cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Targeting the ATR/CHK1 Axis with PARP Inhibition Results in Tumor Regression in BRCA-Mutant Ovarian Cancer Models

Purpose: PARP inhibition (PARPi) has modest clinical activity in recurrent BRCA-mutant (BRCAMUT) high-grade serous ovarian cancers (HGSOC). We hypothesized that PARPi increases dependence on ATR/CHK1 such that combination PARPi with ATR/CHK1 blockade results in increased cell death and tumor regression.Experimental Design: Effects of PARPi (olaparib), CHK1 inhibition (CHK1i;MK8776), or ATR inhibition (ATRi;AZD6738) alone or in combination on survival, colony formation, cell cycle, genome instability, and apoptosis were evaluated in BRCA1/2MUT HGSOC cells. Tumor growth in vivo was evaluated using a BRCA2MUT patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model.Results: PARPi monotherapy resulted in a decrease in BRCAMUT cell survival, colony formation and suppressed but did not eliminate tumor growth at the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) in a BRCA2MUT PDX. PARPi treatment increased pATR and pCHK1, indicating activation of the ATR-CHK1 fork protection pathway is relied upon for genome stability under PARPi. Indeed, combination of ATRi or CHK1i with PARPi synergistically decreased survival and colony formation compared with single-agent treatments in BRCAMUT cells. Notably, PARPi led to G2 phase accumulation, and the addition of ATRi or CHK1i released cells from G2 causing premature mitotic entry with increased chromosomal aberrations and apoptosis. Moreover, the combinations of PARPi with ATRi or CHK1i were synergistic in causing tumor suppression in a BRCA2MUT PDX with the PARPi-ATRi combination inducing tumor regression and in most cases, complete remission.Conclusions: PARPi causes increased reliance on ATR/CHK1 for genome stability, and combination PARPi with ATR/CHK1i is more effective than PARPi alone in reducing tumor burden in BRCAMUT models. Clin Cancer Res; 23(12); 3097-108. ©2016 AACR.
“Purifying the Upper Atmosphere”: Women’s Work in Early Radio, 1905-1913

This essay argues that between 1905 and 1913, female commercial radio operators deployed a range of complicated and contradictory arguments to establish credibility in the new, male-dominated communications field. Women envisioned early radio as a utopian space that would renegotiate gender roles in the American workforce. Female radio operators also engaged in a larger conversation around women’s citizenship and voting rights. However, while wireless companies initially hired female employees to diffuse tense labor relations, a national conversation around women’s dubious moral character and inferior physical capabilities soon animated the field. The essay explores the political, economic, and cultural events that transformed radio from a potentially transgressive space to an industry that instead reinforced gender and class hierarchies: the RMS Republic-Florida disaster in 1909; the formation of the wireless division of the Commercial Telegraphers Union of America in 1910; the American Marconi Company’s takeover of the United Wireless Company in 1912; and finally, the RMS Titanic disaster in 1912 and the subsequent passing of the Radio Act of 1912. These events pushed female radio operators out of the industry. Not until World War I would the federal government and corporations formally recruit women to serve as professional radio operators.
Shear-driven instability in zirconium at high pressure and temperature and its relationship to phase-boundary behaviors

Evidence in support of a shear driven anomaly in zirconium at elevated temperatures and pressures has been determined through the combined use of ultrasonic, diffractive, and radiographic techniques. Implications that these have on the phase diagram are explored through thermoacoustic parameters associated with the elasticity and thermal characteristics. In particular, our results illustrate a deviating phase boundary between the $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ and $\ensuremath{\omega}$ phases, referred to as a kink, at elevated temperatures and pressures. Further, pair distribution studies of this material at more extreme temperatures and pressures illustrate the scale on which diffusion takes place in this material. Possible interpretation of these can be made through inspection of shear-driven anomalies in other systems.
Short-term exposure to PM2.5 and vanadium and changes in asthma gene DNA methylation and lung function decrements among urban children.

Both short and long-term exposure to traffic-related air pollutants have been associated with asthma and reduced lung function. We hypothesized that short-term indoor exposure to fine particulate matter <2.5 μm (PM2.5) and vanadium (V) would be associated with altered buccal cell DNA methylation of targeted asthma genes and decreased lung function among urban children in a nested subcohort of African American and Dominican children. Six day integrated levels of air pollutants were measured from children’s homes (age 9–14; n = 163), repeated 6 months later (n = 98). Buccal samples were collected repeatedly during visits. CpG promoter loci of asthma genes (i.e., interleukin 4 (IL4), interferon gamma (IFNγ), inducible nitric oxide synthase (NOS2A), arginase 2 (ARG2)) were pyrosequenced and lung function was assessed. Exposure to V, but not PM2.5, was associated with lower DNA methylation of IL4 and IFNγ. In exploratory analyses, V levels were associated with lower methylation of the proinflammatory NOS2A-CpG+5099 among asthmatic overweight or obese children but not nonasthmatics. Short-term exposure to PM2.5, but not V, appeared associated with lower lung function (i.e., reduced z-scores for forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1, FEV1/ forced vital capacity [FEV1/FVC] and forced expiratory flow at 25–75% of FVC [FEF25–75]). Exposure to V was associated with altered DNA methylation of allergic and proinflammatory asthma genes implicated in air pollution related asthma. However, short-term exposure to PM2.5, but not V, appeared associated with decrements in lung function among urban children.
Case 2: Herpes Simplex Virus Infection in a Preterm Infant and Complications

This preterm infant is the product of a dichorionic, diamniotic twin pregnancy born at 27 5/7 weeks’ gestation to a 22-year-old woman via an emergency cesarean delivery for an abnormal fetal heartbeat. The woman’s pregnancy was complicated with prolonged rupture of membranes 8 days before delivery, gestational diabetes mellitus, and a history of depression. She denies a history of sexually transmitted infections, including herpes simplex virus (HSV). She received ampicillin, amoxicillin, and azithromycin as well as 2 doses of betamethasone before delivery. The male infant has Apgar scores of 3, 4, and 8 at 1, 5, and 10 minutes after birth, respectively. An endotracheal tube is placed 4 minutes after birth, and the infant is admitted to the NICU. He receives 1 dose of surfactant and is in stable condition with noninvasive ventilation. The infant receives ampicillin and gentamicin for 7 days for presumed sepsis. His complete blood cell count and C-reactive protein are within normal limits, with a negative initial blood culture. His screening head ultrasonography result is negative for intraventricular hemorrhage on day 7 after birth. At 9 days of age, the infant develops respiratory distress and a diffuse vesicular rash on his axilla, neck, back, and chest. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis reveals a white blood cell count of 54/μL (0.5×109/L), red blood cell count …
Thinking inside and outside the box: local and national considerations of the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)

Abstract The Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) provides a monthly box of U.S. Department of Agriculture foods to low-income, rural Native Americans and is a vital component of food security for recipient households. While the origin of government food annuities dates back hundreds of years to treaties between tribes, pueblos, and nations and the United States Government, FDPIR in its current form and function is 40 years old. The FDPIR food package has faced increasing scrutiny in recent years over the quality, nutritional value, and cultural appropriateness of foods included. Using data collected from three Tribes in the Klamath River Basin as well as national institutions that govern FDPIR, we investigate opportunities and challenges of FDPIR to achieve food security for its clientele, and the extent to which integration of traditional foods can enhance Native American food security, food sovereignty and wellbeing. We conclude with a set of policy recommendations on how to improve Native American food security and food sovereignty outcomes for FDPIR clients.
Consequences of Thought Speed

Abstract The speed of thinking is a frequently overlooked aspect of mental life. However, the pace of thought is an essential property of thinking, and its consequences have recently begun to be discovered. In this chapter, we review the psychological consequences of accelerated and decelerated thought pace. We begin by examining how the manipulation of thought speed alters mood, self-perception, risk-taking, creativity, and arousal. We highlight the energizing, activating, and hedonic effects of fast thinking, and we show how thought-speed effects are independent of thought content, fluency, and goal progress. We describe an adaptive theory of thought speed wherein psychological responses to the acceleration of thinking confer adaptive advantages for confronting novel, urgent, and rapidly changing situations, and engaging in behaviors driven by appetitive motivation. Lastly, we discuss implications of thought speed and its manipulation for treatment of mental illness, for design and delivery of communications and messages, and for life in the age of rapid access and exposure to information.
Clinical significance of reverse perfusion pattern in Rubidium-82 myocardial perfusion PET-CT studies

1116 Objectives A reverse redistribution pattern during myocardial perfusion imaging is most widely described in SPECT myocardial perfusion studies using thallium (Tl-201), when stress images demonstrates greater perfusion in comparison to rest portion of the study. Reverse perfusion (RP) pattern may also occur in Rubidium-82 PET-CT myocardial perfusion studies, but its significance hasn’t been studied in the current literature. The purpose of this study is to evaluate clinical significance of RP pattern in Rb-82 PET-CT myocardial perfusion studies. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 389 consecutive Rb-82 PET-CT myocardial perfusion studies performed in our center over a 14 month period. The studies were evaluated for misregistration, motion and attenuation artifacts. 12 (3%) patients demonstrated RP. Of those with RP, only four patients had undergone cardiac catheterization within 12 months of PET imaging. Correlation was sought between the presence and location of angiographic stenosis and RP pattern. Results 3/4 (75%) had significant (>60%) coronary stenosis; 2 single-vessel, and one two-vessel disease. Stenosis location correlates with the RP territory; Circumflex/Lateral 1/1, RCA/Inferior 1/1, and only one patient with RP pattern in anterior wall segment had significant stenosis in RCA territory. The RP could not be explained by any imaging artifacts in any of these studies. Conclusions PET studies show markedly less prevalence of artifactual RP in comparison to reported literature of MIBI and Thallium SPECT studies. The presence of reverse perfusion on Rb-82 PET-CT myocardial perfusion studies may implicate coronary disease and may not be attributed merely to artifact. However, since this is an uncommon finding, larger scale population studies need to be done for better evaluation of reverse perfusion pattern significance on PET Rubidium studies
Native Alanine Substitution in the Glycine Hinge Modulates Conformational Flexibility of Heme Nitric Oxide/Oxygen (H-NOX) Sensing Proteins

Heme nitric oxide/oxygen sensing (H-NOX) domains are direct NO sensors that regulate a variety of biological functions in both bacteria and eukaryotes. Previous work on H-NOX proteins has shown that upon NO binding, a conformational change occurs along two glycine residues on adjacent helices (termed the glycine hinge). Despite the apparent importance of the glycine hinge, it is not fully conserved in all H-NOX domains. Several H-NOX sensors from the family Flavobacteriaceae contain a native alanine substitution in one of the hinge residues. In this work, the effect of the increased steric bulk within the Ala-Gly hinge on H-NOX function was investigated. The hinge in Kordia algicida OT-1 (Ka H-NOX) is composed of A71 and G145. Ligand-binding properties and signaling function for this H-NOX were characterized. The variant A71G was designed to convert the hinge region of Ka H-NOX to the typical Gly-Gly motif. In activity assays with its cognate histidine kinase (HnoK), the wild type displayed increased sign...
R. House, R. Layton, J. Livingston, and S. Moseley

This manual is ideal for engineers at all stages of their careers: from the freshman engineering student to the college professor to the CEO of a large corporation. It can be a valuable tool for universities to train undergraduate and graduate students and for companies to train their employees. It clearly accomplishes its purpose—it teaches best practices in engineering communication using real-world issues and genres. It also serves as a guide for undergraduate and graduate students.
Can Robotic-Assisted Surgery Overcome the Risk of Mortality in Cardiac Reoperation?

ObjectiveA robotic-assisted approach potentially has many advantages for cardiac reoperation, which include sternum-sparing and three-dimensional visualization leading to precise adhesiolysis and e...
Principles and Practices for Developing an Integrated Medical School Curricular Sequence About Sexual and Gender Minority Health

Problem: Sexual and gender minority patients face well-documented health disparities. One strategy to help overcome disparities is preparing medical trainees to competently provide care for sexual and gender minority patients. The Association of American Medical Colleges has identified professional competencies that medical students should develop to meet sexual and gender minority health needs. However, challenges in the medical education environment may hinder the adoption and implementation of curricular interventions to foster these competencies. Intervention: Our medical education community engaged in curriculum evaluation and subsequently developed a sexual and gender minority topical sequence to promote student development of these competencies. This process was guided by explicit principles and curriculum development practices. Context: This work began at the Yale University School of Medicine in 2014, shortly after the Association of American Medical Colleges published sexual and gender minority health competencies and amidst the development and implementation of a new curriculum at the institution. Impact: We identified core principles and practices to guide the development of an integrated sexual and gender minority health sequence. This process resulted in successful creation of an integrated curricular sequence. At this time, 9 new or enhanced curricular components have been adopted through our process-5 in preclinical, 3 in the clinical, and 1 in the elective, curricula-in addition to the 13 preexisting components that have been updated as appropriate. Feedback about the process from students and faculty has been overwhelmingly positive. Evaluation of curricular components and their effectiveness as an integrated sequence is ongoing. Lessons Learned: Core principles consisted of including a wide range of stakeholders to build consensus, establishing complementary student and faculty roles, using the "language of collaboration" rather than the "language of demand," presenting sexual and gender minority content in an intersectional manner whenever possible, and balancing sexual and gender minority components across the curriculum. Key practices included mapping curriculum to identify gaps; developing curriculum "pitches"; identifying early and potential later "adopters" among faculty; focusing on faculty ownership of curriculum to facilitate institutionalization; and performing ongoing tracking, assessment, and revision of curriculum.
Proactive maintenance therapy of canine atopic dermatitis with the anti-IL-31 lokivetmab. Can a monoclonal antibody blocking a single cytokine prevent allergy flares?

Background Once the signs of canine atopic dermatitis (AD) are controlled, the proactive application of topical glucocorticoids can delay disease flares. Objectives We wished to determine if the proactive administration of the anti-IL-31 lokivetmab would prevent or delay flares of canine AD. Animals We tested this strategy in four Maltese-beagle atopic dogs before enrolling 21 dogs with spontaneous AD. Methods and materials In our acute AD model, house dust mite (HDM)-sensitized dogs were injected once with lokivetmab. After seven days, an HDM suspension was applied epicutaneously, and both skin lesions and pruritus manifestations were quantified for 24 h. In a second study, 21 dogs with spontaneous AD controlled with anti-allergic drugs were treated with lokivetmab per manufacturer's recommendations; all anti-allergic drugs were discontinued within four weeks after the first injection. All dogs were followed prospectively for at least one year and the time-to-flare (TTF) of AD after the last day of anti-allergic treatment was determined. Results In the experimental study, one injection of lokivetmab prevented nearly all expected allergen-induced pruritus manifestations but not skin lesion development. In dogs with spontaneous AD, the median TTF after lokivetmab proactive therapy was 63 days. One-fourth of dogs did not exhibit a flare for at least one year while receiving lokivetmab monotherapy. Conclusions Although lokivetmab seems more effective to prevent pruritus than skin lesions in dogs with experimental AD' it also can delay disease flares in some dogs with the spontaneous disease. Studies are needed to identify those patients most likely to respond to such a proactive regimen.
Malignant Transformation by Herpesviruses

Determination of the etiology of human neoplasia has presented a formidable challenge. Since Ellerman and Bang (1908) and subsequently Rous (1911) demonstrated early in this century that a transmissible agent could cause leukemia and sarcoma of chickens, scientists have engaged in a frustrating quest for comparable human viruses. In the past decade, demonstration that DNA containing papovaviruses can lytically infect some cells and can both transform cells in culture and produce tumors in experimental animals (Butel, Tevethia and Melnick, 1972) has initiated investigation of multipotential viruses indigenous to human populations.
Limbal Stem Cells and the Treatment of Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency

Many organs (skin, stomach, intestines, colon, and eye) possess an epithelial layer that is short-lived and rapidly lost, requiring a source of adult stem cells that produces a continual supply of epithelial cells to replenish the lost cells. Maintaining these rapidly self-renewing epithelial surfaces during normal homeostasis is therefore dependent upon the health of the adult stem cell population. One important challenge in regenerative medicine is replacing these adult stem cells when they are eliminated following an injury or disease. The eye contains two highly specialized stratified squamous epithelia, the conjunctival epithelium and the corneal epithelium, which are separated by the limbal epithelium (Fig. 5.1). A healthy corneal epithelium is essential for maintaining a clear cornea and normal vision. The limbus contains a small subpopulation of rare LSC (Limbal Stem Cells) that continually repopulates the corneal epithelium. Patients with a LSCD (Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency) are unable to regenerate the corneal epithelium, resulting in migration of the conjunctival epithelium over the corneal stroma, called “conjunctivalization,” that triggers neovascularization, chronic inflammation, and corneal opacity. A complete LSCD results in the total loss of the corneal epithelium and blindness due to an irreversibly opaque cornea. The extent of LSC loss can range from partial to complete and can be either unilateral or bilateral with a corresponding range in the loss of vision. LSCD can be caused by a variety of injuries or diseases: chemical or thermal burns [1], Stevens-Johnson syndrome [2, 3], aniridia [3], contact lens-induced keratopathy [4], multiple surgeries [5], cryotherapy of the limbus [5], chronic peripheral corneal inflammation [6], and lysosomal storage disease. However, corneal burns are by far the most frequent cause of a LSCD [5].
Adjacent level fracture incidence in single fraction high dose spinal radiosurgery.

Background: Vertebral body compression fracture (VCF) is a complication following spinal stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). However, the incidence of VCF in vertebrae adjacent to the level of SRS is unknown. This study aimed to determine the incidence of adjacent level VCF (adjVCF) following spinal SRS. Methods: A retrospective review of 239 lesions treated with single-fraction SRS from 2011–2014 was performed. Clinical and pathologic factors were collected including evaluation of VCFs in adjacent levels to SRS site. In patients with adjVCFs, dose-volume histograms for adjacent-level endplates were calculated. Cox regression analysis was performed to determine any association among clinical factors and adjVCF occurrence. Results: Median follow-up was 14.7 months. Twenty-six adjVCFs occurred (10.8%). Of the adjVCFs, 19 had metastases following SRS, and seven did not (2.9% of total treatments). Median time to fracture post-SRS was 13.5 months. In adjVCFs, median of the mean dose to adjacent level fractured endplate was 23.3 Gy, and median of the mean dose of sixteen non-fractured endplates immediately adjacent to the SRS site was 19.1 Gy. Age, gender, and histology were not associated with adjVCF. Conclusions: AdjVCF after spinal SRS occurs at a rate of 2.9%, when excluding metastatic sites of disease. Adjacent level endplates should be investigated as an organ at risk during SRS planning.
Economic foundations for the use of biotechnology to improve farm animal welfare

Abstract Background Consumer demand for production process traits in food and agricultural products is rapidly increasing. Recent legal measures reflect demand for high animal welfare standards. At the same time, consumers are wary of biotechnology applications in food and agriculture, with calls for natural or organic production across the industry. However, when biotechnologies are applied for the consumer's benefit or address a consumer concern, they become far more acceptable. Scope and approach This paper explores the economic foundations, challenges and opportunities for consumer acceptance of biotechnology applications in animal welfare, especially gene editing techniques. We review the food economics literature on consumer acceptance of biotechnology to improve animal welfare and discuss the emerging opportunities for future improvements through gene editing using the pork and dairy industries as case studies. We also discuss industry and policy implications of consumer demand for animal welfare and biotechnology in livestock applications. Key findings and conclusions Understanding the economic foundations of biotechnology use to improve animal welfare aids agricultural producers, scientists and policy makers to make optimal decisions regarding how these important aspects of animal agriculture progress. We find that the future success of a variety of biotechnologies in livestock production will likely depend on consumer acceptance of the resulting products. Animal welfare applications may increase consumer acceptance.
Role of new antifungal agents in prophylaxis of mycoses in high risk patients.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: For pancreas, liver, and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients, no antifungal prophylaxis led to a high rate of and high morbidity from fungal infection. With the use of fluconazole as prophylaxis since the early 1990s, there have been shifts in the types of infecting fungal pathogens, documentation of resistance among fungal organisms, and changes in transplant practices. The aim of this article is to review recent clinical trials regarding antifungal chemoprophylaxis among several populations of high risk patients. RECENT FINDINGS: Itraconazole, micafungin, and posaconazole have been studied as alternatives to fluconazole prophylaxis. Itraconazole showed no dramatic improvement over fluconazole as prophylaxis during liver and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, primarily due to gastrointestinal side effects. In addition, detrimental changes to cyclophosphamide metabolism were noted for hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients. Micafungin was superior to fluconazole during the pre-engraftment period of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, because it was able to prevent mold infections, required less switches to empirical antifungal therapy, and functioned as well as fluconazole in preventing yeast infections. Posaconazole was compared to fluconazole during a 16-week prophylaxis period during graft-versus-host disease, but results of this study are still forthcoming. Aerosolized amphotericin products appear to be safe for lung transplant recipients. SUMMARY: Fluconazole remains the standard agent for prophylaxis against invasive fungal infections for pancreas, liver, and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients. Micafungin is superior to fluconazole with minimal toxicity for use in the pre-engraftment period of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The optimal agent for prophylaxis later following transplant, if mold coverage is desired during prolonged immunosuppression, has not been determined.
Abracito: Designing Skin-to-Skin Incubation Garments for Preemies & Micro Preemies

Abracito is a collection of cloth wraps designed to promote skin-to-skin incubation practices with critically ill newborns and low birth weight babies born in low resource environments. This case study highlights a unique, international collaboration that engages university students in solving a real world problem through functional apparel design. The on-going project is generating student involvement in global citizenry with solutions to reduce infant mortality in Honduras through in country partnerships and Human Centered Design.
The Flaws of Implicit Bias -- and the Need for Empirical Research in Legal Scholarship and in Legal Education

Nowhere is the necessity of using empirical research methods and statistics in formulating legal arguments more obvious than in recent legal scholarship concerning implicit bias. By way of background, the concept of implicit, or unconscious, bias has recently enjoyed its ‘fifteen minutes of fame,’ garnering substantial support from many scholars, including some law professors, who contend that implicit biases cause discriminatory behavior, including behaviors that disparately impact traditionally marginalized groups. Indeed, scholars have advocated for programs and policies that instruct incoming law students and faculty regarding the existence of its implicit bias and its alleged role in perpetuating overt and subtle racism. But there is a problem – a very big problem – that plagues legal scholarship in this area and that casts doubt on these policies. Specifically, recent empirical studies by social psychologists strongly suggest that implicit bias is not predictive of biased behavior. In fact, the science regarding implicit bias’s connection to biased behavior is so flawed that social psychologists doubt its validity and question the utility of policies that attempt to link implicit bias to biased behavior. You wouldn’t know this from reading the many law review articles concerning implicit bias, or from the orientation sessions where law students are taught to believe that implicit bias is the sine qua non of biased behavior.
Rheumatologists and Pulmonologists at Temple University Weather the COVID-19 Storm Together.

In recent commentaries from Lancet Rheumatology and The Journal of Rheumatology 1,2, the authors eloquently illustrated the connection between the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection, the subsequent cytokine storm (CS) that ensues in a number of patients, and the potential efficacy of biologics that rheumatologists routinely use in their practices. Moreover, those biologics were originally investigated by rheumatologists for the treatment of numerous rheumatic conditions, including macrophage activating syndrome (MAS), a similar form of storm that resembles the one occurring in patients with COVID-193. The authors therefore conclude that rheumatologists could provide a helpful perspective in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. The Thoracic Medicine and Surgery (TMS) Department and the Rheumatology Division at Temple University Hospital … Address correspondence to Dr. R. Caricchio, Temple University School of Medicine, 3322 N. Broad St., Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA. Email: roc{at}temple.edu.
Bringing the Dark Side of International Business into the Classroom

We contend that positioning dark side activities (DSA) as a more central component of IB coursework is important for students to understand the legitimacy and performance consequences of such phenomena. We draw on six types of DSA: environmental degradation; questionable marketing practices; accounting or financial fraud; corruption; labor abuses; and cultural imperialism. We suggest that IB educators expose students to concrete examples illustrating when MNEs may drift to the dark side and provide three short case studies. We provide informational resources and discussion prompts for human trafficking and outline a United Nations framework to structure in-class discussion of DSA.
High rates of postoperative radiotherapy delay in head and neck cancer before and after Medicaid expansion.

BACKGROUND The objective is to study the effect of Medicaid expansion on postoperative radiation therapy (PORT) delay in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). METHODS Patients from the National Cancer Database with HNSCC undergoing curative-intent surgery in the 2 years before and after Medicaid expansion were analyzed (n = 11 717) using the difference-in-differences technique to study the effect on PORT delay. RESULTS The rate of PORT delay before and after expansion was 66.0% and 66.9%, respectively. Medicaid patients had more frequent PORT delay than privately insured patients (pre-expansion 77.2% vs. 59.4%, p < 0.001; post-expansion 76.5% vs. 60.9%, p < 0.001). Medicaid expansion had no effect on PORT delay [hazard ratio 0.95, 95% confidence interval 0.81-1.12]. Supplemental analyses revealed that pathologic stage, number of treating facilities, and comorbidities were among several factors associated with PORT delay in the cohort. CONCLUSION PORT delay is unacceptably frequent. Improvement in timely adjuvant therapy requires more than Medicaid expansion.
Cannabinoids Regulate Sensory Processing in Early Olfactory and Visual Neural Circuits

Our sensory systems such as the olfactory and visual systems are the target of neuromodulatory regulation. This neuromodulation starts at the level of sensory receptors and extends into cortical processing. A relatively new group of neuromodulators includes cannabinoids. These form a group of chemical substances that are found in the cannabis plant. Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are the main cannabinoids. THC acts in the brain and nervous system like the chemical substances that our body produces, the endogenous cannabinoids or endocannabinoids, also nicknamed the brain’s own cannabis. While the function of the endocannabinoid system is understood fairly well in limbic structures such as the hippocampus and the amygdala, this signaling system is less well understood in the olfactory pathway and the visual system. Here, we describe and compare endocannabinoids as signaling molecules in the early processing centers of the olfactory and visual system, the olfactory bulb, and the retina, and the relevance of the endocannabinoid system for synaptic plasticity.
CFD Simulation Analysis and Experimental Study of Capillary Underfill Flow in Heterogeneous Integration

Capillary Underfill (CUF) process has been widely used in flip-chip packaging since it offers significant improvement of the solder joint reliability. This study focuses on the underfill flow behavior of a multi-chip module with a cavity in the laminate substrate designed for heterogeneous integration. In this paper, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation with a three-dimensional model is developed to analyze the flow motion of the underfill, while considering several parameters that affect the capillary action. Simulation results are validated with a flow visualization experiment by using transparent glass chips and substrates. The results of time-developing behavior of underfill filling are compared between the simulation and experiment and good agreement is shown. In addition, several factors affecting the capillary action such as surface tension, contact angle, viscosity were evaluated in the CFD analysis. It was revealed that those factors have large influence on the flow and the void formation inside of the cavity. The present analysis is useful for selecting the underfill with optimal material properties for successful filling process.
Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome and Bullous Impetigo

Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSSS) and bullous impetigo are infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus. The pathogenesis of both conditions centers around exotoxin mediated cleavage of desmoglein-1, which results in intraepidermal desquamation. Bullous impetigo is due to the local release of these toxins and thus, often presents with localized skin findings, whereas SSSS is from the systemic spread of these toxins, resulting in a more generalized rash and severe presentation. Both conditions are treated with antibiotics that target S. aureus. These conditions can sometimes be confused with other conditions that result in superficial blistering; the distinguishing features are outlined below.
Self-Reported Mental Disorders and Distress by Sexual Orientation: Results of the Minnesota College Student Health Survey.

Introduction Sexual minority college students (i.e., those not identifying as heterosexual, or those reporting same-sex sexual activity) may be at increased risk of poor mental health, given factors such as minority stress, stigma, and discrimination. Such disparities could have important implications for students' academic achievement, future health, and social functioning. This study compares reports of mental disorder diagnoses, stressful life events, and frequent mental distress across five gender-stratified sexual orientation categories. Methods Data were from the 2007–2011 College Student Health Survey, which surveyed a random sample of college students (N=34,324) at 40 Minnesota institutions. Data analysis was conducted in 2013–2014. The prevalence of mental disorder diagnoses, frequent mental distress, and stressful life events were calculated for heterosexual, discordant heterosexual, gay or lesbian, bisexual, and unsure students. Logistic regression models were fit to estimate the association between sexual orientation and mental health outcomes. Results Lesbian, gay, and bisexual students were more likely to report any mental health disorder diagnosis than were heterosexual students ( p Conclusions Sexual minority college students experience worse mental health than their heterosexual peers. These students may benefit from interventions that target the structural and social causes of these disparities, and individual-level interventions that consider their unique life experiences.
Extracting Stable Timed Automata from Switched Model Reference Systems

This paper discusses recent results on multiple linear agent control for systems satisfying a bounded amplitude performance constraint. The plant is assumed to be a linear parameter varying (LPV) system scheduled along a nominal parameter trajectory; in this respect, the control problem represents a plant operating between a prespecified set of operating conditions. Linear controllers are designed at setpoints along this scheduling trajectory to satsify bounded amplitude performance cosntraints. This paper discusses an approach to analyze the switched system behavior under practical assumptions on the structure of the switching rule. The approach combines the scheduling parameter with LPV system properties to derive bounds on the switching behavior of the system. These estimates are then used to construct a logical model of the switched system behavior in the form of a timed automaton. In this respect, this paper presents a way of extracting logical models of continuous time system behavior.
Enzymatic Aryl-O-Methyl-14C Labeling of Model Lignin Monomers

Aryl-O-methyl ethers are abundant in aerobic and anaerobic environments. In particular, lignin is composed of units of this type. Lignin monomers specifically radiolabeled in methoxy, side chain, and ring carbons have been synthesized by chemical procedures and are important in studies of lignin synthesis and degradation, humus formation, and microbial O-demethylation. In this paper attention is drawn to an enzymatic procedure for preparing O-methyl-14C-labeled aromatic lignin monomers which has not previously been exploited in microbial ecology and physiology studies and which has several advantages compared with chemical synthesis procedures. O-[methyl-14C]vanillic and O-[methyl-14C]ferulic acids were prepared with S-[methyl-14C]adenosyl-l-methionine as the methyl donor, using commercially obtained porcine liver catechol-O-methyltransferase (EC 2.1.1.6). The specific activity of the methylated products was the same as that of the methyl donor, a maximum of about 58 μCi/μmol, and the yields were 42% (vanillate) and 35% (ferulate). Thus lignin monomers are readily prepared as O-methylated products of the catechol-O-methyltransferase reaction and, with this enzyme method of preparation, would be more widely available than labeled compounds which require chemical synthesis.
High-frequency modeling of metal fill eddy-current loss in integrated circuits

This paper presents a fast basis-function-based table lookup approach to account for the eddy current losses due to metal fill in spatially varying magnetic fields. This approach enables the accurate prediction of the change in resistance and inductance due to metal fill in close proximity to interconnects, spiral inductors, and other passive components over a wide range of frequencies and dimensions. The approach is compared to the simulation of a 50Ω on-chip microstrip transmission line with surrounding 50% density metal fill. Our method captures the change in resistance with less than 2% error at 100 GHz.
Nuclear Equilibration Processes at Moderate Excitations

The equilibrium statistical model has been with us for over 35 years [52]; direct reaction models have similarly been around for many years. Our intuition and experimental results both tell us that the equilibrium model must become progressively poorer as excitation energy increases, and lifetimes decrease for excited nuclear states. The question becomes one of “what happens on the way to equilibrium?” Does the nucleus decay after achieving an equilibrium state, or before, or a bit of both? What is the time depedence of this process, how does this vary with mass and energy? There have been some models proposed for answering this question in the past, but for the most part, this question involves work dating since 1966. It is therefore a relatively new area in nuclear physics, and one which is still developing. The goal of this presentation is to look at several related models which have been applied to the equilibration question, trying to give a simple qualitative description of the underlying physical assumptions of each model, discussing contrapunctally their similarities and their differences. Comparisons of predictions of the several models with one another will be presented. One must return from the world of fantasy on occasion, and so results of these models will also be compared with experimental results.
A study of sulfamerazine single crystals using atomic force microscopy, transmission light microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy

Sulfamerazine (SMZ) Form I and II single crystals were prepared from aqueous dispersions of SMZ bulk samples and studied using several microscopic and spectroscopic techniques. Transmission light microscopy and Raman spectroscopy were used to observe and identify single crystals. The results indicated that Form I single crystals tended to be rectangular laths while Form II ones tended to be hexagonal laths. Surface morphology of individual single crystals was further investigated by atomic force microscopy (AFM). AFM images revealed a smooth top surface, a uniform height, and sharp edges for both forms of single crystals. Both height and phase images showed crystalline terraces with different step heights for the top surface of Form I. Surface properties of single crystals were evaluated using AFM force measurements. Experimental results indicated that the top surface of Form I single crystals was more hydrophilic than that of Form II. Theoretical calculations predicted a dominant crystal face of (020) for the Form I single crystals and (002) for the Form II ones. The correlations between calculation predictions and experimental results were discussed.
More on reconstructing strings from random traces: insertions and deletions

We are given a collection of m received strings or traces that have been independently generated by randomly inserting and deleting bits from a common string t of length n. Our goal is to reconstruct the string t from these observed traces. This paper considers both the algorithms for doing this reconstruction and seeks to understand the error rates at which reconstruction is possible. Note the difference from the typical coding theory scenario rather than trying to infer a codeword from a single received word, we are interested in inferring an arbitrary (or near arbitrary) word from multiple, independently generated received words. We present two main results. Firstly we show that for almost all transmitted strings, if the deletion/insertion error probability is O(1/log2 n) then with m = O(log n) traces we can exactly reconstruct the transmitted string with high probability. Furthermore we can still reconstruct in the presence of additional noise that flips each bit with constant probability. Secondly, for arbitrary strings (with no run of length > nepsi) we show that with a constant number of received strings we can reconstruct when the deletion/insertion probability is O(1/n1/2+epsi). This paper continues work initiated in Batu et. al. (2004) which considered only deletion errors. Our setting can be viewed as the study of an idealized biological evolutionary process where the DNA string undergoes point mutations, deletions and insertions. Our goal is to understand at what mutation rates, a small number of observed samples can be correctly aligned to reconstruct the parent string
Intrapulmonary vascular dilatations (IPVD) in liver transplant candidates. Screening by two-dimensional contrast-enhanced echocardiography

Intrapulmonary vascular dilatations (IPVD) are extrahepatic complications of acute and chronic liver disorders that can result in severe hypoxemia. Contrast-enhanced (CE) echocardiography provides a noninvasive method to detect right-to-left shunting associated with IPVD. We prospectively studied 40 consecutive liver transplant candidates to determine the relationship between CE echocardiography, arterial blood gases, and standard pulmonary function tests. Two patients had technically unacceptable results of echocardiographic studies. Thirty-eight patients had acceptable results of studies; seven (18.4 percent) of 38 were hypoxemic (PaO 2 2 ≥70 mm Hg. Positive CE echocardiograms suggesting IPVD were found in five (13.2 percent) of 38. Three (9.7 percent) of the 31 patients with PaO 2 ≥70 mm Hg had positive CE echocardiograms. Two (28.6 percent) of the seven hypoxemic patients had positive CE echocardiography. Mean PaO 2 and pulmonary function parameters were not significantly different between those with positive CE echocardiogram compared with those with normal CE echocardiograms. We conclude that for our group of liver transplant candidates, (1) IPVD as suggested by CE echocardiography were not uncommon (13.2 percent), and (2) positive CE echocardiography could be documented in patients who were not hypoxemic (9.7 percent).
Real-Time Simultaneous Pose and Shape Estimation for Articulated Objects Using a Single Depth Camera

In this paper we present a novel real-time algorithm for simultaneous pose and shape estimation for articulated objects, such as human beings and animals. The key of our pose estimation component is to embed the articulated deformation model with exponential-maps-based parametrization into a Gaussian Mixture Model. Benefiting from the probabilistic measurement model, our algorithm requires no explicit point correspondences as opposed to most existing methods. Consequently, our approach is less sensitive to local minimum and well handles fast and complex motions. Extensive evaluations on publicly available datasets demonstrate that our method outperforms most state-of-art pose estimation algorithms with large margin, especially in the case of challenging motions. Moreover, our novel shape adaptation algorithm based on the same probabilistic model automatically captures the shape of the subjects during the dynamic pose estimation process. Experiments show that our shape estimation method achieves comparable accuracy with state of the arts, yet requires neither parametric model nor extra calibration procedure.
Indirect representation and the self-representational theory of consciousness

According to Uriah Kriegel’s self-representational theory of consciousness, mental state M is conscious just in case it is a complex with suitably integrated proper parts, M1 and M2, such that M1 is a higher-order representation of lower-order representation M2. Kriegel claims that M thereby “indirectly” represents itself, and he attempts to motivate this claim by appealing to what he regards as intuitive cases of indirect perceptual and pictorial representation. For example, Kriegel claims that it’s natural to say that in directly perceiving the front surface of an apple one thereby perceives the apple itself. Cases such as this are supposed to provide intuitive support for the principle that if X represents Y, and Y is highly integrated into complex object Z, then X indirectly represents Z. In this paper I provide counterexamples to Kriegel’s principle of indirect representation, before going on to argue that we can explain what is going on in those cases in which the subject seems to represent a complex whole by representing one its parts without positing indirect representations anyway. I then argue that my alternative approach is superior to Kriegel’s in a number of ways, thereby rendering his theory of consciousness implausible.
Stimulus control of lingual predatory luring and related foraging tactics of Mangrove Saltmarsh Snakes (Nerodia clarkii compressicauda)

Knowledge of the various cues that elicit natural behavior is important to our understanding of why and when animals behave as they do. In order to gain insight into the behavior and ecology of Nerodia clarkii compressicauda, a piscivorous snake that uses a unique form of predatory luring as a foraging tactic, we observed 22 juvenile subjects in the presence of visual and chemical prey stimuli in a repeated-measures design. The use of video playback as a visual stimulus in this experiment permitted complete isolation from tactile and chemical cues. Snakes were more sedentary and used lingual luring more when both cue types were present than when none or only one of the cues was available. Subjects also attacked more often in the presence of both stimuli. Predatory attacks by prey-naive subjects directed to video cues when only visual prey stimuli were available demonstrated that snakes can identify prey visually without prior experience.