cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Variation in adherence to external beam radiotherapy quality measures among elderly men with localized prostate cancer.

Purpose To characterize the variation in adherence to quality measures of external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) for localized prostate cancer and its relation to patient and provider characteristics in a population-based, representative sample of U.S. men. Methods and Materials We evaluated EBRT quality measures proposed by a RAND expert panel of physicians among men aged ≥65 years diagnosed between 2000 and 2002 with localized prostate cancer and treated with primary EBRT using data from the linked Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)–Medicare program. We assessed the adherence to five EBRT quality measures that were amenable to analysis using SEER–Medicare data: ( 1 ) use of conformal RT planning; ( 2 ) use of high-energy (>10-MV) photons; ( 3 ) use of custom immobilization; ( 4 ) completion of two follow-up visits with a radiation oncologist in the year after therapy; and ( 5 ) radiation oncologist board certification. Results Of the 11,674 patients, 85% had received conformal RT planning, 75% had received high-energy photons, and 97% had received custom immobilization. One-third of patients had completed two follow-up visits with a radiation oncologist, although 91% had at least one visit with a urologist or radiation oncologist. Most patients (85%) had been treated by a board-certified radiation oncologist. Conclusions The overall high adherence to EBRT quality measures masked substantial variation in geography, socioeconomic status in the area of residence, and teaching affiliation of the RT facility. Future research should examine the reasons for the variations in these measures and whether the variation is associated with important clinical outcomes.
Hypomorphic apolipoprotein E mice: a new model of conditional gene repair to examine apolipoprotein E-mediated metabolism.

In creating an allelic variant of mouse Apoe designed to resemble human apolipoprotein E4 (apoE4), we generated hypomorphic apoE (hypoE) mice that express only ∼5% of normal apoE mRNA levels in all tissues. Insertion of a neo cassette flanked by loxP sites in the third intron of Apoe reduced expression of the Arg-61 allelic variant in hypoE mice and resulted in plasma apoE levels that were ∼2–5% of normal. Unlike other mouse models with low levels of circulating apoE, hypoE mice had a nearly normal lipoprotein cholesterol profile when fed a chow diet. Further reduction of apoE expression in hypoE/Apoe−/− heterozygous mice led to an increase in remnant lipoprotein-associated cholesterol levels, demonstrating that hypoE mice express close to the threshold level of Arg-61 apoE required for a normal lipoprotein profile. Unlike wild type mice, hypoE mice were susceptible to diet-induced hypercholesterolemia, which was fully reversed within 3 weeks after resumption of a chow diet. In Mx1-Cre transgenic hypoE mice, plasma apoE levels returned to normal within 10 days after gene repair and removal of the neo cassette following induction of Cre recombinase. HypoE mice provide the opportunity for conditional gene repair by crossing with inducible or lineage/cell type-specific Cre transgenic mice, generating new models to dissect the roles of apoE in atherosclerosis regression, immunoregulation, and neurodegeneration.
Possible in situ detection of K2+ in the Jovian magnetosphere

During the Voyager 1 and 2 encounters with Jupiter in 1979 the positive ion composition of the cold thermal plasma in the Jovian plasma sheet and cold Io torus could be obtained when the plasma Mach number in the spacecraft rest frame was sufficiently large. Clear indication of an ionic species with a mass-to-charge ratio between 16 (O(+) and/or S(2+)) and 23 Na(+) is present in two spectra were acquired during apparent crossings of the plasma sheet in the middle magnetosphere. One interpretation is that the most likely identification of the ion is K(2+), even though there is no evidence in the data for K(+). Such an ion presence would be consistent with reports of neutral potassium associated with the Jovian system and originating at Io as well as with the identification of an ion with a similar mass-to-charge ratio at higher energies in the Ulysses data. An alternative interpretation is that the ion is a singly ionized molecular species associated with water products sputtered from Europa, a scenario which may also be consistent with the Ulysses data. However, other species present in the data and the low temperature favor the Iogenic potassium hypothesis.
α1A-Adrenergic Receptors Regulate Cardiac Hypertrophy In Vivo Through Interleukin-6 Secretion

The role of α1-adrenergic receptors (ARs) in the regulation of cardiac hypertrophy is still unclear, because transgenic mice demonstrated hypertrophy or the lack of it despite high receptor overexpression. To further address the role of the α1-ARs in cardiac hypertrophy, we analyzed unique transgenic mice that overexpress constitutively active mutation (CAM) α1A-ARs or CAM α1B-ARs under the regulation of large fragments of their native promoters. These constitutively active receptors are expressed in all tissues that endogenously express their wild-type counterparts as opposed to only myocyte-targeted transgenic mice. In this study, we discovered that CAM α1A-AR mice in vivo have cardiac hypertrophy independent of changes in blood pressure, corroborating earlier studies, but in contrast to myocyte-targeted α1A-AR mice. We also found cardiac hypertrophy in CAM α1B-AR mice, in agreement with previous studies, but hypertrophy only developed in older mice. We also discovered unique α1-AR–mediated hypertrophic signaling that was AR subtype-specific with CAM α1A-AR mice secreting atrial naturietic factor and interleukin-6 (IL-6), whereas CAM α1B-AR mice expressed activated nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB). These particular hypertrophic signals were blocked when the other AR subtype was coactivated. We also discovered that crossbreeding the two CAM models (double CAM α1A/B-AR) inhibited the development of hypertrophy and was reversible with single receptor activation, suggesting that coactivation of the receptors can lead to novel antagonistic signal transduction. This was confirmed by demonstrating antagonistic signals that were even lower than normal controls in the double CAM α1A/B-AR mice for p38, NF-κB, and the IL-6/glycoprotein 130/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 pathway. Because α1A/B double knockout mice fail to develop hypertrophy in response to IL-6, our results suggest that IL-6 is a major mediator of α1A-AR cardiac hypertrophy.
Characteristics of an "overload component" for low-Tc superconducting winding systems

Small Nb/Ti-Cu prototype superconducting coils have been wound using LBL-supplied wire, which has been normally applied to Rutherford cabled dipoles. The studies are being conducted in the context of planning versions of toroidal winding systems for an eventual conversion of the normal windings of an intermediate size system, such as the 1994 UCLA Tokamak, to superconducting coils. At this time initial data have been collected and-a novel quench inducing device (QID) has been tested. The magnet field intensities generated by the prototype magnet were measured and compared with the design values. Quench propagation has been investigated including stability behavior of the magnet. At low currents, a quenched domain close to the inner winding layer was found to be stationary, not propagating into the magnet during runs which did not encounter a severe quench. >
Healthcare experiences of families affected by Huntington disease: need for improved care.

Objectives: To explore the healthcare experiences of families affected by Huntington disease (HD), a fatal neurodegenerative genetic disorder, and elicit their suggestions for improvement in the quality of care provided to them.Methods: 24 semi-structured interviews were completed with members of families affected by HD in Eastern Canada. The sample was chosen to reflect a wide range of experiences with HD (e.g. patients, caregivers, family members at risk, but asymptomatic).Results: Complex needs for healthcare services and emotional supports were found. Participants expressed frustration at the lack of knowledge about HD displayed by their family physicians. They described numerous difficulties accessing appropriate healthcare and other supports, and anticipated access difficulties in the future. Participants offered several suggestions to improve the quality of care to their families, including better education of healthcare professionals about the complex nature of HD and the provision of regular foll...
Mixing Associated with Sills in a Canyon on the Midocean Ridge Flank

To close the global overturning circulation, the production and sinking of dense water at high latitudes must be balanced elsewhere by buoyancy gain and upward vertical motion. Hydrographic and microstructure observations from the Brazil Basin in the South Atlantic Ocean indicate that most of the abyssal mixing there takes place on the topographically rough flank of the midocean ridge. In previous studies it has been suggested that the high level of abyssal mixing observed on the ridge flank is primarily caused by breaking internal waves forced by tidal currents. Here, the results from a detailed analysis of velocity, hydrographic, and microstructure data from a ridge-flank canyon are presented. Two-year-long current-meter records indicate that within the canyon there is a significant along-axial mean flow down the density gradient toward the ridge crest. Five hundred meters above the canyon floor the kinetic energy in the subinertial band exceeds that associated with the semidiurnal tides by approximately a factor of 2. The mean dissipation of kinetic energy inside the canyon exceeds that above the ridge-flank topography by approximately a factor of 5. The largest dissipation values were observed downstream of a narrow, 1000-m-high sill that extends across the full width of the canyon. Along the entire canyon, there is a strong association between the presence of sills and along-axial density gradients, while there is no similar association between the presence of depressions and density gradients. Together, these observations suggest that sill-related mixing contributes at least as much to the diapycnal buoyancy flux in the canyon as tidally forced internal-wave breaking, which is not expected to be associated preferentially with sills. While only 15% of the interfacial area between Antarctic Bottom Water and North Atlantic Deep Water in the Brazil Basin lie inside canyons, the available data suggest that approximately one-half of the diapycnal buoyancy fluxes take place there. In comparison, the region above the ridge-flank topography accounts for about one-third of the buoyancy fluxes. The apparent importance of sill-related processes for mixing in ridge-flank canyons is therefore of global significance, especially considering that such canyons occur on average every 50 km along 2/3 of the global midocean ridge system, and that sills partially block the canyon axes every few tens of kilometers.
Accessory fibrotic lateral rectus muscles in exotropic Duane syndrome with severe retraction and upshoot.

FIGURE 1. Final position of lateral rectus (LR) and accessory bands. A 3.5-year-old boy presented at the University of California Los Angeles–Olive View Hospital with abnormal eye movements present since birth. His parents noticed that his left eye always appeared smaller than his right eye and that he had a right head turn. On examination, the patient demonstrated a 5 right head turn. In forced primary position, he had an exotropia of 6. He had 2 limitation to adduction and abduction and13 overelevation in adduction (upshoot) in the left eye. The decision was made to perform surgery consisting of a lateral rectus recession with Y-splitting for presumed exotropic Duane syndrome with a significant upshoot. Preoperative forced duction testing revealed moderate restriction to adduction and no restriction to abduction. The surgical video demonstrates the presence of 2 accessory bands posterior to the lateral rectus muscle. All 3 structures (the lateral rectus and the 2 accessory bands) were recessed to 17 mm from the limbus in a V-shaped configuration (Figures 1 and 2). At postoperative month 1, the patient was orthotropic in primary position, and his upshoot had resolved. His adduction improved to 1 but his abduction worsened to 3. First reported in 1893 by Nussbaum, accessory muscles have been well described in disorders such as Duane syndrome and congenital fibrosis of the extraocular muscles. They should be suspected in patients with atypical patterns of restrictive strabismus, globe retraction in directions other than adduction, or in patients with severe upor downshoots. Lueder described 3 types of accessory bands in his 2002 review: (1) structures arising from extraocular muscles and inserting in abnormal locations, (2) fibrous
Keeping the Crowd at Bay: The Practical Implications of the SEC's New Crowdfunding Exemption

Where social media and corporate finance meet, equity crowdfunding appears. The prospect of grassroots entrepreneurial funding for startups and small businesses (and the subsequent benefits for the national economy) prompted Congress to include a registration exemption for crowdfunders in the 2012 JOBS Act. With the burdens of Section 5 registration seemingly removed, investors and the media have been captured by the entrepreneurial financing potential of equity crowdfunding. Notwithstanding such exaltations, this paper argues that the new exemption and the SEC’s proposed rules regarding crowdfunding guarantee that the equity crowdfunding exemption will be costly and thus infrequently used. Rather than relinquish control of their businesses at a hefty price, startups and small businesses should continue to use traditional crowdfunding (donation, reward-based, etc.), likely leaving the new exemption as ineffective as Regulation A.
What do we mean by science education for civic engagement

One of the most frequently cited goals for science education over the years has been to provide students with the understanding and skills necessary to engage in science-related civic issues. Despite the repeated insistence on the importance of this kind of democratic participation, there has been little effort in the research community either to define just what science-related civic engagement entails or to ask whether the research or practices in the field are suited to accomplishing this goal. In this paper we take a step toward this end by offering a precise definition of science-related civic engagement drawing on work from the fields of philosophy and political theory. We argue that such engagement can be found in instances requiring both the use and production of scientific knowledge and examine the various avenues of that engagement. We then explore some implications such a definition might have for thinking about science education research and practice. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach
Satellite Orientation by Inertial Techniques

Summary In this paper are derived the three-dimensional equations of motion applicable to accelerometer s carried by satellite vehicles. Utilizing the properties of the gravitational gradient, an instru­ mentation system and an orientation procedure are proposed by which satellite attitude control and orbital parameter computa­ tion can be accomplished. An error analysis is included, and sensitivity and accuracy requirements are discussed.
Now you see it, now you don't: a biochemist's primer for advances in high-resolution microscopy: comment on "Biomolecular dynamics and binding studies in the living cell" by Stephan Diekmann and Christian Hoischen.

For many scientists, the first glimpse of the inner workings of the world around us comes from the use of a simple light microscope. Indeed, ground glass was used to make lenses for magnifying glasses as early as the time of the Romans (Seneca, Pliny). In the mid-15th century, the Janssens put together a series of lenses in a tube, discovering the ability of compound microscopes to magnify objects greatly. This advance allowed Hooke and Leeuewenhoek to conclude that life was composed of cells, and resulted in Schleiden, Schwann, Virchows’ observations that cells regenerated new cells. Warp speed to 400 years later, with a hop in between for Coon’s tagging of antibodies, and for the development of GFP-tags by Shimomura, Chalfie, Tsien, and the humble light microscope has transformed our understanding of the natural and physical world. In recent years, revolutionary changes to microscopes and the application of powerful computational algorithms to analyze data have yielded information far surpassing the physical limits set by the diffraction of light. In this comprehensive review, Diekmann and Hoeschien discuss the application of new technologies such as FRET, FRAP, FCS, STORM/PALM, FLIM-FRET, now commonly used to illuminate the inner mysteries of the sanctum sanctorum of the cell – the nucleus. They demonstrate that with careful and rigorous measurements, an almost quantitative knowledge of the nucleus is well within our grasp. For the biochemist, geneticist, or molecular biologist, confounded by the bewildering array of acronyms denoting different techniques in light microscopy, this review is both timely, and a time saver. It describes in great detail how each advance named above can be applied to the quantitative and qualitative measurement of protein–protein interactions, positional information, and dynamics of multi-protein complexes in living cells, down to 10 nm resolution. These technological advances, as Diekmann and Hoeschien explain, are powerful in their ability to gather every pixel of information available, and when carefully analyzed, able to yield tremendous insights on the behavior of proteins in a biologically meaningful setting. The review is particularly useful in systematically and objectively comparing the benefits and the limitations of each approach, as well as highlighting the potential artifacts associated with the use of fluorophores or covalently-attached
Drug Use Evaluation: Technetium Tc 99m Mertiatide vs. Technetium Tc 99m Pentetate for Renal Imaging Procedures

Objective: To apply the process of drug use evaluation (DUE) for an expensive radiopharmaceutical, Tc-99m mertiatide, following the development of drug use guidelines in order to evaluate use patterns, determine compliance rates with the guidelines, and estimate associated cost savings. Setting: Nuclear medicine department in a university hospital. Practice Description: Nuclear pharmacy. Main Outcome Measures: Drug use patterns, rates of compliance with preestablished drug use guidelines, cost savings. Resuhs: Overall compliance with guideline recommendations was approximately 90%. Cost savings, without negatively affecting procedure quality, were estimated to be approximately $4,700 to $7,600 per year. Conclusion: DUE procedures can be applied to expensive radiopharmaceuticals for which established review criteria are available.
Cryptosporidium risk from swimming pool exposures.

Abstract Background Infection risk estimates from swimming in treated recreational water venues are lacking and needed to prioritize public health interventions in swimming pools. Quantitative infection risk estimates among different age groups are needed to identify vulnerable populations. High risk populations can be targeted during public health interventions, like education campaigns and pool operation improvements. Objectives This study estimated per-swim and annual Cryptosporidium infection risks in adults (>18) and children (≤18) using new experimental data collected in the U.S. on swimmer behavior. Methods Risks were estimated using oocyst concentration data from the literature, and data collected in this study on pool water ingestion, swim duration and pool use frequency. A sensitivity analysis identified the most influential model variables on infection probability. Results The average estimated risk of Cryptosporidium infection was 2.6 × 10 −4 infections/swim event. The per-swim risk estimate in the present study differed from others because behavior data (ingestion rates, swim duration, and visit frequency) were collected in different countries and varied from U.S. estimates. We found swimmer behaviors influence infection risk. This is the first study to report annual risk of Cryptosporidium infection among swimmers by age group. Using U.S. exposure data, annual risk was estimated at 2.9 × 10 −2 infections/year for children and 2.2 × 10 −2 infections/year for adults. Annual risk for all swimmers was estimated at 2.5 × 10 −2 infections/year from swimming in treated recreational water venues. Due to increased ingestion and swim duration, child swimmers had the highest annual risk estimate. Cryptosporidium concentration is the most influential variable on infection probability. Conclusions Results suggest the need for standardized pool water quality monitoring for Cryptosporidium , education, development of interventions to reduce ingestion, consideration of behaviors unique to swimming populations in future risk assessments and improvement of oocyst removal from pool water. Child swimmers were the most vulnerable sub-population, and should be targeted in healthy swimming education campaigns.
Intravenous, Intracoronary, Transendocardial, and Advential Delivery

Delivery of the product is an important aspect of the clinical use of cell therapy that affects the safety as well as the efficacy of the treatment. Cardiac cell therapy has been studied in patients with both acute and chronic diseases, and the primary current delivery modes are via the blood vessels or the myocardial tissue. In this chapter, we will discuss the following cell delivery approaches and the clinical experience with each one: intravenous, intracoronary, transendocardial, and adventitial.
State Bank of India: Transforming a State Owned Giant

February 2011: O.P. Bhatt reflected contentedly on his five-year term as Chairman of State Bank of India (SBI), India's largest commercial bank. He had led SBI on a journey of transformation from an old, hierarchical, transaction oriented, government bank to a modern, customer focused, and technologically advanced universal bank. In 2006, when Bhatt assumed leadership, SBI had been losing market share for over two decades to private and foreign banks. Analysts and industry observers had predicted that at the prevailing growth rates ICICI Bank, a private bank launched in 1994, would overtake SBI in terms of deposits in four years. However, by 2010, SBI had more than doubled its profits, deposits and advances; regained market share and won the Asian Banker Achievement award for the strongest bank in the Asia Pacific region.Learning Objective: Demonstrate successful turnaround and increased revenues by focusing on customer management and relationships.
Interprofessional Oral Health Education Improves Knowledge, Confidence, and Practice for Pediatric Healthcare Providers.

Dental caries is the most prevalent chronic childhood disease in the United States. Dental caries affects the health of 60-90% of school-aged children worldwide. The prevalence of untreated early childhood dental caries is 19% for children two to five years of age in the U.S. Some factors that contribute to the progression of dental caries include socioeconomic status, access to dental care and lack of anticipatory guidance. The prevalence of dental caries remains highest for children from specific ethnic or racial groups, especially those living in underserved areas where there may be limited access to a dentist. Although researchers have acknowledged the various links between oral health and overall systemic health, oral health care is not usually a component of pediatric primary health care. To address this public health crisis and oral health disparity in children, new collaborative efforts among health professionals is critical for dental disease prevention and optimal oral health. This evaluation study focuses on a 10-week interprofessional education (IPE) course on children’s oral health involving dental, osteopathic medical, and nurse practitioner students at the University of California, San Francisco. This study’s goal was to evaluate changes in knowledge, confidence, attitude and clinical practice in children’s oral health of the students completed the course. Thirty-one students participated in the IPE and completed demographic questionnaires and four questionnaires before and after the IPE course: (1) course content knowledge, (2) confidence, (3) attitudes, and (4) clinical practice. Results showed a statistically significant improvement in the overall knowledge of children’s oral health topics, confidence in their ability to provide oral health services, and clinical practice. There was no statistically significant difference in attitude, but there was an upward trend towards positivity. To conclude, this IPE evaluation showed that offering an interprofessional course on children’s oral health to graduate students in dentistry, nursing, and osteopathic medicine can improve their knowledge, confidence, and attitude towards children’s oral health and expand their professional goals to include caring for underserved, minority children.
Computer storage fragmentation: pioneering work of brian randell

This paper is a tribute to Brian Randell's early research in dynamic computer storage fragmentation. Explicit formulas are presented from three mathematical models, each bearing on Randell's dichotomy of external vs. internal fragmentation. The first confirms his observation that the latter form of fragmentation is the greater source of wasted space. The second result describes the performance of an algorithm under which the effects of both forms of fragmentation are provably negligible. The third introduces a new form of fragmentation, that of the files themselves, and settles stability questions concerning the fragmentation process.
Street Dust: Implications for Stormwater and Air Quality, and Environmental Management Through Street Sweeping

Street dust is composed of particles that arise from motor vehicles (e.g., tire debris, emission-related particulates), local soils, and road pavement (Yeung et al. 2003). These materials are commingled with larger debris, including discarded trash, lawn clippings, fallen leaves and branches, and other detritus (Fig. 1). The nature and composition of street dust is expected to vary widely based on local climate, geology, population and traffic density, infrastructure, and other factors. Maintenance sand or road salt used in inclement weather is a source of primary granular material and can contribute to street dust through mechanical abrasion of the road surface (Kupiainen et al. 2003; Gertler et al. 2006. Kuhns et al. 2003; USGS 2013).
Cortical Visual Areas of the Temporal Lobe

Primates are very visual animals. Thus, it is not surprising that over half of their cerebral cortex is devoted primarily to visual function (67). In this essay, we will consider three rather different cortical visual areas, all of which lie within the temporal lobe of the macaque, viz., the Middle Temporal Area (or MT), the Inferior Temporal Area (or IT) and the Superior Temporal Polysensoiy Area (or STP). Their locations are shown in Fig. 8.1.
Io: Longitudinal Distribution of Sulfur Dioxide Frost

A longitudinal variation in the distribution of SO2 frost on Io is examined. Twenty spectra of Io (0.26 to 0.33 micrometer) are presented and a strong ultraviolet absorption is found shortward of 0.33 micrometer. The abundance of frost is greatest at orbital longitudes 72 to 137 degrees. Longitudes 250 to 323 degrees are least abundant in SO2. Comparisons are made with a Voyager color relief map, which suggest that SO2 frost is in greatest concentration in the white areas of Io and other sulfurous materials are in greatest concentration in the red areas.
Abstract 118: NLRP3 Inflammasome Mediates the Obesity-induced Pathogenesis of Atrial Fibrillation

Background: Obesity increases the risk of atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common cardiac arrhythmia; but it is unknown what molecular pathway(s) underlying obesity promotes AF pathophysiology. ‘...
Conformational selection dominates binding of steroids to human cytochrome P450 17A1

Cytochrome P450 (P450, CYP) enzymes are the major catalysts involved in the oxidation of steroids as well as many other compounds. Their versatility has been explained in part by flexibility of the proteins and complexity of the binding mechanisms. However, whether these proteins bind their substrates via induced fit or conformational selection is not understood. P450 17A1 has a major role in steroidogenesis, catalyzing the two-step oxidations of progesterone and pregnenolone to androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone, respectively, via 17α-hydroxy (OH) intermediates. We examined the interaction of P450 17A1 with its steroid substrates by analyzing progress curves (UV-visible spectroscopy), revealing that the rates of binding of any of these substrates decreased with increasing substrate concentration, a hallmark of conformational selection. Further, when the concentration of 17α-OH pregnenolone was held constant and the P450 concentration increased, the binding rate increased, and such opposite patterns are also diagnostic of conformational selection. Kinetic simulation modeling was also more consistent with conformational selection than with an induced-fit mechanism. Cytochrome b5 partially enhances P450 17A1 lyase activity by altering the P450 17A1 conformation but did not measurably alter the binding of 17α-OH pregnenolone or 17α-OH progesterone, as judged by the apparent Kd and binding kinetics. The P450 17A1 inhibitor abiraterone also bound to P450 17A1 in a multistep manner, and modeling indicated that the selective inhibition of the two P450 17A1 steps by the drug orteronel can be rationalized only by a multiple-conformation model. In conclusion, P450 17A1 binds its steroid substrates via conformational selection.
Effects of genetic transfection on calcium cycling pathways mediated by double-stranded adeno-associated virus in postinfarction remodeling

Abstract Objective Restoring calcium sensor protein (S100A1) activity in failing hearts poses a promising therapeutic strategy. We hypothesize that cardiac overexpression of the S100A1 gene mediated by a double-stranded adeno-associated virus (scAAV) results in better functional and molecular improvements compared with the single-stranded virus (ssAAV). Methods Heart failure was induced by coronary artery ligation. Then, intramyocardial injections of saline, AAV9 empty capsid, scAAV9.S100A1, and ssAAV9.S100A1 were performed. Ten weeks postinfarction, all rats received cardiac evaluation; serum and tissue were collected for genetic analysis, cytokine profiling, and assessments of mitochondrial function and structure. Results Overexpression of AAV9.S100A1 improved systolic and diastolic function. Compared with control, ejection fraction was greater in treated groups (54.8% vs 32.3%, P Conclusions Gene therapy of S100A1 can prevent pathologic postmyocardial infarction remodeling and decrease inflammatory response in ischemic heart failure.
All for one: Centralized optimization of truck platoons to improve roadway infrastructure sustainability

Abstract With the introduction of connected and autonomous trucks (CATs), truck platooning is expected to be more feasible and prevalent. The reported benefits of the truck platooning include regularizing traffic, reducing congestion, increasing highway safety, and decreasing fuel consumption and emission. Truck platooning may, however, decrease pavement longevity because it would cause channelized load application and hinder the healing properties of asphalt concrete. This study proposes a centralized control strategy that converts the pavement-related challenges of truck platooning into opportunities. This strategy leverages the auto-pilot technologies in CATs by optimizing the lateral position of each platoon or group of platoons. The efficiency of the proposed control strategy was demonstrated in a case study. Results showed that pavement life-cycle costs could be reduced up to 50% by controlling the lateral position of the platoons for each day.
Partnership between epigenetic reader BRD4 and transcription factor CEBPD

Vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) state (phenotype) transitions underlie neointimal hyperplasia (IH) predisposing to cardiovascular diseases. Bromodomain protein BRD4 is a histone acetylation reader and enhancer mark that co-activates transcription elongation. CCAAT enhancer binding protein delta (CEBPD) is a transcription factor typically studied in adipogenesis and immune cell differentiation. Here we investigated the association between BRD4 and CEBPD in SMC state transition. Chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIPseq) showed enrichment of BRD4 and histone acetylation (H3K27ac) at Cebpd and enhancer in rat carotid arteries undergoing IH. In vitro, BRD4 silencing with siRNA reduced SMC expression of CEBPD. Bromodomain-1 but not bromodoamin-2 accounted for this BRD4 function. Endogenous BRD4 co-IPed with CEBPD; Cebpd promoter and enhancer DNA fragments co-IPed with CEBPD or endogenous BRD4 (ChIP-qPCR). These co-IPs were abolished by the BRD4 bromodomain blocker JQ1. TNFa upregulated both BRD4 and CEBPD. Silencing CEBPD averted TNFa-induced inflammatory SMC state transition (heightened IL-1b, IL6, and MCP-1 mRNA levels), so did JQ1. CEBPD overexpression increased PDGFRa preferentially over PDGFRb; so did TNFa, and JQ1 abolished TNFa effect. Our data reveal a BRD4 and CEBPD partnership that promotes CEBPD own transcription and inflammatory SMC state transition, thus shedding new light on epigenetic reader and transcription factor cooperative actions in SMC pathobiology.
Enhanced Recovery in the Ambulatory Surgery Setting

Advancements in surgical and anesthetic techniques have enabled an increasing number of procedures to be performed on an ambulatory basis. For a successful ambulatory surgery program, important considerations include proper patient and procedure selection, choice of anesthetic technique that facilitate rapid recovery and discharge, and ways to reduce complications and side effects such as postoperative nausea and vomiting, pain, and urinary retention. Multimodal analgesia is an important part of perioperative management, as well as patient education, optimization of medical conditions, and an interdisciplinary approach to help the patient return to baseline function as soon as possible.
Method for design life of energy system components based on Levelized Cost of Energy

Abstract Constructing renewable energy systems consumes materials and energy. The process is counterproductive to the sustainability of these systems. A design technique based on a circular economy could alleviate this problem. One such approach involves system design with upgradeable components that promote longer life. This paper presents a method to define the timing of component upgrades based on optimal component life. This method considers the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE), which is crucial to the deployment of renewable energy. An optimization problem is devised to find the component design life that minimizes the LCOE. Three parameters are considered in this formulation; the marginal cost of the design life, opportunity cost of technology evolution, and cost adjustment for time. An algorithm is presented to create constraints based on the interaction among system components. Evolutionary optimization is used to find the optimal component life. A sensitivity analysis is conducted to identify the most influential design parameters. The proposed method is demonstrated using a design 1.5 MW wind turbine as an example. Fifteen component life arrangements were considered for six different system-life scenarios. The system life scenarios varied from 25 to 100 years. The results suggest the design life of system components is highly dependent upon the evolution of technology and adjustments in the cost over time. The study indicated that a sustainable wind turbine design could be implemented with a life of 100 years, with a 2% increase in the LCOE.
Methodology of Low Inductance Busbar Design for Three-Level Converters

Three-level (3L) converters are more susceptible to parasitics compared with two-level converters because of their complicated structure with multiple switching loops. In this article, the methodology of busbar layout design for 3L converters based on the magnetic cancellation effect is presented. The methodology can fit for 3L converters with symmetric and asymmetric configurations. A detailed design example is provided for a high-power 3L-active neutral point clamped (ANPC) converter, which includes the module selection, busbar layout, and dc-link capacitor placement. The loop inductance of the busbar is verified with simulation, impedance measurements, and converter experiments. The results match with each other, and the inductances of short and long loops are 6.5 and 17.5 nH, respectively, which are significantly lower than the busbars of NPC-type converters in other references.
Personal preferences for Personalised Trials among patients with chronic diseases: an empirical Bayesian analysis of a conjoint survey.

Objective To describe individual patient preferences for Personalised Trials and to identify factors and conditions associated with patient preferences. Design Each participant was presented with 18 conjoint questions via an online survey. Each question provided two choices of Personalised Trials that were defined by up to eight attributes, including treatment types, clinician involvement, study logistics and trial burden on a patient. Setting Online survey of adults with at least two common chronic conditions in the USA. Participants A nationally representative sample of 501 individuals were recruited from the Chronic Illness Panel by Harris Poll Online. Participants were recruited from several sources, including emails, social media and telephone recruitment of the target population. Main outcome measures The choice of Personalised Trial design that the participant preferred with each conjoint question. Results There was large variability in participants’ preferences for the design of Personalised Trials. On average, they preferred certain attributes, such as a short time commitment and no cost. Notably, a population-level analysis correctly predicted 62% of the conjoint responses. An empirical Bayesian analysis of the conjoint data, which supported the estimation of individual-level preferences, improved the accuracy to 86%. Based on estimates of individual-level preferences, patients with chronic pain preferred a long study duration (p≤0.001). Asthma patients were less averse to participation burden in terms of data-collection frequency than patients with other conditions (p=0.002). Patients with hypertension were more cost-sensitive (p Conclusion These analyses provide a framework for elucidating individual-level preferences when implementing novel patient-centred interventions. The data showed that patient preference in Personalised Trials is highly variable, suggesting that individual differences must be accounted for when marketing Personalised Trials. These results have implications for advancing precise interventions in Personalised Trials by indicating when rigorous scientific principles, such as frequent monitoring, is feasible in a substantial subset of patients.
Homicidal Physical Violence: An Exploratory Analysis of Relevant Cognitive, Demographic, and Criminological Factors in a Sample of Murderers

Homicide injury severity (HIS), the degree of physical injury inflicted on a victim during a homicide, has emerged as a relevant criminological variable. However, little is known regarding the offe...
The Manichean division in children’s experience: Developmental psychology in an anti-Black world:

Recent research in developmental psychology situates human development in ecological systems. While culturally sensitive variants of ecological systems theory take important strides in identifying ...
Plasmon enhanced upconversion in water-dispersible nanostructures

Upconversion materials have attracted much interest for biomedical applications. However, a wide-spread use requires a much improved upconversion efficiency for which plasmonic nanostructures offer a highly promising route. This paper presents the latest development in plasmonic nanostructures coupled with upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs). First, a demonstration of over 1000x enhancement using a metal-insulator-metal architecture will be presented. Additionally, UCNP-gold nanostructure was conjugated with antibody to epidermal growth factor to target bladder cancer cells. We have demonstrated highly selective cell killing by optoporation-aided chemotherapy.
The hunger-obesity paradox: Exploring food banking system characteristics and obesity inequities among food-insecure pantry clients.

Purpose Heightened obesity risk among food-insecure food pantry clients is a health equity issue because the co-occurrence of obesity and hunger is deeply-rooted in systematic social disadvantage and historical oppression. This qualitative study examined key stakeholders' perspectives of the relationship between the U.S. food banking system and obesity disparities among food insecure clients. Methods We conducted in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 10 key stakeholders (e.g., food bank director, food bank board member, advocate) who are familiar with food bank operations. Data were transcribed verbatim, coded in NVivo [v11], and analyzed using thematic analysis. Results Multiple themes emerged drawing linkages between structural characteristics of the food banking system and disparities in the dual burden of food insecurity and obesity: [a] access to unhealthy food from donors; [b] federal emergency food policy and programming; [c] state-level emergency food policy and programming; [d] geography-based risk profiles; and [e] inadequate food supply versus client need. Interviewees also identified social challenges between system leaders and clients that maintain disparities in obesity risk among individuals with very low food security including: [a] media representation and stereotypes about food pantry clients; [b] mistrust in communities of color; [c] lack of inclusion/representation among food bank system leaders; and [d] access to information. Conclusion Future efforts to alleviate obesity inequities among clients chronically burdened by food insecurity, especially among certain subpopulations of clients, should prioritize policy, systems, and environmental strategies to overcome these structural and social challenges within the food banking system.
Are Barriers to Psychotherapy Treatment Seeking Indicators of Social Determinants of Health?: A Critical Review of the Literature

One of the most persistent and troubling health disparities is the underutilization of mental health services by individuals with marginalized aspects of their identity. We provide a critical revie...
The Rwandan Film Movement: Creative Arts as Social Commentary in the Works of Women Filmmakers

Film has become an emerging mode of empowerment for Rwandan women as they navigate dynamics of post-conflict Rwanda. This popularized tradition cultivates artistic license for women to speak out on social justice issues; addressing gendered disparities, education, empowerment, children's rights, violence, diasporic experiences, and trauma, as well as contemporary interpersonal relationships. Film serves as a dynamic medium to examine the intersecting issues that women are facing given that the content women are producing through their work can contravene gender norms and illustrate women's agency. Further, their narratives can broaden representations of post-conflict reconstruction mediated by the country. Their participation in the film industry has previously been greatly under-studied, particularly for its critical complex of social commentary. The following analysis will also explore ways Rwandan women's representations and participation in the film sector occupies civic space for women centered dialogue that can engender different modes of social justice through the intersections of film practice, gender, and creative expression. This analysis is concerned with two main questions. One, as the film sector progresses, in what ways are Rwandan women filmmakers participating in the emerging industry and how does their involvement engage with and/or contravene socio-economic and political developments on the ground? Two, how can film be used to galvanize cultural transformations on the importance of women and girls in society? Films discussed will include Marie-Clementine Dusabejambo's "A Place for Myself", Ella Liliane Mutuyimana's "Strength in Fear," Ndimbira Claudine (Shenge)'s "SHE," and Amelia Umuhire's "Mugabo."
Racial and ethnic differences in cognitive health appraisals: a comparison of non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic Black, and Hispanic older adults.

To investigate the relationship between cognitive performance and cognitive health appraisals across non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic Black, and Hispanic older adults in the United States and to ex...
Abstract CT134: A phase I study of avelumab, palbociclib, and cetuximab (APC) in recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (RM HNSCC)

Background: Checkpoint inhibitors have activity in RM HNSCC, but response rates to single agent therapy are low. Combination therapy may improve outcomes. We aimed to study a novel combination of palbociclib (P) and cetuximab (C) with the PD-L1 inhibitor avelumab (A) in RM HNSCC. Methods: Eligible patients (pts) with RM HNSCC received P in combination with A 10 mg/kg IV every 2 wks and C 400 mg/m2 IV x 1, then 250 mg/m2 weekly. The starting dose of P was 75 mg PO daily on days 1 to 21 of a 28 day cycle. The 3+3 dose escalation design included planned doses of P 100 mg and P 125 mg, with no intra-patient escalation. The primary objective was to identify the recommended phase II dose (RP2D); secondary objectives included response rate and progression free survival (PFS). Results: As of 10/15/20, 12 pts have been treated in 3 cohorts: P 75 mg PO daily (3 pts), 100 mg PO daily (3 pts), and 125 mg PO daily (6 pts). Median age was 56 yo, 92% were male, with 58% p16+, 25% p16-, 17% p16 unknown. One DLT was observed in cohort 3: a grade 3 infusion reaction related to C. The RP2D was P 125 mg, with A and C at standard doses. Other grade 3 AEs were leukopenia (4 pts), neutropenia (4 pts), acneiform rash (2 pts), cellulitis (1pt), increased WBC (1pt). One pt had grade 4 leukopenia. There were no grade 5 AEs. Tx related AEs occurring in > 30% of pts were: acneiform rash (11pts), fatigue (10pts), mucositis (7pts), dry skin (6 pts), decreased WBCs (5 pts), paronychia (5 pts), nausea (5pts), hypomagnesemia (4pts). Response rate by RECIST 1.1 was 42% (3 CRs, 2PRs); median duration of response has not been reached. Median PFS was 6.5 m. Reasons for discontinuation were disease progression (8 pts), pt choice (1 pt). 3 patients remain on therapy (after 20, 15, and 9 months). Conclusions: The combination of APC was well tolerated in patients with RM HNSCC; no unexpected toxicities were seen. The RP2D is A 10 mg/kg every 2 wks, C 400 mg/m2 x 1 then 250 mg/m2 wkly, and P 125 mg daily, 3 wks on, one wk off. Promising response rates were seen, and several pts have had durable responses. These data support further development of this combination. Biomarker analyses on tissue and blood are ongoing. NCT03498378. Citation Format: Kathryn A. Gold, Assuntina Sacco, Julie Bykowski, Gregory Daniels, Emily Pittman, Karen Messer, Ruifeng Chen, Ezra Cohen. A phase I study of avelumab, palbociclib, and cetuximab (APC) in recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (RM HNSCC) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2021; 2021 Apr 10-15 and May 17-21. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(13_Suppl):Abstract nr CT134.