cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Charged kaon mass measurement using the Cherenkov effect

The two most recent and precise measurements of the charged kaon mass use X-rays from kaonic atoms and report uncertainties of 14 ppm and 22 ppm yet dier from each other by 122 ppm. We describe the possibility of an independent mass measurement using the measurement of Cherenkov light from a narrow-band beam of kaons, pions, and protons. This technique was demonstrated using data taken opportunistically by the Main Injector Particle Production experiment at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory which recorded beams of protons, kaons, and pions ranging in momentum from +37 GeV/c to +63 GeV/c. The measured value is 491.3 1.7 MeV/c 2 , which is within 1.4 of the world average. An improvement of two orders of magnitude in precision would make this technique useful for resolving the ambiguity in the X-ray data and may be achievable in a dedicated experiment.
The effect of intravenous dextrose infusion on postbypass hyperglycemia in pediatric patients undergoing cardiac operations

Abstract Study Objective: To determine whether elimination of intraoperative dextrose-containing infusions affects post—cardiopulmonary bypass hyperglycemia in pediatric patients. Design: Randomized, unblinded, saline-controlled study of perioperative glucose infusions in children undergoing cardiac surgery. Setting: Cardiac surgery suite and pediatric intensive care unit (ICU) of a university medical center. Patients: 33 consecutive, nondiabetic children undergoing cardiac surgery with deep hypothermia over an 8-month period. Interventions: Group A (n = 16) received only normal saline infusions intraoperatively, and Group B (n = 17) received 5% dextrose and lactated Ringer's solution exclusively. Blood glucose was sampled immediately after induction of anesthesia, prior to cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), after separation from CPB, on arrival in the ICU, and the morning of the first postoperative day. Data were analyzed using Student's t -test for independent samples, paired t -test, and analysis of variance, with p Measurements and Main Results : Although moderate elevations in blood glucose (mean less than 165 mgldl) after CPB were present in Group A, significantly higher levels (mean greater than 250 mg/dl) were noted in Group B. No children were hypoglycemic (glucose less than 40 mg/dl). Glucose levels were normal in both groups on the morning of the first postoperative day despite patients' having received continuous dextrose infusions in the ICU and the presumed stress of emergence from anesthesia. Conclusions: Extreme postbypass hyperglycemia can be controlled by eliminating intra-operative dextrose infusions. Hypoglycemia, an unlikely event, can easily be avoided by regular blood sampling, which is facilitated by the routine placement of arterial catheters.
Structure of guanylyl‐3′,5′‐cytidine monophosphate. II. Description of the molecular and crystal structure of the calcium derivative in space group P21

Synopsis The structural features of calcium guanosine-3’,5’-cytidine monophosphate (GpC) have been elucidated by X-ray diffraction analysis.o The molecule was crystallized in space group P2, with cell constants of a = 21.224 A, b = 34.207 d, c = 9.327 h;, and p = 90.527”, 2 = 8. The hydration of the crystal is 2101, by weight with 72 water molecules in the unit cell. The four GpC molecules in the asymmetric unit occur as two Watson-Crick hydrogen-bonded dimers related by a pseudo-C face centering. Each dimer consists of two independent GpC molecules whose bases are hydrogen bonded to each other in the traditional Watson-Crick fashion. Each dimer possesses a pseudo twofold axis broken by a calcium ion and associated solvent. The four molecules are conformationally similar to helical RNA, but are not identical to it or to each other. Instead, values of conformational angles reflect the intrinsic flexibility of the molecule within the range of basic helical conformations. All eight bases are anti, sugars are all C3‘-mdo, and the C4’-C5’ bond rotoations are gauchegauche. The R factor is 12.6% for 2918 observed reflections at 1.2-A resolution.
Autoimmune thyroiditis in antinuclear antibody positive children without rheumatologic disease

Background Children are commonly referred to a pediatric rheumatology center for the laboratory finding of an Anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) of undetermined significance. Previous studies regarding adult rheumatology patients have supported an association between ANA and anti-thyroid antibodies, with the prevalence of thyroid antibodies being significantly higher in patients referred to a rheumatology center for an ANA without evidence of connective tissue disease compared to the general population. The purpose of the present study was to determine the frequency of thyroid antibodies in children referred to a pediatric rheumatology center for a positive ANA without evidence of a connective tissue disease.
Rationally Designed Integrin β3 Mutants Stabilized in the High Affinity Conformation

Integrins are important cell surface receptors that transmit bidirectional signals across the membrane. It has been shown that a conformational change of the integrin β-subunit headpiece (i.e. the β I domain and the hybrid domain) plays a critical role in regulating integrin ligand binding affinity and function. Previous studies have used coarse methods (a glycan wedge, mutations in transmembrane contacts) to force the β-subunit into either the open or closed conformation. Here, we demonstrate a detailed understanding of this conformational change by applying computational design techniques to select five amino acid side chains that play an important role in the energetic balance between the open and closed conformations of αIIbβ3. Eight single-point mutants were designed at these sites, of which five bound ligands much better than wild type. Further, these mutants were found to be in a more extended conformation than wild type, suggesting that the conformational change at the ligand binding headpiece was propagated to the legs of the integrin. This detailed understanding of the conformational change will assist in the development of allosteric drugs that either stabilize or destabilize specific integrin conformations without occluding the ligand-binding site.
Stability of synchronized distributed control of discrete swarm structures

Investigates the stability of synchronized distributed control of 1D and 2D swarm structures. A new distributed control method for swarm structures is proposed. The dynamic range of swarm structures under synchronized distributed control is discussed. The authors prove that both 1D and 2D swarm structures are stable with appropriate weights in the sum of adjacent errors if the vertical disturbances vary sufficiently more slowly than the response time of the servo systems of the agents. It is also proven that the Lyapunov functions of swarm structures are monotonically decreasing, and tend to zero as the time goes to infinity; hence there is no local minimum. >
Isolation and molecular characterization of fluoroquinolone-resistant Escherichia coli from poultry litter

Nineteen fluoroquinolone-resistant Escherichia coli strains were isolated from poultry litter. Sixteen of the 19 strains were serotyped to groups 6, 8, 53, 56, 153, and 174. Three strains were not serotyped to any known group. All isolates were resistant to multiple antibiotics. Most strains were resistant to gentamicin, kanamycin, chloramphenicol, and streptomycin. Ribotyping of the multidrug-resistant isolates with restriction enzyme PvuII showed 5 different ribogroups, suggesting independent development of resistance instead of clonal spread. Quinolone resistance was associated with mutations of the quinolone resistance-determining region (QRDR) of the gyr A gene in all cases. To determine the incidence of gyr A mutations in fluoroquinolone-resistant E. coli isolates, a rapid PCR-based assay was used by amplifying a 164-bp region of the gyr A gene containing the mutation sites followed by digestion of the PCR product with restriction enzyme HinfI. A higher level of resistance to ciprofloxacin [minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) >4 microg] was associated with double mutations, but the mutants with a low level of resistance (MIC Leu) or a G-to-A transition at position 259 (Asp 87-->Asn). The ciprofloxacin-resistant (MIC >4 microg) isolates had mutations at both positions. Fluoroquinolone resistance was present among different serotypes and ribotypes, and drug resistance profiles suggest that the incidence of resistance does not indicate a clonal population in avian E. coli.
Nanopore DNA sensors in CMOS with on-chip low-noise preamplifiers

We present an integrated platform for single-molecule electrochemical analysis in which solid-state nanopore sensors are post-fabricated into a custom CMOS preamplifier die. The usable bandwidth of solid-state nanopore sensors is typically constrained by noise caused by parasitic impedances from the sensor's support substrate and external measurement electronics. By integrating the sensor with a dedicated amplifier we provide a path to significantly reduce these parasitics. The new system includes a low-noise 8-channel preamplifier in a 0.13µm CMOS process. The chip is post-processed to fabricate Ag/AgCl microelectrodes and silicon nitride nanopores.
Automatic weight learning for multiple data sources when learning from demonstration

Traditional approaches to programming robots are generally inaccessible to non-robotics-experts. A promising exception is the Learning from Demonstration paradigm. Here a policy mapping world observations to action selection is learned, by generalizing from task demonstrations by a teacher. Most Learning from Demonstration work to date considers data from a single teacher. In this paper, we consider the incorporation of demonstrations from multiple teachers. In particular, we contribute an algorithm that handles multiple data sources, and additionally reasons about reliability differences between them. For example, multiple teachers could be inequally proficient at performing the demonstrated task. We introduce Demonstration Weight Learning (DWL) as a Learning from Demonstration algorithm that explicitly represents multiple data sources and learns to select between them, based on their observed reliability and according to an adaptive expert learning inspired approach. We present a first implementation of DWL within a simulated robot domain. Data sources are shown to differ in reliability, and weighting is found impact task execution success. Furthermore, DWL is shown to produce appropriate data source weights that improve policy performance.
The use of an automated notification system to identify and address early readmissions by a university hospitalist service.

AbstractObjectives. To examine the association of an automated physician feedback system prompting physician review of early readmissions with a change in overall readmission rates. Methods. The University of Utah Internal Medicine Hospitalist Service created an automated system to alert discharging providers to any patient readmitted within 30 days. For any 7-day readmission, the physician was asked to complete a survey to describe the admission and discharge and to identify contributing factors to the readmission. Using the University HealthSystem Consortium database, readmission rates were compared prior to and following this intervention. Results. Following the intervention, 30-day readmission rates significantly decreased from 13.93% to 11.99% (p = 0.0298). The 7-day readmission rates decreased as well but the findings were not statistically significant. The discharging physician deemed 45% of the readmissions preventable or probably preventable. Conclusion. Readmissions are common, costly and potent...
The Making of Trigger and the Agile Engineering of Artist-Scientist Collaboration

The agile process approach used in software engineering was adapted as a foundation for the management of the multimedia art installation project titled "Trigger." By beginning with requirements engineering and risk management assessments, instead of rigid planning, the project was designed with flexibility that allowed for iterative adjustment. The residency period drew the artist, Jody Zellen, and the computer scientists together for agile learning by the processes of doing and testing. This style of management allowed the group to act decisively with incomplete information, thereby successfully finishing the project in time to meet a rigid deadline.
Identification of DRIP205 as a Coactivator for the Farnesoid X Receptor

Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) is a bile acid sensor that regulates the expression of a number of genes the products of which control bile acid and cholesterol homeostasis; however, the role of DRIP205 in FXR-mediated gene regulation remains unexplored. In this study we demonstrate that DRIP205 binds FXR in a ligand-dependent manner in vitro and in vivo. Glutathione S-transferase pull-down assays showed that DRIP205 binds FXR in response to bile acid ligands in a dose-dependent fashion and that the potency of this interaction is associated with the ability of the ligand to activate FXR. In addition, the FXR-DRIP205 interaction required the presence of an intact LXXLL nuclear receptor box 1 (N-terminal) motif of DRIP205. In gel shift assays FXR was also able to recruit DRIP205 in the context of a DNA-bound FXR/RXR (retinoid X receptor) heterodimer. In transient transfection assays, DRIP205 efficiently enhanced a bile acid-activated FXRE-driven reporter gene in a dose-dependent manner in cells overexpressing FXR/RXR, demonstrating that DRIP205 enhances FXR-mediated transactivation. By contrast, an FXRW469A mutant in the activation function 2 domain that does not bind to DRIP205 was unable to activate ligand-stimulated FXR transcription, indicating that DRIP205 is recruited to activation function 2 of FXR. Requirement for the FXR/RXR heterodimer in the DRIP205-FXR interaction was evaluated using an RXR heterodimerization-deficient FXR mutant (FXRL433R). FXRL433R was not able to bind to DRIP205 and failed to enhance an FXRE-driven reporter gene. In addition, DRIP205 was unable to induce FXR-mediated transactivation in the absence of RXR overexpression, indicating that FXR heterodimerization with RXR is required for coactivation by DRIP205. Finally, in HepG2 cells, overexpression or reduction of DRIP205 levels modulated the induction of endogenous FXR target gene mRNA expression by ligand. Together, these results demonstrate that DRIP205 acts as a bona fide coactivator of FXR and underscore the importance of DRIP205 in modulating the bile acid response of FXR target genes.
Surgical Technique for Extent I, II, and III Thoraco-Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

In contrast to Crawford extent IV thoraco-abdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) repairs, which involve replacing only the abdominal aorta, extent I, II, and III repairs involve replacing portions of both the thoracic and abdominal aortic segments. These more extensive repairs remain a particular challenge to the surgeon because of the associated risks posed by distal ischemia, including its most serious complications — paraplegia and renal failure. Consequently, several adjuncts and technical strategies have been developed to mitigate ischemic complications: systemic and localized hypothermia, moderate heparinization, aggressive reattachment of segmental arteries, sequential aortic clamping, cerebrospinal fluid drainage, motor evoked potential monitoring, left heart bypass to provide distal aortic perfusion, and selective visceral perfusion. Although we use a multimodal approach to optimize organ protection during all TAAA repairs, particular techniques are selected according to each patient’s risk factors and anatomy, and the extent of aortic replacement. Therefore, although the approaches to Crawford extents of repair I, II, and III are similar, there remain distinct differences among them. In our contemporary series of 307 patients who underwent extents I, II, and III TAAA repairs with our current organ-protection strategies during 2006–2009, the early mortality rate was 6.2%, the prevalence of paraplegia at discharge was 2.9%, and the prevalence of acute renal failure necessitating dialysis at discharge was 3.6%.
„Intersubjektivität“ Zur Kritik an ihrem transzendentalphänomenologischen Begriff

Das transzendentale Subjekt ist, zumindest scheinbar, eine geradezu anti-soziologische Theoriefigur,wie das etwa Luhmann mit seinem Vorwurf an die Subjektphilosophie, sie „anthropologisiere“ Selbstreferenz, deutlich macht. Der Anlas, den speziell Husserls Subjekttheorievordergrundig zu derlei Diagnosen bietet, ist folgender: Sozialitat und Kommunikation bleiben im Wissenschaftsunternehmen der transzendentalen Phanomenologie gegenuber der individuellen Einzelsubjektivitat gleichsam nachrangige Kategorien.Wo Sozialitat, wie in der transzendentalphanomenologischen Intersubjekti-vitatstheorie, uberhaupt in den Blick ruckt, erhalt sie doch keinen Zutritt zum grundenden Begriff der Subjektivitat, sondern erscheint (qua „Intersub-jektivitat“) in konstitutiver Abhangigkeit von einem Subjektbegriff, der das individuelle Einzelich im Auge hat und Kommunikativitat und Sozialitat von der transzendentalen Ursprungsdimension sorgsam fernhalt. Die Einschatzung, Husserl habe sich fur die zeitgenossische Soziologie nicht sonderlich interessiert, trifft wohl zu.41 Und trotz aller Bemuhungen von Alfred Schutz, umgekehrt „Husserls Bedeutung fur die Sozialwissenschaften“ aufzudecken (Bemuhungen, in deren Verlauf sich bis in die Grundbegriffe erstreckende Uminterpretationen als unumganglich erwiesen),42 konnte man ebendiese Bedeutung anderorten mit nicht weniger Plausibilitat fur gering werten.43
The oral health status of nursing home residents: what do we need to know?

Oral health care for elder residents of nursing homes often presents a challenge,[1][1]–[4][2] particularly to those individuals who must rely on caregivers for their daily oral health maintenance. These caregivers assume the daily responsibility for good oral hygiene practices that were once the
EXTRAPAIR PATERNITY INCREASES VARIABILITY IN MALE REPRODUCTIVE SUCCESS IN THE CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER (DENDROICA PENSYLVANICA), A SOCIALLY MONOGAMOUS SONGBIRD

Abstract A monogamous mating system that includes extrapair fertilization can potentially generate higher variability in male reproductive success than monogamy without extrapair fertilization. That increased variability could provide a correspondingly higher opportunity for sexual selection and, thus, for the origin and persistence of sexual dimorphism in monogamous species. To determine whether extrapair fertilization enhanced the opportunity for sexual selection in a sexually dimorphic, monogamous bird species, we used microsatellite DNA typing to assess the prevalence of extrapair fertilization and its effect on variation in male reproductive success in a population of Chestnut-sided Warblers (Dendroica pensylvanica). We found that the level of extrapair fertilization in our study population was at the upper end of the range reported for bird populations (47% of nestlings had extrapair fathers; 61% of broods contained extrapair offspring). We also discovered that almost all extrapair offspring were si...
Thematic Chapter: Epistemology and Systems Design

This is a brief tutorial on epistemology and its relevance to systems design. First, I will sketch what epistemology is and how it relates to the task of designing systems. Then I caricature six contrasting epistemological positions, both professional and “common sense” based, to show how differences of epistemological orientation may critically affect design.
Synchrophasor Measurement-Based Wind Plant Inertia Estimation: Preprint

The total inertia stored in all rotating masses that are connected to power systems, such as synchronous generations and induction motors, is an essential force that keeps the system stable after disturbances. To ensure bulk power system stability, there is a need to estimate the equivalent inertia available from a renewable generation plant. An equivalent inertia constant analogous to that of conventional rotating machines can be used to provide a readily understandable metric. This paper explores a method that utilizes synchrophasor measurements to estimate the equivalent inertia that a wind plant provides to the system.
Standard Oil in Indonesia, 1898–1928

For many years Americans engaged in business abroad at their own risk, unaided in any important way by the backing of their government. When confronted with the forces of national self-interest, they faced frustration. Then the policy of the United States, aware of its economic responsibilities and opportunities and dangers, swung to their support. The new diplomacy was not always adept, but it produced remarkable changes. These are exemplified in the thirty-year history of American efforts to gain an entry to the oilfields of the Netherlands East Indies. The files of the Department of State provide an intimate and unique view both of motivations and the mechanisms of change.
Neuroinflammation,Microglia and Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder,pathologically cbaracterized by a progressive degeneration of dopaminergic neurons leading to dopaminergic deficiency in the striatum.Till now the pathogenesis of PD is unclear.However,neuroinflammation in PD becomes remarkable,in which the activation of microglia plays a predominant role.Moreover,the activation of microglia may be a target for developing new neu- roprotective anti-Parkinson drugs.This review provides an outline of major effects of activated microglia on the neu- rons and its mechanism.
Alterations in fetal and maternal carbohydrate metabolism in the primate fetus: Studies of glucose and insulin in response to intravenous injections of purified glucagon and cyclic adenosine monophosphate

Abstract An insulin-free glucagon preparation was obtained and studied in the primate by obtaining control and study plasma insulin and blood glucose measurements in the mother and fetus of the Macaca mulatta at 150 to 156 days of gestation. The experiment involved placement of polyvinyl catheters within the inferior vena cava of both the mother and fetus with the use of pentobarbital anesthesia. The intravenous injection of glucagon produced an insignificant immediate increase in the insulin output by the fetal pancreas. In addition, fetal injections of cyclic adenosine monophosphate failed to produce a fetal insulin rise whereas the fetal glucose and the maternal glucose and insulin levels increased. These data support the concept that the previously described fetal and neonatal responses to injected glucagon have been mainly due to the insulin contamination in the glucagon product.
Understanding the Challenges of Designing and Developing Multi-Device Experiences

As the number of computing devices available to users continues to grow, personal computing increasingly involves using multiple devices together. However, support for multi-device interactions has fallen behind users' desire to leverage the diverse capabilities of the devices that surround them. In this paper, we report on an interview study of 29 designers and developers in which we investigate the barriers to creating useful, usable, and delightful multi-device experiences. We uncovered three key challenges: 1) the difficulty in designing the interactions between devices, 2) the complexity of adapting interfaces to different platform UI standards, and 3) the lack of tools and methods for testing multi-device user experiences. We discuss the technological and business factors behind these challenges and potential ways to lower the barriers they impose.
Towards Extracting Drug-Effect Relation from Twitter: A Supervised Learning Approach

Advancements in social media technology have resulted in the booming of massive public data. The availability of these huge data sets offers numerous research opportunities for deriving meaningful cause-effect relationships for many applications. One important application domain is the cause of side effects of drugs. In this paper, we applied supervised learning to extract useful cause-and-effect information related to drugs from Twitter. To filter out unrelated information and to increase the accuracy of classification, a spam filter and a preprocessing procedure have been developed. Validation experiments were performed using a manually labeled data set based on streamed tweets collected continuously on Twitter in real-time for 48 hours, and exploiting six different supervised machine-learning classifiers. Results have shown that these classifiers have achieved up to 77% accuracy in identifying drugs' cause-effect relations on Twitter data. This result has shown a positive feasibility for collecting drug side effect information from Twitter. The proposed method may be applied to other areas such as food, beverages, and other daily consumer products for finding their side effects and people's opinions concerning them.
Objections and Rejoinders

Reasons for actions of all types are elusive. It is notoriously difficult to verify whether or not one really has a reason to act one way or another. If this were not the case, indecision would not be such a regular precursor to action, nor regret it successor. This inconclusiveness is compounded for relative external reasons by the fact that one can only properly deliberate about them after having acted on them, and only after proper deliberation, can an agent determine whether he had a reason for acting. In making that determination, he ought to consider two features: (1) whether having acted on the reason has increased the coherence of his motivational structure in such a way that his agential control has also been enhanced, and (2) whether that reason is relative to some element that was present in that motivational set all along.
Green roofs may cast shadows

A “green roof” is a roof on a structure created by humans, which has a plant community (and various hangers-on) established on it. There are many potential benefits of green roofs, ranging from moderation of local microclimates to modulations of storm runoffs, and green roofs may serve the enhancement of biodiversity conservation, as well. Green roofs would seem to be quintessential examples of a “novel ecosystem”. Here, I first outline some dimensions of the novelty that warrant more research. Green roofs can provide many opportunities for creative ecological research in the assembly, dynamics and functioning of novel ecosystems. Then, I briefly discuss some potential biodiversity hazards that are created along with green roofs. Recognizing these potential “shadows” of a green roof by no means belies the strong and compelling rationale for promoting green roofs, in terms of sustainability and livability of human structures; instead the points I raise are simply issues which should be evaluated and quanti...
Partial discharge characteristics of solid insulation containing spherical cavities of small diameter

This paper reports on a continuing investigation of the partial discharge characteristics of micron-size cavities embedded in a solid dielectric. Partial discharges in large cavities in solid insulation are known to cause progressive deterioration of the insulation and ultimate breakdown.1 A large number of voids in the diameter range one to tens of micrometers are known to be produced in the process of manufacture of extruded cross-linked polyethylene cables.2 It is conceivable that discharges could occur in some of these micro-voids and cause gradual degradation of the plastic similar to discharges in large cavities in solid insulation. In order to study the partial discharge (p.d.) behavior of solid insulators containing micron-size cavities under high-voltage stress, spherical cavities (microspheres) up to tens of micrometers in diameter were introduced into the solid in known proportions. The effect of the size and concentration of the microspheres in the solid were investigated and compared to the p.d. behavior of samples which contain no artificially-introduced microspheres.
Inhalation devices, delivery systems, and patient technique

Abstract Background In real-life clinical settings, physicians often consider the properties of various inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs), but typically little consideration is given to the properties of different inhalers and formulations. Objective To discuss the effects of inhalation devices and user technique on efficacy, safety, and adherence with the aim of improving asthma management. Methods Relevant publications were selected to augment discussion. Results There are many types of devices available, each with advantages, disadvantages, ease of use, and rate of misuse. Aerosol particle size influences the deposition pattern of a drug in the lungs, and the optimal particle size range is 1 to 5 μm. Retrospective reviews suggest that smaller particles (1–2 μm) could provide improved asthma control, but randomized, prospective studies are needed. Multiple studies have demonstrated high misuse rates in patients for pressurized metered-dose inhalers and dry powder inhalers. Because of this, repeated education should include physical demonstrations of using the device, checking the patient's technique, correcting the technique, and rechecking the technique. This also means that dedicated, trained staff and placebo devices should be available for instructing patients. Furthermore, the device should be selected to be cost effective and to fit the patient's preference and ability to use it correctly to enhance compliance. Asthma management guidelines and algorithms are available to guide the clinician. Conclusion The choice of inhaler device should depend on cost effectiveness and the patient's preference and ability to use it correctly. Patient inhaler technique should be checked and, if necessary, corrected and rechecked, with retraining if needed, at every opportunity.
Association Between Pain Sensitization and Disease Activity in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objective. Pain sensitization may contribute to pain severity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), impacting assessment of disease activity. We examined whether pain processing mechanisms were associated with disease activity among RA patients with active disease. Methods. This study includes 139 subjects enrolled in the Central Pain in Rheumatoid Arthritis cohort. Subjects underwent quantitative sensory testing (QST), including assessment of pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) at multiple sites, conditioned pain modulation, and temporal summation. RA disease activity was assessed using the Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) and its components. We examined cross-sectional associations between QST measures and disease activity using linear regression. Results. Low PPTs (high pain sensitization) at all sites were associated with high CDAI scores (P ≤ 0.03) and tender joint counts (P ≤ 0.002). Associations between PPTs and patient global assessments were also seen at most sites. High temporal summation at the forearm (also reflecting high pain sensitization) was significantly associated with high CDAI scores (P = 0.02), patient global assessment (P = 0.0006), evaluator global assessment (P = 0.01) and tender joint counts (P = 0.02). Conversely, conditioned pain modulation (a measure of descending inhibitory pain pathways) was only associated with tender joint count (P = 0.03). Conclusion. High pain sensitization is associated with elevations in disease activity measures. Longitudinal studies are underway to elucidate the cause-effect relationships between pain sensitization and inflammatory disease activity in RA. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Online Tools to Improve Faculty Collaboration and Time Efficiency Inside and Outside the Classroom

The optimization of time is a valuable commodity to achieve scholarly and teaching goals. Embracing technology and the use of online tools can assist with focused communication and project collaboration with both students and faculty. An innovative approach to connecting virtually is more relevant today, as a majority of current pharmacy students are millennial-learners who are technologically proficient and more likely to adopt online tools. The aim of this commentary is to highlight the advantages of using such tools, while also stressing the considerations one should have when navigating the best fit to a faculty member’s needs. Conflict of Interest We declare no conflicts of interest or financial interests that the authors or members of their immediate families have in any product or service discussed in the manuscript, including grants (pending or received), employment, gifts, stock holdings or options, honoraria, consultancies, expert testimony, patents and royalties. Type: Commentary
Time-Lag Between Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder and Onset of Publicly-Funded Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention: Do Race-Ethnicity and Neighborhood Matter?

Health coverage of early intensive behavioral intervention (EIBI) for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is rapidly expanding across the United States. Yet we know little about the time-lag between diagnosis and treatment onset. We integrated administrative, Medicaid claims, and Census data for children in an EIBI Medicaid waiver (n = 473) to examine the relationship between time-lag and (a) child race–ethnicity and (b) neighborhood racial composition, poverty, affluence, and urbanicity. We explored whether the relationship between child race–ethnicity and time-lag varies by neighborhood characteristics. Average time-lag between diagnosis and treatment onset was nearly 3 years. Child race–ethnicity and neighborhood characteristics did not predict time-lag. Reducing time-lag is critical to ensuring that children with ASD receive treatment as early as possible.
Road Dust Correlated with Decreased Reproduction of the Endangered Utah Shrub Hesperidanthus suffrutescens

Roads associated with energy development have fragmented much of the Uinta Basin, the Colorado Plateau in general, and other areas of western North America. Beyond reducing available habitat, spreading exotic species, and creating barriers to dispersal, unpaved roads also increase dust loads on plants and pollinators, which may reduce plant growth and reproduction. We studied the effects of an unpaved road on reproduction of an endangered Utah endemic shrub. We measured the size and reproductive output of 156 plants and the dust deposition in plots at increasing distances from the road. We also hand outcrossed 240 flowers from 80 plants to help determine if any reduced reproduction was due to pre- or postpollination mechanisms. Additionally, we experimentally dusted 3 leaves on 30 plants (n = 90) and measured stomatal conductance pre-dust and post-dust. We also dusted 3 flowers on 10 plants (n = 30) prior to hand pollination and measured fruit set. Generalized linear mixed models were used to examine the relationship between reproduction and dust deposition. When controlling for plant size and distance from the road, fruit set was negatively correlated with increasing levels of dust deposition (F1, 15 = 5.26, P = 0.036). The number of seeds per plant, mean plant seed weight, and the proportion of hand-pollinated flowers that set fruit were also negatively correlated with dust, although not significantly. Dusting significantly reduced stomatal conductance (F1, 58 = 87.56, P < 0.001). Eighty percent of hand pollinated flowers (24 of 30) set fruit after dusting. These results demonstrate that road dust reduces H. suffrutescens reproduction, although the mechanisms are not clear. Although dust negatively affected physiological processes, hand-pollination results suggest that dust might be disrupting pollination. This study documents the effects of road dust on the reproduction of an endangered shrub in Utah's Uinta Basin and highlights the need for further research into the effects of roads and dust on nearby plants.
The World Today in Health, Physical Education and Recreation. By C. Lynn Vendien and John E. Nixon

(1969). The World Today in Health, Physical Education and Recreation. By C. Lynn Vendien and John E. Nixon. Journal of Leisure Research: Vol. 1, No. 2, pp. 213-215.
A clinical insight into therapeutic sequence in advanced melanoma.

186Background: The optimal sequence strategy of BRAF/MEK inhibitors, anti-PD-1/PDL-1 and anti-CTLA-4 in metastatic BRAF-mutated melanoma patients (pts) is unknown and no treatment guidelines exist. Therefore, we report a single-institution experience of different treatment approaches using targeted therapy (TT) and immunotherapy and its impact on outcomes. Methods: BRAF-mutated metastatic melanoma pts treated with TT and immunotherapy from 2012 to2017 were analyzed. Six groups were identified based on treatment strategy. All time-to-event analyses were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method and Wilcoxon test. Results: Forty-four pts were identified. The median age at diagnosis was 49 years (range 21-73), 54% pts were females and 43% developed brain metastases during disease course. The most common approach strategy was immunotherapy followed by TT, the median duration of treatment was 11 and 19 weeks, respectively. Time-to-next therapy (TTNT) following 1st line treatment was similar in pts treated with ...
Uranium-bismuth system

A phase diagram for the U-Bi system was drawn from data presented and from data of previous investigators. There are three intermetallic compounds: UBi2, which decomposes peritectically at 1010°C; U3Bi4, which decomposes peritectically at approximately 1150°C; and UBi, which decomposes to two liquid phases at a temperature between 1400° and 1450°C. The terminal components react eutectically with the nearest compound. Little solid solubility for either component in the other was indicated. The solubility of uranium in liquid bismuth has been determined up to 900°C. Cristallographic data for the compounds are reported.
A Computational Complexity Viewpoint on the Stability of Relative Frequency and on Stochastic Independence

We undertake to discuss the question of the apparent stability of relative frequency (RF) and the concept of stochastic independence (SI) from the vantage point of the relatively new notion of computational complexity (CC) pioneered by Chaitin [1], Kolmogorov [2], Loveland [3], Martin- Lof [4] and Solomonoff [5] and as discussed in Fine [6]. This discussion is primarily a condensation and emendation of Fine [7, 8]. With regard to the observation, underlying the RF interpretation of probability, that many chaotic empirical phenomena yet exhibit stable RF, we will argue that this arises as a consequence of our methodological practice of first removing noticeable regularities (e.g., drifts, cycles, etc.) from the data to which we apply the RF argument. With regard to the usual definition of SI [events A, B, are SI iff P(A ∩ B) = P(A) P(B)] we will argue that a more stringent definition is possible and that SI should no more be a probabilistic concept than is set disjointness. The vehicle for both these arguments will be a CC notion, especially as developed by Kolmogorov and Martin-Lof.
An interactive system for hiring and managing Graduate Teaching Assistants

In this paper, we describe a system for managing the hiring and assigning of Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs) to academic tasks based on the GTAs qualifications, preferences, and availability. This system is built using Constraint Processing techniques and is operated through web-based interfaces. Various versions of the prototype system have been in actual use since Fall 2001 and have yielded a significant improvement in the quality and stability of the final assignments in our department and a reduction of the workload and frustration of the administrators involved in this task. This paper describes the motivation and practical significance of this system, the design and functionalities of its components, and the teaching and research opportunities it has enabled.
On the Detection of Fluctuating Signals

Spectral estimation using averaged short time periodograms has become increasingly popular for processing passive sonar data. Under specific conditions, the processor is nearly optimum for detection of phase-random narrowband signals; more practically, the method is readily implemented using digital techniques. This paper briefly discusses how we can determine the detection performance of this processor when the signal is subject to statistical fluctuations.
Metastatic adrenocortical carcinoma displays higher mutation rate and tumor heterogeneity than primary tumors

Adrenocortical cancer (ACC) is a rare cancer with poor prognosis and high mortality due to metastatic disease. All reported genetic alterations have been in primary ACC, and it is unknown if there is molecular heterogeneity in ACC. Here, we report the genetic changes associated with metastatic ACC compared to primary ACCs and tumor heterogeneity. We performed whole-exome sequencing of 33 metastatic tumors. The overall mutation rate (per megabase) in metastatic tumors was 2.8-fold higher than primary ACC tumor samples. We found tumor heterogeneity among different metastatic sites in ACC and discovered recurrent mutations in several novel genes. We observed 37-57% overlap in genes that are mutated among different metastatic sites within the same patient. We also identified new therapeutic targets in recurrent and metastatic ACC not previously described in primary ACCs.
Gene Augmentation and Readthrough Rescue Channelopathy in an iPSC-RPE Model of Congenital Blindness.

Pathogenic variants of the KCNJ13 gene are known to cause Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA16), an inherited pediatric blindness. KCNJ13 encodes the Kir7.1 subunit that acts as a tetrameric, inwardly rectifying potassium ion channel in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) to maintain ionic homeostasis and allow photoreceptors to encode visual information. We sought to determine whether genetic approaches might be effective in treating blindness arising from pathogenic variants in KCNJ13. We derived human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-RPE cells from an individual carrying a homozygous c.158G>A (p.Trp53∗) pathogenic variant of KCNJ13. We performed biochemical and electrophysiology assays to confirm Kir7.1 function. We tested both small-molecule readthrough drug and gene-therapy approaches for this “disease-in-a-dish” approach. We found that the LCA16 hiPSC-RPE cells had normal morphology but did not express a functional Kir7.1 channel and were unable to demonstrate normal physiology. After readthrough drug treatment, the LCA16 hiPSC cells were hyperpolarized by 30 mV, and the Kir7.1 current was restored. Similarly, we rescued Kir7.1 channel function after lentiviral gene delivery to the hiPSC-RPE cells. In both approaches, Kir7.1 was expressed normally, and there was restoration of membrane potential and the Kir7.1 current. Loss-of-function variants of Kir7.1 are one cause of LCA. Using either readthrough therapy or gene augmentation, we rescued Kir7.1 channel function in iPSC-RPE cells derived from an affected individual. This supports the development of precision-medicine approaches for the treatment of clinical LCA16.
Barriers to seeking treatment for eating disorders: The role of self-recognition in understanding gender disparities in who seeks help

Objective Previous research suggests that men with eating disorders are less likely to seek treatment than are women. Given stereotypes linked to eating disorders, men may be less likely to recognize when they have an eating disorder, which could act as a barrier to treatment-seeking. Method The current study examined differences in self-recognition and treatment-seeking behavior by gender, controlling for other covariates, in participants with probable DSM-5 eating disorders drawn from a larger community-based sample. Results Being female and self-recognition were both associated with increased likelihood of treatment-seeking while accounting for other potential covariates, including race/ethnicity, age, BMI, and comorbid disorders. Discussion Results indicate that self-recognition is a barrier to seeking treatment for both genders and does not account for help-seeking differences between women and men. Findings have implications for interventions to address barriers to treatment-seeking for eating disorders.
Physical exercise and activity may be important in reducing dementia risk at any age

Lifestyle interventions such as physical exercise may provide inexpensive and effective ways to delay the onset of cognitive decline and dementia. If we are able to reduce Alzheimer neuropathology in the future as now appears possible,1 combining pharmacologic and lifestyle interventions will likely provide the best prevention for cognitive decline and dementia. In this respect, prevention of dementia and cognitive impairment would be similar to current preventive treatments for diabetes and vascular disease, where both types of interventions are used.
Denying Special Education to Students in Need: A Case of Accountability, Compliance, and Fear in a Texas Elementary School:

Accountability policies have impacted school leadership practices both positively and negatively. In Texas, the adoption of a special education accountability policy led many schools and districts ...
SNS Superconducting Cavity Modeling -Iterative Learning Control

The SNS SRF system is operated with a pulsed beam. For the SRF system to track the repetitive reference trajectory, a feedback and a feedforward controllers has been proposed. The feedback controller is to guarantee the closed loop system stability and the feedforward controller is to improve the tracking performance for the repetitive reference trajectory and to suppress the repetitive disturbance. As the iteration number increases, the error decreases.
Understanding windows for global policy: an examination of the Free-Semester Program in Korea

This study investigates the timing for a global education reform to be adopted locally. Drawing on the Multiple Streams Approach while expanding it with a transnational dimension, the Free-Semester...
CDK and Mec1/Tel1-catalyzed phosphorylation of Sae2 regulate different responses to DNA damage

Sae2 functions in the DNA damage response by controlling Mre11-Rad50-Xrs2 (MRX)-catalyzed end resection, an essential step for homology-dependent repair of double-strand breaks (DSBs), and by attenuating DNA damage checkpoint signaling. Phosphorylation of Sae2 by cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK1/Cdc28) activates the Mre11 endonuclease, while the physiological role of Sae2 phosphorylation by Mec1 and Tel1 checkpoint kinases is not fully understood. Here, we compare the phenotype of sae2 mutants lacking the main CDK (sae2-S267A) or Mec1 and Tel1 phosphorylation sites (sae2-5A) with sae2Δ and Mre11 nuclease defective (mre11-nd) mutants. The phosphorylation-site mutations confer DNA damage sensitivity, but not to the same extent as sae2Δ. The sae2-S267A mutation is epistatic to mre11-nd for camptothecin (CPT) sensitivity and synergizes with sgs1Δ, whereas sae2-5A synergizes with mre11-nd and exhibits epistasis with sgs1Δ. We find that attenuation of checkpoint signaling by Sae2 is mostly independent of Mre11 endonuclease activation but requires Mec1 and Tel1-dependent phosphorylation of Sae2. These results support a model whereby CDK-catalyzed phosphorylation of Sae2 activates resection via Mre11 endonuclease, whereas Sae2 phosphorylation by Mec1 and Tel1 promotes resection by the Dna2-Sgs1 and Exo1 pathways indirectly by dampening the DNA damage response.