cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of polybrominated biphenyls on metabolism of testosterone by rat hepatic microsomes.

Abstract Polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) have produced alterations in the male reproductive system of several species. These alterations may be a consequence of modified metabolism of androgens. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the effects of PBBs on hepatic microsomal metabolism of testosterone in vitro . Hepatic microsomes were prepared from male and female rats exposed to 0 or 100 ppm PBBs from Day 8 of gestation until they were killed at 1, 2, or 4 months of age. Testosterone and its metabolites were identified and quantified utilizing high-performance liquid chromatography or gas-liquid chromatography. Steroid identification was confirmed with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Hydroxylation of testosterone to 7α- and 6β-hydroxytestosterone in microsomes from both sexes at all ages was increased by pretreatment with PBBs. Microsomal conversion of testosterone to 16 α-hydroxytestosterone and androstenedione was enhanced by PBBs in females at all ages and in 1 month-old males but not from males of 2 and 4 months of age. Reduction of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone and dihydroandrosterone was inhibited in microsomes from both sexes at all ages by pretreatment with PBBs. These results support the contention that the effects of PBBs on the male reproductive system may be due, at least in part, to altered metabolism of testosterone.
The Contribution of Small Business Loan Guarantees to Economic Development

Analysis of the outcome of economic development programs is essential for improved public policy. This study reports on the California State Loan Guarantee Program, which guaranteed small business bank loans to carefully selected firms that could not otherwise obtain credit. The study tracked the actual change in employment at 1,166 firms that received 1,515 loan guarantees from 1990 to 1996 during the depths of the California recession. The study found that employment increased in firms receiving loan guarantees by 40% among all firms and 27% among nonagricultural firms. The program also increased state tax revenues by $25.5 million, well in excess of the $13 million the state spent on the program. Firms receiving loan guarantees had a default rate of only 2%.
Re-examining the impact of housing wealth and stock wealth on retail sales: Does persistence in wealth changes matter?

Case, Quigley and Shiller (2005, 2013) quantified stock versus housing wealth effects on quarterly state-level retail sales, which they interpret as an approximate measure of household consumption spending. We investigate the variation of these wealth effects with the persistence of each kind of wealth fluctuation in an estimated linear dynamic fixed-effects model, allowing for both cointegration and endogeneity. Retail sales respond most strongly to housing wealth fluctuations which persist for one to four years, whereas the response to stock wealth fluctuations is smaller and is concentrated on fluctuations with a persistence of either less than a year or more than four years. These differential persistence effects point to a need for a richer theoretical formulation in this area.
Dietary supplementation with the polyphenol-rich açaí pulps (Euterpe oleracea Mart. and Euterpe precatoria Mart.) improves cognition in aged rats and attenuates inflammatory signaling in BV-2 microglial cells

Objectives: The present study was carried out to determine if lyophilized acai fruit pulp (genus, Euterpe), rich in polyphenols and other bioactive antioxidant and anti-inflammatory phytochemicals, is efficacious in reversing age-related cognitive deficits in aged rats.Methods: The diets of 19-month-old Fischer 344 rats were supplemented for 8 weeks with 2% Euterpe oleracea (EO), Euterpe precatoria (EP), or a control diet. Rats were tested in the Morris water maze and then blood serum from the rats was used to assess inflammatory responses of BV-2 microglial cells.Results: After 8 weeks of dietary supplementation with 2% EO or EP, rats demonstrated improved working memory in the Morris water maze, relative to controls; however, only the EO diet improved reference memory. BV-2 microglial cells treated with blood serum collected from EO-fed rats produced less nitric oxide (NO) than control-fed rats. Serum from both EO- and EP-fed rats reduced tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). There is a relationship betw...
A comparison of clonidine and buprenorphine in the outpatient treatment of opiate withdrawal

The opiate withdrawal syndrome, although not life threatening, is a major obstacle in the treatment of opiate dependence. Over a 12 week period, 124 patients (63% female, 66% African American and mean age 32.6 years) underwent 5 day treatment for opiate withdrawal. Patients treated in the first 6 weeks (n = 69) received clonidine based treatment (0.1 mg every 6 h with one dose received on‐site each day and the others taken home), while patients treated in the latter 6 weeks (n = 65) received buprenorphine 0.3 mg IM daily. Both groups received supportive medications for diarrhea, cramps, aches, and nausea, had clonidine patches placed on day 4, and were offered naltrexone upon completion. Based on age, gender, and race the two treatment groups were similar. The completion rate was 75.4% for buprenorphine group and 47.5% for the clonidine group, p = .001. In conclusion, buprenorphine was superior to clonidine in enabling opiate dependent patients to successfully complete an outpatient detoxification program.
The Indeterminacy of the Philippine Indigenous Subject: Indigeneity, Temporality, and Cultural Governance

This essay focuses on how indigenous cultural identity takes on political meaning in the Philippines. In particular, the essay explores the distinctions between the designations of being a National Living Artist and a National Living Treasure in the discourse of Philippine national culture.
On the underlying representation of contour tones in Wobe

In a 1980 article entitled "The tone puzzle of Wobe," Thomas Bearth and Christa Link argue that only by positing phonemic contour tones can one account satisfactorily for the tone facts of Wobe, a western Kru language spoken in the Ivory Coast. In their analysis, they posit the features [Rise], [Fall], and [Concave] in addition to [High], [Low], and [Extreme]. In that their analysis abandons the assertion that surface glides can always be "de-composed" into sequences of underlying level tones, it represents an enrichment of phonological theory. The present account calls into question that enrichment, arguing not only that Bearth and Link's analysis obscures more insights than it captures but also that an analysis that uses only level tones at the phonemic level succeeds where Bearth and Link's account fails.
Association of Visually Coded Functions with an Alternate Key

This study examined the effect of three variables on users' interpretation of an Alternate key. On the Alternate key, the position of the word “Alternate”, the color of the word “Alternate”, and the presence of a colored background were manipulated. Eighty subjects from IBM and 32 subjects from outside of IBM responded to the 8 stimuli created by crossing the three factors. None of the factors seemed to have a significant influence on the responses by IBM employees, but the color of the word “Alternate” and the position of the word “Alternate” on the key significantly affected responses by the non-IBM group. The two groups also differed in the frequency of which feature was first stated to be the salient feature in making the response.
SCIENTIFIC ACHIEVEMENTS OF TEN YEARS OF SPACELAB: ACHIEVEMENTS IN ASTROPHYSICS

Astrophysical studies have been carried out on five Spacelab missions during the past decade, beginning with Spacelab-1 in November 1983. Most of these were multi-discipline science missions in which two or three astrophysics experiments had to compete with numerous other instruments for limited shuttle resources. Astro-1, flown in December 1990, has been the only dedicated astrophysics mission. Based on the limited quantity of observations that can be accomplished on shuttle flights, and on the long delays experienced in getting instruments launched aboard shuttle during the 1980s, most astronomers have focused attention on free-flying satellite experiments. Nevertheless, the large quantity of significant results in ultraviolet and X-ray astronomy obtained by the Astro-1 mission has clearly demonstrated that Spacelab can contribute substantially to astrophysics research. Widely reported difficulties encountered during the Astro1 mission reduced by at least one half the number of observations that could be accomplished, but there have already been well over 100 papers published on results from this flight alone, and more papers are still forthcoming. Through Astro-l and several other successful experiments on the multi-discipline missions, Spacelab has achieved a considerable measure of success in astrophysics, though it has not lived up to its original promise to provide quick, easy, and frequent access to space. U
Color and Natural Products Attracting the Adult Sugarbeet Root Maggot in Southcentral Idaho

Black sticky stakes attracted the largest number of adult Telanops myopaeformis (ROder) and were the most effective means of measuring populations. Raw beet juice was the best of the attractants derived from natural products. The period of emergence varied from year to year and seemed to be related to weather. Only 1 generation of the sugarbeet root maggot developed during the season in southcentral Idaho.
Fracture healing: a consensus report from the International Osteoporosis Foundation Fracture Working Group

Summary We used the RAND UCLA appropriateness method to decide appropriateness of use of osteoporosis medication after incident fracture and potential for fracture healing and make suggestions for trial design for clinical and preclinical research.
Patient preferred live music with adult medical patients: A systematic review to determine implications for clinical practice and future research

Abstract Many clinicians and researchers have articulated the importance and applicability of patient preferred live music (PPLM) as a receptive music therapy intervention for adult medical patients. While PPLM delivered by a music therapist is often considered music therapy and not music medicine, questions concerning its operational definition, application, and functionality remain. The purpose of this study was to identify and analyze the existing research concerning PPLM as an intervention for adult medical patients by conducting a systematic review of the literature base to determine implications for clinical practice and future research. We performed a computer-based systematic review and also conducted hand searches of selected music therapy and creative arts journals. We found that numerous authors recommended PPLM as a preferred and effective intervention for adult medical patients. Results across eight studies meeting inclusion criteria were positive and supported PPLM as an applicable intervention for affective states, pain, nausea, and physiological measures for adult cancer and transplant patients when delivered by qualified music therapists. As medical patients may initially prefer receptive interventions, PPLM may be an ideal method to develop rapport and therapeutic alliance before introducing and integrating more active interventions. The importance of therapist musicality and diverse repertoire are discussed.
Detection of Volatile Organic Compounds in Drinking water by Purge and Trap-Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry

[Objective]To establish an external standard method for the detection of 28 volatile organic compounds in drinking water by purge and trap-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.[Methods]After purge and trap,the organic compounds in drinking water were released to the gas chromatography.Through the DB-624 column temperature programmed,the organic compounds were separated,and then were detected by the selected ion mode of mass spectrometry.[Results]The limits of detection were 0.005～0.15 μg/L and the limits of quantification were 0.02～0.5 μg/L.When the added level was 0.5～5.0 μg/L,the recoveries were 92.4%～108.4%.The precision relative standard deviation was 2.73%～8.23%.[Conclusion]This method has high sensitivity and good recovery.It can be used to detect the 28 volatile organic compounds in drinking water rapidly and accurately.
“Tell It Like It Is”: Decision Making, Groupthink, and Decisiveness among U.S. Federal Subcabinet Executives

In addition to difficulties gathering and evaluating complete information, cognitive limitations and biases preclude individuals from making fully value-maximizing choices when making decisions. It has been suggested that, done properly, involving advisors can compensate for individual-level limitations. However, the “groupthink” tradition has highlighted ways group-aided decision making can fail to live up to its potential. Out of this literature has emerged a paradigm Janis calls “vigilant problem-solving.” For this article, we interviewed 20 heads of subcabinet-level organizations in the U.S. federal government, asking questions about how they made important decisions. Ten were nominated by “good-government” experts, 10 chosen at random. We wanted to see whether there were differences in how members of those two groups made decisions, specifically, to what extent executives in the two categories used a “vigilant” process. We found, however, that similarities between the two groups overwhelmed differences: As best as we were able to measure, decision making by U.S. subcabinet executives tracks vigilant decision making recommendations fairly closely. The similarity reflects a common style of senior-level decision making, which we theorize grows out of government bureaucracy's methodical culture. We did, however, develop evidence for a difference between outstanding executives and others on another dimension of decision making style. Outstanding executives valued decision making decisiveness—“bias for action”—more than the comparison group. Perhaps, then, what distinguishes outstanding executives from others is not vigilance but decisiveness. Contrary to the implications of the groupthink literature, the danger in government may be “paralysis by analysis” as much or more than groupthink.
Stepwise N–H bond formation from N2-derived iron nitride, imide and amide intermediates to ammonia

Reduction of N2 to ammonia in nature and in electrocatalysis takes place through 1-proton/1-electron steps, motivating efforts to experimentally study the steps during proton/electron transfer to well-characterized N2-derived species with bridging nitrides. We report here the protonation and reduction reactions of an N2-derived iron bis(nitride) complex (Rodriguez et al., Science, 2011, 334, 780). We isolate and definitively characterize triiron imido and amido intermediates that lie along the path to ammonia formation, and Mossbauer spectroscopy shows the oxidation level of iron atoms in these mixed-valence clusters. The first two H atoms add to one of the two nitrides of the bis(nitride) complex, and the proton-coupled electron transfer in the second step can be concerted or stepwise depending on the sources of protons and electrons. The characterization of partially protonated nitrides and their mechanisms of formation are expected to guide efforts to convert N2 to ammonia with mild acids.
Accessibility and Reliability for Connected Bipartite Graphs

In the recently published atlas of graphs [9] the general listing of graphs with diagrams went up to V=7 vertices but the special listing for connected bipartite graphs carried further up to V=8. In this paper we wish to study the random accessibility of these connected bipartite graphs by means of random walks on the graphs using the degree of the “gratis” starting point as a weighting factor. The accessibility is then related to the concept of reliability of the graphs with only edge failures. Exact expectation results for accessibility are given for any complete connected bipartite graph N1 cbp N2 (where “cbp” denotes “connected bipartite”) for several values of J (the number of new vertices searched for). The main conjecture in this paper is that for any complete connected bipartite graph N1 cbp N2: if |N1−N2| ≤ 1, then the graph is both uniformly optimal in reliability and optimal in random accessibility within its family. Numerical results are provided to support the conjecture.
Guest Editorial A Remarkable Resurgence of Artificial Intelligence and Its Impact on Automation and Autonomy

“After many false starts,” declared the Economist magazine in a June 2016 Special Report,1 “artificial intelligence (AI) has taken off.” This special report examined “how AI, associated with hubris and disappointment since its earliest days, has suddenly become the hottest field in technology.” The report also heralded the return of the machinery question , first posed nearly 200 years ago in the context of industrial revolution, on the impact of such disruptive technologies on the different classes of society.
Evolving patterns of metastatic disease in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) reported in clinical trials from 1990 to 2011.

5015 Background: Bone remains the most common site of metastasis in CRPC. With new therapies extending survival in metastatic CRPC (mCRPC), we hypothesized that the incidence of non-osseous metasta...
Self-Knowledge as Non-Dual Awareness: A Comparative Study of Plotinus and Indian Advaita Philosophy

The paper examines the problem of self-knowledge from the perspectives of Plotinus and the Indian Advaita (non-dual) school. Analyzing the subject-object relation, I show that according to both Plotinus and Advaita thinkers, full self-knowledge demands complete absence of otherness. Plotinus argues that if self-consciousness is divided into subject-object relation then one will know oneself as contemplated but not as contemplating ( V .3.5) and no real self-knowledge obtains in this case. Śaṅkara, who constitutes an important representative of Advaita thought, points out that the self cannot know itself as an object because what is called an object to be known becomes established when it is separated from the self, the subject. I argue that at the level of the One, similar to the state of ātman consciousness in Advaita framework, the soul experiences itself in expansive non-dual consciousness. Lastly, I examine the role of non-duality as the foundation of knowledge.
A Simple Score That Predicts Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation on Outpatient Cardiac Monitoring after Embolic Stroke of Unknown Source.

Background Occult paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) is detected in 16%-30% of patients with embolic stroke of unknown source (ESUS). The identification of AF predictors on outpatient cardiac monitoring can help guide clinicians decide on a duration or method of cardiac monitoring after ESUS. Methods We included all patients with ESUS who underwent an inpatient diagnostic evaluation and outpatient cardiac monitoring between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2016. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on detection of AF or atrial flutter during monitoring. We compared demographic data, clinical risk factors, and cardiac biomarkers between the 2 groups. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine predictors of AF. Results We identified 296 consecutive patients during the study period; 38 (12.8%) patients had AF detected on outpatient cardiac monitoring. In a multivariable regression analysis, advanced age (ages 65-74: odds ratio [OR] 2.36, 95% confidence interval [CI] .85-6.52; ages 75 or older: OR 4.08, 95% CI 1.58-10.52) and moderate-to-severe left atrial enlargement (OR 4.66, 95% CI 1.79-12.12) were predictors of AF on outpatient monitoring. We developed the Brown ESUS-AF score: age (65-74 years: 1 point, 75 years or older: 2 points) and left atrial enlargement (moderate or severe: 2 points) with good prediction of AF (area under the curve .725) and was internally validated using bootstrapping. The percentage of patients with AF detected in each score category were as follows: 0: 4.2%; 1: 14.8%; 2: 20.8%; 3: 22.2%; 4: 55.6%. Conclusions The Brown ESUS-AF score predicts AF on prolonged outpatient monitoring after ESUS. More studies are needed to externally validate our findings.
A Theory of Light without Photons: Implications from Fermis to Light Years

A new theory of elementary matter [1], that rejects the photon concept of light, has led to generalizations that have physical implications and have made numerical predictions in the domains of elementary particle physics, atomic physics and astrophysics.
Incineration of Nanoclay Composites Leads to Byproducts with Reduced Cellular Reactivity

Addition of nanoclays into a polymer matrix leads to nanocomposites with enhanced properties to be used in plastics for food packaging applications. Because of the plastics' high stored energy value, such nanocomposites make good candidates for disposal via municipal solid waste plants. However, upon disposal, increased concerns related to nanocomposites' byproducts potential toxicity arise, especially considering that such byproducts could escape disposal filters to cause inhalation hazards. Herein, we investigated the effects that byproducts of a polymer polylactic acid-based nanocomposite containing a functionalized montmorillonite nanoclay (Cloisite 30B) could pose to human lung epithelial cells, used as a model for inhalation exposure. Analysis showed that the byproducts induced toxic responses, including reductions in cellular viability, changes in cellular morphology, and cytoskeletal alterations, however only at high doses of exposure. The degree of dispersion of nanoclays in the polymer matrix appeared to influence the material characteristics, degradation, and ultimately toxicity. With toxicity of the byproduct occurring at high doses, safety protocols should be considered, along with deleterious effects investigations to thus help aid in safer, yet still effective products and disposal strategies.
Family Policies in Taiwan: Development, Implementation, and Assessment

This chapter includes a brief overview of policies on parental leave, poverty, and disability. In-depth case studies of three other important family policies in Taiwan are closely examined: Divorce Law, Domestic Violence Prevention Act, and Family Education Act. Divorce law allows divorcing couples to choose either judicial divorce or consensual divorce. The mandatory divorce mediation is required when both individuals cannot agree on the settlement. Due to cultural beliefs and perceptions, most divorcing couples prefer the Neighborhood Mediation Center to work out their disputes. In terms of Domestic Violence Prevention Act, it was a recent policy enacted to ensure the safety of women and children, particularly in familial or intimate relationships. However, it is still in the infancy stage that needs fine-tuning. Furthermore, a significant public policy enacted in 2003 is Family Education Act. Taiwan is the first country that nurtures individuals and strengthens families through family life education law. Comments on implementation and assessment of each law were provided.
The polyvagal hypothesis: common mechanisms mediating autonomic regulation, vocalizations and listening

Abstract This chapter applies hypotheses and principles derived from the polyvagal theory ( Porges, 1995 , 2001 , 2007 ) to interpret mammalian vocalizations. The theory emphasizes the parallel phylogenetic shift in both the neural regulation of the autonomic nervous system and the evolutionary emergence of an integrated social engagement system that includes features optimizing conspecific mammalian vocal communication. The chapter presents the polyvagal hypothesis as a new way to interpret adaptive functions and acoustic features of mammalian vocalizations. The chapter emphasizes both the neural mechanisms involved in social communication, including the reciprocal relationship between production and reception of vocalizations, and the perceptual advantage that mammals have by vocalizing within a frequency band optimized by the physics of the middle ear.
An efficient integrated trigeneration system for the production of dual temperature cooling and fresh water: Thermoeconomic analysis and optimization

Abstract This paper describes and analyzes an integrated trigeneration system for the production of air conditioning, fresh water and refrigeration at different temperatures. A single effect steam driven H2O-LiBr absorption cooling (ABC) cycle is integrated with a multi effect distillation (MED) unit and a CO2 based parallel compression economization-vapor compression refrigeration (PCE-VCR) cycle. The thermo-economic analysis is performed to identify how the integration can improve the energy utilization and annual costs. A detailed parametric study of several key design and operating parameters and an economic optimization are also conducted. The analysis shows that the MED plant can produce a significant amount of fresh water using the free steam supplied by the ABC cycle. Changes in the number of effects, top and last effect brine temperatures, size of the VCR cycle and number of operating hours significantly impact the MED plant productivity and unit production cost of water (UPCW). The integrated ABC-MED-VCR system, in a base case analysis, reduces the unit production cost of cooling (UPCC) for combined cooling and refrigeration and the UPCW by 25% and 27%, respectively compared to separate use of the three systems. Due to integration, substantial improvements in the fuel energy utilization and reductions in the annual capital cost (ACC) and annual operating cost (AOC) are achieved. Also, the AOC and ACC decrease 38% and 13%, respectively. At the optimized conditions, utilization of exhaust waste gas to drive the integrated ABC-MED-VCR system leads to additional 52%, 41% and 0.13% reductions in the AOC, UPCC and UPCW, respectively.
Adaptive School-based Implementation of CBT (ASIC): clustered-SMART for building an optimized adaptive implementation intervention to improve uptake of mental health interventions in schools.

Depressive and anxiety disorders affect 20–30% of school-age youth, most of whom do not receive adequate services, contributing to poor developmental and academic outcomes. Evidence-based practices (EBPs) such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can improve outcomes, but numerous barriers limit access among affected youth. Many youth try to access mental health services in schools, but school professionals (SPs: counselors, psychologists, social workers) are rarely trained adequately in CBT methods. Further, SPs face organizational barriers to providing CBT, such as lack of administrative support. Three promising implementation strategies to address barriers to school-based CBT delivery include (1) Replicating Effective Programs (REP), which deploys customized CBT packaging, didactic training in CBT, and technical assistance; (2) coaching, which extends training via live supervision to improve SP competence in CBT delivery; and (3) facilitation, which employs an organizational expert who mentors SPs in strategic thinking to promote self-efficacy in garnering administrative support. REP is a relatively low-intensity/low-cost strategy, whereas coaching and facilitation require additional resources. However, not all schools will require all three strategies. The primary aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness of a school-level adaptive implementation intervention involving REP, coaching, and facilitation versus REP alone on the frequency of CBT delivered to students by SPs and student mental health outcomes. Secondary and exploratory aims examine cost-effectiveness, moderators, and mechanisms of implementation strategies. Using a clustered, sequential multiple-assignment, randomized trial (SMART) design, ≥ 200 SPs from 100 schools across Michigan will be randomized initially to receive REP vs. REP+coaching. After 8 weeks, schools that do not meet a pre-specified implementation benchmark are re-randomized to continue with the initial strategy or to augment with facilitation. EBPs need to be implemented successfully and efficiently in settings where individuals are most likely to seek care in order to gain large-scale impact on public health. Adaptive implementation interventions hold the promise of providing cost-effective implementation support. This is the first study to test an adaptive implementation of CBT for school-age youth, at a statewide level, delivered by school staff, taking an EBP to large populations with limited mental health care access. NCT03541317 —Registered on 29 May 2018 on ClinicalTrials.gov PRS
Godwin’s Law and Jones’ Corollary: The Problem of Using Extremes to Make Predictions

Peoples Temple has been seen as the paradigmatic cult exemplifying the horrors of manipulative leaders and brainwashed followers due to the deaths in Jonestown on 18 November 1978. This article argues against the utility of making comparisons to such an extreme event, however. Drawing upon Godwin’s Law and its observation that online debates eventually raise the trope of Hitler and Nazis, the article introduces Jones’ Corollary: Discussions of new religions inevitably begin with a comparison to Jonestown. Making generalizations about new religions by starting with Jonestown is inappropriate because of the unique nature of Peoples Temple and its extraordinary ending in Jonestown. Nevertheless, Jonestown functions for the anticult movement and in online exchanges the same way that references to Nazis and Hitler do—to evoke shock, disgust, and outrage, and, ultimately, to terminate analysis.
Perceived Outcomes Associated with Engagement in and Design of Faculty Communities of Practice Focused on STEM Reform.

This study examines how involvement in four undergraduate faculty communities of practice is associated with faculty perceiving they improved in individual practices related to STEM reform. It is informed by the communities of practice and faculty change literature and utilizes data gathered through a survey of community members (n = 2503). The findings reveal engagement experiences and aspects of community design associated with three outcomes—learning and improving practice, developing skills for leadership and change, and networking. These findings contribute to recommendations for designing future STEM reform initiatives.
Hyperprogressive disease: a distinct effect of immunotherapy?

While it has long been recognized that the majority of cancer discoveries and clinical trials ultimately fail to improve disease outcomes, only rarely have therapies appeared to worsen the clinical course of malignancy. Recent examples include the use of certain molecularly targeted therapies beyond tumors harboring the target genomic alteration. A phase 3 study of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor gefitinib as maintenance therapy after chemoradiation for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) demonstrated an overall survival more than eight months worse than maintenance placebo (1). This difference was attributed to cancer- rather than toxicity-related factors. For KRAS or PIK3CA mutant NSCLC, the EGFR inhibitor erlotinib may have worse overall and progression-free survival than placebo (2).
Ecological indicators of mammal exposure to Ebolavirus.

Much of the basic ecology of Ebolavirus remains unresolved despite accumulating disease outbreaks, viral strains and evidence of animal hosts. Because human Ebolavirus epidemics have been linked to...
Disparate Impacts: Balancing the Need for Safe Schools With Racial Equity in Discipline:

Policy responses to gun violence within K-12 school systems have not stopped the increasing frequency of their occurrence, but have instead increased racial and ethnic disparities in multiple forms...
Palliative External Beam Radiation Therapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma With Right Atrial Tumor Thrombus.

Abstract Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with right atrial (RA) tumor thrombus via progression through hepatic veins into the inferior vena cava is a challenging entity with limited treatment options. We describe a case of a patient with a symptomatic HCC RA tumor thrombus who achieved a durable and effective symptomatic response to palliative radiotherapy. We also report our institution’s experience treating 10 HCC patients with RA tumor thrombus with palliative radiotherapy to a median biological effective dose (α/β = 10) of 50.6 Gy (range, 29.3-71.2 Gy). Median follow-up was 5 months. Palliative radiotherapy was well-tolerated, with no grade ≥ 3 acute toxicities. Only one patient experienced in-field progression. Seven patients were alive at least 3 months following radiotherapy, and median overall survival was 5 months (range, 3-15 months). This unique series suggests HCC RA tumor thrombus-directed radiotherapy may offer safe palliation and can be considered to improve patients’ quality of life.
Energy saving impact of occupancy-driven thermostat for residential buildings

Abstract Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems account for more than half of the residential energy consumption in the United States. Since most people do not have the expertise to control the HVAC system efficiently, unnecessary energy consumption is often caused by wasteful behaviors (overheating/overcooling and operation without occupancy). New Internet of Things (IoT) products for a smart home have the potential for energy saving by reducing the unnecessary operation of the energy system in a residential house. However, many people still hesitate to adopt this product with uncertain economic benefit. This work explores a co-simulation platform to assess energy saving impact and economic benefits of occupancy driven thermostat in a residential house. An occupancy simulator was devised and utilized to consider the random nature of the occupancy in a typical single family residential house. Six HVAC system control strategies were explored based on three types of thermostats (always on; schedule based; and occupancy driven) as well as two setpoint control algorithms (fixed setpoint; and adaptive control). Energy-plus was integrated into the co-simulation platform, which evaluated energy consumption and indoor temperature of a residential house in five climate conditions. User's comfort level was evaluated using the adaptive model for the six different control strategies in each location. The result showed that the occupancy information-based control algorithm can save about between 11% and 34% of energy without significantly risking the occupant's comfort level. The work also suggests that the adaptive control model has a more tangible saving impact as IoT products can easily integrate outside temperature. Depending on the locations, adaptive control can save up to 54% of energy consumption, and the occupancy information can add additional energy saving impact by 20%. Payback period varies for different control strategies and depends on the rate of utility as well as the amount of energy saving. Compared with the most wasteful control strategy (fixed setpoint - always on), adding a thermostat with adaptive – occupancy driven control strategy can lead to less than one year of payback period regardless of location.
Difficulties Regulating Positive Emotions and Substance Misuse: The Influence of Sociodemographic Factors.

Background: Alcohol and drug misuse present significant public health concerns due to their high prevalence and deleterious outcomes. A growing body of research provides support for the role of dif...
Inaccurate Conformational Energies Still Hinder CrystalStructure Prediction in Flexible Organic Molecules

Crystal structure prediction driven by density functional theory has become an increasingly useful tool for the pharmaceutical industry and others interested in understanding and controlling organi...
Twenty-four-hour versus clinic blood pressure levels as predictors of long-term cardiovascular and renal disease outcomes among African Americans.

In Caucasian and Asian populations, evidence suggests that 24-h blood pressures (BP) are more predictive of long-term cardiovascular events than clinic BP. However, few long-term studies have evaluated the predictive value of 24-h BP phenotypes (24-h, daytime, nighttime) among African Americans (AA). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the added value of 24-h BP phenotypes compared to clinic BP in predicting the subsequent fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular/renal disease events in AA subjects. AA subjects (n = 270) were initially studied between 1994 and 2006 and standardized clinic BP measurements were obtained during screening procedures for a 3-day inpatient clinical study during which 24-h BP measurements were obtained. To assess the subsequent incidence of cardiovascular and renal disease events, follow-up information was obtained and confirmed by review of paper and electronic medical records between 2015 and 2017. During a mean follow-up of 14 ± 4 years, 50 subjects had one or more fatal or non-fatal cardiovascular/renal disease events. After adjustment for covariates, clinic systolic and diastolic BP were strongly associated with cardiovascular/renal disease events and all-cause mortality (p < 0.0001). Twenty-four-hour BP phenotypes conferred a small incremental advantage over clinic BP in predicting cardiovascular/renal events, which was limited to making a difference of one predicted event in 250–1,000 predictions depending on the 24-h BP phenotype. Nocturnal BP was no more predictive than the other 24-h BP phenotypes. In AA, 24-h BP monitoring provides limited added value as a predictor of cardiovascular/renal disease events. Larger studies are needed in AA to confirm these findings.
Neuroorthopädische Untersuchungstechniken und Assessment

Die neuroorthopadische Untersuchung und das daraus resultierende Assessment ist als elementarer Grundbaustein zu verstehen. Ohne eine sorgfaltige Anamnese und Untersuchung ist eine sinnvolle Therapieplanung und das Erstellen eines Behandlungskonzeptes nicht erfolgreich und kann zu drastischen Fehlentscheidungen fuhren. Mit diesem Kapitel soll die Grundlage gelegt werden, wie eine neuroorthopadische Untersuchung erfolgen soll und eine klinische Beurteilung und Bewertung der medizinischen Probleme des Patienten aussieht, um fur den Patienten sinnvolle Entscheidungen in Bezug auf seine medizinischen Probleme, die Hilfsmittelversorgung und seine Teilhabe zu treffen. Zur weiteren Vertiefung des Themas ist am Schluss eine umfassende Literaturliste zu finden.
Behavioral cancer pain intervention using videoconferencing and a mobile application for medically underserved patients: Rationale, design, and methods of a prospective multisite randomized controlled trial.

Abstract Background Women with breast cancer in medically underserved areas are particularly vulnerable to persistent pain and disability. Behavioral pain interventions reduce pain and improve outcomes. Cancer patients in medically underserved areas receive limited adjunctive cancer care, as many lack access to pain therapists trained in behavioral interventions, face travel barriers to regional medical centers, and may have low literacy and limited resources. mHealth technologies have the potential to decrease barriers but must be carefully adapted for, and efficacy-tested with, medically underserved patients. We developed an mHealth behavioral pain coping skills training intervention (mPCST-Community). We now utilize a multisite randomized controlled trial to: 1) test the extent mPCST-Community reduces breast cancer patients' pain severity (primary outcome), pain interference, fatigue, physical disability, and psychological distress; 2) examine potential mediators of intervention effects; and 3) evaluate the intervention's cost and cost-effectiveness. Methods/design Breast cancer patients (N = 180) will be randomized to mPCST-Community or an attention control. mPCST-Community's four-session protocol will be delivered via videoconferencing at an underserved community clinic by a remote pain therapist at a major medical center. Videoconference sessions will be supplemented with a mobile application. Participants will complete self-report measures at baseline, post-intervention, and 3- and 6-month follow-ups. Conclusions mPCST-Community has the potential to reduce pain and disability, and decrease barriers for cancer patients in medically underserved areas. This is one of the first trials to test an mHealth behavioral cancer pain intervention developed specifically for medically underserved communities. If successful, it could lead to widespread implementation and decreased health disparities.
Knock down analysis reveals critical phases for specific oskar noncoding RNA functions during Drosophila oogenesis.

The oskar transcript, acting as a noncoding RNA, contributes to a diverse set of pathways in the Drosophila ovary, including karyosome formation, positioning of the microtubule organizing center, integrity of certain ribonucleoprotein particles, control of nurse cell divisions, restriction of several proteins to the germline, and progression through oogenesis. How oskar mRNA acts to perform these functions remains unclear. Here we use a knock down approach to identify the critical phases when oskar is required for three of these functions. The existing transgenic shRNA for removal of oskar mRNA in the germline targets a sequence overlapping a regulatory site bound by Bruno1 protein to confer translational repression, and was ineffective during oogenesis. Novel transgenic shRNAs targeting other sites were effective at strongly reducing oskar mRNA levels and reproducing phenotypes associated with the absence of the mRNA. Using GAL4 drivers active at different developmental stages of oogenesis, we found that early loss of oskar mRNA reproduced defects in karyosome formation and positioning of the microtubule organizing center, but not arrest of oogenesis. Loss of oskar mRNA at later stages was required to prevent progression through oogenesis. The noncoding function of oskar mRNA is thus required for more than a single event.
Transient Myeloproliferative Disorder as the Presenting Feature for Mosaic Trisomy 21.

Trisomy 21 is a common congenital disorder with well documented clinical manifestations, including an increased risk for transient myeloproliferative disorder as a neonate and leukemia in childhood and adolescence. Children with mosaic trisomy 21 can have a similar risk for hematological malignancies. We present a non-dysmorphic neonate, with negative noninvasive prenatal screening of maternal blood for trisomy 21, who came to medical attention because of ruddy skin. He was found to have mild polycythemia, thrombocytopenia and developed peripheral blasts. His clinical presentation was concerning for transient myeloproliferative disorder, which is only seen in trisomy 21 patients. Cytogenetic studies were positive for mosaic trisomy 21.
Do dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) prefer family

Kin recognition requires the ability to discriminate between one's own genetic relatives and non-relatives. There are two mechanisms that aid in kin discrimination: phenotype matching and familiarity. Dogs may be a good model for assessing these mechanisms as dogs are a promiscuous social species with a keen sense of smell. Domestic dogs of both sexes were presented with two scents (close kin, distant-kin) and preference was assessed through three measures (latency to approach, number of visits, time spent). Experiment 1 explored the possibility of phenotype matching as subjects had no contact with sires, whose scent was presented alongside a control male's scent. Experiment 2 explored recognition of siblings raised with the subjects and then separated at seven weeks of age. Whereas female dogs in this experiment did not show a statistically significant preference, male dogs showed a preference for distant-kin when presented with sire and female sibling samples.
Reversible dementia in elderly: Really uncommon?

There has been a steady rise in the prevalence of dementia all over the world. Our understanding of the illness, as well as its etiopathology, has also improved. Dementias due to degenerative and vascular pathology form the most common types of dementias resulting in cognitive impairment. However, these conditions usually lead to irreversible impairment and cause significant morbidity and mortality among patients. On the other hand, there is a group of conditions among elderly, where dementia follow a reversible course provided these conditions are picked and managed early. Few common causes of reversible dementias are Vitamin B12 deficiency, normal pressure hydrocephalus, thyroid dysfunction, anticholinergic medications, depression, etc. This review will discuss all these conditions with reference to their presentation, diagnosis, and management.
Ubiquitous Accessibility: Building Access Features Directly into the Network to Allow Anyone, Anywhere Access to Ubiquitous Computing Environments

Traditionally access to computers and electronic devices has relied extensively on the strategy of adapting the devices that the person with a disability needs to access or using a special version of the product. This was especially true for people with more severe or multiple disabilities. As we move to an environment where computers and information services are incorporated into our environments, and where people must be able to access the technologies they encounter throughout their day, we need to move to a different model that might be called "ubiquitous accessibility". Ubiquitous accessibility would involve building access features for all people directly into the ICT systems in the environment so that access could be invoked directly by the user when they needed it. This approach would need to involve a combination of access features that were built in and features that could be invoked on demand from the network.
Dual Recruitment of Cdc48 (p97)-Ufd1-Npl4 Ubiquitin-selective Segregase by Small Ubiquitin-like Modifier Protein (SUMO) and Ubiquitin in SUMO-targeted Ubiquitin Ligase-mediated Genome Stability Functions

Protein modification by SUMO and ubiquitin critically impacts genome stability via effectors that “read” their signals using SUMO interaction motifs or ubiquitin binding domains, respectively. A novel mixed SUMO and ubiquitin signal is generated by the SUMO-targeted ubiquitin ligase (STUbL), which ubiquitylates SUMO conjugates. Herein, we determine that the “ubiquitin-selective” segregase Cdc48-Ufd1-Npl4 also binds SUMO via a SUMO interaction motif in Ufd1 and can thus act as a selective receptor for STUbL targets. Indeed, we define key cooperative DNA repair functions for Cdc48-Ufd1-Npl4 and STUbL, thereby revealing a new signaling mechanism involving dual recruitment by SUMO and ubiquitin for Cdc48-Ufd1-Npl4 functions in maintaining genome stability.
One year with an iPSC/860

The author describes experiences over the past year with the Intel iPSC/860, a distributed memory MIMD parallel computer based on the Intel i860 floating point processor. Attention is given to the system at NASA Ames Research Center, which has 128 node and a theoretical peak performance of over 7 GFLOPS. System stability, computer performance measured by the NAS (Numerical Aerodynamic Simulation) kernels, and results from a two-dimensional computational fluid dynamics application are discussed. >