can be described by quantifiable characteristics frequently called observations or measures. If it is possible to record an observation for all members in the population, one can most likely demonstrate that not all members of the population have the same value for the given observation. This reflects the inherent variability in populations. For a given measure, the list of possible values, which can be assumed with the corresponding frequency with which each value appears in the population relative to the total number of elements in the population, is referred to as the “distribution of the measure” or “observation in the population.” Distributions can be displayed in tabular or graphical form or summarized in mathematical expressions. Distributions are classified as discrete distributions or continuous distributions on the basis of the values that the measure can assume. Measures with a continuous distribution can assume essentially an infinite number of values over some defined range of values, whereas those with a discrete distribution can assume only a relatively few values within a given range, such as integer values.
Survey research in anesthesiology: a field guide to interpretation.

Background Survey research, indispensable for assessing subjective outcomes in anesthesiology, can nonetheless be challenging to undertake and interpret. Objective To present a user-friendly guide for the appraisal of survey-derived evidence, and to apply it to published survey research in the anesthesia literature. Methods Synthesizing published expert guidance regarding methodology and reporting, we discuss five essential criteria (with subcomponents) for evaluating survey research: (1) relevance of survey outcome to research objective, (2) trustworthiness of the instrument (testing/validation, availability), (3) collecting information well (sampling, administration), (4) representativeness (response rate), and (5) guidance towards interpretation of survey findings (generalizability, interpretation of numerical outcomes). These criteria were subsequently applied by two independent assessors to original research articles reporting survey findings, published in the five highest impact general anesthesia journals (‘Anaesthesia’, ‘Anesthesia & Analgesia’, ‘Anesthesiology’, ‘British Journal of Anaesthesia’ and ‘European Journal of Anaesthesiology’) between July 01, 2016, and December 31, 2017, which were identified using a prespecified PubMed search strategy. Results Among 1107 original articles published, we identified 97 reporting survey research either employing novel survey instruments (58%), established surveys (30%), or sets of single-item scores (12%). The extent to which reader-oriented benchmarks were achieved varied by component and between survey types. Results were particularly mixed for validation (mentioned for 41% of novel and 86% of established surveys) and discussion of generalizability (59% of novel survey reports, 45% of established surveys, and 17% of sets of single-item scores). Conclusion Survey research is not uncommon in anesthesiology, frequently employs novel survey instruments, and demonstrates mixed results in terms of transparency and interpretability. We provide readers with a practical framework for critical interpretation of survey-derived outcomes.
Survey of User Needs: Mobile Apps for mHealth and People with Disabilities

This paper presents data and analysis from survey research conducted by the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Information and Communication Technology Access for Mobile Rehabilitation (mRehab RERC) on the use and unmet needs for mHealth mobile apps by people with disabilities in the United States. Quantitative and qualitative data are reported on user experiences with mHealth apps to map the behavior, interests and needs of people with specific types of disability (physical, cognitive, sensory, emotional/psychological, and speech). Summary results are presented for all respondents and each disability type. Slightly more than half of the participants in this sample (53.2%) reported using mHealth apps. Fitness and exercise apps were the mHealth apps most used by respondents with disabilities, followed by hospital/clinical portal apps. Symptom and disease management apps are the least commonly used, even though these would seem to be important for people with chronic conditions. Text-based responses regarding unmet needs for mHealth apps can be sorted into accessibility needs and functionality needs. In general, respondents with sensory limitations were more likely to identify accessibility needs. However, all disability groups identified both types of unmet needs. These results can help inform research and development efforts to provide mHealth apps that meet the needs of people with disabilities.