cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Exploring Self-Condensing Vinyl Polymerization of Inimers in Microemulsion To Regulate the Structures of Hyperbranched Polymers

A synthetic method was successfully developed to produce structurally defined hyperbranched polymers using confined micellar space in microemulsion to regulate atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of inimers. Systematic exploration of experimental variables, including five methacrylate-based inimer species, two ATRP ligands, and varied amounts of inimers and catalysts, produced a series of hyperbranched polymers that encompassed a broad range of molecular weights (Mn = 194–1301 kg/mol), high degrees of branching (DB = 0.26–0.41), and narrow molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn = 1.1–1.7). The ATRP of inimers in the microemulsion media showed a fast polymerization rate with quantitative conversion of methacrylate groups within 0.5 h. At high conversion, there was essentially one hyperbranched polymer per discrete latex particle, whose dimension (hydrodynamic diameter Dh = 10.95–20.13 nm in water) and uniformity directly determined the molecular weight and polydispersity of the hyperbranched polymer....
Analysis for Science Librarians of the 2015 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine: The Life and Work of William C. Campbell, Satoshi Ōmura, and Youyou Tu

ABSTRACTParasites affect humans worldwide with varying degrees of seriousness. Some of the most impactful parasitic infections affect millions of people, many of whom are already impoverished and struggling. The discoveries of the 2015 Nobel Laureates in Physiology of Medicine have changed the way some of these serious parasitic infections are treated, saving and improving the lives of countless people. These Laureates are William C. Campbell, Satoshi Ōmura, and Youyou Tu.
Comparison of membrane insertion pathways of the apoptotic regulator Bcl-xL and the diphtheria toxin translocation domain.

The diphtheria toxin translocation domain (T-domain) and the apoptotic repressor Bcl-xL are membrane proteins that adopt their final topology by switching folds from a water-soluble to a membrane-i...
Prevention and epidemiological analysis on sexually transmitted diseases in Baoan district of Shenzhen city

Objective To analyse the epidemic patterns of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) and provide reference for the control STD in Baoan district of Shenzhen. Methods The epidemic situation and population from 1990 to 2002 in Baoan district were studied retrospectively, descriptive analysis was made. Results The incidence rates of STD had two climaxes during the last 13 years, one was in 1991 (the incidence rate was 222.45 per 100,000), the other was in 1999 (the incidence rate was 164.99 per 100,000). Patients' ages were mainly between 20 to 35, most of whom were workers. Conclusion STD in Baoan district were on the progressively decrease but fluctuate from 1990 to 2002. The effective control measures should be reinforced to ensure the incidence rate continue to decrease.
The impact of E-Mental Health on prevention and early detection of illness

Our current healthcare system in the United States is characterized by problems with access to timely and evidence-based care, particularly for mental disorders. Telemental health improves access to care regardless of the point-of-service or barriers involved. Its effectiveness across age, population and disorders is as good as in-person care, though adjustments for some populations in the approach is necessary. Early intervention is an example of “Cadillac” care or a best evidence-based approach that is easier to distribute via telemedicine. Cadillac care delivered via TMH has the potential to bring evidence-based early intervention modalities to very young children and their families. However, early access to care is also critical for all populations, particularly those with cultural or medical disadvantages. It appears that telemental health may be preferable or better than in-person care in some instances.
Role of chemical labyrinthectomy in the treatment of Meniere's disease.

Medical management of Meniere’s disease is successful in approximately 70% of patients. Surgical intervention is the treatment option when medication fails. Middle ear installation of aminoglycosides provides significant control of vertigo. This article addresses the role of aminoglycoside ablation of vestibular function in Meniere’s disease.
Constrained quadratic optimization for radiation treatment planning by use of graph form ADMM

The alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM) is applied to constrained quadratic optimization of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) planning. The proximal operator for the ADMM algorithm is developed, and the algorithm is applied to different clinical treatment sites (liver, prostate, and head & neck). The results are compared with the solutions obtained by several other commercial and non-commercial optimizers. The ADMM solver is about one to two orders of magnitude faster than the other solvers, moreover, it requires less computer memory.
MARKET ENTRY MODE: EVIDENCE FROM THE GOLDEN AGE OF HOLLYWOOD

I examine international market entry modal choice using novel data sources on the early years of the U.S. motion picture industry. These data detail how studios built out their international distribution networks and give unusual access to revenues generated across modes. Motion picture exporters used a variety of entry modes: exports, licensed agents, and offices. Studios opened offices in distant, large markets first and used these markets as platforms to build out their distribution network. This pattern indicates that directed search for export customers is important. Offices generated more total revenue than licensed agents. They allowed headquarters to monitor employees through strict control of financial assets, limiting the diversion of intellectual property. (JEL F14, F21, L22, L24, L82)
Changing risk exposures of cross-listed firms and market integration

Abstract A standard finding is that risk exposures of companies that cross-list tend to increase against the market in which they list, a change typically associated with a decline in the cost of capital. However, this finding is predicated on the assumption that the home and foreign market co-movements are stable over time. By contrast, another common finding is that risk exposures across market indices have increased over time due to international market integration. In this paper, I ask whether the firm-level findings for changing risk exposures are due to the more general changes in market co-movements. Indeed, for a panel of cross-listed firms in the U.S., I find that 72% do not find evidence of breaks in their relationships beyond those derived from their home markets. This finding suggests that the apparent increase in risk exposures for cross-listed firms arises from general market integration trends. Moreover, the remaining 28% of firms tend to have significant breaks after cross-listing, be younger, and have home markets with lower government regulation.
Agenda Cueing Effects of News and Social Media

ABSTRACTAgenda cues, in which individuals perceive that media has frequently covered a problem regardless of actual exposure to that coverage, have initially been shown to produce powerful agenda setting effects (Pingree and Stoycheff, 2013). This study uses two experiments to test the presence and prominence cueing effects across a variety of issues and whether the cue originates from traditional news or Twitter users. Agenda cues produced significant effects on five of six issues studied for news and four of six for Twitter. For one issue (gun control/rights), both types of agenda cues produced effect sizes rivaling those of the strongest effects found in Iyengar and Kinder’s (News That Matters: Television and American Opinion, University of Chicago Press, 1987) classic agenda setting experiments. On average, news agenda cues were stronger than Twitter agenda cues, and were about 78% as strong as classic news agenda setting effects, suggesting that cueing may be the dominant mechanism driving agenda set...
Steven Anson Coons award for outstanding creative contributions to computer graphics

ACM SIGGRAPH is proud to recognize Jessica Hodgins as this year's winner of the Stephen A. Coons Award for her foundational work in character animation, her mentorship of many young researchers, and for her extensive service to the computer graphics community.
Clinical epidemiology and disease burden of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is defined as the presence of hepatic fat accumulation after the exclusion of other causes of hepatic steatosis, including other causes of liver disease, excessive alcohol consumption, and other conditions that may lead to hepatic steatosis. NAFLD encompasses a broad clinical spectrum ranging from nonalcoholic fatty liver to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), advanced fibrosis, cirrhosis, and finally hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). NAFLD is the most common liver disease in the world and NASH may soon become the most common indication for liver transplantation. Ongoing persistence of obesity with increasing rate of diabetes will increase the prevalence of NAFLD, and as this population ages, many will develop cirrhosis and end-stage liver disease. There has been a general increase in the prevalence of NAFLD, with Asia leading the rise, yet the United States is following closely behind with a rising prevalence from 15% in 2005 to 25% within 5 years. NAFLD is commonly associated with metabolic comorbidities, including obesity, type II diabetes, dyslipidemia, and metabolic syndrome. Our understanding of the pathophysiology of NAFLD is constantly evolving. Based on NAFLD subtypes, it has the potential to progress into advanced fibrosis, end-stage liver disease and HCC. The increasing prevalence of NAFLD with advanced fibrosis, is concerning because patients appear to experience higher liver-related and non-liver-related mortality than the general population. The increased morbidity and mortality, healthcare costs and declining health related quality of life associated with NAFLD makes it a formidable disease, and one that requires more in-depth analysis.
Spiritual Formation Goes to College: Class-Related “Soul Projects” in Christian Higher Education

Spiritual formation is both an opportunity and a challenge for educators in Christian colleges and seminaries. How can students be nurtured and guided in developing spiritually within the curriculu...
How health behaviors link romantic relationship dysfunction and physical health across 20 years for middle-aged and older adults.

Abstract Rationale There has been substantial research linking marital quality to physical health outcomes; however, the mechanisms linking marital quality and physical health have been studied less extensively, especially with longitudinal data. Of the hypothesized mechanisms, only psychological distress (anxiety/depression) and physiological mechanisms (inflammation) have been tested and confirmed. Health behaviors such as diet, exercise, smoking, drinking, and sleeping have not previously been examined as mechanisms linking marital quality and physical health. Objective The present study tests how the emotional influence of the marital relationship is linked to subsequent health outcomes through behavioral mechanisms. A biopsychosocial theoretical model, the Biobehavioral Family Model (BBFM), is used to hypothesize the mediating paths between marital dysfunction and physical health. Method The study hypotheses are tested with publicly accessible survey data, Midlife in the United States (MIDUS). We examined married or cohabiting participants (N = 5023) across the three time points of MIDUS, or 20 years. Specifically, we tested whether five health behaviors at Time 2 (smoking, alcohol, sleep, food to cope, and physical activity) function as mechanisms linking marital dysfunction (Time 1) to subsequent physical health (Time 3). We tested each health behavior as a mechanism in a series of mediating Structural Equation Models. Results Two health behaviors were significant mechanisms (food to cope and physical activity), while three were not (smoking, alcohol, and sleep). Conclusion Diet and exercise are mechanisms linking marital dysfunction and health across 20 years because they may be linked to the emotional influence and not functional influence of the marriage context. According to the BBFM, diet and exercise may be part of the mediating construct of the model (i.e., biobehavioral reactivity), which explains how emotional stress from a marriage may produce declines in physical health over time. Implications for biopsychosocial healthcare interventions are discussed.
CONSTRICTIVE PERICARDITIS: HOW KUSSMAUL'S SIGN PREVENTED DIALYSIS

Volume overload can be the manifestation of cardiac disease, cirrhosis, or nephrotic syndrome. Physical exam findings can help lead to the diagnosis when ancillary studies are inconclusive. A 59 year old male with a history of AML status post bone marrow transplant (2002, 2004) with whole body
Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation in the Changing World Economy

Launched in November 1989, Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) has a great potential, as APEC countries have realized growth in the 1980s and 1990s. The purpose of this study is to assess the economic linkages among member countries and to project how these linkages can promote the trade and investment expansion associated with technology. During the Cold War, the U.S. provided the massive military presence that protected Asian nations, ensuring stability which fuelled the Asian economic miracle while protecting smaller Asian nations from their neighbours. The end of the Cold War, European Union (EU), North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the World Trade Organization (WTO) demonstrate the changing economic order.
The Relationship between Provocation Frequency and Human Aggressive Responding

Six adults participated in an experiment designed to study the effects of provocation frequency, that is, point subtractions, on free-operant aggressive responding. Subjects were given two response options on separate buttons labeled “A” and “B.” Pressing Button A was maintained by a fixed-ratio 100 schedule of point presentation. A counter was incremented when a point was earned, and these points were later exchanged for money (one point = 10 cents). Subjects were instructed that the completion of each fixed-ratio 10 on Button B subtracted a point from a second subject (fictitious) also responding to accumulate money. Button B responses were operationally defined as aggressive because they ostensibly presented an aversive stimulus (i.e., point subtraction) to another person. To engender Button B responding, the subjects were provoked by having points subtracted from their from their point counter at random intervals (ranging from 6 s to 120 s). Instructions attributed these point subtractions to Button B responding made by another subject (fictitious). Button B responding could initiate periods free from provocation. The duration of these provocation-free intervals was varied in two experiments. Subjects were exposed to five different levels of provocation frequency in order to determine if aggressive responding would be proportionate to the frequency of provocation. This experiment demonstrates that rates of responding on the B button generally increase as the frequency of point subtractions increases. This finding is consistent with the nonhuman research which has shown that the probability of aggressive responding is proportionate to the frequency of aversive stimulus presentation.
Anaphase Aberrations: An in Vitro Test for Assessing the Genotoxicity of Individual Chemicals and Complex Mixtures

Anaphase aberrations (aa) were proposed as a genotoxicity test several years ago by the Ad Hoc Committee of the Environmental Mutagen Society (Nichols et al., 1972) and have been described in procedural texts as a recommended technique (Nichols et al., 1977). Since that time, however, a large number of in vitro and in vivo test systems have been proposed, while the aa test has gone unexploited. On the other hand, the micronucleus test (MNT) has gained wide acceptance, even though it measures only the final events of anaphase damage (Schmid, 1982) and is considerably less sensitive than the aa test for quantitating in vitro chromosome damage.
Information Systems Configurations for enabling Supply Chain Visibility

Supply chain visibility continues to be a major concern for organizations. While there is a general perception that supply chain visibility is driven by information sharing and enabling information technologies, there are gaps in our understanding of what constitutes supply chain visibility and the specific information technology configurations that may be implemented for enabling visibility. This manuscript presents a possible framework for conceptualizing information sharing needs and mechanisms that need to be enabled using information technologies in the pursuit of supply chain visibility. A multiple case study approach is proposed for examining the ways in which real-world organizations embedded in supply chain networks may aim for and achieve supply chain visibility.
Progressive motor impairment from a critically located lesion in highly restricted CNS-demyelinating disease

Objective:To report progressive motor impairment from a critically located central nervous system (CNS) demyelinating lesion in patients with restricted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-lesion burd...
Immunotherapy in Pediatric Oncology: An Overview of Therapy Types and Nursing Implications.

Background By using the body's own protective system to fight cancer, immunotherapy is not only effective but also is associated with fewer side effects than chemotherapy. Objectives This article provides an overview of four types of immunotherapy (monoclonal antibodies, chimeric antigen receptors, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and cancer vaccines) and discusses the critical role assumed by nurses in the care of patients receiving immunotherapy. Methods A review of the literature was undertaken to identify, describe, and compare the types of immunotherapy used and studied for use in pediatric oncology. Findings Nurses caring for pediatric patients with cancer may have little experience with immunotherapy. However, they should become knowledgeable about it, particularly as it becomes further integrated into pediatric cancer treatments.
Long-term intraocular pressure changes after femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery in healthy eyes and glaucomatous eyes.

Purpose To examine the long-term effect of femtosecond laser–assisted cataract surgery on intraocular pressure (IOP) in healthy (control) and glaucomatous eyes. Setting University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, and Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA. Design Retrospective case series. Methods The study comprised patients aged 18 to 89 years meeting the inclusion criteria. Combination procedures were excluded. The main outcome measure was the change in the mean IOP from baseline to postoperatively. Results Of the 504 eyes meeting the criteria, 278 were in the glaucoma/glaucoma suspect group and 226 in the control group. Both groups had an initial mean increase in IOP 1 day postoperatively (control: +2.0 mm Hg; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.4-2.6; glaucoma/glaucoma suspect: +3.4 mm Hg; 95% CI, 2.5-4.2) (both P Conclusions Control eyes and eyes with glaucoma had an initial mean IOP rise 1 day after femtosecond laser–assisted cataract surgery. This was followed by a significant decrease starting at 1 month. The reduction was sustained through 3 years in the glaucoma group.
Influence of maximum applied shear rate on the measured rheological properties of flowable cement pastes

Abstract Rheological properties of cement-based materials have been widely studied over the last decades. These materials show a yield stress and viscosity, which change over time due to thixotropic behavior and the hydration reaction. The consequence of thixotropy is that the rheological properties are dependent on the applied shear rate, time and temperature. This paper describes the change in rheological properties of well-dispersed cement pastes subjected to different shear rates. It is shown that a majority of the structural breakdown occurs when transitioning from rest to a low shear rate, but a number of connections can only be broken at more elevated shear rates. As a result, especially the viscosity decreases with increasing applied shear rate. The influence of temperature, binder composition and choice of chemical admixtures on the change in rheological properties with applied shear rate is evaluated in this paper.
Randomized metarounding

Let P be a linear relaxation of an integer polytope Z such that the integrality gap of P with respect to Z is at most r, as verified by a polytime heuristic A, which on any positive cost function c returns an integer solution (an extreme point of Z) whose cost is at most r times the optimal cost over P. Then for any point x* in P (a fractional solution), rx* dominates some convex combination of extreme points of Z. A constructive version of this theorem is presented here, with applications to approximation algorithms, and can be viewed as a generalization of randomized rounding.
Remotely Sensed Tropical Cyclone Structure/Intensity Changes

Abstract : The long-term goal is to accurately map the three dimensional structure and intensity changes of tropical cyclones via satellite remote sensing data for both real-time analyses and as input to numerical weather prediction models.
Development of a novel 1,25(OH)2-vitamin D3 analog with potent ability to induce HL-60 cell differentiation without modulating calcium metabolism

We describe several novel analogs of the seco-steroid 1,25(OH)2-vitamin D3[1,25(OH)2D3] and their effects on differentiation and proliferation of HL-60 human myeloid leukemic cells in vitro as well as their effects on calcium metabolism in vivo. The 1 alpha-25(OH)2–16ene-23yne-26,27F6- vitamin D3 is the most potent analog reported to date, having about 80- fold more activity than the reference 1,25(OH)2D3 for inhibition of proliferation and induction of differentiation of HL-60 cells. Also, this analog decreased RNA expression of MYC oncogene in HL-60 by 90% at 5 x 10(-10) mol/L. Intriguingly, intestinal calcium absorption and bone calcium mobilization mediated in vivo by 1 alpha-25(OH)2–16ene-23yne- 26,27F6-D3 was found to be markedly (15-fold) less than that of 1,25(OH)2D3. In addition, 1 alpha-25(OH)2D3 bound to 1,25(OH)2D3 receptors of both HL-60 and intestine more avidly than did 1 alpha- 25(OH)2–16ene-23yne-26,27F6-D3. This novel analog may open up new therapeutic strategies for several hematopoietic, skin, and bone abnormalities and may provide a new tool to understand how vitamin D3 seco-steroids induce cellular differentiation.
Cinematic rendering of focal liver masses

Cinematic rendering (CR) is a recently described three-dimensional (3D) rendering technique that generates photorealistic images based on a new lighting model. This review illustrates the potential application of CR in the evaluation of focal liver masses. CR shows promise in improving the visualization of enhancement pattern and internal architecture, local tumor extension, and global disease burden, which may be helpful in focal liver mass characterization and pretreatment planning.
Infrapubic approach for placement of inflatable penile prosthesis: contemporary review of technique and implications

Inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) is an effective treatment for erectile dysfunction refractory to nonsurgical management. The infrapubic approach for IPP placement is less frequently employed than the penoscrotal approach, with only about 25% of IPPs placed via this method. Underutilization of the infrapubic method may be due to fear of injuring the penile dorsal neurovascular bundle, perceived difficulties of scrotal pump placement through a distant location, or insufficient distal corporal exposure. However, this approach appears to result in favorable operative times, faster time to device activation, equivalent postoperative satisfaction and quality of life, and similar complication rates. We provide a contemporary review of literature published before May 2019 regarding the infrapubic approach for IPP placement, technical considerations, and postoperative expectations.
Fecal Metabolomic Signatures in Colorectal Adenoma Patients Are Associated with Gut Microbiota and Early Events of Colorectal Cancer Pathogenesis

ABSTRACT Colorectal adenomas are precancerous lesions of colorectal cancer (CRC) that offer a means of viewing the events key to early CRC development. A number of studies have investigated the changes and roles of gut microbiota in adenoma and carcinoma development, highlighting its impact on carcinogenesis. However, there has been less of a focus on the gut metabolome, which mediates interactions between the host and gut microbes. Here, we investigated metabolomic profiles of stool samples from patients with advanced adenoma (n = 102), matched controls (n = 102), and patients with CRC (n = 36). We found that several classes of bioactive lipids, including polyunsaturated fatty acids, secondary bile acids, and sphingolipids, were elevated in the adenoma patients compared to the controls. Most such metabolites showed directionally consistent changes in the CRC patients, suggesting that those changes may represent early events of carcinogenesis. We also examined gut microbiome-metabolome associations using gut microbiota profiles in these patients. We found remarkably strong overall associations between the microbiome and metabolome data and catalogued a list of robustly correlated pairs of bacterial taxa and metabolomic features which included signatures of adenoma. Our findings highlight the importance of gut metabolites, and potentially their interplay with gut microbes, in the early events of CRC pathogenesis. IMPORTANCE Colorectal adenomas are precursors of CRC. Recently, the gut microbiota, i.e., the collection of microbes residing in our gut, has been recognized as a key player in CRC development. There have been a number of gut microbiota profiling studies for colorectal adenoma and CRC; however, fewer studies have considered the gut metabolome, which serves as the chemical interface between the host and gut microbiota. Here, we conducted a gut metabolome profiling study of colorectal adenoma and CRC and analyzed the metabolomic profiles together with paired microbiota composition profiles. We found several chemical signatures of colorectal adenoma that were associated with some gut microbes and potentially indicative of future CRC. This study highlights potential early-driver metabolites in CRC pathogenesis and guides further targeted experiments and thus provides an important stepping stone toward developing better CRC prevention strategies.
Colonisation of the alpine tundra by trees: alpine neighbours assist late-seral but not early-seral conifer seedlings

Background: Climate change is projected to alter the elevation and latitude of treeline globally. Seed germination and seedling survival are critical controls on treeline expansion. Neighbouring al...
Synthesizing JIT Compilers for In-Kernel DSLs.

Modern operating systems allow user-space applications to submit code for kernel execution through the use of in-kernel domain specific languages (DSLs). Applications use these DSLs to customize system policies and add new functionality. For performance, the kernel executes them via just-in-time (JIT) compilation. The correctness of these JITs is crucial for the security of the kernel: bugs in in-kernel JITs have led to numerous critical issues and patches.
“Reports of My Death Were Greatly Exaggerated”: Behavior Genetics in the Postgenomic Era

Behavior genetics studies how genetic differences among people contribute to differences in their psychology and behavior. Here, I describe how the conclusions and methods of behavior genetics have...
Morbidly Excited Soil: Sylvester Graham and the Environmental Ethos of Antebellum Reform

AbstractA long intellectual tradition holds that gathering local waste, turning it into compost, and applying it to fields can remind us of ostensibly natural connections among humans, animals, and...
Influence of muscle fatigue on contractile twitch characteristics in persons with parkinson's disease and older adults: A pilot study.

Abstract Introduction It is widely accepted that pathophysiological changes to the central nervous system of persons with Parkinson’s disease (PD) result in negative effects on motor function. However, less information is known regarding the pathology of PD on skeletal muscle. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a fatiguing isometric knee extension protocol on muscle mechanics using evoked twitch contractions in persons with PD and in non-impaired older adults (OLD). Methods Evoked twitch contractions were examined during a fatiguing protocol in PD (66 ± 9 yr, n = 8) and OLD (65 ± 10 yr, n = 5). Participants performed 5-sec maximal isometric voluntary contractions of the quadriceps femoris with 5-sec rest for 3-min. Every 30-sec during rest intervals, a maximal transcutaneous electrical stimulus was administered to the quadriceps femoris to quantify evoked peak twitch torque (pTT), peak relaxation rate (pRR), and peak rate of torque development (pRTD). Results A large effect of voluntary fatigue (%decline) was observed (g = 1.58). There were no significant differences in pTT (p = 0.09; 95% CI:-3.6, 0.28) or pRR (p = 0.11; 95% CI:-31, 3.6). However, the slope decline of pRTD in OLD (-35.4 ± 24.7) was greater than PD (-11.5 ± 11.4; p = 0.03), indicating that skeletal muscle in persons with PD is less fatigable compared to non-impaired older adults. Conclusion The rate, not the maximum capacity, of torque generation of the muscle during a fatiguing knee extension protocol was affected by PD. Future studies are warranted to identify the mechanism(s) responsible for the observed differences in skeletal muscle contractile characteristics and potential myofiber distribution variation in PD.
Methods for Assessing the Effects of Xylosides on Angiogenesis.

Xylosides are small synthetic molecules consisting of a xylose molecule attached to an aglycone group and serve as primers in the assembly of core protein free glycosaminoglycans using cellular machinery. Synthetic xylosides hold great promise in many biomedical applications and as therapeutics. Recent advances in the study of xylosides have opened up the possibility of developing xylosides as therapeutics to achieve a desirable biological outcome through their selective priming and inhibitory activities toward glycosaminoglycan biosynthesis. The approach described, herein, will serve as a general strategy to comprehensively screen xylosides and evaluate their ability to promote or inhibit angiogenesis, a critical biological process that is dysregulated in over 70 human diseases.
Gender Representation in American Society for Radiation Oncology Guidelines

Purpose/Objective(s) The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) clinical practice guidelines are a consensus generated from the fields’ experts and are an established resource in determining the standard(s) of care for disease sites. Representation of female experts on radiation oncology clinical guidelines is unknown. As women are underrepresented in the radiation oncology workforce, we hypothesize that female experts are underrepresented in authorship of clinical guidelines for radiation oncology. Materials/Methods Publicly available information of authors on ASTRO guidelines and consensus paper, including gender, degree, medical specialty, academic rank, years in training (at time of guideline or consensus publication), order of authorship, and institution was collected. Statistical analysis was performed using chi-square and odds ratio tests to test for association. Results Thirty-four ASTRO guideline and consensus documents, including clinical practice guidelines (65%), consensus guidance (15%), and white papers (21%), were reviewed. Of 449 non-unique authors identified, the most commonly represented specialties were radiation oncology (59%), surgery (11%), physics (9%), medical oncology (5%), and cardiology (5%). Among all authors, 33% were female. No association between female gender and specialization in radiation oncology was found (P = 0.5). Of 70 total first and last authors, 32% and 33% were female, respectively. When considering academic rank, male authors were more likely to hold full professorship compared to female authors (51% vs 17%, P = 0.001). Male authors were more likely to have 20+ years of training at guideline publication compared to female authors (34% vs 11%, P = 0.009). Conclusion Women comprise 1/3rd of expert panelists who author the ASTRO clinical practice guidelines and consensus documents which is similar to the gender breakdown of the radiation oncology workforce. Male authors were more likely to hold full professor rank and have 20+ years of training. As more women enter the radiation oncology workforce, continued conscientious efforts to promote females as senior leaders and academic rank and leadership will be important especially in guideline papers.
Childhood Polycystic Kidney Disease

ABSTRACT Autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD), historically called infantile PKD, is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in neonates, infants and young adults. Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), historically referred to as adult PKD, is increasingly recognized as a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in children and young adults. ARPKD, a dual-organ disease with hepatic and renal involvement has an incidence of 1: 20,000 to 1: 40,000. All ARPKD patients are invariably afflicted with congenital hepatic fibrosis (CHF) of varying degrees of severity. Improved survival of ARPKD patients has led to recognition of significant clinical complications of CHF and the highly variable age at which it presents, ranging from early childhood to young adulthood. ADPKD, with an incidence as high as 1:400, affects more than 13 million individuals worldwide, and accounts for 7-10% of end stage kidney disease (ESKD) in adults. However, asymptomatic disease is increasingly recognized in infants and children and nearly equivalent numbers of ADPKD and ARPKD patients may be seen in academic pediatric nephrology clinics. The delineation of the basic molecular and cellular pathophysiology of ADPKD and ARPKD has seen remarkable progress in the last decade. This progress has led to the development of promising therapies currently being evaluated in clinical trials. Early diagnosis of ADPKD and ARPKD allows for optimal anticipatory care (for example, early blood pressure control). Given the predicted benefit of early intervention with new disease-specific therapeutics, screening at-risk youth, a previously-discouraged strategy, may now be warranted. This chapter will discuss central clinical characteristics essential for diagnosis and the care of children with ARPKD or ADPKD. We will also highlight recent insights in the molecular and cellular pathophysiology of PKD and the clinical translation into new therapies that promise to alter the natural history of disease for children with genetic PKD.
A logical operational semantics of full Prolog: part 1. Selection core and control

Y. Gurevich recently proposed a framework for semantics of programming concepts which directly reflects the dynamic and resource-bounded aspects of computation. This approach is based on (essentially first-order) structures that evolve over time and are finite in the same way as real computers are (so-called “dynamic algebras”).
Growth Hormone–Releasing Hormone Receptor (GHRH‐R)

This article has no abstract. Keywords: growth hormone–releasing hormone receptor (GHRH-R)
Biosynthesis of Di-myo-Inositol-1,1′-Phosphate, a Novel Osmolyte in Hyperthermophilic Archaea

Biosynthesis of di-myo-inositol-1,1′-phosphate (DIP) is proposed to occur with myo-inositol and myo-inositol 1-phosphate (I-1-P) used as precursors. Activation of the I-1-P with CTP and condensation of the resultant CDP-inositol (CDP-I) with myo-inositol then generates DIP. The sole known biosynthetic pathway of inositol in all organisms is the conversion of d-glucose-6-phosphate to myo-inositol. This conversion requires two key enzymes: l-I-1-P synthase and I-1-P phosphatase. Enzymatic assays using 31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy as well as a colorimetric assay for inorganic phosphate have confirmed the occurrence of l-I-1-P synthase and a moderately specific I-1-P phosphatase. The enzymatic reaction that couples CDP-I with myo-inositol to generate DIP has also been detected in Methanococcus igneus. 13C labeling studies with [2,3-13C]pyruvate and [3-13C]pyruvate were used to examine this pathway in M. igneus. Label distribution in DIP was consistent with inositol units formed from glucose-6-phosphate, but the label in the glucose moiety was scrambled via transketolase and transaldolase activities of the pentose phosphate pathway.
Primary tracheoesophageal puncture in salvage laryngectomy patients

Objectives/Hypothesis The purpose of this study was to determine the rate of complications in the immediate postoperative period following primary tracheoesophageal puncture (TEP) after salvage laryngectomy. Study Design Retrospective. Methods A retrospective review was done of 26 patients who underwent primary TEP with salvage total laryngectomy. To minimize variables, the patients included were operated on by a single surgeon and rehabilitated by a single speech-language pathologist. The outcomes evaluated were the frequency of leakage around the TEP, dehiscence of the stoma, dislodging of the prosthesis, pharyngocutaneous fistula, time to initiation of oral intake, and length of hospital stay. Results The mean age of the patients was 60.8 years (range, 41–78 years). Previous treatment consisted of radiotherapy in 14 patients and chemotherapy and radiation in 12. Tumor site was glottic in 12 patients, supraglottic in seven, subglottic in two, vallecula in three, and overlapping in two. The pharynx was repaired primarily in all patients and then reinforced with a pectoralis muscle flap in 13. Leakage around the TEP was observed in 4% of the cases. There were no instances of dislodging of the TEP, and six patients (23%) developed pharyngocutaneous fistula; 12% had a wound dehiscence but none were around the stoma. The average time to begin oral feeding was 5.7 days (standard deviation, 1.93), and the average hospital stay was 8.4 days (standard deviation, 1.93). Conclusions Primary TEP in the setting of a salvage laryngectomy is associated with a low rate of complications. A pharyngocutaneous fistula occurred in 23% of the cases. Level of Evidence 4.
Dynamic Thermal Modeling of the Normal and Tumorous Breast under Elastic Deformation

To quantify the complex relationships between (1) the temperature, and temperature differences, on the surface of the breast as recorded by infrared thermal imaging and (2) the underlying physiological and pathological factors, we have developed a dynamic finite element method for comprehensive modeling of both the thermal and elastic properties of normal and tumorous breast tissues. In the steady state, the gravity-induced deformation is found to cause markedly asymmetric surface temperatures even though all thermal-elastic properties are symmetrical. In the dynamic state, the time course of breast thermal imaging in cold-stress and thermal-recovery procedures is found to be useful in characterizing the origins of the thermal contrast on the breast surface. The tumor-induced thermal contrast has slower temporal behavior than the deformation-induced thermal contrast on the breast surface, which may lead to improvements in breast-tumor diagnosis.
Sudden Stop and Sudden Flood of Foreign Direct Investment: Inverse Bank Run, Output, and Welfare Distribution

In this paper, I focus on a phenomenon that has not received much attention in the literature, namely that the mere expectation of foreign direct investment (FDI) incentivizes long-maturity investment projects by domestic residents, and a Sudden Stop when expectations are frustrated. Long-maturity investment projects enhance productivity but increase the economy’s vulnerability to Sudden Stop. The discussion is framed in a context in which a Sudden Stop follows a surge of capital inflows (Sudden Flood), and FDI is concentrated on ongoing projects. A Sudden Stop episode can trigger a fire sale of long-term assets, output collapse, and welfare redistribution, which is another ignored phenomenon.
Electrocatalytic materials and techniques for the anodic oxidation of various organic compounds

The focus of this thesis was first to characterize and improve the applicability of Fe(III) and Bi(V) doped PbO{sub 2} film electrodes for use in anodic O-transfer reactions of toxic and waste organic compounds, e.g. phenol, aniline, benzene, and naphthalene. Further, they investigated the use of alternative solution/electrode interfacial excitation techniques to enhance the performance of these electrodes for remediation and electrosynthetic applications. Finally, they have attempted to identify a less toxic metal oxide film that may hold promise for future studies in the electrocatalysis and photoelectrocatalysis of O-transfer reactions using metal oxide film electrodes.
Genomic organisation of the channel catfish Mx1 gene and characterisation of multiple channel catfish Mx gene promoters

In order to further characterise channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) Mx1, studies were initiated to amplify and clone the Mx1 promoter into a reporter vector, pGL3basic. Initially the Mx1 gene was amplified from genomic DNA and was found to have 12 exons and 11 introns, spanning a region over 6 kilobases (kb) in length. The Mx1 promoter was amplified using genome walking and during this process four additional Mx promoters were identified, suggesting the presence of five Mx genes in the channel catfish. All five promoters possess an interferon stimulated response element (ISRE) and the Mx1 promoter possessed two potential NF-kappabeta transcription sites. Following cloning each construct was transiently transfected into COS-7 and EPC cells for 24h and treated with 5 microg/ml poly I:C for 24h. An increase in expression of the reporter gene in response to poly I:C was noted in both cell lines in the pGL3Mx1 construct only. However, the reporter gene was also constitutively expressed in these cells. Constitutive expression was also observed in channel catfish ovary cells transiently transfected with pGL3Mx1 only. Treatment with 5 microg/ml poly I:C did not increase this expression, which may be due to high levels of cell death in this difficult to transfect cell line. The constitutive expression observed implies that a repressor element is missing in the 390 base pair sequence of the Mx1 promoter used in this study. These results suggest that only channel catfish Mx1 is involved in the type I interferon pathway and that the presence of an ISRE in a regulatory region is not necessarily indicative of a role in the type I interferon response.
Pretreatment weight status and weight loss among head and neck cancer patients receiving definitive concurrent chemoradiation therapy: implications for nutrition integrated treatment pathways.

The purpose was to examine the effect of pretreatment weight status on loco-regional progression for patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) after receiving definitive concurrent chemoradiation therapy (CCRT). In an expanded cohort of 140 patients, we retrospectively reviewed weight status and loco-regional progression of SCCHN patients treated with CCRT between 2004 and 2010. Pretreatment ideal body weight percentage (IBW%) was statistically significantly different for patients with disease progression than for those without progression (p = 0.02) but was not an independent predictor of progression. Median pretreatment IBW% was 118 (72–193) for the progression-free group and was 101.5 (73–163) for the group with progression. Both groups suffered clinically severe weight loss of approximately 9 % from baseline to end treatment. Pretreatment weight status, a very crude indicator of nutrition status, may have prognostic value in patients with SCCHN undergoing definitive CCRT. Inadequate nutritional status in these patients has been associated with poor clinical outcomes and decreased quality of life. Based on this report and others, the best next steps include routine validated malnutrition screening and the testing of evidence-based nutrition care protocols with the goals of minimizing weight loss and improvement of quality of life.
The posttranslational modification of β-endorphin in the intermediate pituitary of the toad, Bufo marinus, includes processing at a monobasic cleavage site

Abstract Fractionation of an acid extract of 15 B. marinus intermediate pituitaries by a combination of gel filtration chromatography and cation exchange chromatography revealed one major and five minor forms of β-endorphin in this tissue. Based on reversed-phase HPLC and immunological properties, as well as amino acid composition and primary sequence analysis, it was deduced that the sequence of the major form of B. marinus β-endorphin is N- acetyl-YGGFMTPE . Overall, the steady-state analyses of the minor forms of β-endorphin indicated that the posttranslational processing of β-endorphin in the toad intermediate pituitary includes endoproteolytic cleavage at both paired basic and monobasic cleavage sites.
The development of a computer-based decision support system for use in evaluating candidates for the position of programmer—analyst

Human resource selection is an area where computer-based decision support holds great promise. A key component of the selection process is the face-to-face job interview. This paper describes an effort to develop a computer-based decision support system to assist the interviewer in evaluating job candidates. The described system uses behavioral anchors, descriptions of past behaviors that can provide useful references for evaluating different characteristics of a candidate. The portion of the development project that has been completed thus far includes the elicitation of the anchors from an expert interviewer and the refinement of the anchors so that they provide uniform support for all of the selection criteria. The remaining steps will include an experiment designed to understand the effects of these anchors on novice managers, and the development of a DSS based on the anchors. The purpose of describing the research at this point is to disseminate the knowledge concerning the system design with the hope of stimulating similar research in this important area of human resource management.
Inquiry-Based Professional Development: What does it take to support teachers in learning about inquiry and nature of science?

This study examined the geologic and evolutionary subject matter and views of inquiry and nature of science (NOS) of a group of 5th–9th grade teachers, and a comparison group, before and after participating in an inquiry-based professional development (PD) experience. Project teachers participated in an intensive, week-long, resident institute where they learned about geology, evolutionary concepts, NOS, and inquiry while engaging in an authentic scientific investigation. They were also given support in how to teach these topics using an inquiry-based approach. Analyses of data indicate that project teachers showed greater gains in subject matter than comparison teachers and the relative change was significantly different statistically. Furthermore, most project teachers demonstrated a shift from less informed to more informed views of inquiry and NOS and the relative change between participant and comparison teachers was significantly different statistically. These gains are promising because they sugges...