cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Stage does not predict survival after resection of hilar cholangiocarcinomas promoting an aggressive operative approach.

Abstract Introduction Staging systems have been developed to predict survival after resection of hilar cholangiocarcinoma. Notably, they have not been validated nor compared for relative predictive ability. Methods Forty-two patients underwent resection of hilar cholangiocarcinoma and have been followed through a prospectively collected database. The tumors were staged using the Bismuth-Corlette, Blumgart, and American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) systems, and a significant relationship with survival was sought. Results Eleven patients were treated by extrahepatic biliary resection alone, while 31 required extrahepatic biliary resections with in-continuity hepatic resections. All patients underwent adjuvant therapy. To date, 30 patients have died with a mean survival time of 30 months ± 35.0 (SD). Twelve patients are alive with a mean survival of 90 months ± 61.8. By regression analysis, none of the staging systems had a significant relationship with survival (Bismuth: P = .64; Blumgart: P = .66; AJCC: P = .31). Conclusions Most patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma require in-continuity hepatic resections. Survival after resection promotes an aggressive approach, with cure in as many as 30%. Staging systems should not impact the decision to operate or postoperative management, as all tumors should be aggressively resected and all patients should receive adjuvant treatment.
Comment on Sato et al. Improving Type 2 Diabetes Through a Distinct Adrenergic Signaling Pathway Involving mTORC2 That Mediates Glucose Uptake in Skeletal Muscle. Diabetes 2014;63:4115–4129

Sato et al. (1) showed that β2-adrenoreceptor–mediated phosphorylation of mammalian target of rapamycin complex 2 (mTORC2) in skeletal muscles increased GLUT4 translocation to the plasma membrane and thus increased cellular glucose uptake. In diabetes and obesity, an upregulated G-protein–coupled receptor kinase, which inhibits G-protein–coupled receptors, has been reported to contribute to insulin resistance in skeletal muscle (2). In support of this, the current study demonstrated an increased peripheral glucose uptake following β2-adrenoreceptor activation in diabetic rats and obese mice (1). However, the statement that “this signaling …
An unexpected cause of poor venous drainage during robotic mitral valve repair

We present a case with an unusual cause of poor venous drainage during cardiopulmonary bypass for robotic-assisted mitral valve repair.
A three-dimensional high-throughput architecture using through-wafer optical interconnect

This paper presents a three-dimensional, highly parallel, optically interconnected system to process high-throughput stream data such as images. The vertical optical interconnections are realized using. Integrated optoelectronic devices operating at wavelengths to which silicon is transparent. These through-wafer optical signals are used to vertically optically interconnect stacked silicon circuits. The thin film optoelectronic devices are bonded directly to the stacked layers of silicon circuitry to realize self-contained vertical optical interconnections. Each integrated circuit layer contains analog interface circuitry, namely, detector amplifier and emitter driver circuitry, and digital circuitry for the network and/or processor, all of which are fabricated using a standard silicon integrated circuit foundry. These silicon circuits are post processed to integrate the thin film optoelectronics using standard, low cost, high yield microfabrication techniques. The three-dimensionally integrated architectures described herein are a network and a processor. The network has been designed to meet off-chip I/O using a new offset cube topology coupled with naming and renting schemes. The performance of this network is comparable to that of a three-dimensional mesh. The processing architecture has been defined to minimize overhead for basic parallel operations. The system goal for this research is to develop an integrated processing node for high-throughput, low-memory applications. >
Performance Analysis and Optimization of Parallel Scientific Applications on CMP Cluster Systems

Chip multiprocessors (CMP) are widely used for high performance computing. Further, these CMPs are being configured in a hierarchical manner to compose a node in a cluster system. A major challenge to be addressed is efficient use of such cluster systems for large-scale scientific applications. In this paper, we quantify the performance gap resulting from using different number of processors per node; this information is used to provide a baseline for the amount of optimization needed when using all processors per node on CMP clusters. We conduct detailed performance analysis to identify how applications can be modified to efficiently utilize all processors per node on CMP clusters, especially focusing on two scientific applications: a 3D particle-in-cell, magnetic fusion application gyrokinetic toroidal code (GTC) and a lattice Boltzmann method for simulating fluid dynamics (LBM). In terms of refinements, we use conventional techniques such as cache blocking, loop unrolling and loop fusion, and develop hybrid methods for optimizing MPI_Allreduce and MPI_Reduce. Using these optimizations, the application performance for utilizing all processors per node was improved by up to 18.97% for GTC and 15.77% for LBM on up to 2048 total processors on the CMP clusters.
Efficiently computing derived performance data

The problem of generating instrumentation that efficiently computes derived performance data of program execution is examined. The instrumentation computes these derived data at run time as the directly accessible data are collected. It tests conditions defined on the collected data and eliminates the data that do not satisfy the stated conditions, thus avoiding recording of irrelevant data. This problem is examined in terms of generating instrumentation for computing the answers to monitoring questions. The solution is based on the use of temporal conditions defined on the events in the questions to determine which data to record and to be used as relevance run time filters on the events producing those data. >
Little Lower than God: The Super-Angelic Anthropology of Edward Taylor

Despite his arresting talents as a poet, Edward Taylor presents no comparable claims to originality as a theologian. Apparently this New Englander's mind was no match for that of Jonathan Edwards: most of Taylor's theological ideas were not only orthodox, but commonplace. Yet the poet's religious anthropology would seem to be one notable exception. In both prose and verse, Taylor is continually breaking into chants of heartfelt wonder over the exalted state bestowed upon human nature by Christ's redemption: “The Highest Design of Divine Wisdom, and the richest, and the most Glorious Design of Divine Grace … is pitched upon Mankinde, and Humane Nature. For higher exaltation Created Nature seems utterly incapable of than to be made partaker of all the Fulness of the Godheads, bodily.”
Soil uranium, basement radon and lung cancer in Illinois, USA

Using counties as the sampling unit, a significant association between the chemical form of uranium occurring in soils with basement radon levels was found (Spearman r, 0.266; p > |r|, 0.007). Uranium atoms dispersed throughout the soil matrix are efficient emanators of Rn to soil gas, whereas Rn that is trapped diffuses very slowly from the several U-bearing minerals in Illinois soils and does not contribute significantly to explaining basement Rn. Basement Rn level is correlated with annual incidence of male and female lung cancers. Dispersed U is correlated with annual incidence of lung cancer in females with a Spearman correlation coefficient of 0.162 (p > |r|, 0.104) and males of 0.177 (p > |r|, 0.075).
Controlled n-type doping of antimonide/arsenide heterostructures using GaTe

The authors used stoichiometric GaTe in Riber 32P and 21T systems. After outgassing at 425/spl deg/C, they obtained higher-than-expected carrier concentrations: 10/sup 18//cm/sup 3/ at T/sub GaTe/=350/spl deg/C. Following additional outgassing at 500/spl deg/C, the carrier densities were at lower levels and reproducible. This is consistent with the evaporation of elemental Te or Ga/sub 2/Te/sub 3/ during the initial growth and outgassing. Similar densities were observed for GaAs, AlSb, and GaSb. The growth temperatures for the GaAs layers were 550-600/spl deg/C, compared to 500/spl deg/C and 450/spl deg/C for AlSb and GaSb, respectively. Undoped GaAs layers grown after the use of GaTe exhibited a p-type background of 10/sup 14//cm/sup 3/, indicating negligible Te contamination due to a memory effect.
Referral and receipt of treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma in United States veterans: Effect of patient and nonpatient factors†

The delivery of treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) could be influenced by the place of HCC diagnosis (hospitalization versus outpatient), subspecialty referral following diagnosis, as well as physician and facility factors. We conducted a study to examine the effect of patient and nonpatient factors on the place of HCC diagnosis, referral, and treatment in Veterans Administration (VA) hospitals in the United States. Using the VA Hepatitis C Clinical Case Registry, we identified hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients who developed HCC during 1998-2006. All cases were verified and staged according to Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) criteria. The main outcomes were place of HCC diagnosis, being seen by a surgeon or oncologist, and treatment. We examined factors related to these outcomes using hierarchical logistic regression. These factors included HCC stage, HCC surveillance, physician specialty, and facility factors, in addition to risk factors, comorbidity, and liver disease indicators. Approximately 37.2% of the 1,296 patients with HCC were diagnosed during hospitalization, 31.0% were seen by a surgeon or oncologist, and 34.3% received treatment. Being seen by a surgeon or oncologist was associated with surveillance (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.47; 95% CI: 1.20-1.80) and varied by geography (1.74;1.09-2.77). Seeing a surgeon or oncologist was predictive of treatment (aOR = 1.43; 95% CI: 1.24-1.66). There was a significant increase in treatment among patients who received surveillance (aOR = 1.37; 95% CI: 1.02-1.71), were seen by gastroenterology (1.65;1.21-2.24), or were diagnosed at a transplant facility (1.48;1.15-1.90). Conclusion: Approximately 40% of patients were diagnosed during hospitalization. Most patients were not seen by a surgeon or oncologist for treatment evaluation and only 34% received treatment. Only receipt of HCC surveillance was associated with increased likelihood of outpatient diagnosis, being seen by a surgeon or oncologist, and treatment. (HEPATOLOGY 2013;)
Measurement of dissolved oxygen in fermentations

Two methods have been investigated for the measurement of dissolved oxygen in fermentations: the tubing method and the probe method. The sensing elements for both methods are steam-sterilizable and measure only the oxygen tension in the liquid phase. The tubing method is probably the most accurate and reliable method available for measurement of dissolved oxygen in fermentations but it requires extensive ancillary apparatus.
Web2Exchange: A Model-Based Service Transformation and Integration Environment

The rush is on to service-enable everything, and those that fail to capitalize on this trend will be left behind in the marketplace. While new applications can be written for this environment, substantial value exists in legacy applications and systems. Successfully service enabling these applications is not easy for software vendors due to the complexity of integration. To address this problem, we focus on the issue of service specification using models which clearly capture the scope, capability and state of a service. Such models make integration of services more certain and can allow previously incompatible services to be combined more easily. We have prototyped Web2Exchange, a platform for modeling, transforming and integrating services. We have publicly demonstrated the platform by showcasing a "mashup" of the HP Opencall Media platform with web-based calendaring in November of 2008. Since then, we have developed additional services on the platform, and are beginning to make the platform available to others outside of our organization.
Ten-eleven translocation 1 (TET1) methylation is associated with childhood asthma and traffic-related air pollution

Background Asthma is a complex disorder influenced by genetics and the environment. Recent findings have linked abnormal DNA methylation in T cells with asthma; however, the potential dysregulation of methylation in airway epithelial cells is unknown. Studies of mouse models of asthma have observed greater levels of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5-hmC) and ten-eleven translocation 1 (TET1) expression in lungs. TET proteins are known to catalyze methylation through modification of 5-methylcytosine to 5-hmC. Objective We sought to examine the association of TET1 methylation with asthma and traffic-related air pollution (TRAP). Methods TET1 methylation levels from DNA derived from nasal airway epithelial cells collected from 12 African American children with physician-diagnosed asthma and their nonasthmatic siblings were measured by using Illumina 450K arrays. Regions of interest were verified by means of locus-specific pyrosequencing in 35 sibling pairs and replicated in an independent population (n = 186). Exposure to TRAP in participants' early life and at current home addresses was estimated by using a land-use regression model. Methylation studies in saliva, PBMCs, and human bronchial epithelial cells were done to support our findings. Results Loss of methylation at a single CpG site in the TET1 promoter (cg23602092) and increased global 5-hmC levels were significantly associated with asthma. In contrast, TRAP exposure at participants' current homes significantly increased methylation at the same site. Patterns were consistent across tissue sample types. 5-Aza-2′-deoxycytidine and diesel exhaust particle exposure in human bronchial epithelial cells was associated with altered TET1 methylation and expression and global 5-hmC levels. Conclusions Our findings suggest a possible role of TET1 methylation in asthmatic patients and response to TRAP.
Internet Based Collaboration Tools

This structured literature review examines the digital tools used to facilitate distance collaboration and the available research relative to the use of those tools. The purpose of this paper was to contribute to a better understanding of Internet based professional collaboration tools, their features and benefits, and best research based professional practices. The authors examined 33 refereed or peer reviewed articles published from 2002 to 2015 that addressed the use of Web-based digital tools to support professional collaboration. Authors who are considered experts in the areas of virtual communities, digital collaboration, social psychology and technology and who publish in other forms were also included in the paper. In addition to providing a definition, a description and available research for each tool type, the Fit-Viability Model is presented as part of this paper to guide digital collaborators in digital tool selection. The review and synthesis of the literature suggest an emerging need for a range of knowledge of Internet-based professional collaboration tools. Important elements of this knowledge include an understanding of the types of tools available and their features, limitations, and use. These insights empower digital collaborators with the ability to choose an appropriate and efficient tool for the collaborative project.
[Success in studies and course of illness in regard to schizophrenic students (author's transl)].

In der Behandlung schizophrener Studenten taucht haufig die Frage auf, ob eine Fortsetzung des Studiums sinnvoll ist. Um Grundlagen fur die Entscheidung dieser Frage zu erhalten, wurde bei schizophrenen Studenten, die zwischen 1972 und 1978 in der Universitats-Nervenklinik Tubingen stationar behandelt worden waren, eine schriftliche Umfrage durchgefuhrt und Angaben zum weiteren Studien- und Krankheitsverlauf eingeholt. Von 80,3% der 122 angeschriebenen Studenten liegen Katamnesen vor. Zwei Funftel davon hatten das Studium inzwischen abgebrochen, je ca. 1/5 hatte es abgeschlossen oder befand sich noch im Studium oder hatte sich suicidiert. Die Abschlieser unterschieden sich von den Abbrechern durch einen nach klinischen Kriterien gunstigeren Krankheitsverlauf mit akuterem Beginn der Erkrankung, kurzeren stationaren Aufenthalten und mehr episodischen Verlaufen. Die erschreckend vielen Suicide schienen weniger oft ein akutes psychotisches Symptom zu sein als eine Reaktion auf die erlebten negativen Auswirkungen der Krankheit auf Kontaktfahigkeit und Studium. Studenten sind durch die Schizophrenie besonders beeintrachtigt, da sich die mit der Krankheit verbundenen kognitiven Storungen auf die Art ihrer Tatigkeit starker auswirken als auf weniger intellektuelle Arbeit. Aus den Resultaten und der klinischen Erfahrung mit schizophrenen Studenten werden Kriterien zur Indikation des Studienabbruchs abgeleitet und Gedanken zur Behandlung und Suicidprophylaxe entwickelt.
Bar Coding MS2 Spectra for Metabolite Identification

Metabolite identifications are most frequently achieved in untargeted metabolomics by matching precursor mass and full, high-resolution MS2 spectra to metabolite databases and standards. Here we considered an alternative approach for establishing metabolite identifications that does not rely on full, high-resolution MS2 spectra. First, we select mass-to-charge regions containing the most informative metabolite fragments and designate them as bins. We then translate each metabolite fragmentation pattern into a binary code by assigning 1’s to bins containing fragments and 0’s to bins without fragments. With 20 bins, this binary-code system is capable of distinguishing 96% of the compounds in the METLIN MS2 library. A major advantage of the approach is that it extends untargeted metabolomics to low-resolution triple quadrupole (QqQ) instruments, which are typically less expensive and more robust than other types of mass spectrometers. We demonstrate a method of acquiring MS2 data in which the third quadrupol...
INFORM; C-TONG 0805: a multicenter, double blind randomized phase III trial of maintenance gefitinib compared to placebo in advanced non-small cell lung cancer

The standard first-line therapy for patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is platinum-based chemotherapy (1). With standard first line platinum-based therapy approximately 75% of patients will obtain disease control, the median progression-free survival (PFS) is 4-6 months, and median overall survival (OS) is 10-13 months (2-5). Phase III trials that investigated a longer duration compared to a shorter duration of platinum-based therapy failed to reveal an improvement in OS with the longer duration of therapy (6-9).
Osprey Occupancy of Mono Lake—Unique Habitat in Eastern California

Ocupacion del Lago Mono por Pandion haliaetus—Habitat Unico en el Este de California Pandion haliaetus ha expandido su distribucion de cria en California desde la decada de 1970, desde el Oceano Pacifico y el Valle Central hasta el este de la cadena montanosa de Sierra Nevada. A comienzos de la decada de 1980, una poblacion reproductiva unica se establecio en el Lago Mono, California, EE UU, un lago hipersalino, sin peces, en el borde occidental del Desierto de la Gran Cuenca. Los nidos de P. haliaetus en este lugar son construidos exclusivamente sobre torres naturales de toba calcarea rodeadas de agua. La ocupacion y la productividad de la poblacion de P. haliaetus fue monitoreada desde 2004 hasta 2012. Hubo un promedio de 6.1 ± 1.5 nidos ocupados por ano, con una tase de exito promedio de 72.7% ± 13.7% por ano. Las tasas de productividad variaron de un minimo de 0.75 pollos/nido ocupado en 2011 (n = 8 nidos) a un maximo de 2.17 pollos/nido ocupado en el ano 2005 (n = 6 nidos). [Traduccion del equipo edi...
Cytopathic effect of infectious laryngotracheitis virus in cultures of chicken embryo kidney cells.

SummaryThe cytopathic effect of infectious laryngotracheitis virus in chicken embryo kidney tissue culture cells was characterized by a) degeneration, necrosis and detachment of cells, b) formation of giant cells, some of which contained 80 to 100 nuclei, and c) appearance of nuclear inclusion bodies. In the early stages of formation, the inclusions contained deoxyribonucleic acid as demonstrated by the Feulgen reaction and the acridine orange technic.
NUMERICAL MODELING OF DISPERSION IN STRATIFIED WATERS

A numerical model is developed for the quantitative description of the dispersion process in a two-layer system which represents an approximation for a natural coastal water body during the summer season when a distinct thermocline usually exists. The formulation is based on the convection-diffusion equation, vertically integrated between the layer boundaries. Layer velocities and thicknesses are assumed to be obtained from a separate hydrodynamic model. The quantification of the physical processes of entrainment and mixing through the density interface as well as the horizontal dispersion mechanisms is discussed. The finite element method is chosen for numerical implementation because of its flexibility in grid layout and easier handling of spatial and temporal variability. Triangular elements with linear interpolation functions are used for the spatial discretization, while a simple implicit iterative scheme based on the trapezoidal rule is employed for time integration. The method is shown to be unconditionally stable, for an arbitrary grid and both one- and two-layer problems, when there is no iteration and the parameters are constant. General convergence criteria required by the iteration procedure are developed and expressed in terms of the basic parameters of the problem and are subsequently confirmed by numerical experiments. Verification of the model is performed by comparison with analytical solutions derived for counterflow conditions. Finally the model is applied to a particle dispersion experiment carried out recently in the Massachusetts Bay and comparisons with field data are presented.
The Large-Scale Structure of Local Hi, Dust, and Galactic Radio Continuum

The correlation of HI and dust at high latitudes gives different results depending on whether one uses galaxy or reddening data for the dust distribution. It is not certain to what extent this depends on differences in the gas to dust ratio or on difficulties in determining the amount of dust from the optical data. The correlation of HI and continuum radiation shows HI structures associated with the large-scale loops. There is also a coincidence of a hole in both the HI and continuum.
Nonenzymatic copying of RNA templates containing all four letters is catalyzed by activated oligonucleotides

The nonenzymatic replication of RNA is a potential transitional stage between the prebiotic chemistry of nucleotide synthesis and the canonical RNA world in which RNA enzymes (ribozymes) catalyze replication of the RNA genomes of primordial cells. However, the plausibility of nonenzymatic RNA replication is undercut by the lack of a protocell-compatible chemical system capable of copying RNA templates containing all four nucleotides. We show that short 5'-activated oligonucleotides act as catalysts that accelerate primer extension, and allow for the one-pot copying of mixed sequence RNA templates. The fidelity of the primer extension products resulting from the sequential addition of activated monomers, when catalyzed by activated oligomers, is sufficient to sustain a genome long enough to encode active ribozymes. Finally, by immobilizing the primer and template on a bead and adding individual monomers in sequence, we synthesize a significant part of an active hammerhead ribozyme, forging a link between nonenzymatic polymerization and the RNA world.
Present at the Destruction: Spirals of Antagonistic Order Building and the Early Cold War

I have argued elsewhere that the origins of the existing international order follow a long pattern of powerful states engaging in order building not to be inclusive, but instead to exclude certain actors and entities in world politics. In this paper, I focus on an important extrapolation of this argument: the dynamics at work when two dominant powers simultaneously have the chance to build an exclusionary order that targets the other. This, I would argue, is the scenario that likely best describes the environment the United States and and China will find themselves in over the coming decades.To speak to the future, I look to the past. After introducing the core theory of exclusion and detailing the potential for competitive order-building spirals in systems with two dominant powers, I apply these arguments to the early Cold War. What each superpower feared for more than their physical security, I posit, was the prospect that the other would succeed in building an influential order from which it could amass global power, prosperity and influence at their expense. From this perspective, it was primarily fears of powerful contrary orders, not immediate military vulnerability, that drove early Cold War antagonisms. Focusing predominantly on order building on the less studied Soviet side, I reconstruct the origins of the Cold War as a prime example of what I call an antagonistic order-building spiral.
Cerebral tissue oxygenation index and lactate at 24 hours postoperative predict survival and neurodevelopmental outcome after neonatal cardiac surgery.

Importance There are no well-established noninvasive biomarkers for identifying patients at risk for poor outcome after surgery for congenital heart disease. Few studies have assessed prognostic accuracy of cerebral tissue oxygenation index (cTOI) measured by near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Objective To assess the utility of noninvasive NIRS monitoring as a predictor of outcomes after neonatal cardiac surgery through measurement of cTOI. To examine the utility of noninvasive NIRS monitoring in combination with lactate concentration and inotropic score in prediction of outcomes after neonatal cardiac surgery. Design Prospective longitudinal cohort study. Setting Operating room and cardiac intensive care unit, Children's National Heart Institute. Participants Seventy-five patients with complex congenital heart disease undergoing surgical repair within first month of life. Exposure Cerebral TOI, blood lactate, and inotropic scores were measured preoperative, intraoperative and up to 24 hours postoperative. Main Outcome Measures Postoperative mortality and neurodevelopmental outcome assessed by the Bayley Scales of Infant Development (BSID II). Mental and motor scores were obtained at 6, 15, and 21 months. Good outcome was defined as survival and BSID mental and motor scores ≥70 points. Poor outcome was defined as death or BSID scores <70 at most recent follow-up. Results Cohort of 75 patients prospectively followed including 40 patients with single ventricle and 35 with two ventricles. Four patients died before discharge and ten died within 21 months. Seven patients were lost to follow-up. Among survivors with follow-up (n = 54), BSID was abnormal in 25 (46%). Patients with poor outcome (n = 39) had lower mean cTOI 60 minutes off-CPB (48% vs. 58%, P = .003) and 24 hours postoperative (49% vs. 59%, P 7.4 mmol/L, respectively (sensitivity = 95%). Conclusion Cerebral TOI combined with lactate at 24 hours postoperative are accurate non-invasive predictive biomarkers of patient survival and neurodevelopmental outcome in neonates with CHD undergoing cardiac surgery.
Informal politics: the role of Congressional letters in legislative behaviour and careers

Members of the United States Congress are cross-pressured by constituents, party leaders, the president, and even by their own career goals. Yet, they are limited in their time and resources, and must maximise the tools available to them. Given that Congressional letter writing to the president as a tool available to all members occurs so widely, such behaviour informs a deeper understanding of how legislators seek to professionalise as politicians in competitive national politics. Utilising a data set of nearly 13,000 Congressional letters across eight Congresses, the author finds that letter writers systematically differ from non-letter writers, shedding light on the value of letter writing in Congressional behaviour and career aspirations, as well as the drivers behind this form of behaviour. Letter content varies based on the institutional and individual characteristics of the letter writer, suggesting members differ in how they view and use this tool.
The Myth of Moral Bio-Enhancement: An Evolutionary Anthropology and Theological Critique

The proposal for moral bio-enhancement has introduced an interesting split among those who are generally in favor of deliberately changing human nature, made more urgent by the impending global problems of climate change, nuclear threats, warfare, etc. In this chapter, Deane-Drummond explores arguments in favor of moral bio-enhancement, drawing on the work of Julian Savulescu and Ingmar Persson. She critically engages with John Harris’ objections and preference for cognitive enhancement, adding further critical analysis from evolutionary anthropology. The chapter argues that a classical Christian account of virtue implies that moral bio-enhancement is a myth, in the sense that it is shown to be a pale secularized imitation of a Christian perspective on human flourishing that orients the development of moral virtues.
Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) promotes survival of ovarian cancer cells through induction of cell proliferation and apoptosis resistance

1035 Introduction: Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), a main receptor for bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is highly expressed on antigen presenting cells and play important role in innate immunity. Recently, TLR4 has been found to be expressed by various types of human tumor cells. However, the role and biological significance of TLR4 expressed by tumor cells are unknown. The goal of this study was to analyze TLR4 expression on ovarian cancer cells and the effects of LPS and Paclitaxel on tumor cell proliferation and sensitivity to apoptosis. Materials and methods: TLR4 and adaptor protein MyD88 expression in human OVCAR-3 and SKOV-3 cell lines was determined using reverse transcription RT-PCR analysis and immunohistochemistry assays. Activation of the NF-κB translocation was measured by confocal microscopy. Culture supernatants were tested for levels of cytokines/chemokines in a Luminex-based assay. Proliferation of cancer cells was measured in CFSE assays. Annexin V (Anx) binding to cancer cells was studied by multicolor flow cytometry after co-incubation with Paclitaxel (2μmol/L). Western Blot analysis was used to measure activation of PI3K/Akt survival pathway in tumor cells. Results: TLR4 mRNA was expressed in both human ovarian epithelial cancer cell lines, but the expression of the receptor on the cell surface was detected only in OVCAR-3 cells. The expression of adaptor protein MyD88 was confirmed by immunofluorescence analysis in both ovarian cancer cell lines. In TLR4 positive OVCAR-3 cells the receptor ligation by LPS (10μg/ml) induced significant proliferation (proliferation index 18 vs.7, p Conclusions: Our study suggests that TLR4 is constitutivly expressed and functionally active on OVCAR-3 cells and may play an important role in promoting immune escape of ovarian cancer by promoting tumor cells proliferation inducing resistance to drug -induced apoptosis.
Norm Contestation: A Theoretical Framework

This chapter demonstrates how a norm contestation framework can helpfullyexplain behavioral variation within norms. This approach explores how actors’ interpretations of a norm’s logic of appropriateness, as informed by the logic of practicality and the logic of contestedness, may impact intersubjective agreement between norm enforcers and norm users. In doing so, it elucidates aspects of norms not captured by useful explanations rooted in the norm diffusion process or materialist motivations. These frameworks tend to focus on behavioral variation in instances where actors have not yet subscribed to a norm or intentionally violate it to further material interests. Rather than solely seeking to explain actor behavior, a norm contestation framework scrutinizes actors’ understandings of their normative obligations. It concentrates on ambiguous normative environments in which various actors may differently interpret those obligations and norm enforcers’ powers are weakened. In these instances, intersubjective agreement is fluid and shaped by background information and local contexts, concepts incorporated into the logic of practicality (Brunnee and Toope 2010) and the logic of contestedness (Wiener 2007).
Uncovering Geo-Social Semantics from the Twitter Mention Network: An Integrated Approach Using Spatial Network Smoothing and Topic Modeling

Advances in human dynamics research and availability of geo-referenced communication data provide an unprecedented opportunity for studying the semantics of communication and understanding the interplay between online social networks and geography. Among the most extensively studied topics in geographically-embedded communication networks, are the effect of geographic proximity on interpersonal communication; the influence of information diffusion and social networks on real-world geographic events such as group activities and demonstrations; and revealing structural and geographic characteristics of a communication network. However, little is known on how the content of interpersonal communication vary across geographic space. By integrating methods of spatial network smoothing and probabilistic topic modeling, this paper introduces an approach to extracting and visualizing geo-social semantics, i.e., how the semantics of information vary based on the geographic locations and communication ties among the users. Different from the previous work that examine the geographic variation in the content produced by individuals, the proposed approach focuses on an analysis of reciprocal conversations among individuals in a geographically-embedded communication network. To demonstrate the approach, geo-located mention tweets in the U.S. from Aug. 1, 2015 to Aug. 1, 2016 were analyzed. Topics extracted from the analysis reflect geo-social dynamics of the society, way of speaking in the context of friendship, linguistic variation and the use of social media acronyms. Although the tweets were collected during primary and presidential elections, political topics discovered from the reciprocal mentions focused more on civil rights rather than the candidates and primaries. While the topic of primary candidates and elections was prominent at locations of primary elections and core supporters of candidates; civil rights was a prominent topic across the whole country.
Transversus abdominis plane block in ponies: a preliminary anatomical study.

Abstract Objective To describe a single-site transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block technique in horses. Study design Prospective, descriptive, experimental anatomical study. Animals Four adult pony cadavers. Methods Freshly euthanized ponies were positioned in dorsal recumbency. A 6–13 MHz linear ultrasonic probe was used to scan the abdominal wall bilaterally midway between the last rib and iliac crest in search of the TAP location. By modifying the technique to accommodate the equine anatomy, the TAP was successfully visualized with the transducer positioned in a transverse plane with its side indicator over the intercept of two lines, one connecting the most cranial aspect of the iliac crest and the most caudal extent of the last rib and another originating just caudal to the umbilicus and extending laterally. Each hemiabdomen was injected with 0.5 mL kg–1 of a 1:1 solution of 1% methylene blue and 0.5% bupivacaine via a 21 gauge 10 cm stimulating needle inserted ventral–dorsally and in plane with the ultrasound beam. Approximately 3 hours after injection, the abdomen was dissected and nerves stained over 1 cm in length were identified. Results Staining was evident from the fourteenth thoracic (T14) to the third lumbar (L3) nerves. The ventral branches of the fifteenth to the eighteenth thoracic nerves (T15–T18) and first and second lumbar nerves (L1 and L2) were stained in three, six, eight, eight, eight and seven of eight injections, respectively. Conclusions and clinical relevance Nerves T16–L2 had over 75% success rate in staining, suggesting that this technique would block transmission from T16 to L2, assuming that staining indicates potential nerve block. Dorsal spread occurred in three of eight hemiabdomens. Further studies developing techniques for the cranial abdomen and adjusting volume and concentration of injectate are warranted.
Verification of Modelica-Based Models with Analytical Solutions for Tritium Diffusion

Tritium transport in metal and molten salt fluids combined with diffusion through high-temperature structural materials is an important phenomenon in both magnetic confinement fusion (MCF) and molt...
Masculine Gender Role and Midlife Transition in Men

Most studies of the human lifespan have focused on infancy, childhood, adolescence, and old age. The potential for developmental changes in adulthood has remained relatively uncharted. An exception to the relative absence of developmental perspective on adulthood has been the attention given to the midlife period. The object of study during midadulthood has typically been American men. From various theoretical perspectives, the middle adult years for men have been described as a time of reappraisal and inevitable turmoil, which has sometimes been called the midlife crisis. Whether the midlife period for men typically results in problems of sufficient intensity to label them a crisis has been difficult to document empirically.
Surgical options for retreatment after small-incision lenticule extraction: Advantages and disadvantages.

Since the inception of small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE), many surgeons have speculated the lack of an adequate and standard retreatment procedure will impede its popularity. However, more than 1 million patients worldwide have had this surgery, with visual outcomes nearly equivalent to current laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) results. With the procedure's growing popularity, some patients will inevitably have a postoperative residual refractive error from regression, overcorrection, undercorrection, and astigmatic induction and will require retreatment. To our knowledge, literature reviewing major retreatment options is limited. Options include surface ablation, thin-flap LASIK, secondary small-incision lenticule extraction, and a cap-to-flap procedure (CIRCLE) in which a femtosecond laser is use to create cuts that convert the small-incision lenticule extraction cap into a LASIK flap. This review discusses major advantages and disadvantages of these options and compares the visual outcomes based on the existing literature. An algorithmic approach created from this analysis is presented to guide retreatment decision-making.
What is driving global obesity trends? Globalization or “modernization”?

Worldwide obesity has more than doubled since 1980. Researchers have attributed rising obesity rates to factors related to globalization processes, which are believed to contribute to obesity by flooding low-income country markets with inexpensive but obesogenic foods and diffusing Western-style fast food outlets (dependency/world systems theory). However, alternative explanations include domestic factors such as increases in unhealthy food consumption in response to rising income and higher women’s labor force participation as countries develop economically (“modernization” theory). To what extent are processes of globalization driving rising global overweight/obesity rates versus domestic economic and social development processes? This study evaluates the influence of economic globalization versus economic development and associated processes on global weight gain. Using two-way fixed-effects OLS regression with a panel dataset of mean body weight for 190-countries over a 30-year period (1980–2008), we find that domestic factors associated with “modernization” including increasing GDP per capita, urbanization and women’s empowerment were associated with increases in mean BMI over time. There was also evidence of a curvilinear relationship between GDP per capita and BMI: among low income countries, economic growth predicted increases in BMI whereas among high-income countries, higher GDP predicted lower BMI. By contrast, economic globalization (dependency/world systems theory) did not significantly predict increases in mean BMI and cultural globalization had mixed effects. These results were robust to different model specifications, imputation approaches and variable transformations. Global increases in overweight/obesity appear to be driven more by domestic processes including economic development, urbanization and women’s empowerment, and are less clearly negatively impacted by external globalization processes suggesting that the harms to health from global trade regimes may be overstated.
"I Think I Was Losing the Forest for the Trees": Evaluation of an Internal Medicine Residency Quality Improvement Curriculum.

Quality improvement (QI) training during residency may not be adequately preparing physicians for achieving Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education goals and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) Triple Aim. The purpose of this evaluation was to identify residents’ perceptions and impact of their QI curriculum. We conducted a mixed-methods evaluation of an active-learning QI curriculum for internal medicine residents at one academic medical center. Data from 2017 to 2018 included a focus group, pre-post survey, project data, and curricular materials. Results were categorized using Kirkpatrick’s model of evaluation. All second-year internal medicine residents completed the curriculum (N = 14). Residents were satisfied with the structure and perceived accomplishment with the curriculum, however were dissatisfied by the impact of inconsistent attendance due to clinical conflicts. Their confidence in QI increased; however, they reported difficulty retaining knowledge and skills. Survey scores related to usefulness and anticipated application of QI were unchanged from baseline. This applied QI curriculum appeared to improve short-term learning. However, the curriculum did not promote long-term understanding of QI. Finding ways to promote skills and retention beyond the curriculum requires further study.
Minimally Invasive Sacroiliac Joint Fusion for the Treatment of Brucella Pyogenic Sacroiliitis: A Case Report.

A 39-year-old male presented with a two-month history of right hip pain. Computed tomography (CT) scan demonstrated right sacroiliac joint space widening with cortical destruction and erosive changes in the iliopsoas muscle. Minimally invasive right sacroiliac joint fusion was performed with biopsy and aspirate, which confirmed positive Brucella cultures. The patient was started on long-term antibiotic therapy, and his pain significantly improved. Pyogenic sacroiliitis is a rare condition that requires a high index of suspicion. In this case, minimally invasive sacroiliac joint fusion successfully treated the patient's pain and instability as well as aided in the diagnosis of Brucella infection.
Local Fractional Taylor Formula

Here we derive an appropriate local fractional Taylor formula. We provide a complete description of the formula. See also [3].
Identifying patterns and predictors of lifestyle modification in electronic health record documentation using statistical and machine learning methods

Abstract Just under half of the 85.7 million US adults with hypertension have uncontrolled blood pressure using a hypertension threshold of systolic pressure ≥ 140 or diastolic pressure ≥ 90. Uncontrolled hypertension increases risks of death, stroke, heart failure, and myocardial infarction. Guidelines on hypertension management include lifestyle modification such as diet and exercise. In order to improve hypertension control, it is important to identify predictors of lifestyle modification assessment or advice to tailor future interventions using these effective, low-risk interventions. Electronic health record data from 14,360 adult hypertension patients at an academic medical center were analyzed using statistical and machine learning methods to identify predictors and timing of lifestyle modification. Multiple variables were statistically significant in analysis of lifestyle modification documentation at multiple time points. Random Forest was the best machine learning method to classify lifestyle modification documentation at any time with Area Under the Receiver Operator Curve (AUROC) 0.831. Logistic regression was the best machine learning method for classifying lifestyle modification documentation at ≤3 months with an AUROC of 0.685. Analyzing narrative and coded data from electronic health records can improve understanding of timing of lifestyle modification and patient, clinic and provider characteristics that are correlated with or predictive of documentation of lifestyle modification for hypertension. This information can inform improvement efforts in hypertension care processes, treatment implementation, and ultimately hypertension control.
Formation of letters in the alphabet using 4D printing of composites

Abstract This paper presents the procedure for the manufacturing of composite structures with complex geometries using the method of 4D printing of composites (4DPC). In 4DPC, the complex structures are made without the use of complex molds. Flat layers of composites are deposited on a flat mold. Utilizing the anisotropy of the lay up sequence in the laminates, when these laminates are cured and cooled to room temperature, the flat laminates become curved. In this paper, the complex configurations of a few letters in the alphabet are made using the method of 4DPC. Specifically the formations of the letters C, O, N, R, D, I, A are made. These letters form the basic letters for the word CONCORDIA. The lay up sequence for each of the letters is presented. The final configurations of the letters after curing and cooling are presented.