cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Quality Improvement in Neurosurgery

ec li ni cs .c om Health care workers want to provide the best care they can, and patients demand it. Moreover, our society wishes this care to be safe, efficient, and economically sustainable. Achieving these goals is the subject of quality improvement (QI), an ever-growing collection of systems and studies targeted at improving patient outcomes and the processes that achieve them. The recognized need for QI in health care is not new, appearing at various key moments first described in Ernest Codman’s “End Result System,” later with the formation of the Joint Commission in 1952, and more recently the publication of To Err is Human by the Institute of Medicine in 1999. But the scope of quality studies is steadily growing, most recently with an increasingly sharp focus on health economics and the idea of value-based purchasing. Unlike many other disciplines in medicine, QI is intimately associated with governing and regulatory systems. Drivers of QI have long included physician-led systems like the American Medical Association and the AmericanCollege of Surgeons, but the US Federal Government is also highly invested, predominantly after the creation of Medicare and Medicaid in 1965 made it economically critical to do so. More recently, with the passage of the Affordable Care Act in 2010, the importance of QI has been repeatedly reiterated. In a 2012 report to Congress, the “Triple Aim” was outlined by the Department of Health and Human Services to define the goals for modern health care QI:
Diagnosis of pancreatic cystic neoplasms: a report of the cooperative pancreatic cyst study.

Abstract Background & Aims: Cysts of the pancreas display a wide spectrum of histology, including inflammatory (pseudocysts), benign (serous), premalignant (mucinous), and malignant (mucinous) lesions. Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) may offer a diagnostic tool through the combination of imaging and guided, fine-needle aspiration (FNA). The purpose of this investigation was to determine the most accurate test for differentiating mucinous from nonmucinous cystic lesions. Methods: The results of EUS imaging, cyst fluid cytology, and cyst fluid tumor markers (CEA, CA 72-4, CA 125, CA 19-9, and CA 15-3) were prospectively collected and compared in a multicenter study using histology as the final diagnostic standard. Results: Three hundred forty-one (341) patients underwent EUS and FNA of a pancreatic cystic lesion; 112 of these patients underwent surgical resection, providing a histologic diagnosis of the cystic lesion (68 mucinous, 7 serous, 27 inflammatory, 5 endocrine, and 5 other). Receiver operator curve analysis of the tumor markers demonstrated that cyst fluid CEA (optimal cutoff of 192 ng/mL) demonstrated the greatest area under the curve (0.79) for differentiating mucinous vs. nonmucinous cystic lesions. The accuracy of CEA (88 of 111, 79%) was significantly greater than the accuracy of EUS morphology (57 of 112, 51%) or cytology (64 of 109, 59%) ( P P
Lansoprazole-Induced Thrombocytopenia

OBJECTIVE:To describe a case of thrombocytopenia associated with the administration of lansoprazole.CASE SUMMARY:An 85-year-old white man presented with an upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage from a gastric ulcer. His platelet count was normal on admission. He was started on oral lansoprazole 60 mg twice daily and, on hospital day 2, his platelet count decreased to 102 × 103/mm3; on hospital day 3, the platelet count was 36 × 103/mm3. Lansoprazole was discontinued, and the platelet count returned to normal. He has not had any further episodes of thrombocytopenia to date.DISCUSSION:After exclusion of other causes, the onset of thrombocytopenia after administration of lansoprazole, the resolution of the adverse reaction after discontinuation of the drug, and the fact that no other medicines were introduced during this time frame lead us to believe that this was most likely an idiosyncratic thrombocytopenic response to lansoprazole. To date, this is the first reported case of what appears to be isolated thromb...
Pseudo-decentralized control-communication optimization framework for microgrid: A case illustration

We describe a joint wireless communication network (WCN) and power network (PN) optimization framework for implementing a pseudo-decentralized control of a distributed generation network. The optimization framework includes two coupled blocks: one whose focus is on ensuring that the PN operates within its stability and performance bounds and the other, whose thrust is on optimization of information flow of a WCN from a dynamic network capacity standpoint. We have outlined a control architecture that can be used to implement the joint optimization scheme in a distributed manner using a global supervisory controller (GSC) and local controllers with some intelligence. We describe mechanisms for sustaining optimal performance in the presence of link disruptions. Extensive simulations are performed to verify the effectiveness of the proposed framework.
Electroretinographic characterization of pigmented P23H transgenic rats

The homozygous parent strain of the P23H transgenic rat (developed as an animal model or retinal degeneration associated with human eye disease) was crossed with pigmented wild-type (Long Evans) rats. The pigmented offspring, heterozygous for the mutation in the rhodopsin gene, more closely resemble the human disease state. Single and paired-flash electroretinography was used to evaluate the retinal response to brief light flashes. A-wave amplitudes and sensitivity decreased with age up to 12 wks (the oldest rats currently in the colony); b-wave amplitudes and sensitivity were relatively preserved up to 12 wks. At 4 wks of age, the transgenic rats showed an earlier time to peak of the paired-flash-derived photoreceptor response, and a faster initial recovery from peak, when compared to age-matched wild-type.
Measured lifetimes of selected metastable levels of Arq+ ions (q=2, 3, 9, and 10) stored in an electrostatic ion trap.

Metastable multiply charged argon ions produced in, and extracted from, an electron cyclotron resonance ion source were captured from the beam into an electrostatic (Kingdon) ion trap by rapidly pulsing the potential of the central wire relative to the cylinder. The ions were selected on a charge-to-mass ratio basis before capture. Photons emitted in magnetic-dipole and electric-quadrupole transitions from levels with lifetimes exceeding 5 ms were selected by wavelength and recorded vs ion storage time in the trap. Also, ions were counted after ejection following a preselected storage time in the trap, using a microchannel plate detector. These signals were studied as a function of the pressure of typical residual gases. Extrapolation to zero pressure enabled the extraction of the lifetimes \ensuremath{\tau} of metastable levels from four different configurations of the type ${\mathit{ns}}^{2}$${\mathit{np}}^{\mathit{k}}$ with n=2 or 3 and k=3, 4, or 5. Our experimental results are \ensuremath{\tau}(${\mathrm{Ar}}^{2+}$, 3${\mathit{s}}^{2}$3${\mathit{p}}^{4}$ $^{1}$${\mathit{S}}_{0}$)=159.7\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}9.7-38.4 ms, \ensuremath{\tau}(${\mathrm{Ar}}^{3+}$, 3${\mathit{s}}^{2}$3${\mathit{p}}^{3}$ $^{2}$${\mathit{P}}_{3/2}$)=243\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}73-79 ms, \ensuremath{\tau}(${\mathrm{Ar}}^{9+}$, 2${\mathit{s}}^{2}$2${\mathit{p}}^{5}$ $^{2}$${\mathit{P}}_{1/2}$)=8.53\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.24-0.17 ms, and \ensuremath{\tau}(${\mathrm{Ar}}^{10+}$, 2${\mathit{s}}^{2}$2${\mathit{p}}^{4}$ $^{3}$${\mathit{P}}_{1}$)=14.8\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1.1-0.48 ms. Both statistical errors and a possible error associated with a systematic correction are given for each measurement. These results are compared with the predictions of theoretical calculations, many previously untested. The basis of the measurement technique is discussed in some detail. The technique is expected to be applicable to ions in a large range of charge states from a variety of low-energy ion sources, and to levels with transitions from the near-infrared to the deep-ultraviolet or soft-x-ray range.
“Bad Behavior” in Organizations: A Review and Typology for Future Research

In recent years, organizational scholars have increasingly focused on various forms of bad behavior in the workplace. Notable examples of these behaviors include deviance, aggression, antisocial behavior, and violence. Unfortunately, as this body of work has grown, so too has a proliferation of concepts, constructs, and definitions. This article reviews the literature regarding the general set of concepts and constructs relating to bad behavior in organizations. The authors identify both areas of uniqueness as well as areas of overlap among these various concepts and constructs. They also propose a typology to guide future theory development and empirical research.
High frequency rough set model based on database systems

Rough sets theory was proposed by Pawlak in the 1980s and has been applied successfully in a lot of domains. One of the key concepts of the rough sets model is the computation of core and reduct. It has been shown that finding the minimal reduct is an NP-hard problem and its computational complexity has implicitly restricted its effective applications to a small and clean data set. In order to improve the efficiency of computing core attributes and reducts, many novel approaches have been developed, some of which attempt to integrate database technologies. This paper proposes a novel approach to computing reducts called high frequency value reducts using database system concepts. The method deals directly with generating value reducts and also prunes the decision table by placing a lower bound on the frequency of equivalence values in the decision table.
Optimizing Multinomial Logit Profit Functions

The multinomial logit model is a standard approach for determining the probability of purchase in product line problems. When the purchase probabilities are multiplied by product contribution margins, the resulting profit function is generally nonconcave. Because of this, standard nonlinear search procedures may terminate at a local optimum which is far from the global optimum. We present a simple procedure designed to alleviate this problem. The key idea of this procedure is to find a "path" of prices from the global optimum of a related, but concave logit profit function, to the global optimum of the true but nonconcave logit profit function.
Discharge predictions of a rainfall-driven theoretical hydrograph compared to common models and observed data

[1] A theoretical hydrograph based on Darcy's law and the diffusion equation has been extended into a predictive model for the discharge of diffuse springs and small rivers from a detailed rainfall record, using only a single free parameter, the basin time constant b. The model accurately predicts the flow variations of natural hydrographs, including the magnitude and timing of peak flow, total flow volume, inflection points, and recession rate, all as a function of effective rainfall amounts, basin area, and the time constant b. Predicted hydrographs for a sharp storm event in an unimpounded basin are compared to results for two common transfer functions, and our more parsimonious model is statistically superior. Modeling of a long-term record in proximal basins illustrates the effect of variations in b. Potential applications of the model include flood prediction, comparative studies of basin response in a regional context, and estimation of actual evapotranspiration.
Validation of Egg Yolk Antibody Testing as a Method to Determine Influenza Status in White Leghorn Hens

Abstract Determination of the avian influenza (AI) status of a flock has traditionally been done by detection of serum antibodies. However, for many diseases, detection of antibodies in egg yolk has been effective in monitoring the disease status of laying flocks. This study compared the utility of egg yolk vs. serum for determining AI status in laying hen flocks. Specific-pathogen-free white leghorn hens were inoculated via the respiratory tract with a low-pathogenic H7N2 AI virus or sterile allantoic fluid or subcutaneously with an inactivated oil emulsion vaccine produced from the same AI virus or normal allantoic fluid. Antibody levels were determined by the agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) test, the hemagglutination-inhibition (HI) test, and the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Anti-influenza antibodies were detected in sera of all live virus–inoculated hens by day 7 postinoculation (PI) (AGID and ELISA tests), but detection of antibodies in egg yolk was delayed by a few days, with all being...
Use of black light traps to monitor the abundance, spread, and flight behavior of Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae).

Monitoring the distribution and abundance of an invasive species is challenging, especially during the initial years of spread when population densities are low and basic biology and monitoring methods are being investigated. Brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys (Stal)) is an invasive agricultural and urban pest that was first detected in the United States in the late 1990s. At the time of its detection, no method was available to effectively track H. halys populations, which are highly mobile and polyphagous. One possible solution was the utilization of black light traps, which are nonspecific traps attractive to night flying insects. To determine if black light traps are a reliable monitoring tool for H. halys, a state-wide network of 40-75 traps located on New Jersey farms were monitored from 2004 to 2011 for H. halys. This proved to be a highly effective method of monitoring H. halys populations and their spread at the landscape level. The total number of brown marmorated stink bug caught in New Jersey increased exponentially during this period at a rate of 75% per year. Logistic regression estimates that 2.84 new farms are invaded each year by H. halys. The results indicate that black light traps are attractive to early season populations as well as at low population densities. Weekly trap catch data are being used to generate state-wide population distribution maps made available to farmers in weekly newsletters and online. While no economic threshold currently exists for brown marmorated stink bug, the maps provide farmers with a tool to forecast pest pressure and plan management.
Contribution of surface salt bridges to protein stability.

The role of surface salt bridges in protein stabilization has been a source of controversy. Here we present the NMR structure of a hyperthermophilic rubredoxin variant (PFRD-XC4) and the thermodynamic analysis of two surface salt bridges by double mutant cycles. This analysis shows that the surface side chain to side chain salt bridge between Lys 6 and Glu 49 does not stabilize PFRD-XC4. The main chain to side chain salt bridge between the N-terminus and Glu 14 was, however, found to stabilize PFRD-XC4 by 1. 5 kcal mol^(-1). The entropic cost of making a surface salt bridge involving the protein's backbone is reduced, since the backbone has already been immobilized upon protein folding.
Negotiating the Meaning of Employees' Conduct: How Managers Evaluate Employees' Accounts.

To explore how managers ascribe meaning to employees’ conduct as they determine whether or not to believe accounts, managers’ statements about accounts they received from employees were analyzed. Analysis revealed that managers’ choice to believe or disbelieve accounts is influenced by their judgments of employees’ past reputations, the plausibility of the accounts to the manager, and the availability of evidence to corroborate accounts. These findings suggest that accounts are not evaluated on a case‐by‐case basis, but rather by assessing present accounts against a background of prior problematic events, accounts, and evaluations.
Major Histocompatibility Complex

The first recognition of MHC genes was based on their ability to encode proteins that serve as identity markers on tissues and cells that have been transplanted into an incompatible recipient. Their recognition by the recipient’s lymphocytes leads to prompt rejection. The preoccupation of investigators with the role of histocompatibility antigens in transplantation obscured their real purpose of serving as identity markers on cells interacting with T cells carrying out specific immune functions through their own T cell receptors. In fact, T lymphocytes recognize antigens only in the context of MHC molecules.
Quantum State Description Complexity (Invited Talk)

Quantum states generally require exponential sized classical descriptions, but the long conjectured area law provides hope that a large class of natural quantum states can be described succinctly. Recent progress in formally proving the area law is described.
Anti-predator behavior of squid throughout ontogeny

Abstract Squid utilize an array of complex anti-predator behaviors, which provide advantages to avoid high predation pressure. Although there are morphological and ecological differences among paralarval, juvenile and adult squid, no studies have examined how anti-predator behavior changes through life history stages in cephalopods. The goal of this study was to (1) document how anti-predator behavior in squid changes throughout ontogeny and (2) measure kinematic variables associated with squid-predator interactions to analyze the behavioral cues that trigger anti-predator responses. Anti-predator responses in squid were studied in a series of predator-prey trials using high-speed videography. All life histories of squid exhibited some escape jetting in response to predators, but paralarvae exhibited far fewer escape responses relative to juveniles and adults, and did not demonstrate posturing or inking behavior. For 65% of the interactions, paralarvae used stereotyped behaviors such as swimming in repetitive circles and spirals, rather than escape jetting, and clear body patterning during predator encounters. Inking responses in juveniles and adults were associated with significantly higher predator approach velocities and closer predator-squid distances when compared with postural responses. Older squid were more likely to demonstrate the banded body pattern, and the ‘pseudomorph’ ink shape was most commonly used. The observed differences in anti-predator behavior throughout ontogeny indicate that paralarvae rely on stereotyped swimming behaviors and translucent coloration to avoid capture, while juvenile and adults use kinematic cues of the predator approach to determine whether posturing, inking and escape jetting, or a combination of the two is the most suitable anti-predator behavior.
Measurement and structural invariance of the antisocial process screening device.

Despite increasing study of psychopathic traits in children and adolescents, evidence regarding the factor structure of these traits has been inconsistent across community, clinic-referred, and incarcerated samples. Empirical support exists for both 2-factor (Impulsivity–Conduct Problems and Callous–Unemotional) and 3-factor (Narcissism, Callous–Unemotional, and Impulsivity) models, and factorial invariance across various samples has not been either tested or supported in the extant literature. We conducted confirmatory factor analyses of the Antisocial Process Screening Device (APSD; Frick & Hare, 2001) in 838 nonreferred twin pairs (M 10.57 years, SD 3.19 years) and 251 clinic-referred children (M 10.82 years, SD 3.39 years). Factorial invariance was tested across zygosity (monozygotic vs. dizygotic twins), sex (males vs. females), and age (younger vs. older children, divided by median age of 10.37 years) in the community sample and across sample type in both the community and clinic-referred samples. Results suggested that the 3-factor model fit better than did the 2-factor model in both community and clinic-referred samples. Using the best fitting 3-factor model, full measurement and structural invariance were found across zygosity, sex, and age in the community sample. Full measurement and structural invariance were also found across sample type except for differences in factor means across samples, suggesting excellent psychometric properties of the APSD. These results strongly support the robustness of the 3-factor model of psychopathic traits in children as well as the generalizability of the APSD across samples.
Continuous telemetric blood pressure monitoring and glomerular injury in the rat remnant kidney model

The pathogenesis of glomerular injury in the remnant kidney (RK) model remains controversial. Increased glomerular transmission of systemic hypertension has been postulated to be an important pathogenic mechanism, but the precise relationship between systemic pressures and glomerular injury has not been defined because of the limitations of the tail-cuff method. Systolic blood pressure (BP) was continuously recorded radiotelemetrically at 10-min intervals for 6 wk in rats after approximately 5/6 renal ablation (n = 16) or sham ablation (n = 7). Overall mean systolic BP in RK rats was significantly higher than sham (138 +/- 3.3 vs. 117 +/- 1.3 mmHg, P 140 mmHg. These data strongly suggest that transmission of systemic hypertension to the renal microvasculature plays a predominant role in the pathogenesis of glomerular injury in the RK model and also support the potential usefulness of the radiotelemetric technique to investigate hypertensive target organ injury.
On the Transformation of the Pattern of Tax Inspection

In today's rapid economic development,China has experienced a big transformation from the planned economy to the market economy,and the market starts to play a crucial role in the social and economical life.Great changes have taken place in the mode of the movement of economy.According to the principle that economic form decides economic system,the traditional pattern of tax inspection should accommodate to the mode of the movement of economy from the traditional pattern to the market one.The process of transformation is of vital significance for the reform of tax inspection.And properly dealing with the reform of tax inspection pattern can deepen the reform of tax inspection and provide a harmonious and fair tax environment for the market economy.
True syntopy between chromosomal races of the Cryptocercus punctulatus wood-roach species complex

In this paper, genetic evidence for local co-occurrence (syntopy) between members of two chromosomal races within the Cryptocercus punctulatus species complex from the Southern Appalachian Mountains is presented. This phenomenon has not previously been detected, despite extensive sampling and numerous molecular studies of this the sub-social wood-roach spanning the past 20 years. The incidence of syntopy seems rare; it was detected in one of 70 rotting logs sampled across eight states in the southern United States. However, the location where it occurs could become a key focus of research aimed at resolving taxonomic uncertainty in this group.
Ultrabroadband two-quantum two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy

A recent theoretical study proposed that two-quantum (2Q) two-dimensional (2D) electronic spectroscopy should be a background-free probe of post-Hartree–Fock electronic correlations. Testing this theoretical prediction requires an instrument capable of not only detecting multiple transitions among molecular excited states but also distinguishing molecular 2Q signals from nonresonant response. Herein we describe a 2Q 2D spectrometer with a spectral range of 300 nm that is passively phase stable and uses only beamsplitters and mirrors. We developed and implemented a dual-chopping balanced-detection method to resolve the weak molecular 2Q signals. Experiments performed on cresyl violet perchlorate and rhodamine 6G revealed distinct 2Q signals convolved with nonresonant response. Density functional theory computations helped reveal the molecular origin of these signals. The experimental and computational results demonstrate that 2Q electronic spectra can provide a singular probe of highly excited electronic states.
Venous Thromboembolism in Lymphoma: How Effectively Are We Treating Patients?.

Abstract Introduction: Patients (pts) with solid tumors and venous thromboembolic episodes (VTE) have a high risk of complications (recurrent VTE/bleeding) during oral anticoagulant treatment. However, few data are available in pts with lymphoma. We conducted a retrospective study to determine the frequency of complications during oral anticoagulant treatment in lymphoma pts. Methods: Charts of histologically proven non-Hodgkin's (NHL) and Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) pts at our institution from January 1998 through April 2007 were retrospectively reviewed. After excluding pts with thrombocytosis, solid tumors, hypercoagulability or previous treatment with anticoagulants, pts with their first acute symptomatic VTE were identified (49 NHL, 8 HL). 31 were males and 26 females, with an age range of 40–89 years. The first symptomatic VTE was defined as lymphoma associated if the VTE occurred within 3 months before or after the biopsy diagnosis of the lymphoma but before chemotherapy. These VTE were confirmed by contrast venography or doppler ultrasound for venous thrombosis (neck and upper-lower extremities) and chest computed tomography, ventilation/perfusion scan, or pulmonary angiography for pulmonary embolism. Major bleeding was defined as bleeding that required transfusion, caused a drop of hemoglobin > 2 g/dL, or occurred in critical sites. Minor bleeding was defined as any overt bleeding that required stopping the anticoagulant treatment but not fulfilling the definition of major bleeding. Results: All 57 pts were initially treated with high dose adjusted intravenous heparin or body weight adjusted low molecular weight heparin (LMWH). 46 pts were started on oral warfarin during the first 10 days of the initial treatment witch was continued for at least 3 months after discontinuing heparin. 11 pts received continuing LMWH and no warfarin. Recurrent VTE occurred in 14/46 pts on warfarin therapy. The international normalized ratio (INR) was within the therapeutic range (2.0–3.0) in 10/14 pts, and below the therapeutic INR ( 3), and minor bleeding in 9/46 pts. Recurrent VTE occurred in 1/11 pts treated with LMWH, major bleeding in 0/11 and minor bleeding in 3/11 pts with no deaths. Conclusions: Previous studies showed an overall incidence of 27.1% recurrent thrombosis and 5.4% major bleeding in pts with malignancy treated with oral anticoagulant for VTE. Our study showed 30.4% recurrent thrombosis and 13% major bleeding in pts with lymphoma. Most bleeding and thrombotic complications occurred with an INR within the therapeutic range (65%). The percentage of serious complications was very high during the use of warfarin (43.5%), and the death rate 6.5%, compared to 9% and 0% during the use of LMWH. A high failure rate of oral anticoagulant treatment in pts with lymphoma suggests the need for alternative treatment. Since the number of pts in this retrospective study is small, a prospective randomized, controlled study comparing warfarin with LMWH is indicated.
Turking Statistics: Student-generated Surveys Increase Student Engagement and Performance.

Thirty years ago, Hubert M. Blalock Jr. published an article in Teaching Sociology about the importance of teaching statistics. We honor Blalock’s legacy by assessing how using Amazon Mechanical Tu...
Roles of xenomelts, xenoliths, xenocrysts, xenovolatiles, residues, and skarns in the genesis, transport, and localization of magmatic Fe-Ni-Cu-PGE sulfides and chromite

Abstract Most sulfide-rich magmatic Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits form in dynamic magmatic systems by partial melting S-bearing wall rocks with variable degrees of assimilation of miscible silicate and volatile components, and generation of barren to weakly-mineralized immiscible Fe sulfide xenomelts into which Ni-Cu-Co-PGE partition from the magma. Some exceptionally-thick magmatic Cr deposits may form by partial melting oxide-bearing wall rocks with variable degrees of assimilation of the miscible silicate and volatile components, and generation of barren Fe ± Ti oxide xenocrysts into which Cr-Mg-V ± Ti partition from the magma. The products of these processes are variably preserved as skarns, residues, xenoliths, xenocrysts, xenomelts, and xenovolatiles, which play important to critical roles in ore genesis, transport, localization, and/or modification. Incorporation of barren xenoliths/autoliths may induce small amounts of sulfide/chromite to segregate, but incorporation of sulfide xenomelts or oxide xenocrysts with dynamic upgrading of metal tenors (PGE > Cu > Ni > Co and Cr > V > Ti, respectively) is required to make significant ore deposits. Silicate xenomelts are only rarely preserved, but will be variably depleted in chalcophile and ferrous metals. Less dense felsic xenoliths may aid upward sulfide transport by increasing the effective viscosity and decreasing the bulk density of the magma. Denser mafic or metamorphosed xenoliths may also increase the effective viscosity of the magma, but may aid downward sulfide transport by increasing the bulk density of the magma. Sulfide wets olivine, so olivine xenocrysts may act as filter beds to collect advected finely dispersed sulfide droplets, but other silicates and xenoliths may not be wetted by sulfides. Xenovolatiles may retard settling of – or in some cases float – dense sulfide droplets. Reactions of sulfide melts with felsic country rocks may generate Fe-rich skarns that may allow sulfide melts to fractionate to more extreme Cu-Ni-rich compositions. Xenoliths, xenocrysts, xenomelts, and xenovolatiles are more likely to be preserved in cooler basaltic magmas than in hotter komatiitic magmas, and are more likely to be preserved in less dynamic (less turbulent) systems/domain/phases than in more dynamic (more turbulent) systems/domains/phases. Massive to semi-massive Ni-Cu-PGE and Cr mineralization and xenoliths are often localized within footwall embayments, dilations/jogs in dikes, throats of magma conduits, and the horizontal segments of dike-chonolith and dike-sill complexes, which represent fluid dynamic traps for both ascending and descending sulfides/oxides. If skarns, residues, xenoliths, xenocrysts, xenomelts, and/or xenovolatiles are present, they provide important constraints on ore genesis and they are valuable exploration indicators, but they must be included in elemental and isotopic mass balance calculations.
Incorporating phase change materials in concrete pavement to melt snow and ice

Abstract This paper discusses the use of phase change materials (PCM) in concrete pavement as a method to store energy which can be used as a heat source during cooling events to melt ice/snow. The experimental program includes: (1) use of low-temperature differential scanning calorimetry to evaluate thermal properties of PCM, and (2) use of large-scale concrete slabs containing PCM to evaluate the ability of the PCM concrete to melt snow on the surface of the concrete pavement. The temperature in the concrete slabs and the snow melting rate were monitored as quantitative measurements of the efficiency of the PCM in the concrete. In addition, time-lapse images were taken. Two approaches were used to incorporate PCM in concrete: placing the PCM in lightweight aggregate (LWA) which was then mixed into the concrete, and placing the PCM in embedded metal pipes embedded in the slab during concrete casting. In this study, paraffin oil was use as a PCM that is effective in releasing heat near the freezing temperature of PCM when the PCM undergoes a phase transformation from liquid to solid. The heat released during the phase transformation can melt ice and snow on the concrete pavement surface. The results indicate that incorporating PCM in concrete pavement is not only feasible, but also practical.
Ethylmalonic Aciduria in an Infant with Neurological and Skin Presentation

A 2-year-old female was investigated for developmental delay, hypotonia, and infantile spasms, the latter of which began at approximately 10 months of age. On examination, widespread petechiae located over pressure points and retinal vessel tortuosity were notable. The initial electroencephalogram demonstrated a disorganized, high-amplitude background and multifocal, interictal epileptiform discharges consistent with hypsarrhythmia. She was treated with vigabatrin with excellent clinical and electrophysiologic response. Repeat electroencephalogram demonstrated only left temporal sharp waves and focal slowing. A magnetic resonance imaging scan demonstrated volume loss and increased T2 signal in the periventricular white matter and dorsal brainstem, and abnormal foci of increased T2 signal in the basal ganglia bilaterally with decreased diffusion. Spectroscopy demonstrated a lactate peak. A mitochondrial disorder was initially suspected. Routine biochemistry testing revealed a mild metabolic acidosis (plasma total CO2, 20 mmol/L; reference interval, 22–30) and moderately increased plasma lactate of 3.1 mmol/L (reference interval 0.5–2.2). A urine specimen was collected for organic acid analysis by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The results are shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 1. Organic acids analysis of patient urine using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Urine organic acids were extracted into ethyl …
Vibrational Spectroscopy on Photoexcited Dye-Sensitized Films via Pump-Degenerate Four-Wave Mixing.

Molecular sensitization of semiconductor films is an important technology for energy and environmental applications including solar energy conversion, photocatalytic hydrogen production, and water purification. Dye-sensitized films are also scientifically complex and interesting systems with a long history of research. In most applications, photoinduced heterogeneous electron transfer (HET) at the molecule/semiconductor interface is of critical importance, and while great progress has been made in understanding HET, many open questions remain. Of particular interest is the role of combined electronic and vibrational effects and coherence of the dye during HET. The ultrafast nature of the process, the rapid intramolecular vibrational energy redistribution, and vibrational cooling present complications in the study of vibronic coupling in HET. We present the application of a time domain vibrational spectroscopy—pump-degenerate four-wave mixing (pump-DFWM)—to dye-sensitized solid-state semiconductor films. P...
A Simple, Forward Selection Scheme for Independently Determining the Toxicity and Mutagenic Effect of Environmental Chemicals: Measuring Replicative Killing of Escherichia Coli by an Integrated Fragment of Bacteriophage Lambda DNA

We have constructed E. coli strains that have integrated within their chromosome a small segment of the DNA of bacteriophage lambda, which is present as a defective prophage. This small segment of phage DNA codes for (a) the genes and origin site necessary for initiation of lambda replication and (b) for the three genes that either positively or negatively regulate the expression of the replication genes. We have constructed four genetically related strains of this type and have used them to isolate mutations that prevent the initiation of lambda replication. We believe our selector strains offer several advantages for detecting environmental carcinogens: (1) the strains are essentially prototropic and do not depend for growth on the presence or absence of an added metabolite or cofactor. (2) They are sensitive to mutations in cis- or trans-acting genes and target sites and can be used to determine the frequency of both forward and back mutations in a single selection step. (3) The type and location of the mutation produced by an environmental carcinogen can be quickly and precisely determined. (4) The effect of the mutation is measured in the lambda prophage genes, which are not required in any way for E. coli growth and, thus, can be extensively mutated without changes to the host. For example, environmental carcinogens that produce large deletions in the lambda DNA will be easily detected. (5) The selector strains carry a deletion of the E. coli uvrB gene required for accurate excision repair. This_ enhances their sensitivity, since mutations produced in the uvrB strain by environmental carcinogens are not adequately repaired.
Multiple developmental pathways to conduct disorder: current conceptualizations and clinical implications.

Objectives Recent research has uncovered several developmental pathways through which children and adolescents can develop a tendency to display the severe antisocial behavior associated with the diagnosis of conduct disorder (CD). Methods This focused review is designed to briefly outline three different etiological pathways described in the literature. These pathways are distinguished by the age of onset of the antisocial behavior, the presence/absence of significant levels of callous-unemotional traits, and the presence/absence of problems with anger regulation. Results Evidence from developmental psychopathology research (particularly longitudinal studies) that support the different life-course trajectories and putative etiological factors associated with antisocial behavior across these pathways is presented. Conclusions Limitations in the available research on these developmental pathways and implications of this research for the prevention and treatment of children and adolescents with CD are discussed.
Handling Vertex Deletions in Memory Scalable Anytime Anywhere Algorithms for Large and Dynamic Social Networks

Due to the dramatic increase in the availability of dynamic data in various domains, including computational social systems, there is a need to formulate processing and analysis methodologies that can efficiently incorporate data changes while reducing recomputations. This is especially critical for network analysis techniques where current methodologies pursue strategies based on maintaining intermediate or partial results. However, there are critical trade-offs with respect to memory and processing time overheads that have prevented these designs from scaling with larger network sizes and higher rates of network dynamism. In this work, we demonstrate the capability of our anytime anywhere framework to formulate closeness centrality algorithms that can adapt to memory availability by varying the number of partial results that are stored and maintained over the course of the analysis. Additionally, using a combination of theoretical analysis and experimental results we compare the performance of these algorithm designs, and identify conditions under which one design performs better than the others.
TD-07 Dissecting the role of myeloid cells in lupus nephritis

Background The NIH- sponsored AMP -PEARL (Accelerating Medicine Partnership lupus network Pathway Exploration and Analysis in RenaL disease) consortium sequenced RNA from ∼2900 single cells from lupus nephritis kidney biopsies from 24 patients and discovered 22 immune cell types. While providing unprecedented molecular information, the study lacked in situ immune cell spatial context and was underpowered for associations with clinical outcomes. Thus, we aimed to investigate the spatial organization of the immune landscape in lupus nephritis tissue and determine whether in situ immune cell organization drives clinical outcomes. We hypothesize that the immune cell infiltrate in lupus nephritis tissue is highly organized and promotes kidney remodeling that drives clinical outcomes. Methods We assembled a new, larger cohort of 40 lupus nephritis patients who presented with varying disease severity, undergoing their first kidney biopsies (naive to potent immune-modulators). From these biopsy samples, we are dissecting the organizational landscape, role, and clinical associations of the five newly discovered myeloid subsets in formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue. To map the in situ spatial relationships, we converted single cell RNA-sequencing signatures into molecular stains based on highly expressed myeloid subset-specific discriminatory genes with known biological functions. We then stained clinical samples from our cohort for multiplex fluorescent imaging of newly identified cell subsets. Results We have validated the five new myeloid subsets (three monocytes, one dendritic cell, and one macrophage) in class IV lupus nephritis tissue and we are working to do the same in other histological classes. In addition, we are deconstructing myeloid subset cellular neighborhoods by mapping each to renal compartments, tissue damage, and quantifying the composition of the neighborhood’s immune cell (T, B, NK cells) infiltrate. Conclusions By converting single cell RNA sequencing information into molecular stains we have developed a novel approach to validate in situ five newly identified myeloid subsets in class IV lupus nephritis and we are pursuing other histological classes. We are deconstructing the in situ cellular neighborhood by mapping each subset across tissue to determine its relation to histopathological lesions and clinical outcomes. We expect these data to link the new myeloid subsets to distinct cellular neighborhoods, and provide the first-ever connection between well-characterized in situ local immune responses, their histopathologic lesions, and clinical outcomes in our clinically annotated cohort. This work will lay the groundwork for disease re-classification based on the immune response and could highlight important cell-types and pathways driving disease for follow up studies.
Structural characteristics of m-plane AlN substrates and homoepitaxial films

Abstract Homoepitaxial non-polar AlN films were realized on m-plane ( 10 1 - 0 ) -oriented AlN single crystals by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). The microstructural properties of m-plane AlN substrates and homoepitaxial films were assessed by means of atomic force microscopy and high resolution x-ray diffraction characterization. Results indicated that both m-plane AlN substrates and films possessed exceptional structural quality, with some anisotropic mosaic distributions due to the quasi-bulk nature of the non-polar single crystals. An increase in the MOCVD growth temperature was noted to minimize the degree of inherited mosaic anisotropy without altering the m-plane AlN film growth rate, indicating that high temperature growth is critical to produce optimal film crystallinity. A dramatic change in the film surface morphology from heavily faceted “slate-like” features to monolayer steps was observed as the growth temperature was increased. The “slate-like” surface morphology produced low intensity cross-streaks in symmetric ( 10 1 - 0 ) reciprocal space maps, tilted about 18° away from the ( 10 1 - 0 ) crystal truncation rod. The orientation of these diffuse streaks corresponds to the physical alignment of the slates with respect to the substrate surface normal. X-ray line scans and defect-selective reciprocal space mapping confirmed that these low intensity streaks are solely dependent on this peculiar surface structure produced at low MOCVD growth temperatures and unrelated to basal plane stacking faults or other extended defects. All observations confirm that high quality III-nitride epitaxial structures on m-plane AlN substrates are attainable with controllable MOCVD growth processes, as demanded for future high performing AlN-based non-polar devices.
Use of smartphone applications to improve quality of bowel preparation for colonoscopy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction Smartphone-based applications (apps) have been used to improve the quality of bowel preparation (prep) but the success rates have been variable. We have performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the impact of smartphone apps on bowel preparation. Methods Electronic databases (MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL and Cochrane) were reviewed for eligible studies of smartphone apps versus standard education before colonoscopy. The following outcomes were analyzed: pooled rate of adequacy of bowel prep among both arms and Boston bowel preparation score (BBPS) when reported. Pooled analysis was reported as odds ratio (OR) or mean difference in random effect model with Review Manager 5.3 (P ≤ 0.05 for statistical significance). Results Six studies were eligible with smartphone app (810 patients) vs. standard education (855 patients, control group) for bowel prep. The smartphone app group had a higher proportion of adequate bowel prep compared to the control group: 87.5 % vs 77.5 % (five studies), pooled OR 2.67; 95 %CI 1.00 – 7.13 with P = 0.05. There was substantial heterogeneity in studies with I 2 = 78 %. When analysis was limited to randomized controlled trials (RCTs), smartphone app users had a numerically higher rate of bowel cleansing: 87.1 % vs 76.9 %; however, pooled OR was not statistically significant (OR 2.66, 95 %CI 0.92 – 7.69, P = 0.07). When studies using BBPS were evaluated (n = 3), smartphone app users had higher mean scores (better bowel prep) with a mean difference of 0.9 (95 %CI 0.5 – 1.3), which was statistically significant (P Conclusion The smartphone app is a novel educational tool that can assist in achieving adequate and better bowel cleansing before colonoscopy.
Reflections on Access: Disability in Curatorial Practice

Access is a vital tool to deploy within a critical disability curatorial practice and can embody both conceptual and physical possibilities, whereby the very idea of access can be discovered in an artist’s work, and, at the same time, be productively curated into both gallery spaces and the exhibition of the artwork. This essay reflects on the author’s critical disability curatorial practice with the exhibitions Marking Blind (2015) and Sweet Gongs Vibrating (2016). Through the curation of works by Raphaelle de Groot and Carmen Papalia, and through the artist curator relationship between the artists and the curator, the author of this paper, both exhibitions incorporated access in order to benefit the artists, the artworks, as well as diverse audiences. This paper argues that through the guidance of the curator, access can be incorporated into the exhibition in highly imaginative and artistic ways.
Effects of central administration of morphine on immune status in Lewis and Wistar rats.

It has been well established that systemic administration of morphine is immunomodulatory and that this effect is mediated by opioid receptors (1, 2, 3). Prior research in our laboratory has shown that a single systemic administration of morphine induces naltrexone-reversible, dose-dependent alterations in lymphocyte proliferation to T- and B-cell mitogens, interleukin-2 and γ-interferon production, and natural killer cell cytotoxicity (1). To induce these effects, morphine could be acting peripherally on opioid receptors found on circulating lymphocytes or could be acting at opioid receptors in the central nervous system. There is increasing evidence for the role of the central nervous system in morphine’s immune modulation. Peripheral administration of N-methylmorphine, a form of morphine which does not cross the blood-brain barrier, does not result in changes in immune status (4). Moreover, a significant naltrexone-reversible suppression of natural killer cell (NK) activity results from intracranial administration of the drug into the lateral ventricle (4). These findings indicate that morphine acts at opioid receptors within the central nervous system to induce changes in the immune system. Furthermore, a single microinjection of morphine into the periaqueductal gray (PAG) of the brain results in naltrexone-reversible suppression of natural killer cell activity suggesting that this may be the site of action for morphine’s immunomodulatory effects (5).