cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 2876: Loss of the stem cell and basal lineage regulator LBH delays onset of basal-like triple negative breast cancer

There is increasing evidence that basal-like triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) originates from luminal mammary epithelial cells. Specific gene signatures have already been experimentally proven to serve as genetic lineage switches that, when overexpressed, transform pre-malignant luminal cells to oncogenic cells with basal, stem-like characteristics. Conversely, depletion of these genes in oncogenic cells with basal, stem-like characteristics leads to luminal differentiation. These studies suggest that during the earliest steps of neoplastic transformation, specific gene sets can alter cell fate decisions and differentiation status in mammary epithelial cells, which ultimately contributes to the heterogeneity of breast tumors. Our lab has identified a novel Wnt/β-Catenin target gene, Limb bud and heart (LBH) that is majorly overexpressed in TNBC. LBH is a regulator of the basal mammary stem cell lineage and repressor of luminal differentiation via induction of ΔNp63 and repression of estrogen receptor alpha. LBH is required for the self-renewal and maintenance of adult basal mammary stem cells, which tend to be enriched in TNBC. Knockout studies in mice have shown that genetic ablation of LBH does not impair embryogenesis or normal adult organ function, making it a possible therapeutic target. Using crosses between MMTV-Wnt-1 transgenic mice and K14Cre LBHloxP knockout mice, we are studying the effect of LBH ablation in the basal cells of the mammary epithelium downstream of ectopic Wnt expression in the mammary gland. We postulated that LBH may be an effector of Wnt-driven TNBC, therefore its inhibition would lead to decreased Wnt-induced mammary gland hyperplasia and tumor formation. In our model, LBH ablation in the basal mammary epithelium of female Wnt transgenic mice reduces mammary gland hyperplasia and delays tumor onset. MMTV-Wnt-1 driven, LBH-null tumors also exhibit histopathological differences indicative of a luminal to basal conversion. There is an urgent need to elucidate mechanisms underlying TNBC development and progression and find reliable avenues for treatment. Our data indicates a role for Lbh as a novel effector for Wnt-driven TNBC and further studies may prove antagonism of Lbh to be a novel method to control TNBC progression. Citation Format: Kilan C. Ashad-Bishop, Karoline Briegel. Loss of the stem cell and basal lineage regulator LBH delays onset of basal-like triple negative breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 2876. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-2876
Weighted traction boundary element methods for strength analysis of bi-materials

Publisher Summary A new weighted traction-boundary-element method is developed for the determination of generalized stress intensity factors associated with bimaterial interfaces. The theory of boundary eigensolutions provides the motivation for introducing the singular weighting function directly into the integral formulation. This allows the formulation to be written exclusively in terms of bounded variables—namely, the surface displacements and weighted tractions. In the numerical implementation, nonclassical quadrature formulas are introduced in the chapter to evaluate singular integrals, and nonstandard shape functions are employed to capture the local variations of displacement. Consequently, it obtains accurate mesh-independent solutions with a surface-only discretization scheme. In fact, the desired generalized stress intensity factors are obtained directly from the nodal values of weighted traction on the interface. No post processing operations are required.
Mental health and substance use

Introduction This chapter introduces the intersections between mental health care and drug and alcohol care. It addresses the implications for holistic health care needs related to dual drug and alcohol use, and concurrent mental health conditions. It tells the contemporary, real-life story of a person who developed an episode of psychosis following consumption of premixed alcohol and caffeine drinks. The chapter also describes change models applied to substance use and recovery, such as motivational interviewing and stages of change readiness. Both common and less common drugs and their misuse affect the physical, social, cognitive and mental health dimensions of people with mental health conditions. Reflective exercises guide readers to consider how they will be able to promote mental health and well-being and minimise drug-related harm to individuals and communities in a practice context. Harm minimisation Australian and New Zealand drug policies have been underpinned by a harm minimisation philosophy, which has a ‘three pillars’ approach to implementation: supply reduction, demand reduction and harm reduction. This collaborative approach includes stakeholder partnerships across government agencies, including those responsible for health, education and law enforcement (Department of Health and Ageing, 2011; Ritter, King & Hamilton, 2013). Supply reduction is largely a role for policymakers, legislators and justice systems, while reducing demand and reducing harm to individuals, groups and communities are a focus for health and education service providers. Health services aim to provide enough information to assist people to make healthy lifestyle choices and thereby deter the harmful uptake of drug and alcohol use, and/or to help people reduce or cease the use of harmful drugs and alcohol if this has occurred. REFLECTIVE QUESTIONS Alcohol and tobacco are drugs that are available for purchase in Australia and New Zealand under legally regulated conditions of sale and consumption. Take some time to consider the pros and cons of legalisation and regulation of supply. • What are the health and social influences and the consequences of alcohol and cigarette smoking in your community? • Have our laws and regulations achieved a balanced approach to management of these two legal drugs? List some changes you would like to see in the future, and explain why.
Social media cues and news site name: What do they mean for online news perception?:

Using Sundar’s MAIN Model, a 2 (sharing applications: present/absent) × 2 (news platforms: blogs/traditional newspaper sites) × 4 (stories) experiment with college students found news stories on tr...
Historical perspective for understanding of adrenergic receptors.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the historical perspective for the understanding of adrenergic receptors. The study of the basis of physiological responses to epinephrine and norepinephrine has resulted in the discovery of fundamental concepts in receptor theory and mechanisms and, based on more recent exploitation of molecular tools, has led to paradigm shifts in thinking concerned with receptor mechanisms. Thus, ongoing research about adrenergic receptors and their modulation of signaling pathways is anticipated to reveal not only cell-specific or disease-specific insights but also more pervasive insights into the mechanisms underlying signaling specificity by endogenous and pharmacological agents. Early investigations into the mechanism of action of endogenous catecholamines and mimicking or blocking drugs focused on how selectivity of action is achieved. The demonstrated functional consequence of arrestin interaction with phosphorylated rhodopsin in the deactivation of light-activated signaling served as a harbinger for understanding the molecular underpinnings of homologous desensitization of adrenergic receptors. Studies have clarified that the activation of adrenergic receptors with agonist for long periods of time or at elevated concentrations of agonist could result in diminished signal output from the receptor, referred to as “desensitization.”
Curvature Functionals on Spaces of Associated Metrics

In this chapter we discuss a number of curvature functionals defined on the spaces of associated metrics for both compact symplectic and compact contact manifolds. Since these spaces are smaller than the space of Riemannian metrics of the same total volume, one expects for the classical curvature functionals weaker but still interesting critical point conditions. Other functionals that depend on the symplectic and contact structures are also considered.
Abstract 4031: Novel tumor intrinsic vs. extrinsic mechanisms of resistance to chemotherapy in metastatic disease

For patients with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), where metastasis occurs in 30% of patients, treatment options are limited to chemotherapy, given the lack of any effective targeted therapies approved for this subtype. However, the response rate is low and the time to relapse is short. While most chemotherapeutic drugs target proliferating cells, we set out to investigate the effect of these drugs on metastatic cells and identify metastasis-specific mechanisms of resistance. In preliminary experiments, mice with triple-negative xenograft tumors and known metastatic disease were treated with taxol and doxorubicin, two drugs commonly used to treat metastatic TNBC patients. Both drugs significantly slowed tumor growth; however, taxol, but not doxorubicin, treatment reduced cell motility within the primary tumor as measured by intravital imaging. These data support the idea that chemotherapeutics can have different effects on growth and motility in vivo, and that effects on tumor size might not correlate with changes in cell motility. We first focused on identifying tumor-intrinsic mechanisms of resistance to chemotherapy. We found that cells expressing the proinvasive isoform of the actin regulatory protein Mena are resistant to the taxane paclitaxel, but not to the widely used DNA-damaging agents doxorubicin or cisplatin. Furthermore, paclitaxel treatment does not attenuate growth of MenaINV-driven metastatic lesions or reduce metastatic burden. Mechanistically, Mena isoform expression alters the ratio of dynamic and stable microtubule populations in paclitaxel-treated cells, while also increasing MAPK signaling in response to paclitaxel treatment. Our data indicate that highly metastatic cells may respond differently to chemotherapeutic drugs than nonmetastatic ones. Second, we investigated the role of tumor extrinsic factors on chemoresistance of metastatic cells, focusing on the extracellular matrix, which is known to drive local invasion and metastasis. We found that in vitro, plating TNBC cells on collagen renders cells more resistant to doxorubicin, but not taxol. In vivo, both taxol and doxorubicin treatments led to increases in collagen deposition. Our data suggest that chemotherapeutic treatments can therefore lead to changes in tumor ECM amount and can also change how cells respond to tumor ECM. Further studies are under way to identify the role of the matrix in chemoresistance. Together, these data indicate that chemotherapeutic drugs, commonly used to treat metastatic disease, have different effects on cell growth vs. cell migration, and that chemotherapy can lead to the generation of prometastatic environments. Citation Format: Madeleine J. Oudin, Lucie Barbier, Tatiana Kosciuk, Emanuel Kreidl, Frank Gertler. Novel tumor intrinsic vs. extrinsic mechanisms of resistance to chemotherapy in metastatic disease [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 4031.
JOURNAL CLUB: Hepatopancreaticobiliary Imaging Second-Opinion Consultations: Is There Value in the Second Reading?

OBJECTIVE. Tertiary care practices increasingly provide second-opinion consultations on reports from outside practices or institutions. This practice of providing a second opinion has been studied ...
Application of a sequential multiple assignment randomized trial (SMART) design in older patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Abstract Background Ibrutinib therapy is safe and effective in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Currently, ibrutinib is administered continuously until disease progression. Combination regimens with ibrutinib are being developed to deepen response which could allow for ibrutinib maintenance (IM) discontinuation. Among untreated older patients with CLL, clinical investigators had the following questions: (i) does ibrutinib + venetoclax + obinutuzumab (IVO) with IM have superior progression-free survival (PFS) compared with ibrutinib + obinutuzumab (IO) with IM, and (ii) does the treatment strategy of IVO + IM for patients without minimal residual disease complete response (MRD- CR) or IVO + IM discontinuation for patients with MRD- CR have superior PFS compared with IO + IM. Design Conventional designs randomize patients to IO with IM or IVO with IM to address the first objective, or randomize patients to each treatment strategy to address the second objective. A sequential multiple assignment randomized trial (SMART) design and analysis is proposed to address both objectives. Results A SMART design strategy is appropriate when comparing adaptive interventions, which are defined by an individual’s sequence of treatment decisions and guided by intermediate outcomes, such as response to therapy. A review of common applications of SMART design strategies is provided. Specific to the SMART design previously considered for Alliance study A041702, the general structure of the SMART is presented, an approach to sample size and power calculations when comparing adaptive interventions embedded in the SMART with a time-to-event end point is fully described, and analyses plans are outlined. Conclusion SMART design strategies can be used in cancer clinical trials with adaptive interventions to identify optimal treatment strategies. Further, standard software exists to provide sample size, power calculations, and data analysis for a SMART design.
Neural populations for maintaining body fluid balance

Fine balance between loss-of water and gain-of water is essential for maintaining body fluid homeostasis. The development of neural manipulation and mapping tools has opened up new avenues to dissect the neural circuits underlying body fluid regulation. Recent studies have identified several nodes in the brain that positively and negatively regulate thirst. The next step forward would be to elucidate how neural populations interact with each other to control drinking behavior.
MACHINE LEARNING USING SIMILARITY ANALYSIS IMPROVES RISK STRATIFICATION BEYOND SURGICAL RISK SCORES IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING TRANSCATHETER AORTIC VALVE REPLACEMENT

Current methods to aggregate the risk factors in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) remains imprecise. We used unsupervised machine learning to predict 30-day adverse events including mortality following TAVR. We included data from 228 patients who underwent TAVR at
Large scale residential energy efficiency prioritization enabled by machine learning

Cost-effective energy efficiency improvements in residential buildings can realize 30% energy reduction within this energy sector for the USA. Unfortunately, audits on residences to identify potential savings, generally based on detailed energy models, tend to over-estimate anticipated savings. This leads to wariness on the part of potential investors. We address this issue by taking an integrated data- and physics-based approach, using residential building geometrical and energy system characteristics (e.g., envelope, appliances, and HVAC systems), as well as historical energy consumption for each residence and weather data, to predict monthly natural gas energy consumption and savings from the adoption of individual energy saving measures. This approach requires only those geometrical and energy system characteristics associated with the greatest potential for realized savings which are also easy to obtain. We construct a dataset from a collection of houses with a wide range of energy effectiveness, and train a single statistical model that accurately predicts natural gas energy consumption in any of the individual residences. The model is then used to estimate the savings from most impactful energy efficiency investments for individual residences, as well as the collective grouping. The specific case considered here involves hundreds of university-owned student residences in the U.S. Midwest. The resulting machine-learning derived model is used to predict monthly natural gas consumption with a mean squared error of 0.00023 for unitary scaled cross-validation data. We use a nearest neighbor approach to validate savings estimates for virtually improved residences, identifying the surrogate residence most like an improved residence. This validation demonstrates a savings prediction accuracy to within 3.5% for most of the measures considered. The validated models are shown capable of prioritizing investments among the collective of residences considered. Sequential adoption of the most cost-effective energy efficiency measure among a group of residences renders a total energy reduction of 36%. The practical implications of this research are significant. This integrated machine-learning and physics-based approach to estimate savings could be used in any utility district and throughout all of the USA to enable district-wide residential energy reduction based upon sequential adoption of the most cost-effective energy measures.
Analysis of the Stability of Thawing Slopes by Random Finite Element Method

A significant number of landslides occur in cold regions because of freezing and thawing cycles. The instability of thawing slopes can cause serious damage to transportation infrastructure and prop...
The Use of Age Assessment in the Context of Child Migration: Imprecise, Inaccurate, Inconclusive and Endangers Children’s Rights

Anecdotal reports suggest migrant children at the US border have had to undergo age assessment procedures to prove to immigration officials they qualify for special protections afforded to those under age 18. There are a variety of methods to assess the chronological ages of minors, including imaging studies such as X-rays of the wrist, teeth, or collarbone. However, these procedures have come under great scrutiny for being arbitrary and inaccurate, with a significant margin of error, because they are generally based on reference materials that do not take into account ethnicity, nutritional status, disease, and developmental history, considerations which are especially relevant for individuals coming from conflict and/or resource-constrained environments. Using these procedures for migration purposes represent an unethical use of science and medicine, which can potentially deprive minors with the protections that they are owed under US and international laws, and which may have devastating consequences. We should advocate for the creation special protocols, educate law enforcement and legal actors, ensure such procedures are carried out only as a last resort and by independent actors, emphasize child protection and always put the child’s best interest at the core.
Tryptoline-based benzothiazoles re-sensitize MRSA to β-lactam antibiotics

Abstract Resistance-modifying agents (RMAs) offer a promising solution to combat bacterial antibiotic resistance. Here we report the discovery and structure–activity relationships of a new class of RMAs with a novel tryptoline-based benzothiazole scaffold. Our most potent compound in this series (4ad) re-sensitizes multiple MRSA strains to cephalosporins at low concentrations (2 μg/mL) and has low mammalian cytotoxicity with a half growth inhibitory concentration (GI50) > 100 μg/mL in human cervical carcinoma (HeLa) cells. In addition, the same core scaffold with different substitutions also gives good antibacterial activity against MRSA.
Increasing the ICJ's Influence as a Court of Human Rights: The Muslim Rohingya as a Case Study

AbstractHuman rights violations continue today at an alarming pace. To appreciate the severity of these violations, and the seemingly ineffectual response by the international legal regime, one need look no further than the persecuted Muslim Rohingya. The Rohingya people, an ethnic and religious minority in Myanmar, have been the subject of state-sponsored violence for years, a trend that continues despite Myanmar's recent moves towards democracy. Two of Myanmar's neighbors, Thailand and Bangladesh, have contributed to the problem by violating the international legal principle of non-refoulement. This Comment argues that the International Court of Justice can play a larger role in policing and remedying human rights violations, using the Muslim Rohingya as a case study. The Court's jurisdictional requirements to hear a contentious case are stringent, and participation in an ICJ case generally requires the consent of the states involved. However, several current human rights treaties provide a way to get the plight of the Rohingya into the Court. Moreover, the Rohingya's plight can also be the subject of an ICJ advisory opinion, which would be more difficult than a contentious case to enforce, but which can be brought before the ICJ with relative ease, and which can be transformed from soft law to hard law by other international actors.Table of ContentsI. Introduction 292II. A Brief History of Human Rights Abuses in Myanmar 294III. The Current Human Rights Legal System 296A. Domestic Systems 296B. Regional Human Rights Courts and Institutions 297C. The United Nations Human Rights System 298D. The International Criminal Court 299IV. The ICJ as a Court of Human Rights: Normative Advantages 300A. Broad International Participation 300B. Enforceability through the Security Council 301C. Ability to Employ Preliminary Measures 301D. The Ability to Bring Suits Against States 302V. Jurisdiction and the ICJ 303A. Contentious Cases 304B. Advisory Opinions 305VI. The ICJ and Human Rights in Myanmar 307A. The Possibility of a Contentious Case Before the ICJ 3071. Jurisdiction by special agreement or under the optional clause 3072. Jurisdiction through a referral clause in an applicable treaty 308B. The Applicability and Utility of an ICJ Advisory Opinion 3101. Sources of law that the ICJ could draw upon 3102. Jurisdiction and an ICJ advisory opinion 3113. Soft law and the enforcement of an ICJ advisory opinion 312VII. Conclusions and Recommendations 315I. IntroductionThe continued persecutions of the Muslim Rohingya in Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Thailand illustrate perhaps the greatest challenge facing modern international law: the problem of human rights violations. Since the creation of the United Nations, countless committees, commissions, courts, economic groups, and non-governmental organizations have been established with the goal of stopping current violations and preventing future crimes. …
Accuracy of the Apple Watch 4 to Measure Heart Rate in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation

Background Wearable wrist-monitors offer an unobtrusive way to acquire heart rate data in an efficient manner. Previous work in this field has focused on studying healthy subjects during exercise but has yet to assess the efficacy of these devices in patients suffering from common cardiac arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation. Objective The objective of this pilot study was to assess the accuracy of the Apple Watch heart rate monitor in fifty patients experiencing atrial fibrillation compared to telemetry. Results Results from this pilot clinical study demonstrated a correlation coefficient of 0.7 between all readings on the Apple Watch and telemetry. Furthermore, the Apple Watch assessed heart rate more accurately in patients who were in atrial fibrillation than in those that were not (rc = 0.86, patients in AF, vs. rc = 0.64, patients not in AF). Clinical Impact The presented data from this pilot study suggests that caution should be noted before using the Apple Watch 4 wearable wrist monitor to monitor heart rate in patients with cardiac arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation.
Dharma of Bhakti, Dharma of Mlecchas: Muslim Engagement with Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇavism as a Living Tradition

The Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava tradition emerged within the context of Muslim political dominance in Bengal. As such, perceptions of Muslims embedded within Gauḍīya literature are part and parcel of their worldview. Muslims, however, have to construct perceptions of Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇavas from the ground up, utilizing scriptural references emerging in a distinctively different milieu and putting them into conversation with scholarly methodologies for cross-cultural engagement. This paper articulates a contemporary method for Muslim engagement with Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇavas that is rooted in a decolonial solidarity of respect for the internal logics of religious traditions.
EGFR gene amplification and gain of function mutations in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

5273 Background: EGFR is a transmembrane receptor tyrosine kinase of the HER family and has important roles in the proliferation and metastasis of tumor cells. It is frequently overexpressed in common solid tumors and has become a favored target for orally administered small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) and antibody-based therapy. Gain-of-function somatic mutations of the EGFR tyrosine kinase domain have been associated with the response of some patients with non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) to TKIs. EGFR is a key controller of cellular proliferation in HNSCC. Recent data provide evidence that EGFR gene amplification may also be predictive of response in both NSCLC and HNSCC. Study Design: We determined the EGFR mutational status of 50 HNSCCs by analyzing the previously described “hot spot” changes identified in NSCLC. In parallel we identified the presence of EGFR gene amplification in 50 HNSCC specimens. Additionally, we also plan to examine 20 NSCLC specimens for the same EGFR mutations and amplifications. Finally, given recent data on the presence of mutations elsewhere in the kinase domain, we plan to expand our search for EGFR mutations to include all of exons 18-24 in our HNSCC specimens. Results: We have completed sequencing of exons 19 and 21 in 20 HNSCCs and 20 NSCLCs . Sequencing analysis did not reveal “hot spot” mutations in neither HNSCC nor NSCLC specimens (all of which were squamous histology). Conclusion: We have shown that unlike NSCLC, HNSCC does not harbor mutations in exons 19 and 21 of EGFR. This is not surprising however, given that this association in NSCLC is typical predominantly for adenocarcinoma histology. Further sequencing analysis will be completed to include all seven exons of EGFR tyrosine kinase domain in 50 HNSCCs, along with characterization of EGFR amplification status in both 50 NSCLCs and 50 HNSCCs in order to fully understand the clinical and prognostic implications of gene-level EGFR changes in these tumors.
Public science data suggest that fish is the most important factor in reducing small pond biodiversity in Czechia

AO_SCPLOWBSTRACTC_SCPLOWThis project tested a public-science approach to the assessment of freshwater habitat quality via simple invertebrate sampling. We combined a mobile phone application and simple instruction to children to sample 50 ponds in Central Czechia, and we analyzed the data using a standard ecological statistics approach. Despite the limitation in scope and taxonomic precision, our data revealed the same patterns as academic studies of the same topic. Specifically, we conclude that the main cause of invertebrate community decline is fish overstocking, while diverse invertebrate communities require aquatic macrophytes. Pollution detectable by children has an effect on invertebrate community structure, but a different effect than fish has, and not as statistically robust. Importantly, almost all large ponds were found overstocked with fish; therefore, they support not more diversity than small ponds, but less, and serve as ecological traps. Our findings suggest that pond conservation should focus primarily on the restoration of aquatic vegetation, and that the most effective approach will be the removal of excessive fish.
Thrice Plundered: The Politics of Restitution with Regard to the Jews of Bosnia and Herzegovina

The chapter deals specifically with a political attempt at history’s erasure. As detailed throughout the anthology, the manipulation and often willful misinterpretation of history in order to benefit one group while belittling the suffering of another group by changing the record of, or even denying, their experience has led to distrust among the groups involved, no less today than previously. The appropriation of private and communal property of a powerless or minority group by a country’s dominant group through manipulation of the historical record, treated here through a case study of the theft over many decades of the Bosnian Jewish community’s property, is, thus, a clear example of the politicization of history.
Offene Hernienversorgung in den USA

Die Hernienchirurgie ist Vorreiterin des chirurgischen Fortschritts und der Innovation, mit rasanten Entwicklungen in den Operationsverfahren, den technologischen Hilfsmitteln, den Netzmaterialien und vor allem mit der Optimierung der Ergebnisse. In den Vereinigten Staaten hat die Entwicklung und Einfuhrung von minimalinvasiven Operationen (MIC), zunachst mit laparoskopischen Systemen und seit Kurzem auch mit Robotern, die verfugbaren Moglichkeiten fur die Rekonstruktion der Bauchdecke erweitert und damit noch weitere Verbesserungen mit weniger Infektionen, geringerer Verweildauer, besserer Kosmetik und Lebensqualitat bewirkt. In den USA werden jahrlich schatzungsweise 1.000.000 Hernienoperationen durchgefuhrt: 40–45 % der Leistenhernienoperationen werden als MIC versorgt, davon wiederum etwa die Halfte mit dem Roboter; 20–25 % der Ventral- und Inzisionalhernien werden in MIC-Technik versorgt. Trotz dieser aktuellen Fortschritte und des grosen und aufregenden Potenzials fur zukunftige Entwicklungen sind nach wie vor offene Verfahren bei Hernien- und Bauchwandrekonstruktionen die fundamentale Grundlage, welche jeder Chirurg beherrschen muss.
Reliability and Validity of Three Clinical Methods to Measure Lower Extremity Muscle Power

Background: Lower extremity muscle power is critical for daily activities and athletic performance in clinical populations. Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the reliability and validity of 3 clinically feasible methods to measure lower extremity muscle power during a leg press. Methods: Ten of 26 subjects performed 2 sessions of 5 submaximal leg presses separated by 3-7 days in this repeated-measures cross-sectional design; the remaining performed 1 test session. Power was calculated independently for each method [simple video, linear position transducer, and accelerometer] and compared to the reference force plate. Test-retest reliability was evaluated using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r), Bland-Altman plots with 95% limits of agreement (LOA), and mean bias percentages (%) were used to determine relative and absolute validity. Results: Power measures were reliable for all methods (ICC=.97-.99). All were highly correlated with the force plate (r=.96-.98). Mean bias was -0.8% (LOA: -16.57% to 14.98%) (video), -13.21% (LOA: -23.81% to -2.61%) (position transducer) compared to the force plate. Proportional bias was observed for accelerometry. Conclusion: All methods were reliable and highly correlated with the force plate. Only the video and position transducer demonstrated absolute validity. The position transducer was the most feasible method because of its simplicity and accuracy in measuring power.
Predicting Cumulative Risk of Bovine Respiratory Disease Complex using Feedlot Arrival Data and Daily Morbidity and Mortality Counts

Economic losses from bovine respiratory disease complex (BRDC) are substantial in commercial feedlots. The ability to estimate potential losses at arrival and during the feeding period would be valuable for health and economic management. Our objectives were to evaluate the use of arrival risk factor data and subsequent daily BRDC morbidity and mortality counts for predicting lot-level cumulative BRDC risk.
Erectile Dysfunction and Partner-Directed Behaviors in Romantic Relationships: The Mediating Role of Suspicious Jealousy.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) has been shown to have a considerable impact on romantic relationships. The purpose of the present research was to examine whether the associations that ED had with men’s ...
Nutritional Risks among Adolescent Athletes with Disordered Eating

In their attempt to achieve the optimum weight or body shape for their activity, athletes frequently use harmful weight-control practices that may lead to the development of disordered eating or eating disorders. These practices are linked to several medical and mental consequences that may be more serious in adolescent athletes, as their bodies must meet both intensive growth demands and training requirements at the same time. Among other consequences, adolescent athletes may be at nutritional risk, due to their high nutrient needs and unhealthy eating behaviors. A literature review was conducted to examine the main nutritional risks and malnutrition issues faced by adolescent athletes that present disordered eating attitudes or eating disorders. Most studies refer to adult elite athletes, however research on adolescent athletes also indicates that the most common nutritional risks that may arise due to disordered eating include energy, macronutrient and micronutrient deficiencies, dehydration and electrolyte imbalances and changes in body composition that may lead to menstrual abnormalities, and decreased bone mass density. Educational programs and early detection of disordered eating and eating disorders are crucial to avoid the emergence and ensure timely management of nutrition-related problems in the vulnerable group of adolescent athletes.
New therapeutic targets and biomarkers for acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD).

INTRODUCTION Acute Graft-versus-Host Disease (GVHD) is the major toxicity of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). Systemic steroids are the standard primary treatment but only half of the patients will respond completely and the survival of steroid-refractory patients is poor. The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is a key target organ that usually determines a patient's response to therapy. AREAS COVERED This review summarizes the use of clinical grading systems and biomarkers in GVHD treatment and highlights pathophysiologic phases of acute GVHD as context for the mechanisms of action and therapeutic targets of various approaches. We reviewed >100 publications and performed a search of ongoing, current clinical trials on the emerging therapeutic targets for prophylaxis and treatment of acute GVHD. Search databases included clinicaltrials.gov and PUBMED. Search terms and keywords included 'acute graft-versus-host disease,' 'GVHD,' 'graft versus host,' 'treatment.' EXPERT OPINION Future strategies will employ a risk-adapted therapy using biomarkers, which more accurately predict 6-month NRM. Strategies for high-risk patients will inhibit GI tract damage by selective targeting of effectors (e.g. inhibition of JAK signaling in T cells), blockade of trafficking through mAbs against integrin receptors, or enhancement of target cell survival. Future strategieswill reduce immunosuppression to avoid risk of infections and relapse.
DAU-Net: Dense Attention U-Net for Pavement Crack Segmentation

Accurately detecting pavement cracks is essential to apply preventive and effective pavement treatments in a timely manner. In this paper, we proposed the Dense Attention U-Net (DAU-Net) to achieve pixel-wise segmentation of cracks on 3D pavement images. The encoder of the DAU-Net consists of multi-stage dense blocks to improve its capability of extracting informative contextual features. To achieve precise localization of cracks in the decoder, a novel channel attention block (CAB) is proposed, which reduces noisy responses and highlight salient encoder features using the channel attention mechanism. The DAU-Net is evaluated on large-scale, real-world 3D asphalt pavement images. In the ablation study, the proposed CAB demonstrates its effectiveness with a large boost on crack segmentation precision. In the comparative study, the DAU-Net outperforms state-of-the-art semantic segmentation models from previous works. With both qualitative and quantitative evaluations, the effectiveness of the DAU-Net is verified.
Elderly Priming Effects on Reaction Time, Grip Strength, and Driving Proficiency

Elderly priming is a topic within psychology currently under intense scrutiny. Generally defined, elderly priming is the idea that priming stimuli relating to the elderly stereotype make one more likely to subsequently behave in ways consistent with this stereotype (e.g., walking slower). The current paper tests this phenomenon with the prediction that elderly stereotype priming will reduce physical grip strength, reaction times, and driving performance on a simulator task. In this study, priming stimuli were presented supraliminally with old/young faces. A marginally significant increase in peak grip strength and overall grip strength following our elderly priming manipulation was observed, compared to young or mixed faces control conditions. Additionally, participants exhibited significantly slower response time to pictures of elderly faces in the facial recognition task than in the young or mixed condition. Our hand grip results suggest the presence of an elderly priming effect, however, not the one we had originally hypothesized. I propose a model, which combines our physical resources mechanism (Klatzky & Creswell, 2014) with a motivation priming effect. This motivation prime arises, as a result of a participant’s awareness of our dependent measure. Therefore, as elderly priming alters the perception of participants, causing him or her to feel relatively weak, each participant squeezes the hand grip apparatus more firmly to compensate for the perceived loss of grip strength.
Approach to Dance Composition

(1941). Approach to Dance Composition. The Journal of Health and Physical Education: Vol. 12, No. 2, pp. 83-127.
Riesz Spaces of Commodities and Prices

G. Debreu’s proposal in [22] that the commodity space E and price space E’ for economies with an infinite number of commodities be viewed as dual topological vector spaces 〈E, E’〉 was refined in [16] by T. F. Bewley in his seminal study of the existence of equilibrium prices in capital markets. He required that 〈E, E’〉 be a dual pair of locally convex spaces and introduced the Mackey topology for the given pairing as the appropriate locally convex topology for equilibrium analysis on infinite dimensional commodity spaces.
Chaplaincy and Narrative Theory: A Response to Risk's Case Study

The response of a clinical chaplain to a case study of chaplaincy with an elderly African-American male with Parkinson's disease is presented. The case study offers two novel aspects: first, it explicitly describes interventions by the chaplain, and second, the chaplain's clinical approach was guided throughout by an underlying theory (narrative theory). The case study seeks to shift the paradigm from chaplains as “agenda-less” companions to clinicians with a repertoire of interventions which they should claim. The chaplain's use of narrative theory is examined. Future case studies may draw on narrative theory in chaplaincy with older males with different chronic disease, with women who have Parkinson's, and may seek to develop a theory of chaplaincy from within the profession.
Effects of copper CMP and post clean process on VRDB and TDDB at 28nm and advanced technology node

Optimization of the polishing and cleaning steps during the copper chemical mechanical polishing (Cu CMP) process can be accomplished by modification of Cu trench profile, control of Cu surface roughness, and reduction of residual Cu ions on the ultra-low k (ULK) surface. For the tuning of the polishing process, the optimized profile will improve the sheet resistance (Rs) and TDDB (time-dependent dielectric breakdown). The cleaning effectiveness would be influenced by the clean chemicals and clean process. The correlation between cleaning effectiveness and voltage ramp dielectric breakdown (VRDB) was investigated. In addition, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was found to be a useful tool for the evaluation of post cleaning performance.
Studies of nuclear DNA in vaginal adenosis and clear-cell adenocarcinoma.

Abstract Spectrophotometric measurements of nuclear DNA have been made in 3 cases of clear-cell adenocarcinomas of the vagina and 3 with adenosis. There was a history of maternal ingestion of diethylstilbestrol (DES) in all but one of the patients; one patient with an adenocarcinoma was conceived prior to the use of DES in pregnancy. DNA studies showed each of the adenocardinomas to be aneuploid whereas each of the adenosis specimens was in the diploid-tetraploid range. By analogy with results of DNA studies in other gynecologic malignancies, it is suggested that if adenosis is the tissue in which the clear-cell adenocarcinoma arises, it should have a precursor stote with a shift toward aneuploidy which has not been identified in this study.
Morphology of chorda tympani fiber receptive fields and proposed neural rearrangements during development

The average number of fungiform papillae in receptive fields of single chorda tympani nerve fibers decreases during development in sheep, and a greater proportion of small receptive fields that are highly responsive to NaCl, compared with NH4Cl, is acquired. To learn whether there also are developmental differences in the number of taste buds within the papillae in mapped receptive fields, we studied the morphology of receptive fields and fungiform papillae, and also counted fibers in the chorda tympani nerve, in fetal, perinatal, and postnatal sheep. Whether defined as the number of fungiform papillae or as the number of taste buds within papillae, receptive fields of chorda fibers decrease developmentally. Initially, however, there is an increase, and subsequently a decrease, in the number of taste buds per field. The differences in field size cannot be attributed to developmental alterations in numbers of fungiform papillae because the total number of papillae on the tongue remains constant. The average number of taste buds per papilla, however, also increases and then decreases, and the increase in perinatal animals is accompanied by the appearance of large, multipored taste buds. Because there is a significant relation between fungiform papilla size and number of taste buds in the papilla, papilla size could be one regulating factor for taste bud number. Furthermore, the number of chorda tympani nerve fibers apparently increases up to perinatal stages and then decreases postnatally, providing another potential regulating factor for the number of taste buds.
An examination of the zinc requirement for the catalytic activity of 3-phosphoglyceraldehyde dehydrogenase.

Abstract The controversial issue concerning a zinc requirement for the enzymatic activity of 3-phosphoglyceraldehyde dehydrogenase has been investigated. Nine preparations of the dehydrogenase crystallized from rabbit muscle were analyzed for zinc by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Likewise, the assay mixtures for four enzymatic activities, dehydrogenase, transferase, phosphatase, and esterase, were examined. None of the enzyme preparations or the assay mixtures contained any significant amount of zinc. It is therefore concluded that 3-phosphoglyceraldehyde dehydrogenase from rabbit muscle is not a metallo-enzyme and zinc is not required for coenzyme binding, substrate binding, or catalytic activity.
Accuracy assessment of LiDAR-derived DEMs of bedrock river channels: Holtwood Gorge, Susquehanna River

[1] We evaluate the accuracy of 1 m, LiDAR-derived DEMs of an exposed bedrock channel, and use these high-resolution terrain models to calculate erosional fluxes between four levels of strath terraces dated previously with 10Be. Recent investigations into the timing, rates, and processes by which rivers incise their bedrock channels have greatly enhanced our understanding of landscape evolution. However, measuring channel geometries in 3 dimensions is difficult; thus, volumes of bedrock eroded during incision events are rarely considered. Although our analysis successfully demonstrates the proportionality between incision rates and erosional fluxes for terraces high above the channel floor in this gorge, unusually high river flows on the date of acquisition inundated lower bedrock surfaces, preventing accurate volume estimates. To ensure optimal low-flow LiDAR coverage for fluvial environments, we discuss methods to improve the scheduling of data acquisition by using archived discharge records and predictive models based on real-time data.
The influence of grain boundaries on the fracture mode of Zirconium and Zircaloy-2

The mode of fracture was examined in Zircaloy-2 sheet specimens pulled in tension over a range of strain rates (10−5∼10−1 min−1) at 350°C. As the strain rate decreased from 10−1 to 10−4 min−1, the mode of fracture changed from transgranular ductile shear to a mixed mode of intergranular and ductile shear failure. This was accompanied by the ridging of grain bounaries on the fracture surface. With decreasing grain size this ridging became more evident. It was not observed on the fractures of high purity iodide zirconium. This correlates with the earlier observation that the fracture strain decreases with decreasing strain rate for Zircaloy-2 but not for iodide zirconium. No direct evidence could be found for any grain boundary strengthening phenomenon. The microscopic fracture behavior was, however, found to correlate with the macroscopic fracture orientation. The ridging of the boundaries increases as the fracture path shifts from a direction with a high shear component to one that is nearly normal to the tensile axis.
A Review of “Processing the Past: Contesting Authority in History and the Archives”

In 2005, the University of Michigan Press published a collection of essays from the Sawyer Seminar, which was held at the Bentley Historical Library in Ann Arbor. Entitled, Archives, Documentation,...
A study on the laser forming of near-alpha and metastable beta titanium alloy sheets

Abstract Laser forming has been identified as a technique suitable for producing sheet metal products and for making on-site repairs. One application is the repair of titanium turbines for military airplanes, which consists of shaping distorted blades back to their original shape without removing them. This paper essentially analyzes the effects of consecutive scans at known beam parameters, and to a practical standpoint, it can help to select adequate forming conditions. Two titanium alloys were chosen: a near-alpha alloy, Ti–6Al–2Sn–4Zr–2Mo, and a metastable beta alloy, Ti–15V–3Cr–3Al–3Sn. Empirical equations for predicting bending and section thickening were derived so that series of experimental points could be reduced into two parameters. Effects of repeated scans on bending angle and thickening were first investigated. Second, these two geometric changes were correlated and the two materials compared. The reduced bending often observed after a few scans was related to the initial thickening. Alloy Ti–6Al–2Sn–4Zr–2Mo was found to bend more in the early stage of forming, but it also thickened more than alloy Ti–15V–3Cr–3Al–3Sn. It was concluded that gradual thickening reduced subsequent bendability. The greater initial bending in alloy Ti–6Al–2Sn–4Zr–2Mo was due to a lower yield temperature and a higher thermal expansion coefficient. Because lesser thickening occurred in Ti–15V–3Cr–3Al–3Sn, a better formability was found after many scans. It is also proposed that buckling could cause bending to decrease. As a result of this work, process parameters can be chosen to create the largest bending angles and minimize the number of scans.