cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Teaching Techniques of Analysis in the MPA Curriculum: Research Methods, Management Science, and "The Third Path"

In order to gain a greater understanding of the three ways of teaching qualitative and quantitative techniques, we examined course content. In this article, we propose management decision making as an alternative for the MPA graduate who may use these skills to make more informed decisions. We provide support for a quantitative decision-making course focused on building analytical skills, show that this is a path taken by several programs, and respond to several questions and issues central to teaching quantitative methods to MPA students within the NASPAA guidelines. Programs that prepare master's students for professional positions in public service careers face the question of what analytical methods to teach. Programs seeking to obtain or maintain NASPAA accreditation are guided by standards that call for "the application of quantitative and qualitative techniques of analysis" to be included in the curriculum. These techniques include policy formulation, implementation, and evaluation, and decision-making and problem-solving (NASPAA, 1994). NASPAA requirements specify core competencies rather than specific courses.The core competencies may be met in a single course or in a variety of courses.
Substance use, gender, and generation status among Asian Indians in the United States

This study examined substance use (cigarette, alcohol, and illicit drug) among first- and second-generation Asian Indian women and men (n = 1,209; ages 18-34) living in the United States. Participants reported low rates of substance use compared to national averages. First-generation participants reported lower rates of substance use. Men were more likely to have used alcohol and tried cigarettes. Within the first generation, gender differences were only significant for alcohol, but within the second generation, gender differences were significant for all three substances. The findings support the resiliency of immigrants and highlight gender differences that occur among second-generation participants.
EEG in Pre-Shunt Hydrocephalus

The EEG findings in 105 hydrocephalic children with proven ventriculomegaly and increased intracranial pressure are reported prior to initial shunt treatment in the Department of Pediatrics, University of Oulu, Finland.
Ex vivo T-cell-depleted allogeneic stem cell transplantation for hematologic malignancies: The search for an optimum transplant T-cell dose and T-cell add-back strategy.

Abstract Background T-cell depletion (TCD) of allogeneic stem cell transplants (SCT) can reduce graft-versus-host disease but may negatively affect transplant outcome by delaying immune recovery. To optimize TCD in HLA-matched siblings with hematologic malignancies, we explored varying the transplant CD3+ T-cell dose between 2 and 50 × 10 4 /kg (corresponding to 3–4 log depletion) and studied the impact of 0–6 × 10 7 /kg CD3+ donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) "add-back" on immune recovery post-SCT. Methods Two hundred seventeen consecutive patients (age range, 10–75 years) with hematologic malignancy (excluding chronic leukemias) underwent ex vivo TCD SCT from HLA-identical sibling donors from 1994–2015. Ninety-four patients had standard-risk disease (first remission acute leukemia [AL] and early stage myelodysplastic syndromes [MDS]) and 123 had high-risk disease (AL beyond first complete remission, advanced MDS or refractory B-cell malignancy). Results Median follow-up was 8.5 years. At 20 years post-SCT, overall survival (OS) was 40%, nonrelapse mortality (NRM) was 27% and relapse incidence was 39%. Factors affecting outcome in multivariate analysis were transplantation era, with OS increasing from 38% in the period 1994–2000 to 58% in 2011–2015, disease risk (hazard ratio [HR], 1.68 for high risk) and increasing age (HR, 1.19 per decade). Neither the T-cell dose or the add back of T cells in the first 100 days had any effect on OS, NRM and relapse. Conclusions Outcomes for TCD SCT have greatly improved. However, our data do not support the need to precisely manipulate transplant CD3+ T-cell dose provided at least 3-log depletion is achieved or the use of T-cell add-back. Future improvements for TCD SCT await better strategies to prevent relapse, especially in high-risk recipients.
Keeping Authentication and Key Exchange Alive in Communication Networks

Authentication and exchange of encryption keys are critical to network management. We propose a distributed scheme which, in addition to accomplishing authentication, also produces a session key at the end of the procedure. This is achieved by combining a zero-knowledge authentication scheme and a public key exchange protocol. Due to this combination, both protocols gain additional security against otherwise successful attacks. Performance and application to cellular networks are also discussed.
The Functional Genome: Epigenetics and Epigenomics

All of our cells have the same genome sequence. The topic of this chapter is understanding how that shared and constant genome sequence acts differently in different cell types, responds to the environment, and changes throughout our lives. Chemical modifications to the genome sequence and to the proteins that package the genome, known collectively as the epigenome, are a major contributor to the changes in genome function between cell types and over time. This chapter will describe the basic components of the epigenome; how the epigenome is established and maintained; the role of the epigenome in health and disease; and current and future directions in epigenetic and epigenomic research.
PANEL DISCUSSION ON GRADUATE PROGRAMS IN STATISTICS

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses graduate programs in statistics. The paper by Dr. Cornell emphasizes the technique of teaching students that variability in real data can be also perceived as stability, predictability, and reproducibility, that is, to look for patterns in data variability. In some ways, it is an important job for statisticians to help find a signal in data with noise. Conceptual models should be in the background of whatever is done in statistics. The major role that consultants can play is that of advocating and also of insisting that a model must somehow be in the background. In confirmatory analysis, their work is to assist in using data to determine the correct model from among competitors.
What is the “Philosophy of Praxis”?

This paper investigates the idea of “the philosophy of praxis” discussed by Andrew Feenberg in his recent book, a revision of his 1981 book on Lukacs, Marx, and the Sources of Critical Theory. I argue that although his account is important and valuable, there are aspects of the philosophy of praxis that he fails sufficiently to develop, including especially the very significance of “practice” itself (which Marx calls “labor”). Feenberg asserts that the realm of nature, unlike that of history, is “essentially” reified, and that therefore dereifying practices have no relevance in the natural realm. I argue that focusing on material practice overcomes the nature/history dualism, and that dereification has a role to play throughout the single material world that we inhabit.
The Stress–weight Interface in Metre

Metres are typically classified as being accentual (mapping stress, as in English) or quantitative (mapping weight, as in Sanskrit). This article treats the less well-studied typology of hybrid accentual-quantitative metres, which fall into two classes. In the first, stress and weight map independently onto the same metre, as attested in Latin and Old Norse. In the second, stress and weight interact, such that weight is regulated more strictly for stressed than unstressed syllables, as illustrated here by new analyses of Dravidian and Finno-Ugric metres. In both of these latter cases (as well as in Serbo-Croatian), strictness of weight-mapping is modulated gradiently by stress level.
A novel approach for effective integration of new faculty leadership.

Author(s): Hastings, Natalie B; Centore, Linda S; Gansky, Stuart A; Finzen, Frederick C; White, Joel M; Wong, Eric; Marshall, Grayson W; Chung, Lisa; Kalenderian, Elsbeth | Abstract: Purpose:We report on an accelerated and effective way of assimilating a new leader into a team at a large academic dental school department. Methods:At University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), a new Chair was recruited through a national search to lead its largest department in the School of Dentistry. Two months after arrival, the new Chair embarked on a process of leadership assimilation among her executive team, facilitated by a professional consultant. Within four weeks, team members participated in one-on-one interviews with the professional facilitator consultant and then completed the leadership assimilation questionnaire and returned it electronically to the facilitator. The facilitator then summarized all answers into themes and met with the team members without the Chair to debrief. Thereafter, the facilitator met with the Chair to discuss the major themes. Next, the Chair met with the team members in a facilitated session to discuss the results and negotiate a path forward. Results:Approximately half of the feedback described the "how" of leadership: comments on communication, building relationships, building trust, and understanding UCSF history. The remaining half described the "what": comments on vision, strategy, and operations. Team members indicated that the first debriefing session was helpful to alleviate initial anxiety and to start building team spirit. The session with the Chair was perceived as open and fruitful in which team members were able to express their concerns and hopes for the Department, while the Chair showed commitment to the team and the communication process. Conclusion:Leader assimilation allows teams to share their expectations and anxieties with the new leader early in the relationship in an open way, before new habits and beliefs are formed. Conversely, for the leader, it effectively and efficiently allows a window into the team members' thinking at a critical time period when otherwise first impressions occur. With a safe space created for open communication, the process allowed siloed individual division leaders to move toward a cohesive group while at the same time solidifying a commitment to the success of the new leader.
The Racial and Economic Context of Trump Support: Evidence for Threat, Identity, and Contact Effects in the 2016 Presidential Election

Donald Trump’s ascent to the Presidency of the United States defied the expectations of many social scientists, pundits, and laypeople. To date, most efforts to understand Trump’s rise have focused...
A Phosphorylation Switch on Lon Protease Regulates Bacterial Type III Secretion System in Host

Most pathogenic bacteria deliver virulence factors into host cytosol through type III secretion systems (T3SS) to perturb host immune responses. The expression of T3SS is often repressed in rich medium but is specifically induced in the host environment. The molecular mechanisms underlying host-specific induction of T3SS expression is not completely understood. Here we demonstrate in Xanthomonas citri that host-induced phosphorylation of the ATP-dependent protease Lon stabilizes HrpG, the master regulator of T3SS, conferring bacterial virulence. Ser/Thr/Tyr phosphoproteome analysis revealed that phosphorylation of Lon at serine 654 occurs in the citrus host. In rich medium, Lon represses T3SS by degradation of HrpG via recognition of its N terminus. Genetic and biochemical data indicate that phosphorylation at serine 654 deactivates Lon proteolytic activity and attenuates HrpG proteolysis. Substitution of alanine for Lon serine 654 resulted in repression of T3SS gene expression in the citrus host through robust degradation of HrpG and reduced bacterial virulence. Our work reveals a novel mechanism for distinct regulation of bacterial T3SS in different environments. Additionally, our data provide new insight into the role of protein posttranslational modification in the regulation of bacterial virulence.IMPORTANCE Type III secretion systems (T3SS) are an essential virulence trait of many bacterial pathogens because of their indispensable role in the delivery of virulence factors. However, expression of T3SS in the noninfection stage is energy consuming. Here, we established a model to explain the differential regulation of T3SS in host and nonhost environments. When Xanthomonas cells are grown in rich medium, the T3SS regulator HrpG is targeted by Lon protease for proteolysis. The degradation of HrpG leads to downregulated expression of HrpX and the hrp/hrc genes. When Xanthomonas cells infect the host, specific plant stimuli can be perceived and induce Lon phosphorylation at serine 654. Phosphorylation on Lon attenuates its proteolytic activity and protects HrpG from degradation. Consequently, enhanced stability of HrpG activates HrpX and turns on bacterial T3SS in the host. Our work provides a novel molecular mechanism underlying host-dependent activation of bacterial T3SS.
Air Quality Predictions with an Analog Ensemble

Abstract. The authors demonstrate how the analog ensemble (AnEn) can efficiently generate deterministic and probabilistic forecasts of air quality. AnEn estimates the probability of future observations of a predictand based on a current deterministic numerical weather prediction and an archive of prior analog predictions paired with prior observations. The method avoids the complexity and real-time computational expense of dynamical (i.e., model-based) ensembles. The authors apply AnEn to observations from the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) AIRNow network and to forecasts from the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ). Compared to raw forecasts from CMAQ, deterministic forecasts of O3 and PM2.5 based on AnEn's mean have lower errors, both systemic and random, and are better correlated with observations. Probabilistic forecasts from AnEn are statistically consistent, reliable, and sharp, and they quantify the uncertainty of the underlying prediction.
Exploiting Index Cross-Talk to Modify Variant Calls

Modern next-generation DNA sequencers support multiplex sequencing to improve throughput and decrease costs. This is done by pooling and sequencing samples together in parallel, which are later demultiplexed according to their unique indexes. When reads are assigned to the wrong index, called index cross-talk, information is leaked between samples. This creates a physical information side-channel, a well known class of vulnerabilities in information security, that may be used to modify downstream results. Here we demonstrate the feasibility of such an attack through the use of a separately indexed library that causes a wild-type human exome to be misclassified as heterozygous at the sickle-cell locus. Simple methods can be used to minimize or detect attempts to modify genetic variants using this side-channel, such as filtering by read quality or finding outliers in read coverage. To further minimize this risk we recommend the use of new library preparation methods that reduce index cross-talk, like unique dual indexes, whenever samples are sequenced together in important applications. Biotechnology that interfaces molecular and digital information, like DNA sequencers, may have security risks typically associated with information systems, including the side-channel vulnerability described in this study. We encourage the community to consider the security of genomics-information pipelines before they reach mass adoption.
PICU Provider Supply and Demand: A National Survey.

Objectives:To describe physicians’ and nurse practitioners’ perceptions of the national and local PICU physician and other provider supply in institutions that employ PICU nurse practitioners, assess for differences in perceptions of supply, and evaluate the intent of institutions to hire additional
Other Approaches to Measuring Defenses: Projective Tests and Perceptual Defense Paradigms

In this final chapter to review the existing research literature, the use of projective tests and perceptual defense paradigms is discussed. In both of these two approaches, the nature of the inquiry is unstructured, or ambiguous, and the response called for is open-ended. It is what the subject makes out of the unclear stimulus task, or rather how the subject goes about formulating a response, that provides the material for judging defensive functioning.
Scent Marking in Mice: Open Field Test

This exercise is the second of the two experiments dealing with communication via scent marks in mice. In this Open-field Test, we observe scent marking behavior of male mice in response to presence or absence of urine stimuli in their environment. (In fact, the “open field” arena is enclosed and covered.)
Simultaneous multiple target detection in real-time loop-mediated isothermal amplification.

Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) is a rapid and reliable sequence-specific isothermal nucleic acid amplification technique. To date, all reported real-time detection methods for LAMP h...
An Overview Of The Physiology And Pharmacology Of Aspirin And Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs.

Abstract In this article, I present an overview of the actions and effects of aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Although athletic trainers cannot prescribe or dispense prescription medications, they should be as aware of their effects as they are of other methods of injury treatment. To set the discussion in proper perspective, the inflammatory process and its mediators are reviewed briefly. The eicosanoids are a family of very active chemicals, which include: the prostaglandins, thromboxane, and the leukotrienes. They affect inflammation as well as numerous other body processes. Ingesting aspirin and NSAIDs blocks the production of prostaglandins and thromboxane, resulting in desired and undesired effects. The NSAIDs were developed to have the same action as aspirin, but with fewer adverse side effects. Many NSAIDs are currently available, and the decision as to which agent to use depends upon various factors. Surprisingly, recent studies suggest that some NSAIDs may hinder the healing process. Although not a NSAID, acetaminophen has many important clinical uses. Armed with an understanding of how these drugs act, and their potentially harmful aspects, the athletic trainer can assist the team physician in designing an aspirin- or NSAID-therapy regimen.
Characterization of Tendon Mechanics Following Subfailure Damage

Tendon functionality depends on its mechanical properties. Therefore, a tendon’s mechanical properties are essential to define and understand its normal and damaged states. In this study, we characterized porcine digital flexor tendons via stress relaxation and cyclic testing prior to and following overstretch damage. Overstretch damage was induced by pulling tendons to 6.5, 9.0, or 13.0% strain. Both elastic and viscoelastic parameters were measured pre- and post-damage for comparison. Elastic parameters such as the maximum stress reached during relaxation and peak stress during cyclic testing decreased following damage and viscoelastic parameters such as stress reduction during relaxation and decrease in peak stress from the first to last cycle during cyclic testing also decreased following damage. Therefore, sub-failure damage induced by overstretching tendons changes both the elastic and viscoelastic properties, and these changes are more pronounced as the damage level increases.
A Circular Matrix-Merging Algorithm with Application in VMAT Radiation Therapy

In this paper, we study an optimization problem, called the circular matrix-merging (CMM) problem: Given a cyclic sequence of n non-negative matrices that are associated with some locations on a circle and an operation that merges two consecutive matrices into one matrix at the expense of some merging error, merge the n matrices into the minimum number of matrices under the constraint of a threshold of the total merging error. This problem arises in Volumetric Intensity-Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT) for radiation cancer treatment, where the circular structure represents a delivery arc path of 360° around the patient and the matrices represent the radiation fluence maps at selected delivery angles on that path. By computing the minimum k matrices, the CMM algorithm produces a most efficient delivery plan that meets clinical requirements. Based on dynamic programming and computing a set of k-link shortest paths, we present a polynomial time algorithm for the CMM problem, improving the quality and efficiency of VMAT delivery.
Manualized treatment for substance abusers with personality disorders: Dual focus schema therapy

The presence of an untreated personality disorder may be associated with worse compliance and outcome in substance abuse treatment. Therapeutic attention to the symptoms of personality disorder may reduce the severity of substance abuse and other Axis I symptoms which potentially contribute to relapse. A 24-week manual-guided individual cognitive-behavioral therapy approach has been developed that integrates relapse prevention with targeted intervention for early maladaptive schemas (enduring negative beliefs about oneself, others, and events) and coping styles. This Dual Focus Schema Therapy is being compared to 12-Step Drug Counseling for opioid-dependent individuals with personality disorders in an ongoing study funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse. This article reviews Young's (1994) schema-focused theory and approach and summarizes the treatment manual, which integrates relapse prevention for substance abuse.
Effective Low-Intensity Strategies to Enhance School Success: What Every Educator Needs to Know—A Closing Commentary:

Researchers have identified low-intensity classroom management strategies that, when implemented consistently, lead to significant improvements in student behavior. The strategies detailed in this ...
THE PRUSSIAN GEOSCIENTIST, ENGINEER AND PAINTER AUGUST VON HEYDEN (1827–1897): AN ARTISTIC CHRONICLER OF THE WORLD OF MINING DURING THE MID-NINETEENTH CENTURY

August von Heyden's (1827–1897) life was exceptional in several ways. His first career as a geologist and mining engineer gave him inspirations for his second career as a painter. Partly he found the themes for his oeuvre in his immediate surrounding, namely in- and outside of mines, which made him a chronicler of mining activities for his times. The work of this Prussian painter was highly appreciated during the last third of the nineteenth century, also known as the Wilhelminian era. Today his book illustrations, paintings and frescos are usually seen as those of an artist of late romanticism and realism based on some of the mythological scenes and the ‘glory of the Middle Age’ which he depicted on canvas. His paintings have received little attention from art historians, even though he might be considered to have been the forerunner of several different styles that were in vogue during the first third of the twentieth century. Nevertheless, his unusual abilities to catch moments of everyday life in his ...
“It Looks Like this Course is Turning Toward a Degree”: Rethinking Professional Education with a Blended MicroMasters Program

This mixed-methods study examines the experiences of students participating in a professional MicroMasters and blended graduate program that admitted students based on performance in the MicroMasters. We found that the MicroMaster program attracted a cohort of highly qualified mid-career professionals who were looking for more flexible alternatives to traditional graduate programs. These findings suggest that MicroMasters programs may be an effective way of expanding access to professional graduate education.
The role of the immunomodulatory enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 2 (IDO2) in initiation, development, and treatment of autoimmune disorders

The tryptophan catabolizing enzymes indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) 1 and 2 lie at the interface between metabolism and immunity. Recently, we identified a unique functional role for IDO2 in modulating the initiation and severity of autoimmune arthritis in a murine model of disease. We find that IDO2, but not its better-studied counterpart IDO1, acts as a pro-inflammatory mediator affecting autoantibody production and T helper cell function in the KRN preclinical model of arthritis. Reciprocal adoptive transfer experiments demonstrate that IDO2 acts by a B-cell intrinsic mechanism to regulate inflammation. IDO2 function in B cells was contingent on a cognate, antigen-specific interaction to exert its immunomodulatory effects on arthritis development. Alterations in costimulatory molecules and associated cytokines involved in cross-talk between B and T cells suggest that IDO2 acts at the T:B cell interface to modulate the potency of T cell help needed to promote autoantibody production. Given the paucity of novel therapies for rheumatoid arthritis and related autoimmune disorders, IDO2 should be considered as a potential novel therapeutic target for modulating disease pathways leading to autoimmunity. However, therapeutically targeting IDO2 has been challenging due to the lack of small molecules that specifically inhibit IDO2 without also affecting the closely related IDO1. To this end, we have recently begun development and characterization of approaches that ameliorate disease by specifically targeting IDO2. We find that we are able to recapitulate the reduction in arthritis seen in genetic knockouts with IDO2-targeted therapies in preclinical models of disease.
Characterization of the hepatic transcriptome following phenobarbital induction in mice with AIP

Abstract Acute Intermittent Porphyria (AIP), an autosomal dominant hepatic disorder, results from hydroxymethylbilane synthase (HMBS) mutations that decrease the encoded enzymatic activity, thereby predisposing patients to life-threatening acute neurovisceral attacks. The ~1% penetrance of AIP suggests that other genetic factors modulate the onset and severity of the acute attacks. Here, we characterized the hepatic transcriptomic response to phenobarbital (PB) administration in AIP mice, which mimics the biochemical attacks of AIP. At baseline, the mRNA profiles of 14,138 hepatic genes prior to treatment were remarkably similar between AIP and the congenic wild-type (WT) mice. After PB treatment (~120 mg/kg x 3d), 1347 and 1120 genes in AIP mice and 422 and 404 genes in WT mice were uniquely up- and down-regulated, respectively, at a False Discovery Rate 1.9-fold) and Cyp21a1 was upregulated only in PB-induced WT mice (>9-fold). Notably, the genes differentially expressed in induced AIP mice were enriched in circadian rhythm, mitochondria biogenesis and electron transport, suggesting these pathways were involved in AIP mice responding to PB treatment. These results advance our understanding of the hepatic metabolic changes in PB-induced AIP mice and have implications in the pathogenesis of AIP acute attacks.
Synthetic Biology: Biosecurity and Biosafety Implications

Synthetic biology and other advanced biotechnologies hold a great deal of promise for medicine, public health, manufacturing, and national economies, but they also have biosafety and biosecurity implications. Using synthetic biology techniques, it is possible for a nefarious actor to acquire a viral pathogen made with chemically synthesized pieces, versus having to acquire samples of pathogens from an environmental source or from another laboratory. It is also possible to test many parallel approaches for designing new functions into existing pathogens, given that the costs of DNA synthesis continue to drop; this has dual-use implications for biodefense. These biosecurity concerns do not replace the existent challenges prior to the advent of synthetic biology but add to them, as early non-synthetic biology paths to biological weapons development are still able to be used to make biological weapons. In addition to biosecurity concerns, there are biosafety implications of synthetic biology, as the techniques are powerful, they may be used outside of traditional biocontainment, and because relative newcomers to biological containment are entering the field.
Perceptions and Utilization of the U.S. Core Cardiovascular Training Statement

There has been rapid advancement within the field of cardiovascular disease (CVD) with increasing disease complexity and rapidly evolving technologies. These changes present new challenges in training the next generation of cardiologists. In parallel, there has been an evolution in graduate medical
Acceptability of a Wellness Group Program for Veterans With Symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

BackgroundAlthough there are effective evidence-based treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), many individuals drop out or do not benefit from treatment. There is a need for new treatm...
Tuberculosis resistance acquisition in space and time: an analysis of globally diverse M. tuberculosis whole genome sequences

Background: Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) whole genome sequencing data can provide insights into temporal and geographic trends in resistance acquisition and inform public health interventions. Methods: We curated a set of clinical MTB isolates with high quality sequencing and culture-based drug susceptibility data spanning four lineages and more than 20 countries. We constructed geographic and lineage specific MTB phylogenies and used Bayesian molecular dating to infer the most-recent-common-susceptible-ancestor age for 4,869 instances of resistance to 10 drugs. Findings: Of 8,550 isolates curated, 6,099 from 15 countries met criteria for molecular dating. The number of independent resistance acquisition events was lower than the number of resistant isolates across all countries, suggesting ongoing transmission of drug resistance. Ancestral age distributions supported the presence of old resistance, >20 years prior, in the majority of countries. A consistent order of resistance acquisition was observed globally starting with resistance to isoniazid, but resistance ancestral age varied by country. We found a direct correlation between country wealth and resistance age (R2= 0.47, P-value= 0.014). Amplification of fluoroquinolone and second-line injectable resistance among multidrug-resistant isolates is estimated to have occurred very recently (median ancestral age 4.7 years IQR 1.9-9.8 prior to sample collection). We found the sensitivity of commercial molecular diagnostics for second-line resistance to vary significantly by country (P-value <0.0003). Interpretation: Our results highlight that both resistance transmission and amplification are contributing to disease burden globally but are variable by country. The observation that wealthier nations are more likely to have old resistance suggests that programmatic improvements can reduce resistance amplification, but that fit resistant strains can circulate for decades subsequently. Funding: This work was supported by the NIH BD2K grant K01 ES026835, a Harvard Institute of Global Health Burke Fellowship (MF), Boston Children9s Hospital OFD/BTREC/CTREC Faculty Career Development Fellowship and Bushrod H. Campbell and Adah F. Hall Charity Fund/Charles A. King Trust Postdoctoral Fellowship (AD). Keywords: tuberculosis, drug resistance, whole genome sequencing
Definitions matter: a comparison of the global terrorism database and the U.S. governmental reports of terrorist incidents in Western Europe, 2002-2016

AbstractDefinitional assumptions within and across terrorism databases cause variations in terrorist incidents that can have impactful implications for time-series analyses. This study compares 200...
Depression, cognitive, and functional outcomes of Problem Adaptation Therapy (PATH) in older adults with major depression and mild cognitive deficits.

Objectives Antidepressants have limited efficacy in older adults with depression and cognitive impairment, and psychosocial interventions for this population have been inadequately investigated. Problem Adaptation Therapy (PATH) is a psychosocial intervention for older adults with major depression, cognitive impairment, and disability. Design This study tests the efficacy of PATH versus Supportive Therapy for Cognitively Impaired Older Adults (ST-CI) in reducing depression (Montgamery Asberg Depression Rating Scale [MADRS]) and disability (World Health Organization Disability Assessments Schedule-II [WHODAS-II]) and improving cognitive outcomes (Mini Mental State Examination [MMSE]) over 24 weeks (12 weeks of treatment and 12-week post-treatment follow-up). Setting Participants were recruited through collaborating community agencies of Weill Cornell Institute of Geriatric Psychiatry. Both interventions and all research assessments were conducted at home. Participants Thirty-five older adults (age ≥ 65 years) with major depression and cognitive impairment no dementia (CIND). Interventions PATH aims to increase emotion regulation by incorporating a problem-solving approach, teaching compensatory strategies, and inviting caregiver participation. Supportive Therapy aims to facilitate the expression of affect, as well as promote empathy. Measurements Depression was measured using the MADRS, disability using the WHODAS-II, and cognition using the MMSE. Results PATH participants showed significantly greater reduction in MADRS total score (7.04 points at 24 weeks, treatment group by time interaction: F[1,24.4] = 7.61, p = 0.0108), greater improvement in MMSE total score (2.30 points at 24 weeks, treatment group by time interaction: F[1,39.8] = 13.31, p = 0.0008), and greater improvement in WHODAS-II total score (2.95 points at 24 weeks, treatment group by time interaction: F[1,89] = 4.93, p = 0.0290) than ST-CI participants over the 24-week period. Conclusions PATH participants had better depression, cognitive, and disability outcomes than ST-CI participants over 6 months. PATH may provide relief to depressed older adults with CIND who currently have limited treatment options.
Gait event detection using a thigh-worn accelerometer.

Abstract Background Gait event detection is critical for remote gait analysis. Algorithms using a thigh-worn accelerometer for estimating spatiotemporal gait variables have demonstrated clinical utility in monitoring the gait of patients with gait and balance impairment. However, one may obtain accurate estimates of spatiotemporal variables, but with biased estimates of foot contact and foot off events. Some biomechanical analyses depend on accurate gait phase segmentation, but previous studies using a thigh-worn accelerometer have not quantified the error in estimating foot contact and foot off events. Methods Gait events and spatiotemporal gait variables were estimated using a thigh-worn accelerometer from 32 healthy subjects across a range of walking speeds (0.56–1.78 m/s). Ground truth estimates were obtained using vertical ground reaction forces measured using a pressure treadmill. Estimation performance was quantified using absolute error, root mean square error, and correlation analysis. Results Across all strides (N = 3,898), the absolute error in estimating foot contact, foot off, stride time, stance time, and swing time was similar to other accelerometer-based techniques (39 ± 28 ms, 28 ± 28 ms, 11 ± 14 ms, 46 ± 31 ms, and 45 ± 30 ms, respectively). The correlation between reference measurements and estimates of bout-average stride time, stance time, and swing time were 1.00, 0.92, and 0.80, respectively. The (5th, 95th) percentiles of the foot contact and foot off estimation errors were (-91 ms, 51 ms) and (-70 ms, 60 ms), the largest of which amounts to about three samples using the 31.25 Hz sampling frequency used in this study. Significance Use of the proposed algorithm for estimating spatiotemporal gait variables is supported by the strong correlations with reference measurements. The gait event estimation error distributions provide bounds on the estimated gait events for enforcing gait phase-dependent task constraints for biomechanical analysis.
Long-Term Evaluation of a Train-the-Trainer Workshop for Pharmacy Faculty Using the RE-AIM Framework

Abstract Background Although two thirds of tobacco users express interest in quitting, few pharmacists address tobacco use as part of routine practice. Historically, pharmacy schools provided inadequate tobacco cessation training for students. To address this educational gap, train-the-trainer workshops were conducted between 2003 and 2005 to train pharmacy faculty (n = 191) to teach a shared, national tobacco cessation curriculum at their academic institutions. Objective To characterize faculty perceptions of the train-the-trainer workshops and estimate the long-term reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance (RE-AIM) of the shared curriculum at pharmacy schools. Methods This study is the second phase of a sequential mixed methods study. Results from Phase 1, a qualitative study, informed the development of survey items for Phase 2. Applying the RE-AIM framework, a web-based survey was developed and administered to train-the-trainer participants. Results Of 191 trainees, 137 were locatable; of these, 111 completed a survey (81.0%). Most (n = 87; 78.4%) reported current employment in academia. The most highly rated reason for attending a workshop was to improve teaching of tobacco cessation content, and 98.1% reported moderate or high confidence for teaching tobacco cessation. Among those who practice in a clinical setting, 70.6% reported asking their patients about tobacco use all or almost all the time. Just over three fourths of faculty respondents who work in academia believe that shared curricula should be more broadly considered for use in pharmacy schools, and 79.0% agreed that shared curricula are a cost-effective approach to teaching. Conclusion Evidence is provided for long-term reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance of the Rx for Change shared tobacco cessation training program. Participants perceived that the workshop resulted in long-term, positive effects on their careers as well as their teaching and clinical practice.
First Successful LVAD Implantation After BioVentrix Revivent TC Ventricular Reshaping

The Revivent TC System (BioVentrix Inc, San Ramon, CA) enables a less invasive approach for left ventricular reshaping and scar exclusion in selected patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy. Although the system is designed to improve quality of life and to promote reverse remodeling, patients can still progress to end-stage heart failure requiring advanced therapies. This report describes a case of left ventricular assist device surgery in a patient 16 months after Revivent System implantation. The planning process and surgical technique proved to be complex. This case report can help provide guidance to advanced heart failure teams who encounter patients with the Revivent System who require left ventricular assist device support.
User Embedding based Neighborhood Aggregation Method for Inductive Recommendation.

We consider the problem of learning latent features (aka embedding) for users and items in a recommendation setting. Given only a user-item interaction graph, the goal is to recommend items for each user. Traditional approaches employ matrix factorization-based collaborative filtering methods. Recent methods using graph convolutional networks (e.g., LightGCN) achieve state-of-the-art performance. They learn both user and item embedding. One major drawback of most existing methods is that they are not inductive; they do not generalize for users and items unseen during training. Besides, existing network models are quite complex, difficult to train and scale. Motivated by LightGCN, we propose a graph convolutional network modeling approach for collaborative filtering CF-GCN. We solely learn user embedding and derive item embedding using light variant CF-LGCN-U performing neighborhood aggregation, making it scalable due to reduced model complexity. CF-LGCN-U models naturally possess the inductive capability for new items, and we propose a simple solution to generalize for new users. We show how the proposed models are related to LightGCN. As a by-product, we suggest a simple solution to make LightGCN inductive. We perform comprehensive experiments on several benchmark datasets and demonstrate the capabilities of the proposed approach. Experimental results show that similar or better generalization performance is achievable than the state of the art methods in both transductive and inductive settings.
Particle-phase collection efficiency of the OVS and IFV Pro personal pesticide samplers.

The inhalable aerosol sampling criterion has been developed to characterize the efficiency of particles entering the nose and/or mouth. However, pesticides can exist in the air in both vapor and pa...
Geographic Accessibility to Health Services and Neonatal Mortality Among Very-Low Birthweight Infants in South Carolina.

Introduction Mortality for infants born with very-low birthweight (VLBW, 500-1499 grams) is markedly higher than for babies born with normal birthweight (2500-4000 grams). Although these high-risk infants show better outcomes in advanced care settings, only 80 % of VLBW infants born in South Carolina (SC) are delivered in hospitals with a level-III neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The purpose of this research project was to assess geographic access to delivery hospitals and risk of neonatal death among singleton VLBW infants born in SC. Methods The linked birth and death records of a cross-sectional, population-based study of singleton VLBW infants born in SC between 2010 and 2012 were used (n = 2030). We assessed the impact of travel time from maternal residence to delivery hospital. Logistic regression modeling was performed with adjustments for maternal, newborn, and hospital characteristics. Results The neonatal mortality rate among singleton VLBW infants was 11.03 deaths per 100 live births in 2010-2012. We did not find a significant association between travel time to delivery hospital and neonatal mortality after adjusting for confounders. However, we found that a 1-week increase in gestational age (odds ratio (OR): 0.61) and non-Hispanic black mothers (versus non-Hispanic white mothers) (OR: 0.68) were associated with lower odds of neonatal death, whereas non-NICU admission at birth (OR: 5.90) was associated with increased odds of death. The results of the sensitivity analyses including both singleton and multiple births did not yield significant results for travel time and neonatal mortality in VLBW infants. Discussion Although we found no significant association between travel time and neonatal mortality in singleton VLBW births in SC, we identified significant factors consistent with those found in previous studies that may affect neonatal mortality.
Indications and Utility of Percutaneous Balloon Aortic Valvuloplasty in Older Adults

Balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) was originally considered as an alternative to surgery for the treatment of aortic stenosis. However, due to the poor durability of its effects, it was largely relegated to palliative use. Recently, there has been increased application of BAV, particularly as a bridging procedure to transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) therapy. Furthermore, stand-alone BAV is now more frequently employed as palliative procedure for the growing population of older adults with aortic stenosis (AS) with limited life expectancy. Accordingly, BAV use has increased both in the USA and other countries, and this trend is expected to continue. The purpose of this review is to document trends in BAV use, data on effectiveness, and considerations in frail older adults in contemporary medical practice.
Reporting Factory in Controllerbereichen

Die Finanzfunktion, insbesondere Unterstutzungsleistungen, wie Reporting und damit korrespondierende IT-Unterstutzung, gerat zunehmend in den Fokus alternativer Organisationsmodelle, um Business Partnering in einer effizienten Organisation zu ermoglichen. Dieser Beitrag stellt die Reporting Factory und ihre verschiedenen Gestaltungsoptionen als Moglichkeit vor, um Effizienz- und Effektivitatspotenziale in Reportingprozessen zu realisieren. Dabei wird anhand von praxisbewahrten Design- und Realisierungsaspekten dargelegt, wie eine Reporting Factory erfolgreich implementiert werden kann.
The Professor's Guide to Teaching: Psychological Principles and Practices

Prepping - Planning to Teach a College Class Lecturing - Developing and Delivering Effective Classroom Presentations Guiding - Student Centered Approaches to Teaching Testing - Strategies and Skills for Evaluating Learning Grading (and Aiding) - Helping Students Reach their Learning Goals Managing - Fostering Academic Integrity, Civility and Tolerance Innovating - Using Technology Creatively in Teaching Evaluating - Assessing and Enhancing Teaching Quality Documenting - Developing a Teaching Portfolio.
Ultimate Strength Study of Two-Way Concrete Slabs

The study reported herein is one phase of an effort to develop criteria that will be helpful in evaluating or predicting the air-blast load-carrying capacity of conventional floor slabs in existing Defense Civil Preparedness Agency approved shelters. Twelve tests, four static and eight dynamic, were conducted on slabs with totally fixed edges and a clear span of 29 in. (737 mm) and a thickness of 0.89 in. (22.6 mm). Two series of slabs (I and II) corresponding to two different percentages of steel reinforcement (0.78% and 1.17%) were used. The slabs were subjected to uniformly distributed static loads up to 36.5 psi (252 kN/m²) using water pressure and to dynamic airblast overpressures ranging from 26.5 psi (183 kN/m²) to 56.8 psi (392 mm kN/m²) using explosives. Measurements of pressure, deflection, and reinforcement strains were made, and results are presented herein. The primary mode of failure studied was the response of the slabs in the area beyond yield. This included the effects of tensile membrane action.
A distributed location identification algorithm for ad hoc networks using computational geometric methods

We present here a novel approach where we identify a region within which a node is guaranteed to be found, in contrast to the existing approaches where no such confining region for a node can be guaranteed, but only the location could be estimated either with no definitive error bound or only with some probabilistic error. The location identification algorithm presented here minimizes the size of this region, using computational geometric methods. The proposed technique iteratively improves the region of residence of all the nodes in the network through the exchange of region information among neighbors in O(nD) time, where n and D are the number of nodes and diameter of the network respectively. Simulation results also show encouraging results with this approach.
The inability of human immunodeficiency virus to infect chimpanzee monocytes can be overcome by serial viral passage in vivo.

Abstract Studies of lentivirus infection in ruminants, nonhuman primates, and humans suggest that virus infection of macrophages plays a central role in the disease process. To investigate whether human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) can infect chimpanzee macrophages, we recovered monocytes from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of HIV-1-negative animals and inoculated these and control human monocytes with a panel of four human-passaged monocytotropic virus strains and one chimpanzee-passaged isolate. HIV-1 infected human monocytes synthesized proviral DNA, viral mRNA, p24 antigen, and progeny virions. In contrast, except for the chimpanzee-passaged HIV-1 isolate, chimpanzee monocytes failed to support HIV-1 replication when cultured under both identical and a variety of other conditions. Proviral DNA was demonstrated only at background levels in these cell cultures by polymerase chain reaction for gag- and env-related sequences. Interestingly, the chimpanzee-passaged HIV-1 isolate did not replicate in human monocytes; viral p24 antigens and progeny virions were not detected. The same monocytotropic panel of HIV-1 strains replicated in both human and chimpanzee CD4+ T lymphoblasts treated with phytohemagglutinin and interleukin-2. The failure of HIV-1 to infect chimpanzee monocytes, which can be overcome by serial in vivo viral passage, occurs through a block early in the viral life cycle.