cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fever and sickness behaviour vary among congeneric rodents

Summary 1. Fever and sickness behaviour are immune defences that most organisms engage to control bacterial and viral infections. Although generally beneficial, these defences can be energetically expensive, which may lead to variation within and among species. Here, we asked whether fever and sickness behaviour differ among five species of mice in the genus, Peromyscus . 2. This comparison was motivated by our previous discovery of extensive, but systematic, immunological variation among many of these same rodent species. Some species were adept at controlling gram-negative bacteria whereas others were proficient at generating antibodies; no species was strongly capable of both. Such discrete variation suggested a continuum of immune defence strategies. We therefore predicted that variation in fever and sickness behaviour would mirror variation in bacterial killing capacity, as these defences are mediated by some of the same molecular pathways. 3. To test this hypothesis, we characterized responses to lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a component of gram-negative bacteria that activates febrile responses without causing infection. Peromyscus species that showed little sickness behaviour post-LPS engaged fever; species that engaged sickness behaviour, however, either did not mount fevers or became hypothermic post-LPS. As predicted, species that were adept at killing bacteria in vitro mounted the largest fevers; species that were not as proficient at killing bacteria did not engage fever. 4. These results further indicate a continuum of immunological strategies among Peromyscus species, which we expect applies to other taxa. We propose a few possible reasons for why species occupy specific points along an immune continuum; life-history orientation appears the most viable alternative at present.
Parallel inference on a linguistic knowledge base

This paper presents a possible solution for the text inference problem extracting information unstated in a text, but implied. The inference algorithm consists of a set of highly parallel search methods that when applied to the knowledge base find contexts of sentences that reveal information relevant to the text. Implementation, results and parallelism analysis are discussed.
Mini-Laparotomy Versus Laparoscopy for Gynecologic Conditions

Abstract Study Objective To compare conversion rates, operative time, and estimated blood loss in patients undergoing mini-laparotomy ( Design Retrospective study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). Setting Academic medical center. Patients Women who underwent laparoscopy or mini-laparotomy for treatment of gynecologic conditions from January 2002 to March 2011. Patients who underwent hysterectomy as part of the surgery, cancer staging procedure, pregnancy-related procedure, or diagnostic surgery alone were excluded. Interventions Mini-laparotomy or laparoscopy. Measurement and Main Results Primary outcomes were operative time and estimated blood loss. Secondary outcomes were hospital readmission, repeat operation, overnight hospital admission, emergency room visits because of surgery-related signs or symptoms, and wound complications. Of 950 medical records examined, 493 patients (52%) met the inclusion criteria, of which 141 (29%) underwent mini-laparotomy and 352 (71%) underwent laparoscopy. The groups had similar indications for surgery and level of surgical assistant. Patients who underwent mini-laparotomy were older than those who underwent laparoscopy. In patients who underwent mini-laparotomy, mean operative time was significantly shorter (49.3 versus 91.5 minutes; p = .003), and estimated blood loss was less (20 versus 32 mL; p = .001). The cumulative secondary outcome rate was not statistically different between the 2 groups (15% versus 16%). When each secondary outcome (conversion, repeat operation, overnight hospital admission, readmission to the hospitalization, emergency department visit, and wound complication) was examined independently, only the wound complication rate was significantly higher in the mini-laparotomy group compared with the laparoscopy group (5 of 141 patients versus 1 of 352 patients; p = .008). Conclusions Mini-laparotomy is a safe alternative to traditional minimally invasive approaches in gynecology and offers the additional benefits of shorter intraoperative time and less blood loss; however, it is associated with a significantly higher rate of major wound complications. Mini-laparotomy is an important surgical approach and should be included in gynecologic surgical training.
The Basis of Quality in Muscle Foods RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE FLAVOR OF MEAT

Techniques involved in the study of volatile flavor compounds of cooked meat, including isolation of the volatile flavor compounds, fractionation of the isolated volatiles by gas chromatography and identification of the pure gas chromatographic fractions by infrared and mass spectrometry are reviewed. The volatile compounds identified to date, as components of cooked meat, such as boiled beef and roast beef, are reported. The importance of heterocyclic compounds containing oxygen, nitrogen and sulfur in the ring and pyrazine compounds to the flavor of meat are discussed with their possible mechanisms of formation. The possible use of high pressure liquid chromatography for the fractionation of the less volatile flavor compounds in cooked meat and the many difficulties of this technique are reviewed. The deterioration of flavor during storage and processing as caused by the qualitative and quantitative changes of flavor compounds are discussed with detailed information on the change of flavor compounds during the retorting of beef stew.
Empathy a common ground

Though empathy remains a central concept in psychoanalysis, attempts to explain the operations and functions in the empathic process have been as divergent as the various meanings associated with the term itself. Any explanation of the mechanism of empathy must include how we have access to the inner experience of others or account for the link between the empathizer and the inner state of the object. In this paper, the authors review different models (Freud, 1921; Kohut, 1959; Basch, 1983, 1988; Buie, 1981; Schafer, 1968; Klein, 1946, 1963) of empathic understanding and note that while these models rely on imitation, identification, merger, projection, or inference as the basis of empathic understanding, each implies only an indirect understanding of the states of others. The authors propose a two‐phase model of empathy that differs from those models reviewed in that their position assumes that the perception of emotion in the other is immediately accessible through isomorphic psychological and physical ...
Terror of the Simulacra: Struggles for Justice and the Postmodern

This text is an ethnographic text, if somewhat surreally. It invites the reader, not so much to agree with the evidence and the analysis set forth by its author, but to enter actively into the process of researching one’s own historical and biographically given position within what might be described provisionally as ‘the postmodern scene’ of contemporary America (Kroker & Cook, 1986). It begins with a terrifying fragment of this scene, the image of Lt. Col. Oliver North, Jr., telling the truth about the ‘facts’ of U.S. foreign policy. This scene is terrifying, precisely because for many of us there was an other side, or several, to North’s truth. There was ‘factual’ knowledge of the dead and mutilated bodies of others who opposed this country’s right to imperial domination. And there was the terror that facts of ‘the other side’ make little difference within the consumptive mediascape of postmodern America that any facts are all too easily converted televisually into their opposite and then recirculated ritualistically into a fascinating amalgam of truths. Truths that feed vampirically upon images of apparent contradiction, amassing more and more information, data-banking everything, giving nothing in return, inoculating themselves against structural contradictions with periodic massmediated spectacles of scandal.
Association between KIR genes and risk of MDS.

7001 Background: Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) represents a spectrum of clonal hematopoietic disorders affecting the myeloid lineage, characterized by cytopenias and dysplastic features. MDS is ri...
Medicine in Dr Samuel Johnson's Dictionary of the English Language.

When compiling the Dictionary of the English Language, Johnson read and annotated over two hundred thousand passages from innumerable English authors of various disciplines across four centuries. Most of the literary anecdotes came from Shakespeare, Milton, Dryden and Pope. The medical and scientific anecdotes came from 31 scientists, physicians, pharmacologists and surgeons. This reflects Johnson's admiration for science and its benefit to the public. He told Boswell, ‘Why Sir, if you have but one book with you upon a journey let it be a book of science. When you read through a book of entertainment, you know it, and it can do no more for you, but a book of science is inexhaustible’.
Reduced-Order Models Based on CFD Impulse and Step Responses

Reduced-order models (ROM), which are based on the Volterra theory for nonlinear systems, for the evaluation of nonlinear unsteady aerodynamic forces are presented. The ROMs provide a means for rapid evaluation of frequency-domain generalized aerodynamic forces, which can then be used in traditional flutter analysis schemes to calculate flutter characteristics about nonlinear steady flows. Two ROMs are formulated, an impulse-type ROM that is based on the convolution of ROM kernels with the input signal, and a step-type ROM that is based on convolution with the derivative of the input signal. Linear, first-, and second-order kernels are identified for these two ROMs from direct CFD impulse and step responses. The ROM methodology is demonstrated with the heave and elastic modes of the AGARD 445.6 wing. It was found that the accuracy of the CFD-based impulse response is dependent on the choice of input amplitude and computational time step, and that the impulse-type kernels are highly sensitive to inaccuracies in the impulse responses used for their identification. The step-type ROM was found to be robust, and resulted in good predictions of direct responses. The introduction of second-order kernels did not significantly improve the predictions, indicating a difficulty in performing true nonlinear identification. The use of first-order step-type ROM offered a significant computational time saving compared to the full CFD frequency response analysis.
Eigenvalue Crossing Avoidance in Characteristic Modes

The theory of characteristic modes (TCM) provides a set of eigenvalues and eigenvectors that are determined entirely by a structure’s geometry at a particular frequency. When examining a design over a range of frequencies, consistent interpretation of the modal data is crucial. Here, we present a way of interpreting crossing avoidances observed when tracking characteristic-mode eigenvalue traces over frequency. Using the framework of coupled-mode theory, a method for decomposing a pair of characteristic modes into auxiliary modes is developed. The auxiliary modes have a degeneracy (eigenvalue crossing) and maintain continuity of modal current distributions through the coupling region of the original characteristic modes. We demonstrate several examples using our method on simple objects. Furthermore, we explore the effect of multiplicative noise and lumped reactive loading on induced crossing avoidance.
Two Unusual Conidial Fungi

It occasionally happens, during the routine of collecting and identifying fungi, that a species having an unusual type of conidium and conidiophore is encountered. The two species given brief consideration herein are believed to be quite unlike any with which even well-trained and experienced students of fungi are acquainted, and consequently they are worthy of mention. One of them has been identified as Cephaliophora tropica Thaxter, and the other, as an hitherto undescribed species to which is given the name Ypsilonia corticalis.
Serum Lipid Levels in Rats Fed Vegetable Oils with and without Cholesterol.

Summary1) In adult male albino rats tube feeding diets containing large quantities of vegetable fats of differing degrees of saturation and essential fatty acid content, suggests that serum cholesterol is elevated by increasing saturation and that dietary cholesterol augments this effect for the more saturated oils. Elevation appears transient for the less saturated oils but is more sustained for highly saturated fats. 2) Serum phospholipid values in general are parallel to serum cholesterol values. Only with feeding of fats with lowest I # was there an elevation of phospholipid levels to especially high values as compared with serum cholesterol. This effect is particularly striking for “lab. hardened” cottonseed oil fed with cholesterol. 3) Cholesterol/phospholipid ratio shows no difference between groups fed high I # oils with or without dietary cholesterol. The more saturated fats showed elevation of ratios in groups with added cholesterol above groups fed no cholesterol. Highly saturated fat fed alone...
Synthesis and polymerization of substituted ammonium sulfonate monomers for advanced materials applications.

Sulfonated polymers have found use as ion-exchange membranes for use in fuel cells, water purification, electroactive devices, and inorganic materials templating and synthesis. Improving the materials for these applications and opening up new applications requires the ability to synthesis targeted or more complex sulfonated polymers, which includes tailoring the chemistry (copolymerization across a wider range of solubility) and/or polymer architecture (block, graft, nanoparticle). This article will summarize the recent work using sulfonated monomers with substituted ammonium counterions as a versatile route for enabling this goal. Two main benefits of these monomers are as follows. First, they are useful for preparing amphiphilic copolymers, which is a challenge using traditional acidic or alkali salt forms of sulfonated monomers. Second, sulfonated polymers with substituted ammonium counterions are useful polymers for obtaining unique material properties, such as organo-gelation of low polarity solvents...
Deposition of Thin Film SrFeO2.5+x by Pulsed Laser Ablation

Pulsed laser ablation has been used to deposit thin perovskite films based on the formula: SrFeO2.5+x (x = 0 to ≈ 0.5). Good quality films have been deposited on (1102) and AT cut quartz substrates at temperatures ranging from 300 to 1130 K. Films grown below 770 K showed little or no preferential crystallinity. Temperatures around 913 K produced films predominantly oriented (200), while temperatures greater than 1000 K produced films with (110) orientation. Films were grown from pellets of two compositions (SrFeO2.5, and SrFeO≈3). The former had a higher ablation threshold than the latter. The atmosphere during cooling had a greater effect on the film's oxygen content than the growth atmosphere. Films cooled in vacuum had the brownmillerite structure (x=0), whereas films cooled in 53.3 kPa oxygen had the cubic perovskite structure (x≈0.5).
Intensive Care Unit Management of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Recipients

Severe aortic stenosis is an increasingly prevalent disease that continues to be associated with significant mortality. Transcatheter aortic valve replacements have been used as an alternative to surgical aortic valve replacement in high-risk patients with multiple comorbidities. In this review, we discuss postoperative considerations pertinent to the successful management of these complicated patients in the intensive care unit.
A sociedade civil e os caminhos para a abolição

Through a comparative analysis, this article aims to present an overview of British, French, Russian, American and Brazilian abolitionist action, between the late eighteenth century and throughout the nineteenth century. Indicating the struggles of pro-abolition civil associations, the paths taken in Britain, France, the US and Brazil are presented in parallel - either to emphasize approaches, either to highlight the undeniable peculiarities - revealing the marks of violence and negotiation present in the emancipation process.
Party Activists: Working Elites with Organizational Links to the Masses

Parties in democratic societies need to mobilize their vote to survive, and thus they need to operate in close contact with the voters. As part of this function parties need to persuade the public to be involved in the electoral process and, hopefully, to understand and approve, at least in a general sense, the party’s policies and leaders. Securing and maintaining mass support and participation is a continuous and complex set of tasks. There need to be actors in the party organization who assume these tasks and responsibilities. As Rosenstone and Hansen put it, “people participate in electoral politics because someone encourages or inspires them to take part.”1
Auditory Brainstem Response Thresholds to Air- and Bone-Conducted CE-Chirps in Neonates and Adults.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to compare auditory brainstem response (ABR) thresholds to air- and bone-conducted CE-Chirps in neonates and adults. Method Thirty-two neonates with no physical or neurologic challenges and 20 adults with normal hearing participated. ABRs were acquired with a starting intensity of 30 dB normal hearing level (nHL). The lowest stimulus intensity level at which a wave V was identifiable and replicable was considered the ABR threshold. Results ABR thresholds to air-conducted CE-Chirps were 9.8 dB nHL for neonates and adults. ABR thresholds to bone-conducted CE-Chirps were 3.8 and 13.8 dB nHL for neonates and adults, respectively. The difference in ABR thresholds to bone-conducted CE-Chirps was significantly different (p < .0001, ηp 2 = .45). Adults had significantly larger wave V amplitudes to air- (p < .0001, ηp 2 = .50) and bone-conducted (p = .013, ηp 2 = .15) CE-Chirps at a stimulus intensity of 30 dB nHL. At the same intensity, adults evidenced significantly shorter ...
The influence of alkali–silica reaction (ASR) gel composition on its hydrophilic properties and free swelling in contact with water vapor

Abstract Synthetic ASR gels with 20 different chemical compositions similar to those found in field concretes were produced, and the effects of composition (i.e., Ca/Si, Na/Si and K/Si) on their hydrophilic and swelling behavior were investigated. Minibar gel specimens were cast and tested for time dependent measurement of the free swelling strain and weight change of the gels when exposed to 95% RH. The equilibrium relative humidity (ERH) of the gels was also measured for assessing their hydrophilic potential. The results suggest that higher Na/Si and K/Si increase the free swelling and water absorption of the gels, and reduce their ERH. Ca/Si showed a multi–episode effect on the swelling and water absorption of the gels, while showing no significant effect on their ERH. Discussions on the observed effects are provided and regression models for predicting the swelling and hydrophilic properties of the gels are developed.
Recruiting participants for child abuse research : What does it take?

Recruiting participants for child abuse research and tracking them over time require extensive efforts and perseverance. This paper documents the results of strategies used in a longitudinal study of child abuse. The study sample consisted of a group of school-age abused children and their mothers and a matched comparison group of nonabused children and their mothers. Consent rates were lower for abusing families than for nonabusing comparison families. Among abusing families, those in the sexual abuse group were more difficult to recruit than those in the physical abuse or neglect groups. Even after obtaining consent, successfully completing interviews required persistence, particularly for the abuse group. Retention over time was highly successful as a result of considerable efforts to maintain contact with respondents. Researchers would benefit from more published accounts of study procedures regarding sample recruitment and maintenance.
Short-Term Clinical Results of Ab Interno Trabeculotomy Using the Trabectome with or without Cataract Surgery for Open-Angle Glaucoma Patients of High Intraocular Pressure

Purpose. To assess the safety and efficacy of Trabectome procedure in patients with preoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) of 30 mmHg or higher. Methods. All patients who had underwent Trabectome stand-alone or Trabectome combined with phacoemulsification were included. Survival analysis was performed by using Kaplan-Meier, and success was defined as IOP ≤ 21 mmHg, 20% or more IOP reduction from baseline for any two consecutive visits after 3 months, and no secondary glaucoma surgery. Results. A total of 49 cases were included with an average age of 66 (range: 13–91). 28 cases had Trabectome stand-alone and 21 cases had Trabectome combined with phacoemulsification. Mean IOP was reduced from a baseline of 35.6 ± 6.3 mmHg to 16.8 ± 3.8 mmHg at 12 months ( ), while the number of medications was reduced from 3.1 ± 1.3 to 1.8 ± 1.4 ( ). Survival rate at 12 months was 80%. 9 cases required secondary glaucoma surgery, and 1 case was reported with hypotony at day one, but resolved within one week. Conclusion. Trabectome seems to be safe and effective in patients with preoperative IOP of 30 mmHg or greater. Even in this cohort with high preoperative IOP, the end result is a mean IOP in the physiologic range.
Shape coexistence and mixing in 96 Zr

I have performed a reanalysis of mixing between the first two ${0}^{+}$ and ${2}^{+}$ states in $^{96}\mathrm{Zr}$. My mixing amplitude for the ${0}^{+}$ states is about three times a recent value, although both are small. My mixing is consistent with the $E0$ strength connecting the two ${0}^{+}$ states, whereas the earlier mixing gives an $E0$ strength that is too small by an order of magnitude.
Test-driven roles for pair programming

The driver/navigator model of pair programming needs to be revised. We propose a model of programming in pairs where roles are based on test-driven development. Each programmer uses a different view of a shared development environment. One member of the pair writes tests, while the other implements the system. The programmers can cooperate as needed and move between different collaboration modalities. As part of a user-centered design process, we built a prototype web-based collaborative development environment for test-driven pair programming and ran a user study with professional software developers to evaluate the idea and identify research challenges. We used existing vocabularies and developed two novel visualizations to analyze the data, and found that the approach is feasible.
Adverse family experiences and flourishing amongst children ages 6–17 years: 2011/12 National Survey of Children’s Health

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are prevalent in the population and linked to various negative long-term health and social consequences. However, due to the retrospective nature of most studies on the topic, little is currently known regarding ACEs' immediate health impact. This study aims to provide insight into this area by examining the association between a new measurement, Adverse Family Experiences (AFEs), and flourishing amongst children ages 6-17 years in the United States. Data from the 2011/12 National Survey of Children's Health were analyzed. Adjusted prevalence ratios assessed flourishing by the number of AFEs (0 events versus 1, 2, 3/3+) controlling for individual/household characteristics. A sub-analysis examined characteristics of flourishing children ages 12-17 years with 3/3+ AFEs. The results showed children with 1 AFE (APR=0.87; 95% CI=0.83-0.91), 2 AFEs (0.74; 0.69-0.79), and 3/3+ AFEs (0.68; 0.62-0.72) were less likely to flourish compared to those without any AFEs. Sub-analysis of children ages 12-17 years with 3/3+ AFEs revealed a higher proportion of flourishing children volunteering, participating in extracurricular activities, and working for pay compared to those who did not flourish. Findings show significant differences in flourishing by number of AFEs and suggest that social connectedness may play a role in determining flourishing amongst children with 3/3+ AFEs. Furthermore, the results highlight the potential importance of identifying children with high AFE counts and helping them build resilience outside of the home.
Evicted: Poverty and profit in the American city, by Matthew Desmond: New York, NY, Crown, 2016

Harvard sociologist Matthew Desmond has written a monumental book about poverty in the inner city focused on housing evictions. As a graduate student at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, he chos...
Medici Women: The Making of a Dynasty in Grand Ducal Tuscany. Edited by Giovanna Benadusi and Judith C. Brown. Translated by Monica Chojnacaka. (Toronto, Canada: Centre for Reformation and Renaissance Studies, 2015. Pp. 380. $45.95.)

The ten essays in Medici Women: The Making of a Dynasty in Grand Ducal Tuscany profile nine donne illustre of the Medici house, highlighting the way in which they contributed to the consolidation a...
State Space Modeling in an Open Source, Modular, Structural Equation Modeling Environment

State space models (SSMs) are introduced in the context of structural equation modeling (SEM). In particular, the OpenMx implementation of SSMs using the Kalman filter and prediction error decompos...
Outcomes After Cardiac Transplant for Wild Type Transthyretin Amyloidosis.

BackgroundThe true prevalence of heart failure due to wild type transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTRwt) is likely underestimated. There is a paucity of data with regard to the management of ATTRwt-related advanced heart failure and the natural history of extracardiac ATTRwt.MethodsWe conducted a retrospe
Losing good citizens: the enabling effect of organisational citizenship on the job search-employee turnover relationship

The present study extends research and theory on the contingencies that influence turnover from an organisation. Applying perspectives from impression management and social exchange, the study investigates the impact of employee organisational citizenship behaviour on the relationship between job seeking and voluntary turnover. Data was gathered on employees in a US office of a global financial institution. Empirical results indicated that, as individuals high in organisational citizenship behaviour engaged in job seeking, they were more likely to voluntarily turnover from the organisation. The findings suggest that 'good' organisational citizens enjoy more mobility as a result of job seeking when compared to those less inclined to citizenship behaviours, independent of their actual in-role performance or level of job satisfaction. This study has implications for management's understanding of how organisational citizenship behaviours contribute to the turnover of employees.
OPTIMUM INVARIANT TESTS IN MIXED LINEAR MODELS WITH TWO VARIANCE COMPONENTS

In a mixed linear model with two variance components, optimum invariant tests are derived for the significance of a variance component for one-sided and two-sided alternatives. When the alternative is one-sided, a locally best invariant (LBI) test always exists, which is uniformly most powerful invariant (UMPI) under a condition. Under the same condition, a uniformly most powerful invariant unbiased test exists for the two sided alternative and without this condition, a locally best invariant unbiased test can be obtained. The LBI and UMPI character of Wald's variance component test is also investigated. The results are applied to some Anova models, a model from genetics and the nearest neighbor correlation model.
Methotrexate causes persistent deficits in memory and executive function in a juvenile animal model

Methotrexate is a dihydrofolate reductase inhibitor widely employed in curative treatment for children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). However, methotrexate administration is also associated with persistent cognitive deficits among long-term childhood cancer survivors. Animal models of methotrexate-induced cognitive deficits have primarily utilized adult animals. The purpose of present study is to investigate the neurotoxicity of methotrexate in juvenile rats and its relevant mechanisms. The doses and schedule of systemic and intrathecal methotrexate, given from post-natal age 3-7 weeks, were chosen to model the effects of repeated methotrexate dosing on the developing brains of young children with ALL. This methotrexate regimen had no visible acute toxicity and no effect on growth. At 15 weeks of age (8 weeks after the last methotrexate dose) both spatial pattern memory and visual recognition memory were impaired. In addition, methotrexate-treated animals demonstrated impaired performance in the set-shifting assay, indicating decreased cognitive flexibility. Histopathological analysis demonstrated decreased cell proliferation in methotrexate-treated animals compared to controls, as well as changes in length and thickness of the corpus callosum. Moreover, methotrexate suppressed microglia activation and RANTES production. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that a clinically relevant regimen of systemic and intrathecal methotrexate induces persistent deficits in spatial pattern memory, visual recognition memory and executive function, lasting at least 8 weeks after the last injection. The mechanisms behind methotrexate-induced deficits are likely multifactorial and may relate to suppression of neurogenesis, alterations in neuroinflammation and microglial activation, and structural changes in the corpus callosum.
A How-To Guide for Promoting Diversity and Inclusion in Biomedical Engineering

To accelerate the development of an inclusive culture in biomedical engineering (BME), we must accept complexity, seek to understand our own privilege, speak out about diversity, learn the difference between intent and impact, accept our mistakes, and learn how to engage in difficult conversations. In turn, we will be rewarded by the ideas, designs, devices and discoveries of a new generation of problem solvers and thought leaders who bring diverse experiences and perspectives.
Eligibility criteria for phase I clinical trials: tight vs loose?

The purpose of the current study is to analyze a series of phase I cancer clinical trials, examine and compare trial protocols based on patients’ eligibility criteria. We evaluated all dose escalation phase I trial protocols with accessible or published results performed at Institute for Drug Development, Cancer Therapy and Research Center (San Antonio) between 1991 and 2016. Study protocols were categorized as non-restrictive (NRP) or restrictive (RP) based on several eligibility parameters. Fisher’s Exact and Chi-square tests were used to compare characteristics of NRP and RP. Of 284 protocols screened, 231 dose escalation phase I trial protocols (with accessible results) of solid tumors were included in this review. There were 145 NRP (involving 3190 patients) and 86 RP (involving 1892 patients). The median number of exclusion criteria for NRP and RP were 14 and 23, respectively. The most common reasons that made trial protocol to be restrictive were ECOG ≤ 1, strict requirements for renal or hepatic function (≤ 2.5 times upper limit of normal) and exclusion of subjects with brain metastases. The median accrual time for NRP was significantly shorter as compared to RP (17 vs 26 months). The median number of dose levels explored in NRP and RP were 9 and 6, respectively. RP had a higher screen failure as well as premature closure rate. The rates of DLTs, SAEs, toxicity-related death and response were not different between the two groups. Our study findings are in support of devising well thought and justified phase I study eligibility criteria.
Abstract 025: Anti-Apolipoprotein A-I Antibody Profiles Predict Cardiovascular Disease Outcomes in Patients and in a Mouse Model of Atherosclerosis

Apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA-I) is the target of antibody induction in patients suffering from chronic inflammation associated with obesity, autoimmunity and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Anti-ApoA-I a...
Transfer Learning Using Raw Waveform Sincnet for Robust Speaker Diarization

Speaker diarization tells who spoke and whenƒ in an audio stream. SincNet is a recently developed novel convolutional neural network (CNN) architecture where the first layer consists of parameterized sinc filters. Unlike conventional CNNs, SincNet take raw speech waveform as input. This paper leverages SincNet in vanilla transfer learning (VTL) setup. Out-domain data is used for training SincNet-VTL to perform frame-level speaker classification. Trained SincNet-VTL is later utilized as feature extractor for in-domain data. We investigated pooling (max, avg) strategies for deriving utterance-level embedding using frame-level features extracted from trained network. These utterance/segment level embedding are adopted as speaker models during clustering stage in diarization pipeline. We compared the proposed SincNet-VTL embedding with baseline i-vector features. We evaluated our approaches on two corpora, CRSS-PLTL and AMI. Results show the efficacy of trained SincNet-VTL for speaker-discriminative embedding even when trained on small amount of data. Proposed features achieved relative DER improvements of 19.12% and 52.07% for CRSS-PLTL and AMI data, respectively over baseline i-vectors.
The Trouble with Anesthetizing the Dead.

I reflect on the practical reality of anesthetizing organ donors who have been declared dead by neurologic criteria. I also treat some issues and questions that arise for the physician who is draft...
THE RISE OF CYBORG CULTURE OR THE BOMB WAS A CYBORG

Pictured by the author as a cybernetic rather than an atomic age, the Cold War is shown to be structured by the quest for a cybernetic modelling of human intelligence capable to eliminate uncertainty. The rise of the cyborg figure in science fiction is brought into consideration as an illustration.
Patient perception of physician empathy in stroke telemedicine.

IntroductionWe assessed patients’ perceptions of physician empathy during telemedicine consultations as compared to in-person consultations during clinical encounters for acute stroke.MethodsThis p...
Genetics of the Alzheimer amyloid protein precursor.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by gradual loss of memory, reasoning, orientation, and judgment (Katzman, 1983). AD generally occurs as a sporadic disorder of unknown cause. However, a proportion of cases, which have been termed familial Alzheimer’s disease (FAD), are caused by a genetic defect that is transmitted in an autosomal dominant fashion (Heston et al., 1981), and that has been mapped to chromosome 21 (St. George-Hyslop, 1987a). One of the hallmarks of AD is the presence of numerous neuritic plaques in postmortem brain tissue that are revealed by neuropathological examination (Glenner, 1983). The degree of intellectual impairment in patients appears to be correlated with the frequency of neuritic plaques in the cortex (Roch et al., 1966). The mature neuritic plaque consists of degenerating axons and neurites surrounding an amyloid plaque core (APC) composed of 5- to 10-nm filaments (Mertz et al., 1983) that stain with Congo red (Terry et al., 1981). Similar filaments are also found outside of plaques as independent bundles in the cortical neuropil and in the walls of meningeal and intracortical blood vessels [termed cerebrovascular amyloid (CVA)] (Glenner, 1983). A 4.2-kD polypeptide, called the β protein (due to its partial β-pleated sheet structure), has been isolated from both CA and APC. An identical 28-amino acid sequence (with the exception of a Glu to Gln substitution) was obtained from the CA and APC β proteins, suggesting a possible common origin for both types of amyloid (Glenner and Wong, 1984a, 1984b; Masters et al., 1985). The brains of aged individuals with Down syndrome (DS, trisomy 21) also have both APC and CA that contain a β protein with the same stretch of 28 amino acids (Glenner and Wong, 1984b; Masters et al., 1985); this similarity indicates that a common mechanism may underlie the formation of amyloid in AD and DS.
Carotid Endarterectomy in a Patient with Recent Minor Stroke Due to Unstable High Plaque

Carotid endarterectomy was performed for recent minor stroke associated with high plaque. Steps for exposure of distal internal carotid artery in the neck are described. Types of cranial nerve injury following carotid endarterectomy are discussed.
A spectroscopic study on the interaction between upconversion nanoparticles and plasmonic nanostructure

In order to overcome the low quantum yield of upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs), plasmonic nanostructures have been used due to their strongly modified local E-field. However, the complex nature of plasmon-upconversion interaction by field enhancement and luminescence quenching is not well appreciated in general. Here, we present a spectroscopic study on the interaction between NaYF4:Yb3+,Er3+ UCNPs and gold nanostructures. The luminescence is monitored as the nanostructure geometry is varied. The interplay between the positive effect of local field enhancement and the negative effect of luminescence quenching is carefully analyzed by numerical simulations and rate equation analysis.
Wie wir wohnen und leben

Immer mehr Menschen wohnen in Stadten, bis 2050 werden dort fast 70 % der Weltbevolkerung leben. Was fur viele Menschen, die in die Stadte ziehen, eine Zunahme ihrer Lebensqualitat bedeutet, stellt auch eine Herausforderung dar. Menschen, die in grosen Stadten aufwachsen, haben ein hoheres Risiko, an einer psychischen Storung zu erkranken, und das Leben in der Stadt ist mit erhohtem psychosozialen Stress assoziiert. Stadter erkranken an den meisten psychischen Erkrankungen haufiger. Eine grune Umgebung wiederum reduziert diese Risiken und ist mit besserer kognitiver Leistung assoziiert. Planer der Stadte der Zukunft, vor allem in den explodierenden Megastadten Asiens und Afrikas, mussen diesen Beobachtungen Rechnung tragen, wenn wir nicht mit einer immer hoheren Krankheitslast durch psychische Erkrankungen umgehen wollen.
The impact of photon flight path on S1 pulse shape analysis in liquid xenon two-phase detectors

The LUX dark matter search experiment is a 350 kg dual-phase xenon time projection chamber located at the 4850 ft level of the Sanford Underground Research Facility in Lead, SD. The success of two-phase xenon detectors for dark matter searches relies on their ability to distinguish electron recoil (ER) background events from nuclear recoil (NR) signal events. Typically, the NR-ER discrimination is obtained from the ratio of the electroluminescence light (S2) to the prompt scintillation light (S1). Analysis of the S1 pulse shape is an additional discrimination technique that can be used to distinguish NR from ER. Pulse-shape NR-ER discrimination can be achieved based on the ratio of the de-excitation processes from singlet and triplet states that generate the S1. The NR S1 is dominated by the de-excitation process from singlet states with a time constant of about 3 ns while the ER S1 is dominated by the de-excitation process from triplet states with a time constant of about 24 ns. As the size of the detectors increases, the variation in the S1 photon flight path can become comparable to these decay constants, reducing the utility of pulse-shape analysis to separate NR from ER. The effect of path length variations in the LUX detector has been studied using the results of simulations and the impact on the S1 pulse shape analysis is discussed.
Patterns of Nanoflare Storm Heating Exhibited by an Active Region Observed with Solar Dynamics Observatory/Atmospheric Imaging Assembly

It is largely agreed that many coronal loops-those observed at a temperature of about 1 MK-are bundles of unresolved strands that are heated by storms of impulsive nanoflares. The nature of coronal heating in hotter loops and in the very important but largely ignored diffuse component of active regions is much less clear. Are these regions also heated impulsively, or is the heating quasi-steady? The spectacular new data from the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) telescopes on the Solar Dynamics Observatory offer an excellent opportunity to address this question. We analyze the light curves of coronal loops and the diffuse corona in six different AIA channels and compare them with the predicted light curves from theoretical models. Light curves in the different AIA channels reach their peak intensities with predictable orderings as a function the nanoflare storm properties. We show that while some sets of light curves exhibit clear evidence of cooling after nanoflare storms, other cases are less straightforward to interpret. Complications arise because of line-of-sight integration through many different structures, the broadband nature of the AIA channels, and because physical properties can change substantially depending on the magnitude of the energy release. Nevertheless, the light curves exhibit predictable andmore » understandable patterns consistent with impulsive nanoflare heating.« less
LET and Range Characteristics of Proton Recoil Ions in Gallium Nitride (GaN)

A better understanding of the linear energy transfer (LET) and the range of proton recoil ions in gallium nitride (GaN) is necessary to properly evaluate GaN device radiation tolerance. By analyzing the LET and range of recoil heavy ions in GaN, we can begin to reproduce the body of knowledge that exists for Si-based devices for this upcoming technology. Although the previous data on older technology has impressive depth and breadth, we must be diligent and cautious in the application of these institutional intuitions when applied to emerging technologies such as GaN. As ever increasing materials science advances emerge, a sound methodology for evaluating new technologies must be established in order to apply what we know toward the effort of ensuring radiation tolerance.
Explicating self-phones: Dimensions and correlates of smartphone self-extension:

Given its role as a constant companion, the mobile phone has long been thought of as an extension of the self. However, the psychology of smartphone self-extension has received relatively little at...
Food Versus Biomass Fuel: Socioeconomic and Environmental Impacts in the United States, Brazil, India, and Kenya

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the use of biomass as both a food and an energy source in the United States, Brazil, India, and Kenya. Biomass from forests and other sources is produced from incoming solar energy if temperature, soil, water, and biological resources are suitable for biomass production. The conversion of biomass to ethanol, biogas, and heat is discussed in detail. Attempts are made to make a detailed analysis of the socio-economic benefits and costs of the Brazilian alcohol fuels program, which is frequently cited as demonstrating the benefits of biomass energy. In addition, some data on the socio-economic impact of biomass energy use are presented for the United States. The removal of biomass from land for energy production increases the effects of wind and water degradation, flooding, and nutrient loss through top soil erosion. It also affects wildlife communities by disrupting their natural ecosystems and threatens the health of some human populations. These and other threats to the environment from biomass energy production are assessed in this chapter. There is need for improved environmental policies to reduce soil erosion, water runoff, and the numerous other problems associated with biomass food and fuel production. Clearly, the trade-offs between the biomass food–fuel mix, social-economic needs, and the environment must be carefully assessed. Some balance in the biomass food-fuel complex can be achieved if the total system is examined and managed in a holistic manner.
Mobile OGSI.NET: Grid Computing on Mobile Devices

The problem with the grid is that it does not currently extend completely to devices, because these devices are not viewed as having sufficient capability to be both clients and services. We design, implement and evaluate Mobile OGSI.NET, which extends an implementation of grid computing, OGSI.NET, to mobile devices. Mobile OGSI.NET addresses the mobile devices' resource limitations and intermittent network connectivity, factors which differentiate them from traditional computers. Because Mobile OGSI.NET uniquely supports the hosting of grid services on the device, Mobile OGSI.NET is an important step toward making the mobile device a first-class entity in grids based on OGSI or the Web Services Resource Framework (WSRF).
Titular Space in J.M. Coetzee's Summertime : A Maquette for a Portrait, or a Self-Portrait, of the Artist Finding his Feet

This essay considers the title of J.M. Coetzee’s Summertime from the perspective of a remark Coetzee makes in Doubling the Point that ‘all writing is autobiographical,’ and posits a concept of ‘titular space’ tropologically exceeding the ‘reality effect’ envisaged by Roland Barthes.
Intrinsic Representation: Bootstrapping Symbols from Experience

If we are to understand human-level intelligence, we need to understand how meanings can be learned without explicit instruction. I take a step toward that understanding by showing how symbols can emerge from a system that looks for regularity in the experiences of its visual and proprioceptive sensory systems. More specifically, the implemented system builds descriptions up from low-level perceptual information and, without supervision, discovers regularities in that information. Then, the system, with supervision, associates the regularity with symbolic tags. Experiments conducted with the implementation shows that it successfully learns symbols corresponding to blocks in a simple 2D blocks world, and learns to associate the position of its eye with the position of its arm.
Predicting criminal relationships using multivariate survival analysis

Criminal networks evolve over time with the formation and dissolution of links to survive control efforts by government authorities. Previous studies have shown that the link formation process in such networks is influenced by a set of facilitators. However, there have been few empirical evaluations to determine the significant facilitators. In this study, we used dynamic social network analysis methods to examine several plausible link formation facilitators in a large-scale real-world narcotics network. Multivariate Cox regression showed that mutual acquaintance and vehicle affiliations were significant facilitators in the network under study. The findings shown in this poster can help government authorities automatically predict co-offending relationships in future crimes.
Cardiac Disease in Chronic Uremia: Epidemiology

Cardiac abnormalities develop during chronic renal failure. The prevalence of ischemic heart disease, cardiac failure, and left ventricular disorders is high among patients initiating end-stage renal disease (ESRD) therapy, and appears to be getting higher. Age, gender, race, diabetes, and possibly geographic location are predictive of the presence of several cardiac conditions. Cardiac morbidity after the initiation of ESRD therapy is high, and cardiac causes are the most common reported cause of death. Cardiac abnormalities present on starting dialysis contribute to this morbidity and mortality. In epidemiological studies, higher cardiac death rates have also been associated with dialysis rather than transplantation as mode of ESRD therapy, peritoneal rather than hemodialysis, lower dose of dialysis, and unmodified cellulose rather than modified cellulose/synthetic hemodialysis membranes.