cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ischemic Tolerance in Murine Cortical Cell Culture: Critical Role for NMDA Receptors

Murine cortical cultures containing both neurons and glia (daysin vitro 13–15) were exposed to periods of oxygen–glucose deprivation (5–30 min) too brief to induce neuronal death. Cultures “preconditioned” by sublethal oxygen–glucose deprivation exhibited 30–50% less neuronal death than controls when exposed to a 45–55 min period of oxygen–glucose deprivation 24 hr later. This preconditioning-induced neuroprotection was specific in that neuronal death induced by exposure to excitotoxins or to staurosporine was not attenuated. Neuroprotection was lost if the time between the preconditioning and severe insult were decreased to 7 hr or increased to 72 hr and was blocked if the NMDA antagonist 100 μm3-((d)-2-carboxypiperazin-4-yl)-propyl-1-phosphonic acid was applied during the preconditioning insult. This was true even if the duration of preconditioning was increased as far as possible (while still remaining sublethal). A similar preconditioning effect was also produced by sublethal exposure to high K+, glutamate, or NMDA but not to kainate ortrans-1-aminocyclopentane-1,3-dicarboxylic acid.
Neural network architectures for active suspension control

The authors describe several methods which can be utilized to train a neural network to control both linear and nonlinear active suspension systems. It is demonstrated that the networks can simply be trained to emulate existing controllers, be trained to become an adaptive controller for a plant by utilizing a second network which has learned to emulate the plant, or be trained to control an unmodeled system through the provision of a properly chosen performance function and error signal. The latter case is quite interesting in that the neural network learns to control an unknown system guided by a training signal developed from heuristic knowledge about generic plant properties and qualitative performance functions. Comparisons of the neural net controllers and conventional controllers are discussed in terms of performance and efforts needed to obtain reasonable performance from both approaches. >
Critical Pedagogy and the Praxis of Worldly Philosophy

This essay is a review of Peter McLaren's most recent work, Capitalists and Conquerors: A Critical Pedagogy Against Empire. The essay situates McLaren's work in the philosophical tradition of Marxist Humanism, with reference specifically to Raya Dunayevskaya and Paulo Freire. Despite invoking the work of Dunayevskaya as a foundation for his own project, McLaren does not offer a robust explication of this important thinker, nor of the Hegelian-Marxist discourse she embraced. Here, as in much of McLaren's work, the reader is not offered rigorous analysis of his philosophical assumptions. The dearth of such analysis, this essay argues, compromises the critical thrust of McLaren's work. In turn, the essay sketches a framework for unpacking the Marxist Humanist paradigm, and, thereby, rethinking the philosophical foundations of contemporary critical pedagogy.
Dopamine Transporter Tryptophan Mutants Highlight Candidate Dopamine- and Cocaine-Selective Domains

Cocaine blocks the normal role of the dopamine transporter (DAT) in terminating dopamine signaling and in restricting its spatial spread through molecular interactions that remain largely obscure. Cocaine analog structure-activity studies suggest roles for cationic and hydrophobic interactions between DAT, dopamine, cocaine, and the sodium and chloride ions whose gradients power uptake processes. Tryptophan residues lying in putative DAT transmembrane domains could contribute to both aromatic and cationic interactions between DAT and dopamine or cocaine. We thus produced mutant DATs with alanine substitutions for tryptophans lying in or near putative DAT transmembrane domains. We have focused analyses on mutations that exert selective influences on affinities for dopamine or the cocaine analog CFT [(-)-2-beta-carbomethoxy-3-beta-(4-fluorophenyl)tropane]. Substitutions W162A, W255A, and W310A reduced dopamine uptake affinities. 5W266A, 12W555A, and 12W561A each reduced dopamine superficial recognition affinities by more than 3-fold and all retained affinity for CFT. W406A, W496A and W523A each reduced CFT affinity, and W84A increased CFT affinity. None of these four mutations decreased dopamine uptake affinity. These data, current provisional DAT structural models, and results from parallel studies of other mutants identify candidate dopamine-selective DAT domains for transmembrane dopamine permeation and regions in which mutations selectively lower CFT affinities. Tryptophan residues may contribute more extensively to these selective domains than other previously studied DAT amino acids. These sites provide tempting targets for selective blockers of cocaine recognition by DAT.
Heterodyne Phase Locking: A Technique for High-Speed Frequency Division

A phase-locked loop incorporating a cascade of mixers can provide integer or fractional divide ratios at high frequencies. The circuit topology and its variants are presented, and their advantages over static, dynamic, and injection-locked dividers are described. The effect of nonidealities such as the spurious response and noise of the mixers is also analyzed. A divide-by-two prototype realized in 0.13-mum CMOS technology operates from 64 GHz to 70 GHz while consuming 6 mW from a 1.2-V supply.
Quantitative confocal spectroscopy — rectifying the limitations of single molecule detection

Quantitative confocal spectroscopy (QCS) is a new implementation of single molecule detection that allows highly quantitative and accurate analysis of single fluorescent molecules. It rectifies the limitations of standard confocal spectroscopy by significantly enhancing mass detection efficiency and observation volume uniformity while preserving high signal to noise ratio and single molecule sensitivity. This is accomplished by incorporation of a cylindrical lens and a novel microfabricated confocal aperture to perform a 1-D expansion of the observation volume such that it spans the entire cross-section of a typical microchannel. First, QCS is theoretically compared to standard SMD using a combination of optical modeling and Monte Carlo simulation. Then the performance of QCS is experimentally validated against standard SMD using PicoGreen stained pBR322 DNA.
Critical Issues: Limits of Identification: The Personal, Pleasurable, and Critical in Reader Response:

In this article, I argue that the most common use of reader-response theory in the classroom is misguided in its emphasis on personal response and identification. After reconsidering the meaning of the “aesthetic stance” as defined in the work of Louise Rosenblatt, I discuss the social and political nature of readers, texts, and contexts. I include two examples of teachers talking about a work of children's literature to illustrate that when a text is about characters whose cultures and life worlds are very different from the reader's, disrupting the reader's inclination to identify with the text can heighten the reader's self consciousness and text consciousness. This stance should not be viewed as less aesthetic than a more direct or immediate relationship between reader and text. Finally, I argue for a broader view of what aesthetic reading can mean, one that addresses the social and political dimensions of texts and invites students to take pleasure in both the personal and the critical.
Quantitative determination of the polypeptide motilin in rat plasma by externally calibrated liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.

We present a method for the quantitation of motilin from rat plasma by protein precipitation and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS). Using external calibration, the method was linear over the concentration range 10–1000 ng/mL with an initial sample volume of 150 μL. The LC system included a C18 column with a 300 A pore size. A linear gradient was used with a mobile phase consisting of water and acetonitrile, each with 0.2% acetic acid and 0.02% trifluoroacetic acid. Motilin was detected with the mass spectrometer in positive ion mode monitoring the 4+ charge state at m/z 675.5. The approximated limit of detection was less than 1 ng/mL and the lower limit of quantitation (LLOQ) was 10 ng/mL. The method showed a high degree of precision and accuracy both within and between runs at five validation points, including the LLOQ. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Study of Hyperkyphosis, Exercise and Function (SHEAF) Protocol of a Randomized Controlled Trial of Multimodal Spine-Strengthening Exercise in Older Adults With Hyperkyphosis

BACKGROUND Hyperkyphosis negatively effects health status, physical mobility, and quality of life, but there is no standard protocol for treating hyperkyphosis. Treatment options include targeted exercise. OBJECTIVES This single-site randomized controlled trial (RCT) will determine the efficacy of a targeted multimodal spine strengthening exercise program, compared with no exercise intervention, among community-dwelling men and women aged ≥60 years. DESIGN The RCT is a parallel-group design, with 1:1 randomization to exercise or attentional control groups. SETTING One primary site (1 academic medical center partnered with 1 local community medical center). PARTICIPANTS One hundred men and women aged ≥60 years with thoracic kyphosis ≥40° will be randomized. INTERVENTION The targeted multi-modal spine strengthening exercise intervention includes exercise and postural training, delivered by a physical therapist in a group of 10 participants 3 times a week for 6 months. Controls receive monthly health education meetings in a group of 10 participants with monthly calls from study coordinator to monitor physical activity and any adverse events. MEASUREMENTS Primary outcome is change in Cobb angle of kyphosis measured from lateral spine radiographs at baseline and 6-months. Secondary outcomes include change in physical function (the modified Physical Performance Test, Timed Up and Go, Time Loaded Standing, 4-meter walk, Six-minute walk) and health-related quality of life (SRS-30 self-image domain, PROMIS Global Health Index and Physical Function Index). Additional secondary outcomes include pain, physical activity level, spinal flexion and extension muscle strength, paraspinal extensor muscle density and adverse events. LIMITATIONS Blinding of the participants and instructors providing the intervention is not possible. CONCLUSIONS The efficacy of a high-quality, adequately powered exercise intervention in men and women with kyphosis ≥40° will be evaluated to determine whether targeted multi-modal spine strengthening exercise reduces hyperkyphosis in older adults, as well as improves important secondary outcomes of physical function and health-related quality of life.
Numerical formulation for a higher order plane finite dynamic element

The paper describes the development of an eight-node plane rectangular finite dynamic element and presents detailed descriptions of the associated numerical formulation involving the higher order dynamic correction terms pertaining to the related stiffness and inertia matrices. Numerical test results of free vibration analyses are presented in detail for the newly developed eight-node element and also the corresponding four-node element in order to make a clear comparison of the relative efficiencies of the corresponding finite element and dynamic element procedures. Such results indicate a superior pattern of solution convergence of the presently developed dynamic element.
Dynamic telecytopathology for on-site preliminary diagnosis of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration of pancreatic masses.

We evaluated dynamic telecytopathology for on-site-evaluation of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) samples of the pancreas. Realtime images of stained cytology smears were assessed by a cytopathologist while communicating with the on-site operator by telephone. A total of 55 consecutive cases was assessed; preliminary diagnoses of benign, atypical/suspicious and positive for malignancy were 69%, 7% and 24%. We also reviewed 55 consecutive cases of EUS-guided FNA of pancreas which had had conventional microscopic on-site evaluation prior to the introduction of telecytopathology. Preliminary diagnoses of benign, atypical/suspicious and positive for malignancy were 60%, 9% and 31%. The overall concordance between the preliminary and final diagnosis was 84% for telecytopathology and 87% for conventional microscopy. Neuroendocrine neoplasms and well-differentiated adenocarcinoma were diagnostically challenging for both telecytopathology and conventional microscopy. Telecytopathology...
THE CONCEPT OF “SELF AS LEARNER”: ITS CRITICAL ROLE IN THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF CHILDREN WITH READING DISABILITIES

The development of self‐esteem in children is traced, with special emphasis on the evolution of a sense of “self as learner.” The particular influences of the family and the school as children develop their perception of competence to perform learning tasks are examined. The insidious interactive role that a negative self‐image contributes to a reading disability at different ages is highlighted and an ecological, learning therapeutic approach to intervention is developed Case examples are used.
The asymptotic evolution of data structures

The evolution of certain pointer-based implementations of dictionaries, linear lists and priority queues is studied. Under the assumption of equiprobability of histories, i.e., of paths through the internal state space of the implementation, the n → ∞ asymptotics of the space and time costs of a sequence of n supported operations are computed.
Stumbling Blocks or Stepping-Stones? Overcoming Barriers to E-Collaboration in Communities of Practice

Advances in both managerial theory and information systems have paved the way for organizations to take advantage of the next electronic era, the era of collaboration. One of the key beneficiaries of successful e-collaboration are communities of practice (CoPs). To optimize the possibilities inherent to e-collaboration one must understand group theory as well as information system management because both human and technical issues present obstacles and opportunities. This paper summarizes key technical and non-technical barriers to adopting and utilizing e-collaboration in organizations, and presents solutions for turning e-collaboration stumbling blocks into organizational stepping-stones.
Strain in Epitaxial BaTiO3 Thin Films Prepared by MOCVD

The microstrain in epitaxial BaTiO3 thin films has been investigated using x-ray diffraction. The full width half maximum of the (001) diffraction peaks ranged from 0.12 to 0.49 deg. From the analysis of the angular dependence of the diffraction peak broadening, it is concluded that the broadening is due predominantly to strain. The magnitude of the microstrain decreases sharply with increasing film thickness.
Divvying the Dollars: Local Option Sales Tax Distribution Negotiations in Georgia Cities and Counties

Local governments in Georgia are empowered to levy a 1 percent local option sales tax (LOST), approved by referendum at the county level and is distributed to the county and qualified municipal gov...
Coherence degradation of a high-order optical soliton train in the presence of noise

Recently, the super continuum (SO has been generating considerable interest as a multi-wavelength optical source for wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) communication.
Abstract 4242: Clinically used nitrocatechols and EGCG synergistically inhibit lung cancer cells in vitro

Polyphenols are likely to be responsible for the anticancer effects of green tea, with (−)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) the most well-studied. EGCG reduces lung cancer cell viability effectively in vitro, yet it is methylated by catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT), limiting its effectiveness in inhibiting cancer cell growth. The nitrocatechol drugs entacapone and tolcapone are potent inhibitors of COMT and are used to mitigate effects of Parkinson9s disease. Here, we investigated the synergistic effects of entacapone/tolcapone and EGCG in human (H1299) and murine (CL-13) cell lines. The IC50s of entacapone, tolcapone, and EGCG were 76.8, 29.3, and 174.9 μM, respectively in H1299 cells, and 50.7, 19.7, and 181.5 μM, respectively in CL-13 cells following treatment for 72 h. The IC50s were dramatically reduced when entacapone and tolcapone were used in combination with EGCG. The interactions were determined to be synergistic using isobolographic analysis. Inhibition of COMT-mediated methylation of EGCG by entacapone and tolcapone was also measured by LC-MS over 30 min and the IC50 values were 10 and 20 μM, respectively. The anticancer effects of the nitrocatechols and EGCG were also evaluated in pathways of apoptosis (TUNEL) and cell cycle (flow cytometry). In conclusion, the combination of EGCG and entacapone or tolcapone has greater lung cancer growth inhibitory activity than treatment with any of the single compounds. The mechanistic basis for this synergy is likely due in part to COMT inhibition, yet other mechanisms are also likely to play a role. Funded by NIH grant AT004678. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4242. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-4242
The Applications of Moulds with Hidden Parting Line in the Product Development of Interior and Exterior Ornament

In the production of the interior and exterior ornament of automobiles,the errors in the processing and forming of moulds with hidden parting line or in the coordination of core cavities can lead to fine stages or scrap rubber,thus affecting the quality of the exterior of products.Through analyzing the structure of moulds with hidden parting line and simulating the running process of mould,the article judges whether the hidden parting line type are realized on products of interior and exterior ornamental products so as to solve the product defects caused by errors in the fabrication of moulds with exterior parting line.
A novel HIV vaccine strategy.

We propose that an effective vaccine against HIV, therefore, should elicit a strong cell-mediated immune response in the absence of antiviral antibody production. Such a vaccine will require the use of recombinant or synthetic peptide antigens that are composed of cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) epitopes but not B-cell epitopes from highly conserved regions in HIV proteins
Polyhedrin initiator codon altered to AUU yields unexpected fusion protein from a baculovirus vector

A recombinant baculovirus expression vector was constructed to express the core (capsid) protein of the hepatitis B virus. Along with the expected 21-kDa polypeptide, a second 24-kDa protein was observed. Immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting using a rabbit polyclonal anticore antiserum demonstrated that the two proteins were related. The core gene originally was cloned in-frame with the polyhedrin initiator codon that had been altered to AUU as a means of preventing fusion protein formation. A transient expression assay revealed expression of the 24-kDa protein was prevented if a frame-shift mutation was created upstream of the HBV core translation start site. These results suggest that the 24-kDa protein was the result of an unexpectedly high level of translation initiation at the AUU codon that gave rise to a polyhedrin-HBV core fusion protein. The 24-kDa core protein was shown to be a polyhedrin fusion protein by immunoblotting with an antipolyhedrin antiserum, and initiation at the AUU was demonstrated by amino terminal protein sequencing. Methods to prevent undesired fusion protein expression using this or similar vectors are discussed.
On the Limiting Behavior of Variations of Hodge Structures

OF THE DISSERTATION On the Limiting Behavior of Variations of Hodge Structures by Genival Francisco Fernandes da Silva Jr. Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics Washington University in St. Louis, 2016 Professor Matt Kerr, Chair In this dissertation we will address three results concerning the limiting behavior of variations of Hodge structures. The first chapter introduces the main concepts involved and fixes some notation. In chapter two we discuss extension classes representing LMHS, compute them for a class of toric families and introduce an alternative method for the computation of VHS arising from middle convolution. The next chapter is concerned with the so called Apery constants; we provide a method of computing such constants by using higher normal functions coming from geometry. Finally, in the last chapter we analyze a family of surfaces with geometric monodromy group G2, and discuss the generic global Torelli theorem for such a family.
Consideraciones diagnósticas sobre la diarrea crónica en el perro y en el gato

En el presente articulo se discute el protocolo a seguir para llegar al diagnostico etiologico de un proceso diarreico cronico en un perro o en un gato.
Patient Access in Restrictive Risk Management Programs The Case of iPLEDGE

Background:The isotretinoin risk management program iPLEDGE places requirements on patients and providers to ensure that the benefits of isotretinoin therapy outweigh the risks. Such burdens have the possibility of limiting patient access through mechanisms such as lowered physician participation.Methods:In this study, we utilized prescription claims data to examine changes in patient and provider participation in isotretinoin therapy with iPLEDGE implementation. We examined the change in utilization among patients not targeted by iPLEDGE (male patients) to assess the program’s impact on access. We also examined whether provider participation in isotretinoin therapy varies by specialty and isotretinoin prescribing history.Results:Patient access to isotretinoin decreased in the period immediately following iPLEDGE implementation, but recovered to pre-iPLEDGE levels in the succeeding months. In addition, therapy completion rates increased with iPLEDGE implementation, suggesting that patients less committed ...
Freshwater polychaetes (Manayunkia speciosa) near the Detroit River, western Lake Erie: Abundance and life‐history characteristics

Abstract Freshwater polychaetes are relatively rare and little-studied members of the benthos of lakes and rivers. We studied one polychaete species (Manayunkia speciosa) in Lake Erie near the mouth of the Detroit River. Abundances at one site were determined between 1961 and 2013 and life‐history characteristics at two sites were determined seasonally (March–November) in 2009–2010 and 2012–2013. Life‐history characteristics included abundances, length‐frequency distributions, presence/absence of constructed tubes, sexual maturity, and number and maturation of young-of-the-year (YOY) in tubes. Long-term abundances decreased in successive time periods between 1961 and 2003 (mean range = 57,570 to 2583/m2) but few changes occurred between 2003 and 2013 (mean = 5007/m2; range/y = 2355–8216/m2). Seasonal abundances varied substantially between sites and years, but overall, abundances were low in March–April, high in May–August, and low in September–November. Although reproduction was continuous throughout warmer months, en masse recruitment, as revealed by length–frequency distributions, occurred in a brief period late‐June to mid-July, and possibly in early-September. All life-history characteristics, including tube construction, were dependent on water temperatures (> 5 °C in spring and
Colombian Fiancées, International Marriage Brokers, and the Migration Industry

According to U.S. Homeland Security Department statistics, between 1999 and 2008 the number of Colombians admitted into the United States as fiancees of U.S. citizens or residents grew 321%. Colombia has consistently been listed in the top ten fiancee-sending countries since 1999, the only South American country in the top ten and just behind Mexico. The number of International Marriage Brokers (IMBs) facilitating these matches has jumped from approximately three in 1995 to more than 65 in 2009. To date, and despite a rapidly growing literature about Colombia, these dramatic increases in emigration and the participation of Colombian women in marriage-related forms of migration have not piqued migration scholars' interest. It is critical to note that international migration through courtship and marriages is often the result of a dual effort; on the one hand there are individuals acting as their own agents, and on the other there is the participation and influence of IMBs forming online introductions, perf...
Reply: Pupil area and photopigment spectral sensitivity are relevant to study of migraine photophobia

Sir, Recently, we reported that green light exacerbates migraine headache significantly less than white, blue, amber or red lights in migraine patients with normal eyesight; that their light-adapted flash electroretinography (ERG) a-wave amplitude is significantly larger in response to blue than all other colours; that their light-adapted flickering ERG a-wave is significantly smaller in response to green than blue and red, and significantly smaller in response to red than blue; and that their P2 visual evoked potential (VEP) wave is smaller in response to green than in response to blue, red or amber lights. Based on the findings, we proposed that cone-driven retinal pathways might be at the origin of this colour-selective migraine-type photophobia (Noseda et al. , 2016). In a Letter to the Editor, Dr Omar Mahroo (2016) raises the possibility that our results were secondary to the effects different colours of light might have on pupil diameter. According to this scenario, a wavelength (colour) that causes the pupil to constrict more will allow less light to reach the retina and consequently will produce less pain, smaller ERG and smaller VEP, and vice versa, a wavelength that causes the pupil to constrict less will allow more light to reach the retina and consequently will produce more pain, larger ERG …
Beyond the anti-group: survival and transformation, by M. Nitsun

It is an interesting time for psychoanalytic thinking and practice. There are still many practitioners primarily working in private practice settings who are quite orthodox in their thinking about ...
Low bone mineral density and fractures are highly prevalent in pediatric patients with spinal muscular atrophy regardless of disease severity.

Patients with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) are at risk for poor bone health. The prevalence of fractures, low areal bone mineral density (aBMD; Z-score ≤−2.0) of the lateral distal femur and of osteoporosis by SMA subtype is not known. We aimed to describe the natural history of bone health in patients with SMA prior to bisphosphonate treatment. We reviewed data from 85 eligible patients with SMA ages 12 months to 18 years, seen at a single institution between January 2005 and July 2016. Fracture history was reported at annual clinic visits. aBMD was obtained from dual energy x-ray absorptiometry scans of the lumbar spine, total body, and lateral distal femur. 85% of patients had aBMD Z-scores ≤−2.0 SD and were progressively lower with worsening SMA severity. Longitudinal aBMD Z-scores of the lateral distal femur decreased with age. Fractures occurred in 38% (32/85) of patients with the femur being the most common location (25 of 57 fractures). Thirteen percent of patients fulfilled criteria for osteoporosis. Low aBMD and femur fractures are highly prevalent in all SMA subtypes from a young age; however, few patients met the criteria for osteoporosis. Poor bone health may be an under-recognized comorbidity of SMA.
The Dynamic Force Before Intrinsic Motivation: Exploring Creative Needs

Abstract The question of motivation and creativity has been extensively studied, often with the lens of extrinsic and intrinsic motivation. However, when this work considers intrinsic motivation, it is often in the guise of how to maintain someone’s passion for a topic, as opposed to understanding how and why someone has developed his or her intense interest. In this chapter, we discuss the concept of creative needs, which we see as a lifelong fusion of values, interests, and passion. Preexisting interviews with 24 Pro-c/Big-C creators were thematically analyzed to derive 6 potential creative needs for future study: Beauty, Power, Discovery, Communication, Individuality, and Pleasure.
Comparison of methods to identify long term care nursing home residence with administrative data

To compare different methods for identifying a long term care (LTC) nursing home stay, distinct from stays in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), to the method currently used by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). We used national and Texas Medicare claims, Minimum Data Set (MDS), and Texas Medicaid data from 2011-2013. We used Medicare Part A and B and MDS data either alone or in combination to identify LTC nursing home stays by three methods. One method used Medicare Part A and B data; one method used Medicare Part A and MDS data; and the current CMS method used MDS data alone. We validated each method against Texas 2011 Medicare-Medicaid linked data for those with dual eligibility. Using Medicaid data as a gold standard, all three methods had sensitivities > 92% to identify LTC nursing home stays of more than 100 days in duration. The positive predictive value (PPV) of the method that used both MDS and Medicare Part A data was 84.65% compared to 78.71% for the CMS method and 66.45% for the method using Part A and B Medicare. When the patient population was limited to those who also had a SNF stay, the PPV for identifying LTC nursing home was highest for the method using Medicare plus MDS data (88.1%). Using both Medicare and MDS data to identify LTC stays will lead to more accurate attribution of CMS nursing home quality indicators.
Pore-Pressure Distributions in Constant Strain-Rate Triaxial Tests

A theoretical study of pore-pressure distributions in drained, constant strain-rate triaxial tests, an outgrowth and extension of earlier work by Gibson, Bishop, and Henkel, has been done to determine the experimental conditions under which pore-pressure gradients, and hence, effective stress differences throughout deforming triaxial test samples, are small. It is concluded from the analysis of drained triaxial constant strain-rate tests that it is impossible to obtain a fully drained condition. In fact, in this test the long-term spatial pore-pressure distribution becomes parabolic. Unless strain rates are sufficiently low or permeabilities are sufficiently large to minimize the effect of this parabolic pore-pressure distribution, effective stresses in the deforming sample cannot approach uniformity and any property determinations based on the assumption of uniform effective stresses will be in error. A similar conclusion was reached by Gibson. It is also concluded that volumetric strains will be largest near the undrained end of a sample drained at one end, or largest in the middle of a sample drained at both ends. This strain distribution is a consequence of the parabolic pore-pressure distribution and suggests an explanation (apart from frictional end restraints) for any post-yield barreling observed in a drained triaxial test.
Simplifying IT Infrastructure Separation

IT infrastructure separation is often considered a complex, time-consuming, and expensive component of a divestiture program.
Development of human NKG2D-CD3ε chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) for T-cell-mediated cancer immunotherapy.

150Background: NKG2D is a lectin-like type 2 transmembrane receptor that expressed by natural killer cells and some T cell subsets. Stimulation of NKG2D receptor with specific agonistic ligands pro...
Phase I study of alpelisib (BYL-719) and trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) in HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC) after trastuzumab and taxane therapy

Activation of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway is an important resistance mechanism to anti-HER2 therapies. This study aimed to assess the safety and activity of alpelisib (a PI3Kα isoform-specific inhibitor) with T-DM1 in trastuzumab- and taxane-resistant HER2-positive MBC. Patients with HER2-positive MBC that had progressed on trastuzumab-based therapy were treated with alpelisib daily and T-DM1 3.6 mg/kg every 3 weeks. The dose-limiting toxicity (DLT), maximum tolerated dose (MTD), adverse events, overall response rate (ORR), and clinical benefit rate (CBR = CR + PR + SD > 6 months) were assessed with descriptive statistics. Progression-free survival (PFS) was calculated by the Kaplan–Meier method. Seventeen patients were enrolled with a median of 3 prior therapies for metastatic disease. The DLT was a maculopapular rash and MTD was 250 mg alpelisib daily. The most frequently occurring toxicities included fatigue, rash, gastrointestinal side effects, thrombocytopenia, anemia, elevated liver enzymes, and hyperglycemia. Fourteen patients were evaluable for response with an ORR of 43%. In patients with prior treatment and progression on T-DM1 (n = 10), the ORR was 30%. The CBR was 71% in evaluable patients and 60% in those with prior T-DM1. The median PFS was 8.1 months. The combination of alpelisib and T-DM1 is tolerable and demonstrates activity in trastuzumab-resistant HER2-positive MBC. Furthermore, activity was observed in T-DM1-resistant disease. These data suggest that PIK3CA inhibition targets an important resistance pathway to anti-HER2 therapy, providing rationale for further study of PI3K inhibition in refractory HER2-positive MBC to validate these results.
Systematic analysis of liveness detection methods in biometrie security systems

Biometrie systems suffer from a fundamental vulnerability to presentation attacks which impairs their security and robustness. To overcome this issue, liveness detection methods have been introduced to ensure that input data is originating from a live human being, and it is not forged from old or artificial data. In case of fingerprint and face image-two of the most widely used traits in biometric systems-liveness detection methods attempts to detect fake input data such as gummy finger or finger image in the former, and printed face image or masks in the latter. A new trend in liveness detection methods is moving toward using bio-electrical signals such as Electrocardiography (ECG) and Electroencephalography (EEG). These signals are believed to have an intrinsic liveness property due to the point that they can only be obtained when a live human subject is present. However this is not a realistic assumption, since in recent works these signals have been artificially crafted, and gotten accepted by biometric systems. Therefore, similar to other traits, liveness detection methods for bio-electrical signals need to be developed, and, furthermore new approaches to liveness detection should be studied. In this paper, we discuss liveness detection challenges, and trade-offs with respect to factors such as usability, cost, and performance, and necessary requirements for an evaluation criteria is specified. Finally, the current state of art in liveness detection methods are comprehensively evaluated using the developed criteria.
Platinum conical ultramicroelectrodes

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the fabrication of both blunt and sharp conical electrodes are discussed. Conical-shaped ultramicroelectrodes (UMEs) are of special interest in connection with the imaging of surfaces, in kinetic studies, in probing thin films, and in probing minute environments, such as single cells. The most common fabrication procedure is by the etching of platinum wire or carbon fibers followed by coating with an insulating material except at the apex of the electrode. Platinum (Pt) conical UMEs are constructed from Pt or platinum–iridium (Pt–Ir) wires. A 2-cm length of Pt wire is connected to a conductive wire with silver epoxy. The ensemble is then enclosed in a glass capillary, which has first been drawn to a fine point using a pipette puller, such that ∼5 mm of the microwire is protruding. The Pt wire is sealed in the glass capillary by melting the glass tip of the capillary around the wire using a heating coil or by heating over a gas/oxygen flame. The Pt wire is then electrochemically etched in a solution containing saturated CaCl2, H2O, and concentrated HCl. The etched conical Pt tips are then coated with an insulating material, except at the apex of the tip. A number of coating procedures have been reported in the literature, including radio frequency (RF) sputtering of insulating materials, dipping the tip in a varnish or molten paraffin, and translating the tip through a molten bead of glass, poly(α-methylstyrene) or apiezon wax held on a heated support. Once fabricated, the conical electrodes can be characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, steady-state voltammetry, and scanning electrochemical microscopy.
Differences between refractory anemia with excess blasts in transformation and acute myeloid leukemia.

The recently proposed World Health Organization (WHO) classification of hematologic malignancies attempted to integrate morphologic, clinical, immunophenotypic, and genetic features in defining disease entities. One of the major changes proposed by this classification is to lower the blast count for
Mass Extinctions and Changing Taphonomic Processes

The biotic crisis of the Middle Permian through Early Triassic is unmatched in the Phanerozoic in terms of taxonomic diversity losses and paleoecological reorganization. However, the potential taphonomic bias from post-mortem diagenesis for this crucial time has not been evaluated. We assessed the quality of the fossil record during this interval by quantifying the number of Lazarus taxa using our own database, data available in the Paleobiology Database and previous compilations. We also quantitatively tested for paleoecological differences between silicified versus non-silicified faunas. Herein we report that there is no major taphonomic bias due to skeletal mineralogy or fossil preservation affecting the Middle and Late Permian fossil record, but that aragonite-shelled molluscs may exhibit a significant Lazarus effect during the Induan. We propose that a variety of mechanisms affected the fossil record of the Paleozoic/Mesozoic transition, including ocean chemistry, paleobiology of the examined groups, and human influences on taxonomic and sampling practices.
Hexachlorobenzene as a possible major contributor to the dioxin activity of human milk.

A dioxinlike compound is a compound that binds to the aryl hydrocarbon (Ah) receptor, results in dioxinlike effects, and bioaccumulates. These are the three factors for including dioxinlike chemicals in the toxic equivalency factor (TEF) concept. Risk assessment of dioxinlike compounds is based on using these TEFs. Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) has all three features and should therefore be included in this TEF concept. Relative potency values express the potency of a specific compound in comparison to 2,3,7, 8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), the most potent dioxinlike compound, with a relative potency value of 1. For the estimation of the total dioxin activity in an environmental biological sample, the TEF value of a compound is multiplied by the concentration in the specific matrix. This results in a certain amount of toxic equivalents (TEQs) for this compound. The summation of all TEQs in a certain mixture gives the total dioxin activity of this mixture. HCB binds to the Ah receptor about 10,000 times less than TCDD. HCB is also about 10,000 times less potent than TCDD based on in vitro cytochrome P4501A induction and porphyrin accumulation. Using a relative potency value of 0.0001, HCB could add 10-60% to the total TEQ in human milk samples in most countries. In a few countries such as Spain, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic, HCB levels in human milk expressed as TEQ could contribute up to a factor of six to the total TEQ in comparison to the contribution of polychlorinated dioxins, dibenzofurans, and biphenyls together, i.e., up to a daily intake of about 1 ng TEQ/kg for a breast-fed infant. The HCB levels in human milk in these countries are about the same as in India. Biochemical, immunological, and neurological alterations have been observed in infants fed breast milk in countries with relatively low TEQ levels in human milk. Based on the above information, it is clear that HCB should be classified as a dioxinlike compound, that more studies are needed to reduce the uncertainty in the estimation of a relative potency value for HCB, and that epidemiological studies should be undertaken in infants fed breast milk in countries with high HCB exposure levels. Furthermore, measurements of HCB levels in human and environmental samples in conjunction with other dioxinlike compounds is a prerequisite to estimate the total dioxin activity in these samples.
Climate, snow, and soil moisture data set for the Tuolumne and Merced river watersheds, California, USA

Abstract. We present hourly climate data to force land surface process models and assessments over the Merced and Tuolumne watersheds in the Sierra Nevada, California, for the water year 2010–2014 period. Climate data (38 stations) include temperature and humidity (23), precipitation (13), solar radiation (8), and wind speed and direction (8), spanning an elevation range of 333 to 2987 m. Each data set contains raw data as obtained from the source (Level 0), data that are serially continuous with noise and nonphysical points removed (Level 1), and, where possible, data that are gap filled using linear interpolation or regression with a nearby station record (Level 2). All stations chosen for this data set were known or documented to be regularly maintained and components checked and calibrated during the period. Additional time-series data included are available snow water equivalent records from automated stations (8) and manual snow courses (22), as well as distributed snow depth and co-located soil moisture measurements (2–6) from four locations spanning the rain–snow transition zone in the center of the domain. Spatial data layers pertinent to snowpack modeling in this data set are basin polygons and 100 m resolution rasters of elevation, vegetation type, forest canopy cover, tree height, transmissivity, and extinction coefficient. All data are available from online data repositories ( https://doi.org/10.6071/M3FH3D ).
Modulating the microbiome to improve therapeutic response in cancer

Summary Although novel therapies, including immunotherapy, have dramatically improved outcomes for many patients with cancer, overall outcomes are heterogeneous and existing biomarkers do not reliably predict response. To date, predictors of response to cancer therapy have largely focused on tumour-intrinsic features; however, there is growing evidence that other host factors (eg, host genomics and the microbiome) can substantially affect therapeutic response. The microbiome, which refers to microbiota within a host and their collective genomes, is becoming increasingly recognised for its influence on host immunity, as well as therapeutic responses to cancer treatment. Importantly, microbiota can be modified via several different strategies, affording new angles in cancer treatment to improve outcomes. In this Review, we examine the evidence on the role of the microbiome in cancer and therapeutic response, factors that influence and shape host microbiota, strategies to modulate the microbiome, and present key unanswered questions to be addressed in ongoing and future research.
Multi-objective accelerated process optimization of mechanical properties in laser-based additive manufacturing: Case study on Selective Laser Melting (SLM) Ti-6Al-4V

Abstract Process optimization of Laser-Based Additive Manufacturing (LBAM) systems is often complicated by the tradeoff between different mechanical properties as well as the relative density window. For instance, parts with similar relative densities can have noticeably different tensile mechanical properties (e.g., elongation-to-failure, yield strength, ultimate tensile strength, Young’s modulus). This phenomenon can be attributed to the variation of size and distribution of fabrication-induced voids within the final parts. To overcome the aforementioned challenge, we applied an efficient sequential multi-objective process optimization framework to optimize the quality of LBAM-fabricated parts with respect to multiple non-correlated mechanical properties within the optimal relative density regime. The applied Multi-objective Accelerated Process Optimization (m-APO) method indirectly accounts for the effect of size and distribution of voids on the final parts’ mechanical properties. The m-APO decomposes the master multi-objective optimization problem into a sequence of single-objective sub-problems constructed from mathematically convex combination of individual unknown objective functions. At each step, the m-APO smartly maps the experimental data from previous sub-problems to the remaining sub-problems. Therefore, the information captured from previous sub-problems is leveraged to accelerate the master multi-objective process optimization problem. The m-APO exhibited capability to achieve a set of process parameter setups, resulting in the best trade-off between conflicting mechanical properties in the optimal window. The m-APO methodology is employed to maximize relative density and elongation-to-failure of Ti-6Al-4 V parts fabricated by Selective Laser Melting (SLM) system. The results show that the m-APO achieved the optimal process parameter setups while reducing the time-and cost-intensive experiments by 51.8%, compared with an extended full factorial design of experiments plan.
INCIDENCE AND PROGNOSIS OF TYPE 1 CARDIORENAL SYNDROMES AMONG PATIENTS WITH ACUTE MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION UNDERGOING PERCUTANEOUS CORONARY INTERVENTION

Type 1 cardiorenal syndrome (CRS-1), defined as acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients with acute cardiac illness, most commonly acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF), was a universal complication with adverse outcomes among patients with heart failure (HF). However, the incidence and prognosis of
Where’s the beef? Cattle producers’ response to endangered species listings

Abstract Agricultural production in the United States relies on extensive land use that sometimes conflicts with federal policies to protect wildlife habitat. A prime example of this conflict is the Endangered Species Act (ESA), which can impose significant penalties on landowners and producers who destroy the habitat of listed species. While prior research has measured the effects of ESA regulations on land values and natural resources, no research has identified the consequences of listing a species on livestock production. In this study, we measure the effect of ESA listings on beef cattle production in the central United States. Results suggest that listing likely has a small positive effect on cattle stocks.
Cross-Cultural Comparison of Religious Coping Methods Reported by Native Guatemalan and Kenyan Faith-Based Relief Providers:

Guatemala and Kenya are both countries that have recently experienced political violence in the context of long histories of colonialization, oppression and poverty. The current study examines focu...