cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
X-ROS Signaling in Atrial Myocytes Produces Arrhythmogenic Ca2+ Waves

Atrial myocytes undergo stretch during diastole as do ventricular myocytes. We have identified a novel mechanism that links cellular stretch in ventricular myocytes to the tuning of Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR)(Prosser et al. Science 2011;333:1440-5). This mechanism, “X-ROS signaling”, depends on NOX2 (NADPH oxidase) to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), which appears to oxidize ryanodine receptors (SR Ca2+ release channels) and increases their sensitivity to [Ca2+]i. Stretch mediates X-ROS signaling through microtubules, which appear to interact with NOX2 to enable it to generate ROS.We evaluated X-ROS signaling in murine and rabbit atrial myocytes. Ca2+ sparks and Ca2+ waves were recorded before and after stretch (10-20% of cell length). The frequency of Ca2+ release events (Ca2+ sparks and Ca2+ waves) increased in proportion to the amount of cell stretch (up to 20% of cell length). Higher single cell stretch (15-20% of cell length) produced arrhythmogenic Ca2+ waves, while lesser stretch leads to an increase in frequency of Ca2+ sparks. Stretch-induced Ca2+ waves were prevented by the NOX inhibitor DPI (Diphenyleneiodonium chloride). Interestingly, microtubule density was higher and protein expression levels were increased in murine atria compared to ventricles. Similarly, protein expression levels of the catalytic NOX2 subunit gp91phox were higher in atria compared to ventricles. Stretch-induced Ca2+ waves did not occur in rabbit cells treated with the NOX inhibitor DPI. Thus, X-ROS signaling is operative in atrial myocytes and can modulate Ca2+ signaling.
Variation in the cost of care for primary total knee arthroplasties

Abstract Background The study examined the cost variation across 29 high-volume US hospitals and their affiliated orthopaedic surgeons for delivering a primary total knee arthroplasty without major complicating conditions. The hospitals had similar patient demographics, and more than 80% of them had statistically-similar Medicare risk-adjusted readmission and complication rates. Methods Hospital and physician personnel costs were calculated using time-driven activity-based costing. Consumable supply costs, such as the prosthetic implant, were calculated using purchase prices, and postacute care costs were measured using either internal costs or external claims as reported by each hospital. Results Despite having similar patient demographics and readmission and complication rates, the average cost of care for total knee arthroplasty across the hospitals varied by a factor of about 2 to 1. Even after adjusting for differences in internal labor cost rates, the hospital at the 90th percentile of cost spent about twice as much as the one at the 10th percentile of cost. Conclusions The large variation in costs among sites suggests major and multiple opportunities to transfer knowledge about process and productivity improvements that lower costs while simultaneously maintaining or improving outcomes.
Palliative Care in Older Adults with Cardiovascular Disease: Addressing Misconceptions to Advance Care

The prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) increases with increasing age, and most patients with CVD are older. Death is more common in older than that in younger patients with CVD.CVD is responsible for significant disability, particularly in older patients. Older persons have many comorbidities that complicate palliative care. We summarize available information about palliative care in CVD and specifically in heart failure. We address many misconceptions about palliative care in patients with CVD, including the notion that palliative care and hospice are synonymous, that palliative care should be reserved for the end of life, and that it can only be delivered by dedicated palliative care providers. Palliative care for older persons with CVD includes therapies addressing the neurohormonal disarray and cytokine activation that accompany CVD, and other therapies that provide symptom relief. Palliative care should be delivered throughout the course of illness, by all clinicians involved in care. Communication should incorporate patient values into goals of care which should be revisited throughout the course of cardiovascular care.
Heroin and saccharin demand and preference in rats.

Abstract Background Several recent studies have investigated the choice between heroin and a non-drug alternative reinforcer in rats. A common finding in these studies is that there are large individual differences in preference, with some rats preferring heroin and some preferring the non-drug alternative. The primary goal of the present study was to determine whether individual differences in how heroin or saccharin is valued, based on demand analysis, predicts choice. Methods Rats lever-pressed for heroin infusions and saccharin reinforcers on fixed-ratio schedules. The essential value of each reinforcer was obtained from resulting demand curves. Rats were then trained on a mutually exclusive choice procedure where pressing one lever resulted in heroin and pressing another resulted in saccharin. After seven sessions of increased access to heroin or saccharin, rats were reexposed to the demand and choice procedures. Results Demand for heroin was more elastic than demand for saccharin (i.e., heroin had lower essential value than saccharin). When allowed to choose, most rats preferred saccharin. The essential value of heroin, but not saccharin, predicted preference. The essential value of both heroin and saccharin increased following a week of increased access to heroin, but similar saccharin exposure had no effect on essential value. Preference was unchanged after increased access to either reinforcer. Conclusion Heroin-preferring rats differed from saccharin-preferring rats in how they valued heroin, but not saccharin. To the extent that choice models addiction-related behavior, these results suggest that overvaluation of opioids specifically, rather than undervaluation of non-drug alternatives, could identify susceptible individuals.
Cell-free extract systems and the cytoskeleton: Preparation of biochemical experiments for transmission electron microscopy

Cell-free systems can be used to reconstitute complex actin or microtubule-based phenomena. For example, a number of extracts support actin-dependent propulsion of Listeria monocytogenes, whereas Xenopus laevis extracts support formation of a microtubule-based meiotic spindle. Working in vitro opens these complex processes to biochemical dissection. Here, we describe methods to view these in vitro preparations by thin-section electron microscopy.
Sensory uncertainty impacts avoidance during spatial decisions

When making risky spatial decisions, humans incorporate estimates of sensorimotor variability and costs on outcomes to bias their spatial selections away from regions that incur feedback penalties. Since selection variability depends on the reliability of sensory signals, increasing the spatial variance of targets during visually guided actions should increase the degree of this avoidance. Healthy adult participants (N = 20) used a computer mouse to indicate their selection of the mean of a target, represented as a 2D Gaussian distribution of dots presented on a computer display. Reward feedback on each trial corresponded to the estimation error of the selection. Either increasing or decreasing the spatial variance of the dots modulated the spatial uncertainty of the target. A non-target distractor cue was presented as an adjacent distribution of dots. On a subset of trials, feedback scores were penalized with increased proximity to the distractor mean. As expected, increasing the spatial variance of the target distribution increased selection variability. More importantly, on trials where proximity to the distractor cue incurred a penalty, increasing variance of the target increased selection bias away from the distractor cue and prolonged reaction times. These results confirm predictions that increased sensory uncertainty increases avoidance during risky spatial decisions.
Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser Syndrome: A Unique Case Presentation.

Background Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome is a congenital condition characterized by aplasia of the vagina with or without concurrent uterine and/or cervical aplasia. Type II (MURCS) is a rare form involving MUllerian agenesis, Renal agenesis, and Cervicothoracic Somite anomalies. Case A 17-yr-old virginal female presented for evaluation of primary amenorrhea and pelvic pain. Her medical history was significant for a bicuspid aortic valve and right radial dysplasia. She demonstrated normal secondary sexual development and a normal karyotype. Pelvic magnetic resonance imaging revealed an aplastic vaginal, no identifiable cervix or uterus, and normal ovaries. A laparoscopy was performed for the evaluation of pain and findings were significant for bilateral uterine horn and fallopian tube remnants noted along the pelvic sidewalls. This patient evaluation suggests a unique presentation of MURCS association. Conclusion To our knowledge, this is the first case of MRKH presenting with a bicuspid aortic valve and radial dysplasia. A review of the literature reveals no other cases of MRKH with these unique anomalies.
The Age of Undertriage: Current Trauma Triage Criteria Underestimate The Role of Age and Comorbidities in Early Mortality.

Abstract Background National guidelines recommend that prehospital and emergency department (ED) criteria identify patients who might benefit from trauma center triage and highest-level trauma team activation. However, some patients who are seemingly “stable” in the field and do not meet the standard criteria for trauma activation still die. Objectives The purpose of this study was to identify these at-risk patients to potentially improve triage algorithms. Methods Patients enrolled in the National Trauma Data Bank (2007–2012) were included. All adult blunt trauma patients that were stable in the field and upon arrival to the ED (defined as a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 13–15, a heart rate ≤120 beats/min, systolic blood pressure ≥90 mm Hg, and diastolic blood pressure ≤200 mm Hg) and did not meet the standard criteria for the highest-level trauma team activation as defined by the American College of Surgeons were included. Demographic, clinical, and injury data including comorbidities, ED vitals, and outcome were collected. Regression models were used to identify independent risk factors for mortality. Results A total of 1,003,350 patients were stable in both the field and ED. Of these 11,010 (1.1%) died, including 1785 (0.2%) who died within 24 hours of hospital admission. The mortality in patients ≥60 years of age was 2.6%, and in patients ≥60 years of age with either a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) or congestive heart failure (CHF) was 5.4%. Age ≥60 years was a significant independent predictor of early mortality (odds ratio [OR] 4.53, p Conclusions Despite apparent evidence of both prehospital stability and stability upon arrival to the ED, patients ≥60 years of age and with a history of CHF or CVA have a significantly increased risk of early mortality after blunt trauma. These patients are at risk for subsequent clinical deterioration and should be considered for early transfer to a trauma center with highest-level activation.
Efficacy of Age-Specific High-Intensity Stretch-Shortening Contractions in Reversing Dynapenia, Sarcopenia, and Loss of Skeletal Muscle Quality

During the aging process, skeletal muscle performance and physiology undergoes alterations leading to decrements in functional capacity, health-span, and independence. Background: The utility and implementation of age-specific exercise is a paramount research agenda focusing on ameliorating the loss of both skeletal muscle performance and physiology; yet, to date, no consensus exists as to the most appropriate mechanical loading protocol design or overall exercise prescription that best meets this need. Thus, the purpose of this review is to highlight the most optimal type of exercise presently available and provide the most current, evidence-based findings for its efficacy. The hypothesis that high-intensity, stretch-shortening contractions (SSCs)—a form of “resistance-type exercise” training—present as the preferred exercise mode for serving as an intervention-based modality to attenuate dynapenia, sarcopenia, and decreased muscle quality with aging, even restoring the overall youthful phenotype, will be demonstrated. Conclusions: Appreciating the fundamental evidence supporting the use of high-intensity SSCs in positively impacting aging skeletal muscle’s responsivity and their use as a specific and sensitive countermeasure is crucial. Moreover, from an applied perspective, SSCs may improve skeletal muscle quality and rejuvenate health-span and, ultimately, lead to augmented functional capacity, independence, and quality of life concomitant with decreased morbidity.
A Random Hopscotch Problem or How to Make Johnny Read More

Many of our most popular games combine the element of randomness— produced either by the roll of a die, the twirl of a spinner, or the deal of a shuffled deck of cards—with a playing surface or board consisting of spaces arranged in a sequence, either in a closed loop (as in Monopoly), or with separate start and finish points (as in cribbage or backgammon). The movement of pieces in these games might be whimsically described as random hopscotch. As a mathematical statistician, I have more than a passing interest in the probabilistic aspects of such games.
p -Adic Addition

In this chapter we investigate addition on the elliptic curve in relation to divisibility properties of the denominators of its coordinates, and the quadraticity of the additional formula. This takes place in the general framework that a Lie group has an exponential map convergent near the origin, and giving one-parameter analytic subgroups. We want to see what happens when the base field is p-adic. As before, we carry out the theory ad hoc in a simple manner, making use of the addition formulas given explicitly on the elliptic curve, without fancy language.
Energy Method in the Stability of Viscoelastic Fluid

The energy method is applied to investigate the stability theo ry of a viscoelastic fluid. Assuming separation of time and spatial dependence on the velocity perturbation’s field, the formal presentation may be placed as in the Newtonian case.
A Model for the Detection of Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is a disease of metabolism which is characterized by too much sugar in the blood and urine. In diabetes, the body is unable to burn off all its sugars, starches, and carbohydrates because of an insufficient supply of insulin. Diabetes is usually diagnosed by means of a glucose tolerance test (GTT). In this test the patient comes to the hospital after an overnight fast and is given a large dose of glucose (sugar in the form in which it usually appears in the bloodstream). During the next three to five hours, several measurements are made of the concentration of glucose in the patient’s blood, and these measurements are used in the diagnosis of diabetes. A very serious difficulty associated with this method of diagnosis is that no universally accepted criterion exists for interpreting the results of a glucose tolerance test. Three physicians interpreting the results of a GTT may come up with three different diagnoses. In one case recently, a Rhode Island physician, after reviewing the results of a GTT, came up with a diagnosis of diabetes. A second physician declared the patient to be normal. To settle the question, the results of the GTT were sent to a specialist in Boston. After examining these results, the specialist concluded that the patient was suffering from a pituitary tumor.
New onset iron deficiency anemia in chronic therapeutic plasma exchange patients

Iron deficiency has been recognized as a complication of whole blood and red blood cell apheresis donation; however, the effect of chronic therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) on patient iron status is largely unknown. We performed a retrospective review of all patients undergoing chronic TPE (at least 1 TPE every 2 weeks for 1 month with a minimum of 8 TPE treatments) with 5% albumin at our institution from 2011 to 2016. After review of serum iron level and iron saturation status, six out of ten (60%) of the patients who meet the study criteria were found to develop iron deficiency anemia (IDA). This data supports the notion that chronic TPE, especially when combined with additional risk factors, can increase the risk of IDA.
Call for a Pilot Program for Market-Based Adaptation Funding

Anthropogenic, or human-caused, climate change threatens to impose tremendous damage on countries that lack the resources to adequately adapt. Although climate change mitigation has been the primary focus of environmental policy work and institutions, developing countries need a better system for funding adaptation to climate change to prepare for environmental changes. This Note proposes a pilot program, the Adaptation and Development Mechanism Pilot Program (“ADMPP”), for including adaptation in the already existent Kyoto carbon market, which will result in raising private money to fund adaptation. Funding urgently needed climate change adaptation projects in developing countries would generate emissions allowances, which could then be counted toward emissions reduction quotas or sold in the carbon market. In many ways, this program would be analogous to the Kyoto Protocol’s Clean Development Mechanism (“CDM”), a program through which firms generate tradable emissions allowances by funding emissions reductions in developing countries. The program would differ, however, in that projects would be awarded through a reverse auction, which would make the program a true market mechanism and would maximize the goals of cost effectiveness, distributional equity, and political economy.
Transitions in the Theoretical Foundation of Instructional Design

In the literature, it is generally agreed upon that the roots and theoretical base of Instructional Design (I.D.) can be found in behaviorism (see Andrews & Goodson, 1981; Case & Bereiter, 1984; Merrill, Kowallis & Wilson, 1981; Jonassen, 1990; Spencer, 1988). I.D. originates from the endeavors of behavioristic learning psychologists, like Skinner (1954) and Pressey (1960) to make instruction more controllable, efficient and effective by applying behavioristic learning principles. In addition, for the construction of particular I.D. models, derivates and aspects of General System Theory (Jonassen, 1984) were added to basic learning principles.
Notes on Additional Material Associated with the Type Specimens of Diphuicrinus ohioensis (Echinodermata: Crinoidea) from the Middle Pennsylvanian of Southeastern Ohio

The cladid crinoid Diphuicrinus ohioensis Burke, 1976, was originally described from shallow marine facies of the Middle Pennsylvanian Putnam Hill Limestone of southeastern Ohio. One of the type localities for this taxon is an abandoned quarry in Vinton County, where a small number of articulated cups used in erection of this species was collected. Prior to formal description of this species, multiple isolated calyx ossicles were collected from this locality, but were not analyzed in detail or included in the description of D. ohioensis . The previously unidentified material, described herein, contributes to a more complete record of this taxon. Further, heavily sculptured (nodose) basal and radial plates are nearly ubiquitously encrusted by calcareous tubes, a paleoecological detail not otherwise noted in the description of D. ohioensis or the lithofacies from which material was collected. Encrusters, which consist of at least 2 varieties, are present primarily in depressed areas in between raised nodes. This may reflect post-mortem removal via abrading currents but may alternatively represent preferential encrustation of portions of hard bioclasts characterized by larger, smoother, protected surfaces. This study reinforces the value of isolated crinoid ossicles in paleoecology, paleobiology, and paleoenvironmental analysis.
A Cultural History of Chinese Gambling II (From Ming Dynasty to Qing Dynasty)

Rachel Volberg and Robert Williams, in an excellent review on the epidemiology of gambling, once wrote: “Gambling is a broad concept that includes diverse activities, undertaken in a wide variety of settings, appealing to different types of people, and perceived in various ways. People participate because they enjoy and obtain benefits from gambling activities. For most people, gambling is generally a positive experience; however, for a minority, gambling is associated with difficulties of varying severity and duration” (Volberg and Williams 2014, p. 26). What Volberg and Williams are arguing, contrary to traditional Chinese morals as we have seen in Chap. 1, is that gambling, as a social activity, is not a social problem in itself since a great number of individuals find joy and excitement in gambling. In this chapter, we will critically examine Volberg and Williams’s assertion against the nature and scope of gambling from the Ming Dynasty to the end of Chinese feudal period, i.e., the Qing Dynasty. Our purpose is to investigate what gambling activities meant to the Chinese during these periods from cultural and historical perspectives.
“Reclaiming Our Time”: Black Women, Resistance, and Rising Inequality: SWS Presidential Lecture:

In this presidential address, I use the metaphor of “reclaiming my time” as a framework that highlights the ways black women are playing an essential role transforming workplaces, media, and politi...
Experimental colitis enhances the rate of antinociceptive tolerance to morphine via peripheral opioid receptors

Opioids are highly effective analgesics, however, their therapeutic use is limited by adverse effects that include respiratory depression, dependence, and tolerance. Inflammation has been implicated as a significant driver for the development of tolerance to opioids. Recent studies show that chronic morphine in mice results in gut microbial dysbiosis and inflammation in the colon. In the present study, we examined whether colonic inflammation results in tolerance to the antinociceptive effects of morphine. Colonic inflammation was induced in mice by intrarectal administration of 2,4,6-trinitro-benzene sulfonic acid. The development of antinociceptive tolerance was determined by warm-water tail-immersion assay in mice implanted with 25-, 50-, or 75-mg morphine pellet. Colonic inflammation significantly enhanced the rate at which tolerance developed in each cohort of chronic morphine-treated mice. At the lowest dose of morphine pellet (25 mg), antinociceptive tolerance only developed in the presence of colonic inflammation, whereas in 50- and 75-mg pelleted mice, tolerance developed faster in the inflamed animals than in the noninflamed mice. The enhanced antinociceptive tolerance was attenuated with daily administration of peripheral opioid receptor antagonist, 6β-N-heterocyclic-substituted naltrexamine derivative [17-cyclopropylmethyl-3,14β-dihydroxy-4,5α-epoxy-6β-[(4'pyridyl)acetamido]morphinan (NAP)], irrespective of colonic inflammation. Collectively, these findings show that the rate of tolerance to morphine antinociception is exaggerated in the presence of colonic inflammation, and tolerance is prevented by a peripheral μ-opioid receptor antagonist. These studies suggest a peripheral component to the development of antinociceptive tolerance to opioids. Furthermore, peripherally selective opioid antagonists may be useful adjuncts in opioid-based pain management. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: This study supports the notion that inflammation influences the development of antinociceptive tolerance to chronic morphine exposure. We found that, in the presence of colonic inflammation, the rate of development of tolerance to the antinociceptive effects of morphine increased. We also found that treatment with a peripheral opioid receptor antagonist prevented morphine antinociceptive tolerance. Increasing opioid intake during an inflammatory state would result in decreased analgesia and enhanced analgesic tolerance, which puts patients with inflammatory bowel diseases, inflammatory joint diseases, and sickle cell anemia at risk for heavy opioid use.
Organizing and Managing for Excellence and Equity: The Work and Dilemmas of Instructionally Focused Education Systems:

A sustained policy press to improve quality and reduce disparities in public education is driving U.S. public school districts to organize and manage instruction for excellence and equity. The purp...
Tumor budding in colorectal carcinoma: An institutional interobserver reliability and prognostic study of colorectal adenocarcinoma cases.

Abstract Background Colorectal carcinomas are one of the most commonly diagnosed malignancies. There are many prognostic factors relating to clinical course and disease progression, including tumor stage, metastasis, and tumor budding. In 2016, the International Tumor Budding Consensus Conference (ITBCC) created a system to uniformly assess tumor budding. This system includes a 3-tier system for the grading of tumor budding. In the past, there lacked uniform consensus, however the general grading practice was based on a 2-tiered system. Given that tumor budding is considered to have prognostic value, the accuracy and reproducibility of its assessment is vital. Our study aims to look at interobserver agreement in the scoring of tumor budding. Design A total of 233 cases of colorectal carcinoma diagnosed in our health system were retrospectively analyzed and routine H&E stained slides of these cases were collected. A representative slide for tumor budding was selected per case. Four investigators with different levels of experience and expertise evaluated the selected slide of each case for tumor budding. Scoring was based on the ITBCC protocol. Clinico-pathological data was collected for each case and analyzed with tumor budding scores. Tumor budding scores per individual investigator and consensus tumor budding score were compared to patient and tumor characteristics including patient survival, tumor grade, tumor stage, and lymph node status. Results Inter-observer agreement was calculated using Gwet's Agreement Coefficient (AC1) and associated 95% confidence intervals was used to compare the ratings made by 4 pathologists. Overall, there was variation among pathologists in tumor budding score (Gwet's agreement coefficient = 0.25 and 0.326 for 3-tier and 2-tier grading system, respectively). Results show higher reliability with the 2-tier system compared to the 3-tier system. Tumor stage was significantly associated with budding score for all individual investigators and the consensus value (p value Conclusion There is low inter-observer agreement in the assessment of tumor budding in colorectal carcinoma. This suggests that it is difficult to uniformly grade tumor budding and that our classification system needs improvement. We found that the older 2-tier system (Hase et al.) results in slightly higher inter-observer agreement than the recently proposed 3-tier grading system (ITBCC, 2016), though both systems lead to suboptimal agreement. Worth noting is that observers with subspecialty GI training and more work experience had higher inter-observer agreement. Our results showed that subspecialty training tends to increase agreement more than overall work experience. In addition, our exploratory results showed that there is an association of tumor budding score to tumor stage. While increasing refinement in classification, the 3-tiered system resulted in decreased agreement in tumor budding assessment. Clearly, there is more work to be done in the identification and quantification of tumor buds.
A Scalable Observation-Driven Time-Dependent Basis for a Reduced Description of Transient Systems.

We present a variational principle for the extraction of a time-dependent orthonormal basis from random realizations of transient systems. The optimality condition of the variational principle leads to a closed-form evolution equation for the orthonormal basis and its coefficients. The extracted modes are associated with the most transient subspace of the system, and they provide a reduced description of the transient dynamics that may be used for reduced-order modeling, filtering and prediction. The presented method is matrix-free and relies only on the observables of the system and ignores any information about the underlying system. In that sense, the presented reduction is purely observation-driven and may be applied to systems whose models are not known. The presented method has linear computational complexity and memory storage requirement with respect to the number of observables and the number of random realizations. Therefore, it may be used for a large number of observations and samples. The effectiveness of the proposed method is tested on three examples: (i) stochastic advection equation, (ii) a reduced description of transient instability of Kuramoto-Sivashinsky, and (iii) a transient vertical jet governed by incompressible Navier-Stokes equation. In these examples, we contrast the performance of the time-dependent basis versus static basis such as proper orthogonal decomposition, dynamic mode decomposition and polynomial chaos expansion.
High-brightness quantum cascade lasers

Abstract Achieving high brightness, i.e., the combination of high optical power and good beam quality, in quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) puts this technology in position to supplant other laser sources of midwave infrared (MWIR, 3–5 μm) and long-wave infrared (LWIR, 8–12 μm) light in various current and emerging applications. The mode quality implied by the term “high brightness” ensures that a minimal amount of divergence will be experienced by a well-collimated beam that also exhibits superior coherence by operating with high power near the fundamental transverse mode. Various waveguide designs are presented as techniques to suppress higher order transverse modes while preserving high optical power of the resulting laser beam.
Coronary 18F-Sodium Fluoride uptake is associated with increased stenosis in calcified coronary atherosclerosis.

452 Introduction: Coronary artery calcification (CAC) has been found to reflect atherosclerotic burden of coronary artery disease and poor prognosis. However, recent studies have suggested that a higher density of CAC may be protective and indicate stable atherosclerosis. The 18F-Sodium Fluoride PET study is a non-invasive imaging technique that might be able to identify high-risk atherosclerotic plaques vulnerable to rupture. It has remained unclear as to whether the 18F-Sodium Fluoride PET study can evaluate the progression of calcified atherosclerotic plaque. We aimed to study the 18F-Sodium Fluoride uptake in coronary atherosclerosis and its association with coronary stenosis in high risk patients. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 180 patients who received both myocardial perfusion imaging and the recent 18F-Sodium Fluoride PET study. There were 40 patients who also received an invasive coronary angiography. 18F-Sodium Fluoride uptake in coronary arteries was quantified using the tissue-to-background ratio of maximum SUV. 18F-Sodium Fluoride uptake in coronary arteries was compared with the presence or absence of ischemic myocardial perfusion defect, coronary calcification, and grade of coronary stenosis seen on coronary angiography. Results: A total of 25 patients were identified with positive ischemic perfusion changes that were confirmed by a coronary angiography. These patients demonstrate significantly higher coronary 18F-Sodium Fluoride uptake than patients with normal myocardial perfusion findings (2.20 versus 1.52, p 50%) had higher 18F-Sodium Fluoride uptake than normal or mild stenosis (2.15 versus 1.59, p<0.01). Conclusions: Coronary arterial 18F-Sodium Fluoride uptake is related to the severity of coronary stenosis in patients with a high degree of coronary calcification. The result suggests that the 18F-Sodium Fluoride PET study may be useful to evaluate and predict the progression of calcified coronary atherosclerotic plaques.
Dual T-Type Four-Level Converter

This letter proposes a three-phase dual T-type four-level converter topology that consists of two T-type networks per phase leg. The proposed converter has only six power switches per phase leg without any clamping diodes or flying capacitors. Besides, it is a flexible topology as there are several bidirectional switch alternatives that can be used for the proposed converter. As for the common severe voltage imbalance issue of the proposed topology and other four-level converters with three series-connected capacitors, the voltage imbalance mechanism is first revealed, and then a variable-carrier based voltage-balance control method is proposed. It aims at controlling the middle capacitor voltage at 1/3 of the full dc-link voltage and the upper and lower capacitor voltages are automatically balanced. Experimental results have been carried out to verify the proposed topology and the proposed variable-carrier based voltage-balance control method.
Parkinson's disease treatment: past, present, and future.

The substantial contributions of Dr. Gerald Stern to past and current treatments for Parkinson’s disease patients are reviewed, which form the foundation for an evaluation of future options to control symptoms and halt progression of the disease. These opportunities will depend on a greater understanding of the relative contributions of the environment, genetic and epigenetic influences to disease onset, and promise to emerge as strategies for improving mitochondrial function, halting accumulation of synuclein and neuromelanin, in addition to refinement of stem cell and gene therapies. Such advances will be achieved through deployment of improved models for the disease.
Integrating Machine Learning to Undergraduate Engineering Curricula Through Project-Based Learning

This innovative practice work-in-progress paper presents the design and implementation of a series of curriculum changes made through project-based learning approach, in order to integrate applied machine learning technology to existing undergraduate engineering curricula.
Teaching dermatology to the millennial learner

Abstract Millennial learners have educational needs and preferences that differ from those of prior generations. They prefer learning from online resources, appreciate interactive didactic sessions, and desire frequent feedback and guidance. Understanding and adapting to these learner attributes may allow for optimization of the educational environment for members of this generation. The following recommendations were developed to advance a dermatology residency program’s curriculum to accommodate the modern learner. Although the efficacy of these teaching tips has yet to be fully established, they are grounded by theory and are evidence-informed. Medical educators who are able to employ these strategies are likely to be successful in teaching and engaging the millennial learner.
I – MATHEMATICAL BASIS

This chapter contains the basic mathematical concepts and terminology used in the theory of computability. The presentation is brief but selfcontained. Some of the material may be a review for readers who are knowledgeable in set theory; however enough terminology is peculiar to computability theory so that every reader should at least skim through this chapter. Examples of new material may include partial functions, madic number notation, predicates, and induction applied in nonnumeric contexts. Readers who plan to cover only the informal aspects of computability theory (Chapters I and II) may wish to skip the material which relates to predicates and logical formulas. In general, the reader is encouraged to try all the exercises.
A phase I/II study of PI3Kinase inhibition with copanlisib combined with the anti-PD-1 antibody nivolumab in relapsed/refractory solid tumors with expansions in MSS colorectal cancer.

TPS4114Background: Certain somatic mutations are thought to promote immune evasion and resistance to immunotherapy. PIK3CA was identified in an in vivo genomic screen for mechanisms of resistance t...
Filtered correlation and allowed frequency spectra in dynamic functional connectivity

Abstract Background Dynamic functional connectivity enables us to study brain connectivity occurring at different frequencies. Techniques like sliding window correlation allow for the estimation of time varying connectivity and its frequency spectrum content. Since correlation is equal to the cosine of the phase (cos θ ) between activation amplitudes of two brain regions, we assume that phase is the relevant functional connectivity feature and leave out any contamination from activation amplitudes. New method First, this work studies the conditions by which time varying correlation can be separated from nuisance activation amplitudes that are not phase related. Second, we propose the filtered sliding window correlation to perform time varying estimation of cosine-phase (cos θ (t)) and nuisance filtering in one single step. Results Mathematical models predict the correlation frequencies that should be filtered out to avoid overlap with the activation amplitude spectra. Filtered sliding window correlation excluded nuisance frequencies with an accurate estimation of time varying correlation. Real data outcomes empirically suggest that fMRI frequencies of interest extend up to 0.05 Hz. Comparison with existing methods Compared with sliding window methods, the filtered sliding window correlation achieves better estimation for frequencies of interest. Conclusions The filtered sliding window correlation approach allows controlling for nuisance frequencies unrelated to time varying phase estimation.
Being highly prolific in academic science: characteristics of individuals and their departments

The prolific (exceptionally high producers of scholarly publications) are strategic to the study of academic science. The highly prolific have been drivers of research activity and impact and are a window into the stratification that exists. For these reasons, we address key characteristics associated with being highly prolific. Doing this, we take a social-organizational approach and use distinctive survey data on both social characteristics of scientists and features of their departments, reported by US faculty in computer science, engineering, and sciences within eight US research universities. The findings point to a telling constellation of hierarchical advantages: rank, collaborative span, and favorable work climate. Notably, once we take rank into account, gender is not associated with being prolific. These findings have implications for understandings of being prolific, systems of stratification, and practices and policies in higher education.
“Thaz how u kno ur dum”: Jock identity and orthographic play on a male erotic hypnosis messageboard

Abstract This study analyzes language use among a group of gay men who participate on an online messageboard (OnYourKnees), focused on the attainment of a ‘dumb jock’ identity. Posters align with a series of qualities that largely conform to ideologies of American jock masculinity, but at the same time satirize those ideologies: in particular, many posters view as an integral quality of dumb-jock identity ‘dumbness:’ an unwillingness/inability to engage in scholarly/academic pursuits. The repeated citationality of dumbness as a positive quality creates a distinct identity-type that posters link with erotic desire. Orthographic variation contributes to the attainment and recognition of a jock identity: posters who identify as jocks are more likely to display non-standard American English spelling than those who do not. This study thus highlights the importance of orthographic variation in maintaining distinct identities among local communities, especially in a space where traditional ideologies of masculinity are recontextualized.
The Astounding Breadth of Health Disparity: Phenome-Wide Effects of Race on Disease Risk.

Abstract Objective We conducted a phenotype-wide association study (PheWAS) to compare diagnoses among Blacks with those of Whites in one health center in Tennessee using data from 1,883,369 patients. Methods We used our deidentified EHR, the Synthetic Derivative, to assess risk of diagnoses associated with Black as compared with White race using Firth logistic regression with covariates including age, sex, and density of clinical encounters. Results There were anchoring associations in both directions, including the highest increased risk for Blacks of having sickle cell anemia, and strongest decreased risk of basal cell carcinoma. Results included established areas of disparity and many novel associations. Conclusions PheWAS is a viable tool for calculating risk associated with any biomarker. The current analysis provide a new approach to generating hypotheses and understanding the breadth of health disparities. Future analyses will further explore causality, risk factors, and potential confounders not accounted for here.
Changes in hardwood sawtimber growth, mortality, and removals in the eastern United States

An examination of changes in growth, mortality, and removals of hardwood sawtimber in the eastern United States within the first two decades of the 21st century found large variations among regions and species groups. Changes in growth ranged from a 17% increase in the Lake States region to a statistically insignificant 1% in the Southern region. Most regions had relatively large increases in mortality. High levels of ash (Fraxinus spp.) mortality in the Northeast, Lake States, and Central regions likely were a result of the emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis). Hardwood sawtimber removals declined in all regions except the Lake States and Central regions, with the largest relative declines occurring in the Southern and Mid-Atlantic regions. With the exception of ash, there were no indications of immediate declines in eastern sawtimber volume. However, continual increases in mortality, a resurgence of removals, and reduced growth could cause sawtimber volume to plateau in the coming decades. The findings from this study indicated that there likely would be variations in these plateaus among the species groups and regions.
Analytical Expression for DC Link Capacitor Current in a Cascaded H-Bridge Multi-Level Active Front-End Converter

Medium-voltage grid-tied systems often use a cascaded H-bridge multi-level active front-end. In this converter, dc link bus capacitors play an important role in stabilizing the converter and enabling both active and reactive power injections. The present work provides analytical expressions for the capacitor current, which are essential for optimizing system design (especially capacitor size vs. lifetime). Then, the expression is incorporated into the grid connected bidirectional power system model. Consequently, this work contributes to the guiding principles to choose accurate dc link capacitor ratings against grid-side power delivery requirements. The analytical results have been validated with detailed simulations and hardware results.
Benefits of Modularity in an Automated Essay Scoring System

E-rater is an operational automated essay scoring application. The system combines several NLP tools that identify linguistic features in essays for the purpose of evaluating the quality of essay text. The application currently identifies a variety of syntactic, discourse, and topical analysis features. We have maintained two clear visions of e-rater's development. First, new linguistically-based features would be added to strengthen connections between human scoring guide criteria and e-rater scores. Secondly, e-rater would be adapted to automatically provide explanatory feedback about writing quality. This paper provides two examples of the flexibility of e-rater's modular architecture for continued application development toward these goals. Specifically, we discuss a) how additional features from rhetorical parse trees were integrated into e-rater, and b) how the salience of automatically generated discourse-based essay summaries was evaluated for use as instructional feedback through the re-use of e-rater's topical analysis module.
Intermediates in Endogenous Synthesis of C22:6ω3 and C20:4ω6 by Term and Preterm Infants

An alternative pathway of ω3 and ω6 fatty acid metabolism has been described in isolated rat hepatocytes and human fibroblasts. This alternative pathway, which is independent of Δ4 desaturation, involves elongation of C22:5ω3 and C22:4ω6 to C24 fatty acids,Δ6 desaturation of the C24 fatty acids and subsequent β oxidation of the desaturated products to C22:6ω3 and C22:5ω6. To determine whether this alternative pathway is operative in the human infant and also to obtain additional information concerning endogenous conversion of C18:3ω3 and C18:2ω6 to longer chain more unsaturated fatty acids, presence of [M + 18] isotopomers of ω3 and ω6 fatty acids in the plasma phospholipid fraction of term and preterm infants after administration of [U-13C]18:3ω3 and [U-13C]18:2ω6 was determined by negative chemical ionization gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. [M + 18] isotopomers of the following ω3 fatty acids were detected: C18:3, C18:4, C20:3, C20:4, C20:5, C22:4, C22:5, C22:6, C24:4 (two infants only), C24:5, and C24:6. [M + 18] isotopomers of ω6 fatty acids detected included only C18:2, C18:3, C20:2, C20:3, and C20:4, but sensitivity was insufficient to detect [M + 18] isotopomers of C22 and C24 ω6 fatty acids. Presence of[M + 18] isotopomers of C24:5ω3 and C24:6ω3 indicates that these fatty acids were synthesized endogenously from C18:3ω3. This plus thein vitro data strongly suggests that infants use the recently described alternative pathway in endogenous synthesis of C22:6ω3. However, involvement also of Δ4 desaturation cannot be excluded. Detection of [M + 18] isotopomers of C20:3ω3, C20:2ω6, and C22:4ω3 suggests that C18:3ω3, C18:2ω6, and C20:4ω3 are elongated as well as desaturated. The specific fate of these elongation products and their importance in endogenous synthesis of ω3 and ω6 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids remain to be determined.