cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fashioning the Duchess of Alba: Vicarious Thrills and Sartorial Flirtations during the Spanish Enlightenment

AbstractBy examining Francisco de Goya's The Duchess of Alba as a Maja (1797), I investigate how the duchess’ fascination for and experiences with popular Spanish customs and dress relate to the general shift in aristocratic taste for folkloric traditions during the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. Alba fashioned herself in part after the fiery maja, whose notorious behavior could be utilized by her for personal and political purposes to experience vicariously the supposed libertine lifestyle of the lower classes. I suggest that this vicarious act—both imagined (in works of art) and real (at the bullfight)—serves as a flirtatious role-play emblematic of aristocrats during the Enlightenment. By focusing on her promotion of nationalistic traits and heroes in her style, patronage, and activities, I consider Alba's fashionable individualism in relation to the broad theme of female agency in the 1700s. Notwithstanding the rumors surrounding the duchess’ life, I argue Alba's vital role as a trendsette...
Epidemiology of iron deficiency anemia in Zanzibari schoolchildren: the importance of hookworms.

Anemia is estimated to affect one-half of school-age children in developing countries. The school years are an opportune time to intervene, and interventions must be based on sound epidemiologic understanding of the problem in this age group. We report on the distribution of iron deficiency and anemia across age, sex, anthropometric indexes, and parasitic infections in a representative sample of 3595 schoolchildren from Pemba Is- land, Zanzibar. Iron status was assessed by hemoglobin, erythro- cyte protoporphyrin (EP), and serum ferritin concentrations from a venous blood sample. Overall, 62.3% of children were anemic (hemoglobin 90 jsmol/mol heme) was 48.5%, and the prevalence of exhausted iron stores (serum ferritin < 12 �g/L) was 41.3%. In bivariate analyses, iron status was slightly better in girls than in boys, and was better in children aged 7-1 1 y than in those older or younger. Hemoglobin but not EP or serum ferritin con- centrations were lower in stunted children. Infection with malaria, Trichuris trichiura, Ascaris /umbricoides, and hookworms were all associated with worse iron status; the association with hookworms was strongest by far. In multivariate analyses, hookworm infection intensity was the strongest explanatory variable for hemoglobin, EP, and serum ferritin. Sex, malarial parasitemia, A. /u,nbricoides infection, and stunting were also retained in the multivariatc model for hemoglobin. Twenty-five percent of all anemia, 35% of iron deficiency anemia, and 73% of severe anemia were attributable to hookworm infection; < 10% of anemia was attributable to A. /umbricoides, malaria infection, or stunting. We conclude that anthelminthic therapy is an essential component of anemia control in schoolchildren in whom hookworms are endemic, and should be complemented with school-based iron supplementation. Am J C/in Nutr l997;65:l53-9.
Choosing the best oral contraceptive.

This guide to choice of oral contraceptives for U.S. clinicians includes a review of the available types of pills the pharmacology of the steroids in pills safety issues regarding thrombosis arterial disease and hypertension related to estrogens and progestins in pills common side effects and therapeutic uses of orals. Choice of an oral contraceptive narrows down to which of the 5 available progestins and their formulation since all contain ethinyl estradiol as the estrogen. While Briggs theory espoused picking a pill with the minimal metabolic effect recent evidence suggests that some estrogenic activity may be preferable to the unopposed progestagen actually an anti-estrogenic receptor effect to prevent adverse lipid and blood pressure effects in users. Current pills with low doses of estrogens probably are not significant risks for women as regards thrombosis particularly if predisposed women and smokers are excluded. Pills containing 0.35 mg ethinyl estradiol and 0.5 mg norethindrone based on large population trials are probably the minimal effective dose yet even these are more effective than most other contraceptive methods. Breakthrough bleeding and spotting have been further minimized however with multiphasic pills. It is best to start with a 0.30-0.35 mg estrogen oral contraceptive such as Loestrin Demulin Orthonovum 1.35 Orthonovum 7/7/7 or Nordette encouraging the patient to accept early side effects for 3 months before switching to others. Disorders that can be managed with oral contraceptives include recurring and pre-existing ovarian cysts endometriosis dysfunctional uterine bleeding and dysmenorrhea. Brief guidelines for handling normal side effects and treatment of the above disorders are included.
Progress and Paradigm Shifts in Spatial Vision over the 20 Years of Ecvp

In the beginning there was light, and form, and visual mechanisms. This paper traces developments in research on spatial vision over the 20 years of ECVP, with particular emphasis on (1) hyperacuity, (2) peripheral vision, (3) amblyopia and development, and (4) learning and plasticity.
A Comparative Study of Resource Teacher Job Descriptions and Administrators' Perceptions of Resource Teacher Responsibilities

Although most students with learning disabilities receive their special education services through resource programs, several critical aspects of this service delivery approach have not been investigated. For example, informal expectations for resource teacher job performance have been examined through studies of educators' perceptions of resource teachers' role responsibilities, but little attention has been given to the formal expectations as included in written resource teacher job descriptions. This study compared such written job description information with perceived resource teacher job requirements. Seventy-six resource program descriptions were content analyzed to identify teacher duties in four areas: direct instruction, assessment, administration, and indirect service. These duties were then compared to administrators' perceptions of resource teachers' responsibilities. The chi-square analyses indicated that significant differences existed between the formal and informal expectations, with far ...
Assessment of tissue fibrosis in skin biopsies from patients with systemic sclerosis employing confocal laser scanning microscopy: an objective outcome measure for clinical trials?

Objectives. To obtain an objective, unbiased assessment of skin fibrosis in patients with SSc for use in clinical trials of SSc disease-modifying therapeutics. Methods. Skin biopsies from the dorsal forearm of six patients with diffuse SSc and six healthy controls, and skin biopsies from the forearm of one patient with diffuse SSc before and following 1 year treatment with mycophenolate mofetil were analysed by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) with specific antibodies against collagen types I and III or fibronectin. The integrated density of fluorescence (IDF) was calculated employing National Institutes of Health-ImageJ software in at least four different fields per biopsy spanning the full dermal thickness. Results. The intensities of collagen types I and III and fibronectin IDF were 174, 147 and 139% higher in SSc skin than in normal skin, respectively. All differences were statistically significant. The sum of the IDF values obtained for the three proteins yielded a comprehensive fibrosis score. The average fibrosis score for the six SSc samples was 28.3 × 106 compared with 18.6 × 106 for the six normal skin samples (P < 0.0001). Comparison of skin biopsies obtained from the same SSc patient before treatment and after 12 months of treatment with mycophenolate mofetil showed a reduction of 39% in total fibrosis score after treatment. Conclusions. CLSM followed by quantitative image analysis provides an objective and unbiased assessment of skin fibrosis in SSc and could be a useful end-point for clinical trials with disease-modifying agents to monitor the response or progression of the disease.
Using the probabilistic logic programming language P-log for causal and counterfactual reasoning and non-naive conditioning

P-log is a probabilistic logic programming language, which combines both logic programming style knowledge representation and probabilistic reasoning. In earlier papers various advantages of P-log have been discussed. In this paper we further elaborate on the KR prowess of P-log by showing that: (i) it can be used for causal and counterfactual reasoning and (ii) it provides an elaboration tolerant way for non-naive conditioning.
10 Gb/s SCM system using optical single side-band modulation

A 10 Gb/s subcarrier multiplexing (SCM) long-haul optical system is reported. 4/spl times/2.5 Gb/s data streams are combined into one wavelength, which occupies a 20 GHz optical bandwidth. Optical single sideband modulation (SSB) is used to increase bandwidth efficiency and reduce dispersion penalty.
Integrated methodology for evaluation of energy performance of the building enclosures: part 3 — uncertainty in thermal measurements

Thermal performance of building enclosure is typically based on laboratory tests performed on dry materials without consideration of air and moisture movement through the assembly. To address the field performance of the assembly, however, one must combine measurements and hygrothermal modeling. Hygrothermal models are necessary to include effects of climate and in particular the effects of moisture movement on thermal performance. Full-scale testing is necessary to relate findings of the models to actual construction details. The first paper in this series (Bomberg and Thorsell, 2008) introduced a test program that starting with benchmarking of the R-value of the tested wall in standard conditions, examined the effects of air flow on its thermal performance. This test program does not use the average R-values of the wall as it is in the ASTM testing, but measures local thermal resistance in selected places and calculates the average R-values. The second paper in this series (Thorsell and Bomberg, 2008) a...
Quantifying locality effect in data access delay: memory logP

The application of hardware-parameterized models to distributed systems can result in omission of key bottlenecks such as the full cost of inter-node communication in a shared memory cluster. However, inclusion in the model of message characteristics and complex memory hierarchies may result in impractical models. Nonetheless, the growing gap between memory and CPU performance combined with the trend toward large scale clustered shared memory platforms implies an increased need to consider the impact of local memory communication on parallel processing in distributed systems. We present a simple and useful model of point-to-point memory communication to predict and analyze the latency of memory copy, pack and unpack. We use the model to isolate contributions of hardware, middleware, and software to data transfers on Intel- and MIPS-based platforms.
The effect of doxycycline on shedding of the glycocalyx due to reactive oxygen species.

Abstract The structure and composition of the endothelial cell (EC) glycocalyx reflect a balance of the biosynthesis of glycans and their shear dependent removal. Shedding of glycans from the EC surface has been shown to occur in response to reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inflammatory mediators. Using sub-antimicrobial doses of doxycycline, a broad spectrum matrix metalloprotease (MMP) inhibitor, inhibition of chemoattractant induced glycan shedding has suggested that MMPs may be a major effector of the loss of glycans. However, it has also been reported that doxycycline is a scavenger of ROS that may also activate MMPs. To clarify the basis for doxycycline as an inhibitor of glycan shedding, the present studies were undertaken to determine its effect on ROS induced shedding in post-capillary venules of the exteriorized mesentery of the rat. To this end, hypoxanthine (HX) and xanthine oxidase (XO) were rapidly mixed on the mesenteric surface for a 2 min period to generate superoxide anion (O2− ·) and the time course of glycan shedding was monitored in post-capillary venules over a 30 min period. Glycan shedding was quantitated by loss of adherent fluorescently labeled lectin coated microspheres (FLMs, 0.1 μm diameter) that were systemically infused. It was found that HX/XO caused FLM adhesion to decrease 45% within 30 min. This effect could be inhibited in a dose dependent manner by the addition of superoxide dismutase to the superfusion solution, thus confirming the role of O2− ·. In contrast, 0.5 μM doxycycline had no effect on FLM shedding in response to HX/XO, contrary to its ability to attenuate shedding in response to the chemoattractant fMLP. Thus it is suggested that the efficacy of doxycycline as an inhibitor of glycan shedding during inflammation arises from its ability to inhibit MMP activation.
Maternal Experience of Interactions With Providers Among Mothers With Milk Supply Concern

Background.Milk supply concern is the most common reason given by mothers for discontinuing breastfeeding.Objectives.To describe maternal experiences of interactions with health care providers related to milk supply.Patients and methods.Ten focus groups (N = 56 participants) were conducted among mothers who had had milk supply concern in the first month after birth. Group sessions were audio-recorded, transcribed, coded, and analyzed to identify themes.Results.Interactions regarding milk supply concern evoked strong emotions, including gratitude, guilt, disappointment, and fear, and measurement of infant weight was frequently reported as a trigger for these emotions. Some mothers reported that experiencing “pressure” and “guilt” when providers emphasized exclusive breastfeeding led to suboptimal breastfeeding choices.Conclusions.Interactions with providers about milk supply concern evoke strong emotions among mothers. Providers should be aware that how they communicate routine advice regarding infant weig...
V-band monolithic IMPATT VCO

Integration of a GaAs IMPATT oscillator and a varactor diode on a single chip is reported. The IMPATT oscillator was in the form of a half-wavelength microstrip resonator excited on both ends symmetrically by a pair of diodes. A third diode was placed close to one end of the resonator and used to control the oscillation frequency of the oscillator through a coupling capacitor. Depending on the value of the coupling capacitor, tuning ranges of up to 1.5 GHz could be obtained at a center frequency of 55 GHz. Typical output powers were in the 100 to 400 mW range. >
Improved Temperature Stability of Microwave Properties in Tunable Devices Using Substituted Ba 1− x Sr x TiO 3

An improvement in ferroelectric device technology has become possible through optimization of the properties of the ferroelectric materials used to make the devices. The improvements discussed herein impact true time delay line and phase shifter performance by enhancing control over dielectric constant and extending the temperature range of tunability and device operation. Figures of merit were obtained for substituted-Ba 1 m x Sr x TiO 3 materials which have lower, less varying dielectric constant and adequate, less varying tunability at 1 MHz over the mil spec ( m 50 °C to 100 °C) range. For the sample whose figure of merit varies the least, dielectric constant and losses at 20 GHz and room temperature are reported. Dielectric constant and losses at 1 kHz are discussed.
OFDMA Resource Allocation in Hybrid Wireless Network

This paper studies OFDMA resource allocation for QoS provision in hybrid wireless network, which includes an infrastructure based cellular network and many ad-hoc nodes. The base station has to consider not only those cellular nodes with direct links but also ad-hoc nodes with multihop connectivity. We formulate the optimization problem to maximize the overall throughput, while satisfying the individual QoS constraints of all cellular and ad-hoc users. We also provide simulation results to illustrate the optimal solutions for different network configurations.
Visualization of solitary waves via laser Doppler vibrometry for heavy impurity identification in a granular chain

We study the propagation of highly nonlinear solitary waves in a one-dimensional granular chain composed of homogeneous spherical particles that includes a heavy impurity. We experimentally investigate the transmission and backscattering behavior of solitary waves in the region of the impurity by using a laser Doppler vibrometer. To assess the sensitivity of solitary waves to various impurity masses, this non-contact measurement technique is complemented by a conventional contact measurement method based on an instrumented sensor particle. By leveraging these two schemes, we find that the travelling time and attenuation of backscattered solitary waves are highly sensitive to the location and mass of an inserted impurity. The experimental results are found to be in satisfactory agreement with the numerical results obtained from a discrete element model and the theoretical predictions based on nonlinear wave dynamics and classical contact theory. This study demonstrates that laser Doppler vibrometry can be an efficient tool to visualize highly nonlinear wave propagation in granular media. With a view towards potential applications, highly nonlinear solitary waves can be employed as nondestructive probing signals to identify heavy impurities embedded in ordered granular architectures. (Some figures may appear in colour only in the online journal)
Ground-water-table rise after forest harvesting on cypress-pine flatwoods in Florida.

Forest removal represents one of the large-scale ecosystem disturbances that concern water quality degradation, species composition change, and wildlife habitat alteration along the Florida coast. We conducted a five-year study with the objective to address effects of two forest management scenarios on the water regimes of cypress-pine flatwoods ecosystems in the lower coastal plain. Three experimental blocks (16–21 ha) were used in this study, with one representing control (C), one wetlands-harvest-only (W), and one wetlands+uplands harvest (ALL). Within the center of each block, a representative cypress wetland and its surrounding pine upland were extensively instrumented to quantify the changes of each hydrologic variable induced by tree removal. Water levels in cypress wetlands in both treatment areas were significantly elevated about 32–41 cm on average, and outflow doubled in the five-month dry period immediately following the tree harvesting. The ground-water table in the upland was also raised by about 29 cm on average due to ALL, but it was not affected significantly during the entire post-treatment period by W. During wet periods, the treatment effects for both wetlands and uplands were not significant. Causes for spatial and temporal variability of hydrologic responses to forest harvesting are speculated to be 1) total evapotranspiration does not change significantly in flatwoods after tree removal during wet seasons; 2) specific yield of the flatwoods soils is variable in time and space; and 3) lateral water movement from uplands to wetlands. From this study, we conclude that harvesting both uplands and wetlands causes greater response than harvesting wetlands only. The impacts lasted for more than two years but were most pronounced only in the dry periods. Temporal and spatial variations of each hydrologic component should be considered in evaluating the hydrologic impact of forest management on the flatwoods landscape.
Expression of cytokine mRNA in murine splenic dendritic cells and better induction of T cell-derived cytokines by dendritic cells than by macrophages during in vitro costimulation assay using specific antigens.

Among antigen-presenting cells dendritic cells (DC) have the unique ability to generate primary T cell response. The reasons for the superior inductive property of DC still remain obscure. The explanations offered include higher expression of CD8O, MHCII, and ICAMI on DC surface which allows effective cluster for- mation with T cells. It is also possible that additional ccl- lular characteristics of DC, i.e., their ability to release critical mediators involved in the induction of effective immune response, are important. We examined the abil- ity of DC to express IL-i, IL-6, and IL-12 using the highly sensitive reverse transcription-quantitative poly- merase chain reaction. Our data show that highly purified (97-99% pure) murine splenic DC were capable of expressing IL-i, IL-6 and IL-12 mRNA upon stimula- tion with lipopolysaccharide. We also compared the abil- ity of DC and macrophages to induce T cell-derived cyto- kines IL-2 and IFN-y in an in vitro antigen-specific costimulation assay. In naive T cells stimulated with anti- gen presented via DC or macrophages, the levels of mRNA for IL-2 and IFN-"y were 2- to 4-fold higher when cells were stimulated with DC. Overall, our data add addi- tional support to the description of DC as superior antigen-presenting cells for the activation of naive T cells.J. Leukoc. Biol. 57: 310-316; 1995.
Loss of proprioception produces deficits in interjoint coordination

1. We analyzed the performance of a simple pantomimed gesture in 2 patients with large-fiber sensory neuropathy and 11 control subjects to determine how proprioceptive deafferentation disrupts unconstrained multijoint movements. Both patients had near-total loss of joint position, vibration, and discriminative touch sensation in the upper extremities. Muscle strength remained intact. 2. Subjects performed a gesture similar to slicing a loaf of bread. In this gesture, the hand first moves outward from the body, reverses direction sharply, and then moves back toward the body. Accurate performance requires precise coordination between the shoulder and elbow joints during movement reversals. Movements were performed under two conditions: with eyes open and with eyes closed. Three dimensional shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand trajectories were recorded on a WATSMART system. 3. When control subjects performed the gesture with their eyes closed, their wrist trajectories were relatively straight and individual cycles of motion were planar. Movements reversed direction sharply, such that outward and inward portions of the wrist path were closely aligned. Corresponding to this spatial profile, the reversals in movement direction at the shoulder joint, from flexion to extension, and at the elbow joint, from extension to flexion, were synchronous. 4. In contrast, when deafferented patients performed the gesture with their eyes closed, their wrist trajectories were highly curved and individual cycles were severely nonplanar. The wrist paths showed a characteristic anomaly during the reversal in movement direction, when elbow joint movement became transiently locked. Correspondingly, the movement reversals at the shoulder and elbow joints were severely temporally decoupled. 5. When patients were able to view their limbs during performance of this gesture there was significant improvement in the linearity and planarity of movements. However, the patients remained unable to synchronize the movements at the shoulder and elbow joints to produce spatially precise wrist paths. 6. We conclude that loss of proprioception disrupts interjoint coordination and discuss the hypothesis that this interjoint coordination deficit results from a failure to control the interaction forces that arise between limb segments during multijoint movements.
Primary subtalar arthrodesis in the treatment of severe fractures of the calcaneum.

1. The history of open operations on fractures of the calcaneum is reviewed. 2. A report is given of the results of treatment of comminuted and depressed fractures of the calcaneum by primary arthrodesis by a modified Gallie procedure. 3. Of twenty-nine patients, twenty-seven returned to full employment within an average of 6·4 months. Twenty-five of these returned to their previous jobs. 4. Poor tendo calcaneus function and lateral sub-malleolar pain were found to be closely allied; both complaints were absent in the usually successful case and occurred only where there had been some complication. 5. It is contended that subtalar arthrodesis is a successful method of treatment for this fracture, but that the operation should be performed soon after the injury in order that the deformity may be corrected.
Power grasping of a prosthetic hand based upon virtual spring-damper hypothesis

A control scheme for achieving object power grasping by a prosthetic hand is proposed. The control scheme is based on defining virtual spring-damper between finger tip and desired point, and a semi circular path for finger tip. It is shown that the suggested control scheme provides satisfactory performance in power grasping of prosthetic hand, without the need for additional complexity regarding equations for inverse kinematics, or inverse dynamics, and the information on tactile or force sensing or even object shape.
A stochastic model for predicting the mortality of breast cancer.

Consider a cohort of women, identifi ed by year of birth, some of whom will eventually be diagnosed with breast cancer. A stochastic model is developed for predicting the U.S. breast cancer mortality that depends on advances in therapy and dissemination of mammographic screening. The predicted mortality can be compared with the same cohort having usual care with no screening program and absence of modern therapy, or a cohort in which only a proportion participate in a screening program and have modern therapy. The model envisions that a woman may be in four health states: i.e., 1) no disease or breast cancer that cannot be diagnosed ( S 0 ), 2) preclinical state ( S p ), 3) clinical state ( S c ), and 4) diseasespecifi c death ( S d ). The preclinical disease refers to breast cancer that is asymptomatic but that may be diagnosed with a special exam. The clinical state refers to symptomatic disease diagnosed under usual care. One of the basic assumptions of the model is that the disease is progressive; i.e., the transitions for the fi rst three states are S 0 → S p → S c . The other basic assumption is that any reduction in mortality associated with earlier diagnosis is due to a stage shift in diagnosis; i.e., early diagnosis results in a larger proportion of earlier stage patients. The model is used to predict changes in female breast cancer mortality in the U.S. women for 1975 – 2000. The model is general and may predict mortality for other chronic diseases that satisfy the two basic assumptions. [J Natl Cancer Inst Monogr 2006;36:79 – 86] The early detection of chronic diseases presents opportunities for using existing technologies to substantially improve patient benefi t. The possibility of diagnosing a disease early, while it is asymptomatic, may result in treating the disease in an earlier stage which may enhance the benefi t of treatment. This paper describes a stochastic model for predicting the mortality of breast cancer as a function of both treatment and an early detection screening program. The early detection modalities consist of mammogram exams possibly combined with physical exams. The screening program consists of a series of examinations. The mortality predictions may be for chronological time and/or age for a defi ned cohort group. The model integrates possible advances in therapy and the changing dissemination of screening by chronological time. Although motivated by breast cancer, the model is general and may be used for other chronic diseases that satisfy the basic assumptions inherent in the model.
Population Trends and the Future Demand for Teachers

valuable studies on Peaceful Change, and by many individual writers. Some time ago the Financial Section of the League of Nations apparently intended to take up the whole problem, and the Assembly of the League appointed a committee of experts to invpstigate and sponsor research in this and related fields. Unfortunately, this League of Nations Committee, which might have been able to achieve important results, on the basis of what had already been done, is now, as far as I know, inoperative. Thus, valuable time goes to waste and the much needed work in this field, involving at the same time national and international studies, is not being done. Of these, the national studies are not the least important. I hope, and I think many people in European countries who have been working with these problems hope, that students in those countries who, are fortunate enough to stay out of the war, will take up systematic work in these fields. We must, here as elsewhere, either point the way out of the difficulties, or show that these problems themselves, like the one I have discussed, are not real problems, but artificial ones and propaganda. In my opinion they are not artificial or unreal. They seem to me to be among the most important problems we face, and are problems which must be solved if we are to have a peaceful world in the future. We have seen too often that if we do not allow people to move from country to cpuntry in peace, with tools for peaceful work, some of them will sooner or later move with tools of destruction. And if we do not allow goods and raw materials to cross the frontiers, armies will cross.
Investigating about selection of fouling coefficient in economizer retrofit

Elaborated the spiral rib slice the reformation of the tube province coal machine,and the province coal machine pass how the calculation find out the fouling coefficient of the best ash during the period of reform.
MO-FG-BRB-00: AAPM Presidential Debate

Building on the energy and excitement of Washington DC in a presidential election year, AAPM will host its own Presidential Debate to better understand the views of the AAPM membership! Past presidents of the AAPM, Drs. Bayouth, Hazle, Herman, and Seibert, will debate hot topics in medical physics including issues facing education, professional practice, and the advancement of science. The moderators, Drs. Brock and Stern, will also draw in topics from Point-Counterpoint articles from the Medical Physics Journals. Wrapping up the debate, the audience will have the opportunity to question the candidates in a town hall format. At the conclusion of this lively debate, the winner will be decided by the audience, so bring your Audience Response Units! Be part of Medical Physics - Decision 2016! Learning Objectives: 1. Understand AAPM members’ views and opinions on issues facing medical physics education 2. Learn AAPM members’ views and opinions on issues facing professional practice 3. Identify AAPM members’ view and opinions on issues facing the advancement of science in medical physics J. Bayouth, Funding support from NCI;Scientific Advisory Board member - ViewRay
Transcriptome Profiling Reveals Disruption of Innate Immunity in Chronic Heavy Ethanol Consuming Female Rhesus Macaques.

It is well established that heavy ethanol consumption interferes with the immune system and inflammatory processes, resulting in increased risk for infectious and chronic diseases. However, these processes have yet to be systematically studied in a dose and sex-dependent manner. In this study, we investigated the impact of chronic heavy ethanol consumption on gene expression using RNA-seq in peripheral blood mononuclear cells isolated from female rhesus macaques with daily consumption of 4% ethanol available 22hr/day for 12 months resulting in average ethanol consumption of 4.3 g/kg/day (considered heavy drinking). Differential gene expression analysis was performed using edgeR and gene enrichment analysis using MetaCore™. We identified 1106 differentially expressed genes, meeting the criterion of ≥ two-fold change and p-value ≤ 0.05 in expression (445 up- and 661 down-regulated). Pathway analysis of the 879 genes with characterized identifiers showed that the most enriched gene ontology processes were “response to wounding”, “blood coagulation”, “immune system process”, and “regulation of signaling”. Changes in gene expression were seen despite the lack of differences in the frequency of any major immune cell subtype between ethanol and controls, suggesting that heavy ethanol consumption modulates gene expression at the cellular level rather than altering the distribution of peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Collectively, these observations provide mechanisms to explain the higher incidence of infection, delay in wound healing, and increase in cardiovascular disease seen in subjects with Alcohol use disorder.
Studies of the Effect of Erythropoietin on Heme Synthesis

The studies described in this paper were directed at an understanding of the regulation of heme synthesis during erythropoietin (epo)-induced erythroid differentiation. Although considerable work has been done on the regulation of heme synthesis in virally—transformed erythroid cell lines which were chemically induced to differentiate along the erythroid pathway1–4 our goal was to study the control of heme formation in normal bone marrow cells, the physiological site of epo action. Our earlier findings showing that heme synthesis is required for the epo-induced globin synthesis in marrow cells5, made this an important problem.
Halo Assay for Toxic Peptides and Other Compounds in Microorganisms

We describe an assay for determination of toxicity in S. cerevisiae involving spotting of a toxic peptide on a lawn of yeast cells. This assay may be generalized to determine toxicity of a variety of compounds by substituting a putative toxic compound in place of the peptide. The general protocol may also be used to determine toxicity of any small compound toward another microorganism by replacing S. cerevisiae with the target microbe and modifying growth conditions accordingly. Background Di-/tripeptides are one of the major sources of nitrogen, carbon, and amino acids for all organisms. Synthetic peptides containing a toxic amino acid residue provide an experimental approach to measure peptide transport and/or utilization in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Hydrolysis of internalized peptides by intracellular peptidases or proteases releases the toxic residue leading to an easily detectable zone (halo) of growth arrest on a lawn of cells plated in a Petri plate. For example, upon intracellular hydrolysis the toxic peptide Ala-Eth releases ethionine (Eth), a methionine antagonist which interferes with the incorporation of amino acids into proteins and with the normal methylation of DNA and other methylation pathways, thereby leading to cell death. When spotted onto a lawn of yeast cells, the transported dipeptide Ala-Eth will inhibit growth, and a clear 'halo' will form in the lawn of cells around the region where the Eth-containing toxic peptide is spotted (Figure 1A). The assay described here for determination of peptide toxicity in S. cerevisiae may be generalized as follows: (1) it may be modified to determine toxicity of any substrate by simply using a putative toxic compound in place of a peptide containing a toxic amino acid, or (2) it may be modified to determine toxicity of a substrate toward any microorganism by replacing S. cerevisiae in the assay with the target organism. It is a simple, inexpensive and relatively rapid method for determining substrate toxicities as modified for the specific organism and toxic moiety assayed.
Abstract NTOC-080: NANOOLAPARIB: AN INTRAPERITONEAL PARP INHIBITOR THERAPY FOR OVARIAN CANCER

PURPOSE: PARP inhibitor therapy for ovarian cancer exploits the concept of synthetic lethality by taking advantage of defects in DNA damage repair pathways. Currently Olaparib is the only FDA-approved PARP inhibitor and is available as an oral dosage, which has plenty of advantages, but requires the drug to undergo first pass metabolism, inactivating a significant fraction of the dose. We have developed a nanoparticle delivery system to allow for local delivery of Olaparib directly to the intraperitoneal cavity. METHODS: NanoOlaparib was characterized in vitro in regards to size, charge, drug loading and release before testing on a panel of ovarian cancer cell lines, including KURAMOCHI, SKOV3, OVSAHO, JHOS2, PA1, COV318, 403 and 404, derived from tumors of Brca2-/-, Pten-/-, Tp53-/- mice, and 4306 and 4412, developed from conditional KrasLSL-G12D/+, Pten-/- mice, to elucidate sensitivity profiles and ensure comparable activity to the free drug. 404 cells, derived from Brca2-/-, Tp53-/-, Pten-/- genetically engineered mouse models, were utilized to develop an IP spread xenograft model to test NanoOlaparib in vivo. Animals were treated with NanoOlaparib or oral Olaparib daily for 4 weeks. Tumor burden was monitored weekly via bioluminescence imaging. RESULTS: NanoOlaparib shows comparable efficacy in vitro to free Olaparib. The murine cell lines were the most sensitive to the treatment regardless of BRCA status, suggesting that Pten deletions are just as susceptible to PARP inhibitor therapy as the BRCA mutations. The average fold change in bioluminescence for NanoOlaparib decreased, while it increased for oral Olaparib. The oral Olaparib animals had widely varied responses, with some animals9 tumors shrinking and others never responding. All NanoOlaparib tumors shrank initially, however, severe toxicity was noted after 3 weeks of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: NanoOlaparib toxicity in vivo was observed with daily dosing likely due to the sustained release of the drug in comparison to the much more rapid clearance of the oral drug. While the NanoOlaparib was toxic, it provided a much more uniform response to the treatment than the oral Olaparib. It is clear that because this strategy provides 100% of the dose to the disease site with a sustained delivery it is no longer necessary to administer daily. This suggests that NanoOlaparib changes the pharmacokinetics to allow for a lower dose to be administered. A modified dosing regime is to be tested with the goal of lowering the toxicity while still maintaining therapeutic efficacy. Citation Format: Paige Baldwin, Anders Ohman, Daniela Dinulescu, Srinivas Sridhar. NANOOLAPARIB: AN INTRAPERITONEAL PARP INHIBITOR THERAPY FOR OVARIAN CANCER [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 11th Biennial Ovarian Cancer Research Symposium; Sep 12-13, 2016; Seattle, WA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2017;23(11 Suppl):Abstract nr NTOC-080.
The risk typology of healthcare access and its association with unmet healthcare needs in Asian Americans

Using data from the 2015 Asian American Quality of Life Survey (N = 2,609), latent profile analysis was conducted on general (health insurance, usual place for care and income) and immigrant-specific (nativity, length of stay in the U.S., English proficiency and acculturation) risk factors of healthcare access. Latent profile analysis identified a three-cluster model (low-risk, moderate-risk and high-risk groups). Compared with the low-risk group, the odds of having an unmet healthcare need was 1.52 times greater in the moderate-risk group and 2.24 times greater in the high-risk group. Challenging the myth of model minority, the present sample of Asian Americans demonstrates its vulnerability in access to healthcare. Findings also show the heterogeneity in healthcare access risk profiles.
Error-Minimizing Mechanisms

Speech errors can have unpleasant consequences. Errors like Example 1 may be a source of amusement, but others may be more costly. Presumably, people have developed methods for minimizing the likelihood of errors and for minimizing their consequences. There are two general ways that errors can be minimized: errors can be edited, or the correct response can be boosted. Editing is defined as a reduction in the probability of an erroneous plan or the correction of an error when a mismatch with the planned output is detected. Boosting is an increase in the probability of a correct response. Consider an analogy to signal detection theory: The signal-to-noise ratio can be improved by boosting the signal (the intended action plan) or by cutting the noise (competing-action plans that may lead to errors). Enhancing the signal-to-noise ratio either way will lead to fewer errors.
TFEB and trehalose drive the macrophage autophagy-lysosome system to protect against atherosclerosis

In the atherosclerotic plaque, macrophages are the key catabolic workhorse responsible for clearing lipid and dead cell debris. To survive the highly proinflammatory and lipotoxic plaque environment, macrophages must adopt strategies for maintaining tight homeostasis and self-renewal. Macroautophagy/autophagy is a pro-survival cellular pathway wherein damaged or excess cellular cargoes are encapsulated by a double-membrane compartment and delivered to the lysosome for hydrolysis. Previously, macrophage-specific autophagy deficiency has been shown to be atherogenic through several complementary mechanisms including hyperactivation of the inflammasome, defective efferocytosis, accumulation of cytotoxic protein aggregates, and impaired lipid degradation. Conversely, in a recent study we hypothesized that enhancing the macrophage autophagy-lysosomal system through genetic or pharmacological means could protect against atherosclerosis. We demonstrated that TFEB, a transcription factor master regulator of autophagy and lysosome biogenesis, coordinately enhances the function of this system to reduce atherosclerotic plaque burden. Further, we characterized the disaccharide trehalose as a novel inducer of TFEB with similar atheroprotective effects. Overall, these findings mechanistically interrogate the importance and therapeutic promise of a functional autophagy-lysosome degradation system in plaque macrophage biology.
Protecting Data Confidentiality in Publicly Released Datasets: Approaches Based on Multiple Imputation

Abstract Statistical organizations that release data to the public typically are required to protect the confidentiality of survey respondents’ identities and attribute values. Removing direct identifiers such as names and addresses generally is not sufficient to eliminate disclosure risks, so that statistical disclosure limitation strategies must be applied to the data before release. This chapter presents an overview of how multiple imputation, originally devised to handle missing data, can be adapted for disclosure limitation. It reviews the literature on inferential methods for analyzing such datasets. It concludes with discussion of implementation challenges and topics for future research.
Toward a Strategy for Combating Corruption

Corruption is an existential problem that can destroy the functioning of individual organizations as well as undermine entire societies. The ethics literature within the discipline of public admini...
Torture and Lived Religion: Practices of Resistance

In December 2015, a US Senate Select Committee on Intelligence report exposed the centrality of torture to the CIA’s Detention and Interrogation Program established after the 11 September 2011 attacks. This chapter engages a heuristic of lived religion to attend critically to torture’s impact on individual and corporate bodies and suggests embodied practices, grounded in religious commitments, to disrupt and resist torture as productive national policy. It articulates the racialized, dehumanizing aspects of torture and the social imagination that defends its productivity. It notes that the very precarity assaulted in torture must instead be nurtured toward human flourishing. While torture can no longer be denied, these revelations must not equal acquiescence, and thus, this chapter outlines prophetic, poetic, and embodied religious counter-practices to torture’s perpetuation.
A retrospective analysis to assess the validity of multidisciplinary tumor boards using a new tool: The Subspecialty Academic Multidisciplinary Tumor Board score (SAMTB).

e18188Background: Multidisciplinary tumor board (MTB) meetings have become a standard for evidence based decision making at medical centers worldwide. We believe that the expertise at subspecialty ...
Detection of Salmonella from chicken rinsate with visible/near-infrared hyperspectral microscope imaging compared against RT-PCR.

Abstract Salmonella is an organism of importance to the poultry industry with increasingly stringent government regulatory standards. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and plating procedures on nutrient enriched growth media have been the standard detection methods of Salmonella from broiler chicken carcasses for years. These methods are proven, but offer disadvantages in the amount of time or reoccurring sample cost. Here, we propose the use of a hyperspectral microscope imaging system (HMI) for comparison to standard detection methods. Broiler chicken carcasses were rinsed and plated on Salmonella selective agar. Colonies from plates were picked and RT-PCR was used as a confirmation test to verify plating results, while HMI was collected from the same colonies. Spectral signatures of cells were extracted between 450 and 800 nm from HMI collected with 100x objective. A quadratic discriminant analysis (QDA) was used to classify cells as either Salmonella positive or negative (n = 341). Spectra preprocessing minimized the influence of cellular shape on the spectra, increasing the initial classification accuracy of 81.8–98.5%, yielding a sensitivity of 1.0, and a specificity of 0.963. Results showed the potential as an initial investigation of HMI as a microbial confirmation tool, compared to RT-PCR.
Black boys apart: racial uplift and respectability in all-male public schools

Single-sex all-Black high schools have garnered much criticism as another rendering of racial segregation and gendered privilege. Many members of Black communities, however, view them as “islands o...
Cavitation dose painting for focused ultrasound-induced blood-brain barrier disruption.

Focused ultrasound combined with microbubble for blood-brain barrier disruption (FUS-BBBD) is a promising technique for noninvasive and localized brain drug delivery. This study demonstrates that passive cavitation imaging (PCI) is capable of predicting the location and concentration of nanoclusters delivered by FUS-BBBD. During FUS-BBBD treatment of mice, the acoustic emissions from FUS-activated microbubbles were passively detected by an ultrasound imaging system and processed offline using a frequency-domain PCI algorithm. After the FUS treatment, radiolabeled gold nanoclusters, 64Cu-AuNCs, were intravenously injected into the mice and imaged by positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT). The centers of the stable cavitation dose (SCD) maps obtained by PCI and the corresponding centers of the 64Cu-AuNCs concentration maps obtained by PET coincided within 0.3 ± 0.4 mm and 1.6 ± 1.1 mm in the transverse and axial directions of the FUS beam, respectively. The SCD maps were found to be linearly correlated with the 64Cu-AuNCs concentration maps on a pixel-by-pixel level. These findings suggest that SCD maps can spatially “paint” the delivered nanocluster concentration, a technique that we named as cavitation dose painting. This PCI-based cavitation dose painting technique in combination with FUS-BBBD opens new horizons in spatially targeted and modulated brain drug delivery.
Are Papers with Open Data More Credible? An Analysis of Open Data Availability in Retracted PLoS Articles

Open data has been hailed as an important corrective for the credibility crisis in science. This paper makes an initial attempt to measure the relationship between open data and credible research by analyzing the number of retracted articles with attached or open data in an open access science journal. Using Retraction Watch, retracted papers published in PLoS between 2014 and 2018 are identified. Of the 152 total retracted papers, fewer than 15% attached their data. Since about half of the published articles have open data, and so few of the retracted ones do, we put forth the preliminary notion that open data, especially high quality and well-curated data, might imply scientific credibility.