cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sigma-2 Receptors Play a Role in Cellular Metabolism: Stimulation of Glycolytic Hallmarks by CM764 in Human SK-N-SH Neuroblastoma

Sigma-2 receptors are attractive antineoplastic targets due to their ability to induce apoptosis and their upregulation in rapidly proliferating cancer cells compared with healthy tissue. However, this role is inconsistent with overexpression in cancer, which is typically associated with upregulation of prosurvival factors. Here, we report a novel metabolic regulatory function for sigma-2 receptors. CM764 [6-acetyl-3-(4-(4-(2-amino-4-fluorophenyl)piperazin-1-yl)butyl)benzo[d]oxazol-2(3H)-one] binds with Ki values of 86.6 ± 2.8 and 3.5 ± 0.9 nM at the sigma-1 and sigma-2 receptors, respectively. CM764 increased reduction of MTT [3-[4,5 dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide] in human SK-N-SH neuroblastoma compared with untreated cells, an effect not due to proliferation. This effect was attenuated by five different sigma antagonists, including CM572 [3-(4-(4-(4-fluorophenyl)piperazin-1-yl)butyl)-6-isothiocyanatobenzo[d]oxazol-2(3H)-one], which has no significant affinity for sigma-1 receptors. This effect was also observed in MG-63 osteosarcoma and HEK293T cells, indicating that this function is not exclusive to neuroblastoma or to cancer cells. CM764 produced an immediate, robust, and transient increase in cytosolic calcium, consistent with sigma-2 receptor activation. Additionally, we observed an increase in the total NAD(+)/NADH level and the ATP level in CM764-treated SK-N-SH cells compared with untreated cells. After only 4 hours of treatment, basal levels of reactive oxygen species were reduced by 90% in cells treated with CM764 over untreated cells, and HIF1α and VEGF levels were increased after 3-24 hours of treatment. These data indicate that sigma-2 receptors may play a role in induction of glycolysis, representing a possible prosurvival function for the sigma-2 receptor that is consistent with its upregulation in cancer cells compared with healthy tissue.
Ontogeny of isoproterenol-stimulated renin secretion from sheep renal cortical slices

The ontogeny of renin secretion from renal cortical slices was studied in two groups of fetal (107-109 days of gestation and 131-136 days of gestation; term is 145 days), newborn (3-9 days old), and adult nonpregnant sheep. Isoproterenol (ISO; 10(-8)-10(-5) M) significantly increased active renin secretion in all age groups (P less than 0.05), with newborns having the highest values at all concentrations. However, the percent changes in active renin secretion were similar among all ages. Inactive renin secretion also increased with ISO stimulation, with newborns having the highest rate of inactive renin secretion. The percent of total renin in the active form differed among ages, ranging at base line from 60 +/- 10% in fetuses at greater than 130 days of gestation to 88 +/- 6% in fetuses at less than 110 days of gestation (P less than 0.05). Propranolol (1 microM) inhibited ISO (10(-6) M)-stimulated active renin secretion at all ages. On the other hand, the prostaglandin (PG) synthase inhibitor aspirin (1.6 x 10(-5) M) did not inhibit ISO (10(-6) M)-mediated increases in active renin secretion in fetal (greater than 130 days of gestation) kidney slices and produced values intermediate between base line and ISO alone in newborns and adults.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Linear Programming and Extensions

One of the areas of mathematics which has extensive use in combinatorial optimization is called linear programming (LP). It derives its name from the fact that the LP problem is an optimization problem in which the objective function and all the constraints are linear. Many real-world problems can be formulated in this way. Even more problems can be effectively approximated by an LP model. Also an LP solution method can be used as a subroutine in solving integer-programming problems (as indicated in Section 2.1) and certain nonlinear optimization problems.
Neonatal growth restriction-related leptin deficiency enhances leptin-triggered sympathetic activation and central angiotensin II receptor-dependent stress-evoked hypertension

Neonatal growth restriction (nGR) leads to leptin deficiency and increases the risk of hypertension. Previous studies have shown nGR-related hypertension is normalized by neonatal leptin (nLep) and exacerbated by psychological stress. With recent studies linking leptin and angiotensin signaling, we hypothesized that nGR-induced nLep deficiency increases adult leptin sensitivity; leading to leptin- or stress-induced hypertension, through a pathway involving central angiotensin II type 1 receptors. We randomized mice with incipient nGR, by virtue of their presence in large litters, to vehicle or physiologic nLep supplementation (80 ng/g/d). Adult caloric intake and arterial pressure were monitored at baseline, during intracerebroventricular losartan infusion and during systemic leptin administration. nGR increased leptin-triggered renal sympathetic activation and hypertension with increased leptin receptor expression in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus; all of those nGR-associated phenotypes were normalized by nLep. nGR mice also had stress-related hyperphagia and hypertension, but only the stress hypertension was blocked by central losartan infusion. nGR leads to stress hypertension through a pathway that involves central angiotensin II receptors, and nGR-associated leptin deficiency increases leptin-triggered hypertension in adulthood. These data suggest potential roles for preservation of neonatal growth and nLep supplementation in the prevention of nGR-related hypertension.
1594 Laproscopic Cholecystectomy in the Pediatric Population: A Single Center Experience

Background and Aims As the preferred technique for cholecystectomy in children, we aim to review our experience with laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the pediatric population to better understand the associated complications and outcomes. Methods We performed an IRB approved, retrospective chart review of children ≤ 18 years who underwent cholecystectomy at a single academic institution between the years 1990 and 2010. Results Of the 325 cases of cholecystectomy, 202 (62.2%) were performed laparoscopically. The primary indication for surgery was symptomatic cholelithiasis (45.5%, n=92). Preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) was performed in 25 (12.4%) of cases. Variations in anatomy and technical difficulties (e.g. presence of adhesions) were found in 45 (22.3%) of patients. Intraoperative cholangiogram was performed in 20 (9.9%) and concomitant splenectomy was undertaken in 16 (7.9%) cases. Only 8 (4%) of cases were converted to an open fashion, all due to a lack of anatomical clarity. There were zero common bile duct injuries; however spillage of bile was present in 12 (5.9%) patients. Postoperative complications including wound infection 4, retained stones 4, abdominal abscess 1, and biloma 0, totalled 9 patients (4.5%). Median operative time was 117.5 minutes. Median postoperative hospital stay was 1 day and 19 (9.4%) patients had recurrence of abdominal pain without associated pathology. Three patients (1.5%) required postoperative ERCP. In this cohort, average follow-up was 54 months. Conclusion Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in pediatric population results in short postoperative hospital stays and has low complication rates. In our experience, it also leads to relatively high symptom relief.
Intra-articular Diagnostic Injection Exhibits Poor Predictive Value for Outcome After Hip Arthroscopy

Purpose To determine whether the amount of pain relief after preoperative intra-articular (IA) anesthetic injection predicts clinical and functional outcomes after hip arthroscopy, especially when controlling for the presence of chondral degeneration. Methods We identified patients who underwent IA injection and subsequent hip arthroscopy for labral pathology between 2007 and 2013 performed by a single surgeon. Inclusion criteria were ultrasound- or fluoroscopic-guided IA anesthetic injection performed at our institution, prospectively documented pre- and postinjection numerical rating scale pain scores, and minimum 1-year follow-up postoperatively. Patients were divided into 2 groups, those who received >50% pain relief from preoperative IA anesthetic injection and those who received ≤50% relief. Preoperative radiographs were reviewed, and degree of osteoarthritis was determined using the Tonnis classification system. Outcomes were assessed with Modified Harris Hip Score and Hip Outcome Score (HOS). Univariate and multivariate models were performed to assess whether percent pain relief correlated with outcome. Results Of the 319 arthroscopic hip surgeries performed between 2007 and 2013, 115 (37%) patients were lost to follow-up, 16 (5%) patients did not receive an IA injection, 16 (5%) patients had an injection containing gadolinium, and 40 (13%) patients completed injections at an outside institution. Five (2%) patients were excluded for a history of ipsilateral hip surgery, and 3 (1%) for a history of contralateral hip surgery, leaving 96 hips in 96 patients. There were 71 females (74%) and 25 males (26%) with a mean age of 37.6 ± 14.0 years. Tonnis was grade 0, 1, and 2 for 26 (27%), 55 (56%), and 16 (17%) patients, respectively. Fifty-one (53%) of the injections contained a corticosteroid. The mean pain relief after IA injection was 73% ± 36% (range, 0% to 100%). Twenty-six hips (26%) had ≤50% pain relief, whereas 70 (73%) had >50% pain relief, and the median time interval from injection to surgery was 3 (range, 50% pain relief. Multivariate regression analysis showed no significant predictors of outcome, including age, gender, Tonnis grade, percent relief with IA injection, or type of surgery. Conclusions In this study of patients undergoing hip arthroscopy for labral pathology, our data indicate that the amount of pain relief from IA injection may be a poor predictor of short-term outcome, even when adjusting for chondral degeneration. Although anesthetic injections can be an important diagnostic tool in select patients, a combination of the clinical history, physical examination, and imaging findings is fundamental. Level of Evidence Level IV, therapeutic case series.
The Importance of Mediation and Peacemaking in Law and Business

Students from colleges and universities throughout the world recently participated in an international mock mediation competition held in Gainesville, Georgia sponsored by the InterNational Academy of Dispute Resolution (INADR). I had the privilege of coaching a student team from the University of San Diego at this competition. During the competition, students acquired an applied knowledge of mediation and also an appreciation of the benefits of alternative dispute resolution. This valuable experience taught that peacemaking through mediation sets the stage for a satisfactory resolution that is often not possible in traditional courtroom civil litigation. Student participants studied and applied the process of caucus mediation that included, a mediator's opening statement, party’s opening statements, joint discussion, the caucus and ultimately resolution. An integral component of caucus mediation is a form of “shuttle diplomacy,” which involves a mediator meeting with the parties on an individual basis or in “caucus.” The ultimate goal of the caucus is to cultivate a positive relationship and learn as much information about the parties and their dispute as possible. Students also learned that confidentiality is key to maintaining a trusting relationship with the parties.
Numerical simulation of multiple grains with different preferred growth orientation of magnesium alloys using phase-field method

Based on the KKS model which couples concentration field, flow field, orientation field and temperature field, the phase-field model for magnesium alloys with hcp structure was developed. In order to simulate the growth of multiple grains with different preferred growth orientation and reduce calculation amount, a orientation field which keeps the same of orientation in the interior of the grain using the strangeness of diffusion is added to describe the crystallographic orientation, which implements the control of multiple grains with different preferred growth orientation using one phase field controlling equation. The double mesh technique is used to solve the model in order to improve the computing efficiency ulteriorly. Taking AZ91D alloy for example, the dendritic growth of multiple grains with different preferred growth orientation during solidification without and with flow are simulated, the microstructure simulation results are compared with the experimental results, and they are in good agreement in dendritic morphology.
Virus-host cell interactions in human immunodeficiency virus infections.

Considerable evidence indicates that the CD4 molecule, which is expressed primarily on helper T lymphocytes and cells of the mononuclear phagocyte lineage, serves as an essential component of the cell surface receptor for both the human and simian immunodeficiency viruses.1,2,3 Fc receptor-mediated enhancement of HIV infection of monocytoid cells and infection of these cells via the complement receptor have also reported. 4,5 The expression of CD4 molecules on the surface of CD4-transfected human fibroblastoid and epitheloid cells confers susceptibility to infection with certain isolates of HIV-I.6 Yet, the in vitro infection of CD4-negative fibroblasts appears to depend on perhaps somewhat artifactual conditions such as the use of very high multiplicities of infection and the subsequent requirement of cocultivation with CD4+ cells to demonstrate the presence of detectable HIV.7 More recently, it has been shown that IgG Fc receptors can be induced on the surface of fibroblasts by cytomegalovirus and that these cells become susceptible to immune complex-mediated HIV-1 infection as a consequence.8 However, the significance of the infection of fibroblasts and other CD4 negative cells to the pathogenesis of AIDS remains unclear.
Food insecurity and low self-efficacy are associated with increased healthcare utilization among adults with type II diabetes mellitus.

Abstract Objective Food insecurity has been shown to negatively impact health outcomes, disease management and hospitalizations. Despite the increasing burden of type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in the United States, little research exists on the role of food insecurity and its association to T2DM-related healthcare utilization. The purpose of our study was to address such a gap in the literature by evaluating the role of food insecurity and T2DM-related past 12-month hospitalization or emergency department (ED) admission among adults with healthcare professional diagnosed T2DM. Methods We utilized the California Health Interview Survey (CHIS), 2009, 2011/2012 data to select CHIS participants who were aged 18 or older and reported doctor diagnosis of T2DM; resulting in a total of 8252 participants. Food insecurity was defined as: living at or above 200% federal poverty level (FPL), living below 200% FPL but food secure, living below 200% FPL and food insecure. A secondary exposure variable of interest was self-efficacy, based on the CHIS-provided variable of confidence to manage T2DM. All analyses were survey weighted with alpha less than .05 noting significance. Results Those with low food security (12.96%) and low-self efficacy (15.14%), reported significantly higher prevalence of T2DM-related healthcare utilization, as compared to their counterparts. Both living with low food security and having low self-efficacy were also associated with over two-fold increase in healthcare utilization. Conclusion Our results demonstrate the cumulative need for community-based resources to improve the continuum of care and ensure that such at-risk populations have adequate resources for disease management.
The ammonium ion in a silicate under compression: infrared spectroscopy and powder X-ray diffraction of NH 4 AlSi 3 O 8 —buddingtonite to 30 GPa

The behavior of the ammoniated feldspar buddingtonite, NH4AlSi3O8, has been studied using infrared (IR) spectroscopy up to ~30 GPa and using synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction to 10 GPa at room temperature. We examine the bonding of the ammonium ion under pressure and in particular whether hydrogen bonding is enhanced by compaction, as well as probe how the ammonium ion affects the elasticity and behavior of the aluminosilicate framework at pressure. Powder diffraction data yield a bulk modulus of 49 GPa for a pressure derivative of 4, implying that the ammonium ion substitution may induce a modest softening of the feldspar lattice relative to the potassium ion. Under compression, the N–H vibrations are remarkably insensitive to pressure throughout the pressure range of these experiments. However, the vibrations of the aluminosilicate framework of buddingtonite undergo changes in their slope at ~13 GPa, implying that a change in compressional mechanism occurs near this pressure, but the vibrational modes of the ammonium molecule show little response to this change. These results show that (1) there is little, if any, enhancement of hydrogen bonding between the ammonium ion and the oxygen ions of the silica and aluminum tetrahedral framework under pressure, as manifested by the slight (and mostly positive) shifts in the N–H stretching vibrations of the ammonium ion; (2) ordering of the ammonium ion is not observed under compression, as no changes in peak width or in the general appearance of the spectra are observed under compression; and (3) structural changes induced by pressure in the aluminosilicate framework do not produce significant changes in the bonding of the ammonium ion. Hence, it appears that the ammonium ion interacts minimally with its surrounding lattice, even at high pressures: Its behavior is compatible with it being, aside from Coulombic attraction to the oxygen-dominated matrix, a largely non-interactive guest molecule within the silicate framework. This lack of interaction with the surrounding oxide lattice under compression may impact the stability of ammoniated minerals at high pressures and temperatures and ultimately likely favors nitrides or fluid phases as the dominant nitrogen carriers within the deeper mantle.
Lumbar and Sacral Radiculitis

Lumbosacral radiculopathy in many forms can occasionally manifest as urogenital pain. Etiologies can vary from musculoskeletal, such as disc herniation, to mechanical compression, to other atypical pathologies. A thorough history and physical examination, coupled with various imaging modalities, aid in establishing a diagnosis. Treatment is multifactorial and includes a multitude of interventional techniques, such as lumbar epidural steroid injections. Occasionally, medial branch blocks are used, and if successful radiofrequency ablation can be used as a more permanent treatment. The details of each pathology and the numerous treatments will be discussed in more detail in this chapter.
Bank Office Simulation Tutorial and Technical Note

Tutorial and tech note combined to introduce students to model building and outputs in AnyLogic. Excerpt UVA-OM-1549 Rev. Mar. 2, 2018 Bank Office Simulation Tutorial and Technical Note: Model Building and Data Collection Using AnyLogic Multimethod Simulation Software The Bank Office Description This tutorial helps users develop a simple service system for a bank office. The bank consists of one automatic teller machine (ATM) and four tellers. The ATM provides people with a quick self-service for cash and deposits, whereas tellers handle more complex transactions (e.g., paying bills or opening a new bank account). Additional operational details are provided during the tutorial. . . .
Responding to public health crises: bridging collective mindfulness and user experience to create communication interventions

This paper examines how the cognitive framework of collective mindfulness complements tenets of user experience in public health crisis communication. Collective mindfulness attunes an organization into preemptively identifying and avoiding potential failures that can have adverse safety and public relations outcomes. To illustrate the connection between this cognitive framework and user experience, this article shares findings from a case study with the 2014 Johns Hopkins Medicine Ebola Crisis Communications Team, whose primary goals were to improve the usability of Ebola personal protective equipment protocols and to prepare healthcare providers for a U.S. Ebola crisis. Based on a grounded theory investigation, this article suggests that the collective mindfulness principles of deference to expertise, resilience, and refusal to simplify complex procedures informed the team's ability to avoid a catastrophic communication failure. Additionally, these principles allowed the team to attune to key user experience principles, including addressing user context and user limitations.
LOCATING SAFE STARTING REGIONS FOR ITERATIVE METHODS: A HEURISTIC ALGORITHM

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the location of safe starting regions for iterative methods. It presents an interval algorithm designed to search for solutions of nonlinear problems of the form f(x) = 0, x e Ω, where Ω is an arbitrary n-dimentional rectangular region in the domain of f. The effectiveness of the search depends upon the ability of the bisection procedure to select subregions of Ω that are likely to contain zeros of f. The chapter presents a modification of the interval algorithm called SAFESTART that allows the bisection procedure to choose among several bisection rules each time a new subregion must be selected. SAFESTART currently operates with two sets of bisection rules—namely, Newton-step direction rule and Newton-step region rule. SAFESTART permits either static or dynamic rule selection. Static rule selection involves an independent choice of one direction rule and one region rule at the start of the procedure. The chosen set is then used throughout the search. Dynamic rule selection allows the algorithm to decide at each step whether bisection is required and if so to choose the bisection rules it will follow at that step.
Modeling Attitudes Toward Science: Development and Validation of the Credibility of Science Scale

ABSTRACTWe present the Credibility of Science Scale (CoSS), an efficient 6-item scale demonstrating excellent reliability and validity. CoSS scores exhibit criterion validity in predicting beliefs across a host of contemporary science topics, over and above previously documented predictors (Study 2). Further, we present evidence for the convergent and discriminant validity of the instrument, which correlates as expected with several variables previously implicated in scientific belief (e.g., political ideology, religious identity, conspiracist thinking; Study 2) and also with measures of cognitive ability (Study 3). Finally, we discuss possible uses of the CoSS as a tool for understanding science-related beliefs, behavior, and communication.
Relaxation, Glass Formation, Nucleation, & Rupture in Normal and “Water-Like” Liquids at Low Temperatures and/or Negative Pressures

After an initial discussion of ergodicity-breaking in different types of relaxing systems we consider how relaxation can be characterized and how differences in system responses to different stresses can be interpreted in structural terms. The more general case of systems which respond similarly to different stresses is then considered, with emphasis on the temperature dependence of the relaxation time, its connection to the “ideal” glass transition, to thermodynamics, and to the topology of the potential energy hypersurface each system must explore at low temperatures. With this picture as background we turn to the conundrum presented by the behavior of supercooled water. After a brief review of power law divergences in supercooled water, we show how it is profitable—following Speedy—to study the relation of supercooled to superheated behavior. This leads us to a consideration of the spinodal boundary on liquid stability, and the existence of mechanically stable liquid states of tension. We bring reality to the discussion by presenting new experimental techniques and results which extend the existence of stretched water to pressures of −1400 bars. Based on the excellent agreement of our data with prior superheated water results and Fisher’s theory for the tensile strength of liquids, we argue that we have reached the homogeneous nucleation boundary for stretched water. Since nucleation ceases below 35°C we appear to have identified the tension maximum predicted by equation of state extrapolations, hence indirectly to have confirmed Speedy’s re-entrant spinodal conjecture which accounts for supercooled water anomalies in terms of pre-spinodal fluctuations. On this basis we identify alternative theoretical endpoints for supercooling liquids and identify a crossover between them in the case of water. Finally we consider, using molecular dynamic experiments, the consequences of “jumping” glassy systems across the spinodal. The process of rupture, and the structures produced, are analyzed, and the structures shown to be fractal in both structure and dynamics, with fractal dimensions which vary systematically with final density.
Use of Clinical Video Telehealth as a Tool for Optimizing Medications for Rural Older Veterans with Dementia.

Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) allow delivery of primary care to rural veterans who are far from a main Veterans Affairs (VA) campus. However, CBOCs often do not have physicians with geriatric training. We used a clinical video telehealth (CVT) dementia service (Teledementia clinic) based in the Pittsburgh VA Healthcare System to optimize dementia patients’ medications and potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs). We analyzed 199 CVT patient encounters from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2016 and compared different medication changes per encounter between the initial CVT consults and the follow-up visits for all medications and PIMs as listed in the 2015 Beers Criteria, to see if there was a decrease of each kind of change, which is being used as a surrogate for optimization. We found that initial CVT consults, compared to follow-up visits, had greater medications added (0.731 vs. 0.434, p = 0.0092), total overall medications changes (1.769 vs. 1.130, p = 0.0078), and the stopping of 2015 Beers Criteria PIMs (0.208 vs. 0.072, p = 0.0255) per encounter. The fewer PIMs discontinued and fewer medication additions in follow-ups implies that our patients’ medications tend to stay optimized between visits. The teledementia service represents a novel way to provide geriatric assistance to CBOC VA primary care physicians for rural veterans with dementia.
Increased inflammation and brain glutamate define a subtype of depression with decreased regional homogeneity, impaired network integrity, and anhedonia

Combined increases in peripheral inflammation and brain glutamate may identify a subtype of depression with distinct neuroimaging signatures. Two contrasting subgroups of depressed subjects—with and without combined elevations in plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) and basal ganglia glutamate (high and low CRP-Glu, respectively) were identified by hierarchical clustering using plasma CRP (indexing peripheral inflammation) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS)-based measurement of left basal ganglia glutamate. High CRP-Glu group status was associated with greater severity of anhedonia and cognitive and motor slowing. Local- and network-level measures of functional integrity were determined using brain oxygen level-dependent (BOLD)-oscillatory activity and graph theory. Greater decreases in concordance of oscillatory activity between neighboring voxels (Regional Homogeneity ‘ReHo’, p < 0.01) within the MRS volume-of-interest was associated with the High CRP-Glu subgroup. Using brain-wide, CRP-Glu ReHo contrast maps, a covariance network of 41 regions-of-interest (ROIs) with similar ReHo decreases was identified in the High CRP-Glu group and was located to brain structures previously implicated in depression. The 41-ROI network was further decomposed into four subnetworks. ReHo decreases within Subnetwork4—comprised of reward processing regions —was associated with anhedonia. Subnetwork4 ReHo also predicted decreased network integrity, which mediated the link between local ReHo and anhedonia in the Low but not High CRP-Glu group. These findings suggest that decreased ReHo and related disruptions in network integrity may reflect toxic effects of inflammation-induced increases in extrasynaptic glutamate signaling. Moreover, local BOLD oscillatory activity as reflected in ReHo might be a useful measure of target-engagement in the brain for treatment of inflammation-induced behaviors.
(182) What do Patients with Acute and Chronic Pain Think about Rating the Intensity of their Pain? Insights from ACTTION's QUALITE-Pain Concept Elicitation Interviews

Patient-reported measures of pain intensity (i.e., numerical rating scales, visual analogue scales, and verbal rating scales) have been found to be reliable and valid in clinical trials. However, interpretations of pain intensity measures may vary within- and between-patients, potentially reducing pain intensity rating reliability. As part of ACTTION's efforts to develop an FDA-qualified measure of pain intensity (i.e., QUALIfied for the Therapeutic Evaluations of Pain; QUALITE-Pain), we conducted a multi-site qualitative study to interview individuals with acute (n=22) and chronic pain conditions (n=22) about their interpretations of existing pain intensity measures. When defining ‘pain intensity’, respondents primarily described the quantity of pain (77% for both acute and chronic), but also included other concepts (e.g., pain interference, tolerability, duration). When rating pain intensity, respondents considered their inability to participate in daily activities (64% of acute respondents; 59% chronic), the effects of lack of sleep and stress on pain (63% acute; 45% chronic), and emotions about pain (40% acute; 54% chronic). Regarding time period to be rated, all respondents with acute pain defined ‘now’ as pain intensity in the current moment. For respondents with chronic pain, ‘today’ was primarily defined as pain from waking until the present moment (68%), although other definitions included current pain or pain during the middle of the day. Respondents with chronic pain defined ‘over the past 24 hours’ as the pain experienced over the past 24 hours (59%), whereas other descriptions focused on pain today, since waking, or during the first half of the day. Pain intensity measures are generally included in primary efficacy outcomes in pain treatment clinical trials, and therefore idiosyncrasies and variability in interpretations of these measures may decrease assay sensitivity. Respondent perspectives in this study point to ways in which pain intensity measures may be improved (e.g., clarifying instructions and measure wording).
Abstract P2-06-24: Cannabinoid receptors agonist induces lysosome-mediated cell death in TNBC

Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of death among women in the United States. Among all the breast cancer subtypes, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is denoted as having the highest rate of mortality due to inefficacious therapy, drug resistance, and high recurrences rate. Despite many therapeutic advances over the past decades, novel therapeutic approaches are required to treat TNBC. Although lysosomes have recently been identified as novel targets in a variety of cancers, not much known about their role in breast cancer especially in TNBC. Due to the altered features of lysosomes in cancerous cells, its functional ability affects cell proliferation, metabolism, adaptation, and autophagy in tumor cells. Thus, the induction of lysosomal membrane permeabilization (LMP) may be used as a novel approach in controlling the aberrant cellular functions in TNBC. Cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) is expressed in breast cancer and its agonist JWH-015 has been shown to inhibit TNBC growth and metastasis. However, not much is known about the mechanisms by which JWH015 inhibit growth and metastasis. To investigate JWH015-mediated therapeutic mechanisms, we examined the lysosome-mediated cell death in TNBC cells. We found that JWH015 induces cell death in TNBC cells through lysosomal disruption mechanism. We also showed that JWH-015 treatment increases releases of lysosomal proteins, cathepsin D/B, and autophagy marker LC3B and that leads to activation of apoptotic cell death signaling in TNBC. These alterations result in the formation of autolysosomes to promote LMP. Our findings elucidate the mechanism by which JWH-015 promotes LMP induced autophagy and regulates TNBC cell proliferation. These studies elucidate novel lysosomal-mediated cell death mechanisms through activation of CB2 receptors in TNBC. Citation Format: Chatterjee N, Das S, Ahiwar D, Mishra S, Kaul K, Ganju R. Cannabinoid receptors agonist induces lysosome-mediated cell death in TNBC [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-06-24.
The Effect of Anthropomorphization and Gender of a Robot on Human-Robot Interactions

The popularity of assistant robots has increased in the recent past. Past research has looked at the effect of anthropomorphization of robots and considered the consumers’ gender as an important factor. However, research has not examined the interaction between a robot’s gender and its level of anthropomorphization on human-robot interactions. Our results indicate that males and females perceive a service failure differently depending upon the level of anthropomorphization of the robots involved in the failure.
Residents' Perspectives on and Application of Dental Public Health Competencies Using Case-Based Methods.

The aims of this study were to qualitatively assess dental public health (DPH) residents’ perspectives on teaching methods for DPH competencies and to develop and implement a case-based simulation to address those competencies, constructed on the basis of the qualitative assessment. Focus group discussions were conducted with 18 DPH residents enrolled in two university-based DPH programs. Topic areas discussed in the two focus groups were perceived value of DPH competencies, ways to acquire new DPH skills/abilities, and additional skills/abilities needed by DPH residents. The focus groups’ responses showed that the residents felt competent in the analytical thinking competencies such as research methodology and critiquing literature. They emphasized the importance of learning leadership skills and reported feeling somewhat uncertain about their mastery of the policy and advocacy and system evaluation competencies. Of the two distinct categories of DPH skills and competencies— analytical/critical thinking and practical competencies—these residents reported that a greater proportion of time needed to be devoted to integrating the practical competencies into their education. Based on the residents’ feedback, the authors developed a structured seminar series taking a case-based approach to simulate real-world DPH problems, using real and semi-hypothetical planning projects to meet the residents’ perceived needs and covering gaps between didactic learning and practice.
What the River Carries: Encounters with the Mississippi, Missouri, and Platte

Review of: "What the River Carries: Encounters With the Mississippi, Missouri, and Platte," by Lisa Knopp.
Through the looking glass and what you find there: making sense of comparative genomic hybridization and fluorescence in situ hybridization for melanoma diagnosis

Melanoma is the leading cause of death among cutaneous neoplasms. Best outcome relies on early detection and accurate pathologic diagnosis. For the great majority of melanocytic tumors, histopathologic examination can reliably distinguish nevi from melanomas. However, there is a subset of melanocytic tumors that cannot be definitively classified as benign or malignant using histopathological criteria alone. These tumors are usually diagnosed using terms that imply various degrees of uncertainty in regards to their malignant potential and create the possibility for over or undertreatment. For such tumors, additional ancillary tests would be beneficial in adjudicating a more definitive diagnosis. In recent years, DNA-based molecular ancillary tests, specifically comparative genomic hybridization and fluorescence in situ hybridization, have been developed to help guide the diagnosis of ambiguous melanocytic proliferations. This study will present an updated overview of these two major ancillary tests, which are currently being used in clinical practice to assist in the diagnosis of challenging melanocytic neoplasms.
A Distributed Cubic-Regularized Newton Method for Smooth Convex Optimization over Networks.

We propose a distributed, cubic-regularized Newton method for large-scale convex optimization over networks. The proposed method requires only local computations and communications and is suitable for federated learning applications over arbitrary network topologies. We show a $O(k^{{-}3})$ convergence rate when the cost function is convex with Lipschitz gradient and Hessian, with $k$ being the number of iterations. We further provide network-dependent bounds for the communication required in each step of the algorithm. We provide numerical experiments that validate our theoretical results.
Statins and Risk of Cholangiocarcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background and aims The use of statins has been shown to be associated with a decreased risk of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) in many studies although the results have been inconsistent. We conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis to further investigate this possible association by identifying all relevant studies and combining their results together. Methods A comprehensive literature review was conducted utilizing the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases through March 2020 to identify all studies that compared the risk of CCA among individuals who use statins with individuals who do not use statins. Effect estimates from each study were extracted and combined using the random-effect, generic inverse variance method of DerSimonian and Laird. Results A total of seven studies with 6,251,187 participants fulfilled the eligibility criteria and were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled analysis found a significantly decreased risk of CCA among individuals who use statins compared with individuals who do not use statins with the pooled odds ratio of 0.68 (95% CI: 0.52-0.89; I 2 96%). Conclusions The current systematic review and meta-analysis found a significant association between the use of statins and a decreased risk of CCA.
Effects of sleep disturbance on functional and physiological outcomes in collegiate athletes: A scoping review.

Abstract Objective To investigate sleep disturbances and circadian timing changes on functional and physiological correlates specifically in collegiate athletes. Design Scoping Review. Data sources PubMed MEDLINE, SPORT-Discus, CINAHL, ERIC ProQuest, Web of Science. Eligibility criteria Articles in English, studying college athletes 18–24 years old, employing a sleep measurement, and a comparison measure of cognitive, academic performance, athletic performance, injury rate, biomarkers and physiological measures, or imaging. Results Thirty articles met inclusion criteria. There was wide range of study design, sport studied, modality used to measure sleep, frequency of sleep measurements, and functional and physiological outcomes across studies. Sleep measurements varied greatly in frequency of data collection and type of measurement tool, with the majority using a sleep questionnaire. While all variables of interest were represented within the review, most had a focus on cognitive performance, athletic performance, or injury rate as a function of sleep. Studies using biomarkers and physiological measures or imaging were largely underrepresented. Few studies used biomarkers and physiological measures, and one study used imaging measures. Most studies in this review reported negative cognitive and academic outcomes with worse sleep quality and quantity. Conclusions Sleep is critical to maintaining optimal health and collegiate athletes represent a unique population given their unique time constraints, stresses, and sleep behaviors. Findings on athletic performance and injury rate as a function of sleep were mixed. Employing standardized objective methodologies in future work will allow for better understanding of the influence of sleep on the overall well-being and performance of college athletes.
Relativistic Energy and Minkowski Space

The theory of space and time that Einstein presents herein is remarkably different than the one described by Newton in his Principia. On the one hand, Newton assumes absolute (observer independent) distance and time intervals between events; this necessitates a subjective (observer dependent) speed of light. On the other hand, Einstein assumes an absolute speed of light; this necessitates subjective distance and time intervals between events. Indeed, the Lorentz transformations, which relate the space-time coordinates of events in Einstein’s theory, were constructed with precisely this end in mind: to preserve an observer-independent speed of light. Stated in this way, Einstein’s theory of space and time is arguably as “absolute” as Newton’s; they only disagree on what is absolute.
Immunization for prevention and treatment of cocaine abuse : legal and ethical implications

Abstract A cocaine vaccine, currently under investigation by several laboratories, would be an innovative and exciting means of treating and preventing cocaine addiction. However, an approved vaccine will raise at least two major areas of concern. (1) Loss of privacy: cocaine antibodies might be used as a marker to identify, penalize, and stigmatize vaccinated individuals. (2) Selection for vaccination: should immunization be voluntary or compelled; should immunization be restricted to addicts, to those at risk of addiction, or should it be universal; should immunization be used in children? I propose to analogize cocaine addiction to an infectious disease which poses a major public health problem. This approach can provide an ethical and legal foundation on which we may begin to formulate a societal approach to the use of the cocaine vaccine.
Housing Finance in Emerging Economies: Applying a Benchmark from Developed Countries

California at Berkeley Author contact information: edelstei@haas.berkeley.edu, University of California at Berkeley, Fisher Center for Real Estate and Urban Economics, Haas School of Business, 602 Faculty Building #6105, Berkeley, CA 94720-6105 Housing Finance in Emerging Economies: Applying a Benchmark from Developed Countries By Ashok Bardhan* and Robert H. Edelstein* Forthcoming in Mortgage Markets Worldwide (Editors: Danny Ben-Shahar, Seow Eng Ong, Charles Leung), Blackwell, 2007
Comparison of current meters in a coastal environment

As part of an in-house assessment of the quality of data collected by 3 different types of current meters routinely used at the National Water Research Institute (NWRI), a comparison deployment was undertaken. During the fall and winter of 2001-2002, two single-point current meters (a Nobska MAVS-3SL and a Sontek Hydra) and an acoustic Doppler current meter (RD Instruments 1200 kHz Workhorse ADCP Waves Array) were deployed in the southwest end of Lake Ontario. All 3 units were deployed on bottom mounted support frames within 100 metres of each other in 12 metres of water. The single-point devices measured approximately one metre off the bottom and the lowest bin of the ADCP was 0.5 metres higher in elevation. Ambient water temperatures ranged from approximately 2.5 to 11 /spl deg/C over the deployment period. Mean currents for each system compared favourably. Analysis of the individual components of velocity indicated a good comparison between the single-point current meters but the agreement with the two lowest ADCP bins was not as good. Short-term (single burst) velocity spectra from the MAVS and the Hydra showed good agreement during significant events. However, during quiet periods, the Hydra spectra had a fairly high noise floor, probably due to the reduced number of reflecting particles in the water. Comparison of directional wave data between the three sensor types showed good agreement of the characteristic wave height and fair to good agreement of the peak period and the peak direction.
Automatic Highway and Driver Aid Developments

This paper is centered about a completely automatic highway, called Auto- Control and two driver aids, called Electro Lane and Hy-Com. Auto-Control is presently embodied in a 1/40th scale model. Electro Lane is a path error detector and Hy-Com is a low frequency induction radio communications system.
Geographic-specific genotypes or topotypes of human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I as markers for early and recent migrations of human populations

Publisher Summary Kuru is one of the better-known paradigms of “place diseases,” or diseases occurring in high incidence in geographically restricted or delimited regions. From the study of kuru among the stone age fore in the Eastern Highlands of Papua, New Guinea, came the discovery of unconventional agents or slow viruses that cause neurodegenerative diseases in humans. In a similar fashion, the study of another place disease, a fulminating hematological malignancy in southwestern Japan, called adult T-cell leukemiailymphoma, led to the discovery of and etiological association with an exogenous replication-competent human retrovirus, human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I). This initial frontier of HTLV-I research was expanded by the serendipitous discovery that endemic tropical spastic paraparesis, also known as Jamaican neuropathy and paraparesia espastica el Pucifico, another place disease in the Caribbean basin and Colombia, was also caused by HTLV-I. A clinically indistinguishable spastic myelopathy, designated HTLV-I-associated myelopathy, was later recognized among HTLV-I-seropositive individuals in southern Japan, and presently, HTLV-I-associated myelopathy and HTLV-I-positive tropical spastic paraparesis are considered to be the same disease. The study of diseases in populations isolated by the virtue of geography, culture, and/or genetics can also provide insights into the evolution and dissemination of the etiological agent. From the studies of HTLV-I infection in an isolated recently contacted group in the fringe highlands of Papua, New Guinea, and among the lifelong residents of the Solomon Islands has come an augmented perspective on the emergence, evolution, and global dissemination of this lymphotropic retrovirus. In addition, these studies in Melanesia have led to the realization that HTLV-I may, in certain instances, serve as a biological marker for the early and recent migrations of human populations.
Soil Manganese Oxides

Manganese oxide minerals in soils are important as a source of the plant nutrient Mn, and for their interactions with other minerals and with other cations (Adams et al., 1969). Also, the oxidative and catalytic properties of manganese oxides influence humus formation (Shindo and Huang, 1984). The presence of manganese oxide minerals in soils can easily be detected by their dark colour, and by the vigorous reaction of these minerals on addition of H2O2. However, relatively little is known about the manganese minerals in soils. Traditionally soil scientists considered manganese (and iron) minerals to be impurities rather than soil components. Therefore, common mineralogical procedures for clay mineral studies involve steps to remove these minerals rather than for their analysis and identification. This oversight, and the inherent difficulties in separation and identification have delayed investigation of these minerals in the soil environment. Also, the structures of all of the manganese oxides are not known, and only recently have some of the tunnel structures been resolved.