cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of mathematical methods for calculating colonic compliance in humans: power exponential, computer-based and manual linear interpolation models

Measuring compliance allows differentiation of sensory changes from changes in thresholds because of altered compliance. As compliance of the colorectum is sigmoidal, a power exponential analysis was recommended. We aimed to develop and validate simpler measurements of compliance. Forty subjects (23 female, 17 male) underwent colonic barostat procedures comparing dronabinol vs placebo. Results of the effects on compliance were reported elsewhere. Compliance was determined as volume response to pressures ranging from 0 to 36 mmHg. Pressures corresponding to 10%, 50% and 90% (Pr10, Pr50 and Pr90) of maximum volume at 36 mmHg were estimated using a power exponential model, computer-based and manual linear interpolation. Data were compared and concordance evaluated. Pr50 and Pr90 were not significantly different by all methods for baseline and post-treatment. Respectively, concordance correlation coefficients were: pretreatment, 0.879, 0.464 and post-treatment, 0.879, 0.623. There is larger variation in Pr10 comparing all methods and manual calculations allow for the closest fit to the data. Concordance correlation coefficients were pre-treatment = 0.189 and post-treatment = 0.322. There were no gender differences in compliance measurements. Results of compliance are highly concordant amongst all models. However, computer-based or manual interpolations appear superior to power exponential models for estimating Pr10.
An S-dimensional assignment algorithm for track initiation

The authors address the problem of initiating tracks of multiple targets using passive sensors only. They present a near-optimal polynomial-time S-dimensional (S>or=3) assignment algorithm that is especially suited to the track initiation based on measurements from S sensors. The assignment problem generated by the scenario considered is very sparse, and is easily solved in less than a second. However, the most computationally intensive part of this algorithm is the formation of LS estimates for each S-tuple. This phase can be made more efficient by using improved gating schemes and optimization algorithms. It is also highly parallelizable, and may be implemented in parallel computers. >
Toward the Guidance of Transbronchial Biopsy: Identifying Pulmonary Nodules With Optical Coherence Tomography

Background Solitary pulmonary nodules (SPNs) frequently require transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) or biopsy to determine malignant potential, but have variable diagnostic yields. Confirming needle placement within SPNs during TBNA could significantly increase diagnostic yield. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) provides nondestructive, high-resolution, microstructural imaging with potential to distinguish SPN from parenchyma. We have developed needle-based OCT probes compatible with TBNA. Before OCT can play any significant role in guiding clinical TBNA, OCT interpretation criteria for differentiating SPN from lung parenchyma must be developed and validated. Methods OCT of SPN and parenchyma was performed on 111 ex vivo resection specimens. OCT criteria for parenchyma and SPN were developed and validated in a blinded assessment. Six blinded readers (two pulmonologists, two pathologists, and two OCT experts) were trained on imaging criteria in a 15-min training session prior to interpreting the validation data set. Results OCT of lung parenchyma displayed evenly spaced signal-void alveolar spaces, signal-intense backreflections at tissue-air interfaces, or both. SPNs lacked both of these imaging features. Independent validation of OCT criteria by the six blinded readers demonstrated sensitivity and specificity of 95.4% and 98.2%, respectively. Conclusions We have developed and validated OCT criteria for lung parenchyma and SPN with sensitivity and specificity > 95% in this ex vivo study. We anticipate that OCT could be a useful complementary imaging modality to confirm needle placement during TBNA to potentially increase diagnostic yield.
Chlorophylls purified by a new large-scale method inhibit aflatoxin carcinogenesis in the rat

3928 Commercially available chlorophylls lack the purity or cost efficiency to be used in whole-animal cancer chemoprevention experiments. To circumvent this, a method was developed for large scale extraction, purification and separation of chlorophyll a and b from spinach. An initial extraction protocol was devised to circumvent the notorious sensitivity of chlorophylls to degradation by light, heat, oxygen, acids and bases. Further purification, and separation of chlorophyll a and b, was achieved using counter-current chromatography, a liquid-liquid extraction method that can offer minimal sample degradation and high sample recovery. Chlorophyll structures and purity were established by HPLC, FAB mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance. Purity was estimated to be >95% (100% by HPLC) compared to commercial chlorophyll a samples which were only 90-92% pure by HPLC. Typical yields from 30g of freeze-dried spinach were 300 mg of chlorophyll a and 100 mg of chlorophyll b. Chlorophylls a and b purified by this method were recombined to approximate their ratio in spinach, and used in the first known test of chlorophylls as chemopreventive agents in a whole-animal cancer model. Forty-two male F344 rats were arranged into 6 treatment groups. Experimental groups (N = 10 rats each) received either 250ug/kg body weight AFB1 in vehicle, 250 ug/kg AFB1 plus 250 mg/kg body weight CHL (as Cu-chlorin content) in vehicle, or 250ug/kg AFB1 plus 250 mg/kg Chla in vehicle. Control groups (N = 4 rats each) received only vehicle, CHL or Chla in vehicle. All treatments were administered by gavage 5 times per week for 2 weeks. At 18 weeks after treatment GST-P positive foci were evaluated in the livers and aberrant crypt foci (ACF) were evaluated in the colon. AFB1 exposure resulted in 9.1 ± 0.9 volume % of the liver occupied by GST-P positive foci. Inclusion of chlorophyll or chlorophyllin in AFB1 exposures significantly (P
Enforcing agile access control policies in relational databases using views

Access control is used in databases to prevent unauthorized retrieval and tampering of stored data, as defined by policies. Various policy models provide different protections and guarantees against illegal accesses, but none is able to offer a universal fit for all access control needs. Therefore, the static nature of access control mechanisms deployed in commercial databases limit the security guarantees provided. They require time-consuming and error-prone efforts to adapt access control policies to evolving security contexts. In contrast, we propose a fully automated and agile approach to access control enforcement in relational databases. We present tractable algorithms that enforce any policy expressible using the high-level syntax of the Authorization Specification Language. This includes complex policies involving information flow control or user history dependencies. Our method does not require any modification to the database schema or user queries, thus allowing for a transparent implementation in existing systems. We demonstrate our findings by formulating two classic access control models: the Bell-LaPadula model and the Chinese Wall policy.
Apollo: Getting to the Moon

The Apollo program was preceded by Mercury (1961–1963), Gemini (1964–1965), and by the Russian, Vostok (1961–1963) and Voshkod (1964–1965) Soyuz (1967–) programs.
The Mobilization of Historical Consciousness in the Narratives about the Last Argentine Dictatorship

Facing sociohistorical trauma, societies around the world have embraced the frameworks that emerged from German didactics in the 1970s as ways of dealing with a past (in that particular case, the Shoah) in need of working through (Laville, 2004). As different nations attempted to (re)build a citizenry in ways that would prevent the past from repeating itself, history and civics lessons came to the forefront. However, as will become evident through the analysis of the Argentine case, even the most “progressive” attempts and the best of intentions have embedded in them dangers in need of exploration.
Minority Minors and Moral Research Medicine

Treatment of sick children of Jehovah's Witness and Christian Scientist families at times presents significant dilemmas to American medicine and ethics, for modern healthcare professionals rely heavily on active treatment, and withholding of some treatments is a central religious tenet for Witnesses and Scientists. In important instances, physicians, nurses, ethicists, and courts may wish to set aside traditional religious beliefs and values when medical values support treatment to which adherents of these sects at times object.
Accuracy and reliability of Dreissena spp. larvae detection by cross-polarized light microscopy, imaging flow cytometry, and polymerase chain reaction assays

Abstract The expansion of Dreissena spp. mussels into the western United States has generated an increased need for reliable early detection methods, especially for larvae (veligers), which are a primary transport vector and an indicator of spawning adults. Cross-polarized light microscopy (CPLM) currently provides the most reliable means for detecting quagga and zebra mussel (Dreissena spp.) larvae in plankton samples. In this study a double-blind experiment was undertaken to assess the current reliability of 3 different methods for detecting Dreissena spp. larvae in plankton samples. Methods included CPLM, imaging flow cytometry (IFC), and DNA-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays. We distributed 216 reference samples consisting of concentrated plankton spiked with known numbers of Dreissena spp. larvae to 19 laboratories for analysis. Results indicated that presence/absence detection CPLM was the most reliable (96.3% accuracy), IFC analysis was next most reliable (91.7% accuracy), and PCR was th...
Detecting and Explaining Vividness Effects in Attitudinal Judgments

A common belief among marketing practitioners is that increasing the vividness of a message enhances its persuasiveness. This belief has received support in experimental investigations, but vividne...
Nonprocedural Management of Common Bile Duct Stones

The standard of care for the management of biliary stones is via endoscopy. Alternatives exist to endoscopic or surgical intervention, especially in patients who have a high risk of procedural complications. While the non-procedural management of biliary stones is feasible with medications such as ursodeoxycholic acid and statins, these therapies are not the standards of care with many factors influencing the effectiveness of complete bile stone dissolution.
Automatically Instrumenting Scientific Applications to Produce Heartbeat Events

Exposing the runtime behavior of long running, resource-burning scientific applications on HPC platforms is a must if the platforms are going to be used efficiently and wisely. This paper presents a small work in progress that aims to automatically instrument scientific applications in order to produce a heartbeat event that indicates the application is still progressing. Preliminary results show the feasibility of an automatic approach that will not require developer or user intervention.
Practical design considerations for high performance MOS Sigma - Delta A/D converters using cascaded second-order Sigma - Delta sections

Cascading 2nd-order Sigma - Delta sections to form higher order oversampling A/D converters reduces the number of comparators and the complexity of the digital circuit following the front-end required by cascading 1st-order sections. Correlated double sampling can also be arranged in 2nd order sections to suppress the 1/f noise. The op-amp output swing requirement, however, results in a 6dB loss of SNR for each cascaded 2nd-order Sigma - Delta section which does not occur in cascading 1st order sections. Crucial factors limiting the Sigma - Delta A/D converter resolution such as internal circuit noise and aliaing, supply noise and harmonic distortion have been discussed. A simple analytical expression is presented for estimating the op-amp swing and determining the signal and reference level. Simulation results are also presented for a quadruple integration noise shaping A/D converter designed for 64kHz baseband, 16-bit resolution and 5MHz clock frequency. The conversion speed should be much higher than the 16-bit Sigma - Delta A/D converters so far reported. >
Does the ex utero intrapartum treatment to extracorporeal membrane oxygenation procedure change morbidity outcomes for high-risk congenital diaphragmatic hernia survivors?

Abstract Purpose In high-risk congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), significant barotrauma or death can occur before extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) can be initiated. We previously examined ex utero intrapartum treatment (EXIT)-to-ECMO in our most severe CDH patients, but demonstrated no survival advantage. We now report morbidity outcomes in survivors of this high-risk cohort to determine whether EXIT-to-ECMO conferred any benefit. Methods All CDH survivors with Results Seventeen survivors (8 EXIT-to-ECMO, 9 non-EXIT) had an average PPLV of 11.7%. Eight of 9 non-EXIT received ECMO within 2days. There were no significant defect size differences between groups, mostly left-sided (13/17) and type D (12/17). Average follow-up was 6.7years (0–13years). There were no statistically significant differences in outcomes, including supplemental oxygen, diuretics, gastrostomy, weight-for-age Z scores, fundoplication, pulmonary hypertension, stroke or intracranial hemorrhage rate, CDH recurrence, and reoperation. No survivor in our cohort was neurologically devastated. All had mild motor and/or speech delay, which improved in most. Conclusions In this pilot series of severe CDH survivors, EXIT-to-ECMO confers neither significant survival nor long-term morbidity benefit. Level of evidence Level III treatment study.
Improving Federal Circuit Doctrine Through Increased Cross-Pollination

When the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit was created in 1982, commentators initially were enthusiastic about the court and its unique status as a specialized court. Today, however, scholars are increasingly worried that the creation of this specialized court for patent appeals has resulted in excessive formalism, inaccurate patent law, and doctrinal rigidity. Commentators often base their criticisms on the lack of “percolation” in patent law caused by having a single specialized appellate court hearing all patent appeals. Their proposed solution is to increase the judicial voices heard in patent law, e.g., by splitting patent jurisdiction between the Federal Circuit and one or more regional circuits or by abolishing the Federal Circuit altogether and returning patent appeals to the regional circuits. I argue that a more effective, efficient, and realistic reform proposal would focus on fostering “cross-pollination” in Federal Circuit jurisprudence by increasing the exposure of Federal Circuit judges to broader notions of American legal doctrine such that the Congress’s objectives in creating the Federal Circuit (efficient, uniform, and accurate patent law) can be optimized. I put forth a two-pronged proposal that would tweak inter-circuit “sitting by designation” practices so as to simultaneously: (1) increase the exposure of Federal Circuit judges to more generalist legal issues and (2) enable regional circuit judges to infuse their generalist approach into patent appellate decision-making.
Discharge Disposition After Stroke in Patients With Liver Disease

Background and Purpose—Liver disease is associated with both hemorrhagic and thrombotic processes, including an elevated risk of intracranial hemorrhage. We sought to assess the relationship betwee...
Association between lymph node yield and survival among patients undergoing radical nephroureterectomy for urothelial carcinoma of the upper tract.

BACKGROUND Prior studies examining the value of lymph node (LN) dissection (LND) in patients with urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary tract (UTUC) have produced conflicting results. The objective of the current study was to assess the relationship between LN yield and survival among patients undergoing radical nephroureterectomy (RNU). METHODS The National Cancer Data Base was used to identify patients with non-metastatic UTUC who were treated with RNU between 2004 and 2012. The association between LN yield and overall survival (OS) was assessed using Cox proportional hazards regression, with adjustment for patient, tumor, and facility characteristics. RESULTS Of the 14,472 patients, 2926 (20%) underwent LND. The median yield was 2 LNs (interquartile range 1-6 LNs). Among the entire cohort and the LN-negative (pN0) subgroup, a higher LN yield was associated with lower all-cause mortality (multivariable hazard ratio [HR] 0.94 per 5 LNs removed, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.89-1.00 [P = .034] for the entire cohort and HR 0.86, 95% CI 0.79-0.94 [P = .001] for the pN0 subgroup). Among patients with positive LNs (pN+), there was no association noted between LN yield and OS; however, positive and negative LN counts were found to be independent predictors of OS (HR 1.27 per 5 positive LNs, 95% CI 1.16-1.39 [P<.001] and HR 0.90 per 5 negative LNs, 95% CI 0.82-1.00 [P = .049]). CONCLUSIONS In this large, contemporary cohort of patients with UTUC, LND was found to be used infrequently despite evidence that a higher LN yield is associated with lower all-cause mortality. Cancer 2017. © 2017 American Cancer Society.
Modified Fine-Needle Aspiration Biopsy for Calcitonin, Procalcitonin and Carcinoembryonic Antigen Levels in the Diagnosis of Thyroid Nodules With Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma

Background: The diagnostic tests have low sensitivities in detecting medullary thyroid cancer (MTC). We describe a modified fine-needle thyroid nodule biopsy (MFNB) technique that improved the diagnostic accuracy. MFNB was performed in three patients with MTC. Methods and results: A 41-year-old female presented with thyroid nodules and a family history of MTC. Fine-needle biopsy (FNB) of the thyroid nodules showed non-confirmatory cytology. MFNB established cytology more confirmatory of MTC. Additionally, intravenous administration of calcium-stimulated serum concentrations of procalcitonin (PCt) level, in addition to calcitonin (Ct) and MFNB, also confirmed elevated levels of Ct, PCt, and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in the aspirate samples. The diagnosis of MTC was finally confirmed histologically after thyroidectomy. A 54-year-old female presented to our clinic for evaluation of a right thyroid nodule. An MFNB compared to standard FNB showed a more confirmatory MTC cytology along with markedly elevated levels of Ct, PCt, and CEA in the aspirated samples by the MFNB technique. Additionally, intravenous calcium administration increased PCt serum concentrations. The diagnosis of MTC was confirmed after surgery. A 65-year-old female reported to our clinic with a diagnosis of multinodular goiter and a family history of thyroid cancer. FNB showed atypical cells, although MFNB was more confirmatory for diagnosing MTC. Elevated serum PCt levels were also seen with calcium stimulation and MFNB aspirate samples also confirmed elevated levels of Ct, PCt, and CEA. MFNB of nodules in three patients with surgically confirmed benign thyroid confirmed low levels of Ct, PCt and CEA levels in the aspirate samples. Similar findings were confirmed in a patient with papillary thyroid cancer. Conclusion: MFNB was more confirmatory for diagnosing MTC than conventional FNB. Determining Ct, PCt, and CEA levels in MFNB aspirate samples may improve the diagnostic accuracy. J Endocrinol Metab. 2017;7(1):5-17 doi: https://doi.org/10.14740/jem371w
Protective Effect of Intravitreal Administration of Exosomes Derived from Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Retinal Ischemia.

ABSTRACTPurpose: Exosomes derived from human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) cultured under hypoxic conditions contain proteins and growth factors that promote angiogenesis. This study investigated the effect of intravitreal administration of these exosomes on retinal ischemia using a murine model.Methods: Oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) was induced by exposing one-week-old male C57BL/6J mice to 5 days of 75% hyperoxic conditioning, and returning to room air. After hyperoxic conditioning, the right eye of each mouse was injected intravitreally with 1 µl saline or exosomes derived from hMSCs and compared to control mice of the same age raised in room air without OIR injected intravitreally with saline. Two weeks post-injection, fluorescein angiography (FA) and phase-variance optical coherence tomography angiography (pvOCTA) were used to assess retinal perfusion. Retinal thickness was determined by OCT. The extent of retinal neovascularization was quantitated histologically by counting vascular nuclei on th...
MU-MIMO-Aware AP Selection for 802.11ac Networks

Major Wi-Fi Access Point (AP) vendors worldwide seek to provide gigabit wireless connectivity, by densely deploying MU-MIMO capable APs, which can support multiple, concurrent data streams to a group of clients, connected to them. However, MU-MIMO gains can only be achieved if an AP can identify groups of clients with homogenous configurations and orthogonal wireless channels, where concurrent transmissions will not cause inter-client interference. Hence, MU-MIMO performance is fundamentally depending on how the clients are assigned to APs. Our experiments with 802.11ac commodity testbeds show that state-of-the-art client assignment algorithms are MU-MIMO oblivious and limit the MU-MIMO grouping opportunities in realistic settings. In this paper, we design and implement MAPS, an MU-MIMO-Aware AP Selection algorithm that is 802.11-compliant and can boost network's MU-MIMO throughput gains. We verified MAPS' gains over legacy designs via extensive experiments with 802.11ac commodity testbeds.
THE ETHICS OF TAX EVASION AND TRADE PROTECTIONISM FROM AN ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE

so I will notrehash what they have already said. In this paper, I would merelylike to make some additional comments about the ethics of taxevasion in Islam, and then say a few things about the Islamic view oftrade protectionism, which will come as a breath of fresh air towestern free traders, since protectionism is viewed as evil by Islam.
Using Genetic and Phenotypic Comparisons to Evaluate Apparent Segregation among Kokanee Spawning Groups

AbstractGenetic and phenotypic traits of spatially and temporally segregated kokanee Oncorhynchus nerka spawning groups in Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho, were compared to test for evidence of divergence on the basis of ecotype (stream- versus shore-spawning) and spawn timing, and to describe morphological, life history, and reproductive variation within and among groups. Early and late spawning runs were found to be reproductively isolated; however, there was no clear evidence of genetic differentiation between ecotypes. Spawning groups within the same ecotype differed in length, age distribution, mean-length-at-age, fecundity, and egg size. Variation in reproductive attributes was due primarily to differences in length distributions. Larger-bodied shore-spawning kokanee were located in areas where egg survival is known to be enhanced by downwelling, suggesting that the distribution of shore-spawning kokanee may be partly structured by competition for spawning habitats with groundwater influence. This study co...
Polymerase chain reaction detect polymorphisms and trait association in soybean

Five sets of synthetic oligonucleotide (20-to 24-mers containing no intenal repeats) primers of known gene sequences [yellow lupin nodule specific (hydroxyl) proline-rich protein, pearl millet alcohol dehydrogenase, Pisum sativum heat shock proteins, Drosophila homeobox, and tRNA] were used to differentiate 73 soybean accessions, including 56 Glycine max (L.) Merr. and 17 G. soja Zucc. & Sieb. The amplified genetic markers revealed polymorphic bands for most genotypes studied. The χ2-analyses of the results showed that several fragments produced with these gene primers were associated non-randomly with resistance to Phytophothora, maturity, seed size, flower colour, seed coat colour, seed hilum colour, growth type, and leaf shape. These markers appear to be valuable for differentiation of G. max and G. soja species and genotypes within these species.
“One Size Does Not Fit All:” A Proposed Ecological Model for Human Trafficking Intervention

The problem of human trafficking continues to be one of the vilest human rights abuse and manifestation of social injustice around the world. A lot of antitrafficking efforts have been put in place. However, there is still a lot of emphasis on the criminal aspect of the problem. This has meant that human and practical aspects of the problem have not received sufficient attention, including assessing the problem, victims, and perpetrators in their environments. The ecological perspective helps practitioners, researchers, and policy makers to better understand the problem. This article uses the main concepts in this theory to frame the problem. Discussions are directed toward understanding the different aspects of the problem from an ecological perspective.
The Micropolitics of Performance: Pop-up Art as a Complementary Method for Civic Engagement and Public Participation:

Scholars typically categorize pop-ups as part of insurgent do-it-yourself (DIY) movements or simple creative placemaking events. It is unclear if these dominant narratives are accurate representati...
Meaning in Work: Toward a Clinical Approach to Work Dissatisfaction

This paper deals with issues relating to the meaning of work for the worker and clinical implications for the social worker intervening in the field of industrial and occupational social work. The problems of work dissatisfaction and alienation in work are analyzed. The author presents two concepts, work as play and logotherapy, as being useful in the clinical intervention in work related problems. It is concluded that the absence of work dissatisfaction need not be the goal of intervention, rather the clinical encounter can strive for meaningfulness, growth, and self-discovery. There is a growing interest in social work intervention aimed at the working person. This is evidenced by a growing body of literature dealing with social services in the workplace and increased numbers of social workers finding employment in industry and other work settings (Weissman, 1975; Skidmore et al., 1974; Neyman, 1971; Carter, 1977). In Israel the rapid growth of this field is a source of particular interest (Neikrug and xatan, 1990). However, it is mistaken to view social work in the world of work as a radical innovation in the profession. Issues relating to work cut across numerous fields of social work practice. Social work with the aged requires an understanding of the meaning of retirement. Work with the mentally and physically handicapped requires dealing with the problem of work rehabilitation. Working in welfare requires understanding how the limited resource of adequate employment is distributed in the population. Traditionally social workers have intervened at the various points of entrance into and exit from the world of work. Regardless whether the particular issues under consideration are problems of aging, family, mental health, illness, rehabilitation, poverty, etc., the theme of homo farber, man as worker, cuts through all issues of human behavior. In this paper we will deal with the various issues around the meaning of work for the worker and the clinical implications inherent in the psychology of work. We will review some of the pertinent literature regarding work in modern society, satisfaction and dissatisfaction in work, leisure, and play, and attempt to relate this literature to the issues faced by social workers intervening in thL world of
Percutaneous Dilational Thoracostomy Catheter and Heimlich Valve Placement

Percutaneous thoracostomy catheters can be used for both short- and long-term drainage. A pigtail catheter is a good choice for prolonged pleural drainage, while straight catheters are best for short-term drainage. Heimlich valves are one-way valves that allow drainage of fluid or air from the pleural cavity upon expiration without allowing air to reenter on inspiration. The Heimlich valve can replace pleurovac drainage systems in select patients and can allow for more mobility. The Heimlich valve works best for air and simple fluid. Blood or thick purulent fluid can cause malfunction of the valve system. For a pneumothorax, the catheter can be placed either in the midclavicular line in the second or third intercostal space or in the midaxillary line in the fourth or fifth intercostal space. For a pleural effusion, the catheter should be placed in the midaxillary line in the fourth or fifth intercostal space.
Survival Benefit of Liver Transplantation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND In the United States, nearly 30% of liver transplants (LT) are performed for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Although overall long-term survival is highest with LT, there are limited data on the incremental survival benefit of LT versus other curative options (resection or ablation) due to shunting of patients towards LT. METHODS We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients aged 50-69 with cirrhosis and HCC in the Veterans Health Administration (population enriched with 3 curative treatments) from 2008 to 2016. The cohort was restricted to patients who received LT, resection, or ablation and a calculated model for end-stage liver disease score <15 at HCC diagnosis. RESULTS Among 2129 veterans in the analytic cohort, 658 (26.7%) received LT, 244 (11.5%) underwent resection, and 1317 (61.59%) received ablation. In multivariable models, patients who underwent resection (hazard ratio: 5.42; 95% confidence interval: 4.15-7.08) or ablation (hazard ratio: 5.50; 95% confidence interval: 4.51-6.71) had significantly increased hazards of death. However, in absolute terms, the incremental survival benefit of LT over resection or ablation was small, between 0.02 and 0.03 years at 1 year, 0.32-0.42 years at 3 years, and 1.04-1.24 years at 5 years follow-up. These results were consistent in sensitivity analyses accounting for possible immortal time bias, as well as a cohort restricted to early/intermediate stage HCC. CONCLUSIONS Although LT is associated with significantly increased survival compared to resection and ablation, the absolute incremental survival benefit is small over a 5-year time horizon. Optimal selection of patients for LT is critical for maximizing utilization of a scarce resource.
Host range of the leaf-tier Tentamen atrivirgulatum Metz (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae); an unsuitable candidate for biological control of Brazilian peppertree

ABSTRACTThe life history and host range of the South American leaf-tier Tentamen atrivirgulatum Metz, 2019 (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) was evaluated to determine its suitability for classical biolog...
AI education matters: a first introduction to modeling and learning using the data science workflow

Traditionally artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) courses are taught at the senior and graduate level in higher-education computer science curricula following the mastery learning strategy, cf. Figure 1. This makes sense, since most AI and ML models and the theory behind them require a substantial understanding of probability and statistics, as well as advanced calculus and matrix algebra. To understand Logistic Regression as a probabilistic classifier performing maximum-likelihood or maximum-a-posteriori estimation, for example, students need to understand joint and conditional probability distributions. In order to derive the back propagation algorithm to train Neural Networks students need to understand partial derivatives and inner and outer tensor products. These are just two of many examples where substantial mathematical background - typically taught at the junior level in a computer science major program - is required. With AI and ML algorithms being used more widely by enterprises across domains, as well as, in applications and services we use in our daily lives, it makes sense to raise awareness about what AI is, what it can and cannot do, and how it is used to solve problems to a broader audience. Very much in the same spirit as the "CS for all" idea (https://www.csforall.org), we have to extend our curricula to include introductory courses to AI and ML on the early undergraduate level (or even in high-school) to expose students to the ideas and working principles of AI technology. One way to achieve this is to introduce the principles of working with data, modeling, and learning through the data science workflow.
Fast, Easy, Reproducible Method for Planting Fingerprints for Ninhydrin, Iodine Development

Fast, reliable, well-resolved latent fingerprints can be planted by applying a thin coating of a 50:50 mixture of hand lotion and food-grade protein powder. Fingerprints can be revealed with iodine...
Bacterial CagA protein compromises tumor suppressor mechanisms in gastric epithelial cells

Approximately half of the world's population is infected with the stomach pathogen Helicobacter pylori. Infection with H. pylori is the main risk factor for distal gastric cancer. Bacterial virulence factors, such as the oncoprotein CagA, augment cancer risk. Yet despite high infection rates, only a fraction of H. pylori-infected individuals develop gastric cancer. This raises the question of defining the specific host and bacterial factors responsible for gastric tumorigenesis. To investigate the tumorigenic determinants, we analyzed gastric tissues from human subjects and animals infected with H. pylori bacteria harboring different CagA status. For laboratory studies, well-defined H. pylori strain B128 and its cancerogenic derivative strain 7.13, as well as various bacterial isogenic mutants were employed. We found that H. pylori compromises key tumor suppressor mechanisms: the host stress and apoptotic responses. Our studies showed that CagA induces phosphorylation of XIAP E3 ubiquitin ligase, which enhances ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation of the host proapoptotic factor Siva1. This process is mediated by the PI3K/Akt pathway. Inhibition of Siva1 by H. pylori increases survival of human cells with damaged DNA. It occurs in a strain-specific manner and is associated with the ability to induce gastric tumor.
Finding Structure in Large Data Sets of Particle Distribution Functions Using Unsupervised Machine Learning

The raw data generated by simulation codes on supercomputers can be so large that it requires data reduction methods to allow scientists to understand it. Physics-based reductions are often used, for example, taking moments of particle distribution functions. It must be realized, however, that there will be a loss of information in these reductions. Here, we explore the use of unsupervised machine learning algorithms to see if patterns and structure can be learned and discovered directly in the data itself, before any reductions, and to give researchers further insights into areas of interest. This has the potential benefit of discovering kinetic structure that would be lost by some physics-based reductions. We utilize the 5-D, gyrokinetic distribution function in simulations from the full- $f$ code X-point Gyrokinetic Code (XGC1). We find that in spatial regions of “blobby” turbulence in the edge, the electron distribution function has a very distinct signature, with higher energy regions varying across space separately from the lower energy component and higher energy regions showing a distinction near passed/trapped boundaries.
Computing SARS-CoV-2 Infection Risk From Symptoms, Imaging, and Test Data: Diagnostic Model Development

Background: Assigning meaningful probabilities of SARS-CoV-2 infection risk presents a diagnostic challenge across the continuum of care. Objective: The aim of this study was to develop and clinically validate an adaptable, personalized diagnostic model to assist clinicians in ruling in and ruling out COVID-19 in potential patients. We compared the diagnostic performance of probabilistic, graphical, and machine learning models against a previously published benchmark model. Methods: We integrated patient symptoms and test data using machine learning and Bayesian inference to quantify individual patient risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. We trained models with 100,000 simulated patient profiles based on 13 symptoms and estimated local prevalence, imaging, and molecular diagnostic performance from published reports. We tested these models with consecutive patients who presented with a COVID-19–compatible illness at the University of California San Diego Medical Center over the course of 14 days starting in March 2020. Results: We included 55 consecutive patients with fever (n=43, 78%) or cough (n=42, 77%) presenting for ambulatory (n=11, 20%) or hospital care (n=44, 80%). In total, 51% (n=28) were female and 49% (n=27) were aged <60 years. Common comorbidities included diabetes (n=12, 22%), hypertension (n=15, 27%), cancer (n=9, 16%), and cardiovascular disease (n=7, 13%). Of these, 69% (n=38) were confirmed via reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to be positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection, and 20% (n=11) had repeated negative nucleic acid testing and an alternate diagnosis. Bayesian inference network, distance metric learning, and ensemble models discriminated between patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection and alternate diagnoses with sensitivities of 81.6%-84.2%, specificities of 58.8%-70.6%, and accuracies of 61.4%-71.8%. After integrating imaging and laboratory test statistics with the predictions of the Bayesian inference network, changes in diagnostic uncertainty at each step in the simulated clinical evaluation process were highly sensitive to location, symptom, and diagnostic test choices. Conclusions: Decision support models that incorporate symptoms and available test results can help providers diagnose SARS-CoV-2 infection in real-world settings.
Optimal transport for vector Gaussian mixture models.

Vector Gaussian mixture models form an important special subset of vector-valued distributions. Any physical entity that can mutate or transit among alternative manifestations distributed in a given space falls into this category. A key example is color imagery. In this note, we vectorize the Gaussian mixture model and study different optimal mass transport related problems for such models. The benefits of using vector Gaussian mixture for optimal mass transport include computational efficiency and the ability to preserve structure.
The TAMUTRAP facility: A Penning trap facility at Texas A&M University for weak interaction studies

Abstract The Texas AM and we do not use the long end cap approximation, instead our short endcap electrodes are closed and capable of being placed at an arbitrary potential. This geometry is optimized for observing β-delayed proton decays, but is also well suited for other in-trap and post-trap precision decay experiments. In addition to presenting an overview of the TAMUTRAP facility, we demonstrate that our unique Penning trap is able to measure masses with a precision similar to typical trap designs.
Parents’ financial assistance for college and black-white wealth disparity

Abstract This study examines the roles of parents’ financial assistance for college in explaining persistent Black-white wealth disparity across generations. Using the data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics, this study runs Oaxaca-Blinder decompositions to estimate the proportion of the racial wealth disparity explained by parents’ socioeconomic resources and financial assistance for college. Analyses show that racial disparity in net worth would decline significantly if Black people receive parental financial assistance for college at the same rate as their white counterparts. Parental financial assistance is also one of mechanisms through which parental economic resources maintain Black-white wealth disparity across generations. Parental assistance for college explains racial wealth disparity independently from children’s educational attainment and family income: the coefficient of parental assistance is statistically significant when educational attainment and family income are controlled for. Findings call for policy interventions to reduce the impacts of parents’ economic resources on financing college education to promote racial equity.
High Power and Contamination Properties of All-Silica High Reflectivity Multilayers

Optical multilayers created from a single material have been demonstrated to have lower stress and lower thermal expansion mismatch than standard two-material coatings; however, questions of high power operation and vulnerability to environmental contamination remain. This study examines the particle-induced laser damage properties of all-silica high reflectivity multilayers, specifically those for high average power illumination. All-silica infrared reflectors were deposited by oblique angle deposition (OAD). All-silica mirrors showed low overall stress and had smaller stress changes with temperature. Their laser-induced damage thresholds (LIDTs) under high-power continuous wave (CW) laser illumination with carbon particulate contamination are significantly higher than corresponding high reflectivity multilayers composed of two materials.
Bank Size, Leverage, and Financial Downturns

I construct a macroeconomic model with a heterogeneous banking sector and an interbank lending market. Banks differ in their ability to transform deposits from households into loans to firms. Bank size differences emerge endogenously in the model, and in steady state, the induced bank size distribution matches two stylized facts in the data: bigger banks borrow more on the interbank lending market than smaller banks, and bigger banks are more leveraged than smaller banks.I use the model to evaluate the impact of increasing concentration in US banking on the severity of potential downturns. I find that if the banking sector in 2007 was only as concentrated as it was in 1992, GDP during the Great Recession would have declined by much less than it did, and would have recovered faster.
Colestasis del embarazo

Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) consists in pruritus that develops in the second half of pregnancy and is not associated with other dermatological or systemic problems. ICP diagnosis is confirmed by increase in maternal serum bilirubin, liver enzymes and fasting biliary acids. ICP is associated with fetal meconium passage, prematurity and fetal death. Treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) improves pruritus, maternal laboratory anomalies and fetal outcomes. ICP has a relative benign maternal course but compared to women without this complication ICP women have increased risk in developing hepatobiliar problems, breast cancer and hypothyroidism. Long-term follow up is recommended. Key words: Pregnancy, pruritus, cholestasis, adverse fetal outcomes.
Use of a Titrimetric Method to Assess the Bacterial Spoilage of Fresh Beef

A new method of determining bacterial spoilage in fresh beef is presented. The technique is based upon the fact that as beef undergoes refrigerator spoilage, there is a gradual increase in the production of alkaline substances by the spoilage flora. The level of these substances was measured by titrating meat homogenates to a pH 5.00 end point, employing 0.02 n HCl and an autotitrator. When 23 samples of ground beef from retail stores were tested, an average of 1.32 ml of acid was required for titration of 1 g of fresh beef to pH 5.00, whereas 2.58 ml was required for the same meat at the onset of spoilage. Preliminary data indicate that beef which requires more than 2 ml of 0.02 n HCl/g to lower its pH to 5.00 under the conditions of the test is in some state of incipient spoilage. The statistical correlation between titration values, log bacterial numbers, and extract-release volume was high (P < 0.001). The technique is simple to execute and is highly reproducible, and duplicate samples can be run within 15 min.
Feynman's Operational Calculus and Evolution Equations

We give an exposition and an extension of the ideas of Feynman's time-ordered operational calculus for noncommuting operators. Various directions for 'disentangling' functions of such operators are provided by measures on the time intervals in question. We concentrate especially on exponentials of sums of noncommuting operators and prove that the unique solution of a broad class of evolution equations is given by the time-dependent operators arrived at by disentangling such exponential expressions.
Efficiency of the Simplex Method

In the previous chapter, we saw that the simplex method (with appropriate pivoting rules to guarantee no cycling) will solve any linear programming problem for which an optimal solution exists. In this chapter, we investigate just how fast it will solve a problem of a given size.
Notes Towards an Alternate Vision of the Judicial Role

As many scholars and critics have documented, the United States Supreme Court has over the last quarter-century grown increasingly skeptical about the efficacy of litigation, increasingly parsimonious in construing federal statutes that facilitate litigation, and increasingly uninterested in insuring the availability of functional remedies for the violation of federal rights. The Court’s course in these matters has been justified by - and perhaps propelled by - a particular narrow vision of the judicial role. While the Justices' court-closing decisions have, for the most part, been hotly contested and sharply criticized, the Court's critics have been slow to offer an alternative affirmative vision of the proper judicial role. This Essay both introduces a Symposium dedicated to exploring the possibilities of such an alternative approach and then offers some themes and ideas that might serve as building blocks for a more engaged and less apologetic vision of the judicial function.
Using Electronic Fingerprinting for Criminal Background Checks

Because state background checks revealed an increasing number of licensure applicants with criminal records, the Kansas Board of Nursing (BON) instructed its staff to research the problem. In 2005, the BON voted to introduce legislation requiring a background check for nurse licensure. At the same time, the BON was challenged to determine the best process for screening applicants. In 2008, the Kansas legislature passed a bill implementing a criminal background history and Federal Bureau of Investigation screening for all initial applicants for nursing and mental health technicians. At the same time, the board made the decision that this background check would be implemented using live scan fingerprint technology.
NetSimile: A Scalable Approach to Size-Independent Network Similarity

Given a set of k networks, possibly with different sizes and no overlaps in nodes or edges, how can we quickly assess similarity between them, without solving the node-correspondence problem? Analogously, how can we extract a small number of descriptive, numerical features from each graph that effectively serve as the graph's "signature"? Having such features will enable a wealth of graph mining tasks, including clustering, outlier detection, visualization, etc. We propose NetSimile -- a novel, effective, and scalable method for solving the aforementioned problem. NetSimile has the following desirable properties: (a) It gives similarity scores that are size-invariant. (b) It is scalable, being linear on the number of edges for "signature" vector extraction. (c) It does not need to solve the node-correspondence problem. We present extensive experiments on numerous synthetic and real graphs from disparate domains, and show NetSimile's superiority over baseline competitors. We also show how NetSimile enables several mining tasks such as clustering, visualization, discontinuity detection, network transfer learning, and re-identification across networks.