cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
MANZONI E IL VALORE DELLA NULLITÀ

Al contrario di Leopardi che riponeva valore nelle “cose nostre e dell'uomo” e negava quello di una vita dedicata all'aspettativa della felicita eterna nell'aldila, Manzoni ripone fiducia e valore nella vita nell'aldila dove gli uomini godranno la felicita spirituale, compenso dell'infelicita terrena. L'immaginazione manzoniana ripudia il valore della vita umana e plaude alla nullita della vita terrena. La nullita e l'alto valore che conduce alla felicita eterna, la meta suprema di chi ha smarrito la ragione per credere nella vita in questo mondo e viverci per goderla e valorizzarla.
Using topic coding to understand the nature of change language in a motivational intervention to reduce alcohol and sex risk behaviors in emergency department patients

Abstract Objective To elucidate patient language that supports changing a health behavior (change talk) or sustaining the behavior (sustain talk). Methods We developed a novel coding system to characterize topics of patient speech in a motivational intervention targeting alcohol and HIV/sexual risk in 90 Emergency Department patients. We further coded patient language as change or sustain talk. Results For both alcohol and sex, discussions focusing on benefits of behavior change or change planning were most likely to involve change talk, and these topics comprised a large portion of all change talk. Greater discussion of barriers and facilitators of change also was associated with more change talk. For alcohol use, benefits of drinking behavior was the most common topic of sustain talk. For sex risk, benefits of sexual behavior were rarely discussed, and sustain talk centered more on patterns and contexts, negations of drawbacks, and drawbacks of sexual risk behavior change. Conclusions Topic coding provided unique insights into the content of patient change and sustain talk. Practice implications Patients are most likely to voice change talk when conversation focuses on behavior change rather than ongoing behavior. Interventions addressing multiple health behaviors should address the unique motivations for maintaining specific risky behaviors.
Parallel Universes for Models of X Chromosome Dosage Compensation in Drosophila: A Review

Dosage compensation in Drosophila involves an approximately 2-fold increase in expression of the single X chromosome in males compared to the per gene expression in females with 2 X chromosomes. Two models have been considered for an explanation. One proposes that the male-specific lethal (MSL) complex that is associated with the male X chromosome brings histone modifiers to the sex chromosome to increase its expression. The other proposes that the inverse effect which results from genomic imbalance would tend to upregulate the genome approximately 2-fold, but the MSL complex sequesters histone modifiers from the autosomes to the X to mute this autosomal male-biased expression. On the X, the MSL complex must override the high level of resulting histone modifications to prevent overcompensation of the X chromosome. Each model is evaluated in terms of fitting classical genetic and recent molecular data. Potential paths toward resolving the models are suggested.
Analysis of Thick Laminates Using Effective Moduli

Three-dimensional effective moduli are used in the analysis of thick laminates consisting of a large number of identical sublaminates. A global-local method is developed in which the effective modulus theory is used to model the thick laminate except for the local region where accurate stresses are desired. Evaluative examples involving free edge stresses and interlaminar cracks are presented.
CS1: Computer Control for Industrial Robots

Abstract This paper will discuss the concept of a sensor controlled robot which will adapt to any task, assure product quality, and eliminate machine tending labor. Such robots will need computers to process their sensor data, transfo rm it, and make decisions regarding task performance. Digital hardware, including computers, is used today to control many industrial robots, but available robots do not use task sensors, relying instead on precise position and orientation control of all aspects of the task. Various approaches to the development of sensor controlled robots will be described, together with developments in the areas of task programming, sensor design, and sensor data interpretation.
Thermoelastic analysis of radiation-heating thermal shock

AbstractA thermoelastic model consisting of an infinite slab-type rectangle symmetrically heated on two faces with a constant heat transfer coefficient is used to interpret radiationheating thermal shock experimental results. The solution of the maximum principal tensile stress of the model is presented in dimensionless form, and a graphical method of inverting the stress solution is described and used to construct the loci of fracture initiation curves that highlight the transient aspect of the thermal stress fracture problem. A solution for the total strain energy is also presented and a method for computing the elastic strain energy at fracture is described. Previously reported thermal shock data are interpreted in terms of a thermoelastic damage-resistance parameter that accounts for the combined effects of material properties, geometry and thermal loading.
Corruption, costs, and family: Chinese capital flight, 1984–2014

Abstract Since 1984, the foreign debt of the Peoples' Republic of China has increased at a greater rate than would be explained by changes in the country's current account, foreign direct investment and reserve holdings. This pattern is consistent with large-scale outflow of financial capital, commonly referred to as capital flight. Since 2005, capital flight has accelerated reaching $425 billion (plus or minus $60 billion) in 2014 alone. This study provides three estimates for capital flight from China for the period 1984 through 2014 using both Cuddington's balance of payments and more inclusive residual measures. These measures are adjusted to reflect the legitimate assets of the Chinese banking industry, mis-invoicing of China's trade with its major trading partners (especially Hong Kong), exchange rate changes, and the failure of official debt data to capture certain bank transactions. Based on these estimates, it is concluded that capital controls have little long-term effect on the volume of capital flight, Hong Kong is increasingly a pipeline for capital flight from the mainland, and that ‘traditional’ explanations do not apply to China's capital flight over the last decade. Finally, corruption, transaction costs, and facilitating migration are considered as possible explanations of the recent acceleration of Chinese capital flight.
Optimal Quantity Caps in Discriminatory Price Auctions with Resale

We present a model of a discriminatory price auction in which a large bidder competes against many small bidders, followed by a post-auction resale stage in which the large bidder is endogenously determined to be a buyer or a seller. We extend the first-price auction with resale results of Hafalir and Krishna (2008) to this setting and give a tractable characterization of equilibrium behavior. We use this to study the policy of capping the amount that may be won by large bidders in the auction. Despite being used in the US Treasury auction among others, this policy has received little attention in the auction literature. Our analysis shows that the trade-offs involved when adjusting these quantity caps can be understood in terms familiar to students of asymmetric first-price single unit auctions. Furthermore, whether one seeks to maximize revenue or efficiency has stark and contradictory implications for the choice of cap.
The model for end-stage liver disease predicts outcomes in patients undergoing cholecystectomy.

The magnitude of risk for patients undergoing cholecystectomy with high model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) scores is poorly understood. The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database from 2005 to 2013 was used to study patients undergoing cholecystectomy. Patients were excluded if they had choledocholithiasis or preoperative dialysis. Bivariate data analysis was performed and logistic regression modeling was conducted to calculate risk-adjusted 30-day outcomes. A total of 63,464 patients were included in the study. Unadjusted mortality significantly increased as the MELD score increased in the laparoscopic (MELD = 6–10, 0.2%; 11–15, 1.1%; 16–20, 3.2%; >20, 5.8%) and open groups (MELD = 6–10, 1.5%; 11–15, 3.7%; 16–20, 8.6%; >20, 17.9%) (p-value 20, 22.8%) and open groups (MELD = 6–10, 18.7%; 11–15, 28.2%; 16–20, 40.7%; >20, 57.8%) (p-value 20, 33.3%; open, MELD > 20, 48.5%) and morbidity (laparoscopic, MELD > 20, 66.7%; open, MELD > 20, 75.8%) across all MELD scores. After adjustment, MELD score acted as a progressive and independent predictor of morbidity and mortality. The MELD score is an objective and easy to calculate scoring system that independently predicts postoperative morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing cholecystectomy. Patients with ascites have substantially worse outcomes across all MELD scores. Open cholecystectomy is associated with significantly more morbidity and mortality than laparoscopic cholecystectomy across all MELD groups.
A Systematic and Evidence-Based Approach to Clinical Management of Patients with Disorders of Consciousness

Disorders of consciousness include coma, the vegetative state, the minimally conscious state and the post-traumatic confusional state. These conditions exist along a two-dimensional continuum comprised of arousal (i.e., wakefulness) and awareness (i.e., recognition of self and environment). Accurately characterizing and distinguishing these disorders early after onset is critically important as diagnosis is closely linked to prognosis and drives clinical decision-making. Unfortunately, published rates of misdiagnosed consistently approach 40 % with most of the error accounted for by failure to detect consciousness when it is preserved. Misdiagnosis may limit access to medical and rehabilitation services and lead to premature withdrawal of life-sustaining care. In this chapter, we describe a systematic, evidence-based framework for clinical management of patients with DoC. The primary aim is to demonstrate how a standardized, multi-tiered approach to assessment organized around a structured “care map” can be instituted in the rehabilitation setting to inform diagnostic, prognostic and treatment decisions, ultimately improving the consistency and effectiveness of care.
Depression, young age, chronic marijuana use, and interepisodic symptoms predict psychological distress in patients with cyclic vomiting syndrome.

Background Cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) is often triggered by stress. Patients report high degrees of psychological distress due to CVS, but there is limited data on factors associated with psychological distress. We sought to determine the degree of psychological distress and its correlation with clinical characteristics in CVS. Methods The Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), a validated tool to determine psychological distress, was administered prospectively to patients. The control population consisted of 719 normal subjects. Student's t test was used to compare means, and logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of a GSI score ≥63, indicating high degrees of psychological distress. Scores for the regression predictors were calculated using the maximum likelihood estimate for the logistic regression model and was called the DAME score (depression, age 25-35, chronic marijuana use, and interepisodic GI symptoms). Key results Of 87 patients, 60% were female, 92% were caucasian, and mean age was 37 years. Forty-one percent of patients had high degrees of psychological distress with the highest scores for somatization. Independent predictors of psychological distress included depression, young age (25-35 years), chronic marijuana use, and interepisodic dyspepsia (called the DAME score). A score of ≥7 accurately predicted psychological distress in >88% of patients. Conclusions & inferences Psychological distress is common in CVS and can be predicted accurately using our proposed DAME score. Whether psychological distress is a cause or an effect of CVS needs to be determined. Addressing psychological distress can potentially improve overall healthcare outcomes in CVS.
Stress-response transcription factors Msn2 and Msn4 couple TORC2-Ypk1 signaling and mitochondrial respiration to ATG8 gene expression and autophagy.

ABSTRACTMacroautophagy/autophagy is a starvation and stress-induced catabolic process critical for cellular homeostasis and adaptation. Several Atg proteins are involved in the formation of the autophagosome and subsequent degradation of cytoplasmic components, a process termed autophagy flux. Additionally, the expression of several Atg proteins, in particular Atg8, is modulated transcriptionally, yet the regulatory mechanisms involved remain poorly understood. Here we demonstrate that the AGC kinase Ypk1, target of the rapamycin-insensitive TORC2 signaling pathway, controls ATG8 expression by repressing the heterodimeric Zinc-finger transcription factors Msn2 and Msn4. We find that Msn2 and Msn4 promote ATG8 expression downstream of the histone deacetylase complex (HDAC) subunit Ume6, a previously identified negative regulator of ATG8 expression. Moreover, we demonstrate that TORC2-Ypk1 signaling is functionally linked to distinct mitochondrial respiratory complexes. Surprisingly, we find that autophagy ...
Host–agent–vector–environment measures for electronic cigarette research used in NIH grants

Objective The purpose of this study is to describe the focus and comprehensiveness of domains measured in e-cigarette research. Methods A portfolio analysis of National Institutes of Health grants focusing on e-cigarette research and funded between the fiscal years 2007 and 2015 was conducted. Grant proposals were retrieved using a government database and coded using the Host–Agent–Vector-Environment (HAVE) model as a framework to characterise the measures proposed. Eighty-one projects met the criteria for inclusion in the analysis. Results The primary HAVE focus most commonly found was Host (73%), followed by Agent (21%), Vector (6%) and Environment (0%). Intrapersonal measures and use trajectories were the most common measures in studies that include Host measures (n=59 and n=51, respectively). Product composition was the most common area of measurement in Agent studies (n=24), whereas Marketing (n=21) was the most common (n=21) area of Vector measurement. When Environment measures were examined as secondary measures in studies, they primarily focused on measuring Peer, Occupation and Social Networks (n=18). Although all studies mentioned research on e-cigarettes, most (n=52; 64%) did not specify the type of e-cigarette device or liquid solution under study. Conclusions This analysis revealed a heavy focus on Host measures (73%) and a lack of focus on Environment measures. The predominant focus on Host measures may have the unintended effect of limiting the evidence base for tobacco control and regulatory science. Further, a lack of specificity about the e-cigarette product under study will make comparing results across studies and using the outcomes to inform tobacco policy difficult.
Anti-CD73 and anti-OX40 immunotherapy coupled with a novel biocompatible enzyme prodrug system for the treatment of recurrent, metastatic ovarian cancer.

Abstract Approximately 75% of ovarian cancer is diagnosed once metastasis to the peritoneal cavity has occurred. A large proportion of patients eventually develop platinum-resistive tumors, which are considered terminal. In order to provide an alternative a novel fusion protein, mCTH-ANXA5, has been developed for the treatment of recurrent, metastatic ovarian cancer. The fusion protein combines annexin V (ANXA5), an ovarian tumor and tumor vasculature targeting protein, with mutated cystathionine gamma-lyase (mCTH), an enzyme that converts selenomethionine (SeMet) into toxic methylselenol, which generates reactive oxygen species and eventual tumor cell death. In order to further enhance the therapeutic efficacy, anti-CD73 and anti-OX40 immunostimulants were combined with mCTH-ANXA5, resulting in an increase of survival by 100% from 12 to 24 days post-therapy and decrease tumor burden in mice with orthotopic metastatic ovarian cancer. Further evaluation of the combination therapy revealed a strong antibody-mediated immune response, and an increased infiltration of cytotoxic T-cells along with a decrease in tumor promoting immune cells. This study demonstrates the efficacy of a synergistic, multi-drug system by attacking the tumor as well as enlisting the body's own defense system to treat the patient.
On the identification of a class of linear models

This paper deals with the problem of identifying direct causal effects in recursive linear structural equation models. The paper provides a procedure for solving the identification problem in a special class of models.
Glycosyltransferase activities in cultured endothelial cells of bovine brain microvascular origin

Bovine brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) express GM3 (NeuAc) and GM3 (NeuGc) as the major gangliosides, and GM1, GD1a, GD1b, GT1b as well as sialosylparagloboside and sialosyllactosaminylparagloboside as the minor species. To investigate the metabolic basis of this ganglioside pattern, the activities of eight glycosyltransferases (GM3-, GD1a-, GD3-, LM1-, GM2 (NeuAc)-, GM2 (NeuGc)-, LacCer-, and GM1-synthases) in cultured BMECs were studied. It was found that BMECs possessed high activities of GM3- and GD1a-synthases, and low activities of GM2-, GM1-, and GD3-synthases. Thus, the present study provides evidence that endothelial cells are capable of synthesizing gangliosides in situ and that the high content of GM3 in BMEC is closely associated with high activities of GM3-synthase and low activities of GM2-, GM1-, and GD3-synthases.
Mechanism of action and therapeutic uses of psychostimulants.

1. Kevin F Foley, PhD MT(ASCP)[⇑][1] 1. is with the Department of Biomedical Technologies, University of Vermont, Burlington VT 1. Address for correspondence: Kevin F Foley PhD MT (ASCP), Assistant Professor, University of Vermont, Department of Medical Laboratory and Radiation Sciences, 302 Rowell Building, 106 Carrigan Drive, Burlington VT 05405. (802) 656-2506. kfoley{at}uvm.edu. The name stimulant can be given to any drug that increases the rate of a physiologic function. The term psychostimulant is more specific, referring to compounds that have direct neurological effects, typically: heightened alertness, increased energy, appetite suppression, and sometimes euphoria. Use of psychostimulants is widespread and occurs in both recreational and clinical settings. Therapeutic monitoring and screening for use and abuse of these drugs is common in clinical laboratories. Understanding the physiological effects and uses of stimulants will be of value to clinical and forensic laboratory scientists. EXAMPLES OF PSYCHOSTIMULANTS Table 1 lists several psychostimulants that are commonly prescribed, have widespread illicit use, or are well-known by the general public. Table 1 also identifies the control schedule of each compound. Many psychostimulants are listed as controlled substances under the Controlled Substances Act, Title II of the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970. Schedules I through IV are assigned to compounds based on their abuse potential and their medical utility. Schedules II through V contain drugs which have known medical uses whereas Schedule I compounds have no current, sanctioned medical use. THERAPEUTIC USES OF PSYCHOSTIMULANTS Amphetamine has long been known to be a mental stimulant. Because of its psychostimulant properties, amphetamine has been used successfully by U.S. fighter pilots because it enhances cockpit performance by reducing the effects of fatigue.1 Since amphetamine heightens alertness it has found use in the treatment of narcolepsy and in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.2 The drug Adderall® for example, is used widely in… ABBREVIATIONS: ADHD = attention-deficit hyper-activity disorder; CNS = central nervous system; MDA = 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine; MDMA = 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine; NC = not controlled; OTC = over the counter. [1]: #corresp-1
Samuel Cate Prescott: -pioneer food technologist -gifted teacher -poet, humanist -Mr.MIT -friend to many.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the life of Samuel Cate Prescott, which spans an era from that when the term “microbe” was first used by Sedillot in 1878 to that beyond the discovery of DNA in 1953. Samuel Cate Prescott was born of an old New England family in the rural village of South Hampton, New Hampshire, on April 15, 1872. Dr. Prescott attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) from 1890 to 1894, obtaining his Bachelor's of Science degree in chemistry in 1894. Immediately after graduation from MIT, Dr. Prescott became bacteriologist and assistant chemist at the Sewage Purification Works of the City of Worcester, Massachusetts, for five months. In 1917, prior to America's entry into World War I, Dr. Prescott entered the military service as a major in the Sanitary Corps of the U. S. Army, where he was the in charge of research and dehydration of food and was an inspector of quartermaster stores in large training camps. Dr. Prescott's work on refrigeration as a method of food preservation is indicative of the catholicity of his interests as a scientist and technologist. Dr. Prescott, more than any other individual was probably responsible for the first two Food Technology Conferences at MIT in 1937 and 1940, which were the basis for the foundation of the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT). In addition to the two highly prized awards of the Institute of Food Technologists, Dr. Prescott received two honorary doctorates. Dr. Prescott became the head of the Department of Biology at MIT in 1922 after Sedgwick passed away.
The exchange of cognate TATA boxes results in a corresponding change in the strength of two HSV-1 early promoters.

Previous analysis of two Herpes Simplex Virus Type-1 (HSV-1) promoters controlling expression of mRNA encoding early genes (U(L)37 and U(L)50) showed that the U(L)50 (dUTPase) promoter is at least 6-fold stronger both in its normal genomic location and in the non-essential gC locus. In the present report we demonstrate that the TATA element of either promoter is the major determinant of promoter strength. When the U(L)37 TATA element (CGTATAAC) was mutated with two base changes to the U(L)50 TATA sequence (CATAAAAC) in recombinant viruses, the activity of the U(L)37 promoter was increased to that of the U(L)50 promoter. Conversely, when the U(L)50 TATA element was changed to that of the U(L)37 promoter, U(L)50 promoter activity was reduced to the level of the U(L)37 promoter. In addition, we investigated the spacing of the TATA box with respect to upstream promoter elements. We found that re-positioning the U(L)37 TATA box to a location equivalent to that of the U(L)50 promoter relative to the transcript start site; i.e. three bases upstream of its cognate location, significantly diminished activity. Substitution of the U(L)50 TATA box at the new position could only partially restore promoter activity. Thus, we also conclude that the spacing of TATA elements vis-a-vis upstream promoter elements is also a critical determinant of promoter strength.
Comparison of four calving laws to model Greenland outlet glaciers

Abstract. Calving is an important mechanism that controls the dynamics of marine terminating glaciers of Greenland. Iceberg calving at the terminus affects the entire stress regime of outlet glaciers, which may lead to further retreat and ice flow acceleration. It is therefore critical to accurately parameterize calving in ice sheet models in order to improve the projections of ice sheet change over the coming decades and reduce the uncertainty in their contribution to sea-level rise. Several calving laws have been proposed, but most of them have been applied only to a specific region and have not been tested on other glaciers, while some others have only been implemented in 1-D flowline or vertical flowband models. Here, we test and compare several calving laws recently proposed in the literature using the Ice Sheet System Model (ISSM). We test these calving laws on nine tidewater glaciers of Greenland. We compare the modeled ice front evolution to the observed retreat from Landsat data collected over the past 10 years, and assess which calving law has better predictive abilities for each glacier. Overall, the von Mises tensile stress calving law is more satisfactory than other laws for simulating observed ice front retreat, but new parameterizations that better capture the different modes of calving should be developed. Although the final positions of ice fronts are different for forecast simulations with different calving laws, our results confirm that ice front retreat highly depends on bed topography, irrespective of the calving law employed. This study also confirms that calving dynamics needs to be 3-D or in plan view in ice sheet models to account for complex bed topography and narrow fjords along the coast of Greenland.
Design Challenges for Livestreamed Audience Participation Games

Livestreamed APGs (audience participation games) allow stream viewers to participate meaningfully in a streamer's gameplay. However, streaming interfaces are not designed to meet the needs of audience participants. In order to explore the game design space of APGs, we provided three game development teams with an audience participation interface development toolkit. Teams iteratively developed and tested APGs over the course of ten months, and then reflected on common design challenges across the three games. Six challenges were identified: latency, screen sharing, attention management, player agency, audience-streamer relationships, and shifting schedules. The impact of these challenges on players were then explored through external playtests. We conclude with implications for the future of APG design.
Discovery of leaf region and time point related modules and genes in maize (Zea mays L.) leaves by Weighted Gene Co-expression Network analysis (WGCNA) of gene expression profiles of carbon metabolism

Abstract Maize (Zea mays L.) yield depends not only on the conversion and accumulation of carbohydrates in kernels, but also on the supply of carbohydrates by leaves. However, the carbon metabolism process in leaves can vary across different leaf regions and during the day and night. Hence, we used Weighted Gene Co-expression Network analysis (WGCNA) with the gene expression profiles of carbon metabolism to identify the modules and genes that may associate with particular regions in a leaf and time of day. There were a total of 45 samples of maize leaves that were taken from three different regions of a growing maize leaf at five time points. Robust Multi-array Average analysis was used to pre-process the raw data of GSE85963 (accession number), and quality control of data was based on Pearson correlation coefficients. We obtained eight co-expression network modules. The modules with the highest significance of association with LeafRegion and TimePoint were selected. Functional enrichment and gene-gene interaction analyses were conducted to acquire the hub genes and pathways in these significant modules. These results can support the findings of similar studies by providing evidence of potential module genes and enriched pathways associated with leaf development in maize.
Religion and classification

It should now be apparent that all three common approaches to definition – essentialist, functionalist, and family resemblance – have problems associated with them. But don't despair; for if definition is a human action used to make the world knowable and thinkable, then one wouldn't be surprised to find that the very tools we use to define things have limitations of their own. After all, even multi-purpose Swiss army knives, complete with can openers and corkscrews, can't be used for everything. Why? Because despite doing their best to anticipate eventual needs, their designers are not all-knowing and their tools inevitably fall short because the interests of the tool's users continually evade the designer's knowledge. What's the point? If tools are devised to accomplish interests, but if those interests are forever in motion, then the devices that we use to make the world knowable (those things that we commonly call concepts, categories, systems of classification, etc.) must continually be re-tooled – and sometimes even discarded – all depending on our ever-changing needs. So the category ‘religion’ is your tool; how will you define it and what are you going to do with it?
Estimating regional cerebral blood flow using resting-state functional MRI via machine learning

Abstract Background Perfusion MRI is an important modality in many brain imaging protocols, since it probes cerebrovascular changes in aging and many diseases; however, it may not be always available. New method We introduce a new method that seeks to estimate regional perfusion properties using spectral information of resting-state functional MRI (rsfMRI) via machine learning. We used pairs of rsfMRI and arterial spin labeling (ASL) images from the same individuals with normal cognition and mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and built support vector machine models aiming to estimate regional cerebral blood flow (CBF) from the rsfMRI signal alone. Results This method demonstrated higher associations between the estimated CBF and actual CBF (ASL-CBF) at the total lobar gray matter (r = 0.40; FDR-p = 1.9e-03), parietal lobe (r = 0.46, FDR-p = 8e-04), and occipital lobe (r = 0.35; FDR-p = 0.01) using rsfMRI signals of frequencies [0.01-0.15] Hertz compared to frequencies [0.01-0.10] Hertz and [0.01-0.20] Hertz. We further observed significant associations between the estimated CBF and actual CBF in 24 regions of interest (p Comparison with existing methods Consistent with previous findings, this new method also suggests that rsfMRI signals contain perfusion information. Conclusion The proposed framework can obtain estimates of regional perfusion from rsfMRI, which can serve as surrogate perfusion measures in the absence of ASL.
The Impact of Charter School Competition on Student Achievement of Traditional Public Schools after 25 Years: Evidence from National District-Level Panel Data.

Most studies have focused on whether charter schools perform better than TPS. However, for the vast majority of students who remain in TPS, a more relevant question is whether charter schools have ...
Evaluation of the Dynamic Behavior of Steel Staircases with Concrete-Filled Pan Treads

Abstract Vibration serviceability of staircases is an increasing challenge due to evolving materials and structural forms. To predict the dynamic performance of staircases, accurate models are requ...
Mesonephric (Wolffian-derived) Adenocarcinoma of the Female Urethra.

The current World Health Organization (WHO) classification of adenocarcinoma of the urinary tract including the urethra includes uncommon Mullerian-derived carcinomas such as clear cell and endometrioid adenocarcinomas. The concept of primary mesonephric (Wolffian-derived) adenocarcinoma (MA) in the urethra (and urinary tract in general) is currently regarded as controversial as the term "mesonephric" had been also inaccurately applied in the past to label Mullerian-derived carcinomas, particularly clear cell adenocarcinoma. Further, pathologically well-documented or bona fide urethral MAs have not yet to be reported. Herein, we describe 2 examples of MA in elderly females that primarily presented in the urethra and manifested clinically with obstructive lower urinary tract symptoms. Both tumors exhibited histology similar to those in MAs of the female genital tract including the distinctive tubular proliferations with luminal eosinophilic materials. The first case, in addition, showed a variety of patterns including ductal (glandular), solid, fused/sieve-like tubules, dilated tubules, and spindled cells. The second case also showed a transition to the more irregular and poorly formed tubular proliferation of cells with greater nuclear atypia and with a desmoplastic response. Both tumors showed positivity for PAX8, GATA3, and luminal CD10, and 1 tumor analyzed harbored KRAS and ARID1A mutations. One patient received neoadjuvant chemotherapy and underwent resection but had local tumor recurrence and metastasis to the lungs and lumbar spine 12 months after presentation. In conclusion, MA, similar to those occurring in the female genital tract and distinct from the recognized Mullerian-derived carcinomas, may present primarily as urethral tumors. MA in the urethra probably shares a common pathogenesis with vaginal MA as both may originate from the same caudal loci of mesonephric remnants along the closely apposed anterior vaginal and posterior urethral walls. MA should be considered in future classifications for urethral tumors and we recommend that the confusing term "mesonephroid adenocarcinoma" should no longer be used.
Contributions of Adenocarcinoma and Carcinoid Tumors to Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer Incidence Rates in the United States.

BACKGROUND Early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC) incidence rates (IRs) are rising, according to previous cancer registry analyses. However, analysis of histologic subtypes, including adenocarcinoma (the focus of CRC screening and diagnostic testing) and carcinoid tumors (which are classified as "colorectal cancer" in SEER [Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results] databases but have a distinct pathogenesis and are managed differently from adenocarcinoma), has not been reported. OBJECTIVE To assess EOCRC IRs and changes in IRs over time, stratified by histology. DESIGN Retrospective analysis. SETTING Yearly IRs according to SEER 18 data from 2000 to 2016 on age-specific colon-only, rectal-only, and combined-site CRC cases, stratified by histology ("overall" CRC [all histologic subtypes], adenocarcinoma, and carcinoid tumors) and age. PATIENTS 119 624 patients with CRC. MEASUREMENTS IRs per 100 000 population, changes in 3-year average annual IRs (pooled IRs from 2000 to 2002 vs. those from 2014 to 2016), and annual percentage change (APC) in persons aged 20 to 29, 30 to 39, 40 to 49, and 50 to 54 years. RESULTS The steepest changes in adenocarcinoma 3-year average annual IRs were for rectal-only cases in persons aged 20 to 29 years (+39% [0.33 to 0.46 per 100 000]; P < 0.050) and 30 to 39 years (+39% [1.92 to 2.66 per 100 000]; P < 0.050) and colon-only cases in those aged 30 to 39 years (+20% [3.30 to 3.97 per 100 000]; P < 0.050). Corresponding APCs were 1.6% (P < 0.050), 2.2% (P < 0.050), and 1.2% (P < 0.050), respectively. In persons aged 40 to 49 years, 3-year average annual IRs increased in both colon-only (+13% [12.21 to 13.85 per 100 000]; P < 0.050) and rectal-only (+16% [7.50 to 8.72 per 100 000]; P < 0.050) subsites. Carcinoid tumors were common, representing approximately 4% to 20% of all colorectal and 8% to 34% of all rectal cancer cases, depending on age group and calendar year. Colon-only carcinoid tumors were rare. Colorectal carcinoid tumor IRs increased more steeply than adenocarcinoma in all age groups, thus affecting the contribution of carcinoid tumors to overall cancer cases over time. These changes were driven by rectal subsites and were most pronounced in persons aged 50 to 54 years, in whom rectal carcinoid tumors increased by 159% (2.36 to 6.10 per 100 000) between 2000 to 2002 and 2014 to 2016, compared with 10% for adenocarcinoma (18.07 to 19.84 per 100 000), ultimately accounting for 22.6% of all rectal cancer cases. LIMITATION Population-based data. CONCLUSION These findings underscore the importance of assessing histologic CRC subtypes independently. Doing so may lead to a better understanding of the drivers of temporal changes in overall CRC incidence and a more accurate measurement of outcomes from efforts to reduce adenocarcinoma risk, and can guide future research. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE None.
The immunopathogenesis and immunotherapy of cutaneous T cell lymphoma: Current and future approaches.

In the past few decades, immunotherapy has emerged as an effective therapeutic option for patients with cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL). CTCL is characterized by progressive impairment of multiple arms of the immune system. Immunotherapy targets these deficits to stimulate a more robust antitumor response, thereby both clearing the malignant T cells and repairing the immune dysfunction. By potentiating rather than suppressing the immune system, immunotherapy can result in longer treatment responses than alternatives such as chemotherapy. In recent years, advances in our understanding of the pathogenesis of CTCL have led to the development of several new agents with promising efficacy profiles. The second article in this continuing medical education series describes the current immunotherapeutic options for treatment of CTCL, with a focus on how they interact with the immune system and their treatment outcomes in case studies and clinical trials. We will discuss established CTCL immunotherapies, such as interferons, photopheresis, and retinoids; emerging therapies, such as interleukin-12 and Toll-like receptor agonists; and new approaches to targeting tumor antigens and checkpoint molecules, such as mogamulizumab, anti–programmed cell death protein 1, anti-CD47, and chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy. We also describe the principles of multimodality immunotherapy and the use of total skin electron beam therapy in such regimens.
Crossing transcultural liminalities with critical virtual exchange: a study of shifting border discourses

Places are fragmentary and inward-turning histories, pasts that others are not allowed to read, accumulated times that can be unfolded but like stories held in reserve, remaining in an enigmatic st...
Association of Memorial Sloan Kettering-Frailty Index with the postoperative intensive and specialized advanced care units admission among older adults with cancer.

e18606Background: Understanding factors associated with poor surgical outcomes of older adults with cancer is necessary in identifying high risk patients and finding ways to mitigate poor outcomes ...
Claim-Limitation Estoppel—A Framework to Narrowing Claims in Multi-Patent Litigation

Patent litigation is complex, expensive, and difficult to manage. Optimistically, neither litigant wants the trouble or expense of a lengthy and complicated multi-patent trial, and neither does the court. In a Sisyphean effort to tame an unmanageable caseload, the judge must decide how to narrow the issues to best serve the administrability interests of the parties, the court, and the jurors. But do these court mandated methods employed when narrowing claims in multi-patent litigation coincide with the constitutional safeguard against arbitrary denial of liberty and property guaranteed by procedural due process? This Note addresses the due process concerns with claim narrowing strategies employed in multi-patent and multi-claim infringement suits through the lens of the Federal Circuit’s In re Katz decision. A number of district court's applications of the In re Katz decision are analyzed against potential procedural due process issues, including one extreme approach—the “Showdown Procedure”— from the Northern District of California. Ultimately, this Note provides a clear enumeration of a burden-shifting framework that a patentee should take to preserve the right to reassert abandoned or winnowed claims in a future trial, which creates benefits such as uniformity in patent-narrowing procedures, decreasing forum-shopping, and lessening the burden of patent-saturated districts.
Combined FRC and Mirror Plasma Studies in the C-2 Device

The Field Reversed Configuration (FRC) is a high-beta Compact Toroid that includes closed and open field line regions of poloidal magnetic field. Improving the transport properties of both regions ...
The Relationship Between Business Process Re-engineering and Internet Usage: Survey of Acute Care Hospitals in the United States

The data from a national survey of acute care hospitals was used for analysis. Hatcher discusses the complete questionnaire, data collection procedure, and sample selection.(1) The relationship between business process Re-engineering, total quality management, innovation system approaches, and internet usage and potential usage will be reported and discussed.
Fractionation of glycoprotein components of the reduced alkylated renal glomerular basement membrane.

Abstract The soluble glycoprotein components of the S-carboxy-methylated glomerular basement membrane were fractionated by gel filtration in sodium dodecyl sulfate on agarose columns of varying porosity and by DEAE-cellulose chromatography in urea. By such techniques, these components, which represented 70 to 80% of the total membrane and ranged in molecular weight from 30,000 to greater than 700,000, were resolved into fractions differing markedly in their amino acid and sugar composition. Some contained large amounts of hydroxyproline, glycine, and hydroxylysine, while others had fewer of these amino acids characteristic of collagen and were richer in amino acids such as aspartic acid, serine, threonine, tyrosine, lysine, histidine, and S-carboxymethyl-cysteine. The fractions with the more collagen-like composition had a higher number of hydroxylysine-linked glucosylgalactose disaccharide units than did the fractions which were more polar in nature, with as many as 35 units per 1000 amino acids occurring in the former and as few as 2 per 1000 amino acids in the latter. The heteropolysaccharide units (consisting of sialic acid, fucose, galactose, mannose, and hexosamines) were more evenly distributed, ranging from 1 to 4 units per 1000 amino acids with a somewhat higher content being present in the more polar fractions. Both the disaccharide and heteropolysaccharide units occurred in components spanning a wide molecular weight range. The former, however, tended to be predominantly associated with high molecular weight material (over 100,000). These results are believed to be consistent with the occurrence in the glomerular basement membrane of both collagen-like and more polar chains, with the former containing both di- and heteropolysaccharide units and the latter having only the polysaccharides. Although disulfide bonds appear to serve as a major crosslink between the peptide chains of this membrane, NH2-terminal amino acid analyses of higher molecular weight fractions suggested that other as yet undefined cross-links may exist.
Divergent magnetic coefficient of resistivity, dϱdH, of a ferromagnet CeAg at Tc

Abstract Measurements of the electrical resistivity, ϱ(H,T), of ferromagnetic CeAg indicate that dϱ(H,T c ) dH diverges as H−x with x = 0.63 ± 0.05. The roles of both coherent and incoherent scattering are discussed.
Assessment of a new evaluation tool in a doctoral candidate seminar course

Abstract Objective To determine if a more objective and descriptive evaluation tool more closely aligned faculty and peer grades than a previous rubric in a seminar course. Additional objectives were to evaluate grade changes between the tools, determine the association of student characteristics on grades, and to assess faculty and student perceptions of the effectiveness of the new tool. Methods Faculty and peer grades were compared to each other in 2013 and 2014. Total combined grades for 2013 were compared to those of 2014. Students and presentation evaluators who participated in the 2014 course were surveyed for demographics and perceptions of the tool. Statistical analyses were performed for grade comparisons, demographic data, and perception data. Results Faculty and peer grades were not more closely aligned using the new tool ( p p = 0.222). From the demographic data collected, only female gender and a desire to pursue postgraduate education or training had a significant effect on grades ( p p = 0.003, respectively). Overall perception responses for faculty and students were positive as they relate to rubric helpfulness. Conclusions The new evaluation tool was positively perceived to be more objective among faculty and students; however, it did not result in more closely aligned faculty and peer grades. Lastly, the data from this study indicate that few known modifiable predictors of student success in a seminar course exist currently.
Real-time core body temperature estimation from heart rate for first responders wearing different levels of personal protective equipment.

First responders often wear personal protective equipment (PPE) for protection from on-the-job hazards. While PPE ensembles offer individuals protection, they limit one's ability to thermoregulate, and can place the wearer in danger of heat exhaustion and higher cardiac stress. Automatically monitoring thermal–work strain is one means to manage these risks, but measuring core body temperature (Tc) has proved problematic. An algorithm that estimates Tc from sequential measures of heart rate (HR) was compared to the observed Tc from 27 US soldiers participating in three different chemical/biological training events (45–90 min duration) while wearing PPE. Hotter participants (higher Tc) averaged (HRs) of 140 bpm and reached Tc around 39°C. Overall the algorithm had a small bias (0.02°C) and root mean square error (0.21°C). Limits of agreement (LoA ± 0.48°C) were similar to comparisons of Tc measured by oesophageal and rectal probes. The algorithm shows promise for use in real-time monitoring of encapsulated ...
Rapid Lipid-Staining Procedure for Paper Electrophoretograms

We describe a rapid, reliable staining procedure for lipoproteins on paper electrophoretograms. Staining time, is 2.5 h in an acetone-water (1:1, by vol) solution of Oil Red O dye (0.4 g/liter). Results agree well with those obtained by the conventional overnight staining technique
Detection of amplitude modulated signals in noise

This paper presents a new method for the detection of amplitude modulation on unknown, low signal-to-noise ratio signals in additive, white Gaussian noise. The robustness of the new technique is addressed with simulations in Rayleigh distributed noise and the effect of quantisation of the unknown signal is also explored. The performance of the new method is compared to a technique currently employed in an operational signal classification system.
THE SOCIAL EQUITY OF URBAN SERVICE DISTRIBUTION: AN EXPLORATION OF PARK ACCESS IN PUEBLO, COLORADO, AND MACON, GEORGIA

The degree to which urban resources are distributed equitably is a research question that continues to be debated. While research dealing with urban service delivery has proliferated during the last 20 years, few studies have directly linked the spatial distribution of facilities (in the form of accessibility measures) with the spatial distribution of population subgroups in an effort to assess equity issues. In part, this may be caused by the methodological difficulties involved in trying to link these distributions. In this paper, I offer a methodological as well as an empirical contribution to the assessment of equitability in facility distribution. Utilizing data on parks in Pueblo, Colorado, and Macon, Georgia, I analyze the equitability of park distribution by comparing the spatial clustering of park access scores with the spatial clustering of selected socioeconomic variables. There is some empirical evidence that the spatial pattern of low access for Macon corresponds in certain areas to spatial c...