cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Variability in bimodal spoken language processing by native and nonnative speakers of English: A closer look at effects of speech style

Abstract Experiments using the gating paradigm investigated the influence of speech style (unscripted vs. scripted), visual cues from a talker’s face (auditory-visual vs. auditory-only presentations), word length (one vs. two syllables) and initial consonant (IC) visual category in spoken word identification by native- (NSs) and nonnative speakers (NNSs) of English. Two talkers were videotaped in separate conversations with the author on various topics (unscripted speech) with the camera focused on the talker’s face. They later recorded selected sentences as scripted speech. In Experiment 1, target words were excised from sentences, gated, and presented to NSs and NNSs. Results for both groups showed significantly earlier identification with visual cues and for bisyllabic vs. monosyllabic words, and significant interaction of speech style and IC category across talkers. For Talker A, identification of unscripted monosyllabic words in some IC categories was earlier than the scripted versions. For this talker, words beginning with / / were identified later than others; for Talker B, they were the earliest to be identified. For NNSs, the AV advantage was accentuated for words beginning with / , w , / in unscripted speech by Talker A, and for / /- and / l /-initial words in both speech styles by Talker B. Experiment 2 presented the preceding sentence context with the gated word to NSs. Results revealed earlier identification in AV presentation and for unscripted vs. scripted words by Talker A. With context, word length was not significant. Findings highlight the priming role of visual cues, and the talker- and context-dependent nature of bimodal spoken language processing, but do not support a strict conversational-clear speech dichotomy.
Infant mechanical suffocation deaths in the United States, 1980-1997.

Purpose. To document specific patterns and products associated with mechanical suffocation among infants younger than 13 months of age for the period 1980 to 1997. Methodology. A total 2178 case summaries from the US Consumer Product Safety Commission9s Death Certificate File were reviewed. A computerized database was created for information about the infants, products, and patterns of suffocation. The relationships among products, patterns, and age groups were analyzed by χ 2 . Thirty-eight investigations conducted on a subset of cases involving cribs were reviewed for details on crib age, structural integrity, and compliance with the federal crib regulation. Mortality rates were calculated based on the US population younger than 1 year old. Results. The most frequent causes of suffocation were 1) wedging between a bed or mattress and a wall and 2) oronasal obstruction by plastic bag. Patterns of suffocation were significantly related to age group, but not to sex. Pattern-specific mortality rates comparing three time frames for the the 16-year period from 1980 to 1995 showed continued increases for overlain and oronasal obstruction; an increase followed by a plateau for wedging, a decrease for hanging, and no substantial change for entrapment with suspension. Conclusions. Suffocation hazards presented by beds, bedding, pillows, and plastic bags continue to be underrecognized by parents and caregivers. Bed-sharing and use of adult beds for infants should be discouraged. Only complying cribs should be used and maintained properly to ensure structural integrity. Suffocation deaths involving plastics should be investigated to determine the specific material characteristics and use patterns to design more effective interventions than selective labeling.
Eddy-current-free switching of permalloy thin films

Results are presented from an experimental investigation of large-angle flux reversal of magnetic films. The reported measurements were made with an unconventional instrument whose design features are briefly outlined. Switching characteristics for a selected film are shown; coefficients are compared with results of others in region II at 2° transverse bias. The 6 Oe .ns is a magnitude faster than others although the switching field rise time is an order of magnitude slower. On a 2 dimensional field plot, loci which define thresholds of incoherent rotation are found to have two prominent features : a disperse switching astroid for H_{s}\lsim H_{k} , and an extension described by H_{s}H_{\perp}/H_{k} = \Delta for H_{s} > H_{k} . The width of region II, the lower threshold for region II, and the independently-measured dispersion field are all approximately 0.1 Oe for the subject film. Thus \Delta \approx 2H_{k} \sin \alpha_{90} .
Seismic velocity structure of the crust and shallow mantle of the Central and Eastern United States by seismic surface wave imaging

Seismic surface waves from the Transportable Array of EarthScope's USArray are used to estimate phase velocity structure of 18 to 125 s Rayleigh waves, then inverted to obtain three-dimensional crust and upper mantle structure of the Central and Eastern United States (CEUS) down to ∼200 km. The obtained lithosphere structure confirms previously imaged CEUS features, e.g., the low seismic-velocity signature of the Cambrian Reelfoot Rift and the very low velocity at >150 km depth below an Eocene volcanic center in northwestern Virginia. New features include high-velocity mantle stretching from the Archean Superior Craton well into the Proterozoic terranes and deep low-velocity zones in central Texas (associated with the late Cretaceous Travis and Uvalde volcanic fields) and beneath the South Georgia Rift (which contains Jurassic basalts). Hot spot tracks may be associated with several imaged low-velocity zones, particularly those close to the former rifted Laurentia margin.
Stackable dual-layer coil based on wafer-level transfer technique for electromagnetic energy harvester

This paper reports a stackable dual layer coil based on ZnO sacrificial layer and thermal-release-tape transfer technique for electromagnetic energy harvester. The power density of electromagnetic energy harvester can be improved significantly using multilayer coil with high coil turns. Five of microfabricated dual-layer coil plates are stacked for 450 turns for an electromagnetic vibration-energy harvester, which produces 116 μW from 3.6 g vibration at resonant frequency of 160 Hz.
Nitric oxide signalling: insect brains and photocytes.

The success of insects arises partly from extraordinary biochemical and physiological specializations. For example, most species lack glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and respiratory-gas transport proteins and thus allow oxygen to diffuse directly into cells. To counter the increased potential for oxidative damage, insect tissues rely on the indirect protection of the thioredoxin reductase pathway to maintain redox homoeostasis. Such specializations must impact on the control of reactive oxygen species and free radicals such as the signalling molecule NO. This chapter focuses on NO signalling in the insect central nervous system and in the light-producing lantern of the firefly. It is shown that neural NO production is coupled to both muscarinic and nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. The NO-mediated increase in cGMP evokes changes in spike activity of neurons controlling the gut and body wall musculature. In addition, maps of NO-producing and -responsive neurons make insects useful models for establishing the range and specificity of NO9s actions in the central nervous system. The firefly lantern also provides insight into the interplay of tissue anatomy and cellular biochemistry in NO signalling. In the lantern, nitric oxide synthase is expressed in tracheal end cells that are interposed between neuron terminals and photocytes. Exogenous NO can activate light production and NO scavengers block evoked flashes. NO inhibits respiration in isolated lantern mitochondria and this can be reversed by bright light. It is proposed that NO controls flashes by transiently inhibiting oxygen consumption and permitting direct oxidation of activated luciferin. It is possible that light production itself contributes to the restoration of mitochondrial activity and consequent cessation of the flash.
On the failure of concentration for the ℓ ∞-ball

Let (X, d) be a compact metric space and µ a Borel probability on X. For each N ≥ 1 let d∞N be the l∞-product on XN of copies of d, and consider 1-Lipschitz functions XN → ℝ for d∞N.
Management of Hepatic Encephalopathy: A Primer

Objective: To review the management of hepatic encephalopathy (HE), including lifestyle modifying strategies and pharmacological interventions. Data Sources: A literature search of PubMed through March 2016 was conducted utilizing the keywords hepatic encephalopathy, ammonia, and cirrhosis. All published articles evaluating treatments for HE were considered. Study Selection and Data Extraction: Available English-language data from reviews, abstracts, presentations, and clinical trials of the treatment of HE in humans were reviewed; relevant clinical data were selected and included. Data Synthesis: HE is a prevalent complication of portal hypertension and cirrhosis that results in altered mental status and neuropsychiatric impairment. Although the pathogenesis has not been elucidated, numerous treatment options exist. This review will explore the role of dietary interventions and supplements, including use of zinc, acetyl-l-carnitine, and probiotics, in the management of HE. Additionally, the use of variou...
MeMO : Membership-Based Minority Oversampling for Class Balancing.

The performance of machine learning algorithms is known to be impaired if the representation of the individual classes in the training set is imbalanced, i.e., one class significantly outnumbering the other class(es). Several approaches to deal with this problem have been developed, none of them totally satisfactory. This paper proposes membership-based minority oversampling (MeMO), as yet another possible solution, and explores, experimentally, the conditions under which it outperforms earlier attempts.
Silica and PM1648 modify human alveolar macrophage antigen-presenting cell activity in vitro

Some inhaled particles are known to lead to inflammation and lung pathology, whereas others do not appear to have long-term effects. Potential mechanisms to account for these differences are only beginning to be understood. In this article we examine whether silica and PM1648 (a model urban particulate) caused selective deletion of the suppressor human alveolar macrophage (HAM) phenotype (RFD1 + /7 + ), and whether this affected cytokine production in an antigen-presenting cell (APC) assay with autologous T lymphocytes. HAM were exposed to the bioactive particulates, silica and PM1648, for 24 hours, then isolated free of extracellular particulates and nonviable cells; HAM were then cultured with autologous lymphocytes in an 11-day APC assay. Silica exposure upregulated a T H1 lymphocyte-derived cytokine, interferon gamma (IFN-y), and a T H2 lymphocyte-derived cytokine, interleukin-4 (IL-4). PM1648 exposure primarily upregulated IL-4. Neither particle exposure had a significant effect on interleukin-10 (IL-10) production. Control particulate exposures with titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) and wollastonite (Woll) caused no altered APC activity. Silica and PM1648 demonstrated selective toxicity to suppressor macrophages (RFD1 + /7 + ). We propose that, because of the suppressor macrophage phenotype disabling, the activator macrophage (RFD1 + /7 - ) operates free of the suppressor macrophage's influence, enhancing APC activity with increased lymphocyte-derived proinflammatory cytokine production.
Comparative music cognition: Cross-species and cross-cultural studies.

The great majority of research in music psychology has focused on one species (humans) and one musical tradition (Western European tonal music). Although this approach has yielded a great deal of knowledge, there are limits to what we can learn about the musical mind from staying within these boundaries. By comparing music processing in humans and other species, we can gain valuable insights into the evolutionary roots of our musical capacities and identify those components of music cognition that are uniquely human. By comparing the processing of music across cultures, we can disentangle universal aspects of music cognition from aspects that are culture-specific. Thus both types of comparative research are needed for a full understanding of the musical mind. The past decade has seen exciting new developments in comparative research that invite further exploration of this frontier area within music psychology.
Local and Circulating Endothelial Cells Undergo Endothelial to Mesenchymal Transition (EndMT) in Response to Musculoskeletal Injury

Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) has been implicated in a variety of aberrant wound healing conditions. However, unambiguous evidence of EndMT has been elusive due to limitations of in vitro experimental designs and animal models. In vitro experiments cannot account for the myriad ligands and cells which regulate differentiation and in vivo tissue injury models may induce lineage-independent endothelial marker expression in mesenchymal cells. By using an inducible Cre model to mark mesenchymal cells (Scx-creERT/tdTomato + ) prior to injury, we demonstrate that musculoskeletal injury induces expression of CD31, VeCadherin, or Tie2 in mesenchymal cells. VeCadherin and Tie2 were expressed in non-endothelial cells (CD31−) present in marrow from uninjured adult mice, thereby limiting the specificity of these markers in inducible models (e.g. VeCadherin- or Tie2-creERT). However, cell transplantation assays confirmed that endothelial cells (ΔVeCadherin/CD31+/CD45−) isolated from uninjured hindlimb muscle tissue undergo in vivo EndMT when transplanted directly into the wound without intervening cell culture using PDGFRα, Osterix (OSX), SOX9 and Aggrecan (ACAN) as mesenchymal markers. These in vivo findings support EndMT in the presence of myriad ligands and cell types, using cell transplantation assays which can be applied for other pathologies implicated in EndMT including tissue fibrosis and atherosclerosis. Additionally, endothelial cell recruitment and trafficking are potential therapeutic targets to prevent EndMT.
A transient-state theory of dielectric relaxation and some empirical laws

Recently there have been renewed interests in the fundamental theory of transient dielectric responses. It centers on the physical interpretation of the Curie-von Schweidler law for the depolarization current in a dielectric after a constant field is abruptly removed or applied [1]: J(t) = kt−n (ο o /(1−iωτ o )α (0 o , it is possible to excite a polarization current in each of two identical samples, one after another, such that the polarization will be equal at some later time but continue to evolve along two distinct curves, which implies that the polarization alone is not enough to specify the state of the dielectric. Since these difficulties would not exist in an exponential decay law, the DRT explanation was preferred and the t−n decay law should be taken only as an approximation.
Minor Surgical Procedures - Survey of Hematologists To Determine Preferences Regarding Management of Hemophilia Patients.

Abstract Objective: To determine individual/institutional practices at hemophilia treatment centers (HTCs) regarding management of severe hemophilia patients during minor surgery (e.g., central venous line insertion, cataract surgery, lymph node biopsy), both in the absence and presence of low and high titer inhibitors to Factor VIII (FVIII). Background: The management of hemophilia patients undergoing surgery has changed over the past 20 years as product choice and availability has evolved. Individual preference and experience may affect treatment decisions in the absence of data from clinical trials. Methods: The survey was distributed to both adult and pediatric hematologists at HTCs listed on the CDC website. 93 surveys were successfully emailed. Survey questions evaluated management of minor surgery, both in the absence and presence of a low and high titer inhibitor to FVIII. Results: Surveys from 32 HTCs were received. Twenty-two respondents were affiliated with a University Hospital. For patients without inhibitor, the majority of respondents prefer a pre-operative bolus dose of FVIII 50 U/kg (73%, 22/30; range 25–50 U/kg); only 3 respondents reported a continuous infusion (range 4–8 u/kg/hr). For the post-operative dose, most (n=22) prefer a bolus dose (25–50 U/kg); only 6 reported using a continuous dose (range 2–8 U/kg/hr). Total number of days treated pre-operatively was reported as less than a day in 88% (23/26) respondents; days of post operative treatment ranged from 1–14 with a median of 4 days (n=22). Desired FVIII level ranged from 50–100% for 1–10 days. Fifty percent (15/30) reported adjuvant use of Amicar. For patients with high inhibitor levels no one reported a pre or post operative FVIII bolus or continuous infusion rate. Fifty percent (9/18) reported adjuvant Amicar use. The reported rFVIIa dose in patients with high titer inhibitors, ranged from 90–200 mcg/kg (most commonly 90 mcg/kg), usual frequency of every 2 hours, for a range of 1–10 days. The reported FEIBA dose in patients with high titer inhibitors, ranged from 50–100 U/kg (most commonly 75–100 U/kg with a frequency of every 12 hours, for 1–10 days. Conclusion: Substantial practice variations exist in managing minor surgeries in hemophilia patients, both with and without low and high titer inhibitors, as is evident with this survey.
Pupil responses and pain ratings to heat stimuli: Reliability and effects of expectations and a conditioning pain stimulus

Abstract Background The locus coeruleus (LC) signals salience to sensory stimuli and these responses can modulate the experience of pain stimuli. The pupil dilation response (PDR) to noxious stimuli is thought to be a surrogate for LC responses, but PDR response to Peltier-controlled noxious heat stimuli, the most commonly used method in experimental pain research, has not been described. New method Healthy volunteers were presented with randomly presented heat stimuli of 5 sec duration and provided pain intensity ratings to each stimulus. Pupillometry was performed and a method developed to quantify the PDR relevant to these stimuli. The stimulus response, reliability, and effect of commonly used manipulations on pain experience were explored. Results A method of artifact removal and adjusting for lag from stimulus initiation to PDR response was developed, resulting in a close correlation between pain intensity rating and PDR across a large range of heat stimuli. A reliable assessment of PDR within an individual was achieved with fewer presentations as heat stimulus intensity increased. The correlation between pain rating and PDR was disrupted when cognitive load is increased by manipulating expectations or presenting a second pain stimulus. Comparison with existing methods The PDR began later after skin heating than electrical stimuli and this is the first examination of the PDR using standard nociceptive testing and manipulations of expectations and competing noxious stimulation. Conclusions A method is described applying PDR to standard heat nociceptive testing, demonstrating stimulus response, reliability, and disruption by cognitive manipulation.
A BCJR-based turbo equalizer for multicarrier time-varying fading channels

A cyclic prefix orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (CP-OFDM) system that transmits information over a time-varying fading channel is considered. In channels with large Doppler spreads, the frequency orthogonality assumption of OFDM is not valid. Hence, inter-carrier interference (ICI) is introduced, which leads to higher bit error rates (BERs). We propose a channel equalizer based on the BCJR algorithm (BCJRE) for mitigating ICI. Its performance is contrasted against a previously proposed approximate iterative maximum likelihood equalizer (IMLE) under a range of channel and system parameters. Our simulation results show that the BCJRE consistently outperforms the IMLE. For slow-varying channels with perfect channel state information at the receiver (CSIR), the gain is about 0.25 dB, while for fast-varying channels, it is 6 dB, revealing that the BCJRE is much more robust in high-ICI scenarios due to Doppler diversity. By using turbo iterations, equalizer performance can be further improved between 0.5 and 2 dB. We also evaluate the performance of the BCJR and the IMLE with noisy channel estimates at the receiver, and show that the BCJRE is more robust to channel estimation noise.
On the Optimal Adaptive Control of Linear Systems

Abstract The problem considered is that of the optimal adaptive control with respect to a quadratic cost criterion of a standard linear, gaussian system. Attention is focused on the case where there is a finite set of parameterized systems one of which, unknown to us, is the true system. Via a counterexample, it is demonstrated that a commonly used adaptive control scheme can be severely nonoptimal. To overcome this, a new family of optimal adaptive controllers is introduced for which all the properties usually desired of an adaptive control scheme- closed-loop identification, stability of the overall system, convergence to the optimal control law and optimality of the cost incurred-can be proven. The salient feature of this adaptive control scheme is a novel identification criterion, which is obtained by adding to the usual least-squares error criterion a term which depends on the optimal cost associated with a parameter.
E-031 Mri selected elvo patients show favorable response to therapy at extended time from last seen well

Background Presently accepted criteria for ELVO intervention rely on time from last seen well (LSW) following conformation of LVO diagnosis and favorable baseline imaging. Many patients however present outside established treatment windows or with unknown LSW, and thus, represent a population of great relevance. Here we present in hospital and 90 day outcomes of a large patient cohort, many treated at extended LSW, after MRI assessment. Population ELVO patients with isolated occlusion of the carotid terminus or M1 segment, baseline mRS ≤2, age ≥18, and no MRI contraindication. Methods Regression analysis with primary outcome 90d mRS ≤2 and secondary outcomes in-hospital mortality, 90d mortality, 24 hour and discharge stroke severity (NIHSS). Results From a stroke intervention dataset representing n=80 ELVO patients treated with thrombectomy between 12/25/2014 and 8/14/2016, n=40 cases were identified meeting inclusion criteria. Median patient age was 69, baseline NIHSS was 17.5, and mean CT ASPECTS was 8.78. 15/40 (37.5%) received IV tPA and the median presenting DWI core volume was 15 mL (IQR: 5.0–33.7). Median time to femoral access was 418 min (IQR: 281–936). TICI ≥2B recanalization success was 85%. No patient had PH2 intracranial hemorrhage, 1 had PH1, 3 HT1, and 2 SAH, none requiring additional intervention. 90d mRS ≤2 was 20%, in-hospital mortality was 12.5%, 90d mortality was 30%. All patients with 90d mRS ≤2 also had TICI ≥2B recanalization. Many patients (20/40) showed early response to therapy as defined by improvement in NIHSS≥4, an effect that was more likely with TICI ≥2B recanalization (OR 2.53 [95CI: 1.663–3.876]), and equally likely with femoral access before or after 6 hours LSW (OR 1.403 [95CI: 0.782–2.516]). The strongest predictor of 90d mRS ≤2 was baseline MRI core volume (b=−0.364, p=0.013). A similar and more robust effect was observed with discharge NIHSS (b=0.256, p Conclusion MRI selected ELVO patients represented in this cohort showed favorable response to therapy even at extended time from LSW. Although a few patients treated Disclosures B. Cristiano: None. K. Cicilioni: None. M. Pond: None. J. Lee: None. P. Promod: None. U. Oyoyo,: None. J. Jacobson: None.
A review of the current state of pannexin channels as they relate to the blood vessel wall

Pannexin proteins comprise a family of channels whose sole function, to date, is the release of nucleotides (e.g., adenosine 5'-triphosphate [ATP] and uridine 5′-triphosphate [UTP]). With purinergic signaling being such a prevalent form of cellular communication, it is hard to image why a channel dedicated to the release of nucleotides has not been previously identified. However, with their topography and discovery being lumped with the gap junction field (i.e., connexin), they were thought for a long time to be more similar to connexin-based proteins. It is now known that there is a distinct difference between pannexins and connexins. Unlike connexin hemichannels (undocked gap junctions), pannexins can open under physiological Ca2+ levels. With their distribution being nearly ubiquitous across the vasculature and importance of purinergic signaling in the vasculature, it is easy to see why pannexin channels may be, especially, important. In this mini-review, we highlight what we know about the cell biology of pannexins, followed closely by what is known about pannexins in the vasculature in regards to its importance in vascular physiology.
Impact of high-speed rail on regional economic disparity in China

Abstract This paper investigates a fundamental question related to the massive railway infrastructure development in China. What is the impact of high-speed rail (HSR) on regional economic disparity? The question is investigated from three perspectives. First, the influence of HSR on regional economic disparity is discussed theoretically from the perspective of New Economic Geography. Second, the variation in economic disparity at both the national and regional levels is investigated using three indexes: the weighted coefficient of variation, the Theil index and the Gini index. Third, the linkages between regional economic growth and HSR is measured empirically from a quantitative and qualitative perspective using an endogenous growth modelling framework with a panel data covering the period 2000–2014. The rail network density is adopted as a proxy to reflect the quantity change in rail investment. Three accessibility indicators (weighted average travel time, potential accessibility and daily accessibility) are introduced to capture the improvement of HSR transport quality. Our findings confirm that regional economic disparity has been decreased since the development of HSR. HSR has promoted regional economic convergence in China. Specifically, the positive effect of rail network density on regional economic growth is found to be significant in the East and North, whereas the positive effect of accessibility change is found to be more significant in the Middle Reaches of Yangtze River, the Southwest and the South China.
Bitcoin: Rube Goldberg Machine, Gigantic Distraction, Entertainment, Ripoff or Money?

A means of exchange and preservation of value is likely as old as our species. Global economic trade is often argued to be as old as trade. The question of the nature of the exchange, of who creates the value and how it is regulated is the issue. While tin from England may have reached Sumeria 4,000 years ago, or Phoenicians’ ships entered the Africa area of Cape Palmas at about the same time, the problem of exchange is a central issue. Ideas of money are as diverse as the cultures that produce them, yet today global trade is experiencing modifications of the satisfaction of exchange with new platforms of electronic money. Blockchain technology is touted as foolproof, such claims have appeared in the past with various financial innovations. Such abstractions of value may not be new, but as a product of technology and complexity they create psychological novelty and a form of mesmerizing fetishism. Manias of value are also not new, from stock (South Seas Corporation) to tulips. The form of the mania is defined and expressed culturally but is often associated with technological change and distance of exchange of partners and clients. Inequality is also a feature, embedded in economic and technological disruption of trade and exchange. The role of redistribution and taxation are essential in maintaining social credit and equality.
A binary collision Monte Carlo model for electron-ion temperature relaxation

Monte Carlo models have been widely used in particle simulations to efficiently solve Coulomb collisions in plasma systems. A binary collision Monte Carlo model is proposed for electron-ion temperature relaxation, which involves all types of collisions and uses the effective maximum and minimum impact parameters that are found previously from Particle-Particle simulations. This binary model and a commonly used model, Nanbu's model, are compared with a Particle-Particle model which serves as a baseline. The results of the binary model match very well with those of the Particle-Particle, but not with those of Nanbu's, meaning that the binary model is more accurate than Nanbu's model for the plasma condition considered. An additional finding is that the effective maximum and minimum impact parameters can be used to calculate the Coulomb logarithm to improve the accuracy of Nanbu's model.
THERMODYNAMICS OF METAL, ALLOY AND INTERMETALLIC/HYDROGEN SYSTEMS

ABSTRACT The thermodynamics of solution of hydrogen in metals (alloys or intermetallic compounds) is reviewed. The conversion of experimental data from conditions of essentially constant pressure to conditions of constant volume is discussed. The fundamental significance of thermodynamic parameters obtained from the temperature dependence of the two-phase coexistence pressures is considered and the necessary criteria for which these values correspond to the thermodynamics of the reaction: ½H 2(g) + M(H-saturated) → metal hydride are developed. Some experimental methods are reviewed.
THE MAMMALIAN GENOME IN EVOLUTION AND CONSERVATION OF THE ORIGINAL X-LINKAGE GROUP

I shall take a rather detached standpoint and begin by asking a rather awkward question, “Is it of any importance that mammals display enormous diversity in their karyotypes?”
Abstract LB-144: Molecular signatures of circulating melanoma cells for monitoring early response to immune checkpoint therapy

A subset of patients with metastatic melanoma have sustained remissions following treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors. However, analyses of pretreatment tumor biopsies for markers predictive of response, including PD-L1 expression and mutational burden, are insufficiently precise to guide treatment selection and clinical radiographic evidence of response on therapy may be delayed, leading to some patients receiving potentially ineffective but toxic therapy. Here, we developed a molecular signature of melanoma Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs) to quantify early tumor response using blood-based monitoring. A quantitative 19-gene digital RNA signature (CTC-Score) applied to microfluidically-enriched CTCs robustly distinguishes melanoma cells, within a background of blood cells in reconstituted and in patient-derived (N=42) blood specimens. In a prospective cohort of 49 patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors, a decrease in CTC-Score within 7 weeks of therapy correlates with marked improvement in progression-free survival (Hazard Ratio (HR): 0.17, P=0.008) and overall survival (HR: 0.12, P=0.04). Thus, digital quantitation of melanoma CTC-derived transcripts enables serial noninvasive monitoring of tumor burden, supporting the rational application of immune checkpoint inhibition therapies. Citation Format: Xin Hong, Ryan J. Sullivan, Mark Kalinich, Tanya Kwan, Shiwei Pan, Joseph A. LiCausi, John D. Milner, Linda T. Nieman, Ben S. Wittner, Uyen Ho, Tianqi Chen, Ravi Kapur, Don Lawrence, Keith T. Flaherty, Lecia V. Sequist, Sridhar Ramaswamy, David T. Miyamoto, Michael Lawrence, Anita Giobbie-Hurder, Mehmet Toner, Kurt J. Isselbacher, Shyamala Maheswaran, Daniel A. Haber. Molecular signatures of circulating melanoma cells for monitoring early response to immune checkpoint therapy [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-144.
Gender, couples' fertility intentions, and parents' depressive symptoms

Unintended childbearing is associated with poorer parental well-being, but most scholarship in this area takes an individual-level approach to unintended childbearing. Drawing on couple data from t...
Understanding the Components, Calculation, and Impact of Monthly and Seasonal Variation of the Standardized Antimicrobial Utilization Ratio (SAAR).

This study sought to characterize the impact of 3 types of variation on the Standardized Antimicrobial Administration Ratio (SAAR) utilizing local National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) data. SAAR and antimicrobial days per 1,000 days present (AD/1000DP) were compiled monthly for Northwestern Memorial Hospital from 2014 to 2016. Antimicrobial consumption was aggregated into agent categories (via NHSN criteria). Month-to-month changes in SAAR and AD/1000DP were evaluated. Azithromycin and oseltamivir AD/1000DP from 2012 through 2017 were explored for seasonal variation. A sensitivity analysis was performed to explore the effect of seasonality and altered consumption at other hypothetical hospitals on the SAAR. Across agent categories for both the intensive care unit (n = 4) and general wards (n = 4), the average matched-month percent change in AD/1000DP was correlated with the corresponding change in SAAR (coefficient of determination of 0.99). The monthly mean ± standard deviation (SD) AD/1000DP was 235 (range, 47.2 to 661.5), and the mean ± SD SAAR was 1.09 ± 0.26 (range, 0.79 to 1.09) across the NHSN agent categories. Five seasons exhibited seasonal variation in AD/1000DP for azithromycin with a mean percent change of 26.76% (range, 22.27 to 30.69). Eight seasons exhibited seasonal variation in AD/1000DP for oseltamivir with a mean percent change of 129.1% (range, 32.01 to 352.74). The sensitivity analyses confirm that antimicrobial usage at comparator hospitals does not impact the local SAAR, and seasonal variation of antibiotics has the potential to impact SAAR. Month-to-month changes in the SAAR mirror monthly changes in an institution’s AD/1000DP. Seasonal variation is an important variable for future SAAR consideration, and the variable antibiotic use at peer hospitals is not currently captured by the SAAR methodology.
Structural constitutive modeling of the anisotropic mechanical properties of human vocal fold lamina propria

The anisotropic mechanical properties of the vocal fold lamina propria play an important role in voice production and control. The goal of this study is to develop a constitutive model capable of predicting lamina propria elastic moduli along both the longitudinal and transverse directions under different conditions of vocal fold elongation, which can be used as input to reduced-order phonation models based on linear elasticity. A structurally-based constitutive model that links microstructural characteristics of the lamina propria to its macromechanical properties is proposed. The model prediction has been shown to agree reasonably well with recent biaxial tensile testing results.
Changes in Total Demand, Productivity, and Offshoring Their Relationship with Declining Employment in U.S. Textile Industry, 2002 - 2011

A quick observation of the industry-level employment trends depicts a sharp decline in U.S. textile industry employment. While decreasing demand, increasing offshoring activities and productivity enhancements due to technological change are usual suspects of this drop, there is little evidence so far to reveal the combined impact of these factors on the U.S. textile industry employment. By developing an empirical model, this paper uses regression analysis to examine the role of foreign and domestic demand, labor productivity and offshoring, captured by both foreign affiliate employment of U.S. MNCs and imported intermediate inputs, in continued trend of domestic job loss in U.S. textile industry between 2002 and 2011. The findings partially support those in the literature that suggest offshoring activities have a negative impact on U.S. parent employment outcomes in manufacturing sector and textile industry in particular. I also find that decreased domestic demand is associated with lower U.S. textile industry employment; however, unlike the widely held view, exports and productivity do not have a significant impact on domestic employment in the U.S. textile industry.
Osteoblast-Osteoclast Communication and Bone Homeostasis

Bone remodeling is tightly regulated by a cross-talk between bone-forming osteoblasts and bone-resorbing osteoclasts. Osteoblasts and osteoclasts communicate with each other to regulate cellular behavior, survival and differentiation through direct cell-to-cell contact or through secretory proteins. A direct interaction between osteoblasts and osteoclasts allows bidirectional transduction of activation signals through EFNB2-EPHB4, FASL-FAS or SEMA3A-NRP1, regulating differentiation and survival of osteoblasts or osteoclasts. Alternatively, osteoblasts produce a range of different secretory molecules, including M-CSF, RANKL/OPG, WNT5A, and WNT16, that promote or suppress osteoclast differentiation and development. Osteoclasts also influence osteoblast formation and differentiation through secretion of soluble factors, including S1P, SEMA4D, CTHRC1 and C3. Here we review the current knowledge regarding membrane bound- and soluble factors governing cross-talk between osteoblasts and osteoclasts.
A Proof-of-Concept Study of an In-Situ Partial-Ring Time-of-Flight PET Scanner for Proton Beam Verification

Development of a positron emission tomography (PET) system capable of in-situ imaging requires a design that can accommodate the proton treatment beam nozzle. Among the several PET instrumentation approaches developed thus far, the dual-panel PET scanner is often used as it is simpler to develop and integrate within the proton therapy gantry. Partial-angle coverage of these systems can however lead to limited-angle artifacts in the reconstructed PET image. We have previously demonstrated via simulations that time-of-flight (TOF) reconstruction reduces the artifacts accompanying limited-angle data, and permits proton range measurement with 1–2 mm accuracy and precision. In this work, we show measured results from a small proof-of-concept dual-panel PET system that uses TOF information to reconstruct PET data acquired after proton irradiation. The PET scanner comprises of two detector modules, each composed of an array of $4\times 4\times 30$ mm3 lanthanum bromide scintillator. Measurements are performed with an oxygen-rich gel-water, an adipose tissue equivalent material, and in vitro tissue phantoms. For each phantom measurement, a 2-Gy dose was deposited using 54–100 MeV proton beams. For each phantom, a Monte Carlo simulation generating the expected distribution of PET isotope from the corresponding proton irradiation was also performed. The proton range was calculated by drawing multiple depth profiles over a central region encompassing the proton dose deposition. For each profile, the proton range was calculated using two techniques 1) 50% pick-off from the distal edge of the profile and 2) comparing the measured and Monte Carlo profile to minimize the absolute sum of differences over the entire profile. A 10-min PET acquisition acquired with minimal delay post proton irradiation is compared with a 10-min PET scan acquired after a 20-min delay. Measurements show that PET acquisition with minimal delay is necessary to collect 15O signal, and maximize 11C signal collection with a short PET acquisition. In comparison with the 50% pick-off technique, the shift technique is more robust and offers better precision in measuring the proton range for the different phantoms. Range measurements from PET images acquired with minimal delay, and the shift technique demonstrates the ability to achieve <1.5 mm accuracy and precision in estimating proton range.
Multiphonon-Electron Coupling Enhanced Defect Generation and Breakdown Mechanism in MOL New Spacer Dielectrics for 7nm/5nm Technology Nodes and Beyond

We investigate multiphonon-electron coupling enhanced defect generation process and breakdown (BD) in middle-of-line (MOL) spacer dielectrics (Si 3 N 4 , SiBCN, and SiOCN). Rather than traditional Poole-Frenkel process, we report inelastic multiphonon assisted tunneling plays a key role in conduction process in these defective dielectrics in both initial and post-stress electron conduction. More importantly, we demonstrate defect generation process follows a universal process independent of thickness among these seemingly very different dielectrics. We show multiphonon-electron coupling is responsible for the enhanced defect generation rate due to high-energy electrons at the anode, thus triggering to specie-release induced BD.
Will My Disclosure Harm the Relationship? Factors that Impact Mother-Daughter Cancer Communication in Taiwan

Since 1982, cancer has been the leading cause of death in Taiwan. According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare (2020), in 2019 more than a quarter (28.6%) of deaths were caused by cancer, an increase of about 5% from 1999. Family communication can help encourage social and physical support, especially for those who face traumatic, life-changing events, such as receiving a cancer diagnosis. However, people may avoid self-disclosing information about their diseases, treatments, and emotions with their families for different reasons. Between May and July 2014, fifteen in-depth interviews were conducted to explore what factors influence breast cancer mothers’ desire to engage in cancer communication with their daughters. Six themes representing individual factors, relational factors, and cultural factors that influence self-disclosure emerged. These themes were: 1) Cancer stage when the mother was first diagnosed, 2) Mother’s dependency/Daughter’s maturity, 3) Philosophy of “face it, accept it, deal with it, and let it be”, 4) Societal expectations of women’s roles, 5) Religion, and 6) Support group engagement.
Cholangiocarcinoma: what are the most valuable therapeutic targets - cancer-associated fibroblasts, immune cells, or beyond T cells?

Introduction CCAs are dense and desmoplastic tumors with an abundant tumor microenviroment (TME). The evolving TME is characterized by reciprocal interactions between cancer cells and their environment and is essential in facilitating tumor progression. The TME has non-immune and immune components. Non-immune cell types include cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and endothelial cells accompanying tumor angiogenesis. Immune cell types include elements of the innate and adaptive immune response, and can have pro-tumor or anti-tumor roles. The TME can shape treatment response and resistance. Therefore, elements of the TME are attractive therapeutic targets. TME targeting therapies have been evaluated in preclinical and clinical studies but only a small subset of patients has a meaningful response. Areas covered We discuss the TME components and potential TME targeting strategies. Literature search was performed on PubMed and clinicaltrials.gov up until October 2021. Expert opinion Elucidating the CCA TME is essential for developing effective treatment strategies. Preclinical models that recapitulate the disease [such as organoids] are important tools in uncovering the intricate crosstalk in the CCA TME. Characterization of patient-derived specimens using multi-omic and single-omic technologies can dissect the cellular interplay in the CCA TME which can guide development of effective treatment strategies and identify biomarkers for patient stratification.
Multimodality noninvasive cardiovascular imaging for the evaluation of coronary artery disease

Abstract Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a common and important condition, associated with high morbidity and mortality. Appropriate diagnosis, assessment, and evaluation of CAD using noninvasive cardiovascular imaging are critical in guiding optimal patient management. A diverse range of multimodality cardiovascular imaging techniques is available for the evaluation of CAD, including stress echocardiogram, cardiac computed tomography, stress cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), single-photon emission computed tomography, or a combination of positron emission tomography (PET) and computed tomography or PET with MRI. This chapter presents a practical contemporary review of the roles of these various imaging modalities for the evaluation and management of CAD.
Cerebrovascular Dysfunction in Preeclamptic Pregnancies

Preeclampsia is a hypertensive, multisystem disorder of pregnancy that affects several organ systems, including the maternal brain. Cerebrovascular dysfunction during preeclampsia can lead to cerebral edema, seizures, stroke, and potentially maternal mortality. This review will discuss the effects of preeclampsia on the cerebrovasculature that may adversely affect the maternal brain, including cerebral blood flow (CBF) autoregulation and blood-brain barrier disruption and the resultant clinical outcomes including posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) and maternal stroke. Potential long-term cognitive outcomes of preeclampsia and the role of the cerebrovasculature are also reviewed.
An Evolutionary Algorithm Based Approach for Dynamic Thresholding in Multimodal Biometrics

This paper presents an evolutionary approach to the sensor management of a biometric security system that improves robustness. Multiple biometrics are fused at the decision level to support a system that can meet more challenging and varying accuracy requirements as well as address user needs such as ease of use and universality better than a single biometric system or static multimodal biometric system. The decision fusion rules are adapted to meet the varying system needs by particle swarm optimization, an evolutionary algorithm. This paper focuses on the details of this new sensor management algorithm and demonstrates its effectiveness. The evolutionary nature of AMBM allows it to react in pseudo-real-time to changing security needs as well as user needs. Error weights are modified to reflect the security and user needs of the system. The AMBM algorithm selects the fusion rule and sensor operating points to optimize system performance in terms of accuracy.
Opposition backlash and platform convergence in a spatial voting model with campaign contributions

This paper investigates the effects of campaign contributions on candidate behavior in elections. The particular focus is on how candidates choose their platforms when they know that the positions they take will influence the level of campaign contributions that they (and their opponents) receive from concerned interest groups. The analysis is carried out in the context of a simple one- dimensional spatial voting model with two candidates and two interest groups. Since the earliest Hotelling-Downs formulations, a central issue in the literature on spatial voting has been the degree to which, under various sets of assumptions, the candidates' platforms converge in equilibrium. This paper extends that literature by examining how the introduction of interest groups making campaign contributions affects the degree of platform convergence. The paper shows that when choosing their platforms, candidates face a trade-off between generataing increased support from opponents and provoking a backlash from the opposition. An example is developed to illustrate a surprising result that can occur because of the backlash effect: the introduction of two extremist interest groups may lead the candidates to moderate their platforms, resulting in a greater degree of platform convergence than would be observed in the absence of any campaign contributions.