cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Congenital central hypoventilation syndrome: Neurocognitive functioning in school age children†

Summary. Objective: Examine indices of neurocognitive functioning in children with PHOX2B mutation-confirmed neonatal onset congenital central hypoventilation syndrome (CCHS) and relate them to indices of PHOX2B genotype, demographics, and disease severity. Methods: Subjects were 20 patients with PHOX2B mutation-confirmed CCHS diagnosed as neonates who had undergone neurocognitive assessment in the course of clinical care at the Rush Children’s Hospital CCHS Center between 1990 and 2006. Neurocognitive variables of interest included Full Scale IQ (FSIQ) and Wechsler-derived marker indices (subtests) of verbal comprehension (Vocabulary), visuoperceptual reasoning (Block Design), working memory (Digit Span), and clerical/processing speed (Coding). Results: Single sample t-tests revealed participants’ general intelligence index (FSIQ; mean 84.9, SD 23.6) to be lower than the general population, though the range of FSIQ observed was broad. Visuoperceptual reasoning and clerical/visuographic speed marker indices were similarly depressed. These deficits were related to special education participation but not to PHOX2B genotype status or other demographic and clinical risk factors. Conclusions: PHOX2B mutation-confirmed CCHS confers risk for adverse neurocognitive outcome, though the range of functioning observed raises questions about factors that may contribute to neurocognitive variability. Visuoperceptual reasoning and clerical/visuographic speed appear particularly vulnerable. PHOX2B genotype and disease severity indicators were unrelated to neurocognitive indices, possibly due to our modest sample. Future research should employ comprehensive neurocognitive assessment emphasizing visuoperceptual ability, mental speed, attention, and information processing efficiency. Increased recognition and expedited diagnosis with PHOX2B testing should allow larger studies of the relationship between neurocognitive functioning, PHOX2B genotype/mutation, and disease severity and management. Pediatr. Pulmonol. 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc Pediatr Pulmonol. 2010; 45:92–98. 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Perceived discrimination, sense of control, and depressive symptoms among Korean American older adults.

This study explored a potential pathway by which perceived discrimination may affect levels of depressive symptoms in a sample of 472 Korean American older adults (Mage = 69.9, SD = 7.04). Building upon previous studies demonstrating that perceived discrimination has negative impacts on mental health, we hypothesized that sense of control would mediate the associations between perceived discrimination and depressive symptoms. Our analyses showed that the effects of perceived discrimination on depressive symptoms were not only direct but also mediated through a lowered sense of control. Finding that sense of control serves as an intervening step between perceived discrimination and mental health may help explicate the psychological mechanisms involved in responses to discriminatory experience and has implications for intervention strategies. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)
Bearing/Barren Life: The Conditions of Wollstonecraft’s Morbid Maternity

ABSTRACTThis essay argues that Mary Wollstonecraft develops conditional terms around her maternity politics that anticipate and reshape our understanding of what Giorgio Agamben calls “bare life.” ...
Exceptional Oxygen Reduction Reaction Activity and Durability of Platinum–Nickel Nanowires through Synthesis and Post-Treatment Optimization

For the first time, extended nanostructured catalysts are demonstrated with both high specific activity (>6000 μA cmPt–2 at 0.9 V) and high surface areas (>90 m2 gPt–1). Platinum–nickel (Pt—Ni) nanowires, synthesized by galvanic displacement, have previously produced surface areas in excess of 90 m2 gPt–1, a significant breakthrough in and of itself for extended surface catalysts. Unfortunately, these materials were limited in terms of their specific activity and durability upon exposure to relevant electrochemical test conditions. Through a series of optimized postsynthesis steps, significant improvements were made to the activity (3-fold increase in specific activity), durability (21% mass activity loss reduced to 3%), and Ni leaching (reduced from 7 to 0.3%) of the Pt—Ni nanowires. These materials show more than a 10-fold improvement in mass activity compared to that of traditional carbon-supported Pt nanoparticle catalysts and offer significant promise as a new class of electrocatalysts in fuel cell a...
Practical Control Theory for Distributed Systems

Abstract The basic difficulties in the synthesis of physically implementable controllers for distributed systems are discussed. A few possible directions for developing a practical control theory for distributed systems which takes these difficulties into consideration are presented. Some of the ideas are illustrated by simple examples.
Pituitary Ring Sign Plus Sphenoid Sinus Mucosal Thickening: Neuroimaging Signs of Pituitary Apoplexy

Two magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signs of pituitary apoplexy are the "pituitary ring sign" and "sphenoid sinus mucosal thickening". The occurrence of both these MRI signs together in patients with ischaemic pituitary apoplexy was investigated. A literature review searching the terms "pituitary ring sign" and "sphenoid sinus mucosal thickening" in the context of pituitary apoplexy from 1990 until present was performed. To be included in the study, each case had to have ischaemic pituitary apoplexy defined as acute expansion of a pituitary adenoma or, less commonly, in a non-adenomatous gland, from infarction without haemorrhage or very little haemorrhage and a T1-weighted MRI of the brain with contrast that displayed both "sphenoid sinus mucosal thickening" and a "pituitary ring sign" either on an actual study (the author's cases) or in a figure in an article from the literature that could be reviewed and clearly illustrate these two signs. Twelve cases of ischaemic pituitary apoplexy were found, all with MRI images that showed both of these signs. Ten cases from the literature (3 of which were published by this author) plus an additional 2 recently evaluated in our hospital, totalled the 12 cases. Thus, 5 of the total 12 cases were evaluated by this author. Of these 12 patients, both headache and visual loss were present in 5 patients, headache alone was indicated in 5 patients (10 of the 12 presented with headache), and no initial symptoms identified in 2 patients (incidentally found non-functioning pituitary adenomas on MRI). These findings indicate that each sign ("pituitary ring sign" and "sphenoid sinus mucosal thickening") may exist alone with or without pituitary apoplexy, yet both signs together in the appropriate clinical context is a strong predictor of pituitary apoplexy.
Circadian Clocks and mTOR Signaling

The interest in the delay of aging and age associated pathologies through dietary interventions is growing. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of dietary effects on physiology and metabolism is essential to develop rational strategies for dietary interventions. Circadian clock and mTOR signaling pathway play critical role in the organism/diet interaction and regulation of metabolism. Circadian clock generates rhythms in physiology, known as circadian rhythms, which are essential for the synchronization of various metabolic processes with periodic feeding (activity)/fasting (sleep) cycles. Clock disruption is associated with the development of multiple pathologies in animal models and increases the risk of diseases in humans. mTOR signaling pathway is a master regulator of a switch between catabolism and anabolism in response to feeding. mTOR pathway is deregulated in many diseases such as cancer and diabetes and contributes to development of these pathologies. Both systems, the circadian clock and mTOR pathway, have been implicated in the control of aging in different organisms. Recently several groups reported on the existence of the crosstalk between the circadian clock and mTOR signaling pathway. Here we will discuss the role of this crosstalk in aging.
Efficient Estimation of Component Interactions for Cascading Failure Analysis by EM Algorithm

Due to the lack of information about the causes of outages, the estimation of the interactions between component failures that capture the general outage propagation patterns is a typical parameter estimation problem with incomplete data. In this paper, we estimate these interactions by the expectation maximization (EM) algorithm. The proposed method is validated with simulated cascading failure data from the AC OPA model on the IEEE 118-bus system. The EM algorithm can accurately estimate the interactions and identify the key links and key components using only a small number of the original cascades from a detailed cascading blackout model, which is critical for online cascading failure analysis and decision making. Compared with AC OPA simulation, the highly probabilistic interaction model simulation based on the proposed interaction estimation method can achieve a speed-up of 100.61.
Stenting and overdilating small Gore-Tex vascular grafts in complex congenital heart disease.

BACKGROUND Gore-Tex® grafts are integral in the management of congenital heart disease. Issues of graft stenosis or somatic outgrowth may precipitate high-risk early surgery, and catheter intervention is a relatively under-reported management option. OBJECTIVES To assess efficacy, safety, and outcomes of stenting and overdilating small Gore-Tex® vascular grafts with the aim of optimizing surgical timing. METHODS Retrospective analysis of single-center, 13-year experience of 93 graft stenting interventions or reintervention in 80 patients, with the aim of relieving stenosis ± overdilation, to depose surgical graft revision or optimize surgical timing and candidacy. RESULTS Median preintervention graft diameter was 52% (IQR 43-63) of nominal size, postintervention this increased to median 102% (IQR 96-120) [P < 0.001]. Overdilation was achieved in 54%; of these, the median final internal lumen was 126% (IQR 113-132) [P < 0.001]. Mean oxygen saturations increased from 69% to 82% [P < 0.001]. Adverse event rate was 14.9%; this includes mortality (3.2%) and atrioventricular conduction block (8.5%). Univariate analysis and logistic regression showed a significant relationship between adverse events and young age [P < 0.01], low weight [P < 0.01], univentricular physiology [P < 0.001], use of femoral venous access alone [P = 0.03], and intervention on a right ventricle to pulmonary artery conduit [P = 0.03]. Within respective indication groups, 74% were bridged to elective cavopulmonary shunt, 95% were bridged to biventricular surgery, and 78% of long-term palliative care patients continue under follow-up. CONCLUSIONS Gore-Tex® vascular grafts can be stented effectively and expanded beyond nominal diameters by around +26%. This improves oxygen saturations, providing excellent palliation and optimized surgical timing. Adverse events are most frequent in precavopulmonary shunt patients. CONDENSED ABSTRACT Gore-Tex® grafts are widely used in the palliation of cyanotic congenital heart disease. Grafts may become stenosed and do not allow for somatic growth. Over a 13 year period, graft stenting was performed in 80 patients (93 technically successful interventions, 4 unsuccessful.) Median internal lumen change was +50% (of nominal graft size), mean oxygen saturation change +13%. Over-dilation was performed in more than half of the cohort, with a median gain of +26% on nominal graft size. In precavopulmonary shunt patients, there was a moderate incidence of serious complications. Clinically useful deferral of surgery was achieved for the majority.
Plane-Wave Calculation of Photonic Band Structure

The new class of artificial periodic dielectric media called the photonic crystals, originally proposed by Yablonovitch[1] and John[2] a few years ago, has been attracting a great deal of research interests because of its highly unusual properties which offer exciting and challenging new problems, and because of its broad potentials for device applications from the mm to the uv wavelengths. Recently photonic crystals which have a full photonic bandgap have been discovered.[3] [4] Surface states as well as defect modes[5] in these crystals have now also been studied.
Impact of NICU admission on Colorado-born late preterm infants: breastfeeding initiation, continuation and in-hospital breastfeeding practices.

Compare breastfeeding initiation and continuation rates, and in-hospital breastfeeding practices, of late preterm infants (LPIs) cared for in a NICU versus those cared for exclusively in the nursery (non-NICU). Using data from the 2009–2014 Colorado Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS), breastfeeding initiation, continuation, and in-hospital breastfeeding practices of NICU versus non-NICU LPIs (34 0/7 to 36 6/7 weeks gestation, n = 20,767) were analyzed, and multivariate models were created controlling for maternal and infant characteristics. Mothers of NICU LPIs were equally likely to initiate breastfeeding (APR 1.0; 95% CI 0.95–1.06) but less likely to continue breastfeeding at 10 weeks (APR 0.86; 95% CI 0.76–0.99) compared to mothers of non-NICU LPIs. Mothers of NICU LPIs were less likely to breastfeed in the hospital, less likely to be told to feed infants on demand, and more likely to be given a breast pump during hospitalization. There are significant differences in both breastfeeding continuation and several in-hospital breastfeeding practices for NICU versus non-NICU LPIs. Further research is needed so that targeted policies and programs can be developed to improve breastfeeding rates in this vulnerable population.
Whole-genome sequence of infectious pancreatic necrosis virus isolated from farmed brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) in Pennsylvania

Infectious pancreatic necrosis (IPN) is an acute contagious systemic disease affecting several fish species and a critical disease in the salmonid fish farming industry. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of IPN virus (IPNV) RNA segments A and B, isolated from a farmed brook trout in Pennsylvania.
Temporal persistence of resource polymorphism in brook charr, Salvelinus fontinalis

Resource polymorphisms are believed to be an important intermediate step in competitive sympatric speciation. Reports of resource polymorphisms in fishes are becoming more common, but tests of the temporal persistence of resource polymorphisms remain scarce. We examined the temporal persistence of a body shape dimorphism reported previously for stream dwelling young-of-the-year brook charr, Salvelinus fontinalis, inhabiting slow vs. fast running water. In the year of our study, we found no difference in body shape between individuals in slow vs. fast flowing water, although fish in fast flowing water were of greater standard length than those in slower flowing water. We conclude that the resource polymorphism reported earlier for brook charr in streams is not stable temporally.
Underwater Archaeology, Hawaiian Style

It would be hard to imagine a spot on the globe more intimately involved with maritime history and associated technologies than the islands of Hawaii. From their original discovery and settlement by voyaging Polynesians, their importance in the sandalwood and whaling trades, and the more recent remains left behind by World War II in the Pacific, the Hawaiian Island chain has accumulated a material record of at least 1500 years of maritime activity. Of course, much has decayed, turned into reef through biological processes, floated away, or otherwise smashed against solid rock cliffs and broken into unrecognizable pieces. What remains of the submerged material record testifies to Hawaii’s uniquely diverse maritime traditions. The investigation of this record is relatively new but, most assuredly, there is more than just surfing in the islands of Hawaii.
Waiting for R2D2 // Esperando a R2D2

This is a personal essay in which I reflect on the possibility of benevolent artificial intelligence using the figure of R2D2 from Star Wars. Resumen Este es un ensayo personal en el que reflexiono sobre la posibilidad de la inteligencia artificial benevola usando la figura de R2D2 de Star Wars.
Evaluation of the Phosphoproteome of Mouse Alpha 4/Beta 2-Containing Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors In Vitro and In Vivo

Activation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors containing α4 and β2 subunits (α4/β2* nAChRs) in the mammalian brain is necessary for nicotine reinforcement and addiction. We previously identified interactions between α4/β2* nAChRs and calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) in mouse and human brain tissue. Following co-expression of α4/β2 nAChR subunits with CaMKII in HEK cells, mass spectrometry identified 8 phosphorylation sites in the α4 subunit. One of these sites and an additional site were identified when isolated α4/β2* nAChRs were dephosphorylated and subsequently incubated with CaMKII in vitro, while 3 phosphorylation sites were identified following incubation with protein kinase A (PKA) in vitro. We then isolated native α4/β2* nAChRs from mouse brain following acute or chronic exposure to nicotine. Two CaMKII sites identified in HEK cells were phosphorylated, and 1 PKA site was dephosphorylated following acute nicotine administration in vivo, whereas phosphorylation of the PKA site was increased back to baseline levels following repeated nicotine exposure. Significant changes in β2 nAChR subunit phosphorylation were not observed under these conditions, but 2 novel sites were identified on this subunit, 1 in HEK cells and 1 in vitro. These experiments identified putative CaMKII and PKA sites on α4/β2* nAChRs and novel nicotine-induced phosphorylation sites in mouse brain that can be explored for their consequences on receptor function.
Hydrophilic and Hydrophobic Characteristics of Reservoir Rocks Quantified by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance-Detected Water Isotherms

Accurate determination of rock wettability is crucial for evaluating petroleum reserves and optimizing oil production. Reservoir rocks, formations that contain accumulations of oil or gas, often comprise a large collection of mineral types and a wide range of pore sizes. This heterogeneity makes it difficult to measure the wettability of reservoir rocks by conventional techniques, such as contact angle measurement. Here, we resolve this problem by applying an in situ nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) adsorption isotherm technique. Investigations of glass bead phantoms demonstrate that NMR-detected isotherms are capable of distinguishing between hydrophilic and hydrophobic surfaces within the pore network. This NMR-based isotherm methodology is further applied to reservoir rocks. Water isotherms of the pristine rocks provide information on two important rock properties—wettability and pore-size distribution. Such information can be used, among other things, to model the wettability of the formation and to m...
Risk stratification with vasodilator stress SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging in patients with elevated cardiac biomarkers.

Although the diagnostic accuracy and prognostic utility of vasodilator stress MPI have been well established in the non-acute setting, the efficacy of all of the vasodilator stressors in risk stratifying post-MI patients as well as the evaluation of cardiac troponin elevation of unclear etiology is not established. Accordingly, the aim of the present study was to investigate the prognostic efficacy of vasodilator stress MPI in the setting of elevated cardiac troponin to accurately risk stratify these higher-risk patients. All patients from two tertiary centers, from 1/1/2010 through 12/31/2012, with elevated cardiac biomarkers within 20%. Mortality data through the year 2014 were obtained from the National Death Index, and survival analyses were performed. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality with the secondary endpoint being cardiac mortality. A total of 503 patients were followed for an average of 33.6 ± 16.2 months, with a mean age of 69.3 years; 53.7% male; and a majority (88.7%) of them undergoing vasodilator stress. A significant increase in all-cause mortality was seen based on the severity of TPD results for all vasodilators (P < .0001) and regadenoson (P < .0001). Similar prognostic ability was seen for all-cause mortality. This association was maintained even after adjustment for cardiac risk factors, previous coronary disease, and troponin quartiles. MPI results (stress TPD and LVEF) added to traditional cardiac risk factors, and troponin values resulted in a significant incremental increase in the ability to predict all-cause and cardiac mortality, and stress TPD remained independently predictive for both all-cause and cardiac mortality in a multivariate model. Vasodilator stress (including regadenoson) MPI effectively risk stratifies patients with recently elevated cardiac biomarkers, with the increasing risk of mortality with the increasing severity of perfusion defects. It provides incremental prognostic value, in addition to clinical factors and degree of troponin elevation.
The Spirit of Motivational Interviewing for Psychiatric Nonadherence

Motivational interviewing (MI) is an evidence-based approach to behavioral change that is very well suited to improving patient adherence with psychiatric care. This chapter will describe the key elements of MI that constitute the “spirit and style” of this approach. Utilizing case examples and self-reflections, we challenge the reader to begin to incorporate an MI approach to their work with ambivalent patients in order to enhance treatment adherence.
Infrastructure Stakeholders’ Perspective in Development and Implementation of New Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) Technologies for Maintenance and Management of Transportation Infrastructure

Infrastructure is the backbone of the US economy and a necessary input to every economic output [1]. The cost of infrastructure maintenance and management demands significant expense for government and private companies. Infrastructure owners want to increase efficiency and improve their bottom-line from existing infrastructure rather than building new ones [2]. One of the significant challenges for the engineering community has been adopting new technologies such as low-cost wireless smart sensors, augmented reality, Unmanned Aerial System (UAS)-based Structural Health Monitoring (SHM). To receive first-hand insight from infrastructure owners, industry professionals and researchers, a workshop entitled ‘Infrastructure, Maintenance and Management Using New Technology’ was conducted in Fort Worth, Texas. In this paper the findings from the workshop are discussed. Stakeholders highlighted safety of the bridge inspectors as the priority in the maintenance and management work. Based on the findings of this workshop it now clear that adopting new technologies leads to higher safety for field inspectors. Key aspects include importance of new technologies for obtaining actionable data for maintenance and management, owner’s perspectives on development of future technologies, current research progress and challenges faced by infrastructure industry in implementing new technologies are presented.
Age of Information Minimization for an Energy Harvesting Cognitive Radio

Age of information (AoI) is a performance metric that measures the timeliness and freshness of information, and is particularly relevant in applications with time-sensitive data. This paper studies average AoI minimization in cognitive radio energy harvesting communications. More specifically, the system studied has a primary user with access rights to spectrum, and a secondary user who can utilize the spectrum only when it is left idle by the primary user. The secondary user is an energy harvesting sensor that harvests ambient energy with which it performs spectrum sensing and status updates of its sensing data to a destination. The status-updates are sent by opportunistically accessing the primary user’s spectrum. The secondary user aims to minimize the average AoI by adaptively making sensing and update decisions based on its energy availability and the availability of the primary spectrum with either perfect or imperfect spectrum sensing. The sequential decision problems are formulated as partially observable Markov decision processes and solved by dynamic programming for finite and infinite horizon. The properties of the optimal sensing and updating policies are investigated and shown to have threshold structure. Numerical results are presented to confirm the analytical findings.
Topic Clustering of E-Cigarette Submissions among Reddit Communities: A Network Perspective.

E-cigarette use in the United States has significantly grown in recent years. Widespread diffusion of e-cigarette content across social media communities may be contributing to this growth. In this...
Using a Macro Lens for Anterior Segment Imaging in Rural Panama.

Background: Visual impairment, specifically anterior segment pathology, presents a significant burden of disease in the world. Introduction: Inexpensive tools are necessary to improve eye health of...
Amygdala Functional Connectivity Features in Grief: A Pilot Longitudinal Study.

Abstract Objective Acute grief, in an important minority of older adults, can become protracted, intense, and debilitating, leading to the development of complicated grief (CG). However, the neurobiologic mechanisms underlying a maladaptive grief response after an attachment loss are unknown. The current study aimed to examine the amygdala brain network features that cross-sectionally explain the symptom variance and longitudinally relate to grief symptom trajectories after an attachment loss. Methods Baseline amygdala functional connectivity (Fc) was assessed using a seed-based resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging method in 35 adults who were within 1-year after death of a loved one and 21 healthy comparison (HC) participants. Magnetic resonance imaging scans were obtained at baseline, and clinical assessments, including the inventory of complicated grief (ICG) were completed at weeks 0, 8, 16, and 26 (endpoint). Results Relative to HC participants, grief participants showed increased amygdala Fc in the posterior default mode (bilateral medial temporal lobes and left precuneus) and thalamus. Amygdala Fc in the default mode and ventral affective regions positively correlated with ICG scores at baseline. Furthermore, increased baseline amygdala functional connections with the dorsal frontal executive control and salience network regions correlated with worsening ICG scores over time. These longitudinal findings persisted after controlling for covariates, including baseline depressive and anxiety symptoms. Conclusion These results provide novel preliminary evidence suggesting amygdala-based brain network measures to cross-sectionally explain symptom variance and longitudinally correlate with grief symptom trajectories in grievers. Amygdala brain network function measures may have the potential to serve as biomarkers of CG.
PEWI: An interactive web-based ecosystem service model for a broad public audience

Abstract We present an open source web application and ecosystem services model, People in Ecosystems/Watershed Integration (PEWI). PEWI integrates ecological models within an intuitive interface, allowing users to rapidly and dynamically evaluate how changes to agricultural land cover, use, and management affect ecosystem service outcomes. Users create and evaluate land-use and management scenarios in a virtual watershed across years and variable weather conditions using spatially explicit environmental patterns and dynamic feedback on 16 ecosystem service indicators. Indicators include agricultural production (i.e., crop and livestock) and environmental outcomes (i.e., water quality, habitat provision for biodiversity, soil quality, and carbon management). We based initial indicator equations on literature review, empirical data, existing models, and expert consultation, and finalized equations using a combination of testing, sensitivity analysis, and expert review. Model results allow users to explore nuanced tradeoffs and co-benefits between types and levels of agricultural products and other ecosystem services generated in a watershed. PEWI's niche as an ecological model is as a tool for engaging broad public audiences in understanding the science and management of landscapes and watersheds.
Life's a Game (Reviewing Robert Wright, Nonzero)

In the theory of games, a non-zero-sum game is a situation in which one participant’s gain is not necessarily another’s loss – in which the gains and losses do not sum to zero. Trade is a non-zero-sum game since seller and buyer can both improve their positions. In zero-sum games, by contrast, there is a fixed total of prizes, with the consequence that any person’s advantage must be at the expense of someone else. Poker is a zero-sum game; so is competition between suitors for the same mate. There is nothing to be gained from cooperation in zero-sum games, but participants in non-zero-sum games typically stand to do better by cooperating with each other than by singly pursuing their individual interests. And human life, competitive as it is, is full of non-zero-sum situations. From our hunter-gatherer beginnings to the contemporary global economy, the total pool of goods is larger when people cooperate, divide labor, and specialize. In fact, competition increases the value of cooperation: a society that harnesses the synergy of its members will be more effective at competing with other societies.In his new book, Nonzero, Robert Wright – a journalist whose previous book The Moral Animal brought evolutionary psychology to a wide audience – uses the notion of a non-zero-sum game to offer a wide-angle view of both history and biological evolution. Wright argues first that history has an overall “direction” or “arrow” – toward greater social organization and complexity. In his view, a mechanism that he calls “the logic of non-zero-sumness” propels humans to construct more and more encompassing economic, political, legal, and informational structures. Second, Wright makes a parallel argument with respect to biological evolution: it also moves in the direction of greater complexity, and for the same basic reason. Putting the two parts together, he argues that a global level of organization, which we are now approaching, was very likely from the beginning of life on this planet.
E-050 Utility of hounsfield unit in predicting failed mechanical thrombectomy

Background and Purpose Despite advancement in technique, around 30% of mechanical thrombectomies (MT) for acute large vessel occlusion (LVO) are unsuccessful. Current prediction models fail to address the association between patient’s specific factors and post-procedural reperfusion. In the present study, we aim to evaluate pre-thrombectomy clinical and radiological features and their association with failed MT. Methods We retrospectively analyzed consecutive, adult, MT patients with anterior circulation LVO (2012–2017) treated at two large comprehensive stroke centers. We collected clinical and procedural data and reviewed imaging features from non-contrast enhanced head computed tomography (CT), CT angiography (CTA) and digital subtraction angiography (DSA). We performed a quantitative assessment of hyperdense vessel on CT, measuring Hounsfield unit (HU) in the occluded side and its counterpart. The primary outcome was unsuccessful recanalization measured by the Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (TICI) score (0-2A). We utilized univariate and multivariate logistic regression to examine these associations. Results Out of 348 anterior LVO patients, 87 had failed MT. In univariate analysis, smoking, difficult arch, vessel tortuosity, vessel calcification specifically matching the LVO location, diminutive vessels, truncal M1 occlusion and quantitative measures for hyperdense MCA (delta HU and HU ratio) were significantly associated with failed MT. When we fitted 2 separate multivariate models delta HU or HU ratio; both delta HU Conclusions Quantitative assessment of HU utilizing delta HU and HU ratio may help identify patients refractory to standard thrombectomy strategies. Disclosures S. Ortega Gutierrez: 2; C; MEDTRONIC, STRYKER. C. Zevallos: None. F. Siddiqui: None. S. Dandapat: None. A. Dajles: None. K. Ume: None. M. Weber: None. D. Quispe: None. M. Farooqui: None. S. Ansari: None.
Analysis of Program Disturbance Immunity of VA-SGLC Embedded Nonvolatile Memory

We have analyzed the program disturbance immunity mechanism of a vertical assist-select gate lateral coupling (VA-SGLC) cell. Comparing different operation methods of unit cells fabricated with the same process, we verified the array structure and operation mode dependence of the program disturbance. As an embedded nonvolatile memory, the VA-SGLC cell offers advantages of no additional masks and process steps as well as fast program speed and program/erase cycling performance exceeding 10 k. Furthermore, it exhibited abnormally strong disturbance immunity. Using worst-case disturbance measurements and potential difference comparisons, we verified the mechanism of the abnormally strong disturbance immunity of the VA-SGLC cell. The strong program disturbance immunity of VA-SGLC cell is due to the varying coupling ratio caused by coupling dividing operation methods. These features arise from the distinctive array structures and operation methods of the VA-SGLC cell.
Myosin Isozymes in Developing Chicken Muscles

There is now general agreement among several laboratories that a minimum of three classes of myosin isozymes appear sequentially during the course of muscle development (56,381,386, 551). These classes include embryonic, neonatal and adult myosin. Even though the primary structure of these myosins is different (552,553), their overall size and shape remains unchanged (Figure 85B). A more difficult, and largely unresolved problem is the functional significance of this polymorphism. It is widely assumed that myosin isozymes have different enzymatic properties which can be related to the speed of shortening of the muscle from which the myosin is derived (554). Here it will be shown that this correlation does not necessarily apply to developing muscles, and that alternative explanations for myosin diversity need to be found.
Low Complexity Suboptimal Constellation Design for Multi-User Multiple Access

In a Non-Orthogonal Multiple Access (NOMA) uplink, the surjective-only mapping raised up by the linear combination of modulated symbols introduces uncertainty in the decoding process. And the computation complexity of detection algorithms increases exponentially. In this paper, we have proposed a mapping method based on sub-optimized signal constellation designs by shaping the receiver's constellation with a strategy that allows differentiate users, by which resolvable points will be received allowing simpler detection and design. Moreover, a novel multiplexing technique combining the frequency resource with a Time Delay (TD) is proposed as well.
Do Learners Recognize and Relate to the Emotions Displayed By Virtual Instructors

There has been much research on the effectiveness of animated pedagogical agents in an educational context, however there is little research about how the emotions they display contribute to a learner’s understanding of the lesson. The positivity principle suggests that learners should learn better from instructors with positive emotions compared to those with negative emotions. Additionally, the media equation theory (Reeves and Nass 1996) would suggest this principle should be true for animated instructors as well. In an experiment, students viewed a lesson on binomial probability taught by an animated instructor who was happy (positive/active), content (positive/passive), frustrated (negative/active), or bored (negative/passive). Learners were able to recognize positive from negative emotions, rated the positive instructors as better at facilitating learning, more credible, more human-like, and more engaging. Additionally, learners who saw positive instructors indicated they tried to pay attention to the lesson and enjoyed the lesson more than those who saw negative instructors. However, learners who saw positive instructors did not perform better on a delayed test than those who saw negative instructors. This suggests that learners recognize and react to the emotions of the virtual instructors, but research is needed to determine how the emotions displayed by virtual instructors can promote better learning outcomes.
Treatment of Malignant Tumors of the Maxillary Sinus

Summary Malignant disease of the maxillary sinus is insidious in its onset and tends to present at an advanced stage, with involvement of adjacent structures. Treatment depends on the extent of the disease and the areas of involvement and may include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery. Surgical considerations include maxillectomy, orbital exenteration, and craniofacial resection. Prosthetic obturation of the resulting defect remains a viable means of rehabilitation for many of these patients.
Potential accuracy of prehospital NIHSS-based triage for selection of candidates for acute endovascular stroke therapy.

Objective Whether patients with acute stroke and large vessel occlusion (LVO) benefit from prehospital identification and diversion by emergency medical services (EMS) to an endovascular stroke therapy (EST)-capable center is controversial. We sought to estimate the accuracy of field-based identification of potential EST candidates in a hypothetical best-of-all-worlds situation. Methods In Kaiser Permanente Northern California, all acute stroke patients arriving at its 21 stroke centers between 7:00 am and midnight from January 2016 to December 2019 were evaluated by teleneurologists on arrival. Initial National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, presence of LVO, and referral for EST were obtained from standardized teleneurology notes. Factors associated with LVO were evaluated using generalized estimating equations accounting for clustering by facility. Results Among 13,377 patients brought in by EMS with potential stroke, 7168 (53.6%) were not candidates for acute stroke interventions. Of the remaining 6089 cases, 2,573 (42.3%) had an NIHSS score >10, the cutoff with a higher association for LVO. Only 703 patients (27.3% with NIHSS score >10) were ultimately diagnosed with LVO and referred for EST. Across all NIHSS scores, only 884 (6.6%) suspected acute stroke patients had LVO and EST referral. Conclusions Even if field-based tools were as accurate as NIHSS scoring and predictions by stroke neurologists, only about 1 in 4 acute stroke patients diverted to EST-capable centers would benefit by receiving EST. Depending on geography and stroke center performance on door-to-needle time, many systems may be better served by focusing on expediting evaluation, treatment with intravenous thrombolysis, and transfer to EST-capable centers.
Medical Management of Uncomplicated Type B Acute Aortic Syndromes

Medical therapy is the foundation for management of uncomplicated type B acute aortic syndromes (AAS). While high-risk features may necessitate an interventional approach in some patients, the majority of type B AAS do well with a strategy centered around hemodynamic optimization and surveillance imaging. In this chapter, clinical outcomes, initial diagnosis, and medical management of type B AAS will be reviewed. The care paradigm of acute in-hospital treatment and long-term outpatient management of these patients will be defined.
Subluminous Wolf-Rayet stars - Observations

Fully ten percent of the Wolf-Rayet stars known in our galaxy are central stars of planetary nebulae. These stars are highly-evolved stars of approximately one solar mass. The existence of WR characteristics in the spectra of central stars as well as in massive, younger stars proves conclusively that WR spectra are a phenomenon that occurs in hot stars of widely different masses and evolutionary histories. Just what this phenomenon is -- the nature of the instability that drives the wind -- is not known, but the phenomenon is associated with a prior event in the star’s evolutionary history. The common event that links Wolf-Rayet stars is loss of most, if not all of the outer, hydrogen-rich envelope just prior to the onset of WR characteristics. As Tutakov (this volume) and others have emphasized, there are many ways for a star to lose its H-rich envelope. These ways include mixing, ejection via a wind, or, in the case of a close binary, ejection via Roche-lobe overflow. The existence of WR-type central stars implies simply that we should include one more path leading to the Wolf-Rayet phenomenon, and that is, ejection to form a planetary nebulae.
Pulmonary Tumors Inefficiently Prime Tumor-Specific T Cells

The lung is a common site of metastatic and primary tumor growth, and has been shown to be an immunosuppressive environment. We tested the impact of the lung environment on the development of tumor-specific T cell responses against the CMS5 fibrosarcoma, and found a deficit in the efficacy of naive tumor-specific DUC18 T cells against tumors established in the lung. One hundred-fold more naive tumor-specific T cells were required to protect against tumor development or reject established tumors in the lung than an identical tumor challenge delivered s.c. in the flank. Importantly, CMS5 growing in the flank facilitated the rejection of tumors present in the lungs. In the presence of flank tumors, transferred T cells were not phenotypically altered but were present in much greater numbers in the parabronchial lymph nodes, bronchoalveolar lavage, and lung parenchyma than in mice bearing lung tumors alone. We hypothesized that APC present in the lung and skin draining lymph nodes were differentially initiating T cell proliferation, leading to differences in the size of the final effector populations. A direct comparison of DUC18 T cell proliferation against APC from flank or lung draining lymph nodes showed profoundly greater proliferation to flank draining lymph node APC. The impaired stimulation of naive T cell proliferation by lung draining APC provides one mechanistic explanation for the lower overall immune response, and inability to effectively reject tumors, in the lung.
The hidden epidemic: opiate addiction and cocaine use in the South, 1860-1920.

ONE OF THE MANY MEMORABLE CHARACTERS IN HARPER LEE'S novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, is an aged morphine addict, Mrs. Henry Lafayette Dubose. Mrs. Dubose was a cantankerous widow who lived in Maycomb, a small, fictitious Alabama town. She had been addicted many years before by her physician, who gave her morphine to ease her pain. Informed that she had only a short while to live, she struggled to quit taking the drug, for she was determined "to leave this world beholden to nothing and nobody."' There were tens of thousands of real-life Mrs. Duboses scattered throughout the postbellum South. With the possible exception of the Chinese, southern whites had the highest addiction rate of any regional racial group in the country, and perhaps one of the highest in the world. At the same time southern blacks had a relatively low rate of addiction, at least with respect to opiates. Blacks, when they used drugs at all, tended to use cocaine. It has been alleged-and heatedly denied-that black cocaine use manifested itself in a major crime wave around the turn of the century. Even discounting these reports, it is apparent that the postbellum South had an unusually severe narcotic problem characterized by racial preferences for different drugs. Documenting this pattern of drug use is difficult since users tended to conceal their practices for fear of social or legal reprisals. There are, nevertheless, a few sources of statistical data. The most important of these is a by-product of the 1914 Harrison Narcotic Act, which was designed to regulate the sale and distribution of narcotics, defined primarily as the opiates and cocaine. The fateful
Is there a need for speed? Fast animation as context increases product trial intent and self-focus

Context may be of increasing importance as consumer paths become more predictable by advertisers. Using a framework of excitation transfer, three experiments were conducted (study 1a, 1b, and study 2) where arousal was created by animation speed of product messages and showed effects for a print advertisement (studies 1a and 1b) and an online advertising circular (study 2). People who were in an aroused state were more likely to try the product in the subsequently seen print ad, choose products in the circular that cost more money and perceived the circular ad to be for ‘someone like me’. Implications for advertisers and media planners are discussed.
The lung-specific CC10 gene is regulated by transcription factors from the AP-1, octamer, and hepatocyte nuclear factor 3 families.

Abstract We have shown that a large fragment (-2339 to +57) from the rat CC10 gene directed lung-specific expression of a reporter construct in transgenic animals. Upon transfection, a smaller fragment (-165 to +57) supported reporter gene expression exclusively in the Clara cell-like NCI-H441 cell line, suggesting that a Clara cell-specific transcriptional element resided on this fragment (B. R. Stripp, P. L. Sawaya, D. S. Luse, K. A. Wikenheiser, S. E. Wert, J. A. Huffman, D. L. Lattier, G. Singh, S. L. Katyal, and J. A. Whitsett, J. Biol. Chem. 267:14703-14712, 1992). The interactions of nuclear proteins with a particular segment of the CC10 promoter which extends from 79 to 128 bp upstream of the CC10 transcription initiation site (CC10 region I) have now been studied. This sequence can stimulate both in vitro transcription in H441 nuclear extract and transient expression of reporter constructs in H441 cells. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays using extracts from H441, HeLa, rat liver, and fetal sheep lung cells were used to demonstrate that members of the AP-1, octamer, and HNF-3 families bind to CC10 region I. Transcription factors from H441 cells which are capable of binding to CC10 region I are either absent in HeLa, rat liver, and fetal sheep lung extracts or enriched in H441 extracts relative to extracts from non-Clara cells.
Meaning, Expression, and Evidence

Grice's (1957) analysis of non-natural meaning generated a huge industry, where new analyses were put forward to respond to successively more complex counterexamples. Davis (2003) offers a novel and refreshingly simple analysis of meaning in terms of the expression of belief, where (roughly) an agent expresses the belief that p just in case she performs a publicly observable action with the intention that it be an indication that she occurrently believes that p. I argue that Davis's analysis fails to capture the essentially overt nature of our meaning-intentions, and with it, a plausible sufficient condition for meaning.
Identification and Rational Redesign of Peptide Ligands to CRIP1, A Novel Biomarker for Cancers

Cysteine-rich intestinal protein 1 (CRIP1) has been identified as a novel marker for early detection of cancers. Here we report on the use of phage display in combination with molecular modeling to identify a high-affinity ligand for CRIP1. Panning experiments using a circularized C7C phage library yielded several consensus sequences with modest binding affinities to purified CRIP1. Two sequence motifs, A1 and B5, having the highest affinities for CRIP1, were chosen for further study. With peptide structure information and the NMR structure of CRIP1, the higher-affinity A1 peptide was computationally redesigned, yielding a novel peptide, A1M, whose affinity was predicted to be much improved. Synthesis of the peptide and saturation and competitive binding studies demonstrated approximately a 10–28-fold improvement in the affinity of A1M compared to that of either A1 or B5 peptide. These techniques have broad application to the design of novel ligand peptides.