cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mechanism of enhanced eicosanoid production by isolated glomeruli from rats with bilateral ureteral obstruction

Isolated glomeruli from rats with bilateral ureteral obstruction (BUO) of 24-h duration produced significantly greater amounts of prostaglandin (PG) E2 and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha in vitro than glomeruli from sham-operated control (SOC) rats. This increase was abolished by the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, enalaprilat, given in vivo. To elucidate the mechanisms responsible for enhanced eicosanoid production by glomeruli from rats with BUO, we measured the activities of phospholipase (PL) A2 and C and cyclooxygenase in glomeruli isolated from SOC and BUO rats. L-alpha-Phosphatidylcholine (PC)-specific and L-alpha-phosphatidylethanolamine (PE)-specific PLA2 activities were significantly greater in glomerular membranes from rats with BUO than from SOC rats. Likewise, both the activity and amount of cyclooxygenase were significantly greater in glomerular membranes of rats with BUO. Cyclooxygenase and the PE-specific PLA2 in glomerular membranes of rats with BUO remained at the levels seen in SOC rats when animals were treated in vivo before BUO with the ACE inhibitor, enalaprilat, and the thromboxane synthase inhibitor, OKY-046. Thus inhibition of vasoconstrictor formation leads to subsequent inhibition of vasodilator formation. In contrast to PE-specific PLA2, PC-specific PLA2 activities were further increased in glomerular membranes from both SOC and BUO rats pretreated with the two drugs.s The activity of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate-specific phospholipase C (PIP2 PLC) was significantly decreased in glomeruli from rats with BUO compared with SOC rats. We conclude that the increased synthesis of vasodilatory eicosanoids by glomeruli from rats with BUO may be mediated by enhanced activities of PE-specific PLA2 and cyclooxygenase, which are apparently stimulated by the vasoconstrictors angiotensin and thromboxane.
The identity of Agrilus impexus Horn, a new species, and taxonomic notes and records for other Agrilus Curtis species (Coleoptera: Buprestidae)

The name Agrilus impexus Horn has been found to belong to a Great Plains species and to be misapplied to a common southwestern Agrilus. Agrilus impexus is redescribed and A. paraimpexus, new species, is described from New Mexico, Arizona and California to Costa Rica. It is distinguished from both Agrilus impexus and the closely related A. addendus Crotch from Texas to Vera Cruz, Mexico, and a lectotype is designated for A. addendus. Agrilus frisoni Fisher is synonymized with A. addendus, new synonymy. Agrilus funestus Chevrolat is recorded from the United States for the first time and figured.
Violet cw neodymium upconversion laser

Continuous-wave laser operation in the violet at 380 nm has been achieved on the 4D3/2 → 4/11//2 transition in LaF3:Nd3+ at temperatures of <90 K. Two different upconversion pumping mechanisms resulted in laser action: (a) sequential two-step absorption of an IR (790-nm) photon and a yellow (590-nm) photon by the Nd3+ ions; (b) cooperative energy transfer upconversion following the absorption of one yellow (578-nm) photon per Nd3+ ion. At temperatures near 20 K up to 12-mW power at 380 nm was obtained using pump powers of several hundred milliwatts from two cw dye lasers and conservative 1 % output coupling. At 77 K, the output power decreased to ~4 mW.
SU-F-J-110: MRI-Guided Single-Session Simulation, Online Adaptation, and Treatment

Purpose: To develop a combined simulation and treatment workflow for MRI-guided radiation therapy using the ViewRay treatment planning and delivery system. Methods: Several features of the ViewRay MRIdian planning and treatment workflows are used to simulate and treat patients that require emergent radiotherapy. A simple “pre-plan” is created on diagnostic imaging retrieved from radiology PACS, where conformal fields are created to target a volume defined by a physician based on review of the diagnostic images and chart notes. After initial consult in radiation oncology, the patient is brought to the treatment room, immobilized, and imaged in treatment position with a volumetric MR. While the patient rests on the table, the pre-plan is applied to the treatment planning MR and dose is calculated in the treatment geometry. After physician review, modification of the plan may include updating the target definition, redefining fields, or re-balancing beam weights. Once an acceptable treatment plan is finalized and approved, the patient is treated. Results: Careful preparation and judicious choices in the online planning process allow conformal treatment plans to be created and delivered in a single, thirty-minute session. Several advantages have been identified using this process as compared to conventional urgent CT simulation and delivery. Efficiency gains are notable, as physicians appreciate the predictable time commitment and patient waiting time for treatment is decreased. MR guidance in a treatment position offers both enhanced contrast for target delineation and reduction of setup uncertainties. The MRIdian system tools designed for adaptive radiotherapy are particularly useful, enabling plan changes to be made in minutes. Finally, the resulting plans, typically 6 conformal beams, are delivered as quickly as more conventional AP/PA beam arrangements with comparatively superior dose distributions. Conclusion: The ViewRay treatment planning software and delivery system can accommodate a fast simulation and treatment workflow.
Methodological Credibility: An Empirical Investigation of the Public's Perception of Evaluation Findings and Methods.

Background:When evaluations are broadly disseminated, the public can use them to support a program or to advocate for change.Methods:To explore how evaluations are perceived and used by the public,...
Choroid plexus hyperplasia: A possible cause of hydrocephalus in adults.

Choroid plexus (CP) hyperplasia (CPH) is extremely rare and characterized by an enlarged but morphologically normal CP. This condition is often associated with hydrocephalus. CPH has been reported primarily in children, with the oldest patient diagnosed at age 11 years.1,2
Extension of virtual path concept for QOS guarantee

A challenge in B-ISDN is effective provision of QOS guarantees. This paper proposes a scheme for guaranteeing QOS in the B-ISDN/ATM framework while utilizing resources. It addresses the key open issue involved in this challenge and poses a solution different from the current approaches. The fundamental idea of the scheme is to extend the virtual path concept to include a reservation of time slots at switching nodes by each virtual path. Cells for a session are divided into two classes at the access node: those that are guaranteed transmission within the reserved time slots and those that are discardable. Through this global and active control along virtual paths. Data transfer in a network resembles writing to input ports of a personal computer with deterministic delay and zero loss. By implementing an architecture as layers, resources are utilized without sacrificing processing time on fly. >
Flexible and stretchable sensors for fluidic elastomer actuated soft robots

Compliant robots, a class of so-called soft robots, made from elastomeric materials, require flexible or stretchable sensors for functional sophistication beyond that of open-loop controls and actuations. These robots have expanded the scope of research in robotics from fast, strong, and precise industrial manufacturing toward new needs of adaptation and safety—the realm of human–robot interactions (HRIs). HRIs include circumstances ranging from existing tasks such as vacuum cleaning to the far-reaching goal of direct contact with the heart for ventricular assist devices, and wearable robots as an intermediate task for force-augmenting exoskeletons. Toward these goals, many efforts are being made to impart sensation for feedback control via flexible or stretchable sensors that can be integrated with the soft bodies of these robots without hindering their motion or reducing their safety. This article briefly reviews the key techniques and tradeoffs for designing and fabricating these sensors. We describe the sensors that our research group uses for fluidically powered soft robots. We conclude with some perspectives about future directions of sensing integration for improved autonomy and interaction with humans in close proximity.
The C-Word: The More We Discuss It, the Less Dirty It Sounds.

A response is provided to several articles within the issue on the theory of causation for diseases, including in regard to statistical association and observational studies data. An overview of the risk of research bias, including bias's relationship with mismeasurement and research selection, is provided.
Need for a Continuum Biochemomechanical Theory of Soft Tissue and Cellular Growth and Remodeling

This chapter is motivated by the observation that diverse soft tissues and cells exhibit remarkable adaptations in response to changes in their chemomechanical environment, and that there is a pressing need for mathematical models to integrate information from the rapidly expanding data bases on such adaptations. Although both the biological motivation and the theoretical framework presented herein apply generally to soft tissues and cells, ideas are illustrated by focusing on the vasculature. Toward this end, note that it has been said by many in different ways, but it was said particularly well by (1992): ‘The blood vessel is no longer considered to be simply a non-thrombogenic passive conduit for blood flow. Rather, it is increasingly viewed as a continually-adapting, physically and chemically interdependent network of elements with the common goal of maintaining optimal function in response to continually changing hemodynamic and metabolic conditions’. I submit that mathematical models can help us to understand better the complex adaptations (and maladaptations) manifested by vascular tissues and cells, for such models can build intuition via simulations that contrast the effects of competing hypotheses, they can help guide the design and interpretation of revealing experiments, and they can be used to design improved clinical interventions and medical devices.
Congenital Clasped Thumb

Congenital clasped thumb is a disorder characterized by flexion posture of the thumb secondary to extensor side underdevelopment, flexor side tightness, or both. Mild cases may be treated by splintage whereas more advanced cases require tendon transfer or a combination of tendon transfer and flexor side releases. Clasped thumb can be seen in conjunction with syndromes such as arthrogryposis and, in these cases, recognition of the abnormal anatomic structures is required to effect satisfactory reconstruction.
Energetics of Crustacean Swimming

This paper reviews studies of crustacean swimming since the last major reviews (Lochhead, 1961; Bainbridge, 1961b) and develops general principles from an energetic perspective. The swimming of larval stages is not considered. Discussion is focused on power budgets, hydrodynamic modeling, the relationship between cost and velocity, size scaling of maximal and routine velocity, and minimum cost of transport. In his review Lochhead (1961) considered swimming mechanisms and velocities for various crustaceans as part of a review of crustacean locomotion. More recently he reviewed early studies of swimming mechanisms and velocities in portunid crabs, copepods, cladocerans, and the fairy shrimp Chirocephalus sp. (Lochhead, 1977). Hartnoll (1971) reviewed swimming mechanisms and maximal velocities in brachyuran crabs. There has been no recent comprehensive review of swimming capabilities in Crustacea, yet a number of relevant publications have appeared.
Observational Evidence for Discretization Phenomena

Two sets of observables are involved in the investigations of the macroscale discrete distributions described in this chapter. These are the angular diameters of galaxies and their redshifts. It has long been assumed that these parameters are independent, but evidence is given in the case of cluster galaxies for the existence of their interdependence. This interdependence leads from the discretization of diameters, discussed in Part A to the discretization of cluster redshifts, taken up in Part B.
The K-Functor in Algebraic Geometry

In the previous chapter we described the geometry of regular morphisms. Here we describe one part of their homology, namely the K-functor on the category of locally free sheaves (which are always assumed to be of finite rank). An arbitrary locally free sheaf does not behave well under the direct image. Fortunately, the K-group generated by the locally free sheaves is also generated by a subfamily of sheaves which do behave well, and which we call regular sheaves. We use a cohomological characterization for these, due to Mumford.
The effects of cold, rotation, and genotype on the production of ultrasonic calls in infant mice.

There has been a revival of interest recently in the ultrasonic calls of infant rodents as investigators are using them to assess neurobehavioral development and animal models of anxiety. We compared the rates of ultrasonic calling of infant mice of two genotypes in two situations, cold and rotation. The subjects of study were 169 mouse pups from 29 litters and of two F1 genotypes, C57BL/10J × DBA/2J and C57BL/10J × SJL/J. Half of each litter was recorded in a cool situation for 20 seconds and the other half was recorded while rotating at 10 rpm for 20 seconds. All pups were recorded on days of age 2 to 8. Rotation elicited calling at about twice the rate as cool temperature on each day of age and on average across days; situation (cold or rotation) accounted for over 50% of the variation between litters. Genotype also altered call rate, and on some days situation and genotype interacted. In studies of neurobehavioral development and the effects of pharmacological agents on infant mice, it is particularly important to understand the roles of the stimuli and genotypes employed.
Influence of age and gender on gastroesophageal reflux in symptomatic patients.

Studies have reported that normal males have significantly more physiologic gastroesophageal reflux (GER) than women but little difference in reflux parameters is seen between younger and older normal individuals. The aims of this study were to investigate the influence of age and gender on GER in symptomatic patients. We reviewed 353 24-h pH studies performed in patients with reflux symptoms. The following parameters were assessed: % time pH 5 min; longest reflux episode. These parameters were analyzed according to age and gender using non-parametric tests. The median age was 47 years and this was used as the cutoff between younger and older patients. Also, an elderly group (age > or = 65) was analyzed. Age did not influence % time pH 5 min (2 vs 0) and longest reflux episode 9 vs 5 min. Therefore, different cutoff values may be necessary for males and females in diagnosing abnormal reflux.
Case 36: Advanced Hip Arthrosis, Massive Perceived LLD and Pelvic Obliquity due to Adduction Contracture Treated with THR

These two cases represent patients with advanced hip arthrosis and massive perceived limb length discrepancies (LLD) due to concomitant ipsilateral adduction and flexion contractures of the involved hip. Despite having moderate true LLD, the perceived LLD by both patients was massive. Alleviation of end-stage arthritis symptoms was achieved by performing a total hip replacement (THR). Correction of the flexion and adduction hip deformities by soft-tissue releases around the hip resulted in almost complete and complete resolution of the perceived LLD in the first and second cases, respectively. The joint replacement and soft-tissue releases unlocked the adduction deformity of the hip and the Pelvic obliquity due to adduction contracture of the hip (POACH), leading to correction of the apparent LLD, which was the main contributing factor to the massive perceived LLD. 1 Brief Clinical History Case 1: A 54-year-old man presented with a history of a pathological fracture of the right femoral neck due to a simple bone cyst that was surgically managed by curettage, screw fixation, and hip spica casting at the age of 12 years and was subsequently complicated by avascular necrosis (AVN) of the femoral head and end-stage arthrosis. He had been using a 10-cm shoe lift and had early complaints of low back pain from the LLD and associated imbalance. Examination of the patient revealed an antalgic as well as a Trendelenburg gait on the right hip. In the standing position, the right side of the pelvis was elevated compared to the left. This was corrected in the sitting position where the pelvis was leveled, denoting a flexible pelvic obliquity without any fixed sacroiliac or lumbosacral spine deformity. The right hip exhibited a fixed flexion deformity (FFD) of 25 and an adduction contracture of 25 as well as painful, extremely limited, or no internal/external rotation. Hip radiographs revealed a deformed right hip with end-stage arthrosis and a retained screw in the femoral neck. Case 2: A 26-year-old female with a history of untreated Perthes disease of the right hip presented with right hip pain and a perceived LLD of 9 cm with the right lower extremity being shorter than the left. The patient had a similar presentation as that of case 1 and similar right hip and low back pain. Clinical examination findings were similar with a right hip FFD of 30 and an adduction hip contracture of the same magnitude. Radiographs also revealed similar findings, yet with no retained hardware. *Email: haleem@medicine.cu.edu.eg Limb Lengthening and Reconstruction Surgery Case Atlas DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-02767-8_226-1 # Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2014
Cooking parameters affect the sodium content of prepared pasta

The quantitative effect of different preparation variables on the sodium content of cooked dry pasta was evaluated. Semolina spaghetti ( 10% of 2300 mg/day), relative to the reference method. No other variables affected sodium. Results allow more accurate estimation of sodium intake from cooked pasta, since food composition tables that do not reflect variations in cooking parameters.
Radiation Related Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular disease, is a well known complication of radiation therapy. This is especially seen in Hogdkin’s lymphoma survivors, who have received mediastinal therapy.
Use of a capillary specimen in the laboratory to verify a point-of-care international normalized ratio: Avoidance of a venipuncture in a pediatric setting.

Introduction Point-of-care (POC) international normalized ratio (INR) values above an institutional cutoff are confirmed in the laboratory using a gold standard venous specimen. This can be problematic in a pediatric setting. Method In this study, 449 consecutive POC INR results were compared to an INR performed in the laboratory on a capillary citrate specimen collected from the same finger-stick. The results were statistically analyzed. Results The mean INR values from the CoaguChek XS and laboratory were 2.85 ± 1.19 and 2.63 ± 1.11, respectively. There was a good correlation between the methods with r = 0.97. Bland-Altman analysis indicated a bias of 0.22 favoring the CoaguChek XS, with 95% limits of agreement -0.29 to 0.72. Passing and Bablok method comparison resulted in a slope of 0.91 (y = 0.91x + 0.02). An INR of ≤0.5 was found between the methods in 89% of cases and 84% agreement was noted (κ = 0.69). Conclusion Comparing the capillary INR laboratory results to studies involving a venous specimen, the capillary specimen performed with equivalence. Thus, a capillary citrate specimen can be collected from the same finger-stick used to perform the POC INR for confirmation in the laboratory. This avoids the trauma of a venous collection in such a situation.
Epigenetics and Epigenomics: Implications for Diabetes and Obesity

The American Diabetes Association convened a research symposium, “Epigenetics and Epigenomics: Implications for Diabetes and Obesity” on 17–19 November 2017. International experts in genetics, epigenetics, computational biology, and physiology discussed the current state of understanding of the relationships between genetics, epigenetics, and environment in diabetes and examined existing evidence for the role of epigenetic factors in regulating metabolism and the risk of diabetes and its complications. The authors summarize the presentations, which highlight how the complex interactions between genes and environment may in part be mediated through epigenetic changes and how information about nutritional and other environmental stimuli can be transmitted to the next generation. In addition, the authors present expert consensus on knowledge gaps and research recommendations for the field.
New Media/New Asia: From Dominant to Residual Geographies of Emergent Video, Screen, and Media Arts

This chapter examines the collaborative curation of “Asian”/“East Asian” video, media, and experimental screen arts, focusing on Japanese regional culture industry initiatives. It thereby charts the emergence of so-called new media art practices linked to the economic emergence and cultural transformation of a new region. Here, DeBoer problematizes dominant notions of the “new”—of new media and new Asia—by looking at how collaborative curatorial endeavors have relied on “residual” exhibition and production practices. The chapter’s analysis draws from Raymond Williams’s elaboration of “residual,” “emergent,” and “dominant” formations as it sheds light on how “continuity and discontinuity both play roles in the structuring of” a mediated region. As DeBoer underscores the contingencies that have constructed recent regional arts and technologies, the chapter interrogates the contradictory discourses and practices through which “Asia” has become a platform for linking new modes of production among the region’s media capitals.
Where’s the Equity for Women Entrepreneurs?

In earlier chapters, EDP data showed the effects that impact-oriented accelerators have on the short-term commercial performance of participating ventures. The focus tightened in Chap. 9 to look at differences between emerging markets and high-income countries, highlighting the specific challenges associated with accelerating early-stage ventures in less robust ecosystems. This chapter shifts focus again to home in on a group of entrepreneurs whose potential and performance tend to be under-appreciated: women. More specifically, EDP data are used to illuminate the issues that women entrepreneurs face when it comes to attracting outside equity investment. Roughly half of the ventures in the sample report at least one woman among their top three founders, most on mixed-gender founding teams. A look at outside equity investment across three groups of ventures—founded by men, mixed-gender teams, and women—reveals a troubling cascade that favors men. The ensuing analyses show that this cascade is not fully explained by obvious venture or entrepreneur differences across the three groups. The chapter closes by showing that accelerators may not be as helpful as many would hope when it comes to addressing inequities faced by women entrepreneurs.
Proceedings of the 1st Bangalore Annual Compute Conference

With growth of IT industry in India, there has been a long felt need for a forum where active researchers in CS and IT from academic institutions and corporate researchers interact, with focus on bringing rigor to enterprise computing, a focus area where corporates in the Indian IT industry help global clients . ACM Bangalore Compute 2008 is the first such attempt providing an integrated forum, with focus on enterprise computing. The aim of Compute 2008 conference, sponsored and organized by ACM Bangalore chapter, is to provide a forum for researchers in CS and IT to engage in a symbiotic relationship, with benefits for the Indian IT industry and CS Academia alike. The goal of the conference has been to look into the future of computing from the perspective of researchers, industries, and investors with an enterprise focus. The conference has the following plenary speakers: • Umesh Dayal (HP Labs): Trends and Challenges in Enterprise-Scale Business Intelligence • Peter Hofstee (IBM Research): Beyond multicore: Cell/Broadband Engine and trends in heterogeneous computing • Ram Shriram (Sherpalo Ventures): Innovation in Consumer Services • Pratap Pattnaik (IBM Research): Server Design for Tomorrow's Data Center Our thanks go the invited plenary speakers who have traveled long to address and participate in the conference. The program spans areas with enterprise focus, in broadly four tracks: • Software Services Engineering, drawing a wide range of areas right from software life cycle engineering aspects to newer areas like business process management and services oriented architecture. • High Performance Computing covering broadly emerging areas of grid computing, high performance computing, next generation data centers, to name a few. • Information management and Graphics covering the areas of multimedia, graphics, imaging, and emerging trends in data management, structured and unstructured information management. • Pervasive computing track covering wide areas of enterprise mobility, ad-hoc networking and sensor networking, to name a few. Apart from the regular paper and poster sessions, we have 13 tutorial workshops in related areas ranging from ½ day to full day, and a doctoral symposium for researchers to get a validation of their thoughts and ideas. Our thanks go to the enthusiastic tutorial organizers, doctoral symposium participants and organizers. The conference received a total of 124 paper and poster submissions. The submission and review was facilitated by EasyChair. Thanks go to EasyChair authors that made the process simple and collaborative. Each paper was reviewed by at least three reviewers (PC members or their nominees) and were selected through a PC meeting ranging over a week. The efforts of the authors and reviewers has resulted in an excellent programme consisting of 20 full papers and 9 poster papers.
Estimation of the Region of Attraction of Underactuated Systems and Its Enlargement Using Impulsive Inputs

Stabilization of an equilibrium point is an important control problem for underactuated systems. For a given control design, the ability of the system to remain stable in the presence of disturbances depends on the size of the region of attraction of the stabilized equilibrium. The sum of squares and trajectory reversing methods are combined together to generate a large estimate of the region of attraction. Then, this estimate is effectively enlarged by applying the impulse manifold method, which can stabilize equilibria from points lying outside the estimated region of attraction. In this paper, the generality of the approach is demonstrated using simulations of a three-link underactuated system. Experimental validation using the pendubot is provided to demonstrate the feasibility of practical implementation.
Look-Ahead Optimal Participation of Compressed Air Energy Storage in Day-Ahead and Real-Time Markets

Compressed air energy storage (CAES) is a large-scale storage technology that offers a valuable source of flexibility to power systems operation. This paper proposes novel look-ahead optimization models for CAES participation in day-ahead and real-time energy, regulation up and down, spinning reserve up and down, and non-spinning reserve markets. The proposed market participation models, formulated as mixed-integer linear programming problems, integrate a detailed CAES model that takes into account the physical characteristics and simultaneous operation of the compressor and expander as well as the dynamics of the air storage. The proposed look-ahead models extend the scheduling horizon of the day-ahead and real-time market participation problems into future that would maximize the utilization of CAES air storage and optimize the market participation decisions, given the expected information about profit opportunities in the future. The day-ahead model secures adequate compressed air to meet the likely deployment of the ancillary services in real time. The real-time look-ahead model enables additional profits through energy arbitrage and by modeling the potential revenues from substituting lower quality services (with possibly higher deployment) with excess higher quality services in the real-time market. The proposed look-ahead model, demonstrated on a sample CAES using real price data of california independent system Operator (CAISO), enables achieving higher profits for the CAES, paving the way for investment in and market integration of this technology.
SOME RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN BAYESIAN STATISTICS AND ECONOMETRICS

After a brief review of the past and current status of the Bayesian approach to econometrics and statistics, a review of some recent results in Bayesian forecasting and their relation to time series model-building is presented. Then some remarks on the growing importance of information theory in Bayesian analysis are provided and illustrated with selected examples. It is pointed out that various information theoretic criterion functional are being utilized to produce models for observations, prior densities, measures of the information provided by experiments, information processing rules, including Bayes’ Theorem. Information processing when the form of the likelihood function is unknown via the new Bayesian method of moments and generalized maxent procedures is discussed. Last, the future of Bayesian analysis is discussed.
Designing and Testing Apps to Support Patients With Cancer: Looking to Behavioral Science to Lead the Way

Background: Behavioral science has a long and strong tradition of rigorous experimental and applied methodologies, which have produced several influential and far-reaching theoretical frameworks and have guided countless inquiries of human behavior in various contexts. In cancer care, behavioral scientists have established a firm foundation of research focused on understanding the experience of cancer and using that understanding to design and implement theory- and evidenced-based interventions to help patients cope with the cancer experience. Given the rich behavioral research base in oncology, behavioral scientists are ideally positioned to lead the integration of evidence-based science on behavior and behavior change into the development of smartphone apps supporting patients with cancer. Smartphone apps are being disseminated to patients with cancer with claims of being able to help them negotiate areas of vulnerability in their cancer experience. However, the vast majority of these apps are developed without the rigor and expertise of behavioral scientists. Objective: In this article, we have illustrated the importance of behavioral science leading the development and evaluation of apps to support patients with cancer by providing an illustrative scientific process that our team of behavioral scientists, patient stakeholders, medical oncologists, and software developers used to empirically design and evaluate 2 patient-focused apps: the Discussion of Cost App (DISCO App) and MyPatientPal. Methods: Using a focused literature review and a descriptive roadmap of our team’s process for designing and evaluating patient-focused behavioral apps for patients with cancer, we have demonstrated how behavioral scientists are integral to the development of empirically sound apps to help support patients with cancer. Specifically, we have illustrated the process by which our multidisciplinary team combined the established user-centered design principles and behavioral science theory and scientific rigor to design and evaluate 2 patient-focused apps. Results: On the basis of initial acceptability and feasibility testing among patients and providers, our team has demonstrated how critical behavioral science is for designing and evaluating app-based interventions for patients with cancer. Conclusions: Behavioral science can and should be coupled with user-centered design principles to provide theoretical guidance and the rigor of the scientific method, thereby adding the much-needed and critical evidence for these types of app-based interventions for patients with cancer.
Formaldehyde Release From Clothing and Upholstery Fabrics Using the Chromotropic Acid Method.

Background Formaldehyde resins may be used in textiles. Objective The aim of the study was to investigate the presence of formaldehyde in textiles using the chromotropic acid method. Method Clothing scraps (from local department store tailors, n = 77) and upholstery fabric cuttings (from a furniture reupholstery store, n = 22) were collected. Each fabric was cut into a 1-cm square and tested using the chromotropic acid method. Samples were retested in a systematic fashion (every 10th sample) to assess reproducibility. Results All 99 clothing and upholstery fabrics tested negative for formaldehyde release. Conclusions Our study suggests that textile manufactures may be using nonformaldehyde resins for durable press finishing in clothing likely to be tailored as well as fabrics used for furniture reupholstery. Additional studies involving other metropolitan areas and a variety of fabrics are needed to confirm these findings.
Engineered models to parse apart the metastatic cascade

While considerable progress has been made in studying genetic and cellular aspects of metastasis with in vitro cell culture and in vivo animal models, the driving mechanisms of each step of metastasis are still relatively unclear due to their complexity. Moreover, little progress has been made in understanding how cellular fitness in one step of the metastatic cascade correlates with ability to survive other subsequent steps. Engineered models incorporate tools such as tailored biomaterials and microfabrication to mimic human disease progression, which when coupled with advanced quantification methods permit comparisons to human patient samples and in vivo studies. Here, we review novel tools and techniques that have been recently developed to dissect key features of the metastatic cascade using primary patient samples and highly representative microenvironments for the purposes of advancing personalized medicine and precision oncology. Although improvements are needed to increase tractability and accessibility while faithfully simulating the in vivo microenvironment, these models are powerful experimental platforms for understanding cancer biology, furthering drug screening, and facilitating development of therapeutics.
Aesthetic preference for art emerges from a weighted integration over hierarchically structured visual features in the brain

It is an open question whether preferences for visual art can be lawfully predicted from the basic constituent elements of a visual image. Moreover, little is known about how such preferences are actually constructed in the brain. Here we developed and tested a computational framework to gain an understanding of how the human brain constructs aesthetic value. We show that it is possible to explain human preferences for a piece of art based on an analysis of features present in the image. This was achieved by analyzing the visual properties of drawings and photographs by multiple means, ranging from image statistics extracted by computer vision tools, subjective human ratings about attributes, to a deep convolutional neural network. Crucially, it is possible to predict subjective value ratings not only within but also across individuals, speaking to the possibility that much of the variance in human visual preference is shared across individuals. Neuroimaging data revealed that preference computations occur in the brain by means of a graded hierarchical representation of lower and higher level features in the visual system. These features are in turn integrated to compute an overall subjective preference in the parietal and prefrontal cortex. Our findings suggest that rather than being idiosyncratic, human preferences for art can be explained at least in part as a product of a systematic neural integration over underlying visual features of an image. This work not only advances our understanding of the brain-wide computations underlying value construction but also brings new mechanistic insights to the study of visual aesthetics and art appreciation.
Assessing the impact of disjoining pressure on thin-film evaporation with atomistic simulation and kinetic theory

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are applied to validate the Hertz–Knudsen–Schrage (HKS) relation for the evaporation mass flux in the presence of disjoining pressure. A non-equilibrium MD simulation system is designed to directly extract the evaporation mass flux for a Lennard-Jones fluid. The temperatures, pressures, properties, and disjoining pressure required to evaluate the HKS relation are obtained from the non-equilibrium MD simulation and complementary equilibrium MD simulations. The direct MD evaporation mass flux and that from the HKS relation agree within 10%. We define an evaporation Kapitza length that estimates where the liquid conduction and evaporation thermal resistances are equal. We propose that surface structures that promote film thicknesses comparable to or smaller than the evaporation Kapitza length, but larger than the adsorbed film thickness, will maximize the evaporation rate.
Aeolian system response to external forcing factors — A sequence stratigraphic view of the Saharan region

A high-resolution Quaternary chronostratigraphy for the Saharan region provides the most detailed Earth history record in which the response of aeolian and related systems to external forcing factors can be evaluated, and against which aeolian sequence-stratigraphic theory can be tested. Saharan environmental change follows relative arid/humid cycles and subcycles that are in part explained by Milankovitch forcing and climatic models. Aeolian sequence stratigraphy predicts the generation and preservation of accumulations and their bounding surfaces based upon the type of aeolian system, the sediment supply cycle, the sediment budget of the system, and the gain and loss of preservation space. The overall scenario for the Sahara is one of a time-lagged sediment influx to dry aeolian systems through deflation of alluvial/lacustrine sediment produced during humid times, with accumulation occurring in topographic basins because of flow deceleration. Surfaces bounding the accumulations may originate during arid-period cannibalization of bedforms and accumulations, and continue to form with stabilization during subsequent humid periods. Within the continental interior, preservation is sparse in spite of basin subsidence because of the cyclic fall of the continental water table, which allows for deflation of accumulations. Along the continental margin, preservation of the last aeolian accumulation is favored because of a rise in sea level. The Saharan surface, therefore, is one of profound reworking, and overlies a laterally discontinuous amalgamation of strata. Major imprinting of the surface may occur during 100 k-yr glacial maxima, in which sand seas form and then persist as templates for lesser cycles. Major sourcing of terrigenous sand occurs during tectonic pulses, the last of which for the Saharan interior was during the Neogene.
Systematic review of unintentional injury prevention economic evaluations 2010–2019 and comparison to 1998–2009

Abstract Background Health economic evaluation studies (e.g., cost-effectiveness analysis) can provide insight into which injury prevention interventions maximize available resources to improve health outcomes. A previous systematic review summarized 48 unintentional injury prevention economic evaluations published during 1998–2009, providing a valuable overview of that evidence for researchers and decisionmakers. The aim of this study was to summarize the content and quality of recent (2010–2019) economic evaluations of unintentional injury prevention interventions and compare to the previous publication period (1998–2009). Methods Peer-reviewed English-language journal articles describing public health unintentional injury prevention economic evaluations published January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2019 were identified using index terms in multiple databases. Injury causes, interventions, study methods, and results were summarized. Reporting on key methods elements (e.g., economic perspective, time horizon, discounting, currency year, etc.) was assessed. Reporting quality was compared between the recent and previous publication periods. Results Sixty-eight recent economic evaluation studies were assessed. Consistent with the systematic review on this topic for the previous publication period, falls and motor vehicle traffic injury prevention were the most common study subjects. Just half of studies from the recent publication period reported all key methods elements, although this represents an improvement compared to the previous publication period (25 %). Conclusion Most economic evaluations of unintentional injury prevention interventions address just two injury causes. Better adherence to health economic evaluation reporting standards may enhance comparability across studies and increase the likelihood that this type of evidence is included in decision-making related to unintentional injury prevention.
Development of Targetable Multi-Drug Nanoparticles for Glioblastoma Treatment and In Vitro Evaluation in Glioblastoma Stem Cells

Abstract Glioblastoma (GBM) is a malignant brain tumor with a poor long-term prognosis. The current median survival is approximately fifteen to twenty months with the standard of care therapy which includes surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. An important factor contributing to recurrence of GBM is high resistance of GBM cancer stem cells (CSCs) to several anticancer drugs, for which a systemically delivered single drug approach will be unlikely to produce a viable cure. Therefore, multidrug therapies have the potential to improve the survival time. Currently, only temozolomide (TMZ), which is a DNA alkylator, affects overall survival in GBM patients. CSCs regenerate rapidly and over-express a methyl transferase which overrides the DNA-alkylating mechanism of TMZ, leading to drug resistance. Idasanutlin (RG7388, R05503781) is a potent, selective MDM2 antagonist that additively kills GBM CSCs when combined with TMZ. Nanotechnology is an emerging field that shows great promise in drug delivery and diagnostics. The ability to combine both therapy and imaging allows real time assessment of drug delivery in vivo for the field of theranostics. To develop a multi-drug therapy using multi-functional nanoparticles (NPs) that preferentially target the GBM CSC subpopulation and provide in vivo preclinical imaging capability. Polymer-micellar NPs composed of poly(styrene-b-ethylene oxide) (PS-b-PEO) and poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) were developed investigating both single and double emulsion fabrication techniques as well as combinations of TMZ and RG7388. The NPs were covalently bound to a 15-base-pair CD133 aptamer in order to target the CD133 antigen expressed on the surface of GBM CSC subpopulation. For theranostic functionality, the NPs were also labelled with a radiotracer, Zirconium-89 (89Zr). The NPs maintained a small size of less than 100 nm, a low negative charge and exhibited the ability to effectively target and kill the CSC subpopulation. In addition, the conjugation of the CD133 aptamer was able to promote killing in CSCs leading to the justification of a targeted nanosystem to potentially improve localized therapy in future in vivo models. This work has provided a potentially therapeutic option for GBM specific for CSC targeting and theranostic imaging.
Rare and potentially pathogenic variants in hydroxycarboxylic acid receptor genes identified in breast cancer cases.

BACKGROUND Three genes clustered together on chromosome 12 comprise a group of hydroxycarboxylic acid receptors (HCARs): HCAR1, HCAR2, and HCAR3. These paralogous genes encode different G-protein coupled receptors responsible for detecting glycolytic metabolites and controlling fatty acid oxidation. Though better known for regulating lipid metabolism in adipocytes, more recently, HCARs have been functionally associated with breast cancer proliferation/survival; HCAR2 has been described as a tumor suppressor and HCAR1 and HCAR3 as oncogenes. Thus, we sought to identify germline variants in HCAR1, HCAR2, and HCAR3 that could potentially be associated with breast cancer risk. METHODS Two different cohorts of breast cancer cases were investigated, the Alabama Hereditary Cancer Cohort and The Cancer Genome Atlas, which were analyzed through nested PCRs/Sanger sequencing and whole-exome sequencing, respectively. All datasets were screened for rare, non-synonymous coding variants. RESULTS Variants were identified in both breast cancer cohorts, some of which appeared to be associated with breast cancer BC risk, including HCAR1 c.58C > G (p.P20A), HCAR2 c.424C > T (p.R142W), HCAR2 c.517_518delinsAC (p.G173T), HCAR2 c.1036A > G (p.M346V), HCAR2 c.1086_1090del (p.P363Nfs*26), HCAR3 c.560G > A (p.R187Q), and HCAR3 c.1117delC (p.Q373Kfs*82). Additionally, HCAR2 c.515C > T (p.S172L), a previously identified loss-of-function variant, was identified. CONCLUSIONS Due to the important role of HCARs in breast cancer, it is vital to understand how these genetic variants play a role in breast cancer risk and proliferation and their consequences on treatment strategies. Additional studies will be needed to validate these findings. Nevertheless, the identification of these potentially pathogenic variants supports the need to investigate their functional consequences.
Sporadic, classic-type renal angiomyolipoma with renal vein and inferior vena cava extension: an incidental case

Renal angiomyolipomas (AMLs) were first described in the early 1900s by Gravitz, but it was not until 1951 that they were named renal AML. These kidney tumours are rare, occurring in 0.13%-0.44% of the population. These mesenchymal tumours are composed of smooth muscle-like, adipocyte-like and epithelioid cells. Depending on the predominant cell population, it can be further subclassified into classic, epithelioid and AML with epithelial cyst. A 32-year-old woman presented with mild, intermittent, epigastric and right upper quadrant abdominal pain. Abdominal ultrasound revealed an incidental lesion within the inferior vena cava (IVC). A CT scan showed a lesion within the left renal vein extending into the IVC with 40% narrowing and a fat-containing mass in the lower pole of the left kidney of 15 mm suggesting an AML. Thrombectomy was performed. The specimen resulted positive for classic variant renal AML. Initial diagnosis is centred on imagining studies, based in fatty tissue concentration. The AML expresses melanocytic markers. This helps differentiate from renal cell carcinoma. Although AML is considered a benign condition, there is evidence of malignant transformation. Active surveillance is recommended for lesions <4 cm. Nephron sparing surgery is the procedure of choice. Nephrectomy is recommended if there is a high probability of malignancy. Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors have been proposed to be an alternative treatment.