cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Examining the Influence of Care-Recipient Resistance on Family Caregiver Emotional and Physical Well-Being: Average Frequency Versus Daily Fluctuation:

Although existing cross-sectional research suggests that dependent older family members' resistive behavior (care-recipient [CR] resistance: verbal or nonverbal rejection or resistance toward caregiver [CG] assistance) can be challenging for informal family CGs, we know little about the impact of the occurrence patterns of CR-resistance-average frequency versus daily fluctuation-on CG emotional and physical well-being. To document CGs' daily experiences with CR-resistance and their emotional and physical well-being, the present study applied short-term repeated measures, collecting data on 8 consecutive days from 63 CGs in Southern Arizona, the United States. Multilevel modeling of the daily data revealed that neither average frequency nor daily fluctuation in CR-resistance alone had a significant impact on CG emotional/physical health. However, the combination of experiencing relatively high frequency and high daily fluctuation in CR-resistance was associated with significant increases in CG physical health symptoms ( b = .34, p < .01). Specifically, on days when a CG faced more CR-resistance than his or her usual amount, significant increases in physical health symptoms existed for CGs with relatively high average frequency of CR-resistance, but not for CGs with relatively low average frequency of CR-resistance. Based on our results, it appears that monitoring and maintaining a reasonable level of CR-resistance are effective strategies to maintain CG resilience to the negative impact of CR-resistance daily fluctuation. The findings are interpreted in light of Stress Theory, and recommendations for future research and practical interventions are offered.
Topographical Evolution of Nanocrystalline Diamond and Its Effect on Osteoblast Interactions

The potential of nanocrystalline diamond films (NDFs) for biological applications has been addressed by a variety of recent researchers. In the present work, we consider the topographical evolution of NDFs fabricated by microwave plasma assisted chemical-vapor-deposition (MPCVD) and its influence on osteoblast (bone forming cells) functions. One group of NDFs formed in this study were grown with 0.67% methane, 5%∼20% hydrogen and argon. The other group of NDFs composed of nano diamond and amorphous carbon was created with indirect exposure to plasma with 0.67% methane, 20% hydrogen and argon. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images revealed that the nano diamond grains in the first group of NDFs evolved from round shapes into faceted and successively cubic shapes as hydrogen increased, whereas the second group of NDFs consisted of nano platelet grains. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) analysis confirmed this evolution as well as the variation of surface roughness. Cell results demonstrated that osteoblast adhesion and proliferation on NDFs varied dramatically depending on the different topographical features of the films. Specifically, results showed that NDFs with grain size less than 100 nm could be coated on the stem of a hip implant to promote cell adhesion. In contrast, NDFs with grain size greater than 200 nm or NDF with nano platelet grains may be optimal for the inside of acetabular articulation where cell adhesion is not preferred but wear-resistance is important. Further observation by contact angle measurement suggested that the differences in cellular adhesion and proliferation were related to the wettability associated to the topographical features of NDFs surfaces.
The adequacy of the one-slide cervical smear in the detection of squamous intraepithelial lesions.

This prospective study evaluated the impact of replacing the two-slide cervical smear by a one-slide smear to detect squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL). The study population consisted of 87 patients with biopsy-proven SILs, a “referral” (precolposcopy) two-slide cervical smear, and a “one-slide repeat” smear done at the time of biopsy. The detection rate of SIL was compared with that of a control group of 85 patients who fulfilled similar criteria; they had a two-slide referral smear, but a “two-slide repeat” smear. Smears nondiagnostic of SIL occurred in 5.7%, 11.8%, 27.6%, and 15.3% in the referral group of the study population, the referral group of the control population, the one-slide repeat smears, and the two-slide repeat smears, respectively. Statistical analysis showed a higher rate of nondiagnostic smears in the one-slide repeat smear ( P = .05). Although this may be attributed to the less-than-optimal quality of the preparation, the above findings do not support the use of a one-slide technique for sampling the ectocervix and endocervix.
New Testament Rhetorical Narratology: An Invitation toward Integration

We are witnessing these days a remarkable rapprochement between the study of rhetoric and the study of narrative. Indeed, these two approaches to New Testament texts are apparently so different that in 2008, Vernon Robbins could lament the “widespread consensus” among scholars that it is “not possible to formulate a systematic rhetorical approach to narrative portions of the Gospels and Acts.” And yet, this bifurcation has been shortsighted. It is not only possible but also necessary and beneficial to bring the resources and insights of narratology into conversation with the resources and insights of rhetorical criticism. This article participates in the move to build bridges across the theoretical crevasses that have divided “New Testament rhetoric” and “New Testament narrative.” First, I take a panoramic view, broadly outlining several reasons that the dividing lines continue to hold currency in New Testament scholarship, and why these views are misguided. I then propose that we reimagine the boundaries of the “New Testament and rhetoric” to include narrative as a mode of persuasion in and of itself, using resources from the literary subfield of rhetorical narratology. Finally, I offer a brief analysis of the uses of speech and silence in Acts 15:1–35 in order to demonstrate how the tools of rhetorical narratology can help us to think in fresh ways about the rhetorical force of New Testament narratives.
Role of intracellular Ca2+ release in histamine-induced depolarization in rabbit middle cerebral artery

The role of Ca2+ mobilization from intracellular stores and Ca2+-activated Cl− channels in caffeine- and histamine-induced depolarization and contraction of the rabbit middle cerebral artery has be...
Ultrafast dynamics in the insulator-to-metal phase transition of VO 2 via attosecond transient absorption

The extreme ultraviolet absorption of vanadium dioxide is probed with attosecond transient absorption during a photoinduced phase transition. Measurements reveal an ultrafast rearrangement in the density of states suggestive of electron correlation and Mott physics.
Evaluating the impact of social media in detecting health-violating restaurants

Nowadays, detecting health-violating restaurants is a serious problem due to the limited number of health inspectors in a city as compared to the number of restaurants. Rarely inspectors are helped by formal complains, but many complaints are reported as reviews on social media such as Yelp. In this paper we propose new predictors to detect health-violating restaurants based on restaurant sub-area location, previous inspections history, Yelp reviews content, and Yelp users behavior. The resulting method outperforms past work, with a percentage of improvement in Cohen's kappa and Matthews correlation coefficient of at least 16%. In addition, we define a new method that directly evaluates the benefit of a classifier on the ability of an inspector in detecting health-violating restaurants. We show that our classification method really improves the ability of the inspector and outperforms previous solutions.
High-brightness Cs focused ion beam from a cold-atomic-beam ion source.

We present measurements of focal spot size and brightness in a focused ion beam system utilizing a laser-cooled atomic beam source of Cs ions. Spot sizes as small as (2.1 ± 0.2) nm (one standard deviation) and reduced brightness values as high as (2.4 ± 0.1) × 107 A m−2 Sr−1 eV−1 are observed with a 10 keV beam. This measured brightness is over 24 times higher than the highest brightness observed in a Ga liquid metal ion source. The behavior of brightness as a function of beam current and the dependence of effective source temperature on ionization energy are examined. The performance is seen to be consistent with earlier predictions. Demonstration of this source with very high brightness, producing a heavy ionic species such as Cs+, promises to allow significant improvements in resolution and throughput for such applications as next-generation circuit edit and nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry.
Human agency in the twenty-first century: the views of P. S. Davies, R. Niebuhr, and A. N. Whitehead

With neuroscience and psychology making significant advances in contemporary brain research, fundamental questions concerning the nature of human life and activity will become evermore critical as we proceed further into the twenty-first century. Put simply, are we creatures who exercise some genuine degree of freedom and agency in the world or are we creatures whose actions are largely if not wholly determined by biological, neurological, and psychological factors far below the radar of our conscious awareness? This article explores this important and timely question by examining the views of Paul Sheldon Davies, Reinhold Niebuhr, and Alfred North Whitehead. Drawing on contemporary science, Davies dismisses Niebuhr’s existential analysis of human existence and any meaningful conception of human agency. Succinctly stated, can one take both the results of contemporary neuroscience seriously, as Davies does, and the affirmation of human agency seriously, as Niebuhr does? The thesis of this essay is that Whitehead offers a constructive bridge between Davies’ affirmation of science and Niebuhr’s existential account of human existence. In sum, it is argued that Whitehead’s process philosophy enables us to affirm the genuine influence of nonconscious factors in experience as well as the authenticity of human agency and subjectivity in the world.
Let's Talk: An Exploration into Student Discourse about Diversity and the Implications for Intercultural Competence

Diversity has emerged as a key idea in the 21st century academy. It has taken on such importance that many institutions now require students to take at least one course focusing on diversity issues...
Thymic involution in tumor-bearing mice: Role of the microenvironment.

233 The thymus is the major site of T cell maturation; extensive proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis occur in this organ. During mammary tumorigenesis, there is a profound thymus involution associated with a severe depletion of the most abundant subset of thymocytes, CD4+CD8+ immature cells. Thymic atrophy has been observed in several model systems, including graft-vs-host disease, aging, and tumor development. However, the mechanisms involved in this phenomenon remain to be elucidated. Previous results from our laboratory have reported that the thymic involution observed in tumor bearing mice is associated with an early block in T cell maturation. This alteration in thymocyte differentiation, which is enhanced with tumor progression, might be due to an impaired function of stromal cell microenvironment in this organ, i.e., thymic stromal cells may not produce the necessary cytokines for thymocyte development. In the present study we have used our well characterized murine D1-DMBA-3 mammary tumor model to better analyze the specific T cell subpopulations present in the thymus of tumor bearing animals. Moreover, the expression of the more common cytokine genes was studied in the whole thymus during its involution in mammary tumor bearers. As shown before, flow cytometric analysis revealed a block in early thymic development, resulting in an increase in the CD44+CD25- T cell subpopulation during the maturation of triple negative precursors in tumor bearers. Interestingly, our results show that IL-7 mRNA, a crucial cytokine involved in thymic development, is profoundly down-regulated in total thymuses of tumor hosts as compared to normal mice. Also, the gene for hepatocyte growth factor, which has been associated with proliferation, cell survival, angiogenesisand differentiation, is down-regulated in thymuses of tumor bearer. Collectively, our data suggest that the presence of the tumor may induce changes in the levels of cytokines expressed in the thymus microenvironment, contributing to the involution of this organ in tumor hosts.
Commentary on Jansen's Paper

Abstract: Karl Jansen raises a fundamental and exciting question: Is humankind's consciousness the result of neuronal function, or are there extracerebral aspects as well? While his neurotransmitter model of near-death experiences (NDEs) is well described, I find his supporting evidence weak. Methodological differences between studies of ketamine hallucinations and near-death experiences (NDEs) raise doubts about how similar those experiences are phenomenologically. While Jansen's model has electrifying implications, the data required to support his conclusions do not yet exist.
A density functional theory parameterised neural network model of zirconia

We have developed a Behler–Parrinello Neural Network (BPNN) that can be employed to calculate energies and forces of zirconia bulk structures with oxygen vacancies with similar accuracy as that of ...
The Ongoing Challenges to Evolution Education: Schools, the Law, and Classroom Instruction

There are forces at the local, state, and national levels that have worked to delegitimize the teaching of evolution and, in some cases, to legitimize the teaching of religious theory. Despite scientific evidence, public opinion, and even legislation, these forces have continued to influence, and in some cases block, the teaching of evolution in public schools. Proponents for the teaching of religious theory in schools have been defeated in the courts many times but have continued to find new ways to insert their ideology into the U.S. education system. Strategies for avoiding controversy, confronting misinformation, and distinguishing science from faith are provided at the end of this article.
Mitochondrial inefficiency in infants born to overweight African-American mothers.

Currently 20–35% of pregnant women are obese, posing a major health risk for mother and fetus. It is postulated that an abnormal maternal-fetal nutritional environment leads to adverse metabolic programming, resulting in altered substrate metabolism in the offspring and predisposing to risks of obesity and diabetes later in life. Data indicate that oocytes from overweight animals have abnormal mitochondria. We hypothesized that maternal obesity is associated with altered mitochondrial function in healthy neonatal offspring. Overweight and obese (body mass index, (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m2, n = 14) and lean (BMI < 25 kg/m2, n = 8), African-American pregnant women carrying male fetuses were recruited from the Barnes Jewish Hospital obstetric clinic. Maternal and infant data were extracted from medical records. Infants underwent body composition testing in the first days of life. Circumcision skin was collected for isolation of fibroblasts. Fibroblast cells were evaluated for mitochondrial function, metabolic gene expression, nutrient uptake, and oxidative stress. Skin fibroblasts of infants born to overweight mothers had significantly higher mitochondrial respiration without a concurrent increase in ATP production, indicating mitochondrial inefficiency. These fibroblasts had higher levels of reactive oxygen species and evidence of oxidative stress. Evaluation of gene expression in offspring fibroblasts revealed altered expression of multiple genes involved in fatty acid and glucose metabolism and mitochondrial respiration in infants of overweight mothers. This study demonstrates altered mitochondrial function and oxidative stress in skin fibroblasts of infants born to overweight mothers. Future studies are needed to determine the long-term impact of this finding on the metabolic health of these children.
INFLUENCE OF BODY COMPOSITION ON FOOD INTAKE

Regulation of body composition is important in permitting growth, deposition of energy reserves in anticipation of food deprivation or of periods of special needs (hibernation, migration and lactation), and maintenance of stable body weights in adults. The interactions between metabolism, physiology and behavior which bring about weight maintenance in adults have received particular attention, in view of the high incidence of obesity in affluent societies and of its adverse long-term health effects (Bjorntorp, 1990). The substantial daily variations in energy expenditure and energy intake are not closely synchronized (Edholm et al., 1970), yet body weight and body composition remain stable for long periods in the life of most individuals. This long-term stability of body composition implies that depletion or accumulation of body constituents elicit ‘corrective responses’, capable of compensating for deviations from equilibrated substrate balances. There are three types of possible responses: a) to modify the composition of the substrate mix used for energy generation, b) to alter the rate of energy expenditure, and/or c) to increase or decrease the amounts food consumed (Flatt, 1987).
Using the Internet for input and output

This paper is an update of a presentation given by Rick Noble on 28 February, 1996 at the National Federation of ers and Indexers (NFAIS) Annual Conference. It describes three major initiatives that OCLC has undertaken during the past two years to make information on the Internet more accessible to its members and users. These are: (1) Intercat, an experimental effort to catalog Internet resources using OCLC's traditional cooperative model, (2) NetFirst, a commercial product that is built and marketed like a traditional abstract and index (A&I) database and (3) PURLs, or Persistent Uniform Resource Locators.
Mapping of Serologic and CTL-Defined Epitopes on HLA-A2 by Site-Directed Mutagenesis

Site-directed mutagenesis of HLA-A2.1 has been used to identify the amino acid substitutions in HLA-A2.3 that are responsible for the lack of recognition of the latter molecule by the A2/A28 specific antibody, CR11-351 (1) and by HLA-A2.1 specific CTL (2–4). Analysis of the mutated molecules revealed that the epitope recognized by the CR11-351 antibody was completely lost when Thr was substituted for Ala149. In contrast, substitutions of Glu for Va1152 or Trp for Leu156 had no effect on the reactivity of this antibody, either singly or in combination. These findings implicate Ala149 as being critical in the formation of the epitope recognized by CR11-351. In contrast, murine HLA-A2.1 specific CTL clones were found to be sensitive to changes at amino acids 152 and 156, but were unaffected by substitution at amino acid 149. Through the use of hemi-exon shuffling between HLA-A2.1 and HLA-A2.2, the role of substitutions at amino acids 9, 43, and 95 in the formation of CTL-defined epitopes was also studied. The results indicate that the substitution of Trp for Leu156 can account for the loss of all CTL reactivity against HLA-A2.2 whereas only some CTL clones are affected by amino acid changes at 9, 43, and 95.
Convolution-Based Algorithm: from Analysis of Rotational Dynamics to EPR Oximetry and Protein Distance Measurements

Spectral simulations and optimization of simulation parameters to fit experimental data are very powerful tools for data analysis in EPR spectroscopy. Data modeling serves two purposes, namely, (i) an aid to the interpretation of raw spectra, and (ii) reducuction of the data file, which usually contains from a few hundred to thousands of data points, to a much smaller set of meaningful physical parameters. It has been shown (e.g., Halpern et al., 1993) that the use of the whole EPR spectrum instead of a few characteristic data points can significantly, sometimes by an order of magnitude, increase the accuracy of the extracted spectral parameters. If the theoretical model is suitable for the experiment, and the experimental noise has a Gaussian or similar distribution, then the least square’s criterion (χ2) can be chosen for parameter optimization. Since the EPR spectrum usually depends on several (≥3) parameters, a multi-dimensional minimization algorithm is required to optimize parameters based on the value of χ2.
Leptin and Neuroendocrinology

The hormone leptin, a long sought satiety factor secreted mainly from adipocyte that relays the status of fat store to the hypothalamus, has emerged as one of the most important peripheral signals involved in the variety of neuroendocrine functions, including the regulation of food intake and body weight. Because the hypothalamus is a major site for integration of central and peripheral signals for the maintenance of energy homeostasis and many other physiological functions, most if not all, of the neuroendocrine functions of leptin are transduced primarily at the level of the hypothalamus. Leptin action in the hypothalamus for the maintenance of body weight is mediated by several orexigenic and anorectic signal producing neurons residing in the arcuate-paraventricular-lateral hypothalamus axis. Leptin not only modifies gene expression and release of the neuropeptides but also modifies post- synaptic action of the neural signals and synaptic plasticity n the hypothalamus. In addition to the classical JAK2 (Janus kinase2)-STAT3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 3) pathway, the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)-phosphodiesterase-3B (PDE3B)-cAMP pathway plays a critical role in mediating leptin receptor signaling in the hypothalamus. A crosstalk between these two pathways may be important in leptin signaling in the hypothalamus. Defective hypothalamic STAT3 signaling most likely due to an increase in suppressor of cytokine signaling-3, appears to play a role in the development of central leptin resistance in diet induced obese (DIO) animals. Leptin signaling in the hypothalamus via STAT3 is also important in glucose homeostasis and reproduction. However, the development of leptin resistance in the neuropeptide Y, Proopiomelanocortin and neurotensin neurons following chronic central leptin infusion is associated with normal STAT3, but a defective PI3K-PDE3B-cAMP pathway of leptin signaling in the hypothalamus. Future investigations on the role of the PI3K-PDE3B-cAMP pathway and its interaction with STAT3 and other pathways of leptin signaling in mediating various neuroendocrine functions are of significant importance to further our understanding on leptin biology.
Genetic and environmental trends in German swine herdbook populations.

Environmental and genetic trends for swine herdbook populations for Germany for the years 1979 to 1987 were estimated using mixed model methodology on test station data. Daily gain (DG), feed conversion efficiency (FCE), lean-to-fat ratio (R) and meat quality (Goefo) were analyzed simultaneously with different incidence matrices. Breed, season and test station were fixed effects; herd, litter and additive genetic effects for sib groups were random effects. Because the relationship data were incomplete, unknown ancestors were assigned to genetic groups. Carcass weight was included as a covariable for R. In DG, FCE and R, season was defined as month of test over all breeds and test stations. On the other hand, season for Goefo was replaced by slaughter location-date interaction. Cumulative genetic responses from the multivariate analysis for the component traits of the aggregate genotype ranged from 22 g to 55 g in DG, -.7 to 3.2 units in Goefo, -.1 to .5 in valuable cuts, and -.04 to -.15 in FCE. Cumulative monetary response over these 9 yr. per pig were $4.3, $3.7, $6.2 and $5.1 for German Landrace, German Large White, Pietrain and German Landrace B. Important environmental trends were found in FCE, Goefo and R. Total genetic improvement amounted to 1.6% of the value of national pork production in Germany during these 9 yr. With incomplete convergence, the genetic response was underestimated and environmental trends were overestimated.
Idiosyncratic cases and hopes for general validity: what education research might learn from ecology / Casos idiosincrásicos y expectativas de validez general: lo que la investigación en educación puede aprender de la ecología

We reflect on our ongoing struggles with rigour and validity in a project based on case study analyses: How can particular instances of learning, with all their idiosyncratic details and dynamics, ...
Quantum Silicon Photonics: Photon Sources and Circuits

We report high performance ring resonator photon sources and the integration of the sources into quantum photonic circuits. We also discuss ring resonators as a building block for compact, reconfigurable, linear quantum optical circuits.
Hillbillies, Genetic Pathology, and White Ignorance: Repackaging the Culture of Poverty within Color-blindness:

Leading up to and since the 2016 presidential election, a recurring theme focusing on poor whites’ role in carrying the Republican nominee to victory gained further credence with the popularity and...
Molecular cloning of a novel heat induced/chilling tolerance related cDNA in tomato fruit by use of mRNA differential display.

Chilling injury was circumvented by heat-treating mature green tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum, cv. Mountain Springs) at 42 °C for two days prior to storing them at 2 °C for one or two weeks, whereas fruits stored at 2 °C without preheating developed typical chilling injury symptoms and failed to ripen at 20 °C. Using mRNA differential display and screening of the cDNA libraries, we have cloned from tomato fruit a full-length HCT1 cDNA (heat induced/chilling tolerance related). The protein (17.6 kDa) predicted from coding region of HCT1 cDNA has high identity with class II cytosolic small HSPs. The gene corresponding to HCT1 cDNA was termed as LeHSP 17.6. Southern-blot hybridization indicates that LeHSP 17.6 belongs to a two-member gene family. Northern blot analysis indicates the heat-induced transcript of the LeHSP 17.6 remains up-regulated during subsequent exposure of the fruit to chilling temperatures for at least one week and upon transfer to ripening temperatures for one day. Fruits which were only chilled show a low level of expression of the LeHSP 17.6 transcript. We hypothesize that LeHSP 17.6 may be involved in protecting the cell from metabolic dysfunctions leading to ripening failure caused by chilling injury. This is the first report of a class II cytosolic smHSPs encoding gene in tomato.
Online Scheduling: Understanding the Impact of Uncertainty

Abstract We present a framework to study quality of schedules obtained iteratively and online (real-time) in the presence of demand uncertainty Using this framework, we carry out a computational study, and make interesting observations. First, we find that uncertainty plays a less important role as a manufacturing facility is operated close to capacity. Second, the choice of the horizon for the online iterations, is dependent on the mean load, but independent of the accuracy of the forecasts. Finally, feedback, in the form of re-optimization, plays a very important role in mitigating the impact of uncertainty. Thus, through the analysis presented in this work, we gain insights that are applicable to all general rescheduling approaches.
Pieces of Mind: The Proper Domain of Psychological Predicates

Conceptual upheaval is a common result of scientific investigation. Empirical discovery has frequently forced us to revise or abandon previous conceptual schemes, and to rethink prior assumptions a...
Treatment of relapsed multiple myeloma: Evidence-based recommendations

The practice of choosing the next best therapy for patients with relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) is becoming increasingly complex. There is no clear consensus regarding the best treatment sequence for RRMM. With the approval of novel proteasome inhibitors (ixazomib and carfilzomib), immunomodulatory agents (pomalidomide), monoclonal antibodies (daratumumab and elotuzumab), and other targeted therapies, multiple combination regimens utilizing these agents are being studied with the goal of enhancing disease control, prolonging progression-free survival, and improving overall survival. We, herein, describe a review of FDA-approved regimens for RRMM patients and offer a paradigm in selecting subsequent treatment regimens, focusing on patient specific morbidity, treatment toxicity, and disease-specific characteristics.
Contemporary perspectives on the use of radiation therapy for locally advanced gallbladder cancer

Locally advanced gallbladder cancer poor prognosis due to a high distant metastatic rate and poor overall disease control. The impact of standard therapeutic options is unfortunately modest. Due to the rarity of the disease, evidence-based management continues to evolve. The goal of this review is to highlight the contemporary landscape of radiation therapy for gallbladder cancer. First, the rationale for radiation therapy is described. This includes the risk of locoregional recurrence following resection based on patterns-of-failure data, along with the high locoregional disease burden being a frequent cause morbidity and mortality in unresected cases. Additionally, improvements in systemic therapy over the next decade could shift contemporary patterns of failure more towards proportionally higher locoregional recurrence rates. Second, clinical data of radiation therapy for gallbladder cancer are discussed. These include consideration of postoperative chemoradiotherapy for margin- and/or node-positive cases. Patients with localized unresectable disease could benefit from ablative radiation therapy, based on promising data in non-gallbladder cancer pancreaticobiliary neoplasms. The use of advanced radiation therapy technologies such as proton beam therapy, as a means to deliver ablative radiation therapy in a potentially safer manner, is also mentioned. Lastly, the emerging concept of neoadjuvant therapy for gallbladder cancer is also described, in efforts to allow more patients to receive curative resection.
Tools for Open Source, Subnational CGE Modeling with an Illustrative Analysis of Carbon Leakage

This paper introduces the Wisconsin National Data Consortium (WiNDC) framework for producing self-consistent accounts based on publicly available datasets that can be used in sub-national economic equilibrium analysis in the United States. We describe the process used to generate regional social accounting matrices and a calibrated static multi-regional, multi-sectoral computable general equilibrium model conformal with the constructed dataset. As illustration, we show how the core model can be applied for the analysis of energy-environment issues. We use an energy economy extension of the core model to assess the effectiveness of several state level greenhouse gas mitigation proposals. Sub-national abatement measures result in carbon leakage – mandated reductions in controlled areas may be vitiated by increased emissions in uncontrolled jurisdictions. Using a WiNDC-based model, we calculate leakage rates and show how these depend on the underlying trade model. Our calculations demonstrate the importance of both data and modeling assumptions for the simulation of policy experiments.
Hemodynamic Collapse Following Therapeutic Plasma Exchange in a Patient Receiving an Angiotensin Receptor Blocker.

Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) is a procedure for removal of plasma and its components while leaving behind cellular elements via an apheresis device. It is used in multiple conditions one among which is systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Adverse reactions from TPE range from mild hypotension and fever to life-threatening cardiovascular compromise. We report the case of sudden hemodynamic collapse following TPE for a neuropsychiatric lupus flare in a patient on losartan. A 62-year-old Caucasian female with a history of drug-induced lupus presented to the hospital with symptoms of a neuropsychiatric lupus flare. She was initiated on TPE with 5% albumin based on recommendations by her rheumatologist. Shortly after TPE, she became hypotensive with poor response to fluid boluses, requiring pressor support and intubation. These symptoms resolved within 24 hours on supportive measures. This was believed to be due to losartan use on the day of TPE. The medication was discontinued and she had further sessions of TPE with no complications. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors have previously been associated with flushing and hypotension in patients undergoing TPE. Patients undergoing TPE have an activation of the prekallikrein and bradykinin system on contact with the extracorporeal membranes. ACE inhibitors potentiate this reaction by inhibiting bradykinin catabolism. Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) have also been postulated to cause elevated bradykinin levels although data pertaining to the use of ARBs in TPE is limited. We hope to highlight this rare interaction in our case and emphasize the need for further data with regard to the same.
Non-24-Hour Sleep-Wake Rhythm Disorder

Non-24-hour sleep/wake rhythm disorder (non-24) most commonly presents in totally blind individuals and results from the loss of synchronization (entrainment) of the hypothalamic circadian pacemaker to the 24-hour day. The etiology of the disorder in the sighted is likely distinct from that in the blind and has yet to be definitively demonstrated. Diagnosis of this disorder is based on the patient’s report of relapsing and remitting symptoms of daytime hypersomnolence and/or nighttime insomnia as well as sleep/wake timing that can drift progressively later or earlier each day as documented by sleep diaries or wrist actigraphy. Both melatonin and the melatonin agonist tasimelteon have been shown to successfully entrain the circadian pacemaker in placebo-controlled trials and thereby treat the disorder. The clinician must carefully consider both the time and dose of melatonin administration to achieve the optimal clinical result. Controlled trials of light or melatonin are lacking in the treatment of non-24 among the sighted, but the use of both may be effective when the patients’ self-selected light/dark schedules are taken into account.
Adding insult to injury - Inflammation at the heart of cardiac fibrosis

The fibrotic response has evolutionary worked in tandem with the inflammatory response to facilitate healing following injury or tissue destruction as a result of pathogen clearance. However, excessive inflammation and fibrosis are key pathological drivers of organ tissue damage. Moreover, fibrosis can occur in several conditions associated with chronic inflammation that are not directly caused by overt tissue injury or infection. In the heart, in particular, fibrotic adverse cardiac remodeling is a key pathological driver of cardiac dysfunction in heart failure. Cardiac fibroblast activation and immune cell activation are two mechanistic domains necessary for fibrotic remodeling in the heart, and, independently, their contributions to cardiac fibrosis and cardiac inflammation have been studied and reviewed thoroughly. The interdependence of these two processes, and how their cellular components modulate each other's actions in response to different cardiac insults, is only recently emerging. Here, we review recent literature in cardiac fibrosis and inflammation and discuss the mechanisms involved in the fibrosis-inflammation axis in the context of specific cardiac stresses, such as myocardial ischemia, and in nonischemic heart conditions. We discuss how the search for anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic therapies, so far unsuccessful to date, needs to be based on our understanding of the interdependence of immune cell and fibroblast activities. We highlight that in addition to the extensively reviewed role of immune cells modulating fibroblast function, cardiac fibroblasts are central participants in inflammation that may acquire immune like cell functions. Lastly, we review the gut-heart axis as an example of a novel perspective that may contribute to our understanding of how immune and fibrotic modulation may be indirectly modulated as a potential area for therapeutic research.
A review of recent advances in HTGR CFD and thermal fluid analysis

Abstract The High Temperature Gas-cooled Reactor (HTGR) is an advanced reactor design being pursued by several different domestic and international organizations due to its high outlet temperature and inherent safety features. This paper spotlights some of the recent advances in experimental thermal fluid behavior and safety studies for the HTGR designs. Core heat transfer, plenum flow, and transient event sequence phenomena, or potential accident phenomena, are principally discussed here. Most of these advances arise from the increasing application of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to fluid behavior in the reactor vessel under normal and transient conditions. With advanced modeling, some novel design improvements could reduce or eliminate potentially undesirable phenomena such as ‘hot streaking’ and vessel heat up in excess of their design limits. For air ingress accident purposes, CFD simulations are necessary to predict time scales and gas concentration fractions in the vessel. These modeling advances, however, suggest the need for additional experimental validation. Still somewhat lacking, however, are analyses that tie recent vessel and reactor cavity experimental flow results to expected HTGR operation, which is necessary to validate Loss of Forced Circulation (LOFC) type events. Modeling and simulation of these events have the potential to illustrate the hallmark safety feature of the HTGR, which is indefinite or near-indefinite safe-shutdown without any operator intervention or electrical power. Future experiments should then estimate or measure core heat transfer effects to show that fuel design limits are met over the entire length of the accident. The corresponding results could validate the various industry thermal fluid and systems analysis tools for HTGRs.
Constitutionalism in Transition: Africa and Eastern Europe

There are a number of common themes for African and Central and Eastern European constitutional discourses, but prior to the meeting in Warsaw there had been little, if any, dialogue between these regions. The motivation for this first meeting on constitutionalism in Africa and Eastern Europe was to establish new lines of political and intellectual dialogue; identify issues that could become part of an on-going debate with the aim of isolating common grounds and differences; build a body of knowledge that would inform politics and policy-making, based on concrete analyses; and learn if there are any critical lessons that could be shared by both parties. For this first meeting, four topics were chosen for in-depth discussion: reconstructing the state through constitution-making; enforcement and oversight institutions in the constitutions; constitutional approaches to identity, nationality and citizenship; and the role of civil society in promoting constitutionalism. For each major topic and selected sub-topics, constitutional experts from the two regions presented two overview papers, one for each region, followed by a discussion. From the papers presented and the overall discussions, four issues clearly emerged. They revolved around ideology, the role of the state, post-colonialism, and the constitution-making process.
Impact of racial disparities on potential years of life lost due to gynecologic cancer in the United States: trends from 1975 to 2017 based on SEER database

Objectives: Gynecologic cancer is a major health problem in the United States. We assessed potential years of life lost (PYLL) in women secondary to gynecologic cancer in the United States from 1975 to 2017 using the SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results) database. We also report race-adjusted trends in PYLL to highlight racial disparities impacting mortality in gynecologic malignancies. Methods: We extracted data from the US National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) 2019 dataset using ICD-O codes for cervix, corpus and uterus, ovary, vulvar, vaginal and other gynecologic cancers. Patients who were diagnosed between 1975-2017 were included. Survival time was estimated by using recorded age of diagnosis and survival data from SEER. Potential years of life lost up to and including age 75 years were calculated after stratifying for tumor site. Statistical analysis was done using One-Way ANOVA test. Results: A total of 342159 patients were included in the analysis. Total 1825109 potential years of life were lost due to gynecologic cancers from 1975 to 2017. Uterine followed by ovarian were the two most common gynecologic malignancies with highest number of recorded cases (46.4% and 24.8% respectively). Median PYLL for cervical cancer (12.7 years) was higher than other gynecologic malignancies likely due to early median age of diagnosis (49 years). Across the board, for every subtype of gynecologic malignancy reported, median PYLL for Non-Hispanic White (NHW) population was lower as compared to women from all other racial and ethnic groups. p-value was significiant for every tumor type (Table 1). For NHW females with uterine cancer median PYLL was -0.8 years suggesting likelihood of survival past age of 75 years. Download : Download high-res image (255KB) Download : Download full-size image Conclusions: Analysis of real-world data represents a clear trend pointing towards racial and ethnic disparities in PYLL due to gynecologic malignancies in the United States. Health care policies and efforts need to be focused on improving access to treatment and affordability of medical care for population groups at higher risk of losing quality life years.
Visual inspection with acetic acid screening for cervical cancer among women receiving anti-retroviral therapy for human immunodeficiency virus infection in northern Tanzania.

AIM To evaluate visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) screening for cervical cancer among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients in an East African community. METHODS During a July 2018 cervical cancer screen-and-treat in Mwanza, Tanzania, participants were offered free cervical VIA screening, cryotherapy when indicated, and HIV testing. Acetowhite lesions and/or abnormal vascularity were designated VIA positive in accordance with current guidelines. The association between VIA results and HIV status was compared using Chi-square and Fisher exact tests. RESULTS Eight hundred and twenty-four of 921 consented participants underwent VIA screening and 25.0% (n = 206) were VIA positive. VIA-positive nonpregnant women (n = 147) received cryotherapy and 15 (1.8%) with cancerous-appearing lesions were referred to Bugando Hospital. Sixty-six women were HIV-positive and included 25 diagnosed with HIV at the cervical cancer VIA screening and 41 with a prior diagnosis of HIV who were receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) at the time of cervical cancer VIA screening. Sixty-four of these 66 patients, were screened with VIA. HIV infection was not associated with VIA findings. Abnormal VIA positive screening was observed in 20.3% (n = 13) of HIV-positive patients and in 24.4% (n = 145) of HIV-negative patients (p = 0.508). A nonsignificant trend of higher VIA positive screens among newly diagnosed HIV patients of 26.1% (n = 6) versus patients with preexisting HIV on ART of 17.1% (n = 7) was observed (p = 0.580). CONCLUSION The unexpected lack of correlation between HIV infection and VIA positivity in a community with access to ART warrants additional research regarding the previously described role of ART in attenuating HPV-mediated neoplasia.
We've built it, but are they coming? International participation in ASIS&T online educational offerings

EDITOR'S SUMMARY ASIS&T has offered 55 educational webinars on key topics in information science since 2010, originally prompted by the Webinar Task Force. The successor Online Education Task Force broadened the goal to promote online education and communication among the membership and was followed by the Web Presence Task Force, which aims to bolster the Association's online presence overall, starting with a website redesign. The ASIS&T website offers members the potential for professional development and networking, and online channels are being explored to enhance engagement for all members, especially international members and those unable to attend Annual Meetings. A spring 2014 survey revealed that, while 75 percent of site visitors were from the United States, a substantial number represented India, European nations and North/East Asian countries. Webinar registration is strong for international members and visitors. Based on these indicators, several recommendations are offered to drive ongoing education, international outreach and recruitment efforts.
Long-term variations of North Atlantic tropical cyclone activity downscaled from a coupled model simulation of the last millennium

[1] The observed historical record of North Atlantic tropical cyclones (TCs) is relatively short and is subject to potential biases owing to a lack of observation platforms such as aircraft reconnaissance and satellite imagery in earlier decades. Therefore, studies of long-term variability in TC activity are hindered by the limitations and uncertainty within the historical data. An alternative approach is to study long-term Atlantic TC variability within the framework of a coupled ocean-atmosphere climate model simulation. We have taken such an approach using a simulation of the National Center for Atmospheric Research Climate System Model 1.4 forced with estimated natural and anthropogenic forcing over the past millennium. Atmospheric variables from the long-term model simulation are used to drive a recently developed downscaling relationship that simulates TC genesis and tracking over the course of the 1150 year model simulation. This downscaling process generates a long-term synthetic TC track data set, free of observational biases, though subject to limitations in the model climatology. The synthetic TC data are used to perform an analysis of long-term variability in Atlantic TCs, specifically focusing on TC landfalls, within the context of the coupled model simulation. Ultimately, analysis of various TC time series reveals that counts of landfalling TCs and even landfalling hurricanes track relatively well with the total basin-wide TC activity on multidecadal and longer timescales.