cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Migration Inhibitory Factor and Mediators of Cellular Hypersensitivity in Vitro

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the migration inhibitory factor and mediators of cellular hypersensitivity in vitro . Cellular hypersensitivity reactions involve both immunologically specific and nonspecific cell components. Reaction of antigen with a few specifically sensitized cells resulted in the involvement of a large number of nonsensitive cells. The sensitive cells in such reactions were lymphocytes, presumably from the thymus-dependent system, and the nonspecific cells were macrophages originating from a rapidly dividing pool of bone marrow promonocytes. The chapter describes in vitro studies dealing with the immediate results of the reaction of sensitive lymphocytes with antigen, the production of lymphocyte mediators. These mediators may be considered as a means of communication between sensitive lymphocytes and macrophages or perhaps other cells involved in the cellular immune response. When sensitized lymphocytes react with antigen in vitro , they elaborate into the culture medium a number of biologically active substances which can be detected in various assays. The chapter also gives an overview of migration inhibitory factor and chemotactic factor for macrophages.
Association Between Patient-Reported Medication Adherence and Anticoagulation Control

Abstract Background The prevention of thromboembolism events remains challenging in cases of poor medication adherence. Unfortunately, clinical prediction of future adherence has been suboptimal. The objective of this study was to examine the correlation between 2 measures of real-time, self-reported adherence and anticoagulation control. Methods The IN-RANGE2 cohort recruited patients initiating warfarin therapy in 3 urban anticoagulation clinics. At each study visit, participants reported adherence using a 100-point visual analogue scale (VAS, marking percentage of pills taken since prior visit on a linear scale) and 7-day recall of pill-taking behavior. Anticoagulation control was measured by between-visit percent time in international normalized ratio range (BVTR), dichotomized at the cohort median. The longitudinal association between adherence and anticoagulation control was estimated using generalized estimating equations, controlling for clinical and demographic characteristics, prior BVTR, and warfarin dose changes. Results Among 598 participants with 3204 (median 4) visits, the median BVTR was 36.8% (interquartile range 0%-73.9%). Participants reported ≤80% adherence in 182 visits (5.7%) and missed pills in the past 7 days in 377 visits (11.8%). Multivariable regression analysis found poorer anticoagulation control (BVTR P = .02) and self-reported change in adherence since last visit (odds ratio 1.55; 95% confidence interval, 1.20-2.01; P = .001). Conclusion Self-reported VAS medication adherence at a clinic visit and changes in reported adherence since the last visit are independently associated with BVTR. Clinicians may gain additional insight into patients' medication adherence by incorporating this information into patient management.
Recursive Range Estimation Using Astrophysical Signals of Opportunity

An estimator for determining the range of a space vehicle relative to some origin by using astrophysical signals of opportunity is developed. The signals used are x-ray photons emitted by pulsars. ...
Word selection deficits and multiword speech.

ABSTRACTThrough computational modelling of language behaviour in both healthy and brain-damaged individuals, Anders, Ries, van Maanen and Alario (in press) propose that to facilitate word selection when alternatives compete for production, the left lateral prefrontal cortex (PFC) changes the threshold for word selection. Because selecting a word during multiword speech involves resolving competition from target-related competitors as well as words produced in the past and future, a word-selection deficit caused by damage to the left PFC may result in difficulties in producing multiword speech. I review evidence in support of this hypothesis and discuss alternative explanations. Future work should extend Anders and colleagues’ conclusions to understand whether a deficit in word selection when producing single words accounts for failures to communicate via multiword speech.
Control-oriented crank-resolved and state-space models for a gasoline turbulent jet ignition engine

Control-oriented models are often required for developing and validating the corresponding engine control strategies. In this paper, a crank-angle-resolved (CAR) engine model is first developed for a dual-mode turbulent jet ignition (DM-TJI) engine based on the previous developed combustion model for a rapid compression machine (RCM) with a conventional turbulent jet ignition (TJI) system. Different from the RCM, the DM-TJI engine uses liquid fuel in both combustion chambers. To simulate the fuel vaporization process in the pre-chamber, a liquid fuel vaporization model is developed. Thereafter, a nonlinear state-space engine model with cycle-to-cycle dynamics is developed based on the CAR engine model. The CAR engine model is validated using experimental data from a single cylinder DM-TJI engine at different operational conditions, and the simulation results match the experimental data very well. Then the validated CAR model is used to validate the state-space engine model. The simulation results of the two engine models show a good agreement with experimental ones.
Histopathologic Evaluation of Neoadjuvant Treatment Response and Tumor Regression Grade

Histopathologic response and tumor down-staging after neoadjuvant chemoradiation are major determinants of long term outcome in patients with locoregional rectal cancer. Optimal assessment of histopathologic response requires meticulous gross examination, adequate sampling of tumor bed, effective communication between operating surgeon and pathologist, and familiarity with TNM staging and different grading systems for histopathologic response/tumor regression. Several histopathologic response/tumor regression systems are described in last two decades. Almost all of them are based on semi-quantitative or quantitative assessment of fibrosis vs. residual tumor cells in rectal wall and perirectal soft tissue and generally do not include residual tumor in regional lymph nodes. Absence of residual tumor cells (complete pathology response) is associated with more than 90% 5 year recurrence free patients` survival with all grading systems. The variations among different grading systems include; assigning (or not) a numerical value to the amount of residual tumor cells or fibrosis, emphasis given more to residual tumor cells or fibrosis and number of different grades of response and availability of information about reproducibility among pathologists. American Joint Commission on Cancer has accepted 4 point tumor regression grade (TRG) system and is one of the required data point to be included in a surgical pathology report for rectal cancer resection specimen after neoadjuvant therapy.
Identification of Candidate Genes Responsible for Age-related Macular Degeneration using Microarray Data

A DNA microarray can measure the expression of thousands of genes simultaneously, and this enables us to study the molecular pathways underlying Age-related Macular Degeneration. Previous studies have not determined which genes are responsible for the process of AMD. The authors address this deficiency by applying modern data mining and machine learning feature selection algorithms to the AMD microarray dataset. In this paper four methods are utilized to perform feature selection: Naive Bayes, Random Forest, Random Lasso, and Ensemble Feature Selection. Functional Annotation of 20 final selected genes suggests that most of them are responsible for signal transduction in an individual cell or between cells. The top seven genes, five protein-coding genes and two non-coding RNAs, are explored from their signaling pathways, functional interactions and associations with retinal pigment epithelium cells. The authors conclude that Pten/PI3K/Akt pathway, NF-kappaB pathway, JNK cascade, Non-canonical Wnt Pathway, and two biological processes of cilia are likely to play important roles in AMD pathogenesis.
Psychiatry's Role in Improving the Physical Health of Patients With Serious Mental Illness: A Report From the American Psychiatric Association.

The American Psychiatric Association Integrated Care Workgroup recently convened an expert panel charged with addressing the role of psychiatry in improving the physical health of persons with seri...
Body Fluid Compartments

Water is the most abundant component of the body. It is essential for life in all human beings and animals. Water is the only solvent of the body in which electrolytes and other nonelectrolyte solutes are dissolved. An electrolyte is a substance that dissociates in water into charged particles called ions. Positively charged ions are called cations. Negatively charged ions are called anions. Glucose and urea do not dissociate in water because they have no electric charge. Therefore, these substances are called nonelectrolytes.
Cellular immunity and the parasite.

When acquired resistance cannot be demonstrated to depend on antibody, it is legitimate to ask whether specifically reactive lymphyocytes are at work as the mediators of immunity, hence to consider the possibility that we are dealing with an example of cell-mediated immunity (CMI). This, however, is not the only sense in which the term “cellular immunity” is applied. It is also used to describe a defense mechanism in which the phagocytic cells of the immune host display abnormally high levels of antimicrobial activity. In this circumstance the ultimate effector cell is an altered macrophage. These two concepts of cellular immunity are related but they are not identical. Although CMI often works through its capacity to potentiate the antimicrobial capacity of host macrophages, other effector mechanisms may also operate in CMI.
Direct isolation of specific chromosomal regions and entire genes by TAR cloning.

Human genome analysis has been advanced considerably by the development of Yeast Artificial Chromosome (YAC) cloning systems (1). YAC techniques have made possible the isolation of megabase DNA fragments, thereby greatly simplifying the physical mapping of chromosomes and the cloning of entire genes. Overlapping YACs can be conveniently modified by homologous recombination in vivo to construct a single YAC that contains a large genomic locus (2), or to create a new YAC with alterations in specific regions (3). This approach can be used to generate YACs which, upon transfer into mammalian cells, will contribute to the functional analysis of the isolated region.
Virtual reality: What potential does it hold for engineering?

Publisher Summary Virtual reality (VR) can be seen as a logical evolution of existing human–computer interfaces. VR techniques attempt to remove the barriers of the traditional computer interface, consisting of the keyboard, monitor and mouse, and allow the user to experience the “reality” of a computer-generated scene. This computer technology holds the potential to revolutionize the way in which engineers rely on computers to build, test, and verify designs. Some of the areas where VR can contribute to increase engineering productivity are in the areas of design, prototyping, design for maintenance and assembly, factory planning, networked design, and concurrent engineering. This chapter presents a general description of the field of VR followed by a discussion of the potential impact of VR on the engineering profession. Several ongoing research projects in the area of virtual design are described and preliminary results are presented.
Modeling the Energy Dispersive X-Ray Detector

The use of a solid state detector to record an x-ray spectrum was first demonstrated by Miller and Wilkinson.(1) A second significant milestone was the description of the Si(Li) diode configuration by Pell,(2) which led directly to the first devices recognizable as modern energy dispersive x-ray analyzers (Elad and Nakamura3; Fitzgerald et al. (4)). In the succeeding 25 years the Si(Li) detector has become the single most widely used piece of analytical instrumentation in the field of electron microscopy. Despite this popularity, however, little attention has been paid to the properties of the detector itself. For most electron beam microanalysts, any discussion has been confined to trying to estimate the absorption of soft x rays in the window protecting the diode and to assessing the fraction of high energy x rays transmitted directly through the diode itself. The influence of the detector diode itself generally has been ignored.
Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy

Radical prostatectomy (RP) is the surgical removal of the prostate and seminal vesicles for the treatment of prostate cancer. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) recommends RP as an option for men in all risk groups of localized disease. With an initial series dating back to 2001, robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) was one of the earliest robotic procedures to reach clinical practice and remains one of the most commonly performed [1]. From a technical and procedural standpoint, the transperitoneal approach to RARP represents a paradigm shift away from traditional open retropubic RP. Over time, refinements to the surgical technique have evolved, although basic principles of RARP have endured. The widespread dissemination of RARP worldwide has continued despite a scarcity of high-level evidence for its superiority compared to other surgical approaches. Outcomes exceeding 10 years post RARP have now been published reporting biochemical recurrence-free survival of 73% and cancer-specific survival of 99% [2]. A systematic review of the literature showed reduced blood loss and transfusion rates with RARP with possible improvements in continence and potency recovery [3–5].
A stress response that allows highly mutated eukaryotic cells to survive and proliferate

Rapid mutation fuels the evolution of many cancers and pathogens. Much of the ensuing genetic variation is detrimental, but cells can survive by limiting the cost of accumulating mutation burden. We investigated this behavior by propagating hypermutating yeast lineages to create independent populations harboring thousands of distinct genetic variants. Mutation rate and spectrum remained unchanged throughout the experiment, yet lesions that arose early were more deleterious than those that arose later. Although the lineages shared no mutations in common, each mounted a similar transcriptional response to mutation burden. The proteins involved in this response formed a highly connected network that has not previously been identified. Inhibiting this response increased the cost of accumulated mutations, selectively killing highly mutated cells. A similar gene expression program exists in hypermutating human cancers and is linked to survival. Our data thus define a conserved stress response that buffers the cost of accumulating genetic lesions and further suggest that this network could be targeted therapeutically.
Functional Brain Imaging in Voiding Dysfunction

Voiding dysfunction (VD) is morbid, costly, and leads to urinary tract infections, stones, sepsis, and permanent renal failure. Evaluation and diagnosis of VD in non-obstructed patients can be challenging. Potential diagnostic and therapeutic options beyond the bladder, such as brain centers involved in voiding have been proposed as promising targets. This review focuses on current and future applications of functional neuroimaging in human in voiding and in patients with VD. The current understanding of brain centers and their roles in initiating, maintaining, and/or modulating voiding is rudimentary in humans and in patients with VD. With the advent and advancement in functional neuroimaging, we are gaining more insight into specific brain regions involved in the voiding phase of micturition. In healthy individuals, right dorsomedial pontine tegmentum, periaqueductal gray, hypothalamus, and the inferior, medial, and superior frontal gyrus have been identified as regions of interest in voiding. Functional neuroimaging could suggest new diagnostic methods and provides crucial steps towards therapeutic options for the morbid and intractable VD condition, in patients with neurogenic (e.g., MS or strokes) or non-neurogenic VD (e.g., underactive bladder or Fowler’s syndrome).
A method to select general circulation models for pavement performance evaluation

Studies to understand the role of future climate on transportation infrastructure may use climate multiple models and interpret the results based on the statistical variation in simulated outcomes....
Out of Many Faiths: Religious Diversity & the American Promise

In the hegemonic narrative of the history of religious pluralism in the United States—which received its canonical formulation in Will Herberg’s book of 1955, Protestant–Catholic–Jew: An Essay in A...
Describing the Salmonella classification levels for low-volume production systems utilizing abattoir-based samples and classification stability over time

Results: In 2002, 934 of 14,401 samples (6.5%), and in 2004, 1639 of 13,718 samples (11.9%) were seropositive for Salmonella (ELISA sample-to-positive ratio ≥ 0.4). Average Salmonella seroprevalence in 2002 was 6.8%, median prevalence was 0.8%, and within-producer prevalence range was 0% to 59.2%. In 2004, average seroprevalence was 11.8%, median prevalence was 5.2%, and range was 0% to 81.8%. In 47% of low-volume production systems classified according to the Danish Salmonella classification system, classification did not change from 2002 to 2004. However, 53% of systems did change classification, with most moving to classifications representing higher observed seroprevalence.
Genomic identification and characterization of co-occurring Harveyi clade species following a vibriosis outbreak in Pacific white shrimp, Penaeus (litopenaeus) vannamei

Abstract Shrimp farming is one of the fastest-growing food production sectors but disease related mortality remains a limitation to industry expansion. Bacterial species belonging to the Harveyi clade, such as Vibrio harveyi and Vibrio parahaemolyticus, have long been implicated as agents of disease in shrimp aquaculture but traditional methods cannot accurately differentiate these species. Following a vibriosis outbreak in Pacific white shrimp, Penaeus (litopenaeus) vannamei, we hypothesized that infection promoted the co-occurrence of multiple Harveyi clade species. The shrimp were reared in a zero-exchange raceway using biofloc technology and presumptive Vibrio species were isolated from the hepatopancreases of moribund shrimp by culture on a Vibrio-selective agar. Isolates were identified and characterized by PCR-based genotyping and whole-genome sequencing. A phylogenetic tree based on a 43-genome pangenome analysis revealed the presence of five known shrimp pathogens: Photobacterium damselae, Vibrio alginolyticus, V. harveyi, V. parahaemolyticus, Vibrio rotiferianus, and a potentially novel Vibrio species (Vibrio sp. Hep-1b-8). Multilocus sequence typing revealed that P. damselae and V. parahaemolyticus isolates exhibited novel allelic profiles, although the V. parahaemolyticus isolates were closely related to strains isolated from Southeastern Asia. Further, a novel comparative analysis of 23 type VI secretion systems revealed three phylogenetically distinct systems, which suggests that co-occurring bacteria possess diverse mechanisms for interspecies competition. These results highlight whole-genome sequencing as an invaluable tool for identifying and characterizing co-occurring, infection-associated bacteria at the species, strain and molecular level.
UTILIZAÇÃO DE ARTEFATOS GOOGLE FOR EDUCATION EM ESTRATÉGIAS PENSADAS PARA METODOLOGIAS ATIVAS

Este articulo posee como tema las estrategias de ensenanza y los artefactos de Google For Education utilizados en la educacion por metodologias activas. El objetivo trata de suscitar el debate buscando la utilizacion de artefactos Google For Education en estrategias de ensenanza para una metodologia activa. Se trata de investigacion cualitativa, de cuno bibliografico, con busqueda de materiales en libros, periodicos, memorias de eventos, entre otros. Destacamos como principales resultados cinco estrategias posibilitadoras de metodologias activas de ensenanza, que son: Aprendizaje basado en problemas; Aprendizaje basado en proyectos; Aprendizaje con los colegas; Aprendizaje basado en equipos; y Sala de clase invertida. Concluimos que los artefactos Google For Education contienen distintas posibilidades para una ensenanza de cualidad que pueden ofrecer autonomia al estudiante ademas de la posibilidad de uso en las diferentes estrategias mencionadas, con objetivo de una educacion por metodologias activas.
It’s Not about Him: Mismeasuring ‘Good Genes’ in Sexual Selection

What explains preferences for elaborate ornamentation in animals? The default answer remains that the prettiest males have the best genes. If mating signals predict good genes, mating preferences evolve because attractive mates yield additive genetic benefits through offspring viability, thereby maximizing chooser fitness. Across disciplines, studies claim ‘good genes’ without measuring mating preferences, measuring offspring viability, distinguishing between additive and nonadditive benefits, or controlling for manipulation of chooser investment. Crucially, studies continue to assert benefits to choosers purely based on signal costs to signalers. A focus on fitness outcomes for choosers suggests that ‘good genes’ are insufficient to explain the evolution of mate choice or of sexual ornamentation.
Virtual Reality Instructional (VRI) module for training and patient safety

Healthcare practitioners, social workers, and care coordinators must work together seamlessly, safely and efficiently. Within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, understanding relevant evidence-based and best practices as well as identification of barriers and facilitators of care for vulnerable populations are of crucial importance. A current gap exists in the lack of specific training for these specialized personnel to facilitate care for socially vulnerable populations, particularly racial and ethnic minorities. With continuing advancements in technology, VR based training incorporates real-life experience and creates a "sense of presence"in the environment. Furthermore, immersive virtual environments offer considerable advantages over traditional training exercises such as reduction in the time and cost for different what-if scenarios and opportunities for more frequent practice. This paper proposes the development of Virtual Reality Instructional (VRI) training modules geared for COVID-19 testing. The VRI modules are developed for immersive, non-immersive, and mobile environment. This paper describes the development and testing of the VRI module using the Unity gaming engine. These VRI modules are developed to help increase safety preparedness and mitigate the social distancing related risks for safety management. © 2021, Society for Imaging Science and Technology.
Sociohydrology, ecohydrology, and the space-time dynamics of human-altered catchments

A variety of interdisciplinary fields have provided distinct and complementary perspectives on human-water systems over the past few decades. In that context, an important distinctive feature of so...
Entangled Photon Pair Generation from an AlGaAs-on-Insulator Microring Resonator

Time-energy entangled-photon pair generation is shown from a Q > 1 million AlGaAs-on-insulator microring resonator with an internal generation rate greater than 20×109 pairs sec−1 mW−2, heralded single photon purity > 99%, and a visibility > 97%.
A Mixed-Methods Exploration of the Developmental Trajectory of Autonomous Motivation in Graduate Medical Learners

Self-determination theory (SDT), when applied to curricular construction, emphasizes curiosity, self-awareness, and resilience. Physicians need these qualities to face the challenges of clinical practice. SDT offers a lens for medical educators to track learner development toward sustainable, rewarding careers. This study describes the changes observed in learner communications about feelings of competence, relatedness, and autonomy across a 3-year family medicine training program designed to develop activated, lifelong learners. This retrospective, mixed-methods case study uses a phenomenological approach to explore how 51 learners described their experiences at various intervals in residency training. Data collected from 2009 to 2015 from resident focus groups, competency assessment meetings, and faculty assessment reports inform a 3-stage analysis process to determine learner motivation levels along the SDT continuum. Aggregated qualitative and quantitative data show residents’ progression from introjection (controlled motivation) in PGY1, to identification (autonomous motivation) in PGY2, and integration (autonomous) by the end of PGY3. The examination of a single learner’s data set reveals an advanced motivation level in PGY1 (identification), followed by a period of retrograde in PGY2 (introjection), then rebounding in PGY3 (identification), which illustrates how motivation level can be affected by external competency requirements and challenges related to career transitions. The examination of self-motivation in medical learners has implications for curriculum development, assessment, teaching and self-directed learning, and resilience training. Learner awareness of intrinsic motivation, and the curriculum designed around it, can better prepare residents for challenges during residency and help them flourish in twenty-first-century medicine.
Functional Nanogels as a Route to Interpenetrating Polymer Networks with Improved Mechanical Properties

Interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) were prepared from dual-network formation wherein one of the orthogonal networks was derived from the pre-formed functional nanogels. Nanogels with or witho...
The Emergency Department Longitudinal Integrated Care (ED-LINC) intervention targeting opioid use disorder: A pilot randomized clinical trial

Abstract Introduction Opioid use disorder (OUD) and related comorbid conditions are highly prevalent among patients presenting to emergency department (ED) settings. Research has developed few comprehensive disease management strategies for at-risk patients presenting to the ED that both decrease illicit opioid use and improve initiation and retention in medication treatment for OUD (MOUD). Methods The research team conducted a pilot pragmatic clinical trial that randomized 40 patients presenting to a single ED to a collaborative care intervention (n = 20) versus usual care control (n = 20) conditions. Interviewers blinded to patient intervention and control group status followed-up with participants at 1, 3, and 6 months after presentation to the ED. The 3-month Emergency Department Longitudinal Integrated Care (ED-LINC) collaborative care intervention for patients at risk for OUD included: 1) a Brief Negotiated Interview at bedside, 2) overdose education and facilitation of MOUD, 3) longitudinal proactive care management, 4) utilization of the statewide health information exchange platform for 24/7 tracking of recurrent ED utilization, and 5) weekly caseload supervision that incorporated measurement-based care treatment assessment with stepped-up care for patients with recalcitrant symptoms. Results Overall, the ED-LINC intervention was feasibly delivered and acceptable to patients. The pilot study achieved >80% follow-up rates at 1, 3, and 6 months. In adjusted longitudinal mixed model regression analyses, no statistically significant differences existed in days of opioid use over the past 30 days for ED-LINC intervention patients when compared to patients receiving usual care (incidence-rate ratio (IRR) 1.50, 95% CI 0.54–4.16). The unadjusted mean number of days of illicit opioid use decreased at the 1-month and 3-month follow-up time points for both groups. ED-LINC intervention patients had increased rates of MOUD initiation compared to control patients (50% versus 30%); intervention versus control comparisons did not achieve statistical significance, although power to detect significant differences in the pilot was limited. Conclusions The ED-LINC intervention for patients with OUD can be feasibly implemented and warrants testing in larger scale, adequately powered randomized pragmatic clinical trial investigations. Clinicaltrials.gov NCT03699085
Anatomy of Pelvic Support

Female pelvic anatomy can be a conceptual challenge. To understand the function of the pelvis, one must understand the basic anatomy and then the dynamic nature of the structures that allow for urinary and bowel continence in a variety of circumstances. An understanding of normal anatomy and function provides the clinician with a framework for understanding the pathophysiology of pelvic organ prolapse and female urinary incontinence. The evaluation of female urinary incontinence often involves the recognition and treatment of concurrent pelvic abnormalities, such as cystocele, uterine prolapse, enterocele, rectocele, or perineal laxity. The factors responsible for pelvic floor relaxation rarely affect isolated anatomic areas. This chapter provides a detailed description of normal female pelvic anatomy, and an emphasis is placed on key surgical landmarks for reestablishing normal anatomy.
Information and Mathematical Quantification of Brain State

“A certain Dr. Brown, on being rebuked because he had failed to acknowledge some previous work on the subject of his writings replied: ‘I make no claim to originality for I have long since found that to consider oneself original one must read nothing at all. All I have done is to describe those methods which I have found to suit me best in practice.’ ”
Evaluating Complexity of Information System Architecture Using Fractals

Information systems collect, process, store, and output information for the benefit of their stakeholders. They range in scale from a simple smart phone to the world wide web. An architecture of an information system represents a high-level view of a specific facet of the system. An important view of the information system is provided by its information architecture that allows stakeholders visualize transfer of information among system components. Evaluation of complexity of this information architecture gives stakeholders a means of selecting the best architecture from an information standpoint. In this paper we propose to use fractal dimension as a means of evaluating complexity of information architecture of systems. Fractals are recurring patterns at multiple scales and fractals can be evaluated by means of their dimensions. In this paper, we model the information architecture as a fractal, compute its dimension, and determine its complexity. We develop the theory for fractal complexity evaluation, propose algorithms for practical application, and apply them to evaluate complexity of architectures.
Investigators' perceptions of research oversight: are regulators really undermining autonomy?

The need for regulatory bodies to oversee human subjects research is indisputable, however the effectiveness of research oversight committees and boards is infrequently questioned. The current study by Pachana and colleagues [1] raises the provocative question of whether well intentioned efforts by ethics committees and institutional review boards to ensure participants’ safety can have unintended negative consequences, including the paradoxical effect of undermining the autonomy of potential and actual participants in research. In this review, key strengths and weaknesses of the article are briefly presented, and then the question of whether regulators are unduly restricting participants’ autonomy is considered. The Pachana study is compelling for several reasons. First, participants included researchers from universities in two different countries, each operating within their own local and national regulatory structures, while both guided by the overarching principles of the Declaration of Helsinki [2]. The similarity of experiences among researchers from these two countries supports the external validity of findings, and underscores the need for the field of cognitive aging to consider the findings and their impact on the science of aging at a broad level. Second, by taking an empirical approach to studying an issue that many researchers discuss anecdotally, Pachana and colleagues provide
Understanding Language Testing

Understanding Language Testing is a valuable contribution to language teacher education; it addresses the essential facets of language testing needed by language test users, including practitioners, program administrators, and future language test developers, to effectively evaluate and assess the language ability of language learners. The book covers the key considerations in the development and use of language tests today in a succinct yet comprehensive manner.
Gordon v. Texas and the Prudential Approach to Political Questions

Many scholars recognize both prudential and constitutional aspects of the political question doctrine. This Casenote uses that distinction to analyze the district court and Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals decisions in Gordon v. Texas. It argues that the district court adopted the prudential view of the political question doctrine, while the Fifth Circuit adopted the constitutional view. The district court in Gordon I found that the issues in the case were subject to practical limitations and judicial unmanageability, and thus held that the case presented a nonjusticiable political question. Emphasizing that the issues did not clearly violate the constitutional separation of powers mandate, the Fifth Circuit in Gordon II held that the case was justiciable and did not present a political question. This Casenote argues that the district court chose the correct approach to the political question doctrine, and, by extension, that the prudential approach is superior to the constitutional approach. Because the prudential approach helps conserve judicial resources and restrains the court from asserting a contrived expertise, prudential considerations principally should guide a court's analysis when confronted with a putative political question. Accordingly, this Casenote argues that only after a court has addressed the prudential limitations associated with a putative political question should that court then address the highly abstract and pragmatically inefficacious constitutional limitations informing the doctrine.
Optical Design Kit of Nonlinear Spatial Dynamics

Spatial and temporal complexity is one of the most interesting subjects of modern science. Just as understanding the composition of each individual building block does not automatically imply understanding the architecture of the building in general, the behavior of complex nonlinear systems consists of much more than the simple arithmetic sum of the component influences. It appears that the time of crushing complex systems into discrete “stones” and scattering these “stones” has ended, and we are turning at last to the creative work of collecting these elementary building blocks.
High-gain common-mode feedback circuits for differential log-domain filters

A new class of differential log-domain filters based on common-mode feedback (CMFB) is demonstrated. Simple but practical circuits are presented that provide large CMFB loop gain. The added CMFB enhances common-mode and power-supply rejection and allows closed-form expressions for currents, greatly simplifying design. One of the new circuits presented is shown to allow greatly increased undistorted signal swings.
Running of the U(1) coupling in the dark sector

The ``dark photon'' ${\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{d}$ of a gauged $U(1{)}_{d}$ can become practically invisible if it primarily decays into light states from a dark sector. We point out that, in such scenarios, the running of the $U(1{)}_{d}$ ``fine structure constant'' ${\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{d}$, with momentum transfer ${q}^{2}$, can be significant and potentially measurable. The ${\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{d}$ kinetic mixing parameter ${ϵ}^{2}$ is also expected to run with ${q}^{2}$, through its dependence on ${\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{d}$. We show how the combined running of ${ϵ}^{2}{\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{d}$ may provide a probe of the spectrum of dark particles and, for ${\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{d}\ensuremath{\gtrsim}\text{few}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}0.1$, substantially modify predictions for ``beam dump'' or other intense source experiments. These features are demonstrated in simple models that contain light dark matter and a scalar that breaks $U(1{)}_{d}$. We also discuss theoretic considerations, regarding the $U(1{)}_{d}$ model in the ultraviolet regime, that may suggest the infrared upper bound ${\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{d}\ensuremath{\lesssim}0.1$.
Architecture models for maximum likelihood direction of arrival estimation

A quantitative analysis of the computational requirements of two direction-of-arrival (DOA) estimation methods, maximum likelihood (ML(RLK)) and expectation-maximization maximum likelihood, for wideband source signals is performed. Essentially, the number of arithmetic operations (complex additions and multiplications) which can be regarded as a performance measure for each of the angle estimation methods is determined analytically. Based on these observations dedicated coprocessor architecture (RISC/CISC) models are proposed for each of the methods. The idea of efficiently matching a coprocessor computer organization with a parallel algorithm, i.e., tuning the architecture to be software oriented, is utilized for the design of the underlying models. It is seen that the ML(RLK) method can also be parallelized with relative ease for high performance. >
Fast fluid simulation using residual distribution schemes

We present a fast method for physically-based animation of fluids on adaptive, unstructured meshes. Our algo- rithm is capable of correctly handling large-scale fluid forces, as well as their interaction with elastic objects. Our adaptive mesh representation can resolve boundary conditions accurately while maintaining a high level of efficiency.
Anterior Face‐Lift for Correction of Middle Face Aging Utilizing a Minimally Invasive Technique

Objective. A minimally invasive face-lifting approach aimed at rejuvenation of the midface was examined, for patients with concerns limited to midfacial aging. Methods. An incision in the preauricular area and then minor undermining to lift superfical musculo apponeurotic system (SMAS), followed by SMAS plication and removal of skin laxity in the midface, results in excellent superolateral reversal of inferomedial displacement of the aging vector. Results and Conclusion. A minimally invasive procedure was performed easily under local anesthesia in an office/ambulatory surgery center setting.
Quantification of incidental dose to potential clinical target volume (CTV) under different stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) techniques for non-small cell lung cancer -Tumor motion and using internal target volume (ITV) could improve dose distribution in CTV

Abstract Purpose Clinical target volume (CTV), although present, is usually not considered during stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for non-small cell lung cancer. This study aimed to quantify the incidental dose to the potential CTV under different SBRT techniques. Materials and methods Ten patients with various tumor motions were included in the study. Gated-4DCT was performed for all patients. Three treatment plans were generated. Plan A was based on free breathing gross tumor volume (GTV) from a regular CT. Plan B was based on internal target volume (ITV) from gated 4DCT. Plan C was a perfect gated treatment at the exhale phase. The hypothetical CTV was represented by three CTV shells (5, 10, and 15 mm). Time-averaged dose for different respiratory phases was calculated for 18 representative points in each shell. Results The minimum doses for plans A, B, and C were 84 ± 20%, 94 ± 3%, and 80 ± 17% of the isocenter dose to the 5 mm shell, 72 ± 27%, 64 ± 7%, and 20 ± 11% to the 10 mm shell, and 38 ± 27%, 27 ± 17%, and 6 ± 7% to the 15 mm shell, respectively. The caudal and cranial ends of each shell usually had lower dose compared to the other points on the shell. Plan B had the most uniform and reasonable doses to the CTV shells, and patients with large respiratory motion had significantly higher minimum dose than patients with less motion. Conclusion The potential CTV may incidentally receive adequate and relatively homogeneous doses when ITV is used and the patients have large respiratory motion. However, it could be underdosed for gated treatment or for patients with little motion.
Factors affecting variability in anther culture and in conversion of androgenic embryos of Solanum phureja

The variation for embryo production in anther ofSolanum phureja was examined as a function of maximum greenhouse temperature prior to bud harvest and innate responsiveness among anthers within a bud. Four clones ofS. phuyreja were grown in a greenhouse under a 16-h photoperiod. The temperature was monitored continuously. Buds (60 per day on 10 days) were collected and the anthers cultured in two groups of five flasks (30 anthers per flask). In the first group, each flask contained the 30 anthers from six buds; in the second group, each flask contained one anther from each of 30 buds. Significantly smaller coefficients of variation were observed for the second group, suggesting that variation for embryogenic capcity among buds was greater than that among anthers within a bud. Variation in embryo yield as a function of greenhouse temperature was examined by stepwise regression analysis. Embryogenic capacity of one clone was adversely affected by high temperatures (31–37°C) that occurred two and seven days before bud harvest. However, similarly high temperatures appeared to enhance the androgenic response of another clone. Conversion of anther-derived embryos over three subcultures to fresh regeneration medium was examined as a function of anther donor or clone, cold pretreatment of embryos, and morphological classification of embryos. Only clonal origin significantly affected conversion rate which ranged from 12.5% to 46.0%. Conversion rate declined on each serial subculture.
Integrated communications navigation and surveillance (ICNS) conference

There are multiple, well-recognized challenges to advancing the concept of increasing levels of service (operational benefits) linked to increasing levels of aircraft capability. A variety of activities currently underway in the US to capture the operational benefits made possible through the increasing capability levels and fleet penetration. The experiences from the activities underway will provide input into future planning, service expansion, and policy development as needed.
Codoping in a single molecular junction from first principles

Using a codoping model, where a cation and an anion are introduced simultaneously into the host to maintain charge neutrality, we probed the electron transport characteristics in a single molecular junction. We used the 1, 12-dicarba-closo-dodecaborane inorganic molecule as a precursor, replaced one of the vertex carbon atoms by a boron atom, and simultaneously decorated it with an endohedrally doped alkali atom (Li or Na) to look into the role of dopant atoms in the conductivity. The commonly used thiolate anchoring groups are used to attach the molecule between two gold electrodes, and a parameter-free, first-principles, single-particle Green's function approach is used to calculate the current-voltage characteristics. When compared to the undoped system, a significant increase in current is observed for the system codoped with Na and B; about an order of magnitude increase in the observed current is found at an applied bias of $~$2 V. Charge transfer from the alkali atom to the host is found to have a profound effect on the electronic structure, causing a dramatic change in the conductivity. Since the single alkali atom controls the behavior of electron flow in this circuit, we call this device a ``single-atom-controlled'' device.
Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the endometrium.

All reported cases of primary squamous cell carcinoma of the endometrium and the effectiveness of the different treatment modalities in the world literature are reviewed. We present the first reported case of primary squamous cell carcinoma of the endometrium treated by radical hysterectomy, pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy. The patient is without signs of disease 4 years after surgery. This is the longest follow-up of all reported cases. There are very few cases from which to conclusively predict the best mode of therapy. The current standard of treatment is total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy with or without pelvic and para-aortic lymph node sampling, depending on the histology and depth of the myometrial invasion. Adjuvant therapy includes radiation therapy according to the extent of disease.
The Centrality of Mathematics in the History of Western Thought.

context of mathematics from the hardware store with the rest of the tools and bring it back to the university. To do this, I will discuss some major developments in the history of ideas in which mathematics has played a central role. I do not mean that mathematics has by itself caused all these developments; what I do mean is that mathematics, whether causing, suggesting, or reinforcing, has played a key role; it has been there, at center stage. We all know that mathematics has been the language of science for centuries. But what I wish to emphasize is the crucial role of mathematics in shaping views of man and the world held not just by scientists, but by everyone educated in the western tradition. Given the vastness of that tradition, I will give many examples only briefly, and be able to treat only a few key illustrative examples at any length. Sources for the others may be found in the bibliography. (See also [26].) Since I am arguing for the centrality of mathematics, I will organize the paper around the key features of mathematics which have produced the effects I will discuss. These features are the certainty of mathematics and the applicability of mathematics to the world. 2. Certainty For over two thousand years, the certainty of mathematics, particularly of Euclidean geometry, has had to be addressed in some way by any theory of knowledge. Why was geometry certain? Was it because of the subject matter of geometry, or because of its method? And what were the implications of that certainty? Even before Euclid's monumental textbook, the philosopher Plato saw the certainty of Greek geometry-a subject which Plato called "knowledge of that which always is" [41, 527b] -as arising from the eternal, unchanging perfection of the objects of mathematics. By contrast, the objects of the physical world were always coming into being or passing away. The physical world changes, and is thus only an approximation to the higher ideal reality. The philosopher, then, to have his soul drawn from the changing to the real, had to study mathematics. Greek geometry fed Plato's idealistic philosophy; he emphasized the study of Forms or Ideas transcending experience: the idea of justice, the ideal state, the idea of the Good. Plato's views were used by philosophers within the Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions to deal with how a