cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Integrating clinic process flow, space syntax and space adjacency analysis: Formalization of computational method in building programming

This paper presents a computational space adjacency analysis method by integrating information and analysis from process flow methods used in the healthcare system with space syntax methods used in architecture. These methods involve similar conceptual properties related to activity, space and flow. However, their implementation in the building programming process is disconnected, and relies solely on experience and expert opinions. The basic approach for the integration was by abstracting these similar properties in the process flow diagram, space connectivity diagram, and justified plan graph into nodes and edges representations. A case study of a clinic that is currently in the construction phase was used to develop the integration procedure and comparison analysis with the actual floorplan.
Public Information and Price Discovery: Trade Time vs Clock Time

I estimate the impulse response function of stock prices to news shocks using quarterly earnings surprises as an instrument for changes in firm value. I find that price discovery occurs through trading, independent of the passage of time. Prices converge to fundamental value faster when markets are more liquid. Nearly all cross-sectional variation in the speed of convergence measured in clock time disappears when measured in trade time. Price discovery requires minimal trading volume when liquidity is low, consistent with uninformed agents learning from order flow. I show that the path of asset prices in response to news is better explained by models of strategic informed trading than by gradual information diffusion.
Impact of obesity and diabetes on waitlist survival, probability of liver transplantation and post-transplant survival among chronic hepatitis C virus patients.

BACKGROUND & AIMS The rising prevalence of obesity and diabetes mellitus (DM) among hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients contributes to concurrent nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We aim to evaluate the impact of concurrent obesity or DM on waitlist survival and probability of liver transplantation (LT) among adults with chronic HCV awaiting LT. METHODS Using 2003-2013 United Network for Organ Sharing data, we evaluated the impact of obesity and DM among adults with chronic HCV awaiting LT: non-obese, non-DM vs. obese, non-DM (obese) vs. non-obese, DM (DM) vs. obese and DM. Overall, LT waitlist survival and probability of receiving LT were evaluated using Kaplan-Meier and multivariate logistic regression models. RESULTS From 2003-2013, there were 43 478 new LT waitlist registrants with chronic HCV (21.0% with HCC, 79% without HCC). Obesity was associated with lower probability of receiving LT (OR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.85-0.97; P < 0.01), and lower probability of waitlist mortality (OR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.72-0.89; P < 0.001) when compared to non-obese patients. DM among HCV patients did not impact probability of waitlist survival or receiving LT. When evaluating post-LT survival, compared to non-obese, non-DM patients, obese HCV patients had significantly lower post-LT mortality (HR 0.86; 95%CI, 0.81-0.92; P < 0.001); whereas, HCV patients with DM had significantly higher post-LT mortality (HR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.12-1.33; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION Among adults with chronic HCV awaiting LT in the US, obesity is associated with lower probability of receiving LT, but did not impact waitlist survival. DM among chronic HCV patients did not impact waitlist survival or probability of LT.
Increased Operative Time for Benign Cranial Nerve Tumor Resection Correlates with Increased Morbidity Postoperatively.

Objectives Operative time, previously identified as a risk factor for postoperative morbidity, is examined in patients undergoing benign cranial nerve tumor resection. Design/Setting/Participants This retrospective cohort analysis included patients enrolled in the ACS-NSQIP registry from 2007 through 2013 with a diagnosis of a benign cranial nerve neoplasm. Main Outcome Measures Primary outcomes included postoperative morbidity and mortality. Readmission and reoperation served as secondary outcomes. Results A total of 565 patients were identified. Mean (median) operative time was 398 (370) minutes. The 30-day complication, readmission, and return to the operating room rates were 9.9%, 9.9%, and 7.3%, respectively, on unadjusted analyses. CSF leak requiring reoperation or readmission occurred at a rate of 3.1%. On multivariable regression analysis, operations greater than 413 minutes were associated with an increased odds of overall complication (OR 4.26, 95% CI 2.08–8.72), return to the operating room (OR 2.65, 95% CI 1.23–5.67), and increased length of stay(1.6 days, 95% CI 0.94–2.23 days). Each additional minute of operative time was associated with an increased odds of overall complication (OR 1.004, 95% CI 1.002–1.006) and increased length of stay (0.006 days, 95% CI 0.004–0.008). Conclusion Increased operative time in patients undergoing surgical resection of a benign cranial nerve neoplasm was associated with an increased rate of complications.
The Cross-Dressing Emperor: Confusing and Conflating Contract Interpretation and the Parol Evidence Rule

This Article reveals and analyzes the injustice that occurs when courts confuse two very different concepts: contract interpretation and the parol evidence rule. Prominent scholars also have confused and conflated the two. Significantly, other courts and other leading scholars have perceived and emphasized the distinction. The Article analyzes the policies that underlie interpretation (which discerns the meaning of terms found within the contract) and the disparate policies that underlie the parol evidence rule (which determines whether terms can be added to the contract). Confusion of the distinctive concepts has caused evidence to be excluded that would otherwise have been admitted and, conversely, has resulted in the admission of evidence that would otherwise have been excluded. Many Contracts casebooks quote harsh criticism leveled by a federal judge against an innovative interpretative approach - but the criticism is unfounded because the case involves not interpretation at all but rather the parol evidence rule. Finally, the article makes policy recommendations, including changes in traditional terminology, that will contribute to judicial clarity and the avoidance of injustice.
Evaluation of the Delvo-X-Press assay for detecting antibiotic residues in milk samples from individual cows.

Performance of the Delvo-X-Press β-lactam antibiotic assay was examined using bulk-tank milk samples and milk samples from individual cows. Bulk-tank milk samples fortified with bovine lactoferrin at a concentration of 1 mg/ml or more consistently tested positive. False-positive results were also obtained from bulk-tank milk samples fortified with bovine plasma at concentrations of 20 and 40%. The assay yielded positive results for milk with antibiotic concentrations as low as 2 ppb. Individual milk samples were collected from 144 healthy lactating cows and from 34 cows with chronic Staphylococcus aureus mastitis. Specificity estimates for samples from healthy and mastitic cows were 0.88 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.82, 0.93) and 0.94 (95% CI, 0.86, 1.00), respectively. Individual milk samples were collected from three cows with experimentally induced mastitis for 21 consecutive days. False-positive results occurred as late as 12 days postchallenge. A moderate but significant (P < 0.01) positive linea...
Understanding translanguaging practices through a biliteracy continua framework: Adult biliterates reading academic texts in their two languages

ABSTRACTTen adult readers, advanced in their control of two languages, Korean and English, were recruited for a study of academic literacy practices to examine the various linguistic repertoires on which they drew. Analysis of their language use revealed many instances of translanguaging, that is, a flexible reliance on two languages to serve one’s immediate needs. All participants engaged in various cognitive reading strategies associated with translanguaging. These translanguaging practices in academic literacy were interpreted through the lens of Hornberger’s (2013) bilingual continua model, providing a perspective on the complex interplay of bilingual content, context, media, and development.
Blending online learning with classroom instruction in a non-majors computing course: panel discussion

In a non-majors course titled "Computers, Computer Science, and Society", three instructors experimented with blending online learning with classroom instruction. While the majority of the course involved face-to-face meetings, each instructor created and delivered a one week online unit. We had two goals - to begin to explore online learning for the department and to expose students to a different kind of learning. Since this particular course focuses on a broad view of computing and its implications for society, incorporating online learning into the class is a perfect match with the course content. Each instructor developed a different online unit involving a number of topics normally taught in a computer classroom. These were delivered online with Blackboard to six separate sections of the course. For the most part, during the online unit the students did not have face-to-face contact with their instructor. The module topics were varied and included JavaScript, computer mediated communications, and artificial intelligence. An evaluation instrument was developed using Flashlight and used by all three instructors. In this panel, we will first individually describe the development, administration, and both student and instructor assessment of the units. Then as a group, we will discuss the opportunities and potential for this kind of blended approach in both major and non-majors courses.
Steady-State Spectroscopic Analysis of Proton-Dependent Electron Transfer on Pyrazine-Appended Metal Dithiolenes [Ni(pdt)2], [Pd(pdt)2], and [Pt(pdt)2] (pdt = 2,3-Pyrazinedithiol)

We report the structural, electronic, and acid/base properties of a series of ML2 metal dithiolene complexes, where M = Ni, Pd, Pt and L = 2,3-pyrazinedithiol. These complexes are non-innocent and possess strong electronic coupling between ligands across the metal center. The electronic coupling can be readily quantified in the monoanionic mixed valence state using Marcus–Hush theory. Analysis of the intervalence charge transfer (IVCT) band reveals that that electronic coupling in the mixed valence state is 5800, 4500, and 5700 cm–1 for the Ni, Pd, and Pt complexes, respectively. We then focus on their response to acid titration in the mixed valence state, which generates the asymmetrically protonated mixed valence mixed protonated state. For all three complexes, protonation results in severe attenuation of the electronic coupling, as measured by the IVCT band. We find nearly 5-fold decreases in electronic coupling for both Ni and Pt, while, for the Pd complex, the electronic coupling is reduced to the po...
Introduction, A New Deal for Old Age: Toward a Progressive Retirement

As America’s haves and have-nots drift further apart, rising inequality has undermined one of the nation’s proudest social achievements: the Social Security retirement system. Unprecedented changes in longevity, marriage, and the workplace have made the experience of old age increasingly unequal. For educated Americans, the traditional retirement age of 65 now represents late middle-age. These lucky ones typically do not face serious impediments to employment or health until their mid-70s or even later. By contrast, many poorly educated earners confront obstacles of early disability, limited job opportunities, and unemployment before they reach age 65. America’s system for managing retirement is badly out of step with these realities. Enacted in the 1930s, Social Security reflects a time when most workers were men who held steady jobs until retirement at 65 and remained married for life. The program promised a dignified old age for rich and poor alike, but today that egalitarian promise is failing. This introductory chapter to A NEW DEAL FOR OLD AGE outlines a progressive program that would permit all Americans to retire between 62 and 76 – but would offer more generous benefits for early retirement for workers with low wages and physically demanding jobs. The chapter also sketches the case for a more equitable version of the outdated spousal benefit and a new phased-retirement option to permit workers to transition out of the workforce gradually.
Energy poverty: Electrification and well-being

Energy access entails a range of metrics that need to be monitored to guide planning and implementation of electricity provision in developing nations. A study based on an extensive household survey carried out in rural India demonstrates that electricity supply duration is the best predictor for satisfaction with electricity service.
Objective Estimates of Physical Activity and Sedentary Time among Young Adults

Background. This study examines factors associated with physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviors (SB) in young adults (18–35 years) and compares objective and subjective assessment measures of PA and SB. Methods. 595 young adults ( years; kg/m2) enrolled in the Study of Novel Approaches to Weight Gain Prevention (SNAP) trial. Hours/day spent in SB (<1.5 METs) and minutes/week spent in bout-related moderate-to-vigorous intensity PA (MVPA; ≥3 METs and ≥10 min) were assessed using self-report and objective measures. Demographic factors associated with SB and MVPA were also explored (i.e., age, gender, BMI, ethnicity, work and relationship status, and number of children). Results. Objective MVPA ( min/wk) was greater than self-report estimates ( min/wk; ) and differed by min/wk at the individual level (i.e., the absolute difference). Females, overweight participants, African Americans, and those with children participated in the least amount of MVPA. Objective estimates of SB ( hr/day; 64.5% of wear time) were lower than subjective estimates ( hr/day; ), differing by hr/day for each participant. Conclusion. Young adults interested in weight gain prevention engage in both high levels of MVPA and SB, with participants self-reporting fewer MVPA minutes and more SB compared to objective estimates. This study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01183689).
Gender Bias in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Depression

In the United States, unipolar depression is common. Research suggests that rates of depression are increasing in many parts of the world. Substantial numbers of primary care patients present class...
Concordance Between Self-Report and Performance-Based Measures of Everyday Functioning in HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorders

Self-report is typically used to differentiate between asymptomatic neurocognitive impairment (ANI) and mild neurocognitive disorder (MND) in the assessment of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). Yet, it is unclear whether the lack of self-reported functional impairments in individuals with ANI is indicative of a genuine absence of functional impairment, or of inaccurate self-reports. In the present study, we examined the relationship between previously validated self-report (patient's assessment of own functioning inventory; instrumental activities of daily living inventory) and performance-based (the Texas Functional Living Scale) measures of functional abilities in 112 virologically-controlled HIV-infected, and 40 well-matched, HIV-uninfected participants. Participants with symptomatic cognitive impairment (CI) had significantly lower overall scores and higher rates of impairment on a performance-based measure of everyday functioning as compared to participants with either asymptomatic CI or normal cognitive performance (WNL [within normal limits]; all p < 0.05), while asymptomatic CI and WNL participants had comparable rates of impairment and performance within the average range on the performance-based measure. The concordance between self-report and performance-based measures of everyday functioning in asymptomatic and symptomatic CI provide support for ANI and MND as clinically distinct diagnostic entities, and support the use of self-reports as appropriate measures of everyday functioning in the diagnosis of HAND.
Manipulating magnetic moments by superconducting currents

We show that the interaction between a superconducting order parameter and the magnetic moment of an atomic cluster in a two-dimensional $s$-wave superconductor with Rashba spin-orbit coupling generates magnetic anisotropy that can be stronger or comparable to the magnetic anisotropy due to the crystal field and the shape of the cluster. Transport current through the superconductor produces the effective magnetic field acting on the cluster's magnetic moment. The direction of the effective field depends on the direction of the current, thus allowing one to manipulate the magnetic moment by the superconducting current. Due to the large density of the superconducting current this method of magnetization reversal can be more advantageous at low temperatures than the spin-transfer torque method that requires a large spin-polarized current through a normal metal.
Social Sources of Community Solidarity in U.S. Congregations

Community solidarity, or a collective sense of belonging, plays a vital role in the health and survival of many organizations. Consequently, identifying the elements that contribute to a strong sen...
The 1/S expansion for a heisenberg antiferromagnet

Abstract Oguchi has shown that the perturbation series for the free energy of an isotropic Heisenberg ferromagnet obtained using the Holstein-Primakoff and Dyson-Maleev transformations are identical, at least to order 1/S. Using the formalism of Bloch and deDominicis we show that the same result holds for the antiferromagnet and can be generalized to cover a wider class of transformations. We also show that the relaxation time of boson excitations is identical for this class of transformations.
Instrumental Artefact Functions and Normativity

Artifacts are inherently practical things, intended to be used to achieve certain kinds of ends. This is, after all, what we mean when we speak about artifactual functions that things of this sort are good for something or, to put the matter differently, that things of this sort are good for something—that is, that the function bearer is good at achieving certain related classes of ends. To possess a function is to be suited for certain specified things.
Abstract 129: Clinical-imaging Mismatch versus Perfusion Imaging Mismatch Selection for Stroke Patients Undergoing Mechanical Thrombectomy

Background and Purpose: The best approach to select patients for reperfusion therapy in acute ischemic stroke remains to be established. Different methodologies have been proposed using different c...
MS3-IDQ: Utilizing MS3 Spectra beyond Quantification Yields Increased Coverage of the Phosphoproteome in Isobaric Tag Experiments.

Protein phosphorylation is critically important for many cellular processes, including progression through the cell cycle, cellular metabolism, and differentiation. Isobaric labeling, for example, tandem mass tags (TMT), in phosphoproteomics workflows enables both relative and absolute quantitation of these phosphorylation events. Traditional TMT workflows identify peptides using fragment ions at the MS2 level and quantify reporter ions at the MS3 level. However, in addition to the TMT reporter ions, MS3 spectra also include fragment ions that can be used to identify peptides. Here we describe using MS3 spectra for both phosphopeptide identification and quantification, a process that we term MS3-IDQ. To maximize quantified phosphopeptides, we optimize several instrument parameters, including the modality of mass analyzer (i.e., ion trap or Orbitrap), MS2 automatic gain control (AGC), and MS3 normalized collision energy (NCE), to achieve the best balance of identified and quantified peptides. Our optimized...
Role of C terminal binding proteins (CtBP) in pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC).

320Background: Overexpression of the oncogenic transcription factors CtBP1 and 2 is common and associated with poor prognosis in ovarian, breast and prostate cancer. CtBP2 drives tumor progression through promotion of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cancer stem cell (CSC) activity. Frequent early metastasis observed in PDAC may depend on EMT and CSC activity, prompting us to investigate the prognostic significance of CtBP1/2 in PDAC. In parallel, we determined the oncogenic contribution of CtBP2 to PDAC utilizing a transgenic KRAS mutant mouse PDAC model (CKP) that incorporated heterozygous loss of the Ctbp2 gene (CKP2). Methods: Immunohistochemistry (IHC) using CtBP1/2 antibodies was performed on 69 cases of resected PDAC from VCU Health for the period 2005-16. Clinical data included stage (84% stage 1/2; 16% stage 3/4), initial CA19-9 level, and overall survival. IHC stains were assigned an Allred score (sum of intensity and proportion) by two independent pathologists with a scale from 0-8. ...
Leucine Zipper-Bearing Kinase Is a Critical Regulator of Astrocyte Reactivity in the Adult Mammalian CNS.

Reactive astrocytes influence post-injury recovery, repair, and pathogenesis of the mammalian CNS. Much of the regulation of astrocyte reactivity, however, remains to be understood. Using genetic loss and gain-of-function analyses in vivo, we show that the conserved MAP3K13 (also known as leucine zipper-bearing kinase [LZK]) promotes astrocyte reactivity and glial scar formation after CNS injury. Inducible LZK gene deletion in astrocytes of adult mice reduced astrogliosis and impaired glial scar formation, resulting in increased lesion size after spinal cord injury. Conversely, LZK overexpression in astrocytes enhanced astrogliosis and reduced lesion size. Remarkably, in the absence of injury, LZK overexpression alone induced widespread astrogliosis in the CNS and upregulated astrogliosis activators pSTAT3 and SOX9. The identification of LZK as a critical cell-intrinsic regulator of astrocyte reactivity expands our understanding of the multicellular response to CNS injury and disease, with broad translational implications for neural repair.
The Trial of Ideas: Two Tellings of the Trial of Gilbert of Poitiers

In 1148 Gilbert of Poitiers, bishop and magister, was brought to trial at the Council of Reims. He was charged with committing heresy in his application of the rules of grammar to the three persons of the Trinity. Most notable among his accusers was Bernard of Clairvaux, who had brought the matter to the attention of the pope. The adversarial structure of the trial, and the luminaries involved, meant that many of the key issues of intellectual life in the period were brought into sharp relief, particularly the question of the applicability of human language to the understanding of sacred doctrine. Otto of Freising and John of Salisbury both provide accounts of the trial, in which they engage heavily with both the political and theological issues of the clash between Bernard and Gilbert. This article considers the manner of their narration of the trial, and the place that their accounts hold in their broader historiographical narrative. This consideration, in turn, will enable a more nuanced sense of the i...
Dramatic Simplification of Lignin Heteronuclear Single Quantum Coherence Spectra from Ring-and-Puck Milling Followed by Oxidation

Conversion of biomass into usable fuels and chemicals, especially under very low-cost processing, remains a major challenge. Mechanochemical treatment of lignin can greatly improve the yield of mon...
Leader Messaging and Attitudes toward Sexual Violence

Research exploring sexual assault within universities and sexual harassment within companies has largely overlooked how leadership in organizations can shape constituents’ perceptions of sexual vio...
CHARACTERIZING UNOBSERVED FACTORS DRIVING LOCAL FIELD POTENTIAL DYNAMICS UNDERLYING A TIME-VARYING SPIKE GENERATION

Neural spiking responses are generated by both extrinsic covariates such as sensory stimuli and intrinsic covariates such as those representing the state of the system. Although the external covariates can be directly controlled or measured; the internal factors are hard, if not impossible, to control or even observe. This study provides a statistical framework that enables characterization of the unobserved factors controlling neuronal response variability induced by behavior, with the model parameters fitted directly to real spiking data. We apply this model to simultaneously recorded spiking and local field potential activities of visual cortical neurons, and show its ability to encode and decode time-varying visual information, as well as to capture the dynamic response characteristics underpinning those computations.
Safety and Feasibility of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Simulation for Radiation Treatment Planning in Pediatric Patients: A Single Institution Experience

Purpose This study aimed to report on the safety, feasibility, and workflow of using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) simulation, while immobilized in the treatment position, for radiation therapy treatment planning in the pediatric population. Methods and Materials Between May and December 2017, 10 pediatric patients completed both MRI and computed tomography imaging simulation in treatment immobilization for radiation therapy planning for central nervous system disease. We report our initial institutional experience and workflow of the use of MRI simulation in immobilization for treatment planning in this population. Results Ten pediatric patients successfully underwent MRI and computed tomography imaging simulation for CNS disease. Two patients required anesthesia for sedation during the simulations. From our initial experience, MRI simulation was tolerated by all 10 pediatric patients without any safety or clinical issues, including those who required anesthesia. Conclusions Our initial experience supports the use of MRI simulation for radiation treatment planning in the pediatric population, with and without anesthetic sedation, as a safe and feasible image-guidance tool. This is particularly useful in the treatment of pediatric patients because MRI simulation enables superior, soft-tissue, anatomic imaging for a more robust delineation of organs at risk and target volumes without increasing radiation exposure.
Soil Acidity as a Constraint to the Application of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Technology

Soils that have developed under humid temperate as well as humid tropical and subtropical climatic conditions are typically acid in their natural state with pH of 5 (in water) or less. Consequently, acid soil toxicity is a major variable determining biological activity in these soils. The deleterious effect of soil acidity on the activities of sensitive organisms may be caused by the direct effect of high concentrations of hydrogen ions in solution and/or the indirect effect of low pH on the solubility and hence toxicity of Al and Mn. Moreover, in such soils, nutrients such as Ca, Mg, Mo and P are often deficient or rendered less available. The aims of this chapter are (1) to summarize the state of knowledge regarding the influence of soil acidity on arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis and (2) to propose some strategies which will contribute to a better understanding of the impacts of acid soil toxicity on the AM symbiosis.
Limiting Learning Environments through Domestication

This theoretically based paper analyzes the proliferation of domestication in our education systems inside and outside of the classroom. Looking at past and current trends, questions are posed and suggestions are made to break these cycles. Don Miguel Ruiz’s definition of domestication of children frames this paper and engages the reader to question their current practices and expectations of children and/or students.
Homage to Notre-Dame. What happened to Quasimodo?

Annales d'Endocrinologie - In Press.Proof corrected by the author Available online since samedi 29 juin 2019
SPECTRAL IRRADIANCE PENETRATION IN NATURAL WATERS

In order to investigate the influence of ultraviolet radiant energy on marine organisms, it is necessary to quantitatively describe the spectral irradiance, E(z,λ), present in the UV-B region of the spectrum. Models have been developed which provide for the descriptive organization of spectral irradiance data for a wide range of atmospheric conditions (Baker et al., 1980, hereafter referred to as BSG; Baker et al., this volume) and for a wide range of ocean water types (Smith and Baker, 1978b, hereafter referred to as SBI; Baker and Smith, in press, hereafter referred to as BSII). In the following we summarize this previous work and discuss its implications in terms of the influence of underwater UV-B radiation on marine organisms.
Effects of blending C3-C4 alcohols on motor gasoline properties and performance of spark ignition engines: A review

Abstract Supplementing petroleum fuels with sustainable and renewable alternatives is a good option for increasing the sustainability of transportation fuels. Alcohols are particularly attractive blendstocks for spark ignition engines, mainly due to their desirable fuel properties including high octane, evaporative cooling, and reduced sooting propensity. Although the use of SI engines is widespread around the world, predominately for light duty vehicles, concerns about CO2 emissions and other sustainability issues necessitate increased engine efficiencies, reduced tailpipe pollutants, and lower lifecycle carbon emissions. The intelligent blending of C2-C4 alcohols into motor gasoline is a viable method for achieving these goals. There are a multitude of ways to produce renewable alcohols such as through fermentation from first-generation feedstocks (sugar and corn) and second-generation feedstocks (lignocellulosic biomass), or by gasification and mixed alcohol fuel synthesis routes from lignocellulosic biomass. Currently ethanol is extensively used in motor gasoline fuels worldwide and although many have proposed the use of C3 and C4 alcohols in motor gasoline as an improvement over ethanol, the higher cost of production and lack of clear definition as to their benefit over ethanol when blended into motor gasoline have led to slow acceptance into the market. In this review, special emphasis is placed on the effects of blending C3 and C4 alcohols into motor gasoline in terms of physicochemical properties, volatility behavior, and engine performance when compared to ethanol blends. Furthermore, the impact of blending C3 and C4 alcohols with gasoline on emission (particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and unregulated oxygenates) and combustion (volumetric efficiency, thermal efficiency, fuel consumption, and cold performance) characteristics is discussed. Although there are some disagreements in the literature over the effect of alcohols predominately around the type of SI engine, i.e., port fuel injected versus direct fuel injected and engine operating mode, generally it is stated that alcohols can potentially reduce soot, unburned hydrocarbons and CO emissions while increasing thermal efficiency when proper engine configuration/calibration is used. Finally, research that must be conducted to find the optimum combination of alcohol blends and engine configurations is highlighted and discussed.
Anterior Lumbar Surgery

Anterior lumbar approaches have historically been regarded as maximally invasive. However, with the advent of well-trained vascular surgeons to do the approaches through smaller incisions and with decreased operative time, anterior lumbar approaches are becoming more widely utilized. Stand-alone lumbar interbody fusions and artificial disc replacements are two of the mainstay procedures for this approach. This chapter will give an overview of the procedure and nuances to consider along the way.
Contributing factors and short-term surgical outcomes of patients with early-onset rectal cancer

Abstract Introduction The aim of this study was to evaluate patient factors that contribute to increased incidence of early onset rectal cancer and analyze the short-term surgical outcomes of patients undergoing surgery. Methods A 2-year review (2015–2016) of the ACS-NSQIP included patients with rectal cancer who underwent surgical management. Patients were stratified into early-onset RC ( Results We included a total of 7538 patients in the analysis. Overall, 14% of the patients had early-onset RC. Patients with early-onset RC were more likely to be Black and Hispanic. Additionally, they were more likely to present with higher TNM stages. Patients with early-onset RC had lower 30-day complications and lower 30-day mortality. There was no difference between the two groups regarding hospital length of stay or 30-day readmission. On regression analysis, there was no difference between the two groups regarding patient outcomes. Conclusions Racial disparities do exist in the incidence of RC. Young patients tend to have more aggressive disease, however, surgical outcomes between the two groups are comparable.
Human and Machine Music

Music is a genuinely human expression, but it also carries some machine characteristics when misunderstood. They become virulent if reproduction of musical compositions is taken over by humans who function as machines, as perfect puppets. This topic includes a strong critique of so-called Artificial Intelligence, this concept being abused to confuse musical creativity and semiotically flat machine learning algorithms.
Dinutuximab in adult-onset chemotherapy refractory high-risk neuroblastoma.

IntroductionNeuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid tumor in pediatrics but is considerably uncommon in adults, with approximately 1 case per 10 million diagnosed per year and is associ...
Chronic opioid therapy among a high-risk cancer survivor population.

e19107Background: Head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors are at increased risk of opioid dependence, due to exposure to opioids during treatment, history of tobacco and alcohol use, and substantial p...
Path Markup Language for Indoor Navigation

Indoor navigation is critical in many tasks such as firefighting, emergency medical response, and SWAT response, where GPS signals are not available. Prevailing approaches such as beacons, radio signal triangulation, SLAM, and IMU methods are either expensive or impractical in extreme conditions, e.g. poor visibility and sensory drifting. In this study, we develop a path markup language for pre-planning routes and interacting with the user on a mobile device for real-time indoor navigation. The interactive map is annotated with walkable paths and landmarks that can be used for inertial motion sensor-based navigation. The wall-following and landmark-checking algorithms help to cancel drifting errors along the way. Our preliminary experiments show that the approach is affordable and efficient to generate annotated building floor path maps and it is feasible to use the map for indoor navigation in real-time on a mobile device with motion sensors. The method can be applied to intelligent helmets and mobile phones, including potential applications of first responders, tour guide for buildings, and assistance for visually impaired users.
Engineered Antigen-Specific T Cells Secreting Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies: Combining Innate and Adaptive Immune Response against HIV.

While antiretroviral therapy (ART) can completely suppress viremia, it is not a cure for HIV. HIV persists as a latent reservoir of infected cells, able to evade host immunity and re-seed infection following cessation of ART. Two promising immunotherapeutic strategies to eliminate both productively infected cells and reactivated cells of the reservoir are the adoptive transfer of potent HIV-specific T cells and the passive administration of HIV-specific broadly neutralizing antibodies also capable of mediating antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). The simultaneous use of both as the basis of a single therapeutic has never been explored. We therefore sought to modify HIV-specific T cells from HIV-naive donors (to allow their use in the context of allotransplant, a promising platform for sterilizing cures) so they are able to secrete a broadly neutralizing antibody (bNAb) directed against the HIV envelope to elicit ADCC. We designed an antibody construct comprising bNAb 10-1074 heavy and light chains, fused to IgG3 Fc to elicit ADCC, with truncated cluster of differentiation 19 (CD19) as a selectable marker. HIV-specific T cells were expanded from HIV-naive donors by priming with antigen-presenting cells expressing overlapping HIV antigens in the presence of cytokines. T cells retained specificity against Gag, Nef, and Pol peptides (218.55 ± 300.14 interferon γ [IFNγ] spot-forming cells [SFC]/1 × 105) following transduction (38.92 ± 25.30) with the 10-1074 antibody constructs. These cells secreted 10-1074 antibodies (139.04 ± 114.42 ng/mL). The HIV-specific T cells maintained T cell function following transduction, and the secreted 10-1074 antibody bound HIV envelope (28.13% ± 19.42%) and displayed ADCC activity (10.47% ± 4.11%). Most critically, the 10-1074 antibody-secreting HIV-specific T cells displayed superior in vitro suppression of HIV replication. In summary, HIV-specific T cells can be engineered to produce antibodies mediating ADCC against HIV envelope-expressing cells. This combined innate/adaptive approach allows for synergy between the two immune arms, broadens the target range of the immune therapy, and provides further insight into what defines an effective anti-HIV response.
11-Deoxycortisol is a stress responsive and gluconeogenic hormone in a jawless vertebrate, the sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus).

Although corticosteroid-mediated hepatic gluconeogenic activity in response to stress has been extensively studied in fishes and other vertebrates, there is little information on the stress response in basal vertebrates. In sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus), a representative member of the most basal extant vertebrate group Agnatha, 11-deoxycortisol and deoxycorticosterone are the major circulating corticosteroids. The present study examined changes in circulating glucose and 11-deoxycortisol concentrations in response to a physical stressor. Furthermore, the gluconeogenic actions of 11-deoxycortisol and deoxycorticosterone were examined. Within 6 h after exposure of larval and juvenile sea lamprey to an acute handling stress, plasma 11-deoxycortisol levels increased 15- and 6-fold, respectively, and plasma glucose increased 3- and 4-fold, respectively. Radiometric receptor binding studies revealed that a corticosteroid receptor (CR) is present in the liver at lower abundance than other tissues (gill and anterior intestine) and that the binding affinity of the liver CR was similar for 11-deoxycortisol and deoxycorticosterone. Transcriptional tissue profiles indicate a wide distribution of cr transcription, kidney-specific transcription of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (star), and liver-specific transcription of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (pepck). Ex vivo incubation of liver tissue with 11-deoxycortisol resulted in dose-dependent increases in pepck mRNA levels. Finally, intraperitoneal administration of 11-deoxycortisol and deoxycorticosterone demonstrated that only 11-deoxycortisol resulted in an increase in plasma glucose. Together, these results provide the first direct evidence for the gluconeogenic activity of 11-deoxycortisol in an Agnathan, indicating that corticosteroid regulation of plasma glucose is a basal trait among vertebrates.
Biomechanics of the Lens and Hydrodynamics of Accommodation

Age-related changes occur in all ocular tissues. Ocular rigidity increases with age and can be correlated with the loss of accommodative function and the progression of presbyopia. Presbyopia occurs due to age-related changes in both lenticular and extra-lenticular structures. This chapter will review the mechanism of accommodation demonstrated by a computer-animated model, and consider the biomechanics of the lens and extra-lenticular structures, as well as the hydrodynamics of the aqueous and vitreous.
C 3 APTION: Constraint Coupled CP And PARAFAC2 Tensor Decompostion

Given data from a variety of sources that share a number of dimensions, how can we effectively decompose them jointly into interpretable latent factors? The coupled tensor decomposition framework captures this idea by jointly supporting the decomposition of several CP tensors. However, coupling tends to suffer when one dimension of data is irregular, i.e., one of the dimensions of the tensor is uneven, such as in the case of PARAFAC2. In this work, we provide a scalable method for decomposing coupled CP and PARAFAC2 tensor datasets through non-negativity-constrained least squares optimization on a variety of objective functions. Comprehensive experiments on large data confirmed that C3APTION is up to 5× faster and 70 − 80% accurate than several baselines.
Long Term Rescue of the TSH Receptor Knock-Out Mouse – Thyroid Stem Cell Transplantation Restores Thyroid Function

The synergistic activation of transcription factors can lead to thyroid progenitor cell speciation. We have previously shown in vitro that mouse or human stem cells, expressing the transcription factors NKx2-1 and Pax8, can differentiate into thyroid neo-follicular structures (TFS). We now show that syngeneic mouse TFS when implanted into hypothyroid TSH receptor knockout (TSHR-KO) mice can ameliorate the hypothyroid state for an extended period. ES cells derived from heterozygous TSHR-KO blastocysts were stably transfected with Nkx2-1-GFP and Pax8-mcherry constructs and purified into 91.8% double positive cells by flow cytometry. After 5 days of activin A treatment these double positive cells were then induced to differentiate into neo-follicles in Matrigel for 21 days in the presence of 500μU/mL of TSH. Differentiated TFS expressing thyroglobulin mRNA were implanted under the kidney capsule of 4-6 weeks old TSHR-KO mice (n=5) as well as hind limb muscle (n=2) and anterior chamber of one eye (n=2). Five of the mice tested after 4 weeks were all rendered euthyroid and all mice remained euthyroid at 20 weeks post implantation. The serum T4 fully recovered (pre-bleed 0.62 ± 0.03 to 8.40 ± 0.57 µg/dL) and the previously elevated TSH became normal or suppressed (pre-bleed 391 ± 7.6 to 4.34 ± 1.25 ng/dL) at the end of the 20 week observation period. The final histology obtained from the implanted kidney tissues showed only rudimentary thyroid follicular structures but which stained positive for thyroglobulin expression. The presence of only rudimentary structures at the site of implant on these extended animals suggested possible migration of cells from the site of implant or an inability of TFCs to maintain proper follicular morphology in these external sites for extended periods. However, there were no signs of tumor formation and no immune infiltration. These preliminary studies show that TSHR-KO mice are a useful model for orthotropic implantation of functional thyroid cells without the need for thyroidectomy, radioiodine ablation or anti thyroid drug control of thyroid function. This approach is also proof of principle that thyroid cells derived from mouse ES cells are capable of surviving as functional neo-follicles in vivo for an extended period of 20 weeks.
Reduction of post-operative opioid use in neonates following open congenital diaphragmatic hernia repairs: A quality improvement initiative.

Abstract Background A limited number of post-operative opioid reduction strategies have been implemented in the neonatal population. Given the potential neurodevelopment effects of prolonged opioid use, we created a quality improvement initiative to reduce opioids in our NICU and evaluated the intervention in our CDH population. Methods Our opioid reduction intervention was based on standing post-operative IV acetaminophen, standardizing post-surgical sign-out between the surgical, anesthesia and NICU teams and a series of education seminars with NICU providers on post-operative pain control management. A historical control was used to perform a retrospective cohort analysis of opioid prescribing patterns in addition to a utilizing process control charts to investigate time trends in prescribing patterns. Results Forty-five children with CDH underwent an operation were included in our investigation- 18 in our pre-intervention cohort, 6 in a roll-out cohort and 21 in our post-intervention cohort. Each cohort was clinically similar. The intervention reduced total post-operative opioid use (morphine equivalents) from 82.2 (mg/kg) to 2.9 (mg/kg) in our post-intervention group (p Conclusion A multi-tiered intervention can decrease opioid use in post-surgical neonates with complex surgical pathology including CDH. The intervention proposed in this investigation is safe and does not increase pain or sedation scores in neonates, while lessening post-operative intubation length. Evidence level Level II
Development of a WENO-type numerical solver for two-phase two-fluid six-equation model

Abstract Advanced discretization methods are pursued to improve accuracy of numerical solver for two-phase two-fluid six-equation model. The Weighted Essentially-Non-Oscillatory (WENO) method was a popular high-order discretization one and was successfully applied to many applications. However, development of the WENO-type numerical solver for two-phase two-fluid six-equation model was limited, which was partly due to the lack of analytical eigenvalues and eigenvectors. In previous work, the author derived an approximate analytical eigenvalues and eigenvectors for the two-phase flow model. The analytical eigenvalues and eigenvectors were formulated in a compact and structured way and were valid for arbitrary form of equation of state. The analytical eigenvalues and eigenvectors enable the development of a new WENO-type numerical solver for the two-phase flow model. In this work, a new WENO-type numerical solver is developed. Numerical tests show that the newly developed WENO-type solver works very well and is capable of capturing all the characteristic waves and sharp discontinuities. The order of accuracy study shows that the accuracy of WENO is at least third-order for a smooth solution.
The virtual office in practice: a case study

This research provides a case study and some empirical data for a small company running a virtual office today. Based on the lessons learned from thisvirtual office a look ahead is taken to what the virtual office of tomorrow will look likefor that company.
Lord Killearn and British Diplomacy Regarding French Indo-Chinese Rice Supplies, 1946-1948: LORD KILLEARN AND FRENCH INDO-CHINESE RICE SUPPLIES

Using the private papers of Lord Killearn in conjunction with official government documents from the British national archives and the French colonial archives, this article builds upon previous historical scholarship to highlight the importance of Killearn's South-East Asian diplomacy to the resolution of the international food crisis following the Second World War. As Britain's senior diplomat in South-East Asia Killearn had little choice but to become entangled in various international disputes often centred upon French Indo-China – Killearn's failure to do otherwise would not have preserved adequate international rice supplies. Therefore this article not only demonstrates the magnitude of Killearn's concern for South-East Asian rice production during the immediate post-war food crisis but it also reveals the depth of Killearn's frustration towards the chaotic priorities emanating from French Indo-China, and thus it substantiates a more significant and complex understanding of Killearn's diplomatic mission to South-East Asia than has been formerly stated.
Ultrafast photophysics of multiexcitons in strongly confined semiconductor nanocrystals

In this paper, various ultrafast optical technique are used to study spectroscopic and dynamical signatures of multiexciton states in size- and-shape-controlled CdSe and PbSe semiconductor nanocrystals (NCs).