cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ingrowth reduces implant-to-bone relative displacements in canine acetabular prostheses

We examined bone-to-implant relative displacement of acetabular prostheses acutely and after ingrowth in a canine model. Uncemented hemispherical acetabular cups with titanium mesh pads comprising approximately 26% of the surface of the cup were inserted in eight adult canine hemipelves ex vivo. The acetabular prostheses were fixed with 13 mm titanium screws. Zero, one, and two-screw configurations were tested, with the order of testing randomly assigned. A load simulating 1,000 cycles of canine gait as applied to the acetabular component, and relative displacements were measured at three locations between implant and bone to determine acute fixation. A repeated measures analysis of variance showed that two screws produced only 42% of the average relative displacement of one screw and 14% that of zero screws. Eight adult mixed-breed dogs then underwent unilateral total hip arthroplasty. All acetabula were biologically fixed with two cancellous screws. The results at 4 months showed significantly less relative displacement between the implant and bone than was measured in ex vivo implantations (p = 0.014). Bone ingrowth filled 20 +/- 6% (mean +/- SD) of the available space. The relative displacements of these implants were small in all cases (12 +/- 13 microns) and did not correlate with the amount of bone ingrowth. These data suggest that acetabular fixation with two screws can lead to bone ingrowth and reduced relative motion of the prosthesis under functional loading.
PARP inhibitor maintenance therapy for patients with platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer: a cost-effectiveness analysis.

Abstract Purpose To determine the cost-effectiveness of olaparib, a PARP inhibitor, as maintenance therapy for platinum-sensitive (PS) recurrent ovarian cancer. Methods Two separate decision analysis models compared the cost of observation versus olaparib maintenance therapy in patients with PS recurrent ovarian cancer, one for patients with a germline BRCA1/2 mutation and one for patients with wild-type BRCA1/2 . Patients received six cycles of paclitaxel and carboplatin. Drug costs were estimated using 2014–2015 wholesale acquisition costs. The cost of olaparib was estimated at $13,440 per month. Rate of germline BRCA1/2 mutation was estimated at 20%. Progression-free survival was determined from published data. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) per progression-free life-year saved (PF-LYS) were calculated . A sensitivity analysis estimated the cost at which olaparib would be cost-effective. Results We estimated that there were 5549 patients diagnosed with PS recurrent ovarian cancer in the United States annually. The cost of observation in 1110 patients with a BRCA1/2 mutation was $5.5 million (M) versus $169.2M for maintenance therapy with olaparib. The ICER for olaparib maintenance therapy in patients with a BRCA mutation was $258,864 per PF-LYS. If the cost of olaparib was decreased to $2500 per month, the ICER was $49,584. For the 4439 patients with wild-type BRCA , the cost of maintenance therapy was $444.2M; the ICER was $600,552 per PF-LYS. Conclusions For patients with a germline BRCA1/2 mutation, maintenance therapy with olaparib is not cost-effective with an ICER of $258,864 per PF-LYS. To achieve an ICER of less than $50,000, the cost of olaparib should be $2500 or less per month. For wild-type BRCA1/2 patients, maintenance therapy with olaparib is not cost-effective.
Prefabricated auricular cartilage radial forearm free flap reconstruction for cricoid chondrosarcoma.

This case describes a subtotal cricoid cartilage defect reconstructed with a prefabricated composite free flap. A 61-year-old man with a chondrosarcoma of the cricoid cartilage required a subtotal cricoidectomy. The resulting defect was successfully reconstructed with a two-stage prefabricated radial forearm free flap utilizing auricular cartilage. Our case further adds to the evidence that prefabricated flaps are reliable in airway reconstruction. Additionally, this provides another option for laryngeal preservation in patients with laryngeal chondrosarcoma. Laryngoscope, 125:2514–2517, 2015
Computational Hemodynamic Evaluation of Two Clinical Flow-Diverter Treatment Strategies: Overlapping Stents vs. Dense Compaction of a Single Stent

We employed computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and finite element method (FEM) to investigate the hemodynamic effect of two flow-diversion strategies of cerebral aneurysm treatment: overlapping stents and dense compaction of a single stent. Three representative patient-specific aneurysms were used as test cases, and flow diverters were virtually deployed into the models. Aneurysmal hemodynamic modification by flow diverters is strongly correlated with the metal coverage rate across the aneurysm neck, and not uniquely determined by FD deployment strategies. Fusiform aneurysms may be more favorable for achieving dense compaction for increased metal coverage rate than saccuclar aneurysms. To induce high flow reduction, the overlapping strategy may be more suitable for sidewall aneurysms, and the dense compaction strategy for fusiform aneurysms. Keywords: aneurysm, hemodynamics, flow diverter, computational fluid dynamics, finite element method
Active and accelerated learning of cost models for optimizing scientific applications

We present the NIMO system that automatically learns cost models for predicting the execution time of computational-science applications running on large-scale networked utilities such as computational grids. Accurate cost models are important for selecting efficient plans for executing these applications on the utility. Computational-science applications are often scripts (written, e.g., in languages like Perl or Matlab) connected using a workflow-description language, and therefore, pose different challenges compared to modeling the execution of plans for declarative queries with well-understood semantics. NIMO generates appropriate training samples for these applications to learn fairly-accurate cost models quickly using statistical learning techniques. NIMO's approach is active and noninvasive: it actively deploys and monitors the application under varying conditions, and obtains its training data from passive instrumentation streams that require no changes to the operating system or applications. Our experiments with real scientific applications demonstrate that NIMO significantly reduces the number of training samples and the time to learn fairly-accurate cost models.
Descriptive Evidence from Audit Practice on SAS No. 99 Brainstorming Activities

This paper describes how auditors conduct brainstorming sessions to comply with the requirements of SAS No. 99. We gather evidence by interviewing twenty-two auditors at all personnel levels across seven audit firms (including all of the Big 4 firms) and by observing actual brainstorming sessions. The results reveal how auditors prepare for brainstorming sessions and allow us to describe a typical four-step brainstorming session process. We describe brainstorming group interactions and provide evidence on brainstorming session outcomes in terms of fraud risk assessments, audit plan modifications, and budget modifications. Finally, we report how audit firms encourage professional skepticism during brainstorming.
Cancer Cell Metabolism

Human cancers result from multiple molecular aberrations, which act in concert with both the tumor microenvironment and metabolic macroenvironment to produce the malignant phenotype. Cancer cells exhibit fundamental differences in both anabolic and catabolic metabolism relative to their normal counterparts. Understanding cancer, the metabolic rewiring of cells that drives transformation may provide novel, selective therapeutic opportunities. This altered metabolism of cancer cells appears to be multifaceted involving the energy sensing machinery, as well as fatty acid, amino acid, and glycolytic metabolism. In this chapter, we describe several important features of the differential metabolism in cancer cells that may contribute to the development of a selective growth, proliferation, and survival advantage. We conclude with a summary of pharmaceutical interventions already in clinical use or currently under investigation that target this altered metabolism in human cancers.
Surgical Challenges for the Critical Airway

Management of the neonate with airway obstruction begins in the fetal period with initial evaluation involving the use of ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging. The airway can be obstructed at several levels, from the nasal cavity to the tracheobronchi. This chapter will give a brief overview of several lesions that can cause critical obstruction in the neonatal airway necessitating early surgical intervention.
A Graphical Theorem of the Alternative for UTVPI Constraints

There exist quite a few theorems of the alternative for linear systems in the literature, with Farkas' lemma being the most famous. All these theorems have the following form: We are given two closely related linear systems such that one and exactly one has a solution. Some specialized classes of linear systems can also be represented using graphical structures and the corresponding theorems of the alternative can then be stated in terms of properties of the graphical structure. For instance, it is well-known that a system of difference constraints DCS can be represented as a constraint network such that the DCS is feasible if and only if there does not exist a negative cost cycle in the network. In this paper, we provide a new graphical constraint network representation of Unit Two Variable Per Inequality UTVPI constraints. This constraint network representation permits us to derive a theorem of the alternative for the feasibility of UTVPI systems. UTVPI constraints find applications in a number of domains, including but not limited to program verification, abstract interpretation, and array bounds checking. Theorems of the Alternative find primary use in the design of certificates in certifying algorithms. It follows that our work is important from this perspective.
Image segmentation evaluation for very-large datasets

With the advent of modern machine learning methods and fully automated image analysis there is a need for very large image datasets having documented segmentations for both computer algorithm training and evaluation. Current approaches of visual inspection and manual markings do not scale well to big data. We present a new approach that depends on fully automated algorithm outcomes for segmentation documentation, requires no manual marking, and provides quantitative evaluation for computer algorithms. The documentation of new image segmentations and new algorithm outcomes are achieved by visual inspection. The burden of visual inspection on large datasets is minimized by (a) customized visualizations for rapid review and (b) reducing the number of cases to be reviewed through analysis of quantitative segmentation evaluation. This method has been applied to a dataset of 7,440 whole-lung CT images for 6 different segmentation algorithms designed to fully automatically facilitate the measurement of a number of very important quantitative image biomarkers. The results indicate that we could achieve 93% to 99% successful segmentation for these algorithms on this relatively large image database. The presented evaluation method may be scaled to much larger image databases.
Hierarchical Self-Assembly of Microgel-Modified Biomaterials Surfaces

Microgels are hydrogel particles with micron and sub-micron diameters. They have beendeveloped, studied, and exploited for a broad range of applications because of their uniquecombination of size, soft mechanical properties, and controllable network properties. We havebeen using microgels to modulate the properties of surfaces to differentially control theirinteractions with tissue cells and bacteria. The long-term goal is to create biomaterials thatpromote healing while simultaneously inhibiting infection. Because poly(ethylene glycol) [PEG]is used in a number of FDA-approved products and has well-known antifouling properties, wework primarily with PEG-based microgels. We render these anionic either by copolymerizationwith monomeric acids or by blending with polyacids. Both methods produce pH-dependentnegative charge. Surfaces, both planar 2-D surfaces as well as topographically complex 3-Dsurfaces, can be modified using a hierarchy of non-line-of-sight electrostatic depositionprocesses that create biomaterials surfaces whose cell adhesiveness is modulated by a submonolayerof microgels. Average inter-microgel spacings of 1-2 microns exploit naturaldifferences between staphylococcal bacteria and tissue cells, which open the opportunity todifferentially control surface interactions with them based on length-scale effects. Afterdeposition, the microgels can be loaded with a variety of small-molecule, cationic antimicrobials.The details of loading depend on the relative sizes of the antimicrobials and the microgelnetwork structure as well as on the amount and spatial distribution of electrostatic charge withinboth the microgel and on the antimicrobial. The exposed surface between microgels can befurther modified by the adsorption of adhesion-promoting proteins such as fibronectin viaelectrostatic interaction. This approach combines a rich interplay of microgel structure andchemistry as a key component in a simple and translatable approach to modulate the surfaceproperties of next-generation biomaterials.
Abstract 2044: Altered microRNA expression induced by tumorigenic conazoles in mouse liver

Triadimefon, propiconazole, and myclobutanil are conazoles, an important class of agricultural and therapeutic fungicides. Triadimefon and propiconazole are mouse liver tumorigens, while myclobutanil is not. As part of a coordinated study to understand the molecular determinants of conazole tumorigenicity, we analyzed the microRNA expression levels in control and conazole treated mice after 90 days of administration in feed. Groups of mice were fed either control diet or diet containing 1800 p.p.m. triadimefon, 2500 p.p.m. propiconazole or 2000 p.p.m. myclobutanil. MicroRNA was isolated from livers and analyzed using Superarray whole mouse genome miRNA PCR arrays from SABioscience. Data were analyzed using the Significance Analysis of Microarrays (SAM) procedure. We identified those miRNAs whose expression was either increased or decreased relative to untreated controls with q ≤ 0.01. The tumorigenic conazoles induced many more changes in miRNA expression than the non-tumorigenic conazole. A group of 19 miRNAs was identified whose expression was significantly altered in both triadimefon and propiconazole treated animals but not in myclobutanil treated animals. All but one of the altered miRNAs were downregulated compared to controls. The greatest fold-changes in miRNA expression were observed for mmu-mir-135b and mmu-mir-684. Among the putative targets of the miRNAs altered by tumorigenic conazoles are genes involved in regulation of apoptosis and cell proliferation. This abstract does not reflect US EPA policy. 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 2044.
Host Densities in a Transient Plant Community and Their Effects on Portions of the Arthropod Community

Nine different planting densities were utilized to investigate the effects of host plant spatial designs on the arthropod community asociated with Radar-2 oats (Avena sativa L.). The oats were seeded in 3-, 6-, and 12-in. row widths at 1, 2, and 4 bu/acre. Sampling was conducted by the removal sweep method throughout the 1963-64 growing season. The smallest number of phytophagous arthropods per plant was recovered from the plantings having 3-in. row widths, planted with 1 and 2 bu of seed per acre, respectively. Other plots appeared less favorable except for those with 12-in.-row widths sown at 1 bu/acre, in which the highest predator-prey ratio was noted.
Abstract 3749: Polymorphisms in metabolism genes may mediate the effect of dietary intake on pancreatic cancer risk

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL Background: The role of dietary fruit, vegetable, fiber, and whole grain intake is implicated as a potential protective factor against pancreatic cancer, but studies are inconsistent. A possible explanation for the variability is that individuals who carry constitutional metabolism gene variants (minor alleles) may differentially benefit compared to those who are homozygous for the major allele, which over a life-time could lead to altered pancreatic cancer risk. Methods: We genotyped 70 SNPs that tag ten candidate metabolism genes (CAT, GAA, GCK, MT1E, UGT1A6, UGT1A7, UGT1A8, UGT1A9, UGT2B4, and UGT2B7) involved in the metabolism of components of fruits, vegetables, fibers, and whole grains to test if differential associations exist with pancreatic adenocarcinoma. We used a clinic-based case-control design, excluding participants who reported changing their diet within 5 years prior to entering the study. Three hundred eighty-four rapidly ascertained cases and nine hundred eighty-three non-cases from a primary care clinic (frequency matched on age at recruitment (+ 5 years), race, sex, and region of residence) provided blood samples for DNA and completed epidemiologic surveys plus a 144-item food frequency questionnaire developed by the National Cancer Institute. We used a dominant model to code SNPs and split dietary intake categories based on the sex-specific median intake level among non-cases. Logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals, adjusted for age, sex, family-history of pancreatic cancer, smoking (never/ former/ current), body mass index, energy intake, and alcohol consumption. The reference group was defined as carriers of no minor alleles in the lowest intake category. Results: The greatest benefit was observed for carriers of no minor alleles, for rs11032702 (CAT) with higher insoluble dietary fiber intake (OR [95%CI]: 0.515 [0.37, 0.71]); for [rs735670][1] (GCK) with higher soluble dietary intake (0.473 [0.34, 0.67]); for rs2070971 (GCK) and rs2268569 (GCK) with higher fruit intake not from citrus, melon, and berries (0.513 [0.36, 0.73] and 0.554 [0.40, 0.78]); and for rs17832252 (GCK) with higher whole grain intake (0.530 [0.37, 0.76]); all comparisons had a reference group of no minor alleles with low dietary intake and a p-value for interaction <0.001. Conclusions: Inter-individual variation in metabolism of fruits, vegetables, fiber, and whole grain via metabolism gene variants may influence pancreatic cancer risk. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3749. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-3749 [1]: /lookup/external-ref?link_type=GEN&access_num=rs735670&atom=%2Fcanres%2F71%2F8_Supplement%2F3749.atom
On nonlinear model algorithmic controller design

The nonlinear control applications to high angle-of-attack aircraft, as reported here, is of a preliminary nature. However, the analysis does suggest that nonlinear adaptive control can be quite effective to stabilize large rapid maneuvers in angle of attack. Of the comparisons made, the on-linear, nonlinear-time-series and adaptation performed the best and was quite superior to a similar linear MAC.
Exploration for GPS Jamming to GPS/INS Guided Cruise Missile

Now GPS/INS guidance has become the core of precision guidance weapons.On the basis of GPS signal characteristics and GPS/INS guidance mechanism,it analyzes the suppressed jamming,the deception jamming and the influence to GPS recerver,and makes research of GPS jamming to GPS/INS guided cruise missile.If the effect of long-distance jamming to GPS/INS guided cruise missile is improved,and the power of jammer is not so great,it will need to build multilayers,distributed,three-dimensional,small-power GPS jamming system.
Graft-versus-host-like colitis and malignant thymoma.

Acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) classically occurs in the setting of bone marrow or peripheral blood progenitor (hematopoietic stem cell) transplantation following high doses of irradiation or chemotherapy (1). Billingham originally described three prerequisites for the development of GVHD: the grafted organ must contain immunologically competent cells, the tissue antigens of the host and donor must differ, and the recipient must be unable to destroy donor cells (2). The basic mechanism of GVHD is that activated donor T cells undergo clonal expansion with release of a variety of proinflammatory cytokines, resulting in secondary activation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes, natural killer cells, B cells, and macrophages to cause target cell death (3). The prototypic acute GVHD patient develops a red, macular skin rash, abdominal cramping with profuse watery diarrhea, and jaundice, with high serum alkaline phosphatase approximately 15–20 days after receiving a bone marrow transplant (1). Although most often caused by bone marrow or stem cell transplantation, GVHD may also occur following transfusion of unirradiated blood products or transplantation of solid organs containing lymphoid tissue (1). In the patient we present, disruption of T-cell function associated with malignant thymoma resulted in GVHD-like colitis; the patient’s severe diarrhea improved only after treatment with the somatostatin analog octreotide, despite metastatic spread of the primary tumor.
A theory of plan modification

We present a theory of plan modification applicable to hierarchical nonlinear planning. Our theory utilizes the validation structure of the stored plans to yield a flexible and conservative plan modification framework. The validation structure, which constitutes a hierarchical explanation of correctness of the plan with respect to the planner's own knowledge of the domain, is annotated on the plan as a by-product of initial planning. Plan modification is characterized as a process of removing inconsistencies in the validation structure of a plan when it is being reused in a new (changed) planning situation. The repair of these inconsistencies involves removing unnecessary parts of the plan and adding new non-primitive tasks to the plan to establish missing or failing validations. The resultant partially reduced plan (with a consistent validation structure) is sent to the planner for complete reduction. We discuss the development of this theory in FRIAR system, and characterize its completeness, coverage, efficiency and limitations.
Pragmatic querying in heterogeneous Knowledge Graphs

Knowledge Graphs with rich schemas can allow for complex querying. My thesis focuses on providing accessible Knowledge using Gricean notions of Cooperative Answering as a motivation. More specifically, using Query Reformulations, Data Awareness, and a Pragmatic Context, along with the results they can become more responsive to user requirements and user context.
Dystroglycan Suppresses Notch to Regulate Stem Cell Niche Structure and Function in the Developing Postnatal Subventricular Zone

While the extracellular matrix (ECM) is known to regulate neural stem cell quiescence in the adult subventricular zone (SVZ), the function of ECM in the developing SVZ remains unknown. Here, we report that the ECM receptor dystroglycan regulates a unique developmental restructuring of ECM in the early postnatal SVZ. Dystroglycan is furthermore required for ependymal cell differentiation and assembly of niche pinwheel structures, at least in part by suppressing Notch activation in radial glial cells, which leads to the increased expression of MCI, Myb, and FoxJ1, transcriptional regulators necessary for acquisition of the multiciliated phenotype. Dystroglycan also regulates perinatal radial glial cell proliferation and transition into intermediate gliogenic progenitors, such that either acute or constitutive loss of function in dystroglycan results in increased oligodendrogenesis. These findings reveal a role for dystroglycan in orchestrating both the assembly and function of the SVZ neural stem cell niche.
Beyond histograms: Efficiently estimating radial distribution functions via spectral Monte Carlo

Despite more than 40 years of research in condensed-matter physics, state-of-the-art approaches for simulating the radial distribution function (RDF) g(r) still rely on binning pair-separations into a histogram. Such methods suffer from undesirable properties, including subjectivity, high uncertainty, and slow rates of convergence. Moreover, such problems go undetected by the metrics often used to assess RDFs. To address these issues, we propose (I) a spectral Monte Carlo (SMC) quadrature method that yields g(r) as an analytical series expansion and (II) a Sobolev norm that assesses the quality of RDFs by quantifying their fluctuations. Using the latter, we show that, relative to histogram-based approaches, SMC reduces by orders of magnitude both the noise in g(r) and the number of pair separations needed for acceptable convergence. Moreover, SMC reduces subjectivity and yields simple, differentiable formulas for the RDF, which are useful for tasks such as coarse-grained force-field calibration via iterat...
Tetra-n-butyl­ammonium bis­(1,1-dicyano­ethyl­ene-2,2-dithiol­ato)platinum(II)

In the title compound, (C16H36N)2[Pt(C4N2S2)2], the PtII center adopts a distorted square-planar geometry due to the 4-membered chelate rings formed by coordination to the S atoms of the 1,1-dicyano­ethyl­ene-2,2-dithiol­ate (i-mnt) ligands [bite angle 74.35 (4)°]. The bond distances in the coordinated i-mnt ligands indicate some delocalization of the π-system.
Tips and Tricks for Performing Salpingectomy at the Time of Laparoscopic Hysterectomy

Abstract Study Objective To demonstrate various techniques to perform salpingectomy efficiently at the time of laparoscopic hysterectomy. Design Step-by-step explanation of the techniques by video with narration (educational video) (Canadian Task Force Classification III). Intervention Salpingectomy at the time of laparoscopic hysterectomy. Measurements and Main Results Ovarian cancer is the deadliest gynecologic malignancy and has no effective screening strategies for average-risk women. After recognizing that the origin site for pelvic serous carcinomas may be the fallopian tube, the Society of Gynecologic Oncology published a practice statement in November 2013 addressing the role of salpingectomy at the time of hysterectomy or other pelvic surgery in average-risk women. ( https://www.sgo.org/clinical-practice/guidelines/sgo-clinical-practice-statement-salpingectomy-for-ovarian-cancer-prevention ). They now recommend that these women consider opportunistic salpingectomy to reduce their risk of fallopian tube and ovarian cancers. Various techniques allow the surgeon to complete the salpingectomy in a highly efficient manner. Conclusion Salpingectomy at the time of laparoscopic hysterectomy or other pelvic surgery should be considered in women at average risk of ovarian cancer. Salpingectomy can be performed either before or after control of the uterine blood supply. The surgical approach must also consider the coexisting pelvic pathology. Efficient dissection occurs if the surgeon maximizes exposure to the fallopian tube, optimizes presentation of the tissue to the working instrument, and provides gentle yet constant traction with accompanying countertraction. The fallopian tube specimen should be removed immediately to prevent its loss in the pelvis.
Primary Prevention of Food Allergy

Food allergy is estimated to affect approximately 8% of children in the USA. This is a disease without any known treatment or cure and, for some, a disease that can be quite severe, even life-threatening. While recent advances in potential treatment have made remarkable strides, with two food-targeted immunotherapy products now in phase III trials, perhaps the biggest gains in the field have come in the advent of potential preventative strategies to avoid the development of food allergy in high-risk individuals. There have been multiple, randomized, controlled trials (RCTs) performed in the past 5 years that have demonstrated significant risk reduction from early allergen introduction. These include two trials for early peanut introduction and five trials for early egg introduction in the first year of life. The results indicate that primary prevention of food allergy through early allergen introduction may represent a strategy that could potentially avert tens of thousands of children from becoming food allergic. In support of the data for peanut, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases recently sponsored an addendum to the 2010 food allergy guidelines, specifically recommending peanut be introduced in both high- and standard-risk infants to reduce the risk of developing peanut allergy. To date, no formal recommendations have been made for egg, however. This review will focus on the latest evidence supporting early introduction as a strategy to prevent food allergy, as well as on practical aspects for its successful implementation.
Sounds like Iran: On popular music of Iran

The pace and scope of change in the Islamic Republic of Iran in recent years have been remarkable. These transformations are readily observable to those who have traveled to Iran frequently. Yet th...
Dilators, Q-tips, and Extortion: How to Train a Woman for Intercourse in the “Post-Feminist” Era

ABSTRACTThis article examines cases where heterosexual partners present dramatic discrepancies in sexual interest, with the male partner wanting more sex and the female partner wanting less. The main finding is that sex therapists tacitly assume that the couple will be better off if the female can come around to wanting more sex. The relation between that bias and the practice of sex therapy appears akin to the relation between a sculptor’s hands and the sculpture. The two are intertwined intuitively, primordially. Sex therapists simply take for granted that a woman can and should attempt to match her male partner’s level of sexual interest.
Abstract 5649: Cell-intrinsic PD-L1 directs tumor initiating cell fate and rapamycin and interferon-γ response

Tumor initiating cells (TIC) foster treatment resistance and tumor relapse. We show here that in mouse B16 (melanoma) and ID8agg (ovarian carcinoma), and human ovarian cancer ES2, PD-L1 knockdown (shRNA) reduced TIC numbers and functions. Data shown are from 2 PD-L1lo clones/cell type. Sorted, control CD44+CD133+CD24+ (B16), CD44+CD24+ (ID8agg) and ALDHhi (ES2) TIC formed 50-75% more and bigger spheres vs. PD-L1lo TIC in vitro, consistent with reduced TIC self-renewal in PD-L1lo. In vivo, PD-L1lo B16 and ID8agg TIC exhibited reduced tumorigenicity in wild type mice, consistent with poor TIC function, but immune effects could not be excluded. B16 and ES2 PD-L1lo TIC had significantly reduced tumorigenicity versus control TIC in immune deficient NSG mice consistent with cell-autonomous, immune-independent TIC promotion by PD-L1. In further confirmation, we found reduced serial transplantability of PD-L1lo B16 TIC in NSG mice. The canonical stemness genes nanog and pou5f1 (oct4) were significantly higher in control vs. PD-L1lo TIC for B16 and ID8agg. The canonical stemness gene SOX2 was significantly higher in control vs. PD-L1lo ES2 TIC. Altogether, these data validate effects in human cells, and are consistent with PD-L1 driving TIC through stemness gene control, although specific genes differed in distinct tumors (likely due to differing mutational landscapes). mTORC1 signaling linked to stemness (assessed by raptor) was lower but mTORC2 was unaffected (rictor) in PD-L1lo vs control TIC from all 3 tumors, suggesting mTORC1 control of PD-L1-mediated TIC generation. In support, the mTORC1 inhibitor rapamycin reduced control TIC significantly (>50% vs. untreated). Strikingly, rapamycin significantly increased PD-L1lo TIC in all 3 tumors, suggesting mTORC1 effects differ by tumor PD-L1 status. Interferon (IFN)-γ similarly reduced control TIC and augmented PD-L1lo TIC numbers, suggesting the novel concept that PD-L1 alters IFN-γ signals. PD-L1 sensitization of TIC to IFN-γ and rapamycin is the first example of a molecule enhancing TIC treatment response to our knowledge. We recently reported that αPD-L1 directly reduces B16 and ID8agg proliferation in vitro and in vivo (accession no. 27671674). Preliminary data now show that αPD-L1 (and αPD-1) directly reduce TIC proliferation, and these effects differ from non-TIC. We challenge the paradigm that tumor PD-L1 is primarily an immune escape molecule and that αPD-L1 works primarily to block T cell PD-1 interactions. Citation Format: Harshita B. Gupta, Curtis A. Clark, Bin Yuan, Gangadhara Sareddy, Srilakshmi Pandeswara, Alvaro S. Padron, Vincent Hurez, Jose-Conejo Garcia, Ratna Vadlamudi, Rong Li, Tyler J. Curiel. Cell-intrinsic PD-L1 directs tumor initiating cell fate and rapamycin and interferon-γ response [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 5649. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-5649
Hole Transfer in Dye-Sensitized Cesium Lead Halide Perovskite Photovoltaics: Effect of Interfacial Bonding

Lead halide perovskites have gained attention as an active material in solid-state dye-sensitized photovoltaics due to their high absorption of visible light and long charge-transport lengths. In perovskite-based dye-sensitized photovoltaic architectures the perovskite material is typically paired with a hole-transport material, such as spiro-OMeTAD, which extracts a hole from the photoexcited perovskite to generate free charge carriers. In this study, we explored two competing charge-transfer pathways at the interface between lead halide perovskite and spiro-OMeTAD: “through-bond” and “through-space”. For the through-bond pathway we use a segment of spiro-OMeTAD that contains methoxy linker groups, which will be referred to as “dye with methoxy linker groups” (DML). For the through-space pathway we use a segment of spiro-OMeTAD with removed linker groups, triphenylamine, which will be referred to as “dye”. Four atomistic models were studied: (I) a periodic cesium lead iodide (CsPbI3) perovskite nanowire ...
Ivabradine in the treatment of postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS), a single center experience

BACKGROUND Ivabradine is a selective If channel blocker that reduces heart rate without affecting other cardiovascular functions. In case reports and case series, it was shown to improve symptoms in patients with postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS). METHODOLOGY AND RESULTS This retrospective study examined patients who were diagnosed with POTS and received ivabradine as part of their treatment. Forty-nine patients (47 females, 95.9%) received ivabradine. The average age was 35.1 ± 10.35 years. The most common symptoms were palpitations and lightheadedness and both improved significantly, 88.4% and 76.1% response rate, respectively. A total of 38 patients reported improvement in their symptoms. In addition, ivabradine resulted in an objective decrease in sitting and standing heart rate (78.1 ± 10.7 vs 72.5 ± 7.6, P-value: 0.01) and (107.4 ± 14.1 vs 95.1 ± 13.7, P-value: < 0.001), respectively, with no significant change in blood pressure. The most common reported side effect was luminous phenomena/visual brightness occurring in nine patients. However, none of the patients stopped ivabradine due to side effects. CONCLUSION Our study shows that ivabradine is likely to be effective in treating patients with POTS. Nearly 78% of our cohort reported a significant improvement in symptoms with no major adverse effects reported. A future randomized, placebo-controlled trial is warranted.
EMF: Embedding multiple flows of information in existing traffic for concurrent communication among heterogeneous IoT devices

The exponentially increasing number of IoT devices makes the unlicensed industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) radio bands (e.g., 2.4 GHz) extremely crowded. Currently, there is no efficient solution to coordinate the large amount heterogeneous IoT devices that have different communication technologies (e.g., WiFi and ZigBee). To fill this gap, in this paper, we introduce embedded multiple flows (EMF) communication method, which (i) embeds different pieces of information in existing traffic and (ii)concurrently sends out these information from one IoT sender to multiple IoT receivers that have a different communication technology from the sender. By doing this, our EMF method (i) enables cross-technology communication among heterogeneous IoT devices, (ii) does not introduce any extra control traffic, and (iii) is transparent to the higher layer applications. Our approach is implemented on USRPs and commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) ZigBee devices. We also conducted extensive experiments to evaluate our approach in real-world settings. The evaluation results show that EMF's throughput is more than 14 times higher than the latest cross-technology communication technique (i.e. FreeBee[1]).
Socioemotional predictors of motivation for abstinence in alcohol addicts

Motivation for abstinence is one of the most significant predictors of the patient’s treatment engagement and completion, as well as the treatment outcome. Since this complex process has not been sufficiently studied, in clinical practice the need for a better understanding and perception of it has arisen, namely due to its significant contribution to hospital care programs. The aim of this study was to identify the socio-emotional predictors of motivation for abstinence in patients undergoing treatment for a minimum of 12 days. The study involved 72 volontary participants from Department of Alcohol Program in one psychiatric hospital. Motivation for abstinence was studied using the SOCRATES questionnaire which, along with the subscales of ambivalence, recognition and taking steps, represents a criterion. Demographic variables, emotional regulation and control, instrumental and emotional support seeking, life satisfaction, positive and negative emotions and flourishing were examined as potential predictors. Regression analysis showed that emotional regulation and control and instrumental and emotional support seeking significantly explain 15.8% of ambivalence, 29.4% of recognition and 30.6% of taking steps ; life satisfaction, positive and negative emotions significantly explained 11.3% of taking steps, while flourishing accounted for 13.7% of taking steps. As for the demographic variables, only sex, age and education level acounted for 15.6% of recognition. In spite of the result obtained, the overall percentage of the explained variance is relatively low. Clinical implications of this study are significant and their greatest contribution is maximizing hospital care programs pertaining to rehabilitation of alcoholics.
Effects of Radiation on the Integrity and Functionality of Soft Tissue. Current Situation: Cartilage, Heart Valves, Tendons and Other Tissues. Changes with Increasing DOSE/DOSE Limits

Over the last several decades, numerous studies have been performed to evaluate the effects of irradiation on various soft tissues. Both gamma and e-beam sources have been used with doses ranging from 17 to 80 kGy. A variety of animal models have been employed including dogs, pigs, goats and sheep and several studies have been carried out with human tissue as well. The primary tissue studied has been tendon with bone-tendon-bone as the principle tissue of interest. Various biomechanical and biochemical measurements have been employed comparing irradiated and control tissues. Measurements have included: physicochemical properties, histological changes, collagen structure and cross linking, cyclic stretching, tensile strength, maximum force and strain energy to maximum force, maximum stress, maximum strain and strain energy density to maximum stress, and Young's modulus testing. In general, increasing damage occurs with increasing doses of irradiation. At lower doses (17-20 kGy), there is some disagreement as to significant changes however decreases in strength (20-30%), and modulus (50-60%) have been reported. At doses of 25 kGy and above, biochemical, biophysical and mechanical and material properties were more significantly altered. Limited studies have also been published on irradiation effects on meniscal grafts, cartilage, heart valves, dura mater, skin, fascia, sclera and amnion. Only irradiated tissues such as cartilage and amnion have been considered acceptable since they do not require load-bearing forces and have been used in wound coverage, craniofacial repairs or other non-weight-bearing reconstruction.
Antioxidants Combined with Behavioral Enrichment Can Slow Brain Aging

In the brain, oxidative damage, loss of synapses, and loss of growth factors such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) are linked to age-associated cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Antioxidant treatments to reduce oxidative damage have provided only modest benefits in human clinical trials. Cognitive and physical training, which may promote synapse growth and maintenance and increase BDNF, has proved to be more promising in small clinical trials in normal aged individuals and AD patients. Using a canine model of human brain aging, which naturally accumulates oxidative damage and cognitive dysfunction, we tested the hypothesis that combining treatments that can reduce several age-associated neuropathologies will prove to be more efficacious than targeting a single pathologic cascade. Aged beagles were either fed an antioxidant/mitochondrial cofactor diet (vitamins E and C, fruits and vegetables, lipoic acid and carnitine) or provided with behavioral enrichment that can increase BDNF and synapse and neuron growth (environmental, social, and cognitive enrichment with physical exercise) or treated with a combination of both the diet and behavioral enrichment. Cognitive improvements were observed for each treatment alone, but the combination approach, in particular, led to larger improvements in learning scores, to maintenance of cognitive ability, and to recovery of impaired memory function. Notably, each treatment selectively reduced different types of neuropathology in the brain. The use of a combination of antioxidant supplement or diet and other lifestyle modifications (increased social activity, physical activity, and cognitive engagement) may work additively and be beneficial for healthy human brain aging.
Leveled Texts for Adults With Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities: A Pilot Study:

There is a dearth of appropriate reading material for adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDDs). Often, a book’s content is relevant to younger audiences, or its reading level i...
Orbit Decompositions of Unipotent Elements in the Generalized Symmetric Spaces of \(\operatorname {SL}_2(\mathbb {F}_{q})\)

In this chapter, we determine the orbits of the fixed-point group on the unipotent elements in the generalized symmetric space for each involution of \({\mathrm{SL}}_2(\mathbb {F}_q)\) with \({\mathrm{char}}\left (\mathbb {F}_q \right ) \neq 2\). We discuss how the generalized symmetric spaces can be decomposed into semisimple elements and unipotent elements, and why this decomposition allows the orbits of the fixed-point group on the entire generalized symmetric space to be more easily classified. We conclude by providing a description of and a count for the orbits of the fixed-point group on the unipotent elements in the generalized symmetric space for each involution of \({\mathrm{SL}}_2(\mathbb {F}_q)\).
Interactions between wind and fire disturbance in forests: Competing amplifying and buffering effects

Abstract Many studies of ecological disturbance highlight the unexpected impact that compounded disturbances have on communities. One of the well-studied mechanisms by which forest wind and fire disturbances interact is that wind damage increases flammable fuels—amplifying the effects of fire—leading to unexpected changes in vegetation composition. However, wind disturbance may also buffer the effects of fire through mechanisms such as disrupting fuel continuity. The extent to which wind and fire disturbances buffer, or reduce, the magnitude of ecological change has been less well studied. In this study, we winched trees in a Pinus taeda L. forest to simulate wind damage in experimental plots and combined this treatment with prescribed fire. This design allowed investigation of how forest regeneration responds to combinations of wind and fire disturbance, with particular emphasis on whether disturbance interactions were amplifying or buffering. We also tested for evidence of two mechanisms of disturbance interaction that are expected to buffer the cumulative ecological impact of wind and fire disturbances, testing (1) whether wind damage increased resprouting response following fire and (2) whether seedlings on tip-up mounds were protected from fire. We identified evidence for a combination of disturbance interactions occurring in both an amplifying direction (e.g., rapid recruitment and establishment of Rhus copallinum) as well as interactions occurring in a buffering direction (e.g., increased resilience in resprouting saplings in winched plots). Such varying responses may lead to a heterogeneous mixture of amplifying and buffering effects following compounded disturbances, such that at the stand scale, the aggregate regeneration response of two disturbances is the net effect of these individual interaction mechanisms. The results of this study highlight that mechanisms of disturbance interactions may vary spatially and temporally and may be best understood by considering factors such as disturbance severity, species life history traits, and timing between disturbances.
Author Correction: Empirical evaluation of the stringency and design of renewable portfolio standards

In the version of this Article originally published, there was a data entry error in Table 1 for a single variable, eligibility of non-renewable resources in a renewable portfolio standard. This affected the descriptive statistics in Table 1 and Fig. 4 and the regression results and efficiency variable in Table 2. It also affects parts of the text, Table 3 and the Supplementary Information. These corrections have now been made.