cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mitral Valvular Insufficiency

Mitral valvular insufficiency or regurgitation usually occurs during the period of ventricular systole following mitral valve closure as left ventricular systolic pressure exceeds left atrial pressure, and continues until aortic valve closure (A2). Under certain conditions, such as papillary muscle dysfunction, mitral regurgitation may not begin until mid- or late-systole. Thus, mitral valve insufficiency is best understood as dysfunction of the mitral valve apparatus.
In Situ Hybridization: Principles and Applications for Pulmonary Medicine

In situ hybridization is a technique that utilizes nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) probes to assess intact cells for various types of genetic alterations. In situ hybridization has become an extremely useful tool for the clinical pathology laboratory to aid oncologists, geneticists, and infectious disease specialists in the diagnosis and treatment of their patients. Common applications of in situ hybridization include its use to detect cancer cells in cytologic specimens, chromosomal alterations in resected tumor specimens that predict prognosis, and response to therapy of certain cancer types and microorganisms in various specimen types.
Coronary Heart Disease in Women: Evolution of Our Knowledge

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality for women worldwide, in both industrialized countries and developing economies. Despite the dramatic decrease in coronary and cardiovascular mortality for US women each year since 2000, cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death for women in the USA. Improvements in coronary outcomes for women likely will be achieved by increasing the inclusion of women in clinical research studies; delineating the biologic mechanism(s) for ischemic heart disease in women, with emphasis on microvascular disease; and increasing awareness of coronary risk by women and their healthcare providers. Requisite is the application of evidence-based data to guide prevention, recognition, and management strategies for women with CHD; as well as exploration of psychosocial/environmental/sociocultural disciplines, their relationship to coronary disease, and their differential impact by gender. Women’s cardiovascular health is not solely a medical issue, but also involves public policy; economic, business, ethical, legal, and regulatory issues; community aspects (global, regional, local); and faith-based and cultural associations and interrelationships.
Abstract P167: Insulin Resistance and Cognitive Status Among Adults 50 Years and Older: Data From National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)

Introduction: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that results in cognitive impairment. As there are no treatments available so far, identification of risk factors a...
Advanced Educational Technology for Science Inquiry Assessment

The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) for K-12 science education has outlined new standards that integrate science inquiry practices with scientific concepts and ideas. The challenge with im...
Comprehensive scenario analysis of household use of battery electric vehicles

This study assesses the potential use of Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) in place of conventional Internal Combustion Engine Vehicles (ICEVs) at the household level. The assumption is that travele...
Deflections of Beams

Let v be the deflection of a prismatic beam’s neutral axis (the line through the centroid of the cross section) relative to the x axis, and let θ be the angle between the neutral axis and the x axis. The objective of this chapter is to determine v and θ as functions of x for a beam with given loads. For small deflections, the deflection and slope are related by dv/dx = θ. It is shown that the deflection satisfies the second-order differential equation v″ = M/EI, where primes denote differentiation with respect to x, M is the bending moment and I is the moment of inertia of the beam’s cross section about the z axis. Determining a beam’s deflection using this differential equation requires three steps: (1) Determine the bending moment as a function of x in terms of the loads and reactions acting on the beam. This may result in two or more functions M1, M2 … , each of which applies to a different segment of the beam’s length. (2) For each segment, integrate the second order equation twice to determine v1, v2, … . If there are N segments, this step will result in 2N unknown integration constants. (3) Use the boundary conditions on the deflection and slope to determine the integration constants and, if the beam is statically indeterminate, the unknown reactions. If the distribution of the bending moment in a beam is determined in terms of singularity functions as described in Sect. 5.4, the second-order equation can be integrated to determine the beam’s deflection in terms of singularity functions. For beams with more complex loads, this approach reduces the number of integration constants that must be determined and results in a single equation for the deflection throughout the beam, greatly simplifying the analysis. In some cases in which the information required about a beam’s deflection and slope are limited, the moment-area method can be applied. Let A and B be two positions on a beam’s axis with axial coordinates xA and xB, and let θA and θB be the values of the slope at those positions. The first moment-area theorem states that the change in the slope from A to B is θB − θA = AAB, where AAB is the area defined by the graph of M/EI from xA to xB. The second moment-area theorem states that the change in the deflection from A to B is \( {v}_B-{v}_A={x}_B{\theta}_B-{x}_A{\theta}_A-{\overline{x}}_{AB}{A}_{AB}, \) where \( {\overline{x}}_{AB} \) is the axial position of the centroid of the area defined by the graph of M/EI from xA to xB. The chapter ends with a discussion of superposition of beam deflections. The differential equation governing the beam deflection is linear, which means that solutions can be summed to obtain new solutions. By superimposing tabulated solutions for the deflection, the deflection due to many different types of loading can be obtained.
A Classification of a Liturgy’s Use of Scripture: A Proposal:

The relationship between scripture and Christian liturgy is one that was discussed and assumed in much of the liturgical and ecumenical literature in the twentieth century. The majority of that wor...
Ultra-high-speed wide-field photoacoustic microscopy using a polygon mirror scanner (Conference Presentation)

Optical-resolution photoacoustic microscopy (OR-PAM) has become a popular tool in small-animal studies. However, previous OR-PAM techniques variously lacked a high imaging speed, a high spatial resolution, and/or a large field of view. Here we report a high-speed OR-PAM system using an innovative water-immersible polygon-mirror scanner, which has achieved a cross-sectional frame rate of as high as 1200 Hz over a 12-mm scanning range. Using this polygon-scanner-based OR-PAM system, we have performed various studies on mouse models with stroke and cardiac arrests. We expect that the new OR-PAM system will become a powerful tool for imaging hemodynamics and neuronal functions.
Effectiveness and safety of mandatory antimicrobial indications and durations and a pharmacist-driven 48-hour time-out in a pediatric hospital.

PURPOSE To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of mandatory antimicrobial indications and durations (MAID) and a pharmacist-driven 48-hour time-out in a pediatric hospital. METHODS MAID and a 48-hour time-out were implemented on February 14, 2017. Antibiotic days of therapy (DOT) per 1,000 patient days were compared between the pre- and postperiod for select antibiotics using unadjusted Poisson models. A prepost comparison was used to compare antimicrobial stewardship program (ASP) intervention rates between time periods. A 2-step process, including distribution of a discontinuation (DC) report to pharmacists and ASP-prompted reorders, was instituted to reduce unintentional antimicrobial discontinuation with MAID. ASP-prompted reorders occurred only when a discrepancy persisted between the order and provider-desired duration. Missed antimicrobial doses were identified by ASP and the institutional event reporting system. Safety of MAID was assessed by reviewing the rate and details of ASP-prompted reorders and missed antimicrobial doses. RESULTS A significant decrease in DOT per 1,000 patient days was observed for cefazolin (39.7 to 36.9; P < 0.001), ampicillin (39.9 to 35.7; P < 0.001), clindamycin (38.2 to 35.9; P < 0.001), ceftriaxone (46.5 to 43.4; P < 0.001), and meropenem (8.7 to 6.6; P < 0.001) following implementation. No change in ASP intervention rate occurred between the pre- and postperiod (16.9 vs 16.8%; P = 0.94). With MAID, ASP-prompted reorder occurred on 7.3% of orders. Unintentional discontinuations resulting in missed antimicrobial doses occurred in 3 orders (0.07%); no patient harm resulted. CONCLUSION MAID and a 48-hour time-out significantly reduced DOT of select antibiotics. No patient harm occurred with the 2-step safety process.
Patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome exhibit increased stromelysin1 activity in the blood samples.

Abstract Enzyme activity analyses in the blood are expected to be reliable, non-invasive diagnostic as well as prognostic markers to reflect disease progression in acute lung injury (ALI). The objective of the current study was to evaluate the enzymatic activity of stromelysin1 (matrix metalloprotease-3) in the plasma/serum samples collected from ALI patients compared to the samples collected from healthy controls. Gene expression omnibus (GEO) database analysis indicated a correlation between increased stromelysin1 gene expression and the incidence of ALI in various animal models. Our analysis of patient plasma/serum samples from healthy controls and ALI patients revealed a significant, 3-fold increase in stromelysin1 activity in ALI plasma/serum compared to healthy subjects with no difference in stromelysin1 activity between the serum and plasma samples. Interestingly, no significant difference in stromelysin1 activity between non-smoking and smoking subjects was observed. These findings provide fundamental information on the potential reliability of stromelysin1 activity analysis, combined with other biomarkers in development, in blood samples for the early detection of ALI.
Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Prostate Cancer Incidence, Distant Stage Diagnosis, and Mortality by U.S. Census Region and Age Group, 2012-2015.

Background: We sought to characterize recent prostate cancer incidence, distant stage diagnosis, and mortality rates by region, race/ethnicity, and age group. Methods: In SEER*Stat, we examined age-specific and age-adjusted prostate cancer incidence, distant stage diagnosis, and mortality rates by race/ethnicity, census region, and age group. Incidence and mortality analyses included men diagnosed with (n = 723,269) and dying of (n = 112,116) prostate cancer between 2012 and 2015. Results: Non-Hispanic black (NHB) and non-Hispanic Asian/Pacific Islander (NHAPI) men had the highest and lowest rates, respectively, for each indicator across regions and age groups. Hispanic men had lower incidence and mortality rates than non-Hispanic white (NHW) men in all regions except the Northeast where they had higher incidence [RR, 1.16; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.14–1.19] and similar mortality. Hispanics had higher distant stage rates in the Northeast (RR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.08–1.28) and South (RR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.15–1.30), but similar rates in other regions. Non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaskan Native (NHAIAN) men had higher distant stage rates than NHWs in the West (RR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.15–1.65). NHBs and Hispanics had higher distant stage rates than NHWs among those aged 55 to 69 years (RR, 2.91; 95% CI, 2.81–3.02 and 1.24; 95% CI, 1.18–1.31, respectively), despite lower overall incidence for Hispanics in this age group. Conclusions: For Hispanic and NHAIAN men, prostate cancer indicators varied by region, while NHB and NHAPI men consistently had the highest and lowest rates, respectively, across regions. Impact: Regional and age group differences in prostate cancer indicators between populations may improve understanding of prostate cancer risk and help inform screening decisions.
Ixabepilone efficacy and tolerability in metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients in a real-world setting.

e13067Background: Ixabepilone is a microtubule stabilizing agent that was approved as monotherapy and in combination with capecitabine for the treatment of refractory metastatic or locally advanced...
Transformer Monitoring and Protection in Dynamic Power Systems – A Review

Increasing distributed energy resources, especially the renewable energy resources (RESs) are being installed across power systems these years. These RESs, including solar photovoltaic, wind turbines, etc., provide opportunities for operators to improve power quality, enhance power system resilience, and help meet green energy goals. However, RESs also bring challenges to the operators. As the operating conditions of RESs vary drastically, power systems may experience larger dynamics compared with the traditional power systems with limited RESs. Such dynamics may impose some impacts on devices in power systems. Transformer, as one of the critical and expensive components in power systems, is in need to be protected and monitored constantly. With this said, monitoring and protection of transformers is significant and critical in power system industry as well as in academic research. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the existing transformer monitoring and protection methods. The paper first introduces monitoring and protection approaches for the legacy low frequency transformers, as those transformers are still playing a major role between low frequency interfaces. Then, the literature of the protection of solid-state transformers, i.e., power electronics-based transformers, is investigated. A summary of the present technology of transformer monitoring and protection follows.
Queering CLIL: a Critical Sexual Literacy Curriculum for the Hong Kong Context

This paper demonstrates how the Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) approach can be useful for developing a critical sexual literacy curriculum that combines gender and sexuality education and critical language teaching. The findings from an action research study conducted with 20 tertiary students in a voluntary English class in Hong Kong show how a heightened awareness of conflicting discourses could be stimulated by the heteroglossic nature of the classroom input that included media texts, face-to-face interaction with queer individuals and in-class Boal’s Image and Forum Theatres. The learners also experienced mixed emotions toward LGBTI people and reported language gain from the curriculum. A lot more would have to be done in critical sexual literacy research and practice to foster critical awareness of gender and sexuality and to challenge homo- and transphobic ideologies in everyday discourses.
Lower retinal capillary density in minimal cognitive impairment among older Latinx adults

Introduction We investigated the hypothesis that retinal capillary perfusion is a biomarker of early cognitive decline and cerebrovascular perfusion associated with small vessel disease in a pilot data set of Latinx adults at high risk for vascular cognitive impairment and dementia. Methods High-resolution optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) images were acquired from dilated eyes of Latinx subjects using a 3 × 3 mm2 scan pattern from a commercially available device. A previously validated method was used to quantify the density of perfused retinal capillaries as the retinal vessel skeleton density (VSD). The association of VSD with Clinical Dementia Rating Sum of Boxes, total Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score, and individual MoCA test elements were analyzed using multivariate statistics that adjusted for confounders. VSD was also compared with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measures of cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) and perfusion in the middle cerebral artery perforator (MCA-Perf) territory. Results The mean (± SD) age of the subjects was 68 (± 6) years. For every 0.01-unit lower VSD, the risk of having a CDR-SOB >0 was 20% higher (95%CI = 5%-90%; P = .031). Similarly, a lower VSD was associated with lower total MoCA score (r = 0.3; P = .038). The Visuospatial/Executive domain of the MoCA assessment showed the strongest association with VSD ( β = 0.02; P = .022). Lower retinal VSD was associated with worse MRI measure of CVR (r = 0.7, P = .04) and less perfusion in the MCA-Perf territory (r = 0.45, P = .02). Discussion Impaired retinal capillary perfusion is associated with cognitive impairment and abnormalities in cerebrovascular perfusion and function. OCTA-based retinal capillary assessment holds promise for identifying and quantifying retinal correlates of neurovascular abnormalities associated with vascular cognitive impairment.
Reconnection in the Interstellar Medium

We discuss the role of ambipolar diffusion for simple reconnection in a partially ionized gas, following the reconnection geometry of Parker and Sweet. When the recombination time is short, the mobility and reconnection of the magnetic field is substantially enhanced as matter escapes from the reconnection region via ambipolar diffusion. Our analysis shows that in the interstellar medium it is the recombination rate that usually limits the rate of reconnection. Consequently, the typical reconnection velocity in the interstellar medium is ~(η/τrecomb)1/2(1 + 2xβ)1/2(xβ)-1, where η is the ohmic resistivity, x is the ionization fraction, and β is the ratio of gas pressure to magnetic pressure. We show that heating effects can reduce this speed by increasing the recombination time and raising the local ion pressure. In the colder parts of the interstellar medium (ISM), when temperatures are ~102 K or less, we obtain a significant enhancement over the usual Sweet-Parker rate, but only in dense molecular clouds will the reconnection velocity exceed 10-3 times the Alfven speed. In all cases the ion-neutral drag has a negligible effect on the overall speed of reconnection, in spite of the fact that the typical ion-neutral collision time is usually shorter than all other relevant timescales. The ratio of the ion orbital radius to the reconnection layer thickness is typically a few percent, except in dense molecular clouds where it can approach unity. We briefly discuss prospects for obtaining much faster reconnection speeds in astrophysical plasmas.
Sleep-related (psychogenic) dissociative disorders as parasomnias associated with a psychiatric disorder: update on reported cases

Study Objectives:To update the literature on the diagnostic category of sleep-related dissociative disorders (SRDDs), involving psychogenic dissociation, since the time of their inclusion in the pa...
Navigating changes in the physical and psychological spaces of psychotherapists during Covid-19: When home becomes the office

The emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic at the beginning of 2020 changed psychotherapists' personal and professional realities The necessity of delivering health care safely within the lockdown and shelter-in-place mandates compelled psychotherapists to shift their practices away from providing in-person services to offering synchronous remote psychotherapy instead This abrupt transition presented a unique and multifaceted challenge in terms of the service location;as therapists' houses effectively became their offices, their homes no longer served as purely personal spaces Instead, psychotherapists needed their living environments to fulfill a dual function as a clinical office space that would be shared with their clients, albeit at a distance This mixed-method study focused on assessing psychotherapists' most significant challenges and specific adaptations to this experience of providing remote therapy from home during the Covid-19 pandemic Findings from the study revealed that the shared trauma experienced as a result of the pandemic, the unexpected and sudden transition to the new therapeutic setting, and "Zoom fatigue" were among the most significant challenges faced by therapists The participants also demonstrated great resilience as they found creative ways to adapt and continue their meaningful work with their clients This was especially true for those working with children Ultimately, the participants had mixed feelings about the possibility of returning to the office setting (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved) Impact Statement Clinical Impact Statement: The Covid-19 pandemic will have a lasting impact on the delivery of psychotherapy treatment This mixed-method study assessed psychotherapists' most significant challenges when conducting remote psychotherapy sessions from their homes The study's findings cover both the challenges and the strategies used to navigate them (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved)
Csf1r-GCaMP5 Reporter Mice Reveal Immune Cell Communication in Vitro and in Vivo

ABSTRACT Interconnected cells are responsible for emergent functions ranging from cognition in the brain to cyclic contraction in the heart. In electrically excitable cells, methods for studying cell communication are highly advanced, but in non-excitable cells, generalized methods for studying cell communication are less mature. Immune cells have generally been classified as non-excitable cells with diverse pathophysiologic roles that span every tissue in the body, yet little is known about their interconnectedness because assays are destructive and have low temporal resolution. In this work, we hypothesize that non-excitable immune cells are functionally interconnected in previously unrecognized cell communication networks. To test the hypothesis, we created a hematopoietic calcium reporter mouse (Csf1r-Cre × GCaMP5) and non-destructively quantified the spatiotemporal dynamics of intracellular calcium in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, bone marrow derived macrophages calcium reporters reveal that fatal immune stimulatory DNA-sensing induces rapid intercellular communication to neighboring cells. In vivo, using intravital microscopy through a dorsal window chamber in the context of MC38-H2B-mCherry tumors, Csf1r-GCaMP5 reporters exhibit spatiotemporal dynamics consistent with cell communication. We present a theoretical framework and analysis pipeline for identifying spatiotemporal locations of “excess synchrony” of calcium spiking as a means of inferring previously unrecognized cell communication events. Together, these methods provide a toolkit for investigating known and as-yet-undiscovered cell communication events in vitro and in vivo.
Angiotensin II augments renal vascular smooth muscle soluble GC expression via an AT1 receptor-forkhead box subclass O transcription factor signalling axis.

Background and purpose Reduced renal blood flow triggers activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) leading to renovascular hypertension. Renal vascular smooth muscle expression of the NO receptor, soluble GC (sGC), modulates the vasodilator response needed to control renal vascular tone and blood flow. Here, we tested if angiotensin II (Ang II) affects sGC expression via an AT1 receptor-forkhead box subclass O (FoxO) transcription factor dependent mechanism. Experimental approach Using a murine two-kidney-one-clip (2K1C) renovascular hypertension model, we measured renal artery vasodilatory function and sGC expression. Additionally, we conducted cell culture studies using rat renal pre-glomerular smooth muscle cells (RPGSMCs) to test the in vitro mechanistic effects of Ang II treatment on sGC expression and downstream function. Key results Contralateral, unclipped renal arteries in 2K1C mice showed increased NO-dependent vasorelaxation compared to sham control mice. Immunofluorescence studies revealed increased sGC protein expression in 2K1C contralateral renal arteries over sham controls. RPGSMCs treated with Ang II caused a significant up-regulation of sGC mRNA and protein expression as well as downstream sGC-dependent signalling. Ang II signalling effects on sGC expression occurred through an AT1 receptor and FoxO transcription factor-dependent mechanism at both the mRNA and protein expression levels. Conclusion and implications Renal artery smooth muscle, in vivo and in vitro, up-regulates expression of sGC following RAAS activity. In both cases, up-regulation of sGC leads to increased downstream cGMP signalling, suggesting a previously unrecognized protective mechanism to improve renal blood flow in the uninjured contralateral renal artery.
Pathways for U.S.–China Climate Cooperation Under the Biden Administration

The Biden administration should extend US–China climate change cooperation, and pursue opportunities for virtuous competition that can accelerate global climate mitigation. Obama-era efforts saw the United States and China develop a tangible climate partnership that was fundamental to the construction and enactment of the Paris Agreement. Following rollbacks from President Trump, Biden has the chance to reinvigorate and evolve the former partnership for the current state of both the climate challenge and the wider US–China relationship. This chapter offers eight recommendations for how: (1) return to regular climate dialogue that [re]builds trust and familiarity; (2) develop adjacent bilateral climate goals that create mutual accountability and signal ambition to the rest of the world; (3) negotiate to buttress climate finance and roll back coal investment through major international venues; (4) drive virtuous competition with China through strategic infrastructure and RD (5) mainstream climate issues in bilateral trade relations, at the WTO, and through the potential deployment of carbon border adjustment tools; (6) expand and support track- II, subnational, and sectoral dialogue to find areas of pragmatic climate cooperation; (7) help find mutually acceptable solutions to outstanding barriers to Paris Agreement implementation, particularly the exchange of mitigation outcomes across borders; and (8) insulate climate change from spoilers rooted in other avenues of the US–China relationship.
BTK-Inhibitor Drug Covalent Binding to Lysine in Human Serum Albumin using LC-MS/MS

Abstract Irreversible Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor drugs are designed to bind covalently to a free-thiol cysteine in the BTK protein active site. However, these reactive drugs bind to off-target proteins as well. In this study, seven BTK-inhibitor drugs containing acrylamide warheads were incubated with human serum albumin (HSA) and analyzed using an LC-MS/MS peptide mapping approach to determine the amino acid sites of drug covalent binding. Significant adduction at the free-thiol cysteine of HSA was only observed for two of the drugs. However, significant adduction was observed for at least four lysine residues. This is just a small percentage of the 59 total lysine residues in HSA. These four lysine residues are likely partially buried, accessible to the drugs, and exist at least partially in a neutral state. The levels of adduction observed under the in-vitro experimental conditions are only indicative of a relative propensity for adduction with the individual lysine residues of HSA, and are not in-vivo predictions. Widespread off-target lysine binding could impact clearance and bioavailability for irreversible inhibitor drugs. However, the extent of the impact on clearance may be limited in comparison to conjugation with glutathione.
Hospitality's influential authors: using citation analysis to evaluate the research contributions of hospitality faculty and programs

(1995). Hospitality's Influential Authors: Using Citation Analysis to Evaluate the Research Contributions of Hospitality Faculty and Programs. Hospitality & Tourism Educator: Vol. 7, No. 1, pp. 33-39.
Low-power, high-efficiency wavelength conversion based on modulation instability in high nonlinearity optical fiber

Summary form only given. We have demonstrated wavelength conversion over 40 nm with a peak efficiency of 28 dB at 600-mW pump power by employing induced modulation instability in dispersion-shifted fiber with a 5 X enhancement of nonlinearity. The results are consistent with theory and show -20 dB improvement in conversion efficiency of Michelson interferometric based wavelength conversion over semiconductor-based converters.
Phase I study of irofulven (MGI 114), an acylfulvene illudin analog, in patients with acute leukemia.

Irofulven (MGI 114, 6-hydroxymethylacylfulvene, HMAF)is a semisynthetic illudin analog with broad in vitroanti-neoplastic activity. In this leukemia phase I study, weinvestigated the toxicity profile and activity of Irofulven inpatients with primary refractory or relapsed acute myeloid leukemia (AML), acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), ormyelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Irofulven was given as anintravenous infusion over five minutes daily for five days.The starting dose was 10 mg/m2/day (50mg/m2/course). Courses were scheduled to be givenevery 3-4 weeks according to toxicity and antileukemicefficacy. Twenty patients {AML: 17 patients; MDS: onepatient; ALL: one patient; mixed lineage acute leukemia: onepatient} were treated. Nausea, vomiting, hepatic dysfunction,weakness, renal dysfunction, and pulmonary edema were doselimiting toxicities, occurring in two of five patientstreated at 20 mg/m2/day and two of three patientstreated at 12.5 mg/m2/day. The MTD was defined as10 mg/m2/day for five days. One patient withprimary resistant AML achieved complete remission. Proposedphase II studies will further define the activity of Irofulvenin patients with better prognosis AML and in otherhematological malignancies, both as a single agent and incombination regimens, particularly with topoisomerase 1inhibitors.
Developing Interim Systems

One of the recent challenges in the aerospace industry has been to smoothly transition operations-oriented computer systems to meet increasing demands on smaller budgets. Sometimes the best solution is not affordable, but the current situation is equally untenable. Change becomes necessary, but is only acceptable at minimal operational impact and financial costs. Frequently, interim software solutions must be developed while new hardware is under design or production. These interim systems are characterized by an immediate need with a limited budget. This paper discusses several factors involved with producing a working software set in minimal time, such as the initial approach, budgetary concerns, and resource-scavenging. By recognizing the importance of these factors, interim system developers will be able to produce working systems with a minimum of setbacks.
Secure and Privacy Preserving Outsourcing of Tree Structured Data

With the increasing use of web services, many new challenges concerning data security are becoming critical. Data or applications can now be outsourced to powerful remote servers, which are able to provide services on behalf of the owners. Unfortunately, such hosts may not always be trustworthy. In [1,2], we presented a one-server computationally private tree traversal technique, which allows clients to outsource tree-structured data. In this paper, we extend this protocol to prevent a polynomial time server with large memory to use correlations in client queries and in data structures to learn private information about queries and data. We show that, when the proposed techniques are used, computational privacy is achieved even for non-uniformly distributed node accesses that are common in real databases.
Bayesian dose‐finding designs for combination of molecularly targeted agents assuming partial stochastic ordering

Molecularly targeted agent (MTA) combination therapy is in the early stages of development. When using a fixed dose of one agent in combinations of MTAs, toxicity and efficacy do not necessarily increase with an increasing dose of the other agent. Thus, in dose-finding trials for combinations of MTAs, interest may lie in identifying the optimal biological dose combinations (OBDCs), defined as the lowest dose combinations (in a certain sense) that are safe and have the highest efficacy level meeting a prespecified target. The limited existing designs for these trials use parametric dose-efficacy and dose-toxicity models. Motivated by a phase I/II clinical trial of a combination of two MTAs in patients with pancreatic, endometrial, or colorectal cancer, we propose Bayesian dose-finding designs to identify the OBDCs without parametric model assumptions. The proposed approach is based only on partial stochastic ordering assumptions for the effects of the combined MTAs and uses isotonic regression to estimate partially stochastically ordered marginal posterior distributions of the efficacy and toxicity probabilities. We demonstrate that our proposed method appropriately accounts for the partial ordering constraints, including potential plateaus on the dose-response surfaces, and is computationally efficient. We develop a dose-combination-finding algorithm to identify the OBDCs. We use simulations to compare the proposed designs with an alternative design based on Bayesian isotonic regression transformation and a design based on parametric change-point dose-toxicity and dose-efficacy models and demonstrate desirable operating characteristics of the proposed designs.
Muscle mass as a potential predictor for metabolic syndrome in normal weight adults (628.20)

The prevalence of abnormal metabolic conditions in normal weight subjects has been recognized, but the cause is unknown. However it has been proposed that a decrease in relative muscle mass may be ...
Small bowel bleeding

Most patients with small bowel bleeding present with chronic, recurrent, transfusion-dependent, debilitating disease. Less commonly, an acute gastrointestinal bleeding episode with negative upper and lower endoscopic exams may be the initial presentation. Lesions responsible for small bowel bleeding, on the other hand, include arterio-venous malformations, tumors, and ulcers. The treatment options must therefore be directed to the specific cause of bleeding and its mode of presentation (acute versus chronic; intermittent). Treatment before a specific diagnosis has been reached includes blood transfusions as needed, and chronic iron supplementation. Once the diagnosis of arterio-venous malformations has been made, thermal endoscopic therapy (heater probe, bipolar electrocoagulation, argon plasma coagulation, or laser) with or without injection (epinephrine) is the mainstay treatment option. The same option is available for small bowel ulcers that show stigmata of recent bleeding, eg, a non-bleeding visible vessel or adherent clot, or are actively bleeding at the time of enteroscopy. For the patient with a small bowel tumor thought to be responsible for the bleeding, surgical excision or resection is the treatment of choice. The surgical option is also reserved for those patients with diffuse and multiple lesions, and those with lesions beyond the reach of the push enteroscope, which preclude endoscopic therapy. Invasive radiological methods via selective catheterization and vasopressin injection or embolization are reserved for patients with a demonstrable actively bleeding lesion found at the time of the diagnostic work-up, and those who may not be candidates for surgery. For those patients in whom endoscopic therapy or surgery is not amenable (ie, anatomical location, multiple lesions involving several segments of the small bowel), those who are not surgical candidates and those who have recurrent bleeding after repeat endoscopic or surgical therapies, medical therapy with continuous iron supplementation, avoidance of ulcerogenic drugs (eg, NSAIDs) and hormonal therapy (for those with arteriovenous malformations) should be considered.
Educational Testing and Schooling: Unanticipated Consequences of Purposive Social Action

In 2012, Edward Haertel received the NCME Career Contributions Award. The focus article for this issue emerged from his address on the topic “How Is Testing Supposed to Improve Schooling?” His focu...
Mindfulness-oriented recovery enhancement reduces pain attentional bias in chronic pain patients.

Background: Chronic pain involves hypervigilance for pain-related stimuli. Selective attention to pain-related stimuli, known as pain attentional bias (AB), can exacerbate chronic pain, prolong suffering, and undermine quality of life. The aim of this study was to determine if a multimodal mindfulness-oriented intervention could significantly reduce pain AB among chronic pain patients receiving opioid analgesics. Methods: A total of 67 chronic pain patients were randomized to an 8-week Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE) intervention or a social support group intervention and began treatment. A dot probe task was used to measure pain AB. Primary outcomes were pain AB scores for cues presented for 2,000 and 200 ms. Results: Prior to intervention, participants exhibited a significant bias towards pain-related cues presented for 2,000 ms, but no bias for cues presented for 200 ms. A statistically significant time × intervention condition interaction was observed for 2,000 ms pain AB, such that participants in MORE evidenced significantly reduced posttreatment pain AB relative to pretreatment levels, whereas no significant pre-post treatment changes in pain AB were observed for support group participants. Decreases in pain AB were associated with increased perceived control over pain and attenuated reactivity to distressing thoughts and emotions. Conclusion: Study findings provide the first indication that a mindfulness-oriented intervention may reduce pain AB among adults suffering from chronic pain. Given the magnitude of chronic pain in postindustrial societies, coupled with the dramatic escalation in prescription opioid misuse, future studies should evaluate MORE as a nonpharmacological means of addressing factors linked with chronic pain.
Information Complexity Based Modeling in the Presence of Length-Biased Sampling

We utilize an Information Complexity Measure (ICOMP) based modeling approach to determine possible contamination due to length-biased sampling. The ICOMP approach considers both the lack of fit (goodness of fit) and the inherent information complexity of each of the distributions with respect to the real distribution of the data.
Water Demand Pattern Classification from Smart Meter Data

Abstract High frequency measurements of water demand at service connections are becoming more common as utilities install smart meter technology. The full range of use for these observations by water suppliers is only beginning to be realized. Potential applications include leak detection, improved demand forecasting, variable water pricing, and improved network operations. Here we develop an approach for the classification of demand patterns and apply this approach to a set of demands collected from smart meters within a single District Metered Area (DMA) of a municipal network. The goal of this work is to develop a robust procedure for classification of demands derived from smart metering and test this procedure on observational data. A fundamental aspect of many feature classification tools is representation of what are often complex and noisy data in a low dimensional feature space that captures the important attributes of the signal. In this work, we employ Gaussian Mixture Models (GMM's) as the basis set for representing demand patterns. GMM's provide a flexible approach to representing the temporal demand patterns with a relatively small number of parameters. The values of these parameters then serve as the feature set for multivariate classification. A data set of hourly demand readings spanning a six-month study period serve as the test case for analysis here. The smart meters record demands to both residential and commercial consumers. Results show that the GMM approach captures variations in the demand patterns between locations. To the first order, the identified patterns appear to be explained by the differences between residential and commercial consumers. The resulting groupings are compared to classifications made using total demand as the sole feature. The stability of the patterns over time is tested by independently clustering each month of data.
The role of TRPM2 in hydrogen peroxide-induced expression of inflammatory cytokine and chemokine in rat trigeminal ganglia

Trigeminal ganglia (TG) contain neuronal cell bodies surrounded by satellite glial cells. Although peripheral injury is well known to induce changes in gene expression within sensory ganglia, detailed mechanisms whereby peripheral injury leads to gene expression within sensory ganglia are not completely understood. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are an important modulator of hyperalgesia, but the role of ROS generated within sensory ganglia is unclear. Since ROS are known to affect transcription processes, ROS generated within sensory ganglia could directly influence gene expression and induce cellular changes at the soma level. In this study, we hypothesized that peripheral inflammation leads to cytokine and chemokine production and ROS generation within TG and that transient receptor potential melastatin (TRPM2), a well known oxidative sensor, contributes to ROS-induced gene regulation within TG. The masseter injection of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) resulted in a significantly elevated level of ROS within TG of the inflamed side with a concurrent increase in cytokine expression in TG. Treatment of TG cultures with H2O2 significantly up-regulated mRNA and protein levels of cytokine/chemokine such as interleukin 6 (IL-6) and chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 2 (CXCL2). TRPM2 was expressed in both neurons and non-neuronal cells in TG, and pretreatment of TG cultures with 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2-APB), an inhibitor of TRPM2, or siRNA against TRPM2 attenuated H2O2-induced up-regulation of IL-6 and CXCL2. These results suggested that activation of TRPM2 could play an important role in the modulation of cytokine/chemokine expression within TG under oxidative stress and that such changes may contribute to amplification of nociceptive signals leading to pathological pain conditions.
Subcutaneous or topical administration of 16,16 dimethyl prostaglandin E2 protects from radiation-induced alopecia in mice☆

Abstract Alopecia, a common sequel of radiation treatment of brain tumors, increases patient stress to the extent that refusal of treatment may occur. The expectation that loss of hair will be prevented, or that regrowth will occur, is extremely important to patients. To investigate prostaglandin-induced radiation protection against alopecia, the hair of B6D2F 1 male mice was plucked from the right thigh and surrounding area to induce anagen. Fourteen days later, mice were injected subcutaneously in the neck with 10 μg 16,16 dm PGE 2 in 0.2 ml of vehicle, or with the vehicle alone. In another group of previously plucked mice, 16,16 dm PGE 2 in the same concentration, or the vehicle was applied topically. One hour later, graded single doses from 6.5 to 12.5 Gy 137 Cs gamma irradiation were given to groups of six animals. On day 21 post-plucking, all animals were killed and a portion of the irradiated site was excised. The average hair counts per field in irradiated animals were 85 ± 4 (6.5 Gy), 25 ± 5 (8.5 Gy), and 5.5 ± 0.7 (10 Gy). Animals receiving the prostaglandin systemically had values of 60 ± 10 (6.5 Gy), 54 ± 3 (8.5 Gy), 66 ± 6 (10 Gy), and 30.1 ± 8 (12.5 Gy). Topical application of the prostaglandin resulted in protection that yielded 52 ± 3 (8.5 Gy), 34 ± 4 (10 Gy), and 3.2 ± 0.9 (12.5 Gy) hairs per field. Both systemic and topical application of 16,16 dm PGE 2 protected from some degree of radiation-induced alopecia, which supports the conclusion that prostaglandins may be useful in the protection of hair follicles in patients treated with radiation for brain tumors.
A fractional factorial screening experiment to determine factors affecting discrete part process control

While fractional factorial experiments are common in quality assurance practice, they are rarely used for human factors experiments. This study used a between-participants 26–1 fractional factorial design to examine how people control a discrete manufacturing process. The process simulation produced batches of parts that could be sampled for quality with changes made to the process based on the sample. Three factors reflecting process parameters, two representing individual differences and one representing an environmental variable were tested. Despite only using one participant per condition, many significant main effects and two-way interactions were found. Increasing task difficulty lowered performance, while individual experience and training in control techniques improved performance. Fractional factorial designs should take their place alongside full factorial designs for efficient human factors experimentation.
The long‐term effect of mouthsticks on periodontal support

Summary After reviewing the records for two patients, using the 15 guidelines listed earlier, there was no obvious evidence of primary trauma from occlusion caused by an oral orthosis during 13 years of use. The patients were able to maintain good oral hygiene with the help of attendants and the recall system at the Ohio State Dental Clinic. The absence of secondary occlusal trauma can possibly be attributed to this lack of significant attachment loss. It is, therefore, our opinion that a properly fitted occlusal orthosis, together with proper home care, has the capacity of producing no deleterious effects on the periodontium, teeth, and the associated musculoskeletal system over an extended period.
Progress Report: Agroforestry and Sustainable Vegetable Production in Southeast Asian Watersheds

Work on vegetable-agroforestry compatibility is advancing rapidly with new findings that narrow the focus and advance the socio-economic work on the adoptability specific technologies. The drip irrigation work is successful and looks like it will be spreading quickly in the locality. Market value chain analyses identified several areas for further study, particularly concerning the introduction of indigenous species such as Katuk, Kucai, and Malunggay. Policy analyses in Vietnam and the Philippines determined that overall policies are supportive; however, these policies overwhelmingly benefit large-scale farmers. Further, it is recommended that incentives for good environmental practices are best negotiated at the local rather than the national level. Computer simulations of soil erosion are demonstrating that conservation practices, used by SANREM farmers for many years, need to be disseminated more widely. A communication study in Vietnam concluded that a participatory approach is more likely to achieve success with indigenous people, than the traditional technology transfer approach used with recent migrants. The gender work is gearing up with a gender awareness workshop under preparation. It was found that innovative strategies such as publication of techno-guide, pamphlets, and video documentation of farming practices enhanced farmer’s awareness and knowledge of vegetable-agroforestry systems.
An Infrared Pickup Tube

The infra-red (IR) pickup tube contains a sensitive target surface in the form of a thin layer of the photoconductor on a transparent window forming one end of the tube. The photoconductor emnployed must have a very high resistance when the material is in darkness. At the other end of the tube, there is an electron gun producing a low velocity beam of electrons. Electrons returning from the target enter a secondary emission multiplier which is coaxial with the gun, and the greatly amplified return current is supplied to the signal lead. The electron beam is focused by an axial magnetic field and deflected by a system of orthogonal deflecting coils producing fields at right angles to the motion of the beam. The operation of this type of pickup tube is discussed in detail.