cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Perception for the manipulation of socks

We consider the perceptual challenges inherent in the robotic manipulation of previously unseen socks, with the end goal of manipulation by a household robot for laundry. The task poses challenging problems in modeling the appearance, shape and configuration of these textile items that tend to exhibit high variability in texture, design, and style while being highly articulated objects.
Effects of pairwise, donor–acceptor functional groups on polymer solubility, solution viscosity and mist control

Homologous series of functionalized polymers were used to compare the solution properties of donor–acceptor (DA) interpolymer mixtures with those of self-associating and non-associating polymer analogues. Polymer analogous synthesis was used to produce a series of polymers from a specific, anionically-polymerized prepolymer (1250 kg/mol polybutadiene), using thiol-ene coupling to incorporate systematically-varied contents of side groups: either tertiary amines (as proton acceptors) or carboxylic acids (both as proton donors in donor–acceptor mixtures, or as self-associating moieties in single-polymer solutions). Comparison with controls reveals that, relative to the effects of self-associations, DA interpolymer interactions more strongly affect solution properties such as phase behavior, interpolymer aggregation, shear viscosity, and elastic response in extensional flow. Specifically, DA associations lead to (i) greater reductions in polymer solubility in hydrocarbon solvents, (ii) interpolymer aggregation into larger clusters, and (iii) greater shear viscosity in solution. Nevertheless, DA associations reduced solution elasticity and mist suppression—a highly unanticipated result in light of the prior literature.
Histologic response to porous PMMA implant materials

Poly(methyl methacrylate) as used in polymer replica tooth implants was fabricated into 6 X 6 mm cylindrical specimens and cured in either an air oven, pressure pot, autoclave, or microwave oven. Polymer porosity was achieved by means of either 1) intrinsic foaming agents, or 2) compacting different sizes of large beads with a minimum of monomer, with dense PMMA used as a control. Specimens were then implanted in the long bones of baboons. Histology of thin-sectioned and ground specimens from the sacrificed animals revealed complete tissue ingrowth into implanted material made of medium and large PMMA beads, very superficial ingrowth into material containing foaming agents and anorganic bone chips, and no ingrowth into dense PMMA implants. None of the implants were rejected or caused chronic inflammation. The effect on histologic response of the different curing methods could not be distinguished.
PABP1 identified as an arginine methyltransferase substrate using high-density protein arrays

The arginine methyltransferases CARM1 and PRMT1 associate with the p160 family of nuclear hormone receptor coactivators. This association enhances transcriptional activation by nuclear receptors. We describe a method for identifying arginine N-methyltransferase substrates using arrayed high-density protein membranes to perform solid-phase supported enzyme reactions in the presence of the methyl donor S-adenosyl-l-methionine. Using this screen, we identified distinct substrates for CARM1 and PRMT1. All PRMT1 substrates harbor the expected GGRGG methylation motif, whereas the peptide sequence comparisons of the CARM1 substrates revealed no such motif. The predominant CARM1 substrate identified in this screen was PABP1. We mapped the methylated region of this RNA binding molecule in vitro and demonstrate that PABP1 is indeed methylated in vivo. Prior to these findings, the only known substrate for CARM1 was histone H3. We broaden the number of CARM1 targets and suggest a role for CARM1 in regulating transcription/translation.
Characterization of High-Linearity Modified Uni-Traveling Carrier Photodiodes Using Three-Tone and Bias Modulation Techniques

The linearity performance of a back-illuminated InGaAs/InP modified uni-traveling carrier photodiode with a highly doped p-type absorber is characterized using three-tone and bias modulation measurement techniques. The bias modulation measurement is used to determine the voltage-dependent relative responsivity, R(V), for a range of photocurrent levels. The results confirm that the photocurrent dependence of the third-order output intercept point (OIP3) as determined by the three-tone method is directly related to the dependence of R(V) on photocurrent. The measured OIP3 show a weak dependence on frequency and a high value of 47.5 dBm at 20 GHz is achieved.
Performance characterization of an automated system for robot configuration synthesis

We describe the results of several experiments aimed at understanding the performance, behavior, and limitations of Darwin2K, an automated system for robot configuration synthesis and optimization. Two design tasks are addressed: the design of a robot for walking along trusses in zero gravity, and of a manipulator for a coverage task. We explore the impact of several factors on synthesizer performance, including the set of robot component and assemblies available to the synthesizer, the set of metrics used to quantify robot performance, and the scope of the task on which robots are assessed. The meaning and impact of the experimental results is given, and we discuss potential improvements in the method of use of Darwin2K as well as future improvements to the system itself.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Non-infectious granulomatous diseases of the skin and their associated systemic diseases: an evidence-based update to important clinical questions.

Non-infectious granulomatous diseases of the skin are a broad group of distinct reactive inflammatory conditions that share important similarities. As a group, they are relatively difficult to diagnose and distinguish both clinically as well as histologically. Many of these disorders have significant associations with systemic diseases that impact the patient’s overall prognosis. In this update, we offer a discussion of emerging concepts and controversies in this field, as presented through evidence-based answers to seven important clinical questions regarding palisading and epithelioid granulomata. These questions offer an opportunity to review ten non-infectious granulomatous conditions that have implications for systemic disease: granuloma annulare, annular elastolytic giant cell granuloma, necrobiosis lipoidica, methotrexate-induced accelerated rheumatoid nodulosis, necrobiotic xanthogranuloma, interstitial granulomatous dermatitis, interstitial granulomatous drug reaction, palisaded neutrophilic granulomatous dermatitis, sarcoidosis, and metastatic Crohn disease. Recent clinical, epidemiologic, and laboratory studies have shed some light on these diseases, the association of these conditions with systemic disorders, and their overall prognoses.
An Interpretation of the Strength Differences Associated with Varying Angles of Pull

Abstract The strength of 42 subjects was measured at 10° intervals for 13 joint angles (60°–180°) for shoulder flexion and 9 joint angles (80°–160°) for knee extension. Each test was repeated until the strength scores stabilized at each angle. A linear relationship was observed between shoulder-flexion strength and the joint angles, but the strength differences were not significant in 67 of the 78 comparisons. A curvilinear relationship appeared between knee-extension strength and the joint angles; the strength differences were significant in 20 of the 36 comparisons.
Solubility of Nonelectrolytes: A First-Principles Computational Approach

Using a combination of classical molecular dynamics and symmetry adapted intermolecular perturbation theory, we develop a high-accuracy computational method for examining the solubility energetics of nonelectrolytes. This approach is used to accurately compute the cohesive energy density and Hildebrand solubility parameters of 26 molecular liquids. The energy decomposition of symmetry adapted perturbation theory is then utilized to develop multicomponent Hansen-like solubility parameters. These parameters are shown to reproduce the solvent categorizations (nonpolar, polar aprotic, or polar protic) of all molecular liquids studied while lending quantitative rigor to these qualitative categorizations via the introduction of simple, easily computable parameters. Notably, we find that by monitoring the first-order exchange energy contribution to the total interaction energy, one can rigorously determine the hydrogen bonding character of a molecular liquid. Finally, this method is applied to compute explicitly...
The Effects of Aromaticity and Reduced Bond Length Alternation on Linear and Third-Order Polarizabilities of Conjugated Organic Chromophores

The geometries, the linear (α) and third-order (γ) polarizabilities of several bipolaron model compounds and cyanines are computed using the semi-empirical AM1 parameterization. The effects of aromaticity, charge localization and bond length alternation are considered.
Towards high performance and energy efficient storage systems using hybrid heterogeneous computing devices

Parallel circle frameworks are equipped for satisfying quickly expanding requests for both substantial stockpiling limit and high I/O execution. Be that as it may, it is trying to fundamentally increment circle I/O transfer speed for information escalated workloads because of the unwavering quality and moment handling of information solicitations under element workload conditions and the ideal tradeoff between framework adaptability and information dependability in information serious frameworks. To build the figuring execution and diminish power utilization, we proposed a novel half and half construction modeling that comprises of heterogeneous registering gadgets that comprises of Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) and Digital Signal Processor (DSP), Hard Disk Drive (HDD) exhibit and Solid State Disk (SSD). The most as often as could reasonably be expected utilized information will be put away as a part of the Solid state circles making the hard plates drive in a rest mode, however much as would be prudent to decrease the vitality utilization. We directed broad analyses to quantitatively assess the execution of the proposed construction modeling. Exploratory results demonstrate that coordinating GPU and DSP with the HDD and the SSD altogether lessen the force utilization over utilizing the GPU just without scarifying the execution.
Class Conflict, Hegemony and the Costs of Antislavery

For the abolitionists, freedom was the avowed central issue in the debate over slavery. For the planters and their allies, the central concern was labour, as it had been during the whole history of the British Caribbean. It has also increasingly been so defined by historians as the central problem of the empire, and of the abolitionists as well. It is therefore important to consider both the costs of abolition and the fate of labour during the age of British abolition.
Patients as Consumers: The Right Message at the Right Time Matters for Consumers with Chronic Conditions

Several factors have increased the amount of communication from marketers and other content providers regarding health care, and more specifically, chronic conditions such as such as hypertension and diabetes, with long-term and potentially debilitating effects. The US growth of the baby boomer demographic segment, the obesity epidemic, and complexity and future uncertainty in the U.S. health care system has led patient consumers to seek information for the purpose of self-treatment and self-management of the increasing incidence of chronic health conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and heart disease. In addition, patients have placed themselves in more of a partnership role with health care professionals (Parker and Pettijohn 2003).
No easy answers in the fight over iPhone decryption

A look at the legal background and future possibilities for an issue that is likely to reoccur.
Syndemic Conditions Reinforcing Disparities in HIV and Other STIs in an Urban Sample of Behaviorally Bisexual Latino Men.

Syndemics research has made great contributions to understanding sexual risk among Latino men who have sex with men. However, such work often combines data for behaviorally bisexual men with data for men with exclusively same-sex partners. Using cross-sectional data from 148 behaviorally bisexual Latino men, this study explored the impact of syndemic factors—polydrug use, childhood sexual abuse, and depression—on sexual risk behaviors and STI incidence. Approximately one-third of participants reported polydrug use, 22% reported childhood sexual abuse, and 26% screened for clinically significant depressive symptoms. An increase in syndemic factors was associated with increased odds of lifetime STI incidence and condomless receptive anal intercourse with men; however, the model did not predict condomless insertive anal intercourse with men or condomless vaginal intercourse. More efforts are needed to explore the varying mechanisms, including but not restricted to the combined impact of syndemic conditions, that influence sexual risk in this population.
Structural Changes in the Chicago Economy: A Field of Influence Analysis

The analysis of economic structure has created a demand for techniques that could provide insights into both the nature and changes of the structure over time. Renowned proposed techniques include the familiar multiplicative decomposition associated with the work of Pyatt and Round (1979) and of Round (1985, 1988) and interpretations using structural path analysis as in Defourny and Thorbecke (1984). These approaches were directed towards the evaluation of economies based on the structure of social accounting matrices. Narrowing to the changes of the structure over time, analysis of the evolution of interindustry relations has become a major topic for economic analysis. The traditional approach, introduced by Chenery (1953; Chenery and Watanabe, 1958) was further extended in various studies (for example, Carter, 1970; Harrigan et al., 1980; Deutsch and Syrquin, 1989, among others).
Standing at the Crossroads: NATO in the Twenty First Century

The end of the Cold War, the disintegration of the Warsaw Pact, and NATO’s recent decision to expand, has brought new challenges to the organization. As NATO cannot remain stagnant without losing its will to act, the best policy is to include Russia as a member. Including Russia would alleviate Russia’s view of the West as a potential aggressor, give NATO legitimacy in the volatile Balkans and display America’s commitment to Russia’s efforts to adopt democracy and capitalism. NATO expansion should include all major European players, of which Russia is one.
Testing For Unit-Roots And Trend-Breaks In Argentine Real GDP

El objetivo de este trabajo es presentar un primer conjunto de resultados empiricos acerca de la hipotesis de raiz unitaria en el PBI argentino. Se utilizan tecnicas de muestra completa y metodos iterativos recientes para evaluar la presencia de raices unitarias y la posibilidad de existencia de procesos caracterizados por tendencias con cortes estructurales. Los resultados obtenidos no nos permiten rechazar la hipotesis de raiz unitaria en el PBI argentino, aun cuando los metodos estadisticos utilizados permiten la presencia de un proceso con cortes estructurales.
Rigid Pseudo-Ion Calculation of the Intervalley Electron-Phonon Interaction in Silicon

State-of-the-art semiconductor transport simulations, usually Monte Carlo solutions of the Boltzmann Transport Equation, depend strongly on the reliability of the electron-phonon coupling constants which are used. In the case of interval-ley scattering with short wavelength phonons, which is the dominant mechanism in silicon, for example, these coupling constants have so far been treated as adjustable parameters, based largely on Harrison’s 1956 theory [1] of intervalley scattering.
Cryptic ETV6-PDGFRB fusion in a highly complex rearrangement of chromosomes 1, 5, and 12 due to a chromothripsis-like event in a myelodysplastic syndrome/myeloproliferative neoplasm.

Myelodysplastic syndromes/myeloproliferative neoplasms (MDS/MPN) are hematological malignancies characterized by simultaneous presence of both myelodysplastic and myeloproliferative features [1]. C...
Angiotensin-receptor blockers: revival of the systemic prevention of restenosis?

Restenosis following percutaneous coronary transluminal angioplasty and stenting remains a significant problem, occurring in 15–50% of patients within 6–9 months of the intervention. Several pharmacological approaches to reduce restenosis have been evaluated but to date none have been approved for this indication. Angiotensin II has been implicated in the development of restenosis through several physiologic mechanisms, and thus control of the renin-angiotensin system may be a potential target for its prevention. Although human trials have shown that angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors do not reduce the risk of restenosis, early data suggest that the selective AT1 angiotensin receptor blocker valsartan may be effective in preventing in-stent restenosis in patients with complex lesions.
Averaged Evoked Potentials and Sensory Experience

Drawing relationships between stimulus parameters, physiological response of peripheral nerves and subsequent report of sensation is possible for the skin senses in man because of the accessibility of the peripheral somatosensory system (Gybels and van Hees, 1972). Such relationships, however, are more difficult to obtain when the physiological responses of the central nervous system are considered. One approach to this problem has been to determine the stimulus-response relation of central neural activity in animals and to correlate this relation to human psychophysical responses (Mountcastle and Darian-Smith, 1968; Mountcastle, Talbot, Sakata, and Hyvarinen, 1969). A second approach has been to directly relate central neural activity to psychophysical responses in human subjects. Franzen and Offenloch (1969), for example, have demonstrated a relation between magnitude of cortical evoked potentials and perceived stimulus intensity in man. Both cortical potentials and psychophysical responses were power functions of stimulus intensity.
Integrating Research and Practice into an Interviewing Skills Project: An Evaluation

This paper reports an approach to improving the integration of research and practice instruction by engaging students in a research project. Through the project, the students evaluate an effort to improve their interviewing and relationship-building skills. The skills-development component relies primarily on student role playing and peer feedback, and was implemented as part of a required second-year master of social work research course. Two randomized experimental evaluations of the project’s effectiveness in improving interviewing skills yielded inconsistent results. The authors describe strategies for teaching and assessing interviewing skills and for teaching research.
Interlude: Prepare for Exploring Movement and Direction Through Transdisciplinary Vectors

Using critical theory is an interdisciplinary undertaking because addressing the complexity of social relations requires insights from numerous fields of study. This chapter explains how the bundled social process of leadership has been left behind, for the time being, and instead, movement and direction were selected after smashing the dominant leadership definition scattering its constituent pieces. Deploying movement and direction offers energetic perspectives in forging a new path of discovery while exploring four broad disciplines.
A RARE CASE OF PRIMARY HYPERPARATHYROIDISM, HYPEREMESIS GRAVIDARUM, AND WERNICKE ENCEPHALOPATHY

ABSTRACT Objective: To describe a rare case of Wernicke encephalopathy (WE) as a result of hyperemesis gravidarum due to primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) in pregnancy. Methods: We present the cli...
Endoscopic Intramural Surgery Part 1: Resectional Therapies

Endoscopic resectional therapies for lesions of gastrointestinal tract have progressed rapidly over the past two decades. Advances in minimally invasive endoscopic approaches continue to emerge and evolve, while boundaries of resection techniques continue to be pushed. The concept of third space endoscopy with mucosal flap as a safety valve has emerged arguably as the most innovative technique among these approaches. We review several techniques for intramural endoscopic resection of lesions of the gastrointestinal tract, but to gain a full understanding of why these exist, we must first examine the background from which they emerged.
Late-Onset Transgender Identity Development of Adolescents in Psychotherapy for Mood and Anxiety Problems: Approach to Assessment and Treatment

The rate of adolescents with gender-nonconforming behavior and/or gender dysphoria seeking mental health care has dramatically increased in the past decade. Many of these youths also present with co-occurring psychiatric problems, including depression, anxiety, suicidality, substance use, and others. This combination may generate a complex clinical picture that challenges the ability of clinicians to accurately diagnose gender distress and develop suitable treatment recommendations. This article illustrates those challenges with two adolescent patients who developed late-onset gender dysphoria in the course of long-term mental health care for diverse psychiatric problems preceding the emergence of gender dysphoria. One underwent full progression from gender dysphoria as a male through social and medical transition to female, the other a less definitive progression from gender dysphoria as female through social transition to male without deciding for any medical treatment. The report provides details on the assessment procedures and the resulting findings, the rationale for treatment recommendations, and short-term follow-up information.
Bone marrow aspirate concentrate with cancellous allograft versus iliac crest bone graft in the treatment of long bone nonunions.

Objectives The purpose of this study was to compare bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) with cancellous allograft to iliac crest bone graft (ICBG) in the treatment of long bone nonunions. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting A single level I trauma center. Patients 26 patients with long bone diaphyseal or metaphyseal nonunions with defects >2 mm and treated with open repair and BMAC, compared to 25 patients with long bone diaphyseal or metaphyseal nonunions with defects >2 mm and treated with open repair and ICBG. Intervention Open repair of long bone nonunion using either autologous ICBG or BMAC with cancellous allograft. Main outcome measure Nonunion healing, radiographically measured by the modified Radiographic Union Score for Tibia (mRUST) score. Secondary outcomes included risk factors associated with failed repair. Results The union rates for the BMAC and ICBG cohorts were 75% and 78%, respectively (P = .8). Infection was the only risk factor of statistical significance for failure. Conclusion In this study, we found no significant difference in union rate for long bone nonunions treated with ICBG or BMAC with allograft. BMAC and allograft led to 75% successful healing in this series. Given the heterogeneity of the control group and loss to follow-up, further prospective investigation should be conducted to more rigorously compare BMAC to ICBG for nonunion treatment. Level of evidence III, retrospective cohort.
Managing creativity and compliance in the pursuit of patient safety

Are creativity and compliance mutually exclusive? In clinical settings, this question is increasingly relevant. Hospitals and clinics seek the creative input of their employees to help solve persistent patient safety issues, such as the prevention of bloodstream infections, while simultaneously striving for greater adherence to evidence-based guidelines and protocols. Extant research provides few answers about how creativity works in such contexts. Cross-sectional survey data were collected from employees in 24 different U.S.-based outpatient hemodialysis clinics. Linear mixed-effects models were utilized to test study hypotheses. Professional status, clinic climate variables, and interaction terms were modeled as fixed effects, with a random effect for clinic included in all models. Our results show that high status employees contributed more creative patient safety improvement ideas compared to low status employees. However, when high status employees were part of clinics with a stronger safety climate of compliance, they contributed fewer creative ideas compared to their counterparts working in clinics with a reduced compliance orientation. We also predicted low status employees working in less punitive clinics would contribute more creative ideas, but this hypothesis was not fully supported. This study suggests that in hospitals and clinics that rely on strict protocols and formal hierarchies to meet their goals, the factors that promote creativity may be distinctively context-dependent. Implications for theory, practice, as well as future directions for research examining creativity in healthcare and safety critical contexts are discussed.
Does Heart Valve Team Risk Assessment Predict Outcomes after Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

Consideration for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) necessitates an integrated risk assessment by members of the Heart Valve Team. The utility of the integrated risk assessment for predicting TAVR outcomes is not established. This article aims to compare the utility of the integrated risk assessment to that of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Predicted Risk of Mortality (STS-PROM) score for predicting patient outcomes after TAVR. A total of 274 patients who underwent TAVR from January 2016 to August 2017 were included in this study. Patients were deemed intermediate or high risk by two surgeons on the Heart Valve Team based on an integrated risk assessment that incorporates the STS-PROM score, fragility measures, end-organ dysfunction, and surgeon evaluation. Patients were also deemed low, intermediate, or high risk based solely on their STS-PROM scores of <3%, ≥3% to <8%, and ≥8%, respectively. Differences in postoperative outcomes between intermediate- and high-risk groups as categorized by the integrated risk assessment versus STS-PROM were compared. There were no statistically significant differences in postoperative outcomes between patients who were deemed high and intermediate risk by the Heart Valve Team risk assessment. In contrast, postoperative complication rates were significantly higher in patients deemed high risk as compared with intermediate risk by STS-PROM. Integrated risk assessment by the Heart Valve Team is not superior to STS-PROM in predicting postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing TAVR.
Association of Geriatric-Specific Variables with 30-Day Hospital Readmission Risk of Elderly Surgical Patients: A NSQIP Analysis.

Background Elderly patients (65 years of age and older) undergo an increasing number of operations performed annually in the US and they present with unique healthcare needs. Preventing postoperative readmission remains an important challenge to improving surgical care. This study examined whether geriatric-specific variables were independently associated with postoperative readmissions of elderly patients. Methods The American College of Surgeons (ACS) Geriatric Surgery Research File (GSRF) was joined with the ACS NSQIP Participant Use Data Files for 2014 to 2016. This data set included 13 GSRF variables and 26 ACS NSQIP variables. Associations between clinically relevant variables and readmission were tested with multivariable logistic regression. Results The data represented 6,039 general surgery patients age 65 years and older. Fifty-eight percent of patients had colorectal operations, 19% pancreatic or hepatobiliary, 15% hernia, 4% thyroid or esophageal, and 3% had appendix operations. Twenty-four percent of patients experienced an NSQIP-defined 30-day postoperative complication and 3% died within 30 days after operation. Eleven percent of patients had unplanned 30-day readmission. Standard NSQIP variables, including 30-day composite morbidity (odds ratio [OR] 5.11; 95% CI, 4.24 to 6.16; p Conclusions Four GSRF and 3 current standard ACS NSQIP variables were important in the evaluation of postoperative readmission of elderly patients. Geriatric-specific variables contributed to the explanation of the relationship between clinical variables and readmissions in elderly surgical patients.
Peptides derived from small mitochondrial open reading frames: Genomic, biological, and therapeutic implications

Mitochondrial-derived peptides (MDPs) are a novel class of bioactive microproteins that modify cell metabolism. The the eight MDPs that been characterized (e.g., humanin, MOTS-c, SHLPs1-6) attenuate disease pathology including Alzheimer's disease, prostate cancer, macular degeneration, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. The association between disease and human genetic variation in MDPs is underexplored, although two polymorphisms in humanin and MOTS-c associate with cognitive decline and diabetes, respectively, suggesting a precise role for MDPs in disease-modification. There could be hundreds of additional MDPs that have yet to be discovered. Altogether, MDPs could explain unanswered biological and metabolic questions and are part of a growing field of novel microproteins encoded by small open reading frames. In this review, the current state of MDPs are summarized with an emphasis on biological and therapeutic implications.
Abstract A38: Validation of potential therapies for treatment of fatal pediatric brain tumors DIPG and AT/RT using a novel rapid intracranial model in zebrafish

Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) and atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors (AT/RT) are deadly pediatric brain tumors. Developing new targets and therapeutics are urgently needed. We have previously shown that multiple primary brain tumors and cell lines express increased amounts of the epigenetic modifier and DNA binding oncoprotein high-mobility group AT-hook 2 (HMGA2). Targeting HMGA2 using short hairpins decreased AT/RT and glioma growth in xenografted mice. We hypothesized that pharmacologic inhibition of HMGA proteins using DNA minor-groove binding drugs such as quinacrine would decrease tumor growth due to displacement of HMGA proteins from DNA. Quinacrine is a safe and widely used treatment for pediatric malaria and parasitic infections. We used quinacrine in six patient-derived cell lines: three AT/RT (BT37, CHLA-05, CHLA-266) and three DIPG (JHHDIPG1, SUDIPGXIII, SF7761). Using quinacrine fluorescence as a surrogate, we can achieve micromolar concentration of quinacrine in the mouse and zebrafish brain after oral administration without overt toxicity. In both tumor cell lines, quinacrine causes a dose-dependent reduction in proliferation (BrdU) and increase in apoptosis (cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved PARP) compared to vehicle-treated cells (P Citation Format: Harpreet Kaur, Huizi Guo, David White, Peter Green, Alara M. Hector, Sepehr Akhtarkhavari, Anukriti Bhargava, Smit Shah, Charles G. Eberhart, Jeffrey Mumm, Eric H. Raabe. Validation of potential therapies for treatment of fatal pediatric brain tumors DIPG and AT/RT using a novel rapid intracranial model in zebrafish [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on the Advances in Pediatric Cancer Research; 2019 Sep 17-20; Montreal, QC, Canada. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(14 Suppl):Abstract nr A38.
The AI-Medic: an artificial intelligent mentor for trauma surgery

Telementoring generalist surgeons as they treat patients can be essential when in situ expertise is not available. However, unreliable network conditions, poor infrastructure, and lack of remote me...
Barriers and Facilitators for Mid- and Later-Life Community College Students: The Role of Faculty

This qualitative study of students in mid- and later-life (MLL; age 40 and older) sought to address the role faculty play in facilitating student success and how institutions support faculty, espec...
Teacher Leadership for Social Change in Bilingual and Bicultural Education, by Palmer, D. K.: (2018). Multilingual Matters. 208 pp. $39.95 (Paperback). ISBN: 978-1-78892-142-8.

In her book Teacher Leadership for Social Change in Bilingual and Bicultural Education, Deborah Palmer calls attention to the necessity for scholarship to address the leadership potentialities of t...
The role of affective urgency and emotion regulation in vaping susceptibility.

Abstract Introduction The prevalence of E-cigarette use is increasing along with concerns about the negative health effects of their use. Understanding the psychological constructs associated with susceptibility to beginning regular e-cigarette use may be helpful for prevention efforts. Factors such as emotion regulation (ER) and impulsivity, specifically urgency, have been significantly correlated with patterns of drug addiction in the past. With few prior studies linking ER and impulsivity factors with e-cigarette susceptibility, the present study aims to assess their relationship in predicting e-cigarette susceptibility in university never-smokers. Method Two hundred and twenty-five students were surveyed online using a questionnaire measuring difficulties in ER, impulsivity, and e-cigarette susceptibility. Path analysis was used to understand the relationship between positive and negative urgency and ER in predicting susceptibility to use. Results Results indicated that negative urgency was mediated by difficulties in ER to predict susceptibility while positive urgency was not significantly related to susceptibility. Conclusion The results of this study offer insights into the role affective traits contribute to susceptibility to e-cigarettes, potentially improving future addiction prevention research.
Impact of Race and Insurance Status on Primary Treatment for HPV-Associated Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

ObjectiveTo assess the impact of sociodemographic factors on primary treatment choice (surgery vs radiotherapy) in patients with human papillomavirus–associated (HPV+) oropharyngeal squamous cell c...
The Sea Was Angry That Day My Friends: An Inland Case of Acute Scombroid Poisoning With a Twist

Scombroid poisoning is a common form of food poisoning related to fresh, canned, or smoked fish ingestion with high histamine content as a result of improper handling and storage. The incubation period for this type of fish poisoning is relatively short (ranges from a few minutes to hours). We present a case of a 53-year-old male who developed severe symptoms of scombroid poisoning minutes after ingesting an ahi tuna salad in a local restaurant.
Media Influence and Differential Fertility Preference Formation of Couples in Sub-Saharan Africa

The paper investigates determinants of differential ideal family size of couples in two sub-Saharan African countries, Ghana and Kenya. Whilst the theory of positive assortative mating and prior empirical evidence suggest that couples agree on ideal family size, cross-country means are found to mask the extent to which couples disagree. Using data on the percentage of couples whose ideal family sizes do not coincide, substantially more disagreement emerges. The paper examines what observable factors have the greatest apparent differential impact on ideal family size between couples. The analysis pinpoints exposure to radio broadcasts as a major determinant of ideal family size, with the apparent effects greater for husbands than wives. (Afr I Rep rod Health 1998;2 (2):66—8 1) KEY WORDS: Fertility, family size, gender, Ghana, Kenya
Pole Placement via the Periodic Schur Decomposition

We present a new method for eigenvalue assignment in linear periodic discrete-time systems through the use of linear periodic state feedback. The proposed method uses reliable numerical techniques based on unitary transformations. In essence, it computes the Schur form of the open-loop monodromy matrix via a recent implicit eigen-decomposition algorithm, and shifts its eigenvalues sequentially. Given complete reachability of the open-loop system, we show that we can assign an arbitrary set of eigenvalues to the closed-loop monodromy matrix in this manner. Under the weaker assumption of complete control-lability, this method can be used to place all eigenvalues at the origin, thus solving the so-called deadbeat control problem. The algorithm readily extends to more general situations, such as when the system equation is given in descriptor form.
Towards optical wireless communications between micro unmanned aerial and ground systems

A group of unmanned vehicles can provide essential support to human task forces in a variety of missions, like in search and rescue operations. A crucial factor for task coordination is to maintain a reliable connectivity among the autonomous platforms. Radio-frequency is the common technology adopted for unmanned systems to operate wirelessly. However, this technology has some limitations that can be mitigated by complementing it with optical wireless communications. In this paper, we propose the implementation of an optical wireless link between micro-scale unmanned systems: an aerial vehicle and a ground mobile robot. We describe a line-of-sight directed optical link between these platforms where the flying vehicle carries an optical transmitter while the mobile ground robot is equipped with an optical receiver. This light-based communication link requires to keep an adequate relative transmitter-receiver position to enhance the transmission rate. Therefore, we define a connectivity cone on top of the receiver such that if the transmitter stays inside of this cone a minimum bit rate can be guaranteed. Also, we propose a control algorithm for the aerial transmitter to get and stay within the connectivity cone. The performance of the control algorithm is demonstrated through numerical simulations.
Bull semen nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide nucleosidase. IV. Nonpolar interactions of inhibitors with the substrate binding site.

Abstract NAD nucleosidase from bull semen was shown to be inhibited by a homologous series of aliphatic carboxylic acids, butanoic acid to decanoic acid, inclusive. The inhibition obtained was observed to be competitive with respect to NAD. The effectiveness of inhibition by these carboxylic acids increased with increasing chainlength of the alkyl groups of the inhibitors. n -Alkylphosphates, n -butylphosphate to n -dodecylphosphate, inclusive, were also found to inhibit NADase competitively. A positive chain-length effect was also observed in the binding of n -alkylphosphates to the enzyme. Interactions of these two groups of inhibitors with a pyrophosphate region at the substrate-binding site of the enzyme was suggested by the competitive nature of the inhibition obtained and by multiple inhibition analyses. Chain-length effects in the binding of these inhibitors of NADase suggest nonpolar interactions with a hydrophobic region of the enzyme to be of importance in these binding processes.
Harmonic skeleton guided evaluation of stenoses in human coronary arteries

This paper presents a novel approach that three-dimensionally visualizes and evaluates stenoses in human coronary arteries by using harmonic skeletons. A harmonic skeleton is the center line of a multi-branched tubular surface extracted based on a harmonic function, which is the solution of the Laplace equation. This skeletonization method guarantees smoothness and connectivity and provides a fast and straightforward way to calculate local cross-sectional areas of the arteries, and thus provides the possibility to localize and evaluate coronary artery stenosis, which is a commonly seen pathology in coronary artery disease.
Microarray Image Analysis and Gene Expression Ratio Statistics

Various image analysis issues have been addressed: target segmentation, background detection, target detection, and intensity measurement. Since microarray technology is still under development and image quality varies considerably, a robust and precise image analysis algorithm that reduces background interference and extracts precise signal intensity and expression ratios for each gene is critical to the success of further statistical analysis. The overall methodology discussed in this chapter has been developed and enhanced through five years of experience working with cDNA microarray images. It continues to be expanded and revised as new issues arise.
Modeling Blood Vessel Formation in the Mouse

Much of our current understanding of the development and maintenance of blood vessels in mammals comes from the analysis of mice. We summarize our current understanding of the developmental, cell, and molecular biology of blood vessel formation both in the mouse embryo and postnatally. The reader is provided with an understanding of how this information may impact on our ability to control blood vessel formation for the management of human cancers. Keywords: mouse; modeling; blood vessel formation; development; postnatal
A Comparison of Computer-Based Testing and Pencil-and-Paper Testing for Students with a Read-Aloud Accommodation:

This study examined the academic performance and preference of students with disabilities for two types of test administration conditions, computer-based testing (CBT) and pencil-and-paper testing (PPT). Data from a large-scale assessment program were used to examine differences between CBT and PPT academic performance for third to eleventh grade students with a read-aloud accommodation in reading, mathematics, and science. Since random assignment was not possible, propensity score analyses were used to establish equivalent groups and to test for differences in performance. Students in the PPT condition with an adult reader had higher mean scores in almost all academic content areas than those with the CBT read-aloud condition, with effect sizes ranging from extremely small (d = .02) to moderate (d = .69). Differential item functioning (DIF) analyses suggested that most items had negligible DIF and did not favor either the CBT or the PPT conditions. Students and staff reported that students preferred the ...
Atypical Small Acinar Proliferation: Repeat Biopsy and Detection of High Grade Prostate Cancer

Purpose. Atypical small acinar proliferation (ASAP) is diagnosed in 1-2% of prostate biopsies. 30-40% of patients with ASAP may be diagnosed with prostate cancer (PCa) on repeat biopsy. Our objective was to examine the association between ASAP and subsequent diagnosis of intermediate/high risk PCa. Materials and Methods. Ninety-six patients who underwent prostate biopsy from 2000 to 2013 and were diagnosed with ASAP were identified. Clinicopathologic features were analyzed. Comparison was made between those with subsequent PCa on repeat biopsy and those with benign repeat pathology. Results. 56/96 (58%) patients had a repeat biopsy. 22/56 (39%) were subsequently diagnosed with PCa. There was no significant difference in patients' characteristics. Presence of HGPIN on initial biopsy was associated with a benign repeat biopsy (68% versus 23%). 17/22 (77%) had Gleason grade (GG) 3+3 disease and only 5/22 (23%) had GG 3+4 disease. Conclusions. 22/56 patients (39%) of patients who underwent a subsequent prostate biopsy following a diagnosis of ASAP were found to have PCa. 77% of these men were diagnosed with GG 3+3 PCa. Only 23% were found to have intermediate risk PCa and no high risk PCa was identified. Immediate repeat prostate biopsy in patients diagnosed with ASAP may be safely delayed. A multi-institutional cohort is being analyzed.
Is Intraoperative Parathyroid Hormone Monitoring Warranted in Cases of 4D-CT/Ultrasound Localized Single Adenomas?

ObjectiveTo analyze the utility of intraoperative parathyroid hormone (IOPTH) monitoring for patients with primary hyperparathyroidism who had evidence of single-gland disease on preoperative imagi...
Reactivity of isolated bovine cerebral arteries to biogenic amines.

Abstract 1. Serotonin and histamine produced dose-dependent contraction in bovine anterior, middle, posterior cerebral and basilar arteries. Their sensitivity to serotonin was greater than that to histamine. Basilar arteries were the least sensitive to serotonin. 2. The maximal contractile response of serotonin was the same as that of histamine in middle, posterior cerebral and basilar but not in anterior cerebral arteries. 3. Only high concentrations of norepinephrine, methoxamine and isoproterenol caused a barely detectable contractile response in cerebral arteries. However, in the middle cerebral arteries, isoproterenol and norepinephrine (6 out of 10 strips) sometimes elicited a detectable relaxation which was blocked by propranolol. 4. No response to acetylcholine, carbachol, nicotine or transmural stimulation was seen. Tyramine (10 −4 M) only induced a small tonic contraction. 5. These data suggest that adrenergic and cholinergic receptors may not play a major role in regulating the muscular tone of bovine cerebral arteries. In addition, the regional differences of the cerebrovascular reactivity to the above mentioned biogenic amines were observed.
The search for life on Mars: Viking 1976 gas changes as indicators of biological activity

The objective of the gas exchange experiment (GEX) in the Viking lander biology instrument package is to determine whether life exists in a 1-cc Martian soil sample delivered to it. The GEX is capable of maximum flexibility while protecting the indigenous organisms from exposure to physiologically incompatible medium. The discussion covers the biological premises implemented in the GEX, the requirements for the GEX M4 medium, the operational aspects of the incubation chamber, nonbiological and biological changes, and Antarctica soil experiment. Sources of biological gas changes are examined along with ways of differentiating biological gas changes from nonbiological ones. From cold incubation of low-frequency soils, it is concluded that decisive negative tests of GEX may require extended incubations beyond the nominal mission plan of 60 days, barring any outright information that negates the presence of life on Mars.
Volumes and Cross-Sectional Areas.

(2001). Volumes and Cross-Sectional Areas. Mathematics Magazine: Vol. 74, No. 4, pp. 288-295.
Hemifield asymmetries differentiate VSTM for single- and multiple-feature objects

Visual short-term memory (VSTM) is a capacity-limited system for maintaining visual information across brief durations. Limits in the amount of information held in memory reflect processing constraints in the intraparietal sulcus (IPS), a region of the frontoparietal network also involved in visual attention. During VSTM and visual attention, areas of IPS demonstrate hemispheric asymmetries. Whereas the left hemisphere represents information in only the right hemifield, the right hemisphere represents information across the visual field. In visual attention, hemispheric asymmetries are associated with differences in behavioral performance across the visual field. In order to assess the degree of hemifield asymmetries in VSTM, we measured memory performance across the visual field for both single- and two-feature objects. Consistent with theories of right-hemisphere dominance, there was a memory benefit for single-feature items in the left visual hemifield. However, when the number of features increased, the behavioral bias reversed, demonstrating a benefit for remembering two-feature objects in the right hemifield. On an individual basis, the cost of remembering an additional feature in the hemifields was correlated, suggesting that the shift in hemifield biases reflected a redistribution of resources across the visual field. Furthermore, we demonstrate that these results cannot be explained by differences in perceptual or decision-making load. Our results are consistent with a flexible resource model of VSTM in which attention and/or working memory demands result in representation of items in the right hemifield by both the left and right hemispheres.