cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Early ambulatory palliative care visits focus on psychosocial elements such as building rapport and coping, as well as managing symptoms and enhancing illness understanding

Commentary on: Yoong J, Park ER, Greer JA, et al. Early palliative care in advanced lung cancer: a qualitative study. JAMA Intern Med 2013;173:283–90.[OpenUrl][1][CrossRef][2][PubMed][3][Web of Science][4] Professional organisations in the fields of oncology, such as the American Society of Clinical Oncology2 and palliative care, including the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, have articulated the need for palliative care to be integrated into disease-focused care. There has been a wide international interest in this area as well. Achieving this aim will require a greater understanding of … [1]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DJAMA%2BIntern%2BMed%26rft.volume%253D173%26rft.spage%253D283%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1001%252Fjamainternmed.2013.1874%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F23358690%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [2]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=10.1001/jamainternmed.2013.1874&link_type=DOI [3]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=23358690&link_type=MED&atom=%2Febnurs%2F17%2F2%2F40.atom [4]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=000319610400007&link_type=ISI
Cytokines Enhance Neutrophils from Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Negative Donors and AIDS Patients to Inhibit the Growth of Mycobacterium avium In Vitro

Mycobacterium avium is one of the most prevalent opportunistic infections in AIDS patients, and neither prophylaxis nor treatment against M. avium is effective. To evaluate host defense mechanisms against mycobacterial infections, studies investigated whether neutrophils from AIDS patients could inhibit the growth of M. avium in vitro and what cytokines enhance neutrophil function against M. avium. Peripheral blood neutrophils from human immunodeficiency virus-negative and AIDS patients were incubated with media, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), interleukin-8, or macrophage-inhibitory proteins and infected with M. avium, and the inhibition of bacterial growth was determined. G-CSF (1000 U/mL) and GM-CSF (2000 U/mL) stimulated neutrophils from AIDS patients to significantly inhibit M. avium growth. These results demonstrate that neutrophils from AIDS patients can respond to exogenously supplied G-CSF or GM-CSF by inhibiting the growth of M. avium.
Regulation of hepatic glutathione synthesis: current concepts and controversies

Glutathione (GSH) is an important intracellular peptide with multiple functions ranging from antioxidant defense to modulation of cell proliferation. GSH is synthesized in the cytosol of all mammalian cells in a tightly regulated manner. The major determinants of GSH synthesis are the avail- ability of cysteine, the sulfur amino acid precursor, and the activity of the rate-limiting enzyme, g-glu- tamylcysteine synthetase (GCS). In the liver, major factors that determine the availability of cysteine are diet, membrane transport activities of the three sulfur amino acids cysteine, cystine and methionine, and the conversion of methionine to cysteine via the trans-sulfuration pathway. Many conditions alter GSH level via changes in GCS activity and GCS gene expression. These include oxidative stress, activators of Phase II detoxifying enzymes, antioxidants, drug- resistant tumor cell lines, hormones, cell prolifera- tion, and diabetes mellitus. Since the molecular cloning of GCS, much has been learned about the regulation of this enzyme. Both transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms modulate the activ- ity of this critical cellular enzyme.—Lu, S. C. Regu- lation of hepatic glutathione synthesis: current con- cepts and controversies. FASEB J. 13, 1169 -1183 (1999)
Reproductive Success of Migratory Birds in Habitat Sources and Sinks

Fragmentation of breeding habitat in North America has been implicated in the decline of forest-nesting, Neotropical migrant birds. We used a comparative approach to examine the effects of fragmentation on three forest-nesting migrants: Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapillus), Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo ofivaceus), and Wood Thrush (Hylocichla mustelina). We surveyed birds and monitored reproductive success on 28 study plots in fragmented and contiguous forests in two midwestern regions. Distribution of individuals between fragmented and contiguous forests appeared to vary among species and regions, but total nest failure was significantly higher in fragments than contiguous forests in both regions for all species (p = 0.053). We attributed greater nest failure to increased nest predation (p = O. 093) and increased brood parasitism by the Brownheaded Cowbird (Molothrus ater, p = 0. 009). In addition to greater total nest failure, partial nest failure due to cowbird parasitism led to a reduction in the number of host fledglings. Although the causes of nest mortality appeared to be species specific, total nest failure and partial nest failure acted in concert to reduce the number of offspring per adult for all three species on fragments. We used simple population growth models to assess the viabaity of the three species in fragmented and contiguous habitats in both regions. In general, populations on fragments appeared to be population sinks and populations on continguous forests appeared to be population sources. Assuming constant mortality during winter, projected growth indicated that without immigration Ovenbird and Red-eyed Vireo populations should become extinct on fragments in both regions and Wood Thrush populations should be maintained or slightly decline on fragments. Populations of all three species should increase in contiguous habitats in both regions without emigration. We suggest that habitat fragmentation reduces local reproduction and may have ramifications for the entire population. A clear understanding of population demography depends on examination of demographic dynamics within and among sources and sinks. We emphasize that the long-term viability of these species depends on maintaining large tracts of forest throughout the breeding range until the spatial scale at which source and sink populations interact can be determined.
Clinical and radiographic factors influencing the results of revision rotator cuff repair.

Purpose: Historically, results of open revision of rotator cuff repair have been mixed and often poor. We reviewed the outcomes of revision rotator cuff repair with a detailed analysis of clinical and radiographic risk factors in order to improve patient selection for this type of surgery. Materials and Methods: Thirty-six patients (37 shoulders) underwent first-time, open revision rotator cuff repair between 1995 and 2005. Average follow-up was 7.0 years (range 1-14.9 years). The tear size was small in 1 shoulder, medium in 8, large in 22 and massive in 6. Associations of 29 clinical and radiographic factors with the outcomes of pain, motion, and function were assessed. Results: Satisfactory outcome occurred in 22 shoulders (59%): An excellent result in 2, a good result in 7, and a fair result in 13. Unsatisfactory, poor results occurred in 15. Pain was substantially reduced in 25 (68%). Median pain scores decreased to five from a pre-operative eight ( P = 0.002). Median motion did not change from pre-operative to post-operative. The chance of a satisfactory outcome and improved post-operative motion were associated with males, greater pre-operative motion, increased acromial humeral distance, the absence of glenohumeral arthritis, or a degenerative re-tear. Conclusions: Revision rotator cuff repair, although a safe operation, with a low re-operative rate, has very mixed overall results. By knowing the factors associated with success, surgeons can better counsel patients and with this increased knowledge, consider alternative treatment choices.
A clinical report on the treatment of contact dermatitis with adrenocorticotropic hormone in oil

Abstract The administration in a single daily dose of this slowly absorbed preparation has great advantage over the schedule of multiple dosage required by the aqueous ACTH solution. The economy to the patient, the convenience to the physician, the gratifying results obtained clinically by the patient, all warrant continued use of ACTH in oil—whether the eruption is the result of medication locally applied or of contact with plant life. The amount of ACTH required to relieve contact dermatitis averaged 220 mg. administered in from two to six doses, one injection daily.
Post-rigor changes in selected physicochemical properties of myosin B fraction of turkey muscle

SUMMARY Changes in selected physicochemical properties of the myosin B fraction of turkey muscle were followed during a 44-hr post-rigor aging period. Sedimentation patterns of myosin B fractions prepared 48 hr after death indicated a decrease in a high-molecular-weight component thought to he myosin B gel. It is concluded that myosin B fractions lose gel-forming ability with resolution of rigor. Density-gradient centrifugal patterns showed small increases in slowly sedimenting components of myosin B fractions with aging. These components were. high in ATP-ase activity in the presence of calcium ions and showed no reduction of viscosity with addition of ATP. Some evidence favors the concept of dissociation of myosin B into myosin A and actin with resolution of rigor. This dissociation, however, may also represent disruption of myosin R gel formed during and after extraction from muscle.
Day Reporting Center Completion: Comparison of Individual and Multilevel Models

This study of 14 day reporting centers demonstrated that findings from analyses that take into account the clustering of clients into programs differ from those that ignore it. The multilevel analysis found that a higher likelihood of completion is associated with being older, White/non-Hispanic, having a current “other” offense, and having emotional problems. Probationers were less likely to complete if they had drug or alcohol problems, primarily criminal companions, and poor living situations. The more time spent in the program and the more contact hours received in employment services were also positively associated with completion. Although a substantial proportion of the variation in the likelihood of completion was found to be due to program-level factors, no specific program characteristics were significant.
Epithelial cell adhesion and gastrointestinal colonization of Lactobacillus in poultry

Administration of probiotic Lactobacillus cultures is an important alternative to the use of antibiotic growth promoters and has been demonstrated to improve animal health, growth performance, and preharvest food safety in poultry production. Whereas gastrointestinal colonization is thought to be critical to their probiotic functionality, factors important to Lactobacillus colonization in chickens are not well understood. In this study we investigate epithelial cell adhesion in vitro and colonization of Lactobacillusin vivo in broiler chickens. Adhesion of Lactobacillus cultures to epithelial cells was evaluated using the chicken LMH cell line. Lactobacillus cultures were able adhere effectively to LMH cells relative to Bacillus subtilis and Salmonella Typhimurium. Epithelial cell adhesion was similar for Lactobacillus crispatus TDCC 75, L. cristpatus TDCC 76, and Lactobacillus gallinarum TDCC 77, and all 3 were more adherent than L. gallinarum TDCC 78. However, when colonization was evaluated in the ileum and cecum of broiler chicks, L. crispatus TDCC 75 and L. gallinarum TDCC 77 were more persistent than L. crispatus TDCC 76 and L. gallinarum TDCC 78. The reduction of growth in medium supplemented with oxgal was greater for L. gallinarum TDCC 78 than L. gallinarum TDCC 77, suggesting that whereas adhesion was similar for the 2 strains, the difference in colonization between L. gallinarum strains may be due in part to their bile sensitivity. This study demonstrates that whereas adhesion to epithelial cells may be important in predicting gastrointestinal colonization, other factors including bile tolerance may also contribute to the colonization of Lactobacillus in poultry. Additionally, the chicken LMH cell line is expected to provide a platform for investigating mechanisms of Lactobacillus adhesion to epithelial tissue and evaluating the probiotic potential Lactobacillus in poultry.
Parent-Offspring Conflict in Primates

Parent‐offspring conflict (POC) theory (Trivers, 1974) has stimulated controversy in evolutionary biology and behavioral ecology. The theory has been criticized by some primate behavioral researchers on both conceptual and empirical grounds. First, it has been argued that it would be more advantageous to mothers and offspring to agree over the allocation of parental investment and to cooperate rather than to disagree and engage in conflict. Second, some studies have provided data suggesting that primate mothers and offspring engage in behavioral conflict over the scheduling of their activities rather than parental investment. In reality, parent‐offspring interactions are likely to involve both cooperation and conflict, and the hypothesis that mothers and infants squabble over the scheduling of their activities is not incompatible with POC theory. Furthermore, the predictions of POC theory are supported by a number of empirical studies of primates. POC theory has enhanced our understanding of the dynamics of parent‐offspring relationships in many animal species, and it is very likely that future studies of primates will continue to benefit from using POC theory as an explanatory framework.
Oprah, Beyoncé, and the Girls Who 'Run the World' – Are Black Female Cultural Producers Gaining Ground in Intellectual Property Law?

Oprah Winfrey and Beyonce Knowles are two of the richest women in the world today. Does this mean that race, gender and class no longer limit the success of America’s black female cultural producers ("BFCPs") as they did in the past? This article will explore this question by looking at how these two women faired as defendants in recent copyright infringement cases, in contrast to the historical experiences of BFCPs. The discussion will be enriched by the examination of equally important contemporary BFCP, Alice Randall, whose parody of white author, Margaret Mitchell's "Gone with the Wind" in the novel, "The Wind Done Gone", invited acclaim by such iconic writers as Toni Morrison and Harper Lee, and a lawsuit for infringement from Mitchell's estate. Disputes like this enable us to check the pulse of the culture in order to identify who gets to own and exploit the tools of intellectual property creation, and in so doing, learn who drives the creation of popular culture itself.
Insights into the Function of a Second, Nonclassical Ahp Peroxidase, AhpA, in Oxidative Stress Resistance in Bacillus subtilis

ABSTRACT Organisms growing aerobically generate reactive oxygen-containing molecules, such as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). These reactive oxygen molecules damage enzymes and DNA and may even cause cell death. In response, Bacillus subtilis produces at least nine potential peroxide-scavenging enzymes, two of which appear to be the primary enzymes responsible for detoxifying peroxides during vegetative growth: a catalase (encoded by katA) and an alkylhydroperoxide reductase (Ahp, encoded by ahpC). AhpC uses two redox-active cysteine residues to reduce peroxides to nontoxic molecules. A specialized thioredoxin-like protein, AhpF, is then required to restore oxidized AhpC back to its reduced state. Curiously, B. subtilis has two genes encoding Ahp: ahpC and ahpA. Although AhpC is well characterized, very little is known about AhpA. In fact, numerous bacterial species have multiple ahp genes; however, these additional Ahp proteins are generally uncharacterized. We seek to understand the role of AhpA in the bacterium9s defense against toxic peroxide molecules in relation to the roles previously assigned to AhpC and catalase. Our results demonstrate that AhpA has catalytic activity similar to that of the primary enzyme, AhpC. Furthermore, our results suggest that a unique thioredoxin redox protein, AhpT, may reduce AhpA upon its oxidation by peroxides. However, unlike AhpC, which is expressed well during vegetative growth, our results suggest that AhpA is expressed primarily during postexponential growth. IMPORTANCEB. subtilis appears to produce nine enzymes designed to protect cells against peroxides; two belong to the Ahp class of peroxidases. These studies provide an initial characterization of one of these Ahp homologs and demonstrate that the two Ahp enzymes are not simply replicates of each other, suggesting that they instead are expressed at different times during growth of the cells. These results highlight the need to further study the Ahp homologs to better understand how they differ from one another and to identify their function, if any, in protection against oxidative stress. Through these studies, we may better understand why bacteria have multiple enzymes designed to scavenge peroxides and thus have a more accurate understanding of oxidative stress resistance.
Ethics and the role of the manager

In order to understand the way in which the results of a study of business ethics could enter into the actual conduct of business, I formulate and examine five models of the role of the manager which can be found in the literature of management theory. These I call the engineering model, the economic model, the “management of values” model, the formal organization model, and the political model. While none of these models is wholly adequate, each provides important theoretical insights into the relevance of ethics to management decision making which can be of use in the examination of specific cases.
Post-migration Experiences of Female Immigrant Spouses from the Former Soviet Union

ABSTRACTThis paper applied an intersectional approach to analyse self-representations of female marriage migrants from the former Soviet Union who married US nationals. On the basis of in-depth interviews with these individuals and their husbands, the present study explored a range of topics related, but not limited, to pre-migration history, partner choice, post-migration adjustment. Failures of romantic relationships with local partners were cited by both men and women as the primary reason to turn to transnational marriage market to seek out brides and grooms, respectively. US men were looking for traditional wives and expected their spouses to assume the roles of housekeepers. In contrast, the majority of migrant women pursued more egalitarian gender relationships in the family. A conflict of expected gender roles and the household division of labour has strained many relationships.
Design on Guarantee Virtual Training System of Wheel-Type Bulldozer Based on EON

This article,based on three-dimensional modeling technology,establishes the model of the virtual training environment of the wheel-type bulldozer based on 3D MAX,simulates the training process based on EON Studio and integrates and optimizes the system via Delphi.The virtual training system is ensured to achieve an excellent effect in the practical applications and it proves that the method is effective.
Protein-Observed Fluorine NMR Is a Complementary Ligand Discovery Method to 1H CPMG Ligand-Observed NMR

To evaluate its potential as a ligand discovery tool, we compare a newly developed 1D protein-observed fluorine NMR (PrOF NMR) screening method with the well-characterized ligand-observed 1H CPMG NMR screen. We selected the first bromodomain of Brd4 as a model system to benchmark PrOF NMR because of the high ligandability of Brd4 and the need for small molecule inhibitors of related epigenetic regulatory proteins. We compare the two methods’ hit sensitivity, triaging ability, experiment speed, material consumption, and the potential for false positives and negatives. To this end, we screened 930 fragment molecules against Brd4 in mixtures of five and followed up these studies with mixture deconvolution and affinity characterization of the top hits. In selected examples, we also compare the environmental responsiveness of the 19F chemical shift to 1H in 1D-protein observed 1H NMR experiments. To address concerns of perturbations from fluorine incorporation, ligand binding trends and affinities were verifie...
Diagnosis, misdiagnosis, lucky guess, hearsay, and more: an ontological analysis

Disease and diagnosis have been the subject of much ontological inquiry. However, the insights gained therein have not yet been well enough applied to the study, management, and improvement of data quality in electronic health records (EHR) and administrative systems. Data in these systems suffer from workarounds clinicians are forced to apply due to limitations in the current state-of-the art in system design which ignore the various types of entities that diagnoses as information content entities can be and are about. This leads to difficulties in distinguishing amongst diagnostic assertions misdiagnosis from correct diagnosis, and the former from coincidentally correct statements about disease. We applied recent advances in the ontological understanding of the aboutness relation to the problem of diagnosis and disease as defined by the Ontology for General Medical Science. We created six scenarios that we analyzed using the method of Referent Tracking to identify all the entities and their relationships which must be present for each scenario to hold true. We discovered deficiencies in existing ontological definitions and proposed revisions of them to account for the improved understanding that resulted from our analysis. Our key result is that a diagnosis is an information content entity (ICE) whose concretization(s) are typically about a configuration in which there exists a disease that inheres in an organism and instantiates a certain type (e.g., hypertension). Misdiagnoses are ICEs whose concretizations succeed in aboutness on the level of reference for individual entities and types (the organism and the disease), but fail in aboutness on the level of compound expression (i.e., there is no configuration that corresponds in total with what is asserted). Provenance of diagnoses as concretizations is critical to distinguishing them from lucky guesses, hearsay, and justified layperson belief. Recent improvements in our understanding of aboutness significantly improved our understanding of the ontology of diagnosis and related information content entities, which in turn opens new perspectives for the implementation of data capture methods in EHR and other systems to allow diagnostic assertions to be captured with less ambiguity.
Stationary liquid fuel fast reactor SLFFR — Part II: Safety analysis

Abstract Safety characteristics have been evaluated for the stationary liquid fuel fast reactor (SLFFR) proposed for effective burning of hazardous TRU elements of used nuclear fuel. In order to model the geometrical configuration and reactivity feedback mechanisms unique to SLFFR, a multi-channel safety analysis code named MUSA was developed. MUSA solves the time-dependent coupled neutronics and thermal-fluidic problems. The thermal-fluidic behavior of the core is described by representing the core with one-dimensional parallel channels. The primary heat transport system is modeled by connecting compressible volumes by liquid segments. A point kinetics model with six delayed neutron groups is used to represent the fission power transients. The reactivity feedback is estimated by combining the temperature and density variations of liquid fuel, structural material and sodium coolant with the corresponding axial distributions of reactivity worth in each individual thermal-fluidic channel. Preliminary verification tests with a conventional solid fuel reactor agreed well with the reference solutions obtained with the SAS4A/SASSYS-1 code. Transient analyses of SLFFR were performed for unprotected transient over-power (UTOP), unprotected loss of heat sink (ULOHS) and unprotected loss of flow (ULOF) accidents. The results showed that the thermal expansion of liquid fuel provides sufficiently large negative feedback reactivity for passive shutdown of UTOP and ULOHS. The ULOF transient is also terminated passively with the negative reactivity introduced by the gas expansion modules installed at the core periphery. The maximum coolant temperatures have sufficient margins to the sodium boiling point for all three unprotected transient scenarios.
A look backward and forward in the regulatory and treatment history of multiple myeloma: Approval of novel-novel agents, new drug development, and longer patient survival

The past decade has seen significant advances in our understanding and treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) and its precursor diseases. These advances include gains in knowledge of the underlying pathobiology including molecular and cellular prognostic factors for disease progression. In parallel we have witnessed the availability of novel therapeutics. Together these advances have translated into improvements in long-term clinical benefit and survival in MM. Indeed, it has been shown that patients diagnosed in the last decade have experienced almost doubling of median survival time. We aim to review and give further insight into drug development and novel drug approvals that have revolutionized the treatment of MM.
Teaching the Emergency Department Patient Experience: Needs Assessment from the CORD-EM Task Force.

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION Since the creation of HCAHPS Patient Satisfaction (PS) scores, Patient Experience (PE) has become a metric that can profoundly affect the fiscal balance of hospital systems, reputation of entire departments and welfare of individual physicians. While government and hospital mandates demonstrate the prominence of PE as a quality measure, no such mandate exists for its education. The objective of this study was to determine the education and evaluation landscape for PE in categorical Emergency Medicine (EM) residencies. METHODS This was a prospective survey analysis of the Council of Emergency Medicine Residency Directors (CORD) membership. Program directors (PDs), assistant PDs and core faculty who are part of the CORD listserv were sent an email link to a brief, anonymous electronic survey. Respondents were asked their position in the residency, the name of their department, and questions regarding the presence and types of PS evaluative data and PE education they provide. RESULTS 146 responses were obtained from 139 individual residencies, representing 72% of all categorical EM residencies. This survey found that only 27% of responding residencies provide PS data to their residents. Of those programs, 61% offer simulation scores, 39% provide third party attending data on cases with resident participation, 37% provide third party acquired data specifically about residents and 37% provide internally acquired quantitative data. Only 35% of residencies reported having any organized PE curricula. Of the programs that provide an organized PE curriculum, most offer multiple modalities. 96% provide didactic lectures, 49% small group sessions, 47% simulation sessions and 27% specifically use standardized patient encounters in their simulation sessions. CONCLUSION The majority of categorical EM residencies do not provide either PS data or any organized PE curriculum. Those that do utilize a heterogeneous set of data collection modalities and educational techniques. AOA and ACGME residencies show no significant differences in their resident PS data provision or formal curricula. Further work is needed improve education given the high stakes of PS scores in the EM physician’s career.
Impaired Viability, Platelet Survival, Morphology and Function in Mice Lacking Filamin A.

Platelet filamin A (FlnA), encoded by the FLNA gene on the X-chromosome, cross-links actin filaments, links them to the GPIbα subunit of the von Willebrand factor (vWf) receptor in the plasma membrane, and serves as a scaffold for signaling proteins. Mice lacking FlnA were generated. FlnA deficiency is embryonic lethal in hemizygous males due to pericardial and visceral hemorrhage. Heterozygous females are born, but experience premature mortality. The distribution of FlnA-expressing hematopoietic cells in FlnA+/− females was investigated by intracellular flow cytometry. About half of all hematopoietic cells investigated express FlnA, including bone marrow megakaryocytes, suggesting a random X-chromosome inactivation in these cells. However, about 90% of all blood platelets express FlnA. Mice lacking platelet FlnA were further generated by breeding FlnA loxP females with GATA-1 Cre males. FlnA loxP/+ GATA-1 Cre female offspring outnumber FlnA loxP/y GATA-1 Cre males by a ratio of 7:1. FlnA loxP/y GATA-1 Cre males have about 25% of normal blood platelet counts and their platelets are large, lack a normal actin cytoskeleton, and have decreased GPIbα expression, which has an altered distribution by electron microscopy. FlnA-null platelets are cleared rapidly from the circulation when transfused into GATA-1 Cre recipients and have severely impaired functional and signaling responses downstream of the collagen receptor GPVI, i.e. α-granule secretion, integrin αIibβ3 activation and protein tyrosine phosphorylation. Surprisingly, thrombin-mediated GPIbα down-regulation and botrocetin-mediated vWf binding are minimally affected in FlnA-null platelets. The data show the critical nature of FlnA for platelet survival, morphology and function.
Computation of stability metrics in DC power systems using sum of squares programming

DC power systems increase the flexibility and efficiency of electrical power networks by eliminating unnecessary conversion stages. However, loads interconnected to the network through a power electronics converter exhibit nonlinear behavior which can lead to stability problems. In this paper, Sum of Squares (SOS) programming methods are utilized to compute stability metrics for dc networks. While the nonlinearity appearing in the dc constant power loads is non-polynomial, SOS techniques provide flexibility in dealing with them. It is shown that SOS methods are simple and efficient to compute an estimate of the region of attraction of dc microgrids.
On the Formulation of a Finite Element Method for the General Pipe-in-Pipe Structure System: Impact Buckling Analysis

Abstract A nonlinear finite element method is developed for a general pipe-in-pipe structure system, which is constructed as an inner pipe and an outer pipe. A novel algorithm for the impact buckling analysis between the inner pipe and outer pipe is presented. The arc length of the deformed pipe in the circumferential direction is used to directly determine the impact location. By using a pipe element with an arbitrary cross-section, the method has broad potential applications. Moreover, the configuration of the general pipe-in-pipe structure system is exactly smooth and continuous for any arbitrary cross-sections. Large deformation and finite strain are both considered. Nonlinear finite element implementation details are also given. Four different pipe-in-pipe structure systems are analyzed. A convergence study of the displacement order is also presented, and the results are verified with ANSYS and experiment. We observed that the proposed method is very accurate.
Induction of differentiation in blast cells and leukemia colony-forming cells from patients with acute myeloid leukemia.

The characteristic lesion in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the failure of myeloid cells to differentiate normally, leading to the accumulation of immature blast cells (BC) in the bone marrow. We determined whether BC and leukemia colony-forming cells (L-CFC) from AML patients could differentiate in vitro after short-term culture with interferon-gamma (IFN gamma), 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3 (D3), retinoic acid (RA), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha), and granulocyte- monocyte colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). Expression of myeloid differentiation antigens CD15, CD14, CD33, and p124 was determined on the BC by immunofluorescence and on the L-CFC by monoclonal antibody (MoAb) and complement (C9)-mediated cytotoxicity followed by cloning in methylcellulose. We found that 26 of 39 (67%) cases demonstrated changes in the expression of myeloid differentiation antigens on the BC, and 6 of 7 (86%) cases showed an altered L-CFC myeloid antigen phenotype after short-term culture with differentiating agents. Alterations in myeloid antigen expression in the L-CFC population correlated with a reduction in L-CFC cloning potential. In the BC, alterations of myeloid differentiation antigens occurred in a manner consistent with those observed during normal myelopoiesis. For example, CD14 antigen expression (a late-stage monocyte antigen) increased on BC from 12 of 39 (31%) cases, and p124 (an antigen expressed both by myeloid progenitor cells and by a subset of monocytes) increased on 15 of 39 (38%) cases. Changes in the expression of CD33 antigens (expressed normally by myeloid progenitor cells and by mature monocytes) on the BC were variable, with 7 of 29 cases (24%) showing a decrease and 7 of 29 cases (24%) showing an increase. When comparisons were made between pairs of differentiation agents that caused the altered expression of an antigen on either the BC or L-CFC of a patient, the majority of changes were in the same direction (either both “increased” or both “decreased”). This suggests that the direction of antigen change is characteristic of the leukemia cell subpopulation for each patient and not of the stimulatory agent. This study demonstrates that cells from more than two thirds of AML cases examined responded to various differentiation agents in vitro as measured by changes in the expression of myeloid cell-associated surface antigens and by alterations in cloning potential of the L-CFC, a finding of potential clinical significance.
Improved Neymanian analysis for $2^K$ factorial designs with binary outcomes

$2^K$ factorial designs are widely adopted by statisticians and the broader scientific community. In this short note, under the potential outcomes framework (Neyman, 1923; Rubin, 1974), we adopt the partial identification approach and derive the sharp lower bound of the sampling variance of the estimated factorial effects, which leads to an "improved" Neymanian variance estimator that mitigates the over-estimation issue suffered by the classic Neymanian variance estimator by Dasgupta et al. (2015).
Endoplasmic reticulum stress in pulmonary fibrosis.

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is associated with development and progression of fibrotic diseases, including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). ER stress was first implicated in the pathogenesis of IPF >15 years ago with the discovery of disease-causing mutations in surfactant protein C, which result in a misfolded gene product in type II alveolar epithelial cells (AECs). ER stress and the unfolded protein response (UPR) have been linked to lung fibrosis through regulation of AEC apoptosis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, myofibroblast differentiation, and M2 macrophage polarization. Although progress has been made in understanding the causes and consequences of ER stress in IPF and a number of chronic fibrotic disorders, further studies are needed to identify key factors that induce ER stress in important cell types and define critical down-stream processes and effector molecules that mediate ER stress-related phenotypes. This review discusses potential causes of ER stress induction in the lungs and current evidence linking ER stress to fibrosis in the context of individual cell types: AECs, fibroblasts, and macrophages. As our understanding of the relationship between ER stress and lung fibrosis continues to evolve, future studies will examine new strategies to modulate UPR pathways for therapeutic benefit.
Analysis of the Approaches

In this chapter, we introduce the analysis on the major approaches to learning to rank, which looks at the relationship between their loss functions and widely used evaluation measures. Basically, for many state-of-the-art ranking methods, it has been proven that their loss functions can upper bound measure-based ranking errors. Therefore the minimization of these loss functions can lead to the optimization of the evaluation measures in certain situations.
Causes, Energy and Constant Conjunctions

Most contemporary philosophers writing on causality proudly declare their adoption of a Humean framework. But many who ostensibly write from an anti-Humean perspective also adopt Hume’s main tenets about the nature of causality. This is the case even with Kant and those who believe that we have a definite concept of causal necessity on a par with the concept of logical necessity. To be sure, these opponents of Hume do disagree with him on very important issues. Yet their disagreements with Hume are not for the most part about the structure or nature of causality. The disagreements are, rather, about the origin of the concept of cause, or about the constitution of the mind that has the concept of causality, or, in the most radical cases, about the metaphysical source of causality, but not about the causal connection itself.
Light Load Efficiency Improvements in Dual Active Bridge Converters via Dead time Control

Many converters suffer from poor efficiency at light loads even though much of their lifetime is spent at lightly loaded conditions. During normal operation, the dual active bridge (DAB) family of converters loses soft switching at low power levels, leading to poor light-load efficiency. In this paper a control approach for DAB converter is investigated that enhances their light-load efficiency via dead time control. A model is developed that captures the relationship between output power and dead time, and is used to formulate a control approach for light-load operation. Experimental results from a prototype converter validate the proposed approach.
Value creation in consumption journeys: recursive reflexivity and practice continuity

This study explores how reflexivity contributes to the continuation of value creation for consumers throughout consumption journeys. Reflexivity is awareness of the self within the world. Our study establishes a framework for studying consumption journeys centered on progressive engagement with a practice—in this case surfing—over time. We discover that reflexivity manifests in consumption journeys in an iterative, recursive manner—i.e., recursive reflexivity—tacking between identity (mis)alignment (with dominant institutions) and reflexive outcomes, such as imitating, improving, adapting and reconciling. Our findings reveal that recursive reflexivity contributes to the continuation of value creation in consumption journeys by fostering practice continuity—i.e., immersion, adaptation, innovation and/or dissolution of a practice—which provides opportunities for enhanced consumption experiences and supports the evolution of identity projects. These findings deepen the understanding of how practices, identity, and institutions contribute to value creation. Implications from these findings suggest that firms should pay close attention to recursive reflexivity and practice continuity to cultivate value creation with consumers by (a) providing opportunities for enhanced consumption experiences, (b) aligning or misaligning brand identity with dominant institutions, and (c) sparking imagining, identity evolution, and practice innovation.
Patient and disease characteristics of colorectal cancer in a cohort of young patients.

513Background: Despite effective screening for colorectal cancer (CRC), the incidence has been steadily rising in younger patients; the etiology for this phenomenon remains elusive. Methods: CRC pa...
Elevated serum concentrations of DNAJB9 in fibrillary glomerulonephritis: another step toward understanding a progressive disease

DnaJ homolog subfamily B member 9 (DNAJB9) is a sensitive and specific marker of fibrillary glomerulonephritis (FGN) in kidney biopsies. In this issue, Nasr and Dasari et al. demonstrate significantly elevated concentrations of DNAJB9 in serum from patients with FGN. This advances our understanding of DNAJB9 as a biomarker in FGN and reframes questions about pathogenesis and potential clinical applications of DNAJB9 serum testing.
Comparative gene expression analysis in melanocytes driven by tumor cell-derived exosomes.

Abstract Abundant with organelle-like membranous structures, the tumor microenvironment is composed of cancer cells that secrete exosomes. Studies have shown that these secreted exosomes transport RNA and active molecules to other cells to reshape the tumor microenvironment and promote tumor growth. In fact, we found that exosomes derived from melanoma cells drive pre-malignant transition in primary melanocytes. However, there is little available in the scientific literature on how exosomes modulate melanocytes in the microenvironment to optimize conditions for tumor progression and metastasis. We therefore focused this current study on identifying these conditions genetically. Through RNA sequencing, we analyzed gene expression levels of melanocytes driven by exosomes derived from melanoma and lung cancer cells compared with those without exosome controls. Significant differences were found in gene expression patterns of melanocytes driven by exosomes derived from melanoma and lung cancer cells. In the melanocytes responding to exosomes derived from melanoma cells, genes of lipopolysaccharide and regulation of leukocyte chemotaxis were predominant. In the melanocytes responding to exosomes derived from lung cancer cells, genes of DNA replication and mitotic nuclear division played an important role. These results provide further mechanistic understanding of tumor progression promoted by tumor-derived exosomes. This will also help identify potential therapeutic targets for melanoma progression.
Systemic lidocaine versus ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane block for postoperative analgesia: A comparative randomised study in bariatric surgical patients

Background and Aims: The multimodal analgesia strategies to minimise opioid-related side effects are highly desirable in bariatric surgical procedures. We evaluated the efficacy of ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane (USG-TAP) block and intravenous lidocaine for postoperative analgesia in obese patients undergoing laparoscopic bariatric surgery. Methods: We studied 56 patients with body mass index >35 kg/m2. They were randomly allocated to Lidocaine group (Group A) and USG-TAP group (Group B). Group A patients were given intravenous Lidocaine (1.5 mg/kg) bolus followed by (1.5 mg/kg/h) infusion. Group B patients were given ultrasound-guided bilateral TAP block using 20 cc of 0.375% ropivacaine each side. Postoperative numeric rating pain scale score (NRS) hours were compared. Other parameters compared were total fentanyl requirement, sedation score, postoperative nausea vomiting (PONV) score and patient satisfaction score. A P value
Educating across borders: The case of a dual language program on the U.S.-Mexico Border, by M. T. De la Piedra, B. Araujo, and A. Esquinca: University of Arizona Press, 2018

Dual language programs have significantly increased in number in the United States, estimated at over 1,000 programs, as a testament to their effectiveness when well implemented. This growth has sp...
Using a polar version of PC-SAFT to understand the impact of added CO2 on the phase behavior of biodiesel systems

Abstract Two obstacles to efficient transesterification of triglycerides to form biodiesel are the initial immiscibility of the reactants and the potential depletion of the short chain alcohol into the glycerol-rich phase formed as a result of the reaction. Consequently, co-solvents have been used to promote mixing and lower the energetic requirements of the process. Amongst the multiple proposed co-solvents in the literature carbon dioxide exhibits the highest vapor pressure, which provides multiple benefits in the downstream separation process of the biodiesel products and excess reactants. In previous work the presence of an optimal content of CO2 for each set of P-T conditions was demonstrated for a system containing CO2, methanol and triglycerides. In this work, that approach has been extended to the quaternary system of CO2, methanol, glycerol and biodiesel, with an aim towards understanding how added CO2 can reduce the loss of the reactant methanol to the glycerol-rich phase that forms during the transesterification reaction. Variation of the phase separation over a range of pressures (10–40 MPa) temperatures (40–200 °C) and different methanol to glycerol ratios (2–30:1) and the influence on the optimal conditions are reported using a polar version of PC-SAFT that can easily be extended to multiple substances and process conditions. In general, it has been found that adding CO2 promotes retention of methanol in the oil-rich phase until a very light third phase is formed; the appearance of this third phase is predicted by the PC-SAFT model.
Matrix metalloproteinases and airway remodeling of bronchial asthma

Airway inflammation and remodeling are the main features of bronchial asthma(asthma).Extracellular matrix(ECM) degradation and sediment imbalance are the important reason of respiratory abnormal construction of airway wall,and matrix metalloproteinases(MMP) is the main rate-limiting enzyme for the regulation of ECM metabolism. Each MMP and their various inhibitors can not only interact mutually,but also act on cytokines and other inflammatory factors to increase or decrease their biological effects. Airway remodeling is a process of MMP deposition in the airway walls. Therefore,the study in depth of MMP and their inhibitors are of great significance to further clarify the mechanism of asthma inflammation and a irway remodeling. This review focuses on the biologic characteristics of these enzymes and the role ofMMP and their inhibitors in airway remodeling of asthma. Key words: Matrix metailoproteinases; Asthma; Airway remodeling
A genome-wide screen in macrophages identifies new regulators of IFNγ-inducible MHCII that contribute to T cell activation [preprint]

AbstractCytokine-mediated activation of host immunity is central to the control of pathogens. A key cytokine in protective immunity is interferon-gamma (IFN{gamma}), which is a potent activator of antimicrobial and immunomodulatory effectors within the host. A major role of IFN{gamma} is to induce major histocompatibility complex class II molecules (MHCII) on the surface of cells, which is required for CD4+ T cell activation. Despite its central role in host immunity, the complex and dynamic regulation of IFN{gamma}-induced MHCII is not well understood. Here, we integrated functional genomics and transcriptomics to comprehensively define the genetic control of IFN{gamma}-mediated MHCII surface expression in macrophages. Using a genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 library we identified genes that control MHCII surface expression, many of which have yet to be associated with MHCII. Mechanistic studies uncovered two parallel pathways of IFN{gamma}-mediated MHCII control that require the multifunctional glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK3{beta}) or the mediator complex subunit MED16. Both pathways are necessary for IFN{gamma}-mediated induction of the MHCII transactivator CIITA, MHCII expression, and CD4+ T cell activation. Using transcriptomic analysis, we defined the regulons controlled by GSK3{beta} and MED16 in the presence and absence of IFN{gamma} and identified unique networks of the IFN{gamma}-mediated transcriptional landscape that are controlled by each gene. Our analysis suggests GSK3{beta} and MED16 control distinct aspects of the IFN{gamma}-response and are critical for macrophages to respond appropriately to IFN{gamma}. Our results define previously unappreciated regulation of MHCII expression that is required to control CD4+ T cell responses by macrophages. These discoveries will aid in our basic understanding of macrophage-mediated immunity and will shed light on mechanisms of failed adaptive responses pervasive in infectious disease, autoimmunity, and cancer.