cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ario: A Linear Integer Arithmetic Logic Solver

In this paper we describe our solver for systems of linear integer arithmetic logic. Such systems are commonly used in design verification applications and are classified under Satisfiability Modulo Theories (SMT) problems. Recognizing the fact that in many such applications the majority of atoms are equalities or integer unit-two-variable inequalities (UTVPIs), we present a framework that integrates specialized theory solvers for those atoms within a SAT solver. The unique feature of our strategy is its simultaneous adoption of both a congruence-closure equality solver and a transitive-closure UTVPI solver to find a satisfiable set of those atoms. A full-scale ILP solver is then utilized to check the consistency of all integer constraints within the solution. Other notable features of our solver include its combined deduction and learning schemes that collectively make our solver distinct among similar solvers.
A study of global inference algorithms in multi-document summarization

In this work we study the theoretical and empirical properties of various global inference algorithms for multi-document summarization. We start by defining a general framework for inference in summarization. We then present three algorithms: The first is a greedy approximate method, the second a dynamic programming approach based on solutions to the knapsack problem, and the third is an exact algorithm that uses an Integer Linear Programming formulation of the problem. We empirically evaluate all three algorithms and show that, relative to the exact solution, the dynamic programming algorithm provides near optimal results with preferable scaling properties.
Air traffic control improvement using prioritized CSMA

Version 7 simulations of the industry-standard network simulation software "OPNET" are presented of two applications of the Aeronautical Telecommunications Network (ATN), Controller Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC) and Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast mode (ADS-B), over VHF Data Link mode 2 (VDL-2). Communication is modeled for air traffic between just three cities. All aircraft are assumed to have the same equipage. The simulation involves Air Traffic Control (ATC) ground stations and 105 aircraft taking off, flying realistic free-flight trajectories, and landing in a 24-hr period. All communication is modeled as unreliable. Collision-less, prioritized carrier sense multiple access (CSMA) is successfully tested. The statistics presented include latency, queue length, and packet loss. This research may show that a communications system simpler than the currently accepted standard envisioned may not only suffice, but also surpass performance of the standard at a lower cost of deployment.
The Future Practice and Study Of War

As dangerous as it is to predict in world politics and war, we can reduce the error rate by clear specification of our class of cases and precise delineation of the spatial-temporal domain from which we hope to draw our possible lessons from history. Further, we next need to lay out our predictions as to the context of future conflict with particular attention to military technol gy, geo-political shifts, economic developments, and changing political instit tions. On the basis of these considerations, we can expect linle change in the global frequency of both inter-state and intra-state wars as well as their sever ty, a modest return to extra-state war, and a continuing geographical trend in a southerly and easterly direction. Turning to the research future, we need to attend more carefully to epistemological and semantic clarity, multiple levels of social aggregation for both our predictor and outcome variables, and the role of contemporary policy analysis in our modeling and research design. We are clearly far from an adequate theoretical understanding of the etiology of war, and it thus belrooves us to combine our growing methodological sophistication with a continuing theoretical agnosticism.
Synergistically integrated nanomaterials for multimodal cancer cell imaging

Abstract: This chapter discusses the recent progress in the design and synthesis of nanomaterials (NM)-based multimodality cancer imaging agents. Multimodal imaging methods, which allow synergistic advantages over any single modality, provide important tools for comprehensive cancer imaging. NM-based multimodal platforms with unique physicochemical properties have shown their superiority in cancer diagnostics. In this chapter, we have divided the imaging agent preparation techniques into two main categories: integrating additional imaging labels into existing nano-vehicle via either surface modification, or function loading and synthesis of NMs with multimodal endogenous contrast. We also mentioned a design concept of sequential injection of different agents. Examples include the techniques we and others have developed, with emphasis on how these designs benefit the diagnostic effect. We believe that the emergence of NM-based multimodality imaging agents allows synergistically improving the efficiency and effectiveness of cancer diagnostics.
An Empirical Investigation in Sustaining High-Quality Performance

Many organizations that were once quality leaders have had challenges sustaining high-quality performance. Although research has examined frameworks and concepts that lead to high-quality performance, few studies examine how to sustain high-quality performance. Sustaining performance may require additional capabilities from what it takes to achieve it. Drawing on quality management literature, organizational resilience literature, and the theory of dynamic capabilities in the strategy literature, this study empirically investigates the effects of four capabilities that help sustain high-quality performance. The analysis shows that capabilities in improvement, innovation, sensing weak signals, and responsiveness all help sustain high-quality performance. This suggests that what it takes to achieve high-quality performance is different, in part, from what it takes to sustain it. The data comes from a survey of 147 manufacturing business units. The analysis shows that the relative benefits of these capabilities may depend on the level of competitive intensity and environmental uncertainty. The findings provide empirical support for a theoretical model and practical guidance for sustaining quality performance. [web URL: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/deci.12210/full]
Determination of bisphenol A-glucuronide in human urine using ultrahigh-pressure liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry.

Rationale Used widely as a plasticizer and as a monomer for plastics, bisphenol A (BPA) is under investigation as a possible endocrine disrupter. As an indication of systemic exposure, a fast and accurate assay was developed for the major BPA metabolite in human urine, BPA-monoglucuronide (BPA-G), using ultrahigh-pressure liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC/MS/MS). Methods Urine samples were prepared using solid-phase mixed-mode reversed-phase/anion-exchange extraction. BPA-G was measured using UHPLC/MS/MS with an amide UHPLC column interfaced to a triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer equipped with negative ion electrospray, collision-induced dissociation and selected reaction monitoring. [13C12]-BPA-G was used as a surrogate standard. Results By measuring the glucuronide metabolite of BPA, potential interference due to BPA contamination from containers, solvents, pipette, etc., was avoided. The standard curve had a linear regression coefficient of 0.999, and the intra- and inter-assay variations were less than 10%. The assay was validated according to FDA guidelines. Conclusions A fast, accurate, and highly selective method for the determination of BPA-G in human urine was developed and validated using UHPLC/MS/MS. This method is suitable for assessing human exposure to BPA. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Detection of Differential Gliding Characteristics of the Flexor Digitorum Superficialis Tendon and Subsynovial Connective Tissue Using Color Doppler Sonographic Imaging

Objective. The subsynovial connective tissue (SSCT) is the most characteristic structure in the carpal tunnel and is substantially affected in cases of carpal tunnel syndrome. We investigated the usefulness of Doppler sonography for measuring velocity differences between the flexor tendon and its associated SSCT in the carpal tunnel of cadaver hands. Methods. Six human cadaver wrists were used in this study (mean age of death, 82.2 years). The velocity difference between the middle finger flexor digitorum superficialis tendon and its corresponding SSCT was measured on a sonography machine equipped with a fingertip 13-MHz linear probe. Results. At tendon velocities of greater than 2.5 cm/s, the tendon velocity was significantly greater than the SSCT velocity (P <.05). At less than 2.5 cm/s, there was no significant difference between tendon and SSCT velocities. Conclusions. Color Doppler imaging can identify and track SSCT motion separately from that of its associated tendons. Analysis of SSCT motion characteristics by color Doppler imaging may be useful for studying its function clinically.
Sex Matters: A QUEER HISTORY OF HIERARCHIES

Feminists increasingly recognize that “sex,” as a reference to embodied male–female difference, is no less socially constructed than “gender.” Like all signifiers, the meaning of these terms is produced through contingent and particular historical processes; yet histories of “how sex was made” are rare. This essay draws on extensive, multidisciplinary research – focused through a lens of early (archaic) state making – to render a partial and provisional genealogy of sex. The schematic history begins with early human social formations and the “agricultural revolution” that marked a shift from food gathering to food producing. It then reviews the defining characteristics – in particular, the invention of writing – and attendant inequalities of early/archaic state-formation (urbanization; the “rise of civilization”). The centralization of Greek city-states has particular, indeed profound, relevance for what is conventionally called the “western tradition.” The essay then directs attention to the Athe...
Single-dose doxycycline prevented Lyme disease after an Ixodes scapularis tick bite

Source Citation Nadelman RB, Nowakowski J, Fish D, et al., for the Tick Bite Study Group. Prophylaxis with single-dose doxycycline for the prevention of Lyme disease after an Ixodes scapularis tick...
Reintegrating to the Prison Community An Investigation Into the Impact of Crime on Victims Classes

Programming elements of reintegrative shaming into correctional institutions has become increasingly common. One popular program of this type is the Impact of Crime on Victims Classes (ICVC). Although the community typically envisioned in reintegrative research is one to which offenders return on prison release, we propose that the ICVC may have an effect on victimization within the institution, applying a theoretical conceptualization of the prison as its own community. Utilizing interrupted time-series analysis, we find that these classes, as a whole, did not significantly decrease institutional misconduct.
Loving Boys Twice as Much: Chinese Women’s Paradoxical Fandom of “Boys’ Love” Fiction

ABSTRACTThis study examines how young female Chinese fans negotiate gender, sexuality, and identity through their readings of Chinese boys’ love (BL) fiction. BL fiction, or danmei in Chinese, is a romantic fiction genre featuring same-sex relationships between two men. I argue that BL fandom facilitates a gendered politics of looking that empowers female readers to turn a voyeuristic gaze upon men. This subversive gaze allows fans to play with patriarchal gender constructions, provides escapism, and creates aesthetics that offer an alternative to cliched heterosexual romantic storytelling. Because of their shared interests and practices, a distinctive BL online subculture has formed. Within this subculture, fans also demonstrate a diverse, fluid, and individualistic identification with BL. BL fandom also shapes these young women’s perceptions of same-sex love while disavowing their heterosexual privileges. Indeed, fans seem to appropriate the marginalized BL stories to express their own desires for ideal...
A yeast splicing factor is localized in discrete subnuclear domains.

Abstract Digital imaging microscopy has been used to visualize the splicing protein PRP6p and three other yeast nuclear proteins. The results show that PRP6p is uniquely localized to discrete subnuclear regions. A combination of cytological and biochemical assays suggests that these sites can be saturated when the protein is overexpressed and likely correspond to the location of U4/U6 snRNPs. The observations indicate that some splicing components are located in discrete subregions of the yeast nucleus, similar to the situation described for the mammalian nucleus.
A Model of the Buying Center Decision Making Process

This paper develops a series of descriptive models of the buying decision process utilized by organizational buying centers. An examination of previous formulations of the buying decision process is the basis for identifying influencing factors and developing the relationships between and among these factors. The decision process is portrayed as an informational flow, relating in an hierarchical fashion the influencing factors within the decision making process of the buying center. The nature of this information flow is examined as internal and external conditions change. Finally, suggestions for future research are presented.
Comparative gene finding

The most promising of current methods for computational gene prediction are those that utilize comparative information by incorporating evidence from the genomes of one or more additional organisms, or from expression data such as ESTs or proteins, or even by comparing and combining the predictions of other gene-finding systems (Guigo et al ., 2006). In this chapter we review the various comparative methods which have been successfully employed to improve gene-finding accuracy, as well as several emerging techniques at the forefront of current gene-finding research. In Figure 9.1 we summarize the major approaches to comparative gene finding that have been applied to date, and that we will be considering shortly. As it may be argued that all scientific and engineering endeavors tend to advance in an evolutionary manner – i.e., by modifying an existing theory or method so as to obtain an incremental improvement in descriptive, predictive, or manipulative power – we draw attention to the similarity of Figure 9.1 to a phylogeny or family tree (section 1.2), in which case we can view the paths through the figure as evolutionary lineages – whether lineages of software, or of ideas embedded in software. Furthermore, as it is certainly the case that comparative methods are at this point in time still evolving, the following exposition will necessarily be less dogmatic than our descriptions of ab initio methods given in the foregoing chapters, relying to a correspondingly greater degree on the presentation of case studies to illustrate the various methods that have been put forth.
Fact Vs. Value

In this chapter I will examine the relationship of fact and value. The value-dependent realism I am advocating holds that all facts in medicine, including facts about diagnosis, depend on values for their specification. However, I will argue that there are objective values. If this is so, we can maintain the possibility that medical facts, even though they are built upon values, reflect an objective reality. This will avoid the sort of relativism that results from the extreme social constructivist view that we simply invent our facts in order to produce a world that is socially useful.
Syntenin-1 is a promoter and prognostic marker of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma invasion and metastasis

// Li Cui 1, 2 , Siliangyu Cheng 1, 3 , Xiaojun Liu 1 , Diana Messadi 1, 2 , Yan Yang 1, 4 , Shen Hu 1, 2 1 University of California at Los Angeles, School of Dentistry, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA 2 University of California at Los Angeles, Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA 3 University of California at Los Angeles, Department of Statistics, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA 4 Department of Stomatology, Zhongnan Hospital, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China Correspondence to: Shen Hu, email: shenhu@ucla.edu Yan Yang, email: yanyangwhu@yahoo.com Keywords: membrane proteins, metastasis, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, syntenin-1 Received: August 25, 2016 Accepted: October 19, 2016 Published: November 02, 2016 ABSTRACT Metastasis represents a key factor associated with poor prognosis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSC). However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain largely unknown. In this study, our liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry analysis revealed a number of significantly differentially expressed membrane/membrane-associated proteins between high invasive UM1 and low invasive UM2 cells. One of the identified membrane proteins, Syntenin-1, was remarkably up-regulated in HNSC tissues and cell lines when compared to the controls, and also over-expressed in recurrent HNSC and high invasive UM1 cells. Syntenin-1 over-expression was found to be significantly associated with lymph node metastasis and disease recurrence. HNSC patients with higher syntenin-1 expression had significantly poorer long term overall survival and similar results were found in many other types of cancers based on analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas data. Finally, knockdown of syntenin-1 inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of HNSC cells, and opposite findings were observed when syntenin-1 was over-expressed. Collectively, our studies indicate that syntenin-1 promotes invasion and progression of HNSC. It may serve as a valuable biomarker for lymph node metastasis or a potential target for therapeutic intervention in HNSC.
Identification of average marginal effects under misspecification when covariates are normal

A previously known result in the econometrics literature is that when covariates of an underlying data generating process are jointly normally distributed, estimates from a nonlinear model that is ...
Short-Term Borrowing Policies of Farmers

There is a much quoted statement, sometimes credited to Shakespeare and sometimes to the Holy Bible, which says, " There is a time for sowing and a time for harvest." The writer's knowledge of the scriptures and the classics is insufficient to place the origin of this statement, but his observations on farm practices and the economic problems of farmers convince him of its truth as well as the truth of another statement suggested by it. This second statement is that "ISomeone usually has to finance the sower from sowing time until harvest." No one has been clever enough to invent a system of farming that does not use short-term credit of some form. Dairy or poultry farming gives a more or less regular income throughout the year, but even with a successful dairy or poultry business there are times when the milk check or egg receipts will not cover current operating expenses that must be met at a particular time. Crop farming presents a still more difficult problem. Someone must invest money in seed and fertilizer in the spring and in labor throughout the growing season and then wait until fall or winter to cash in on the investment.
Mutualism in museums: A model for engaging undergraduates in biodiversity science

Museums have an untapped potential to engage students in hands-on learning. Here, we describe the development of a tiered museum-based program at the University of California, Berkeley as a model for engaging undergraduates in biodiversity science. This decade-long effort to increase student participation in collections demonstrates the mutual benefits of undergraduate involvement. Museums benefit from critical help in collections care and an increased intellectual vitality, while students simultaneously gain essential research skills and an unparalleled exposure to biodiversity. Five first steps to creating a program are: dedicate a coordinator, offer credit, diversify participation, create a tiered structure, and build community.
libreta: Computerized Optimization and Code Synthesis for Electron Repulsion Integral Evaluation

A new library called libreta for the evaluation of electron repulsion integrals (ERIs) over segmented and contracted Gaussian functions is developed. Our libreta is optimized from three aspects: (1) The Obara–Saika, Dupuis–Rys–King, and McMurchie–Davidson method are all employed. The recurrence relations involved are optimized by tree-search for each combination of angular momenta, and in the best case, 50% of the intermediates can be eliminated to reduce the computational cost. (2) The optimized codes for recurrence relations are combined with different contraction orders, each of which is suitable for ERIs of different angular momenta and contraction patterns. In practice, libreta will determine and use the best scheme to evaluate each ERI. (3) libreta is also optimized at the coding level. For example, with common subexpression elimination and local memory access, the performance can be increased by about 6% and 20%, respectively. The performance was compared with libint2. For both popular segmented an...
A Study of Near Field Ultrasonic Beam Patterns from a Pulsed Linear Array

A major advantage of pulse-echo imaging in the near-field of an acoustic array is the improved lateral resolution that focusing makes possible. Usually, equivalence is tacitly assumed between a lateral beam dimension for continuous wave excitation and a lateral pulse dimension for the same geometry. Although distinctions certainly exist between the lateral dimensions in these two cases, it is convenient in dealing with pulsed ultrasound to speak of a “beam” or “beams” of ultrasonic energy. By analogy to the continuous wave case, such a beam may be defined as the envelope of a pulse dimension. This dimension may be specified by some absolute or r.m.s. pressure magnitude criterion (e.g., the distance to a point at which the absolute pressure is down “n” dB from the maximum value in the field).
Burden of nursing activities during hemodynamic monitoring of heart failure patients

Abstract Background Concerns remain about the burden of nursing care required to implement pulmonary artery pressure monitoring of heart failure patients. Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients (N = 15) with a PAP sensor at our center. We defined three categories of PAP activity and estimated the nursing time spent on PAP monitoring. Results During the 6 months after implantation, the median patient contact time was 67 (55–75) minutes/patient/month and the median frequency of patient contact was 5.8 (4.6–6.4) contacts/patient/month. The intensity of nurse-patient contact decreased after the first 3 months (81 [52–102] minutes/patient/month vs. 45 [29–61] minutes/patient/month; P = 0.005). Conclusions The intensity of nurse-patient contact increased significantly after PAP sensor implantation but declined after the first 3 months with medical stabilization. These data from our center may serve as a benchmark to project the nursing time required to support PAP monitoring in practice.
Accuracy and Safety of External Ventricular Drain Placement by Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioners in Aneurysmal Acute Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

In the current dynamic health environment, increasing number of procedures are being completed by advanced practitioners (nurse practitioners and physician assistants). This is the first study to assess the clinical outcomes and safety of external ventricular drain (EVD) placements by specially trained advanced practitioners. Compare the safety and outcomes of EVD placement by advanced practitioners in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). A cohort comparison study was performed from an aneurysmal SAH database selecting patients treated with EVD from a single major academic institution in the USA between June 2007 and June 2017. Safety, accuracy, and complications of EVD placement were compared between advanced practitioners and neurosurgical physicians (attending neurosurgeon and subspecialty clinical fellow). Statistical analysis was performed using the Mann–Whitney test for continuous variables and χ2 test for categorical variables, with p values set at < 0.05 for significance. We identified 203 patients for this cohort with 238 EVD placements; eighty-seven (36.6%) placements were performed by advanced practitioners and 151 (63.4%) by neurosurgeons. Most of the ventriculostomies were placed in the emergency room (n = 114; 47.9%). Additional procedures performed concurrently with the EVD placements were significantly higher among the physicians’ group (21.8 vs. 4.6%; p < 0.001). Bedside placement and usage of Ghajar guide were significantly higher among advanced practitioner’s (58.3 vs. 98.9 and 9.9 vs. 64.4%, respectively, with a p < 0.001 for both). There were, however, no significant differences in terms of the number of attempts for insertion, intraprocedural complications, tract hemorrhages, accuracy, infection rates, catheter dislodgments, and need for repositioning/replacement of EVD. After appropriate training, EVD placement can be safely performed by advanced practitioners with an adequate accuracy of placement.
In Vitro Regeneration of Visual Pigment in Isolated Vertebrate Photoreceptors

By the addition of exosenous 11-cis retinal to bleached retina fragments in vitro, homolog pigments have been obtained in carp (Cyprinus carpio), clawed frog (Xenopus laevis) and mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus) rods and cones. In each case the 11-cis retinal spontaneously condensed with the available opsin in situ and thus produced rhodopsin-type homologs instead of the original porphyropsin-type chromo-proteins. Visual pigments were identified by microspectrophotometry in side-on oriented and optically isolated cells. It was found that rod and cone outer segments can soak up large quantities of 11-cis retinal. From these stores visual pigments are spontaneously generated even after repeated bleaches. Cones under identical conditions regenerate their homologous visual pigments 2.5 to 3-fold faster than rods.
Naturally Occurring Quinones as Bioreductive Alkylating Agents

Bioreductive alkylation is the term used to describe the effect of those compounds which express their mode of biological action as alkylating agents, but do so subsequent to their reduction in vivo.1 That is, they are pro-drugs which are activated by a bioreduction. Quinones are a class of compounds ideally suited to function as the reducible moiety of bioreductive alkylating agents since their facile reduction in vivo and in vitro to the corresponding hydro-quinones is a well known and extensively studied reaction.2 If the quinone is further substituted with a side-chain bearing a leaving group X at the 1-position of the substituent, then quinonemethide formation can result by an elimination of HX from the hydroquinone.2,3 The reactive quinonemethide is suggested as the discrete alkylating agent and functions as such by a Michael addition of a biologically important nucleophile (Nu-:DNA, protein, carbohydrate, etc.) to the enone of the methide. This postulate is represented by the sequence of reactions outlined in Scheme . i.e., 1 → 2 → 3 → 4.
Refugees’ Life Transitions from Displacement to Durable Resettlement

Refugees experience various life transitions as a result of armed conflicts and civil wars that lead to emergency displacement in their normal everyday lives. These transitions begin at the onset of a complex emergency and last until a durable solution is found for their safety.
Organomercury, -rhodium and -palladium intermediates in organic synthesis

Chapter I describes the synthesis of arylolefins in fair to good yield by the cross-coupling reaction of arylmercurial s and vinyl halides catalyzed by 10% ClRhfPPhgjg. The reaction appears to involve initial oxidative addition of the vinyl halide to the rhodium(I) catalyst to yield a vinyl rhodium(III) species and subsequent arylation by the organomercurial to generate an aryl vinyl rhodiura(III) intermediate which reductively eliminates the olefin and regenerates the catalyst. Chapter II details an improved, stereospecific synthesis of vinylmercurials from alkynes using catecholborane, followed by mercuric acetate plus sodium acetate. A vinylmercurial useful in prostaglandin synthesis is prepared using this procedure. Chapter III summarizes our efforts towards the total synthesis of brefeldin-A using the reaction of a vinylpalladium species with cyclopentene derivatives as a first key step. Even though the reactions lead to the expected product(s), the yields could not be optimized. An alternative approach using the reaction of a vinylcuprate with cyclopentadiene monoepoxide also leads to the expected key intermediate, but the yield again could not be optimized. In Chapter IV, new synthetic methodology is developed for the synthesis of an ethano-bridged prostaglandin endoperoxide analogue using the selective ozonolysis of a double bond in the presence of an acetylenic bond as a key step. The second part of Chapter IV details
The Psychological Impact of Working in a Negative-Workplace-Behaviors Environment

Researchers have found a growing national trend in employees experiencing some form of negative behavior in the work environment. Studies into negative work behaviors and their environments have researchers looking at the relationship of work-related psychosocial hazards and relationship to psychological illnesses. Negative behaviors aimed at an individual or a group of co-workers hampers an organization’s ability to compete in a competitive environment. Ultimately, it undermines the goals, vision and the success of the organization.
Fallopian tube perfusion in ex-vivo and in-vivo laparoscopic hysterectomy specimens: potential application for uterine transplantation.

Study question Is there perfusion to the fallopian tubes in ex-vivo and in-vivo uteri at the time of total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH), as observed using laser angiography with indocyanine green (ICG)? Summary answer The fallopian tubes may have perfusion from the utero-ovarian vasculature alone. What is known already The fallopian tubes are perfused by the uterine and utero-ovarian vessels. Perfusion can be measured using laser angiography with ICG. Study design, size, duration This prospective pilot cohort study included 15 women, ages 32-59 years old, who underwent TLH with bilateral salpingectomy for benign indications. Participants/materials, setting, methods In five participants, TLH was performed and the utero-ovarian artery was cannulated ex vivo and injected with ICG. The other 10 participants underwent the in-vivo protocol. The mesosalpinx and uterine vessels were transected in the partial protocol. Colpotomy was also performed in the complete protocol. All fallopian tubes were imaged using laser angiography with ICG. The relative fluorescence and the fluorescence intensity ratio (length of fluorescent fallopian tube/total length of fallopian tube) of the fallopian tubes were measured in the ex-vivo and in-vivo protocols, respectively. Main results and the role of chance Ex vivo, the fimbria of the ipsilateral fallopian tube had 47% median relative fluorescence as compared to the contralateral fallopian tube, which had 2.4% median relative fluorescence. In vivo, the post-ICG fluorescence intensity ratios were 0.61 ± 0.40 for the partial protocol, and 0.78 ± 0.30 for the complete protocol, with mean differences of 0.37 (95% CI: 0.23-0.50, P 75% tubal length fluorescence) was seen in 60% of fallopian tubes. Limitations, reasons for caution This is a pilot study with a small sample size and pathologic uteri, which would not be appropriate for uterine transplantation. No conclusions can be made regarding the functionality of the fallopian tubes. Wider implications of the findings The fallopian tubes may have perfusion with the utero-ovarian vasculature alone, potentially allowing for future animal studies regarding tubal viability in recipients of uterine-tubal transplants. If successful, human uterine-tubal transplantation may allow for spontaneous conception rather than IVF. Study funding/competing interest(s) No external funding was used. S.F., P.F.P., K.A.S. and R.F. have no conflicts of interest to report. M.L.S. is an educational consultant for Medtronic (Dublin, Republic of Ireland) and Applied Medical (Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, USA), as well as a stockholder for SynDaver Labs (Tampa, FL, USA). S.E.Z. is an educational consultant for Applied Medical (Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, USA) and is on the advisory board for AbbVie Inc. (Chicago, IL, USA). Trial registration number Not applicable.
Subsolidus phase relationships of the BaOR2O3CuOz (R = Gd and Er) systems under carbonate-free conditions at pO2=100Pa and T=810°C

Abstract The phase diagrams of the BaO Gd 2 O 3 CuO z and BaO Er 2 O 3 CuO z systems were determined at 100 Pa (0.1% O 2 by volume, 810 °C) by using special apparatus and a procedure for preparing carbonate-free precursors based on BaO. The diagram of the BaO Er 2 O 3 CuO z system was confirmed to be similar to that of the Y-analog. The diagram of the BaO Gd 2 O 3 CuO z system exhibits different features as compared to the Er-analog. While the Er-system includes the Er 2 Cu 2 O 5 phase, the Gd-system involves the Gd 2 CuO 4 phase instead. The absence of the Ba 3 R 4 O 9 phase in the Gd-system affects the tie-line relations in the region bounded by BaO, BaGd 2 O 4 , BaGd 2 CuO 5 and Ba 6 GdCu 3 O z . In general, both the diagrams of the BaO Er 2 O 3 CuO z and of the BaO Gd 2 O 3 CuO z systems prepared under carbonate-free conditions are different from those obtained using BaCO 3 -derived starting materials. For applications of phase equilibria to coated conductor processing, phase diagrams constructed under carbonate-free conditions should be employed.
Correction to: Primary standardization of the massic activity of a 233Pa solution

In the original publication, the value “2.611·104 Bq g−1” in the sentence “The measured massic activity of 233Pa at the reference time was 2.611·104 Bq g−1 with a combined standard uncertainty of 0.93%.” under the heading “HPGe detector activity determination” should be read as “2.632·104 Bq g−1”.
The American Environment Revisited: Environmental Historical Geographies of the United States

Geoffrey L. Buckley and Yolonda Youngs, eds. Lanham, MD: Rowman and Littlefield, 2018. 358 pp. $100.00 cloth (ISBN 9781442269965).Geography's breadth often serves as both blessing and curse, libera...
Harnessing the therapeutic potential of anticancer drugs through amorphous solid dispersions

The treatment of cancer is still a major challenge. But tremendous progress in anticancer drug discovery and development has occurred in the last few decades. However, this progress has resulted in few effective oncology products due to challenges associated with anticancer drug delivery. Oral administration is the most preferred route for anticancer drug delivery, but the majority of anticancer drugs currently in product pipelines and the majority of those that have been commercially approved have inherently poor water solubility, and this cannot be mitigated without compromising their potency and stability. The poor water solubility of anticancer drugs, in conjunction with other factors, leads to suboptimal pharmacokinetic performance. Thus, these drugs have limited efficacy and safety when administered orally. The amorphous solid dispersion (ASD) is a promising formulation technology that primarily enhances the aqueous solubility of poorly water-soluble drugs. In this review, we discuss the challenges associated with the oral administration of anticancer drugs and the use of ASD technology in alleviating these challenges. We emphasize the ability of ASDs to improve not only the pharmacokinetics of poorly water-soluble anticancer drugs, but also their efficacy and safety. The goal of this paper is to rationalize the application of ASD technology in the formulation of anticancer drugs, thereby creating superior oncology products that lead to improved therapeutic outcomes.
Curcumin Inhibited Podocyte Cell Apoptosis and Accelerated Cell Autophagy in Diabetic Nephropathy via Regulating Beclin1/UVRAG/Bcl2.

Introduction Curcumin has various biological properties including being anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic. Podocyte apoptosis and autophagy dysfunction have been found to be responsible for the development of diabetic nephropathy (DN). Thus, the aim of the study was to investigate the effects of curcumin on the podocyte apoptosis and autophagy in DN and clarify its potential mechanisms. Methods The mice with DN induced by injection of streptozotocin were treated with curcumin by gavage at a dose of 200 mg/kg/day for 8 weeks. The serum lipid levels were detected by total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) kits at different time points. Renal damage was assessed by detecting urine albumin, serum creatinine (Scr), HE staining and PAS staining. The renal impairment was detected by immunohistochemical staining and TUNEL staining. Western blot assay tested the expression of autophagy-related and apoptotic-related proteins in vivo and vitro. The viabilities and apoptosis of MPC5 cells exposed to high glucose (HG) or curcumin were respectively detected by CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry. Results The results showed that curcumin significantly decreased the progress of DN possibly via increasing autophagy and inhibiting apoptosis of renal cell in DN mice. Besides, podocyte marker proteins (podocalyxin and nephrin) were markedly increased in DN mice by curcumin treatment. The autophagy-related proteins LC3, p62, Beclin1, UVRAG and ATG5 were significantly affected in DN mice by curcumin, along with reducing expression of pro-apoptotic protein Bax and caspase-3 and increasing anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2. In vitro, curcumin increased the viabilities and inhibited apoptosis of MPC5 cells exposed to high glucose (HG). In addition, the podocyte autophagy was enhanced partly via regulating beclin1/UVRAG. Discussion Together, the results showed that curcumin inhibited podocyte apoptosis and accelerated cell autophagy via regulating Beclin1/UVRAG/Bcl2. Thus, the study showed that curcumin exerted significantly protective effects in DN.
SAFE: Similarity-Aware Multi-Modal Fake News Detection

Effective detection of fake news has recently attracted significant attention. Current studies have made significant contributions to predicting fake news with less focus on exploiting the relationship (similarity) between the textual and visual information in news articles. Attaching importance to such similarity helps identify fake news stories that, for example, attempt to use irrelevant images to attract readers' attention. In this work, we propose a $\mathsf{S}$imilarity-$\mathsf{A}$ware $\mathsf{F}$ak$\mathsf{E}$ news detection method ($\mathsf{SAFE}$) which investigates multi-modal (textual and visual) information of news articles. First, neural networks are adopted to separately extract textual and visual features for news representation. We further investigate the relationship between the extracted features across modalities. Such representations of news textual and visual information along with their relationship are jointly learned and used to predict fake news. The proposed method facilitates recognizing the falsity of news articles based on their text, images, or their "mismatches." We conduct extensive experiments on large-scale real-world data, which demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Age Is Just a Number: Patient Age Does Not Affect Outcome Following Surgery for Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fractures:

Study Design:Retrospective study.Objective:Multiple studies have shown that osteoporotic patients are at an increased risk for medical and surgical complications, making optimal management of these...
Dual-Pathway PETE/PHETE Majors: The Future of Our Profession?

This article has four aims. First, it will explain what factors led to the initial PHETE program review, and the phasing out of the traditional program at Penn State University. Second, it will des...
Power, persuasion and preservation: exacting times in the World Heritage Committee

This paper examines the modes of persuasion deployed throughout the decision-making processes of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee. Through long-term ethnographic, archival and quantitative resea...
Applying a systems approach to MIS design for occupational health care delivery

Decision making in occupational health care management is complex due to the various parties involved in receiving, delivering, and/or paying for these services. This paper presents the view of MIS to support occupational health care as a system using Anthony's Paradigm to provide the decision making structure. Informational requirements reflect the hierarchy of strategic, tactical, and operational levels. A matrix of occupational health care services, respon­ sibilities, and participants is utilized. Such matrix provides the foundation to couple needs and requirements of all participants with information system specifications.
Mutualistic and antagonistic trophic interactions in canola: The role of aphids in shaping pest and predator populations

Abstract Aphids have important effects on the abundance and occurrence of tending ants, predators, and pests in agronomic systems, and DNA-based gut content analysis can aid in establishing predator–prey interactions. The purpose of this study was to determine how the presence of aphids, ants, and pest individuals interact within canola (syn. oilseed rape) fields. Using seasonal data from canola fields, the relationships among ants, aphids and pest individuals were determined, along with the use of PCR techniques in order to amplify aphid DNA and confirm food web links on predators who consume aphids. We determined that aphid presence positively influences the number of ants and predators in a community, and diminishing aphid populations over the growing season were associated with declines in both ants and predators. These reduced populations of predators and aphids may have provided the opportunity for a key pest, Pieris rapae to build populations as the season ensued. This research suggests that complex interactions among herbivores and shared predators contribute to pest outbreaks.
Recent studies on the Rhizobium-legume symbiosis

This brief paper summarizes our research progress since the 7th International Congress on Nitrogen Fixation at Koln, West Germany. We published studies reported at that meeting on the structural similarities and differences between the capsular acidic heteropolysaccharide (CPS) of Rhizobium trifolii and R. leguminosarum (4), and the effect of interspecies transfer of Rhizobium host-specific nodulation genes on CPS structure and in situ binding by trifoliin A lectin (5). We also published on the application of computer-aided image analysis for studies of the Rhizobiurn-legume symbiosis (2). Interesting measurements reported in that paper include: (i) R. leguminosarum bacteroids are 7.2 times the volume of vegetative bacteria within pea nodules, (ii) the average vertex angle of root hair branching induced by R. trifolii on white clover is 67°, (iii) R. trifolii rotates its flagella at 330 rpm and swims at 53 µm/sec in the external root environment of agar less Fahraeus slide cultures of white clover, (iv) inoculation of white clover roots with R. trifolii leads to a 35% increase in cytoplasmic streaming in root hairs, and (v) white clover root hairs elongate during active growth at an average rate of 38 µm/nr.
Stability of Neptune's ring arcs in question

Although all four of the gas-giant planets in the Solar System have ring systems, only Neptune exhibits ‘ring arcs’—stable clumps of dust that are discontinuous from each other1. Two basic mechanisms for confining the dust to these arcs have been proposed. The first2relies on orbital resonances with two shepherding satellites, while the second3 invokes a single satellite (later suggested to be Galatea4) to produce the observed ring arc structures. Here we report observations of the ring arcs and Galatea, which show that there isa mismatch between the locations of the arcs and the site of Galatea's co-rotation inclined resonance. This result calls into question Galatea's sole role in confining the arcs.
Dose Escalation and Up-and-Down Designs

Up-and-down designs are dose-finding designs that are easy to use and understand. This article describes four main classes of up-and-down designs: biased coin, group, escalation, and A + B designs. The attention is focused on statistical properties of these designs. Keywords: dose finding; traditional design; A + B designs; group designs
Standpoint theory is dead, long live standpoint theory! Why standpoint thinking should be embraced by scholars who do not identify as feminists?

This paper explores the applicability of standpoint theory within and outside of feminism by examining a journal debate in Signs about standpoint theory from 1997. The debate took place at a crucial point of transition between second- and third-wave feminism. I trace two versions of standpoint theory – “standpoint theory is” and “standpoint theory can” – and their relationship with multiple levels of exclusion and inclusion. I find that by relying on a fixed social location, the first version incorporates a contradiction that results in the exclusion of standpoints different from that fixed social location. The second version of standpoint theory then resolves the contradiction and offers tools available to feminist scholars and activists, scholars in related fields, and scholars who work in fields outside of feminism. Specifically, I suggest that research focusing on varieties of capitalism and alternatives to capitalism can benefit from adopting standpoint thinking and move away from analyses emerging from the West.
A wireless implantable drug infusion system with integrated dosing sensors

A wireless electrolysis-based drug delivery system with integrated electrochemical dosing sensors suitable for management of chronic conditions is presented. Repeatable delivery performance for identical and variable bolus volumes and flow rates of phosphate buffer saline (PBS) was demonstrated. Successful delivery and sensing of 17.75 ± 0.48 µL boluses (1.78% of reservoir fill volume) of lidocaine was achieved.
The role of IL-23 in regulating the function of phagocytic cells during Listeria monocytogenes infection (MPF3P.822)

The IL-23/IL-17 axis contributes to autoimmune disorders, but is protective against certain pathogens, particularly extracellular bacteria. We have previously shown that IL-23 provides resistance against the intracellular bacterium, Listeria monocytogenes (LM) by mediating the recruitment of neutrophils to the liver, and inflammatory monocytes to the spleen. However, it is not known whether IL-23 can impact the function of phagocytic cells including inflammatory monocytes, neutrophils, and macrophages, during LM infection. Phagocytic cells express receptors for IL-23 and IL-17A suggesting the activity of these cells could be regulated by IL-23 or IL-17A. Surprisingly, phagocytic cells from mice lacking IL-23 (IL-23p19 knockout) had equivalent phagocytic potential and ROS production compared to C57BL/6 mice. Additionally, exogenous stimulation with rIL-23 or rIL-17A did not induce or enhance the production of pro-inflammatory mediators from splenocytes isolated from C57BL/6 mice. Therefore, IL-23 does not impact the function of phagocytic cells either by a direct or an indirect mechanism during LM infection. Collectively, our data reveal that the enhanced susceptibility of IL-23p19 knockout mice is not due to functional impairment of phagocytic cells; instead it is caused by the inefficient recruitment of neutrophils to the liver, and inflammatory monocytes to the spleen, resulting in a reduction in the overall levels of TNF-α and nitric oxide during LM infection.