cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Some of the challenges in drug development for irritable bowel syndrome

If one accepts the concept that enhanced perception of visceral stimuli plays an important role in the pathophysiology of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and other functional gastrointestinal disorders (and not everybody does!1 2), identification of drugs which can normalise this enhanced perception should be a major effort in the search for effective IBS medications. Enhanced perception of different physiologically occurring gut stimuli can result from numerous mechanisms, including such fundamentally different but possibly interrelated processes as changes in sensory transmission (in the periphery or centrally), alterations in endogenous pain modulation, or even changes in gut directed attentional mechanisms.3Any of these mechanisms alone or in combination could produce some of the most prevalent clinical manifestations of visceral hypersensitivity in IBS: sensations of abdominal fullness (in the absence of excessive distension), abdominal pain (in the absence of detectable tissue injury), sigmoid tenderness during palpation or during endoscopic examination, or the sensation of incomplete rectal evacuation (in the absence of a full rectum). Based on several studies in the rat, demonstrating that acute mucosal inflammation can produce sensitisation of primary afferents as well as dorsal horn neurones thereby resulting in acute visceral hyperalgesia,3 the concept of targeting and testing candidate drugs for their visceroanalgesic potential has been widely accepted as a worthwhile endeavour by industry and academia alike.4 The strategies pursued by optimists in this field are variations of the following sequence: (1) identify receptors or ion channels on visceral afferent neurones; (2) select compounds targeted at these membrane proteins; (3) evaluate candidate compounds for their ability to reduce behavioural responses of the rat or other rodents to colorectal distension (ideally in the normal colon and following some type of acute sensitisation); (4) evaluate if the compound has visceroanalgesic properties on …
Effects of cortisol and growth hormone on osmoregulation in pre- and desmoltified coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch)

Salmonid species which undergo smoltification show a concurrent enhancement in saltwater (SW) osmoregulatory ability. This developmental change is marked by an increase in SW tolerance and gill Na+,K+-ATPase activity which appears to result, in part, from an increase in gill chloride cell density. Previous studies have suggested that cortisol and growth hormone (GH) may stimulate SW osmoregulatory mechanisms in salmonids. In this study, these hormones were examined for their ability to induce smoltification-associated osmoregulatory changes in pre- and desmoltified coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch). Cortisol treatment for 12 days increased gill Na+,K+-ATPase activity in presmolts and gill residual (Na+,K+-independent) ATPase activity in both groups. Chloride cell density in presmolt primary and secondary lamellae and in desmolt secondary lamellae was increased as well. The rise in plasma sodium levels in fish transferred to SW was reduced only in desmolts. Treatment with bovine GH for 12-13 days increased gill Na+,K+-ATPase activity in presmolts and in desmolts. However, GH treatment in either group did not increase gill residual ATPase activity or alter plasma sodium levels in SW-transferred animals. Gill chloride cell density in presmolts also was unaffected (desmolts were not examined). Thus, both cortisol and GH are partially able to produce changes similar to those observed during smoltification. The contrasting effects of these hormones on gill chloride cell density and gill residual ATPase activity suggest that cortisol may stimulate chloride cell proliferation and/or differentiation, whereas GH may act specifically to increase gill Na+,K+-ATPase activity.
The effect of retesting on end‐of‐semester performance in high school chemistry at three levels of previous science achievement

To determine the effect of retesting on student learning in chemistry, three questions were addressed by means of a 3 × 2 (achievement level X treatment) factorial design: (1) Does retesting affect differently the end-of-semester mastery of course objectives of students who are grouped according to their previous achievement in science? (2) Do students who are given an opportunity to take retests merely delay their studying and perform at a lower level on initial tests than nonretested students? (3) Is the procrastination of retested students (if it exists) affected by their achievement level? The results showed that for one of four units low ability students who were retested demonstrated greater learning gains than low ability students who were not retested, and that procrastination, if it was present, did not have significant effects on student learning at any achievement level. Results were discussed in terms of the students' room for improvement, motivation to improve, and ability to improve.
Nuclear considerations for FIRE

Nuclear analyses have been performed for the baseline design of the Fusion Ignition Research Experiment (FIRE). Nuclear heating, structural radiation damage, and magnet insulator dose were evaluated. Critical issues requiring additional R&D effort include low-temperature embrittlement of copper and identifying insulators that can handle a dose as high as 1.5/spl times/10/sup 10/ Rads under the FIRE load conditions. Activation calculations were performed to determine the amount of radioactivity and decay heat generated. Accessibility for hands-on maintenance was assessed. All components qualify as low level waste.
Lateral motion of a dust particle in magnetized plasma sheath

In this paper, lateral mobilization of a dust particle through application of an oblique magnetic field in a plasma sheath with infinitely long lateral dimensions is studied. A weakly collisional two-fluid model is implemented to simulate the plasma. A single submicrometer-sized particle is released at the sheath edge with zero initial velocity and is tracked in Lagrangian frame, taking into account various forces. Various characteristics of the particle lateral motion such as time history of its horizontal position, velocity, and acceleration components are presented and discussed. Through investigation of power spectra of plasma and particle variables, the particle drift in the horizontal plane is explained. While varying parameters such as magnetic field intensity, particle density, and its radius, the particle horizontal velocity components are calculated. The variation of these velocity components is then explained by considering the ion velocity components at the particle location.
Intelligent Alarm Processing: From Data Intensive to Information Rich

The requirement for power system operators to respond more efficiently to the stressed power system conditions that may create large number of alarms asks fort advanced alarm processor that can help operators recognize the nature of disturbance quickly and reliably. Many of the conventional alarm processors lack the ability to analyze complex events efficiently within a time constraint. This paper present two novel intelligent alarm processing options. One is a Fuzzy Reasoning Petri-nets diagnosis model which takes advantages of both expert system and fuzzy logic, and the other is an advanced alarm processor that combines alarm processing techniques at both the substation automation system (SAS) and energy management system (EMS) level. Simulation and test results have demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed alarm processor options.
Financial Globalization and Risk Sharing: Welfare Effects and the Optimality of Open Markets

To study the welfare effects of investment barriers and the opening of markets to foreigners, we construct an equilibrium model of international asset pricing without agency costs that allows endogenous market participation among heterogeneous agents. Equilibrium prices and the set of participating and non-participating agents are jointly determined in equilibrium and the ability of agents to choose to participate in the market affects prices of domestic and foreign assets. We examine the welfare effects of non-participation and find that when a country moves from complete segmentation to open markets for foreigners, the cost of capital falls in the domestic market. This is consistent with empirical findings in the international asset pricing literature. Through the endogenous participation mechanism, our model is able to capture sources of economic growth. Contrary to previous models, however, we show that opening markets is not Pareto-optimal and we identify a class of domestic agents whose welfare is lower after the opening of markets. These finding have political economy interpretations and policy implications.
Spacing enhances the learning of natural concepts: an investigation of mechanisms, metacognition, and aging

In two experiments, we examined spacing effects on the learning of bird families and metacognitive assessments of such learning. Results revealed that spacing enhanced learning beyond massed study. These effects were increased by presenting birds in pairs so as to highlight differences among families during study (Experiment 1). Self-allocated study time provided evidence that more attention was paid during spaced than during massed study and resulted in no age differences in learning (Experiment 2). Metacognitive measures revealed sensitivity to the processing advantage of spaced study and to differences in classification difficulty across categories. No difference occurred in monitoring accuracy for young versus older adults. These findings provide evidence for discrimination- and attention-based accounts of the spacing effect in natural concept learning.
Pituitary response to repeated copulation and/or gonadotropin-releasing hormone administration in llamas and alpacas.

The response of the pituitary gland and ovary to repeated copulatory periods and/or gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH, i.v. 1000 micrograms) administration was determined in llamas and alpacas. Eighty adult females (41 llamas and 39 alpacas with ovulatory follicles) were divided into three general groups for each species as follows: copulation (one or two copulations at either 6- or 24-h intervals) GnRH treatment (one or two treatments at either 6- or 24-h intervals), and combined treatment (copulation followed by GnRH treatment, or GnRH followed by copulation at either 6- or 24-h intervals). An additional control (nontreated) group was composed of 4 llamas and 4 alpacas. The first copulation or treatment with GnRH provoked LH release sufficient to cause ovulation in most of the females (alpacas, 89%; llamas, 92%); urinary pregnanediol glucuronide values, used to verify ovulation, were significantly elevated 48 h after copulation and/or GnRH treatment. A second stimulus, copulation or GnRH, provoked no LH response with concentrations similar to those in nontreated controls and in females not ovulating. Llamas and alpacas thus were refractory to a second copulatory or GnRH stimulus with regard to LH release for up to 24 h following an initial ovulatory release of LH.
Intermediate frequency transmit/receive modules for low-sidelobe phased array application

Low sidelobe performance in a small, active phased array requires very tight amplitude and phase tolerances in the transmit/receive (T/R) modules and beamforming network. An L-band T/R module is described in which the required precision is realized through the use of 12-b, voltage-controlled attenuators and phase shifters operating at an intermediate frequency rather than at a radio frequency. All control voltages are derived from a single multiplexed 12-bit D/A converter. The modules were evaluated in a 32-element, linear array. Near-field measurements proved that the amplitude and phase of array elements could be set with errors of less than 0.02 dB and 0.2 degrees RMS. Antenna patterns were obtained with average peak sidelobes at least 35 dB below an isotropic radiator. >
Healthy People 2020: a report card on the health of the nation.

For 4 decades, Healthy People has represented the United States’ vision for a healthier future. Each decade, it serves as a public health road map and compass for the nation by establishing a broad set of overarching health goals while specifying actions to improve length and quality of life. For the current decade, this comprehensive national health promotion and disease prevention agenda encompasses more than a thousand specific objectives organized into 42 topic areas.
Diversity of structure and function of DNA polymerase (gp43) of T4-related bacteriophages.

The replication DNA polymerase (gp43) of the bacteriophage T4 is a member of the pol B family of DNA polymerases, which are found in all divisions of life in the biosphere. The enzyme is a modularly organized protein that has several activities in one polypeptide chain (∼900 amino acid residues). These include two catalytic functions, POL (polymerase) and EXO (3′-exonuclease), and specific binding activities to DNA, the mRNA for gp43, deoxyribonucleotides (dNTPs), and other T4 replication proteins. The gene for this multifunctional enzyme (gene 43) has been preserved in evolution of the diverse group of T4-like phages in nature, but has diverged in sequence, organization, and specificity of the binding functions of the gene product. We describe here examples of T4-like phages where DNA rearrangements have created split forms of gene 43 consisting of two cistrons instead of one. These gene 43 variants specify separate gp43A (N-terminal) and gp43B (C-terminal) subunits of a split form of gp43. Compared to the monocistronic form, the interruption in contiguity of the gene 43 reading frame maps in a highly diverged sequence separating the code for essential components of two major modules of this pol B enzyme, the FINGERS and PALM domains, which contain the dNTP binding pocket and POL catalytic residues of the enzyme. We discuss the biological implications of these gp43 splits and compare them to other types of pol B splits in nature. Our studies suggest that DNA mobile elements may allow genetic information for pol B modules to be exchanged between organisms.
Time to treatment in primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

Early administration of reperfusion therapy improves survival among patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction. For primary percutaneous intervention, a goal of 90 minutes or less for door-to-balloon time is incorporated into many measures of quality performance, but delay remains common, with little improvement in this measure over recent years. This review examines the strategies for reducing door-to-balloon time and for selecting the appropriate reperfusion therapy, especially when a delay is unavoidable.
Standardized Assessment of Hallucinations

Hallucinations are subjective, phenomenologically heterogeneous experiences that likely result from heterogeneous neural circuitries. A proper assessment of hallucinations is a crucial first step in the research for the mechanisms and treatment of these experiences. Current assessment procedures use continuous scale, binary scale, combined binary and continuous scale measures to evaluate the phenomenology, severity as well as specific aspects of hallucinations such as the acceptance of and beliefs about “voices.” The relevance of the phenomenology of hallucinations to their neural mechanisms indicates that there may be advantages to conducting a comprehensive phenomenological evaluation even when interest is focused on one specific aspect of hallucinations. In this chapter, I review current instruments for assessing hallucinations and identify a number of areas for future improvement. These improvements include the development of agreed upon terminology for the description of the phenomenology of hallucinations, an appropriate and agreed upon use of binary or continuous scale measurements for given hallucination characteristics, and improvement in the validation of instruments whereby one instrument is examined against a second with different content but with ­presumed similar psychometric properties. Finally, further research for the evaluation of the reliability of the report of hallucinations is needed as, currently, only the computerized binary Scale of Auditory Speech Hallucinations provides such assessment.
Mycobacterium abscessus prosthetic valve endocarditis in a patient with Marfan syndrome

Introduction: Mycobacterium abscessus is a non-tuberculous mycobacterium ubiquitous in the environment, which rarely causes endovascular infections. We report the first published case, to the best of our knowledge, of M. abscessus endocarditis in a patient with Marfan syndrome. Case presentation: A female in her 40s with a history of Marfan syndrome status-post mechanical aortic valve replacement and a chronic indwelling venous access port presented with a 2-day history of confusion and 3-month history of intermittent fevers. Her blood cultures grew M. abscessus. An echocardiogram revealed a 1 cm vegetation attached to the prosthetic aortic valve and a perivalvular abscess. The patient was started on imipenem/cilastatin, amikacin and linezolid. Her course was complicated by septic emboli to the brain and subarachnoid haemorrhage. She was deemed a poor surgical candidate. The patient ultimately developed cardiac arrest and died. Conclusion: M. abscessus endocarditis is rare and is associated with high mortality. Late recognition of M. abscessus as a causative pathogen of endovascular infection, extensive antimicrobial resistance and limited surgical options at the time of diagnosis make the management of M. abscessus endocarditis very challenging.
Isis mobile: A case study in heuristic evaluation

This chapter focuses on the steps that are involved in planning and performing the heuristic evaluation. It includes identifying the evaluators and ensuring that evaluators do not collaborate before completion; this minimizes bias, using a common rating scale for severity of issues. Reviewing the entire interface at least twice and then comparing findings, severities, and proposed solutions after all evaluators are done with their evaluations, distills the information into a single report. The chapter concludes that conducting up-front heuristic evaluations of design concepts can minimize rework later in the development process. It is a healthy way to validate whether initial designs are on the right track. Following up with user studies is highly recommended. Testing early and often can mean the difference between product success and failure.
Maternal and fetal vascular nets in placentas of sheep and goats

Recent anatomic observations of sheep and goat placentas demonstrate the presence of an intricate relationship of flow patterns in the maternal and fetal capillaries. These observations do not justify the assumption that maternal and fetal blood run in opposite directions and suggest the hypothesis that the pattern is, as a first approximation, crosscurrent. The maternal perfusion of the cotyledon appears to be regulated by arteriolar sphincters present at the base and periphery of the cotyledon. Innervation of these sphincters could not be demonstrated and it seems probable that they are under hormonal control. The diffusion of a highly diffusible substance across the placenta in the presence of such an anatomic arrangement would not be expected to produce an umbilical vein concentration similar to the concentration in the maternal artery.
Relation Of Physical Activity And Cardiovascular Fitness To Coronary Heart Disease, Part I: A Meta-Analysis Of The Independent Relation Of Physical Activity And Coronary Heart Disease

Background: This paper is the first of two reports that together review the scientific evidence regarding the inverse relation between physical activity and cardiovascular fitness and coronary heart disease (CHD). Methods: In Part I, the evidence suggesting a causal link between physical activity and CHD protection independent of other CHD risk factors is reviewed, accounting for bias, confounding, and different study designs. Results: A strong, consistent inverse relation is found. Using meta-analytic techniques, the relative risk of the independent relation of physical inactivity to CHD is 1.37, with a 95 percent confidence interval (1.27–1.48). Conclusions: A graded biologic response of CHD protection to physical activity is shown, but the intensity, duration, and frequency of activity necessary for CHD benefit remain unclear. Plausible biologic mechanisms for the inverse relation of physical activity to CHD are the risk factor modifications that accrue with physical activity.
Analytical Probability Distributions with Excel

This note introduces four common underlying processes and the analytical probability distribution used to forecast the outcomes of each. The note also illustrates how to use Excel functions to calculate probabilities from the four resulting probability distributions: binomial, normal, Poisson, and exponential.
Partners in Inquiry: A Collaborative Life Science Investigation with Preservice Teachers and Kindergarten Students.

This article documents a collaborative project involving preservice early childhood education students’ development of inquiry-based learning experiences alongside kindergarten students within a science methods course. To document this project, I utilized a multiple methods approach and data included classroom observations, transcripts from lesson planning sessions, preservice teachers’ reflection journals, kindergarten science journals, and pre- and post-measurements for preservice teachers on the Draw-A-Scientist Test (DAST) (Chambers in Sci Educ 67(2):225–265, 1983) and the Science Teaching Efficacy Beliefs Inventory—B (STEBI-B) (Enochs and Riggs in Sch Sci Math 90(8):694–706, 1990). Analysis of the DAST, STEBI-B, and qualitative data revealed that the preservice teachers developed stronger understandings of inquiry-based science and self-efficacy beliefs related to their practice following participation in the collaborative project. While development of inquiry understandings and efficacy-related beliefs improved throughout the project, the preservice teachers voiced concerns over the challenges of integrating inquiry instruction within pedagogically restrictive contemporary classroom environments. Additionally, this research strongly suggests the need for early childhood teacher educators to take an active role in the construction of teaching and learning experiences that promote opportunities for preservice teachers to experience the process of developing effective inquiry-based, integrated science experiences within the supportive environment of a teacher education program.
Self-Defense Through Physical Education part III

(1999). Self-Defense Through Physical Education part III. Strategies: Vol. 13, No. 1, pp. 33-36.
Blue Danube Draping 2005

The goals of this research were two-fold: to create a bustled ball-gown for this century, and to drape the main part of the design from a single piece of fabric, without the use of seams or darts. ...
Cardiovascular responses to norepinephrine in acute adrenal insufficiency.

SummaryCardiovascular responses to norepinephrine have been studied in adrenalectomized and control dogs. The initial mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures of the adrenalectomized group in both femoral and pulmonary arteries were lower than those of the control group. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups in ability to respond to intravenously injected norepinephrine by an increase in force of cardiac contraction or by an increase in systemic or pulmonary blood pressure. Myocardial or coronary artery lesions did not occur in the 2 adrenalectomized animals examined.
Autonomous distributed control algorithm for multiple spacecraft in close proximity operations

An autonomous distributed control algorithm for multi-agent spacecraft in close proximity operations has been developed. This research contributes to the control of multiple spacecraft for emerging missions, which may require gathering, rendezvous, and docking. A control algorithm is proposed which combines the efficiency of the Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR) and the robust collision avoidance capability of the Artificial Potential Function method (APF). The LQR control effort serves as the attractive force toward goal positions, while the APF-based repulsive functions provide collision avoidance for both fixed and moving obstacles. The amalgamation of these two control methods into a multiple spacecraft close proximity control algorithm yielded promising results as demonstrated by the simulations which are reported in the paper for multi-spacecraft rendezvous and assembly maneuvers.
Middle cerebral artery blood flow velocity in elite power athletes during maximal weight-lifting

Cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV) has been shown to significantly increase during dynamic exercise (running) secondary to increases in cardiac output. Static exercise (weight-lifting) induces supraphysiological arterial pressures up to 450/380 mmHg, and thus may alter CBFV. Catastrophic brain injuries such as stroke, cerebral hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage, retinal hemorrhage and retinal detachment have been associated with weight-lifting. A recent study has shown that intra-ocular pressure (IOP), which is an indirect measure of intracranial pressure, elevates to pathophysiologic levels during weight-lifting. Recent CBFV studies instituting Valsalva have demonstrated decreases in CBFV from 21%-52%. To date, no studies have examined CBFV during maximal weight-lifting to elucidate the cerebrovascular responses to extreme pressure alterations. We recruited nine elite power athletes, including a multi-world record holder in powerlifting, for a transcranial Doppler study of middle cerebral artery blood flow velocity at rest and during maximal weight-lifting. All subjects' resting blood flow velocities were within normal ranges (mean 64.4 +/- 9.5 cm sec2). Blood flow velocities were significantly (p < 0.0001) decreased in all subjects during maximal lifting (mean 48.4 +/- 10.1 cm sec2). Linear regression analysis demonstrated a significant inverse linear relationship in the net change of blood velocities from rest to maximal lift for each subject (r = 0.8585, p < 0.001). This study demonstrates that blood flow velocities are significantly decreased during heavy resistance training. The drop in CBFV during weight-lifting was significantly less than previous Valsalva studies, which likely reveals the cardiovascular, baroreflex, and cerebrovascular system adaptations occurring in these elite power athletes.
Factors associated with IADL independence: implications for OT practice

AbstractBackground: Globally, the population is aging. Instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) are an important component of independent function and impact the ability of older adults to age in place. Therefore, factors associated with IADL independence warrant further study.Objective: To explore the association of age, depressive symptoms and leisure participation with IADL independence, and the relative importance of these three factors in predicting IADL independence.Methods: A cross-sectional design using an existing data set was employed. Older adults age 60 and older (n = 98) who resided in senior housing or their own home/apartment were included in the study. A hierarchical multiple regression analysis was employed.Results: The second model predicting IADL independence using age, depressive symptoms and level of leisure participation was significant (F(3,96) = 15.57, p < 0.001) and explained 31.00% of the variance in IADL independence compared to the first regression model, which included a...
Phase II study of metformin for reduction of obesity-associated breast cancer risk: a randomized controlled trial protocol

Two-thirds of U.S. adult women are overweight or obese. High body mass index (BMI) and adult weight gain are risk factors for a number of chronic diseases, including postmenopausal breast cancer. The higher postmenopausal breast cancer risk in women with elevated BMI is likely to be attributable to related metabolic disturbances including altered circulating sex steroid hormones and adipokines, elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines, and insulin resistance. Metformin is a widely used antidiabetic drug that has demonstrated favorable effects on metabolic disturbances and as such may lead to lower breast cancer risk in obese women. Further, the anti-proliferative effects of metformin suggest it may decrease breast density, an accepted biomarker of breast cancer risk. This is a Phase II randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of metformin in overweight/obese premenopausal women who have elements of metabolic syndrome. Eligible participants will be randomized to receive metformin 850 mg BID (n = 75) or placebo (n = 75) for 12 months. The primary endpoint is change in breast density, based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) acquired fat-water features. Secondary outcomes include changes in serum insulin levels, serum insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 to insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP)-3 ratio, serum IGF-2 levels, serum testosterone levels, serum leptin to adiponectin ratio, body weight, and waist circumference. Exploratory outcomes include changes in metabolomic profiles in plasma and nipple aspirate fluid. Changes in tissue architecture as well as cellular and molecular targets in breast tissue collected in a subgroup of participants will also be explored. The study will evaluate whether metformin can result in favorable changes in breast density, select proteins and hormones, products of body metabolism, and body weight and composition. The study should help determine the potential breast cancer preventive activity of metformin in a growing population at risk for multiple diseases. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02028221 . Registered on January 2, 2014. Grant #: 1R01CA172444-01A1 awarded on Sept 11, 2013.
Association of chronic kidney disease with impaired left atrial reservoir function: A community-based cohort study.

BackgroundChronic kidney disease (CKD) is an independent risk factor for atrial fibrillation, although the pathophysiological mechanisms remain unclear. This study investigated the relationship bet...
PLUME RISE FOR VARYING AMBIENT TURBULENCE, THERMAL STRATIFICATION, AND STACK EXIT CONDITIONS—A NUMERICAL AND LABORATORY EVALUATION

Plume rise data from wind-tunnel tests were used to aid in the development and testing of a plume rise model. This model uses the continuity equation and principles of conservation of mass and momentum to predict the plume rise. The system of equations is closed by employing various entrainment relations which are based on theoretical and experimental arguments. The model uses the ambient velocity, temperature and turbulence profiles as inputs. A comparison of the model predictions with wind-tunnel observations showed satisfactory agreement (average error of 8 percent) for all cases studied except the high turbulence tests. The disagreement for these tests was to be expected since upwind ridges produced a two-dimensional flow field.
Effect of Communication Style on Perceptions of Medication Side Effect Risk among Pharmacy Students.

Objective. To assess the effect of communication style, and frequency and severity of medication side-effects, on pharmacy students’ perception of risk of experiencing side effects.Methods. One hundred responses from pharmacy students were obtained using an online survey. Participants were presented with a drug information box containing drug name, drug usage, and one side-effect associated with the drug. Information on side-effect for each drug was presented in one of eight experimental conditions, in a 2 (side-effect frequency: low, high), X2 (side-effect severity: mild, severe) X2 (communication style: verbal, verbal + natural frequency) factorial design. Risk perception of experiencing side effects was measured.Results. Communication style was found to have a significant impact on risk perception depending on the context of frequency and severity associated with the side effect.Conclusion. Communication style plays a significant role in formulating risk perceptions of medication side effects. Training...
Eight years of decreased methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus health care-associated infections associated with a Veterans Affairs prevention initiative

Background Declines in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) health care associated infections (HAIs) were previously reported in Veterans Affairs acute care (2012), spinal cord injury (SCIU) (2011), and long-term-care facilities (LTCFs) (2012). Here we report continuing declines in infection rates in these settings through September 2015. Methods Monthly data entered into a national database from 127 acute care facilities, 22 SCIUs, and 133 LTCFs were evaluated for trends using negative binomial regression. Results There were 23,153,240 intensive care unit (ICU) and non-ICU, and 1,794,234 SCIU patient-days from October 2007-September 2015, and 22,262,605 LTCF resident-days from July 2009-September 2015. Admission nasal swabbing remained >92% in all 3 venues. Admission prevalence changed from 13.2%-13.5% in acute care, from 35.1%-32.0% in SCIUs, and from 23.1%-25.0% in LTCFs during the analysis periods. Monthly HAI rates fell 87.0% in ICUs, 80.1% in non-ICUs, 80.9% in SCIUs, and 49.4% in LTCFs (all P values Conclusions MRSA HAI rates declined significantly in acute care, SCIUs, and LTCFs over 8 years of the Veterans Affairs MRSA Prevention Initiative.
Necrotizing eosinophilic granulomatous lymphadenitis with ring- and C-shaped granulomas—an underrecognized specific manifestation of nodal Churg-Strauss syndrome

Nodal involvement as the main or prominent clinical manifestation of Churg-Strauss Syndrome (CSS) is uncommon but is being recognized with increasing frequency. Lymph node biopsies are only obtained in CSS cases in which the classic clinical and serologic manifestations of the disease are not clear, and thus the nodal biopsy becomes crucial for recognizing a disorder associated with severe morbidity and mortality. Unfortunately, lymph node pathologists are rarely confronted with this disease, and detailed descriptions of pathologic findings in nodal CSS are scant, with only one previous detailed report. We confirmed the specificity of the findings described in the previous report, and expanded the morphologic and immunophenotypic features of nodal CSS, including a possible pathogenetic role of IgG4. The diagnosis allowed successful treatment of symptoms that had plagued the patient for over 2 years and allowed the rapid recognition of a potentially fatal acute alveolar hemorrhage that occurred after the patient underwent an aortic valve replacement for bacterial endocarditis. Treatment with anti-interleukin-5 humanized monoclonal antibody mepolizumab allowed decreasing the risk of infection and poor healing associated with high-dose steroids and cyclophosphamide.
High Performance Calligraphics

Dyna-MOVIE.BYU combines software and Evans and Sutherland hardware providing a highly interactive program with instantaneous feedback of object transformations; therefore, real time, dynamic calligraphic display capabilities are possible. All transformations are updated continuously by use of three interactive devices: a keyboard with function keys, the control dials and a data tablet. Two methods are available to remove hidden surfaces. Animated sequences can be produced by defining a series of frames. The frames are calculated and down loaded from the host computer to the PS330. The sequence can be previewed by three different methods. Since, the PS330 is a calligraphic display device, the final picture can be saved in a MOVIE.BYU format file. This allows the user to choose a number of continuous-tone raster devices on which the model may be rendered.
Abstract P4-03-16: Cyclin E affects Smad3 pathway in trastuzumab resistant HER2+ breast cancer

Introduction and Objective: HER2 amplification is found in approximately 20% of patients with breast cancer and is associated with poor prognosis. Trastuzumab, a humanized anit-HER2 antibody, has been shown to improve patient outcomes, but clinical efficacy for this treatment is limited by the high rate of drug resistance. Cyclin E overexpression and cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) activation correlate with trastuzumab resistance, and the underlying mechanisms of this correlation are an area of active study. In this work, we examined the contribution of cyclin E/CDK2-mediated Smad3 noncanonical phosphorylation to trastuzumab resistance in HER2+ breast cancer. Methods : Trastuzumab resistant BT474R2 cells were developed by culturing BT474 cells in trastuzumab-supplemented media for 18 months. These cells were then inoculated into immunodeficient mice and treated with trastuzumab twice weekly. BT474 and BT474R2 cells were used to study cell proliferation, phosphorylation in the Smad3 linker region and transcription factor activities with a living cell array. Results : Inhibition of cyclin E activity with CDK2 inhibitor therapy (CDK2i, 600 nM) significantly decreased BT474R2 cell proliferation. CDK2i treatment led to decreased phosphorylation at T179 (p Conclusions: Taken together, overexpression of cyclin E leads to Smad3 noncanonical phosphorylation and results in trastuzumab resistance in HER2+ breast cancer. CDK2i treatment may be a promising therapeutic strategy for patients with trastuzumab resistance. Citation Format: Decker JT, Wan L, Shea LD, Jeruss JS. Cyclin E affects Smad3 pathway in trastuzumab resistant HER2+ breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2017 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-03-16.
Pandemic preparedness and forecast.

Geographic mapping of pathogen emergence risk, as recently done for viral haemorrhagic fever in Africa, provides an important tool for targeting interventions. More comprehensive preparedness and prediction systems that increase surveillance and forecast infectious disease outbreak growth and spread in real time are also needed.
Representations, Resolutions and Intertwining Numbers

It may, at first glance, seem inappropriate to be talking about representations of the general linear group at a conference on commutative algebra. We would like, therefore, to offer some observations: one, historical; one, personal; and one, perhaps presumptuous, that might reconcile this apparent anomaly.
Hydrodesulfurization with RuS2 at Low Hydrogen Pressures

At low hydrogen pressures, is there an inherent limit beyond which additional hydrodesulfurization (HDS) activity may not be achievable within the operating envelope of existing HDS process? In seeking an answer, we offer the following observation: RuS2 achieves deep HDS of a refractory petroleum distillate at hydrogen pressure as low as 0.79MPa.
Effect of mineralogical properties of synthetic mica on its floatability

Barium fluorophlogopites were synthesized in the laboratory to investigate the effects of composition and crystal parameters on surface properties and floatability. The negative surface charge of mica is determined by the barium content, the crystal cell volume, the distance between the layer structure and the Ba-O bond length. The higher the barium content, the larger the cell volume and distance between the layer structure, and the longer the Ba-O bond, the more negatively charged the surface is, and, hence, the more easily adsorbed are cationic collectors. When an anionic collector (sodium oleate) is used, barium oleate forms on the mica surface and hence chemical adsorption occurs.
FR-WARD: Fast Retransmit as a Wary but Ample Response to Distributed Denial-of-Service Attacks from the Internet of Things

While the Internet of Things (IoT) becomes increasingly popular and ubiquitous, IoT devices often remain unprotected and can be exploited to launch large-scale distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks. One could attempt to employ traditional DDoS defense solutions, but these solutions are hardly suitable in IoT environments since they seldom consider the resource constraints of IoT devices. We present FR-WARD, a system that defends against DDoS attacks launched from an IoT network. FR-WARD operates close to potential attack sources at the gateway of an IoT network and drops packets to throttle any DDoS traffic that attempts to leave the IoT network. However, in order to properly react to traffic too difficult to categorically label as good or bad, FR-WARD employs a novel response based on the fast retransmit and flow control mechanisms of the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) which minimizes the energy consumption and network latency of benign IoT devices within the policed network. Based on our mathematical analysis, simulation, and experimental evaluation, FR-WARD not only effectively mitigates DDoS traffic, but also minimizes the number of retransmitted packets and the connection durations of benign IoT devices. In fact, FR-WARD can successfully mitigate both naive flood attacks and smarter DDoS attacks that follow TCP congestion control but still reduce overhead caused by retransmitted packets for benign IoT devices by a up to a factor of 150.
Reading comprehension treatment development for high school students with autism spectrum disorder: Stakeholder considerations for feasibility

Abstract Background We explored the potential benefits, possible challenges, and further considerations of two proposed academic interventions under development. These interventions target the reading comprehension of adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). These interventions were part of a comprehensive treatment package proposed to improve postsecondary outcomes for those with ASD transitioning to college, vocational training, and careers. Our purpose was to examine the reading comprehension treatments from the perspective of multiple stakeholders from whom buy-in is needed if treatments are to be used with confidence and fidelity. We aimed to better understand and address the issues that may limit the feasibility of implementation and thus treatment integrity and outcomes of our treatments prior to piloting them in typical high school settings. Method We conducted six focus groups across two states. The 39 participants included family members of adolescents with ASD, school instructional and support staff members, and school and district administrators. The questions were semi-structured and open ended. A multistep, team-based approach was used to analyze focus group data. Results We report on three major themes with supporting subthemes. Stakeholders affirmed the need for and value of the proposed academic component. However, they were unsure that the reading interventions would prove beneficial without the proper supports, understanding of ASD in place, and further enhancements. Conclusions This study highlights the complexities of designing treatments for students with ASD across the spectrum. Stakeholder feedback is relevant and offers those designing and conducting school-based treatments considerations regarding issues of social validity and quality of life that can enhance or detract from treatment integrity and sustainability of the intervention. A rationale for gathering and using stakeholder feedback is provided to drive research design and implementation, along with recommendations for future research endeavors.
Modelling diabetic vasculopathy with human vessel organoids

A new study reports that human blood vessel organoids can be generated through the directed differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells. Use of these blood vessel organoids to model diabetic vasculopathy led to the identification of a new potential therapeutic target, suggesting this system could have translational value for studies of diabetes complications.
Accelerating distributed reinforcement learning with in-switch computing

Reinforcement learning (RL) has attracted much attention recently, as new and emerging AI-based applications are demanding the capabilities to intelligently react to environment changes. Unlike distributed deep neural network (DNN) training, the distributed RL training has its unique workload characteristics - it generates orders of magnitude more iterations with much smaller sized but more frequent gradient aggregations. More specifically, our study with typical RL algorithms shows that their distributed training is latency critical and that the network communication for gradient aggregation occupies up to 83.2% of the execution time of each training iteration. In this paper, we present iSwitch, an in-switch acceleration solution that moves the gradient aggregation from server nodes into the network switches, thus we can reduce the number of network hops for gradient aggregation. This not only reduces the end-to-end network latency for synchronous training, but also improves the convergence with faster weight updates for asynchronous training. Upon the in-switch accelerator, we further reduce the synchronization overhead by conducting on-the-fly gradient aggregation at the granularity of network packets rather than gradient vectors. Moreover, we rethink the distributed RL training algorithms and also propose a hierarchical aggregation mechanism to further increase the parallelism and scalability of the distributed RL training at rack scale. We implement iSwitch using a real-world programmable switch NetFPGA board. We extend the control and data plane of the programmable switch to support iSwitch without affecting its regular network functions. Compared with state-of-the-art distributed training approaches, iSwitch offers a system-level speedup of up to 3.66× for synchronous distributed training and 3.71× for asynchronous distributed training, while achieving better scalability.
Child Rearing and Education

Shortly before delivery, the expectant Kibbutz mother is taken to the central or regional hospital, which is part of the network of medical services maintained by the vast labor union federation in Israel. Several days following delivery, mother and infant return “home”—to the Kibbutz. The mother returns to her own quarters which she shares with her husband, while the infant is placed in the “infant house.” Henceforward the child is, with rare and exceptional interruptions, in the company of his peers until he graduates from the Mosad (institute), or high school, at the age of eighteen, when he becomes eligible for adult membership in the Kibbutz. As we shall see, the separation from the parents is only partial. The infant and child rearing process passes through several stages which we shall describe in some detail.