cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Changes in young people's sexual behavior and attitudes, 1943-1999 : A cross-temporal meta-analysis

A cross-temporal meta-analysis of 530 studies (N = 269,649) showed that young people's sexual attitudes and behavior changed substantially between 1943 and 1999, with the largest shifts occurring a...
A Comparative Review of Melanocytic Neoplasms

Melanoma is a devastating disease frequently encountered within both veterinary and human medicine. Molecular changes linked with neoplastic transformation of melanocytes include mutations in genes that encode proteins intrinsic to the regulatory pathways of two tumor suppressor proteins (retinoblastoma protein and p53), proto-oncogene mutation to oncogenes, altered expression of epithelial cadherin and CD44 adhesion molecules, and upregulation of angiogenic factors and other growth factors. Histologic evaluation of the primary mass is the most common means of diagnosis, with cytology used more frequently to document metastasis. Melanoma's highly variable histologic and cytologic patterns can make diagnosis by either method problematic. Adherent epithelioid morphology, including signet ring forms, and nonadherent round and spindle forms are recognized, with pigmentation an inconsistent finding. The site of the tumor, the thickness of the primary tumor or depth of invasion, and the number of mitotic figures per high-power field or per millimeter are used histologically to predict biologic behavior, whereas site and degree of pleomorphism are typically used for cytologic preparations. Diagnosis of amelanotic melanoma can be aided by ancillary diagnostic techniques. Tumor cells are usually positive for vimentin, S100, neuron-specific enolase, and Melan-A, and negative for cytokeratin. Melan-A as a positive marker is not as sensitive as the others are but is likely more specific. Monoclonal antibodies to human melanosome-specific antigens 1 and 5 cross-react with canine antigens for a combined sensitivity rate of 83%. Mouse monoclonal antibody IBF9 specifically recognizes canine melanoma antigen and also has good sensitivity. Serologic markers, including cytokines, cell adhesion molecules, and melanoma-inhibitory activity, are being investigated as potential sentinels of melanoma. Currently, there is no single diagnostic technique capable of differentiating benign from malignant melanocytic neoplasms or predicting survival time.
The Large Benefits of Small Satellite Missions

Small-spacecraft missions play a key and compelling role in space-based scientific and engineering programs [Moretto and Robinson, 2008]. Compared with larger satellites, which can be in excess of 2000 kilograms, small satellites range from 750 kilograms—roughly the size of a golf cart—to less than 1 kilogram, about the size of a softball. They have been responsible for greatly reducing the time needed to obtain science and technology results. The shorter development times for smaller missions can reduce overall costs and can thus provide welcome budgetary options for highly constrained space programs. In many cases, we contend that 80% (or more) of program goals can be achieved for 20% of the cost by using small-spacecraft solutions.
Benefits of biomarker selection and clinico-pathological covariate inclusion in breast cancer prognostic models

Multi-marker molecular assays have impacted management of early stage breast cancer, facilitating adjuvant chemotherapy decisions. We generated prognostic models that incorporate protein-based molecular markers and clinico-pathological variables to improve survival prediction. We used a quantitative immunofluorescence method to study protein expression of 14 markers included in the Oncotype DX™ assay on a 638 breast cancer patient cohort with 15-year follow-up. We performed cross-validation analyses to assess performance of multivariate Cox models consisting of these markers and standard clinico-pathological covariates, using an average time-dependent Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic curves and compared it to nested Cox models obtained by robust backward selection procedures. A prognostic index derived from of a multivariate Cox regression model incorporating molecular and clinico-pathological covariates (nodal status, tumor size, nuclear grade, and age) is superior to models based on molecular studies alone or clinico-pathological covariates alone. Performance of this composite model can be further improved using feature selection techniques to prune variables. When stratifying patients by Nottingham Prognostic Index (NPI), the most prognostic markers in high and low NPI groups differed. Similarly, for the node-negative, hormone receptor-positive sub-population, we derived a compact model with three clinico-pathological variables and two protein markers that was superior to the full model. Prognostic models that include both molecular and clinico-pathological covariates can be more accurate than models based on either set of features alone. Furthermore, feature selection can decrease the number of molecular variables needed to predict outcome, potentially resulting in less expensive assays.
A procedure for evaluating seismic energy demand of framed structures

Energy serves as an alternative index to response quantities like force or displacement to include the duration-related seismic damage effect. A procedure to evaluate the absorbed energy in a multistorey frame from energy spectra was developed. For low- to medium-rise frames, it required a static pushover analysis of the structure to determine the modal yield force and ductility factor of an equivalent single-degree-of-freedom system for the first two modes. The energy spectra were then used to determine the energy contribution of each mode. A procedure was also developed to distribute the energy along the frame height based on energy shapes. This study showed that the second-mode response in some cases needs to be considered to reflect the energy (or damage) concentration in the upper floors. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Gender Differences in Science Performance

The purposed of this study was to examine the gender differences in students’ science performance in their third, fifth, and eighth grade. This study utilized the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study Kindergarten Class of 1998-1999 (ECLS-K) K-8 full sample data public-use data file and had the sample size of 7,305 students. An independent sample t-test was conducted to compare science performance in male and female students in each grade level. Results indicated that gender had significant effects on students’ science performance in third, fifth, and eighth grade. Starting in third grade, male students performed better than female students. This trend continued; males still outperformed females in the fifth and eighth grade. The gender difference on science performance already existed in third grade. It is not clear why female students performed less than the other counterparts. Future studies should investigate students’ science learning progress and their science learning experience in the classrooms of the early elementary grades.
High Dietary Vitamin D Prevents Hypocalcemia and Osteomalacia in CYP27B1 Knockout Mice

Mice lacking 25-hydroxycholecalciferol [25(OH)D]-1alpha-hydroxylase (CYP27B1) are growth retarded, hypocalcemic, and have poor bone mineralization. We tested whether high dietary cholecalciferol (VD3) could exert effects in the absence of CYP27B1 in vivo. Weanling male wild-type (WT) and CYP27B1 knockout (KO) mice were fed either a 2% calcium (Ca), 20% lactose rescue diet or an AIN93G diet (0.5% Ca, 0.4% phosphorus) containing 1000 (1K, the rodent requirement, 25 microg), 10,000 (10K, 250 microg), or 20,000 (20K, 500 microg) IU VD3/kg diet until 12 wk when blood and tissues were taken. Serum 25(OH)D was >90 nmol/L in the 1K diet group and increased >4-fold in mice fed 10K and 20K diets. The 1K diet impaired growth and caused hypocalcemia in KO mice; the 10K and 20K diets were as effective as the high Ca rescue diet in preventing these outcomes. High VD3 restored expression of vitamin D-regulated genes in intestine (calbindin D(9K)) and kidney (CYP27B1, 24-hydroxylase, calbindin D(9K)) of KO mice. Micro-computed tomography of femora revealed complete recovery of cortical bone in KO mice fed either the rescue or 10K diets but only partial recovery of trabecular bone measures (e.g. 40% lower bone volume, 20% lower trabecular thickness, and 23% increase in trabecular separation). These data show that very high serum 25(OH)D can influence Ca and bone metabolism independent of its conversion to 1,25 dihydroxycholecalciferol. However, neither high dietary Ca nor high dietary VD3 is sufficient to fully recover the phenotype of CYP27B1 KO mice.
Excessive Daytime Somnolence Associated with Parkinson’s Disease

Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) occurs in up to 50 % of patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) and is characterized by an inability to maintain full alertness in the daytime and undesirable lapses into sleep. Often overshadowed by the motor symptoms of PD, EDS can contribute to home and automobile accidents and have a negative impact on mood and overall quality of life. Sleep disturbances and EDS can result from the medications used to treat PD, degeneration of neuronal systems involved in the control of the sleep–wake system that occurs as part of the PD disease process, and comorbid conditions including specific sleep disorders and depression. The treatment of EDS in the PD patient requires careful evaluation of the multiple contributing causes and instituting recommendations that can consist of sleep hygiene and behavioral changes, alterations in the dosing and timing of PD medications, treatment of comorbid disorders, and the use of medications that affect nocturnal sleep quality and daytime alertness.
Lipoprotein Subclasses in the Monitored Atherosclerosis Regression Study (MARS) Treatment Effects and Relation to Coronary Angiographic Progression

Abstract Accumulating evidence suggests that triglyceride-rich lipoproteins contribute to coronary artery disease. Using data from the Monitored Atherosclerosis Regression Study, an angiographic trial of middle-aged men and women randomized to lovastatin or placebo, we investigated relationships between lipoprotein subclasses and progression of coronary artery atherosclerosis. Coronary artery lesion progression was determined by quantitative coronary angiography in low-grade (<50% diameter stenosis), high-grade (≥50% diameter stenosis), and all coronary artery lesions in 220 baseline/2-year angiogram pairs. Analytical ultracentrifugation was used to measure lipoprotein masses that were statistically evaluated for treatment group differences and relationships to progression of coronary artery atherosclerosis. All low density lipoprotein (LDL), intermediate density lipoprotein (IDL), and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) masses were significantly lowered and all high density lipoprotein (HDL) masses were ...
Role of family history and ethnicity on the mode and age of prostate cancer presentation

BACKGROUND This study was conducted to investigate the role of family history of prostate cancer and ethnic variation on age at diagnosis and the mode of prostate cancer presentation among a multiracial cohort of men in the Bronx and on Long Island. METHODS A retrospective hospital-based study of 953 men (62% white, 24% African-American, 9% Hispanic, and 5% other ethnicities) with biopsy-confirmed prostate cancer diagnosed between 1991 and 1996. Data were collected between 1996 and 1998 using self-administered questionnaires that assessed age at diagnosis, ethnicity, family history of prostate cancer, and first indication of potential prostate cancer. RESULTS Men with a family history of prostate cancer were diagnosed at an earlier mean age than those who lacked a family history (P < 0.001). Prostate cancer patients with an affected father had a significantly lower mean age at diagnosis than those patients who indicated that at least one brother (but not their father) was affected (P < 0.001). African-Americans reported a family history of prostate cancer more often than whites (P < 0.01) and were younger at diagnosis (P < 0.0001). Hispanic patients were less likely to be identified by screening and more likely to present with symptoms compared with whites (P < 0.0001) and African-Americans (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Men with an affected father were more likely to have disease diagnosed at an early age. The lower rates of presentation by prostate cancer screening of Hispanic men with prostate cancer suggests that increased surveillance may be warranted in this population. Prostate 50: 216–221, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Stimulus effectiveness in avoidance behavior in fish

Two groups of pinfish (Lagodon rhomboides), were trained to make avoidance responses in a shuttlebox. One group was trained to a visual CS, the other group to an auditory CS. Animals trained to the auditory stimulus did not learn the task as readily as animals trained to the visual stimulus, as indexed by the number of animals reaching criterion in a 31 day period and by the median acquisition rate. The finding is the opposite of what had previously been found in the rat. This species difference may be related to the capacities of the animals to make discriminations of signals presented in different modalities.
Charge Composition Features of Model Single-span Membrane Proteins That Determine Selection of YidC and SecYEG Translocase Pathways in Escherichia coli

We have investigated the features of single-span model membrane proteins based upon leader peptidase that determines whether the proteins insert by a YidC/Sec-independent, YidC-only, or YidC/Sec mechanism. We find that a protein with a highly hydrophobic transmembrane segment that inserts into the membrane by a YidC/Sec-independent mechanism becomes YidC-dependent if negatively charged residues are inserted into the translocated periplasmic domain or if the hydrophobicity of the transmembrane segment is reduced by substituting polar residues for nonpolar ones. This suggests that charged residues in the translocated domain and the hydrophobicity within the transmembrane segment are important determinants of the insertion pathway. Strikingly, the addition of a positively charged residue to either the translocated region or the transmembrane region can switch the insertion requirements such that insertion requires both YidC and SecYEG. To test conclusions from the model protein studies, we confirmed that a positively charged residue is a SecYEG determinant for the endogenous proteins ATP synthase subunits a and b and the TatC subunit of the Tat translocase. These findings provide deeper insights into how pathways are selected for the insertion of proteins into the Escherichia coli inner membrane.
Activator of G-protein signaling 3 controls renal epithelial cell survival and ERK5 activation

Activator of G-protein signaling 3 (AGS3) is an accessory protein that functions to regulate the activation status of heterotrimeric G-protein subunits. To date, however, the downstream signaling pathways regulated by AGS3 remain to be fully elucidated, particularly in renal epithelial cells. In the present study, normal rat kidney (NRK-52E) proximal tubular epithelial cells were genetically modified to regulate the expression of AGS3 to investigate its role on MAPK and mTOR signaling to control epithelial cell number. Knockdown of endogenous AGS3 protein was associated with a reduced phosphorylated form of ERK5 and increased apoptosis as determined by elevated cleaved caspase-3. In the presence of the ERK5 inhibitor, BIX02189, a significant 2-fold change (P < 0.05) in G2/M transition state was detected compared to control conditions. Neither of the other MAPK, ERK1/2 or p38 MAPK, nor another pro-survival pathway, mTOR, was significantly altered by the changes in AGS3 protein levels in the renal epithelial cells. The selective ERK5 inhibitor, BIX02189, was found to dose-dependently reduce NRK cell number by up to 41% (P < 0.05) compared to control cells. In summary, these findings demonstrated that cell viability was regulated by AGS3 and was associated with ERK5 activation in renal epithelial cells.
Departmental and Disciplinary Divisions in Sociology: Responses from Departmental Executive Officers

This study is the first empirical attempt to assess divisions in sociology. In this work, I use semistructured interviews with departmental executive officers (heads and chairs) at 27 of the top 50 ranked Sociology departments to gain a better understanding of the divisions that departments face and, to by extension, the discipline more generally. The most salient source of conflict is between a vision of sociology that incorporates activism and a political perspective into the work and one that believes that valuable research is objective and does not advocate for a political perspective. Concerns centered on qualitative and quantitative methodological differences or concerns focused on sociology’s (in)coherence were secondary to the activism versus science split. The conflict manifests in its most pronounced manner when the evaluation of work is required (e.g., hiring, promotion, and merit). One viable prescription may be for departments to be explicit in their expectations, their criteria for evaluation, and the relative weights of these various components.
Mixed signal detection and symbol rate estimation based on spectral coherent features

Signal detection and RF parameter estimation have received great interest in recent years due to the need for spectrum sensing in rapidly growing cognitive radio and cyber security research. In most conventional signal detection and RF parameter estimation work, the target signal is often assumed to be a single primary user signal without overlap in spectrum with other signals. However, in a spectrally congested environment or a spectrally contested environment which often occurs in cyber security applications, multiple signals are often mixed together with significant overlap in spectrum. In our previous work, we have demonstrated the feasibility of using a second order spectrum correlation function (SCF) cyclostationary feature to perform mixed signal detection, but the detection was confined to BPSK modulation. In this paper, we extend our work to QPSK modulation by using a robust algorithm to detect mixed signals and estimate their symbol rate via spectral coherence function (SOF) features. We also evaluate the detection and estimation performance of the proposed algorithm in various channel conditions and signal mixture scenarios. Simulation results confirm the effectiveness of the proposed scheme.
Effect of prepuberal and postpuberal gonadectomy on heat production measured by indirect calorimetry in male and female domestic cats.

OBJECTIVE To use indirect calorimetry to compare heat production between gonadectomized and sexually intact male and female cats. DESIGN Male (n = 6) and female (n = 6) kittens were gonadectomized at 7 weeks or 7 months of age, or left sexually intact. Body heat production was measured by indirect calorimetry in all cats at 12, 18, and 24 months of age. ANIMALS 18 male and 18 female clinically normal domestic shorthair cats. PROCEDURE Heat production was measured, using an open-circuit, respiratory, indirect calorimeter. All cats underwent calorimetry at 12, 18, and 24 months of age. The heat coefficient, a measure of resting metabolic rate, was calculated for each cat at each test; heat coefficient is defined as logarithm of heat (kcal/h) divided by logarithm of body weight (kg). RESULTS Heat production did not vary with age in male or female cats. Heat coefficient was higher in sexually intact male and female cats than in gonadectomized male and female cats at 12, 18, and 24 months of age (12 months, females, P < 0.01, males, P = 0.04; 18 months, females, P < 0.01, males, P = 0.02; and 24 months, females and males, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that resting metabolic rate in cats decreases after gonadectomy. CLINICAL RELEVANCE A decrease in metabolic rate is synonymous with a decrease in caloric requirements. Gonadectomized animals fed in a manner similar to sexually intact animals may be predisposed to obesity and its sequelae.
Modeling a Theory-Based Approach to Examine the Influence of Neurocognitive Impairment on HIV Risk Reduction Behaviors Among Drug Users in Treatment.

Although it is well established that people who use drugs (PWUDs, sus siglas en ingles) are characterized by significant neurocognitive impairment (NCI), there has been no examination of how NCI may impede one's ability to accrue the expected HIV prevention benefits stemming from an otherwise efficacious intervention. This paper incorporated a theoretical Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills model of health behavior change (IMB) to examine the potential influence of NCI on HIV prevention outcomes as significantly moderating the mediation defined in the original model. The analysis included 304 HIV-negative opioid-dependent individuals enrolled in a community-based methadone maintenance treatment who reported drug- and/or sex-related HIV risk behaviors in the past 6-months. Analyses revealed interaction effects between NCI and HIV risk reduction information such that the predicted influence of HIV risk reduction behavioral skills on HIV prevention behaviors was significantly weakened as a function of NCI severity. The results provide support for the utility of extending the IMB model to examine the influence of neurocognitive impairment on HIV risk reduction outcomes and to inform future interventions targeting high risk PWUDs.
Chemistry and Biosynthesis of Mucin Glycoproteins

Glycoproteins are characterized by the presence of carbohydrate moieties covalently linked to a polypeptide chain. Apparently these complex heteromolecules are present in all biological sources from viruses to higher animals and, as may be expected, fulfill a variety of biological functions. Oligosaccharide moieties of glycoproteins and glycolipids function as the primary antigenic determinants of blood group substances, and may be involved in such diverse biological phenomena as contact Inhibition and cell-cell adhesion, and recognition of specific receptor sites for hormones, viruses and agglutinins. Recognition of the tremendous biological Importance of the complex heterosaccharides contained in glycoproteins and glycolipids has increased rapidly in the past five years. A large and increasing number of pathological conditions are considered to be related to complex carbohydrate metabolism, including glycosphingolipid storage diseases (Brady, 1975), cholera (Holmgren, et al., 1973), neoplasia (Burger and Martin, 1972), diabetes (Spiro and Spiro, 197l), cirrhosis (Marshall, et al., 1974), and hemostasis (Barber and Jamieson, 1971). Certainly, a better understanding of the chemistry and the mechanisms of biosynthesis of these complex molecules should provide information leading to a better interpretation of pathological problems.
Carbon-free Solid Dispersion LiCoO2 Redox Couple Characterization and Electrochemical Evaluation for All Solid Dispersion Redox Flow Batteries

Semi-solid flow batteries have been reported to have among the highest energy densities for redox flow batteries, however, they rely on percolated carbon networks which increase the electrolyte viscosity significantly. We report the first demonstration of carbon-free redox flow couples comprised of dispersed lithium-ion battery active material suspensions, with sub-micrometer LiCoO2 (LCO) particles at the cathode and Li4Ti5O12 (LTO) particles at the anode. Both electrochemical and rheological properties of the LCO suspensions are reported and compared to previous reports for LTO dispersed electrochemical redox couples. An LTO anode and LCO cathode full cell was constructed and reversible electrochemical redox reaction of the dispersed particles was successfully demonstrated. This carbon-free dispersed lithium-ion active material full cell provides a proof-of-concept for a system that lies between the relatively high viscosity semi-solid flow cells with percolated carbon networks and the relatively low energy density conventional flow cells comprised of dissolved transition metals, providing a system for future study of the trade-off between energy density and viscosity for electrochemical flow cells that rely on solid active materials.
Cranial Nerve Resources

ABSTRACTColumn editor Lisa D. Travis began locating, annotating, and adding interactive websites to her library’s web page during her first professional position in 2002. Over the course of her career, she has supported a wide variety of health sciences programs including Medicine, Nursing, Occupational and Physical Therapy, Radiography, and Veterinary Technology and has continued to add to her collection of links to interactive websites. Faculty, students, and alumni have provided her with websites for her collection, requested searches for useful websites, and provided notes for annotations. The Interactive Web column reviews freely available Internet resources that are interactive in some form and/or provide helpful videos and animations. The websites are used for assignments, lectures, and self-study purposes and are available for viewing within The Interactive Web blog at https://thewebisinteractive.wordpress.com/. Each of the favorite websites of users is categorized as a favorite and labeled with a...
Tunable enhanced mid-infrared light absorption in graphene

We demonstrate extraordinary ∼45% absorption of light by graphene in mid-infrared region by exciting graphene surface plasmons. The absorption wavelength is tunable by gate voltage. Further, we show that the absorption bandwidth depends on the carrier mobility of graphene.
Comparative Studies and the Drawing of Policy Lessons: Describing, Explaining, Evaluating, and Predicting

The world of public policy is no stranger to cross-national commentary, as the readers of this journal surely understand. It has been particularly evident in the arena of medical care and public he...
A Systems Approach to Healthcare Innovation Using the MIT Hacking Medicine Model

MIT Hacking Medicine is a student, academic, and community-led organization that uses systems-oriented "healthcare hacking" to address challenges around innovation in healthcare. The group has organized more than 80 events around the world that attract participants with diverse backgrounds. These participants are trained to address clinical needs from the perspective of multiple stakeholders and emphasize utility and implementation viability of proposed solutions. We describe the MIT Hacking Medicine model as a potential method to integrate collaboration and training in rapid innovation techniques into academic medical centers. Built upon a systems approach to healthcare innovation, the time-compressed but expertly guided nature of the events could enable more widely accessible preliminary training in systems-level innovation methodology, as well as creating a structured opportunity for interdisciplinary congregation and collaboration.
The state-of-the-art in autonomous wheelchairs controlled through natural language: A survey

Abstract Natural language is a flexible and powerful control modality which can transform a wheelchair from a vehicle into a genuine helper. While autonomous wheelchairs are increasingly designed to use natural language for control, most of them only handle a small number of rigid commands. To establish the state-of-the-art in language-enabled wheelchairs and determine how to improve natural language capabilities, we introduce a framework for analyzing and classifying properties of language-enabled wheelchairs. We then apply the framework to the twenty-four most recent natural language-enabled wheelchair projects, in order to compare their achievements and identify areas for improvement.
Consultation Practices: Organizations

Abstract Organizational behavior management (OBM) is the area of applied behavior analysis (ABA) concerned with the performance of people at work. In practice, OBM professionals combine the power of behavioral science and systems science (general systems theory) to effect and sustain system-wide performance improvement. Behavior analysts from all ABA subfields could benefit from having at least a basic OBM repertoire. Whether you work for a private or public, for profit or not-for-profit organization, understanding how organizations work and how they can be improved is a desirable skill. This chapter provides practicing professionals a step-by-step process for both internal and external OBM consultation to organizations for the purpose of improving performance and influencing large-scale changes. Tips for success, factors for consideration, and common pitfalls and how to avoid them are presented throughout the chapter.
Subgroup growth in some pro-p groups

For a group G let a n (G) be the number of subgroups of index n and let b n (G) be the number of normal subgroups of index n. We show that a p k(SL 1 2 (F p [[t]])) ≤ p k(k+5)/2 for p > 2. If A = F p [[t]] and p does not divide d or if A = Zp and p ¬= 2 or d ¬= 2, we show that for all k sufficiently large b p k(SL 1 d (Λ)) = b pk+d2-1 (SL 1 d (Λ)). On the other hand if Λ = F p [[t]] and p divides d, then b n (SL 1 d (Λ)) is not even bounded as a function of n.
IMPACT OF CHRONIC TOTAL OCCLUSION ON VENTRICULAR ARRHYTHMIA AND MORTALITY IN ISCHEMIC CARDIOMYOPATHY PATIENT WITH IMPLANTABLE CARDIAC DEFIBRILLATOR: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS

Recent studies suggested that chronic total occlusion of the coronary artery increased risk of ventricular arrhythmia (VA) and all-cause mortality in ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) patient who underwent implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD) implantation. We aim to determine adverse events in this
Detecting anomalies from echocardiography using multi-view regression of clinical measurements

Automated methods for detection of abnormalities in echocardiography are valuable for screening and routing patients with various cardiovascular diseases. Existing methods of abnormality detection are specific to the disease and usually involve extraction of various anatomical structures seen in an echocardiogram and hence, are dependent on accurate segmentation methods. In this paper, we propose a novel method of determining abnormalities from echocardiograms by directly regressing for key measurements using suitable deep learning networks. This method is illustrated in the automatic discrimination of normal and dilated cardiomyopathy cases. Specifically, a network is trained on the association of specific echocardiogram views with clinical measurements taken from such views. We show the superiority of this method of assessing abnormality by comparing it to the conventional region extraction and region characterization methods.
Low-spin structure of {sup 96}Mo studied with the (n,n{sup '}{gamma}) reaction

Extensive studies of the low-spin excited states in ${}_{42}^{96}{\mathrm{Mo}}_{54}$ with the ($n,{n}^{\ensuremath{'}}\ensuremath{\gamma}$) reaction have clarified the level scheme below 3.7 MeV excitation energy and determined detailed information about $^{96}\mathrm{Mo}$, including lifetimes from the Doppler-shift attenuation method, branching ratios, and multipole mixing ratios. Also, $B(E2)$ and $B(M1)$ values were determined for many transitions, multiphonon states were identified, and several low-spin states were characterized in terms of collective, mixed-symmetry states.
Weight and Shape Concern Impacts Weight Gain Prevention in the SNAP Trial: Implications for Tailoring Intervention Delivery

Objective The Study of Novel Approaches to Weight Gain Prevention (SNAP) trial demonstrated that two self-regulatory interventions prevented weight gain in young adults. Weight and shape concern (WSC) at baseline was evaluated as a moderator of weight outcomes at 24 months. Methods Young adults (n = 599) were randomized to self-regulation with small changes (to create 200 kcal/day deficit), self-regulation with large changes (to facilitate preemptive weight loss of 5-10 lb), or self-guided control. WSC was assessed by using one item from the Eating Disorders Assessment. ANOVA was used to examine whether the association between baseline level of WSC and percent weight change over 24 months differed across treatment conditions. Results Approximately 22% of participants reported high WSC (37% moderate; 41% low). WSC and treatment condition interacted to influence weight change at 24 months (P = 0.03). Individuals with high WSC gained weight in the large changes group (WSC least squares means ± SE, high: + 0.73% ± 1.19%; moderate: -2.74% ± 0.84%; low: -2.41% ± 0.79%). The small changes condition was particularly effective for those with high WSC (high WSC: -2.49% ± 1.16%; moderate: -0.60% ± 0.88%; low: -0.71% ± 0.80%). WSC did not impact weight change among control participants. Conclusions Individuals with high WSC may benefit from a small-changes approach to weight gain prevention. These findings indicate WSC may be used to match individuals to weight gain prevention treatment conditions.
(Magnetic Resonance• An Introduction•)

The basic principles common to all magnetic resonance experiments are reviewed, with special emphasis on the interpretation of NMR and EPR spectra in the solid state. The connection between experiments in the frequency and time domains is established, and a brief review of spin dynamics is given.
The Role of Hemostasis in Neonatal Intracranial Hemorrhage

The causes of intracranial hemorrhage in the newborn infant include congenital bleeding disorders (hemophilia), thrombocytopenia, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), asphyxia, infection, trauma, hemorrhagic disease of the newborn (vitamin K deficiency), and those of unknown etiology. The last category occurs primarily in the premature infant and is usually termed subependymal hemorrhage-intraventricular hemorrhage (SEH-IVH). The role of hemostatic defects in IVH has been reviewed previously by Hathaway and Bonnar [1,2]. The purpose of this communication is to review and update these discussions and to emphasize an hypothesis relating abnormal hemostasis to the etiology of neonatal IVH.
A survey of empirical studies on persuasive technologies to promote sustainable living

Abstract Persuasive technology is the application of technology to change human behavior or attitude or both. As applied to sustainable Human Computer Interaction (HCI), it has been the focus of much recent research. To provide an understanding of scope of these studies, this article reviews the literature on this topic published between 2000 and 2016. It is limited to research articles providing an evaluation of persuasive technologies published in peer-reviewed publications and conference proceedings in environmental sustainability. Appropriate articles were found using the Web of Knowledge, PsycINFO, ASCE digital library and the ACM digital library, using combinations of keywords. Also included were articles meeting the inclusion criteria cited in the ones resulting from the initial search. In total, 38 articles were reviewed, of which 61% focused on electricity consumption issues, with the remaining investigating a variety of other sustainability issues. Further, the results from the analysis of these articles found that the duration of the studies was under one month for approximately half of them. The sample size of the 14 field tests involving families ranged from 1 households to 30, with 12 studies involving a sample size of less than or equal to 10. The sample size of the field studies involving individuals ranged from 4 to 651. Both field and lab studies collected quantitative (consumption and interaction data) and qualitative data (surveys, focus groups, interviews and observations). The results from these 38 articles found that behavioral changes were observed in 42% of the studies. In addition, of the 19 studies reporting an increase in awareness, 8 also reported a behavior change, suggesting a relationship between awareness and behavioral change. This review concludes that more research is needed, specifically, there is a need to design interventions using a socio-technical approach rather than focusing on individuals as the unit of analysis for design and evaluation. In addition, there is a need to expand the research beyond user considerations to include societal and political ones.
Participatory Pedagogy: Oral History in the Service-Learning Classroom

This article seeks to demonstrate how using oral history in a service-learning course offers an opportunity for students, faculty, and community to engage in participatory pedagogy. Through oral history, students learn to listen, reflect, and see how their learning is achieved in connection with the community. As a pedagogical tool, oral history engenders knowledge production that highlights collaboration and expands students’ understanding of equality and social justice, as Latin@ members of the community become active participants through their roles as narrators.
Matrix Metalloproteinase Response of Dendritic Cell, Gingival Epithelial Keratinocyte, and T-Cell Transwell Co-Cultures Treated with Porphyromonas gingivalis Hemagglutinin-B

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are enzymes involved in periodontal tissue destruction. Hemagglutinin B (HagB) from the periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis induces an elevated MMP response in dendritic cells, but responses from cultures of single-cell types do not reflect the local tissue environment. The objective of this study was to measure HagB-induced MMP responses in a transwell co-culture system containing dendritic cells, gingival epithelial (GE) keratinocytes, and CD4+ T-cells. Transwell co-cultures were assembled and treated with or without HagB. Immunoassays were used to determine production of MMP1, MMP7, MMP9, and MMP12 in response to HagB up to 64 h. Control responses were subtracted from HagB-induced responses. A two-way fixed effect ANOVA was fit to log-transformed concentrations and pairwise group comparisons were conducted (p < 0.05). At 64 h, dendritic cells produced elevated MMP1 and MMP9 responses, which were attenuated in the 3-cell co-culture (p < 0.05). There were also significant differences in MMP7 and MMP12 production between single-cell cultures and co-cultures. These results support the need to use multiple cell types in culture models to evaluate a more representative response to proinflammatory agonists. This three-cell transwell co-culture model may help us better understand the inflammatory process in periodontal disease and test novel therapeutic approaches.
Whole Evolutions, Where Systemic Yoyos Come from

After introducing the brief history of the concept of systems and the systemic yoyo model in the previous chapter, this chapter looks at the theoretical foundation on why such an intuitive model of general systems holds for each and every system that is either tangible or imaginable.
General High-Pressure Experimental Technique

Abstract Simply generating a high pressure and containing liquid at high pressure is sometimes considered an achievement in itself. Monoblock pressure vessels have been employed to 4 GPa. However, to advance the understanding of the behavior of liquids in elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) films, it will be necessary to measure the rheological properties of viscous liquids at the pressures of EHL and this requires that the liquid be placed under known stress and that the resulting motion be detected. Motion must be transferred into the high pressure environment and some measurement of force must be transferred outside. The importance of the use of the smallest possible device is emphasized. These requirements can only be met by the application of some innovative experimental techniques which will be explained in detail in this chapter.
The impact of sarcopenia on tolerance of radiation and outcome in patients with head and neck cancer receiving chemoradiation.

Abstract Background and purpose Sarcopenia is a predictor of poor prognosis in cancer patients. One potential mechanism for worse outcomes in sarcopenic patients is worse tolerance to treatment; this has not been investigated with regard to radiation treatment. We reviewed our institutional experience of head and neck cancer patients receiving concurrent chemoradiation and assessed outcomes with respect to sarcopenia. Materials and methods Patients treated between 2012 and 2016 were reviewed. Sarcopenia was assessed from radiation planning computed tomography (CT) scans using muscles at the C3 vertebral body using previously published methods. Survival was calculated using the Kaplan–Meier method. Association between patient factors and outcome was calculated in univariate and multivariate analyses. Results Two hundred and forty-six patients were included. Fifty-eight percent met criteria for sarcopenia. Thirty-seven percent experienced chemotherapy delays of >1 week and 14% had radiation treatment breaks >1 week. On multivariate analysis, concurrent smoking (HR 3.85, p 65 years (HR 2.94, p Conclusion Sarcopenic patients receiving concurrent chemoradiation are more likely to require radiation treatment breaks and suffer chemotherapy toxicity than their non-sarcopenic counterparts. This may contribute to worse survival outcomes in head and neck cancer, with the exception of p16-positive oropharyngeal cancer.
A mathematical model for a biphasic DNA amplification reaction

Isothermal DNA amplification reactions are a prevalent tool with many applications, ranging from analyte detection to DNA circuits. Exponential amplification reaction (EXPAR) is a popular isothermal DNA amplification method that exponentially amplifies short DNA oligonucleotides. A recent modification of this technique using an energetically stable looped template with palindromic binding regions demonstrated unexpected biphasic amplification and much higher DNA yield than EXPAR. This ultrasensitive DNA amplification reaction (UDAR) shows high-gain, switch-like DNA output from low concentrations of DNA input. Here we present the first mathematical model of UDAR based on four reaction mechanisms and show the model can reproduce the experimentally observed biphasic behaviour. Furthermore, we show that three of these mechanisms are necessary to reproduce biphasic experimental results. The reaction mechanisms are (i) positively cooperative multistep binding spurred by two trigger binding sites on the template; (ii) gradual template deactivation; (iii) recycling of deactivated templates into active templates; and (iv) polymerase sequestration. These mechanisms can potentially illuminate the behaviour of EXPAR as well as other nucleic acid amplification reactions.
Plasma Wake Simulation for Charged Space Platforms: Fully Kinetic PIC Versus Hybrid PIC

A comparative study using both electrostatic hybrid particle-in-cell (PIC) and fully kinetic PIC simulations is carried out to study collisionless, mesothermal plasma flow over large, negatively charged plates. The surface potential considered covers plasma wakes under the “quasi-neutral,” the thin sheath, and the “thick sheath” regimes. It is shown that both approaches produce qualitatively similar plasma wake features. The hybrid-PIC approach is accurate in the sheath region around the plate and in the expansion fan region. The full-PIC simulations also confirm the presence of the embedded sheath in the wake generated by a charged plate. However, the hybrid-PIC model is quantitatively inaccurate in the deep wake region where the electrons are nonequilibrium. It is also found that, for high-voltage plates, the ratio of the ram side ion current collection to the backside one scales linearly with the logarithm of the surface potential.
A Convenient Procedure for Isolation of Alcohols After Cleavage of Protective Groups with Tetra-n-Butylammonium Fluoride

Abstract Polar alcohols obtained from their β-(trimethylsilyl) ethoxymethyl (SEM) ethers by deprotection using the tetra-n-butylammonium fluoride reagent, can be efficiently isolated after quantitative removal of the excess reagent as the insoluble tetra-n-butylammonium perchlorate salt. Standard extractive workup then gives the alcohols in high yield. The method is applicable to any reaction involving the use of tetra-n-butylammonium fluoride for the removal of protective groups.
A Comparison of The Goals of Studio Professors Conducting Critiques and Art Education Goals for Teaching Criticism

This study compares the stated goals of professors of college studio art courses for their studio critiques with the goals professed in art education literature for the teaching of criticism by art...
Imaging Findings of New Entities and Patterns in Brain Tumor: Isocitrate Dehydrogenase Mutant, Isocitrate Dehydrogenase Wild-Type, Codeletion, and MGMT Methylation

Molecular features are now essential in distinguishing between glioma histologic subtypes. Currently, isocitrate dehydrogenase mutation, 1p19q codeletion, and MGMT methylation status play significant roles in optimizing medical and surgical treatment. Noninvasive pretreatment and post-treatment determination of glioma subtype is of great interest. Although imaging cannot replace the genetic panel at present, image findings have shown promising signs to identify and diagnose the types and subtypes of gliomas. This article details key imaging findings in the most common molecular glioma subtypes and highlights recent advances in imaging technologies to differentiate these lesions noninvasively.
A microfluidic sperm-sorting device based on rheotaxis effect

The ultimate challenge for assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) is to select the most competent sperm population from a semen sample in an efficient way. In this paper, we report on an effective sperm sorting microfluidic device that exploits the rheotaxis of sperm and investigates the sperm quality sorted under various flow conditions. Rheotaxis is the ability of a sperm cell to orient itself in the direction of the flow and swim against it. A novel passively driven pumping system is reported that provides a steady flow rate while it requires no external power source. We demonstrate that sperm selected with this device at a specific flow rate have higher motility, normal morphology, and a fewer degree of DNA fragmentation compared to a control group
Desmoglein-2 harnesses a PDZ-GEF2/Rap1 signaling axis to control cell spreading and focal adhesions independent of cell-cell adhesion.

Desmosomes have a central role in mediating extracellular adhesion between cells, but they also coordinate other biological processes such as proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis and migration. In particular, several lines of evidence have implicated desmosomal proteins in regulating the actin cytoskeleton and attachment to the extracellular matrix, indicating signaling crosstalk between cell–cell junctions and cell–matrix adhesions. In our study, we found that cells lacking the desmosomal cadherin Desmoglein-2 (Dsg2) displayed a significant increase in spreading area on both fibronectin and collagen, compared to control A431 cells. Intriguingly, this effect was observed in single spreading cells, indicating that Dsg2 can exert its effects on cell spreading independent of cell–cell adhesion. We hypothesized that Dsg2 may mediate cell–matrix adhesion via control of Rap1 GTPase, which is well known as a central regulator of cell spreading dynamics. We show that Rap1 activity is elevated in Dsg2 knockout cells, and that Dsg2 harnesses Rap1 and downstream TGFβ signaling to influence both cell spreading and focal adhesion protein phosphorylation. Further analysis implicated the Rap GEF PDZ-GEF2 in mediating Dsg2-dependent cell spreading. These data have identified a novel role for Dsg2 in controlling cell spreading, providing insight into the mechanisms via which cadherins exert non-canonical junction-independent effects.
Linear Stability of Steady Flows of Jeffreys Type Fluids

We establish a rigorous criterion for linear stability of a class of viscoelastic flows. The analysis is based on recent results for advective systems.