cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Progress in Perioperative Echocardiography: Focus on Safety, Clinical Outcomes, 3-Dimensional Imaging, and Education

Gastric decompression with an orogastric tube after anesthetic induction does not appear to enhance image quality for routine cases. The insertion of a transesophageal echocardiographic (TEE) probe can cause significant upper-airway trauma, which can be minimized with rigid laryngoscopy. Limited TEE imaging without transgastric views appears to be safe and clinically adequate in patients with advanced liver disease and esophageal varices. Although esophagogastric perforation because of transesophageal echocardiography is rare, the risk is significantly higher with advanced age and female sex. The echocardiographic assessment of right ventricular function and left ventricular diastolic function can improve the prediction of atrial arrhythmias after elective lung resection. Furthermore, asymptomatic left ventricular systolic or diastolic dysfunction is an independent predictor of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity after open vascular surgery. Advances in 3D echocardiography have shown that hypertrophic cardiomyopathy frequently is associated with changes in the mitral valve complex that predispose to left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. Furthermore, 3D imaging of the mitral apparatus has highlighted the importance of the annular saddle shape and the anatomic variability in ischemic mitral regurgitation. Education in perioperative echocardiography is experiencing high demand that can be satisfied partially with simulators and Internet-based educational activities. These modalities will aid in the dissemination of echocardiography through perioperative practice.
Sexual Functioning among Women with and without Diabetes in the Boston Area Community Health Study

Aim. To examine sexual dysfunction among women with and without diabetes in a community-based sample of women aged 30-79 years. Methods. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of survey responses of female participants in the Boston Area Community Health Study, a community-based random sample, who answered questions regarding sexual function- ing and diabetes status and also reported sexual activity (n = 1,291). Associations between diabetes and overall sexual function as well as domain of sexual function were examined in multivariable linear regression models. Results. Women with type 2 diabetes (n = 75) were older, less often white, and more likely to have decreased physical activity levels, elevated body mass index, and cardiovascular disease than women without diabetes (n = 1,190). Women with type 1 diabetes (n = 26) were similar to women without diabetes except for higher depression scores and lower levels of activity. Age, marital status, and depressive symptoms were correlated with overall sexual function. After adjustment for age and race, women with and without diabetes had similar arousal, lubrication, orgasm, dyspareunia, satisfaction, and desire. After further adjustment for other factors, including age, depression, and marital status, women with type 1 diabetes had increased dyspareunia compared with women without diabetes, and women with type 2 diabetes had similar functioning to women without diabetes. Conclusion. Women with type 2 diabetes may have similar sexual functioning to women without diabetes, although women with type 1 diabetes may more often have dyspareunia. Factors such as depression, which are common in women with diabetes, are more strongly related to sexual dysfunction than diabetes status. Wallner LP, Sarma AV, and Kim C. Sexual functioning among women with and without diabetes in the Boston Area Community Health Study. J Sex Med 2010;7:881-887.
Capacity of a multi-output channel with distributed processing

A one dimensional (1D) and a two dimensional (2D) Kalman filters as means of distributed processing are developed for two single input multiple output (SIMO) AWGN channels, i.e., one without and the other with inter symbol interference (ISI), respectively. We show the capacity of the distributed and centrally processed channels to be the same for channels with and without ISI.
Strategies for studying permeation at voltage-gated ion channels

Voltage-dependent ion channels are presently thought to consist of several distinct functional regions: (a) activation gates, (b) inactivation gates, and permeation pathways. This chapter focuses on permeation pathways and may spur new ideas about experiments that use site-directed mutagenesis to probe the ion conduction pathway. Some hubris is required to attempt a survey of this field since individual families -- K^+, Na^+, or Ca^(2+) -- have been reviewed in detail (15, 68, 115, 127). My unified treatment is motivated by the structural similarity suggested by recent cDNA sequencing data on this group (see, for instance, 24). There have been many excellent previous treatments of ion channel permeation (6, 15, 34, 35, 51, 53, 68, 73, 74, 115, 127).
The Ettingshausen figure of merit of bismuth and bismuth - antimony alloys

Expressions for the Ettingshausen figure of merit of bismuth are derived for various orientations on the basis of Abeles and Meiboom's model for the band structure. The calculated values for the maximum figure of merit exceed 5 × 10-3 deg-1 both at 80° K and 300° K. Magnetic fields appreciably greater than 1500 Oe and 25 000 Oe at the respective temperatures would be required. It is shown that improvements by a factor of more than two might be expected using Bi-Sb alloys. Some consideration is given to the possible effect of the presence of a heavy-hole band.
A toolbox of geometric elements for labyrinth model design and analysis.

Objectives/Hypothesis: To develop a toolbox of defined geometric shapes that can aid in the emulation of the architecture of the labyrinthine membranes. Study Design: Analytical review of geometric shapes that are candidates for inclusion in the toolbox. Methods: The mammalian labyrinth appears to have an overall tubular configuration. The bulges, bends and constrictions manifest by these chambers and conduits may be construed to be variations on an underlying core cylindrical structure. Four geometries that embrace the cylindrical shape are identified, namely the cylinder itself, the ellipsoid, the hyperboloid, and the torus. These can be exploited as model design tools and used to approximate the individual components of the labyrinth. Results: A toolbox of geometric elements is identified for use in modeling the mammalian labyrinth. The toolbox includes cylindrical, ellipsoidal, hyperboloidal, and toroidal elements, their figures and mathematical definitions, as well as derivative characteristics that relate to contour and curvature. Conclusions: This analysis suggests that there is a heuristic value in considering the underlying structure of the mammalian labyrinth to be cylindrical. Four principal geometric shapes that are based on the cylinder have been identified for use in a toolbox of design elements. This toolbox can be used to model any mammalian labyrinth. Laryngoscope, 2012
Effects of Vertical Variation in Vegetation Density on Wave Attenuation

AbstractA physical model experiment was used to investigate irregular wave attenuation through emergent vegetation with variations in stem heights. The experiment was conducted with six peak periods, six incident wave heights, and two schemes of vegetation. One scheme used uniform vegetation (constant stem height) and the other scheme approximated vegetation with larger biomass near the bottom and decreasing linearly to the surface, consistent with observed biomass patterns in the field. Although distributions were different, the total vertical projected area was kept constant between the two schemes. The cross shore variation of wave heights across the vegetation were measured, and losses due to sidewall and bottom friction effects were measured and removed from the wave attenuation in the vegetated cases to isolate the influence of vegetation. The normalized wave height attenuation for each case was fit to the decay equation to determine the difference of vegetation transmission coefficients Kv and damp...
Analysis of the Released Nuclear Cytokine HMGB1 in Human Serum

A ubiquitous nuclear protein, the high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), is secreted by activated macrophages/monocytes and leaked passively from injured cells. HMGB1 functions as a mediator of infection- and injury-elicited inflammatory diseases. Here, we describe a semiquantitative immuno-blotting method to measure the released HMGB1 in human serum, in comparison with a commercially available HMGB1 ELISA technique.
Chapter 51 – Parenting Behavior

Mothers in almost all mammalian species give birth to young that are unprepared for an independent life ex utero, thus requiring that the neonates receive prolonged and intense care for their survival. This care can be provided by mothers, fathers, and other interested individuals. Numerous sensory, endocrine, and neural systems (including those involved in motivation, emotional regulation, and cognition) must interact for the successful display of parental behaviors. While the biological systems underlying maternal and paternal caregiving are sometimes similar, they are also necessarily different, indicating that multiple paths can converge upon the same behavioral outcome. Similarly, while laboratory rats have often been the focus of research on the biology of parental behaviors, ample information from other nonhuman animals and humans allows one to detect universals, as well as species-specific mechanisms, involved in this complex and evolutionarily essential mammalian social behavior.
Aedes triseriatus and Aedes hendersoni : Vertical and Temporal Distribution as Measured by Oviposition

A field study of oviposition activity by Aedes ( Protomacleaya ) triseriatus (Say) and A. ( P .) hendersoni Cockerell in southern Wisconsin revealed differences in both the vertical and temporal distribution of eggs laid by these 2 closely related treehole breeding mosquitoes. Oviposition was measured by the number of eggs laid in can-traps at ground level and at 3, 6, and 9 m above ground level. A. triseriatus exhibited strong preference for oviposition at ground level, 69% of its eggs being laid in ground-level traps, while A. hendersoni was much more arboreal, depositing only 26% of its eggs in ground level traps. Oviposition activity of both species was considerably reduced during weeks when mean temperature was approximately 18°C or lower. The period of high oviposition activity by A. triseriatus extended for a period of 10 wk, from the week ending July 3 through the week ending Sept. 4. The period of maximum oviposition activity by A. hendersoni was much shorter, extending through only 4 wk, from the week ending July 3 through the week ending July 24.
A Robot Being

Being a robot in a human habitat requires dealing with cluttered, unconstrained and dynamically changing environments. Most research on autonomous mobile robots assumes a static world. At best, dynamic aspects of the world are to be avoided. We report on a robot, Seymour, which is designed to interact with people while operating in a crowded office environment. Seymour cannot be dynamically told what to do. Rather, like children and dogs, he does what is in his nature (which is determined by programs residing onboard in EPROMs on power up). He pursues his own activities while responding to the presence and actions of nearby people.
Quantification of distributed secrecy loss in stochastic discrete event systems under bounded-delay communications

Unlike information, behaviors cannot be encrypted and may instead be protected by providing covers that generate indistinguishable observations from behaviors needed to be kept secret. Such a scheme may still leak information about secrets due to statistical difference between the occurrence probabilities of the secrets and their covers. Jensen-Shannon Divergence (JSD) is a possible means of quantifying statistical difference between two distributions and was used to measure such information leak as in our earlier work [1]. This paper studies secrecy quantification in stochastic partially-observed discrete event systems in the presence of distributed collusive attackers/observers, each with its own local partial observability, generalizing the setting of single observer in [1]. The local observers collude and exchange their observations over communication channels that introduce bounded delays. We propose a method to compute the JSD-based secrecy measure in this distributed setting by introducing bounded-delay channel models to extend the system model to capture the effect of exchange of observations, and to measure the distributed secrecy loss.
Novel Functionalised Ethylene Acrylate Copolymers as Polymer Modifiers

A novel reactive functionalised polymer modifier system based on ethylene acrylate copolymers produced by a tubular reactor polymerisation process is discussed. The tubular copolymers are unique due to the heterogeneous distribution of acrylate comonomer in the polymer chain making them more compatible with a variety of polymer systems. Because of this feature they can be used as modifiers and universal masterbatch carrier resins for a variety of polymer systems in a more appropriate way than their autoclave based homologues. The new reactive modifiers have excellent compatibility with both polar and non-polar polymers. The incorporation of a reactive functional group, such as maleic anhydride, is used to provide optimal morphology for polymer modification. Impact modification of polyamides using the new acrylate modifier is discussed. Besidessuperior impact properties, the functionalised ethylene acrylate modifier provides improved gloss in moulded parts and flow in polyamide blends compared to conventional reactive modifiers. Another feature of the finished compounds is their high elongation at break. Furthermore, the morphology of the new modifier in PA is discussed. Apart from the modification of polyamides, other applications such as coupling of mineral fillers to polymer matrices is conceivable.
Genome-wide association study to identify potential genetic modifiers in a canine model for Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) causes progressive muscle degeneration, cardiomyopathy and respiratory failure in approximately 1/5,000 boys. Golden Retriever muscular dystrophy (GRMD) resembles DMD both clinically and pathologically. Like DMD, GRMD exhibits remarkable phenotypic variation among affected dogs, suggesting the influence of modifiers. Understanding the role(s) of genetic modifiers of GRMD may identify genes and pathways that also modify phenotypes in DMD and reveal novel therapies. Therefore, our objective in this study was to identify genetic modifiers that affect discrete GRMD phenotypes. We performed a linear mixed-model (LMM) analysis using 16 variably-affected dogs from our GRMD colony (8 dystrophic, 8 non-dystrophic). All of these dogs were either full or half-siblings, and phenotyped for 19 objective, quantitative biomarkers at ages 6 and 12 months. Each biomarker was individually assessed. Gene expression profiles of 59 possible candidate genes were generated for two muscle types: the cranial tibialis and medial head of the gastrocnemius. SNPs significantly associated with GRMD biomarkers were identified on multiple chromosomes (including the X chromosome). Gene expression levels for candidate genes located near these SNPs correlated with biomarker values, suggesting possible roles as GRMD modifiers. The results of this study enhance our understanding of GRMD pathology and represent a first step toward the characterization of GRMD modifiers that may be relevant to DMD pathology. Such modifiers are likely to be useful for DMD treatment development based on their relationships to GRMD phenotypes.
A Generic Synthesis Route for Matrix Assisted Self-Assembly of Metal-Oxo Clusters in Organosilica Sol-Gels

The use of an organically modified silica sol-gel matrix containing ligating groups that assist in the formation of metal-oxo clusters is described. The metal-ligand interactions can be tuned by change in external environment such that: a) under overload metal ion concentrations, the sol-gel matrix sequesters the metal ions to promote the growth of 4-7 nm size metal-oxo clusters within the porous structure of the matrix, b) a change in pH releases the metal ions from the bound metal-oxo clusters, thereby making the sol-gel matrix behave as ferritin analogues. These characteristics of the matrix assisted self-assembly of metal-oxo clusters are shown using UVVis, TEM, AES, and EDX data.
Fetal-to-Adult Hemoglobin Switching Is Associated with up-Regulation of Specific MicroRNA Species in Circulating Human Erythroid Cells.

MicroRNAs are ~22nt-long small noncoding RNAs that negatively regulate expression of target proteins through mRNA degradation or translational repression. They are functionally important in diverse biological processes including development, oncogenesis, and hematopoiesis. To study a potential role of microRNA for regulating cellular changes during erythroid ontogeny, we examined microRNA abundance patterns in circulating erythroid cells during the fetal and adult stages of human development. Expression profiling of microRNA was performed using total RNA from 4 adult peripheral blood samples compared to 4 cord blood samples after depletion of plasma, platelets, and nucleated cells. Labeled RNA was hybridized to custom spotted array containing 474 human microRNAs species (miRBase release 9.1). Total RNA from Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-transformed lymphoblastoid cell lines was used as a hybridization reference for all samples to generate microRNA abundance profile for each sample. Among the differentially expressed probe-pairs, 40 microRNAs were significantly up-regulated in adult erythroid cells and only 4 microRNAs were down-regulated (p 2). Two microRNAs, miR-144 and miR-451, previously reported as being GATA-1 regulated in erythroid cells, were detected above the dynamic range of the array technology in all eight samples. Quantitative PCR was performed to further quantitate differences in the microRNA abundance profiles of the 10 most differentially expressed microRNAs as well as miR-144 and miR-451 . Per published recommendations, miR-103 was used for signal normalization. Among the studied microRNAs, 8 of 12 demonstrated a more than 4 fold increase in abundance in adult erythroid cells compared to cord blood by qPCR. In particular, let-7d and let-7e demonstrated more than 10-fold increased expression in adult cells. Of note, let-7 microRNAs regulate metamorphic processes in model organisms and inhibit ras-associated growth of cancer cells. According to miRBase predictions, over 1200 genes may be targeted by the 8 microRNAs (p et al. Phy. Gen. 2007) revealed 24 developmentally downregulated genes as predicted targets. Among globin genes, only gamma globin is a predicted target. These findings demonstrate dramatic up-regulation of specific erythroid microRNAs during the fetal-to-adult transition of ontogeny, and support the notion that microRNAs function as developmental regulators of erythropoiesis and globin gene switching.
Impact of sinonasal disease on depression, sleep duration, and productivity among adults in the United States.

Objective Examine the relationship between depression symptoms and sinonasal inflammatory diseases, and investigate health disparities associated with allergic rhinitis (AR) and sinusitis in the United States. Study Design Cross-sectional analysis of 2014 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data. Methods Adult cases of AR and sinusitis were extracted from the 2014 NHIS in addition to demographic, socioeconomic, and related depressive symptom data. The dataset was analyzed with chi-square, t-tests, and multivariate regression. Results There were 19.1 ± 1.1 million adult AR cases and 29.4 ± 1.4 million adult sinusitis cases. Of these, 20.6% and 22.0% reported depression symptoms in the past 12 months for those with AR or sinusitis, respectively. Both diseases were also associated with significantly fewer mean hours of sleep a night (AR: 7.02 vs. 7.14, P < 0.01; Sinusitis: 6.98 vs. 7.14, P < 0.01) and greater mean days of work missed (AR: 4.60 vs. 3.62, P < 0.01; Sinusitis: 5.87 vs. 3.41; P < 0.01). On multivariate analysis, the prevalence of AR and sinusitis was significantly higher among men, Caucasians, older adults, the more educated, and adults with depression symptoms. Only the prevalence of sinusitis varied depending on income and geography. Conclusion Allergic rhinitis and sinusitis are associated with an increased likelihood of depressive symptoms, shorter sleep duration, and more workdays lost. The prevalence of both are influenced by age, sex, race/ethnicity, and education level. Targeted initiatives should be developed to address these health disparities and comorbidities associated with inflammatory sinonasal disease. Level of Evidence IV
Cells lay their own tracks – optogenetic Cdc42 activation stimulates fibronectin deposition supporting directed migration

Rho GTPase family members are known regulators of directed migration and therefore play key roles in processes including development, the immune response and cancer metastasis. However, their individual contributions to these processes are complex. Here, we modify the activity of the two Rho GTPase family members Rac and Cdc42 by optogenetically recruiting specific guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) DH or PH domains to defined regions of the cell membrane. We find that the localized activation of both GTPases produces lamellipodia in cells plated on a fibronectin substrate. By using a novel optotaxis assay, we show that biased activation can drive directional migration. Interestingly, in the absence of exogenous fibronectin, Rac activation is insufficient to produce stable lamellipodia or directional migration whereas Cdc42 activation is sufficient for these processes. We find that a remarkably small amount of fibronectin (<10 puncta per protrusion) is necessary to support stable GTPase-driven lamellipodia formation. Cdc42 bypasses the need for exogenous fibronectin by stimulating cellular fibronectin deposition under the newly formed lamellipodia.This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
Interactions of Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium and Pectobacterium carotovorum within a Tomato Soft Rot

Salmonella spp. are remarkably adaptable pathogens, and this adaptability allows these bacteria to thrive in a variety of environments and hosts. The mechanisms with which these pathogens establish within a niche amid the native microbiota remain poorly understood. Here, we aimed to uncover the mechanisms that enable Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium strain ATCC 14028 to benefit from the degradation of plant tissue by a soft rot plant pathogen, Pectobacterium carotovorum The hypothesis that in the soft rot, the liberation of starch (not utilized by P. carotovorum) makes this polymer available to Salmonella spp., thus allowing it to colonize soft rots, was tested first and proven null. To identify the functions involved in Salmonella soft rot colonization, we carried out transposon insertion sequencing coupled with the phenotypic characterization of the mutants. The data indicate that Salmonella spp. experience a metabolic shift in response to the changes in the environment brought on by Pectobacterium spp. and likely coordinated by the csrBC small regulatory RNA. While csrBC and flhD appear to be of importance in the soft rot, the global two-component system encoded by barA sirA (which controls csrBC and flhDC under laboratory conditions) does not appear to be necessary for the observed phenotype. Motility and the synthesis of nucleotides and amino acids play critical roles in the growth of Salmonella spp. in the soft rot.IMPORTANCE Outbreaks of produce-associated illness continue to be a food safety concern. Earlier studies demonstrated that the presence of phytopathogens on produce was a significant risk factor associated with increased Salmonella carriage on fruits and vegetables. Here, we genetically characterize some of the requirements for interactions between Salmonella and phytobacteria that allow Salmonella spp. to establish a niche within an alternate host (tomato). Pathways necessary for nucleotide synthesis, amino acid synthesis, and motility are identified as contributors to the persistence of Salmonella spp. in soft rots.
Redo coronary artery bypass grafting.

Redo coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) can be one of the most technically challenging operations in cardiac surgery. The coronary disease is more advanced, and the coronary targets may be suboptimal. In addition, the patients are typically older and sicker compared to those undergoing primary CABG. A literature review focused on the epidemiology, operative techniques, and outcomes associated with redo CABG. The frequency of redo CABG relative to total CABG procedures has been decreasing over time. From 2000 to 2009, redo CABG decreased from 6.0 to 3.4% of all CABG procedures reported to the STS Adult Cardiac Surgery Database (STS ACSD) and currently stands at 2%. Risks associated with reoperations include diabetes and renal dialysis. Perioperative mortality for redo CABG is reported to be as high as three times that of primary CABG, but this risk is reduced with experience. Careful preoperative planning including quality imaging and precise surgical technique coupled with meticulous myocardial protection contributes to good outcomes. Experience is important in optimizing outcomes. Redo CABG is a complicated operation and surgical experience, and appropriate perioperative strategies are essential for achieving optimal outcomes.
A novel method for the measurement of glucocorticoids in dermal secretions of amphibians

Amphibians have been declining in both diversity and abundance due in large part to habitat degradation and the prevalence of emerging diseases. Although stressors can suppress the immune system, affecting an individual's health and susceptibility to pathogens, established methods for directly collecting stress hormones are not suitable for rapid field use or for use on threatened and endangered species. To overcome these challenges, we are developing an innovative method to collect and measure amphibian glucocorticoid secretions using non-invasive dermal swabs. We tested this methodology using multiple terrestrial, semi-aquatic and fully aquatic species. We swabbed the dorsal side of each animal six times and then induced a stressor of either hand-restraint, ACTH injection, or saline as a control. We then repeated swab collection immediately after the stressor and at 15, 30, 45, 60, 90 and 120 min intervals. Cortisol enzyme immunoassay detected changes in cortisol post-stressor. We also tested this methodology in the field and were successfully able to detect glucocorticoids from multiple species at varying life stages. When using in the field, capture technique should be considered since it may impact stress levels in certain species. Upon further testing, this novel method may be used to greatly increase our understanding of amphibian health especially as disease and environmental changes continue to impact fragile populations.
Host-cell reactivation of gamma-irradiated phage T1 in strains of Escherichia coli K-12

Host-cell reactivation of gamma-irradiated phage T1 in strains of E. coli K-12 has been compared with HCR of UV-irradiated phage in these same strains and with the radiation sensitivities of these strains (Fig. 1–4). The pattern of the HCR of gammairradiated phage in these strains is like that of the HCR of UV-irradiated phage. HCR in strains whose genotype is uvr+rec- is like that of the wild type; whereas, HCR is minimal in strains which are uvr-. It is suggested that some type of gamma-ray-induced base damage in phage DNA is repaired in uvr+ strains.
Dietary Fat and Chronic Diseases: Epidemiologic Overview

Abstract The association between dietary fat consumption and risk of cancer, especially colon, breast, prostate, and ovary cancer, has been debated for many years. Ecologic studies over the past 30 years have demonstrated the correlation of greater dietary fat intake with higher mortality due to various cancers. Migrant studies also have shown that increased fat consumption may be associated with increased risk of cancer. Specific saturated fatty acids raise blood cholesterol levels and, thereby, increase the risk of atherosclerosis. Greater fat intake is a major cause of obesity and hypertension, diabetes, and gallbladder disease. Higher fat intake may heighten the risk of breast cancer directly through increased blood estrogen levels and/or secondarily through increased obesity. The critical experimental studies to determine the effects of a low-fat diet on disease risk have not been completed, but reducing fat in the US diet has the potential to decrease morbidity and mortality substantially. J Am Diet Assoc. 1997;97(suppl):S9-S15
Challenges and directions for EI: a distributed AI perspective

Integrating an enterprise can be viewed as an exercise in coordinating a diverse and highly distributed set of inter-dependent activities, many of them involving cooperative synthesis of artifacts like marketing plans, schedules, products, manufacturing procedures and so on. Several distinct kinds of “coordination technology” have evolved to support effective coordination in cooperative work, including process management, conflict management and rationale capture tools. This paper reviews some of the major weaknesses with current coordination technology and suggests several technical directions for addressing these weaknesses. These directions include developing semi-structured process representations that explicitly capture cooperative work interdependencies, exploiting advanced product and software design technologies for process design, and integrating coordination technologies to synergistically combine their strengths and avoid their individual weaknesses.
Breeding Forage Crops

The breeding and use of improved forage varieties have progressed rapidly in the last few decades, but this has not always been so. In the United States, the breeding of forage varieties did not receive the same attention in the early part of this century as the breeding of cereal varieties. As late as 1950, seed of many forage species was sold without identity of variety because improved varieties were not available. There are several reasons for the late start in forage breeding research in the United States.
Review of Common Alternative Herbal "Remedies" for Skin Cancer.

BACKGROUNDAlternative herbal remedies for skin cancer are commonly found on the Internet. Many websites contain inaccurate or false information regarding side effects and efficacy.OBJECTIVETo review the evidence behind several commonly advertised herbal remedies that claim to cure skin cancer: black
Categorial shift: foundations, extensions, and consequences

Abstract As the papers in this volume make clear, categorial shift is often not categorical. Category-altering processes do not necessarily shift all morphological, syntactic, and semantic properties of their input simultaneously or completely ( Noonan, 2007 , Mackenzie, 1987 , Lehmann, 1988 , Givon, 1990 , Givon, 2001 , Givon, 2011 , Croft, 1991 , Koptjevskaja-Tamm, 1993 , Koptjevskaja-Tamm, 2003 , Cristofaro, 2003 , Malchukov, 2004 , Malchukov, 2006 , Nikolaeva, 2007 , Mithun, 2016a ). A number of factors can affect the output of such processes, their course of development, and their consequences for the shapes of grammars. Here each of these issues is examined in turn. First is the identification of the lexical categories involved in the shifts: the structural level at which they take place (roots, bases, stems, words) and the criteria by which they are defined (morphological, syntactic, semantic). Also pertinent here is the nature of the shift processes, in particular, conversion. Second are some recurring trajectories of development of shift processes involving their extension to larger domains of structure. Third are some effects categorial shift processes can have on other aspects of grammar.
Post-transplant CD4+ non-cytotoxic γδ T cell lymphoma with lymph node involvement

Gamma delta T cells represent a minor subset of the normal lymphocyte component of the human immune system, largely inhabiting mucosal surfaces. Gamma delta T cell lymphomas (γδ TCLs) are thought to be derived from these cells and are rare, extremely aggressive lymphomas that typically exhibit a cytotoxic phenotype and often present in extranodal sites, most commonly as cutaneous or hepatosplenic subtypes. The immunophenotype usually lacks both CD4 and CD8 expression, but occasional cases express CD8. CD4 expression in γδ TCLs is exceedingly rare. The few reported cases tend to show a non-cytotoxic phenotype with preferential involvement of the lymph nodes. Cases showing cutaneous presentation or with an immunosuppressive clinical history, while relatively common among typical γδ TCLs, are even rarer among this unusual CD4+ subset. While this very small group appears to have an equally dismal prognosis to other types of γδ TCL, little else is known as to how they may differ biologically and whether they should be treated as a separate entity. We report a unique case of CD4-positive gamma delta T cell lymphoma with skin and systemic lymph node involvement in the post-transplant setting.
Radiation Therapy: The North American Approach

The treatment of rectal cancer is evolving and the role of radiotherapy (RT) continues to be refined. Treatment options and regimens often depend upon the stage of disease, imaging findings, or surgical pathology. Radiation therapy is used in the treatment of locally advanced rectal cancer in the neoadjuvant setting or as post-operative therapy for tumors with high-risk histopathologic features. In the modern era of total mesorectal excision and induction or adjuvant chemotherapy, the primary benefit of radiation is local control. Rectal cancer is unique in that locally recurrent lesions can cause significant symptoms of pain, bowel obstruction and rectal bleeding. Additionally, locally recurrent disease often requires significant surgery such as a pelvic exenteration. Neoadjuvant RT can also reduce the extent and morbidity of surgery and increase the rates of sphincter preservation.
Hydraulic effects of shales in fluvial-deltaic deposits: Ground-penetrating radar, outcrop observations, geostatistics, and three-dimensional flow modeling for the Ferron Sandstone, Utah

Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) surveys, outcrop measurements, and cores provide a high-resolution 3D geologic model to investigate the hydraulic effects of shales in marine-influenced lower delta-plain distributary channel deposits within the Cretaceous-age Ferron Sandstone at Corbula Gulch in central Utah, USA. Shale statistics are computed from outcrop observations. Although slight anisotropy was observed in mean length and variogram ranges parallel and perpendicular to pale of low \((\overline L _ \bot \approx 1.2\overline L _ )\), the anisotropy is not statistically significant and the estimated mean length is 5.4 m. Truncated Gaussian simulation was used to create maps of shales that are placed on variably dipping stratigraphic surfaces interpreted from high-resolution 3D GPR surveys, outcrop interpretations, and boreholes. Sandstone permeability is estimated from radar responses calibrated to permeability measurements from core samples. Experimentally designed flow simulations examine the effects of variogram range, shale coverage fraction, and trends in shale coverage on predicted upscaled permeability, breakthrough time, and sweep efficiency. Approximately 1500 flow simulations examine three different geologic models, flow in the 3 coordinate directions, 16 geostatistical parameter combinations, and 10 realizations for each model. ANOVA and response models computed from the flow simulations demonstrate that shales decrease sweep, recovery, and permeability, especially in the vertical direction. The effect on horizontal flow is smaller. Flow predictions for ideal tracer displacements at Corbula Gulch are sensitive to shale-coverage fraction, but are relatively insensitive to twofold variations in variogram range or to vertical trends in shale coverage. Although the hydraulic effects of shale are statistically significant, the changes in flow responses rarely exceed 20%. As a result, it may be reasonable to use simple models when incorporating analogous shales into models of reservoirs or aquifers.
Developing global image feature analysis models to predict cancer risk and prognosis

In order to develop precision or personalized medicine, identifying new quantitative imaging markers and building machine learning models to predict cancer risk and prognosis has been attracting broad research interest recently. Most of these research approaches use the similar concepts of the conventional computer-aided detection schemes of medical images, which include steps in detecting and segmenting suspicious regions or tumors, followed by training machine learning models based on the fusion of multiple image features computed from the segmented regions or tumors. However, due to the heterogeneity and boundary fuzziness of the suspicious regions or tumors, segmenting subtle regions is often difficult and unreliable. Additionally, ignoring global and/or background parenchymal tissue characteristics may also be a limitation of the conventional approaches. In our recent studies, we investigated the feasibility of developing new computer-aided schemes implemented with the machine learning models that are trained by global image features to predict cancer risk and prognosis. We trained and tested several models using images obtained from full-field digital mammography, magnetic resonance imaging, and computed tomography of breast, lung, and ovarian cancers. Study results showed that many of these new models yielded higher performance than other approaches used in current clinical practice. Furthermore, the computed global image features also contain complementary information from the features computed from the segmented regions or tumors in predicting cancer prognosis. Therefore, the global image features can be used alone to develop new case-based prediction models or can be added to current tumor-based models to increase their discriminatory power.
Chinese State Capitalism and the Environment

China’s state-owned enterprises (SOEs) have contributed mightily to the country’s environmental problems. Scholars and commentators have long treated SOEs as “vested interests” with a particular ability to thwart central Party-state environmental objectives. The inability of the state to reform SOEs and stem the tide of environmental degradation is, in turn, seen as evidence of China’s governance deficits and a threat to the ultimate legitimacy and long-term survival of the Chinese state.This Chapter examines an emerging set of strategies that Chinese leaders are using to counter this dynamic. Rather than resort to the types of political, legal, and market reforms that liberal commentators typically support, Chinese authorities appear to be engaged in an effort to bring about environmental reform in significant part by accommodating elite SOE interests, bringing them along with a large helping of positive incentives and a relatively smaller dose of traditional regulatory enforcement.Drawing from public choice theory, this Chapter further argues that salient aspects of authoritarian governance (i.e., instrumental concerns about legitimacy and elite rent seeking) are not necessarily incompatible with the delivery of public goods, like environmental quality. Ultimately, it is not clear whether SOEs will in fact respond to state incentives to implement Chinese environmental policies, but there are reasons to believe that SOEs may in fact be more responsive than conventional wisdom assumes.
Average impact and important features of onboard eco-driving feedback: A meta-analysis

Abstract Eco-driving refers to suites of behavior a driver can engage in to improve fuel economy. The most common strategy used to promote eco-driving is onboard feedback that conveys information about fuel efficiency to the driver. This paper presents a statistical meta-analysis of eco-driving feedback studies in order to determine a weighted estimate of the average impact of feedback on fuel economy and explore potential moderators of its effectiveness, particularly regarding features of the feedback interface design. The main effect of onboard feedback on fuel economy across the final sample of 17 studies and 23 effect sizes was 6.6% improvement. Feedback that included information about both instantaneous and accumulated performance predicted larger effects. Though not statistically significant, trends in relationships between other feedback design features and fuel economy outcomes aligned with study hypotheses. Length of feedback intervention negatively related to effects, and pairing feedback with instructions or rewards predicted larger effects.
Age-related changes in the functional integrity of the phasic alerting system: a pupillometric investigation.

Abstract Enhanced processing following a warning cue is thought to be mediated by a phasic alerting response involving the locus coeruleus-noradrenergic (LC-NA) system. We examined the effect of aging on phasic alerting using pupil dilation as a marker of LC-NA activity in conjunction with a novel assessment of task-evoked pupil dilation. While both young and older adults displayed behavioral and pupillary alerting effects, reflected in decreased RT and increased pupillary response under high (tone) versus low (no tone) alerting conditions, older adults displayed a weaker pupillary response that benefited more from the alerting tone. The strong association between dilation and speed displayed by older adults in both alerting conditions was reduced in young adults in the high alerting condition, suggesting that in young (but not older) adults the tone conferred relatively little behavioral benefit beyond that provided by the alerting effect elicited by the target. These findings suggest a functioning but deficient LC-NA alerting system in older adults, and help reconcile previous results concerning the effects of aging on phasic alerting.
Exploring Social Stigma toward Opioid and Heroin Users among Students Enrolled in Criminology, Nursing, and EMT/Paramedic Courses

The goal of the current study was to empirically assess social stigma toward opioid and heroin using persons with a sample of 743 students majoring in programs (i.e., criminology, nursing, and EMT/...
Investigating EEG theta and alpha oscillations as measures of value-directed strategic processing in cognitively normal younger and older adults.

Abstract Value-directed strategic processing is an ability that appears to be relatively preserved with aging, but the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying strategic processing in older adults are not well understood. The current study examined age-related spectral power differences in EEG oscillations linked to processing of high-value versus low-value information in a value-directed strategic processing task in 24 younger adults (mean age: 22.4 ± 1.2 years) and 24 older adults (mean age: 63.2 ± 6.4 years). Both groups exhibited comparable strategic processing ability behaviorally with preferential recall of high- compared to low-value words. Both groups exhibited comparable theta band power with greater synchronization for low- compared to high-value words, but age-related differences in processing were noted in alpha band power. Older adults showed more prolonged alpha desynchronization for high- compared to low-value words relative to younger adults. This neurophysiological modulation in the alpha band in older adults might reflect a compensatory neural mechanism or increased effort linked to selective engagement of neural resources, allowing them to perform similarly to younger adults behaviorally on a value-directed strategic processing task.
Automated Water Supply Model (AWSM): Streamlining and standardizing application of a physically based snow model for water resources and reproducible science

Abstract Reproducible science requires a shift in thinking and application for how data, code and analysis are shared. Now, scientists must act more like software engineers to design models and perform analysis that use principles and techniques pioneered by software developers. Creating reproducible models that are easy to use and understand is in the best interest for the snow and hydrology community, enabling studies by other researchers and facilitating technology transfer to operational applications. Here, we present the Automated Water Supply Model (AWSM) that streamlines and standardizes the workflow of a physically based snow model to create fully reproducible model simulations that can be utilized by researchers and operational water resource managers. AWSM orchestrates four core components that historically required significant, ad-hoc modeler interaction to load the input data, spatially interpolate to the modeling domain, run the models and process the outputs. Because AWSM was developed using principles and techniques from software engineering, users can quickly perform reproducible simulations on any operating system, from a laptop to the cloud. The three fully reproducible example case studies showcase the simplicity and flexibility of using AWSM to perform simulations from small research catchments to simulations that aid in real time water management decisions.
Comparative analysis of antibiotic exposure association with clinical outcomes of chemotherapy versus immunotherapy across three tumour types.

Background In solid tumours, antibiotic use during immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) treatment is associated with shorter survival. Following allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT), antibiotic-induced gut microbiome alterations are associated with risk of relapse and mortality. These findings suggest that the gut microbiota can modulate antitumour immune response across tumour types, though it is not clear if the impact on outcomes is specific to immune therapy. An important limitation of previous studies is that the analysis combined all antibiotic exposures irrespective of the antibiotic spectrum of activity. Whether antibiotic exposure during induction chemotherapy in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) affects risk of relapse is also unknown. Patients and methods We performed a single-centred retrospective analysis of antibiotic exposures in metastatic/advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and renal cell cancer (RCC) receiving ICI and newly diagnosed AML patients receiving induction chemotherapy achieving a complete remission 1. Antibiotic use within 4 weeks before and 6 weeks after the ICI initiation were included. In AML patients, antibiotic exposures between days 1 and 28 of induction were collected. Antibiotics were a priori stratified based on spectrum of activity. Primary outcomes of interest were progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) in NSCLC and RCC and relapse-free survival (RFS) in AML. Results 140 patients with NSCLC, 55 with RCC and 143 with AML were included. In multivariable analysis, PFS and OS were shorter in NSCLC patients who received broad-spectrum anti-anaerobes (PFS, HR=3.2, 95% CI 1.6 to 6.2, p Conclusion In contrast to AML, antibiotic exposures in solid tumours affected clinical outcomes. The presence of an allogeneic effect (allo-HCT) or an augmented immune system (checkpoint blockade) may be necessary for microbiota mediation of relapse risk.
PODCASTING ON PURPOSE: EXPLORING MOTIVATIONS FOR PODCAST USE AMONG YOUNG ADULTS

Despite the pervasive nature of podcasts, little research has examined college student’s affinity for and motivations to listen to podcasts. This study investigated college students’ motivations, a...