cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Guest Editors’ Introduction to Meaningful Play Special Issue

On behalf of Meaningful Play 2012 organizing committee, we are grateful to Games and Culture and its editor Douglas Thomas for this opportunity to publish the four top articles and one keynote talk of the conference. Meaningful Play is a biannual conference, hosted by the Michigan State University’s Games for Entertainment and Learning Lab. The conference is a meeting hub of scholars and designers interested in serious games and Meaningful Play. The conference combines presentation of empirical research and game design innovations by scholars and industry professionals from the United States and around the world with the intention of understanding and refining the use of games beyond entertainment and learning to figure out how to change the world. The four articles presented in this special issue reflect the nature of Meaningful Play as an amalgamation of theory and practice. Two of the articles explore the effects of learning games, while the other two articles argue for evidence-based frameworks to aid in game design. Michelle Riconscente (2013) reported a controlled study of the effects of an iPad fractions game. Based on the literature of math education and the theory of embodied cognition, Motion Math was developed and tested with 122 fifth graders. The results are promising: Students’ fractions test scores improved an average of over 15% after playing Motion Math for 20 min daily over a 5-day period. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics are critical areas of education. iPad has been adopted widely in the educational systems. This study provides initial evidence for the effectiveness of an iPad-based game with theory-informed design for math education.
Analysis of Furnace Pressure Based on Multi-scale Correlation and Mechanism Modeling

Using wavelet analysis ideas for reference,simple filter banks were designed to decompose the signals into frequency components with different scales.Correlation analysis was made among components of different signals,and the correlation characteristics among frequency components with different scales were compared to roughly determine the influencing factors and types of signals.Boiler furnace pressures were analyzed using multi-scale correlation method,during which significant positive correlation was found between the low/medium-frequency components of furnace pressure and the medium/high-frequency components of fuel and air flow.A simplified dynamic model was then built up between the flow of fuel/forced-draft air/induced-draft air and the furnace temperature and pressure.Mechanism analysis results show that bandpass filter characteristics exist between the pressure signal and combustion efficiency;the furnace pressure can reflect the change of combustion intensity in a wide range of load and frequency.
Presidentialism, Parliamentarism, and Democracy: WHAT MAKES PRESIDENTIAL DEMOCRACIES FRAGILE?

I have argued in the previous chapters that intrinsic features of presidentialism are not the reason why presidential democracies are more prone to breakdown. Little in the chain of reasoning that leads from separation of powers to the instability of presidential regimes can be supported either theoretically or empirically. Yet the fact remains that democracies tend to have shorter lives when they are presidential. Recall that, for the 1946–2002 period, the expected life of a presidential democracy was 24 years versus 58 for parliamentary ones. Why, then, are presidential democracies more likely to die? In this chapter I argue that the difference in the survival rates of parliamentary and presidential democracies can be accounted for by the conditions under which these democracies have existed. However, these are not the conditions that have been identified by the extant literature. Thus, I first show that the usual suspects – level of economic development, size of the country, geographic location – are not sufficient to account for the differences in survival rates across democratic systems. Although some of these conditions do matter, they do not fully eliminate these differences. I then argue that some democracies emerge in countries where the probability of a democratic breakdown is high, regardless of the type of democracy that exists, and that presidential democracies have emerged more frequently in such countries.
North Carolina's Health Check program.

The Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT) provisions of the Social Security Act [1] define Medicaid’s package of health benefits for beneficiaries under 21 years of age. Medicaid covers 35% of all children, and more than 60% of poor children nationwide. Through the EPSDT benefit, Medicaid has played a critical role in improving the health of our nation’s low-income children. Under federal EPSDT requirements, states must provide outreach to children with actual or potential health problems; ensure the availability of health and developmental assessments and of vision, dental, and hearing services; and ensure that medically necessary treatments are available to children. Health Check is North Carolina’s comprehensive Medicaid well-child benefit. The goal of Health Check’s prevention-oriented services is the early identification and treatment of conditions that can adversely impact children’s healthy growth and development. Low-income children are more likely to be born at a low birthweight, which is a significant risk factor for poor health over a lifetime. Impoverished children are more likely to be in fair or poor health, to experience significant environmental and interpersonal stress, to have problems with nutrition, to develop chronic medical conditions, and to suffer developmental delays or learning challenges [2]. For these children, early screening and intervention are essential, and these services are supported by North Carolina’s Health Check Program. Bright Futures’ recommendations for preventive pediatric health care [3] are theoryand evidence-based guidelines specifying the content of such care and the intervals at which it should be offered. Providers are advised to perform basic psychosocial and behavioral assessments as well as developmental surveillance at all well-child preventive care visits. North Carolina’s Health Check program currently covers the preventive care services outlined in these Bright Futures recommendations and has been a national leader in implementing bundled rates for financing this menu of comprehensive wellness services.
Effect of various doses of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue on induction of ovulation in anestrous mares.

One hundred anestrous mares (early February) were injected s.c. with implants containing 0, .9, 1.8, 3.6, or 5.4 mg of a GnRH analogue (goserelin acetate) in an attempt to induce ovarian cyclicity. Follicular activity and concentrations of progesterone and LH were determined every 3 d, or daily during estrus. In treated mares that ovulated, the interval to the second ovulation of the season was compared to that for an additional group receiving 16 h/d of light beginning December 16 (positive controls). Of the mares that did not ovulate in 30 d, eight from each dose group were challenged on d 33 or 34 with an i.v. bolus of 950 micrograms of GnRH. Blood collected at -2, -1, and 0 h before GnRH and at 15, 30, 45, 60, and 90 min and 2, 3, and 4 h after injection was assayed for serum LH. More mares (P .05) in either peak LH or AUC among treatment groups in response to the GnRH challenge.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
K _MODE ALGORITHM FOR CLUSTERING VERY LARGE DATA SETS IN DATA MINING

Partitioning a large set of objects into homogeneous clusters is a fundamental operation in data mining. The k-means algorithm is best suited for implementing this operation because of its efficiency in clustering large data sets. However, working only on numeric values limits its use in data mining because data sets in data mining often contain categorical values. In this paper we present an algorithm, called k-modes, to extend the k-means paradigm to categorical domains. We introduce new dissimilarity measures to deal with categorical objects, replace means of clusters with modes, and use a frequency based method to update modes in the clustering process to minimize the clustering cost function. Tested with the well known soybean disease data set the algorithm has demonstrated a very good classification performance. Experiments on a very large health insurance data set consisting of half a million records and 34 categorical attributes show that the algorithm is scalable in terms of both the number of clusters and the number of records.
Miniature Claude and Reverse Brayton Cycle Turbomachinery Refrigerators

Miniature cryogenic refrigerators employing gas bearing turbomachinery have the potential for high reliability and long, maintenance-free life. Lubricating the bearings with the cycle working fluid excludes lubricants as a source of contamination and fouling in the low temperature regions of the cycle. The absence of continuously rubbing parts eliminates the wearing mode of failure typical of non-lubricated or dry-lubricated machinery. Hence, with gas bearing turbomachinery, there is the expectation for long life, probably limited by the number of start-stop cycles rather than hours of operation.
Reduction of batwing effect in white light interferometry for measurement of patterned sapphire substrates (PSS) wafer

Patterned sapphire substrates (PSS) wafers are used in LED manufacturing to enhance the luminous conversion of LED chips. The most critical characteristics in PSS wafers are height, width, pitch and shape of the pattern. The common way to measure these characteristics is by using surface electron microscope (SEM). White light interferometry is capable to measure dimension with nanometer accuracy and it is suitable for measuring the characteristics of PSS wafers. One of the difficulties in measuring PSS wafers is the aspect ratio and density of the features. The high aspect ratio combined with dense pattern spacing diffracts incoming lights and reduces the accuracy of the white light interferometry measurement. In this paper, a method to improve the capability of white light interferometry for measuring PSS wafers by choosing the appropriate wavelength and microscope objective with high numerical aperture. The technique is proven to be effective for reducing the batwing effect in edges of the feature and improves measurement accuracy for PSS wafers with circular features of 1.95 um in height and diameters, and 700 nm spacing between the features. Repeatability of the measurement is up to 5 nm for height measurement and 20 nm for pitch measurement.
Absent A1 Segment – How Does It Impact Ischemic Stroke Characteristics and Outcome? (P03.186)

OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between A1 absence and etiology, affected vessel territory, and in-hospital mortality among patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that anatomical variants of the cerebral arterial circle are common, particularly in the anterior circulation. Absence of the A1 segment can compromise anterior cerebral collateral blood flow. Few studies have examined the association of an absent A1 segment and ischemic stroke outcome. DESIGN/METHODS: A retrospective review of prospectively identified patients with AIS from 7/2008-12/2010 was performed. Patients without intracranial vascular imaging were excluded. We compared patients with absent A1 to patients with bilateral A19s present in terms of demographics, stroke severity (as measured by NIHSS), vascular distribution, and in-hospital mortality using Chi-square tests and logistic regression. RESULTS: Of the 536 patients with AIS and intracranial vascular imaging, 4% (n=23) had absent A1. Compared with other AIS patients, those with absent A1 had no significant difference in demographics, baseline NIHSS or discharge NIHSS. Patients with Absent A1 more frequently reported prior stroke (59% vs. 39%; p=0.058). There was no significant difference in vessel involvement, length of stay, or functional outcome, as measured by mRS at discharge. Patients with an absent A1 had nearly 5 times higher odds of in-hospital mortality (OR 4.6, 95% CI 1.6-13.3, p=0.005). The increased odds of inpatient mortality seen in patients with an absent A1 remained significant even after adjusting for age, NIHSS at presentation, glucose on admission, and history of prior stroke (OR 4.3, 95% CI 1.2-15.6, p=0.026). CONCLUSIONS: Based on our results, patients with an absent A1 segment reported higher rates of prior stroke. Despite adjusting for this difference, patients with absent A1 had higher inpatient mortality. Further studies are required to confirm these findings and to determine the reasons of increased mortality among patients with absent A1. Disclosure: Dr. Shaban has nothing to disclose. Dr. Albright has received research support from The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and The National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD), National Institutes of Health. Dr. Siegler has nothing to disclose. Dr. Boehme has nothing to disclose. Dr. Beasley has nothing to disclose. Dr. Martin-Schild has nothing to disclose.
Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes-Care Transitions: Enhancing Geriatric Care Transitions Through a Multidisciplinary Videoconference.

Objectives To examine whether a novel videoconference that connects an interdisciplinary hospital-based team with clinicians at postacute care sites improves interprofessional communication and reduces medication errors. Design Prospective cohort. Setting One tertiary care medical center and eight postacute care sites. Participants Hospital-based providers (hospitalists, geriatricians, pharmacists, social workers, medical trainees, and subspecialists) and postacute care clinicians. Intervention All patients discharged to eight postacute care sites were discussed in a weekly videoconference. Measurement Preliminary data including demographic characteristics of the patients discussed, postacute care provider satisfaction survey results, and data on medication errors are reported. Results Over 2 years, 907 patients were discussed; 84.6% were discussed with staff at subacute skilled nursing facilities and the remainder with clinicians at one long-term acute care facility. They had an average hospital length of stay of 6.8 days. Postacute care providers felt that the videoconference enhanced communication and provided much-needed access to information and hospital staff. Of the 106 pharmacy discrepancies identified, 16% involved an omission of a medication. Conclusion As increasing numbers of older adults are discharged to postacute care facilities, they face high-risk care transitions. Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes—Care Transitions (ECHO-CT) facilitates interdisciplinary communication between hospital and postacute care providers, who normally have minimal interaction. Preliminary data suggests that ECHO-CT may improve the transitions of care processes between these sites.
Abstract 4495: Small molecule approach for targeting tumor-associated macrophages via a functional FRβ

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are considered an attractive target for oncotherapy because of their important role in tumor microenvironment. While TAMs mostly arise from inflammatory blood monocytes, they become quickly programmed to the pro-tumor phenotype. In response to tumor-derived factors, these M2-biased TAMs are essentially tumor helper cells, as both cancer cells and TAMs promote each another through a paracrine signaling loop involving epidermal growth factor and colony stimulating factor-1. This important cellular interaction is critical at all stages of tumor progression including angiogenesis, invasion, growth and metastasis. In recent years, TAMs (CD68+, CD163+) have been found to express a functional folate receptor-β (FRβ) that displays high-affinity ligand binding and subsequent ligand-initiated endocytosis. FRβ-expressing TAMs are present in various cancer subtypes, the perivascular region, and the tumor invasive front. The abundance of FRβ+ TAMs has been linked to poor patient survival in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. In the present study, we first characterized the phenotype of FRβ+ TAMs ex-vivo from both syngeneic and xenographic tumor models (breast, lung, melanoma, and pancreatic cancers). Using thioglycollate-elicited macrophages as positive controls, we estimated FRβ levels on TAMs with monoclonal antibodies and functional folate ligands. Using a ligand conjugation approach, we focused on targeting FRβ+ TAMs in tumors arising from cancer cells that do not express functional FR themselves. Preliminary proof-of-concept was established in the highly aggressive FR-negative 4T1 mammary tumor with a folate-targeted DNA alkylating agent. In addition, immunohistochemical analysis showed high FRβ expression in human anaplastic thyroid cancer, a TAM-rich disease with very poor prognosis. Collectively, our data suggest that targeting a TAM-rich cancer via FRβ may be a viable therapeutic approach with potential applications in FR-negative tumors. Citation Format: Leroy W. Wheeler, Yingjuan Lu, Vicky Cross, Alex Lloyd, Nikki Parker, Longwu Qi, Kevin Wang, Ian Wang, Spencer Hahn, Jeremy Vaughn, Iontcho P. Vlahov, Philip S. Low, Christopher P. Leamon. Small molecule approach for targeting tumor-associated macrophages via a functional FRβ. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 4495. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-4495
Grandparent Caregivers: Unsung Voices in Public Education

Although there is a significant body of research evaluating the potential effectiveness of parent involvement programs, little research has studied effective methods to reach non-traditional caregivers, specifically grandparents. The purpose of this study is to examine how grandparent caregivers in a particular setting consider the barriers to, and facilitators of, meaningful engagement at the school level. As the first stage in an iterative participatory action research project, the research team conducted a series of interviews to facilitate the co-definition of grandparent engagement issues at a middle and high school. The results offer initial insights as to the importance of listening to grandparent caregivers when seeking to determine the facilitators of, and barriers to, school involvement. These results will be used to further engage the grandparent and school communities in the development of context-specific strategies intended to inspire the meaningful engagement of grandparent caregivers.
Breakup of Cylindrical Jets Governed by the Navier-Stokes Equations

We use asymptotic methods to derive a system of nonlinear evolution equations that govern the flow of a viscous jet, at order one Reynolds numbers, when the surface of the jet supports interfacial tension and is allowed to deform to arbitrary amplitudes. The reduced set of equations are valid in the regime where a characteristic axial lengthscale of the deformations is large compared to the unperturbed jet radius. It is shown analytically that leading order solutions form shocks after a finite time and the theory must be carried out to second order in order to obtain physically meaningful pinching solutions. We use the model equations to construct similarity solutions which describe the flow as the jet radius tends to zero, the solutions being consistent with the slender jet ansatz.
Cloud point and crystallization in fatty acid ethyl ester biodiesel mixtures with and without additives

Abstract Biodiesels, composed of saturated fatty acid alkyl esters (FAAE), have relatively high cloud points (CP), which limit their commercial application. However, fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEE) have potentially advantageous properties, including those related to cold flow, compared to their methyl analogs. This work systematically evaluates FAEE cloud point and crystallization data to aid in the development of FAEE biodiesel blends with practical cold flow properties. Neat FAEE CP increases with alkyl-chain length and decreases with greater degree of unsaturation. Mixtures of saturated/saturated FAEE show partial cocrystallization, which impact the mixture’s CP. The effects of cold-flow improving additives dimethyl azelate (DMAz) and triacetin on fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) and FAEE are also analyzed. Additives lowered the overall CP, however the degree of depression for each additive varied indicating different crystallization mechanisms. Thermodynamic ideal solution modeling predicts binary FAEE CP with and without additives within 2% of experimental values.
Dual-guild herbivory disrupts predator-prey interactions in the field.

Plant defenses often mediate whether competing chewing and sucking herbivores indirectly benefit or harm one another. Dual-guild herbivory also can muddle plant signals used by specialist natural enemies to locate prey, further complicating the net impact of herbivore-herbivore interactions in naturally diverse settings. While dual-guild herbivore communities are common in nature, consequences for top-down processes are unclear, as chemically mediated tri-trophic interactions are rarely evaluated in field environments. Combining observational and experimental approaches in the open field, we test a prediction that chewing herbivores interfere with top-down suppression of phloem feeders on Brassica oleracea across broad landscapes. In a two-year survey of 52 working farm sites, we found that parasitoid and aphid densities on broccoli plants positively correlated at farms where aphids and caterpillars rarely co-occurred, but this relationship disappeared at farms where caterpillars commonly co-occurred. In a follow-up experiment, we compared single and dual-guild herbivore communities at four local farm sites and found that caterpillars (P. rapae) caused a 30% reduction in aphid parasitism (primarily by Diaeretiella rapae), and increased aphid colony (Brevicoryne brassicae) growth at some sites. Notably, in the absence of predators, caterpillars indirectly suppressed, rather than enhanced, aphid growth. Amid considerable ecological noise, our study reveals a pattern of apparent commensalism: herbivore-herbivore facilitation via relaxed top-down suppression. This work suggests that enemy-mediated apparent commensalism may override constraints to growth induced by competing herbivores in field environments, and emphasizes the value of placing chemically mediated interactions within their broader environmental and community contexts.
Policy Failures: No Child Left Behind and English Language Learners

Federal education legislation has had a major impact on US public schooling in recent years. In 2001, US Congress passed No Child Left Behind (NCLB)into law, generating in its wake a large number of both intended and unintended consequences. Although the law is slated for reauthorization within the next few years, it is unclear at present if it would change substantially or not and, regardless, it is likely to have lasting effects on teaching and learning for many years to come. Thus, all educators and stakeholders in public education need to be informed about how NCLB translates into classroom practice, so that they can better understand how it affects students and teachers, and so that they might play a role in informing future education policy decisions.
Uniform Building Code 1997: Equivalent Lateral Force Method

Several seismic building codes are currently in use in different regions of the United States. The International Building Code-2000 (IBC-2000) and The Uniform Building Code—1997 (UBC-1997), published by the International Conference of Building Officials, are the building codes most extensively used, particularly in the western part of the country. In addition to these building codes, two other major building codes are used: 1) The BOCA, or National Building Code [Building Officials and Code Administrators International 1999]; and 2) The Standard Building Code, of the Southern Building Code Congress International (1999).
Evaluation of anti-PD-1-based therapy against triple-negative breast cancer patient-derived xenograft tumors engrafted in humanized mouse models

Breast cancer has been considered not highly immunogenic, and few patients benefit from current immunotherapies. However, new strategies are aimed at changing this paradigm. In the present study, we examined the in vivo activity of a humanized anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (anti-PD-1) antibody against triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patient-derived xenograft (PDX) tumor models. To circumvent some of the limitations posed by the lack of appropriate animal models in preclinical studies of immunotherapies, partially human leukocyte antigen-matched TNBC PDX tumor lines from our collection, as well as human melanoma cell lines, were engrafted in humanized nonobese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficiency IL2Rγnull (hNSG) mice obtained by intravenous injection of CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells into nonlethally irradiated 3–4-week-old mice. After both PDXs and melanoma cell xenografts reached ~ 150–200 mm3, animals were treated with humanized anti-PD-1 antibody or anti-CTLA-4 and evaluated for tumor growth, survival, and potential mechanism of action. Human CD45+, CD20+, CD3+, CD8+, CD56+, CD68+, and CD33+ cells were readily identified in blood, spleen, and bone marrow collected from hNSG, as well as human cytokines in blood and engrafted tumors. Engraftment of TNBC PDXs in hNSG was high (~ 85%), although they grew at a slightly slower pace and conserved their ability to generate lung metastasis. Human CD45+ cells were detectable in hNSG-harbored PDXs, and consistent with clinical observations, anti-PD-1 antibody therapy resulted in both a significant reduction in tumor growth and increased survival in some of the hNSG PDX tumor lines, whereas no such effects were observed in the corresponding non-hNSG models. This study provides evidence associated with anti-PD-1 immunotherapy against TNBC tumors supporting the use of TNBC PDXs in humanized mice as a model to overcome some of the technical difficulties associated with the preclinical investigation of immune-based therapies.
Game changer

A macho toy arcade prize is quick to judge a young girl who wants to win him, and goes on a life changing journey in attempt to stop her from winning enough tickets and taking him home. Game Changer was made to encourage a discussion around the gender coding that children are exposed to through toys and clothes. Through the film, I hope to promote the idea that toys have no gender, and that kids should be able to play with whatever toys they are interested in, not having to deal with labels like "boys toys" or "girl toys".
Why have trials of inhaled antibiotics for ventilator-associated infections failed?

Purpose of review Two recent large randomized placebo-controlled clinical trials of adjunctive inhaled therapy for the treatment of ventilator-associated pneumonia failed to show a mortality effect or more rapid resolution of pneumonia symptoms. Does the failure of these studies to reach their endpoints suggest the end of inhaled therapy? This review will explain why inhaled therapy may still have an important role in the treatment of ventilated patients. Recent findings The recent interest in inhaled antimicrobial therapy is driven by the global emergence of increasingly resistant bacteria to systemic therapy. As fast as the pharmaceutical pipeline delivers more powerful systemic antibiotics to the ICU, the bacteria evolve and develop resistance to them. The hypothesis of recent trials has been that adjunctive inhaled therapy will make systemic treatment more effective. This review summarizes the available data from the two recent multisite randomized Phase 2 and Phase 3 trials of inhaled antimicrobials as adjunctive therapy and suggests why they failed to achieve their endpoints. When given properly, these drugs can provide high concentrations of drug in the lung that could not be achieved with intravenous antibiotics without significant systemic toxicity. The results of these trials and the data from many other smaller trials are compelling us to re-examine the indications for inhaled therapy as well as what clinical outcomes are most important. Summary This review summarizes current evidence describing the use of inhaled antibiotics for the treatment of bacterial ventilator-associated infections. Future investigations need to reevaluate the design and the outcomes that are most important in this era of multidrug-resistant bacteria.
Incorporating Quality Improvement into Resident Education: Structured Curriculum, Evaluation, and Quality Improvement Projects

Background Quality Improvement (QI) is essential for improving health care delivery and is now a required component of neurosurgery residency. However, neither a formal curriculum nor implementation strategies have been established by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. Methods We describe our experience with implementing a formal QI curriculum, including structured didactics and resident led group-based QI projects. Course materials and didactics were provided by the Mayo Quality Academy. Participants were required to take a 30-question multiple-choice exam to demonstrate basic proficiency in QI methods following completion of didactic. An anonymous survey also was performed to elicit feedback from course participants. Results All of the 40 student participants (17 residents) were able to demonstrate basic proficiency in QI methods on a standardized exam upon course completion. Of the 9 attempted QI projects, 7 were completed, with 5 of those resulting in sustained process changes. The majority of participants felt formal training improved confidence in QI processes and was a valuable professional tool for their careers. Conclusions A formal didactic curriculum and practical application of QI methodologies adds value to resident training. Further, it has the potential to positively impact practice. Consideration should be given to adopting a formal QI curriculum by other neurosurgery departments and perhaps standardization on national level.
Inverse correlation between trabecular bone volume and bone marrow adipose tissue in rats treated with osteoanabolic agents

Abstract There is currently an unmet clinical need for improved treatments for skeletal diseases such as osteoporosis and cancer-induced bone disease. This is due in part to a paucity of novel targets and an incomplete understanding of the mechanisms of action for established therapies. We defined the effects of anabolic treatments on bone and the bone marrow adipocyte (BMA). Sclerostin-neutralizing antibodies (Scl-Ab), romosozumab, human parathyroid hormone (hPTH, 1–34), and hPTH/hPTHrP analogues (e.g. teriparatide and abaloparatide) stimulate bone formation and have been studied in clinical trials for severe osteoporosis. In this study, eight-week-old male and female rats were administered vehicle, Scl-Ab (3 mg/kg or 50 mg/kg) weekly, or hPTH (1–34) (75 μg/kg) daily for 4 or 26 weeks. Histological analyses of distal femura were performed using a novel ImageJ method for trabecular bone and bone marrow adipose tissue (BMAT). Adipocyte number, circumference, and total adipose area were compared within the tissue area (T.Ar) or the marrow area (Ma.Ar), (defined as the T.Ar minus the trabecular bone area). After 26 weeks of treatment, a significant inverse correlation between bone and tissue adiposity (total adipocyte area divided by T.Ar) were observed in males and females (p
Maternal soluble PD‐1 levels are significantly increased in women with preeclampsia

Problem Programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) and its ligand (PD-L1) have emerged as key players in regulating immune tolerance. Preeclampsia is associated with maladaptation of immune tolerance during pregnancy. This study aimed to determine if maternal soluble PD-1 (sPD-1) and soluble PD-L1 (sPD-L1) levels are altered in preeclampsia. Method of study Maternal sPD-1 and sPD-L1 levels were measured by ELISA in 172 pregnant women (86 normotensive and 86 preeclampsia). The differences in sPD-1 and sPD-L1 levels between normotensive and preeclamptic pregnant women, 34 weeks, and fetal gender differences were assessed. Data were analyzed by unpaired t test or chi-square. A probability level of Results Maternal sPD-1 levels were significantly higher in preeclamptic than in normotensive pregnant women, 6262 ± 1860 vs 1134 ± 349 pg/mL, P 34 weeks of gestation in both normotensive and preeclamptic groups. sPD-1 levels were relatively higher in mothers with female fetus than with male fetus in the preeclamptic group: 8104 ± 3054 vs 3802 ± 2177 pg/mL, but relatively lower in mothers with female fetus than with male fetus in the normotensive group: 425 ± 134 vs 625 ± 182 pg/mL. Maternal sPD-L1 levels were relatively higher in preeclamptic than in normotensive pregnant women: 143 ± 52 vs 69 ± 13 pg/mL. Conclusion Aberrant sPD-1/sPD-L1 signaling is present in preeclampsia. Whether increased maternal sPD-1 and sPD-L1 levels were associated with fetal gender difference or immune tolerance dissimilarity during pregnancy in women with preeclampsia warrants further investigation.
Walking the Talk: a mixed-methods study exploring language access in physical rehabilitation services

Date Presented 04/04/19 This presentation will share findings from a descriptive, mixed-methods study involving clinical and health services experts, physical rehabilitation practitioners, and patients with limited English proficiency (LEP). The study identified clinical indicators and challenges related to optimal delivery of physical rehabilitation services for patients with LEP. Professional, practice, and policy implications of these findings will be discussed. Primary Author and Speaker: Mansha Mirza Additional Authors and Speakers: Elizabeth Harrison
Motion control and obstacle avoidance of a mobile robot with an onboard manipulator

Navigation and control of autonomous mobile vehicles with onboard manipulator systems are currently being investigated for intelligent manufacturing applications. A systematic approach for modeling and base motion control of a mobile vehicle with an onboard robot arm is presented. Feedback linearization is used to take into account the complete dynamics with non-holonomic constraints, yet methods from potential field theory are incorporated to provide resolution among possibly conflicting performance goals (e.g. path following and obstacle avoidance). The feedback linearization provides an inner loop that accounts for possible motion of the onboard arm. The two cases of maintaining a desired course and speed, and following a desired Cartesian trajectory are considered. The outer control loop is designed using potential field theory, with the two objectives of homing and avoiding an obstacle. This simple result obtained using potential functions provides very naturally the necessary intelligence for online resolution of conflicting performance objectives. It gives capabilities to these autonomous vehicles for maintaining a desired course and speed or tracking a Cartesian trajectory, avoiding obstacles during the course of travel, and initiating new online path planning when the size of the object is large so that unnecessary wandering in the work space is avoided.
Single Center Experience: Tricuspid Valve Insufficiency Resolution Post Lung Transplant

Purpose Tricuspid valve regurgitation (TR) is a frequent finding in patients undergoing lung transplantation (LTx). The prognostic significance and rate of regression of TR after LTx are under reported. Purpose of this study is to assess tricuspid valve regurgitation (TR) regression after lung transplantation (LTx) in patients with trivial to severe pre-operative TR. Methods We retrospectively reviewed and prospectively collected records of 553 patients who had LTx at our institution from 2001 to 2017. Pre and post-op echocardiograms were retrospectively reviewed and was graded for severity of TR, right ventricular (RV) enlargement, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) and other hemodynamics. Continuous variables were summarized with median and range (min, max) while categorical variables with frequency and percent. All statistical analyses were performed with R Statistical Software (version 3.4.2; R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria). Results The mean age of the patients was 64 (21.0, 82.0) years and 324 (58.7%) were males. Out of all patients, the majority 302 (55.8%) suffered from IPF, followed by 84 (15.3%) PH, 79 (14.3%) COPD, 65 (11.8%) emphysema, and 31 (5.6%) CF. 417 (75.4%) had double LTx and 136 (24.6%) of patients required single LTx . Pre-operative tricuspid valve regurgitation reported as trivial (N=265, 47.9%) mild (N=235, 42.5%), moderate (N=40, 7.3%) and severe (N=13, 2.3%). TR improved from pre to post operatively in 193 (34.9%) out of 553 patients (p Conclusion Moderate to severe TR significantly improved after lung transplant. Our findings suggest that preoperative TR in lung recipients is mostly functional and will resolve after LTx. There is no need for tricuspid valve repair at the time of transplantation.
The Artificial Intelligence-Based 3D Smile Design: REBEL

While some of the final aesthetic results are creating the “wow” effect, some may fail to meet the patient’s expectations due to disharmony between the smile design and the patient’s personality. The patient may feel that the restored teeth do not really “belong” to him or her. Without the proper knowledge, the origin of this disharmony can be difficult to identify.
News on Nanotechnology

High-performance durable construction materials for roadway pavements are needed for America's increasingly busy highways. In a research project supported by the Federal Highway Administration, a systematic study was conducted of concrete at the micro- and nanoscales to understand the properties of how materials in concrete interact with one another. Nanotechnology research provides the necessary tools for establishing the relationships between the processing, properties, and performance of concrete. The first theme of the research involved understanding the micro- and nanostructures of concrete using advanced experimental tools such as atomic force microscopy and nanoindentation. The second theme is the development of a new type of self-consolidating concrete (SCC) for slipform (SF) paving processes by adding materials such as nanoclays and fly ash to the composition. Third, the researchers are using nanofiber-reinforced concrete to develop the next generation of highway pavements. Fourth, nanotechnology shows promise in the development of smart sensors to monitor the properties of concrete pavement just after it is placed. Nanoscale characterization of cement paste samples showed that the mechanical properties of the C-S-H gel--the glue in concrete--vary in a wide range. Furthermore, the researchers observed that the residual cement particles are almost 10 times harder than the glue produced when mixed with water. This finding signifies that engineers might be able to design the material with the minimum glue necessary to bind the harder particles or phases together. Combining the concepts of particle packing and flocculation, admixture technology, and rheology, the researchers have developed SF-SCC that changes from very fluid to very stiff during the paving process. Preliminary research also has shown that nanofibers and nanotubes potentially can make cement itself super ductile, with more ability to accommodate tension without cracking, which could increase flexural strength significantly.
Reframing Buyer–Supplier Relationships: Deep, Sticky, Transient and Gracious

In this chapter, we reframe and expand the buyer–supplier relationships beyond the conventional framework. We do that by disentangling and integrating the two theoretically orthogonal relationship aspects—relational posture (i.e., how two partners relate and behave toward each other) and relational intensity (i.e., how closely two partners are coupled in their operations and businesses). We propose four different buyer–supplier relationship archetypes—deep, sticky, transient and gracious. Each relationship type is unique in its own right, with distinctive strategic and managerial implications. We provide in-depth discussion of each archetype, along with some pertinent real-world examples, where we highlight both the bright and dark sides of respective buyer–supplier relationships.
Housing stability and diabetes among people living in New York city public housing.

Abstract Public housing provides affordable housing and, potentially, housing stability for low-income families. Housing stability may be associated with lower incidence or prevalence and better management of a range of health conditions through many mechanisms. We aimed to test the hypotheses that public housing residency is associated with both housing stability and reduced risk of diabetes incidence, and the relationship between public housing and diabetes risk varies by levels of housing stability. Using 2004-16 World Trade Center Health Registry data, we compared outcomes (housing stability measured by sequence analysis of addresses, self-reported diabetes diagnoses) between 730 New York City public housing residents without prevalent diabetes at baseline and 730 propensity score-matched non-public housing residents. Sequence analysis found 3 mobility patterns among all 1460 enrollees, including stable housing (65%), limited mobility (27%), and unstable housing patterns (8%). Public housing residency was associated with stable housing over 12 years. Diabetes risk was not associated with public housing residency; however, among those experiencing housing instability, a higher risk of diabetes was found among public housing versus non-public housing residents. Of those stably housed, the association remained insignificant. These findings provide important evidence for a health benefit of public housing via housing stability among people living in public housing.
Replicating the Levitt and Porter estimates of drunk driving

Estimates of the prevalence and risk of drinking‐and‐driving are a high‐priority need for researchers and policymakers. Levitt and Porter (Journal of Political Economy, 2001, 109(6), 1198–1237) demonstrate how these can be recovered using publicly available information in the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS). Although robust to systematic misreporting and sample selection and far cheaper to implement than surveys, their methodological innovations are largely ignored. We believe this arises partly from difficulty in replicating their results. This article identifies the underlying causes of replication failure and offers practical guidance for future implementation that takes advantage of the current structure of the FARS data.
Phase 1 study of pomalidomide in children with recurrent, refractory, and progressive central nervous system tumors: A Pediatric Brain Tumor Consortium trial.

Background Central nervous system (CNS) malignancies are the most common solid tumors among children, and novel therapies are needed to help improve survival. Pomalidomide is an immunomodulatory agent that displays antiangiogenic and cytotoxic activity, making it an appropriate candidate to explore in pediatric CNS tumors. Methods A phase 1 first in pediatric trial of pomalidomide was conducted in children with recurrent, progressive, and refractory CNS tumors. The primary objective was to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and/or recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) when given orally once daily for 21 consecutive days of a 28-day cycle. Once the MTD was established, 12 additional patients were enrolled on expansion cohorts based on age and steroid use. Results Twenty-nine children were enrolled and 25 were evaluable for dose-limiting toxicity (DLT). The MTD was 2.6 mg/m2 (dose level 2). Four DLTs were observed in three patients at dose level 3 (3.4 mg/m2 ) includeding grade 3 diarrhea, grade 3 thrombocytopenia, grade 3 lung infection, and grade 4 neutropenia. The most common adverse events were grade 1 and 2 myelosuppression. One patient with an oligodendroglioma had stable disease for nine cycles, and a second patient with an anaplastic pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma achieved a sustained partial response. Immunologic analyses suggested that pomalidomide triggers immunomodulation. Conclusions The MTD of pomalidomide is 2.6 mg/m2 . It was well tolerated, and immune correlates showed a serum immune response. These data led to an industry-sponsored phase 2 trial of pomalidomide monotherapy in children with recurrent brain tumors (NCT03257631).
Medical Management of Heyde Syndrome.

Heyde syndrome is a triad of bleeding colonic angiodysplasia, aortic stenosis, and acquired coagulopathy. It is most commonly seen in the elderly between 60-80 years of age. We present a case of Heyde syndrome presenting with severe anemia secondary to bleeding angiodysplasia or arteriovenous malformations (AVM) in the lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
Pairing Coal with Solar: The UAE’s Fragmented Electricity Policy

When it comes to clean energy, the United Arab Emirates is a paradox. On the one hand, the UAE is a champion of renewable and nuclear power, an oft-cited example of an OPEC member that has made significant progress in zero-carbon electricity generation. On the other hand, the UAE is completing one of the largest coal-fired power plants in the Middle East. If current government goals are realized, the country will generate far more power from coal, the most carbon- and pollution-intensive fuel, than it will with renewables. Three main pressures lie behind the UAE’s decision to turn away from its 50-year legacy of natural gas-dominated power generation. First is the fragmentation of electricity policy among the seven emirates. Second are the diplomatic breaches with major holders of regional natural gas supply. And third are various economic drivers, ranging from volatile gas import prices to plummeting costs of solar panels. This paper finds that while uncertainties surround the eventual scale of renewables’ contribution, the increase in coal combustion appears destined to undermine the UAE’s already minimal carbon competitiveness. In the future, high per capita emissions could attract carbon-based trade penalties and sanctions.
A safety review of biologic therapies for the management of hidradenitis suppurativa and unmet needs

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, debilitating inflammatory skin disorder characterized by nodules, abscesses, fistulae, and significant scarring in intertriginous areas rich in apocrine ...