cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Does student performance on preclinical OSCEs relate to clerkship grades

Background : Objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs) have been used to assess the clinical competence and interpersonal skills of healthcare professional students for decades. However, the relationship between preclinical (second year or M2) OSCE grades and clerkship performance had never been evaluated, until it was explored to provide information to educators at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC). In addition, the relationship between M2 OSCE communication scores (which is a portion of the total score) and third-year (M3) Internal Medicine (IM) clerkship OSCE scores was also explored. Lastly, conflicting evidence exists about the relationship between the amount of previous clinical experience and OSCE performance. Therefore, the relationship between M3 IM clerkship OSCE scores and the timing of the clerkship in the academic year was explored. Methods : Data from UNMC M2 OSCEs and M3 IM clerkship OSCEs were obtained for graduates of the 2013 and 2014 classes. Specifically, the following data points were collected: M2 fall OSCE total, M2 fall OSCE communication; M2 spring OSCE total, M2 spring OSCE communication; and M3 IM clerkship OSCE total percentages. Data were organized by class, M3 IM clerkship OSCE performance, and timing of the clerkship. Microsoft Excel and SPSS were used for data organization and analysis. Results : Of the 245 records, 229 (93.5%) had data points for all metrics of interest. Significant differences between the classes of 2013 and 2014 existed for average M2 spring total, M2 spring communication, and M3 IM clerkship OSCEs. Retrospectively, there were no differences in M2 OSCE performances based on how students scored on the M3 IM clerkship OSCE. M3 IM clerkship OSCE performance improved for those students who completed the clerkship last in the academic year. Conclusions : There were inconsistencies in OSCE performances between the classes of 2013 and 2014, but more information is needed to determine if this is because of testing variability or heterogeneity from class to class. Although there were no differences in preclinical scores based on M3 IM clerkship OSCE scores, students would benefit from a longitudinal review of their OSCE performance over their medical training. Additionally, students may benefit from more reliable and valid forms of assessing communication. In general, students who take the IM clerkship last in the academic year performed better on the required OSCE. More information is needed to determine why this is seen only at the end of the year. Keywords: clinical education; communication skills; curriculum development (Published: 22 June 2016) Citation: Med Educ Online 2016, 21: 31724 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/meo.v21.31724
Statin therapy for elderly patients should be assessed for each individual

A critical appraisal and clinical application of Shepherd J, Blauw GJ, Murphy MB, et al. Pravastatin in elderly individuals at risk of vascular disease (PROSPER): a randomised controlled trial. Lancet. 2002;360(9346):1623-30. doi:10.1016/S01406736(02)11600-X
Interaction of Radiation with Matter

The term high-energy radiation is applied both to particles moving with high velocity—fast electrons or β-particles, fast protons, neutrons, α-particles, and charged particles of higher mass—and to electromagnetic radiation of short wavelength—X-rays and γ-rays. The processes by which these different forms of radiation react with the atoms of a specimen through which they pass may be different, the common feature being the large amount of energy carried by each particle or photon (this energy is very much greater than that binding any orbital electron to an atomic nucleus or an atom to its neighbor). In this respect, they differ from slow or thermal neutrons and from ultraviolet light, in which the energy carried per particle or photon is usually smaller than the ionizing energy of an atom or molecule. The effects produced by γ-rays or X-rays may be best understood as due to discrete high-energy photons, which may therefore also be considered as particles in this context. In most cases, the changes produced by incident radiation depend mainly on the total energy absorbed and very little on the type of radiation or its energy.
Responsive electronic music accompaniment for dance as generated by video capture analysis

"Responsive Electronic Music Accompaniment for Dance as Generated by Video Capture Analysis" is software that serves as an accompaniment and tool to a dancer (and/or an electronic musician). The software provides an automatic, real-time electronically generated music backdrop to a live dance performance, whether improvised or a routine, via analyzing the movements of the dancer with a video input device that is communicating to the computer running the software.
Risks and Epidemiology of Infections After Liver Transplantation

Liver transplant recipients have a high risk of infectious complications, compared with recipients of other solid organs, despite the improvement in surgical techniques, shortening of operative times, and the development of novel anti-infective agents in the last decade. A careful examination of risk factors, diligent surveillance for early signs of infection, and prompt intervention are necessary to minimize serious infectious complications, which often contribute to graft loss and death in this population. Future strategies to develop diagnostic assays that are rapid, cost-effective, standardized, and easily performed will improve our abilities to prevent donor-transmitted infections. Ability to assess the immune competence of the recipients and to optimally prescribe appropriate antimicrobial prophylaxis will allow us to prevent infection. Areas such as liver transplant in HIV coinfection and the prevention of recurrence of viral hepatitides after transplantation have made some progress but require further research before the establishment of accepted therapeutic strategies.
E2LP Remote Laboratory: Evolution of the System and Lessons Learned

Embedded Engineering Learning Platform (E2LP) was a FP7 funded project, which focused on Embedded Systems Education at University level and required a multidisciplinary approach, involving different technologies and system solution optimizations. The paper presents the results of Remote Laboratory (RL) services evolution for distance learning for Embedded Systems, developed under E2LP. The paper addresses advanced information technologies solutions in the integration stages along with novel hardware technologies involved. E2LP RL assembled hardware and the education materials, and delivered secure and open access e-learning portal, which allowed to create full course and provided alternative teaching methods through the real-time experiments. This paper reports also on Remote Laboratory evaluation results performed in Warsaw University of Technology, where we introduced the new learning model in Digital System Design course.
Influence of Alloy Composition and Exposure Conditions on the Selective Oxidation Behavior of Ni–Al Alloys

Ni–Al coating alloys, which are commonly used in gas turbine engines operating in marine environments, are highly susceptible to hot corrosion attack. The effect of alloy composition and exposure conditions on the development of a protective alumina scale, which is important for the hot corrosion resistance of the alloy, and how they affect the transition of alumina from the θ to the α polymorph have been evaluated. A series of Ni–Al model alloys with a base composition of Ni–36 at.% Al, and 5 at.% additions of Cr, Pt and Si were exposed in dry air and in air–10%H2O at 900 °C. The presence of water vapor in the gas led to higher oxidation rates and retarded the θ- to the α-Al2O3 transformation. The oxidation behavior of the alloys and the alumina polymorph which formed differed depending on the alloying element considered. Additions of Cr accelerated the θ to α transformation, while Pt and Si retarded it.
Towards strength–ductility synergy through the design of heterogeneous nanostructures in metals

Metals can be processed to reach ultra-high strength, but usually at a drastic loss of ductility. Here, we review recent advances in overcoming this tradeoff, by purposely deploying heterogeneous nanostructures in an otherwise single-phase metal. Several structural designs are being explored, including bimodal, harmonic, lamellar, gradient, domain-dispersed, and hierarchical nanostructures. These seemingly distinct tactics share a unifying design principle in that the intentional structural heterogeneities induce non-homogeneous plastic deformation, and the nanometer-scale features dictate steep strain gradients, thereby enhancing strain hardening and consequently uniform tensile ductility at high flow stresses. Moreover, these heterogeneous nanostructures in metals play a role similar to multiple phases in complex alloys, functionally graded materials and composites, sharing common material design and mechanics principles. Our review advocates this broad vision to help guide future innovations towards a synergy between high strength and high ductility, through highlighting several recent designs as well as identifying outstanding challenges and opportunities.
Causes and Predictors of 30-Day Readmissions in Atrial Fibrillation (from the Nationwide Readmissions Database).

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cause of arrhythmia-related hospitalizations. We assessed 30-day readmissions in patients admitted with AF in a national sample of US population. Data were extracted from Nationwide Readmissions Database for the calendar year 2013. Patients with primary discharge diagnosis of AF were identified by the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification, code 427.31. Patients who died during hospitalization and those <18 years were excluded. Our primary outcome was 30-day readmission rate. Causes and independent predictors of 30-day readmissions were examined. We identified 388,340 patients admitted with AF, of whom 58,634 patients (15.1%) were readmitted within 30 days. Patients who were readmitted tended to be older and have a higher burden of co-morbidities. AF and heart failure were the main causes of 30-day readmissions in our cohort. Advanced age, female gender, and multiple co-morbidities were independently associated with 30-day readmissions. In conclusion, 15% of patients admitted for AF were readmitted within 30 days. More than 1/3 of these readmissions were for AF or heart failure.
Planck Takes a Quantum Leap

At the end of the 19th century, a series of discoveries was made in physics that called for a change in our worldview, a change that is still going on. How did it all begin? Let‘s discuss the crucial piece of experimental data that refused explanation on the basis of then-current beliefs of physics.
Are CSR activities associated with shareholder voting in director elections and say-on-pay votes?

Abstract When making investment decisions, many investors now regularly consider a company’s CSR activities along with traditional financial performance measures (Elliott et al., 2014). Our study considers whether shareholders may also consider CSR activities when voting in director elections and say-on-pay votes. We find that CSR performance is associated with shareholder support in both director elections and say-on-pay votes. In particular, we find higher support for both director elections and executive compensation when there are more CSR strengths. Additionally, we find that the social strength aspect of CSR is the most important component in the relationships between CSR and director elections and that the environmental strengths aspect is the most important component in the relationship between CSR and executive compensation. Our results suggest that shareholders may value certain types of CSR and are more supportive of boards and management when CSR performance is stronger.
A content addressable memory with multi-Vdd scheme for low power tunable operation

This paper reports on a content addressable memory (CAM) employing a multi-Vdd scheme for low power pattern recognition applications. The complete design, simulation and testing of the chip is presented along with an exploration of the multi-Vdd design space. The proposed design, operating at an optimal operating point in a triple-Vdd configuration, increases the delay range by 2.4 times and consumes 25.3% less power when compared to a conventional single-Vdd design operating over the same voltage range. Measurement results from a 246 kb test chip fabricated in 130nm Global Foundries Low Power CMOS technology are presented to validate the model and analysis.
A new species of Ceriodaphnia from Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan

A Ceriodaphnia has been found in Waterbodies of the plains and foothills of Uzbekistan and southern Kazakhstan that strongly resembles C. reticulata (Jurine, 1820). The female of this new species, C. turkestanica, differs from C. reticulata because it lacks a fenestra (nucal organ) in the cervical notch of the adult, has a rostral pore encircled by a ridge of cuticle rather than opening on the flat surface of a polygon anterior to the antennules, and has fewer and finer spines punctuating the row of fine spinules along the inner margin of the posterior carapace. The locule of the ephippium lacks the regular, small, rounded protuberances seen in the locule of C. reticulata. The male of C. turkestanica also exhibits the lack of a cervical fenestra, an encircled rostral pore, and variable, fine spines along the posterior carapace inner margin. In addition, it has a much shorter terminal seta on the antennule, and increasing lengths of the spinose setae on endites 1-3 of trunk limb I rather than the second being the longest as in C. reticulata. Because of similarities between these species, we suggest that C. turkestanica either is derived from C. reticulata or that the two share a common ancestor.
On the broadening of energy levels in a quantum dot-based tunnel transistor

The problem of energy level broadening in a quantum dot coupled to a conducting wire is important because it directly influences the on-off ratio of quantum dot-based tunnel transistors. The transistor off-current increases as the energy tail of the broadening function becomes heavier. Detailed investigations of the tail of the broadening function can give us information regarding the viability of tunnel transistors as future energy-efficient replacements of the conventional MOSFET.
The effect of early versus delayed radiation therapy on length of hospital stay in the palliative setting.

Background: Radiation therapy (RT) can offer timely and effective treatment to oncology patients in the palliative setting. To date, there is sparse evidence investigating temporal relationships regarding the initiation of RT and subsequent hospital stay in the inpatient palliative setting. We aimed to assess whether times between admission, consultation, and initiation of treatment effected the length of hospital stay for patients receiving palliative radiation therapy (PRT). Methods: This was a retrospective chart review of patients who received a consult for PRT from August 2014 to October 2016. All data was collected from a single community cancer center. Data including demographics, radiation treatment details, and temporal data (e.g., length of stay, time from admission to consult, etc.) were recorded. Results: Of the 135 patients that received PRT, 60 of them were treated in the inpatient setting. The most common indications for PRT were pain (37%) and non-pain related neurologic symptoms (37%). The most common treatment sites were bone (58%), brain (22%), and lung (17%). There was a significant difference in duration of hospital stay between patients who were seen by palliative radiation oncology within two days versus greater than 2 days (P=0.02); and patients who were treated within 2 days of admission versus greater than 2 days (P=0.03). Conclusions: Further research is needed to establish causal temporal relationships in palliative radiation oncology. However, this data suggests that early involvement of the radiation oncology team is associated with a reduced length of hospital stay.
Introduction: Peace Research and Peacebuilding

I spent 1966–1967 doing first-hand research on the UN system, at UN Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. While there I made personal contact with European scholars who informed me about the International Peace Research Association (IPRA). It then had its headquarters in the Netherlands. In the summer of 1967 I attended an IPRA conference held in Sweden and listened to presentations from peace research scholars from around the world. Here I learned that people tend to define peace as a condition that exists when they overcome the most significant conditions that prevent them from having a normal human life. Thus, people around the world attempting to develop peace have different agendas. This means that achieving world peace requires cooperation among peoples having different peace agendas. This experience stimulated me to add peace research to my agenda, because it had a significant impact on my earlier research on the UN system and on the world relations of local communities.
Some Simple Models of Generalized Plasticity

ABSTRACT Generalized plasticity (GP) is an internal-variable model of rate-independent inelasticity in which an elastic range is defined at any state, as determined by the stress (or strain) and internal variables; classical plasticity in a special case in which this range depends only on the internal variables. Following gives an informal introduction to GP in general, some simple one-dimensional models for hysteretic behavior of the kind observed in graphite and other materials is presented, and in particular one that may be used for the solution of wave-propagation problems.
Ethanol and Biological Membranes: Experimental Studies and Theoretical Considerations

An enigma facing investigators who seek to explain the pathogenesis of ethanol-induced diseases is the wide variety of tissues and organs affected by this compound. Moreover, the effects of acute and chronic ethanol intoxication are not only different, but often of an opposite nature. Whereas acute ethanol intoxication exerts only reversible functional changes, chronic abuse may lead to significant degenerative and inflammatory diseases of many organs, including the liver, pancreas, brain, heart, and skeletal muscle (Majchrowicz and Noble 1979). Oxidation of ethanol by the liver results in an early increase in the hepatic reduced nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide/nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide (NADH-NAD) ratio, but after chronic consumption this ratio returns to normal (Williamson et al. 1969). In extrahepatic organs, little metabolism of ethanol takes place (Erickson 1979). While acetaldehyde, the primary metabolite of ethanol oxidation, might react with cell constituents in the liver, the organ where it is produced, circulating levels of acetaldehyde are so low that it is unlikely to play a role in diseases of other organs, e.g., heart or brain (Erickson et al. 1982). For these and other reasons, it appears unlikely that the metabolism of ethanol can be incriminated as the cause of the widespread manifestations of ethanol-induced maladies. In recent years, we and others have been intrigued by the observations which indicate that ethanol acts on all biological membranes as a physical agent, similarly to other anesthetics.
Intervention of Prohibitive Aortic and Iliac Atherosclerotic Stenosis to Allow Successful Transfemoral Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

We present a case of a 91-year-old woman who presented with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis with an aortic valve area of 0.4 cm2 and mean gradient of 41 mm on echocardiography. She had undergone a thorough evaluation at an outside facility. She was deemed high risk with an STS risk score of >11%
Introduction: Examining Ethical and Legal Issues in Human Resource Development

The theory of human resource development HRD is within an ethical frame; yet, there is not much empirical research, from HRD scholars and professionals, which supports ethics as a foundational framework of HRD. HRD scholars and professionals have a unique opportunity to educate and train students and employees in ethical and legal issues in the workplace. This chapter identifies the role of HRD scholars and professionals in helping HRD leaders to recognize how they can contribute to ethical and legal standards development and to implementation strategies in the workplace. HRD scholars and professionals must have transdisciplinary skills and ethical and legal education and/or training to be an effective resource to others in the workplace. HRD scholars and professionals can help create a workplace environment where their knowledge, skills, and abilities related to ethical and legal issues are valued and appreciated by both the organization leaders and employees.
Effects of Occupational Socialization on United States Secondary Physical Education Teachers' Beliefs Regarding Curriculum Design.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of occupational socialization on the development of United States secondary physical education teachers’ beliefs and actions regarding curriculu...
A proinflammatory diet is associated with inflammatory gene expression among healthy, non-obese adults: Can social ties protect against the risks?

Abstract The Western diet, characterized by high intake of saturated fat, sugar, and salt, is associated with elevated inflammation and chronic disease risk. Few studies have investigated molecular mechanisms linking diet and inflammation; however, a small number of randomized controlled trials suggest that consuming an anti-inflammatory diet (i.e., a primarily plant-based diet rich in monounsaturated fat and lean protein) decreases proinflammatory gene expression. The current study investigated the association between everyday diet and proinflammatory gene expression, as well as the extent to which central adiposity and social involvement modulate risk. Participants were healthy middle-aged and older adults (N = 105) who completed a food frequency questionnaire and reported how many close social roles they have. Anthropometric measurements and blood samples also were collected; gene expression data were analyzed from LPS-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells for interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. The inflammatory potential of each participant’s diet was calculated using the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII®). Participants with higher DII® scores, indicating a more proinflammatory diet, had greater IL-6 (b = −0.02, SE = 0.008, p = .01), IL-1β (b = −0.01, SE = 0.006, p = .03), and TNF-α (b = −0.01, SE = 0.005, p = .04) gene expression if they had a smaller sagittal abdominal diameter (SAD); effects were not seen among those with higher SADs. Social involvement served a protective role, such that participants with smaller SADs had greater IL-6 (b = 0.01, SE = 0.004, p = .049) and IL-1β (b = 0.01, SE = 0.003, p = .045) gene expression only if they had less social involvement; there was no effect of diet on gene expression among those who reported greater social participation. Results are the first to demonstrate a link between self-reported diet and proinflammatory gene expression. Importantly, the effect of diet on gene expression depended upon both body fat composition and social participation, both of which have previously been linked directly with proinflammatory gene expression and inflammation.
Contrasting Women’s Rights in the Maghreb and the Middle East Constitutions

This chapter looks at how the Maghreb countries (Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia) have adopted significantly more women’s rights provisions in their constitutions compared with the countries in the Middle East. It attributes these differences to the presence of unified legal systems in the Maghreb; strategies of the political elite in attempting to neutralize Islamic extremism in the Maghreb; political party strategies, especially among leading Islamist parties in recent years; and the role of women’s movements, which collaborated across countries.
Cephalosporin-Tobramycin Activity Against Enterococci

Anti-enterococcal synergism was readily demonstrable when cefazolin or cephalothin were combined with gentamicin or tobramycin, and Str. faecalis isolates were killed rapidly at attainable serum concentrations. The cephalosporins combined with amikacin were rarely synergistic, but ampicillin-amikacin was synergistic and bactericidal. Some of these newer combinations are worthy of further study in enterococcal infections.
9 – Learning Contract

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses some basic issues related to internship learning contract. The internship learning contract is a formal contract between the student intern, the (employment) site supervisor, and the faculty internship sponsor/coordinator/advisor. The basic information required in a learning contract, related to work assignments, includes learning objective(s) and learning assignment report(s). Although some institutions require four objectives, that might—at times—exceed the capacity of the intern due to the newness of the field of experience. Each learning objective is further explained. Details of what should be learned through the internship are included such as developing skills, expanding knowledge, testing theories, explaining career interests, and discovering strengths and weaknesses. The learning contract also explains the methodology adopted by student to meet the learning objectives. The student can work toward achieving the objectives through a combination of methodologies that may include participating in training programs offered by employers or manufacturers of instruments used by employers; observing a senior staff member; and working on a series of progressively more difficult and more complicated assignment(s). The evaluation of learning objectives is done by the site supervisor, the faculty sponsor, or both.
Targeted Next Generation Sequencing in Saccharomyces cerevisiae Reveals Complex Mutation Profiles in the Presence of Mismatch Repair and Ribonucleotide Reductase Mutations that Compromise the Fidelity of DNA Replication

Determining mutation signatures is becoming the standard for understanding the etiology of human tumors and informing cancer treatment. Multiple levels of replication fidelity prevent mutagenesis that leads to carcinogenesis, including regulation of free deoxyribonucleoside triphosphate (dNTP) pools and the mismatch repair (MMR) pathway. We developed a targeted deep-sequencing approach on the CAN1 gene in Saccharomyces cerevisiae to determine mutational signatures associated with both skewed and balanced increases in dNTP levels and/or defects in MMR substrate recognition. Notably, even small changes in dNTP pools led to distinct mutation profiles, as did deletions of each MMR recognition subunit MSH2, MSH3 or MSH6. Altered dNTP levels increased and altered the mutational load, therefore combining rnr1 and msh mutations allowed us to observe previously unreported specificities of Msh2-Msh3 and Msh2-Msh6. Msh2-Msh3 is uniquely able to direct repair of G/C single base deletions in GC runs, while Msh2-Msh6 specifically directs repair of substitutions at G/C dinucleotides. We also identified broader sequence contexts that influence variant profiles in different genetic backgrounds and found that there was not necessarily a simple additive relationship of mutation profiles in double mutants. Our results have implications for interpreting mutation signatures from human tumors.
Evolution of Disease Severity and Susceptibility in the Asteraceae to the Powdery Mildew Golovinomyces latisporus: Major Phylogenetic Structure Coupled With Highly Variable Disease Severity at Fine Scales.

Pathogen host range and pathogen severity are dependent on interactions with their hosts and are hypothesized to have evolved as products of a coevolutionary arms race. An understanding of the factors that affect host range and pathogen severity is especially crucial in introduced pathogens that infect evolutionarily naive hosts and cause substantial damage to ecosystems. Powdery mildews are detrimental pathogens found worldwide in managed and natural systems. Golovinomyces latisporus is a powdery mildew species that is especially damaging to plants within Asteraceae and to plants within the genus Helianthus in particular. In this study, we evaluated 126 species within Asteraceae to measure the role of host plant morphophysiological traits and evolutionary history on susceptibility to G. latisporus and disease severity. We observed phylogenetic signal in both susceptibility and severity within and among major clades of the Asteraceae. In general, there was a major phylogenetic structure of host severity to G. latisporus; however, there was some fine-scale phylogenetic variability. Phylogenetic statistical methods showed that chlorophyll content, biomass, stomatal index, and trichome density were not associated with disease severity, thus providing evidence that phylogenetic structure, rather than observed plant morphophysiological traits, is the most reliable predictor of pathogen severity. This work sheds light on the role that evolutionary history plays in plant susceptibility and severity to disease and underscores the relative unimportance of commonly assessed host plant traits in powdery mildew severity.
WITHDRAWN: Braiding as a Feminist Methodology: Tensions and Possibilities of Weaving Together:

A transnational feminist paradigm guides this inquiry when braiding narratives, both literally and abstractly, as a feminist methodology for data analysis. The data include personal narratives (mem...
AppTestMigrator: a tool for automated test migration for Android apps

The use of mobile apps is increasingly widespread, and much effort is put into testing these apps to make sure they behave as intended. In this demo, we present AppTestMigrator, a technique and tool for migrating test cases between apps with similar functionality. The intuition behind AppTestMigrator is that many apps share similarities in their functionality, and these similarities often result in conceptually similar user interfaces (through which that functionality is accessed). AppTestMigrator attempts to automatically transform the sequence of events and oracles in a test case for an app (source app) to events and oracles for another app (target app). The results of our preliminary evaluation show the effectiveness of AppTestMigrator in migrating test cases between mobile apps with similar functionality. Video URL: https://youtu.be/WQnfEcwYqa4
Infigratinib (BGJ398): an investigational agent for the treatment of FGFR-altered intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

The fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) pathway is essential in cell proliferation, differentiation, migration, and survival. Cancers such as intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (IHCA) have demons...
In-Band, Full-Duplex Self-Interference Mitigation Using Sparse Tap-Delay Models with Quantized and Power Constrained Weights

In-band, full-duplex (IBFD) radio frequency (RF) users generate self-interference that obstructs receiver operations. This interference may be mitigated using several techniques, including antenna isolation, circulators, digital mitigation, and analog mitigation at the carrier frequency. We apply an analog mitigation technique that uses a sparse tap-delay model to reduce power and computational complexity. We demonstrate that optimizing the weights of the resulting equalizer achieves sufficient self-interference mitigation, even under realistic hardware limitations. The performance is limited by i) how many delay taps are chosen, ii) how closely this discrete model matches the actual channel, iii) the dynamic range of the weighting coefficients, and iv) the timing precision of the system. We compare the achievable performance of this technique under different combinations of these limitations. We propose a sparse, constrained optimization solution that offers sufficient self-interference mitigation and significantly reduces the power consumption.
Factors Influencing Graduate Directors’ Referrals to Ph.D. Programs in Criminal Justice and Criminology: A First Look

Prior research has suggested factors such as university and program ranking may impact master’s students’ decisions to attend particular doctoral programs. One source of this information is likely ...
The emergence of insulin resistance following a chronic high-fat diet regimen coincides with an increase in the reinforcing effects of nicotine in a sex-dependent manner.

Abstract The present study assessed the sex-dependent effects of insulin resistance on the reinforcing effects of nicotine. Female and male rats received a chronic high-fat diet (HFD) or regular diet (RD) for 8 weeks. A subset of rats then received vehicle or a dose of streptozotocin (STZ; 25 mg/kg) that induces insulin resistance. To assess insulin resistance, glucose levels were measured 15, 30, 60, 120, and 180 min after an insulin injection (0.75 U/kg). Nine days later, the rats were given extended access to intravenous self-administration (IVSA) of nicotine (0.015, 0.03, 0.06 mg/kg) in an operant box where they consumed their respective diet ad libitum and performed responses for water deliveries. Each nicotine dose was delivered for 4 days with 3 intermittent days of abstinence in their home cage. The day after the last IVSA session, physical signs were compared following administration of mecamylamine (3.0 mg/kg) to precipitate nicotine withdrawal. The results revealed that there were no changes in insulin resistance or nicotine intake in HFD alone rats regardless of sex. Insulin resistance was observed in HFD-fed rats that received STZ, and the magnitude of this effect was greater in males versus females. Our major finding was that nicotine intake was greater among HFD + STZ female rats as compared to males. Lastly, the physical signs of withdrawal were similar across all groups. Our results suggest that females diagnosed with disorders that disrupt insulin signaling, such as diabetes may be at risk of greater vulnerability to nicotine use due to enhanced reinforcing effects of this drug.
More than Students… a Pedagogy of Kindness

While I have always considered my approach to teaching to be student-centered, teaching during a pandemic challenged me to critically examine my teaching philosophy and practices. Guided by princip...
Aminoglycoside-Induced Oxidative Stress: Pathways and Protection

The aminoglycosides are life-saving antimicrobials that have the potential to profoundly impair hearing, balance, and renal function. Following initiation of aminoglycoside therapy, reactive oxygen species are generated in the inner ear, often heralding loss of redox homeostasis and ensuing activation of cell death pathways. Experimental models of aminoglycoside ototoxicity have allowed for in-depth study of the underlying mechanisms of oxidative injury to the inner ear and characterization of histopathological and functional correlates. We review the biochemical and molecular underpinnings of aminoglycoside ototoxicity and summarize current approaches to prevention of hearing loss from aminoglycosides. Several potential points of intervention exist, including blocking drug entry into the inner ear and sensory hair cells, mitigating oxidative stress injury, and interfering with inflammatory and cell death pathways. Understanding the pathogenesis of oxidative stress injury and related pathways provides a basis for otoprotective strategies, ranging from use of preventives and rescue agents to rational drug design of non-ototoxic therapeutic aminoglycosides.
Graphical User Interface with Object-Oriented Knowledge-Based Engineering Environment

One of the crucial problems in integrating machines and human experts in new-generation engineering design and manufacture systems is the effective man-machine communication. The object-oriented knowledge-based environment requires an appropriate graphical user interface built on the modern principles of object- and constraint-oriented programming, visual languages and hypermedia The interface should provide semantic-rich graphical presentation of diverse domain-dependent data as well as a direct-manipulation interface easily adaptable to graphical symbology and conventions used in the particular application domain(s). To achieve these goals, the interface incorporates knowledge-base techniques both at the interface design stage and as a part of the interface manager. The interface will serve both the system designer (providing easy access to all the relevant mechanisms of the knowledge base and tools to create an appropriate domain-dependent end-user interface) and the end user (providing data acquisition from the user, system state presentation and control, and presentation of final results). The end-user interface design toolkit includes an extensive data and knowledge visualization subsystem, consisting of parametric, constraint-based image library, qualitative, quantitative (numeric) and structural data visualization modules, and interface-control specification module.
Detection and utilization of poly(A) sequences in messenger RNA.

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the detection and characterization of poly(A) sequences attached to cellular of viral mRNA, and on the utilization of the poly(A) sequence for isolation of mRNA. Some discussion is also devoted to the usefulness of poly(A) sequences on RNA for various procedures relating to the structure and origin of various RNA species. It has been observed that poly(A) containing DNA-like RNA is easily lost upon purification utilizing conventional phenol extraction of the polyribosome fraction. It has also been noted that poly(A) can be cleaved from this RNA during purification. Purified RNA is dissolved in 0.01 M Tris-HCl pH 7.5, 0.3 M NaCl, and the amount of RNA present is estimated by measuring the optical density at 260 nm. The occurrence of poly(A) sequences on messenger RNA can be exploited for the purification of messenger RNA from the bulk of the cellular stable RNA species. Columns of oligo-dT covalently attached to cellulose powder are ideal for the large-scale preparation of messenger RNA.
A Randomized Controlled Trial of CQI Teams and Academic Detailing: Can They Alter Compliance with Guidelines?

Article-at-a-Glance Background The availability of clinical guidelines in isolation has generally failed to promote voluntary change in practice patterns. Accordingly, a randomized controlled trial was conducted to determine the effectiveness of academic detailing (AD) techniques and continuous quality improvement (CQI) teams in increasing compliance with national guidelines for the primary care of hypertension and depression. Methods Fifteen small group practices at four Seattle primary care clinics were assigned to one of three study arms—AD alone, AD plus CQI teams, or usual care. The activity of 95 providers and 4,995 patients was monitored from August 1, 1993, through January 31,1996. Twelve-month baseline and study periods were separated by a six-month “wash-in” period during which training sessions were held. Changes in hypertension prescribing, blood pressure control, depression recognition, use of older tricyclics, and scores on the Hopkins Symptom Checklist depression scale were examined. Results Clinics varied considerably in their implementation of both the AD and the CQI team interventions. Across all sites, AD was associated with change in a single process measure, a decline in the percentage of depressives prescribed first-generation tricyclics (-4.7 percentage points versus control, p = 0.04). No intervention effects were demonstrated for CQI teams across all sites for either disease condition. Within the clinic independently judged most successful at implementing both change strategies, the use of CQI teams and AD in combination did increase the percentage of hypertensives adequately controlled (17.3 percentage points versus control, p = 0.03). Summary and conclusions The AD techniques and the CQI teams evaluated were generally ineffective in improving guideline compliance and clinical outcomes regarding the primary care of hypertension and depression.
Pair-distribution functions of two-temperature two-mass systems: Comparison of molecular dynamics, classical-map hypernetted chain, quantum Monte Carlo, and Kohn-Sham calculations for dense hydrogen

Two-temperature, two-mass quasiequilibrium plasmas may occur in electron-ion plasmas, nuclear-matter, as well as in electron-hole condensed-matter systems. Dense two-temperature hydrogen plasmas straddle the difficult partially degenerate regime of electron densities and temperatures which are important in astrophysics, in inertial-confinement fusion research, and other areas of warm dense-matter physics. Results from quantum Monte Carlo (QMC) are used to benchmark the procedures used in classical molecular-dynamics simulations and hypernetted chain (HNC) and classical-map HNC (CHNC) methods to derive electron-electron and electron-proton pair-distribution functions. Where QMC is not available, we used Kohn-Sham results as the reference calculation. Then, nonequilibrium molecular dynamics for two-temperature, two-mass plasmas are used to obtain pair distribution functions without specifying the interspecies cross temperature. Using these results, the correct HNC and CHNC procedures for the evaluation of pair-distribution functions in two-temperature two-mass two-component charged fluids are established and results for a mass ratio of 1:5, typical of electron-hole fluids, are presented.
Tobacco-free community coalitions: opportunities for enhancing oral cancer prevention programs.

Background. This study identified oral cancer (OC) education and tobacco reduction collaboration within tobacco-free community coalitions (TFCC). Methods. Data from 4 TFCC were collected via educational intervention surveys and structured focused group Interviews. Results. Of the 52 participants, 96% were aware that tobacco products are risk factors for OC, yet 33% were unaware of the high OC impact locally. About 90% agreed that primary care providers and dentists should provide OC screenings and tobacco cessation. Conclusion. There is a need for provider endorsement and public demand for OC screenings. Opportunity exists for partnering and collaborative OC prevention with TFCC.
Adverse local tissue reaction (ALTR) associated with corrosion products in metal‐on‐metal and dual modular neck total hip replacements is associated with upregulation of interferon gamma‐mediated chemokine signaling

Adverse local tissue reactions (ALTR) associated with tribocorrosion following total hip arthroplasty (THA) have become a significant clinical concern in recent years. In particular, implants featuring metal-on-metal bearing surfaces and modular femoral stems have been reported to result in elevated rates of ALTR. These tribocorrosion-related tissue reactions are characterized by marked necrosis and lymphocytic infiltration, which contrasts sharply with the macrophagic and foreign body giant cell inflammation associated with polyethylene wear particle induced peri-implant osteolysis. In this study, we characterize tribocorrosion-associated ALTR at a molecular level. Gene expression profiling of peri-implant tissue around failing implants identifies upregulation of numerous inflammatory mediators in ALTR, including several interferon gamma inducible factors, most notably the chemokines MIG/CXCL9 and IP-10/CXCL10. This expression profile is distinct from that associated with polyethylene wear induced osteolysis, which is characterized by induction of markers of alternative macrophage activation, such as chitotriosidase (CHIT-1). Importantly, MIG/CXCL9 and IP-10/CXCL10 are also elevated at the protein level in the synovial fluid and, albeit more moderately, the serum, of ALTR patients, raising the possibility that these factors may serve as circulating biomarkers for the early detection of ALTR in at-risk patients. © 2015 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 33:1487–1497, 2015.
In-Situ Synthesis and Characterization of TiB2 and Ti-Al-B Composites

A facile self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) method for the synthesis of titanium diboride and Ti-Al-B composites are reported. In this one-step process, single-phase titanium diboride (TiB2) is formed without the presence of TiB and Ti3B4. Porous titanium diboride with particle sizes ranging between 10 and 20µm is formed. Crystallite size and lattice constants were calculated and compared with the literature. High temperatures of the exothermic reaction lead to consolidation of TiB2 particles and grain growth. TiAl-TiB2 composites were made in similar one-step synthesis procedure. Small amount of Ti3Al was observed in addition to TiAl and TiB2. The composites were heat-treated and analyzed for microstructure and hardness.
Venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in gynecologic oncology: a prospective, controlled trial of low-dose heparin

One hundred eighty-five patients undergoing operation for gynecologic malignancy participated in a randomized controlled trial of low-dose heparin prophylaxis. Prospective surveillance for deep venous thrombosis was performed with daily fibrinogen 125I counting in the legs and impedance plethysmography. Twelve of 97 (12.4%) patients in the control group and 13 of 88 (14.8%) patients in the low-dose heparin group developed a venous thromboembolic complication. There was no statistical difference in the incidence of proximal deep vein thrombosis, calf vein thrombosis, or pulmonary emboli between the control and low-dose heparin groups. Low-dose heparin does not afford any prophylactic benefit to patients undergoing major pelvic operative procedures for gynecologic malignancy.
A Versatile Minidisc Module for a Centrifugal Analyzer

We have developed a centrifugal minidisc module, which extends the versatility of the centrifugal analyzer system with respect to radiation sources, wavelength selectors, radiation detectors, and the analysis performed by the system. The motor, brake, power supply, and control circuitry for the sample/reagent minidisc unit has been repackaged in a compact module, which is easily attached to an optical reference base. Appropriate wavelength selectors, source, and detector modules can then be easily aligned with the minidisc module. Use of a programmable ultraviolet—visible monochromator can provide the automated wavelength selection necessary for application to simultaneous multi-type analyses. Design features of the centrifugal minidisc module are presented, and its versatility is illustrated.
Novel mycoviruses discovered from metatranscriptomics survey of soybean phyllosphere phytobiomes

Mycoviruses can be beneficial to plants in that they can debilitate pathogenic fungi thereby reducing the severity of associated plant diseases. Studies to date have focused primarily on culturable fungi that represent a fraction of natural fungal populations. The nonculturable fungi, however, can harbor diverse populations of mycoviruses that reduce plant disease or enhance resistance to abiotic stress. Metatranscriptome analysis of field-grown plant samples using high-throughput sequencing offers the possibility of unbiased detection and quantification of mycoviruses regardless of the culturability of their fungal hosts together with the complete associated microbial consortia. In this study, we describe the fungal viromes of the phyllosphere of production soybean fields in Illinois, USA by analyzing the metatranscriptomes of thousands of soybean leaf samples collected during the 2008 and 2009 growing seasons. The analyses identified 25 partial genome sequences that represented at least 22 mycovirus genomes, only one of which had been described previously. The novel mycovirus genomes showed similarity to 10 distinct lineages including the genera Alphapartitivirus, Botybirnavirus, Endornavirus, Mitovirus, Mycoflexivirus, Ourmiavirus, Totivirus, Victorivirus, family Tombusviridae, order Mononegavirales, and the recently proposed genus Gemycircularvirus. The present study adds to the wealth of mycoviruses associated with plant phytobiomes and establishes groundwork needed for further characterization of the viruses.