cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Throughput effects of noisy feedback of channel state information in multiple-antenna systems

With a new throughput metric, the impact of noisy feedback of channel state information (CSI) is studied for a multiple-input, single-output (MISO) system. The covariance matrix of the input that maximizes the throughput is obtained. Results show that beamforming can achieve the maximal throughput only if the SNR of the CSI feedback is sufficiently large. With a new throughput metric, a necessary condition for the optimality of beamforming is determined, and the necessary and sufficient condition is numerically found with the Gauss-Chebyshev quadrature method. Analysis of beamforming transmission shows that at a fairly high SNR for CSI feedback the rate allocation needs to be reduced, while at low SNR for CSI feedback, the allocated rate should be increased. When two-mode transmission is adopted, beamforming may be preferred over spatial diversity even when the necessary condition for the optimality of beamforming is not met.
On the Use of Elastic Input Energy for Seismic Hazard Analysis

Abstract The disaggregation of probabilistic seismic hazard calculations based on elastic input energy may prove useful for the identification of scenario events because input energy is a convenient single‐parameter descriptor of motion duration and amplitude. To investigate this application, regression models are derived for the absolute input energy equivalent velocity, Vea, and the elastic pseudo‐relative velocity response, PSV, in the frequency range 0.5 to 10 Hz. Disaggregation of a general seismic hazard model using Vea indicates that the modal magnitudes for the higher frequency oscillators tend to be larger, and vary less with oscillator frequency, than those derived using PSV. Larger magnitude earthquakes contribute more to seismic hazard if Vea is used. The dependence of Vea and PSV upon site classification is virtually identical, and Vea can be predicted with slightly less uncertainty as a function of magnitude, distance and site classification.
THE PALLIATIVE ROLE OF HEPATIC ARTERIAL INFUSION AND ARTERIAL OCCLUSION IN COLORECTAL CARCINOMA METASTATIC TO THE LIVER

Abstract Fifty-five patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma confined to the liver were treated with hepatic arterial infusion of floxuridine and mitomycin C. Tumour response rate was 43·4% and median overall survival was 11 months. Prolonged survival was associated with intentional or inadvertent occlusion of the hepatic artery. The median survival of twenty-four patients with arterial occlusion (15 months) was significantly higher than that of thirty-one patients without arterial occlusion (8 months).
Army chaplains’ perceptions about identifying, intervening, and referring soldiers at risk of suicide.

In U.S. Army policy, chaplains and chaplain assistants (CAs) are explicitly identified as primary gatekeepers; however, research on their perceptions about their roles identifying, caring for, and referring soldiers in suicidal distress is scant. In this study, we estimate perceptions of Army chaplains and CAs in domains relevant to gatekeeping, including intervention efficacy, reluctance to intervene, stigma, and past intervention behavior. We do so using an online survey that was administered to all chaplains and CAs in the Army’s Active Component and Reserves in 2012. Response rates ranged from 41% of all chaplains in the Active Component to 19% of chaplains and CAs in the Reserves. Almost half of all chaplains and CAs thought they could use more suicide prevention training. Although chaplains reported greater perceived ability to intervene with individuals at risk for suicide relative to civilian samples, they also reported more reluctance to intervene. This reluctance may be explained in part by high reports of stigma regarding mental health treatment. These findings suggest that the Army should implement specific suicide prevention training for chaplains and CAs that focuses on providing acute behavioral health treatment, reducing mental health stigma, and encouraging chaplains to collaborate with other behavioral health resources.
Methodological Issues in Macro Comparative Research: An Introduction

This special issue of JWSR is the offspring of an ASA Political Economy of the World System session that I organized in 2007. My thanks to Andrew Jorgenson, co-editor of JWSR, who moderated the session and proposed that I put together a special issue on this topic. In turn, I asked Timothy Moran to join me as co-editor of this issue. Tim is one of the foremost quantitative macro-comparative sociologists in the country, and was the discussant on the PEWS panel. Tim provides a summary and discussion of the contributions in the conclusion. As it turns out, only two of the panel presentations are included in this issue. The other two were submitted in response to a general call for papers. All four manuscripts were peer reviewed.
Agriculture, knowledge and the ‘colonial matrix of power’: approaching sustainabilities from the Global South

The proposed list of 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) sets out to reframe development according to a more holistic perspective. Yet, drawing on the example of the need for sustainable, resilient and biodiverse agriculture, it is argued here that the SDGs remain essentially grounded within one cultural understanding of how to address poverty. At least with regard to agriculture, the SDGs thus remain mono-cultural, one-dimensional, overly technocratic, and are far from universal as they fail to acknowledge the stipulated alternative pluriverse, frequently understood in the Global South. The problem outlined is neither a technical nor political one: being essentially related to knowledge production it calls for the pluralization of approaches to both global ethics and sustainability.
Competing in the World's Global Education and Technology Arenas

This chapter addresses the transitions and changes occurring because of technological innovation, how these changes are affecting the workplace, and the skills needed to thrive today. It also presents generational characteristics of adult learners and strategies for adult educators and higher education institutions for effectively dealing with adult education programming.
The Effect of Neuroticism on Vigilance Performance: A Transcranial Doppler Investigation

Selecting for vigilance assignments remains an important factor in human performance research. Recent research using personality measures as selection criteria has revealed mixed results in the predictive utility of personality on vigilance performance. The current study revisits the potential relationship between vigilance performance and one personality facet, trait neuroticism, in light of two opposing theories. The first theory suggests that neuroticism reduces vigilance performance due to an increase in self-referential worry. The second posits that neurotics can compensate for increased worry and other distractions by allocating increased attentional effort to the task, resulting in similar or improved performance. Neuroticism was assessed using the neuroticism facet of the NEO-PI-R. Using Transcranial Doppler Sonography, cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV) was measured during completion of a 12-minute abbreviated vigilance task. Performance and CBFV data indicate that 1) high and low neuroticism pa...
Effect of Bacillus Thuringiensis Subsp. Kurstaki Toxin on the Mortality and Development of the Larval Stages of the Banded Sunflower Moth (Lepidoptera: Cochylidae)

A 66-kDa subunit of the protoxin from Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki was isolated and incorporated into an insect diet to study its effect on mortality and development of the larval stages of the banded sunflower moth, Cochylis hospes Walsingham. Intact B. thuringiensis caused death in approximately 48 h but the purified toxin had a range of effects depending on the dosage and the instar. Feeding stopped almost immediately when toxin was present in the diet, but death occurred over times that ranged up to 60 d or more. One microgram of toxin per ml of diet was sufficient to cause 100% mortality of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th instars and >80% of 5th instars. The total development time from the beginning of the 1st first instar to the pupal stage was 21.4 +/- 0.1 (mean +/- SEM) and 33.8 +/- 1.1 d (P < 0.05) d for the controls and surviving larvae that were fed a sublethal dosage of B. thuringiensis toxin, respectively. The LD50 of the 3rd instar was estimated to be 0.152 +/- 0.016 microgram toxin per milliliter of diet. Fifty percent of 1st instars and greater than or equal to 80% of the later instars that were exposed to a lethal dosage of 1 microgram toxin per milliliter of diet recovered and resumed development if they were transferred to control diet without the toxin. The ability to recover after exposure to a lethal dosage may be helpful in strategies to delay development of resistance to the toxin.
Research Progress in Rice Breeding for High Yield through Improvement of Plant Type

Every breakthrough of yield in rice has a close relationship with improvement of plant type.This paper reviewed the history,successful experience and current situation of breeding to increase yield potential of rice,analyzed the characteristics of the plant types with high yield in rice,and put forward main approaches to improving rice morphology.An outlook for the research of high-yield breeding with improvement of plant type in rice was also given in this paper.
Cycling characteristics of endogenous spleen colony-forming cells as measured with cytosine arabinoside and methotrexate.

Abstract Single injections of the cycle-active drugs cytosine arabinoside and methotrexate induced a profound reduction in endogenous spleen colonies when given either shortly before or after irradiation. This is in marked contrast to the relative lack of effect of these drugs on normal exogenous (transplanted spleen colony-forming units) and more like their effect on rapidly replicating exogenous colony-forming cells. These data suggest that the normal endogenous colony-forming compartment is composed primarily of cells in rapid cell cycle as opposed to the nonreplicating state thought to be most common for exogenous colony-forming cells. The data did not support the concept that cytosine arabinoside remained in circulation until after irradiation and then killed cells as they began to divide. Plasma disappearance rate of cytosine arabinoside was the same (T12 about 32 minutes) in normal or irradiated mice. Neither large doses of cytosine arabinoside or methotrexate nor minimal doses (expected to leave the plasma very quickly) were more effective given after than before irradiation. The most likely explanation for the different response of endogenous colony-forming cells as compared to exogenous is that these were in the same stage of cell cycle (probably S-phase) shortly before and after irradiation and that they survived irradiation better than cells in other stages. Maximum killing was obtained when the drugs were given within 15 minutes of irradiation as compared to 1 to 4 hours before or after, suggesting that some synchronization was induced by irradiation. Different responses of endogenous and exogenous colony-forming cells have been noted before and the present data suggest a possible reason. It is still not clear whether these are different stem-cell compartments and endogenous colony-forming cells are rapidly turning over and relatively less radiosensitive or whether these cells represent the cycling portion of the exogenous colony-forming compartment.
Broad-complex, tramtrack, and bric-à-brac (BTB) proteins: Critical regulators of development.

Broad-complex, Tramtrack, and Bric-a-brac/poxvirus and zinc finger (BTB/POZ) family proteins are a diverse family of proteins that are characterized by the presence of a common protein-protein interaction domain, known as the BTB domain. BTB proteins have been identified in poxviruses and many eukaryotes, and have diverse functions, ranging from transcriptional regulation and chromatin remodeling to protein degradation and cytoskeletal regulation. Specificity of function is determined in part by additional domains present in BTB family proteins, as well as by interaction partners. Studies of BTB proteins in Drosophila and mammalian systems have revealed the importance of these genes in multiple developmental contexts, as well as in cancer and neurological and musculoskeletal diseases. In this review, we discuss the functions of BTB/POZ proteins during development with an emphasis on BTB-zinc finger (BTB-ZF) proteins, which play critical roles in transcriptional regulation and chromatin remodeling.
Work environment and employee motivation to lead

– A key challenge for organizations is identification of candidates for development as organizational leaders. While selection criteria may vary, one important consideration is the extent to which an employee is motivated to lead. Previous studies have restricted investigation of the antecedents of these motivations to individual differences such as personality, self-efficacy, and previous leadership experiences, suggesting that leadership capacity may depend largely on employee selection. However, employee assessments of numerous aspects of the work environment may also have a substantial role in determining an employee’s motivation to lead (MTL), suggesting that an organization’s leadership capacity may depend on many other human resource practices. The paper aims to discuss these issues. , – In this study, the authors explored the role of employee assessments of work experiences as determinants of three types of MTL. This paper investigates the impact of a value-oriented organizational culture and the employee’s assessment of the work environment (pay satisfaction, promotion possibilities, recognition, job design, internal communication, and employee’s relationship with his/her current leader). Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses. , – Based upon the results of 210 respondents the strength of relationship varies among the three alternative types of leadership motivation. The results suggest that besides individual differences, the perceived work environment may be a significant determinant of motivation to become an organizational leader. Employee assessments of pay, promotion opportunities, recognition, job design, quality of organizational communications, and workplace spirituality all play a role in determining employee MTL. , – This paper offers a number of implications for human resource management practices, hiring, and leadership development.
Effect of turbulence–chemistry interactions on chemical pathways for turbulent hydrogen–air premixed flames

This paper considers the kinetic pathways of hydrogen oxidation in turbulent, premixed H2–air flames. It assesses the relative roles of different reaction steps in H2 oxidation relative to laminar flames, and the degree to which turbulence–chemistry interactions alters the well understood oxidation pathway that exist in laminar flames. This is done by analyzing the turbulent, lean (ϕ = 0.4), H2–air flame DNS database from Aspden et al. [17]. The relative roles of dominant reaction steps in heat release and radical formation/consumption are analyzed at different Karlovitz numbers and compared with laminar stretched flame calculations from counterflow flames and perfectly stirred reactors. It is found that both the progress variable conditioned and spatially integrated contributions of the dominant reactions remain qualitatively similar between a highly turbulent and a laminar unstretched flame. Larger changes, up to a factor of about two, occur in the relative roles of reactions with secondary influences on heat release and radical production/consumption. These results suggest that the kinetic routes through which H2 is oxidized remain essentially constant between laminar, unstretched flames and high Karlovitz number flames.
Cerebellar Volume and Executive Function in Parkinson Disease with and without Freezing of Gait

Background Freezing of gait (FOG) affects approximately 50% of people with Parkinson Disease (PD), impacting quality of life and placing financial and emotional strain on the individual and caregivers. People with PD and FOG have similar deficits in motor adaptation and cognition as individuals with cerebellar lesions, indicating the cerebellum may play a role in FOG. Objective To examine potential differences in cerebellar volumes and their relationships with cognition between PD with (FOG+) and without FOG (FOG-). Methods Sixty-three participants were divided into two groups, FOG+ (n = 25) and FOG- (n = 38), based on the New Freezing of Gait Questionnaire. Cognitive assessment included Trail Making, Stroop, Verbal Fluency, and Go-NoGo executive function tasks. All participants completed structural T1- and T2-weighted MRI scans. Imaging data were processed with FreeSurfer and the Spatially Unbiased Infratentorial toolbox to segment the cerebellum into individual lobules. Results FOG+ performed significantly worse on phonemic verbal fluency (F(1, 22) = 7.06, p = 0.01) as well as the Go-NoGo task (F(1, 22) = 9.00, p = 0.004). We found no differences in cerebellar volumes between groups (F(4, 55) = 1.42, p = 0.24), but there were significant relationships between verbal fluency measures and lobule volumes in FOG-. Conclusions These findings underscore the need for longitudinal studies to better characterize potential changes in cerebellar volume, cognitive function, and functional connectivity between people with PD with and without FOG.
An exergame to improve balance in children who are blind.

Children with visual impairments have a greater chance of suffering from chronic health problems associated with physical inactivity, such as obesity and heart disease, than their sighted peers. In recent years, non-visual exergames have been explored as a promising health intervention method to increase their exercise opportunities. Because vision plays a major role in postural control, individuals who are blind tend to have poor balance. To address this health issue, we developed a novel non-visual skiing exergame that is played using a pressure-sensitive input controller and haptic feedback provided using a motion-sensing controller. A user study with eleven children who were blind found a significant improvement in balancing skills after playing the game multiple times.
Altered Fractionation in Radiotherapy of CNS Tumors

Hypofractionated radiotherapy approaches varying from single-fraction radiosurgery to 15-fraction short-course radiotherapy have been used with increasing frequency for managing a wide spectrum of benign and malignant primary tumors of the brain and skull base. Tumor control rates and complication rates appear comparable to those for fractionated conventional radiotherapy in most reports.
Predicting Protein Interactions of Concentrated Globular Protein Solutions Using Colloidal Models

Protein interactions of α-chymotrypsinogen A (aCgn) were quantified using light scattering from low to high protein concentrations. Static light scattering (SLS) was used to determine the excess Rayleigh ratio (Rex) and osmotic second virial coefficients (B22) as a function of pH and total ionic strength (TIS). Repulsive (attractive) protein–protein interactions (PPI) were observed at pH 5 (pH 7), with decreasing repulsions (attractions) upon increasing TIS. Simple colloidal potential of mean force models (PMF) that account for short-range nonelectrostatic attractions and screened electrostatic interactions were used to fit model parameters from data for B22 vs TIS at both pH values. The parameters and PMF models from low-concentration conditions were used as the sole input to transition matrix Monte Carlo simulations to predict high concentration Rex behavior. At conditions where PPI are repulsive to slightly attractive, experimental Rex data at high concentrations could be predicted quantitatively by th...
Comparison of single- and five-fraction schedules of stereotactic body radiation therapy for central lung tumours: a single institution experience

Background Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is a treatment option for patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer who are medically inoperable or decline surgery. Here we compare the outcome of patients with centrally located lung tumours who underwent either single fraction (SF)- or five-fraction (FF-) SBRT at a single institution over 5 years. Methods Between January 2009 and October 2014, patients with centrally located lung tumours who underwent SBRT were included in this study. Data were retrospectively collected using an institutional review board-approved database. For analysis, the Kaplan-Meier method and competing risks method were used. Results In total, 11 patients received 26-30 Gy in 1 fraction, whereas 31 patients received 50-60 Gy (median 55 Gy) in 5 fractions. After a median follow-up of 12 months for SF-SBRT and 17 months for FF-SBRT groups (p = 0.64), 1-year overall survival rates were 82 and 87%, respectively. SF- and FF-SBRT groups showed no significant difference in grade 3+ toxicity (p = 0·28). The only grade 4 toxicity (n = 1) was reported in the SF-SBRT group. All toxicities occurred >12 months after the SBRT. Conclusions SF- and FF-SBRT have comparable overall survival. SF-SBRT may have some utility for patients unable to have multi-fraction SBRT.
Ecological and functional effects of fungal endophytes on wood decomposition

Despite the central role of saprotrophic fungi in wood decomposition and terrestrial carbon cycling, the diversity and functioning of wood endophytes (i.e. fungi that asymptomatically colonize living plant tissue) on decay remains poorly understood. In a 4-year field experiment in a boreal forest in the upper midwestern United States, we investigated whether endophytes influenced fungal community structure and subsequent wood decomposition via priority effects. We compared decay of sterilized and non-sterilized birch (Betula papyrifera) logs using both high-throughput sequencing and wood physiochemical analyses (i.e. density loss, dilute alkali solubility, ratio of lignin loss relative to density loss). Endophyte presence significantly altered initial fungal species composition during the first 2 years and enhanced mass loss over the experiment's duration. Results suggest that following tree death the immediate utilization of organic substrates by wood endophytes significantly alters establishment patterns of later arriving fungal saprotrophs. Independent of endophyte presence, white rot was the wood decay outcome at all sampling times, despite an initial presence of both brown and white rot fungi. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that wood endophytes can affect early community assembly and subsequent decay rates, although environmental filtering leads to consistent selection for fungi with lignin-targeted decay strategies. A plain language summary is available for this article.
Facing reality: the growth of virtual reality and health sciences libraries

Virtual reality (VR) is an increasingly hot tech topic. Because VR may be the ultimate virtual project as defined by this column, replacing the real world with a simulated one, it is worthwhile to pause and reflect on its potential and practicality for health sciences libraries.
Pleural Metastases from Invasive Thymoma

PET/MR imaging can readily detect and evaluate pleural metastases and other malignant pleural processes. Additionally, it can help guide biopsy sites and assess response to treatment.
Sanctuary and the Limits of Public Reason: A Deweyan Corrective

This article contributes to the debate over the appropriate place of religion in public reason by showing the limits of this framework for understanding and evaluating the real-world religious political activism of social movements. Using the 1980s Sanctuary Movement as a central case study, I show how public reason fails to appreciate the complex religious dynamics of this movement, the reasons actors employ religious reasoning, and, as a result, the very meaning of these acts. In response, I argue that a Deweyan perspective on the tasks and challenges of the democratic public offers a richer, more contextualized approach to evaluating the status of religion in the public sphere as well as other emerging publics whose modes of engagement defy prevailing notions of reasonableness and civility.
Corticotropin-Releasing Factor: Putative Neurotransmitter Actions of a Neurohormone

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF). CRF was originally characterized as the hypothalamic neurohormone that promotes adrenocorticotropin release in response to stressors, initiating the cascade of responses linked to corticosteroid secretion. This endocrine limb of the stress response is generally considered a hallmark of stress. However, the stress response is also characterized by autonomic, behavioral, and immunological changes as a consequence of the engagement of specific neuronal systems. Following the identification and characterization of CRF as a neurohormone, convergent findings from several laboratories implicated CRF as a neuromodulator that was involved in engaging these neuronal systems during stress. It is important to note that the central administration of CRF antibody or antagonists could prevent similar autonomic and behavioral stress-elicited effects, emphasizing a role for central CRF in these nonendocrine aspects of stress.
Esterase-sensitive cyclic prodrugs of peptides : Evaluation of an acyloxyalkoxy promoiety in a model hexapeptide

Purpose. To evaluate a cyclic acyloxyalkoxycarbamate prodrug of a model hexapeptide (H-Trp-Ala-Gly-Gly-Asp-Ala-OH) as a novel approach to enhance the membrane permeation of the peptide and stabilize it to metabolism.
Brain network topology influences response to intensive comprehensive aphasia treatment.

BACKGROUND Recent imaging studies indicate that aphasia is associated with large-scale reorganization of brain networks. Today, neuroimaging studies show that various brain connectivity properties, as measured by resting state fMRI, can partially explain different behavioral symptoms in and across various patient groups. Despite these observations, the neural networks underlying the progress and recovery of aphasia following intensive treatment remains relatively obscure. OBJECTIVE To examine the role of brain network properties in determining recovery of aphasia following intensive therapy in stroke patients. METHODS We studied eight patients with left hemispheric lesions who completed an intensive comprehensive aphasia program (ICAP). Language and cognition were assessed before and after four weeks of intensive treatment. In addition, all patients underwent resting state fMRI prior to and after treatment. We used graph theory analysis to evaluate relationships of baseline brain network properties, such as efficiency, modularity, and connectivity to clinical improvements. RESULTS We found global properties such as efficiency and interhemispheric connectivity could partially explain recovery. More importantly, we identified two unique brain networks that are significantly associated with improvement in language and attention related behavior. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest baseline brain functional properties play a key role in determining responsiveness of patients with aphasia to intensive comprehensive aphasia treatment. Furthermore, these results indicate that brain mechanisms underlying language comprehension and processes are different from those involved in spatial attention.
Garland in His Own Time: A Biographical Chronicle of His Life, Drawn from Recollections, Interviews, and Memoirs by Family, Friends, and Associates

Review of: "Garland in His Own Time: A Biographical Chronicle of His Life, Drawn from Recollections, Interviews, and Memoirs by Family, Friends, and Associates," edited by Keith Newlin.
Age-dependent administration and survival benefit of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) vs. chemotherapy plus ADT (C+ADT) in metastatic prostate cancer (mPC).

e17046Background: ADT remains the standard of care in treatment of mPC. Two key prospective trials over the past few years have implored addition of chemotherapy to ADT. We assessed overall surviva...
Generalized sample verification models to estimate ecological state variables with detection-nondetection data while accounting for imperfect detection and false positive errors.

Spatially indexed repeated detection-nondetection data is widely collected in ecological studies in order to estimate parameters such as species distribution, relative abundance, density, richness, or phenology while accounting for imperfect detection. Given growing evidence that false positive error is also present within most data, more recent model development has focused on also explicitly accounting for this error type. To date, however, most modeling efforts have improved occupancy estimation. We describe a generalizable structure for using verified samples to estimate and account for false positive error in detection-nondetection data that can be flexibly implemented within many existing model types. We use simulation to demonstrate that estimators for relative abundance, arrival time, and density exhibit bias under realistic levels of false positive prevalence, and that our modified estimators improve performance. As ecologists increasingly use expedient but potentially error-prone techniques to classify growing volumes of data, properly accounting for misclassification will be critical for sound ecological inference. The generalized model structure presented here provides ecologists possessing even a small amount of verified data a means to correct for false positive error and estimate several state variables more accurately.
Static ecological system measures

A new mathematical method for the static analysis of ecological systems has recently been developed by the author and was presented in a separate article. Based on this methodology, multiple new ecological system measures and indices of matrix, vector, and scalar types are systematically introduced in the present paper. These mathematical system analysis tools are quantitative ecological indicators that monitor the flow distribution and storage organization, quantify the direct, indirect, acyclic, cycling, and transfer (diact) effects and utilities of one compartment—directly or indirectly—on another, and determine the residence times and compartmental activity levels. Major flow- and stock-related concepts and quantities of the current static network analyses are also integrated with the proposed measures and indices within this novel and unifying mathematical framework. This comprehensive framework enables a holistic view and analysis of static ecological systems. A quantitative technique for the classification and characterization of interspecific interactions and the determination of their strength within food webs is also developed. The proposed methodology allows for both input- and output-oriented analyses of ecological networks. The holistic perspective of the proposed methodology is extended further from the input-oriented to the output-oriented analysis. The proposed system measures and indices, thus, extract detailed information about ecosystems’s characteristics, as well as their functions, properties, behaviors, and various other system attributes that are potentially hidden in and even obscured by data.
Impact of lymphoma survivorship clinic visit on patient-centered outcomes.

Cancer survivors may experience physical, social, and emotional effects of cancer and its treatments. National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines recommend the development of a survivorship care plan (SCP) for cancer patients following completion of treatment with curative intent. Our institution developed a lymphoma survivorship clinic (SC) to assess patient needs, provide education, and create and deliver SCPs. This study analyzed the impact of a SC visit on patient-centered outcomes. Surveys were sent to lymphoma patients at Mayo Clinic Rochester within 4 weeks of their post-treatment visit to the SC that queried patient-reported outcomes, including experience of care, quality of life (QOL), and distress. We compared survey responses between those who attended the SC and those who were eligible but did not attend. From November 2013 to May 2015, 236 lymphoma patients were surveyed, 96 of whom had a SC visit and 140 of who were eligible but did not attend. Those who attended the SC were more likely to “definitely” recall discussion on improving health, preventing illness, and making changes in habits/lifestyle, diet, and exercise. There were no differences in QOL or distress. Adjusted analyses revealed that SC attendance was associated with better self-reported overall health among younger patients and better physical well-being in Hodgkin lymphoma patients compared to those with other subtypes of lymphoma. Participation in the lymphoma SC improved patient education on survivorship issues, particularly health behaviors. There may be a particular benefit in younger patients. However, there were no differences in QOL or distress. Further study is needed to determine if improved survivorship education and SCP delivery leads to long-term health benefits in cancer survivors. Our study evaluates the clinical impact of a SC in patients treated for lymphoma. We demonstrate that a SC visit improves patient education regarding health behaviors.
Acute Chest Syndrome After Splenectomy in Children With Sickle Cell Disease.

Abstract Background Individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD) are at high risk of developing life-threatening complications, particularly acute chest syndrome (ACS) postoperatively. The perioperative factors associated with the development of ACS in children with SCD after splenectomy have not been clearly identified. Materials and methods We retrospectively reviewed medical records of all children who underwent splenectomy at our institution between 1997 and 2017 with the goal of identifying perioperative factors associated with postoperative ACS. Categorical and noncategorical variables were compared using Fisher’s exact test and Student's two-tailed t-test, respectively. Results Sixty-five patients with SCD underwent splenectomy at a median of 4.0 (interquartile range [IQR] 2.0-8.0) years of age. A laparoscopic approach was used for 64 (98.5%) patients. Fifty-six (86.2%) underwent laparoscopic total splenectomy, and eight (12.3%) underwent laparoscopic partial splenectomy, of which two were converted to open. One had an open partial splenectomy (1.5%). Of the 65 patients, 10 (15.4%) developed ACS with a mean time to diagnosis of 49.0 ± 34.5 h. Children who developed ACS had a higher postoperative median pain score of 6.8 (IQR 5.1-9.1) versus 2.7 (IQR 1.6-4.2), P Conclusions Significant postoperative pain may be an early sign of ACS that could be worsened by opioid use, supporting the investigation of nonopioid pain control options in this patient population.
The impact of burnout syndrome on practitioners working within rural healthcare systems

Abstract Introduction Burnout syndrome (BOS) affects up to 50% of healthcare practitioners. Limited data exist on BOS in paramedics/firstresponders, or others whose practice involves trauma. We sought to assess the impact of BOS in practitioners of rural healthcare systems involved in the provision of trauma care within West Virginia. Methods: A 3-part survey was distributed at two regional trauma conferences in 2018. The survey consisted of 1) Demographic/occupational items, 2) The Mini Z Burnout Survey, and 3) elements measuring the impact, and supportive infrastructure to prevent and/or manage BOS. Results: Response rate was 74.7% (127/170 attendees). Respondents included emergency medical services (EMS) (44.9%), nurses (37.8%), and physicians (9.4%). Overall, 31% reported BOS - physicians (45.5%), EMS (35.1%), and nurses (25.0%). Most agreed that BOS impacts the health of medical professionals (99.2%) and presents a barrier to patient care (97.6%). Those with BOS reported higher stress (p Conclusions Burnout syndrome impacts rural healthcare practitioners, regardless of discipline. These data highlight a need to address the entire team and implement occupation-specific approaches for prevention and treatment. Further prospective study of these findings is warranted.
A Comparative Analysis of Student Performance in an Online vs. Face-to-Face Environmental Science Course From 2009 to 2016

A growing number of students are now opting for online classes. They find the traditional classroom modality restrictive, inflexible, and impractical. In this age of technological advancement, schools can now provide effective classroom teaching via the Web. This shift in pedagogical medium is forcing academic institutions to rethink how they want to deliver their course content. The overarching purpose of this research was to determine which teaching method proved more effective over the eight-year period. The scores of 548 students, 401 traditional students and 147 online students, in an environmental science class were used to determine which instructional modality generated better student performance. In addition to the overarching objective, we also examined score variabilities between genders and classifications to determine if teaching modality had a greater impact on specific groups. No significant difference in student performance between online and face-to-face (F2F) learners overall, with respect to gender, or with respect to class rank were found. These data demonstrate the ability to similarly translate environmental science concepts for non-STEM majors in both traditional and online platforms irrespective of gender or class rank. A potential exists for increasing the number of non-STEM majors engaged in citizen science using the flexibility of online learning to teach environmental science core concepts.
Third world family planning programs: measuring the costs.

The use of cost-benefit analysis (CBA) and cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) is explained and demonstrated in evaluating Third World family planning programs. CBA which aids decisions on alternate uses of investment funds e.g. family planning versus new schools helped convince Third World governments to adopt family planning programs because of their economic value in overall development. CEA is a technique which can show which family planning delivery systems work best for the money expended as measured e.g. by cost per acceptor per "couple-year of protection" against the risk of pregnancy or per birth averted. This is increasingly necessary in the 1980s as funds for family planning are being pinched in both developing and donor countries. At the same time it is estimated that annual expenditures on family planning in the Third World must rise from the current $1 billion to $64 billion by the year 2000 if this population is to be eventually stabilized. Following a general description of the 2 techniques 9 case studies from Brazil Colombia Ghana Haiti India Thailand and Zaire are presented to demonstrate what cost-effectiveness analysis has revealed about such issues as integration of family planning with health services use of paramedical staff and community-based distribution to promote contraceptive use and important factors to include to ensure comparability of findings. Such studies have already aided family planning program decisions. Several ways that cost-effectiveness analysis can be improved in practice to make it most useful include: 1) all inputs must be included 2) services and methods need to be evaluated 3) cost per acceptor should be relied on less 4) user characteristics must be taken into account and 5) anticipating cost-effectiveness analysis the data needed should be built into the project at the planning stage. (authors modified)
More powerful goodness-of-fit tests for uniform stochastic ordering

Abstract The ordinal dominance curve (ODC) is a useful graphical tool to compare two population distributions. These distributions are said to satisfy uniform stochastic ordering (USO) if the ODC for them is star-shaped. A goodness-of-fit test for USO was recently proposed when both distributions are unknown. This test involves calculating the L p distance between an empirical estimator of the ODC and its least star-shaped majorant. The least favorable configuration of the two distributions was established so that proper critical values could be determined; i.e., to control the probability of type I error for all star-shaped ODCs. However, the use of these critical values can lead to a conservative test and minimal power to detect certain non-star-shaped alternatives. Two new methods for determining data-dependent critical values are proposed. Simulation is used to show both methods can provide substantial increases in power while still controlling the size of the distance-based test. The methods are also applied to a data set involving premature infants. An R package that implements all tests is provided.
Chapter 5 – Neuromodulators

In this chapter we will discuss signaling molecules called neuromodulators, which play a central role in defining behavioral and network states. Neuromodulators are endogenous chemicals released by specialized cells that alter the activity of populations of neurons at a large spatial scale. Neuromodulators have received their name in recognition of their difference from classical neurotransmitters that mediate point-to-point communication between individual neurons.
Education supply chain in the era of Industry 4.0

To date, there is a very limited literature on the use of systems ideas and methodologies as a basis for developing curriculum or courses. To fill the gap, this study has made several contributions by employing systems theory and thinking in analysing issues related to higher education. Industry 4.0 is reshaping the future of education, which opens up our vision and makes us to consider what knowledge and skills students should possess after they have graduated from college, when to accelerate workforce reskilling and what is the building blocks and connections of education supply chain. In this study, it is the first time the concept of ‘education supply chain’ is proposed and coined. Furthermore, our research has led us to view educational systems and configurations, such as international mobility and transnationalization, as outcomes of enduring power related to industrial revolutions. Finally, a curriculum structure based on system thinking is proposed. We engage our inquiry with transformations that are happening around higher education and position our research on the benefits of sharing of global intellectual resource and top talents through transnational mobility and education joint ventures in the context of Industry 4.0.
Methotrexate toxicity—case study

Abstract Antineoplastic drugs comprise hundreds of compounds with numerous mechanisms of action. Cytotoxic agents exert their effects by preventing cell replication or growth. Pathway-targeted therapies comprise small molecules or monoclonal antibodies that inhibit specific signaling pathways that affect malignant cells. Hormones and hormone regulators exert their effects by interacting with hormone nuclear receptors which act as ligand-dependent transcription factors upon binding by the target hormone. Some of their observed effects include diminished cell proliferation, immunosuppression, and apoptotic responses. Methotrexate (MTX) and thiopurine analogues are two commonly used antimetabolites for which laboratory measurements are important. High-dose MTX therapy with leucovorin rescue is an important component of many treatment regimes, but MTX-induced nephrotoxicity is a serious side effect. The thiopurine analogues undergo a complex metabolic pathway that involves enzymes such as TPMT and NUDT15 which exhibit inherited variability. A case report regarding MTX-induced nephrotoxicity is discussed.
Active Surveillance for Men with Intermediate Risk Prostate Cancer.

Purpose:Optimal treatment of intermediate risk prostate cancer remains unclear. National Comprehensive Cancer Network® guidelines recommend active surveillance, prostatectomy or radiotherapy. Recen...
CSR and job satisfaction: Role of CSR importance to employee and procedural justice

This research develops and empirically validates a model that examines how employees’ perceptions of a firm’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) commitment, specifically, social CSR and environm...
A new species of the squat lobster genus Uroptychodes Baba, 2004 (Decapoda: Anomura: Chirostylidae) from Japan.

A new species of the chirostylid squat lobster genus Uroptychodes Baba, 2004, U. fuscilineatus, is described and illustrated on the basis of a single ovigerous female from the Uraga Channel, central Japan, at depth of 250 m. The new species appears most similar to U. spinimarginatus (Henderson, 1885) and U. yapensis Dong, Gan & Li, 2021 among the 13 known congeners, but is notable in the pereopod 2 not being definitely more slender than the pereopods 3 and 4 and the remarkably spinose pereopods 1–4. A possible association of the new species with crinoid is suggested. An updated identification key to species of Uroptychodes is presented.
African American participation in cancer clinical trials.

Background According to the Food and Drug Administration, African Americans (AAs) have been habitually underrepresented in cancer clinical trials (CCTs). This under-enrolment has contributed to cancer disparities despite the implementation of policies to improve AA accrual. This systematic review aimed to determine (1) Why AAs are participating in CCT at lower rates compared to other ethnic/racial groups and (2) Are there any tools that have definitively improved AA participation or addressed the barriers associated with their lack of participation. Methods Searches were carried out in PubMed, Project MUSE and EBSCO which were confined to four databases (BASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL and MEDLINE). Literature published between 2010 and 2020 were filtered with the inclusion and exclusion criteria and then a mixed methods appraisal tool was used to check the quality of the articles. Studies were separated into two categories to extract and synthesise data based on the emerging themes. Results Frequent reasons for a lack of participation involved provider related issues, family concerns, health literacy and trust among others. Interventions cited as successful in improving AA participation or addressing a barrier often revolved around community-based participatory research and educational CCT videos/tools. Recommendations/conclusion Educating AA patients about the biomedical research process, addressing concerns about CCTs, building trust with community members and improving communication with healthcare providers could improve AA participation in CCTs. Future interventions should consider the effect of diversified healthcare teams in addressing trust deficit in CCTs among AAs. Healthcare practitioners seeking to consent AA into CCTs and biomedical research could consider incorporating cultural competence into their practice for effective interaction with this population and to address their questions about biomedical research.