cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Breeding of A New Hybrid Rice Cultivar Wufengyou 569

To enhance the per capita yield of rice,so as to adapt to yearly decreasing of arable land,On the basis of inter-subspecific heterosis,many excellent properties,such as strong superiority and cold tolerance,were polymerized.Through the method of shuttling breeding off sites and directional selection,a new restorer line G569 was developed.Wufengyou 569,which was developed with G569(restorer line) and WufengA(sterile line).This three-line hybrid rice cultivar was approved by Hunan Province in 2011 because of its better performance,including high-yielding,strong cold tolerance,blast resistance and taste values.
Vasodilatatory effect and mechanism of CH_2Cl_2 extract of flos magnoliae on isolated rat thoracic aorta

AIM: To characterize the vasodilatatory effect of CH2Cl2 extract of flos magnoliae ( CEF) on isolated rat thoracic aorta and to elucidate its possible mechanism. METHODS: The thoracic aorta was isolated from male Sprague-Dawley ( SD) rats and the isometric tension of aortic rings with or without endothelium was measured. RESULTS: CEF ( 0. 1-1 000 mg/L) produced concentration-dependent,endothelium-independent relaxations in phenylephrine ( PE)-contracted aortic rings. The maximum relaxation induced by CEF was 78. 68% ± 6. 03% in endothelium intact rings and 64. 98% ± 13. 90% in endothelium removed rings while the forskolin ( 1 μmol/L)-induced vasodilation was obtained as 100% . The vasodilatatory effect of CEF was not statistically inhibited by 10 μmol/L glibenclamide ( Glib) ,3 mmol/L tetraethylammonium ( TEA) ,100 μmol/L BaCl2 and 10 μmol/L 1H-[1,2,4]-oxadiazole-[4,3a]-quinoxalin-1-one ( ODQ) in the preparations without endothelium. The CEF pre-treatment significantly inhibited vasoconstrictions to angiotensin Ⅱ ( AngⅡ) ,prostaglandin F2α,( PGF2α) ,dopamine ( Dopa) ,vasopressin ( Vaso) ,5hydroxytryptamine ( 5-HT) and PE by 91. 31% ,82. 11% ,95. 32% ,90. 53% ,72. 22% and 83. 63% ,respectively( P 0. 01) . In Ca2+-free medium treated endothelium removed aortic ring,incubation with CEF at concentration of 82 mg/L significantly attenuated intracellular Ca2 + release by PE. In Ca2 +-free + high potassium medium incubated aortic rings without endothelium,CEF ( 82 mg/L) markedly inhibited potassium-stimulated Ca2 +-dependent contraction which was mainly due to Ca2 + influx ( P 0. 01) . CONCLUSION: CEF induced vasorelaxation is mainly related to interfering intracellular calcium homeostasis by blocking Ca2 + influx and intracellular Ca2 + release.
Decentralized Robust Stabilization for Large-Scale Descriptor Systems

According to the restricted equivalent decomposition of matrix pencil in the regular and impulse-free(removal of impulse) descriptor system,the order reduction was done further for the system to solve the problem of decentralized robust stabilization of uncertain interconnected large-scale descriptor systems.By the theory of linear matrix inequalities,the sufficient conditions are given to the robust stabilization of both uncertain descriptor systems and uncertain interconnected large-scale descriptor systems,as well as the design method of the relevant state feedback controller.The difference between static and dynamic modes in the abilities to overcome the uncertainties,resist interference and eliminate the influence of relevant terms is also revealed.
906 Model school zone pilot project demonstrates results in improving pedestrian safety

Background From 2011–2014, the Model School Zone pilot project was implemented in 10 countries to improve pedestrian safety around 10 schools. Through multi-country data analysis, we sought to demonstrate that the program was effective in improving pedestrian safety and adaptable in low-, middle- and high-income countries. Methods The project was implemented in three phases over an 18-month period. During Phase I, grantees selected a school based on specific criteria and conducted a baseline needs assessment. The needs assessment included a school zone infrastructure assessment tool, student knowledge and behaviour surveys, participatory research tools and parent surveys. In Phase II, grantees implemented interventions based on the needs and risks identified. Interventions focused on permanent infrastructure changes but also included education and advocacy initiatives. In Phase III, grantees evaluated the effectiveness of the interventions. Results Behavioural surveys with 1,606 children showed that most walk to and from school, most walk alone, and most do not feel safe near their schools. Parent surveys revealed that more than half felt uncomfortable about their child’s safety on the way to school, with speed of cars the highest rated concern. Permanent modifications were made to environments around 10 schools in 10 countries, resulting in changed behaviour and reduced injury. In Vietnam, for example, the number of fatalities decreased three-fold. Results and lessons learned were used to develop the Safe School Zone project, launched in 2015. Conclusion A phased approach to creating safe school zones focused on environmental changes, education and advocacy, is adaptable to low-, middle- and high- income countries, and leads to reduced fatalities and injuries.
Integration of omics approaches to understand oil/protein content during seed development in oilseed crops

Oilseed crops, especially soybean (Glycine max) and canola/rapeseed (Brassica napus), produce seeds that are rich in both proteins and oils and that are major sources of energy and nutrition worldwide. Most of the nutritional content in the seed is accumulated in the embryo during the seed filling stages of seed development. Understanding the metabolic pathways that are active during seed filling and how they are regulated are essential prerequisites to crop improvement. In this review, we summarize various omics studies of soybean and canola/rapeseed during seed filling, with emphasis on oil and protein traits, to gain a systems-level understanding of seed development. Currently, most (80–85%) of the soybean and rapeseed reference genomes have been sequenced (950 and 850 megabases, respectively). Parallel to these efforts, extensive omics datasets from different seed filling stages have become available. Transcriptome and proteome studies have detected preponderance of starch metabolism and glycolysis enzymes to be the possible cause of higher oil in B. napus compared to other crops. Small RNAome studies performed during the seed filling stages have revealed miRNA-mediated regulation of transcription factors, with the suggestion that this interaction could be responsible for transitioning the seeds from embryogenesis to maturation. In addition, progress made in dissecting the regulation of de novo fatty acid synthesis and protein storage pathways is described. Advances in high-throughput omics and comprehensive tissue-specific analyses make this an exciting time to attempt knowledge-driven investigation of complex regulatory pathways.
Management of splenic ectopic pregnancy presenting with massive haemoperitoneum

Abdominal ectopic pregnancy (EP) accounts for only 1.3% of EPs and occurs when a fertilised ovum implants in an extrapelvic peritoneal location. Primary splenic pregnancy is a rare type of abdominal EP, with only 16 cases previously reported in the literature. Early diagnosis is essential as delay in treatment carries significant potential for morbidity and mortality. We present the case of a 27-year-old woman presenting with left upper quadrant abdominal pain, elevated human chorionic gonadotropin levels, absence of intrauterine gestational sac and massive haemoperitoneum on transvaginal ultrasound. The patient underwent emergent surgical exploration for high suspicion of ruptured abdominal EP. An open splenectomy was performed when the source of bleeding was confirmed to originate from the left upper quadrant. Final pathology confirmed subcapsular gestational sac implantation within the spleen. While two cases of medical management have been reported, splenectomy remains the current definitive management of rare cases of primary splenic pregnancy.
Support confidence and utility of action rules triggered by meta-actions

Action rules describe possible transitions of objects from one state to another with respect to a distinguished attribute. Early research on action rule discovery usually required the extraction of classification rules before constructing any action rule. Newest algorithms discover action rules directly from a decision system. We employ a pruning step in action rule generation, through the use of meta-actions. They are nodes of higher-level knowledge, linked with atomic action terms, which show changes triggered within classification attributes. In this paper, we propose improved measures for support and confidence of action rules, as well as we introduce a new measure - the notion of utility of action rules. We perform an experiment in medical domain using Mammographic Mass dataset, where action rules suggest possible ways to re-classify breast tumors from malignant to benign severity class. Results show increased support and confidence for the new proposed measures compared to the standard measures.
Molecular Basis for the Redox Regulation of the Src Kinase

The non-receptor tyrosine kinase Src facilitates signal transduction processes that govern a range of cellular functions. While it is well established that Src activity is regulated by conformational changes of the Src protein in tyrosine phosphorylation-dependent mechanisms, recent evidence supports the notion that Src is also redox regulated involving oxidation of Src cysteine residues. However, current reports are inconsistent with respect to the identity of the redox-sensitive cysteines and their consequence on Src kinase activation. Our previous studies show that the NADPH oxidase DUOX1 generates H 2 O 2 to promote Src activation as a critical mechanism in lung epithelial wound responses, which involves DUOX1-dependent oxidation of Src cysteines. This present study aims to characterize the molecular-level details of Src redox regulation. Mass spectrometry using dimedone-trapping approaches indicates that of the nine Src cysteines C185 and C277 are oxidized to sulfenic acids (-SOH) by H 2 O 2 . Interestingly, while earlier reports implicate C277 oxidation in inactivation of Src, oxidation of C185 has not been previously observed. Importantly, Src kinase activity is enhanced by H 2 O 2 in WT but not for the C185A variant confirming a role for C185 in Src redox regulation. Molecular dynamics simulations reveal that sulfenic acids at C185 and C277 induce significant structural changes within Src consistent with kinase activation. Specifically, compared to the reduced thiol, sulfenic acids introduce new electrostatic interactions that weaken the regulatory phosphotyrosine-SH2 binding and induce unfolding of the Src activation loop. These results present a more complete understanding of oxidative mechanisms of Src-mediated signaling relevant to physiology and in pathological conditions. Supported by R01HL085646, F32HL129706, P20GM103449, PSCA15029P.
Conformational behavior and stacking interactions of contorted polycyclic aromatics

We present a systematic computational analysis of the conformations and stacking interactions of a set of 18 saddle-shaped, contorted polycyclic aromatic compounds at the B97-D3M(BJ)/TZV(2d,2p)//B97-D/TZV(2d,2p) level of theory. These doubly-concave systems offer a means of tuning the strength of stacking interactions through variations in molecular curvature, and understanding the intermolecular non-covalent interactions exhibited by these systems will aid the design of contorted polycyclic systems with precisely defined packing in the solid state. Computations reveal wide variations in both the nature of the low-lying conformations and the stacking affinities of these systems. In particular, the introduction of both thiophene rings around the periphery of these systems and the incorporation of B and N atoms into the coronene core can greatly enhance their tendency to form strongly stacked dimers. Overall, these data provide a reminder that curvature does not always lead to stronger stacking interactions.
Baryogenesis in Lorentz-violating gravity theories

Abstract Lorentz-violating theories of gravity typically contain constrained vector fields. We show that the lowest-order coupling of such vectors to U ( 1 ) -symmetric scalars can naturally give rise to baryogenesis in a manner akin to the Affleck–Dine mechanism. We calculate the cosmology of this new mechanism, demonstrating that a net B − L can be generated in the early Universe, and that the resulting baryon-to-photon ratio matches that which is presently observed. We discuss constraints on the model using solar system and astrophysical tests of Lorentz violation in the gravity sector. Generic Lorentz-violating theories can give rise to the observed matter–antimatter asymmetry without violating any current bounds.
Boundary layer suction through rectangular orifices: effects of aspect ratio and orientation

The flow field generated by suction through a rectangular orifice within a laminar boundary layer is investigated using stereoscopic particle image velocimetry. For orifice aspect ratios of 6, 12, and 18, the impact of suction on the surrounding flow field appears to be self-similar, scaling with aspect ratio and suction velocity. Changing the orifice pitch angle had almost no impact on the surrounding boundary layer, but, as expected, changing the skew angle significantly altered the extent of the suction impact on the flow field.
Impact of endotracheal tube shortening on work of breathing in neonatal and pediatric in vitro lung models.

SummaryBackground Work of breathing accounts for a significant proportion of total oxygen consumption in neonates and infants. Endotracheal tube inner diameter and length significantly affect airflow resistance and thus work of breathing. While endotracheal tube shortening reduces endotracheal tube resistance, the impact on work of breathing in mechanically ventilated neonates and infants remains unknown. Aim The objective of this in vitro study was to quantify the effect of endotracheal tube shortening on work of breathing in simulated pediatric lung settings. We hypothesized that endotracheal tube shortening significantly reduces work of breathing. Methods We used the Active-Servo-Lung 5000 to simulate different clinical scenarios in mechanically ventilated infants and neonates under spontaneous breathing with and without pressure support. Endotracheal tube size, lung resistance, and compliance, as well as respiratory settings such as respiratory rate and tidal volume were weight and age adapted for each lung model. Work of breathing was measured before and after maximal endotracheal tube shortening and the reduction of the daily energy demand calculated. Results Tube shortening with and without pressure support decreased work of breathing to a maximum of 10.1% and 8.1%, respectively. As a result, the calculated reduction of total daily energy demand by endotracheal tube shortening was between 0.002% and 0.02%. Conclusion In this in vitro lung model, endotracheal tube shortening had minimal effects on work of breathing. Moreover, the calculated percentage reduction of the total daily energy demand after endotracheal tube shortening was minimal.
Late graft dysfunction after pediatric heart transplantation is associated with fibrosis and microvasculopathy by automated, digital whole-slide analysis

Background Histopathologic features of late graft dysfunction (LGD) in endomyocardial biopsies (EMBs) after pediatric heart transplantation (HT) have been incompletely described and rarely quantified. We employed automated, morphometric analysis of whole-slide EMB images to objectively quantify fibrosis and microvasculopathy after pediatric HT. Methods Nine recipients with clinical LGD were matched with controls on age, listing diagnosis, crossmatch and time since HT. Fibrosis was quantified as percent tissue area with fibrosis and capillary density as capillaries per unit area, number of capillary “neighbors” within 30 μm of each myocyte and myocyte-to-nearest-capillary diffusion distance. Clinical data, including all EMB reports, were also reviewed. Results The groups were well matched for age at HT (median 4.0 vs 3.1 years), listing diagnosis (50% congenital heart disease for each), positive crossmatch (11% each) and days post-HT (2,628 vs 2,894, p = 0.69). Despite a similar number of previous EMBs (median 23 each, p = 0.43), areas occupied by fibrosis were greater in LGD cases (44.5% vs 23.2%, p = 0.012). Capillary number/area data were not statistically different between LGD cases and controls (378/mm 2 vs 559/mm 2 , p = 0.57), but LGD cases more commonly had zero capillary neighbors (35% vs 20%, p = 0.02) and greater myocyte-to-nearest-capillary distances (27.1 μm vs 18.7 μm, p = 0.005). Cumulative rejection history correlated with fibrosis ( r = 0.49, p = 0.039) and myocyte-to-nearest-capillary distance ( r = 0.5, p = 0.036). Conclusions LGD after pediatric HT is associated with previous rejection and characterized histologically by fibrosis and microvasculopathy, which are not readily appreciated by traditional semi-quantitative EMB analysis. Software-assisted EMB analysis may enable greater pathophysiologic understanding of LGD and identification of targets for future study and intervention.
The Classic First Amendment Tradition Under Stress: Freedom of Speech and the University

This forthcoming chapter in a book to be edited by Lee Bollinger and Geoffrey Stone scrutinizes the frequently-heard claim that universities are suppressing the “First Amendment” rights of students, faculty, and invited speakers. The chapter argues that this claim rests on a fundamental misconception about the nature of First Amendment rights, which apply to public discourse and are designed to establish preconditions for democratic self-determination. Speech at universities, by contrast, must be regulated to attain the ends of education. Debates about the proper regulation of campus speech are thus ultimately debates about the nature of education, not about First Amendment rights. The overblown and misleading constitutional rhetoric of these debates is symptomatic of a larger debasement of our understanding of the nature of free speech protections, a debasement that could seriously undermine the strength of Free Speech principles when we actually need to call upon them to do serious work to protect the integrity of our political system.
Sarcoidosis with Optic Nerve Presentation

Idiopathic optic neuritis is considered a demyelinating disorder of the optic nerve, although the differential diagnosis for visual dysfunction is broad. Visual deficits in optic neuritis are typically responsive to glucocorticoids or improve with time. We present the case of an adolescent male with a previous diagnosis of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura who presented with monocular deficits in visual acuity, with a relative afferent pupillary defect and disc swelling that was poorly responsive to steroids. He was also found to have an elevated serum angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) level, steroid-responsive rash, and common variable immunodeficiency. He was ultimately diagnosed with sarcoidosis. Sarcoidosis is rare in children but has numerable neurologic manifestations, including an inflammatory optic neuropathy that may mimic other disease processes, such as idiopathic optic neuritis. Therefore, a high clinical suspicion for sarcoidosis is needed in patients with atypical neurologic and ophthalmologic presentations in order to ensure that patients receive appropriate and efficacious therapies.
Substrate-Independent Approach to Dense Cleavable Polymer Brushes by Nitroxide-Mediated Polymerization

High grafting density polymer brushes are grown on an inimer coating bearing nitroxide-mediated polymerization (NMP) inimers and glycidyl methacrylate (GMA). The inimer coating is cross-linked on the substrate to provide an initiator layer with needed stability during long exposure to organic solvents at moderate to high temperatures. Surface-initiated nitroxide-mediated polymerization (SI-NMP) is conducted to grow polystyrene (PS) brushes on the coating with a sacrificial layer designed to cleave the brushes. The cleaved brushes have larger molecular weights than the corresponding free polymers. The grafting density of the brushes is as high as 1.12 chains/nm2 throughout the brush growth, which is among the densest PS brushes reported so far. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) depth profiling are used to reveal the surface morphology and kinetics of the growth.
Novel drug targets for ductus arteriosus manipulation: Looking beyond prostaglandins

Forty years ago, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were first reported to decrease systemic prostaglandin levels and promote ductus arteriosus (DA) closure. And yet, prolonged patency of the DA (PDA) remains a significant clinical problem, complicated by imperfect therapies and wide variations in treatment strategy. There are few pharmacology-based tools available for treating PDA (indomethacin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen), or for maintaining DA patency (PGE1) as is needed to facilitate corrective surgery for ductus-dependent congenital heart defects. Unfortunately, all of these treatments are inefficient and are associated with concerning adverse effects. This review highlights novel potential DA drug targets that may expand our therapeutic repertoire beyond the prostaglandin pathway.
T-shaped crack problem for bonded orthotropic layers

The plane elasticity problem of two perfectly bonded orthotropic layers containing cracks perpendicular to and along the interface is considered. Cracks are extended to intersect the boundaries and each other in such a way that a crack configuration suitable to study the T-shaped crack problem is obtained. The problem is reduced to the solution of a system of singular integral equations with Cauchy type singularities. Numerical results for stress intensity factors and energy release rates are presented for various loading conditions and for isotropic as well as orthotropic material pairs. These results indicate that elementary strength of material type calculations for energy release rates provide a good approximation to the actual elasticity solution even for relatively short cracks, as long as the layer thicknesses are not very different.
Fractional Excretion of Magnesium and Renal Concentrating Capacity in Refluxing Renal Units

AbstractTo evaluate renal function in kidney units exposed to vesicoureteral reflux we quantified the fractional renal excretion of magnesium and the maximal renal concentrating capacity in 22 renal units of infants and children who presented with grade III to V vesicoureteral reflux on standard voiding cystourethrography. The lowest normal value for maximal concentrating capacity and the highest normal value for fractional excretion of magnesium were set at 800 mOsm. per kg. and 8 per cent, respectively. Concentrating capacity was abnormal in all 22 renal units and the excretion of magnesium was abnormal in 5. Failure of a renal unit to retain magnesium normally was always associated with an inability to concentrate urine. We conclude that in cases of vesicoureteral reflux function of the distal part of the nephron is the first to become abnormal and concentrating capacity is a more sensitive indication of dysfunction than fractional excretion of magnesium. (J. Urol., part point 2, 140:1095-1096, 1988)
Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) cryopreserved stem cell infusion-related seizures: A single institution experience.

e19002Background: An essential step in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is the cryopreservation of stem cells in DMSO. Neurologic complications related to DMSO are well known and incl...
Raising the floor: New directions in public and private enforcement of labor standards in the United States:

Low-wage work in the US and many other places continues to be characterized by precarious and dangerous conditions, vulnerable immigrant workforces, and problems of misclassification and wage theft...
Abstract WP101: Progesterone Counteracts Stress-Induced Microglial Priming by Reducing NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation After Ischemic Injury

Introduction: Cerebral ischemia, a consequence of cardiac arrest and stroke, is a leading cause of death and disability in the U.S. To improve translational studies, STAIR recommends augmenting ani...
Homeschooling Choice and Timing: An Examination of Socioeconomic and Policy Influences in Wisconsin

Over the past two decades homeschooling has become increasingly popular, but this educational alternative has lacked rigorous empirical evaluation because of data limitations. Since little data are...
Working at the boundary: Making space for innovation in a NASA megaproject.

This study shows how occupational, organizational and institutional boundaries can be reworked to enable innovation. Based on an historical case study of NASA’s Spitzer Space Telescope, which spann...
Accuracy of the Ultrasound Estimate of the Amniotic Fluid Volume (Amniotic Fluid Index and Single Deepest Pocket) to Identify Actual Low, Normal, and High Amniotic Fluid Volumes as Determined by Quantile Regression.

Objectives To identify abnormal amniotic fluid volumes (AFVs), normal volumes must be determined. Multiple statistical methods are used to define normal amniotic fluid curves; however, quantile regression (QR) is gaining favor. We reanalyzed ultrasound estimates in identifying oligohydramnios, normal fluid, and polyhydramnios using normal volumes calculated by QR. Methods Data from 506 dye-determined or directly measured AFVs along with ultrasound estimates were analyzed. Each was classified as low, normal, or high for both the single deepest pocket (SDP) and amniotic fluid index (AFI). A weighted κ statistic was used to assess the level of agreement between the AFI and SDP compared to actual AFVs by QR. Results The overall level of agreement for the AFI was fair (κ = 0.26), and that for the SDP was slight (κ = 0.19). Although not statistically significant (P = .792), the positive predictive value to classify a low volume using the AFI was lower compared to the SDP (35% vs 43%). The positive predictive value for a high volume was higher using the AFI compared to the SDP (55% versus 31%) but not statistically significant. The missed-call rate for high-volume identification by the SDP versus AFI was statistically significant (odds ratio, 5.5; 95% confidence interval, 2.04-14.97). The missed-call rate for low-volume identification by the AFI versus SDP was not statistically significant (odds ratio, 3.3; 95% confidence interval, 0.96-11.53). Conclusions Both the AFI and SDP identify actual normal AFVs by QR, with sensitivity higher than 90%. The SDP is superior for identification of oligohydramnios, and the AFI superior for identification of polyhydramnios.
What agricultural and food policies do U.S. consumers prefer? A best–worst scaling approach

Consumer welfare effects from policy changes are traditionally calculated using estimates of consumer preferences for the underlying goods and services affected. This conventional approach is indirect, does not consider preferences people may have for the policies themselves, and makes it difficult to easily compare relative preferability of a large set of policy options. In this paper, we use the best–worst scaling approach to determine consumers’ preferences for 13 policies. A nationwide survey of 1,056 U.S. consumers indicates the highest levels of support for investments in agricultural research and requirements of food and agricultural literacy standards in public education. Fat, calorie, and soda taxes are the least popular; fewer than one‐third of respondents are in favor of these three policies.
Meissner corpuscles and their spatially intermingled afferents underlie gentle touch perception

Meissner corpuscles are mechanosensory end organs that densely occupy mammalian glabrous skin. We generated mice that selectively lacked Meissner corpuscles and found them to be deficient in both perceiving the gentlest detectable forces acting on glabrous skin and fine sensorimotor control. We found that Meissner corpuscles are innervated by two mechanoreceptor subtypes that exhibit distinct responses to tactile stimuli. The anatomical receptive fields of these two mechanoreceptor subtypes homotypically tile glabrous skin in a manner that is offset with respect to one another. Electron microscopic analysis of the two Meissner afferents within the corpuscle supports a model in which the extent of lamellar cell wrappings of mechanoreceptor endings determines their force sensitivity thresholds and kinetic properties.
Early Characteristics and Progression of Blunt Traumatic Aortic Injuries at a Single Level I Trauma Center

Objectives:The most widely accepted grading system for blunt traumatic aortic injury (BTAI) by the Society of Vascular Surgery (SVS) recommends endovascular repair for grade 2 and greater. Non-oper...
Utilization and outcomes of sentinel lymph node biopsy in patients with early stage vulvar cancer

Objective A retrospective cohort study comparing survival and perioperative outcomes of patients with early vulvar cancer who underwent sentinel lymph node biopsy versus standard lymphadenectomy Methods Patients diagnosed between January 2012 and December 2015 with vulvar squamous cell carcinoma of less than 4 cm in size, with invasion of at least 1 mm, who underwent sentinel lymph node biopsy, lymphadenectomy, or both were identified from the National Cancer Database. Overall survival was evaluated following generation of Kaplan-Meier curves and compared with the log-rank test for patients who had at least 1 month of follow-up. A Cox model was constructed to control for confounders. Results A total of 1583 patients were identified; 304 patients (19.2%) underwent sentinel lymph node biopsy alone. Sentinel lymph node biopsy utilization increased 13.9% between 2012 and 2015. Patients who underwent sentinel node biopsy alone were less likely to have comorbidities compared with those undergoing lymphadenectomy only or sentinel node biopsy with lymphadenectomy (25.3% vs 32.9% vs 31.9%, p=0.042), had smaller tumors (median 1.6 vs 2.0 vs 2.0 cm, p Conclusions The utilization of sentinel lymph node biopsy is increasing in the management of vulvar cancer and is associated with superior perioperative outcomes without impacting overall survival.
DOSE CONVERSION COEFFICIENTS FROM MONOENERGETIC NEUTRONS COMPUTED WITH THE MCNP6.2 CODE IN THE VIP-MAN PHANTOM.

Computational estimates of dosimetric quantities from external exposures to neutron fields are valuable to ongoing radiation protection studies that are of interest to US defense-focused organizations. Conversion coefficients for fluence-to-absorbed dose and fluence-to-effective dose were computed using version 6.2 of the Monte Carlo N-Particle® code (MCNP6.2) in the visible photographic man (VIP-Man) numerical model for 45 monoenergetic neutron fields between 10-9 and 20 MeV under six irradiation geometries. Comparisons to the formative VIP-Man study by Bozkurt et al. revealed excellent agreement. The mean relative difference between our VIP-Man/MCNP6.2-computed and the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) 116-published absorbed dose conversion coefficients in 14 organs and remainder tissues under all geometries was 4.7%, which is within ICRP-reported variations. The effective dose coefficients computed with VIP-Man/MCNP6.2 were strongly similar to ICRP 116 values in all geometries except for posterior-anterior, where the difference was attributed to shielding of anterior organs by the relatively fatty composition of the VIP-Man phantom.
Initial in vitro and mouse in vivo studies of fluorescence resonance energy transfer and optical imaging by oligomer hybridization

1882 Objectives: This laboratory is investigating molecular imaging applications of labeled DNAs and other oligomers for antisense and pretargeting tumor imaging. Optical imaging with linear oligomers offers the potential over radioimaging of shifting the signal by fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). As one example, a long DNA may be hybridized with a short donor fluorophore-DNA and the duplex allowed to accumulate in some manner in tumor and clear elsewhere. A second short acceptor fluorophore-DNA designed to hybridize to the remainder of the duplex may then be administered such that upon hybridization, the two fluorophores will be in FRET proximity and the shifted fluorescence emitted only at the tumor site. Methods: A biotinylated 54 mer phosphodiester (PO) DNA was hybridized with a 16 mer Alexa Fluor 647 (absorbance maximum: 650 nm, emission: 665-720 nm) conjugated PO DNA (donor). The sequence of these two DNAs and a 16 mer Alexa Fluor 750 (absorbance: 700-760 nm, emission: 770 - 820 nm) conjugated phosphorothioate (PS) DNA (acceptor) complementary to the remaining singlet region of the duplex were selected to avoid hairpins. In vitro in PBS, the fluorescence intensity of the duplex with and without the acceptor DNA was measured. In vivo, the duplex attached to streptavidin beads were implanted in one thigh of hairless SKH-1 as target and the acceptor DNA was injected IV. The mice were imaged at different time points using a 615-665 nm excitation filter combined with a 810-875 nm emission bandpass ICG filter on a Xenogen IVIS 100 camera (Xenogen, Alameda, CA). Results: When excited at 615-665 nm and detected at 810-875 nm, hybridization of the acceptor DNA to the duplex in vitro doubled the signal in solution and by a factor of 95 when tethered. Thus when compared to the signal intensity at this frequency of the acceptor DNA alone, the fluorescence intensity was increased 3 times in solution and 3.7 times on beads. In vivo, the signal was not detectable above background, however a definitive decrease in emission of the donor following IV administratin of the acceptor DNA was evidence of in vivo FRET. Conclusions: This preliminary study illustrates one advantage of optical over nuclear imaging in that the fluorescence signal was manipulate both in vitro and in vivo by hybridization. The use of linear fluorophore conjugated oligomers may have multiple applications in molecular imaging but modifications in the selection of fluorophores and in their relative spacing will be required to improve signal strength.
Comparison of novel wearable cardiac monitors to yield accurate exercising ECG and heart rate data in horses

Exercise associated deaths (EADs) in horses are a problem for the equestrian industry. Sudden death (SD) is responsible for approximately 20% of EADs. The underlying cause of SD is suspected to be ...
Big Data, Congress, and the Rhetoric of Technology: Or, How to Industrialize Cyberspace

As new and developing technologies impact public and private life, rhetoricians would be remiss to overlook the deliberative rhetorics that justify their development, implementation, use-value, and impact. Using the 2013 joint congressional hearing “Next Generation Computing and Big Data Analytics” as an example, I argue that justificatory rhetorics about technology intersect with rhetoric from technology, obscuring information vital to critical deliberation. I demonstrate that the expert witnesses at this hearing draw upon rhetoric traditionally associated with American industrialization. Doing so allows them to articulate Big Data as a resource situated upon a metaphorical, American landscape and thus encourages the public to treat it as a natural resource that must be exploited for the betterment of the nation. Ultimately, I argue the use of this rhetoric dissuades critical analysis of the worth of Big Data and investigation of its technical aspects. This raises troubling questions about the ability of rhetoric about technology to both veil and guides what the public accepts as ethical rhetoric from technology.
Radiotherapy is Associated With Global Methylation Alterations in Patient Derived Glioblastoma Cell Lines.

Purpose/Objective(s) Despite maximal surgical resection, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and re-treatment at re-occurrence, median overall survival time of glioblastoma (WHO grade IV, IDH wild-type) is estimated to be ∼16 months. In glioma, DNA methylation states are the most predictive marker of overall survival and response to therapy. Our understanding of how epigenetic states, such as DNA methylation, are “mis-repaired” after DNA damage repair is scant, hampering our ability to understand how treatment associated DNA methylation alterations may drive tumor resistance and growth. Materials/Methods Three different patient derived glioma stem cell (GSC) lines, in duplicates, were treated with 20 Gy in 10 fractions and allowed to recover prior to DNA methylation analysis with 850K methylation arrays. To analyze the methylation array data, we used RnBeads (version 2.4.0) and R (version 3.6.1) packages. We further focused our analysis to various genomic regions, including CpG islands, promoters, gene bodies and CTCF motifs to understand how methylation alterations may differ between these and other genomic contexts. Results We found differential methylation (pre-treatment vs. radiation treatment) changes among the genomic regions examined. Interestingly, we found differential methylation changes at CTCF motifs, which play important DNA-methylation dependent roles in gene expression and chromatin architecture regulation. Hierarchical clustering, PCA and MDS analysis amongst CpG islands, promoters, gene bodies and CTCF domains did not reveal strong inter-sample differences that segregated the samples on the basis of treatment status, suggesting radiation associated methylation alterations are context dependent. Conclusion Radiation treatment is associated with wide-spread alterations of DNA methylation states in this patient derived glioblastoma model. Such alterations may drive gene expression changes, or genomic architecture alterations, that lead to treatment resistance in the recurrent setting. Author Disclosure A.S. Modrek: None. R. Ezhilarasan: None. M. Snuderl: None. E.P. Sulman: None.
Born approximation of acoustic radiation force and torque on inhomogeneous objects.

The Born approximation developed previously to model acoustic radiation force and torque exerted on homogeneous compressible objects of arbitrary shape [Jerome et al., J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 145, 36–44 (2019)] is extended to include objects that are inhomogeneous. The same general restrictions apply to this extended model, mainly that the incident field is not too similar to a progressive plane wave, that the material properties of the object do not differ substantially from those of the surrounding fluid, and that the size of the object is not much larger than a wavelength. Two applications of the model are presented, one for objects consisting of connected homogeneous regions with different material properties, and the other for objects with continuously varying material properties. Calculations are presented for spheres, finite cylinders, and prolate spheroids.
Modeling delamination migration in composite laminates using an enhanced semi-discrete damage model (eSD2M)

Abstract This paper presents an extension of the semi-discrete damage model (SD2M) (Nguyen and Waas, 2020 [1,2]), implemented using the finite element (FE) method, to capture the interaction of intra-laminar matrix cracks and inter-laminar failure (delamination migration). In the enhanced semi-discrete damage model (eSD2M), the plies are modeled with continuum finite elements and the interlayers are represented with cohesive elements. A meshing strategy is presented to create compatible meshes for interlayers in order to capture a proper load transfer between the laminae and the interfaces. The material pre-peak non-linearity of the composite is modeled with Schapery theory (ST), the post-peak strain softening is captured with the crack band (CB) method including a mixed-mode law for matrix failure. For the cohesive behavior of the interfaces, a novel mixed-mode traction-separation law is proposed. The model is validated on the basis of a ply-scaled quasi-isotropic open-hole tensile (OHT) laminate that shows a delamination-dominated failure. The eSD2M model is able to capture major matrix cracks at the hole including 0° splitting as well as distributed matrix cracks and free edge cracking. The present model is capable of predicting the delamination migration mechanism with an accurate peak load and the total failure due to fiber tensile rupture in a realistic manner.
Splicing-Mediated Antigen Escape from Immunotherapy for B-cell Malignancies

Summary: In this issue of Blood Cancer Discovery, Zheng and colleagues identify that alternative RNA splicing of CD22 within B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia can result in antigen escape from CD22-targeted immunotherapies. Drug-resistant isoforms of CD22 exist within leukemic cells pretreatment and can influence response to the CD22-directed antibody–drug conjugate inotuzumab ozogamicin, the immunotoxin moxetumomab pasudotox, as well as anti-CD22 chimeric antigen receptor T cells. See related article by Zheng et al. (7).
3 Pezizomycotina: Sordariomycetes and Leotiomycetes

The classes Sordariomycetes and Leotiomycetes comprise a large group of nonlichenized ascomycetous fungi, in which over 15,000 species have been described. The close evolutionary relationship of the two classes was recently defined by molecular phylogenetic analyses and subcellular data. Typically, these fungi produce inoperculate, unitunicate asci in perithecial or apothecial ascomata. Sordariomycetes and Leotiomycetes represent a wide range of ecology, including saprobes, plant endophytes, plant pathogens, mycoparasites, and insect and other animal associates. During the past two decades, fungal classification has been considerably advanced but also challenged by rapid developments in molecular phylogeny, genome sequencing, and metagenomics. Here we review history and progress in the phylogenetic classification of these taxa at familial and ordinal levels since the first edition of Mycota VII. Geoglossomycetes and Laboulbeniomycetes are also included. Problems and perspectives associated with studying these fungi in the genomic era are discussed.
The Nation-State: Not Dead Yet

Twenty years ago, the conventional wisdom was that the nation-state was dead. We underestimated the capacity of nation-state to adapt to new conditions, in ways that have preserved its capacity to control territory, people and events. The three questions that have traditionally been at the center of politics are likely to remain there. Who controls the state, and in particular, is it sufficiently responsive to public opinion? How do we protect citizens from arbitrary and unfair state action? And how do we reform the administrative apparatus of the state so that it is capable of delivering essential services, and managing the powerful forces that operate around it?
Permanent Income and the Annual Income Tax

Under a prominent and influential economic model known as the permanent income hypothesis, people's decisions depend on their expected lifetime income, not their current income. If completely true, this hypothesis would have radical implications for tax, transfer, and entitlements policy. For example, unless modified by other information, it would suggest replacing the income tax with a consumption tax, establishing lifetime income averaging, viewing Social Security as irrelevant other than as a system for transferring lifetime resources between individuals, and dramatically changing welfare law to base aid purely on people's lifetime income, as distinct from their current circumstances. However, incomplete markets and departures from rational behavior, by shortening people's planning horizons, weaken some of permanent income's implications and refute others.
United States Aid to Kenya: A Study on Regional Security and Counterterrorism Assistance Before and After 9/11

Following 9/11 and the beginning of the global War on Terror, it became obvious that the United States needed an ally in East Africa. Kenya, a country that has remained relatively stable while surrounded by regional insecurities, was chosen by the U.S. as an African ally to which large sums of aid and resources would be sent. United States assistance to Kenya is largely given for developmental and humanitarian purposes but millions of dollars each year are directed specifically towards regional security and anti-terrorism. This observational paper highlights the differences in U.S. aid to Kenya before and after 2001. Using analyses of secondary resources, this article offers details of the economic measures, training initiatives, and legislative steps taken by the United States government, as well as subsequent Kenyan criticisms, to form the present-day relationship that ensures Americas hegemonic presence in East Africa. Kenya itself has been the victim of two large-scale terrorist incidents: the first in 1998 and the second in 2002. It is important to note that the 2002 Kikambala hotel attack, while severe in nature, targeted Israel and is not directly relevant to this article. In addition, the effects of the attack on U.S. counterterrorism policy are largely unknown and therefore, excluded from consideration in this article.
An Investigation in Measuring Crank Angle Resolved In-Cylinder Engine Friction Using Instantaneous IMEP Method

ABSTRACT This paper describes the measurement of in-cylinder engine friction using the instantaneous IMEP method. This method has been applied to measure in-cylinder friction force in a modern, low friction design production spark ignited engine. An improved mechanical telemetry system has been developed to implement this method. The telemetry system continues to provide excellent data even after 50+ hours of operation at speeds as high as 2000 rpm. Investigated in this study were the primary sources of error associated with this technique. Also presented are the steps taken to minimize the effects of these errors. The refined technique has been subsequently used to obtain piston assembly friction data for both motoring and a limited number of firing cases. The effects of design parameters and operating conditions were investigated. In addition, crank-angle resolved and cycle-integrated results, converted to in-cylinder FMEP, were compared and the trends obtained were consistent with the Stribeck curve. The ratio of in-cylinder to total engine FMEP ranged from 19-45% in the tests performed in this study. This technique was also used to obtain “cold-start” in-cylinder friction data, which in turn were used to calculate an oil viscosity correction coefficient. This coefficient was implemented in an engine friction model for prediction of motoring and firing friction at different operating temperatures.
Overdiagnosis in chest radiographic screening for lung carcinoma: frequency.

BACKGROUND The pattern of results in the Mayo Lung Project (MLP), which is the basis for the prevailing recommendations against radiographic screening for lung carcinoma, has led to the assertion that up to 50% of the diagnosed cases of early-stage disease in that trial may have represented overdiagnosed, indolent cases. This finding suggests the possibility of such a high frequency of overdiagnosis in chest radiographic lung carcinoma screening in general. In the current study, the authors analyzed data from the MLP and its counterpart study at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) to estimate the frequency of overdiagnosis in these studies. METHODS For the cases diagnosed as Stage I in the MLP and the MSK studies, the doubling times of tumor volumes were calculated. The calculations were based on size measurements recorded by the original investigators from chest radiographs taken during the course of each study. RESULTS The median doubling times were 101 days in the MLP and 144 days in the MSK, times that are somewhat shorter than those reported in published series of adenocarcinoma cases diagnosed outside screening, and only 5% had doubling times exceeding 400 days. CONCLUSIONS The hypothesis that early-stage lung tumors diagnosed on chest radiography during lung carcinoma screening may frequently be overdiagnosed, indolent cases needs to be rejected. Cancer 2003;97:1271–5. © 2003 American Cancer Society. DOI 10.1002/cncr.11185