cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of using noncontingent escape for general behavior management in a pediatric dental clinic

In a randomized controlled trial, 151 children 2 to 9 years old were exposed to either usual behavior management or to a fixed-time schedule of brief breaks (noncontingent escape) from ongoing dental treatment. Results demonstrated that the routine delivery of scheduled breaks from treatment significantly reduced the vocal and physical disruptive behavior and the need for restraint in a nonclinical sample of children undergoing restorative dental treatment. In addition, the treatment did not add significantly to the typical time spent on behavior management by dentists. Together with findings from previous studies, these results suggest that using brief breaks from ongoing dental treatment has good efficacy, acceptability, and generality and may be a useful management tool, both in everyday dental practice and in more demanding instances of specialized need.
Friend Lens: novel web content sharing through strategic manipulation of cached html

Current methods of content sharing include blogs, social networking sites, and social bookmarking sites. This article details the construction and novel features of Friend Lens, a web application that allows users to both author original content and to extract complete copies of external sites using PHP, making it a hybrid blog and social booking site. Friend Lens implements a method of collaboration with the ability to highlight posts and to make a composite of multiple highlights across many users. Composite highlights use a colour scale to emphasise the content that received the most highlights. Unlike popular social bookmarking sites like Clipmarks or Diigo, all of Friend Lens' functionality works with the need to install a browser plug-in. To evaluate Friend Lens, human subjects rated Facebook, Clipmarks, and Friend Lens in three general categories: community, posting content, and practicality of use. The results are reported in this article.
Spatial spread of interocular suppression is guided by stimulus configuration.

When the two eyes view dissimilar monocular stimuli, the resulting interocular suppression can spread beyond the region of explicit stimulus conflict: portions of one rival target will disappear even though there is no competing stimulation at the corresponding location in the other eye's view. In a series of experiments we examined whether this spread of suppression is spatially isotropic or governed by the configuration of the stimulus a portion of which is subject to suppression. Observers reported the incidence of stimulus disappearance at different locations along or nearby the contours of a large figure, part of which was suppressed by presentation of a continuous flash-suppression stimulus to a restricted region of the other eye. For all observers, suppression spread over several degrees along the contours of the figure, but tended not to spread to locations nearby but disconnected from the figure. Suppression spread effectively over a smoothly curved contour, and it spread around a sharp corner de...
LXVI.—Descriptions and records of bees.—CLXV

(1937). LXVI.—Descriptions and records of bees.—CLXV. Annals and Magazine of Natural History: Vol. 20, No. 119, pp. 544-548.
Abstract 243: Expression of T-cell checkpoint ligands on circulating tumor cells is modulated following treatment of patients with an anti-tumor DNA vaccine

Background: We have previously demonstrated in a murine tumor model that treatment with a DNA vaccine could lead to increased PD-1 expression on antigen-specific CD8+ T cells, led to upregulated levels of PD-L1 on tumors, and that the anti-tumor efficacy of the vaccine was enhanced when combined with PD-1/L1 blockade. We therefore examined whether prostate cancer patients previously treated with a DNA vaccine similarly upregulated these immunosuppresive ligands on their tumor cells, or the corresponding receptors on tumor-specific CD8+ T cells, and if augmented Th1-type immune responses were detectable following in vitro stimulation with checkpoint blockade. Methods: Circulating tumor cells (CTCs, CD45-/EpCAM+) from 16 prostate cancer patients with castrate-resistant disease, and antigen-specific (tetramer+) CD8+ T cells from those patients that were HLA-A2+ (6/16), were analyzed for their expression of various checkpoint ligands (PD-L1, galectin-9, HVEM) or receptors (PD-1, TIM-3, LAG-3, BTLA, CD160) using flow cytometry before and after treatment with a DNA vaccine encoding prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP). Immune responses to the PAP target antigen were measured in vitro for cytokine secretion via ELISA, or by a trans-vivo DTH-footpad assay, in the presence or absence of PD-1/L1 blockade. Results: Patients that developed either long-term immune responses or changes in PSA doubling time following vaccination had significantly higher levels of PD-L1 and HVEM, and lower levels of galectin-9, on their post-treatment CTCs than patients who did not develop responses. No significant changes in PD-1 or other regulatory receptors were detectable on tetramer+ CD8+ T cells. However, at least 25% of patients following immunization had augmented PAP-specific cytokine secretion in vitro when combined with PD-L1 blockade. PD-1 regulated PAP-specific responses were also observed in patients using the trans vivo DTH assay. Conclusions: These results demonstrate that the development of an anti-tumor immune response via DNA vaccination can lead to changes in checkpoint ligand expression on tumor cells and checkpoint-regulated immune responses. This suggests that combining DNA vaccines with blockade of one or more of these checkpoint pathways could produce enhanced anti-tumor responses in patients with prostate cancer. Citation Format: Brian T. Rekoske, Brian M. Olson, Douglas G. McNeel. Expression of T-cell checkpoint ligands on circulating tumor cells is modulated following treatment of patients with an anti-tumor DNA vaccine. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 243. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-243
Superior vena cava syndrome. Experience with endovascular stents and surgical therapy.

Superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome was first described in 1757 by Hunter, who described a patient with a syphilitic thoracic aortic aneurysm causing obstruction of the SVC. During that era, the most common cause of SVC syndrome was infectious, but over time, the spectrum of causes has changed, and, currently, most cases are secondary to malignancy. Obstruction of the SVC is a clinical entity that affects approximately 15,000 people per year in the United States. Because the vena cava is a thin-walled, low-pressure vessel, it is particularly prone to mechanical obstruction, and this fact, combined with its location in close proximity to lymph nodes, lung, and major vascular structures, explains the development of the syndrome in patients with a wide variety of intrathoracic diseases.
Antennaria sawyeri (Asteraceae: Gnaphalieae), a New Serpentine Endemic Species from the Klamath Mountains of Northern California

Abstract A new species of Antennaria (Asteraceae: Gnaphalieae) fromthe Klamath Mountains of northern California, A. sawyeri, isdescribed and illustrated. The species appears to be endemic to serpentine soils (i.e. soils derived from ultramafic parent materials such as peridotite or serpentinite) in subalpine habitats in the Trinity Alps and is very narrowly distributed, occupying scattered sites within a two square kilometer range near Red Mountain and Middle Peak. It is an amphimictic (dioecious) diploid (2n = 28) and a member of the circumboreal Pulcherrimae subgroup within Antennaria. The closest relative of A. sawyeri is probably A. lanata, which does not occur in California. In addition to its restriction to serpentine soils, it is primarily distinguished from A. lanata by the shape of its basal leaf apices and lack of flags on the lower and middle cauline leaves. It is readily distinguished from the other Oregon/California serpentine endemic, A. suffrutescens, by its polycephalous capitulescences an...
Discriminating Quartzite Sources Petrographically in the Upper Gunnison Basin, Colorado: Implications for Paleoamerican Lithic-Procurement Studies

Archaeologists lack a protocol for systematically attributing quartzite artifacts to particular geologic sources of the material. This paper, in an effort to begin to remedy that situation, reports the preliminary results of a petrographic study of quartzite samples from the Upper Gunnison Basin (UGB), Colorado. In that region, the overwhelming predominance of quartzite (often > 90 per cent) at most archaeological sites has hampered efforts to ascertain with any certainty the mobility strategies of Paleoamerican (and later) residents. In this study, qualitative and quantitative characterization of texture and grain composition of 50 UGB quartzite specimens led to the identification of six statistically distinct groups of samples. The groups are not arbitrary divisions of the data set; rather, they are meaningful from geologic, geospatial, chronological, and human-behavioral perspectives.
SPOCK: Exact Parallel Kinetic Monte-Carlo on 1.5 Million Tasks

We have created a scalable implementation of the kinetic Monte-Carlo method, SPOCK (Scalable Parallel Optimistic Crystal Kinetics). Unlike most reported parallel implementations relying on approximation to achieve parallelism, our parallelization is exact and accomplished using the Time Warp paradigm. We demonstrate that our implementation exhibits near perfect scaling for two different and important classes of systems. It runs efficiently on Vulcan, a 24 thousand node BlueGene/Q machine, using all ~400 thousand cores and ~1.6 million MPI tasks. Further, we have run production simulations using the full Vulcan machine and requiring nearly all available system memory. In this paper we demonstrate these results, and discuss some important implementation details. The kinetic Monte-Carlo method is ubiquitous within the natural sciences, and important classes of problems have so far been limited to sequential simulation. For many scientific simulations, an exact parallel implementation of the kinetic Monte-Carlo method has the potential of being game changing.
Monitoring and analysis of health knowledge level among residents in Daxing District of Beijing

[Objective]To investigate the health knowledge level and its influencing factors among the residents in Daxing District of Beijing,provide a scientific basis for developing the related strategies and intervention measures.[Methods]Using the multi-stage stratified cluster random sampling,807 residents selected from 3 streets / towns were investigated with the questionnaire about health knowledge. ANOVA and multiple linear regression analysis were used to evaluate the health knowledge level and analyze its influencing factors.[Results]The scores of 5 aspects of health knowledge,including healthy lifestyles,safety and first aid,basic medical care and health care,chronic non-communicable diseases prevention,infectious diseases and endemic diseases prevention,among the residents of Daxing District were as follows:( 8. 42 ± 1. 61),( 8. 81 ± 1. 61),( 8. 79 ± 1. 58),( 7. 97 ± 1. 59),and( 8. 56 ± 1. 98). And the total score of health knowledge was( 42. 54 ± 5. 90). [Conclusion]The health knowledge level among the residents in Daxing District needs to be improved. The age and educational background are the main factors that influence the scores of health knowledge. It is necessary to conduct targeted health education and health promotion according to the characteristics of different populations.
The business of peace: Coca-Cola's contribution to stability, growth, and optimism

Abstract This article reviews the role of a global commercial organization, The Coca-Cola Company, in contributing to national stability in developing markets through a strategic approach to social and economic contribution. The company's initiatives complement the role of policymakers, who are primarily responsible for the safety and prosperity of citizens, often using the Golden Triangle model that aligns government, civil society, and the private sector. Examples are drawn from the empowerment of women and youth; leverage of specialist expertise in water replenishment and in distribution and logistics; the impact of global standards of compliance; and the creation of high-value jobs throughout the expansive value chain. The Coca-Cola system is global in scale but multi-local in its operations, leveraging universal human traits with high relevance in individual markets.
Gene-Environment Interactions in Drug Metabolism

Relationships among genetic and environmental factors that cause large variations among normal subjects, as well as among patients, in rates of drug elimination are often discussed as though such factors were entirely separate, unrelated entities without interaction or interdependence. However, genetic and environmental factors that control these large variations in rates of drug elimination interact dynamically at multiple levels. In fact, to achieve expression genetic factors often require participation of environmental factors; and the latter often require a genetic apparatus to exert their effects on drug dispostion. For example, the pharmacogenetic conditions described and listed elsewhere (Table 2; Vesell, 1978) are expressed only in the presence of an environmental agent: a drug. Toxicity then develops only in those subjects whose genetic constitutions render them sensitive. The genetic factor may be a metabolic block that leads to drug accumulation or it may consist of a structurally altered receptor site that fails to bind the parent drug or its metabolites in a normal way.
New capabilities for Earth Science measurements with 6U CubeSat technologies

NASA's Earth Science Technology Office (ESTO) is responsible for the development of advanced technologies to address future Earth science measurement needs. In recent years, ESTO has flown various 1U – 3U CubeSats as a means to prove the applicability of information system and instrument subsystems in support for Earth science Decadal Survey mission concepts. In 2015 as part of the In-Space Validation of Earth Science Technologies (InVEST-15) solicitation ESTO awarded four new 6U CubeSat projects. While these projects are maturing specific new technologies, their capability and scope also have the potential to serve as platforms for stand-alone science observations. We describe the goals of the InVEST program and introduce the new technologies and science potential of the InVEST-15 selections.
Crystal structure of a rare trigonal bipyramidal titanium(IV) coordination complex: tri-chlorido-(3,3'-di-tert-butyl-2'-hy-droxy-5,5',6,6'-tetra-methyl-1,1'-biphenyl-2-olato-κO2)(tetra-hydro-furan-κO)-titanium(IV).

The title compound, [Ti(C24H33O2)Cl3(C4H8O)], is a rare example of a trigonal–bipyramidal titanium coordination complex with three chloride and two oxygen donor ligands. The asymmetric unit contains two independent mol­ecules having essentially the same conformation. The mol­ecules feature the titanium(IV) metal cation complexed with three chloride ligands, a tetra­hydro­furan mol­ecule, and one oxygen atom from the resolved ligand precursor (R)-(+)-5,5′,6,6′-tetra­methyl-3,3′-di-t-butyl-1,1′-biphenyl-2,2′-diol, where the remaining phenolic hydrogen atom engages in inter­molecular O—H⋯Cl hydrogen bonding. In one mol­ecule, the THF ligand is disordered over two orientations with refined site occupancies of 0.50 (3).
Non-obstructive mural coronary thrombosis in sudden death.

Instantaneous death (death within seconds to a few minutes) in patients considered to be healthy and without a history or clinical evidence of cardiac disease is commonly believed to be due to a disturbance in heart rhythm.1,2 Post-mortem examination usually reveals the presence of coronary arteriosclerosis. 1–3 The rhythm disturbance is often explained on the basis of phasic changes in already compromised coronary blood flow.3 The resulting ischemia is thought to precipitate the lethal arrhythmia, Another possible mechanism is the obstruction of the micro-circulation secondary to embolization of platelet or fibrin aggregates from a thrombus situated upstream in the main epicardial coronary branches.4–7 A considerable amount of evidence, both in animals and in humans has been accumulated which demonstrates a relationship between platelets, arterial thrombosis and sudden death.3,4,6
4-Chlorophenylguanidine is an ASIC3 agonist and positive allosteric modulator

Abstract Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) are proton-sensitive sodium channels that open in response to lowered extracellular pH and are expressed in the central and peripheral nervous systems. The ASIC3 subtype is found primarily in the periphery where the channel mediates pain signals caused by ischemia and inflammation. Here, we provide identify 4-chlorophenylguanidine (4-CPG) as an ASIC3 positive allosteric modulator and newest member of the growing group of guanidine modulators of ASICs. Furthermore, the 4-CPG reversed the effects of ASIC3 desensitization. The molecule 4-CPG offers a novel chemical backbone for the design of new ASIC3 ligands to study ASIC3 in vivo .
Historical role of the National Institutes of Health in biomedical research.

First let me express my sincere appreciation for the opportunity to open this conference. I am pleased to be able to participate, and to represent the National Institutes of Health in its centennial year.
Redundant Nerve Root in a Patient With Chronic Lumbar Degenerative Canal Stenosis

Abstract Objective The purpose of this case report is to describe the diagnostic imaging features of redundant nerve roots caused by chronic lumbar degenerative canal stenosis (CLDCS). Clinical Features A 56-year-old male presented with severe low back pain. He experienced pain during minimal active lumbar range of motion. The patient demonstrated weakness of the right iliopsoas and hypoesthesia of the L-2 dermatome. A working diagnosis of CLDCS was established. The patient's worsening severe low back pain warranted magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar spine, which was performed for further evaluation. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated disk protrusion and canal stenosis with tortuosity of the cauda equina consistent with redundant nerve root appearance. Intervention and Outcome The patient was treated with chiropractic flexion distraction, which was followed by a course of acupuncture and spinal manipulation. The patient self-discharged following clinical improvement. Conclusions This case demonstrated CLDCS with associated redundant nerve roots. Conservative treatment included chiropractic diversified lumbar spinal manipulation, acupuncture, and electrical stimulation. The patient self-discharged following clinical improvement in 3 months.
First Principles for Regulating the Sharing Economy

This Article posits ten first principles on which a regulatory response to the sharing economy must rest. Given the rapid differentiation in the sharing economy, the Article gives particular focus to the short-term rental market, typified by Airbnb, as one lens through which to illustrate these principles. The Article then turns to review existing regulatory responses to the sharing economy. Here again, the Article focuses on regulations related to the short-term rental market with a particular emphasis on the two strictest existing local government regulatory structures, which are those of San Francisco and Portland. The Article next proposes a response beyond such traditional regulatory strategies, which this article asserts are not well suited to regulating the sharing economy. Instead, this Article proposes a markets-based mechanism, transferable sharing rights, which is better suited to internalize externalities of the most daunting challenges in the short-term rental market. Finally, the Article examines the corporatization of the sharing movement and the implications for regulations as sharing evolves from a peer-to-peer enterprise to a place where established market participants seek to assert themselves in the sharing economy’s new domains.
Simulation of hypersonic shock wave - laminar boundary layer interactions

The capability of the Navier-Stokes equations with a perfect gas model for simulation of hypersonic shock wave - laminar boundary layer interactions is assessed. The configuration is a hollow cylinder flare. The experimental data were obtained by Calspan-University of Buffalo (CUBRC) for total enthalpies ranging from 5.07 to 21.85 MJ/kg. Comparison of the computed and experimental surface pressure and heat transfer is performed and the computed §ow¦eld structure is analyzed.
Two-Dimensional Discrete Space-Varying Systems: Identification, Balancing and Model Reduction 1

Abstract A recursive state-space model for discrete, two-dimensional, space-varying systems is proposed, and a class of uniform realizations is introduced in that context. We derive the conditions for existence of such realizations, and a model reduction scheme via balancing is described. Also, an identification procedure via generalized Hankel matrices is shown for finite support pulse responses. Both approaches yield the same realization.
Gene therapy: WAS (not) just for kids.

In this issue of Blood , Morris et al describe application of autologous transplant/gene therapy for Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS), first demonstrated to be efficacious and safe in children, to bring relief to a severely affected adult. 1 In recent years, gene therapy for blood cell diseases in which autologous hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are corrected using a lentiviral vector has led to clinical benefits similar to those from allogeneic transplant. Much of the focus has been on severe diseases affecting infants and young children (severe combined immunodeficiency, X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy, metachromatic leukodystrophy) in which early intervention has the potential to prevent the development of major cumulative disease-related complications. More recently, adult patients with β-thalassemia, chronic granulomatous disease, and even X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency, previously having suboptimal responses to nonconditioned allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, have shown good response to autologous gene therapy. 2,3 These results have now been extended to WAS.
TimeLapse-seq: adding a temporal dimension to RNA sequencing through nucleoside recoding

TimeLapse-seq chemically recodes labeled s4U nucleosides to a cytidine derivative and monitors transcriptional dynamics.
Spiral Tracers and Prestellar Incubation Periods in a Cloudy Interstellar Medium

We present further results of our model of the interstellar medium in spiral galaxies (Roberts and Hausman, 1983; Hausman and Roberts, 1983). The ISM is simulated by a system of particles, representing gas clouds, which orbit ballistically in a spiral-perturbed galactic gravitational field, collide inelastically with one another, and receive velocity impulses from expanding supernova remnants. Star formation may be triggered in the clouds by either collisions or SNR interactions.
Transport of short chain fatty acids.

The present interest in the mechanisms involved in intestinal transport of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) derives from the experiments of Smyth and Taylor [1,2] which showed that compounds of this type were transported against gradients of concentration from luminal to serosal sides of rat intestine incubated in vitro. The nutritional significance of SCFA in the metabolic economy of ruminants is well established [3], and the mechanisms involved in the absorption of SCFA from the rumen have been extensively investigated [4, 5]. Significant concentrations of SCFA also occur within the alimentary tract of rodents [6, 7, 8] and the hen [9, 10]. Although evidence for the absorption of endogenous SCFA from the intestines of non-ruminants has been presented [11, 12, 13], and exogenous SCFA are utilized with high efficiency when fed to rats [14, 15], recent studies suggest that the contribution of SCFA to the metabolism of rats may be small [16]. Thus studies of SCFA transport in the intestines of non-ruminants do not have the background of unequivocal nutritional relevance which supports analogous studies in this area, but such studies have provided information concerning several aspects of intestinal epithelial cell function which are of general interest.
Improving the usefulness of the Purchasing Managers’ Index

A structural break in the GDP growth—PMI relationship occurred in 2004Q1. The break is likely the result of a secular slowdown in average GDP growth. PMI-based forecasts of GDP growth that ignore the break are biased. Modeling the break eliminates forecast bias, reduces root mean square forecast error, and significantly increases the signaling power of the PMI.
Risks associated with lung transplantation in cystic fibrosis patients.

Introduction: Survival after lung transplantation lags behind outcomes of other solid organ transplants, and complications from lung transplant are the second most common cause of death in cystic f...
Improving TOA Localization Through Outlier Detection Using Intersection of Lines of Position

Outlier measurements often presence when locating an object from a number of sensors, which could decrease the positioning performance considerably. This paper addresses the problem of outlier detection in locating an object using TOA measurements. The detection is based on the construction of a spectral graph through pairwise intersection between the lines of position from a measurement pair. Crucial to this technique is the determination for intersection, and we have derived such conditions for 2-D and 3-D positionings. The detected outliers are removed and the remaining measurements are used for the Maximum Likelihood estimator to obtain the object position. Simulation shows that the proposed outlier detection method is very effective with the probability of detection and the probability of false alarms examined. The positioning accuracy is able to reach the CRLB performance after removing the detected outliers.
Linear vs. circular-stapled gastrojejunostomy in Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

BACKGROUND Various surgical techniques exist to create the gastrojejunostomy during laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB). Linear-stapled anastomosis (LSA) and circular-stapled anastomosis (CSA) are two commonly employed techniques. We hypothesized that CSA is associated with an increased rate of surgical site infection (SSI) and gastrojejunostomy stenosis when compared to LSA. METHODS This study is a retrospective review of patients who underwent LRYGB for morbid obesity at a single institution between 2012 and 2016. Three bariatric surgeons contributed patients to this series. Clinical information and perioperative outcomes were collected through 90 days after surgery. RESULTS 171 patients met the inclusion criteria. Two patients did not complete 90-day follow-up and were excluded from the analysis (88 patients CSA, 81 LSA; 99% 90-day follow-up). Patient demographics did not differ between groups. The LSA technique was associated with a significantly reduced rate of SSI (0 (0%) vs. 6 (6.8%), p = 0.02) and stenosis (2 (2.5%) vs. 17 (19.3%), p < 0.01). The CSA technique demonstrated a greater number of endoscopic dilations per stenotic event (1.5 ± 0.8 vs. 1.0 ± 0, p = 0.03). CONCLUSION In our experience, a gastrojejunostomy constructed with an LSA technique was associated with a significantly reduced rate of stenosis and SSI compared to the CSA technique. LSA is currently our anastomotic technique of choice in LRYGB.
On the Zero Attractor of the Euler Polynomials

We study the limiting behavior of the zeros of the Euler polynomials. When linearly scaled, they approach a definite curve in the complex plane related to the Szego curve which governs the behavior of the roots of the Taylor polynomials associated to the exponential function. Further, under a conformal transformation, the scaled zeros are uniformly distributed.
Automatic tutoring system to support cross-disciplinary training in Big Data

During the last decade, Big Data has emerged as a powerful alternative to address latent challenges in scalable data management. The ever-growing amount and rapid evolution of tools, techniques, and technologies associated to Big Data require a broad skill set and deep knowledge of several domains—ranging from engineering to business, including computer science, networking, or analytics among others—which complicate the conception and deployment of academic programs and methodologies able to effectively train students in this discipline. The purpose of this paper is to propose a learning and teaching framework committed to train masters’ students in Big Data by conceiving an intelligent tutoring system aimed to (1) automatically tracking students’ progress, (2) effectively exploiting the diversity of their backgrounds, and (3) assisting the teaching staff on the course operation. Obtained results endorse the feasibility of this proposal and encourage practitioners to use this approach in other domains.
Development and validation of a risk assessment tool for BKPyV Replication in allogeneic stem cell transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND BK polymavirus (BKPyV), a member of the family Polyomaviridae, is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in allogeneic stem cell transplant recipients. METHODS In our previous retrospective study of 2477 stem cell transplant patients, BKPyV replication independently predicted chronic kidney disease and poor survival. In this study, using the same cohort, we derived and validated a risk grading system to identify patients at risk of BKPyV replication after transplantation in a user-friendly modality. We used 3 baseline variables (conditioning regimen, HLA match status, and underlying cancer diagnosis) that significantly predicted BKPyV replication in our initial study in a subdistribution hazard model with death as a competing risk. We also developed a nomogram of the hazard model as a visual aid. The AUC of the ROC of the risk-score-only model was 0.65. We further stratified the patients on the basis of risk score into low-, moderate-, and high-risk groups. RESULTS The total risk score was significantly associated with BKPyV replication (P < .0001). At 30 days after transplantation, the low-risk (score ≤ 0) patients had a 9% chance of developing symptomatic BKPyV replication, while the high-risk (score ≥ 8) of the population had 56% of developing BKPyV replication. We validated the risk score using a separate cohort of 1478 patients. The AUC of the ROC of the risk-score-only model was 0.59. Both the total risk score and 3-level risk variable were significantly associated with BKPyV replication in this cohort (P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS This grading system for the risk of symptomatic BKPyV replication may help in early monitoring and intervention to prevent BKPyV-associated morbidity, mortality, and kidney function decline.
Pharmacy Faculty Burnout: Cause for Concern that Requires Our Support and Use of Best Evidence.

Recent attention has been afforded to the concept of burnout and other quality of worklife issues among pharmacy faculty, underscoring the importance of organizational culture, citizenship, collegiality, and support. Support comes from the larger academic institution, the college/school, and individual colleagues. Evidence points to reassurance of worth, guidance, and positive affirmation as being among the most salient factors in mitigating burnout of faculty, who are caught in the midst of increasing demands and higher administrative burdens. A supportive culture that reassures worth of individual faculty is not a unidimensional typology, but rather, is one that permeates through all components of a multifaceted and strong culture that encourages citizenship. There is a growing body of research and evidence on faculty burnout and related factors. This commentary calls for the use of such evidence in guiding policies, creating mentoring programs, and carrying out daily activities in much the same manner that scholars use the best available evidence in their own specific lines of inquiry in teaching and research. Article Type: Commentary
COVID-19: Effectiveness of Socioeconomic Factors in Containing the Spread and Mortality

This paper presents a study on 80 countries that evaluates the socioeconomic factors in containing the spread and mortality of COVID-19 pandemic with the countries whose infection and death cases are more than 30 days after the 10th case being reported. Our results show that the long-term social factors such as lower personal freedom, better education in science, and past coronavirus outbreak experience are more effective than the economic factors such as higher healthcare-associated factors per 1000 population and larger GDP. However, using GDP per capita as the instrumental variable, we also find that the richer countries with a high degree of personal freedom have a higher number of infection or death cases per million population because they would be less likely to adhere to and implement the policy of the movement restrictions to restrict their access to goods and services since they have more income to spend to maintain their higher expected utility from consumption.
Microresonator sensors based on evanescent field perturbation

This work demonstrates the feasibility of the evanescent field perturbation sensor approach for both three-dimensional and planar resonator geometries. An optical fiber-coupled silica sphere resonator and an integrated waveguide-ring resonator are used with a smaller sphere inserted in their evanescent tail. In both experiments, the motion of the perturber across the evanescent tail leads to a measurable shift in the resonators’ whispering-gallery-modes. The results show a consistent relationship between the mode shift and the position of the perturber.
The salience of future impacts and the willingness to pay for climate change mitigation: an experiment in intergenerational framing

Globally, investment in climate change mitigation has lagged far behind the optimal level as estimated by a large body of science. This lag may be caused, in part, by the psychological distance between decision-makers today and those who will likely experience the worst impacts of climate change in the future. This psychological distance reduces the salience of those impacts in today’s decisions. In a randomized control experiment using a letter-to-the-future treatment and a climate change essay treatment, I find that compared to a control group, both writing tasks that focus attention on the future risks of climate change increase the willingness to donate to climate change mitigation efforts. I also find evidence that for parents and grandparents, writing a letter to one’s child or grandchild increases the salience of existing concerns about how climate change may impact one’s children. These findings contribute to the understanding of how to bridge the psychological distance between choices and consequences for climate change mitigation and have implications for a wide range of decisions from personal health choices to retirement savings.
Effect of focality of transcranial currents on neural responses

To elicit localized neural activity, focused electric fields are necessary. In the case of transcranial electric fields, the relationship between the spatial extent of the field and the extent of the resulting neural response is not well understood. To understand this relationship, an ex vivo platform allowing stimulation at a distance was created. By separating the brain slice from the stimulation electrodes, the electric fields reaching the slice are similar to transcranial fields. We compare the resulting spatial extent of neuronal response across various electrode patterns designed to elicit different extents of focused electric fields. Comparing the attained focus of the neural response with the focus of the electric field, we observe that neural responses are more focused than fields, and that improving the focus by 17% improves that of the response by around 50%.
Sagittal sinus dural arteriovenous fistula manifesting as unilateral vocal fold paresis.

Abstract We present a case of a sagittal sinus dural arteriovenous fistula manifesting as dysphonia secondary to vocal fold paresis. The patient presented with a 6-week history of hoarseness. Imaging studies demonstrated findings suggestive of a dural arteriovenous fistula affecting the superior sagittal sinus. Direct laryngoscopy demonstrated paresis of the right vocal fold. We hypothesized that pressure on the vagus nerve from a dilated and arterialized internal jugular vein within the jugular foramen was responsible for the cranial neuropathy. The patient’s dysphonia resolved with embolization of the fistula, and repeat laryngoscopy showed resolution of the vocal fold paresis.
Forecasting mortality inequalities in the U.S. based on trends in midlife health

Abstract Recent literature has documented a widening gap in mortality between older individuals of high versus low socioeconomic status (SES) in the U.S. This paper investigates whether this trend will continue. We analyze the health status of successive cohorts of 54–60-year-old U.S. individuals born between 1934 and 1959 and use a rich set of health indicators to forecast life expectancies. The detailed health measures come from the longitudinal Health and Retirement Study. We find that many health indicators have worsened recently. For example, rates of obesity, diabetes, and self-reported levels of pain sharply increased between 1992 and 2016. Directly relevant for mortality, recent cohorts report lower subjective survival probabilities. Using Social Security wealth as an SES indicator, we find strong evidence for increasing health inequalities. We predict overall life expectancy to increase further; but the increase will be concentrated among higher SES individuals and mortality inequality will continue to increase.
Reactivation of Lysosomal Calcium Efflux Rescues Abnormal Lysosomal Storage in FIG4 Deficient Cells (S8.007)

OBJECTIVE: Loss-of-function of FIG4 gene due to autosomal recessive mutations leads to Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type-4J, Yunis-Varon syndrome with mental retardation, or epilepsy syndrome. At the cellular level, all these diseases develop abnormal lysosomal storage and neuronal degeneration. This study investigates the pathogenic mechanism responsible for the abnormal lysosomal storage. BACKGROUND: FIG4 encodes a phosphatase with its catalytic specificity towards 5’-phosphate of phosphatidylinositol-3,5-diphosphate (PI3,5P2). However, the loss of FIG4 decreases PI3,5P2 levels likely due to FIG49s dominant effect in scaffolding a PI3,5P2 synthetic protein complex. Mice with no FIG4 expression (Fig4-/-) recapitulate the pathology in humans with FIG4 deficiency. Using this mouse model, we test a hypothesis that FIG4 deficiency causes an imbalance between lysosomal fission and fusion, leading to lysosomal storage. DESIGN/METHODS: We developed a flow cytometry technique that can rapidly quantifies lysosome sizes. RESULTS: we detected an impaired lysosomal fission, but normal fusion, in Fig4-/- cells. The fission defect was associated with a robust increase of intralysosomal Ca2+ in Fig4-/- cells, including FIG4-deficient neurons. This finding was consistent with a suppressed Ca2+-efflux of lysosomes, since the endogenous ligand of lysosomal Ca2+-channel TRPML1 is PI3,5P2 that is deficient in Fig4-/- cells. We reactivated the TRPML1 channels by application of TRPML1 synthetic ligand, ML-SA1. This treatment reduced the intralysosomal Ca2+-level and rescued abnormal lysosomal storage in Fig4-/- culture cells and ex-vivo dorsal root ganglions (DRG). Furthermore, we found that the suppressed Ca2+-efflux in Fig4-/- culture cells and Fig4-/- mouse brains profoundly down-regulated the expression/activity of dynamin-1, a GTPase known to scissor organelle membranes during fission. This down-regulation made dynamin-1 unavailable for lysosomal fission. CONCLUSIONS: Our study revealed a novel mechanism explaining abnormal lysosomal storage in FIG4 deficiency. Synthetic ligands of the TRPML1 channel may become a potential therapy against CMT4J and related disorders. Study Supported by: NINDS and VA Disclosure: Dr. Zou has nothing to disclose. Dr. Hu has nothing to disclose. Dr. Arpag has nothing to disclose. Dr. Hamilton has nothing to disclose. Dr. Vanoye has nothing to disclose. Dr. Li has nothing to disclose.
A Two-Stage Horvath-Kawazoe Adsorption Model for Pore Size Distribution Analysis

The Horvath-Kawazoe (HK) method is capable of generating model isotherms more efficiently than either molecular simulation (MS) or density functional theory (DFT) to characterize the pore size distribution (PSD) of microporous solids. A two-stage HK method is introduced that accounts for monolayer adsorption in mesopores prior to capillary condensation. PSD analysis results from the original and two-stage HK models are evaluated.
Some Philosophical Underpinnings for Communication: Western and Eastern Foundations as Seen in Commonplace Principles

Concepts of the Topoi, later segued into Commonplaces (linguistic collections, sources for arguments), mutated from the Aristotelian et.al. cognitive searches for truth into a broader concept. That seminal cognitive basis, over the years, became a disparate and free-flowing collection of humanistic and theological thoughts useful in written or oral communication, regardless of the professional genre, including the world of commerce. Such an assertion is more relevant to Western rhetorical underpinnings than Eastern rhetorical precepts, primarily the Chinese, who did not employ Western terminology but used similar underlying themes, often grounded in Confucian philosophy. Gutenberg's movable type, a main causality, allowed hundreds of collections and communication prescriptions to appear: for amplifying thoughts, for professional and personal use, for self-gratification, for use in the schools, for the emerging professions, and for the common man. Today ancient rhetorical underpinnings are evident in all communication genre.
Surface tension measurements of liquid metals by the quasi-containerless pendant drop method

The surface tensions of liquid metals, Zr, Ni, Ti, Mo, and Nb, have been measured at their melting points using the quasi-containerless pendant drop method. This method involves melting the end of a high-purity metal rod by bombardment with an electron beam to form a pendant drop under ultrahigh-vacuum conditions to minimize surface contamination. The magnified image of the drop is captured from a high-resolution CCD camera and digitized using a frame-grabber. The digital image is analyzed by reading the pixel intensities from a graphics file. The edge coordinates of the drop along rows and columns of pixels are searched by a computer program and stored in an array. An optimized theoretical drop shape is computed from the edge coordinates by solving the Young–Laplace differential equation to deduce the surface tension. The measured surface tensions are compared with available experimental results and theoretical calculations.
Comparative Analysis of Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award Criteria: An Empirical Study of India, Mexico, and the United States

The Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (MBNQA) criteria are recognized throughout the world as a guide to the improvement of the quality of manufactured goods and services. An empirical study of more than 500 firms in India, Mexico, and the United ..
Circulating tumor DNA reflects therapy response in colorectal cancer

B40 Somatic mutations are known to drive human tumorigenesis and are suited as highly specific markers of neoplasia. Therefore, a potential approach is to measure mutant DNA fragments released by tumor cells into the circulation to determine tumor burden and to monitor therapy response. In our study the sensitive BEAMing (Beads, Emulsion, Amplification and Magnetics) assay was used to not only detect but also quantify mutant as well as wild-type DNA fragments in plasma. In a prospective study, 162 blood samples of 18 patients with primary and metastatic colorectal cancer who underwent multimodality treatment were longitudinally collected and analyzed. The number of mutant DNA fragments was compared to radiologic findings and values of carcinoembryonic antigen during therapy. We could identify circulating tumor DNA in all patients prior to treatment. Circulating tumor DNA levels dropped rapidly after surgical resection of the tumor but were still detectable in all patients who relapsed later. Furthermore, we were able to detect recurrence before any radiological or biochemical evidence of disease. We could identify circulating tumor DNA in all patients and reliably monitor tumor burden during the course of therapy. We see this approach as a powerful and promising tool for monitoring therapy response and disease progression which could be easily extended to other cancer types in the future.
Multiplexed Analysis of Human Cytokines by Use of the FlowMetrix System

Our knowledge of the multiplicity and functions of cytokines has expanded greatly during the last 10 years. However, the large number and low concentrations of cytokines that are expressed in a pathogenic condition often preclude determining the presence and function of each cytokine during disease pathogenesis (1)(2) . The FlowMetrixTM system has been developed as a highly sensitive, multiplexed assay platform that provides a means to determine qualitative and quantitative measurements of multiple analytes simultaneously. The system utilizes polystyrene microspheres as a vehicle for different molecular reactions to occur. Differential staining of these microspheres with orange-emitting and red-emitting fluorochromes produces an array of 64 individually addressable populations of microspheres (3) . A green-emitting fluorochrome is coupled to detection molecules to measure each molecular reaction. A graphical representation of the classification of each microsphere set and the subsequent measurement of green fluorescence associated with each set is illustrated in Fig. 1⇓ A. The use of a standard flow cytometer and its power to analyze the concentrations of three different fluorochromes on individual particles allow the simultaneous quantification of up to 64 different cytokines or chemokines in a single tissue or fluid sample in real time. We have assembled a number of different multiplexed cytokine panels to analyze proinflammatory cytokines and …
MRE11 is Unlikely to be an Essential Component of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Mismatch Repair Pathway

hMRE11 has recently been implicated as a primary factor in human mismatch repair (MMR), a process which acts to improve DNA replication fidelity. Mutations in hMRE11 have been identified in human nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) related tumors and in vivo mutator assays suggest that knockdown of this gene causes frameshift mutations. I report that the deletion of MRE11 from the Saccharomyces cerevisiae genome increases the mutation rate but does not significantly enhance the rate of frameshift mutations as seen in other yeast MMR mutants. In addition, unlike in mammalian systems, I was unable to observe yeast two-hybrid interaction between MRE11 and MLH1. This combined evidence suggests that MRE11 is unlikely to be a major player in yeast MMR.