cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Risk of lymphedema after mastectomy: potential benefit of applying ACOSOG Z0011 protocol to mastectomy patients.

Axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) and radiation therapy (RT) are commonly recommended for mastectomy patients with positive sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). Effective alternatives to ALND that reduce lymphedema risk are needed. We evaluated rates of lymphedema in mastectomy patients who received SLNB with RT, compared to ALND with or without RT. 627 breast cancer patients who underwent 664 mastectomies between 2005 and 2013 were prospectively screened for lymphedema, median 22.8 months follow-up (range 3.0–86.9). Each mastectomy was categorized as SLNB-no RT, SLNB + RT, ALND-no RT, or ALND + RT. RT included chest wall ± nodal radiation. Perometer arm volume measurements were obtained pre- and post-operatively. Lymphedema was defined as ≥10 % arm volume increase. Kaplan–Meier and Cox regression analyses were performed to determine lymphedema rates and risk factors. Of 664 mastectomies, 52 % (343/664) were SLNB-no RT, 5 % (34/664) SLNB + RT, 9 % (58/664) ALND-no RT, and 34 % (229/664) ALND + RT. The 2 year cumulative lymphedema incidence was 10.0 % (95 % CI 2.6–34.4 %) for SLNB + RT compared with 19.3 % (95 % CI 10.8–33.1 %) for ALND-no RT, and 30.1 % (95 % CI 23.7–37.8 %) for ALND + RT. The lowest cumulative incidence was 2.19 % (95 % CI 0.88–5.40 %) for SLNB-no RT. By multivariate analysis, factors significantly associated with increased lymphedema risk included RT (p = 0.0017), ALND (p = 0.0001), greater number of lymph nodes removed (p = 0.0006), no reconstruction (p = 0.0418), higher BMI (p < 0.0001) and older age (p = 0.0021). In conclusion, avoiding completion ALND and instead receiving SLNB with RT may decrease lymphedema risk in patients requiring mastectomy. Future trials should investigate the safety of applying the ACOSOG Z0011 protocol to mastectomy patients.
Inducible NO synthesis in the vasculature: molecular context defines physiological response.

Nitric oxide synthesized by endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) is a principal mediator of smooth muscle relaxation in the normal blood vessel. With inflammation, however, inducible NO synthase (iNOS) is expressed in the vessel wall, including the adventitia,1 and is associated with impaired endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation2 and impaired vasoconstriction.3,4 The molecular mechanism(s) underlying these alterations in vasomotor function accompanying inflammation remains unknown, although in vitro studies suggest that proinflammatory stimuli reduce the expression of eNOS, agonist-mediated cytosolic calcium mobilization, and NO production.5 See page 1281 In this issue of Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology , Gunnett et al6 attempt to address the basis for impaired vasomotor responses in inflammation by transferring the iNOS gene to blood vessels. They argue that all prior studies suffer from the lack of selectivity of the pharmacological inhibitors of iNOS used and from the concomitant changes in the expression of other vascular gene products accompanying the inflammatory response and, thus, do not permit an unequivocal assessment of the role of iNOS in these vasomotor abnormalities. They used an adenoviral vector construct containing the mouse iNOS gene to transfer the gene to rabbit carotid arteries in vitro and in vivo. They observed that iNOS gene transfer in vitro led to impaired contractile responses and impaired relaxation responses to endothelium-dependent (acetylcholine and …
A systematic review of outcome data for dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans with and without fibrosarcomatous change

Background To our knowledge, no systematic review of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) outcomes based on the presence or absence of fibrosarcomatous (FS) change has been performed. Objective We sought to compare available outcome data for DFSP versus DFSP-FS. Methods The literature was searched for DFSP and DFSP-FS reports with outcome data (local recurrence, metastasis, or death from disease). Chi-square tests were calculated to determine whether DFSP and DFSP-FS significantly differed in risk of local recurrence, metastasis, and death from disease. Results In all, 24 reports containing 1422 patients with DFSP and 225 with DFSP-FS are summarized. Risk of local recurrence, metastasis, and death from disease in DFSP-FS was significantly higher as compared with DFSP (local recurrence 29.8% vs 13.7%, risk ratio 2.2 [95% confidence interval 1.7-2.9]; metastasis 14.4% vs 1.1%, risk ratio 5.5 [95% confidence interval 4.3-7.0]; and death from disease 14.7% vs 0.8%, risk ratio 6.2 [95% confidence interval 5.0-7.8]). There was no significant difference in DFSP-FS outcomes based on proportion of FS change within tumors. Limitations This study is based on previously reported data from different hospitals with no uniform process for reporting FS change. The impact of confounders (age, immune status, tumor location, treatment) could not be evaluated because of limited data. Conclusion Based on available retrospective data, risk of metastasis and death is elevated in DFSP-FS as compared with DFSP. Even a low degree of FS involvement portends worse outcomes.
Wave Propagation in a Randomly Rough Parallel-Plate Waveguide

We study the effects of random rough surface on electromagnetic wave propagation in a parallel-plate waveguide excited by a line source. The second-order small perturbation method is applied to derive a closed-form expression for the coherent wave propagation and the power loss. The derived result is expressed in terms of a double Sommerfeld integral. The double Sommerfeld integral is evaluated by direct numerical integration and by approximate methods. The results of the two methods are shown to be in good agreement with each other. Numerical results of coherent wave propagation and power loss are illustrated as a function of roughness characteristics and waveguide thickness. The enhancement factors are compared with previous results of plane-wave scattering. The waveguide model and the plane-wave model are in good agreement for moderate to large waveguide thicknesses. For small waveguide thickness, the waveguide model shows significantly different power loss as compared to the plane-wave model. Full-wave simulations by the finite-element method are used to validate the second-order small perturbation in waveguide model.
Airway Ventilation Pressures During Bronchoscopy, Bronchial Blocker, and Double-Lumen Endotracheal Tube Use: An In Vitro Study

Objective To quantify inspiratory flow resistance of instrumented single-lumen and double-lumen endotracheal tubes. Design Bench-top in vitro experiments. Setting Laboratory of a university hospital. Participants In vitro lung simulator. Interventions A lung simulator was ventilated mechanically via several single- and double-lumen endotracheal tubes (ETT) that were instrumented with adult and pediatric bronchoscopes as well as bronchial blockers. While ventilating with a square-flow wave and increasing peak inspiratory flow from 10-100 L/min, the pressures proximal and distal to the instrumented ETT were measured. Flow (Q) and the pressure loss (∆P) were related with regression of the quadratic equation: ∆P = k1Q + k2Q2. Measurements and Main Results With all combinations of single-lumen endotracheal tubes, double-lumen endotracheal tubes, bronchial blockers, and adult and pediatric bronchoscopes, ∆P was accurately related to Q using the quadratic equation with excellent fit, R2>0.99 for all combinations. The regression parameters k1 and k2 were statistically significant for all combinations except k1 with a bronchoscope through 37-Fr double-lumen endotracheal tube. Parameter k2 was dominant at flows above 10 L/min for uninstrumented airways and 20 L/min for instrumented airways. ∆P increased dramatically with flow, and increased with decreasing endotracheal tube size or addition of instrumentation in a quantitatively predictable manner. Conclusions Pressure loss across instrumented endotracheal tubes follows a predictable flow-dependant quadratic pattern. Using the quantitative in vitro results of this study, a clinician can maximize inspiratory ventilation pressures during these situations without delivering excessive airway pressures to the patient.
The Planetary Data System Web catalog interface-another use of the Planetary Data System Data Model

The Planetary Data System (PDS) Data Model was presented at the Twelfth IEEE Symposium on Mass Storage Systems. This data model is used to represent the metadata that describes entities within the planetary science community such as data sets, spacecraft, and targets, as well as the archive data products produced by the PDS such as images, spectra, series, and qubes. The paper describes a new use for the PDS Data Model, that of a source for generating Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) documents for access through World Wide Web (WWW) clients such as NCSA's Mosaic. The PDS data set catalog, CD-ROM jukebox volume inventories, and the Planetary Science Data Dictionary are now represented in HTML and have been put on line for access via the Internet. This new interface has caused the number of users of the PDS data set catalog and requests for information to increase dramatically. In addition, new users in the educational community, at both the high school and university levels, have been added.
The Real Relationship in Psychotherapy Supervision

While the real relationship has long been addressed in psychoanalysis and psychotherapy, the matter of the real relationship in psychotherapy supervision has yet to receive any attention. Ample sup...
Germ-line therapy to cure mitochondrial disease: protocol and ethics of in vitro ovum nuclear transplantation.

The combination of genuine ethical concerns and fear of learning to use germ-line therapy for human disease must now be confronted. Until now, no established techniques were available to perform this treatment on a human. Through an integration of several fields of science and medicine, we have developed a nine step protocol at the germ-line level for the curative treatment of a genetic disease. Our purpose in this paper is to provide the first method to apply germ-line therapy to treat those not yet born, who are destined to have a life threatening, or a severely debilitating genetic disease. We hope this proposal will initiate the process of a thorough analysis from both the scientific and ethical communities. As such, this proposal can be useful for official groups studying the advantages and disadvantages of germ-line therapy.
Ventricular arrhythmia before and after aorto-coronary bypass surgery.

Abstract The influence of aorto-coronary bypass surgery (ACBS) on ventricular arrhythmia was examined in 57 patients. Six-hour Holter monitoring was done on the day prior to and 3 mth after ACBS. None of the patients were on any antiarrhythmic drugs during these recordings. Ventricular arrhythmia was classified into three groups: Group I (45 patients) had an average of 30 PVCs per hour. There was no significant change in the number of patients in each group after ACBS. Complex PVCs were present in 8 patients preoperatively and in 9 patients after ACBS. The number of diseased vessels and the extent of left ventricular wall motion abnormality noted preoperatively, had no effect on ventricular arrhythmia following surgery. These data show that ACBS, when performed to relieve angina, does not have a significant effect on the prevalence of PVCs and does not prevent or reduce the occurrence of complex PVCs.
A Patient Safety Initiative—The Prevalence of Clinically Relevant OTC Medication Use in the Otolaryngology Preoperative Patient

42 (46%) patients reported the use of non prescription medications. Of these, 11(26%) were male and 31(74%) were female. The average age of non prescription medication users was 49 years old. 48% of these patients reported use of more than one non prescription medication. The most commonly used over the counter medications used were aspirin, ibuprofen. The most commonly used complementary alternative medications used were green tea, fish oil, and vitamin E. The use of non prescription medication in the otolaryngology population is common (46%). The most common of these products could cause serious complications, most notably bleeding. Our results show that the average age of patient who used non prescription medication was higher than the average age who completed the survey. Also more females reported non prescription medication use than males.
Internal derangements of the temporomandibular joint: An assessment of condylar position in centric occlusion

Abstract Subjects experiencing painful dysfunction of the TMJ and diagnosed by arthrography to have displacements of the meniscus were compared to normal or asymptomatic subjects to assess condyle-fossa relationships. The groups did not differ by linear or area determinations of the P A ratio. The use of plain film alone is not adequate for diagnosis or assessment of treatment if abnormalities of meniscus function are the primary etiology.
Correlation maximisation-based discretisation for supervised classification

This paper proposes a novel supervised discretisation algorithm based on Correlation Maximisation (CM) using Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA). MCA is an effective technique to capture the correlation between multiple variables. For each numeric feature, the proposed discretisation algorithm utilises MCA to measure the correlations between feature intervals/items and classes, and the set of cut-points yielding the maximum correlation is chosen as the discretisation scheme for that feature. Therefore, the discretised feature can not only produce a concise summarisation of the original numeric feature but also provide the maximum correlation information to predict class labels. Experiments are conducted by comparing to seven state-of-the-art supervised discretisation algorithms using six well-known classifiers on 19 UCI data sets. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed discretisation algorithm can automatically generate a set of features (feature intervals) that produce the best classification results on average.
Development of UWB, dual-polarized dielectric horn antenna (DHA) for UWB applications

A novel UWB dual-polarized dielectric horn antenna (DHA) is presented. A DHA consists of four major components - launcher, solid dielectric horn body, feeding structure and background absorber material. The characteristics of this DHA design have been investigated in detail via experiments and FDTD models. This new design is found to provide the desired ultrawide bandwidth, dual-linear polarization, frequency independent radiation patterns, near symmetric E- and H-plane patterns and a stationary radiation (phase) center. Data for a 2-18 GHz prototype are also shown. Further investigation is needed to eliminate the absorber and still not to excite undesired lateral waves. This should improve the gain from its current 0 dBi. A better launcher design is also another challenging topic.
Is IMRT needed to spare the rectum when pelvic lymph nodes are part of the initial treatment volume for prostate cancer

Purpose: To assess whether a 4-field box technique (4FBT), along with its technical refinements, is an adequate approach in terms of rectal sparing and target coverage for patients with localized prostate cancer undergoing whole-pelvic radiotherapy followed by a prostate boost and whether or not intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) is needed. Methods and Materials: For 8 patients, 31 plans were generated, each of them differing in one or more features, including prescription (dose/volume) and/or technical factors. For the latter, several "solutions" to try to reduce the amount of irradiated rectal volume were addressed, including modifications of the 4FBT and the use of sequential IMRT. We constructed a database with 248 plans that were tested for their ability to meet a series of rectal dose–volume constraints at V50, V60, V65, V70, V75, and V75.6. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors independently associated with the end point. Successful solutions were also compared in terms of coverage of both pelvic node and prostate planning target volume (PTV) by isodose 95%. Results: At multivariate logistic regression, both rectal blocking and IMRT were independent predictors of the probability of meeting rectal dose–volume constraints during the pelvic and boost phases of treatment with close relative risks. However, on average, partial rectal blocking on lateral fields of 4FBT during whole-pelvic radiotherapy resulted in about 3% of pelvic node PTV being outside isodose 95%; only 2 of 8 patients had the pelvic nodal PTV covered similarly to what was achieved by whole-pelvis IMRT. Conversely, blocking the rectum during the last 3 fractions of the conformal boost showed a dosimetric coverage of prostate PTV similar to that achieved by IMRT boost. Interestingly, patient anatomic configuration was the strongest predictor of rectal sparing. Finally, the size of prostate margins to generate PTV was also independently associated with the probability of meeting rectal dose–volume constraints. Conclusion: In the dose range of 70–76 Gy to the prostate, IMRT and standard techniques are equally effective in meeting rectal dose–volume constraints. However, whole-pelvis IMRT might be preferable to standard techniques for its slightly superior PTV coverage.
Transcriptional Regulatory Circuitries in the Human Pathogen Candida albicans Involving Sense-antisense Interactions

Candida albicans, a major human fungal pathogen, usually contains a diploid genome, but controls adaptation to a toxic alternative carbon source L-sorbose, by the reversible loss of one chromosome 5 (Ch5). We have previously identified multiple unique regions on Ch5 that repress the growth on sorbose. In one of the regions, the CSU51 gene determining the repressive property of the region was identified. We report here the identification of the CSU53 gene from a different region on Ch5. Most importantly, we find that CSU51 and CSU53 are associated with novel regulatory elements, ASUs, which are embedded within CSUs in an antisense configuration. ASUs act opposite to CSUs by enhancing the growth on sorbose. In respect to the CSU transcripts, the ASU long antisense transcripts are in lesser amounts, are completely overlapped, and are inversely related. ASUs interact with CSUs in natural CSU/ASU cis configurations, as well as when extra copies of ASUs are placed in trans to the CSU/ASU configurations. We suggest that ASU long embedded antisense transcripts modulate CSU sense transcripts.
Overlapping and non-overlapping brain regions for theory of mind and self reflection in individual subjects

When subjects are required to reason about someone's false belief, a consistent pattern of brain regions are recruited including the medial prefrontal cortex, medial precuneus and bilateral temporo-parietal junction. Previous group analyses suggest that the two medial regions, but not the lateral regions, are also recruited when subjects engage in self-reflection. The current study directly compared the results of the ‘false belief’ and ‘self’ tasks in individual subjects. Consistent with previous reports, the medial prefrontal and medial precuneus regions recruited by the two tasks significantly overlap in individual subjects, although there was also evidence for non-overlapping voxels in medial regions. The temporo-parietal regions are only recruited for the ‘theory of mind’ task. Six possible models of the relationship between theory of mind, self-reflection and autobiographical memory, all consistent with both neurobiological and developmental evidence to date, are discussed.
SPECIATIONAL HISTORY OF AUSTRALIAN GRASS FINCHES (POEPHILA) INFERRED FROM THIRTY GENE TREES

Multilocus genealogical approaches are still uncommon in phylogeography and historical demography, fields which have been dominated by microsatellite markers and mitochondrial DNA, particularly for vertebrates. Using 30 newly developed anonymous nuclear loci, we estimated population divergence times and ancestral population sizes of three closely related species of Australian grass finches (Poephila) distributed across two barriers in northern Australia. We verified that substitution rates were generally constant both among lineages and among loci, and that intralocus recombination was uncommon in our dataset, thereby satisfying two assumptions of our multilocus analysis. The reconstructed gene trees exhibited all three possible tree topologies and displayed considerable variation in coalescent times, yet this information provided the raw data for maximum likelihood and Bayesian estimation of population divergence times and ancestral population sizes. Estimates of these parameters were in close agreement with each other regardless of statistical approach and our Bayesian estimates were robust to prior assumptions. Our results suggest that black-throated finches (Poephila cincta) diverged from long-tailed finches (P. acuticauda and P. hecki) across the Carpentarian Barrier in northeastern Australia around 0.6 million years ago (mya), and that P. acuticauda diverged from P. hecki across the Kimberley Plateau-Arnhem Land Barrier in northwestern Australia approximately 0.3 mya. Bayesian 95% credibility intervals around these estimates strongly support Pleistocene timing for both speciation events, despite the fact that many gene divergences across the Carpentarian region clearly predated the Pleistocene. Estimates of ancestral effective population sizes for the basal ancestor and long-tailed finch ancestor were large (about 521,000 and about 384,000, respectively). Although the errors around the population size parameter estimates are considerable, they are the first for birds taking into account multiple sources of variance.
A Test of Deterrents to Insider Trading Using Importance Ratings

ABSTRACT: The corporate scandals of 2002 led to criminal indictments of numerous executives and other employees. Legislators have increased the severity of penalties for white‐collar crimes in an effort to deter such crimes; however, much previous academic research has suggested that increasing the severity of penalties does not deter criminal activity. This study asks subjects to rate which factors would most affect their decision to trade or not trade based on insider information. The results indicate that severity of penalties is the most important factor that subjects consider when faced with the decision to use insider information. Subjects rated the case‐specific variables of severity of penalties, likelihood of getting caught, and expected gain as significantly more important than the subject‐specific variables of guilt, social stigma, cynicism, and fairness of the insider‐trading laws. The differentiation between case‐ and subject‐specific variables is used to help explain some of the varying resu...
Correction: Electron transfer rate modulation in a compact Re(I) donor–acceptor complex

Correction for ‘Electron transfer rate modulation in a compact Re(I) donor–acceptor complex’ by Yuankai Yue et al., Dalton Trans., 2015, 44, 8609–8616.
Effect of Hydrophilic Nanostructured Cupric Oxide Surfaces on the Heat Transport Capability of a Flat-Plate Oscillating Heat Pipe

With a surface treatment of hydrophilic cupric oxide (CuO) nanostructures on the channels inside a flat-plate oscillating heat pipe (FP-OHP), the wetting effect on the thermal performance of an FP-OHP was experimentally investigated. Three FP-OHP configurations were tested: (1) evaporator treated, (2) condenser treated, and (3) untreated. Both evaporator- and condenser-treated FP-OHPs show significantly enhanced performance. The greatest improvement was seen in the condenser-treated FP-OHP, a 60% increase in thermal performance. Neutron imaging provided insight into the fluid dynamics inside the FP-OHPs. These findings show that hydrophilic nanostructures and their placement play a key role in an OHP's performance.
The Bioethics of Prospective Parenthood: In Pursuit of the Proper Standard for Gatekeeping in Infertility Clinics

This article offers clinicians a legal perspective on how to decide which of their patients should receive medical assistance to reproduce. Part I discusses how infertility clinics in the United States and Europe screen their patients with the use of a child welfare standard that encompasses concerns ranging from whether the applicants possess minimal parenting competency to whether it would be in the best interests of the child that the applicants become parents. This Part notes that although there has been extensive scholarly treatment of procreative liberty, discrimination in the provision of medical services, and physicians' prerogative to refuse treatment, clinical gatekeeping on the whole is a topic that the legal academy has neglected. Part II examines doctrines from constitutional law, family law, and trust law in an attempt to locate legal support for clinical screening practices. This Part first locates assisted reproduction along a regulatory continuum ranging from unassisted reproduction on the one extreme to adoption on the other and finds justification, despite the Constitution's solicitude for procreative liberty, for a certain level of governmental oversight of access to infertility treatment. With this justification as a background, Part II challenges the best-interests-of-the-child standard from family law as an appropriate standard for clinical screening, since that standard contemplates an identifiable, living child, not one that has yet to be conceived. The parental-fitness standard may apply however, since infertility clinics may properly express a legal and ethical interest in preventing harm to others by not serving those who possess below a minimal competency to parent. The doctrine of virtual representation from trust law supports this view in its tendency to presume that potential parents will act in the best interests of their prospective children in the absence of strong evidence to the contrary. Part III's recommendations assert that, although the best-interests-of-the-child standard has no place in the clinical screening of applicants for assisted reproduction, clinics should be permitted, if they choose, to perform fitness screening on their applicants.
[11C]PK11195-PET to assess neuroinflammation in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients undergoing an anti-inflammatory therapy

1833 Objectives In MS, microglia and macrophages have a role in clearing myelin debris. However, a prolonged presence of these cells may contribute to further tissue injury. [C11]-PK11195 (PK) is a Positron Emission Tomography (PET) radioligand known to bind to the translocator protein expressed by activated microglia and macrophages. Therefore, once quantified, it may be effective in the assessment of disease progression. In the current study we used PK-PET imaging to assess the neuroinflammatory burden in MS patients receiving the anti-inflammatory drug Natalizumab (Tysabri). Our objective was to determine the effect of the drug at 3 and 6 months of treatment. Methods Dynamic brain PK-PET images were acquired for 60 minutes. Quantification of PK uptake was done by volume of distribution (VT) calculation using image-derived input function. Input functions were computed using the carotid artery facilitated by fine reconstruction of 3 seconds frames that allows capturing the peak in activity. Using a segmented MRI that included the caudate, putamen, cerebellum, gray and white matter, whole brain and lesion mask, we assessed and compared these regions for each patient at baseline, 3 and 6 months follow-up. Results 8 patients underwent pre and post treatment scans. Another 10 are scheduled to complete the protocol within the next 5 months. While undergoing the drug treatment, half of the patients demonstrated a significant decrease in VT (>16%, P Conclusions These results suggest that PK-PET may be a useful tool to assess anti-inflammatory treatment in MS patients. Moreover, anti-inflammatory treatment may reduce neuroinflammation burden and improve clinical outcome for some patients. Research Support Biogen Idec
Forensic Entomology: Case Studies

There are many synanthropic flies that have little or no relevance as forensic indicators. Infrequently encountered in my experience are species of Drosophila, Muscina, and Ophyra Stomoxys calcitrans torments the living not the dead. Most important for estimating post-mortem interval are the carrion or sarcosaprophagous flies, with calliphorids first and sarcophagids second. In some situations these flies can provide clues not only to time or season but also to place (e.g. rural or urban, endophily or exophily, and even geography). Endophily is a little tricky because exophilic flies will enter buildings, under the powerful olfactory stimulus of a decomposing body; in one case, in Waukegan, Ill. in June 1984, Phormia regina gained access to a dark bathroom with the door closed.
Studies on Age Estimation and Constitution of Population Age of Meriones meridianus in the Tarim Basin

Objective To study the method of age estimation and constitution of population age of Meriones meridianus in the Tarim Basin. Method 867 M.meridianus captured in September 2003 in the Tarim Basin were subjected to biological measurements and anatomy and were divided into different age groups after several distributions according to trunk weight, body weight, body length, tail length, reproduction and data of laboratory-breeding mice. Result By taking trunk weight as criterion, M.meridianus were divided into 5 age groups, trunk weight, body weight, body length and tail length varied clearly with their growth, showing normal correlation; out of these, the growth and gain in trunk weight were relatively stable. The average trunk weight of each age group was plus or minus 1 standard deviation (SD), and no cross-deviation phenomenon was observed with plus or minus 3SDs. The difference in body weight among these age groups was significant, (P0.000 5), female gerbils of Ⅰ～Ⅳ years and male gerbils of Ⅰ and Ⅳ years showed marked difference in body length(P0.05), and marked difference in tail length was observed between gerbils of Ⅰ～Ⅴ years (P0.05). Conclusion It is a reliable and applicable method that trunk weight as criterion of M.meridianus were divided into age groups.
High density 3D printed microfluidic valves, pumps, and multiplexers

In this paper we demonstrate that 3D printing with a digital light processor stereolithographic (DLP-SLA) 3D printer can be used to create high density microfluidic devices with active components such as valves and pumps. Leveraging our previous work on optical formulation of inexpensive resins (RSC Adv., 2015, 5, 106621), we demonstrate valves with only 10% of the volume of our original 3D printed valves (Biomicrofluidics, 2015, 9, 016501), which were already the smallest that have been reported. Moreover, we show that incorporation of a thermal initiator in the resin formulation along with a post-print bake can dramatically improve the durability of 3D printed valves up to 1 million actuations. Using two valves and a valve-like displacement chamber (DC), we also create compact 3D printed pumps. With 5-phase actuation and a 15 ms phase interval, we obtain pump flow rates as high as 40 μL min−1. We also characterize maximum pump back pressure (i.e., maximum pressure the pump can work against), maximum flow rate (flow rate when there is zero back pressure), and flow rate as a function of the height of the pump outlet. We further demonstrate combining 5 valves and one DC to create a 3-to-2 multiplexer with integrated pump. In addition to serial multiplexing, we also show that the device can operate as a mixer. Importantly, we illustrate the rapid fabrication and test cycles that 3D printing makes possible by implementing a new multiplexer design to improve mixing, and fabricate and test it within one day.
A comparison of unsupervised methods for Part-of-Speech Tagging in Chinese

We conduct a series of Part-of-Speech (POS) Tagging experiments using Expectation Maximization (EM), Variational Bayes (VB) and Gibbs Sampling (GS) against the Chinese Penn Tree-bank. We want to first establish a baseline for unsupervised POS tagging in Chinese, which will facilitate future research in this area. Secondly, by comparing and analyzing the results between Chinese and English, we highlight some of the strengths and weaknesses of each of the algorithms in POS tagging task and attempt to explain the differences based on some preliminary linguistics analysis. Comparing to English, we find that all algorithms perform rather poorly in Chinese in 1-to-1 accuracy result but are more competitive in many-to-1 accuracy. We attribute one possible explanation of this to the algorithms' inability to correctly produce tags that match the desired tag count distribution.
The politics of indigeneity in Myanmar: competing narratives in Rakhine state

This paper addresses a key issue that remains under-studied in discussions of Buddhist–Muslim hostility and violence in the northern Rakhine state in Myanmar. It reveals how the public narratives of both Rakhine Buddhist and Muslim political parties rely on the concept of ‘indigeneity’ to assert their claims as citizens and rightful sons of the soil, and to discredit the other’s position. This paper argues that this discourse, and the debate as it is presently formulated, has deepened the gap between two communities and obscured opportunities for identifying common ground that could be leveraged to foster more pragmatic approaches to deep-seated communal problems.
Models and methods for predicting hydraulic conductivity in near-surface unconsolidated sediments using nuclear magnetic resonance

ABSTRACTNuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) logging provides a relatively new approach for estimating the hydraulic conductivity K of unconsolidated aquifers. We have evaluated results from model validation and uncertainty quantification using direct-push measurements of NMR mean relaxation times and K in sands and gravels at three field sites. We have tested four models that have been proposed for predicting K from NMR data, including the Schlumberger-Doll research, Seevers, and sum-of-echoes equations, all of which use empirically determined constants, as well as the Kozeny-Godefroy model, which predicts K from several physical parameters. We have applied four methods of analysis to reanalyze NMR and K data from the three field sites to quantify how well each model predicted K from the mean log NMR relaxation time T2ML given the uncertainties in the data. Our results show that NMR-estimated porosity does not improve prediction of K in our data set for any model and that all of the models can predict K to w...
The Effect of Hemorheologic Factors on Middle Cerebral Artery Blood Flow Velocity in Young Individuals.

Analysis of the effect of hemorheologic factors on middle cerebral artery (MCA) blood flow velocity in 55 healthy individuals aged 18 to 30 years demonstrated an inverse association between mean MCA blood flow velocity and hematocrit (r = -0.27, p < 0.05). This association was largely explained by the effect of whole-blood viscosity. Neither fibrinogen concentration nor plasma viscosity were significantly associated with MCA blood flow velocity in this group; this lack of a fibrinogen association is in contrast to results previously obtained in elderly individuals where an inverse association was observed. These findings thus demonstrate age-dependent differences in the relationship between fibrinogen and MCA blood flow velocity.
Looking Backward, Looking Forward: A Systematic Review of 20 Years of Research and Commentary Published by Journal of Advertising Education

This article presents a systematic analysis of all refereed articles, research reports and invited commentaries (N = 197) published in the Journal of Advertising Education from 1996 to 2015. The an...
A novel similarity-based modularity function for graph partitioning

Graph partitioning, or network clustering, is an essential research problem in many areas. Current approaches, however, have difficulty splitting two clusters that are densely connected by one or more "hub" vertices. Further, traditional methods are less able to deal with very confused structures. In this paper we propose a novel similarity-based definition of the quality of a partitioning of a graph. Through theoretical analysis and experimental results we demonstrate that the proposed definition largely overcomes the "hub" problem and outperforms existing approaches on complicated graphs. In addition, we show that this definition can be used with fast agglomerative algorithms to find communities in very large networks.
Unique spatiotemporal requirements for intraflagellar transport genes during forebrain development.

Primary cilia are organelles extended from virtually all cells and are required for the proper regulation of a number of canonical developmental pathways. The role in cortical development of proteins important for ciliary form and function is a relatively understudied area. Here we have taken a genetic approach to define the role in forebrain development of three intraflagellar transport proteins known to be important for primary cilia function. We have genetically ablated Kif3a, Ift88, and Ttc21b in a series of specific spatiotemporal domains. The resulting phenotypes allow us to draw several conclusions. First, we conclude that the Ttc21b cortical phenotype is not due to the activity of Ttc21b within the brain itself. Secondly, some of the most striking phenotypes are from ablations in the neural crest cells and the adjacent surface ectoderm indicating that cilia transduce critical tissue—tissue interactions in the developing embryonic head. Finally, we note striking differences in phenotypes from ablations only one embryonic day apart, indicating very discrete spatiotemporal requirements for these three genes in cortical development.
Relaciones familiares versus aprendizaje: Un análisis con niños de 5 a 6 años

As the first mediator between man and culture, the family constitutes the dynamic unity of affective, social and cognitive relations that are immersed in the material, historical and cultural conditions of a given social group. The overall objective of the study was to investigate whether family relationships can compromise children’s learning. Specifically, it was intended to: a) Identify conflicts in family relationships; B) To verify if the conflicts in the family relations can compromise the interpersonal relationship of the children in the literacy phase;C) Analyze whether conflicts in family relationships interfere with children’s learning. A total of 219 families with children aged 5 and 6 participated in the study. The main results indicate that there is a distancing of the parents in relation to the school life of the children, as well as in the family relationships there is a mixture of conflict and affection. It is considered that the learning of children can be compromised by conflicts in family relationships because learning and school performance depend primarily on family interaction and later on the relationship between teacher-student.
An Electrodic Mechanism for Photosynthesis: Some Evidence

Chloroplasts were extracted from Spinacia oleracia grown under controlled conditions. PS-I and PS-II were isolated by centrifugation. Extracts of these photo-systems, duly separated, were brought into contact with platinized platinum electrodes. It was adequately proven that these systems are, in fact, adsorbed on the electrodes. Irradiation with xenon and tungsten sources was used to study the overall photo-current as a function of potential for PS-I and PS-II. A monochromator was used to allow a determination of the photoelectrochemical spectrum.
Abstract 496: Ubiquitin specific peptidases 37 promotes constitutive replication fork movement by stabilizing Chk1 via its deubiquitination

Protein deubiquitination controls many intracellular processes, including cell cycle progression, transcriptional activation, and signal transduction. Ubiquitin specific peptidases (USPs) remove ubiqiuitin tags from target proteins to control both protein fate and function. USP37 (Ubiquitin specific peptidase 37) has been implicated in cancer and we have previously shown that antagonizes the tumor suppressor APCCDH1and promotes S phase entry. However, the role of USP37 during S-phase was unknown. Here, we report that in cells experiencing replication stress USP37 overexpression confers survival advantage while its depletion enhances sensitivity. USP37 overexpressing cells were able to resolve different DNA damage markers much more effectively then the control cells or cells in which USP37 was depleted. Mechanistically, our data indicate that USP37 binds and stabilizes the active form of CHK1 and deubiquitinates Chk1 to increase its stability and promote the checkpoint response. USP37 overexpression results in constitutive replication fork movement and long tract DNA synthesis while USP37 depleted cells were unable to carry out long tract DNA synthesis. Notably, expression of low level of Chk1 in USP37 depleted cells rescues cell survival and DNA damage response. Overall our data suggest that inhibition of USP37 may represent a novel mechanism to modulate Chk1 activity. Note: This abstract was not presented at the meeting. Citation Format: Mayank Singh, Amy C. Burrows, Andrew Dickson, Komal Komal, Debjani Pal, Matthew K. Summers. Ubiquitin specific peptidases 37 promotes constitutive replication fork movement by stabilizing Chk1 via its deubiquitination [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 496. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-496
Addressing the distribution of proteins spotted on μPADs

Adsorption is the most common approach to immobilize biorecognition elements on the surface of paper-based devices. Adsorption is also the route selected to coat the substrate with albumin, therefore minimizing the interaction of other proteins. While similar in nature, the structure of the selected proteins as well as the conditions selected from the immobilization have a significant effect on the amount and distribution of the resulting composites. To illustrate these differences and provide general guidelines to efficiently prepare these devices, this article explores the interaction (adsorption and desorption) of BSA with 3MM chromatography paper. The experimental conditions investigated were the protein concentration, the interaction time, the number of times the protein was spotted, the pH of buffer solution, and the ionic strength of the buffer solution. The proposed approach mimics the steps involved in the fabrication (adsorption) and use (rinsing induced by the sample) of paper-based microfluidic devices. To identify the protein location following the rinsing step, the protein was fixed by dehydration in a convection oven and then stained using Coomassie Blue. The color intensity, which was found to be proportional to the amount of protein immobilized, was determined using a desktop scanner. To highlight the importance of understanding the adsorption process to the rational development of μPADs, results were complemented by experiments performed with lysozyme and immunoglobulin G.
The Vitreous State

Glass is a versatile and sometimes enigmatic substance. It functions equally well as a carrier of light, a protector of man and his inventions, an object of art, or an indispensable tool for the exploration of science. Depending upon composition, it can be made stronger than steel1 or soluble in water; a detector of nuclear radiations2 or the source of a powerful laser beam.3,4 Certain compositions are known to possess either negative, zero or positive expansion coefficients. Still others are colorless or black, or even variable in their light transmissive properties. 5,6,7 Electrical conductivities can vary from 10-3 − 10-18 ohm-1 cm-1 with both electronic and ionic type mechanisms being clearly substantiated. Paramagnetic or diamagnetic glasses can also be made, depending again upon choice of composition. Given this enormous diversity of properties, it is clear as to why the use of glass might transcend many industries and fields of science. It is also found in nature. Terrestrial (obsidian), celestial (tektites) and more recently, lunar varieties have been identified.
The Hands Lecture: Adjudication in the Age of Disagreement

What explains the praise for the mid-century Second Circuit? What made the tribunal strong? What role did judges play in our system of governance such that the Second Circuit’s particular virtues held such a distinctive place in the tradition of adjudication? The answer lies in the relationship between a central tradition of the Second Circuit and one of the great questions we face as a society today. That question is how to deal with disagreement.
Child Psychiatry Engagement in the Management of Delirium in Critically Ill Children.

Objectives. To characterize the engagement of child psychiatry by pediatric intensivists in cases of suspected delirium in a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) prior to implementation of a delirium management algorithm with regards to recommendations, antipsychotic prescribing, and follow-up after PICU discharge. Design. Retrospective chart review. Setting. Single-center tertiary PICU. Subjects. Sixteen patients who received child psychiatry consultation for suspected delirium while in the PICU. Measurements and Main Results. Child psychiatry was consulted for 50 patients in the PICU during the 2-year period. Sixteen (32%) of these consultations were for delirium, and 15 (94%) of these patients were diagnosed with hyperactive delirium. Eighty-one percent of the patients were prescribed an antipsychotic, and over half of these patients had been initiated on the antipsychotic prior to child psychiatry consultation. All patients who transitioned from the PICU to the general floor received child psychiatry follow-up. Conclusions. Child psychiatry can play an integral role in collaborative management of PICU delirium. Continuity of care with child psychiatry after transfer or discharge is particularly important given the prevalence of antipsychotic use. Furthermore, the results of this retrospective study would suggest that staff education surrounding the delirium screening tool increased awareness of delirium, resulting in an increase in child psychiatry consultations.
The Role of Sanctions and Incentives in Promoting Successful Reentry: Evidence From the SVORI Data:

Prior work on the efficacy of incentives and sanctions in community supervision practices suggests both can encourage desistance during prison reentry. Yet limited scholarship has investigated how sanctions and incentives impact reentry together and most research in this area is cross-sectional. Using four waves of data from the Serious and Violent Offender Reentry Initiative, results of cross-lagged dynamic panel models reveal that certain incentives, namely supervision officer praise, relate to significantly lower levels of offending and substance use. Conversely, supervision sanctions and supervision officer reprimands relate to higher levels of offending and substance use over time. Overall, supervision practices that emphasize recognizing prosocial behavior over punishing noncompliance appear to hold greater promise for promoting successful reentry. Findings suggest that supervision agencies should consider the potential negative outcomes of sanctions during the reintegration process, and policies sh...
Basis for the Selective Antiviral and Antitumor Activity of Pyrimidine Nucleoside Analogs

When originally approached to present a survey lecture on “the basis for the selective antiviral and antitumor activities of nucleoside analogs” I was of course delighted to do so. However, the euphoria soon transferred to despair when I started thinking, and very quickly realized, that we really don’t know the basis for the action of drugs in general, let alone the nucleoside analogs. However, we do know a great deal about the metabolism of nucleosides, as well as of their many sites of inhibition, and of course we do know that some nucleoside analogs do have good anticancer and/or antiviral activity. Therefore, there must be a basis for selectivity even though such selectivity may not be absolute