cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characterization of the expression of variant and standard CD44 in prostate cancer cells: Identification of the possible molecular mechanism of CD44/MMP9 complex formation on the cell surface

CD44 is a glycosylated adhesion molecule and osteopontin is one of its ligand. CD44 undergoes alternative splicing to produce variant isoforms. Our recent studies have shown an increase in the surface expression of CD44 isoforms (sCD44 and v4-v10 variant CD44) in prostate cancer cells over-expressing osteopontin (PC3/OPN). Formation of CD44/MMP9 complex on the cell surface is indispensable for MMP9 activity. In this study, we have characterized the expression of variant CD44 using RT-PCR, surface labeling with NHS-biotin, and immunoblotting. Expression of variant CD44 encompassing v4-v10 and sCD44 at mRNA and protein levels are of the same levels in PC3 and PC3/OPN cells. However, an increase in the surface expression of v6, v10, and sCD44 in PC3/OPN cells suggest that OPN may be a ligand for these isoforms. We then proceeded to determine the role of sCD44 in MMP9 activation. Based on our previous studies in osteoclasts, we hypothesized that phosphorylation of CD44 has a role on its surface expression and subsequent activation of MMP9. We have prepared TAT-fused CD44 peptides comprising unphosphorylated and constitutively phosphorylated serine residues at positions Ser323 and Ser325. Transduction of phosphopeptides at Ser323 and Ser323/325 into PC3 cells reduced the surface levels of CD44, MMP9 activity, and cell migration; but had no effect on the membrane localization of MMP9. However, MMP9 knock-down PC3 cells showed reduced CD44 at cellular and surface levels. Thus we conclude that surface expression of CD44 and activation of MMP9 on the cell surface are interdependent.
VISIBILITY GRAPHS OF STAIRCASE POLYGONS WITH UNIFORM STEP LENGTH

Let Γn denote the collection of visibility graphs of staircase polygons (orthogonal convex fans) which consist of n−1 horizontal steps of arbitrary lengths. We show that for n≥7 there are graphs in...
NADPH oxidase subunits (NOX-1, p22phox, Rac-1) and tacrolimus-induced nephrotoxicity in a rat renal transplant model

BACKGROUND TGF-beta and oxidative stress are known mediators of renal injury. However, the precise mechanisms by which TGF-beta and oxidative stress may be involved in the development of nephrotoxicity are not known. We examined whether anti-TGF-beta antibody limits nephrotoxicity produced by tacrolimus (TAC) and whether this altered genes that regulate oxidative stress. METHODS Renal transplants were performed in Wistar-Furth and Lewis rat strains. Groups included: isograft controls; untreated allografts; allografts treated with 0.25 mg/kg TAC till 90 days with or without 1.0 mg/kg anti-TGF-beta antibody or control antibody. Serum creatinine and BUN levels and renal histology were determined. Real time PCR and western analysis were used to quantify mRNA and protein expression. RESULTS BUN and creatinine were elevated in TAC-treated rats. TAC increased expression of TGF-beta (37-fold) and NADPH oxidase subunits, NOX-1 (18-fold), p22(phox) (31-fold) and Rac-1 mRNA (20-fold), respectively. Contrariwise, expression of antioxidant genes, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and thioredoxin (TRX) was decreased. Anti-TGF-beta antibody but not control antibody reversed the TAC-induced changes in gene expression, renal histology and function. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest a potential for anti-TGF-beta antibody as a novel adjunct therapeutic tool to prevent TAC-induced nephrotoxicity in transplant recipients. The mechanism of protection involves suppression of TGF-beta and the expression of genes that regulate oxidative stress. Moreover, the specific up-regulation of NOX-1, a non-phagocytic NADPH oxidase subunit and its reversal by anti-TGF-beta antibody strongly implicates for the first time the up-regulation of renal parenchymal cell NADPH oxidase in the aetiology of immunosuppression-induced nephrotoxicity.
Preliminary evidence that degradation of aflatoxin B1 by Flavobacterium aurantiacum is enzymatic.

The ability of crude protein extracts from Flavobacterium aurantiacum to degrade aflatoxin B 1 (AB 1 ) in aqueous solution was evaluated. Crude protein extracts (800 μg of total protein per ml) degraded 74.5% of AB, in solution. An average of 94.5% of AB 1 was recovered after incubation with heat-treated crude protein extracts (800 μg of total protein per ml). DNase I-treated crude protein extracts degraded 80.5% of AB 1 in solution, suggesting that removal of aflatoxin by F. aurantiacum is not due to nonspecific binding with the bacterium's genomic DNA. Proteinase K-treated crude protein extracts degraded 34.5% of AB 1 , providing evidence that degradation of aflatoxin is linked to a protein that is possibly an enzyme. Solution pH affected the amount of AB 1 degraded by crude protein extracts after 24 h. Maximum degradation was observed at pH 7 (pH levels tested: 5, 6, 7, and 8), with some AB 1 degradation occurring at pH levels as low as 5 and as high as 8. Acidic pH levels were more detrimental to the ability of crude protein extracts to degrade AB 1 than was basic pH. The results of this work indicate that the degradation of AB 1 by F. aurantiacum may be enzymatic.
Training a neural-network based intrusion detector to recognize novel attacks

While many commercial intrusion detection systems (IDS) are deployed, the protection they afford is modest. State-of-the-art IDS produce voluminous alerts, most false alarms, and function mainly by recognizing the signatures of known attacks so that novel attacks slip past them. Attempts have been made to create systems that recognize the signature of "normal," in the hope that they will then detect attacks, known or novel. These systems are often confounded by the extreme variability of nominal behavior. The paper describes an experiment with an IDS composed of a hierarchy of neural networks (NN) that functions as a true anomaly detector. This result is achieved by monitoring selected areas of network behavior, such as protocols, that are predictable in advance. While this does not cover the entire attack space, a considerable number of attacks are carried out by violating the expectations of the protocol/operating system designer. Within this focus, the NNs are trained using data that spans the entire normal space. These detectors are able to recognize attacks that were not specifically presented during training. We show that using small detectors in a hierarchy gives a better result than a single large detector. Some techniques can be used not only to detect anomalies, but to distinguish among them.
Outcomes for soft-tissue sarcoma in 8249 cases from a large state cancer registry.

Background and objectives To date, outcome reports for soft-tissue sarcoma (STS) have largely been limited to single or paired institutional series. To more accurately elucidate population-based outcomes and prognostic factors associated with STS, a large cancer registry was examined. Methods STS arising in the Florida Cancer Data System were examined (1981–2004). Results A total of 8249 patients were identified, the calculated annual incidence of sarcoma being approximately 38 cases per million in 2003. The tumor histologies among these patients were leiomyosarcoma and gastrointestinal stromal tumor (LMS/GIST) (43.5%), malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) (31.5%), liposarcoma (19.0%), and fibrosarcoma (6.0%). Tumors were situated in the extremities (30.7%), truncal or visceral locations (50.4%), retroperitoneum (11.7%), and head or neck (7.2%). Thirty-three percent of lesions were over 10 cm in greatest dimension, while 50.2% were classified as high grade. Median overall survival was 25 months. Superior survival was observed for liposarcomas and fibrosarcomas as compared to MFH and LMS/GIST (P Conclusions Histological subtype, tumor site, and stage are independent prognostic factors in STS. Surgical resection and radiotherapy are unique among treatment modalities in association with a significant survival benefit.
Slo1 Tail Domains, but Not the Ca2+ Bowl, Are Required for the β1 Subunit to Increase the Apparent Ca2+ Sensitivity of BK Channels

Functional large-conductance Ca2+- and voltage-activated K+ (BK) channels can be assembled from four α subunits (Slo1) alone, or together with four auxiliary β1 subunits to greatly increase the apparent Ca2+ sensitivity of the channel. We examined the structural features involved in this modulation with two types of experiments. In the first, the tail domain of the α subunit, which includes the RCK2 (regulator of K+ conductance) domain and Ca2+ bowl, was replaced with the tail domain of Slo3, a BK-related channel that lacks both a Ca2+ bowl and high affinity Ca2+ sensitivity. In the second, the Ca2+ bowl was disrupted by mutations that greatly reduce the apparent Ca2+ sensitivity. We found that the β1 subunit increased the apparent Ca2+ sensitivity of Slo1 channels, independently of whether the α subunits were expressed as separate cores (S0-S8) and tails (S9-S10) or full length, and this increase was still observed after the Ca2+ bowl was mutated. In contrast, β1 subunits no longer increased Ca2+ sensitivity when Slo1 tails were replaced by Slo3 tails. The β1 subunits were still functionally coupled to channels with Slo3 tails, as DHS-I and 17 β-estradiol activated these channels in the presence of β1 subunits, but not in their absence. These findings indicate that the increase in apparent Ca2+ sensitivity induced by the β1 subunit does not require either the Ca2+ bowl or the linker between the RCK1 and RCK2 domains, and that Slo3 tails cannot substitute for Slo1 tails. The β1 subunit also induced a decrease in voltage sensitivity that occurred with either Slo1 or Slo3 tails. In contrast, the β1 subunit–induced increase in apparent Ca2+ sensitivity required Slo1 tails. This suggests that the allosteric activation pathways for these two types of actions of the β1 subunit may be different.
Analysis of angiotensin type 2 receptors in vasopressinergic neurons and pituitary in the rat

Previous functional studies indicated that an angiotensin type 2 (AT2) receptor subtype may participate in the regulation of vasopressin release by angiotensin II (AngII). In the present study, AT2 receptor-directed antiserum immunohistochemically detected AT2 receptors within the hypothalamic paraventricular (PVN) and the supraoptic nuclei (SON) of the rat brain, more specifically, in identified vasopressinergic neurons. Considering the lack of AT2 binding in the PVN and the SON using receptor autoradiography, we tested the hypothesis that these AT2 receptors are transported to the posterior pituitary. Western blot analysis detected AT2 immunoreactivity in the posterior pituitary. However, no AT2 binding was detected in posterior pituitary membranes, and no AT2 binding was detected with quantitative receptor autoradiography in the neurohypophysis. Thus, if AT2 receptors are transported from the magnocellular vasopressin neurons to the posterior pituitary, their role in AngII regulation of vasopressin release at the neurohypophyseal terminals remains to be clarified.
Small Bowel Obstruction as a Complication of Kawasaki Disease

A case of small bowel obstruction in an 8-month-old infant with Kawasaki disease is described. At laparotomy a discrete area of jejunal stricture with adhesions was noted. Microscopic examination revealed evidence of small artery thrombosis. Kawasaki disease results in a diffuse vasculitis, which may produce significant abnormalities in multiple organ systems. Serious abdominal complications can occur and should be considered when gastrointestinal symptoms develop in a patient with Kawasaki disease.
Linking personality to interpersonal citizenship behaviour: The moderating effect of empathy

To account for generally low direct relationships between Big-Five personality traits and interpersonal citizenship behaviour (ICB), researchers have suggested that Big-Five traits are associated with such helping-related behaviour in interactive rather than direct fashion. This study investigated empathy as a potential moderator of Big-Five trait - ICB relations. Hypotheses were tested with data obtained from employees of a youth treatment facility and their supervisors. Results provided evidence that empathy interacts with three Big-Five personality traits, suggesting traits functioning at conceptually different hierarchical levels may jointly explain specific behaviours. Empathy could play an important role in understanding connections between these Big-Five traits and ICB.
Parent Mentoring and Child Anticipatory Guidance with Latino and African American Families

Poor health and developmental outcomes for children are linked to scarcity of economic resources, various barriers in the delivery of health services, and inadequate parenting. To mitigate such adverse effects and address the needs of 50 high-risk, low-income Latino and African American families receiving well-baby care at an urban primary care health center, a collaborative team from the social work, nursing, and education fields piloted a preventive two-year parent mentoring project. The intervention was theoretically anchored in the transactional model of child development. The mentoring practices used an activity-based approach for strengthening child anticipatory guidance and meeting family needs. Thirty-five intervention families completed the project. Compared with a matched community sample, intervention families showed positive statistically significant changes in parent and child outcomes. The discussion addresses the practical benefits of the intervention, limitations of the evaluation design, and implications for collaborative multidisciplinary practice.
Preliminary Experiments with Amazon's Mechanical Turk for Annotating Medical Named Entities

Amazon's Mechanical Turk (MTurk) service is becoming increasingly popular in Natural Language Processing (NLP) research. In this paper, we report our findings in using MTurk to annotate medical text extracted from clinical trial descriptions with three entity types: medical condition, medication, and laboratory test. We compared MTurk annotations with a gold standard manually created by a domain expert. Based on the good performance results, we conclude that MTurk is a very promising tool for annotating large-scale corpora for biomedical NLP tasks.
Internationalizing Teacher Education: One University's Journey from Awareness to Action.

In the 21st century, it is more important than ever to include global/international education as an essential component of teacher education programs. This paper showcases one Department of Educations journey to internationalize its teacher credential program. Components of the reform include: 1) shared conversations, 2) goal-setting, 3) grant writing, 4) forming a learning community, 5) revising syllabi, and 6) surveying our graduates.
What Is the Best Method for Cardiac Surgeons to Acquire Catheter-Based Interventional Skills?

In the past 15 years, there has been a tremendous increase in the role of catheter-based interventions to treat all aspects of cardiovascular diseases. Although the initial thrust of these therapies were aimed at coronary artery disease, interventional therapies now play a prominent role in the treatment of valvular and arterial diseases. Traditionally, catheter-based interventions were solely the domain of interventional cardiologists. However, many of these new interventions such as transcatheter aortic valve replacement
Footfall - GPS polling scheduler for power saving on wearable devices

Wrist-worn wearable fitness devices, such as FitBit and Apple Watch, have become popular in recent years. Runners can use the GPS embedded in these wearable devices to log the route taken during their exercise, providing vital feedback on pace and distance traveled. Unfortunately, continuous polling for GPS data results in a significant adverse impact on device battery life, e.g., many flagship wearables need to be charged as frequently as every two days or even less. In this work, we propose Footfall - an intelligent GPS scheduler that can utilize data from alternative sensors on a device to greatly reduce GPS utilization while still maintaining minimum location accuracy. Compared to existing implementations, Footfall system can achieve on average 97% reduction in total power consumption, while only inducing 7% discrepancy in location accuracy, which is sufficient for the targeted applications.
Abstract 433: Role of AQP1 in invasion of GBM

There has been little improvement in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) patient prognosis over the past 20 years despite advances in imaging, neurosurgery, post-operative care, radiation delivery and chemotherapy. One reason for treatment failure is the highly invasive nature of glioma cells. Thus, it is essential to understand the mechanisms underlying invasion so that therapeutic targets can be developed and their impact assessed, non-invasively, during treatment. We have identified a trans-membrane protein, Aquaporin 1 (AQP1) whose over-expression correlates inversely with GBM survival (1,2) and drives migration of invading glioma cells (3). Our hypotheses are that the water permeation function of AQP1 drives migration and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) can be used to measure the water permeation and hence, invasion. The goal of our work is to determine the relationship between AQP1 expression and brain tumor invasion as measured in tissue culture by wound assay, in orthotopic murine brain slices by confocal microscopy and in rodent xenografts by DW-MRI. Modulating aquaporin channels alters water diffusion through cells and these changes have been detected with DW-MRI (4,5). We have data on 168 GBM patients that shows AQP1 overexpression correlates inversely with survival. Wound assay data indicates AQP1 overexpression drives migration and we have used an inhibitor of AQP1 water permeation, tetraethylammonium chloride (TEA) (6) to show that inhibiting water permeation also inhibits migration, We have histologic data on rodent xenografts demonstrating the aggressive invasive behavior of AQP1 overexpression compared to empty vector controls. We will present preliminary MRI results using an orthotopic rodent model where we modulate levels of AQP1 expression. References: 1. Verkman AS et al. J Mol Med (Epub), 2008. 2. Nagashima G et al. Brain Tumor Pathol 23(1), 2006. 3. Mirvish et al. Soc Neuro-Onc, 2007. 4. Latour LL. PNAS 91(4), 1994. 5. Thewall PE et al. Magn Reson Med 48(4), 2002. 6. Detmers et al. JBiolChem. 281(20); 14207, 2006. Supported by the Diane and Bruce Halle Fund, and the Barrow Neurological Foundation Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 433.
Simultaneous monitoring by optical techniques of respiratory chain and intracellular pH in toad ventricle strip

Intracellular pH and oxidative metabolism can be measured in toad ventricle strips simultaneously by the use of the pH indicator dye, neutral red, and a rapid scanning spectrophotometer. The effects of hypoxia and acidification on mechanical function are approximately additive. The decrease in tension due to slight acidification is probably through an effect on the portion of the twitch tension supported by anaerobic metabolism.
Modeling the Residual in Error-Transport Equations for Estimating Grid-Induced Errors in CFD Solutions

Grid-induced errors in CFD solutions can be generated at one location and then transported elsewhere. The amount of error generated and its propagation depend on the mesh, the numerical method of solution, and the solution itself. This error introduced by the grid in finite-difference and finite-volume solutions can be estimated by a discrete error-transport equation (DETE). The accuracy with which the DETE can estimate grid-induced errors depends on how well the residual in DETE is modeled. Though the DETE approach belongs to the category of single-grid error estimators, this paper examines the usefulness of estimating the residual from solutions obtained on multiple grids.
Order Effect for Two Measures of Hypnotizability

Mean scores of students on the Harvard Group Scale of Hypnotic Susceptibility, Form A and the Creative Imagination Scale were higher if the latter preceded the former (n = 15); in contrast, in the ...
XPS Investigation on Changes in UO2 Speciation following Exposure to Humidity

High purity UO 2 powder samples were subjected to accelerated aging under controlled conditions with relative humidity ranging from 34% to 98%. Characterization of the chemical speciation of the products was accomplished using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). A shift to higher uranium oxidation states was found to be directly correlated to increased relative humidity exposure. Additionally, the relative abundance of O 2- , OH - , and H 2 O was found to vary with exposure time. Thus, it is expected that uranium oxide materials exposed to high relative humidity conditions during processing and storage would display a similar increase in average uranium valence.
Synthesis, characterization, and dielectric properties of β-Gd2(MoO4)3 thin films prepared by chemical solution deposition

A chemical solution was employed for deposition of gadolinium molybdate [β-Gd2(MoO4)3] thin films. Gadolinium acetylacetonate hydrate {[CH3COCH = C(O–)CH3]3Gd·xH2O}, molybdenum isopropoxide {Mo[OCH(CH3)2]5}, and acetylacetone were used in synthesis of this molybdate. Thermal gravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry suggested that crystallization of β-Gd2(MoO4)3 occurs at around 480 °C. Phase-pure, orthorhombic β-Gd2(MoO4)3 films were deposited on Pt/Ti/SiO2/Si(100) substrates. β-Gd2(MoO4)3 films crystallized at 750 °C showed a strong (00l) preferred orientation. The film dielectric constant measured was 10~14 and the dielectric loss was less than 3%. There was no marked signature in the permittivity at the bulk Curie temperature, approximately 159 °C.
Modelling touch-interaction time on smartphones

Accurate performance models are important for interaction technique, application, and hardware design. The limited screen size of mobile devices and use of touch interaction require unique considerations, especially when interacting with large amounts of information. This paper considers the performance impact of target visibility on mobile smartphone applications that provide on-and offscreen content with the commonly used direct-touch interactions and four cursor-based interaction methods for precise selection. Three existing and 12 novel performance models are experimentally validated. Fitts' Law, which was not designed for modelling selection of offscreen targets, did not predict interaction times for mobile interaction methods as accurately as is commonly observed with desktop interaction with onscreen targets. Target visibility was found to greatly impact interaction times particularly for direct-touch interaction. The presented models that incorporate variables related to target visibility greatly improve predicted interaction times. The use and merits of the top models are discussed, emphasizing the importance and implications of accepted user-interface design guidelines.
Fusion bonding for vertical cavity surface-emitting lasers

Summary form only given. This talk summarizes current efforts in fusion bonding and the application of this technology to vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers at Hewlett-Packard laboratories. We discuss electrical characteristics, carrier-concentration profiling and SIMS analyses through InP/GaAs junctions, and the development of 1300 nm VCSELs.
Detecting and visualizing rip current using optical flow

Rip current are fast moving and narrow currents that are strongest near the beach. They are dangerous not only for novice but also experienced swimmers. Once caught in the current, the flow of the water pulls the person away from the beach. Many people in panic try to swim against the current and end up drowning due to exhaustion since these currents are usually faster than the speed at which one can swim. They have led to the drowning deaths of more than 100 beachgoers each year in United States alone [USL16]. For a knowledgeable person, these rip-currents are fairly easy to spot. But they are a threat to most people who are unaware of rip-currents or who do not know how to identify them. In this paper, we discuss a novel approach that uses optical flow to detect rip currents and then visualize them in an intuitive manner.
Acute effects of exercise on attentional bias in low and high anxious young adults

Abstract Objective To examine the effects of an acute bout of exercise on attentional bias, mood, and memory in young adult females who differ in anxiety. Methods Sixty-four participants between the ages of 18–34 years completed two experiments involving tests of attentional bias, mood, and memory before and after a cycling protocol or seated rest control condition. Participants were categorized into low-trait anxious (n = 29) or high-trait anxious (n = 35) groups and randomly allocated to experimental conditions. For both experiments, participants completed the assessments before and following 20 min of moderate intensity exercise or seated rest. Experiment 1 examined word-based attentional bias, while Experiment 2 utilized picture-based attentional bias tests. Results Acute moderate exercise did not alter word-based attentional bias. Exercise decreased picture-based attentional bias, but failed to reach statistical significance (p = 0.057). Enhancements in participants' mood post-exercise were observed; effects of exercise on memory were inconsistent. Conclusion The effects of acute exercise on attentional bias seems to depend on stimulus type. Results suggest that exercise has a greater impact on picture-based attentional bias pre- to post-exercise (Experiment 2) compared to word-based attentional bias (Experiment 1). Moderate intensity exercise improves measures of total mood disturbance, anger, confusion, state anxiety, vigor and tension. This suggests that exercise may have a greater impact on subjective mood measures compared to the attentional processes associated with anxiety.
ASSOCIATION OF FRACTURES WITH FUROSEMIDE THERAPY IN PEDIATRIC MEDICAID PATIENTS WITH CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE

Background: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that may cause a loss of bone mineral density, and thus an increased incidence of bone fractures. Congenital heart disease (CHD) patients are often placed on furosemide. The purpose was to determine the association of furosemide therapy with the incidence of
SiN-on-LiNbO 3 integrated optical modulation at visible wavelengths

Waveguides formed with SiN ridges on thin-film LiNbO 3 enable a platform for compact integrated electro-optic devices in the visible and infrared. We demonstrate Mach-Zehnder modulators at λ = 674 nm with V π L products < 0.5 V·cm, as well as ring resonators with Qs up to 340,000 at λ = 1590 nm.
Real-Time Timbre Classification for Tabletop Hand Drumming

The plethora of electronic drum controllers on the market today are designed for “location-oriented” striking techniques, resulting in an interaction paradigm for finger drumming that is increasingly “controllerist.” Interfaces such as these use the controller in the manner of a musical instrument rather than a simple mixer. The minority of controllers that allow hand-drumming techniques also either conform to region-based triggering design, or, in a trade-off for expressivity, skip out on hardware connectivity options that are vital to the context of the electronic rhythm producer. This article describes the design and implementation of HandSolo, a real-time, timbre-classification drum controller that allows the use of natural hand-drumming strokes, while offering the same end-goal functionality that drum controller users have come to familiarize themselves with over the past decade.
Mechanisms and Therapeutic Relevance of Neuro-immune Communication

Active research at the frontiers of immunology and neuroscience has identified multiple points of interaction and communication between the immune system and the nervous system. Immune cell activation stimulates neuronal circuits that regulate innate and adaptive immunity. Molecular mechanistic insights into the inflammatory reflex and other neuro-immune interactions have greatly advanced our understanding of immunity and identified new therapeutic possibilities in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Recent successful clinical trials using bioelectronic devices that modulate the inflammatory reflex to significantly ameliorate rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease provide a path for using electrons as a therapeutic modality for targeting molecular mechanisms of immunity. Here, we review mechanisms of peripheral sensory neuronal function in response to immune challenges, the neural regulation of immunity and inflammation, and the therapeutic implications of those mechanistic insights.
Progression of Strain Relaxation in Linearly-Graded GaAs1-yPy/GaAs (001) Epitaxial Layers Approximated by a Finite Number of Sublayers

We have investigated the residual in-plane strain and width of the surface misfit dislocation free zone in linearly-graded GaAs1-yPy metamorphic buffer layers as approximated by a finite number of ...
Serious and actionable risks, plus disclosure: Investigating an alternative approach for presenting risk information in prescription drug television advertisements

Abstract Background Broadcast direct-to-consumer (DTC) prescription drug ads that present product claims are required to also present the product's major risks. Debate exists regarding how much information should be included in these major risk statements. Some argue that such statements expose people to unnecessary amounts of information, while others argue that they leave out important information. Objectives Examine the impact of type of risk statement (unedited versus serious and actionable risks only) and a disclosure indicating that not all risks are presented on consumers' ability to remember the important risks and benefits of a drug following exposure to a DTC television advertisement (ad). Risk and benefit perceptions, ad-prompted actions, recognition of the disclosure statement, and evaluations of both the disclosure and risk statement were also examined. Methods A web-based experiment was conducted in which US adults who self-reported as having depression (N = 500), insomnia (N = 500), or high cholesterol (N = 500) were randomly assigned to view one of four versions of the television ad, and then complete a questionnaire. Results The type of risk statement had a significant effect on risk recall and recognition, benefit recognition, perceived risk severity (depression condition only), and perceived benefit magnitude (high cholesterol condition only). Disclosure recognition (using bias-corrected scores) ranged from 63% to 70% across the three illness samples. Conclusions The revised risk statement improved overall processing of the television ad, as evidenced by improved risk recall and recognition and improved benefit recognition. Further, the presence of the disclosure did not adversely affect consumers' processing of drug risk and benefit information. Therefore, limiting the risks presented in DTC television ads and including a disclosure alerting consumers that not all risks are presented may be an effective strategy for communicating product risks.
The burden of family caregiving in the United States: work productivity, health care resource utilization, and mental health among employed adults.

Background Family caregiving is an increasingly important component of care for patients and the elderly. Objective The aim of this study is to characterize the burden of family caregiving among employed adults. Methods Employed adults (≥18 years) from the 2013 US National Health and Wellness Survey (NHWS) were classified as family caregivers if they reported currently caring for at least one adult relative. Chi-square tests and one-way analyses of variance assessed whether employed caregivers, weighted to the US population, differed from employed non-caregivers on behavioral characteristics, workplace productivity, and health care resource utilization. Results Eight million workers were family caregivers in the United States, more often female than male (51% vs. 49%, P < 0.05), and 53% were between 40 and 64 years of age. Eighteen percent of caregivers were Hispanic compared with 15% of non-caregivers (P < 0.05). Similar behavioral characteristics between caregivers and non-caregivers included daily alcohol consumption (6% vs. 5%) and lack of vigorous exercise (25% vs. 29%), but caregivers had a higher prevalence of smoking (26% vs. 19%, P < 0.05). Caregivers reported a higher mean percentage of work time missed (8% vs. 4%, P < 0.05) and greater productivity impairment (24% vs. 14%, P < 0.05). Some form of depression was reported by 53% of caregivers compared with 32% of non-caregivers (P < 0.05), and more caregivers had self-reported insomnia than non-caregivers (46% vs. 37%, P < 0.05). The number of self-reported diagnosed comorbidities was higher among caregivers compared with that of non-caregivers (5.0 vs. 3.1, P < 0.05), as was the mean number of outpatient visits in the previous 6 months (4.1 vs. 2.7, P < 0.05). Conclusion Family caregiving is associated with a multidimensional burden that impacts caregivers and has implications for employers and the health care system. Clinicians and employers need to recognize and understand this burden. Characterization of caregivers as reported in this study can inform development of targeted programs to help mitigate the burden.
Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Infections of the Upper Extremity: 15-Year Experience at a Tertiary Care Medical Center

Purpose To present our experience with culture-positive, nontuberculous mycobacterial infections (NTMI) of the upper extremity and to compare the clinical features and outcomes of treatment among immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients. Methods All patients at our medical center diagnosed with NTMI of the upper extremity from December 1, 2000, through December 31, 2015, were included. We performed a retrospective analysis of patient demographic characteristics, delay to diagnosis, risk factors, clinical presentation, specific location, diagnostic testing, treatment regimens, and outcomes. These variables were compared between immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients. Results Forty-four patients were identified with culture-positive NTMI of the upper extremity. Of the patients, 27 (61%) were men (median age, 59 years [range, 23–83 years]). Twenty (45%) patients were immunocompromised. Immunocompromised patients had fewer known inoculation injuries compared with immunocompetent patients (45% vs 92%). A significant difference existed in the treatment regimens selected for immunocompetent versus immunocompromised patients: immunocompetent patients were more often treated with both antibiotics and surgery (88% vs 50%), whereas immunocompromised patients were more often treated with antibiotics alone (45% vs 4%). Overall, 24% experienced treatment failure and 9% died. Outcomes were relatively similar between immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients. A shorter delay to diagnosis was associated with a lower failure rate. Conclusions Diagnosis of upper-extremity NTMI is often delayed because of indolent presentation and lack of clinical suspicion. The clinical presentation, diagnostic delay, and diagnostic testing results are similar between immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients. Although treatment varied significantly between patient groups, outcomes were similar. Timely diagnosis has the greatest impact on patient outcome. Type of study/level of evidence Therapeutic IV.
Data fusion using Hilbert space multi-dimensional models

Abstract General procedures for constructing, estimating, and testing Hilbert space multi-dimensional (HSM) models, built from quantum probability theory, are presented. HSM models can be applied to collections of K different contingency tables obtained from a set of p variables that are measured under different contexts. A context is defined by the measurement of a subset of the p variables that are used to form a table. HSM models provide a representation of the collection of K tables in a low dimensional vector space, even when no single joint probability distribution across the p variables exists. HSM models produce parameter estimates that provide a simple and informative interpretation of the complex collection of tables.
Navigating Generational Frictions Through Bihu Festival Performance in Assam, India

Abstract: Drawing on research conducted during doctoral fieldwork in Assam, India from 2009 to 2016, this article investigates frictions that shape narratives of generational change. In addition to exploring how female performers in rural Assam creatively interpret the narrative themes of Bihu as they transition from youth to adulthood, I situate the work of singer Khagen Mahanta, whose performances contributed to the mass popularity of Bihu, alongside more recent musical innovations of his son, who has become an icon of Assamese youth culture. These discussions intersect with my experiences performing with artists who move between ritual contexts, festival stages, and competitions.
Importance of Getting a Sample for ABO Type Early in a Resuscitation

Testing for patient ABO type is important for two reasons. First, it allows the transfusion service to know which blood products are compatible with the circulating ABO isoagglutinins in the patient’s plasma. Second, it allows a switch in product support from “universal donor” products to ABO type-specific products. This is the most effective way to protect the community blood supply, particularly because more than 50% of patients will have a blood type other than O, and most patients are RhD positive. If a massive transfusion occurs before a sample is obtained for ABO type, it may be impossible to discern the patient’s native type. Further product support will entail risking the community supply of universal components in the effort to save the patient.
Experience and the active mind

This paper investigates a new species ofskeptical reasoning about visual experience that takesits start from developments in perceptual science(especially recent work on change blindness andinattentional blindness). According to thisskepticism, the impression of visual awareness of theenvironment in full detail and high resolution isillusory. I argue that the new skepticism depends onmisguided assumptions about the character ofperceptual experience, about whether perceptualexperiences are 'internal' states, and about how bestto understand the relationship between a person's oranimal's perceptual capacities and the brain-level orneural processes on which they depend. I propose aconception of perceptual experience as a form ofskillful engagement with the environment on the partof the whole person or animal.
Multilevel Selection Can Lead To Cooperation In A Public Goods Game

In the basic public goods game the Nash equilibrium is to defect, that is, to share nothing. Resource sharing can evolve via multilevel selection on groups that have low variation within the group ...
Does Pornography Use Reduce Marriage Entry During Early Adulthood? Findings from a Panel Study of Young Americans

A number of recent studies have examined the connection between pornography use and relationship outcomes for Americans already in marriages. The current study takes this research in a different direction by examining (1) whether pornography use may be associated with entrance into marriage during early adulthood and (2) whether this association is moderated by gender and religion, two key factors strongly related to both pornography use and earlier marriage. Longitudinal data were taken from waves 1, 3, and 4 of the National Study of Youth and Religion, a nationally-representative panel study of Americans from their teenage years into early adulthood (N = 1691). It was theorized that frequent pornography use at earlier survey waves may foster more sexually progressive attitudes that may lead to devaluing marriage as an institution, and, for religious men in particular, may disincentivize marriage as a “socially legitimate” means of sexual fulfillment. The association between pornography use and marriage entry was non-linear for men and non-existent among women. Among men, higher frequency pornography viewers were not significantly different from non-viewers in their likelihood of marriage entry. Compared to more moderate levels of pornography use, however, higher levels of pornography use in emerging adulthood were associated with a lower likelihood of marriage by the final survey wave for men. Associations were not moderated by religiosity for either gender. Data limitations and implications for future research are discussed.
Large pelvic tubercle in orangutans relates to the adductor longus muscle

Orangutan pelves commonly exhibit a large, projecting tubercle in the iliopubic region, historically assumed to homologous to the pubic tubercle in humans. However, it is not clear whether this tubercle is a unique feature of Pongo, or if it is anatomically homologous with the human pubic tubercle when considered as a soft tissue attachment point. To clarify this issue, we dissected orangutan and other ape cadaveric specimens to evaluate the pelvic brim soft tissues and how they may relate to the tubercle (when present). We additionally conducted a broad osteological survey of pelvic brim morphology across 28 primate genera (n = 294 specimens) to document the presence of the tubercle in primate pelves. Cadaveric dissections revealed that the tubercle is exclusively associated with the proximal attachment of the adductor longus muscle tendon in orangutans. Our osteological survey confirms that the tubercle is both constantly present and very prominent in orangutans. We observed that the tubercle is consistently situated along the pectineal line, lateral to where the pubic tubercle in humans is found, thereby making its structural homology unlikely. The osteological survey documented the tubercle at polymorphic frequencies in all hominoid taxa, though generally less protuberant than observed in Pongo. We argue that this further excludes its possibility of homology with the pubic tubercle, and that it may therefore be more appropriately be considered an adductor longus tubercle. We discuss possible functional and phylogenetic implications for this feature.
Association of Race/Ethnicity With Hospital Discharge Disposition After Elective Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Importance Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is one of the most common elective procedures performed in adults with end-stage arthritis. Racial disparities in TKA outcomes have been described in the literature. Objectives To assess the association of race/ethnicity with discharge disposition and hospital readmission after elective primary TKA and to assess the association of nonhome discharge disposition with hospital readmission risk. Design, Setting, and Participants This retrospective cohort study used data from the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council Database, a large regional database that included demographic data from all discharges of patients who underwent elective primary TKA in 170 nongovernmental acute care hospitals in Pennsylvania from April 1, 2012, to September 30, 2015. Data analyses were conducted from September 29, 2017, to November 29, 2017. Exposures Patient race/ethnicity and discharge disposition. Main Outcomes and Measures Discharge disposition and 90-day hospital readmission. Results Among 107 768 patients, 7287 (6.8%) were African American, 68 372 (63.4%) were women, 46 420 (43.1%) were younger than 65 years, and 60 636 (56.3%) were insured by Medicare. In multivariable logistic regression, among patients younger than 65 years, African American patients were more likely than white patients to be discharged to inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF) (adjusted relative risk ratio [aRRR], 2.49 [95% CI, 1.42-4.36];P = .001) or a skilled nursing facility (SNF) (aRRR, 3.91 [95% CI, 2.17-7.06];P Conclusions and Relevance This cohort study found that race/ethnicity was associated with higher odds of discharge to an IRF or SNF for postoperative care after primary TKA. Among patients younger than 65 years, African American patients were more likely than white patients to be readmitted to the hospital within 90 days. Discharge to an IRF or SNF for postoperative care and rehabilitation was also associated with a higher risk of readmission to an acute care hospital.
The adrenergic receptor antagonists propranolol and carvedilol decrease bone sarcoma cell viability and sustained carvedilol reduces clonogenic survival and increases radiosensitivity in canine osteosarcoma cells

Adrenergic receptor (AR) expression has been demonstrated at several sites of primary and metastatic tumour growth and may influence proliferation, survival, metastasis and angiogenesis. AR antagonists like propranolol and carvedilol inhibit proliferation, induce apoptosis and synergize with chemotherapy agents in some cancers. Radiation resistance is mediated in many cells by upregulation of pro-survival pathways, which may be influenced by ARs. Studies evaluating AR antagonists combined with radiation are limited. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of propranolol and carvedilol on viability and radiosensitivity in sarcoma cell lines. The hypothesis was that propranolol and carvedilol would increase radiosensitivity in four primary bone sarcoma cell lines. Single agent propranolol or carvedilol inhibited cell viability in all cell lines in a concentration-dependent manner. The mean inhibitory concentrations (IC50 ) for carvedilol were approximately 4-fold lower than propranolol and may be clinically relevant in vivo. Immunoblot analysis confirmed AR expression in both human and canine sarcoma cell lines; however, there was no correlation between baseline AR protein expression and radiosensitivity. Short duration treatment with carvedilol and propranolol did not significantly affect clonogenic survival. Prolonged exposure to propranolol and carvedilol significantly decreased the surviving fraction of canine osteosarcoma cells after 3Gy radiation. Based on our results and possible in vivo activity in dogs, further studies investigating the effects of carvedilol on sarcoma are warranted.
The Idea of the Self: Thought and Experience in Western Europe since the Seventeenth Century

Part I. Introductory: 1. Dimensions and contexts of selfhood 2. Between ancients and moderns Part II. British modernity: 3. Personal identity and modern selfhood: Locke 4. Self-centeredness and sociability: Mandeville and Hume 5. Adam Smith and modern self-fashioning Part III. Society and Self-Knowledge: France from Old Regime to Restoration: 6. Sensationalism, reflection, and inner freedom: Condillac and Diderot 7. Wholeness, withdrawal, self-revelation: Rousseau 8. Reflectivity, sense-experience, and the perils of social life: Maine de Biran and Constant Part IV. The World and the Self in German Idealism: 9. Autonomy, limitation, and the purposiveness of nature: Kant 10. Purposiveness and Bildung: Herder, Humboldt, and Goethe 11. The ego and the world: Fichte, Novalis, Schelling 12. Universal selfhood: Hegel Part V. The Past in the Present: 13. Dejection, insight, and self-making: Coleridge and Mill 14. From cultivated subjectivity to the polarities of self-formation in nineteenth-century France 15. Society and selfhood reconciled: Janet, Fouill, Bergson 16. Will, reflection, and self-overcoming: Schopenhauer and Nietzsche 17. Being and transcendence: Heidegger 18. Deaths and transfigurations of the self: Foucault and Derrida 19. Conclusion Bibliography Index.
American Public Opinion, Advocacy, and Policy in Congress: What the Public Wants and What It Gets

1. Introduction 2. Policy change 3. Public opinion 4. Advocacy: how Americans try to influence Congress 5. The impact of advocacy on congressional action 6. Advocacy, information, and policy innovation 7. Conclusions.