cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pharmacodynamics of a New Cephalosporin, PPI-0903 (TAK-599), Active against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Murine Thigh and Lung Infection Models: Identification of an In Vivo Pharmacokinetic-Pharmacodynamic Target

PPI-0903 is a new cephalosporin with broad-spectrum activity, including beta-lactam-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus. We used the neutropenic murine thigh and lung infection models to examine the pharmacodynamic characteristics of PPI-0903. Serum drug levels following four fourfold-escalating single doses of PPI-0903 were measured by microbiologic assay. In vivo postantibiotic effects (PAEs) were determined after doses of 1.56, 6.25, 25, and 100 mg/kg of body weight in mice infected with S. pneumoniae ATCC 10813, S. aureus ATCC 29213, or Escherichia coli ATCC 25922. Dose fractionation studies over a 24-h dose range of 0.39 to 1,600 mg/kg were administered every 3, 6, 12, or 24 hours. Nonlinear regression analysis was used to determine which pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) index (total and free 65% drug) best correlated with CFU/thigh at 24 h. Similar to other beta-lactam antibiotics, PPI-0903 produced short to modest in vivo PAEs with either S. pneumoniae or E. coli. The percent time that serum concentrations were above the MIC (%T>MIC) was the PK-PD index that best correlated with efficacy (R2=84 to 88% for the three organisms, compared with 9 to 41% for peak/MIC and 30 to 82% for the area under the concentration-time curve/MIC). In subsequent studies we used the neutropenic murine thigh infection model to determine if the magnitude of the free-drug % T>MIC needed for efficacy of PPI-0903 varied among pathogens (including resistant strains). Mice infected with one of five isolates of S. pneumoniae, four isolates of S. aureus, or four gram-negative bacilli were treated for 24 h with 0.10 to 400 mg/kg of PPI-0903 every 6 h. A sigmoid dose-response model was used to estimate the doses (mg/kg/24 h) required to achieve a net bacteriostatic affect over 24 h and to produce a reduction in the burden of organisms from the start of therapy by 1 and 2 log10 CFU/thigh. MICs ranged from 0.008 to 1 microg/ml.Mean free-drug %T >MICs the standard deviation associated with the static effect endpoint for S. pneumoniae, S. aureus, and gram-negative isolates were 39±9, 26±8, and 47±8, respectively [corrected]. Methicillin and penicillin resistance did not alter the magnitude of free-drug %T>MIC required for efficacy. The free-drug %T>MIC necessary for efficacy was slightly reduced in animals with normal neutrophil counts. Treatment effect was similar in both the thigh and lung infection models. The pharmacodynamic characteristics of PPI-0903 are similar to those of other compounds within the cephalosporin class.
Nickel hyperaccumulation by Thlaspi montanum var. montanum (Brassicaceae): a constitutive trait.

Adaptations to particular stresses may occur only in populations experiencing those stresses or may be widespread within a species. Nickel hyperaccumulation is viewed as an adaptation to high-Ni (serpentine) soils, but few studies have determined if hyperaccumulation ability is restricted to populations from high-Ni soils or if it is a constitutive trait found in populations on both high- and low-Ni soils. We compared mineral element concentrations of Thlaspi montanum var. montanum plants grown on normal and high-Ni greenhouse soils to address this question. Seed sources were from four populations (two serpentine, two non-serpentine) in Oregon and northern California, USA. Plants from all populations were able to hyperaccumulate Ni, showing Ni hyperaccumulation to be a constitutive trait in this species. Populations differed in their ability to extract some elements (e.g., Ca, Mg, P) from greenhouse soils. We noted a negative correlation between tissue concentrations of Ni and Zn. We suggest that the ability to hyperaccumulate Ni has adaptive value to populations growing on non- serpentine soil. This adaptive value may be a consequence of metal-based plant defense against herbivores/pathogens, metal- based interference against neighboring plant species, or an efficient nutrient scavenging system. We suggest that the Ni hyperaccumulation ability of T. montanum var. montanum may be an inadvertent consequence of an efficient nutrient (possibly Zn or Ca) uptake system.
Trends in Statin Use and Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Levels Among US Adults: Impact of the 2001 National Cholesterol Education Program Guidelines

BackgroundFew data are available on the use of statins after publication of the National Cholesterol Education Program Third Adult Treatment Panel (ATP-III) guidelines in 2001.ObjectiveTo determine changes in statin use and its Impact on low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) control among US adults from 1999 to 2004.MethodsHigh LDL-C levels and statin use among 1911 participants of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003–2004 were determined and compared with 1770 and 2094 participants of NHANES 1999–2000 and NHANES 2001–2002, respectively. Statin use was obtained from review of participants’ drug containers. High LDL-C levels and LDL-C control were defined, using risk-specific cut-points from the ATP-III guidelines.Results:Statins were taken by 24 million Americans in 2003–2004, an increase from 12.5 million in 1999–2000. In 1999–2000, 2001–2002, and 2003–2004, statins were being used by 19.6%, 27.3%, and 35.9% of US adults with high LDL-C levels, respectively (p trend <0...
PSA Velocity Is Associated With Gleason Score in Radical Prostatectomy Specimen: Marker for Prostate Cancer Aggressiveness

OBJECTIVES Conflicting evidence has been reported on the association of prostate-specific antigen velocity (PSAV) with Gleason score in prostate needle biopsy specimens. The Gleason score is an important prognostic indicator for men with prostate cancer, and, in modern practice, it frequently affects treatment decisions. To our knowledge, the relationship between preoperative PSAV and Gleason score in the radical prostatectomy specimen has not been formally demonstrated. METHODS A total of 1049 men treated with radical prostatectomy had data on PSAV and Gleason score. Statistical analysis was performed to examine the relationship between the preoperative PSAV and the prostatectomy Gleason score and other adverse tumor features. RESULTS The median preoperative PSAV was 0.84, 0.97, and 1.39 ng/mL/y in men with a Gleason score of 6, 7, and 8-10, respectively (P = .05). A PSAV greater than 2 ng/mL/y was significantly associated with a prostatectomy Gleason score of 7 or greater on univariate and multivariate analysis. In addition, the preoperative PSAV was significantly lower in men with organ-confined disease (0.82 vs 1.17 ng/mL/y, respectively, P = .002). CONCLUSIONS Our results have further validated PSAV as a marker for prostate cancer aggressiveness. The preoperative PSAV was a significant independent predictor of the Gleason score and non-organ-confined disease in the radical prostatectomy specimen. Thus, PSAV could be useful in treatment decision-making and in assessing the likelihood of long-term cancer control in men with prostate cancer.
The Value of Nonformal Environmental Education-Based Professional Development in Preservice Science Teacher Preparation

In many higher education institutions, Environmental Education (EE) is not satisfactorily integrated into the majority of science teacher preparation curricula. In addition, there is a reluctance for inservice teachers to integrate EE into their classroom instruction. This chapter describes the work of nonformal EE educators and discusses their potential role in science teacher preparation programs. Nonformal EE educators use a wide assortment of teaching methodologies in varying learning environments to encourage an environmentally literate citizenry. EE methodologies and activities that can be integrated into science teacher preparation programs are illustrated. The benefits of collaborative relationships between nonformal EE educators and science teacher educators are discussed. Strategies that can be used to overcome institutional obstacles that science teacher educators are likely to experience when attempting to integrate EE into preservice programs are described.
Multi-class Multi-annotator Active Learning with Robust Gaussian Process for Visual Recognition

Active learning is an effective way to relieve the tedious work of manual annotation in many applications of visual recognition. However, less research attention has been focused on multi-class active learning. In this paper, we propose a novel Gaussian process classifier model with multiple annotators for multi-class visual recognition. Expectation propagation (EP) is adopted for efficient approximate Bayesian inference of our probabilistic model for classification. Based on the EP approximation inference, a generalized Expectation Maximization (GEM) algorithm is derived to estimate both the parameters for instances and the quality of each individual annotator. Also, we incorporate the idea of reinforcement learning to actively select both the informative samples and the high-quality annotators, which better explores the trade-off between exploitation and exploration. The experiments clearly demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed model.
TRAIL-coated leukocytes that prevent the bloodborne metastasis of prostate cancer

Prostate cancer, once it has progressed from its local to metastatic form, is a disease with poor prognosis and limited treatment options. Here we demonstrate an approach using nanoscale liposomes conjugated with E-selectin adhesion protein and Apo2L/TRAIL (TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand) apoptosis ligand that attach to the surface of leukocytes and rapidly clear viable cancer cells from circulating blood in the living mouse. For the first time, it is shown that such an approach can be used to prevent the spontaneous formation and growth of metastatic tumors in an orthotopic xenograft model of prostate cancer, by greatly reducing the number of circulating tumor cells. We conclude that the use of circulating leukocytes as a carrier for the anti-cancer protein TRAIL could be an effective tool to directly target circulating tumor cells for the prevention of prostate cancer metastasis, and potentially other cancers that spread through the bloodstream.
Televised Aggression and Prosocial Behavior

The advent of television is one of the most significant changes in people’s lives in the 20th century. Television spread so quickly after its introduction in the post-World War II period that the majority of American homes had television sets by the mid-1950s. By the end of the 1960s, a higher percentage of American homes had television sets than refrigerators or indoor plumbing. At the present time, close to half of American homes have two or more televisions.
The Stimulus Bill: The Other Long-Term Deficit Challenge

While there has been much discussion in the media about the potential long-term negative impact of some healthcare reform proposals pending in Congress on the U.S. fiscal deficit, there has been scant attention paid to the potential impact of the recently enacted stimulus bill on the long-term deficit. This article identifies and discusses the policies contained within the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA, P.L. 111-5) that are likely to become permanent and attempts to quantify their cost. I identify more than $130 billion in annual increased spending or tax reductions likely to materialize an annual deficit increase of more than $130 billion from the extension of policies initiated in ARRA.
Predicting Dislocations and Grain Boundaries in Two-Dimensional Metal-Disulfides from the First Principles

Guided by the principles of dislocation theory, we use the first-principles calculations to determine the structure and properties of dislocations and grain boundaries (GB) in single-layer transition metal disulfides MS2 (M = Mo or W). In sharp contrast to other two-dimensional materials (truly planar graphene and h-BN), here the edge dislocations extend in third dimension, forming concave dreidel-shaped polyhedra. They include different number of homoelemental bonds and, by reacting with vacancies, interstitials, and atom substitutions, yield families of the derivative cores for each Burgers vector. The overall structures of GB are controlled by both local-chemical and far-field mechanical energies and display different combinations of dislocation cores. Further, we find two distinct electronic behaviors of GB. Typically, their localized deep-level states act as sinks for carriers but at large 60°-tilt the GB become metallic. The analysis shows how the versatile GB in MS2 (if carefully engineered) should...
Combustion for the Synthesis of β-SiC and Diamond/SiC Composite

Cubic β-SiC was processed under conditions of self-propagating high-temperature synthesis, based on the exothermic reaction between elemental Si and C powders. The set up for the synthesis of SiC using a mixture of Si and C is described. X-Ray and Raman spectroscopy studies were performed to characterize the quality of the β-SiC produced using the new set up. Scanning Electron Microscopy and Transmission Electron Microscopy studies were also carried out to study the mechanism of the formation of β-SiC from the elemental powders. The density of the compact and grain size of the graphite was found to be critical in the formation of the SiC. Diamond seeds were also implanted on the SiC pellet while compaction and this implanted diamond provided the necessary seed for the growth of a thick diamond film. The adhesion of the film is good because of its growth from the implanted diamond. Diamond films were grown on SiC using HFCVD. The quality and the adhesion of the diamond films on SiC were studied using SEM.
Long Noncoding RNAs in Cancer Pathways

Genome-wide cancer mutation analyses are revealing an extensive landscape of functional mutations within the noncoding genome, with profound effects on the expression of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs). While the exquisite regulation of lncRNA transcription can provide signals of malignant transformation, we now understand that lncRNAs drive many important cancer phenotypes through their interactions with other cellular macromolecules including DNA, protein, and RNA. Recent advancements in surveying lncRNA molecular mechanisms are now providing the tools to functionally annotate these cancer-associated transcripts, making these molecules attractive targets for therapeutic intervention in the fight against cancer.
Comparative study of China and USA public private partnerships in public transportation

As an effective alternative approach to provide goods and services for public infrastructure, the Public Private Partnership (PPP) has been studied extensively over the past few decades. On a global scale, China and the United States have developed cooperation on PPP projects in various areas. To perform a comparative study, this paper analyzes how PPP projects work in both countries for public transportation. The basic features, types, and phases of PPPs in public transportation are introduced first, followed by a thorough discussion on their advantages and challenges. This paper adopts a case study method to analyze the achievements and problems of PPP projects in both countries and then proposes important findings and suggestions for future research.
Present situation of the psychological health of mobile female workers in an electronic industrial corporation

Objective To explore the mental health of the mobile female workers,and to promote their psychological health. Methods Symptom checklist(SCL-90) was used to study the psychological health of a cluster random sample(2560) in an electronic industrial corporation. Results There was correlation in different degrees between psychological health of the mobile female workers with age and educational level,such as compulsion,hostility,depression and interpersonal sensitivity,etc,the detection rate was 15.08%. Conclusions The psychological health problems were related with low age and low education level.To enrich cultural activity in spare-time and improve continuous education and training and other suggestions were brought forward to alleviate psychological health problems.
Abstract 3898: Predictors Of Admissions In Patients Presenting To Emergency Department With Transient Ischemic Attacks In United States- A National Survey

Background: The estimates of patients who present with transient ischemic attacks (TIA) in the emergency departments (ED) of United states and their disposition including factors that determine hospital admission are not well understood. Objective: We used a nationally representative database to determine the rate and predictors of admission in TIA patients presenting to the ED. Methods: We analyzed the data from National Emergency Department Sample (NEDS 2006-2007) for all patients presenting with primary diagnosis of TIAs in the United States. Samples were weighted to provide national estimates of TIA hospitalizations and identify factors that increase the odds of hospital admission including age, sex, type of insurance, hospital type (urban teaching, urban nonteaching and non urban). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictors of hospital admission. Results: Of the total of 631750 patients presenting with TIA to the EDs in a period of two years in US, 41, 9447 (66.4%) were admitted to the hospital. In the multivariate analysis, independent factors associated with hospital admissions were women (odds ratio[OR] 1.042, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.014-1.071, p =0.003) , Medicare insurance type (OR 0.82, 95% CI 0.88-0.93, p Conclusion: Approximately 70% of all patients presenting with TIAs to the EDs within United States are admitted. Factors unrelated to patients condition such as insurance status and ED affiliated hospital type play an important role in the decision to admit TIA patients to the hospitals.
Effects of lysine:calorie ratio on growth performance of 10- to 25-kilogram pigs.

Crossbred barrows (n = 336 Newsham Hybrids) initially 9.9 kg and 31+/-2 d of age were used to evaluate the effects of energy density and lysine:calorie ratio on growth performance. Pigs were allotted by initial weight in a 3 x 4 factorial arrangement of treatments in a randomized complete block design with six replicate pens per treatment. Each pen had four or five pigs with an equal number of pigs per pen within replicate. Pigs were fed increasing dietary energy densities (3.25, 3.38, and 3.51 Mcal ME/kg) and lysine:calorie ratios (3.00, 3.45, 3.90, and 4.35 g lysine/Mcal ME). Energy density was changed by levels of choice white grease (0, 3, and 6%), and lysine:calorie ratio was changed by altering the corn:soybean meal ratio. Over the 21-d trial, an energy density x lysine:calorie ratio interaction was observed for ADG (P < .05). Pigs fed diets containing 3.25 or 3.51 Mcal ME/kg had increasing ADG with increasing lysine:calorie ratio, whereas ADG of pigs fed 3.38 Mcal ME/kg was not affected by lysine:calorie ratio. Feed efficiency (gain:feed ratio) increased and ADFI decreased as lysine:calorie ratio increased (linear, P < .01) and as energy density increased (quadratic, P < .01 and .10, respectively). On d 21, two pigs per pen were scanned ultrasonically for backfat depth. An energy density x lysine:calorie ratio interaction (P < .06) was observed. Pigs fed diets containing 3.25 and 3.38 Mcal ME/kg had decreasing fat depth as lysine:calorie ratio increased; however, backfat depth was not affected by lysine:calorie ratio and was greatest for pigs fed 3.51 Mcal ME/kg. These results suggest that 10- to 25-kg pigs fed diets containing 3.38 Mcal ME/kg had maximum feed efficiency and that they required at least 4.35 g lysine/Mcal ME. However, pigs fed 3.51 Mcal ME/kg had increased fat depth regardless of calorie:lysine ratio.
Early, in vivo, detection of abiotic plant stress responses via Raman spectroscopy

We demonstrate, for the first time, in vivo early detection of plant stress responses via Raman spectroscopy. In particular, we observed anti-correlation between the two pigment molecules, anthocyanins and carotenoids associated with plant stress responses.
Dielectric metasurface-based freeform optics

The miniaturization of current image sensors is primarily limited by the volume of optical elements. Using a subwavelength patterned quasi-periodic structure known as a metasurface, we can build planar optical elements based on the principle of diffraction. This platform allows us to mimic complex, asymmetric curvatures with ease and is ideal for the adaptation of freeform optics to the micron scale. The implementation of freeform optics on metasurfaces allows for extreme miniaturization of optical components. In our research we have demonstrated metasurface based optical elements such as lenses, vortex beam generators, and cubic phase plates near visible frequencies. Our fabricated lenses achieved beam spots of less than 1 μm with numerical apertures as high as ~ 0.75. We observed a transmission efficiency of 90% and focusing efficiency of 40% in the visible wavelengths. In addition, we have demonstrated a dynamic metasurface optical system called the Alvarez lens with a tunable focal length range of over 2.5 mm corresponding to a change in optical power of ~1600 diopters with 100 m of total mechanical displacement.
Precipitation and Fog

Although generally not discussed in the literature dedicated to fog, the presence of precipitation can have significant influences on the presence and evolution of fog. In this chapter, influences of precipitation are described, with a particular interest in its dual role in fog formation and dissipation. By the same token, the chapter also discusses a relatively overlooked phenomenon: fog formation in precipitation areas within mid-latitude cyclonic systems. A description of the multi-scale mechanisms and interactions influencing the presence of fog under this scenario is provided through the analysis of historical weather observations, theoretical concepts and results from detailed numerical modeling of rainfall evaporation. This updated description shows that precipitation-related fog formation and dissipation is determined by intricate multi-scale interactions, involving specific conditions over a wide range of scales. These include synoptic scale circulations leading to the formation of temperature inversions to the microstructure of precipitating hydrometeors. The latter determines the lagged temperature adjustment of the precipitating particles and hence their evaporation rates in near or saturated environments (influencing fog formation), as well as their size-dependent capacity to scavenge fog droplets (influencing fog dissipation).
Ideological framing in U.S. news coverage of Sochi Winter Olympic Games

ABSTRACTThis study used an ideological approach to examine news coverage of the Sochi Olympic Games in two U.S. mainstream newspapers – the Washington Times and New York Times. Based upon the theoretical framework of public diplomacy framing, findings suggested that the Washington Times framed the Sochi Olympics more negatively, while the New York Times used more neutral frames to report the games. Specifically, the Washington Times was more likely to point the finger at the ills of the city rather than focus on why people went to Sochi for the Olympics and repeat historical events and facts that described Sochi as an unsafe city. However, the New York Times framed the games more thematically that exhibited the issues of the terrorist attacks, suicide bombers, and disturbing violence toward the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender people in Russia. Limitations and implications were also discussed.
Ceftolozane-Tazobactam for the Treatment of Multidrug-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infections: Clinical Effectiveness and Evolution of Resistance.

Background Data on the use of ceftolozane-tazobactam and emergence of ceftolozane-tazobactam resistance during multidrug resistant (MDR)-Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections are limited. Methods We performed a retrospective study of 21 patients treated with ceftolozane-tazobactam for MDR-P. aeruginosa infections. Whole genome sequencing and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction were performed on longitudinal isolates. Results Median age was 58 years; 9 patients (43%) were transplant recipients. Median simplified acute physiology score-II (SAPS-II) was 26. Eighteen (86%) patients were treated for respiratory tract infections; others were treated for bloodstream, complicated intraabdominal infections, or complicated urinary tract infections. Ceftolozane-tazobactam was discontinued in 1 patient (rash). Thirty-day all-cause and attributable mortality rates were 10% (2/21) and 5% (1/21), respectively; corresponding 90-day mortality rates were 48% (10/21) and 19% (4/21). The ceftolozane-tazobactam failure rate was 29% (6/21). SAPS-II score was the sole predictor of failure. Ceftolozane-tazobactam resistance emerged in 3 (14%) patients. Resistance was associated with de novo mutations, rather than acquisition of resistant nosocomial isolates. ampC overexpression and mutations were identified as potential resistance determinants. Conclusions In this small study, ceftolozane-tazobactam was successful in treating 71% of patients with MDR-P. aeruginosa infections, most of whom had pneumonia. The emergence of ceftolozane-tazobactam resistance in 3 patients is worrisome and may be mediated in part by AmpC-related mechanisms. More research on treatment responses and resistance during various types of MDR-P. aeruginosa infections is needed to define ceftolozane-tazobactam's place in the armamentarium.
Grounding technique for EFT and Surge test

This paper provides grounding technique for immunity test like EFT and Surge which is most commonly required for any of the industrial or commercial product. The objective of this paper is to provide the practical and experimental grounding techniques to comply with immunity tests such as fast transients and fast burst in other terms which are called as low energy and high energy immunity test. The proper selection of grounding scheme depend upon specific application in use. For example a single-point grounding scheme operates better at low frequencies (signal frequencies below 300 kHz), and a multipoint ground behaves best at high frequencies (30MHz to 1GHz). Many system-level EMI problems can be avoided by paying careful attention to the grounding scheme used. Common-mode, common-ground impedance problems may be reduced by application of one or more of below techniques — a. Eliminate common impedance by using a single point ground. b. Separate and isolate grounds on the basis of signal type, level, and its frequency. c. Minimize ground impedance using ground bus, ground plane, or ground grid during PCB design. d. Use an inductor/capacitor in the ground connection to provide high-or low-frequency isolation. e. Reduce the common-mode ground loop currents by floating circuits or equipment; using optical isolators; or inserting common-mode filters, chokes, or isolation transformers.
C-Mix: A Lightweight Anonymous Routing Approach

Low latency mix networks such as onion routing (Tor), heavily utilize cryptographic operations for transmitting a message to the receiver resulting in substantial computational and communication overhead. To address the performance and security issues of low latency mix networks, we propose a novel anonymous routing scheme called C-Mix. Its design principles are inspired by network coding techniques and the properties of polynomial interpolation. Based on our security analysis and performance evaluations, C-Mix achieves same level of anonymity with comparable computation overhead in comparison to traditional low latency mix networks.
A conformal dual-polarized all-metal vivaldi array for feeding broadband luneburg lens

This paper demonstrates a design of dual-polarized Vivaldi array to feed high-gain broadband Luneburg lens. The proposed conformal Vivaldi array, placed around the lens surface, is composed of 8 × 4 horizontal polarized elements and 7 × 3 vertical polarized elements. The performance of the entire 3-D graded index Luneburg lens antenna (30 cm diameter) has been evaluated based on simulated radiation patterns using commercial full-wave electromagnetic software.
A system of systems framework for autonomy with big data analytic and machine learning

Abstract Large data has been accumulating in all aspects of our lives for quite some time. Advances in sensor technology, the Internet, wireless communication, and inexpensive memory have all contributed to an explosion of “Big Data”. System of Systems (SoS) are integration of independent operatable and non-homogeneous legacy systems to achieve a higher goal than the sum of the parts. Today’s SoS are also contributing to the existence of unmanageable “Big Data”. Recent efforts have developed promising approach, called “Data Analytics”, which uses machine learning tools from statistical and soft computing (SC) such as principal component analysis (PCA), clustering, fuzzy logic, neuro-computing, evolutionary computation, Bayesian networks, deep architectures and deep learning, etc. to reduce the size of “Big Data” to a manageable size and apply these tools to a) extract information, b) build a knowledge base using the derived data, and c) eventually develop a non-parametric model for the “Big Data”. This keynote attempts to construct a bridge between SoS and Data Analytics to develop reliable models for such systems. A photovoltaic energy forecasting problem of a micro grid SoS, traffic jams forecasting and a system of autonomous vehicles will be offered for case studies. These tools will be used to extract a nonlinear Model for a SoS-generated BIG DATA. Videos for autonomous vehicles will be shown.
African American Digital Practices: Mobile E-Health and Residential Segregation

ABSTRACTWe ask two questions about the relationship between race, using mobile phones for e-health, and living in segregated neighborhoods: Are racial differences associated with using mobile phones for e-health, especially as they relate to African Americans? Is living in segregated neighborhoods associated with changes in mobile phone usage? We merge the National Trends Survey (HINTS) conducted by the National Cancer Institute, for information on e-health, and the US 2010 project, for the necessary measures of residential segregation. Multilevel models (Level 1 N = 2,023, Level 2 N = 183) produced two major conclusions. First, African Americans exhibit unique “digital practices” vis-a-vis e-health, such that they use e-health to share personal diagnostic information less than whites but use e-health for more practical, logistical uses than do whites. Second, residential segregation is associated with digital practices; however, considering racial differences in where people live does not reduce racial d...
Targeting the IDH2 Pathway in Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an aggressive disease with a poor prognosis. A large percentage of patients succumb to this disease in spite of aggressive treatments with chemotherapy. Recent advances with mutational analysis led to the discovery of isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutations in AML. IDH2 is an enzyme that catalyzes the oxidative decarboxylation of isocitrate to α-ketoglutarate; its mutated version leads to the accumulation of the oncometabolite (R)-2 hydroxyglutarate, which disrupts several cell processes and leads to a blockage in differentiation. Targeting IDH2 is compelling, as it is an early and stable mutation in AML. Enasidenib, a specific small-molecule inhibitor of IDH2, recently gained FDA approval for the treatment of patients with relapsed/refractory IDH2-mutated AML. In this review, we will focus on the indications and efficacy of enasidenib in the treatment of patients with IDH2-mutated AML. Clin Cancer Res; 24(20); 4931-6. ©2018 AACR.
Response to Comment on Buckley et al. Intensive Versus Standard Blood Pressure Control in SPRINT-Eligible Participants of ACCORD-BP. Diabetes Care 2017;40:1733-1738.

Drs. Mi and Mukamal (1) have recently proposed an additional interpretation of the discrepant results of the Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT) and the Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes Blood Pressure (ACCORD-BP) trial. Although we continue to support our conclusions that SPRINT-eligible ACCORD-BP participants benefited from intensive blood pressure lowering, we recognize that our results do not exclude the important contributions from other factors as explanations for the discrepant results of ACCORD-BP and SPRINT (2). Indeed, several alternative hypotheses have been proposed in an attempt to explain the discordant results of SPRINT and ACCORD-BP (3,4). We therefore welcome the contributions by Mi …
Variations in approaches to breast cancer screening among primary care physicians.

Abstract Background. Guidelines for breast cancer screening often provide conflicting recomm‐ndations. Methods. A cross‐sectional survey design was used to examine approaches to cancer screening among primary care physicians. Results. Among the 187 respondents, levels of agreement with the “correct” response ranged between 50% and 73% for each of the four items relating to breast cancer screening; only 42% of physicians demonstrated agreement with three or more of the four items. Physician gender, specialty group, and age category were significant predictors of responses. Conclusions. These findings suggest the need to implement educational interventions as one means of decreasing variation in breast cancer screening.
High-resolution return-beam vidicon cameras - A comparison with high-resolution photography

High resolution electron return beam vidicon cameras, comparing transfer functions and SNR with photographic films
Biology and Clinical Relevance of Estrogen Receptors in Prostate Cancer

This review explores the function of estrogen receptors (ERs) and their signaling pathways, and their involvement in the pathogenesis and management of prostate cancer (PCa). We pay special attention to (1) traditional estrogen receptors (ERα and ERβ) and the alternate estrogen receptor, G protein-coupled receptor 30 (GPR30); (2) therapeutic utility of estrogen and antiestrogens; (3) impact of genetic variants of ERs on prostate cancer risk; (4) epigenetic regulation of ERs; (5) downstream signaling of ERs; (6) diagnostic and prognostic value of these receptors; and (7) interaction between ERβ and aryl hydrocarbon receptor or androgen receptor. We also explore (a) the expression patterns of ERs and their spliced isoforms during normal development and the development and progression of PCa; (b) the divergent roles of the estrogen receptors as tumor suppressors and tumor promoters; (c) the possibility of developmental origin of the disease; and (d) the regulation of estrogen receptors via epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation, histone modification, and microRNA processing. We also review the potential clinical application of various phytoestrogens (genistein, equol, dihydrogenistein, and daidzein), selective estrogen-receptor modulators (SERMs: tamoxifen, toremifene, and raloxifene), pure estrogen antagonists (e.g., fulvestrant), and transdermal estradiol delivered as preventive agents and first-line therapies or combinatory agents. We highlight the need for further studies of the role of ERs in epithelial–mesenchymal transition, prostate stem/progenitor cell function, and cross talk with other nuclear receptors and address the prospect of devising strategies for primordial prevention of PCa through improvements in the understanding of estrogen imprinting in early life.
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE OLWEUS BULLYING PREVENTION PROGRAM IN AMERICAN SCHOOLS: Lessons Learned from the Field

Attention to bullying problems among children and youth has increased dramatically in the last decade with American educators, the press, and the general public. Whereas bullying had been the focus of wide public concern in Scandinavia since the early 1980s (Olweus, 1993), and while school-based interventions were being tested in England in the early 1990s, bullying was not on the radar screens of most Americans until several years later. In the mid-1990s, stories of bullying experiences began to appear in the national news media (ABC News, 1995) and school-based bullying prevention programs fi rst emerged in American schools (e.g., Garrity, Jens, Porter, Sager, & Short-Camilli, 1994; South Carolina Educational Television, 1995; Sjostrom & Stein, 1996). Today, a conservative count yields at least 40 diff erent school-based programs (including both curricula and comprehensive approaches) that focus signifi cantly on bullying and that are in use in elementary, middle, and high schools in the United States. Th is estimate includes only those programs that focus to a signifi cant extent on bullying and involve more than a minimal time commitment from school staff . Th e number of additional materials available to educators, parents, and others (e.g., books, multimedia resources, posters, gamers, booklets) is tremendous.1
Utility of the PROMIS Pediatric Pain Interference Scale in Juvenile Fibromyalgia

OBJECTIVE The current study tested the utility of the PROMIS Pediatric Pain Interference (PPI) in relation to the widely-used Functional Disability Inventory (FDI) in a small-scale clinical trial. METHODS Forty youth with juvenile fibromyalgia (JFM) were randomized to either CBT only or a combined CBT and neuromuscular exercise group (i.e., FIT Teens). Participants completed the PPI and FDI at baseline, post-treatment, and three-month follow-up. RESULTS The PPI and FDI were significantly correlated at baseline (r = .51) and post treatment (r = .53), and demonstrated similar improvements (d PPI = .87, d FDI = 1.22, p < .05) at post-treatment following FIT Teens. Following CBT only, neither the PPI nor the FDI improved significantly. CONCLUSIONS The PPI may be appropriate for use in non-pharmacologic interventions for pediatric pain.
Electronic structure at coarse-grained resolutions from supervised machine learning

Computational studies aimed at understanding conformationally dependent electronic structure in soft materials require a combination of classical and quantum-mechanical simulations, for which the sampling of conformational space can be particularly demanding. Coarse-grained (CG) models provide a means of accessing relevant time scales, but CG configurations must be back-mapped into atomistic representations to perform quantum-chemical calculations, which is computationally intensive and inconsistent with the spatial resolution of the CG models. A machine learning approach, denoted as artificial neural network electronic coarse graining (ANN-ECG), is presented here in which the conformationally dependent electronic structure of a molecule is mapped directly to CG pseudo-atom configurations. By averaging over decimated degrees of freedom, ANN-ECG accelerates simulations by eliminating backmapping and repeated quantum-chemical calculations. The approach is accurate, consistent with the CG spatial resolution, and can be used to identify computationally optimal CG resolutions.
“Pure Child”: The Temporality of Childishness in Sedgwick and Stein

This chapter analyzes the claim by Wyndham Lewis that Gertrude Stein’s writing is “pure ‘child.’” To explore the connection between Stein’s writing and childishness, Haffey examines the temporality of Stein’s concept of “the continuous present,” arguing that it subverts and disorders the relationship between child and adult. Because Stein’s term “the continuous present” bears a striking resemblance to Eve Sedgwick’s term “continuing moment,” Haffey’s argument proceeds by analyzing Sedgwick’s memoir, A Dialogue on Love, a text that explores the relation between Sedgwick’s childhood and adulthood. In tracing the continuities between “the continuous present” and “continuing moment,” Haffey claims that both Stein and Sedgwick resist normalized forms of growth that imagine childhood only as a stage one progresses through on the way to mature adulthood.
Event-related Slow Potentials in Aphasic, Dyslexic and Normal Children During Pictorial and Letter-matching

Publisher Summary This chapter presents an experiment to examine ERPs in normal, aphasie, and dyslexic children during complex pictorial and letter-matching tasks. 20 children aged 5.7–12.7 years were observed at the Scottish Rite Institute for Childhood Aphasia, including an experimental (E) group of nine children enrolled in therapy and one diagnostic referral and a control group of 10 normal children. Seven aphasie children, varying widely in the extent of linguistic impairment, and three dyslexic children were included in the E group. Ss were seated in an electrically shielded, sound-dampened chamber about four feet in front of a screen on which slides were presented by means of a Kodak Carousel Projector. Signal averages digitized at 20 msec/point with eye movement compensated by weighted linear summation with vertical EOG were constructed for each S and condition.
recA DEPENDENT DNA REPLICATION IN E. coli: A NEW MUTATION AFFECTING THE ABILITY OF recA TO REGULATE DNA REPLICATION

ABSTRACT A new mutation, sdrT , has been isolated which allows DNA replication to proceed in the absence of protein synthesis. This mutation renders all DNA replication conditionally dependent on recA function. After replication has ceased in the absence of recA function, in vitro replication can be restored by the addition of purified recA protein to lysates. The restored replicative activity is inhibited by ATP-γ-S.
Defining and Measuring Quality

Defining and measuring quality in metabolic and bariatric surgery is critical so we can provide the high quality of care we and our patients want. Furthermore, the field of metabolic and bariatric surgery has been scrutinized by policymakers and the press, making it imperative that we can demonstrate that surgery can be performed safely at accredited centers. Quality is complex but can be best summed up by the Institutes of Medicine’s description as being safe, effective, patient centered, timely, efficient, and equitable. Quality can be measured according to the Donabedian framework by assessing structure, processes, or outcomes. The key to measuring quality is high-quality data. The MBSAQIP data collection program collects high-quality data that is risk-adjusted, prospective, and clinically rich data collected by third party data collectors based on standardized definitions and processes. Surgeons should be leaders in quality assessment – if we don’t define quality, then others will do so and do so badly, and we and our patients will be stuck with the consequences.
Ectodomain shedding of L-selectin by ADAM17 in canine neutrophils

The adhesion protein L-selectin (CD62L) is expressed at high levels by circulating neutrophils and has a critical role in initiating their recruitment at sites of inflammation. L-selectin expression is rapidly downregulated upon neutrophil activation by various stimuli through a proteolytic process referred to as ectodomain shedding, which regulates L-selectin9s binding avidity and neutrophil recruitment. In humans and mice, L-selectin shedding is primarily mediated by ADAM17 (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase 17). L-selectin expression is also rapidly downregulated by canine neutrophils upon their activation; however, the role of ADAM17 in this process has not been previously investigated. We show that a highly selective inhibitor of ADAM17, but not an inhibitor of its most closely related family member ADAM10, effectively blocked L-selectin downregulation from the surface of canine neutrophils following their activation. The ADAM17 inhibitors did not block the rapid upregulation of the CD18 integrin Mac-1 (CD11b/CD18), showing that they did not broadly impair neutrophil activation. To directly examine the expression of ADAM17, we used several anti-human ADAM17 mAbs. Many did not stain canine neutrophils; however, the ADAM17 function-blocking mAbs MEDI3622 and D1(A12) did stain and also blocked L-selectin downregulation. Taken together, our findings provide the first direct evidence that ADAM17 is a primary sheddase of canine L-selectin, which may serve as an important therapeutic target to prevent neutrophil dysfunction during conditions of excessive inflammation, such as sepsis.
Impact of surgery versus medical management on cardiovascular manifestations in Graves disease.

Abstract Background Graves disease is well known to have multiple adverse effects on the cardiovascular system. We compared the cardiovascular outcomes after surgical intervention versus medical treatment in patients with Graves disease. Methods We performed a retrospective study of all Graves disease patients with a cardiovascular comorbidity who underwent either surgical or medical management (N = 151). Perioperative biochemical and cardiovascular outcomes from the surgical versus the medical groups were analyzed. Results Of 151 patients, 69 (45.6%) patients underwent total thyroidectomy and 82 (54.3%) patients received medical treatment. Hypertension resolved in 44.7% of the patients from the surgical group vs 18% in the medical group (P = .03). Tachyarrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation and tachycardia, improved in 85.9% of patients in the surgical group vs 66% in the medical group (P = .01). All cardiovascular manifestations examined, hypertension, tachyarrhythmias, and heart failure, improved in 69% of patients in the surgical group and 42.6% of patients in the medical group during the follow-up period (P Conclusion Surgical treatment offers a significant and rapid clinical improvement of cardiovascular manifestations in Graves disease patients, such as hypertension, tachyarrhythmias, and heart failure. Surgery should be considered and recommended in Graves disease patients with known cardiovascular manifestations.
Chapter 12 – Consumer Welfare

The compensating and equivalent variations of a price change are defined as monetary measures of welfare effects. These measures are related to Hicksian surplus and the expenditure function, and are contrasted with Marshallian surplus. Methods for reconciling the two surplus types are discussed. The consumers’ deadweight loss from a price change is then explored. Aggregate demand is defined and its existence, homogeneity, continuity, convexity, boundedness, and Walras’ Law properties are derived from individual consumers’ demands. Inverse demand is introduced.
Elite Trust and the Populist Threat to Stable Democracy

One aspect of elite theory holds that democratic stability depends heavily on elites trusting each other to keep distributive issues from reaching acute degrees impelling power seizures. This presu...
Angular momentum-based control of an underactuated orthotic system for crouch-to-stand motion

This paper presents an angular momentum-based controller for crouch-to-stand motion of a powered pediatric lower-limb orthosis. The control law is developed using an underactuated triple pendulum model representing the legs of an orthosis-dummy system where the hip and knee joints are actuated but the ankle joint is unpowered. The control law is conceived to drive the angular momentum of the system to zero, thereby bringing the system to a statically balanced upright configuration. The parameters of the dynamic model of the orthosis-dummy system are experimentally identified and used to synthesize the momentum-based controller. Control parameters are selected using closed-loop pole placement of the linearized system via numerical optimization to ensure local closed-loop stability with adequate damping and satisfactory response time without too large controller gains. The controller is applied in simulation to determine the region of viable initial conditions resulting in no knee hyperextension or loss of balance, as determined from a zero-moment point analysis. The controller is then implemented in experiment showing feasibility of the control strategy in practice. Results are compared against a similarly-synthesized linear-quadratic regulator.