cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SNS-595 potentiates the in vivo antitumor activity of carboplatin, cisplatin, and gemcitabine in solid tumor xenografts.

B285 SNS-595 is currently under clinical investigation in acute leukemia and ovarian cancer. Clinical responses have been observed in these indications, as well as in non-small cell (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancers. SNS-595 is a replication-dependent DNA damaging agent that causes irreversible G2 arrest, and rapid apoptosis. A secondary mechanism for SNS-595 is a unique inhibition of topoisomerase II that causes highly selective DNA damage with low dependence on topoisomerase II for its potent anti-tumor activity. The identification of new anti-cancer agents to be used in combination with established cancer therapies is a key step in the development of new treatment modalities. Studies in culture have shown that SNS-595 combines synergistically with established chemotherapeutic agents (Wright et al., Proc Amer Assoc Cancer Res 47: 2132, 2006). Extending these findings to in vivo studies, we have shown that SNS-595 acts synergistically with cytarabine, the standard of care in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), to ablate bone marrow (Arbitrario et al., Blood {ASH Annual Meeting Abstract} 108: 2321, 2006). These studies have led to investigation of SNS-595 in combination with cytarabine clinically in AML patients. In the current study, we examine the potential of SNS-595 to combine effectively with carboplatin, cisplatin, and gemcitabine in vivo in several solid tumor xenograft models. SNS-595, cisplatin, carboplatin and gemcitabine were administered alone or in combination to athymic nude mice bearing subcutaneous H460 NSCLC tumors or A2780 ovarian carcinoma tumors. Treatments were initiated when mean tumor volume was greater than or equal to 100 mm 3 . The animals were monitored for tumor growth and assessed for tolerability of the different treatment regimens. In the H460 NSCLC model, administration of SNS-595 (10 mg/kg IV qw x5) in combination with carboplatin at 75% of its maximum tolerated dose (MTD, 75 mg/kg IP qw x3) induced significant tumor growth inhibition (TGI) of 77% compared to 32% for carboplatin alone. Similarly, in the A2780 model of ovarian carcinoma, SNS-595 (10 mg/kg IV qw x3) combined with cisplatin at its MTD (5 mg/kg IP qw x3) resulted in a TGI of 64% compared to 49% for single agent cisplatin. The combination of SNS-595 (10 mg/kg IV qw x3) with gemcitabine at its MTD (75 mg/kg IP biw x2) results in an 82% TGI and 51 day tumor growth delay compared to 37% TGI and a 5 day tumor growth delay for single agent gemcitabine. Body weight losses of 8%, 14% and 8% were observed for the SNS-595/carboplatin, cisplatin and gemcitabine combinations, respectively, indicating that the dosing regimens were well tolerated. The results from these studies clearly demonstrate that SNS-595 combines effectively with platinum compounds or anti-metabolites such as gemcitabine, and support clinical exploration of SNS-595 in combination with these established chemotherapeutic agents.
Space-Shifting: Civil Society Participation and the Free Trade Area of the Americas Negotiations

This paper discusses the ‘spatial grammar’ of civil society participation in the now-defunct process of negotiating a Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA). I analyze the physical geography of processes for participation, examining issues of power, legitimacy, and representation. What were the relations between those 'inside' and 'outside' the official spaces of participation designated by the various governments? And how did groups outside those spaces try to transform them? This paper focuses on the FTAA negotiations that took place in Miami in 2003 and forms part of a larger project that also addresses the 2002 negotiations in Ecuador. It draws upon field research as well as interviews with many representatives of NGOs and social movements from around the hemisphere.
An Entropy Based Measure for Comparing Distributions of Complexity

Abstract This paper is part of a series addressing the empirical/statistical distribution of the diversity of complexity within and amongst complex systems. Here, we consider the problem of measuring the diversity of complexity in a system, given its ordered range of complexity types i and their probability of occurrence p i , with the understanding that larger values of i mean a higher degree of complexity. To address this problem, we introduce a new complexity measure called case-based entropy C c — a modification of the Shannon–Wiener entropy measure H . The utility of this measure is that, unlike current complexity measures–which focus on the macroscopic complexity of a single system– C c can be used to empirically identify and measure the distribution of the diversity of complexity within and across multiple natural and human-made systems, as well as the diversity contribution of complexity of any part of a system, relative to the total range of ordered complexity types.
Which hemodynamic contrast best localizes neuronal activity? A diffuse optical tomography study

Diffuse optical tomography images were obtained of hemoglobin concentrations during functional activation of the rat somatosensory cortex. For stimulus duration of 15 seconds, total hemoglobin images provided a more focal response than deoxy-hemoglobin images.
Respiratory Muscle Paralysis Associated With Colistin, Polymyxin B, and Muscle Relaxants Drugs A Case Report

Polymyxins B and E (colistin) exert a bactericidal effect on the gram-negative bacterial cell wall, causing permeability changes in the cytoplasmic membrane, leading to cell death. Their use was substantially decreased in clinical practice from the 1970s to 2000s due to their significant nephrotoxicity and neurotoxicity compared to the newly introduced antibiotics. The increasing prevalence of multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria infections in this century has led to an upsurge in the use of these "older" drugs. Respiratory paralysis caused by neuromuscular blockage associated with the use of polymyxin B and E was reported mostly in literature published in the 1960s to 1970s with a few reports after 2000. In addition, such a reaction might be enhanced by the presence of other classes of drugs. We report a case of polymyxin B and E-induced apnea in a patient receiving "muscle relaxants."
Virtual Speckle in Phase Retrieval

Even for a speckle-free optical imaging system, a speckle-like pattern can be generated in a phase-retrieval computation. The origin of this pattern, which we term virtual speckle, is the result of an interaction between detector noise in the acquired data and the aperture constraint in the retrieval algorithm.
The double fascicular nerve transfer for restoration of elbow flexion.

BACKGROUND: Injuries to the upper trunk of the brachial plexus are debilitating, affecting primarily shoulder abduction and elbow flexion. Treatment is aimed at restoring shoulder stabilization, shoulder abduction, and elbow flexion and may be accomplished by nerve grafting, nerve transfer, or functional muscular transfer. OBJECTIVE: To describe the double fascicular nerve transfer with the goal of restoring elbow flexion. METHODS: The double fascicular nerve transfer involves transferring an ulnar nerve fascicle to the musculocutaneous nerve innervating the biceps muscle and a median nerve fascicle transfer to a branch of musculocutaneous nerve supplying the brachialis muscle. RESULTS: The double fascicular nerve transfer is effective in restoring elbow flexion after severe upper-trunk brachial plexus injuries. CONCLUSION: Advantages of this procedure are that the nerve repair is done very close to the target muscle for reinnervation, so time to reinnervation is minimized, and the surgery takes place distal to the site of injury in nontraumatized tissue.
Launching the Journal of Athletic Enhancement

Launching the Journal of Athletic Enhancement Happy Birthday! A new journal has been born to meet the evergrowing needs of sports medicine professionals. Our goal now must be to protect this baby and help it grow. The Journal of Athletic Enhancement (JAE) specifically addresses the areas of performance enhancingsubstances, the health and well-being of athletes including both the psychological and physical self, and the rehabilitation aspects of injury related to sport and physical activity.
Effect of an educational program on the treatment of RSV lower-respiratory-tract infection.

The effectiveness and outcomes of an educational program to decrease ribavirin and antimicrobial prescribing rates and associated costs for patients with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) lower-respiratory-tract infection are described. An educational program on the appropriate treatment for RSV infections was conducted for attending physicians and medical residents with multiple methods and forums during the 1994-95 RSV season. A retrospective chart review of 2396 patients admitted to a pediatric teaching hospital from July 1, 1991, through June 30, 1998, was conducted to measure the frequencies of ribavirin and antimicrobial prescribing in infants and young children hospitalized with RSV lower-respiratory-tract infection. The results before and after the educational program were compared. Ribavirin was prescribed for 37.9% of patients before the program, and only 9.0% received it afterward (p < 0.001). Before the program, 24.8% of patients with no risk factors received ribavirin compared with 1.6% of patients after the program (p < 0.001). However, more patients with three or more risk factors for morbidity and mortality received ribavirin before the program than afterward (97.8% versus 39.2%, respectively). A broad-spectrum i.v. antimicrobial was prescribed for 85.6% of patients before the program while 60.6% received one afterward (p < 0.001). The cost savings for ribavirin and antimicrobials during the three-year period after the program were $1,235,484 and $34,839, respectively. Hospital length of stay decreased from 5.6 to 5.1 days (p < 0.001). No readmissions occurred during the study period. A multifaceted educational intervention program may have been somewhat effective in modifying physician's prescribing habits for the treatment of RSV lower-respiratory-tract infection.
Prediction of Epidemiological Tendency of Scarlet Fever in Nanning by ARIMA Model

Objective To predict the epidemiological tendency of scarlet fever in Nanning in 2011 by autoregressive integrated moving average(ARIMA) model.Methods Data about incidence of scarlet fever from 2004 to 2010 were used to set up ARIMA prediction model by SPSS13.0.And data from 2005 to 2010 were used as validate model and predict precision.Results ARIMA(1,0,0)(1,1,1)12 model could be used to predict epidemiological tendency of scarlet fever in Nanning.Incidence of scarlet fever in Nanning in 2011 would be at a low level,without fluctuation.Conclusion ARIMA model can be used to make a short-term prediction of scarlet fever.
Understanding executable architectures through an examination of language model elements

This paper describes a method for exploring executable architects along 3 dimensions: DoDAF elements, modeling language implementations (such as IDEF, UML, SysML and BPMN) and modeling formalism. It then begins to explore this question along 2 of these dimensions, as a means to describe a method for future work. A subset of DoDAF views is provided as a foundational context for problem space investigation. The 52 views available under DoDAF 2.0 are broad and diverse and beyond the scope of an executable architecture focus. This paper distills this set down to 18 DoDAF 2.0 views. Secondly the paper arrays four modeling language areas (Structured, UML, SysML and BPMN) against this subset of DoDAF views to assess for elemental goodness of fit. Results show SysML as the strongest candidate. More importantly results lay the ground work for addressing modeling gaps against the DoDAF executable architecture elemental subset, suggesting these gaps may be a basis for describing essential elements, particularly as modeling is expanded into simulation.
Update on transrectal ultrasound-guided needle biopsy of the prostate.

Over the past decade, the sextant biopsy technique has emerged as the standard of care in the detection of prostate cancer. This technique is easy to learn and well tolerated by patients and has a major complication rate of 50 cc). These additional biopsies may decrease the need for repeat biopsies. In the meantime, strategies are being developed for the optimal technique of repeat biopsies among patients with persistent clinical suspicion in the setting of a prior negative biopsy. Currently, recommendations include increasing the biopsy number to a minimum of 10 cores, including sampling of the lateral peripheral and transition zones.
Meal-induced dysphagia and otalgia secondary to a pyriform sinus fistula.

A 30-year-old woman presented with otalgia, dysphagia, nausea, and vomiting. Dysphagia and otalgia occurred with solids and would progressively worsen during the course of a meal. She had no symptoms when fasting. An esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) was obtained to investigate her dysphagia. The EGD was unremarkable, with normal-appearing esophageal mucosa. No strictures were seen. In view of her symptoms and negative EGD, a barium esophagram was obtained. The esophagram revealed a fistulous tract and cavity apparently arising from the lower cervical esophagus and displacing the esophagus to the right and posteriorly (Figure 1). The patient was given effervescent tablets, and upon distension of the cavity with air, left-sided otalgia was elicited and the filled cavity compressed the esophagus. A CT scan of the head and neck showed the fistulous tract directly connecting to the left pyriform sinus and extending adjacent to the esophagus at the level of C6–7 (Figure 2). No other abnormalities were identified. A careful review of the patient’s history was negative for acute suppurative thyroiditis or recurrent deep neck abscesses, as well as for ingestion of injurious substances. To exclude Crohn’s disease, a small bowel followthrough was obtained and was normal. A previous colonoscopy was normal. Cervical exploration revealed the fistulous tract and associated cavity, which were excised. No other abnormalities
Solvation Structure and Dynamics of the Lithium Ion in Organic Carbonate-Based Electrolytes: A Time-Dependent Infrared Spectroscopy Study

The structure and dynamics of electrolytes composed of lithium hexafluorophosphate and either butylene carbonate or dimethyl carbonate were investigated using steady state and two-dimensional infrared spectroscopies. This study was focused on lithium ion compositions similar to that of commercial batteries (i.e., X(Li+) = 0.09) and higher. Experiments provide sufficient evidence to demonstrate that both organic carbonates form tetrahedral solvation complexes around the lithium ion. Ab initio computations confirmed that the IR spectroscopic signatures derived from experiments correspond to a tetrahedral arrangement of carbonate molecules in the lithium ion solvation shell. Time resolved experiments further revealed that the solvation shell formed by cyclic carbonates is more rigid than that of its linear carbonate analogue. In addition, butylene carbonate was found to present a more organized “overall” solvent structure than dimethyl carbonate. At lithium salt concentrations beyond that of a conventional e...
CNT‐Based Artificial Hair Sensors for Predictable Boundary Layer Air Flow Sensing

While numerous flow sensor architectures mimic the natural cilia of crickets, locusts, bats, and fish, the prediction of sensor output for given flow conditions based on the sensor properties has not been achieved. Challenges include difficulty in determining the electromechanical properties of the sensors, limited working knowledge of the boundary layer, low sensitivity to small hair deflections, and lack of models for large deflections. Within this work, hair sensors are fabricated using piezoresistive arrays of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) without traditional microelectromechanical processing. While correlating the CNT array electromechanical properties to synthesis conditions remains a challenge, a consistent, proportional, and predictable response to steady, boundary-determined air flow is obtained using theory and measurement for various lengths of hairs. The moment sensitivity is shown to scale inversely with the CNT length and stiffness to a typical maximum of 1.3 ± 0.4% resistance change nN−1 m−1. The normalized CNT piezoresistivity is constant (1.1 ± 0.2) for a majority of the more than two dozen sensors examined despite the orders-of-magnitude variability in both sensitivity and CNT compressive modulus. The sensor sensitivity and noise both distinctly change as the flow transitions from steady and laminar to turbulent, suggesting the sensor may be capable of detecting flow transitions.
Effect of obinutuzumab (GA101), a type II glycoengineered monoclonal antibody targeting CD20, against rituximab resistant and sensitive cell lines in B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

e21150 Background: : Relapse or insufficient response or resistance to Rituximab (RTX) has evolved as a challenge in therapy of B-cell NHL. RTX in combination with FAB chemotherapy is a safe, well ...
Expansion of Thermally Grown SiO2 Thin Films Upon Irradiation with Energetic Ions

Thin films (~1000 to 7000A) of SiO2 were prepared by several methods of the thermal oxidation of single crystal silicon substrates. The films were irradiated with argon ions with energies ranging from 40 to 500 KeV and ion fluences from 5xl013 to 1x1016 ions/cm2. Ellipsometry was used to monitor changes in the films thickness and refractive index that took place as a direct result of being irradiated. Confirmation of some of the ellipsometric measurements was established with the use of an interference microscope. In addition, infrared spectroscopy was utilized to observe possible changes in the Si-0 stretching vibration (~9μm) that may result due to the irradiation. Expansion of the thin films was found to depend on how the films were prepared. “Ultradry” oxides (<1ppm H2O) and HCl grown oxides were found to expand upon implantation with a decrease in refractive index; however wet grown oxides (~10,000ppm H2O) and Na contaminated steam grown oxides were found to remain essentially unchanged to within the experimental accuracy of about 2 percent. Also, infrared analysis showed that the Si-O stretching vibration (~9μm) shifted ~50cm-1 to lower energy in the case of the former films, while in the latter films, using identical implant conditions, the shift was reduced by approximately 50 percent. Post-implantation annealing at the SiO2 films’ preparation temperature restores the films to their original condition. Density measurements, performed on the as prepared, thin SiO2 films, revealed that the density of the original films varied according to their method of preparation.
Exploring Architecture Selection and System Evolvability

For engineered systems, one of the first decisions a designer must make is the architecture that will solve the established high level function. In most cases, this can be accomplished in a multitude of ways, with each original architecture having strengths and weaknesses. This paper explores how the architecture choice for a system impacts the ability to evolve and meet future needs. The lessons learned from this paper are extracted from a case study where three systems that perform the same task via different architectural solutions are considered. These systems are them compared to understand how well they adhere to, or violate, the Empirically-Derived Principles for Designing Products with Flexibility for Future Evolution introduced by Tilstra et al.Copyright © 2017 by ASME
QUEBS: Qualifying Event Based Search in Concolic Testing for Validation of RTL Models

Input vector generation is an important step during validation and debugging of hardware designs. Validation using random and directed random tests are widely used today. However, these methods can lead to unacceptable functional coverage under tight deadlines. Concolic testing is a semi-formal method to address this issue. It combines concrete simulation guided by symbolic execution. Application of concolic testing in hardware domain is still in its infancy due to the lack of effective traversal strategies. In this paper, we present Qualifying Event Based Search (QUEBS) heuristic for concolic testing. During exhaustive concolic testing, same branch may be selected many times for traversal. Our heuristic limits the number of times a branch can be selected. By preventing repeated selection, it facilitates wider coverage within limited time. Also, whenever a previously uncovered branch is encountered, this limit is relaxed to permit thorough exploration of the newly reached area. Our experimental results demonstrate that this approach provides better branch coverage than state-of-the-art test generation methods in a given time budget. To further improve the performance of QUEBS, we provide two optimization techniques - unsolvable branch elimination and incremental solving by context reuse.
Cooperative Metal + Ligand Oxidative Addition and σ-Bond Metathesis: A DFT Study

A computational study of the experimentally proposed mechanism of alkyne diboration by a PDICo complex yielded two fundamental catalytic steps that undergo remarkable electronic changes (PDI = bis(imino)pyridine). The reactions are envisaged via DFT (density functional theory) and MCSCF (multiconfiguration self-consistent field) simulations as (i) a cooperative metal + ligand oxidative addition and (ii) a σ-bond metathesis induced ligand to metal charge transfer. Analysis of the bonding of pertinent intermediates/TSs also yielded important insight that may be illuminating with regard to the larger field of green catalysis that seeks to ennoble base metals through synergy with potentially redox noninnocent (RNI) ligands. For the present case, massive changes in electronic structure do not incur massive energetic penalties. In conjunction with previous research, one may postulate that structural and energetic “fluidity” among several electronic states of RNI-M3d along the reaction coordinate is an essential...
Bond-associated deformation gradients for peridynamic correspondence model

Abstract Non-ordinary state-based peridynamic correspondence material model is known to have issues with material instability, i.e. the existence of zero-energy modes, due to non-unique mapping between deformation states and force states via the conventional peridynamic deformation gradient. In this paper, an alternative approach in which the deformation gradient hence force state are computed specifically for each individual bond is proposed to eliminate the material instability. Bond-associated deformation gradient is calculated based on deformation states within an individual bond's proximity, termed here as the bond-associated family, rather than the whole family. This bond-associated deformation gradient can better represents the force state of each individual bond from the deformation states within its proximity, and hence inherently resolves issues of material instability in the conventional correspondence material model. Parametric study on bond-associated horizon size indicates that the optimal size should be no less than the material point's horizon size but smaller than two times of that value. Comparisons against reference solutions using finite element method establish the validity and accuracy of the proposed formulation.
Early Detection and Treatment of Acute Clinical Decline in Hospitalized Patients: An Observational Study of ICU Transfers and an Assessment of the Effectiveness of a Rapid Response Program: A Dissertation

The Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) has promoted implementing a RRS to provide safer care for hospitalized patients. Additionally, the Joint Commission made implementing a RRS a 2008 National Patient Safety Goal. Although mandated, the evidence to support the effectiveness of a RRS to reduce cardiac arrests on hospital medical or surgical floors and un-anticipated ICU transfers remains inconclusive, partly because of weak study designs and partly due to a failure of published studies to report all critical aspects of their intervention. This study attempted to evaluate the effectiveness and the implementation of a RRS on the two campuses of the UMass Memorial Medical Center (UMMMC). The first study presented was an attempt to identify the preventability and timeliness of floor to ICU transfers. This was done using 3 chief residents who reviewed 100 randomly selected medical records. Using Cohen’s kappa to assess the inter-rater reliability it was determined that 13% of the cases could have possibly been preventable with earlier intervention. The second study was an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Rapid Response System. Outcomes were cardiac arrests, code calls and floor to ICU admissions. There were two study periods 24 months before the intervention and 24 months after. A Spline regression model was used to compare the two time periods. Though there was a consistent downward trend over all 4 years there
Homelessness and Health Disparities

A graduate level nursing course was enhanced by adding photo voice methodology to explore cultural dimensions of health care delivery in urban and rural settings. Photo voice enables the student to record community strengths and concerns. It promotes critical dialogue and knowledge about important issues through large and small group discussion of photographs and ultimately reach policymakers (Wang & Burris, 1997).Three of twenty-seven exposures, represent the raw, uncut harsh realities of homelessness in the heart of downtown Houston, Texas. In a city, known for the largest medical center in the world, health disparities are seen on nearly every corner. Healthcare and accessibility to healthcare services for the homeless are scarce and not effectively utilized. Deplorable, unsanitary environments are breathing grounds for infection and communicable diseases. Substance abuse and mental health disorders negatively impact the lives of many. Within the homeless community, chronic diseases are usually not diagnosed or poorly managed possibly due to poor follow-up and/or healthcare accessibility. There is an abundance of healthcare services, but for whatever unforeseen circumstances, health promotion does not appear to be prevalent within the homeless community.
Assessing the contribution of ethaboxam in seed treatment cocktails for the management of metalaxyl-resistant Pythium ultimum var. ultimum in Pacific Northwest spring wheat production

Abstract Hard red spring wheat is an important crop in the Pacific Northwest and is a component of a 3-year crop rotation involving soft white winter wheat; cool season pulse crops such as pea, lentil and chickpea; and canola. Pythium root rot and damping-off have long been observed as an annual problem, particularly in spring planted crops. As such, a seed treatment that includes metalaxyl is very common. Recently, an increase in the incidence of Pythium damping-off highlighted that there is an emerging population of Pythium spp. that are resistant to traditional seed treatments containing metalaxyl. The use of alternative chemistries to manage Pythium root rot and damping-off has gained regional interest to increase crop health and improve yields. The effectiveness of ethaboxam was evaluated along with two other seed treatment cocktails in controlling metalaxyl-resistant Pythium in replicated field experiments of spring wheat over three growing seasons in northern Idaho. Emergence, seedling characteristics, plant height, yield and test weight were assessed. The addition of ethaboxam to metalaxyl-containing seed treatment blends consistently increased emergence and yield of spring wheat compared to seed treatment blends containing metalaxyl only. First leaf length, an indirect measure of early season Pythium damage, was longest in seed treatments containing ethaboxam and the average number of tillers was lower, likely due to increased emergence, than non-treated seed. These results indicate that ethaboxam can improve disease control in spring wheat production when applied as a seed treatment in combination with metalaxyl, specifically in the presence of metalaxyl-resistant Pythium spp.
A novel method for quantification of globotriaocylceramide (GL-3) inclusions in affected podocytes in females with Fabry disease shows progressive accumulation of GL-3 in podocytes with age and no cross-correction between affected and non-affected podocytes

Background: While females can suffer serious FD complications, most studies are limited to males to avoid confounding the results by mosaicism phenomenon. We developed a method for quantifying GL-3 content of Fabry-affected podocytes in females independent of mosaicism. Methods: We applied mathematical approaches to morphometric data of 91 glomeruli from 40 untreated males with FD. We modeled the relationship between GL-3 inclusion volume density in podocyte [Vv(Inc/PC)] profiles with visible inclusions and the probability of obtaining random profiles without inclusions () and derived an equation for estimating Vv(Inc/PC) in females independent of mosaicism. The model was applied to biopsies from 10 females and 8 age-matched males with untreated FD. Mean podocyte volume (VPC) and total GL-3 inclusions volume [V(Inc/PC)] were estimated in affected podocytes in females. Results: A 4th degree polynomial equation best described the relationship between Vv(Inc/PC) and (R2=0.94) and passed k-fold cross-validation. VPC and V(Inc/PC) (r=0.87, p=0.002) were both increased with age in affected podocytes in females. Foot process width correlated with VPC (r=0.89, p=0.02) and V(Inc/PC) (r=0.87, p=0.02) . Comparisons with male biopsies showed no significant sex difference in Vv(Inc/PC) (p=0.75) or in V(Inc/PC) (p=0.45). Conclusion: We developed and validated a novel method for measuring GL-3 in Fabry podocytes independent of mosaicism in females. GL-3 accumulation and injury in Fabry podocytes in females is progressive with age. Importantly, GL-3 content in Fabry-affected podocytes in females is similar to that in males, consistent with absence of cross-correction between affected and non-affected cells. This method will be of great value for measuring podocyte GL-3 as an outcome variable in studies of females with FD.
Prodigious Prevotella phages.

Megaphages, the largest phage genomes sequenced to date, are abundant in faecal microbiomes from humans, baboons and pigs, leading us to question whether there is an upper limit to the size of viruses relative to their hosts.
Use and reasons for use of electronic vapour products shaped like USB flash drives among a national sample of adults

Objectives Assess use and reasons for use of electronic vapour products (EVPs) shaped like universal serial bus (USB) flash drives among adults in the USA. Methods Data came from SummerStyles, an internet survey of US adults aged ≥18 (N=4088) fielded in June to July 2018. Respondents were shown product images and asked about ever use, current (past 30 days) use and reasons for use. Weighted point estimates and adjusted ORs were assessed. Results In 2018, 7.9% of participants had ever used flash drive-shaped EVPs, including 25.7% of current cigarette smokers and 45.9% of current EVP users. Moreover, 2.0% reported current use, including 6.8% of cigarette smokers and 34.3% of EVP users. Leading reasons for ever use were ‘to deliver nicotine’ (30.7%) and ‘friend or family member used them’ (30.2%). Conclusions About one in 13 US adults have ever used flash drive-shaped EVPs, with use being highest among current EVP users. Nicotine content and friend/family use are drivers of ever use. Public health implications Understanding use of emerging EVP types can inform strategies to maximise any potential benefits for adult cessation and minimise risks of youth initiation.
Nutrition Intervention to Hispanic Groups: Pilot Studies with Children and Caregivers

Childhood obesity is a pressing public health issue, especially in the Hispanic community. Two pilot studies were performed; Study 1 was performed to assess the effect of a nutrition education inte...
Abstract 1616: Adjuvant supplementation of docosahexaenoic acid with 2-deoxyglucose, metformin, and aspirin on cellular metabolism in breast, lung, and prostate tumor cells

A standard treatment for cancer often involves the use of adjuvant supplementation with targeted therapy to maximize tumor suppression. Recent studies have shown that docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; C22:6 n-3), a long chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, acts on an array of molecular oncogenes that are often targeted by anti-tumorigenic drugs. After a careful review of DHA’s mechanistic properties, 2-deoxyglucose (2DG), metformin, and aspirin were identified as drugs that share similar molecular targets as DHA. 2DG and metformin both target cellular metabolism by inhibiting intracellular ATP, albeit different mechanisms. 2DG inhibits glycolysis, while metformin targets the mitochondria. Aspirin inhibits inflammation via irreversible acetylation of platelet COX. The current study investigates the effects of DHA in combination with each drug on numerous cancer subtypes to determine if concurrent treatments can synergistically inhibit tumor proliferation. In BT-474 human breast ductal carcinoma, MDA-MB-231 human breast adenocarcinoma, and A549 human lung adenocarcinoma, DHA was shown to enhance the tumor-inhibiting effects of 2DG via intracellular ATP reduction. In contrast, DHA showed no effect with metformin on the same tumor cell lines. With limited studies localizing DHA’s metabolic effects, these results suggest that DHA may have potential selectivity for ATP inhibition via glycolysis. In response to DHA + aspirin, the PC-3 prostate adenocarcinoma and MDA-MB-231 displayed synergistic inhibition of cell viability, while LNCaP prostate carcinoma showed an additive effect. With studies showing DHA’s ability to inhibit endothelial COX, further studies will be done to determine whether the synergistic effects of DHA + aspirin expand to COX expression as well. Moreover, downstream targets of 2DG and metformin will be studied to determine the extent of DHA enhancement on oncogenic targets, such as mTOR, 4EB-P1, and GRB10. The results of this study provide preliminary evidence for the efficacy of adjuvant supplementation with DHA in combination with anti-tumorigenic drugs. With ongoing analysis, the potential for adjuvant nutritional supplementation will allow for additional treatment strategies for future patients. Citation Format: Irvin V. Ma, Michael Mouradian, Andrew R. Cooper, Erika D. Vicente, Ronald S. Pardini. Adjuvant supplementation of docosahexaenoic acid with 2-deoxyglucose, metformin, and aspirin on cellular metabolism in breast, lung, and prostate tumor cells [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 1616.
The effect of BMI on systemic toxicity in AML patients receiving chemotherapy.

7108 Background: There are about 15,000 new cases of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) every year in the US, and about 9,000 will die annually from this disease. Because approximately 69.2% of adults in...
Predictors of linkage to care for a nontargeted emergency department hepatitis C screening program

Abstract Objective We implemented a nontargeted, opt-out HCV testing and linkage to care (LTC) program in an academic tertiary care emergency department (ED). Despite research showing the critical role of ED-based HCV testing programs, predictors of LTC have not been defined for patients identified through the nontargeted ED testing strategy. In order to optimize health outcomes for patients with HCV, we sought to identify predictors of LTC failure. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study of adult patients who were tested for HCV in the ED between August 2015 and September 2018 and were confirmed to have chronic HCV infection through RNA testing. We used logistic regression to assess the relationship between candidate predictors and the primary outcome, LTC failure, which was defined as a patient not being seen by an HCV treating provider after discharge from the ED. Results Of 53,297 patients tested, 1,674 (3.1%) had HCV on confirmatory testing, and 355 (21%) linked to care. Predictors of LTC failure included younger age (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.95–0.97), white race (OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.23–2.22), homelessness (OR 1.91, 95% CI 1.19–3.08), substance use (OR 1.77, 95% CI 1.34–2.34), and comorbid psychiatric illness (OR 2.16, 95% CI 1.59–2.94). Patients with significant medical comorbidities (OR 0.57, 95% CI 0.41–0.78) or HIV co-infection (OR 0.11, 95% CI 0.03–0.46) were less likely to experience LTC failure. Conclusions One in five HCV-infected patients identified by ED-based nontargeted testing successfully linked to an HCV treating provider. Predictors of LTC failure may guide the development of targeted interventions to improve LTC success.
The Jews in Poland and Russia: Volume I: 1350 to 1881

In his three-volume history, Antony Polonsky provides a comprehensive survey - socio-political, economic, and religious - of the Jewish communities of eastern Europe from 1350 to the present. Until the Second World War, this was the heartland of the Jewish world: nearly three and a half million Jews lived in Poland alone, while nearly three million more lived in the Soviet Union. Although the majority of the Jews of Europe and the United States, and many of the Jews of Israel, originate from these lands, their history there is not well known. Rather, it is the subject of mythologizing and stereotypes that fail both to bring out the specific features of the Jewish civilization which emerged there and to illustrate what was lost. Jewish life, though often poor materially, was marked by a high degree of spiritual and ideological intensity and creativity. Antony Polonsky recreates this lost world - brutally cut down by the Holocaust and less brutally but still seriously damaged by the Soviet attempt to destroy Jewish culture. Wherever possible, the unfolding of history is illustrated by contemporary Jewish writings to show how Jews felt and reacted to the complex and difficult situations in which they found themselves. This first volume begins with an overview of Jewish life in Poland and Lithuania down to the mid-eighteenth century. It describes the towns and shtetls where the Jews lived, the institutions they developed, and their participation in the economy. Developments in religious life, including the emergence of hasidism and the growth of opposition to it, are described in detail. The volume goes on to cover the period from 1764 to 1881, highlighting government attempts to increase the integration of Jews into the wider society and the Jewish responses to these efforts, including the beginnings of the Haskalah movement. Attention is focused on developments in each country in turn: the problems of emancipation, acculturation, and assimilation in Prussian and Austrian Poland; the politics of integration in the Kingdom of Poland; and the failure of forced integration in the tsarist empire. Volume 2 covers the period 1881–1914; Volume 3 covers 1914–2008.
Master of Science (MS) and Master of Arts (MA) Degrees in Global Health: Applying Interdisciplinary Research Skills to the Study of Globalization-Related Health Disparities:

Graduate global health education has grown in popularity over the past decade. The Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health has defined global public health competencies for Master of P...
Chapter 9 – Geometry

The ninth chapter on Geometry covers rounding and types of measurement; properties of lines: linear, linear pairs, two lines and three lines; properties of angles: categorization and additive principles; properties of triangles: categorization and similar/equivalent triangles; and properties of quadrilaterals and polygons. This chapter also covers area, surface area and volume.
Do Hind Wing Eyespots of Caligo Butterflies Function in Both Mating Behavior and Antipredator Defense? (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae)

In general, butterfly ventral hind wing eyespots are considered to play a role in predator–prey interactions. These eyespots are prominent wing pattern elements in Brassolini butterflies, and they vary in size, position, and number across taxa. Female Caligo Hubner, 1819 (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae) appear to use the large eyespots of lekking males as a mate-locating cue, but female Opsiphanes Doubleday, 1849 (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae) do not because males patrol to find mates. These behaviors led us to predict that male Caligo should have larger eyespots than females, but eyespot size would not differ between sexes in Opsiphanes. Our analyses supported these predictions. As displacement of the eyespots to the center of the wing might make them more conspicuous, we asked if eyespot position and size covaried across the Brassolini phylogeny. While we found a positive association between position and size, the relationship of these two variables contained significant phylogenetic signal. Two Brassolini species show strong sexual dimorphism where females converge on the color pattern of sympatric species of Caligo. Their ventral hind wing eyespots are much larger than those of close relatives, approximating those of Caligo, and further reinforcing the importance of ventral hind wing eyespots as a visual signal in this group of butterflies. Importantly, our results suggest that, in addition to antipredation defense, ventral hind wing eyespots can function in mating activities, and consequently they might be evolving under both natural and sexual selection in Caligo butterflies.
Provider Burnout as it relates to the Electronic Health Record and Clinical Workflow

Provider burnout has reached epidemic levels, especially with primary care-oriented specialties such as Family Medicine. Guided by a sociotechnical systems perspective, we investigated contributing...
Comparisons of orthodontic residents' performance and attitudes using 2D, 3D, and virtual reality surgical simulation methods.

PURPOSE Advances in virtual reality technology for surgical simulation methods may improve diagnosis and treatment planning of complex orthognathic surgery cases. The objectives were to assess orthodontic residents' performance and attitudes when treatment planning orthognathic surgery cases using two-dimensional (2D) digital, three-dimensional (3D) digital, and virtual reality (VR) surgical simulations. METHODS The study had a mixed methods study design involving 20 graduate orthodontic residents. Their previous experiences, confidence, and competence with orthodontic diagnosis and surgical treatment planning were assessed with a baseline survey. Each resident completed 2D, 3D, and VR treatment planning and simulation tasks in a randomized order and recorded their diagnosis, objectives, treatment plan, and special surgical concerns for each case using a treatment planning worksheet. The worksheets were scored and quantitative data were analyzed. Attitudinal responses to the simulation experience were captured with a post-survey and interview. RESULTS The number of total prescribed surgical movements was greater for 3D and VR simulation methods (p = 0.001). There were no differences in the overall total written treatment plan analysis score among the three surgical simulation tasks. Participants took longer to complete the VR and 3D tasks (p < 0.001) and asked more questions regarding manipulation (p < 0.001) and software features (p < 0.002) for higher fidelity tools. Analysis of qualitative feedback showed positive attitudes toward higher fidelity tools with regard to visualization, manipulation, and enjoyment of the task. CONCLUSIONS The results demonstrate that simulation methods of increased fidelity (3D and VR) are appropriate alternatives to 2D conventional orthognathic surgical simulation methods when combined with traditional records. Qualitative feedback confirms residents' readiness to adopt VR simulation. However, comprehensive training is needed to increase familiarity and comfort with using the new technology.
Breeding of Jinjingyou 11,a New Three-line Hybrid Japonica Variety

Jinjingyou 11,a new hybrid Japonica variety with high-yield,good quality and multiresistance,was bred by the combination of Jinjing 11A(a three-line sterile line with BT-type)and Jinhui 1(a restorer)to increase per unit yield of Japonica rice in middle-early Japonicarice cultivation region.The average yield of Jinjingyou 11 in national regional tests during 2010-2012 is 9.71t/hm2,11.57% higher than Jinyuan 85(CK).The average yield of Jinjingyou 11 in production test in 2012 is 9.97t/hm2,11.93% higher than CK.Jinjingyou 11 approved by National Crops Variety Examination Committee in2013 should be cultivated in rice ptoduction regions of South Liaoning,Tianjin and Beijing.
Brequinar sodium

Brequinar sodium is one of a new group of immunosuppressive drugs currently being developed for the prevention of organ graft rejection. The preclinical and clinical characterization of brequinar sodium has clearly demonstrated that this drug is a compound with highly effective immunosuppressive activity that is the result of its interference with pyrimidine biosynthesis and the disruption in cell proliferation. The antiproliferative activity of the drug influences both T and B cell immune function, thereby providing the potential for the use of this compound in combination with other immunosuppressive agents for more specific and effective prevention of allograft and xenograft rejection. Experimental studies with brequinar and cyclosporin or FK 506 have shown that the use of these agents in combination provides a synergistic effect for the prevention of graft rejection, and studies are now in progress to evaluate the application of this drug in clinical transplantation.
T-cell lymphoma-associated hemophagocytic syndrome in an American Pit Bull Terrier.

A 3-y-old, intact female, American Pit Bull Terrier was presented because of acute onset of anorexia and a large subcutaneous submandibular mass that had been present for 3 wk. The submandibular ma...
Probing TCP implementations

In this paper, we demonstrate a technique called active probing used to study TCP implementations. Active probing treats a TCP implementation as a black box, and uses a set of procedures to probe the black box. By studying the way TCP responds to the probes, one can deduce several characteristics of the implementation. The technique is particularly useful if TCP source code is unavailable. To demonstrate the technique, the paper shows example probe procedures that examine three aspects of TCP. The results are informative: they reveal implementation flaws, protocol violations, and the details of design decisions in five vendor-supported TCP implementations. The results of our experiment suggest that active probing can be used to test TCP implementations.
Brief announcement: fast convergence in route-preservation

Optimal-routing in a computer network consists of building a spanning-tree such that two conditions hold: a) the root of the tree is a distinguished node, and b) weights are assigned to the network links, and each path along the tree to the root is optimal with respect to these weights [4]. This differs from spanning-tree protocols used in leader election, in which any node can be the root, and usually the tree need not be optimal with respect to link weights.
Rerandomization to Improve Covariate Balance in Randomized Experiments

Randomized experiments are the "gold standard" for conducting research and establishing a causal effect, yet often in practice chance imbalances exist in covariates. If covariate data are available before an experiment is conducted, these chance imbalances can be prevented by checking covariate balance before the experiment takes place. Provided an objective definition of imbalance has been specified in advance, imbalanced randomizations can be rerandomized, and this rerandomization process can continue until a randomization yielding comparable groups is achieved. By improving covariate balance, rerandomization provides more precise and trustworthy estimates of a treatment effect.