cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
STEM Workers, H-1B Visas, and Productivity in US Cities

Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workers are fundamental inputs for innovation, the main driver of productivity growth. We identify the long-run effect of STEM employment growth on outcomes for native workers across 219 US cities from 1990 to 2010. We use the 1980 distribution of foreign-born STEM workers and variation in the H-1B visa program to identify supply-driven STEM increases across cities. Increases in STEM workers are associated with significant wage gains for college-educated natives. Gains for non-college-educated natives are smaller but still significant. Our results imply that foreign STEM increased total factor productivity growth in US cities.
Comment on “Calculating remittiturs” by Kadane

I thank Professor Kadane for his interest in our article and his recent conversations. Perhaps our articles are the start of what Judge Weinstein envisioned when he wrote in Geressy, ‘[n]o fixed a priori statistical rules by the court seem warranted at this stage of Gasperini development. In time, a sophisticated literature and precedents may develop’.1 I believe that Judge Weinstein’s close study of Gasperini,2 a U.S. Supreme Court decision concerning New York’s standard for evaluating remittiturs, was a search for a tenable and fixed rule that would satisfy the Constitutional protection of civil liberties afforded in the Seventh Amendment.3 Whenever a legal principle is reduced to a quantitative analysis, there will most likely be some loss of the principle. The job, then, is to find an analysis that adequately preserves the principle while being sufficiently sound. Here, Professor Kadane proposes quantile estimation (QE). My co-author and I, however, proposed the Tchebycheff inequality (TI). The QE assumes that the unknown distribution of damage awards representative of the case at bar is properly estimated with the sample cases obtained. Identifying representative cases is a judgement call with errant commissions and omissions due to the varying facts of each case and award. More importantly, any ‘representative’ sample probably underestimates the true quantiles.4 While it is true that the TI suffers from the same sampling problems, the TI is much less immune to such concerns. This is particularly true concerning the bias resulting from the missing settlement data: The TI indirectly compensates for this bias making it more deferential towards the preservation of the trial. Professor Kadane considers the statistical merits of QE and TI and rejects the TI on statistical practice grounds: It is overly broad in that it contemplates negative awards and that the sample estimates of the first two moments may be inadequate estimators. I, however, believe these two points to be trivial to the actual implementation of the TI method for remittiturs. In turn, I suspect that Professor Kadane would recognize the limitations of a point estimate for QE. If given to statistical orthodoxy, then should we not also consider the variability of the QE point estimate? It is probable
Seismic wave-field observations at a dense, small-aperture array located on a landslide in the Santa Cruz Mountains, California

Abstract A rectangular (4 by 5) array of short-period three-component seismometers with 15-m spacing was deployed to record several U.S. Geological Survey calibration explosions detonated around the Santa Cruz Mountains. The array was located at a site where an earlier station had recorded frequency-dependent polarized site resonances for aftershocks of the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. The site is on a hillside believed to be a landslide structure, with the near surface consisting of poorly sorted sediments and weathered rocks with dipping subsurface layers. The primary objective was to explore the site effects in this complex three-dimensional soft-rock environment, characteristic of much of the Loma Prieta source region. The direct P waves from four nearby (15 to 20 km) explosions at easterly azimuths from the array show counterclockwise arrival azimuth anomalies of 30° to 50°. These deflections are attributed to the presence of more than one dipping velocity contrast beneath the array, with dips of from 10° to 50° and dip directions generally toward the south. One such boundary may correspond to the landslide slip surface, and the presence of dipping velocity contrasts underlying the site is probably responsible for some of the observed directional site resonance. A slowness vector analysis demonstrates that arrivals early in the P coda have similar azimuthal anomalies, while later scattered arrivals come from many azimuths. Particle motions indicate that the more coherent arrivals in the coda are comprised of scattered P waves and Rayleigh waves, probably associated with scattering from the rough topography in the region. The coda displays greater spatial coherency along the hill strike than down the slope, consistent with a wedge-shaped landslide. The overall wave-field spatial coherence, CCC( f , Δ x ), decreases with increasing frequency, f , and spatial offset, Δ x , and on average can be well represented by CCC( f , Δ x ) = e − cf Δ x , with c = 0.6 km −1 Hz −1 for the vertical P wave in the first 1-sec window. This behavior is comparable to that found for previously studied hard-rock locations.
Interleukin-35 Limits Anti-Tumor Immunity.

Summary Regulatory T (Treg) cells pose a major barrier to effective anti-tumor immunity. Although Treg cell depletion enhances tumor rejection, the ensuing autoimmune sequelae limits its utility in the clinic and highlights the need for limiting Treg cell activity within the tumor microenvironment. Interleukin-35 (IL-35) is a Treg cell-secreted cytokine that inhibits T cell proliferation and function. Using an IL-35 reporter mouse, we observed substantial enrichment of IL-35 + Treg cells in tumors. Neutralization with an IL-35-specific antibody or Treg cell-restricted deletion of IL-35 production limited tumor growth in multiple murine models of human cancer. Limiting intratumoral IL-35 enhanced T cell proliferation, effector function, antigen-specific responses, and long-term T cell memory. Treg cell-derived IL-35 promoted the expression of multiple inhibitory receptors (PD1, TIM3, LAG3), thereby facilitating intratumoral T cell exhaustion. These findings reveal previously unappreciated roles for IL-35 in limiting anti-tumor immunity and contributing to T cell dysfunction in the tumor microenvironment.
Abstract 2107: YAP protein expression and subcellular localization in pediatric liver tumors

Proceedings: AACR 106th Annual Meeting 2015; April 18-22, 2015; Philadelphia, PA Purpose: Currently, there is no effective chemotherapy for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Both HCC and hepatoblastoma (HB) remain lethal in their metastatic forms. Therefore, understanding the molecular mechanisms of tumor survival and proliferation is critical for developing novel therapies. Our lab has shown that YAP, a transcription factor, is involved in liver regeneration. Specifically, increases in nuclear YAP have been coupled with expression of genes important for cell proliferation. We therefore sought to examine whether there is increased nuclear localization of YAP in liver tumors. Methods: Tumor tissue and normal liver tissue from 3 pediatric patients with HCC (all males, mean age 10.63 years), and 6 HB patients (4 males and 2 females, mean age 2.99 years) were stained for YAP using immunohistochemistry. Multiple high-power fields were photographed for each sample. Using ImageJ software, the number of YAP-positive nuclei were counted and expressed as a mean percentage of total nuclei. Results: The percentage of nuclei staining positive for YAP was increased in tumor cells compared to normal liver in 3/3 of the HCC tumors. In addition, YAP nuclear staining was significantly increased in 2/6 of the HB tumors. Conclusion: All HCC tumors and 33% of the HB showed an increase in the nuclear localization of transcription factor YAP. The increased activity of YAP in the nuclei of tumor cells may indicate a crucial role for YAP in tumor proliferation and survival. Targeting YAP or its upstream pathway (Hippo) may provide a novel target for therapy. Citation Format: Michael J. LaQuaglia, James Grijalva, Kaly Mueller, Antonio Perez-Atayde, Heung Bae Kim, Ghazaleh Sadri-Vakili, Khashayar Vakili. YAP protein expression and subcellular localization in pediatric liver tumors. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 2107. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-2107
Mathematics and Thinking Mathematically

(1970). Mathematics and Thinking Mathematically. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 77, No. 1, pp. 20-28.
Does background stress heighten or dampen children's cardiovascular responses to acute stress?

OBJECTIVE: Does background stress heighten or dampen children's cardiovascular responses to acute stress? METHOD: To address this question, the cardiovascular responses to four acute laboratory stressors of 150 children and adolescents were evaluated according to their self-reported background stress level. Background stress was determined during a standardized interview and was a priori classified according to its importance, frequency, and whether it was ongoing or resolved. RESULTS: Results showed that children and adolescents who reported important stressors or stressors that were ongoing and frequent exhibited a larger increase in diastolic blood pressure and total peripheral resistance during all four laboratory stressors than their low stress counterparts. Additional analysis showed that the results could not be accounted for by sociodemographic variables or by the personality traits measured in this study. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest the importance of measuring background stress in understanding an individual's acute stress response.
Review: The Sultan Hasan Complex in Cairo 1357–1364: A Case Study in the Formation of Mamluk Style by Abdallah Kahil

Abdallah Kahil . The Sultan Hasan Complex in Cairo 1357–1364: A Case Study in the Formation of Mamluk Style . Wurzburg: Ergon, 2008, 403 pp., 344 b/w and color illus. $90 (cloth), ISBN 9783899136432 When I began my academic career more than a quarter century ago, I had to explain the term "Mamluk" at the beginning of my talks in conferences; colleagues did not have to clarify terms like "baroque," "rococo," or even "Tudor," or "Georgian." But what was really frustrating was that I had also to cajole my audience into seeing Mamluk architecture for the sublime tradition it is. Things have not changed much since, even though Mamluk studies have acquired their own journal, Mamluk Studies Review, and books on Mamluk architecture are sometimes reviewed in journals such as our JSAH . Mamluk architecture is still largely unknown to the architectural community. This is truly unfortunate, for Mamluk architecture is one of the most spatially intricate, formally poised, and geometrically inventive medieval building traditions. It is also one of the most prolific and best documented. The Mamluks-for those readers still uninformed about them-were a foreign-born, military-slave elite that ruled Egypt and Syria between 1250 and 1517. They presided over a building expansion of unprecedented scale in every corner of the sultanate but especially in Cairo, where most of them lived and competed for influence and visibility.1 To judge by the number of Mamluk monuments still standing there today-and they constitute a fraction of the original total that can be computed from the sources-architecture definitely was the choice instrument for the exhibition, transfer, and symbolization of wealth and status.2 In the crowded city, where many monuments lined every major thoroughfare, Mamluk designers had to …
What a Real Cybersecurity Bill Should Address

When creating a cybersecurity bill, the US Congress needs to focus on improving system administration, encouraging the use of cryptographic technology, and providing data on security failures so we can learn from our mistakes.
Two-dimensional resonance Raman spectroscopy of oxygen- and water-ligated myoglobins.

Two-dimensional resonance Raman (2DRR) spectroscopy has recently been developed as a tool for studies of structural heterogeneity and photochemical dynamics in condensed phases. In this paper, 2DRR spectroscopy is used to investigate line broadening mechanisms of both oxygen- and water-ligated myoglobins. General signatures of anharmonicity and inhomogeneous line broadening are first established with model calculations to facilitate signal interpretation. It is shown that the present quasi-degenerate version of 2DRR spectroscopy is insensitive to anharmonicity, because signal generation is allowed for harmonic modes. Rather, the key information to be gained from 2DRR spectroscopy pertains to the line broadening mechanisms, which are fairly obvious by inspection of the data. 2DRR signals acquired for both heme protein systems reveal significant heterogeneity in the vibrational modes local to the heme’s propionic acid side chains. These side chains are known to interact with solvent, because they protrude from the hydrophobic pocket that encloses the heme. Molecular dynamics simulations suggest that the heterogeneity detected in our 2DRR experiments reflects fluctuations in the geometries of the side chains. Knowledge of such thermal motions will be useful for understanding protein function (e.g., ligand binding) because the side chains are an effective “gateway” for the exchange of thermal energy between the heme and solvent.
Demonstrating strategies for solving the prisoner's dilemma

Publisher Summary The purpose of this chapter is to reveal some possible strategies that humans might use when presented with an opportunity either to cooperate or to behave selfishly, and to explore which strategies appear to be more effective. In some species, individuals actively avoid one another, coming together only to mate. In others, individuals gather in groups. For any individual, the advantage of living in a group may be little more than reducing the likelihood of being eaten by a predator (the "dilution effect" hypothesis). However, in some species, group living may provide more benefits than simply improvement of odds in escaping predators. Group members may actively help one another to find and catch food, to harvest food, to build and maintain shelters, and/or to care for young.
Intraoperative Anaphylactic Reaction: Is it the Floseal?

When hemodynamic or respiratory instability occurs intraoperatively, the inciting event must be determined so that a therapeutic plan can be provided to ensure patient safety. Although generally uncommon, one cause of cardiorespiratory instability is anaphylactic reactions. During anesthetic care, these most commonly involve neuromuscular blocking agents, antibiotics, or latex. Floseal is a topical hemostatic agent that is frequently used during orthopedic surgical procedures to augment local coagulation function and limit intraoperative blood loss. As these products are derived from human thrombin, animal collagen, and animal gelatin, allergic phenomenon may occur following their administration. We present 2 pediatric patients undergoing posterior spinal fusion who developed intraoperative hemodynamic and respiratory instability following use of the topical hemostatic agent, Floseal. Previous reports of such reactions are reviewed, and the perioperative care of patients with intraoperative anaphylaxis is...
Extinction and Liquid Water Content of Fogs and Clouds

Abstract The normalized extinction cross section (efficiency for extinction) Qext is approximated by a linear function of the size parameter x, and a linear relationship (independent of the size distribution) between the volume extinction coefficient of a spherical polydispersion of water droplets and the liquid water content is derived. The wavelength at which this linear relationship is valid is determined by the radius of the largest droplets present in considered distributions. For the case of nonprecipitating clouds and fogs the suitable wavelength is A λ=11µm.
Retrospective Review of Percutaneous Image-Guided Ablation of Oligometastatic Prostate Cancer: A Single-Institution Experience.

Abstract Purpose To retrospectively review and report the efficacy and safety of percutaneous image-guided ablation (cryoablation or radiofrequency ablation) in the treatment of oligometastatic prostate cancer. Materials and Methods An institutional registry was retrospectively reviewed and revealed 16 patients with oligometastatic prostate cancer (median age, 67 y; range, 50–86 y) who underwent percutaneous image-guided ablation to treat 18 metastatic sites. A subgroup of 7 patients with 8 metastases were androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT)–naive and underwent ablation to delay initiation of ADT. Local tumor control, progression-free survival (PFS), ADT-free survival, and procedural complications were analyzed. Results Local tumor control was achieved in 15 of 18 metastases (83%) at a median follow-up of 27 months (range, 5–56 mo). Local tumor recurrence was found in 3 of 18 metastases (17%), with a median time to local recurrence of 3.5 months (range, 3–38 mo). Estimated PFS rates at 12 and 24 months were 56% (95% confidence interval [CI], 30%–76%) and 43% (95% CI, 19%–65%), respectively. In the 7 ADT-naive patients, local tumor control was achieved in all metastases, and the median ADT-free survival period was 29 months. There were no major procedural complications. Conclusions In this cohort of patients with oligometastatic prostate cancer, percutaneous image-guided ablation was feasible and well tolerated and achieved acceptable local tumor control rates. Percutaneous ablation may be of particular utility in patients who wish to delay initiation of ADT.
Assessing Preferences Among Behavioral Interventions With Japanese Parents of Children With Developmental Disabilities

ABSTRACTAs the cultural dynamic continues to become increasingly complex, it is critical to assess cultural factors that influence practice. The present study considers the treatment preferences of Japanese mothers of children with developmental disabilities. After answering demographic questions, each participant was given four scenarios and asked how they would respond by choosing one of four interventions (differential reinforcement, ignoring, reprimanding, and time-out). Overall, we found that parents preferred differential reinforcement strategies the most. Moreover, parents who reported that their children had a history of involvement with applied behavior analysis were especially likely to choose differential reinforcement. Implications for future research and practice are provided.
How Do Decision Stakes Affect Omission Bias

People prefer harms caused by omission to equal or lesser harms caused by action, a tendency known as omission bias. Several studies, however, have challenged the existence of this bias, and some e...
Sex and ethnic/racial-specific risk factors for gallbladder disease.

Gallbladder disease (GBD) is a highly prevalent condition; however, little is known about potential differences in risk factors by sex and ethnicity/race. Our aim was to evaluate dietary, reproductive and obesity-related factors and GBD in multiethnic populations. We performed a prospective analysis from the Multiethnic Cohort study who self-identified as non-Hispanic White (n = 32,103), African American (n = 30,209), Japanese (n = 35,987), Native Hawaiian (n = 6942) and Latino (n = 39,168). GBD cases were identified using Medicare and California hospital discharge files (1993–2012) and self-completed questionnaires. We used exposure information on the baseline questionnaire to identify exposures of interest. Associations were estimated by hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals using Cox models adjusted for confounders. After a median 10.7 years of follow-up, there were 13,437 GBD cases. BMI over 25 kg/m2, diabetes, past and current smoking, red meat consumption, saturated fat and cholesterol were significant risk factors across ethnic/racial populations (p-trends < 0.01). Protective factors included vigorous physical activity, alcohol use, fruits, vegetables and foods rich in dietary fiber (p-trends < 0.01). Carbohydrates were inversely associated with GBD risk only among women and Latinos born in South America/Mexico (p-trend < 0.003). Parity was a significant risk factor among women; post-menopausal hormones use was only associated with an increased risk among White women (estrogen-only: HR = 1.24; 95% CI = 1.07–1.43 and estrogen + progesterone: HR = 1.23; 95% CI = 1.06–1.42). Overall, dietary, reproductive and obesity-related factors are strong risk factors for GBD affecting men and women of different ethnicities/races; however some risk factors appear stronger in women and certain ethnic groups.
The Impact of Block Scheduling on Agricultural Education: A Nine Year Comparative Study.

During the last decade, several states have implemented block scheduling in their secondary public schools to improve the educational process (Carroll, 1990). Until this recent reform, the traditional school day had been virtually unchanged in the public schools since the beginning of the twentieth century.
Studies on the substrate specificity of the T4 excision repair endonuclease

Abstract Previous studies have shown that the v gene of bacteriophage T4 codes for an endonuclease that specifically attacks pyrimidine dimer sites in UV-irradiated DNA. The present studies have examined the role of this endonuclease in the repair of DNA damaged by nitrogen mustard, N -methyl- N ′-nitro- N -nitrosoguanidine (NTG), mitomycin C and 4-nitroquinoline- N -oxide. The observation by Harm that the v gene product of phage T4 facilitates repair of UV damage to the host DNA of excision-repair defective strains enabled us to test whether it does the same with other cellular DNA lesions. It was shown that infection of UV-irradiated E. coli B s−1 with UV-inactivated phage T4 v + resulted in rescue of a certain fraction of the host cells. However no v gene mediated repair E. coli B s−1 was observed following treatment with the chemical agents mentioned. Furthermore, though phage T4 v 1 is more sensitive to UV-irradiation than phage T4, there was no observed difference in the sensitivity of these phages to nitrogen mustard or NTG. On the basis of these observations it was concluded that the v gene coded endonuclease of T4 is specific for the excision repair of pyrimidine dimers and does not participate in the repair of chemically damaged DNA. In vitro enzymatic degradation of DNA alkylated with nitrogen mustard was observed, but it is probable that this degradation is not part of a repair reaction in vivo .
Neoliberal Chicago, edited by Larry Bennett, Roberta Gardner, and Evan Hague

On the one hand, the editors/authors of this lively collection seem to want to push themselves into the present-day political–economic discussion about neoliberalism and, on the other hand, the urb...
Condition Monitoring of Circuit Switchers for Shunt Capacitor Banks Through Power Quality Data

Aging of power system assets challenges utilities to maintain reliable service while minimizing their maintenance costs. Although malfunction of devices in the transmission or distribution networks can have catastrophic consequences, their failure is seldom unforeseen. Typically, the device aging occurs gradually over time until its health condition reaches a point of complete breakdown. The overall objective of this paper is to devise a non-invasive, online condition monitoring technique of circuit switchers for shunt capacitor banks. It aims to detect abnormal operation of these devices based on features derived from raw voltage and current waveforms, such that a predictive maintenance strategy may be employed before a complete failure occurs. The data analyzed in this paper are collected at a transmission capacitor bus, where the banks are equipped with pre-insertion impedance. Through a baseline range of values for selected parameters, the proposed technique is able to detect missing pre-insertion impedance during the capacitor energizing and failure of pre-insertion impedance switch out a few cycles after the energizing operation.
Ligand-Accelerated Cross-Coupling of Cs(sp2)—H Bonds with Arylboron Reagents.

An improved method for the coupling of phenylacetic acids with arylboron compounds is reported.
Menopause: Hormones, Lifestyle, and Optimizing Aging.

Although American women spend approximately 30% to 40% of their lives in menopause, a state defined by the cessation of estrogen production by the ovaries, obstetricians and gynecologists in North America receive little formal education about menopausal health. Hormonal therapy has been available for more than 75 years; however, controversies surrounding its use have impacted training of care providers in all specialties. This article offers updates on care for menopausal women, focusing on symptomatology and health issues that arise related to the decline in all reproductive hormones. Lifestyle adaptations and nonmedical approaches, and nonhormonal and hormonal medications are discussed.
P242 Co-infections with cytomegalovirus (CMV) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in pregnant women

Background Congenital cytomegalovirus infection (cCMV) is a leading cause of hearing loss and neurodevelopmental disabilities. An association between STIs and CMV including higher rates of CMV acquisition and reinfections in women with STIs has been shown in studies of selected populations of women attending STI clinics. However, the interaction between CMV and STIs in the genital tract and whether CMV and STI co-infection increases the risk of intrauterine transmission of CMV remains unclear. The objective of this study is to determine STI prevalence and CMV shedding rates in a cohort of unselected pregnant women. Methods Vaginal swabs from a cohort of CMV seropositive women in labor from a multi-center study were analyzed. After DNA extraction from vaginal swabs, PCR was performed for detection of CMV, Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC), Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Trichomonas vaginalis (TV). CMV genital shedding rates were compared between groups with and without STIs. Results Approximately 11% (11/101)) of pregnant women in this cohort tested positive for STIs (10 with TV and 1 with TV and GC co-infection). None of the women with STIs were shedding CMV in the genital tract during labor compared to 24% (22/90) of women without STIs. No significant difference in racial distribution was noted between the groups with and without STIs (82% Black vs 58% Black respectively; p = 0.19). Among women shedding CMV in the genital tract, CMV viral load levels ranged from 1.2x102 IU/ml – 2.3x104 IU/ml. Conclusion In a cohort of unselected pregnant women, none of the CMV seropositive pregnant women with STIs were shedding CMV in the genital tract. Our preliminary findings suggest CMV shedding is not associated with STIs detected late in pregnancy. A larger study is need to confirm these findings and to define the relationship between STIs and cCMV. Disclosure No significant relationships.
Ultrasound and Microbubble-targeted Delivery of a microRNA Inhibitor to the Heart Suppresses Cardiac Hypertrophy and Preserves Cardiac Function

MicroRNAs (miRs) are dysregulated in pathological left ventricular hypertrophy. AntimiR inhibition of miR-23a suppressed hypertension-induced cardiac hypertrophy in preclinical models, but clinical translation is limited by a lack of cardiac-targeted delivery systems. Ultrasound-targeted microbubble cavitation (UTMC) utilizes microbubbles as nucleic acid carriers to target delivery of molecular therapeutics to the heart. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of UTMC targeted delivery of antimiR-23a to the hearts of mice for suppression of hypertension-induced cardiac hypertrophy. Methods: Cationic lipid microbubbles were loaded with 300 pmol negative control antimiR (NC) or antimiR-23a. Mice received continuous phenylephrine infusion via implanted osmotic minipumps, then UTMC treatments with intravenously injected antimiR-loaded microbubbles 0, 3, and 7 days later. At 2 weeks, hearts were harvested and miR-23a levels were measured. Left ventricular (LV) mass and function were assessed with echocardiography. Results: UTMC treatment with antimiR-23a decreased cardiac miR-23a levels by 41 ± 8% compared to UTMC + antimiR-NC controls (p < 0.01). Furthermore, LV mass after 1 week of phenylephrine treatment was 17 ± 10% lower following UTMC + antimiR-23a treatment compared to UTMC + antimiR-NC controls (p = 0.02). At 2 weeks, fractional shortening was 23% higher in the UTMC + antimiR-23a mice compared to UTMC + antimiR-NC controls (p < 0.01). Conclusions: UTMC is an effective technique for targeted functional delivery of antimiRs to the heart causing suppression of cardiac hypertrophy and preservation of systolic function. This approach could represent a revolutionary therapy for patients suffering from pathological cardiac hypertrophy and other cardiovascular conditions.
Prophylactic Colony-Stimulating Factors in Pediatric Patients Receiving Myelosuppressive Chemotherapy: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background : The colony-stimulating factors (CSFs) are widely utilized to prevent neutropenic complications in both adults and children, but randomized controlled trials in the pediatric setting have varied considerably in size, methodology and patient population. A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to more definitively assess the impact of prophylactic CSFs on the risk of febrile neutropenia (FN) in pediatric oncology patients. The rates of documented infection (DI) and duration of severe neutropenia (ANC Methods: MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched and identified references were hand-searched through July 2004 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of prophylactic G-CSF or GM-CSF in pediatric oncology patients. Both parallel and crossover studies were included. Of the 625 articles identified, 16 studies were included. Ten studies evaluated children with acute leukemia or high-grade lymphoma, and 6 evaluated those with solid tumors. Study objectives, quality, and outcomes were extracted by 2 independent reviewers. Weighted summary estimates of relative risks (RR) for FN and DI were calculated by the method of Mantel-Haenszel using a fixed effects model. Mean differences in durations (days) were estimated by the method of Cohen using a random effects model due to significant heterogeneity. An economic analysis based on cost minimization was calculated from the results of this analysis and a recent cost study. Results : Among the 12 reporting RCTs, FN occurred in 68% of 400 controls and 59% of 404 CSF patients. Estimated RR was 0.88 [.81–.97; P=.01] favoring the CSFs for leukemia and high grade lymphoma studies and 0.71 [.51–.97; P=.03] for solid tumor studies. RR estimates were 0.85 [.78–.94; P Conclusions : This analysis reveals that prophylactic CSFs significantly decrease the incidence of FN and the durations of severe neutropenia, hospitalization, and antibiotic use in pediatric patients receiving myelosuppressive chemotherapy. Differences in rates of documented infection were not statistically signficant. The economic analysis supports guidelines for CSF prophylaxis above a risk of 20%.
Organ-on-a-chip and 3D printing as preclinical models for medical research and practice

Abstract State-of-the-art microfabrication and additive manufacturing technologies have enabled the development of novel tissue engineering approaches for biomedical research. Two such examples, organ-on-a-chip (OOC, organ-chips) and 3D printing, have recently gained immense popularity in the scientific community, as tools to study the convoluted signaling at the cellular or tissue levels, and to develop biocompatible organ surrogates. Microfluidic organ-chips have been employed to study both physiology and pathology of various major organs, including liver, gut, kidney, and heart. The ability of these microdevices to mimic tissue microenvironment, and to utilize human cells, has helped them overcome the limitations of current animal models. On the other hand, 3D printing has allowed researchers to replicate native tissues, as viable implants or regenerative scaffolds. In this chapter, we briefly discuss the recent advances in OOC and 3D printed devices, and present the microfabrication techniques involved in developing these modalities, elaborate on their application and some common tissue engineering examples, and finally, discuss the prospects of these systems as analytical and novel drug screening platforms.
PFP Perception in Multi-PFP Form Environments and the Implications for PFP System Effectiveness

Compensation research has generally considered pay-for-performance (PFP) perceptions in terms of how people feel and react to only a single PFP form or PFP systems as a whole, regardless of the com...
Comparison of Decompression versus Decompression and Fusion for Lumbar Synovial Cysts and Predictive Factors for Cyst Recurrence.

Background The management of lumbar synovial cysts (LSC) has been a controversial topic for many years. Whereas many authors label LSC as markers of instability and thus necessitating fusion, others suggest that decompression alone without fusion is a viable initial treatment option. Our objective was to clarify outcomes in patients undergoing decompression alone and decompression with fusion for symptomatic LSC and identify factors for cyst recurrence. Methods A retrospective case series was performed of all patients undergoing initial treatment for LSC at a single institution ranging from January 1999 to February 2020. Surgical treatment included either decompression with cystectomy or decompression with cystectomy and a fusion procedure. Preoperative symptoms were collected and included radicular pain, motor deficits, sensory deficits, or bowel/bladder changes. Radiographic data were calculated individually and confirmed with radiology reports. Categorical variables were assessed using χ2 analysis and continuous variables were assessed with the 2-sample t test. Results In total, 161 patients were identified as presenting with symptomatic LSC. Of these, 104 patients underwent decompression alone versus 57 who underwent decompression and fusion. In the decompression group 11 patients required reoperation at the level of the cyst compared with none in those undergoing fusion as their initial procedure (10.5% vs. 0%, P = 0.012). On subgroup analysis of those undergoing decompression as their initial procedure, patients with cyst recurrence demonstrated a statistically significant greater coronal facet inclination angle compared with those without cyst recurrence (52.4° vs. 40.6°, P = 0.02). Conclusions Decompression alone is a reasonable choice for the initial management of LSC, although it does carry a significant risk of same-level reoperation due to cyst recurrence and spondylolisthesis. Preoperative coronal facet inclination angle may be a useful measurement in predicting cyst recurrence following decompression.
Climate-related morphological changes in Pantocsekiella (Mediophyceae) spanning 0-1.2 Ma in the Lake El’gygytgyn, northeastern Russia including Pantocsekiella elgygytgynensis sp. nov.

The distribution of diatom species and their evolutionary histories are largely a result of the complex feedback mechanisms in their environment. Arctic lakes are particularly sensitive to climate changes, and the species within these environments reflect these histories. The diatom genus Pantocsekiella is widespread and notably morphologically diverse. Valves from Pantocsekiella in the Arctic Lake El’gygytgyn spanning the last 1.2 Ma were analyzed using light and scanning electron microscopy to investigate how morphological transitions are related to known regional climate events. Quantitative and qualitative observations yielded a high degree of morphological diversity with multiple morphological shifts often associated with inferred extreme cold events. Principal components analysis (PCA) on quantitative morphological variables demonstrates a gradient in morphological variability through time, with a distinct morphology persisting uninterrupted from ~550-~230 ka warranting the establishment of a new species. Valve size within this interval responds to interglacial-glacial cycles, with the largest initial valves occurring during interglacials suggesting sensitivity to lake conditions related to climate.
Vat photopolymerization of unsaturated polyesters utilizing a polymerizable ionic liquid as a non-volatile reactive diluent

Abstract Unsaturated polyester resins (UPRs) enjoy numerous applications as structural adhesives in glass fiber laminates, concrete flooring, and masonry repair. Typically, UPRs consist of unsaturated polyester (UPE) oligomers with up to 50 wt% of a reactive diluent such as styrene. The ability of these resins to cure rapidly upon UV irradiation, in conjunction with a photoinitiator, enables vat photopolymerization (VP) 3D printing. However, the volatility and toxicity of styrene limits the use of traditional UPRs for VP. This report describes a nonvolatile ionic liquid reactive diluent for UPRs, which, in combination with the unreactive diluent dimethoxyethane, produce resins suitable for VP. Photorheological experiments help guide resin design for VP based on a series of synthesized UPEs and PIL concentrations. Photocured networks exhibit increasing degradation temperatures with increasing PIL incorporation from 215 to 279 °C. VP of a selected UPR composition demonstrated the ability to form self-supporting, geometrically complex 3D printed structures, suggesting the opportunity to utilize a common industrial feedstock as a component of a novel VP resin system. Dried and unextracted 3D printed test specimens exhibit ionic conductivities spanning from 10−8 to 10−5 S cm−1 between 60 and 150 °C, which indicate a potential additional attribute for 3D printed UPE parts.
The New Science of the Mind: From Extended Mind to Embodied Phenomenology

There is a new way of thinking about the mind that does not locate mental processes exclusively "in the head." Some think that this expanded conception of the mind will be the basis of a new science of the mind. In this book, leading philosopher Mark Rowlands investigates the conceptual foundations of this new science of the mind. The new way of thinking about the mind emphasizes the ways in which mental processes are embodied (made up partly of extraneural bodily structures and processes), embedded (designed to function in tandem with the environment), enacted (constituted in part by action), and extended (located in the environment). The new way of thinking about the mind, Rowlands writes, is actually an old way of thinking that has taken on new form. Rowlands describes a conception of mind that had its clearest expression in phenomenology -- in the work of Husserl, Heidegger, Sartre, and Merleau-Ponty. He builds on these views, clarifies and renders consistent the ideas of embodied, embedded, enacted, and extended mind, and develops a unified philosophical treatment of the novel conception of the mind that underlies the new science of the mind.
Central Neural Control of Respiration and Circulation During Exercise

The sections in this article are: 1 Respiration 2 Circulation 3 Central Command Mechanisms 3.1 Central Drive of Locomotion 3.2 Locomotor Pattern Generator 3.3 Supraspinal Locomotor Sites 4 Central Command Control of Respiration and Circulation in Animals 4.1 Cerebral Cortex 4.2 Hypothalamic Locomotor Region 4.3 Mesencephalic Locomotor Region 4.4 Amygdala 4.5 Awake, Exercising Animal Studies 5 Short-Term Potentiation 5.1 Respiration 6 Central Command Control of Respiration and Circulation in Humans 6.1 Respiration 6.2 Circulation 7 Interactions Between Central Command and Peripheral Feedback 8 Interaction of Central Command with Cardiorespiratory Reflexes 8.1 Baroreceptor Reflex 8.2 Hering-Breuer Reflex 8.3 Chemoreceptor Reflexes 9 Conclusions
An inverse problem in glacial geology: The reconstruction of glacier thinning in glacier bay, alaska between A.D. 1910 and 1960 from relative sea-level data

Inverse theory is applied to relative sea-level data to reconstruct a glacial history that is consistent with the emergence data near Glacier Bay, Alaska over the past half century. A comparison between the predicted glacial thinning and observed thinning indicates that a combination of elastic uplift of the ground and a fall in the geoid defining the ocean surface, causes 25% to 35% of the observed emergence of the coast line. Because of errors in the sea-level data, inverse theory cannot provide a unique solution in terms of glacier response, and, in fact, the least-squares fit is very inaccurate. However, by considering (1) the error of fit to the data, (2) the accuracy of the model, (3) the variation in the model, and (4) the model resolution, a physically realistic glacial history can be deduced. The advantage of inverse calculations is not only in its efficient means of finding a model that fits the data, but more importantly, it provides a means of assessing the reliability of the model by indicating the accuracy of the model and the range of other glacial histories that also fit the data. This approach also allows an estimate of the extent to which each data point constrains the model, independent of the actual data values. From this information, the most useful areas for additional data collection may be delimited.
Multi-robot coalition formation for distributed area coverage

The problem of distributed area coverage using multiple mobile robots is an important problem in distributed multi-robot sytems. Multi-robot coverage is encountered in many real world applications, including unmanned search & rescue, aerial reconnaissance, robotic demining, inspection of engineering structures, and automatic lawn mowing. To achieve optimal coverage, robots should move in an efficient manner and reduce repeated coverage of the same region that optimizes a certain performance metric such as the amount of time or energy expended by the robots. This dissertation especially focuses on using mini-robots with limited capabilities, such as low speed of the CPU and limited storage of the memory, to fulfill the efficient area coverage task. Previous research on distributed area coverage use offline or online path planning algorithms to address this problem. Some of the existing approaches use behavior-based algorithms where each robot implements simple rules and the interaction between robots manifests in the global objective of overall coverage of the environment. Our work extends this line of research using an emergent, swarming based technique where robots use partial coverage histories from themselves as well as other robots in their vicinity to make local decisions that attempt to ensure overall efficient area coverage. We have then extended this technique in two directions. First, we have integreated the individual-robot, swarming-based technique for area coverage to teams of robots that move in formation to perform area coverage more efficiently than robots that move individually. Then we have used a team formation technique from coalition game theory, called Weighted Voting Game (WVG) to handle situations where a team moving in formation while performing area coverage has to dynamically reconfigure into sub-teams or merge with other teams, to continue the area coverage efficiently. We have validated our techniques by testing them on accurate models of e-puck robots in the Webots robot simulation platform, as well as on physical e-puck robots. Keywords: Multi-robot Area Coverage, Weighted Voting Games, Multi-robot Coalition Formation
Effectiveness of Diabetes Prevention Program translations among African Americans

The Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) demonstrated risk reduction for incident diabetes through weight loss among all participants, including African Americans. Several DPP translations have been conducted in less controlled settings, including primary care practices and communities; however, there is no detailed compilation of how effective these translations have been for African Americans. This systematic literature review evaluated DPP translations from 2003 to 2012. Eligible records were retrieved using a search strategy of relevant databases and gray literature. Retrieved records (n=1,272) were screened using a priori criteria, which resulted in 21 full-text studies for review. Seventeen studies were included in the full-text qualitative synthesis. Seven studies had 100% African American samples and 10 studies had mixed samples with African American subgroups. African American participants' average weight loss was roughly half of that achieved in the DPP intervention. However, with few higher-quality studies, small sample sizes and differences in intervention designs and implementation, comparisons across interventions were difficult. The suboptimal effectiveness of DPP translations among African American adults, particularly women, signals the need for enhancements to existing evidence-based interventions and more high-quality research that includes other at-risk African American subgroups such as men and younger adults of lower socioeconomic status.
During Differentiation of the Monocytic Cell Line U937, Purα Mediates Induction of the CD11c β2 Integrin Gene Promoter

CD11c is a member of the β2 integrin family of adhesion molecules that, together with CD18, forms a heterodimeric receptor on the surface of myeloid, NK, dendritic, and certain leukemic, lymphoma, and activated lymphoid cells. Monocytic differentiation is associated with an induction of both CD11c and CD18 gene expression. The resulting CD11c/CD18 receptor mediates firm adhesion to the vascular endothelium, transendothelial migration, chemotaxis, and phagocytosis. Monocytic differentiation can be mimicked in vitro by treatment of the promonocytic cell line U937 with PMA. Recently, we reported that in U937 cells, expression of the CD11c gene is controlled by an unidentified transcription factor that binds ssDNA. This finding suggested that DNA secondary structure plays an important role in controlling the CD11c gene and prompted us to search for additional ssDNA-binding activities with which this gene interacts. In this study, we report that in U937 cells, expression of the CD11c gene is mediated by the ssDNA-binding protein Purα. During PMA-induced differentiation, the ability of Purα to activate the CD11c promoter in U937 cells increases, as does that of Sp1. Together, these increases in the functional activity of both Purα and Sp1 combine to induce CD11c expression.
Intermittent dosing of rapamycin maintains antiepileptogenic effects in a mouse model of tuberous sclerosis complex.

Objective Inhibitors of the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway have antiepileptogenic effects in preventing epilepsy and pathological and molecular mechanisms of epileptogenesis in mouse models of tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). However, long-term treatment with mTOR inhibitors may be required to maintain efficacy and potentially has chronic side effects, such as immunosuppression. Attempts to minimize drug exposure will facilitate translational efforts to develop mTOR inhibitors as antiepileptogenic agents for TSC patients. In this study, we tested intermittent dosing paradigms of mTOR inhibitors for antiepileptogenic properties in a TSC mouse model.
Emotional Coping, Age, and Physical Disorder

Abstract Traditional ideas suggest that emotional expression is healthy, but empirical support for this position is mixed. Adult subjects participated in a telephone interview to examine the relationships among age, emotional coping (ie, laughter and crying), physical disorder, sex, and income level. Results indicated that cry-coping in women and in low-income participants was associated with increased disorder as age increased. Humor-coping had no relationship to physical disorder across the adult lifespan. These results indicate that emotional weeping does play a role in the prediction of physical disorder, especially in certain groups. In the future, researchers need to concentrate on more subtle physiological effects as well as on the psychological and social consequences of emotional expression.