cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Conservative Semi-Lagrangian Discontinuous Galerkin Scheme on the Cubed Sphere

AbstractThe discontinuous Galerkin (DG) methods designed for hyperbolic problems arising from a wide range of applications are known to enjoy many computational advantages. DG methods coupled with strong-stability-preserving explicit Runge–Kutta discontinuous Galerkin (RKDG) time discretizations provide a robust numerical approach suitable for geoscience applications including atmospheric modeling. However, a major drawback of the RKDG method is its stringent Courant–Friedrichs–Lewy (CFL) stability restriction associated with explicit time stepping. To address this issue, the authors adopt a dimension-splitting approach where a semi-Lagrangian (SL) time-stepping strategy is combined with the DG method. The resulting SLDG scheme employs a sequence of 1D operations for solving multidimensional transport equations. The SLDG scheme is inherently conservative and has the option to incorporate a local positivity-preserving filter for tracers. A novel feature of the SLDG algorithm is that it can be used for mult...
Dissecting a Complex Neurosurgical Illustration: Step-by-Step Development

Modern computer graphics software has enabled the medical illustrator to render very complex anatomy by composing many different layers of drawings simultaneously. This and the author's capacity to take an "editorial" approach to compress several chronological events into a single, comprehensive two-dimensional illustration are analyzed in a step-by-step process. Through a series of images, the article provides a visual synopsis of the development of an illustration for an extensive clinical case: total sacrectomy performed through an all-posterior approach. Originally given as a slide presentation at the American Association of Neurological Surgeons Theodore Kurze Lecture in April 2011, the article provides some detailed notes on the techniques the author used to develop a comprehensive neurosurgical illustration.
Collaborative design with use case scenarios

Digital libraries, particularly those with a community-based governanc e structure, are best designed in a collaborative setting. In this paper, we compare our experience using two design methods: a Task-centered method that draws upon a group's strength for eliciting and formulating tasks, and a Use Case method that tends to require a focus on defining an explicit process for tasks. We discuss how these methods did and did not work well in a collaborative setting.
Modulation of glutathione and glutathione dependent antioxidant enzymes in mouse heart following doxorubicin therapy.

The toxicity of the antineoplastic agent doxorubicin (DOX) has been shown to be moderated by the antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase. It has been reported that acute doses of DOX can cause an inhibition of glutathione peroxidase in cardiac tissue, that may render this tissue especially susceptible to further prooxidant damage. In this study, multiple DOX treatments at a therapeutic dose were assessed for their effect on the antioxidant enzyme status of cardiac and kidney tissue. DOX was administered i.p. (5 mg/kg) once a week for two weeks to male balb/c mice. The activities of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPOX) and glutathione reductase (GR) were measured 1, 2 and 7 days following the second DOX treatment in both heart and kidney. Levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) were also measured in cardiac tissue at these same times. Cardiac levels of GPOX and GR showed a time-dependent decrease in activity, with 10% and 12% inhibition for GPOX an...
Electroacupuncture Versus Gabapentin for Hot Flashes Among Breast Cancer Survivors: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial

Purpose Hot flashes are a common and debilitating symptom among survivors of breast cancer. This study aimed at evaluating the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) versus gabapentin (GP) for hot flashes among survivors of breast cancer, with a specific focus on the placebo and nocebo effects. Patients and Methods We conducted a randomized controlled trial involving 120 survivors of breast cancer experiencing bothersome hot flashes twice per day or greater. Participants were randomly assigned to receive 8 weeks of EA or GP once per day with validated placebo controls (sham acupuncture [SA] or placebo pills [PPs]). The primary end point was change in the hot flash composite score (HFCS) between SA and PP at week 8, with secondary end points including group comparisons and additional evaluation at week 24 for durability of treatment effects. Results By week 8, SA produced significantly greater reduction in HFCS than did PP (−2.39; 95% CI, −4.60 to −0.17). Among all treatment groups, the mean reduction in HFCS ...
A META-ANALYTIC REVIEW OF COMPETENCY TO STAND TRIAL RESEARCH

The present study is a meta-analysis of competency to stand trial research. One meta-analysis was previously conducted in this area, but the large number of empirical studies that have been conducted since and the introduction of new instruments and revision of old instruments warranted updating and expanding upon the previously conducted study via contemporary meta-analytic methods. We metaanalyzed 68 studies published between 1967 and 2008 that compared competent and incompetent defendants on a number of demographic, psychiatric, and criminological variables. Categorical and continuous variables commonly investigated in competency research were coded and aggregated to generate cumulative effect sizes in the form of odds ratios and Cohen’s d statistics, and moderation was tested via meta-F and meta-regression analyses. The most robust findings were that defendants diagnosed with a Psychotic Disorder were approximately eight times more likely to be found incompetent than defendants without a Psychotic Disorder diagnosis and the likelihood of being found incompetent was approximately double for unemployed defendants as compared to employed defendants. The likelihood of being found incompetent was also double for defendants with a previous psychiatric hospitalization compared to those without a hospitalization history. Comparative data on 12 competency assessment instruments and three traditional instruments were also explored and the effect sizes associated with the competency measures were substantially larger (i.e., approximately one Cohen’s d-point) than those for the traditional measures. Limitations of the primary research and the previ
Material Consumers, Fabricating Subjects: Perplexity, Global Connectivity Discourses, and Transnational Feminist Research

In the summer of 1999, I returned to one of the villages in the Telengana region of Andhra Pradesh state in South India where I have done fieldwork off and on for the last 15 years.1 I went to see Jamulamma and her husband, Sanjanna, who live in the Madi-gere, the caste-segregated locality of the village where they and other low-caste Madigas live.2 Jamulamma's household owns no land and she earns a living of about 20 rupees (US$.50) a day as a field laborer. It was to her that I asked a question that had begun to puzzle me, "Why is it that the area under cotton [in Jamulamma's village] has gone up and more women and children are working in the cotton fields, but fewer of them are wearing cotton saris?"
Breast Talk in Breast Cancer Narratives

Breast cancer often involves uniquely mutilating treatments and is frequently assumed to produce problems specifically associated with feminine identity: body image and sexuality. But empirical research to support this assumption is sometimes mixed and nearly always quantitative in method. This study examines breast talk--specific references to breasts and breast cancer in women's illness narratives--collected in 20 open-ended, in-depth interviews with 17 White, middle-class survivors in Maine. Participants varied in age, marital status, motherhood sexual orientation, family history of breast cancer, medical diagnoses, and treatments. Phenomenological analysis of the breast talk resulted in four interrelated clusters of meanings: the medicalized breast, the functional breast, the gendered breast, and the sexualized breast. The analysis suggests both greater and fewer problems with femininity, sexuality, and body image than presumed by much research, and it urges researchers not to reproduce the objectifications and stereotyping of sexist culture.
New uniaxial-ferrite millimeter-wave junction circulators

The authors report on progress in the development of millimeter-wave junction circulators for the band near 31 GHz, incorporating the technique of exploiting the high effective internal magnetic anisotropy field of barium and strontium magnetoplumbites (hexagonal ferrites) to eliminate the external permanent magnet requirement. Microstrip and waveguide three-port junction versions have been built and evaluated, exhibiting good isolation and insertion loss performance, and requiring no magnet. Design considerations include the magnetic material parameters of remanent magnetization, anisotropy, coercive field, resistivity, and shape-dependent demagnetizing effects, as well as microstrip and waveguide junction circuit geometries, dissipative effects, temperature stability, and influences of coax-microstrip transducers. >
On the Locality and Motivation of Move and Agree: An Even More Minimal Theory

The article proposes a new theory of successive-cyclic movement that reconciles the early and the current minimalist approaches to it. As in the early approach, there is no feature checking in intermediate positions of successive-cyclic movement. However, as in the current approach and unlike in early minimalism, successive-cyclic movement starts before the final target of movement enters the structure, and Form Chain is eliminated. The locality of Move and the locality of Agree are shown to be radically different, Agree being free from several mechanisms that constrain Move, namely, phases and the Activation Condition. However, there is no need to take phases to define locality domains of syntax or to posit the Activation Condition as an independent principle. They still hold empirically for Move as theorems. The Generalized EPP (the “I need a Spec” property of attracting heads) and the Inverse Case Filter are also dispensable. The traditional Case Filter, stated as a checking requirement, is the sole dr...
A Review of Coalesced, Collapsed-Paleocave Systems and Associated Suprastratal Deformation

Coalesced, collapsed-paleocave systems and associated suprastratal deformation appear to be prominent diagenetic/structural features in carbonate sections at/near composite unconformities. The basic architecture of the system can be divided into two sections. The lower karsted section, where high-density cave formation took place, is preserved as massive breccias commonly displaying a rectilinear pattern in map view. The overlying suprastratal deformation section is characterized by large, circular to linear sag structures containing faults and fractures. Regional distribution of coalesced, collapsed-cave systems commonly appears as large-scale (hundreds to thousands of square kilometers in area), rectilinear patterns with areas of concentrated, coalesced breccias separated by relatively undisturbed host rock. This pattern may reflect development of the paleocave system along fracture swarms. Collapsed-paleocave systems are large, complex features that show broad-scale organization. The complete paleocave system may need seismic data or large, mountain-scale outcrops to define their architecture and distribution.
Surprising Comparison Of Risk And Return Factors Between Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) And The S&P 500 Index During The 2000-2011 Time Period

We composed and contrasted stock returns for large capitalized companies (S&P 500) with returns of real estate investment trusts using the Financial Times equity, mortgage and composite indexes. The time period which was chosen was 2000 through 2011. This period is significant because up until the crash of 2008, the real estate bubble was forming. Major real estate problems were already in force in 2007, but serious deflation really did not fully commence until the stock market crash in the late summer and early fall of 2008. With such heavy doses of deflation, one would think real estate was doomed. We found that average returns for the S&P 500 during this time period was 2.44% vs. a 13.73% average return for the composite Real Estate Investment Trusts (REIT) index. We calculated the geometric returns of .0054% for the S&P 500 vs. 11.21% for the composite REIT. This geometric return calculation was necessary because of many negative returns over a short period of time. The real surprise came when we risk adjusted our numbers using coefficients of variation. Using average returns, we found that the S&P 500 took 7.9959 units of risk for each unit of return, while the composite REIT composite only took 1.6497 units of risk per return. Even the SE Mortgage index only took 2.4914 units of risk per unit of return, while the Equity REIT index took on 1.5744 units of risk per return. Utilizing geometric returns or compounded rates of return, we found a coefficient of variation (CV) of 9.755 for the S&P 500, where the composite REIT experienced a 2.0205 CV and the FTSE Mortgage index showed a 4.0023 CV. Even though mortgage REITs took a greater hit than equity REITs, we still found a favorable relationship of risk and return vs. investment in common stocks. Money managers, who were properly diversified, rode out the financial storm much more comfortably with REITs as part of their diversification parameters.
From ADHD to SAD: Analyzing the Language of Mental Health on Twitter through Self-Reported Diagnoses

Many significant challenges exist for the mental health field, but one in particular is a lack of data available to guide research. Language provides a natural lens for studying mental health ‐ much existing work and therapy have strong linguistic components, so the creation of a large, varied, language-centric dataset could provide significant grist for the field of mental health research. We examine a broad range of mental health conditions in Twitter data by identifying self-reported statements of diagnosis. We systematically explore language differences between ten conditions with respect to the general population, and to each other. Our aim is to provide guidance and a roadmap for where deeper exploration is likely to be fruitful.
Retroviral-Mediated Gene Transduction of c-kit Into Single Hematopoietic Progenitor Cells From Cord Blood Enhances Erythroid Colony Formation and Decreases Sensitivity to Inhibition by Tumor Necrosis Factor-∝ and Transforming Growth Factor-β1

The c-kit receptor and its ligand, steel factor (SLF), are critical for optimal hematopoiesis. We evaluated effects of transducing cord blood (CB) progenitor cells with a retrovirus encoding human c-kit cDNA. CD34 + cells were sorted as a population or as 1 cell/well for cells expressing high levels of CD34 +++ and different levels of c-kit ( ++ , + , Lo/− ), transduced and then cultured in the presence of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), interleukin-3 (IL-3), IL-6, erythropoietin (Epo) +/− SLF in the absence of serum. At a single-cell level, transduction with c-kit , but not with control (neo only), virus significantly increased colony formation, especially by erythroid and multipotential progenitors. The enhancing effect of c-kit transduction was inversely correlated with expression of c-kit protein before transduction. The greatest enhancing effects were noted in CD34 +++ kit Lo/− cells transduced with c-kit. The stimulating effect was apparent even in the absence of exogenously added SLF, but in the presence of GM-CSF, IL-3, IL-6, and Epo. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) of SLF protein, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis of SLF mRNA expression in CD34 + cells, and use of neutralizing antibodies to SLF and/or c-kit suggested the presence of endogenous, although probably very low level, expression of SLF by these progenitor cells. Transduction of c-kit significantly decreased sensitivity of progenitor cells to the inhibitory effects of transforming growth factor-β1 and tumor necrosis factor-. c-kit –transduced cells had increased expression of c-kit protein and decreased spontaneous or cytokine-induced apoptosis. Our results suggest that transduced c-kit into selected progenitor cells can enhance proliferation and decrease apoptosis and that endogenous SLF may mediate this effect.
Generation and Detection of Wideband Terahertz Radiation Using Nonlinear Optical Media

We present a scheme for exploiting the dispersion in the linear optical properties of a χ(2) material to obtain wideband phase-matched terahertz emission and detection from ultrafast optical pulses.
A Study of Some Homothallic and Heterothallic Ascomycetes

The discovery of homothallism and heterothallism in the Mucorales by Blakeslee (2), in the Eubasidiomycetes by Kniep (8), Mlle. Bensaude (1), andothers, in the Rusts by Craigie (3), in the Smuts by Hanna (6), and others, and in the Ascomycetes by Dodge (4), Edgerton (5), etc, has led the writer to undertake further studies in the Ascomycetes. This paper presents some work that has been done on a few coprophilous Ascomycetes. Single spore cultures were made in all cases and matings in all combinations were employed in the study of the sexuality of these fungi. The cultures were all grown on agar in petri dishes at room temperature. Single spore cultures were obtained by a dry needle method similar to that described by Hanna (7). It was found helpful in germinating the spores of Ascobolus to treat them first with a warm solution of dilute HC1 for five or ten
Quantitative birefringence measurements using a single-arm polarization-sensitive OCT system

We demonstrate the first design and equations for quantitative measurements of birefringence in biological samples using a common-path polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography system.
Juvenile Nasal Angiofibromas: A Comparison of Modern Staging Systems in an Endoscopic Era.

Objectives To compare the clinical utility of four juvenile nasal angiofibroma (JNA) staging systems in a large cohort of patients. Design Retrospective case series. Setting Tertiary referral academic center. Participants Pediatric patients undergoing surgical resection of JNAs between January 2008 and June 2015. Main Outcome Measures Intraoperative blood loss and transfusions, number of staged operations, postoperative residual disease, and recurrent disease. Results In total, 34 patients were identified; all underwent preoperative embolization followed by surgery. Of the 34 patients, 33 (97%) underwent an exclusively endoscopic surgical approach, with 6 (18%) requiring planned staged operations. Ten (29%) patients had residual disease and three (9%) required further surgical resection. Using the area under the curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristic curves, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) staging system was most predictive of patients who required staged procedures, received intraoperative transfusions, and had residual postoperative disease (AUC: 0.89, 0.88, 0.86, respectively). Conclusions The UPMC JNA staging system accounts for both route of skull base extension and tumor vascularity, which are two important tumor attributes in the age of preoperative embolization and endoscopic endonasal surgery. The UPMC staging system is a reliable modern staging system that closely reflects prognostic information and aids in surgical planning.
Reaction Injection Molding

Reaction injection molding (RIM) had its beginnings in the early 1960s. RIM was first introduced to the public by way of an all plastic car at the 1967 International Plastic Fair in Dusseldorf, West Germany. It was introduced to the United States in 1969 for producing parts that would meet new auto impact requirements mandated by Congress. Front and rear bumper fascia covers were first produced for several General Motors model vehicles in 1975.1,2 Fenders, spoilers, trunk lids and doors have been manufactured on limited model vehicles using RIM technology in recent years.1–6 Applications outside of the automobile industry include components for sporting goods, agricultural equipment, furniture, business equipment, electronic enclosures and various appliances.3–10 The RIM market reached 5 × 107 lb per year by the late 1970s and was over 8 × 107 lb per year in 1984. Anticipated consumption for 1987 is estimated at 2 × 108 lb.11–14
Visualization of Teacher Social Capital in a Computer-Supported Engineering Education Teacher Professional Development Program

This study uses social network analysis to analyze teacher social capital in a NSF-funded, DRK-12 cyber-enabled engineering education teacher professional development program. The social capital leveraged among the teachers can be visually represented by attributes such as schools, grades, cohorts, and subgroups. Each teacher's social capital is calculated to complement the analysis.
Clinically healthy overweight and obese dogs differ from lean controls in select CBC and serum biochemistry values.

Background Obesity is a global disease, affecting nearly half a billion people. Unfortunately, this trend is mirrored in our canine population. Objectives As obesity is a complex inflammatory disease, there is a need to determine whether routine medical screening tests may indicate, or be influenced by, its presence. The objective of the current study was to determine if significant differences exist between CBC and biochemical profile values from control vs overweight/obese, client-owned dogs considered clinically healthy. Methods Dogs presented for routine health examinations, including minor dental or elective surgical procedures, were retrospectively identified from a hospital population. Animals were allocated to 2 categories based on body condition score (BCS), and data were analyzed by Mann–Whitney nonparametric analysis with statistical significance at a P ≤ .05. Results After exclusions, 116 dogs were assigned to the overweight/obese group (BCS ≥ 7) and 240 dogs to the control group (BCS = 4–6). Overweight/obese dogs had higher total leukocyte counts and higher plasma protein and globulin concentrations. Other differences were attributed to decreased serum water fraction (increased sodium, albumin, calcium, and anion gap) in the overweight/obese group. Interestingly, chloride concentration was decreased (in the face of increased sodium) in the obese group. Conclusions There is CBC and biochemical evidence to support the concern that obesity influences laboratory values, even in dogs considered clinically healthy. Prospective studies aimed at characterizing these changes are needed to provide insight into the connection between obesity and its comorbidities.
n-3 Polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation restored impaired memory and GABAergic synaptic efficacy in the hippocampus of stressed rats.

While chronic stress induces dendritic atrophy in the hippocampus and impairs learning and memory, supplementation with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) is known to improve learning and m...
Robotic Radical Prostatectomy: Complex Case Management

More than 80% of radical prostatectomies in the United States are performed with robotic assistance. The feasibility and safety of the procedure has been well documented. As more RALPs are performed, procedural difficulties will be more widely encountered and, hopefully, better understood. Surgeons may face challenges during any step of robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. In this chapter, we discuss the commonly encountered difficulties during this procedure.
Airway management for symptomatic benign thyroid goiters with retropharyngeal involvement: Need for a surgical airway with report of 2 cases

Abstract Background Intubation prior to surgical intervention for thyroid goiters is typically straightforward and uneventful. However, retropharyngeal extension of thyroid goiters is a unique entity which is characterized by displacement of the hypopharynx and laryngeal deviation. Methods Two patients presented with progressive compressive symptoms due to enlarging thyroid goiters. Imaging revealed thyroid goiters with significant retropharyngeal involvement causing anterior displacement of the larynx and hypopharynx. Results Both patients were unsuccessfully intubated by direct laryngoscopy, GlideScope laryngoscopy and flexible fiberoptic laryngoscopy. Tracheostomy was performed to safely establish the airway, and thyroidectomy was subsequently performed uneventfully. Formalization of the tracheal stoma was performed on both patients to prevent soilage of the thyroid bed with tracheal secretions. Conclusions Retropharyngeal involvement of thyroid goiters can pose significant difficulty with intubation. Airway compromise can be avoided by directly proceeding with a surgical airway. Management of the tracheal stoma is an important step in preventing postoperative infection.
Effective Use of Auditory Bombardment as a Therapy Adjunct for Children With Developmental Language Disorders

Purpose Modeling of grammatical forms has been used in conjunction with conversational recast treatment in various forms. This study tests the relative effect of providing bombardment prior to or a...
BAS-360°: Exploring Spatial and Temporal Adaptability in 360-degree Videos over HTTP/2

Today, 360-degree video streaming has become a popular Internet service with the rise of affordable virtual reality (VR) technologies. However, streaming 360-degree videos suffers from the prohibitive bandwidth demand. Existing bandwidth-efficient solutions mainly focus on exploiting the inherent spatial adaptability of 360-degree videos, delivering only video content (spatially-cut tiles) in the viewer's region of interest (ROI) with higher quality. Temporal adaptability, which has been widely leveraged in HTTP streaming, has not been well exploited to select proper quality for video segments according to the bandwidth variations. When these two dimensions of adaptability are jointly considered, bitrate selection for the tiles become more complicated and challenging. The importance of a tile with a spatial coordination played at a specific time should be quantified so that we can determine how to allocate bandwidth for improving the viewer's quality of experience. Furthermore, viewer's head orientation prediction is highly variable, which makes the determination of important tiles highly dynamic. In addition, network fluctuations are very common on the Internet. To overcome these challenges, we propose Bi-Adaptive Streaming for 360-degree videos (BAS-360°). In BAS-360°, both spatial and temporal adaptabilities are explored in the bitrate selection for different tiles. The objective is to minimize the bandwidth waste by allocating bandwidth to more important tiles (the tiles that are more likely to be watched). To tackle the high variability of visual region prediction and the unpredictable network fluctuations, we employ two features provided by HTT P /2: stream termination and stream priority, to efficiently organize tile delivery. Evaluation results show that BAS-360° outperforms naive tile-based 360-degree video streaming strategies when network fluctuations or errors in viewport predictions occur.
Abstract 215: Post Arrest Head CT Imaging: Commonly Done, but not a Determinant of Early Care Withdrawal

Background: The decision to perform head CT, following non-traumatic cardiac arrest, is based on clinical judgment. We examined whether such expensive testing, factored into early care decisions. Methods: We studied 202 out-of-hospital, non traumatic, cardiac arrest survivors and analyzed patients who had Head CT imaging performed within 72 hours of admission. Grossly abnormal results were defined as severe diffuse brain edema, herniation or bleeding. Demographics, cardiac arrest characteristics and hospital care were studied in patients with and without abnormal CT finding using Chi square and t test. Logistic regression was used to identify the impact of abnormal head CT findings on early care withdrawal. Results: Of 202 patients studied, 137 had CT imaging (67%). Of these 112 patients (81%) had an unremarkable (“normal”) head CT (group1) whereas 25 patients (18%) had abnormal head CT findings as described above (group2). Mean age for patients receiving a head CT was 61 years (SD±15).No obvious demographic feature emerged as a characteristic or a predictor of an abnormal head CT (PNS, Table1). An abnormal head CT prompted more family meetings, further neurological evaluation (all P Conclusion: Although head CT is often performed post arrest, grossly abnormal findings are uncommonly found, and do not predict early care withdrawal. The clinical usefulness of this test in guiding decision making remains unclear and unsubstantiated.
Implementation of a urogynecology-specific enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) pathway.

Objective Enhanced recovery after surgery protocols were developed for colorectal surgery to hasten postoperative recovery. Variations of the protocol are being adopted for gynecological procedures despite limited population and procedure-specific outcome data. Our objective was to evaluate whether implementation of an enhanced recovery after surgery pathway would facilitate reduced length of admission in a urogynecology population. Materials and Methods In this retrospective analysis of patients undergoing pelvic floor reconstructive surgery by 7 female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgeons, we compared same-day discharge, length of admission and postoperative complications before and after implementation of an enhanced recovery after surgery pathway at a tertiary care hospital. Groups were compared using χ2 and Student t tests. Candidate variables that could have an impact on patient outcomes with P Results Mean age and body mass index of 258 women (137 before enhanced recovery after surgery and 121 enhanced recovery after surgery) were 65.5 ± 11.3 years and 28.2 ± 5.0 kg/m2. The most common diagnosis was pelvic organ prolapse (n = 242, 93.8%) including stage III pelvic organ prolapse (n = 61, 65.1%). Apical suspension procedures included 58 transvaginal (25.1%), 112 laparoscopic/robotic (48.8%), and 61 obliterative (26.4%). Hysterectomy was performed in 57.4% of women. Demographic and surgical procedures were similar in both groups. Compared with before enhanced recovery after surgery, the enhanced recovery after surgery group had a higher proportion of same-day discharge (25.9% vs 91.7%, P Conclusion Enhanced recovery after surgery implementation in a urogynecology population resulted in a greater proportion of same-day discharge and high patient satisfaction but with slightly increased hospital readmissions within 30 days.
Explicit performance metric optimization for fusion-based video retrieval

We present a learning framework for fusion-based video retrieval system, which explicitly optimizes given performance metrics. Real-world computer vision systems serve sophisticated user needs, and domain-specific performance metrics are used to monitor the success of such systems. However, the conventional approach for learning under such circumstances is to blindly minimize standard error rates and hope the targeted performance metrics improve, which is clearly suboptimal. In this work, a novel scheme to directly optimize such targeted performance metrics during learning is developed and presented. Our experimental results on two large consumer video archives are promising and showcase the benefits of the proposed approach.
Surgeon leadership style and risk-adjusted patient outcomes.

There are many reasons to believe that surgeon personality traits and related leadership behaviors influence patient outcomes. For example, participation in continuing education, effective self-reflection, and openness to feedback are associated with certain personalities and may also lead to improvement in outcomes. In this context, we sought to determine if an individual surgeon’s thinking and behavior traits correlate with patient level outcomes after bariatric surgery. Practicing surgeons from the Michigan Bariatric Surgery Collaborative (MBSC) were administered the Life Styles Inventory (LSI) assessment. The results of this assessment were then collapsed into three major styles that corresponded with particular patterns of an individual’s thinking and behavior: constructive (achievement, self-actualizing, humanistic-encouraging, affiliative), passive/defensive (approval, conventional, dependent, avoidance), and aggressive/defensive (perfectionistic, competitive, power, oppositional). We compared patients level outcomes for surgeons in the lowest, middle, and highest quintiles for each style. We then used patient level risk-adjusted rates of complications after bariatric surgery to quantify the impact surgeon style on post-operative outcomes. We found that patients undergoing bariatric surgery performed by surgeons with high levels of constructive (achievement, self-actualizing, humanistic-encouraging, affiliative) and passive/defensive (approval, conventional, dependent, avoidance) styles had lower rates of adverse events compared with surgeons with low levels of the respective styles [High constructive: 14.7% (13.8–15.6%), low constructive: 17.7% (16.8–18.6%); high passive: 14.8% (13.4–16.1%), low passive: 18.7% (17.3–19.9%)]. Conversely, surgeons identified with high aggressive styles (perfectionistic, competitive, power, oppositional) had similar rates of post-operative adverse events compared with surgeons with low levels [high aggressive: 15.2% (14.3–16.1%), low aggressive: 14.9% (14.2–15.6%)]. Our analysis demonstrates that surgeons’ leadership styles are correlated with surgical outcomes for individual patients. This finding underscores the need for professional development for surgeons to cultivate strengths in the constructive domains including intentional self-improvement, development of interpersonal skills, and the receptiveness to feedback.
Cellular effects of serotonin in the CNS

Abstract Serotonergic neurons innervate the entire neuroaxis, thus allowing serotonin to regulate the function of most CNS neurons. Work during the past two decades has made clear that the specific form taken by this regulation is dependent on the complement of serotonin receptors expressed by each cell. This general principle is now being extended to different cell types within defined neuronal networks to understand how serotonin regulates network function. In this chapter we review progress along this front in two intensely studied areas, the hippocampus and the cerebral cortex, and highlight areas of progress while noting outstanding issues that await elucidation.
Theorems Featuring the Gamma Function

Some integrals of gamma functions are evaluated. A remarkable approximation to the gamma function, with a slightly less precise approximation submitted as a problem by Ramanujan to the Journal of the Indian Mathematical Society, is examined in detail.
Histologische Untersuchungen am Hüftkopf des Kaninchens bei Atherosklerose

Fur die Entstehung und Progression atherosklerotischer Gefaswandschadigungen wird der Interaktion zwischen Thrombozyten und Gefaswand eine masgebliche Rolle zugesprochen [1]. Unter den atherosklerotischen Risikofaktoren spielen Lipidstoffwechselstorungen eine zentrale Rolle.
Comparative biochemistry of ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase in higher plants.

The agronomically important aspects of the comparative biochemistry of RuBP carboxylase are locating a natural enzyme, creating a mutant enzyme, or identifying compounds which differentially alter the enzyme so as to allow CO2 to be fixed more efficiently or O2 to be fixed less efficiently. Two interrelated approaches can be pursued in trying to increase the agronomic efficiency of the enzyme at atmospheric CO2 concentration. (i) The specific activity of the enzyme could be increased by increasing the maximal velocity of the enzyme’s action with respect to both substrates. This will cause a proportional increase in both photosynthesis and photorespiration, but, because the rate of CO2 uptake by photosynthesis exceeds the rate of CO2 loss by photorespiration under natural conditions, net photosynthesis will increase, (ii) The ratio of oxygenase activity to carboxylase activity could be decreased, thereby increasing net photosynthesis by decreasing photorespiratory CO2 evolution.
Quantum materials for quantum nanophotonics (Conference Presentation)

The field of photonics has made tremendous progress in connecting spatio-temporal measurements of new quantum materials, including 2D plasmonics, Moire structure localized potentials and Weyl semimetals, to theoretical predictions. This talk will present a carrier-lifetime driven approach to quantum materials with a focus on theory and simulations of these, as relevant to quantum photonics and optics. A theoretical description of ultrafast-fast (attosecond - nanosecond) behavior of excited carrier dynamics in quantum materials involves two major ingredients: i) The optical response of the material (and its environment like the substrate or encapsulating layers) and ii) the dynamics of the excited carriers, including electron-electron and electron-phonon scattering. Here, I will discuss recent calculations and advances on both fronts from my group, with a particular emphasis on linking these calculations with experimental observations. Combining the power and possibilities of excited-state and heterostructure engineering with the collective and emergent properties of quantum materials, quantum-matter heterostructures open new directions in quantum photonics. The ability to design optoelectronic interactions (via vdW heterostructures) in 2D and 3D materials makes this platform extremely promising for atomistic control, design, and scaling of new photonic technologies.
Marolf-Ori singularity inside fast spinning black holes

The effective shock wave singularity at the outgoing leg of the inner horizon of a linearly perturbed fast spinning black hole is studied numerically for either scalar field or vacuum gravitational perturbations. We demonstrate the occurrence of the Marolf-Ori singularity - including changes of order unity in the scalar field $\ensuremath{\phi}$ for the scalar field model, and in the Weyl scalars ${\ensuremath{\psi}}_{0}$ and ${\ensuremath{\psi}}_{4}$ (rescaled appropriately by the horizon function $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Delta}}$) and the Kretschmann curvature scalar $K$ for the vacuum gravitational perturbations model - for both null and timelike geodesic observers. We quantify the shock sharpening effect and show that in all cases its rate agrees with expectations.
Rehabilitation of a patient after a total maxillectomy with a 2-piece magnetically retained obturator: A clinical report

After ablative surgery, especially a total maxillectomy, an obturator is commonly used as a method of reconstruction. However, the loss of a palatal denture-bearing area and vestibular retentive undercuts leaves an anatomically deficient base on which to construct the definitive prosthesis. As a result, retention and stability is compromised. A solution to the retention problem is to construct an obturator that engages undercuts and scar bands. Engagement of all undercuts can lead to a prosthesis that is too cumbersome and difficult to insert, especially in a patient with scars after radiation. In this article, a technique for creating a 2-piece magnetic obturator that engages the nasal scar band is described.
Food bioactives in the epigenomic regulation of metabolic disease

Abstract Nutritional epigenomics is an active area of study in the fields of medicine, nutrition and dietetics. Historically, macro- and micro-nutrients were studied to better understand their role in metabolic regulation, water retention, blood glucose absorption and ion regulation among others. However, advancements in technology have furthered our understanding for the role of macro- and micro-nutrients, including food bioactives like curcumin, resveratrol and Epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate (EGCG), as regulators of the epigenome. In addition, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) coupled with epigenome-wide association studies (EWAS) have shown the importance for environment in the development of chronic diseases. As epigenetic adaptations, as opposed to genetic mutations, are modifiable, there is emerging hope that dietary modifications and, perhaps, personalized nutrition therapy can be used to treat disease in the future. This chapter will focus on three polyphenolic compounds (curcumin, resveratrol and EGCG) as regulators of the epigenome.
Advances in Preoperative Planning: When, How and What to Measure

Abstract Spinal alignment is an important determinant of health status and disability for patients with spinal deformity. Measuring alignment of the spine is important to quantify spinal deformity, to determine the goals of surgical correction, and to guide the choice of operative techniques for surgical correction. The purpose of this chapter is to describe the metrics of spinal alignment, and to review what to measure, how to measure it, and when to make measures of alignment along the continuum of care for spinal disorders.
Calculations of long range interactions for 87Sr Rydberg states

A method for calculating the properties of Rydberg states and Rydberg-Rydberg interaction between two $^{87}$Sr atoms is described. The method is based on a multichannel quantum defect theory (MQDT) description of the Rydberg states that accounts for the hyperfine splitting of the $^{87}$Sr$^+$ ground state. Results are given for the scalar and tensor polarizabilities and the eigenvalues of the $C_6$ matrix for the $5sns$ $F_T=9/2$ series. These results illustrate the new features that arise due to the hyperfine splitting of the thresholds. In particular, there should be a couple F\"orster resonances for each series above $n=50$ unlike the case of $^{88}$Sr which has none.
Longitudinal studies can identify distinct inflammatory cytokines associated with the inhibition or progression of liver cancer.

Background and aims Chronic diseases such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are associated with chronic inflammation. However, controversial reports as to the key cytokines involved in the process of chronic inflammation hinder development of targeted therapies for patients. This is because, chronic inflammatory process cannot be fully understood by studying the mechanisms of the disease in a short-term or isolated fashion. Understanding of the trend of inflammatory cytokines through longitudinal studies could provide a profound insight into the process of disease progression. Methods We performed a longitudinal analysis of inflammatory cytokines/chemokines and faecal microbiome dysbiosis associated with the diet-induced progression of NAFLD to HCC in diet-induced animal model of NAFLD comparing males and females, since males show a higher incidence of these diseases than females do. Results Longitudinal analyses revealed that a transient and timely increase in LIF and TMIP1 was associated with the inhibition of the progression of NAFLD to HCC in females. On the other hand, chronically increasing trends in CCL12, CCL17, CXCL9 and LIX/CXCL5 were associated with the promotion of the progression of NAFLD to HCC in males. Conclusions We provided empirical evidence that a methodological shift from snapshot observations to longitudinal data collection and analysis can provide a better understanding of chronic liver diseases.
Disadvantages for non-Hispanic whites in gastric carcinoma survival in Florida

The prognosis for gastric carcinoma (GC) remains challenging with less than 35% of patients surviving 5 years. GC survival varies greatly by anatomical site, cardia and non-cardia. However, these important differences have not been thoroughly studied in relation to the increasing diversity in US populations such as Florida. In this study we examined, for the first time, the effect of race-ethnicity on risk of death from GC controlling for potential risk factors separately for cardia and non-cardia GCs. Data on GCs diagnosed in Florida from 2005–2016 were obtained from the statewide cancer registry. Age-standardized GC-specific 5-year survival was computed by anatomical site and race-ethnicity. In addition, a competing risk analysis was performed to assess prognostic factors and to estimate subdistribution hazard ratios of death from GC. Whites had high proportions of cardia GC (43.9%) compared to all racial/ethnic minorities (10.9%, 19.6%, and 13.8% in Blacks, Hispanics, and Asians, respectively; p < .0001). Among 12,302 cases included, there were 7534 deaths from GC and 1179 from other causes. Age standardized GC-specific 5-year survival was significantly lower for Whites (28.0%) compared to Blacks (31.6%), Hispanics (37.6%), and Asians, (39.6%) and significantly lower for cardia GC (25.0%, 95% CI 23.4–26.6) compared to non-cardia GC (37.0%, 95% CI 35.5–38.4). Multivariable competing risk analysis in patients with non-cardia GC showed that Asians (sHR: 0.64, 95% CI 0.51–0.80), Hispanics (sHR 0.71, 95% CI 0.64–0.78), and Blacks (sHR 0.83, 95% CI 0.75–0.92) all had lower risks of death from GC compared to Whites. In patients with cardia GC, only Hispanics had statistically significant lower risk of death from GC than Whites (sHR 0.84, 95% CI 0.74–0.95, p = 0.005). The study of racial/ethnic survival disparities in patients with GC in Florida reveals Whites as the most disadvantaged group. Whites are more afflicted by cardia GC, which is associated with higher risk of death than non-cardia GC. However, even within non-cardia GC, Whites had higher risk of death than the other racial-ethnic groups. Commonly assessed survival determinants do not adequately explain these unusual disparities; thus, further investigation is warranted.
The hydrosocial cycle in rapidly urbanizing watersheds

Water is the essential resource of the 21st century where innovative water management strategies are needed to improve water security. This paper examines three case studies that exemplify the global water crisis, situated in rapidly urbanizing watersheds: Nairobi River Basin, Kenya; Citarum River Basin, Indonesia; and Addis Ababa River Basin, Ethiopia. Each of these watersheds are implementing large-scale water management strategies inclusive of local communities and regional governments to address water quality and waste management issues. The hydrosocial cycle (Linton, 2010) provides a framework to investigate the social, technical and physical aspects of water flows. Using the hydrosocial cycle as an organizing framework, these watersheds are examined to highlight how water security underpins water justice. The issues of gender and inequity are often overlooked in larger policy, development, and infrastructure discussions where technical requirements, restoration management, and engineering solutions obscure power inequities. Projects are compared to assess the implementation of the hydrosocial cycle through a discussion of social power and structure, technology and infrastructure, and the materiality of water in each location. This comparison reveals a dependence on large-scale technical projects with limited community engagement, and a need for science-based river restoration management. Recommendations are provided to improve and address holistic water management.