cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Choice Procedure to Assess the Aversive Effects of Drugs in Rodents.

The goal of this series of experiments was to develop an operant choice procedure to examine rapidly the punishing effects of intravenous drugs in rats. First, the cardiovascular effects of experimenteradministered intravenous histamine, a known aversive drug, were assessed to determine a biologically active dose range. Next, rats responded on each of two levers with concurrently available fixed-ratio 1 schedules of food reinforcement. Intravenous histamine was delivered along with food when responses were made on one of the options, and the lever on which both food and histamine were contingent was switched on a regular basis. A dose of 1.0 mg/kg/inj of histamine was effective in moving responding to the alternate lever, whereas saline, 0.1, or 0.3 mg/kg/inj of histamine were not. Histamine injections produced reliable selection of the alternate lever when they were presented on the same lever for three consecutive sessions, but not when they were switched between levers on each session. In addition, histamine produced greater selection of the alternate lever when it was presented with shorter intertrial interval durations. These findings indicate that, with appropriate parameters, the aversive effects of histamine and perhaps other drugs can be established rapidly using a concurrent choice procedure.
Wireless communication for controlling microgrids: Co-simulation and performance evaluation

A microgrid with wireless communication links for microgrid control has been designed and developed. The complete simulation model has been developed in MatLab SimuLink with seamless integration of the power subsystem and the communication subsystem. Unlike the conventional co-simulators that usually connect two existing simulators together by creating an interface, which has a steep learning curve, the proposed simulator is a compact single-unit model. Detailed modeling of the power subsystem and communication system is presented as well as the microgrid control architecture and strategies. The impact of different communication system performances on microgrid control has been studied and evaluated in the proposed simulator. The results help identify the cost effective communication solutions for microgrid applications.
Thermal methods for therapy of nonvariceal bleeding

This presentation addresses the thermal methods for therapy of nonvariceal bleeding. The following subtopics will be considered: overview of thermal options, combination therapy, data, technique, conclusions regarding peptic ulcer therapy and unique situations.
Pearls & Oy-sters: Spontaneous intracranial hypotension and posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome

A 65-year-old woman with no significant medical history was brought to the emergency room after experiencing 2 weeks of band-like occipital headaches and 2 days of progressive mental status changes. Her neurologic examination was significant for decreased alertness, disorientation to time, confabulation, loss of recent and remote memory, diffuse hyperreflexia, and a left Hoffmann sign. MRI of the brain with contrast showed bilateral subdural hygromas, diffuse enhancement of the dura mater, with mild sagging of the brainstem suggestive of intracranial hypotension (figure 1, A and B). MRI of the spine showed a large collection of CSF in the lumbar epidural space (figure 2A); however, the tear site was not identified. EEG also revealed generalized slowing with no evidence of seizure activity. Her mental status continued to deteriorate despite conservative measures such as aggressive hydration, caffeine intake, and bedrest in the Trendelenburg position. A head CT was ordered for worsening mental status and revealed symmetric hypoattenuation of the bilateral parasagittal occipital cortices consistent with PRES (figure 2B), a finding that was not present on the initial MRI. She then received an emergent lumbar epidural blood patch, resulting in dramatic improvement in mental status several hours later. She was discharged without any focal neurologic deficits. An MRI performed 10 days later revealed no evidence of PRES in the occipital region. An MRI of the lumbar spine performed 5 weeks later showed resolution of the fluid collection (figure 3).
Long-term follow-up of amitriptyline treatment for idiopathic cough.

Objectives/Hypothesis To evaluate short- and long-term treatment outcomes of amitriptyline for idiopathic cough. Study Design Retrospective chart review and anonymous survey of a patient cohort. Methods We evaluated a cohort of adults treated for cough at the Duke Voice Care Center with amitriptyline over a 2- to 3-year period. We characterized demographics, symptoms, treatment variability, and treatment effects from chart review and survey responses. We performed univariate analysis comparing cough improvement to age, gender, symptoms of throat irritation, cough duration, concurrent speech therapy, and dosage. Results Eighty-nine percent were taking the medication at the first clinical follow-up at a mean 2.6 months, and overall, 67% reported ≥50% improvement. No statistically significant predictors of cough improvement with medication were identified. At follow-up 2 to 3 years later, overall, 53% reported ≥50% improvement, with only 34% of patients still taking amitriptyline. After 2 to 3 years, 65% of patients had titrated the medication to effect, and 33% restarted the medication. Occurrence of side effects was the most frequent reason for stopping the medication. Conclusions Amitriptyline can be an effective and well-tolerated part of short- and long-term management of idiopathic cough in adults. Titrating the dose and restarting are often necessary. Larger studies and randomized control trials are needed to better understand the outcomes of using amitriptyline to treat idiopathic cough. Level of Evidence 4 Laryngoscope, 2016
Visible light induced antibacterial properties of a Ru(II)–Pt(II) bimetallic complex

The development of antibiotics with new modes of action and specificity are necessary with the emergence of multidrug resistant Gram-negative bacteria. Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) affords reactive oxygen species, which generally overcomes the conventional bacterial resistance mechanisms, but typical aPDT agents do not strongly associate with Gram-negative bacteria. However, by covalently coupling a Ru-based chromophore with a cis-PtCl2 bioactive site, covalent interactions with the cell at the Pt moiety provides localization of the singlet oxygen generating chromophore. Reported here is the photoinhibition and photocytotoxicity of Escherichia coli, using the mixed-metal complex [Ru(Ph2phen)2(dpp)PtCl2]2+ (Ph2phen = 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline and dpp = 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine) in the presence of oxygen and low energy visible light. The Ru(II)–Pt(II) bimetallic complex shows promise as a photoactivated antibacterial agent that interacts with cells in a fundamentally different mode of action than cisplatin.
Manufacture and Superconducting Properties of Bronze Processed Nb3Sn Monofilamentary Wires with Be Additions

In the previous reports [l–3], it was demonstrated that cold hydrostatic extrusion can be used effectively in manufacturing Nb3Sn superconductors by the bronze process.
Collaboration and teamwork in assessment for early intervention.

Teamwork is fundamental to effective early intervention for young children with special needs and their families. Parentprofessional and interprofessional collaboration are not only best practices but are also federal mandates. Unfortunately, barriers to teamwork and collaboration abound when interdisciplinary professionals use different and often conflicting sets of perspectives and practices. In this respect, educational and medical professionals are often worlds apart in serving young children with developmental disabilities. This article reviews these barriers to teamwork and offers a common core of developmentally appropriate standards and practices to facilitate teamwork and collaboration.
FK506 attenuates developing and established joint inflammation and suppresses interleukin 6 and nitric oxide expression in bacterial cell wall induced polyarthritis.

Objective. To determine the efficacy of therapeutic administration of FK506 (Tacrolimus) in suppressing developing and established joint inflammation, proinflammatory cytokine expression, and nitric oxide (NO) production in peptidoglycan-polysaccharide (PG/PS) induced experimental polyarthritis in rats. Methods. Chronic joint inflammation was induced by intraperitoneal injection of PG/PS, and joint inflammation was quantified using arthritis index and paw volume. Serum and joint levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6) were measured by bioassay and Western blot analysis respectively, and serum levels of NO production were determined by the Griess procedure and the expression of the inducible isoform of nitric oxide synthase (i-NOS) in the joints was determined by Western blot analysis. Results. Arthritis induced by PG/PS is biphasic, progressing through an initial acute phase and a remission phase, which is followed by a persistent chronic phase. Daily administration of FK506 initiated during the remission phase significantly attenuated the onset and development of chronic joint inflammation. We observed a significant reduction in joint inflammation and swelling, an apparent suppression of pannus development, and minimal erosive damage to the articular cartilage and subchondral bone. Fully established chronic joint inflammation was also ameliorated by daily administration of FK506. Joint swelling and inflammation was significantly reduced by 5 days posttreatment with FK506 and the erosive activity associated with the pannus appeared diminished. The elevated expression of IL-6 and NO characteristic of chronic joint inflammation in the serum and in joint tissue was significantly reduced by FK506 treatment. Conclusion. Therapeutic administration of FK506 has a profound antiinflammatory effect on the development of the chronic, erosive arthritis induced by PG/PS. This attenuation in joint inflammation was associated with suppression of IL-6 and NO production systemically and locally in the joints. Out data suggest that FK506 may be effective in the treatment of chronic joint inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis.
Morrey Potentials and PDE I

In these next two chapters, we use much of our previous theory to examine the regularity of certain elliptic non-linear PDE in domains \(\Omega \subset \mathbb{R}^{n}\). So in some sense, we have come full circle, back to the kind of PDEs that originally motivated Morrey in the first place to introduce his Morrey condition. In this chapter, we study the familiar equation: \(-\Delta u = u^{p},\mbox{ for }p > n/(n - 2),\;u \geq 0\) on \(\Omega;\;\partial \Omega \) smooth. In Chapter 16, we will look at non-linear elliptic systems.
The Design of a Modified PSO Guidance Law Using Predictor and LOS Rate Evaluation

This paper proposes a modified particle swarm optimization guidance (MPSOG) for the pursuit-evasion optimization problem. If the line-of-sight (LOS) rate equals zero, the curvature of the missile’s trajectory would be smaller and the probability of intercept greater. Thus, we propose using a MPSOG to improve the guidance performance. The MPSOG uses a Kalman filter to predict a target’s dynamic. The lateral acceleration commands of the y- and z-axis are optimized by the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm, respectively. Numerical simulation results show that the MPSOG have better guidance performance than proportional navigation guidance and particle swarm optimization guidance in miss distance, time-to-go, and final lateral acceleration commands.
Imagination and the crossing of boundaries: some theological reflections

In this response to Birgit Meyer’s book Sensational Movies, the author will focus on the theological possibilities of her study, in particular with regard to two aspects: the role of the imagination and the imaginary; and the ways in which the boundaries that separate the visible and invisible, the spiritual, and everyday life are blurred in the video films so that the two spheres can touch each other. In addition, for both of these aspects, the author sees a strong potential to further elaborate their embodied dimension in a fruitful contribution to media studies, anthropology, religious studies, and theology.
Strategic Trade-offs in Hotel Best Rate Guarantees

Ever-growing access to information represents a disruptive influence on many traditional industries. With an increase in access to a wide range of distribution channels, consumers experience greater pricing transparency than at any time in the past. At the same time, expansion of revenue management systems within the hospitality industry has led to a proliferation of rates and increased frequency of rate adjustment as property managers seek to optimize the match between prices offered and willingness to pay of each individual customer in a highly competitive market. Increased pricing disparities across distribution channels has shaped the opinions of consumers, who have responded by engaging in higher levels of search behavior in an effort to secure better deals, and a decrease in perceived pricing fairness (Gazzoli et al. 2008). Through promoting greater search effort on the part of customers, hoteliers effectively increase their competitor set, cutting into potential margins. Major hotel chains have responded through adoption of “Best Rate Guarantee” (BRG) policies and “Look No Further” lowest rate marketing messages, offering to match lower prices for identical rooms. Generally, these offers include an additional incentive in an effort to reassure customers that booking directly will always result in the lowest prices. The current study examines differences between the pricing strategies selected by different hotel chains. Specifically, frequency of BRG compliance compared to the magnitude of self-imposed penalties for violations.
Association between high school students’ cigarette smoking, asthma and related beliefs: a population-based study

Smoking has a detrimental effect on the symptoms and severity of asthma, a common chronic disease among adolescents. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between asthma and smoking among high school students and assess provider-patient communication with asthmatic adolescents regarding smoking and adolescents’ beliefs about the harms of smoking. In fall 2014, data from high school students, ages 14–18 years, completing the 2009-2010 Virginia Youth Tobacco Survey (N = 1796) were used in descriptive analyses and multivariable logistic regression models adjusting for model-specific confounders as appropriate. Overall, an estimated 19 % of high school students in Virginia smoked and 16 % had asthma. Odds of smoking did not differ by asthma status; however, asthmatics had 1.5 times higher odds of being asked if they smoke (95 % CI 1.06–2.13) and being advised not to smoke by a health professional (95 % CI 1.10–2.14) compared to non-asthmatics. Asthmatics who believed second-hand smoke or smoking 1–5 cigarettes/day was not harmful had respectively 4.2 and 2.8 times higher odds of smoking than those who thought each was harmful. Further, asthmatics who thought smoking 1−2 years is safe had 3.4 times higher odds of smoking than those who did not (95 % CI 1.57–10.1). While asthmatic adolescents are just as likely to smoke as non-asthmatics, less healthy beliefs about the risks of smoking increase the odds of smoking among asthmatics. Thus, targeted asthma-specific smoking prevention and education to change attitudes and beliefs could be an effective tool for adolescents.
Listening to many voices: Enacting social justice literacy curriculum

Abstract This study seeks to understand what struggles an equity-minded English teacher encountered while enacting social justice curriculum and pedagogy. Data indicated the primary factors that influenced the teacher's understandings were her students and grade-level colleagues, not administrative mandates or the state standardized test. An additional finding was that the conflicts that Octavia anticipated as a pre-service teacher (competing reform agendas) were less relevant than concerns about reading materials and text selection. The study indicates a need to shift attention to less-commonly studied factors in teacher decision-making: quality instructional resources, interpersonal relationships, and ideologies about curriculum.
A web-based system for the complete life-cycle of student topic presentations

For over ten years, the author has required students to do topic presentations in most non-programming classes. This paper describes a web-based system for the complete life cycle management of student topic presentations in a classroom setting. The system is designed to engage students in the learning process while allowing the teacher to more easily manage, coordinate, and evaluate the student learning and performance. While the implementation is fairly specific, the design is general and applicable to other contexts.
Technology planning for emerging business model and regulatory integration: The case of electric vehicle smart charging

Smart grid has been described as the Energy Internet: Where Energy Technology meets Information Technology. The incorporation of such technology into vast existing utility infrastructures offers many advantages, including possibilities for new smart appliances, energy management systems, better integration of renewable energy, value added services, and new busiss models, both for supply-and demand-side management. This paper proposes to build upon existing roadmapping processes by considering an integrated set of factors, including policy issues, that are specifically tuned to the needs of smart grid and have not generally been considered in other types of roadmapping efforts. It will also incorporate expert judgment quantification to prioritize factors, show the pathways for overcoming barriers and achieving benefits, as well as discussing the most promising strategies for achieving these goals.
Network-directed cis-mediator analysis of normal prostate tissue expression profiles reveals downstream regulatory associations of prostate cancer susceptibility loci

// Nicholas B. Larson 1 , Shannon K. McDonnell 1 , Zach Fogarty 1 , Melissa C. Larson 1 , John Cheville 2 , Shaun Riska 1 , Saurabh Baheti 1 , Alexandra M. Weber 3 , Asha A. Nair 1 , Liang Wang 4 , Daniel O’Brien 1 , Jaime Davila 1 , Daniel J. Schaid 1 and Stephen N. Thibodeau 5 1 Division of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics, Department of Health Sciences Research, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA 2 Division of Anatomic Pathology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA 3 Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA 4 Department of Pathology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA 5 Division of Laboratory Genetics, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA Correspondence to: Nicholas B. Larson, email: Larson.nicholas@mayo.edu Keywords: prostate cancer, genetic risk, expression quantitative trait loci, mediation Received: April 26, 2017 Accepted: July 29, 2017 Published: September 08, 2017 ABSTRACT Large-scale genome-wide association studies have identified multiple single-nucleotide polymorphisms associated with risk of prostate cancer. Many of these genetic variants are presumed to be regulatory in nature; however, follow-up expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) association studies have to-date been restricted largely to cis -acting associations due to study limitations. While trans -eQTL scans suffer from high testing dimensionality, recent evidence indicates most trans -eQTL associations are mediated by cis -regulated genes, such as transcription factors. Leveraging a data-driven gene co-expression network, we conducted a comprehensive cis -mediator analysis using RNA-Seq data from 471 normal prostate tissue samples to identify downstream regulatory associations of previously identified prostate cancer risk variants. We discovered multiple trans -eQTL associations that were significantly mediated by cis -regulated transcripts, four of which involved risk locus 17q12, proximal transcription factor HNF1B , and target trans -genes with known HNF response elements ( MIA2 , SRC , SEMA6A , KIF12 ). We additionally identified evidence of cis -acting down-regulation of MSMB via rs10993994 corresponding to reduced co-expression of NDRG1 . The majority of these cis -mediator relationships demonstrated trans -eQTL replicability in 87 prostate tissue samples from the Gene-Tissue Expression Project. These findings provide further biological context to known risk loci and outline new hypotheses for investigation into the etiology of prostate cancer.
Detecting Users Who Share Extremist Content on Twitter

Identifying extremist-associated conversations on social media sites and blog forums is still an open problem. Extremist groups leverage social media to (1) spread their message and (2) gain recruits. In this chapter, we look at different work in this arena, focusing on metrics and features that researchers have proposed as proxies for misbehavior on Twitter. We begin this chapter by analyzing potential features a small amount of manually labeled data about ISIS supporters on Twitter. We then group these features into categories related to tweet content, viewpoints, and dynamics. After discussing different state of the art methods for extremism detection and similar problems, we present a case study looking at the ISIS extremist group. Finally, we discuss how one collects these data for a surveillance system and conclude by discussing some current challenges and future directions for effective surveillance of extremism.
Abstract 18879: Nicotinamide Phosphoribosyltransferase as a Potential New Genetic Biomarker for Stroke

Introduction: We reported that Nicotinamide Phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT, also called PBEF) displays a protective role in acute ischemic stroke in both mouse and neuronal cell models. We had also identified that NAMPT SNPs in the human NAMPT gene promoter were associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome. This study aimed to determine whether NAMPT SNPs are associated with stroke by genetic association and reporter gene assays. Methods: Four NAMPT SNPs (G-1535A,A-1001C, C-948A, T-423C) were genotyped using the Taqman Assay on stroke patient population from the Coriell biorepository (n = 376), consisting of Caucasian and African American patients, and compared to healthy controls (n = 625) from the 1000 Human Genomes Project. Their haplotypes and diplotypes were analyzed using HPlus software (FHCRC, Seattle, WA). Stratified analyses included: race, gender, hypertension, diabetes, family history of cerebrovascular disease, atrial fibrillation, and history of smoking. Significant NAMPT promoter SNP haplotypes and diplotypes were identified and are being tested in luciferase reporter gene assays in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. Results: In this study, within the African American population carriers of the ‘protective haplotype’ of GACT had a significantly lower risk of stroke (OR= 0.59, 95% CI, 0.35-0.996, p Conclusions: These results suggest that NAMPT is a potential new predictive genetic biomarker for human stroke though the replication of this observation in larger patient populations and the further exploration of underpinning mechanisms are warranted.
Hyperbolic Conservation Laws and L 2

Taking as background the fact that conservation laws in a single space variable are well-posed in the space of functions of bounded variation, while multidimensional systems enjoy short-time well-posedness in Sobolev spaces Hs, we attempt to resolve the discrepancies between these two theories by exploring what can be said about stability of one-dimensional systems in L2. We summarize some positive results for special cases, and also show by a conterexample that there is no straightforward way to resolve the difficulty.
Mathematical Concepts Come Alive in Pre-K and Kindergarten Classrooms.

do you think of when you are asked to explain how children learn mathematics? Do you visualize algorithms, workbooks, accurate calculations, solitary effort, and one correct answer? Or do you visualize problem solving, multiple ways of knowing, meaning making, working with peers, many possible responses, and numerous ways to represent? Current practice often seems to reflect the first view. Many teachers see themselves as information givers whose goal is to have everyone arrive at the same answer in the same way. However, research on children's learning clearly supports the second view, in which teachers see themselves as facilitators who guide students to think and solve problems on their own, discuss their ideas with peers, and represent solutions in various ways (Bredekamp and Copple 1997; Kamii 2000; Marcon 1994, 2002). As facilitators, teachers focus on meaningful mathematical tasks, develop rich environments, create opportunities for learners to collaborate, and encourage learners to talk and write about the mathematics learned (Van de Walle 2004). The five mathematical goals set forth by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics in Curriculum and Evaluation Standards for School Mathematics (NCTM 1989, pp. 5-6) clearly reflected a shift from the traditional teaching of mathematics to viewing mathematics as a thinking, problem-solving, and reasoning process as well as emphasizing the importance of children's
Abstract 2385: Cystatin C is Associated with Left Ventricular Mass Independent of Traditional Markers of Renal Function in a Multiethnic Population-based Sample: The Dallas Heart Study

Introduction: Cystatin C, a novel marker of renal function, has been associated with left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy and dysfunction in patients with coronary disease. We tested the hypothesis that cystatin C is associated with LV mass in a healthy population-based sample. Methods: Cystatin C was measured in 3221 participants in the Dallas Heart Study, a multiethnic population based study involving patients 30 to 65 years of age. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was estimated by the MDRD equation. All subjects underwent MRI analysis of LV structure and function. The association of cystatin C with LV mass, LV mass/body surface area (BSA), LV end diastolic volume (LVEDV), concentricity (LV mass/LVEDV), LV wall thickness, and LVEF were evaluated by univariable and multivariable analyses. Results: Cystatin C levels ranged from 0.46 to 6.55 mg/l. In univariable analyses, increasing levels of cystatin C correlated with higher LV mass, LV mass/BSA, LVEDV, concentricity, and wall thickness (see table, p Conclusions: Higher levels of cystatin C were associated with increased LV mass and a concentric LVH phenotype. These findings were independent of potential confounding variables including standard measurements of renal function, supporting the hypothesis that cystatin C is more than simply a measure of renal function and may be an independent predictor of preclinical structural heart abnormalities.
Design Considerations in an Ultra-Stable, Long Baseline Tiltmeter — Results from a Laser Tiltmeter

We discuss the design principles involved in long baseline fluid tiltmeters and describe the construction and operation of a 240 m long half-filled tube tiltmeter using laser-interferometer end-transducers. The prototype operates in a warehouse at Suffern, NY and is subject to large ambient temperature changes (± 5°C). Several important design features are identified that enable thermal and random noise to be minimised: these include the incorporation of a central reservoir of large area in the system to reduce thermal effects and to provide decoupling between the end transducers, the use of predictive filtering in data analysis to suppress end-mount noise and the use of porous linings in end transducers to eliminate adhesion tension. It is shown that a symmetrical tiltmeter with a central reservoir of large surface area can be used to monitor flexure of the Earth’s surface in addition to tilt. The noise level of the 240 m tiltmeter is approximately 10-8 radians at daily periods and 10-7 radians at periods between a week and a year. The resolution of the present design is limited by the wavelength of light to 4 x 10-9 radians.
Forced Child–Family Separations in the Southwestern U.S. Border Under the “Zero-Tolerance” Policy: Preventing Human Rights Violations and Child Abduction into Adoption (Part 1)

This article focuses on the “zero-tolerance” policy adopted in spring, 2018, in the USA. This immigration policy criminalized the undocumented or illegal entry of child migrants and their families on the southwestern U.S. border. Those affected were mostly from Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras. The implementation of this policy resulted in the forced separation of children from their families and the violation of human rights of those detained in authorized facilities and foster care. The policy coincides with limited U.S. government case management of unaccompanied and accompanied minors. We examine critical issues to include international conventions regarding child rights and the best interest of the child that provide globally recognized guidance to prevent separations of children from their parents. These discriminating policies and unjust practices have already triggered institutional condemnations and legal complaints at the national and international levels. Informed by our own studies of forced migration and child abduction into adoption from two of the mentioned Central American countries, we suggest how social workers, as human rights defenders and gatekeepers of child welfare practices, may respond to these unjust policies and practices. This article is part 1 of two papers on the subject; the second article is focused on the resulting trauma of those affected.
Use and Perceptions of the Availability of Local Government and Nonprofit Services in Diverse Urban Settings

This analysis tests fundamental nonprofit theory using individual-level demand-side data, which complements existing studies that have relied on organizational- and community-level variables alone....
Development and Validation of a Tool to Measure Patient Assessment of Clinical Compassion.

Importance Clinician compassion is a vital element of health care quality. Currently, there appears to be no validated and feasible method for health care organizations to measure patient assessment of clinician compassion on a large scale. Objective To develop and validate a tool for measuring patient assessment of clinician compassion that can be used in conjunction with the Clinician and Group Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CG-CAHPS) survey. Design, Setting, and Participants This prospective cohort study took place from June 1 to August 30, 2018, at a US academic health care system among a pilot cohort consisting of 3325 adult patients and a validation cohort consisting of 3483 adult patients, both of whom had an outpatient clinic visit and completed the CG-CAHPS survey. Main Outcomes and Measurements After a comprehensive literature review, 12 candidate survey items were developed. Face and construct validity were performed. Candidate items were disseminated to patients in conjunction with the CG-CAHPS survey in a series of 2 studies: (1) exploratory factor analysis in one cohort to determine the factor structure and the most parsimonious set of items; and (2) validity testing in a second cohort using confirmatory factor analysis. Reliability was tested using Cronbach α. Convergent validity was tested with patient assessment of clinician communication and overall satisfaction questions from CG-CAHPS survey. Results Overall, 6493 patient responses were analyzed. The mean (SD) age was 60 (15) years, 4239 patients (65.3%) were women, and 5079 (78.2%) were white. Exploratory factor analyses identified a 5-item compassion measure to be the most parsimonious. Confirmatory factor analyses found good fit. The compassion measure demonstrated good internal consistency (α = 0.94) and convergent validity (clinician communication: ρ = 0.44; overall satisfaction: ρ = 0.52) but reflected a patient experience domain (compassionate care) distinct from what is currently captured in the CG-CAHPS survey. Conclusions and Relevance A simple 5-item tool to measure patient assessment of clinician compassion was developed and validated for use in conjunction with CG-CAHPS survey.
Antisperm antibodies in women: variability in antibody levels in serum, mucus, and peritoneal fluid

Objective To look for patterns of antisperm antibody expression in women by exploring the levels of antisperm antibodies in different body fluids. This was achieved by studying sequential serum samples from individual patients and by comparing the levels of antisperm antibodies in serum from a number of patients with the levels of antisperm antibodies in cervical mucus or peritoneal fluid (PF). Design Prospective studies were performed on sequential serum samples within a menstrual cycle. Retrospective studies were done to compare antisperm antibodies in serum and mucus or PF. The immunobead assay was used to measure antisperm antibodies in these fluids. Setting Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire. Patients A random sample of patients undergoing evaluation for infertility. Results The levels of antisperm antibodies in sera drawn from patients at different points in a menstrual cycle stimulated by the presence of exogenous hormones did not change during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. Also, in many samples, the antisperm antibody level in serum did not correlate with the antisperm antibody levels in mucus or PF. Conclusions The data suggest that measurement of antisperm antibodies at a single point in time or from a single fluid is not sufficient when evaluating a woman for immunological infertility. The data also suggest that numerous and complex factors contribute to the expression of antisperm antibodies in women.
Parent of Origin Effects on Family Communication of Risk in BRCA+ Women: A Qualitative Investigation of Human Factors in Cascade Screening.

Pathogenic germline variants in Breast Cancer 1/2 (BRCA) genes confer increased cancer risk. Understanding BRCA status/risk can enable family cascade screening and improve cancer outcomes. However, more than half of the families do not communicate family cancer history/BRCA status, and cancer outcomes differ according to parent of origin (i.e., maternally vs. paternally inherited pathogenic variant). We aimed to explore communication patterns around family cancer history/BRCA risk according to parent of origin. We analyzed qualitative interviews (n = 97) using template analysis and employed the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to identify interventions to improve communication. Interviews revealed sub-codes of ‘male stoicism and ‘paternal guilt’ that impede family communication (template code: gender scripting). Conversely, ‘fatherly protection’ and ‘female camaraderie’ promote communication of risk. The template code ‘dysfunctional family communication’ was contextualized by several sub-codes (‘harmful negligence’, ‘intra-family ignorance’ and ‘active withdrawal of support’) emerging from interview data. Sub-codes ‘medical misconceptions’ and ‘medical minimizing’ deepened our understanding of the template code ‘medical biases’. Importantly, sub-codes of ‘informed physicians’ and ‘trust in healthcare’ mitigated bias. Mapping findings to the TPB identified variables to tailor interventions aimed at enhancing family communication of risk and promoting cascade screening. In conclusion, these data provide empirical evidence of the human factors impeding communication of family BRCA risk. Tailored, theory-informed interventions merit consideration for overcoming blocked communication and improving cascade screening uptake.
COMPUTERS AND CHAOS IN MECHANICS

Much recent progress in mechanics is related to the use of computers in the solution of problems, in the control of experiments, and in the analysis of data. These tools have made certain kinds of calculations and measurements easier. But they have also revealed the widespread occurrence of chaotic and stochastic behavior of mechanical systems, and have shown that there are certain regularities in this behavior. The understanding of the chaotic behavior and its regularities, and of how to analyze and control it, are unsolved problems. Many theoretical attacks have been made on these problems, but they have only touched the surface.
Refractory Epilepsy: Mechanisms of Pharmacoresistance

Refractory or drug-resistant epilepsy is a complex and debilitating disorder that impacts over one-third of people diagnosed with epilepsy. Many studies have suggested a variety of possible hypotheses for drug-resistant epilepsy, including the degeneration of neural networks, alterations of anti-epileptic drug (AED) targets, intrinsic severity/frequency of seizures, and genetic predisposition to pharmacoresistance. However, extensive research suggests that the overexpression of efflux protein transporters in brain tissue is the most viable hypothesis. Specifically, the overexpression of P-glycoproteins (P-gps) at the blood brain barrier proves the most compelling mechanism to discuss further. Studying the mechanisms of these transporters provides critical insight for new ways to combat pharmacoresistance. Thus, this review evaluates the co-administration of P-gp inhibitors with AEDs as a promising, yet relatively unexplored, treatment option for refractory epilepsy. This review specifically considers Tariquidar (TQD) the most promising P-gp inhibitor for refractory epilepsy treatment. This work aims to evaluate the role of P-gp overexpression in refractory epilepsy, consolidate current research about potential treatment options, and identify discrepancies or gaps in the literature related to P-gp inhibitory treatments for refractory epilepsy. It was concluded that, as a result of increased drug efflux processes at the blood brain barrier, overexpression of P-gp is the leading cause of pharmacoresistance. By inhibiting the activity of these proteins with the drug Tariquidar, an effective treatment for refractory epilepsy may become a reality.
Reducing space radiation cancer risk with magnetic shielding

Abstract Interplanetary space radiation presents significant hazards to astronaut health and survival because it can cause both acute and chronic health effects including carcinogenesis. Mitigation of space radiation risks remains critical for enabling human missions beyond Earth orbit. Currently available options for space radiation shielding, such as water shielding, may not be sufficient at reducing space radiation dose and cancer risk to within current regulatory limits. Active magnetic shielding using superconductors has consistently been identified for further study due to its high potential benefit. In response, we have developed Monte Carlo models to determine the effectiveness of several of the latest magnetic shielding concepts, along with current passive shielding techniques, in terms of risk of exposure induced death. This was done for various Mars flyby mission profiles according to current space agency risk tolerance limits. Our study found that few shielding options were able to meet current risk tolerance limits without relying on astronauts of advanced age (>60 years). However, all of the magnetic shielding configurations provided substantial benefit in reducing space radiation cancer risk given high magnetic field strength (7 Tesla). With this information, space agencies can move towards engineering assessments of magnetic shielding technology and begin to advance the concept into a solution enabling interplanetary travel.
Cross-Border Philanthropy: A U.S. Perspective

Americans lead the world in supporting charitable activities (both in the U.S. and abroad). For foreign charitable activities, two key questions arise: 1. Should tax benefits support charitable activities outside the U.S.? 2. Should the U.S. tax system treat contributions to foreign charities differently from contributions to domestic charities? U.S. tax law imposes remarkably low barriers to cross-border philanthropy. Contributions to U.S. charities are deductible even if all charitable activity takes place outside the U.S. Nominally, direct contributions to foreign charities are generally not deductible for income tax purposes. Practically, donors can easily work around this restriction (at relatively low costs and complexity) by transmuting non-deductible contributions to foreign charities into deductible contributions to domestic charities. The hard question is normative: what should the law be? This chapter provides a framework for examining the desirability of the current regime and the different factors policy-makers may find useful in considering options to either reduce or increase barriers to cross-border philanthropy.
Analysis of COVID-19 mitigation measures on a small liberal arts college network

Small, liberal arts colleges are known to have close campus communities with strong relationships between professors and students. In this paper we consider the person-to-group and related person-to-person network at one of these institutions using student and faculty data from Fall 2019 courses, athletics, ensembles, housing, and student organizations. This data is used as a baseline to model the Fall 2020 semester with the college’s COVID-19 mitigation strategies: cancel or virtualize some groups, split the semester into two independent sessions, and separate larger courses into hybrid meetings. Network analysis shows that students and faculty had at most 4 degrees of separation in Fall 2019, student organizations can have a large impact on campus connectedness, all semester modifications implemented in Fall 2020 can reduce connectedness, and the largest reduction was seen by splitting the semester into two sessions.
Rejuvenating dysfunctional T cells in ovarian cancer: CD28 is the license to kill

High-grade serous ovarian cancers (HGSOCs) exhibit limited response to immune checkpoint blockade. In a new study in Cancer Cell, Duraiswamy et al. highlight intratumoral CD28 co-stimulation by myeloid-antigen-presenting cells as a key mechanism required for activation of programmed cell death receptor 1 (PD-1)+ tumor-infiltrating T lymphocytes during PD-1 blockade in HGSOC.
Multivariate near infrared spectroscopy for predicting polyhydroxybutyrate biosynthesis by mixed microbial consortia cultured on crude glycerol

Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) is a bioplastic biosynthesized by microorganisms as an intracellular granule. In this study, PHB was produced by a mixed microbial culture fed crude glycerol in a sequencing batch bioreactor. Bioreactor operations were monitored by near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy (908–1708 nm) with a direct insertion probe to develop a model for predicting microbial PHB concentration. Multivariate statistical methods, principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares (PLS), were applied for modeling of the NIR spectral data. The results showed that NIR spectra can (i) be used to predict PHB content in-situ, with a calibration model and prediction model exhibiting a good fit (R2 = 0.88 and R2 = 0.89, respectively) and (ii) also be used to monitor substrate, glycerol, concentration.
tRNA Processing Nucleases

This chapter focuses on ribonucleases that are involved in generating the 3' terminus of tRNA precursors and in cleaving a tRNA from a multicomponent transcript. Much of our knowledge about tRNA-processing pathways has come from studies with Escherichia coli and bacteriophage-infected E. coli, although there has been some examination of other bacteria as well. The major interest in E. coli is due primarily to the availability, in this system, of mutations that interfere with tRNA maturation, allowing processing intermediates to be identified and processing nucleases to be implicated in the processing pathway. However, the tRNA precursors isolated from these mutant strains have undergone partial processing. First, the tRNA portions of polycistronic precursors have been cleaved from the other RNAs with which they are co-transcribed. Second, multimeric tRNA precursors generally have been converted to monomeric or dimeric forms. A major goal in the study of any metabolic pathway is to identify the enzymes that catalyze each of its reactions, to understand their specificity and mechanism of action, and to determine whether they are subject to regulation, either directly on their activity or on their synthesis. The chapter presents a summary of the exoribonucleases and endoribonucleases implicated in tRNA processing. Given the availability of mutant strains lacking many of these enzymes, alone or in combination, it is likely that the details of a tRNA processing pathway will be forthcoming in the near future.
Population migration and team loyalty in professional sports.

Objectives. Within the long line of inquiry on demand for sport, one area that has gone relatively unexamined is that of domestic migration. In this research, the relationship between population migration and team loyalty is explored. Methods. A linear mixed model uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau and Nielsen Company to analyze the effect domestic migration has on demand for National Football League games. Results. Ratings were higher in population centers with smaller per-capita population inflow (regardless of the origins of the inflow). The results further showed that increases in population flow from City A to City B were associated with increased demand for broadcasts in City B when Team B visited City A. Conclusions. The first finding suggests that sports viewership is not utilized as a vehicle for domestic transplants to integrate into their new community. The second finding suggests there is a nostalgia effect for an individual's previous hometown, though not necessarily for the team representing it in the league.
Mobile TV’s Time to Shine Has Arrived

MoFilm, the first mobile film festival, achieved some legitimacy when multiple Academy Award-winning actor Kevin Spacey hosted the show in 2009. Spacey commented: “[I]n some countries, this might be the first time they [people] ever see a movie. … They won’t see it on that big screen; they’ll see it on a small one.”1 According to a 2007 Gartner report, sales of cell phones skyrocketed for the first time to more than 1 billion.2 In 2008, the number of worldwide subscribers topped 4 billion, covering 60% of the world population.3 There are more mobile phones than TVs (there are 1.4 billion TVs worldwide4). Spacey concluded: “The quality of work and the simple ability at storytelling, the thing that ignites someone and inspires them to tell a story, can really come from anywhere.”5
Quantifying trust: data integrity metrics

This paper presents a framework for characterizing the integrity of data in terms of the probability of a successful integrity compromise attack-an attack whose goal is to achieve the unauthorized and undetected modification of the data. The framework is based on an innovative methodology that combines two complementary approaches for assessing this probability. The first approach looks at specific, known attacks, and uses attack trees to analyze their probability of success. This approach provides a lower bound on the probability of a successful integrity compromise attack, for some fixed level of effort on the part of the attacker. It demonstrates that an attack can succeed with a particular probability, but does not rule out the possibility that some other, perhaps previously unknown attack might have a greater probability of success. Our second approach addresses this limitation by applying cryptographic "provable security" results. Such results provide an upper bound on the probability of success for any possible attack (for a fixed utilization of attacker resources). We use this probabilistic framework to develop quantitative measures of integrity within a sample scenario.